Laura Yang Renner is the Founder of Freedom Makers, a company dedicated to providing small business owners and entrepreneurs with reliable, skilled virtual assistants. She launched Freedom Makers in 2015, recognizing the potential in military spouses seeking meaningful work and small businesses needing adaptable assistants as they scale their operations. Laura is passionate about empowering small-size entrepreneurs to thrive by delegating tasks, streamlining workflows, and enhancing customer outreach, allowing owners to focus on growth. With a background in the United States Air Force and an MBA from the University of Chicago Booth School, she brings a unique perspective to entrepreneurship. Before founding Freedom Makers, Laura launched BuBuBooks, an online bookstore offering bilingual storybooks for multicultural, multilingual children in America. In this episode… Finding the right talent to help grow a small business can be challenging, especially when owners aren’t ready to commit to hiring full-time or even part-time employees. For solopreneurs, the struggle often involves balancing business growth while handling day-to-day tasks without the necessary support. This creates a gap in the market for skilled, reliable assistance that’s flexible, trustworthy, and culturally aligned with the needs of US-based small businesses. Laura Yang Renner created a solution by tapping into the underutilized resources of military spouses. Drawing on her military background, Laura built Freedom Makers to connect talented military spouses with small businesses in need of flexible support. She emphasizes the unique skills military spouses bring — such as adaptability, organization, and trustworthiness — qualities developed through frequent relocations and challenging environments. Her approach is to make virtual assistance accessible, with no minimum hour requirements or contracts, allowing business owners to delegate tasks like administrative support, marketing, and customer service, freeing them to focus on strategic growth. Tune in to this episode of the Smart Business Revolution Podcast as John Corcoran interviews Laura Yang Renner, Founder of Freedom Makers, about her journey from military service to entrepreneurship. Laura shares how her experience growing up as an Army brat shaped her adaptability and resilience, the advantages of hiring military spouses as virtual assistants, the benefits of flexible work arrangements for solopreneurs, and the impact of the pandemic on the virtual assistant industry.

<description>&lt;p&gt;Laura Yang Renner is the Founder of Freedom Makers, a company dedicated to providing small business owners and entrepreneurs with reliable, skilled virtual assistants. She launched Freedom Makers in 2015, recognizing the potential in military spouses seeking meaningful work and small businesses needing adaptable assistants as they scale their operations. Laura is passionate about empowering small-size entrepreneurs to thrive by delegating tasks, streamlining workflows, and enhancing customer outreach, allowing owners to focus on growth. With a background in the United States Air Force and an MBA from the University of Chicago Booth School, she brings a unique perspective to entrepreneurship. Before founding Freedom Makers, Laura launched BuBuBooks, an online bookstore offering bilingual storybooks for multicultural, multilingual children in America.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2&gt;In this episode…&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p&gt;Finding the right talent to help grow a small business can be challenging, especially when owners aren’t ready to commit to hiring full-time or even part-time employees. For solopreneurs, the struggle often involves balancing business growth while handling day-to-day tasks without the necessary support. This creates a gap in the market for skilled, reliable assistance that’s flexible, trustworthy, and culturally aligned with the needs of US-based small businesses.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;Laura Yang Renner created a solution by tapping into the underutilized resources of military spouses. Drawing on her military background, Laura built Freedom Makers to connect talented military spouses with small businesses in need of flexible support. She emphasizes the unique skills military spouses bring — such as adaptability, organization, and trustworthiness — qualities developed through frequent relocations and challenging environments. Her approach is to make virtual assistance accessible, with no minimum hour requirements or contracts, allowing business owners to delegate tasks like administrative support, marketing, and customer service, freeing them to focus on strategic growth.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;Tune in to this episode of the &lt;em&gt;Smart Business Revolution Podcast&lt;/em&gt; as John Corcoran interviews Laura Yang Renner, Founder of Freedom Makers, about her journey from military service to entrepreneurship. Laura shares how her experience growing up as an Army brat shaped her adaptability and resilience, the advantages of hiring military spouses as virtual assistants, the benefits of flexible work arrangements for solopreneurs, and the impact of the pandemic on the virtual assistant industry.&lt;/p&gt;</description>

Laura Yang Renner is the Founder of Freedom Makers, a company dedicated to providing small business owners and entrepreneurs with reliable, skilled virtual assistants. She launched Freedom Makers in 2015, recognizing the potential in military spouses...

