The Fizzle Show

Shownotes: http://fizzleshow.com/308 What are these new opportunities that are available to people in 2019? How can you find the right gig for your needs or skills? How can entrepreneurs cleverly utilize these opportunities to help them along their own journey? That’s right, today we are unpacking the exciting new world that is opening up for anybody interested, introducing the gig economy! This might be Uber or Lyft, Airbnb or Upwork, there are new services and platforms every day that you could be using to make a little extra money and boost your hustle. In this episode, our focus is finding the right gig for your skills and needs in order to stay afloat while you keep your entrepreneurial dreams alive. There are many ways to skin this cat but the simplest might be to just use these gigs as a means to a financial end in the interim with your own business. We talk about why these gigs are usually so much better than a day-job you hate, potential drawbacks of this marketplace, the paradox of the gig economy a

Shownotes: http://fizzleshow.com/307 What are the daily practices that help us have a better day? How do we keep our routine from turning into dogma? When is the right time to tune up our habits and move on to something new? That’s right, we are tackling the often talked about, sometimes misrepresented, idea of daily routines! We have been told so many times about the effects of our habits and our repeated actions but sometimes that is not enough to help us find what works for us. In this episode, we take an essential look at the issue, considering what it is about daily practices that can have positive effects on things in our lives and specifically our businesses. From showering and good rest, all the way to where you work and taking regular walks, we cover it all! We also talk about meditation and gratitude, unlocking spaces you never knew existed in your mind and how choosing a good song can change your life. For this great chat, join us on the Fizzle Show today! Key Points From This Episode: • The moder

Shownotes: http://fizzleshow.com/306 How do we create necessary safety nets for our businesses? What happens when disaster strikes or you just need to take a holiday? What are the most important areas to cover? Every business will have its own unexpected ups and downs. Being prepared for these can mean the difference between staying alight and fizzling out, so we want to unpack how to go about prepping your ship for all manner of waters! In this episode, we get right to the core of what it means to prepare well for the inevitable difficulties you or business might encounter. We go through some of the ways you can approach this task, talking about different modes of work, productivity and why time off is so important. We also talk about recovery from tough periods, the concepts of good enough and trust and why it is not actually that difficult to be well prepared in this regard. This is such a vital topic because in the end, it can all collapse if you do not reinforce your businesses structures now! For this

Shownotes: http://fizzleshow.com/305 How do we balance our dreams of perfection with getting things done? Should our business be more focussed on shipping or shaping? When do we know that something is ready to go out into the world? These are the types of questions that all entrepreneurs, whether service or product based, have to face pretty regularly. Learning how to manage this tension is huge part of finding a successful path and continual sensitivity to these options can put you and your work in great stead. In this episode, we get right into the issue, weighing the benefits of getting things done and working on them meticulously. In the end, there is always going to be a sweet spot between how much you can possibly do and the point you need to let go. We also talk about self doubt, paring down your vision, putting constraints of perfectionism and why it is not a bad idea to err on the side of shipping in the beginning. For this and whole lot more, join us today! Key Points From This Episode: • Ways to

Shownotes: http://fizzleshow.com/304 What are business experiments? How can you conduct one easily and quickly? In what ways can using tests like these help you to grow and propel your business forward? Using tests and experiments can teach you so much about how to progress; what areas need attention; and, what is possible. There may be things that you thought were beyond you that are completely achievable! In this episode, we talk about how to run experiments as well how to structure them to gauge success, build confidence and jump to the next level. We talk about engines of growth, goal setting, clarifying the process and how asking yourself what you want can kickstart this mode of thinking. We also talk about five essential areas of these tests and Aiden breaks down the physiology of the test body! We talk about control, variables, structure and more. We use the example of growing your audience as the proxy to explain these parts so that you can go out and get started! For all that and whole lot more, joi

Shownotes: http://fizzleshow.com/303 How much growth is enough? Can you keep your company at an optimum size? What is the perfect size for you? A bigger business is not always a better business. And, keeping things on the right level is almost always preferable to precarious growth. If you can stay profitable, why would you need to keep growing to some imaginary and mostly arbitrary standard? In this episode, we are going deep on the idea of how to make sure your business gets to and stays at the best size for your needs. We are talking freedom, consistency and the phases of growth that you will experience. Today on the show, we are joined by Paul Jarvis, author, designer, podcaster, online course teacher and software creator. Paul’s latest book, Company of One, is the jumping off point for today’s discussion and he does a great job of unpacking his philosophy for all of us. We also talk about impacting one person through your business, remaining mindful of your successes and priorities, considering the lifes

