The Unfiltered Tea with Evie

Building a Brand That Lasts with Puja Malhotra

If you have ever felt like your brand no longer reflects who you are, wondered whether to rebrand or just refine, or tried to figure out how to balance a growing business with being a present parent, this episode is for you. Evie sits down with Puja Malhotra, founder of Roop Creative Agency, a branding and web design studio nearly 11 years in the making. Puja shares her journey from corporate art director to entrepreneur, how she navigated IVF during the pandemic while running her business, and what she has learned about building a brand that is timeless rather than trendy. In This Episode * How Puja founded Roop Creative Agency and named it after her grandmother * Why 90% of her clients come back for brand expansion rather than a rebrand * The most common branding mistake she sees entrepreneurs make * What growth and contraction in business really looks like and how to pivot * Why she dropped a profitable service to protect her energy and vision * Harmony over balance as a mom and business owner * Navigating IVF during the pandemic while running a business Questions Answered * How do I know when it is time to rebrand? * What is the difference between a rebrand and a brand expansion? * How do I build a brand that does not go out of style? * Should I DIY my branding when starting out? * How many colors should I use in my brand? * How do I balance being a mom and running a business? * What should I do when my business hits a slow period? * When should I drop a service that is draining my energy? * Is AI going to replace branding designers? Find Puja On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thepujamalhotra/ [https://www.instagram.com/thepujamalhotra/] Agency: https://www.instagram.com/roopcreativeagency/ [https://www.instagram.com/roopcreativeagency/] Website: https://www.roopcreativeagency.com [https://www.roopcreativeagency.com] Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/1OHv2p8uJ5UU3kr8AZHyJp [https://open.spotify.com/show/1OHv2p8uJ5UU3kr8AZHyJp] Find Evie On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/evietavaresbranding/ [https://www.instagram.com/evietavaresbranding/] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/evie-tavares-352291258/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/evie-tavares-352291258/] Website: https://www.evietavaresbranding.ca/ [https://www.evietavaresbranding.ca/] Keywords branding for entrepreneurs, brand strategy, done for you branding, when to rebrand, brand consistency, business growth and contraction, motherhood and entrepreneurship, IVF and business, sustainable business, work life harmony, brand identity, small business branding, female founders, Roop Creative Agency, Puja Malhotra

How to Build a Business That Actually Pays You with Staci Millard

If you've ever avoided looking at your numbers, wondered whether to incorporate, or felt like chasing revenue goals was leaving you exhausted and broke, this episode is for you. Evie sits down with Stacey Millard, accountant, entrepreneur and founder of Thrive Accounting, who sold her first accounting firm for seven figures and has been helping creative and service-based business owners understand their money ever since. This conversation is equal parts practical and refreshing, and Stacey makes the numbers feel way less scary than you think. In This Episode * How Stacey built and sold her first accounting firm for seven figures (and what she learned from it) * Why money is the circulation of your business, not the enemy * The five pillars Stacey uses to help business owners set realistic financial goals * Why chasing 10K months is probably the wrong goal for most entrepreneurs * The truth about sole proprietor vs. corporation in Canada (and why incorporating too early can cost you more than it saves) * What lag numbers vs. lead numbers actually mean and why both matter * How to know if your margins are healthy (and what to do if they're not) * The money habits every solopreneur should have in place * Why scared money doesn't make money and how to get out of financial fear mode * What genuine networking looks like and why going a mile wide hurts your business Questions Answered in This Episode * Should I incorporate my small business in Canada? * What is the difference between a sole proprietor and a corporation in Canada? * When does it make sense to incorporate in Canada? * How do I set realistic revenue goals for my business? * What are lag numbers and lead numbers in business? * How do I know if my business is actually profitable? * What should I track in my business finances as a solopreneur? * How do I budget for my business expenses? * What is profit margin and why does it matter? * How do I stop avoiding my business finances? * What accounting software should I use as a small business owner? * Is Profit First worth it for Canadian business owners? * How do I price my services to actually be profitable? * How do I build a business that works without me? * What skills do entrepreneurs actually need to succeed? * How do I network authentically without feeling salesy? * How do I get out of financial scarcity mindset as an entrepreneur? Find Stacey On... Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stacey.millard/ [https://www.instagram.com/stacey.millard/] Podcast: https://smallbusinessschool.buzzsprout.com/ [https://smallbusinessschool.buzzsprout.com/] Website: https://thriveaccounting.co/ [https://thriveaccounting.co/] Find Evie On... Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/evietavaresbranding/ [https://www.instagram.com/evietavaresbranding/] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/evie-tavares-352291258/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/evie-tavares-352291258/] Website: https://www.evietavaresbranding.ca/ [https://www.evietavaresbranding.ca/]

