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Predictable income. Recurring revenue. Long-term client relationships. These are the reasons why retainer clients seem so appealing. Who wants to start from zero every month when you could have a committed client? But the truth is retainer clients don’t actually provide, let alone ensure, financial stability. They might actually keep you from having the kind of business and freedom you really want. In this episode, I talk about why retainers seem so appealing, and how they’re actually holding you back.  Tune into this episode to hear: Why retainers feel like the “safe” option (and why that’s misleading)The hidden reason retainers are almost always less profitable than project workThe real danger: what happens when one (or all) of those clients leaveHow to create predictable income without relying on retainersWhat to do if you already have retainer clients (don’t panic—no burning bridges required)Resources: Grab the first chapter of my new book Scale Solo: scalesolobook.comGrab a copy of my book: Badass Your Brand - https://www.badassyourbrand.com/Program: No BS Mastery: https://nobsmastery.com/programProgram: No BS Agency Mastery: https://join.nobsmastery.com/agency-masteryNo BS Clients Lab: https://nobsclientslab.com/The Price to Freedom Calculator™ - http://nobsmastery.com/price

What do I do when a client keeps changing their mind?  What do I do when we're halfway through a project and they want to add five more things?  What do I do when I present a price to a prospect and they get sticker shock and start trying negotiating with me or taking things out? These were the kinds of questions I heard in the Q & A sessions during a recent 3-day workshop. And while I can and did give advice on what to do in those specific situations, wouldn't it be better to prevent them from happening in the first place? Anything I could tell you to do to fix those problems as they come up is just a Band-Aid. You have to go back to the source if you don’t want to keep running into them over and over again with future clients. And the source of the problem isn’t your clients. It’s your process.  Tune into this episode to hear: Why so-called “difficult clients” are usually created before the project even startsThe real reason scope creep and endless back-and-forth keep happeningHow to eliminate sticker shock (without awkward sales conversations)What to put in place before you start a project to avoid burnout laterHow a simple shift in your process can completely change your client experience Mentioned: Grab the first chapter of my new book Scale Solo: scalesolobook.comProgram: No BS Mastery: https://nobsmastery.com/programNo BS Clients Lab: https://nobsclientslab.com/Resources: Grab a copy of my book: Badass Your Brand - https://www.badassyourbrand.com/Program: No BS Agency Mastery: https://join.nobsmastery.com/agency-masteryThe Price to Freedom Calculator™ - http://nobsmastery.com/price

When people hear about the No BS business model for the first time, a lot of times their immediate reaction is, “Sounds great, but that would never work for me, my clients, my industry…” Aga Siuda is proof that anyone can make the No BS model work. And in this conversation, she shared how she effectively applied the model with nonprofit clients — with typical RFP-heavy requirements and layers of decision-making processes that result in delays and long project timelines — with incredible results.  Aga Siuda is a nonprofit branding and marketing expert and is the founder of Graphroots Design, specializing in user-focused website design to help organizations grow their mission and boost engagement. With over 20 years of experience, Aga collaborates with nonprofits and social good businesses to create intuitive digital experiences that inspire action.  Tune into this episode to hear: Moving from reactive, proposal-heavy work to confident, value-led sellingHow she adapted the No BS Mastery model to work for nonprofit clients with large projectsHow to position yourself as a trusted advisor (even in complex industries)The mindset shifts behind charging more — and being chosen because of itBuilding a business that supports your life, not the other way around Learn more about Aga Siuda: Graphroots Design: http://graphrootsdesign.com/Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/agasiuda/ Resources: Grab the first chapter of my new book Scale Solo: scalesolobook.comGrab a copy of my book: Badass Your Brand - https://www.badassyourbrand.com/Program: No BS Mastery: https://nobsmastery.com/programProgram: No BS Agency Mastery: https://join.nobsmastery.com/agency-masteryNo BS Clients Lab: https://nobsclientslab.com/The Price to Freedom Calculator™ - http://nobsmastery.com/price