Shownotes: https://fizzle.co/sparkline/burnout-rebirth-and-the-weird-netherworld-between-the-two-fs302/ What is it really like to be a successful entrepreneur? Can we even appreciate our success in this model of business? What are the costs and benefits that we do not always see? Today on the show we are joined by Tom Ross, the CEO and founder of Design Cuts who will taking us through the last few years in his life of entrepreneurship and giving us the real inside scoop on the highs and lows of his process. In this episode, we unpack jumping into the entrepreneurial lifestyle, motivation, the drive to succeed, burnout and different areas of health that require our attention. We also shed some light on relationships and nurturing parts in your life besides business. Tom gives us a lot of great insight and intimate details about his struggles with his health, what brought about these problems and how learning to manage his own type of ambition and drive has been key to finding more sustainable growth and succ

Shownotes: http://fizzleshow.com/301 Where should you work? What are the options when it comes to choosing a space? What are the most important things to consider when finding your workspace? As entrepreneurs we have the option of choosing where we want to work. It is one of the blessing afforded this lifestyle, but can also have a huge impact on the success and failure of your projects. In this episode, we break down the subject and try our best to unpack the issue in a way that helps you get some more clarity on the location for the magic to happen. This location might evolve and grow as you do, so we also want to give you the tools and ideas that aid this process. We also talk about the three main avenues for spaces where you can work, these being home, an office and public spaces like cafes. We each give our personal experience with these places and share some pros and cons for you listening pleasure! For all of this and much more, be sure to join us on the show today! Key Points From This Episode: • F

Impostor syndrome is one way entrepreneurs can completely sabotage their own business. Starting a business can endlessly fun at first... all the possibility, hope, potential. But soon the fear starts to creep in, the self confidence starts to slip, and the inner saboteur begins to do her work. In this episode we dive into several helpful tools for you to break out of self sabotage mode, including: what the onset of self sabotage looks like, how to identify when you're in self sabotage mode, practical ways to get out of your own way before it's too late!

Shownotes: http://fizzleshow.com/299 When should we say no to opportunities? How do we balance saying yes and no to these to our advantage? What are the tips and tricks for making the right choices in business? We all have constant chances to say yes and no to things, whether in our business or personal lives. Here at Fizzle, we have noticed the huge impact that making the right choice in these situations can have on your trajectory, specifically your ability to say no. In this episode, we break down the particulars of this somewhat challenging question. We really try to get through when it might be a good time to refuse or turn down a request or offer. We look at it from the perspective of different types of entrepreneurs and help you to build a model that suits you. We also talk about tips and tricks, a decision making frameworks and the evolution of your business and psychology. There are a number of factors that have to be constantly juggled and reassessed and we are here to help you with work all of that

Shownotes: http://fizzleshow.com/298 How can a new partnership help grow your business? When is the right time to enter into something you believe will be mutually beneficial? What are the questions you need to ask yourself before making a decision on this front? It is hard to imagine the online business world of today without partnerships, endorsements collaborations and picking the right ones can take your business further than you might have imagined. But that does not mean that every connection is a good one or that you should jump through endless hoops just to get a cosign! In this episode, we look at a bunch of angles relating to this question and try and help you figure out the best process for picking the right way through potential business negotiations. We get into the idea of dream partnerships, when to draw a line in the sand and the most important factor, understanding value. We also talk about bags, cars and phones, drawing on many examples and metaphors of how you can understand the exchange t

Shownotes: http://fizzleshow.com/297 Becoming an entrepreneur means taking risks, right? Does this leap of faith have to be super perilous and terrifying? Are there ways in which you can take the necessary risks that suit you and your business and ensure the highest chance success? These are questions that prospective and even full time business owners have to answer all the time. Here at Fizzle, as supposed successful entrepreneurs we are still plagued by these issues and the concerns that come along with them! In this episode, we unpack all of our thoughts about the transition, big jump or leap of faith to chasing your dream job. We talk about the usefulness of day jobs in making your vision possible; the different types of risk involved; taking advantage of opportunity and the things that can help you control this overwhelming experience. We also talk about common misconceptions, power versus force and getting ready for take-off. For this and much more, be sure to join for this episode! Key Points From

Shownotes: http://fizzleshow.com/296 What are the variables we need to think about when we decide on pricing? How much of an effect does pricing have on certain types of customers? Can pricing a premium product at a higher mark actually increase sales? The price tag that you place on your product or service has an obvious effect on your income and revenue. It also has other less obvious effects and that’s what we're talking about today. We want to give you a bunch of new ways to think about pricing smartly and what it can do for your business! In this episode we discuss what influences our perception of prices, value hierarchies, redefining what is actually being sold and the relationship between prices and prospective customers. We also get into some exercise and questions that might help you think about these concepts in new ways. Today on the show we are joined by Aiden Fishbein and Joe Kerns who will be helping us unpack these problems. Both Aiden and Joe have some great perspectives and expertise in a

