Mastering Business Skills

Leveraging AI for Real Business Growth With Alison Simmons

In this energizing episode, hosts Sharon Savage and Erin Alli welcome Alison Simmons, founder and CEO of Lead Smarter Co., and creator of the Seven Figure CEO System. Alison shares her transformation from offering online business management services to creating innovative, AI-driven solutions for entrepreneurs and small business owners. The conversation covers Alison's practical approach to leveraging AI strategically, not just for content automation, but as a powerful problem-solving partner that amplifies personal strengths.
Listeners will learn how Alison's “think like a strategist” mindset led to breakthrough results (like doubling a client’s membership in five months), why treating ChatGPT more like a six-year-old can improve your outcomes, and actionable ideas for using AI to reclaim time, optimize calendar management, and foster business growth. The episode also spotlights common mistakes with AI, the importance of specificity and feedback, and the future of AI in coaching and training.​
Key Topics Discussed:
Moving from generic to strategic uses of AI in entrepreneurship
ChatGPT as a brainstorming partner, not a replacement
Creating custom GPTs and automation workflows
Making AI work for your personal and business tasks (e.g., time audits, calendar management with tools like Reclaim)
Launching and scaling programs, coaching, and licensing through Lead Smarter Co.
Tips for introducing AI to reluctant team members or clients
Favorite Quotes:
“ChatGPT is like a six-year-old that wants to help, give it specifics, be directive, and don’t be afraid to correct its work.”
“If AI is just generic, you’re missing the real value. The real game-changer is in strategy and problem-solving.”
“AI can amplify your business, but it shouldn’t replace your human touch.”
Connect with Guest: Alison Simmons
Connect with Guest: Alison Simmons
Website: Lead Smarter
LinkedIn: Alison Simmons
Note: Visit her website and LinkedIn for the most current templates, offers, and program details as discussed on the episode.

Gratitude for You This Holiday Season

As we begin to wrap up our first season of Mastering Business Skills, we want to extend our heartfelt gratitude to you, our amazing listeners. Your support, feedback, and the stories of how certain episodes sparked new ideas or inspired change in your businesses have meant the world to us. What started as a show for practical business advice has blossomed into a community filled with heart, growth, and genuine connection.
We’ve been fortunate to host incredible guests who shared insights on leadership, HR, marketing, and hosting virtual events, each helping us, and hopefully you, see business from a fresh perspective. Whether you tune in every Thursday or catch up as you can, thank you for being an essential part of our journey. We look forward to bringing you more real conversations, expert insights, and maybe even a few blooper reels next season!
Wishing everyone a restful Thanksgiving. Take a moment to recharge and reflect on what you’re grateful for, we know we’re grateful for you!
Connect With Us
Connect with Erin on LinkedIn
Erin's Website Operational Leadership Solutions
Connect with Sharon on LinkedIn
Sharon's Website Virtual Assistant Sharon
Visit the VSM website: Virtual Skills Master

Scaling Smart and Networking Wins with Pauleen Murphy

In this episode of Mastering Business Skills, hosts Sharon Savage and Erin Alli welcome Pauleen Murphy, founder of Politan Marketing and seasoned fractional chief marketing officer. Pauleen shares her expertise in helping founder-led businesses scale more effectively, covering everything from emotional leadership transitions to the systems and organization that sustain fast growth. Discover what kinds of clients thrive with fractional marketing leadership, and why networking is an essential ingredient not just for business results but for personal growth and confidence.
Key takeaways include:
Pauleen’s unique approach as the first marketing leader for owner-driven companies, typically working with founders in businesses ranging from $1 to $20 million ARR.​
Why the emotional side of handing off strategic decisions is often the hardest for entrepreneurs, and what it means to move from “great entrepreneur” to “visionary leader”.​
The value of organization and systems: how strong foundations, clear positioning, and AI best practices streamline execution and allow lean marketing teams to excel.
Insights on the importance of cross-industry experience, and how Pauleen integrates internal teams, vendors, and her own assistants for holistic results.​
How consistent, intentional networking, especially one-on-one connections, creates unexpected opportunities and directly improves business growth.​
Practical strategies for leveraging your own strengths, finding balance, and moving your business forward through education and connection.
Connect with Pauleen:
Website: politanmarketing.com
LinkedIn: Pauleen Murphy
Portfolio: politanmarketing.com/portfolio

