The Hard Truth About Firing Someone in Business

The Power of Personal Notes: What Most People Get Wrong (and How to Do It Right)

In today’s episode of the J29.11 Podcast, I’m diving into one of my favorite (and most underrated) business tools: handwritten personal notes. I love writing them, I love receiving them, and I’ve seen firsthand how meaningful they can be. But I’ve also watched people — myself included — make some big mistakes with them. So today, I’m sharing the three most common note-writing mistakes I see and how you can avoid them: 1. Using outdated or unappealing cards that don’t reflect warmth or professionalism. 2. Writing too many notes and losing authenticity by treating it like a quota instead of a genuine connection. 3. Failing to track who you send notes to, leading to uneven communication and lost opportunities to stay in touch. I’ll also talk about why handwritten notes matter so much, why typed “corporate” cards do more harm than good, and why tools that fake handwriting are a terrible idea. The heart behind the note matters, and when you write them yourself, you naturally think of stories, shared moments, and things you want to say — which is what makes a note meaningful. At the end, I share details on how to request my free PDF: “Four Easy Ways to Authentically Write Notes to Clients,” packed with tips to help you get started the right way. If you want to stand out in your business, deepen your client relationships, and communicate with genuine warmth, this episode is for you. 📩 To get the PDF or ask any questions, just send us an email — the address is below. I’d love to help you grow your business through authentic connection. Find us on: Facebook at www.facebook.com/j2911coaching [https://www.facebook.com/j2911coaching] Instagram at www.instagram.com/j29.11coaching [https://www.instagram.com/j29.11coaching] Our website at j2911coaching.com [https://j2911coaching.com/] Email at j29.11coaching@gmail.com

Rewarding Your Team: Simple Ways to Build Momentum, Morale & Loyalty

In this episode of the J29.11 Podcast, we’re building on last week’s Christmas party discussion and diving into one of the most powerful (and most overlooked) leadership tools: rewarding your staff in meaningful, consistent ways. These rewards don’t have to be expensive or elaborate—what matters is that they’re personal, intentional, and designed to build momentum. I’ll walk you through how we structured rewards inside my real estate company, how we celebrated both the big wins and the messy moments (including the first “psycho client” every agent eventually gets), and why these acknowledgments build confidence and loyalty—especially for newer or slower-producing team members. You’ll also hear: * Creative examples of rewards we used for different achievements * Why recognition should never be reserved only for your top performers * How to tailor rewards to fit your industry and your people * The biggest mistake I made (yes, the plant story!) and what it taught me * Team-building activities we did that brought everyone closer * Simple individual gestures—like hospital food drop-offs and birthday cards for staff kids—that make a lasting impact And as promised, I’ve created a free PDF packed with reward ideas and gift suggestions you can use no matter what kind of business you run. It’s designed to help you jump-start your planning and get your 2026 systems in place early, so your staff feels appreciated and energized going into the new year. To get your copy, just send us an email—the address is at the bottom of these show notes. Whether you’re building momentum, encouraging growth, or simply reminding your team how valued they are, these ideas will help you create a culture where people feel supported and celebrated. As mentioned, I highly recommend Fans First by Jesse Cole [https://amzn.to/4rKjN7s]. This link is an Amazon Affiliate link. Commissions may be earned from that link but it will not cost you any more if you use it. It just buys us a cup of coffee ☕😊. Find us on: Facebook at www.facebook.com/j2911coaching [https://www.facebook.com/j2911coaching] Instagram at www.instagram.com/j29.11coaching [https://www.instagram.com/j29.11coaching] Our website at j2911coaching.com [https://j2911coaching.com/] Email at j29.11coaching@gmail.com

How to Plan a Christmas Party Your Staff Will Actually Love

In this episode of the J29.11 Podcast, we’re diving into something every business—big or small—needs to think about: the annual Christmas party. You might be wondering why this matters or if it’s really worth the effort, but trust me… it absolutely is. A well-planned holiday event can make your staff feel valued, appreciated, and excited to be part of your team. A poorly planned one? Well… we’ve all been to those too. I’ll walk you through three essential tips for planning a memorable and meaningful Christmas party: 1. Start early—really early. Many great venues and activities book up months in advance. 2. Set a realistic budget. It doesn’t have to be huge—just thoughtful and intentional. 3. Know your audience. Consider your staff’s schedules, family commitments, personalities, and whether spouses should be included. I’ll also share examples of parties we’ve done in my own office—from simple dinners to Top Golf outings—and why some worked better than others. You’ll learn why December can be a scheduling minefield, how to choose the right kind of event for your team, and why meaningful gifts matter more than expensive ones. This episode gives you a framework for not only creating a great Christmas party, but also building a culture where your staff feels appreciated and connected. And don’t worry—we’ll talk in a later episode about fun rewards and events you can do throughout the year, not just at Christmas. If you want your staff to feel valued—and you want to build a team culture that people love—this is an episode you won’t want to miss. Find us on: Facebook at www.facebook.com/j2911coaching [https://www.facebook.com/j2911coaching] Instagram at www.instagram.com/j29.11coaching [https://www.instagram.com/j29.11coaching] Our website at j2911coaching.com [https://j2911coaching.com/] Email at j29.11coaching@gmail.com

Turning Betrayal into Gratitude: Finding Thankfulness After Being Burned in Business

In this episode of the J29.11 Podcast, I’m talking about something every business owner eventually faces — people who take advantage of you, let you down, or burn you completely. Whether it’s clients, coworkers, or so-called friends, we’ve all been there. I’ll share how I’ve learned to shift my focus from frustration to gratitude — even when the situations hurt financially or emotionally. Instead of letting bitterness take root, I’ll walk you through: * Why holding onto resentment only hurts you, not them. * How every painful experience can still move you closer to your purpose. * Real examples from my 20 years in business that taught me to be thankful, even after being wronged. * The surprising ways those tough moments led to growth, freedom, and opportunities I never expected. This episode is especially fitting for the Thanksgiving season — a reminder that even the hardest experiences can shape us into stronger, wiser entrepreneurs. 📩 If you’ve faced similar challenges in your business or need encouragement to move past frustration, my contact info is in the show notes — I’d love to connect and help you find the positives in your own journey. Find us on: Facebook at www.facebook.com/j2911coaching [https://www.facebook.com/j2911coaching] Instagram at www.instagram.com/j29.11coaching [https://www.instagram.com/j29.11coaching] Our website at j2911coaching.com [https://j2911coaching.com/] Email at j29.11coaching@gmail.com

The Hard Truth About Firing Someone in Business

Firing someone is never fun, but as a business owner, it’s something you’ll probably face at some point. In this episode, I talk openly about why letting someone go is sometimes the healthiest move for your business, your staff, and even your customers. I share stories from my own experience—both with employees and contractors—about how the wrong person in the wrong role can drag down a team, create stress, and hurt customer service. I’ll also explain when it’s worth moving someone into a different position instead of letting them go, and why firing quickly (and respectfully) can bring peace and productivity back into your workplace.  Find us on: Facebook at www.facebook.com/j2911coaching [https://www.facebook.com/j2911coaching] Instagram at www.instagram.com/j29.11coaching [https://www.instagram.com/j29.11coaching] Our website at j2911coaching.com [https://j2911coaching.com/] Email at j29.11coaching@gmail.com