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This is a lil' compilation of what we called 5 Minute Masterclasses or 5 Minute Hit Takes inside The Playhouse when I first started it.  Five members, five minutes each, and one big reminder: you don't have to be perfect to connect. In this Mashup, Playhouse members share quick lessons on being more human in your business, from how you talk to how you post. In this episode: Vickie Kelty shares four tips for making conversations easier for English learners.Sarah Bowser turns your rabbit holes into side quests.Sarah Wayte helps you find the "you factor" that makes your brand unmistakable.Kate Gilbert shows how to make social media feel less crappy and more human.Sarah Ramsey explains why PR isn't just for big names and how to pitch the media.Learn more about these brilliant business owners here: Vickie Kelty: vickiekelty.com Sarah Bowser: thatweirdnerdymom.com Sarah Wayte: sarahwayte.com Kate Gilbert: kategilbert.com Sarah Ramsey: sarahramsey.com 🎄 We'd love for you to join us at the Playhouse Christmas Party! jointheplayhouse.com/christmas-party 📲 Grab the FREE Static 9 Grid Planner: jointheplayhouse.com/freeasy-static-9-grid-planner 🙅‍♀️ Grab the FREE Anti-Elevator Pitch Guide: jointheplayhouse.com/anti-elevator-pitch 🏠 Check out The Playhouse: A space for cool humans who happen to have businesses at jointheplayhouse.com

Ever feel like you’re carrying your business on your shoulders and no one really understands what it takes? I'm chatting with Sonja Irina Johansen about how to get and give support when it comes to the hard things in life (and business).  This episode is brought to you by Heartbeat. It's the platform I use to host the Playhouse. Start your 14-day free trial (affiliate link, no credit card needed) and use the code PLAYHOUSE for 20% off your first three months. In this episode: 0:00 Why alarmed aloneness hits solopreneurs so hard 2:09 What “alarmed aloneness” really feels like and why it matters 5:26 The real remedy: resonance before advice 9:25 Why giving advice isn’t enough (and what to do instead) Hang out with Sonja: Website: transformwithsonja.com Book: Thinking Outside the Box: A Revolutionary Approach to Food Dysfunction Podcast: Turn Down the Noise Podcast Hang out with Deanna: deannaseymour.com instagram.com/thedeannaseymour 🎄 We'd love for you to join us at the Playhouse Christmas Party! jointheplayhouse.com/christmas-party 🙅‍♀️ Grab the FREE Anti-Elevator Pitch Guide: jointheplayhouse.com/anti-elevator-pitch 🏠 Check out The Playhouse: A space for cool humans who happen to have businesses at jointheplayhouse.com

This is a lil' compilation of what we called 5 Minute Masterclasses or 5 Minute Hot Takes inside The Playhouse when I first started it. Five bite-sized lessons you can use today. In this Mashup, members of The Playhouse share their best quick tips for running a business and a life on your own terms. In this episode: Suzanne Culberg shares a simple piece of paper trick for setting boundaries without feeling like a horrible person.Leah Carey explains why struggling with intimacy doesn't mean you're broken, and why you're allowed to be your own first priority.Katherine Danesi walks through how to price your services for profitability, with a top-down formula that starts with the income you want.Kirsten Gollier shares simple tips for writing blogs that both readers and Google love, including how to show you're the real deal.Kayce Hodos shares her "Come On In and Have a Seat" method for managing mom guilt, with a big reminder that it's about practice, not perfection.Learn more about these brilliant business owners here: Leah Carey: leahcarey.com Katherine Danesi: katherinedanesi.com Kirsten Gollier: intertwinedseo.com Kayce Hodos: kaycehodos.com Suzanne Culberg 🎄 We'd love for you to join us at the Playhouse Christmas Party! jointheplayhouse.com/christmas-party 📲 Grab the FREE Static 9 Grid Planner: jointheplayhouse.com/freeasy-static-9-grid-planner 🙅‍♀️ Grab the FREE Anti-Elevator Pitch Guide: jointheplayhouse.com/anti-elevator-pitch 🏠 Check out The Playhouse: A space for cool humans who happen to have businesses at jointheplayhouse.com

