Innovation isn’t just for billion-dollar tech teams in glass towers. It’s also for the solopreneur at her kitchen table, the mid-sized company trying to keep up, and the human behind the business figuring out what’s next.

In this episode of The Table, Dani and innovation strategist Jolly Pradhan dig into how big-company innovation principles translate directly into the everyday decisions you make in your business and your life, so you can keep adapting without burning out.​

In this episode, we get into:

• What innovation really is (beyond the jargon) and why even tiny shifts in your offers, operations, or habits count.​

• How big tech thinks about R&D—and how to scale that thinking down for small businesses and solopreneurs.​

• The 90/10 reality of innovation: most experiments won’t “hit,” and why that small percentage that does can change everything.​

• Why “solutionizing” too fast wastes time, money, and emotional energy, whether you’re a global company or a team of one.​

• Using real customer voice to guide your next move instead of guessing what people want.​

• How to apply innovation thinking to your own career, burnout, and personal pivots—not just your products.​

• A grounded definition of innovation you can actually apply to your current season, regardless of business size.​

• Simple ways to spot where a small, strategic change could unlock more ease or effectiveness in your work and life.​

• Permission to innovate in manageable steps, adapt as you go, and still feel like you’re moving forward.​

Meet our guest

Jolly Pradhan is the founder of End-to-End Innovation Consulting and has spent 15+ years guiding complex tech and AI products from idea to launch as a systems engineer and product leader. She specializes in connecting dots across teams and timelines to bring bold, customer-centered solutions to life in fast-changing markets.​

Links & Resources

• Connect with Jolly on LinkedIn to learn more about her work and innovation insights.​

• Explore Dani’s work at Mise en Plan if you’re ready to refine your messaging, offers, and strategy for your next innovation.​

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2026 already feels…weird. AI is everywhere, the economy and politics are shaky, social media feels like a slot machine, and your customers are more cautious and more skeptical than ever.​​

In this solo episode of The Table, marketing strategist and small business owner Dani Henneberger shares 9 shifts she’s watching this year and what they actually mean if you’re a small, thoughtful business that still wants to feel human while you grow.​​

You’ll hear about:

• How to use AI as support without outsourcing your voice

• Why social is no longer your whole strategy (and what to focus on instead)

• The rising importance of relationships, referrals, and real community

• How shifting economics, politics, and consumer priorities should shape your offers

• Why this messy moment might actually be the start of a small business renaissance

If you’ve been feeling the wobble but also sensing there’s opportunity in all of this, this one’s for you.​​

Work with Dani:
Want help making sense of this for your own business? Dani’s VIP Days are designed for seasoned founders who need clearer positioning, aligned messaging, and a marketing plan that doesn’t feel like a second job.​​

• Learn more about VIP Days

• Join The Table Live (small-group founder dinners): [link]

• Share your own 2026 predictions or questions: DM Dani on Instagram or LinkedIn

Pull up a chair as Dani chats with PR powerhouse Sarah Ramsey of Pitch PR about how service-based entrepreneurs and founders can harness public relations—no gatekeepers, no prerequisites required. Sarah gets real about the myths of PR, why you’re probably already doing it (surprise!), and simple, strategic ways to build name recognition and trust, whether you’re just starting out or scaling up. Expect insightful frameworks, actionable tips, and a fresh boost of permission to boldly own your expertise.

• PR isn’t reserved for “big names”—every entrepreneur benefits from visibility strategies that feel authentic and sustainable.​

• Sarah demystifies the difference between marketing, PR, and brand—and how their overlap fuels audience trust and growth.​

• Why local, niche, or industry-specific media coverage almost always beats chasing national features (especially early on).​

• Hot take: Attending events, commenting online, and connecting with your audience is already PR.​

• Pay-to-play vs. organic coverage—how to decide what actually moves the needle for your client base.​

• Permission: “Nobody needs to grant you permission to do PR”—practically, emotionally, and tactically.​

• When to DIY, when to get expert support, and the real value of outside perspective and media training.​

Sarah Ramsey is the founder of Pitch PR, where she helps authors, thought leaders, and entrepreneurs build lasting name recognition and engaged audiences. With over 15 years in newsrooms and extensive communications leadership for government and nonprofits, she specializes in turning bright ideas—and the people behind them—into household names. Sarah’s approach is practical, authentic, and relentlessly supportive, making PR accessible for businesses at any stage.​

