In this episode of Tough Stuff, we flip the mic and host Audrey Saccone is interviewed by friend and colleague Ashli Pollard. Audrey shares her journey from working in the nonprofit art space to launching her own business. She discusses the challenges she faced and the decision to pivot her business model. Audrey also talks about the importance of mindset and seeking support during the transition. We hope you enjoy this peek behind the curtain!

* * * * * * * * *

⏱️ TIMESTAMPS

03:48 Uneven resources, overload, and personal dissatisfaction explained.

07:53 Challenging decision to pause and reflect.

12:22 Shedding old patterns, seeking spiritual guidance.

15:07 Business started at 30; experience counts.

16:08 Experienced mentor showed potential for long-term success.

19:19 Struggled to value experience, peers guided pricing.

* * * * * * * * *

👋 STAY IN TOUCH

✦ Tough Stuff Podcast ✦

Our website

Follow @toughstuffpod on Instagram

✦ Your Host: Audrey Saccone ✦

Follow @audreysaccone on Instagram

Learn more about Audrey Digital

Follow @audreydigital on Instagram

✦ Today’s Guest Host: Ashli Pollard ✦

Follow @teamapconsulting on Instagram

Learn more about Ashli’s portfolio of businesses: Team AP Consulting, Me Time, Dial Zero Marketing, Fast Forward Productions, Cocky Ventures

Leslie Ann Hall, CEO and founder of Iced Media, shares her journey in building a successful agency in the beauty industry. She emphasizes the importance of staying focused and specializing in a specific niche, such as beauty and wellness. Leslie also discusses the challenges of working with business partners and the importance of finding partners who share the same values and vision. She highlights the value of asking for help and building a strong support network. Leslie also talks about the exciting opportunities in social commerce, particularly in TikTok Shop.

* * * * * * * * *

⏱️ TIMESTAMPS

00:00 Introduction and Background

08:03 Lessons from Business Partnerships

13:02 The Power of Asking for Help

24:33 The Exciting Opportunities in Social Commerce

* * * * * * * * *

✏️ RESOURCES

· The Messy Truth: How I Sold My Business for Millions But Almost Lost Myself by Alli Webb

* * * * * * * * *

👋 STAY IN TOUCH

✦ Tough Stuff Podcast ✦

Our website

Follow @toughstuffpod on Instagram

In today’s episode, we welcome Olivia Austin, brand strategist and business consultant. Olivia shares her inspiring journey from ditching the corporate grind to embracing a life of creativity and purpose through her design studio, Current. Dive deep as she reveals the challenges of scaling a business only to realize it wasn't aligned with her true desires, and how redefining success helped her reshape her life and business to better suit her new role as a mother. Olivia shares her strategies for maintaining creativity and control over her workload, and how she transitioned her service offerings to better accommodate long-term client relationships and a less hectic lifestyle.

* * * * * * * * *

⏱️ TIMESTAMPS

03:28 Surprised by the success of freelancers, considers quitting.

09:16 Visionary creative with subconscious success misconceptions overcome.

10:43 Pregnancy sparks worries about work-life balance.

13:56 Small wins and original why drive business.

17:42 Parenting teaches efficient time management and prioritization.

20:51 Thanking Olivia for insights, subscribe for more.

* * * * * * * * *

👋 STAY IN TOUCH

✦ Tough Stuff Podcast ✦

Our website

Follow @toughstuffpod on Instagram

✦ Your Host: Audrey Saccone ✦

Follow @audreysaccone on Instagram

Follow @audreysaccone on TikTok

Learn more about Audrey Digital

Follow @audreydigital on Instagram

✦ Today’s Guest: Olivia Austin ✦

Explore Olivia Austin’s Website

Explore Current Design Studio

Follow @byoliviaaustin on Instagram

Listen to Behind the Design Podcast

Download Olivia’s free ClickUp leads tracker

Access Olivia’s free 6 Figure Design Process Course

Kelly is a former clinical psychotherapist turned business coach, who has battled with the demanding challenges of chronic illnesses while growing her business to peak performance, only to scale things back when adversity struck in the form of long COVID. Despite these setbacks, her determination and expertise in fostering resilience have allowed her to adapt and continue to support fellow entrepreneurs.

In today's episode, Kelly shares her personal struggles and the profound impact they've had on her life and coaching practice. From living with ME/CFS and long COVID to reframing what high performance truly means, she brings a unique perspective on how to maintain a business through incredibly tough times. We'll unpack her strategies for emotional agility, discuss the power of vulnerability as a leader, and explore her focus on developing an “ultimate inner operating system” for sustainable success.

* * * * * * * * *

⏱️ TIMESTAMPS

05:18 Overcame challenges, now struggling with COVID impact.

08:36 Business hit by COVID, rebuilt, still challenging.

11:24 Advocate for self, choose supportive medical team.

13:11 Challenges of being a high-achieving woman.

19:05 Recognize and manage emotions, don't suppress them.

22:15 Acknowledge feelings, respond intentionally to emotions.

* * * * * * * * *

👋 STAY IN TOUCH

✦ Tough Stuff Podcast ✦

Our website

Follow @toughstuffpod on Instagram

✦ Your Host: Audrey Saccone ✦

Follow @audreysaccone on Instagram

Follow @audreysaccone on TikTok

Learn more about Audrey Digital

Follow @audreydigital on Instagram

✦ Today’s Guest: Kelly S. Ruta ✦

Follow @kellysruta on Instagram
Free Training: Mind Over Money: Unlock Epic Profit and Shatter Your Money Ceiling...FOR GOOD!

