This week, we're shaking things up. Nichole is being interviewed by our friend and host of the #Uncommon Podcast, Lisa Desilet. Lisa has been working with clients through her Elevate Leadership Academy, Masterclasses and her Badass Book Club for over a decade! Lisa asks Nichole questions about the importance of a healthy partnership, side hustles, and what she attributes her success to. Follow Lisa at @lisadesilet Check out the #Uncommon Podcast with Lisa Desilet Brand Persona Quiz Follow us on ...
Aug 15, 2023•46 min•Ep. 61
One thing that we both have in common is an extensive history of waiting tables at various restaurants. Still today we have server work-dreams (nightmares actually), speak the lingo, and are haunted by the experiences that ultimately we're so grateful for... because they shaped the way we solve problems, set expectations, train our team, deal with customer issues, manage stress, and so much more. If anyone wants to come work for Ampersand Studios, we basically hire on the spot if you have good r...
Aug 08, 2023•1 hr 10 min•Ep. 60
What if we could deep clean our business like we do our homes? By separating the parts of a business into 6 categories or "rooms in a house" Frannie talks through a perspective shift that will have thinking differently about what you're spending your time doing. This time audit workshop guides you through activities that will help you to notice where you might focus your energy so that you can yield the highest results. This episode shows you how to make those tough decisions, and create space f...
May 29, 2023•37 min•Ep. 59
This week, Courtney takes over the podcast to introduce the "stoplight" system that has revolutionized our team's workflow. Through a series of questions asked each morning, team members indicate their workload status, their location for the day, and their top three priorities. This system not only provides a quick pulse on the team's status but also encourages vulnerability and support within the team. Courtney emphasizes the importance of creating an inclusive environment where team members ca...
May 23, 2023•12 min•Ep. 58
Nichole gets up close and personal with Laurie Reynoldson, the mastermind behind the incredible School of Midlife. Strap in as Laurie spills the tea on her own awe-inspiring story and how she built her kick-ass coaching empire. Laurie guides women through the midlife maze, helping them discover their inner rockstars and create lives filled with joy, purpose, and all-around awesomeness! Laurie takes midlifers on an exhilarating journey of self-discovery, empowering them to reclaim their sparkle, ...
May 16, 2023•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 57
We're sitting down with Shawnda Huffman, the visionary CEO and Founder of Tuuti Agency. Shawnda, a dynamic entrepreneur and industry expert, shares her deep insights into the world of public relations and its intricate relationship with marketing. Drawing from her extensive experience and expertise, Shawnda enlightens listeners on the symbiotic nature of these two crucial fields, unraveling the strategies, tactics, and collaborative efforts that drive successful PR and marketing campaigns. Brand...
May 09, 2023•53 min•Ep. 56
In this episode, we discuss crafting an intentional brand, including finding your brand voice before visuals, building your brand kit, and creating a website that accurately represents your brand. We also share valuable insights on leveraging social proof and quality products to build trust with your customers, as well as using social media marketing to connect with your target audience and create an unbreakable brand. Tune in to learn how to create a strong and lasting brand that stands out in ...
May 02, 2023•25 min•Ep. 55
We're sitting down with Haley Janicek, Creator Experience Manager at Convertkit and email marketing expert, to discuss insider tips for starting and growing your email list. Haley shares her expertise on how to create compelling lead magnets, optimize your website for email capture, and nurture your email subscribers to increase engagement and conversions. We delve into the importance of segmenting your email list and creating targeted content that resonates with your audience. Haley also shares...
Apr 25, 2023•1 hr 12 min•Ep. 54
Drea Hemmer runs a hair salon and leads a team of over 35 stylists. She is a communication and leadership coach, as well as an author. Her book, "Intelligent Huddles" outlines her system for a daily meeting that sets her team up for success and it dives into the supporting neuroscience that makes it so successful. Learn strategies for making sure that your team is all on the same page, how to conduct powerful and meaningful one-on-one check-ins, and how to use the TRUST method when it comes to h...
Apr 18, 2023•1 hr 14 min•Ep. 53
Coming up with content can be exhausting. So why not reuse, recycle and repurpose old content? We're breaking down easy, actionable steps to help you reuse content that you've already spent time creating. We're teaching you to work smarter, not harder when it comes to content. Brand Persona Quiz Follow us on Instagram: @somethingbusinessy @ampersand_studios Or check us out at www.ampersand-studios.com...
