Join me on the Season 3 finale of The Impact Ripple podcast as I wrap up our AI Series!

In this episode, we’re taking a look at 4 remarkable benefits of integrating AI into your small business in a way that will leverage your team’s full potential and accelerate their growth.

The good news is that AI isn't just for big corporations – it can significantly enhance productivity and customer service for small businesses like ours, too!

AI can lead to higher employee satisfaction and well-being by reducing workloads and allowing our people to focus on more meaningful tasks. But thoughtful implementation is key to success.

In this episode of The Impact Ripple podcast, I'm thrilled to be joined by Brittany Ratelle, Small Business Lawyer, to explore the legal concerns and considerations of artificial intelligence and its impact on small businesses.

Together, Brittany and I unravel the mysteries of AI, shedding light on its accessibility for entrepreneurs while also cautioning against its potential pitfalls. Brittany discusses copyright concerns swirling around AI-generated content and stresses the importance of understanding the data driving these algorithms.

Throughout our conversation, we discuss the ever-evolving landscape of AI in creative industries and the legal hurdles businesses are facing today and how transparency is key.

But it's not all legal jargon and technicalities; we also get into the ethical side of AI.

In the second episode of our AI series for leaders, Ajia Allen, Owner and Principal Strategist of Digalyne, a digital strategy agency, joins me to discuss the importance of and need for diversity and inclusivity in the development of generative AI tools.

We kick things off by exploring the meaning of BIPOC – Black, Indigenous, and People of Color – as a term highlighting the importance of including Black and Indigenous communities alongside other people of color in the development of AI technology.

Ajia sheds light on the tech industry's historical underrepresentation and how the term "minority-led and BIPOC-centered" is a call to action.

We discuss the potential biases in widely used AI models due to lack of diversity in data and Ajia advocates for a responsible and critical approach to AI usage.

Join me and Abby Herman, a Fractional Marketing Director, in this fantastic podcast episode that kicks off our AI series for leaders where we uncover the incredible world of AI and its game-changing role in small businesses.

Together, we explore the basics of artificial intelligence (AI), how it seamlessly integrates into our daily lives, and how it's making big waves in small businesses with applications like Chatbots and ChatGPT.

Abby takes us on a journey of practical examples, showing us firsthand how ChatGPT works its magic in marketing, content creation, and even in crafting Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) with ease.

It’s no secret that hiring has changed over the past few years and it’s harder to hire now than ever before. Or is it…

In this solo episode, I break down the challenges small businesses are facing when it comes to hiring (including a shifting power dynamic) and discuss the rise of the “belief-driven employee” and what employees really want.

In a world where it seems like “nobody wants to work anymore,” I bust common myths and share real, actionable hiring strategies that are working today for clients all across the country.

In this engaging episode of the Impact Ripple podcast, I sat down with the incredibly talented Ketmanee Whitlock to chat about her transformative journey in the beauty industry.

Ketmanee, the visionary behind Edify Salon, shares about her commitment to creating a salon space that goes beyond beauty, emphasizing collaboration, inclusivity, and breaking free from traditional industry norms.

Our discussion navigates the challenges within the salon industry, including the misclassification of stylists, the need for legal and ethical practices, and the ruthlessly competitive environment that is rampant in the industry.

Ketmanee brilliantly shares her innovative approach to fostering collaboration, dismantling toxic ideals and relationships amongst stylists, and instigating positive change within the industry.

This episode also explores the holistic mindset of Edify Salon, shining a light on its community engagement initiatives, commitment to environmental sustainability, and transparent financial practices.

Disability accommodations.

What are they? And should you be providing them in your small business?

Join me for an empowering conversation on The Impact Ripple podcast with the incredible Dannie Lynn Fountain as we explore the world of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in the workplace, with a focus on disability inclusion and accessibility.

Dannie Lynn is a Disability Accommodations Program Manager at Google and the Founder of Focused on People, where she provides invaluable support to clients and brands with HR-focused DEI strategies.

Have you ever thought team building was cheesy and a total waste of time?

But what if it could be truly impactful for your business and team (minus the cheese factor)?

If it could help your team understand one another better, be more empathetic, collaborate more effectively, and problem solve together, without always running to you?

What if it could be thoughtful, intentional, and even fun? Yes, I said FUN!

If that sounds like your cuppa tea, then join me and my dear friend and colleague, Janna Browning of Integrative Storyworks for this exciting episode of The Impact Ripple podcast!

In this conversation, Janna and I explore the essence of trust-building, what it is and how to build it, while sharing a unique team-building experience that you’ve likely never seen before.

I recently experienced Janna’s powerful team-building workshop and I couldn’t wait to share it with you, so I’m thrilled she agreed to join me on the show for a chat!

In this episode of The Impact Ripple podcast, I had the pleasure of chatting with my brilliant friend and colleague, Dr. Carrie Graham, an expert in effective training for adult learners.

If you have or are growing your team, you will need to provide them with training. Whether it’s new hire training or opportunities to help them grow and develop during their time with you, training is critical for having a profitable, sustainable, and impactful team.

However, training can also feel super overwhelming! Where do you start? How do you not bore your team to tears? And what can you do to make sure the training actually sticks?

Well, lucky for you, all the answers to these questions (and more) are waiting inside of Episode 27 of The Impact Ripple podcast for you right now!

Dr. Carrie kicks things off by encouraging us to challenge the status quo of checkbox-style training and explore the magic of making every training opportunity a value-driven, engaging conversation. She also drops some serious truth bombs about how shifting from performative to intentional training can make all the difference.

In this episode of "The Impact Ripple," I dive into the complex challenges faced by employers and hiring managers in our evolving post-pandemic landscape. It's no secret that hiring has become increasingly tricky, with a staggering 77% of employers worldwide struggling to fill open positions, marking a 17-year high.