Unlocking the Potential of Military Spouse Talent With Laura Yang Renner

Jonathan Small is an award-winning author, journalist, producer, and host of Write About Now, a podcast where he explores the creative journeys of renowned writers and storytellers. He has held executive roles at major media outlets, including Glamour, Stuff, and Entrepreneur, and contributed to The New York Times, TV Guide, Cosmo, Maxim, and Good Housekeeping. In 2020, he launched Strike Fire Productions, a podcast production and consulting company, working with high-profile clients like SAG-AFTRA and Purely Elizabeth. Known for his storytelling versatility, Jonathan’s experiences range from producing digital series for Game Show Network to moderating panels on branded content, and he recently turned his popular podcast into a book, Write About Now: 30 Authors on Origin Stories, Creative Inspiration, and the Birth of their Bestsellers. In this episode… The shifting landscape of media and content creation has left many creators and entrepreneurs scrambling to adapt. From the rise of digital media to the decline of traditional print and television, building a sustainable brand or platform is now more challenging than ever. How can one navigate the challenges and opportunities in the rapidly evolving content marketing field? Jonathan Small, an award-winning journalist, author, and multimedia producer, shares key insights on successfully pivoting in today’s media industry. Emphasizing the value of authenticity, Jonathan advises creators to focus on their unique strengths, crafting content that resonates by genuinely connecting with their audience’s interests. He discusses the importance of origin stories in branding, as these narratives create memorable connections with audiences. Jonathan also suggests embracing a multimedia approach, as he did by founding Strike Fire, a full-service podcast production company, to diversify his storytelling and reach new audiences through collaborations with clients like SAG-AFTRA and Purely Elizabeth. Tune in to this episode of the Smart Business Revolution Podcast as John Corcoran interviews Jonathan Small, Founder of Write About Now and Strike Fire, about his multifaceted career in media and the art of pivoting. Jonathan dives into how he turned his podcast into a book, sharing authors’ origin stories and creative journeys. He also shares his experiences with true crime storytelling, unique insights on media's shift towards digital, and strategies for using authenticity to build audience connections.

<description>&lt;p&gt;Jonathan Small is an award-winning author, journalist, producer, and host of Write About Now, a podcast where he explores the creative journeys of renowned writers and storytellers. He has held executive roles at major media outlets, including Glamour, Stuff, and Entrepreneur, and contributed to The New York Times, TV Guide, Cosmo, Maxim, and Good Housekeeping. In 2020, he launched Strike Fire Productions, a podcast production and consulting company, working with high-profile clients like SAG-AFTRA and Purely Elizabeth. Known for his storytelling versatility, Jonathan’s experiences range from producing digital series for Game Show Network to moderating panels on branded content, and he recently turned his popular podcast into a book, Write About Now: 30 Authors on Origin Stories, Creative Inspiration, and the Birth of their Bestsellers.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2 dir="ltr"&gt;In this episode…&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p dir="ltr"&gt;The shifting landscape of media and content creation has left many creators and entrepreneurs scrambling to adapt. From the rise of digital media to the decline of traditional print and television, building a sustainable brand or platform is now more challenging than ever. How can one navigate the challenges and opportunities in the rapidly evolving content marketing field?&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p dir="ltr"&gt;Jonathan Small, an award-winning journalist, author, and multimedia producer, shares key insights on successfully pivoting in today’s media industry. Emphasizing the value of authenticity, Jonathan advises creators to focus on their unique strengths, crafting content that resonates by genuinely connecting with their audience’s interests. He discusses the importance of origin stories in branding, as these narratives create memorable connections with audiences. Jonathan also suggests embracing a multimedia approach, as he did by founding Strike Fire, a full-service podcast production company, to diversify his storytelling and reach new audiences through collaborations with clients like SAG-AFTRA and Purely Elizabeth.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;Tune in to this episode of the Smart Business Revolution Podcast as John Corcoran interviews Jonathan Small, Founder of Write About Now and Strike Fire, about his multifaceted career in media and the art of pivoting. Jonathan dives into how he turned his podcast into a book, sharing authors’ origin stories and creative journeys. He also shares his experiences with true crime storytelling, unique insights on media's shift towards digital, and strategies for using authenticity to build audience connections.&lt;/p&gt;</description>

Jonathan Small is an award-winning author, journalist, producer, and host of Write About Now, a podcast where he explores the creative journeys of renowned writers and storytellers. He has held executive roles at major media outlets, including...