How to Write an Email Launch Sequence

If you have something to sell but your emails feel pushy, salesy or just plain gross, this episode is for you. Evie breaks down her go-to launch email sequence, how to warm up your audience before the cart even opens and why legitimate urgency is not the same thing as sleazy marketing. In This Episode * Why your email launch sequence is only one piece of the puzzle * How to warm up your audience before a launch starts * The doors open email and what it needs to include * Storytelling emails that take your audience from point A to point B * How to handle objections without making it weird * Using social proof and bonuses in your middle emails * Why legitimate urgency is not sleazy and when to use it * The post-launch email most people forget to send * Where a sales page fits into your launch strategy * The 10% conversion rule Amy Porterfield talks about Questions Answered in This Episode * How many emails do I need for a launch sequence? * What should my first launch email say? * How do I write a launch email sequence for a course or program? * How do I create urgency in my emails without being manipulative? * What is a sales page and do I need one for my launch? * How do I handle objections in a launch email sequence? * How do I warm up my email list before a launch? * What do I send after a launch to people who didn't buy? * How do I use storytelling in my launch emails? * What is a realistic conversion rate for an email launch? * How often should I email my list during a launch? Mentioned in This Episode Try Flodesk and save 25% off your first year: https://flodesk.com/c/M2BGO5 [https://flodesk.com/c/M2BGO5] Find Evie On...  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/evietavaresbranding/ [https://www.instagram.com/evietavaresbranding/]  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/evie-tavares-352291258/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/evie-tavares-352291258/]  Website: https://www.evietavaresbranding.ca/ [https://www.evietavaresbranding.ca/]

Finding Your Identity Beyond Motherhood with Crystal Shadwell

If you've ever lost yourself in motherhood and wondered how to find your way back, this episode is for you. Evie sits down with Crystal Shadwell, event planner, higher ed professional, mom and founder of Something Beyond Mom, to talk about why women need to stop putting themselves last, how to build community that actually fills your cup and what it really looks like to balance a side hustle, a full-time career and motherhood without burning out. In This Episode * How Crystal went from higher ed professional to founding Something Beyond Mom * Why moms lose their identity in motherhood and what to do about it * Getting into rooms before you feel ready and why it changes everything * What a Something Beyond Mom event actually looks and feels like * How Crystal burnt out running monthly events and what she changed * Balancing a full-time job, entrepreneurship and motherhood * Defining success on your own terms beyond six and seven figures * The Team Crew podcast and how it strengthened Crystal's relationship Questions Answered in This Episode * How do I find myself again after becoming a mom? * Is it okay to keep my side hustle while working a full-time job I love? * How do I deal with mom guilt when taking time for myself? * How do I build a community around my business? * What does self-care actually look like for a busy mom? * How do I avoid burnout when my business is growing fast? * How do I define success in my business without comparing myself to others? * How do I get into networking rooms when I feel too small or new? * How do I balance a podcast with my partner and a busy family life? Find Crystal On... Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/crystalshadwell/ [https://www.instagram.com/crystalshadwell/] Something Beyond Mom: https://www.instagram.com/somethingbeyondmom/ [https://www.instagram.com/somethingbeyondmom/] Website: https://www.crystalshadwell.com/ [https://www.crystalshadwell.com/] Something Beyond Mom Events: https://somethingbeyondmom.myflodesk.com/ltdro3j2gy [https://somethingbeyondmom.myflodesk.com/ltdro3j2gy] Something Beyond Mom Retreat Waitlist: https://www.crystalshadwell.com/retreat [https://www.crystalshadwell.com/retreat] Find Evie On... Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/evietavaresbranding/ [https://www.instagram.com/evietavaresbranding/] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/evie-tavares-352291258/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/evie-tavares-352291258/] Website: https://www.evietavaresbranding.ca/ [https://www.evietavaresbranding.ca/]

This Mother Means Business Recap with Kelsey Reidl

Two podcast hosts walk into a women's business conference... Evie and Kelsey Reidl of the Rain or Shine podcast sit down for a candid debrief on the This Mother Means Business event in Burlington. From the stories that hit different to the mic drop moments you'll want to write down, this episode is a masterclass in what happens when women in business get real with each other. In This Episode * Why networking events still matter (even when you already know everyone in the room) * The "day in the life" panel question that turned into the most relatable conversation of the day * Dr. Tracy's take on shame, visibility and why showing up in your business feels so vulnerable as a mom * The story you're telling yourself that's quietly blocking your creativity and growth * Julie Cole's train analogy and what it means for your business decisions right now * Why following your audience matters more than staying loyal to a platform * How AI is reducing the mental load for moms in business and why now is the time to start * The one quote from the event that Evie hasn't stopped thinking about Questions Answered in This Episode * How do I balance being a mom and running a business without burning out? * Why does showing up online feel so vulnerable as a female entrepreneur? * How do I know when to quit something in my business that isn't working? * How can I use AI to reduce mental load as a mom and business owner? * How do I follow up after a networking event without feeling salesy? * What are the best business events for women entrepreneurs in Canada? * How do I stop telling myself stories that hold my business back? * How do I know which social media platform is right for my business? * How do I make space for creativity when I have no time? * What does sustainable business growth actually look like for moms? Quotes From This Episode "I love what I do, but I need to love me more." — Anora West "The longer you're on a train in the wrong direction, the more expensive it is to get back." — Julie Cole "If it only lives in your head, it's already costing you." — Johanna (AI keynote speaker) "The people who win at AI didn't start first. They started smart." — Kelsey Reidl Mentioned in This Episode This Mother Means Business Event hosted by Laura Sinclair: https://www.thismothermeansbusiness.com/ [https://www.thismothermeansbusiness.com/] Rain or Shine Podcast with Kelsey Reidl: https://www.kelseyreidl.com/podcast [https://www.kelseyreidl.com/podcast] Find Kelsey On... Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kelseyreidl/ [https://www.instagram.com/kelseyreidl/] Website: www.kelseyreidl.com [http://www.kelseyreidl.com] Find Evie On... Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/evietavaresbranding/ [https://www.instagram.com/evietavaresbranding/] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/evie-tavares-352291258/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/evie-tavares-352291258/] Website: https://www.evietavaresbranding.ca/ [https://www.evietavaresbranding.ca/]