Everyone is talking about AI all the time, but a lot of people are still unsure about how to use it and how to make it really work for them. Which is why I invited Erika Stanley back to the show. She is one of my star-students-turned- incredible-resource and coach within the No BS program, and she is our resident AI expert. She built an incredible tool for us that we’re rolling out in our programs as we speak.  Erika is so good at taking the hot air out of AI and making it something easy to understand and implement in your business. You definitely want to listen in. Erika Stanley helps women founders stop sounding like everyone else online. As a Human-First Brand and AI Strategist, she’s obsessed with turning fuzzy messaging and generic AI output into sharp, strategic brand systems that actually work. The founder of Mile End Digital and AI Queens, Erika has spent 20+ years helping brands find their voice, tell better stories, and scale without losing their humanity. Her Brand-to-Bot Blueprint is where brand clarity meets AI strategy — so your message finally sounds as good as your vision. Tune into this episode to hear: How Erika is using custom GPTs in her own business to help her scale without a massive increase in her overheadErika’s process for using a GPT to organize her strategy thoughts and create a draft brief as part of her LPWhy you always have to review and edit what AI gives youOne simple question to get better outputs from any AIErika’s top three AIs and how she uses them Learn more about Erika Stanley: AI Queens: http://aiqueens.comMile End Digital: http://mileenddigital.comInstagram: @erikatheaiqueenConnect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ejstanley/ Mentioned: The AI CMO: https://www.aiqueens.com/cmo Resources: Grab the first chapter of my new book Scale Solo: scalesolobook.comGrab a copy of my book: Badass Your Brand - https://www.badassyourbrand.com/Program: No BS Mastery: https://nobsmastery.com/programProgram: No BS Agency Mastery: https://join.nobsmastery.com/agency-masteryNo BS Clients Lab: https://nobsclientslab.com/The Price to Freedom Calculator™ - http://nobsmastery.com/price

This episode perfectly captures something I think a lot about: what does it actually look like to build a business that supports your life? My guest, Lydia Savramis, is someone who truly embodies that. Lydia didn’t start out in marketing or online business at all. She was running an orthotics practice, seeing patients all day, when she started a podcast as a creative outlet back when podcasts were still a pretty new thing. That little experiment ended up opening the door to a completely different career. But what I loved most about our conversation isn’t the pivot story. It’s the way Lydia has designed her business so that it genuinely fits her life. We talk about burnout, boundaries, creativity, and what it takes to build a business that doesn’t consume you.  Lydia Savramis runs RTL Productions, a boutique marketing and branding studio in Cumberland, Maryland. She helps non-profits, municipalities and professionals show up clearly and confidently online without all the overwhelm. Tune into this episode to hear: What burning out in her first profession taught Lydia about designing a sustainable businessThe mindset shift that helps you ride the natural ups and downs of businessWhy having more “tools in your toolbox” changes how you experience the rollercoaster of entrepreneurshipWhat it actually looks like to build a business with clear boundaries Learn more about Lydia Savramis: RTL Productions: http://hellortlpro.comInstagram: @rtlpro  Resources: Grab the first chapter of my new book Scale Solo: scalesolobook.comGrab a copy of my book: Badass Your Brand - https://www.badassyourbrand.com/Program: No BS Mastery: https://join.nobsmastery.com/masteryProgram: No BS Agency Mastery: https://join.nobsmastery.com/agency-masteryNo BS Clients Lab: https://nobsclientslab.com/The Price to Freedom Calculator™ - http://nobsmastery.com/price

All month, I’ve been taking you behind the scenes of my new program, No BS Mastery that helps you scale your expert-led business without hiring a team or burning out. In this episode, I’m talking about the thing that actually determines whether you get results or not. It’s not the content, or the strategy. It’s not even the tools. It’s the support structure. I’ve been coaching for over a decade now. I’ve watched hundreds of brilliant, capable, action-taking experts join programs and still struggle. Not because they weren’t smart enough but because the way the program was structured made it hard to win.  So in this episode, I’m pulling back the curtain on how I’ve designed this new program differently based on everything I’ve learned about how humans actually succeed. Tune into this episode to hear: Why most “watch the videos and implement” models failHow we’re using small accountability pods (based on personality + work style)How I’m structuring live calls so everyone gets their questions answeredAnd the real promise of this program (and what part is on me… and what part is on you) Mentioned: Program: No BS Mastery: https://join.nobsmastery.com/masteryGrab the first chapter of my new book Scale Solo: scalesolobook.com Resources: Grab a copy of my book: Badass Your Brand - https://www.badassyourbrand.com/Program: No BS Agency Mastery: https://join.nobsmastery.com/agency-masteryNo BS Clients Lab: https://nobsclientslab.com/The Price to Freedom Calculator™ - http://nobsmastery.com/price