Embracing Change in a Dynamic Media Landscape With Jonathan Small

Sunny Sheu is the Co-founder of Mpowered Families, a company dedicated to helping high-achieving entrepreneurial couples intentionally balance their family and business lives. His entrepreneurial journey began at a young age, assembling bikes at his family's toy shop, and he later expanded the business into furniture retail. Sunny continuously seeks personal and professional growth through organizations such as the EO, YPO, Stagen Leadership Academy, and Strategic Coach. Together with his wife, Ann, he focuses on helping couples set long-term family goals and balance business success with personal fulfillment. Ann Sheu is the Co-founder and CEO of Mpowered Families, a company dedicated to helping high-achieving entrepreneurial couples intentionally balance their family and business lives. With nearly 20 years of experience as a consultant, advisor, board member, and Certified EOS Implementer, Ann combines business principles with personal growth strategies to drive meaningful outcomes for families and organizations. She is passionate about helping families enhance communication, create a collective vision, and build stronger connections. In this episode… Many successful professionals struggle to balance the demands of their careers with the need for a thriving, connected family life. Professional success doesn’t automatically translate into personal fulfillment, and families often operate on autopilot, neglecting meaningful communication and long-term planning. Is there a way to harmonize personal ambitions with collective visions of well-being? Ann and Sunny Sheu address this challenge by integrating business principles into family life. They advocate for couples to create a 'decade dream,' a long-term vision that aligns family and individual goals, ensuring both partners work towards a common purpose. Ann emphasizes the importance of starting with personal values, helping couples understand each other's triggers, and using tools like free days to build intentional time together. Sunny highlights the importance of regular recalibration, encouraging couples to reflect on their progress and adjust their vision to stay connected and fulfilled. Tune in to this episode of the Smart Business Revolution Podcast as John Corcoran interviews Ann and Sunny Sheu, Co-founders of Mpowered Families, about helping high-performing couples build purpose-driven family lives. They discuss the trial-and-error process of applying business strategies to family dynamics, the power of setting a 'decade dream' to create long-term alignment, how marriage mentors can provide guidance, and strategies for empowering children to contribute to the family vision.

<description>&lt;p dir="ltr"&gt;Sunny Sheu is the Co-founder of Mpowered Families, a company dedicated to helping high-achieving entrepreneurial couples intentionally balance their family and business lives. His entrepreneurial journey began at a young age, assembling bikes at his family's toy shop, and he later expanded the business into furniture retail. Sunny continuously seeks personal and professional growth through organizations such as the EO, YPO, Stagen Leadership Academy, and Strategic Coach. Together with his wife, Ann, he focuses on helping couples set long-term family goals and balance business success with personal fulfillment.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;Ann Sheu is the Co-founder and CEO of Mpowered Families, a company dedicated to helping high-achieving entrepreneurial couples intentionally balance their family and business lives. With nearly 20 years of experience as a consultant, advisor, board member, and Certified EOS Implementer, Ann combines business principles with personal growth strategies to drive meaningful outcomes for families and organizations. She is passionate about helping families enhance communication, create a collective vision, and build stronger connections.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2 dir="ltr"&gt;In this episode…&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p dir="ltr"&gt;Many successful professionals struggle to balance the demands of their careers with the need for a thriving, connected family life. Professional success doesn’t automatically translate into personal fulfillment, and families often operate on autopilot, neglecting meaningful communication and long-term planning. Is there a way to harmonize personal ambitions with collective visions of well-being?&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p dir="ltr"&gt;Ann and Sunny Sheu address this challenge by integrating business principles into family life. They advocate for couples to create a 'decade dream,' a long-term vision that aligns family and individual goals, ensuring both partners work towards a common purpose. Ann emphasizes the importance of starting with personal values, helping couples understand each other's triggers, and using tools like free days to build intentional time together. Sunny highlights the importance of regular recalibration, encouraging couples to reflect on their progress and adjust their vision to stay connected and fulfilled.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;Tune in to this episode of the Smart Business Revolution Podcast as John Corcoran interviews Ann and Sunny Sheu, Co-founders of Mpowered Families, about helping high-performing couples build purpose-driven family lives. They discuss the trial-and-error process of applying business strategies to family dynamics, the power of setting a 'decade dream' to create long-term alignment, how marriage mentors can provide guidance, and strategies for empowering children to contribute to the family vision.&lt;/p&gt;</description>

Sunny Sheu is the Co-founder of Mpowered Families, a company dedicated to helping high-achieving entrepreneurial couples intentionally balance their family and business lives. His entrepreneurial journey began at a young age, assembling bikes at his...