We take a deep dive into the common hurdles employers grapple with when it comes to hiring – from attracting the right candidates to addressing the skills gap and combating the pervasive issue of candidate ghosting.

In this season finale episode of The Impact Ripple Podcast, I reflect on the enlightening conversations I had during "money month" with three esteemed guests from the finance industry sharing valuable insights to empower you on your hiring journey.

Then I address some common fears and insights I’ve seen during my years as a Hiring and Leadership Mentor. And we explore the concept of the "impact ripple," through fostering a compassionate and kind work environment, business owners can contribute to a better world.

Join me for this impactful episode as we wrap up Season Two and discover the transformative possibilities of hiring with humanity and intentionality.

Are you struggling to make informed financial decisions when it comes to hiring for your small business? Tune in to this episode of The Impact Ripple Podcast where we demystify the financial numbers and share expert tips on how to be intentional with your hiring process and paying yourself as a business owner.

In this episode, I spoke with Carla Titus, the owner of Wealth and Worth Within, where she and I broke down the financial numbers all business owners want and need to know when hiring employees.

Carla shared the four main numbers that you need to pay attention to and how to plan for the cost of hiring. She emphasized the importance of being intentional about your finances and education to help you make more informed financial decisions.

Are your money emotions holding you back?

On this episode of The Impact Ripple Podcast, I sat down with my friend and Financial Coach, Keina Newell, founder of Wealth Over Now, to talk about building generational wealth, creating a values-aligned budget that feels liberating, and making investments that deliver more than just a financial return.

Keina shares about the way the emotions we associate with money can hold women business owners back and practical steps you can take to build generational wealth and abundance.

She encourages women to create a budget that aligns with your values and goals, which can feel more liberating and empowering rather than stifling and restrictive.

This episode kicks off our Money Month series, where we’re diving deep into all things around money and finances as a business owner who’s growing a team!

In this episode, I chat with Christine Walsh, a financial coach who helps women entrepreneurs overcome financial fears and increase their income. We discuss the impact that our beliefs and mindset about money can have on a business owner's ability to grow their business and manage their finances.

Christine begins by sharing her journey to becoming a financial coach, including how the events of 9/11 influenced her decision to leave investment banking and work in a more impactful way. She emphasizes that money is infinite and can be created, and that recognizing one's creative power and taking responsibility for it is absolutely essential.

Hey leader, if you find yourself in need of a dose of heartfelt goodness and encouragement today, take a listen to this episode of The Impact Ripple podcast with my dear friend and coach, Lee Chaix McDonough.

Lee is the Founder of Coach with Clarity, where she helps women in helping professions create flexible and meaningful businesses that serve their people and support their families – without selling their souls.

Interest peaked? I thought so! ;)

Lee shares her personal journey from being a psychotherapist living overseas with her family to supporting her husband in his business venture and eventually starting her own coaching business.

We discuss the cyclical nature of business and how entrepreneurs can navigate challenging times through meaning, mindset, and mindfulness.

In this episode, we’re talking all about health and wellness at work. Something small business owners – and especially female business owners – struggle with often. Joining me for this conversation is Amber Gourley, a Functional and Integrative Dietitian and owner of Heal U.

We start our conversation by chatting about the importance of prioritizing health and wellness for small business owners and leaders. Amber shares her personal journey from business and human resources to dietetics, and how she started Heal U to empower women to make positive lifestyle changes.

As leaders, it's also critical for us to create a healthy workplace culture by prioritizing the wellness of our team, since employees bring their whole selves to work and cannot leave their sickness, stress, or personal problems at the door. Healthy employees are more productive and contribute more to the workplace, so not only is it the right thing to do, it’s a smart business move, too.

Recently, I had the pleasure of sitting down for a conversation with Maritza Shay Nelson, an employment law attorney who specializes in supporting small businesses and non-profit organizations.

You might be thinking, “Sheesh! HR *and* Legal? Are you trying to bore me to death?” But I promise you’re going to love this conversation, because Shay and I had SO much fun and shared loads of laughs, along with valuable insights and advice..

We discussed the complexities of employment laws, where Shay emphasized the importance of having legal support to help you protect your business from potential lawsuits and reputation damage.

I’m excited to welcome our first attorney on The Impact Ripple podcast this week, Alexis Tahinci, of Tahinci Law Firm! Alexis is an employment law and civil rights attorney who works on behalf of employees who are filing claims against their employers.

While this may sound counterintuitive to some, what I find most powerful about this collaboration is that Alexis was able to share the most common complaints employees are bringing to her office to help us avoid creating the same issues in our own businesses.

Alexis also shared common employment law myths and issues that small businesses need to be aware of to protect themselves and ensure health and supportive workplace cultures.

Have you ever felt anxious about hiring the wrong person for your small business?

If so, you’re in luck! Because that’s exactly what I’m diving into on this episode of The Impact Riple podcast.

Hiring the right person is something every business owner wants.

BUT being *able* to hire the right person and *actually* hiring the right person…well, that’s a bit of a different story.

Are you a fan of conflict?

I’m guessing you probably answered, “Absolutely not!!” to that question. You might have even thought, “I’d rather get a root canal.”

If you’re like most of the business owners we work with at SproutHR, you don’t enjoy conflict. I can’t blame you! Most of us weren’t taught how to effectively handle conflict and some of us learned through a lot of trial and error (raises hand!).

As you grow your team, however, you will be faced with conflict and it can either break your business or amplify it. That’s why I asked my friend and conflict expert, Anna Neilsen, to join me on this episode of The Impact Ripple podcast.