In this episode of Strategy, Solutions, and Sanity, host Samantha welcomes financial expert Megan Schwan. Megan shares her inspiring journey from being a teen mom to becoming a successful business owner. She discusses the importance of fostering a supportive culture, embracing calculated risks, and using the Profit First method to manage business finances effectively. Megan also highlights her personal experiences, including overcoming challenges like divorce and moving across the country, all w...
Sep 04, 2025•45 min•Ep. 25
In this quickcast, we explore the two primary reasons clients seek consulting help: proactive preparation for growth and being overwhelmed by unsustainable workloads. The discussion emphasizes the importance of setting boundaries to avoid burnout and improve business operations. Key points include the necessity of recognizing and changing non-productive behaviors, understanding that hustling harder isn't the solution, and the benefits of maintaining healthy communication and respect with clients...
Sep 02, 2025•7 min•Ep. 24
Join us for an insightful episode of 'Strategy Solutions and Sanity' featuring Nikki, The Sales Maven! Nikki shares her fascinating journey from working in a male-dominated tech industry to becoming a renowned sales expert. Discover how she navigated her way using neurolinguistic programming (NLP) to enhance her communication skills and build meaningful client relationships. Learn actionable sales strategies, the importance of asking the right questions, and how to manage sales conversations eff...
Aug 30, 2025•56 min•Ep. 23
In this quick episode of Strategy, Solutions, and Sanity, Sam, a business and team strategist, outlines how delegating high-impact tasks to virtual assistants (VAs) who leverage AI can significantly enhance your sales process. The episode covers five strategies: filtering high-quality leads, providing follow-up support, preparing for sales calls, turning sales conversations into marketing content, and improving the client experience. These strategies aim to help business owners and small teams o...
Aug 26, 2025•8 min•Ep. 19
Catch this episode of Strategy Solutions and Sanity as we dive into the messy and often overlooked aspects of growing a business. Our special guest, Sarah Gonnella from Full Sail Partners, shares her journey and insights into effective leadership, the importance of emotional intelligence, and how embracing technology can simplify business processes. Sarah discusses practical strategies for building a collaborative and fun company culture while maintaining high standards of excellence. Learn how ...
Aug 20, 2025•54 min•Ep. 22
In this episode of Strategy Solutions and Sanity, business strategist Sam Cordero Prestidge explains why open door policies often fail to achieve their intended purpose. Despite being a well-intentioned concept aimed at creating an accessible and supportive environment, these policies fall short because employees may hesitate to seek help due to a desire to appear competent. Sam highlights the importance of leaders actively reaching out to their team members to offer support, building trust, and...
Aug 19, 2025•6 min•Ep. 20
In this episode of Strategy, Solutions, and Sanity, host Samantha speaks with the dynamic Jesse Hernandez about navigating the complexities of business, leadership, and personal development. Jesse shares his rich journey from starting as an apprentice in the construction industry to becoming a renowned consultant who emphasizes human-centric operational strategies. He provides insights into his approach to overcoming failure, optimizing work execution, and scaling improvements while keeping a fo...
Aug 15, 2025•50 min•Ep. 21
In this episode of Strategy Solutions and Sanity, business strategist Sam discusses the common pitfalls and solutions related to delegation in business. She emphasizes that true delegation should provide relief, freeing up both time and mental space. Sam identifies three warning signs indicating ineffective delegation and offers four key points to determine whether the problem lies with the assistant or the delegator. By addressing these issues, entrepreneurs can leverage their assistants more e...
Aug 12, 2025•7 min•Ep. 18
How do you lead when you feel like an outsider? What if your superpower isn’t technical skill, but the ability to bring people together? In this episode of Strategy, Solutions, & Sanity, I sit down with Jennifer Lacy —facilitator, coach, people collector, and culture builder in the construction industry. We talk about what it really takes to navigate resistance, lead change, and step into your value (even when you feel like an imposter). Jen shares what it was like coming into construction w...
Aug 08, 2025•54 min•Ep. 17
Feeling disorganized, overwhelmed, or like your team just isn't performing the way it should? In this AMA Quickcast, I’m breaking down the first thing I audit when a business owner comes to me feeling maxed out — whether they’re solo or leading a team of 50. This isn’t a full operational overhaul. It’s a laser-focused check on one critical issue: goal-task alignment . If you're constantly busy but not making real progress, this is where I’d start. Because more often than not, the problem isn’t a...
Aug 05, 2025•4 min•Ep. 16
In this episode of Strategy Solutions and Sanity, host Sam shares her two essential rules and one habit for effective networking. She emphasizes the importance of mutual value and enjoying the company of networking partners to avoid burnout and ensure that time spent on networking is worthwhile. Sam also discusses how she organizes and categorizes her connections in HubSpot to keep her networking strategies practical, fun, and profitable. She encourages listeners to share their own networking st...
Jul 29, 2025•8 min•Ep. 15
Join us for an insightful episode of Lives with Strategy, Solutions, and Sanity as we welcome Colleen, a dynamic guest who blends wisdom and energy. We discuss everything from the importance of self-reflection and sticking to one's values, to the challenging moments of entrepreneurship and business leadership. Colleen shares her journey from attending an improv class to harnessing the positive aspects of being 'selfishly' productive. We dive deep into maintaining mental health at work, the impor...
Jul 25, 2025•43 min•Ep. 14
Ever find yourself bending over backward to be the cool boss ? The one everyone likes, who’s fun, flexible, and super approachable — only to watch accountability tank, trust slip, and your own confidence take a nosedive? In this quick cast, we’re breaking down the “Cool Boss Trap” — why it happens, how it drains your time and money, and the dead-simple step that gets you out of the pendulum swing between people-pleasing and micromanaging. You'll learn: ✅ How trying too hard to be liked quietly e...