Ever wondered why business advice that works for everyone else just doesn’t land for you? I’m hanging out with Regyna Curtis to talk about Charting Your Course, tapping into your own natural timing using astrology, and why tuning into your inner seasons (instead of outside “shoulds”) might be exactly what solopreneurs need for better work-life balance and meaningful growth. In this episode: 5:19 What is Charting Your Course, really? 8:24 The tactical use of “spiritual stuff” for business and life 13:08 Seasons, cycles, and why your energy isn’t “wrong” 19:31 Why ignoring external business “shoulds” can set you free 29:35 Reflection questions to build real self-trust Hang out with Regyna: www.regynacurtis.com Hang out with Deanna: deannaseymour.com instagram.com/thedeannaseymour 🎄 We'd love for you to join us at the Playhouse Christmas Party! jointheplayhouse.com/christmas-party 📲 Grab the FREE Static 9 Grid Planner: jointheplayhouse.com/freeasy-static-9-grid-planner 🙅‍♀️ Grab the FREE Anti-Elevator Pitch Guide: jointheplayhouse.com/anti-elevator-pitch 🏠 Check out The Playhouse: A space for cool humans who happen to have businesses at jointheplayhouse.com

This is a lil' compilation of what we called 5 Minute Masterclasses or 5 Minute Hot Takes inside The Playhouse when I first started it. Five bite-sized lessons you can use today. In this Mashup, members of The Playhouse share simple ways to make your business, your message, and your days a little easier. In this episode: Rene Morozowich shares three ways to make your website easy to find, easy to read, and easy to understand.Jess Lloyd explains how to spot energy leaks and shares quick fixes to stop feeling drained by your business.Lynn Quinn makes the case for speaking from the "I perspective" and why it keeps your message personal and unique.Sheila Williams shares five simple habit shifts for overcoming overwhelm, one small step at a time.Sheila Streetman explains why your brand isn't too unique, it's just inconsistent, and how to fix it.Learn more about these brilliant business owners here: Rene Morozowich: renemorozowich.com Jess Lloyd: jesslloyd.com Lynn Quinn: zoalq.com Sheila Williams: sheilawilliamscoaching.com Sheila Streetman: sheilastreetman.com Links mentioned by Rene: https://www.figma.com/color-contrast-checker/ https://responsively.app/ 🎄 We'd love for you to join us at the Playhouse Christmas Party! jointheplayhouse.com/christmas-party 📲 Grab the FREE Static 9 Grid Planner: deannaseymour.com/planner 🙅‍♀️ Grab the FREE Anti-Elevator Pitch Guide: deannaseymour.com/anti-elevator-pitch 🏠 Check out The Playhouse: A space for cool humans who happen to have businesses at jointheplayhouse.com

Clutter is costing you energy (especially if you’re neurodivergent) but what if you’re not actually disorganized, just overwhelmed by the wrong systems and space limits? Bea Bobbin and I are chatting about ADHD, creative brains, and why saying goodbye to stuff might finally give you back your sanity. In this episode: 0:00 The real reason business owners (and humans) struggle with clutter 4:22 What happens when your house suddenly feels like an Airbnb 6:22 How visual and mental noise from clutter affects focus and well-being 9:39 The “container concept” and why space budgets matter more than you think We also kept the conversation going with a Live Q&A where we talked about: How many cups one person actually needsWhat to do when your organizing system becomes just another choreWhy sometimes you should just throw the checklist in the binHow to draw boundaries around other people’s stuffHang out with Bea: hellospace.com.au instagram.com/DrBeaBobbin Hang out with Deanna: https://deannaseymour.com https://instagram.com/thedeannaseymour 🎄 We'd love for you to join us at the Playhouse Christmas Party! jointheplayhouse.com/christmas-party 🙅‍♀️ Grab the FREE Anti-Elevator Pitch Guide: jointheplayhouse.com/anti-elevator-pitch 🏠 Check out The Playhouse: A space for cool humans who happen to have businesses at jointheplayhouse.com