Achieving Work-Life Harmony for Couples With Ann and Sunny Sheu

Dave Jackson is the Head of Podcasting at Podpage and a podcast consultant at the School of Podcasting. With a career spanning almost two decades in podcasting, he launched his first podcast in 2005, and his show about podcasting has been downloaded over 3.1 million times. Dave has helped hundreds of people launch their podcasts and is the author of Profit from Your Podcast. With a bachelor's degree in education specializing in technical education, he stands out not only for his technical expertise but also for his ability to explain complex concepts in simple, 'geek-speak-free' language. He was named the Director of Podcasting for the New Media Expo in 2014, and in 2018, he was inducted into the Academy of Podcasters Hall of Fame. In this episode… Podcasting has exploded in popularity, but starting and succeeding in this crowded marketplace can feel overwhelming. Many aspiring podcasters struggle with figuring out where to begin, how to grow their audience, and what mistakes to avoid. As the medium evolves, the pressures of creating content, promoting it, and navigating technical hurdles can leave even the most passionate creators feeling stuck. Dave Jackson, a podcasting consultant, shares his wealth of experience to help podcasters overcome these challenges. With over two decades in the industry, he emphasizes the importance of staying authentic and knowing your audience deeply. He offers practical strategies for avoiding common podcasting pitfalls, like trying to monetize too early, focusing on the wrong platforms, and overcomplicating production. Instead, Dave advises concentrating on growing a dedicated audience first, exploring alternative revenue streams, and leaning into your unique voice as a creator. Tune in to this episode of the Smart Business Revolution Podcast as John Corcoran interviews Dave Jackson, Head of Podcasting at Podpage, about mastering the art of podcasting in today's competitive landscape. They explore key strategies for building a successful podcast, including how to stand out, why embracing authenticity is essential, choosing the right monetization approach, and how embracing your peers in the industry results in a mutually beneficial relationship.

<description>&lt;p&gt;Dave Jackson is the Head of Podcasting at Podpage and a podcast consultant at the School of Podcasting. With a career spanning almost two decades in podcasting, he launched his first podcast in 2005, and his show about podcasting has been downloaded over 3.1 million times. Dave has helped hundreds of people launch their podcasts and is the author of Profit from Your Podcast. With a bachelor's degree in education specializing in technical education, he stands out not only for his technical expertise but also for his ability to explain complex concepts in simple, 'geek-speak-free' language. He was named the Director of Podcasting for the New Media Expo in 2014, and in 2018, he was inducted into the Academy of Podcasters Hall of Fame.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2 dir="ltr"&gt;In this episode…&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p dir="ltr"&gt;Podcasting has exploded in popularity, but starting and succeeding in this crowded marketplace can feel overwhelming. Many aspiring podcasters struggle with figuring out where to begin, how to grow their audience, and what mistakes to avoid. As the medium evolves, the pressures of creating content, promoting it, and navigating technical hurdles can leave even the most passionate creators feeling stuck.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p dir="ltr"&gt;Dave Jackson, a podcasting consultant, shares his wealth of experience to help podcasters overcome these challenges. With over two decades in the industry, he emphasizes the importance of staying authentic and knowing your audience deeply. He offers practical strategies for avoiding common podcasting pitfalls, like trying to monetize too early, focusing on the wrong platforms, and overcomplicating production. Instead, Dave advises concentrating on growing a dedicated audience first, exploring alternative revenue streams, and leaning into your unique voice as a creator.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;Tune in to this episode of the Smart Business Revolution Podcast as John Corcoran interviews Dave Jackson, Head of Podcasting at Podpage, about mastering the art of podcasting in today's competitive landscape. They explore key strategies for building a successful podcast, including how to stand out, why embracing authenticity is essential, choosing the right monetization approach, and how embracing your peers in the industry results in a mutually beneficial relationship.&lt;/p&gt;</description>

Dave Jackson is the Head of Podcasting at Podpage and a podcast consultant at the School of Podcasting. With a career spanning almost two decades in podcasting, he launched his first podcast in 2005, and his show about podcasting has been downloaded...

