The Systems Social Hour

Built on Realness: Business, Boundaries & Being Yourself with Melissa

In this episode of The Systems Social Hour, I sit down with the one and only Melissa Herriott — artist, interior designer, and founder of Melissa Harriott Designs — for a real, unfiltered conversation about what it looks like to build a business rooted in authenticity. Melissa shares how a chance encounter at her high school art studio reignited her passion for creating, how her design business grew organically (and wildly) from a hobby, and why showing up as herself has always been her biggest business asset. We dig into everything from how she transitioned out of a long corporate career, to the behind-the-scenes of managing a team with heart, to setting strong boundaries that protect both your peace and your client experience. Melissa shares her philosophy on starting before you feel ready, how she built her business without a fancy strategy or marketing plan, and why embracing imperfection is the secret to real connection. If you’ve ever felt pressure to have it all figured out before you start — or like you need to show up perfectly to be taken seriously — this episode will be a breath of fresh air. Melissa proves that building something beautiful doesn’t mean being someone you’re not. ✨ Website - https://mherriottdesigns.com/ ✨ Instragram - https://www.instagram.com/melissaherriott/?hl=en

If It’s Messy at Hello, It’ll Be Messy All the Way Through

In this solo episode of The Systems Social Hour, I’m sharing a behind-the-scenes moment that reminded me exactly why I set up my systems the way I do. After connecting with a lead who ignored my pricing, scheduling, and communication preferences right off the bat, I had to decide: do I cave and accommodate... or stick to my process and hold my boundary? I break down how that interaction played out (spoiler: it didn’t move forward), why it was actually a win, and how systems act as a built-in filter for the kinds of clients you want to work with. We talk about how to structure your inquiry workflows to reflect your availability, how to redirect people gently but firmly, and why your inbox, scheduler, and email signature can all be tools for maintaining healthy boundaries. If you’ve ever bent your own rules only to regret it later, this one’s for you. Let’s talk red flags, missed moments, and how your systems can do the heavy lifting when it comes to protecting your time, energy, and sanity.

5 Voices, 1 Mission: Smart Systems That Actually Work

In this special mashup episode of The Systems Social Hour, I’m sharing highlights from five different conversations with systems specialists who truly get what it means to build smarter, more sustainable businesses. After realizing that some of my early interviews covered a lot of the same ground, I decided to pull the most insightful moments and turn them into one jam-packed episode — and honestly, it might be one of my favorites. You’ll hear from: Colie James on creating a client hub outside your CRM to make data-driven decisions and track conversions with tools like Airtable. ✨ https://coliejames.com/ ✨ https://www.instagram.com/coliejames/# ✨ https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCxcLZK2bRicOuay5SiQ8luw ✨ https://pod.link/1626652456 Martine Cousineau Pouliot on switching to one client at a time and how that shift helped her create more ease and better results ✨https://streamlinedbymartine.com/ ✨ https://www.instagram.com/streamlinedbymartine/ ✨ https://ca.pinterest.com/streamlinedbymartine/_created/ Kelly McCracken on her brilliant kitchen renovation analogy and why “just one workflow” is never just one workflow ✨https://www.kellymccracken.co/?srsltid=AfmBOooSqWd-0G0mucHexfdFVeCK5TC4bGLHjqoG4cqyIIvdO1r8sfxC ✨ https://www.instagram.com/kellymccracken.co/ ✨ https://www.facebook.com/kellymccracken.va Beth of Studio320 on the onboarding zap she sets up for every client to automate the small stuff and wow her clients from day one ✨ https://studio320vs.com/ ✨ https://www.instagram.com/studio320vs/ ✨ https://www.facebook.com/studio320vs Taylor Hedden on how to truly learn a system (with or without paying clients) and build confidence through practice and feedback ✨ https://chanelandlee.com/ ✨ https://www.instagram.com/chanelandlee/ ✨ https://www.youtube.com/@chanelandlee It’s a little scrappy, a little experimental, and totally packed with wisdom from five powerhouse women. Whether you’re building your own workflows, setting boundaries in your service model, or still figuring out your tech stack — this one’s for you

Before the Workflow: Why Process Mapping is the Real MVP

In this episode, host Gianni sits down with fellow Dubsado pro and automation enthusiast Cait Potter to talk about one of the most overlooked but powerful parts of building systems: process mapping. We dive into what it really means to map your client journey, how to avoid overcomplicating things, and what to ask yourself if you're DIYing your workflows. Cait shares her best tips for simplifying complexity, why multiple workflows always beat one giant one, and how to make your automations feel personal without burning yourself out. Whether you’re just starting or already knee-deep in Dubsado, you’re gonna walk away with actionable ideas. 💻Cait Potter - https://caitpotter.com/ ➕Forms & Flows - https://formsandflows.com/ ✨ Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/caitpotterconsulting ⭐️ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/caitpotterconsulting 🎥 Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/@caitpotter

The VA Advantage with Jade Smith

In this episode, Gianni welcomes Jade Smith, owner of Mrs. Smith Assist, who shares valuable insights on hiring and working with virtual assistants. With over 20 years of combined experience in project management and executive assistant support, Jade provides practical advice for both business owners considering their first hire and VAs looking to grow their careers. Jade discusses the importance of not waiting until you're drowning in work before seeking help, and encourages business owners to view hiring a team as an investment rather than just an expense. She explains how to identify tasks that are prime for delegation—those that are routine, time-consuming, or require expertise you don't have—and emphasizes the value of finding someone with the right personality traits over just technical skills. The conversation covers setting clear expectations through proper agreements, building trust gradually, and implementing effective project management systems to facilitate collaboration. Jade recommends tools like Asana, Trello, and ClickUp, but suggests that business owners collaborate with their VAs to find the right fit for their specific needs. Jade highlights the importance of communication, boundaries, and mutual respect in the business owner-VA relationship. She offers guidance on onboarding practices, managing workflow, and ensuring both parties feel supported in the partnership. Whether you're a business owner considering your first hire or a VA looking to improve client relationships, this episode provides practical strategies for creating successful, productive partnerships. ✨ Website - https://mrssmithassist.com/ ✨ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/mrssmithassist/# ✨ Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/mrssmithassist Additional Links from Jade: ✨ What a VA Can Do For You - https://mrssmithassist.com/what-a-va-can-do-for-you-freebie/ ✨ How to Find a Good VA - https://mrssmithassist.com/how-to-find-a-good-va/ ✨ Book a Strategy Session with Jade - use coupon code CEOWORK for 15% off - https://client.mrssmithassist.com/public/appointment-scheduler/6000a1e9af321c53fdac1729/schedule