Apr 11, 2023•11 min•Ep. 52
In this episode, Frannie Wilson, co-founder and Chief Visionary Officer of Ampersand Studios, shares her experience of building a full-service brand agency in Boise, Idaho, and the challenges of scaling a business. Frannie has played many roles in the business and has now shifted to a more big picture role, navigating the expansion and growth of the company. Frannie explains that small business owners often struggle with creating a brand and marketing it, and Ampersand Studios helps them develop...
Apr 04, 2023•1 hr 2 min•Ep. 51
Podcasting is kinda like parenting... it's wild how many people are doing it considering how hard it is! We're not podcasting experts by any means, but we are breaking down what we've learned in our first 50 episodes. Join Frannie + Nichole in this episode and get a raw look into the successes and challenges that podcasting has brought over the past year. And if you're one of our loyal listeners, thank you for being here. We love you! Brand Persona Quiz Follow us on Instagram: @somethingbusiness...
Mar 24, 2023•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 50
Conferences are a great way to keep things fresh and exciting in your business, learn what's working for other people, connect with business owners in other markets, and have a little travel expense... but they can also be a little overwhelming. We've got some tips for things we've done to streamline our conference going experience and to make sure that we get the most out of them. Mentioned in this Episode: Alt Summit Saguaro WPPI Create & Cultivate Wolfpack (Ian Stanley) Convertkit Newly T...
Mar 21, 2023•50 min•Ep. 49
Have you ever had a big idea for your business, and then it didn't turn out how you expected it to right away? Maybe the better question isn't "Has this ever happened to you" but "How many times [this month] has it happened to you?" Most entrepreneurs know the feeling of losing momentum or excitement after a launch doesn't go as planned, and most entrepreneurs can also relate to the urge to change everything, scrap the idea, or start something totally new altogether. Join Frannie today for the r...
Mar 07, 2023•24 min•Ep. 48
If you're not having fun as a business owner or manager, what are you doing? We're chatting about what we do to foster fun in the workplace and ultimately save money and provide better service to our clients. Brand Persona Quiz Follow us on Instagram: @somethingbusinessy @ampersand_studios Or check us out at www.ampersand-studios.com...
Feb 28, 2023•20 min•Ep. 47
Skye Hamilton has made a full time career out of creating content for Instagram. In this episode, she explains how a post about hydrangeas went viral and kicked off a home and garden brand that pays the bills. Skye shares the ins and outs of managing a large following, and what it's really like being a full-time creator. Follow Skye @hamiltonhousedesigns Brand Persona Quiz Follow us on Instagram: @somethingbusinessy @ampersand_studios Or check us out at www.ampersand-studios.com...
Feb 21, 2023•1 hr 18 min•Ep. 46
If you're a small business owner, you know that building trust is one of the most important things you can do. It's not just about making sure your customers feel safe when they buy from you—it's also about building a relationship that will make them want to come back again and again! Mentioned in this episode: The Unbreakable Brand Brandstorming Brand Persona Quiz Follow us on Instagram: @somethingbusinessy @ampersand_studios Or check us out at www.ampersand-studios.com...
Feb 14, 2023•45 min•Ep. 45
We lay out the 5 best practices you can use RIGHT NOW to create better content on social media. Brand Persona Quiz Follow us on Instagram: @somethingbusinessy @ampersand_studios Or check us out at www.ampersand-studios.com
Feb 07, 2023•14 min•Season 1Ep. 44
Even content creators who go viral regularly have posts that don't resonate with their audience. Nichole goes through the steps you can take if good content just doesn't perform. Brand Persona Quiz Follow us on Instagram: @somethingbusinessy @ampersand_studios Or check us out at www.ampersand-studios.com...
Jan 31, 2023•23 min
Grab a pen and take notes as Kaley Sparling, CEO of HAIRLOVE talks about the years leading up to being crowned Mrs. World, the lady mullet that lead to the success of her supplement company, and the what's working right now with Facebook Ads for her successful e-commerce business. Follow HAIRLOVE @hairloveofficial Mentioned in this episode: PubMed Follow Eat Play Work @eat_play_work Brand Persona Quiz Follow us on Instagram: @somethingbusinessy @ampersand_studios Or check us out at www.ampersand...