• Website: www.sarahramsey.com

• Instagram: @PRPinchHitter

• Email: sarah@sarahramsey.com

Timestamped Segments

01:25 “What exactly IS PR, anyway?” ​

05:10PR vs. Marketing: What’s the difference? ​

10:41 Who actually needs PR (hint: it’s you) ​

13:15 Local vs. National Coverage: What matters most ​

18:59 Pay-to-play media—worth it? ​

23:38 How to start building your own PR strategy ​

29:42 “Is your story newsworthy?” Deciding what to pitch ​

37:17 DIY PR vs. bringing in a pro ​

44:17 Media training as a game-changer for founders ​

45:33 How to reach Sarah and next steps

Feeling inspired to own your visibility? Share your favorite insight from the episode and tag @MiseenPlan and @PRPinchHitter!

Plus... don't forget to hit follow and subscribe so you never miss an episode

Ready to ditch boring headshots and finally feel at ease in front of the camera? Join host Dani Henneberger and guest Vicki Diesing of VSD Photography as they unpack why brand photography matters way beyond aesthetics, and how it fuels authentic confidence and connection for founders and service-based businesses.

In This Episode:

Chapters

• 00:00:01 Introduction to Brand Photography
• 00:00:58 Meet Vicki from VSD Photography
• 00:04:56 The Value of Professional Images
• 00:09:27 Tips for Building Comfort in Front of the Camera
• 00:11:38 Preparing for a Brand Shoot
• 00:17:42 Using Brand Photos Effectively

More Topics:

• Why brand photography is an investment in both strategy and self-worth, not just a pretty website​

• DIY vs. professional images: which ones actually build trust and make your brand feel “real”​

• How to prep for a photo shoot, without overwhelm or “JCPenney flashbacks”​​

• Outfit, makeup, and prop tips to keep it personal (not cookie cutter)​​

• The confidence gap and behind-the-scenes methods Vicki uses to help clients relax, show their real personality, and truly love their images​

• Creative ways to leverage your images across your website, socials, and offers for maximum client connection​

• Audit your current brand images: do they match the YOU that clients meet in person?​

• Use the flat lay and prop tips to inject more warmth and personality into your content this quarter​

• • Connect with VSD Photography (Alexandria/DC area, and travels) for an experience that actually makes you feel “seen”, not just snapped​

  
  

  Links:

  • Website: www.VSDphotography.com
• • Instagram: @VSDphotography
• • LinkedIn: Vicki Diesing
• • Connect with Dani: Mise en Plan

  
  

  Hit subscribe so you don't miss an episode!

In this episode, I welcome Emma Huschka to The Table—paid traffic strategist, creative data nerd, and the guiding force behind Fiddle Leaf Marketing. Emma’s known for cutting straight through the confusion and helping small businesses finally see actual results from their ad spend, using simple language. If you’ve ever wondered whether paid ads are worth it for your business, she’s the pro you want in your corner and today she's here with some answers.

Listen if:

• Tired of burning cash on “let’s just try it” ad strategies

• Craving less jargon, more clarity on paid ads

• Need real, right-now answers for streamlining ad spend

Key Takeaways:

• Diagnose if now is the time: Step-by-step prompts to figure out if the foundation is set (and what to tighten first if not).

• “Don’t outspend the funnel”: Dani and Emma break down starter budgets vs. scaling sensibly—what the gurus never say.

• Read results like a pro: Emma’s “red flag” data moments (plus, the one number most folks hype that actually means zip).

  
  

About Emma:
Emma Huschka is a paid traffic strategist with a knack for translating analytics into simple, human moves for business owners. She’s built campaigns that actually help small brands punch above their weight, and specializes in helping service pros turn digital ads into real, consistent results—without the overwhelm or useless guru-speak.

Questions Covered & Timestamps:

03:42 - When is it the right time to start using paid ads?

09:17 - Should ads always be running — or just sometimes?

15:21 - Is it better to run ads to a paid offer or something free?

22:44 - What type of creative works best right now?

34:59 - How much do I really need to spend for ads to work?

40:16 - How do I know if I’m getting a good ROI from my ads?

44:38 - What are some big changes that have/are happening in the paid space that people should know?