This is a lil' compilation of what we called 5 Minute Masterclasses or 5 Minute Hot Takes inside The Playhouse when I first started it. Five bite-sized lessons you can use today. In this Mashup, members of The Playhouse share how to build systems, support, and stories around the way you actually work. In this episode: Casey Jourdan explains why the burnout cycle keeps happening for ADHD brains and shares two strategies for building a business that works with yours.Emily Turo shares when to hire a virtual assistant, what to hand off, and how to build a great partnership.Nicole Neer shows how to use AI to repurpose your content and simplify social media, without losing your voice.Reme Mancera teaches how to use your personal brand story, and your "story connectors," before, during, and after a podcast interview.Jacki Hayes shares how to build client onboarding systems by starting with one question: how do I want my clients to feel?Learn more about these brilliant business owners here: Casey Jourdan: caseyjourdan.com Emily Turo: humanva.com Nicole Neer: bloomadminservices.com Reme Mancera: rememancera.com Jacki Hayes: jackihayes.co 🎄 We'd love for you to join us at the Playhouse Christmas Party! jointheplayhouse.com/christmas-party 🙅‍♀️ Grab the FREE Anti-Elevator Pitch Guide: jointheplayhouse.com/anti-elevator-pitch 🏠 Check out The Playhouse: A space for cool humans who happen to have businesses at jointheplayhouse.com

This is a lil' compilation of what we called 5 Minute Masterclasses or 5 Minute Hot Takes inside The Playhouse when I first started it. Five bite-sized lessons you can use today. In this Mashup, members of The Playhouse share ways to let go of what's draining you and invest in what actually moves your business forward. In this episode: Amelia Hruby shares a five-step plan for leaving social media without losing your clients or your income.Adrienne Kmetz explains why refreshing the old, dusty content on your website builds trust with readers and Google.Tonya Kubo teaches her THRIVE method for building an online community that doesn't drain your energy.Tiana Dodson walks through reframing, a simple tool for rewriting the old stories that hold you back.Deanna Seymour (founder of The Playhouse) shares her way of networking that feels like you're making new friends, not collecting contacts.Learn more about these brilliant business owners here: Amelia Hruby: ameliahruby.com Adrienne Kmetz: adriennekmetz.com Tonya Kubo: tonyakubo.com Tiana Dodson: tianadodson.com Deanna Seymour: deannaseymour.com 🎄 We'd love for you to join us at the Playhouse Christmas Party! jointheplayhouse.com/christmas-party 📲 Grab the FREE Static 9 Grid Planner: deannaseymour.com/planner 🙅‍♀️ Grab the FREE Anti-Elevator Pitch Guide: deannaseymour.com/anti-elevator-pitch 🏠 Check out The Playhouse: A space for cool humans who happen to have businesses at jointheplayhouse.com

Your sales page is a first date, treat them to the steak. Lara Eastburn shares why dropping the marketing “shoulds” and just telling the truth is your greatest sales tool, and how the right people will recognize themselves when your messaging finally matches up with reality. In this episode: 0:00 Why your website’s job is matchmaking, not convincing 2:00 The “virtual business suit” and why it ruins your messaging 5:44 How to strip away sales hacks and just tell the truth 7:15 The magic of helping people self-identify as a fit (or not) 13:44 Why long sales pages won’t make your offer more affordable We also kept the conversation going with a Live Q&A for where we talked about: Why you don’t need a lead magnet (seriously)When NOT to run Facebook adsWhere the best line on your website is probably hidingHow to talk about your business without making assumptions about your peopleWhy “ideal client avatars” can make your copy worse, not betterHang out with Lara: https://laraeastburn.com Hang out with Deanna: https://deannaseymour.com https://instagram.com/thedeannaseymour 🎄 We'd love for you to join us at the Playhouse Christmas Party! jointheplayhouse.com/christmas-party 📲 Grab the FREE Static 9 Grid Planner: jointheplayhouse.com/freeasy-static-9-grid-planner 🙅‍♀️ Grab the FREE Anti-Elevator Pitch Guide: jointheplayhouse.com/anti-elevator-pitch 🏠 Check out The Playhouse: A space for cool humans who happen to have businesses at jointheplayhouse.com