Jan 24, 2023•1 hr 11 min•Ep. 42
As entrepreneurs, we're often too close to our product or service to acknowledge what we're really selling. (Hint: it's not your product or service) Nichole dives deep into how to find the really cool thing that only YOU do in your business and market that solution to your potential clients! Mentioned in this episode: Bentgo Brand Persona Quiz Follow us on Instagram: @somethingbusinessy @ampersand_studios Or check us out at www.ampersand-studios.com...
Jan 17, 2023•24 min•Ep. 41
Jennie Myers of Against , a Boise based media company, joins Frannie and Nichole to discuss how she (and her business partner) took their creativity, knowledge and passion and created a company they'd want to work at. Follow Against @againstco Brand Persona Quiz Follow us on Instagram: @somethingbusinessy @ampersand_studios Or check us out at www.ampersand-studios.com...
Jan 10, 2023•1 hr 7 min•Ep. 40
In this duel release episode with “The Boise Bubble”, Natalie Plummer of Hello Meridian sits down with Frannie to talk shop. Both Natalie and Frannie are Boise entrepreneurs who occasionally get together to brain dump and manic vent. So why not talk about Entrepreneurism (Entrepreneurship?) in this same freeform style? Ever want to know the chaos behind the appearance of success? This episode is for you. Discussing all things from coping with productivity, competition in business and a little st...
Nov 30, 2022•1 hr 4 min•Ep. 39
Are you running your social media? Or is your social media running you? This week, we're sitting down with our Social Media Manager, Grace to talk about preparing your brand assets to outsource your social media and setting yourself up for success. Brand Persona Quiz Follow us on Instagram: @somethingbusinessy @ampersand_studios Or check us out at www.ampersand-studios.com...
Nov 15, 2022•42 min•Ep. 38
The BeReal App is deconstructing everything we know about social media. The question remains, do entrepreneurs need yet another app to help them market themselves? Nichole breaks down the social media app, how it works and if business owners need to be on it. Mentioned in this episode: BeReal Website Brand Persona Quiz Follow us on Instagram: @somethingbusinessy @ampersand_studios Or check us out at www.ampersand-studios.com...
Nov 08, 2022•33 min•Ep. 37
Frannie shares the book that changed the way she leads her team and how to overcome the toxic mindset that keeps managers from delegating. Mentioned in this episode: The One Minute Manager Meets the Monkey Brand Persona Quiz Follow us on Instagram: @somethingbusinessy @ampersand_studios Or check us out at www.ampersand-studios.com...
Nov 01, 2022•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 36
This week, we sat down with the amazing Jo-Ellen Watson of Gray Into Gold to discuss what it means to age and why you are never "to old" to start a business and/or find your purpose. Jo-Ellen is one of the most fascinating people we have had the pleasure to work with, and we knew that she would be able to drop some mad wisdom on our audience...and we were RIGHT! Follow JoEllen: Gray Into Gold www.grayintogold.com Brand Persona Quiz Follow us on Instagram: @somethingbusinessy @ampersand_st...
Oct 25, 2022•1 hr 21 min•Ep. 35
Frannie sits down with Katelyn Magnuson, owner of Freelance CEO to talk about money, finances, and how businesses can actually thrive during a recession. Freelance CEO is a full-service accounting, bookkeeping, and tax preparation firm that empowers small business owners to achieve their own version of success by removing barriers and customizing our approach to meet them where they're at. Referenced in this episode: Thank and Grow by Pam Grout Follow Katelyn @thefreelancecfo @katelyn.magnuson B...
Oct 18, 2022•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 34
Nichole breaks down the top 5 content creation apps to help you batch-create your social media content. These apps can help you create consistent content, even on the go. And the best part is, they're incredibly low-cost! As mentioned in the podcast: Adobe Lightroom Canva Unfold VN Planoly Marco Polo Brand Persona Quiz Follow us on Instagram: @somethingbusinessy @ampersand_studios Or check us out at www.ampersand-studios.com...
Oct 11, 2022•34 min•Ep. 33
Gina Gomez joins Nichole to discuss the enneagram and how it affects our everyday relationships. Gina is the author of The Enneagram and You, trains businesses on the importance of the enneagram, and incorporates the science into her break-up recovery coaching business. Take the enneagram test Buy Gina's Book - The Enneagram and You Follow Gina on Instagram: @ginagomez.co The Haven Coaching Course Follow us on Instagram @somethingbusinessy @ampersand_studios Brand Persona Quiz Follow us on Insta...
Oct 04, 2022•41 min•Ep. 32
