Communication, Leadership, and Exit Planning with Jennifer Cresswell

Boundaries, Boredom, and Business Clarity With Susan Anderson

On this episode of Mastering Business Skills, hosts Sharon Savage and Erin Alli welcome Sue Anderson, founder of Wild Woods Retreat and Farm and host of Entrepreneurs Gone Wild. Sue shares how stepping away from the hustle and reconnecting with nature can help entrepreneurs reduce overwhelm, restore clarity, and build healthier rhythms in business and life. The conversation explores how many business owners become trapped in constant productivity mode, using every moment to work, consume content, or stay available. Sue explains why that pattern can leave people depleted and how simple practices like getting morning sunlight, grounding outdoors, and spending quiet time away from screens can create meaningful change. Sue also shares the story behind her retreat, including how nature, stillness, and “sit spots” became central to her mission. She describes how everyday moments outdoors can feel surprisingly hard at first, but eventually become the very thing that helps people reset and reconnect with themselves. Connect with Sue:  * Website: Wild Woods Retreat [https://wildwoodsretreat.com/] * Blog: Entrepreneurs Gone Wild [https://www.entrepreneursgonewild.com/] * LinkedIn: Susan Anderson [https://www.linkedin.com/in/susan-k-anderson/]

Communication, Leadership, and Exit Planning with Jennifer Cresswell

In this episode of Mastering Business Skills, Erin and Sharon talk with Jennifer Cresswell, founder of ThoughtGro, about building a business that is scalable, sellable, and sustainable. Jennifer shares how business owners can create more time, more money, and more freedom by strengthening communication, improving operations, and planning for growth with the end in mind. They also discuss why many business challenges are really communication issues, how to identify weak spots in your business, and why documentation, delegation, and succession planning matter more than most owners realize. Jennifer also shares insight into her work as a fractional Chief of Staff and offers practical advice for business owners who want to grow with more clarity and confidence. Connect with Jennifer * LinkedIn- Jennifer Cresswell  [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifer-cresswell/] * Website- ThoughtGro [https://www.thoughtgro.com/]

Nervous System Wisdom, Writing, and AI with Diane Riis

In this episode of Mastering Business Skills, Sharon and Erin talk with writer, developmental editor, and flower farmer Diane Riis, owner of Earth and Soul Women, a holistic project that includes a legacy flower farm, live and virtual women’s circles, retreats, and classes on writing, intuition, and creativity. Diane shares how she weaves EFT tapping, guided meditation, and ritual with practical business and writing work to help women connect to “belly wisdom,” regulate their nervous systems, and trust their own inner guidance—on the page and in their businesses. Diane explains why she sees intuition as a compass and AI as a tool, and how she uses AI as a supportive “intern” while fiercely protecting her voice and integrity as a writer. She, Sharon, and Erin unpack the “AI voice” we’re all starting to recognize, the danger of outsourcing your authenticity to trends, and why your lived examples and energetic presence can never be replicated by technology. In This Episode, You’ll Learn * How intuition shows up through your body, dreams, and daily signals—and why everyone has access to it (not just the “naturally intuitive”). * Simple nervous system tools Diane uses with clients: grounding through the feet, hand-on-heart, tapping, and breath patterns that calm the amygdala. * How to “run AI through your intuition” so it supports your work without flattening your voice or values. * Why spaciousness, quiet, and “a room of one’s own” are essential for deep thinking, writing, and business decisions. Connect With Diane Riis * Website: EarthandSoulWomen.com [http://EarthandSoulWomen.com] (classes, retreats, Dark Moon Circle, and more) * Email: diane@earthandsoulwomen.com [diane@earthandsoulwomen.com] * Instagram: Your Vintage Blooms [https://www.instagram.com/yourvintageblooms/] * and many more opportunities on her site

Virtual Skills Master: Mentorship in Your Back Pocket

In this conversation, Erin and Sharon share candid stories about their first mentors, including the intimidation, the breakthroughs, and the deep confidence that grew from being supported by someone a few steps ahead. They talk about how mentors have shown up as coaches, clients, and peers over the years, often becoming friends who help them think through ideas and navigate challenges. They also explore why it is so important to see others in your industry as complementary, not competitive, and how that mindset opens the door to collaboration, referrals, and mutual mentorship. Erin and Sharon explain how this plays out in their own relationship—each leaning into their strengths, delegating what they don’t enjoy, and supporting each other’s businesses over time. The episode then shifts into a behind-the-scenes look at their Virtual Skills Master membership and how it is intentionally built around one-on-one mentorship instead of group calls. Members get private 30-minute calls each month with Erin, Sharon, or both, plus unlimited email and Voxer access, making it feel like having mentors in your back pocket whenever you get stuck. They highlight why this style of support is especially powerful for introverts and solopreneurs who may feel anxious or overlooked on group coaching calls. Instead of competing for minutes on a crowded Zoom, members get personalized guidance, screen shares, and space to ask “simple” questions without worrying about what anyone else thinks. The conversation wraps up with a reminder that mentorship evolves as your business grows—you may outgrow one mentor and need a new one who matches the next level you’re aiming for. Erin and Sharon encourage listeners to seek out mentors in different forms, from paid programs to local coffee dates, and to take full advantage of any mentorship opportunities available to them. Connect With the Hosts:  LinkedIn: * Erin Alli [https://www.linkedin.com/in/erinalli/] * Sharon Savage [https://www.linkedin.com/in/savagesoffice/] Websites: * Essential Assistance [https://operationalleadershipsolutions.com/]  * Virtual Assistant Sharon [https://virtualassistantsharon.com/]  * Virtual Skills Master [https://virtualskillsmaster.com/]

Building High-Value Sales Systems With Humza Adam

In this episode of Mastering Business Skills, hosts Sharon Savage and Erin Alli sit down with Humza Adam, founder and CEO of H-Factor Solutions, a revenue growth acceleration firm specializing in B2B sales training, sales and marketing strategy, and high-value sales systems. Humza shares how he’s helped organizations generate over $5B in revenue, and how small and mid-sized businesses can use the same strategic thinking, systems, and skills to sell more effectively and sustainably. Episode highlights * The “revenue triangle”: Strategy, systems, and talent * ICP and UVP: The foundation of a sales system * Client acquisition, metrics, and “sharpening the saw” * Anti-fragile sales systems Connect with Humza * Website: H Factor Solutions [https://hfactorsolutions.com/] * LinkedIn: Humza Adam [https://www.linkedin.com/in/humzaadam/] * Course on building amazing sales presentations (60% off for podcast listeners)  [https://hfactorsolutions.com/Million_Dollar_Presentations_Masterclass_rF4_specialdeal.html]