On this episode of Tough Stuff, Shannon shares the reality of starting a brick-and-mortar business during a pandemic, the significance of online marketing strategies for offline businesses, and the art of combining her passion with practical insights to achieve exceptional growth. Plus, we get personal, discussing the dynamics of working closely with a spouse and finding balance between professional collaboration and personal life.

* * * * * * * * *

⏱️ TIMESTAMPS

00:00 Passion for coffee led to successful new venture.

06:08 Online marketing, influencer outreach, and strong opening.

07:36 Anticipation, fear, and uncertainty of business launch.

10:53 Balancing business roles, dividing responsibilities for efficiency.

* * * * * * * * *

👋 STAY IN TOUCH

✦ Tough Stuff Podcast ✦

Our website

Follow @toughstuffpod on Instagram

✦ Your Host: Audrey Saccone ✦

Follow @audreysaccone on Instagram

Follow @audreysaccone on TikTok

Learn more about Audrey Digital

Follow @audreydigital on Instagram

✦ Today’s Guest: Shannon Matson ✦

Visit The Social Bungalow Website

Follow @thesocialbungalow on Instagram

Keep up with @bungalowcoffeeco on Instagram

In this episode, Chelsea Christensen shares her journey from coaching drill teams and teaching dance to establishing a thriving screen printing business, Uniformity Apparel. She delves into the challenges and triumphs of growing her business alongside her family, becoming a mother to twins, and navigating the entrepreneurial world with ingenuity and passion.

* * * * * * * * *

⏱️ TIMESTAMPS

04:59 Grateful for the ability to bring extra money into her family.

09:11 Tried side businesses; struggled with printing business.

11:00 Realized the value of hiring, delegating tasks.

16:02 Balancing family and business with children's involvement.

18:10 Recognizing imbalance, clarifying priorities, reframing self-doubt.

21:34 Recurring thought of high achievers: "I should do more."

23:16 Entrepreneurs resonate with constant need for improvement.

* * * * * * * * *

✏️ RESOURCES

· Shopify (aff. link)

· Read The Universe Has Your Back by Gabrielle Bernstein

* * * * * * * * *

👋 STAY IN TOUCH

✦ Tough Stuff Podcast ✦

Our website

Follow @toughstuffpod on Instagram

✦ Your Host: Audrey Saccone ✦

Follow @audreysaccone on Instagram

Follow @audreysaccone on TikTok

Learn more about Audrey Digital

Follow @audreydigital on Instagram

✦ Today’s Guest: Chelsea Christensen ✦

Explore Chelsea Christensen’s Website

Follow @chelseachristensen on Instagram

Listen to The Dance of Growth podcast

Save 10% off all non-subscription items at you-ay.com with code TOUGHSTUFF

In this episode of the Tough Stuff Podcast, Daniela shares her journey from freelancer to agency owner, touching on the challenges of transitioning roles, holding clients accountable, and navigating the world of digital marketing and advertising. We also explore the common misconceptions and misleading narratives prevalent in the online space, offering valuable insights and practical advice for budding entrepreneurs. Tune in to gain a fresh perspective on business, marketing, and the realities behind the scenes.

* * * * * * * * *

⏱️ TIMESTAMPS

04:03 Navigating business growth, adapting, and evolving mindset.

06:31 Tech entrepreneur's unconventional path challenges expectations.

09:55 Ads are great for initial stages, but require consistent funnels for scaling.

14:31 Making connections and prioritizing client needs in sales.

17:54 Investing in ads can save time.

20:50 Success often leads to financial struggles, debt.

* * * * * * * * *

👋 STAY IN TOUCH

✦ Tough Stuff Podcast ✦

Our website

Follow @toughstuffpod on Instagram

✦ Your Host: Audrey Saccone ✦

Follow @audreysaccone on Instagram

Follow @audreysaccone on TikTok

Learn more about Audrey Digital

Follow @audreydigital on Instagram

✦ Today’s Guest: Daniela Justus ✦

Visit Daniela’s Website

Follow @danielaejustus on Instagram

In this episode, I sit down with Adrienne Richardson, founder of Powerplay Media and one of the industry's leading Facebook ad strategists. Adrienne opens up about her personal journey through divorce as a business owner and mom of 2, including how she navigated this time with her team and clients. She also shares how she’s thinking about Act 2 of her life and the lessons she’s gained in resilience and authenticity. Join us for an inspiring and candid conversation that unveils the power of vulnerability and the beauty of starting over.

* * * * * * * * *

⏱️ TIMESTAMPS

00:00 Divorce was a tough but hopeful choice.

04:34 Severe anxiety, medication, support, no attacks after.

08:38 Struggling to be productive, learned self-compassion.

10:43 Planning for personal and professional freedom ahead.

13:48 Sharing impactful stories softened and awakened me.

* * * * * * * * *

✏️ RESOURCES

· Listen to The Resilience Factor podcast with Adrienne Richardson

* * * * * * * * *

👋 STAY IN TOUCH

✦ Tough Stuff Podcast ✦

Our website

Follow @toughstuffpod on Instagram

✦ Your Host: Audrey Saccone ✦

Follow @audreysaccone on Instagram

Follow @audreysaccone on TikTok

Learn more about Audrey Digital

Follow @audreydigital on Instagram

✦ Today’s Guest: Adrienne Richardson ✦

Explore Adrienne Richardson’s Website

Follow @adrienne_richardson_ on Instagram

Connect with Adrienne Richardson on Facebook and YouTube

Join Powerplayers Club