People fail because they get stuck.  They get stuck on implementation. They can’t figure out their messaging. They overthink their pricing. They spin their wheels, convince themselves they need to figure it out on their own and that it has to be perfect before they take action. And then they don’t move forward. Last week, I gave you a breakdown of the new program I’m launching on March 24th. This week, I want to do a deeper dive on one piece that I mentioned, which is the tools. Because when I was designing this program, I knew my job was to ask myself, where do people get stuck and how can I help them get unstuck faster? How can I design this program so people don’t even get stuck in the first place? The tools we built are the answer to those questions. Tune into this episode to hear: The app that lets you stop overthinking your pricing and create a strategy to get you to your profit goalsThe tool that turns days or weeks of agonizing over your messaging and positioning into twenty minutesThe CRM agent that acts like an executive assistant for outreach, so you can build your referral engine faster  Mentioned:  Grab the first chapter of my new book Scale Solo: scalesolobook.comSign up for the Scale Solo Bootcamp: nobsmastery.com/bootcamp Resources: Grab a copy of my book: Badass Your Brand - https://www.badassyourbrand.com/Program: No BS Mastery: https://join.nobsmastery.com/masteryProgram: No BS Agency Mastery: https://join.nobsmastery.com/agency-masteryNo BS Clients Lab: https://nobsclientslab.com/The Price to Freedom Calculator™ - http://nobsmastery.com/price

It’s official! My new book, Scale Solo, is out in the world! I’m very excited for people to get their hands on it and dig in. AND… I am also excited to be rebuilding and relaunching my flagship program, No BS Mastery, this month.  Why would I do this to myself? Isn’t launching and marketing a new book enough work?  Yes, it’s a lot of work. But it’s also the only thing that makes sense. And I’ll tell you why. Plus, I’ll give you the scoop on what the new program that launches in just a couple of weeks is all about. Tune into this episode to hear: Why I’m rebuilding our flagship program from the ground upWhat five years of running the program taught me about what actually worksHow online training needs to change in 2026 And how this new version is designed to get people into action faster — with less friction and more support Mentioned:  Grab the first chapter of my new book Scale Solo: scalesolobook.comSign up for the Scale Solo Bootcamp: nobsmastery.com/bootcamp Resources: Grab a copy of my book: Badass Your Brand - https://www.badassyourbrand.com/Program: No BS Mastery: https://join.nobsmastery.com/masteryProgram: No BS Agency Mastery: https://join.nobsmastery.com/agency-masteryNo BS Clients Lab: https://nobsclientslab.com/The Price to Freedom Calculator™ - http://nobsmastery.com/price

If you want to hit your financial and freedom goals, you can’t just charge more. You also have to change how you deliver. Today, I’m breaking down Lever Two of the No BS Business Model: decreasing delivery time. This is the missing piece for so many experts who raise their prices but still feel overworked, burnt out, and stuck. I learned this lesson the hard way. I once generated a quarter of a million dollars in revenue… and still ended up in debt!  In this episode, I walk you through why longer timelines kill profitability, how faster delivery actually increases value for your clients, and how intensifying your process can completely transform both your business and your life. This lever is about more than just efficiency. It’s about building a business that supports your financial goals and your life — so you’re not on all the time, constantly juggling, and always reacting to clients. If you’re ready to make premium pricing sustainable and get your time back, this episode will change how you think about delivery forever. Tune into this episode to hear: The hidden costs of stretched-out projects and juggling multiple clientsHow faster delivery creates more value (not less)What intensives look like and why clients love themWhat will give you real control over your calendarHow I’ve used this model to take weeks (and even months) off without ongoing clients Resources mentioned in this episode:  Get on the early readers list for Scale Solo: noBSmastery.com/book Join the March Bootcamp: noBSmastery.com/bootcamp

This episode marks a major milestone and a powerful new chapter. We have officially rebranded the podcast to No BS Mastery, and in this behind-the-scenes episode, I share exactly why this shift is happening, what it means for you, and how it reflects the evolution of her work over the last decade. If you’re an expert, consultant, or service-based business owner who wants more freedom, simplicity, and profitability, this episode will give you clarity on where we are headed — and how you can grow with us. Tune into this episode to hear: Why I’m returning to my original audience of experts and service-based business ownersWhat I learned from five years of teaching small branding agenciesHow the No BS philosophy applies to any high-level service businessWhat’s coming next Resources: Get on the early readers list for Scale Solo: scalesolobook.com Join the March Bootcamp: noBSmastery.com/bootcampDownload the Freedom Calculator: noBSmastery.com/price

If you’ve ever known you should be charging more but felt stuck on how to actually get clients to say yes, this episode is for you. In today’s conversation, I break down Lever One of the No BS Business Model: how to increase the real and perceived value of your offer so premium pricing feels natural, aligned, and ethical.  This is the first step to closing higher-priced clients without pressure, overpromising, or chasing people who “need to think about it.” If you’ve calculated your freedom number and realized your current pricing doesn’t support the life you want, this episode will show you exactly how to bridge that gap,  starting with how you position and sell your work. Tune into this episode to hear: Why simply raising your prices rarely works on its ownWhy free proposals quietly hurt your authority, positioning, and profitabilityWhy clients often don’t really know what they need — and how to lead them to better outcomesHow to increase perceived and real value without adding more workWhat matters more than your online presenceResources mentioned in this episode: Get on the early readers list for Scale Solo: noBSmastery.com/bookJoin the March Bootcamp: noBSmastery.com/bootcampDownload the Freedom Calculator: noBSmastery.com/price