Navigating the Digital Frontier With Erika Dickstein

In this episode of Mastering Business Skills, hosts Sharon Savage and Erin Alli are joined by Erika Dickstein, CEO of Spring Insight, a forward-thinking marketing strategy firm. Erika dives deep into the evolving landscape of digital marketing, from the rise of AI-driven search to the persistent challenges of maintaining meaningful online presence for expert-led businesses. Listeners will discover why digital marketing matters more than ever and how content, even the kind you didn’t know you had, can be transformed into an engine for visibility and credibility.
Key takeaways include:
Erika’s path from corporate marketing to entrepreneurship and what inspired her transition to supporting subject matter experts and business leaders.​
Why websites for small businesses often disappoint, and how a strategy-first approach bridges the gap.​
The impact of generative AI on how clients are discovered, and why early adoption of new marketing technologies creates long-term success.​
Telling signs it’s time to hire a digital marketing firm and the value of having a true marketing partner at your side.​
Erika’s actionable method for repurposing content, multiplying the impact of each idea or asset across all channels, even when you feel like you have “nothing to say”.​
The importance of leveraging your unique knowledge and perspective, because what seems obvious to you is valuable to others.
Connect with Erika:
LinkedIn: Erika Dickstein
Website: springinsight.com

Overcoming Fear and Unlocking Clear Messaging with Maggy Sterner

Warning: Some adult language used. Please use headphones if you have littles around!
In this episode of Mastering Business Skills, hosts Sharon Savage and Erin Alli sit down with Maggy Sterner, an expert brand messaging coach known for her straightforward approach to helping entrepreneurs answer the all-important question: "What do you do?" Maggy shares her unconventional journey from DJ and journalist to sought-after clarity coach, revealing the power of owning your expertise and delivering your message in a single, confident sentence.
Key takeaways include:
Why fear is the biggest obstacle holding entrepreneurs back from stating what they do, and how to overcome it.​
The essential distinction between marketing and sales, and why clearly telling people how you help is the foundation of success.​
Maggy’s “one sentence solution” for crafting clear and impactful messaging without overwhelm or jargon.​
The secret to messaging that resonates: use the words your ideal clients already use to describe their struggles and desires.​
How choosing a focus and “picking a lane” can be the ultimate move for business growth and confidence.​
Actionable strategies for introverts, perfectionists, and anyone afraid of being “salesy” to own their voice and help those they’re meant to serve.
Connect With Maggy:
LinkedIn: Maggy Sterner
Website: maggysterner.com
 

The Power of Systems and Candid Conversation With Bill Duguay

In this episode, Sharon Savage and Erin Alli sit down with Bill Duguay, executive coach and former CEO, to unpack what it really means to lead effectively, without carrying the weight alone. Bill shares how his journey from civil engineer to construction leader laid the groundwork for his no-nonsense, field-tested approach to leadership and team coaching. This conversation covers everything from the critical need for operational systems, to the transformative power of saying the hard things, to practical tips for building trust and connection, even in chaos.
Key Takeaways:
Every leader needs three essentials: a coach/mentor, a peer group, and a solid operating system to remove randomness and stress.​
Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) are vital for ensuring continuity and scaling, especially for solopreneurs or small business owners.​
Delegation isn't just about workload; it's about enabling others to discover their strengths and ensuring your business and clients are protected in case you need to step away.​
Saying the hard things is a skill that takes practice and psychological safety. Radical candor and vulnerability-based trust are cornerstones of healthy teams.​
True leadership means being fully present, normalizing conversations around mental health, and creating space for meaningful connection at work. 
Books Mentioned:
Radical Candor by Kim Scott
The Five Dysfunctions of a Team by Patrick Lencioni
Connect with Bill:
LinkedIn: Bill Duguay 
Website: EOS Worldwide