Shownotes: http://fizzleshow.com/295 What is the best way to ensure we do not make the same mistakes twice? How can reviews and retrospectives teach us for the future? How can you really execute the best type of post-mortem? During the life of an entrepreneur it is pretty much a given that there will be successes and failures over the years. We are sure you'll agree that the best way to increase the number of successes as time goes by is to learn from past failures. That’s where the idea of the post-mortem comes in! In this episode, we break down why post-mortems are necessary, how they really function, and exactly how they can be practically applied to different business models. Today on the show we are joined by our friend, Aiden Fishbein, who came up with the concept for today’s show. He really leads the discussion and lays out some great frameworks for approaching this task. We also talk about the risk of over analysis, post-mortems as a symptom of your companies communication habits, and how even the wo

Shownotes: http://fizzleshow.com/294 What is the quickest and safest way towards building a sustainable business? How can focussing on cultivating true fans help you reach this goal? What are the best ways to go about this cultivation? We often talk about attaining a level of success that is adjusted to what you need in order to live the life you want and one of the greatest realizations of this process is the humble reality of this level. You do not need to be famous or have huge numbers of fans or customers in order to make a living! In this episode, we unpack the idea of a committed customer base which has its roots in Kevin Kelly’s 2008 piece entitled “1000 True Fans”. Using this starting point we look at what it means to have true fans and how to go about attracting them. We discuss the core and essential elements to these relationships while also emphasizing the unique ways in which it can play out in your business. We also talk about integrity, authenticity, empathy and the vital moment of purchase. W

Shownotes: http://fizzleshow.com/293 Are you looking to supplement your business’ income? Do you want to find something that is going to benefit you in more ways than just financially? How can you align yourself with the right type of people for these goals? There are many ways to make your way through the entrepreneurial world and every person out there can find a unique and successful way for themselves. One of the dynamics that we all have to navigate, however, is balancing money, time, and skills acquisition and that is essentially what this episode is all about. In this our discussion we look at how you can go about creating mutual benefit as a virtual assistant, adding value, learning, earning and networking. We talk about seizing opportunities, where to look for them and pegging all of this on a minimum viable income. Today on the show we are joined by Aiden Fishbein who runs Vitals Agency and is a long time member of our Fizzle Community. Aiden will be sharing his ideas and experience on the topic o

I want to show you a method to get away from the gross, subjective confusion that clouds your business name decision making. You’ve felt that cloudiness if you’ve ever tried to name a business before. I was recently with a group of people trying to name their real estate company. We spent several hours talking about options, took a break, and then someone came up with another name idea and the conversation started all over again. No decisions being made, no progress, no clients being helped or revenue coming in… just a handful of name options and no way to decide which idea is best. We all get like this when it comes to naming our business. A list of several ideas, a bunch of subjective opinions and the immense pressure of deciding. So, we created a simple worksheet to help you. The Name Evaluation worksheet below will introduce you to 10 categories that will help you get out of the clouds and into a business name that will grow with you.

Shownotes: http://fizzleshow.com/291 How do you get the most out of a limited amount of time? How do we decide how many projects to work on? How do we know when we are onto something good? We take three separate, but thematically linked questions from the Fizzle Forums and attack them head on! These questions are specific to the members that asked them but believe us when we say there is so much juicy, relatable content and info in here for everyone! In this episode, we really get into this question of how we each define ‘good’ and what this means in terms of business decision and ambitions. We talk about glass ceilings and aiming for the right height so as not to come crashing down. We also talk about context switching, gaining traction, the point of focus and parkour! For this and much more be sure to tune in! Key Points From This Episode: • What can actually be accomplished in 10 hours a week? [0:05:37.2] • The difference between a public product and an incubation period. [0:10:15.6] • The frustrations of

Shownotes: http://fizzleshow.com/290 To scale or not to scale? When is the right time to take a step up and bust through that glass ceiling with your business? Is getting better preferable to getting bigger? In this episode we are talking about growing with intention. The topic of this conversation was sparked by a question about scaling in the Fizzle forums and after some rumination on the idea of scaling and the right times for this, we settle on the idea and that intentionally growing is always preferable to growth for growth’s sake. We also talk about what this really looks like, unpacking balancing your ambitions, finances and lifestyle as well as the opportunities that challenges and problems offer us. There are no definitive answers for everybody here, but hopefully the discussion will lead you to your own conclusions. For a great conversation on a indispensable question, be sure to tune in with us! Key Points From This Episode: • Fizzle is hiring! [0:04:49.2] • Keeping a business lean and profitable

Shownotes: http://fizzleshow.com/289 What does today’s model for success look like? How do you know what to focus on? What is your most direct path to growth and reward? Our businesses are always evolving and rotating according to our surroundings, our products and ourselves. The path that you end up choosing and taking with your work will obviously define its outcomes and so it is a constant question in our minds. In this episode we look specifically at Steph’s other business, Courage and Clarity as an example of a growing project and the decisions that are necessary in this process. We think about how to figure out the ever present question of what to work on today and also stress the importance of putting that work in right now. We talk about letting your business mature, what that maturity means, simplification and raising the stakes. This is the up close and personal look at a business that you have been waiting for! Tune in and listen to it all! Key Points From This Episode: • The evolution and histor