Secrets To Building a Thriving Podcast With Dave Jackson

Tony Lillios is a leadership coach, entrepreneur, Ironman athlete, and Founder of Spec Products, a design and engineering firm recognized for its innovative tech accessories. With over 20 years of entrepreneurial experience, Tony successfully built Spec Products into a market leader before selling it to Samsonite in 2014, and he continues to invest in ventures through Ringleader Ventures. He is also a 13-time Ironman athlete and a marathon open-water swimmer, known for his unprecedented round-trip crossing of Crater Lake in 2012. His "Integral Path" approach to coaching, shaped by a personal journey of redefining goals, helps clients achieve transformation through the process, rather than the outcome, of their ambitions. In this episode… Many people chase goals relentlessly, only to feel an unsettling emptiness once they achieve them. Focusing solely on success and external validation can leave a person feeling disconnected from their true self, even if they excel professionally. The question becomes: how can you redefine your relationship with achievement to foster a more fulfilling, integrated life? Tony Lillios shares his journey of rethinking goal-setting after realizing that accomplishing more wasn’t enough. He emphasizes the importance of viewing goals not as endpoints but as tools for personal growth. Tony’s "Integral Path" approach helps individuals use goals to propel meaningful change while focusing on the unfolding process of self-development, not just the outcome. He also encourages embracing uncharted territories — whether in business or personal — by stepping into uncertainty with intention and resilience. Tune in to this episode of the Smart Business Revolution Podcast as John Corcoran interviews Tony Lillios, leadership coach and Founder of Spec Products, about navigating new frontiers in life and business. Tony shared how embracing uncharted territories has manifested in a vibrant, fulfilling life. They discuss Tony’s experience with founding a company and selling it to Samsonite, becoming a single gay father through surrogacy, and undertaking endurance challenges like swimming across Crater Lake.

<description>&lt;p&gt;Tony Lillios is a leadership coach, entrepreneur, Ironman athlete, and Founder of Spec Products, a design and engineering firm recognized for its innovative tech accessories. With over 20 years of entrepreneurial experience, Tony successfully built Spec Products into a market leader before selling it to Samsonite in 2014, and he continues to invest in ventures through Ringleader Ventures. He is also a 13-time Ironman athlete and a marathon open-water swimmer, known for his unprecedented round-trip crossing of Crater Lake in 2012. His "Integral Path" approach to coaching, shaped by a personal journey of redefining goals, helps clients achieve transformation through the process, rather than the outcome, of their ambitions.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;h2 dir="ltr"&gt;In this episode…&lt;/h2&gt; &lt;p dir="ltr"&gt;Many people chase goals relentlessly, only to feel an unsettling emptiness once they achieve them. Focusing solely on success and external validation can leave a person feeling disconnected from their true self, even if they excel professionally. The question becomes: how can you redefine your relationship with achievement to foster a more fulfilling, integrated life?&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p dir="ltr"&gt;Tony Lillios shares his journey of rethinking goal-setting after realizing that accomplishing more wasn’t enough. He emphasizes the importance of viewing goals not as endpoints but as tools for personal growth. Tony’s "Integral Path" approach helps individuals use goals to propel meaningful change while focusing on the unfolding process of self-development, not just the outcome. He also encourages embracing uncharted territories — whether in business or personal — by stepping into uncertainty with intention and resilience.&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;Tune in to this episode of the Smart Business Revolution Podcast as John Corcoran interviews Tony Lillios, leadership coach and Founder of Spec Products, about navigating new frontiers in life and business. Tony shared how embracing uncharted territories has manifested in a vibrant, fulfilling life. They discuss Tony’s experience with founding a company and selling it to Samsonite, becoming a single gay father through surrogacy, and undertaking endurance challenges like swimming across Crater Lake.&lt;/p&gt;</description>

Tony Lillios is a leadership coach, entrepreneur, Ironman athlete, and Founder of Spec Products, a design and engineering firm recognized for its innovative tech accessories. With over 20 years of entrepreneurial experience, Tony successfully built...

Living an Uncharted Life With Tony Lillios

"Top 100 Small Business Podcasts 2014" -- Small Biz Trends. Former Clinton White House Writer John Corcoran shows you how to build relationships intelligently to get more clients, grow your income and advance your career. Discover how you can use win-win networking and intentional relationship-building with Influencers and VIPs, even if you "hate networking" or feel like you have "nothing to offer" people who are successful. Interviews with today's top entrepreneurs and authors such as Dan Pink, Michael Port, Gary Vaynerchuk, Marie Forleo and Guy Kawasaki, who reveal how they use relationships to grow their businesses and their incomes. Find out more at SmartBusinessRevolution.com.

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