CRM Strategy, AI Integration, and Listening That Converts With Rob Manne

In this episode of Mastering Business Skills, we sit down with Rob Manne, founder of Inflectiv, to explore how growing companies can turn their CRM, marketing, and sales tools into real revenue. Rob shares how his team helps businesses optimize platforms like HubSpot and AI to streamline operations, improve forecasting, and make smarter decisions.
From his early days in PR and marketing to building a consultancy that bridges strategy and systems, Rob offers insights into active listening, iterative growth, and the power of simplifying tech stacks. He also opens up about his evolving definition of success, his journey with ADHD, and how embracing imperfection can lead to meaningful impact.
Whether you’re drowning in disconnected tools or just starting to build your client pipeline, this episode is packed with practical advice and thoughtful reflection.
🔑 What You’ll Learn
Why “shift is better than perfect” is a powerful mindset for entrepreneurs
How CRM systems like HubSpot can transform sales, marketing, and customer success
The importance of listening deeply, and asking the right questions
How to simplify your tech stack and save thousands in unnecessary tools
Ways to use AI strategically in sales and marketing operations
Why delegation doesn’t mean losing connection to the work you love
 
Connect with Rob Manne
Inflectiv Website
LinkedIn
Free consultation
 

Mastering the Math and the Mindset With Thomas Howard

In this episode of Mastering Business Skills, we sit down with Thomas Howard, Business Development Director at Brightway Advisors, to explore the intersection of financial operations and authentic relationship-building. With over two decades in banking and a passion for strategic networking, Thomas shares how businesses can move beyond basic bookkeeping to unlock meaningful insights and sustainable growth.
From managing numbers to managing nerves, Thomas opens up about his journey, including how fire performance and historical martial arts shaped his ability to stay calm under pressure. We also dive into his vision for expanding Brightway’s services through white-label partnerships and his evolving definition of success as a father, leader, and lifelong learner.
Whether you're a solopreneur juggling every hat or a growing team looking for clarity, this episode offers practical advice, thoughtful reflection, and a few sparks of inspiration.
🔑 What You’ll Learn
Why financial operations go far beyond bookkeeping
How strategic networking builds trust and long-term value
Tips for making meaningful introductions without overwhelming your contacts
The importance of knowing your own capacity—and respecting others’
How performance art can teach crisis management and emotional resilience
Why conflict management is the next skill every leader should master
 
Connect with Thomas Howard
Brightway Advisors Website
LinkedIn
Meet with Thomas

Networking Systems That Deliver With Anitra Deen

In this episode of Mastering Business Skills, we sit down with Anitra Deen, networking strategist, fractional COO, and founder of Anitra Deen Consulting. Anitra shares how she helps women entrepreneurs and small business owners turn casual connections into strategic business development. From building infrastructure for follow-up to understanding your sales cycle, Anitra offers actionable insights that move businesses from stuck to scalable.
We dive into her signature tools like the Hive Networking Hotline and the Networking Value Calculator, designed to help solopreneurs make smarter decisions about where and how they network. Plus, Anitra opens up about her journey, her upcoming book Organize Your Ducks, and the next skill she’s mastering: conflict management.
Whether you’re a seasoned entrepreneur or just starting out, this episode is packed with practical advice and empowering strategies to help you build intentional relationships and sustainable growth.
🔑 What You’ll Learn:
Why follow-up is just as critical as showing up
How to build a system for networking that actually works
The importance of knowing your sales cycle and buying seasons
How to evaluate networking opportunities with real ROI metrics
Tips for preparing before events so your follow-up is intentional
Why conflict management is a powerful tool for business growth
 
🤝 Connect with Anitra Deen:
Website
LinkedIn
Hive Networking Hotline
Instagram
 

Making Merchant Services Work for You with Frank Scearbo

In this episode of Mastering Business Skills, we sit down with Frank Scearbo, a credit card processing expert with a background in banking, accounting, and business advisory services. Frank shares how he helps business owners navigate the often confusing world of merchant services, ensuring they get the lowest possible cost on every transaction while receiving top-tier customer support.
With over 20 years in the industry, Frank breaks down:
– Why credit card processing doesn’t have to be a “necessary evil”– How to avoid hidden fees and misleading rate structures– The power of personalized service in a tech-driven world– Why handwritten cards and simple check-ins still matter– How mindset and positive thinking shape long-term success
Whether you’re running a brick-and-mortar shop or selling online, Frank’s insights will help you rethink how you accept payments, and how you treat your customers.
 
Connect With Frank Scearbo:Credit Card Expert WebsiteCompany WebsiteLinkedIn
 
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