If people can’t figure out how to buy from you, or sign up for your events, or hit that dreaded 404 page you are losing sales. I’m chatting with Nadia Rayward from Sugar Beet Studios to chat all about user experience (UX) and why it matters for solopreneurs. In this episode: 02:01 What “user experience” really means (and why bad UX stands out) 04:33 The biggest “points of contact” you MUST consider for your business 06:58 Real-life example: handling waitlists, confirmations & why little details matter 10:42 How to actually TEST your experiences with real people (without fancy tools 13:03 The #1 thing visitors need to know on your homepage (in the first 5 seconds!) The extended episode with a live Q&A for Playhouse members includes: Where to actually put your call-to-action so people don't miss itWhy AI still can't replace real user testing, and what that means for youSimple, low-cost ways to test your website with real people before you launchListen to the extended version when you join us inside The Playhouse: https://jointheplayhouse.com Hang out with Nadia: https://www.sugarbeetstudios.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/nadiarayward https://sugarbeetstudios.kit.com/newsletter https://www.sugarbeetstudios.com/build-with-intention-monthly-meetup Hang out with Deanna: https://deannaseymour.com https://instagram.com/thedeannaseymour 🎄 We'd love for you to join us at the Playhouse Christmas Party! jointheplayhouse.com/christmas-party 🙅‍♀️ Grab the FREE Anti-Elevator Pitch Guide: jointheplayhouse.com/anti-elevator-pitch 🏠 Check out The Playhouse: A space for cool humans who happen to have businesses at jointheplayhouse.com

This one thing might be the reason you hate networking, or think you suck at it. I'm breaking down my "anti-elevator pitch" and why friendship-first networking will get you further than any polished intro ever will. In this episode: 0:00 Why the classic elevator pitch makes you sweat and ramble 2:20 "Friendship first networking" — what it actually means 8:11 The 7-11 word intro formula: what you do + who you do it for 15:12 A no-pressure follow-up system for people who think they're bad at follow-up 19:23 Where to actually keep track of the people you meet (spoiler: it doesn't need to be a CRM) Grab the Anti-Elevator Pitch PDF guide: https://deannaseymour.com/anti-elevator-pitch Listen to the episodes mentioned: Trish Markel on systems: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2423323/episodes/19509750 Maria Medina on systems + follow-up: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2423323/episodes/19678904 Hang out with Deanna: https://deannaseymour.com https://jointheplayhouse.com https://instagram.com/thedeannaseymour 🎄 We'd love for you to join us at the Playhouse Christmas Party! jointheplayhouse.com/christmas-party 📲 Grab the FREE Static 9 Grid Planner: jointheplayhouse.com/freeasy-static-9-grid-planner 🙅‍♀️ Grab the FREE Anti-Elevator Pitch Guide: jointheplayhouse.com/anti-elevator-pitch 🏠 Check out The Playhouse: A space for cool humans who happen to have businesses at jointheplayhouse.com

If you’ve ever felt like you’re always checking things off your list but your business isn’t moving forward, this episode will help you adjust that to-do list big time! Maria Medina breaks down how to tell if you’re actually being productive or just busy so your workday finally starts working for you. In this episode: 0:00 Why productivity and busy are not the same thing 2:31 How your calendar reveals your real priorities 5:35 The Eisenhower Matrix for prioritizing your to-dos 8:05 ADHD and the hidden productivity struggles business owners face 14:40 The one system you need to clarify your goals and actions We also kept the conversation going with a Live Q&A where we talked about: Why a "good" system can be as simple as Post-it Notes, and how to know if yours actually workThe ADHD-rooted reason follow-up feels so uncomfortable (and how to get past it)How to stop losing track of your best connections with a dead simple follow-up systemListen to the extended version when you join us inside The Playhouse: https://jointheplayhouse.com Hang out with Maria: https://www.instagram.com/mariamedinacoach https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariamedinacoach https://thecoachingnetwork.com Hang out with Deanna: https://deannaseymour.com https://instagram.com/thedeannaseymour 🎄 We'd love for you to join us at the Playhouse Christmas Party! jointheplayhouse.com/christmas-party 📲 Grab the FREE Static 9 Grid Planner: jointheplayhouse.com/freeasy-static-9-grid-planner 🙅‍♀️ Grab the FREE Anti-Elevator Pitch Guide: jointheplayhouse.com/anti-elevator-pitch 🏠 Check out The Playhouse: A space for cool humans who happen to have businesses at jointheplayhouse.com