Most business owners are chasing a revenue goal that sounds good: six figures, $10-20K months. But those numbers are often vague, misleading, and disconnected from the life they actually want to live. In this episode, I introduce the concept of your Freedom Number: the true amount of revenue your business needs to generate to support your personal life and business without burning out. This is a foundational concept in the No BS Model and a sneak peek into my upcoming book, Scale Solo. If you’ve ever felt like you’re making money but still feeling tight, stressed, or unsure what number you should really be aiming for, this episode will give you clarity and a much more grounded way to design your business. Tune into this episode to hear: Why “six figures” and “$10K months” are often the wrong goalsHow to calculate your Freedom NumberHow vague revenue goals lead to weak pricing confidenceThe 50/25/25 rule for client work, business development, and freedom timeWhy feast-or-famine cycles happen and how to break them Resources mentioned in this episode:  Get on the early readers list for Scale Solo: noBSmastery.com/bookJoin the March Bootcamp: noBSmastery.com/bootcampDownload the Freedom Calculator: noBSmastery.com/price

Wouldn’t it be amazing if prospects actually saw you as the expert you are? The problem is many small business owners don’t feel like their clients really see, value, and respect that work.  And this is a problem because not only does does it make it harder to close prospects, it creates all kinds of issues later that lead to projects running way over time and out of scope. What you’re missing is authority.  And you don’t need a huge platform, a publishing contract, or to be speaking on podcasts or from stages to cultivate it.  This month, I’m going to give you a couple of strategies that you can use right now to build your expertise in the eyes of the world and your prospects so that you can command the prices you want, run profitable projects, and have more freedom and ease in your business and your life. And in this episode, I’m unpacking the exact first strategy I teach inside No BS Agency Mastery, because it works even if you don’t have a big platform, a book, or a massive online presence. Tune into this episode to hear: Why free proposals quietly undermine your authorityA simple mindset shift that instantly positions you as the expertMy favorite “doctor” analogy (once you hear it, you can’t un-hear it)And how a small, paid first step can turn a few-thousand-dollar project into a five-figure engagement Resources: No BS Clients LabNo BS Agencies MasteryThe Price to Freedom Calculator™No BS Agency Owners Free Facebook GroupStart reading the first chapter of my bookPiasilva.com

I’ve got a very special guest from all the way on the other side of the globe to talk about how to tell the right story to make your message stick, why storytelling is more important than ever, and how AI can help. Gabrielle Dolan is a global expert and highly sought-after international keynote speaker and educator on strategic storytelling and real communication. Her clients include the Obama Foundation, Uber, EY, Accenture, VISA, Salesforce, Amazon and Vodafone. In 2024 she launched the successful podcast Keeping it Real with Jac and Ral that was rated in the top 5% of video produced podcasts on Spotify. Gabrielle is also the bestselling author of nine books. Her latest title, Story Intelligence. The Craft of Authentic Storytelling, Made Smarter with AI was released in November 2025. Tune into this episode to hear: Why personal stories can be more powerful than facts, figures, or case studiesWhy you have to be clear on your message before your identify a storyThe key elements of an effective storyHow a good story can become a rallying cry that connects teams long after the tellingWhat you can and can’t use AI for when crafting your messaging Learn more about Gabrielle Dolan: WebsiteInstagram: @gabrielledolan.1Connect on LinkedIn Mentioned: Story IntelligenceKeeping it Real with Jac and Ral Resources: No BS Clients LabNo BS Agencies MasteryThe Price to Freedom Calculator™No BS Agency Owners Free Facebook GroupStart reading the first chapter of my bookPiasilva.com

We all want quality leads in our pipeline.  But these days, a lot of experts tell me they’re having trouble getting leads. The thing is, I don’t think that’s actually their problem. All the visibility in the world won’t help you if your real issue lies somewhere else.  In this episode, I break down one of the biggest (and most expensive) mistakes I see smart, talented experts making: chasing more leads when the real issue is that their message, offer, or positioning just isn’t clear enough to convert the people they’re already talking to. Tune into this episode to hear: How lack of specificity about your audience, your process, and your pricing is actually losing you clientsWhy “what’s your budget?” is one of the worst questions you can askHow fear budgets actually workAnd how a simple, clear lead product can flip the entire dynamic with clients Resources: Get on the Early Readers List of my new bookNo BS Clients LabNo BS Agencies MasteryThe Price to Freedom Calculator™No BS Agency Owners Free Facebook GroupStart reading the first chapter of my bookPiasilva.com