Episode Summary: In this episode of Mastering Business Skills, hosts Erin Alli and Sharon Savage sit down with Ed Keohan—executive coach, advisor, and president of Clarity and Impact Coaching—to explore what it really takes to help businesses grow and thrive.

With over 30 years of leadership experience in industries ranging from food and beverage to medical diagnostics, Ed shares how his transition from corporate executive to certified business coach reshaped his approach to problem-solving, leadership, and strategic growth.

You’ll hear Ed’s insights on:

• Why great coaching is more about asking questions than giving answers.

• How to resist the urge to be the “answer person” and instead empower clients to find solutions.

• The importance of clarity in setting long-term business goals—and the accountability to follow through.

• Why networking is a critical skill most business leaders overlook.

• How leaders can let go of control without losing momentum.

• The role of communication in driving change and avoiding “ripple effect” chaos.

Ed also shares his honest reflections on lessons learned, skills he wishes he’d developed sooner, and how business owners can prepare for sustainable growth without getting stuck in the “founder’s trap.” Whether you’re leading a growing team or considering a shift into coaching, this episode offers practical advice and inspiring stories you can apply today.

About Our Guest: Ed Keohan is a certified business and executive coach and the president of Clarity and Impact Coaching. Based in Southern New Hampshire, Ed works with small to medium-sized companies to improve communication, refine processes, boost profitability, and guide leaders toward both business success and personal balance.

Connect with Ed:

• Website: https://www.clarity-impactcoaching.com

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ed-keohan-abb6748

Episode Summary: In this inspiring conversation, Erin and Sharon sit down with Ashlan Glazier-Anderson—a Professional Certified Marketer and Certified Digital Marketing Professional with over 18 years of experience—to talk about building authentic, effective marketing strategies that fit each client’s unique strengths. Ashlan shares her journey from corporate and agency work to launching her own business, Ashbeam PDX Marketing, and how she tailors marketing solutions for both small businesses and nonprofits.

Ashlan dives into:

• Why “one-size-fits-all” marketing advice often fails.

• How to identify your best-fit clients (and say no when it’s not a match).

• The value of authenticity in marketing and sales conversations.

• Balancing multiple marketing services while avoiding burnout.

• Documenting systems and processes early to save time and headaches later.

• Her “Christmas in July” workshop series for prepping Q4 sales strategies.

She also shares the personal habits that keep her focused—including her morning pages routine and color-coded calendar—and her belief that success is measured in client retention and long-term impact, especially for nonprofits.

Takeaways:

• Build strategies around what works for you, not just what the latest trend says.

• It’s okay (and often necessary) to fire clients who aren’t the right fit.

• Consistency, authenticity, and strategic preparation are keys to long-term growth.

• Retention and relationships can be more important than rapid scaling.

Connect with Ashlan: Website | LinkedIn

Subscribe & Review If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe to the Mastering Business Skills Podcast and leave us a review so more listeners can find and benefit from our conversations.

📌 Episode Summary: In this episode of Mastering Business Skills, we sit down with Sharon Sobel—founder of Picture This Video—to explore how she transformed her passion for video production into a sustainable business that has evolved alongside changing technology and client needs.

With over two decades of experience in educational and nonprofit media, Sharon shares how she transitioned from cable television and school system production to launching a thriving freelance business that now focuses on livestreaming, video podcast production, and marketing strategy.

Whether you're starting a creative business, growing a podcast, or figuring out pricing and pivots, Sharon's journey offers lessons in adaptability, self-awareness, and the power of taking strategic risks.

🧠 Topics Covered:

• How Sharon went from public access TV to business ownership

• Learning pricing and value the hard way (and how she improved it)

• Supporting podcasters with livestreams, branding, and monetization

• The difference between skill and business acumen—and how she built both

• How her husband turned podcasting into a full-time career with sponsors

• The importance of local resources (SCORE, SBDCs, chambers, etc.)

• Building process documentation for livestream events

• Why consistency trumps quantity when podcasting

💬 Quotes to Remember:

“The video skills are great—but if you’re running a business, you have to learn how to run the business too.” — Sharon Sobel

“I didn’t know how to price until I was the one processing invoices. Watching what others charged taught me more than a course ever could.” — Sharon Sobel

“You don’t have to be everywhere at once. You need to show up consistently—even if that’s once a month.” — Sharon Sobel

“We named it Picture This Video—but in five years, I could see us calling it Picture This Radio and merging the video and podcast sides of the business.” — Sharon Sobel

📣 Who This Episode Is For:

• Creative entrepreneurs navigating business growth

• Podcasters looking to improve production quality or monetize

• Freelancers unsure how to set rates or scale services

• Anyone debating a leap from employment to self-employment

• Service providers considering a niche pivot or rebrand

👋 Connect with Sharon Sobel: 🔗 Website: Picture This Video 🔗 LinkedIn: Sharon Sobel

📌 Want more behind-the-scenes conversations with inspiring entrepreneurs? Be sure to follow or subscribe, and if you loved this episode, leave us a review!