Need help nailing down your audience and message? Reach out to Dani at Mise en Plan and work through those critical prep steps before you ever spend a dollar.

Or, if you’re ready to build your custom paid ads plan, book a consult with Emma at Fiddle Leaf Marketing

Links:

• • Emma Huschka, Fiddle Leaf Marketing
  • Paid Ads 101: 3 Truths Every Small Business Needs to Hear

  
  

  Want the dish on her dish?

  Send me a note @miseenplan on IG and we'll be happy to share her recipe for spinach dip!

• 
  

“You can’t feel the water heating up when you’re the one in the pot.”

Tired of working harder just to keep up? This episode reveals how to spot when your old marketing playbook is actually slowing you down—and what to do next.

Listen If:
You’re pushing through with more effort, but seeing fewer results and suspect your message or strategy might be out of sync with where the market (or you!) is headed.

What I'm Covering in This Episode:
This episode dives into why the old “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” mantra doesn’t hold up in today’s shifting market landscape.

Dani Henneberger of Mise en Plan unpacks the subtle, early signs that your marketing might be falling out of sync before it becomes a crisis.

You’ll hear why it’s so easy to miss these changes when you’re deep in your own business, how external and internal shifts (think evolving clients, changing platforms, and even your own growth) can quietly sabotage results, and why a regular reality check—and a fresh perspective—are the smartest ways to stay ahead.

Key Takeaways:

• Don’t wait for a crisis. Look for subtle early warning signs: misaligned leads, thinning margins, or that “itch” your website doesn’t match who you are now.

• Stop going it alone: Even seasoned founders can miss shifts when deep in the day-to-day. Outside eyes = clarity, quickly.

• Build regular “alignment check-ins” to stress-test your message, offers, and audience every 6–12 months—before the water boils over.
  

Next Step:
Curious what you’re missing (or sensing it’s time for a reset)? Book a Free Strategy Consultation and let’s spot your next shift—together.

Learn more about VIP Days here.

In this episode of The Table, we explore the power of social proof—how reviews and testimonials can be your most valuable marketing asset. While many entrepreneurs gather reviews, they often underestimate the impact these can have on building trust and influencing buying decisions. We dive into the psychology behind why social proof works, common pitfalls, and how to leverage your existing client feedback strategically to attract and convert your ideal audience.

This episode is designed specifically for experienced service-based entrepreneurs who are looking to step beyond the basics of marketing. If you want to evolve your messaging, amplify your impact, and unlock new growth in your business, this conversation will provide actionable insights and practical tactics to use your social proof like a pro.

In this episode, we walk through how to:

• Understand the deep psychology behind social proof and why it impacts buying decisions.
• Identify common mistakes entrepreneurs make around collecting and using reviews.
• Learn legal guidelines and automation tools for gathering testimonials effectively.
• Discover creative ways to showcase social proof across your marketing channels to build confidence and momentum.

Resources Mentioned:

• Social proof legal guidelines
• My authentic testimonials request template for inspiration (I mean, hey feel free to leave me some feedback there, too!)
• Blog: From Browsers to Buyers: How Customer Reviews Boost Conversions
• 
  

Thanks for pulling up a chair with me today. See you next time—I’ll make sure to save you a seat.

What happens if your favorite platform disappears tomorrow—or if you’re just tired of playing the social media game? In this episode, we dive into how to build a sustainable visibility strategy that truly supports your energy and your business.

You'll learn why solely relying on social can put your brand at risk, how to leverage "owned" channels like your website and email, the underrated power of in-person connections, and concrete steps to personalize your marketing mix. This conversation is your blueprint for being seen—without burning out.

In This Episode:

• Why relying on social media alone is risky for your business

• Real talk on Instagram’s reach, algorithm changes, and social media burnout

• The power of diversifying—and truly owning—your visibility channels

• How to leverage your website, email, podcast, and in-person events for lasting impact

• A permission slip to design a marketing mix that reflects YOUR energy, strengths, and season

• The “audit, experiment, repurpose, boundaries” approach for sustainable growth

• Practical steps to protect your visibility and sanity in a constantly changing digital landscape

Resources:

• What's Your Marketing Personality Type?
• Book a Strategy Consultation
• Social media benchmarks (from Social Insider)