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!

📌 Episode Summary: In this episode of Mastering Business Skills, we sit down with award-winning public relations expert Andrea Pass, founder of Andrea Pass Public Relations. With decades of experience across national media, consumer products, nonprofits, authors, and more, Andrea shares her journey from dreaming of a broadcast career to building a thriving PR agency—and the powerful relationships that fueled her path.

She dives into the essential business skills new entrepreneurs need beyond PR—like relationship building, organization, and resilience—and why communication methods matter more than ever. Andrea also discusses her successful networking venture, Access Success Networking, and why intentional connection beats the elevator pitch every time.

If you're building a business, trying to increase visibility, or want insight from someone who's pivoted successfully (and happily) over time, this episode is packed with wisdom, laughs, and tactical advice.

🧠 Topics Covered:

• Andrea’s unexpected path from broadcast journalism to public relations

• The most underrated skills that helped her launch and grow her business

• How to make authentic networking actually work (no more boring elevator pitches!)

• What new entrepreneurs often get wrong about PR—and how to fix it

• The difference between DIY PR and hiring a professional

• Why happiness is her definition of success—and how that’s evolved

• Her new focus on media training and leadership at the Fair Lawn Chamber of Commerce

🔥 Quotes to Remember:

“Everyone's got a story. But what makes yours special? That’s what drives PR.” “If you’re not organized, things slip through the cracks—and that’s where you lose business.” “Happiness is success. That’s what I strive for now, every day.”

📣 Connect with Andrea Pass:

• Website: AndreaPassPR.com

• LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/andreapass

• Instagram: @AndreaPassPR

• Facebook: www.facebook.com/andreapasspublicrelations
• X: https://x.com/NJ_Andrea

🎧 Tune in and learn: Whether you're navigating a new business or thinking about your next pivot, Andrea’s honest, insightful journey will leave you inspired—and ready to build stronger relationships in your business today.

If you like this episode, please subscribe so you never miss a new one!

📌 Episode Summary: In this episode of Mastering Business Skills, Erin Alli talks to Brad Eisenberg, founder of Be Lean, to talk about the real work of scaling a service-based business—and how to navigate the “messy middle” where growth becomes complex, chaotic, and sometimes overwhelming.

Brad shares his entrepreneurial journey from launching a bike-sharing startup in college to becoming COO of a fast-growing company, and ultimately creating a consulting firm that helps businesses scale with clarity, intention, and the right systems. He breaks down the four essential components of scalability, explains how to avoid shiny-object syndrome, and offers a refreshing take on defining success on your own terms.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• How to scale without sacrificing quality or sanity

• Brad’s 4 key pillars of scalability: traction, profit, capacity, and innovation

• Why your lived experience always brings value—even if you feel like you're starting from scratch

• How to approach business growth as a series of small, smart experiments

• What success really looks like when you’re building a business that works for you (not the other way around)

🎧 Listen to the full episode here: 🔗 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/mastering-business-skills/id1817446208 🔗 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3pA7iQAoo2gvhBGnjPpIr8 🔗 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzFg-Yn62awp-lzhJ_5blXg

Connect with Brad:

• Website: https://www.beleanbusiness.com

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brad-eisenberg/

If you liked this episode, subscribe so you always see the new releases!

📌 Episode Summary: In this thought-provoking episode of Mastering Business Skills, hosts Erin Alli and Sharon Savage sit down with Alexandra Suchman, CEO and co-founder of Barometer XP, to explore how play can transform workplace culture.

Alexandra shares how her background in organizational development and her curiosity about team dynamics led her to co-create a platform that uses games to spark trust, connection, and collaboration. From breaking down resistance to play at work to launching a searchable game database and facilitator certification program, Alexandra offers fresh, practical insights for anyone ready to improve how their team communicates and grows—together.

You’ll learn:

• Why most workplace issues are rooted in broken interpersonal dynamics

• How non-competitive games build psychological safety and mutual accountability

• How to use storytelling, reflection, and play to strengthen team performance

• Ways to overcome fear or awkwardness around introducing play in professional settings

• Alexandra’s personal journey from burnout to building a mission-driven business

Whether you’re a leader, coach, facilitator, or team member, this episode will inspire you to think differently about culture—and maybe even have a little fun while you're at it.