If you’re obsessed with personality tests like Enneagram or Human Design, you’ll love hearing about Sheer Personality, a totally new (and super visual) way to understand how you and anyone in your life relate and work together. In this episode: 3:35 Why Cara created SHEER Personality and what makes it different 6:04 Using SHEER to overlay your results with friends, co-workers, or your partner 10:16 The five SHEER spectrums and what they actually mean 17:18 Cara shares how SHEER improved her marriage and work relationships 25:14 How understanding your "dark side" leads to empathy and growth Take the SHEER Assessment: https://sheerpersonality.com Hang out with Cara: https://carasteinmann.com https://getrhaina.com Hang out with Deanna: https://deannaseymour.com https://jointheplayhouse.com https://instagram.com/thedeannaseymour 🎄 We'd love for you to join us at the Playhouse Christmas Party! jointheplayhouse.com/christmas-party 📲 Grab the FREE Static 9 Grid Planner: jointheplayhouse.com/freeasy-static-9-grid-planner 🙅‍♀️ Grab the FREE Anti-Elevator Pitch Guide: jointheplayhouse.com/anti-elevator-pitch 🏠 Check out The Playhouse: A space for cool humans who happen to have businesses at jointheplayhouse.com

What if having more fun at work could actually help your business thrive? Steph DragonHeart Benedetto’s here to challenge the idea that play and productivity are opposites, and prove that a playful mindset can spark real results. In this episode: 0:00 Why we think play + productivity can’t mix (and what happens when they do) 2:26 How to redefine play so it fits your business and your personality 5:35 Choosing the “game” you want to play in your business 7:59 Why less pushing and stressing can actually make you more productive 10:28 Simple ways to spot opportunities for play, even if it doesn’t come naturally The extended episode with a live Q&A for Playhouse members includes: What “premature practicality” is and why it kills big ideaWhether you should focus on strategy before play if money’s tightHow to experiment with play in your work without feeling sillyHang out with Steph: https://www.theawakenedbusiness.com https://www.theawakenedbusiness.com/wildspire https://www.dragonheartquest.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephanierbenedetto https://www.youtube.com/@StephBenedetto Hang out with Deanna: https://deannaseymour.com https://instagram.com/thedeannaseymour 🎄 We'd love for you to join us at the Playhouse Christmas Party! jointheplayhouse.com/christmas-party 🙅‍♀️ Grab the FREE Anti-Elevator Pitch Guide: jointheplayhouse.com/anti-elevator-pitch 🏠 Check out The Playhouse: A space for cool humans who happen to have businesses at jointheplayhouse.com

If you ever feel overwhelmed by your to-do list and wonder how to squeeze more joy into your life (without making it another chore), this conversation I had with Ashley Looker is for you boo. Real talk, a little sassy, and maybe even some tears shed around the subject of joy and what it actually means to practice joy every day. In this episode: 2:29 Why joy is a practice and how to experiment with it 8:56 Joy as a “complete waste of time” (and why that’s powerful) 10:24 The rebellious act of choosing joy 19:00 Feeling “full” vs. feeling “fulfilled” in life 21:29 Joy is found in tiny everyday moments Hang out with Ashley: https://instagram.com/ashleylooker https://ashley-looker.com Hang out with Deanna: https://deannaseymour.com https://jointheplayhouse.com https://instagram.com/thedeannaseymour 🎄 We'd love for you to join us at the Playhouse Christmas Party! jointheplayhouse.com/christmas-party 📲 Grab the FREE Static 9 Grid Planner: jointheplayhouse.com/freeasy-static-9-grid-planner 🙅‍♀️ Grab the FREE Anti-Elevator Pitch Guide: jointheplayhouse.com/anti-elevator-pitch 🏠 Check out The Playhouse: A space for cool humans who happen to have businesses at jointheplayhouse.com