The Real Bottom Line

Guest: M. Shannon Hernandez, Messaging & Marketing Strategist and Founder of Joyful Business Revolution™Episode Summary: Feeling drained by social media? Struggling to see real business results from all your posts? You’re not alone. In this episode, I sit down with M. Shannon Hernandez to talk about a more sustainable, joyful approach to marketing—one that doesn’t leave you glued to an algorithm.Shannon is the Founder of Joyful Business Revolution™, where she helps business owners create organic marketing strategies that align with their values and bring in revenue. With over 25 years in curriculum design and work featured on CBS, ABC, FOX, and NBC, Shannon knows how to craft messaging that connects and converts.We dive into:Why relying solely on social media is a mistake for most business ownersThe power of email marketing and why it should be your primary sales driverHow to simplify your marketing while increasing your resultsThe one-platform-plus-email strategy that keeps your marketing effective and joyfulHow to build true community in your business (hint: it’s not just online)Quotes from the Episode:“One platform that brings you so much joy plus email marketing that drives revenue. That is the perfect blend.” – M. Shannon Hernandez“Publishing more content, yelling louder, or dancing on TikTok won’t fix your marketing if your messaging isn’t landing.” – M. Shannon Hernandez“If they can’t hear you, you can’t help them.” – M. Shannon HernandezConnect with Shannon: Website: www.joyfulbusinessrevolution.comLinkedIn: M. Shannon HernandezResources & Links:Grab Shannon’s free resource: 65 Story Ideas for Better Email Marketing → joyfulbusinessrevolution.com/65storyideasLearn more about The Real Bottom Line Podcast: therealbottomline.caJoin us for our Renew & Recharge Retreat: Exploring the Flavors, Culture, and Creativity of Mexico in September 2025: https://bit.ly/4c53OYKOur Tuscan Retreat is May 2-8, 2026. We don’t quite have the registration page ready yet, but if you are interested in more info, please email us.Enjoyed this episode? Don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review! Your support helps us bring more valuable conversations to business owners like you.What’s your biggest takeaway from this episode? Let’s continue the conversation—connect with me on LinkedIn and share your thoughts!

Your business has a story—are you telling it in a way that connects, engages, and drives sales?In this episode of The Real Bottom Line, Wendy Brookhouse sits down with Andrea Sampson, storytelling expert and CEO of Talk Boutique, to break down the art and science of storytelling in business. Whether you're pitching investors, marketing to customers, or leading a team, a compelling story can make all the difference.Andrea shares insights from her career in advertising, branding, and coaching TEDx speakers—revealing how entrepreneurs can transform dry facts into powerful narratives that inspire action.What You'll Learn in This Episode:✅ The Power of Storytelling in Business – Why storytelling is more than just marketing; it’s a business essential.✅ What Makes a Story Effective? – The key elements every great story must have.✅ How to Find Your Brand’s Core Story – A step-by-step approach to defining your what, how, and why to craft a powerful brand message.✅ How Storytelling Helps You Sell – How to position your product or service so that customers see themselves in your story.✅ The Common Storytelling Mistakes Entrepreneurs Make – And how to avoid them.✅ Lessons from TEDx – What working with TEDx speakers taught Andrea about crafting short, high-impact stories.✅ AI & Storytelling – How artificial intelligence can help refine your brand story (but why it should never replace human connection).Why This Matters:If you don’t control your brand’s story, your customers will create their own. A strong, well-crafted narrative builds trust, engages your audience, and helps your business stand out in a crowded market.Want to sharpen your storytelling skills? Download Andrea’s Storytelling Toolkit at blackstarwealth.com/storytelling-toolkit.🎧 Tune in now and start telling a story that sells!

Welcome to The Real Bottom Line with Wendy Brookhouse. In this episode, Wendy sits down with April Roberts, a high-performance coach for female entrepreneurs, to explore her incredible journey from practising law to building and selling a successful financial planning business.What You’ll Learn:How April transitioned careers and built her financial planning firm from the ground up.Insights into selling a business while maintaining client and team trust.The power of intentional planning and the "CEO Calendar" for scaling success.Why rest, energy management, and personal growth are critical for entrepreneurs.How April helps business owners unlock their full potential as a high-performance coach.Memorable Moments:April’s candid stories about life’s curveballs and finding new paths.Lessons in transitioning a family business while safeguarding its legacy.Practical tips on leveraging time and energy for greater productivity.Resources and Links:Connect with April at Vixen Gathering.Join Wendy's Business Value Amplifier Program: https://www.businessvalueamplifier.com/For financial strategies, visit Black Star Wealth.Tune in for actionable insights and inspiring stories!