Jul 22, 2025•7 min•Ep. 12
In this episode, we sit down with Paige, the CEO of Tree Ring Digital, an exceptional marketing agency based in Colorado. Paige shares insights into the messy and vulnerable side of business, discussing moments that drove her 'insane' and how she pivoted to better serve her clients. We explore the challenges of balancing client needs with strategic goals, the impact of AI on marketing, and the importance of relationship building. Paige also delves into the evolution of her company, from a solo o...
Jul 18, 2025•47 min•Ep. 13
Should Your Virtual Assistant Handle Your Content and Social Media? Find Out Here! In this episode, we tackle a common question: can a virtual assistant (VA) help with content and social media posts? The short answer is yes, but with conditions. We delve into the importance of distinguishing whether you need a strategist or an executor first. Clarity on your ideal customer, messaging, and content vision is crucial before involving a VA. We also share experiences and advice on why high-level stra...
Jul 15, 2025•4 min•Ep. 9
In this episode of 'Strategy, Solutions, and Sanity,' host Sam dives deep into the revolutionary world of AI with business strategist and branding expert Stephanie Sidebottom. The discussion covers practical applications of AI for business owners, from gamifying sales activities to creating custom AI bots for branding. Stephanie shares her transition to a more aligned business approach, emphasizing the importance of making processes simple and fun. If you’re curious about integrating AI into you...
Jul 09, 2025•52 min•Ep. 11
You’ve probably heard it before: “You need systems in your business.” But what is a system, really? In this quickcast, I’m breaking it down without the jargon. Whether you’re brand new to the idea or you’ve built a few workflows that still feel clunky, we’re walking through what a system actually is, why it matters, and how to keep it simple and scalable. If you’ve ever felt a little embarrassed to ask “what does that even mean?”—this one’s for you. 🎯 Why systems aren’t just tech tools or SOPs ...
Jul 08, 2025•4 min•Ep. 8
Welcome to the first live episode of Strategy Solutions and Sanity! Join host Sam and her special guest, Bonnie, as they dive into strategies to lead your business with confidence and regain control over chaos. Bonnie, a seasoned executive assistant and now CEO, shares her journey from overcoming unrealistic client expectations to investing in herself. Learn how to set boundaries, the importance of being brave and open to opportunities, and the transformative power of networking and delegating. ...
Jul 02, 2025•47 min•Ep. 10
Think you need a full playbook, polished SOPs, and perfect systems before you can hire an assistant? Think again. In this quick episode, I’m breaking down the real things you need in place before bringing someone into your business—hint: it’s less than you think. We’ll cover: The myth that keeps leaders stuck and overwhelmed What a “good enough” starting point looks like Why waiting until you're “ready” is just a fancy form of procrastination Whether you’re drowning in admin work or just tired o...
Jul 01, 2025•4 min•Ep. 7
In this episode of Strategy Solutions and Sanity, host Sam guides small business owners and team leaders on how to regain control and confidence in their businesses using a strategic 90-day plan divided into three phases: Getting the Lay of the Land, Simplification, and Getting into a Growth Rhythm. Sam emphasizes the importance of clarity, simplifying processes, and fostering operational efficiency to turn things around. Listeners will learn how to achieve both short-term wins and long-term goa...
May 27, 2025•17 min•Ep. 6
In this episode of Strategy Solutions and Sanity, host Sam delves into effective interview strategies essential for making sound hiring decisions. Discover the three key aspects to evaluate in candidates: character, competence, and culture fit. Learn to ask better questions that go beyond surface-level inquiries, and avoid common pitfalls that small team and family-run business managers often encounter. Sam also emphasizes the importance of entering the hiring process with a clear job descriptio...
May 20, 2025•15 min•Ep. 5
Don’t Just Delegate—Create Ownership In this episode of Strategy Solutions and Sanity, host Sam discusses the importance of transferring ownership when delegating tasks to ensure accountability and responsibility within a team. She provides practical examples from both personal and professional settings to illustrate how speaking in terms of ownership can lead to better outcomes and more engaged team members. Sam explains how to phrase delegations in a way that encourages team members to take fu...
May 15, 2025•4 min•Ep. 4
Why Scaling Just Multiplies Pain When You're Already In Chaos In this episode of 'Strategy, Solutions, and Sanity,' Sam dives into the myth that scaling a business will solve existing chaos. Instead, scaling often amplifies existing issues, making them more expensive, exhausting, and messy. Through real-life anecdotes, Sam highlights the red flags that indicate a shaky business foundation and offers both quick wins and long-term strategies to manage and reduce chaos. Key areas discussed include ...
May 13, 2025•21 min•Ep. 3
In this episode of Strategy Solutions and Sanity, business and team strategist Sam tackles the common challenge of being the bottleneck in your business. Sam outlines a clear, step-by-step delegation strategy to help small teams and family-run businesses identify tasks for delegation, create a job description for the business owner, and prioritize activities that can be passed on to others. By breaking down business functions into marketing and sales, service delivery, and cash management, Sam p...
May 08, 2025•4 min•Ep. 2
Stuck in Every Decision? Here’s Why Your Team Keeps Coming to You | Strategy, Solutions, and Sanity In this episode of Strategy, Solutions, and Sanity, host Sam tackles a common issue faced by business owners—having to make every little decision in the team. Designed for second-time entrepreneurs and small family-run businesses, this video provides practical strategies to create a more autonomous team. Sam covers why team members might constantly seek your input, from creating a fear-based work ...
May 06, 2025•23 sec•Ep. 1
