Simple But Hard with Anj Bourgeois

SBH 11 - Building a Creator-led Business through Community: An Interview with Eric Cogorno

The podcast features an in-depth conversation with Eric Cogorno, a golf pro content creator, personal development enthusiast, and entrepreneur. Eric talks about his step-by-step journey in building a creator-led business, laying stress on the concept of scaling his golf coaching through online content. He further elaborates on his future plans to start a personal development brand and brings forth key lessons he has learned throughout his endeavors. Eric also offers advice to people on business development, emphasizing the importance of building an audience before worrying about monetization, and he highlights the value of being 'blissfully unsatisfied'. In addition, he gives insight into factors such as building a team, how to maintain recurring income, and adjusting expectations for effort and energy required. 00:00 Introduction to the Podcast and Guest 00:50 Choosing the Community Model for Business 02:57 The Math Behind the Business Model 04:33 Avoiding Mistakes in Building a Community-Based Business 07:55 Bringing Coaches into the Business 11:00 Admiring Other Community-Based Subscription Businesses 14:35 Future Vision and Personal Development Goals 23:39 Closing Thoughts and Contact Information

SBH 10 - Marketing, Pricing, and Product - 3 Keys to a Strong Business w/ Stephen G Pope

In this episode, we talk to Stephen G Pope, a content automation expert and founder of SGP Labs. Stephen shares his experience in building successful businesses and how he learned to master marketing and pricing to grow his new business faster. He emphasizes the importance of having a good product and how it ultimately grows your business the fastest. Stephen also shares his formula for creating persuasive content that delivers an "aha" moment to your audience, building trust and increasing your authority, and how to package a transformation to charge for it. He breaks down why marketing, content, and product are all one activity in the entrepreneurial process. Join us as we dive into the simple but hard secrets to building a successful business. Notes: * Stephen G Pope is the founder of SGP Labs, a content automation company * Stephen emphasizes the importance of having a good product and how it ultimately grows your business the fastest * Stephen shares his formula for creating persuasive content that delivers an "aha" moment to your audience * Stephen breaks down why marketing, content, and product are all one activity in the entrepreneurial process * Stephen talks about the system you need to grow your business faster * Stephen explains how to package a transformation and charge for it * Stephen discusses the power of momentum in building a successful business * Stephen shares his experience in learning marketing and pricing to grow his new business faster * Stephen talks about the importance of building trust with your audience and increasing your authority

SBH 9 - Using the PIC Chart to Diagnose Customer Problems like a Pro with Keenan, author of Gap Selling

Keenan, the founder of A Sales Guy Inc. and author of "Gap Selling," joins the Simple But Hard podcast to discuss the importance of identifying and diagnosing customer pain points in sales. He shares his approach to change management and how it differs from traditional sales techniques, as well as the concept of the Problem Identification Chart (PIC) and how it can help salespeople uncover and address the root causes of low win rates. Keenan emphasizes the importance of understanding the buyer's world and creating empathy in the sales process. He also offers practical tips for prospecting and content creation using the problems identified through the PIC. Listen in for 15 minutes of uncut sales wisdom with Keenan. To learn more about Keenan, a simple google search will do!

SBH 8 - How radical differentiation and naming the problem you solve will transform your business and career with John Rougeux

John Rougeux, A Category Designer at Category Design Advisors, joins the podcast to discuss how category design can be used to drive business growth and how it can apply to personal career development. Rougeux explains that category design involves naming and framing the problem you solve, which can be applied to both businesses and individuals seeking to niche down their career. He also emphasizes that category design is not just a marketing strategy, but can be used to guide product development, hiring strategy, and partnerships. The conversation also touches on the importance of radical differentiation, and how a strong POV and clear problem statement can help set a company apart. Finally, Rougeux shares his own experience using category design to niche down his career, and offers advice for those seeking to do the same. Connect with him on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnbrougeux/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnbrougeux/] Or connect with John and his colleagues Kevin Maney and Mike Damphousse at the Category Design Advisors website where you can schedule office hours: https://www.categorydesignadvisors.com/book-office-hours/ [https://www.categorydesignadvisors.com/book-office-hours/]

SBH 7 - Understand these 3 financial statements to grow in your career with Stephen Newland

In this episode, host Anj interviews Steven Newland, a finance expert who breaks down the three key financial statements that every business should understand: the profit and loss statement, balance sheet, and cash flow statement. They also explain the difference between cash and accrual basis accounting. Steven shares insights into the importance of understanding finances, both in personal and business contexts, and offers tips for communicating financial concepts to non-finance people. The episode concludes with a discussion on bankruptcy and what happens when someone can't pay their debts. If you've ever been confused by financial statements, this episode is a must-listen. Learn how to evaluate your own finances and make better financial decisions, whether you're running a business or managing your personal finances. You can connect with Stephen on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephenmnewland/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephenmnewland/]