🎧 Listen to the full episode on your favorite platform: 🔗 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/mastering-business-skills/id1817446208 🔗 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3pA7iQAoo2gvhBGnjPpIr8 🔗 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzFg-Yn62awp-lzhJ_5blXg

Connect with Alex and Barometer XP:

• Barometer XP: https://www.barometerxp.com

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexandrasuchman

• Play Concierge Platform (free to join): https://app.barometerxp.com

Like this episode? Subscribe so you never miss the latest release!

📌 Episode Summary: In this inspiring episode of Mastering Business Skills, hosts Erin Alli and Sharon Savage sit down with Bernie DeSantis—Owner of Insignia Training Partners and founder of Growth Mode Engaged—to explore his journey from mortgage banker to leadership trainer to business owner. Bernie shares how he transitioned from corporate burnout to entrepreneur, what it really takes to run a business, and how listening, mentorship, and passion drive lasting success.

You’ll hear about:

• How Bernie unexpectedly became a leadership trainer (hint: ropes courses and SWAT team simulations!)

• The leap from contractor to business owner

• The overlooked workload behind virtual events (36+ hours!)

• Why networking is more about relationships than transactions

• The mindset shifts and habits that support sustainable growth

• His personal mission in suicide prevention and mental health awareness

Whether you're a small business owner, facilitator, or someone scaling up your skill set, Bernie brings refreshing honesty, tactical insight, and heart to the conversation.

🎧 Listen to the full episode on your favorite platform: 🔗 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/mastering-business-skills/id1817446208 🔗 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3pA7iQAoo2gvhBGnjPpIr8 🔗 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzFg-Yn62awp-lzhJ_5blXg

Connect with Bernie:

• Insignia Training Partners: https://insigniatraining.com/

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/badiii

If you liked this episode, please subscribe so you don't miss any future episodes!

Hosts: Erin Alli & Sharon Savage Guest: Kenny Perry, Founder of Organic Mindset Agency

Episode Overview:

In this episode of Mastering Business Skills, Erin Alli and Sharon Savage sit down with Kenny Perry, the visionary founder of Organic Mindset Agency. Kenny shares his journey from Halifax, Nova Scotia to leading a cutting-edge digital marketing agency operating between Wilmington, Delaware and Toronto, Canada. The conversation dives into the skills needed to launch a scalable business, the critical role of website optimization, and how AI is transforming digital marketing for entrepreneurs and service-based businesses.

Key Topics Discussed:

• Kenny Perry’s Entrepreneurial Journey

  • From a background in communications and early career experiences in banking and insurance, Kenny reveals how the pandemic inspired him to build a scalable, online, and “pandemic-proof” business.

  • The two-and-a-half-year planning process leading to the launch of Organic Mindset Agency in 2021.

• What Sets Organic Mindset Agency Apart

  • Specializes in AI-powered, automated websites with lead-generating engines, completed in 21 days or less.

  • Comprehensive digital marketing services: SEO, online advertising, social media growth, and branding.

  • Emphasis on clear messaging, strong calls to action, and SEO optimization to help clients stand out online.

• Essential Skills for Business Success

  • Kenny highlights the importance of communication, relationship-building, and networking.

  • The value of formal education, mentorship, and especially the “lost art” of making meaningful introductions in business.

  • How adaptability and tailoring communication style to different audiences can drive business growth.

• The Power of an Optimized Website

  • Kenny explains why a website is a business’s digital “brick and mortar” and how first impressions are made in just eight seconds.

  • The importance of clear messaging, strategic design, and prominent calls to action for conversion.

  • Practical advice on prioritizing website investment for long-term business success.

• Integrating AI into Digital Marketing

  • How Organic Mindset Agency uses AI chatbots and widgets to enhance user experience and streamline client communications.

  • The benefits of AI for service-based businesses, from handling inquiries to automating quotes and bookings.

  • Addressing common concerns about AI adoption and its growing role in business.

• Lessons Learned & Advice for Entrepreneurs

  • Kenny reflects on the importance of mastering networking and wishes he had honed this skill earlier in his career.

  • Tips for making effective introductions and building valuable connections in the business community.

Notable Quotes:

“Your website is your brick and mortar location in the digital world. You have eight seconds to capture someone’s attention—make it count.”

“Not every person you network with will become a client; some become friends, and that’s just as valuable.”

Connect with Kenny Perry & Organic Mindset Agency:

• Website

• LinkedIn

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