What makes a story truly unforgettable? It’s the humanity and emotions behind it. In this episode of The Real Bottom Line, I chat with Crystal Adair-Benning, a prolific ghostwriter and storytelling expert, about why the most impactful content comes from real, human experiences.Crystal opens up about her journey, from ghostwriting her first New York Times bestseller at just 14 to redefining her career during COVID. We dive into:Why human-written stories resonate more deeply than AI-generated content.How emotion and authenticity create connections that drive business success.The shift from event planning to becoming a full-time storyteller and creative coach.The power of storytelling as a marketing tool for entrepreneurs and thought leaders.Crystal also shares her belief that emotion is the currency of the future and offers insights into how writers and business owners can stand out by focusing on their unique human experiences.Key Takeaways:Authenticity Wins: Stories told with empathy and authenticity connect with audiences at a level AI cannot replicate.Marketing with Heart: Using your story as a marketing tool isn’t just effective—it’s transformative for your audience.Human Creativity Matters: Creativity isn’t unlocked; it’s already within you. Sometimes, you just need the right guide to find it.Connect with Crystal:Website: www.writewordmagic.comInstagram: @writewordmagicResources Mentioned:Crystal’s Freebie: Bestselling Blueprint (available on her website)Real Bottom Line: Emotions are the ultimate currency. When you tap into the heart of your story, you unlock the power to connect, inspire, and drive impact.

In this episode of The Real Bottom Line, I sit down with Christine Tolton, CEO of Red Cat Marketing, as she celebrates 20 years in business. Christine shares her journey from corporate to entrepreneurship, the lessons she’s learned, and her top marketing insights for 2025. Discover how to adapt to changing trends, harness creativity, and build a business that thrives.

Success is rarely a straight line—it’s more like a bowl of spaghetti! In this episode of The Real Bottom Line, I chat with Jackie Dinsmore, a lawyer-turned-serial entrepreneur and investor, about her unconventional journey. Jackie shares how she built two successful businesses, navigated high-stakes exits, and disrupted the legal industry with her innovative approach at Caravel Law.We dive into the highs, the challenges, and the lessons learned, covering everything from cash flow struggles in retail to the art of negotiating business sales. Plus, Jackie offers invaluable advice for entrepreneurs on staying resilient, surrounding yourself with the right team, and knowing when to pivot or push through.If you’ve ever wondered what it takes to grow, sell, or reinvent a business, this episode is packed with actionable insights and candid stories you won’t want to miss!Topics Covered:Jackie’s entrepreneurial journey from handbags to kids’ apparelThe challenges of retail cash flow and inventory managementLessons from selling businesses and working with buyersDisrupting the legal industry with Caravel LawPractical advice for entrepreneurs on navigating the messy path to successSubscribe for more insights from entrepreneurs who’ve been there, done that, and are ready to share the real bottom line!📌 Links Mentioned:Connect with Jackie Dinsmore: Caravel Law Website

In this special edition of The Real Bottom Line, we’re diving deep into the world of live events and how they’ve evolved since the pandemic. Wendy sits down with three incredible guests—Menna Riley, founder of Leading Ladies Networking, Tyler Hayden, a renowned keynote speaker and author, and Ravi Tangri, a facilitator and expert in soul engineering—to explore how live events can boost your business, the shifts in event structuring, and why connection remains key in the post-pandemic world.Our guests share their personal stories of how they had to pivot during COVID, from taking in-person events online to blending virtual and live experiences. The group also discusses the upcoming Turning Tides Conference and why this event is a game-changer for entrepreneurs looking to learn, grow, and connect in new ways. This is an episode packed with actionable insights, expert advice, and a unique look at the future of live events.Key Takeaways:Pivoting in a Pandemic: Menna, Tyler, and Ravi share how they transitioned from live to virtual events, and how those changes have stuck around in hybrid formats.The Importance of Connection: The pandemic showed us what we missed about in-person interaction. Live events help foster that connection, but they now require a more engaging, interactive format.Engagement is Everything: Ravi discusses how to engage your audience, whether in-person or online, with techniques like open space and World Cafés that keep people connected and involved.Turning Tides Conference: The upcoming conference for entrepreneurs in Nova Scotia offers a unique "unconference" format where attendees will get personalized advice from experts and walk away with an actionable plan for their business.Memorable Quotes:Menna Riley: “Consistency, consistency, consistency—you have to keep doing it or you’ll lose it.”Tyler Hayden: “We’ve been missing a place to come and connect... We want to help create that for Nova Scotia long term.”Ravi Tangri: “I realized the blocks I was putting in my own way... and found suddenly I could do 95% of what I did in person with the same engagement online.”Special Offer:Listeners of The Real Bottom Line can get an exclusive discount for the upcoming Turning Tides Conference. Tune in for details and learn how to attend this unique event designed for entrepreneurs.Resources Mentioned:Menna Riley’s Leading Ladies Networking: https://mennariley.com/Tyler Hayden’s Team Building School: https://www.tylerhayden.com/Ravi Tangri’s Soul Engineering: https://speakerscanada.com/keynote-speaker/ravi-tangri/Turning Tides Conference: https://www.turningtidesconference.caConnect with Us:Website: blackstarwealth.comFacebook: Black Star WealthLinkedIn: Wendy BrookhouseInstagram: @BlackStarWealth

In this episode of The Real Bottom Line, I sit down with Talmar Anderson, founder of Boss HQ, to discuss one of the most crucial aspects of scaling any business—building the right team. Talmar shares her journey from being the "number two" in law firms to becoming a successful entrepreneur, and she breaks down the key difference between your Dream Team and your Freedom Team.We dive into the mindset shifts business owners need to make, how to stop hiring for potential, and why building a team that works without you is essential for growing—and selling—your business. If you're an entrepreneur looking to step into the CEO role and create a business that runs smoothly without being dependent on you, this episode is for you.Key Topics:Talmar’s personal journey from employee to entrepreneurThe difference between the Dream Team and the Freedom TeamWhy hiring for potential can hold your business backHow to build trust and delegate effectively as a bossThe importance of creating a business that doesn’t rely on you

Episode Summary: In this episode of The Real Bottom Line, I sit down with Julie Ellis, co-founder of Mabel’s Labels, to discuss her incredible journey from corporate life to building an eight-figure business and ultimately selling it. Julie shares candid insights into the challenges and triumphs of entrepreneurship, the importance of speed in a competitive market, and the emotional complexity of selling a business.Key Topics Discussed:Transition from Corporate to EntrepreneurshipJulie’s shift from the corporate world to co-founding Mabel’s Labels.How motherhood sparked the idea for the business.The early days of Mabel’s Labels and how the four co-founders divided responsibilities.Navigating PartnershipsThe dynamics of working with multiple co-founders.Importance of clear roles, communication, and having a shareholders agreement in place.The informal yet structured approach to decision-making that kept them moving forward.First to Market and the Need for SpeedHow being the first children’s label brand in North America drove the need for speed and innovation.Challenges of staying ahead of competitors and the fear of being overtaken by larger companies.Corporate Lessons Applied to EntrepreneurshipWhat Julie learned from her corporate experience that benefited Mabel’s Labels.The balance between process and agility in a growing business.The Emotional and Practical Aspects of Selling a BusinessThe unsolicited offer to buy Mabel’s Labels and the decision-making process that followed.The intense due diligence process and the importance of being well-prepared.Julie’s personal journey post-sale and why she decided to leave the company shortly after.Life After Mabel’s LabelsJulie’s transition to coaching and consulting after leaving Mabel’s Labels.Her focus on helping leaders at inflection points in their careers and businesses.The importance of intentionality and strategic decision-making in business and life.Top Takeaways:Clear Roles and Communication - Establish clear roles and maintain open communication to navigate the complexities of partnerships.Move Quickly, Stay Ahead - Innovate and push forward to maintain a competitive edge, especially when you're first to market.Prepare for the Emotional Impact of Selling - Selling a business is both a financial and emotional journey; be prepared for the challenges of both.How to Connect with Julie Ellis:Visit Julie’s website: https://www.julieellis.ca/Connect with her on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/julie-ellis/

Insights from Selling a 35-Year Business: A Conversation with Donna AlteenIn this episode of 'The Real Bottom Line,' host Wendy welcomes her guest Donna Alteen, a seasoned entrepreneur who shares her extensive experience in running and eventually selling her business after 35 years. Donna emphasizes the importance of early planning, setting up a leadership team, and engaging financial advisors and other professionals well in advance of the sale. She candidly discusses the emotional and procedural aspects of the transition, including the due diligence process and maintaining company culture post-sale. The episode provides valuable insights for entrepreneurs contemplating the sale of their own businesses.00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome01:14 Starting to Think About Selling02:13 Preparing the Business for Sale04:13 Engaging the Leadership Team06:31 Finding the Right Buyer14:43 Due Diligence Process18:40 Post-Sale Reflections and Advice33:29 Final Thoughts and ConclusionFind Donna on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/donna-alteen-icd-d-6209483/Websitestimespacemedia.com (Company)facebook.com/TimeSpaceMediaLtd (Time + Space Media Facebook)