In this conversation, Erin and Sharon share candid stories about their first mentors, including the intimidation, the breakthroughs, and the deep confidence that grew from being supported by someone a few steps ahead. They talk about how mentors have shown up as coaches, clients, and peers over the years, often becoming friends who help them think through ideas and navigate challenges.​

They also explore why it is so important to see others in your industry as complementary, not competitive, and how that mindset opens the door to collaboration, referrals, and mutual mentorship. Erin and Sharon explain how this plays out in their own relationship—each leaning into their strengths, delegating what they don’t enjoy, and supporting each other’s businesses over time.​

The episode then shifts into a behind-the-scenes look at their Virtual Skills Master membership and how it is intentionally built around one-on-one mentorship instead of group calls. Members get private 30-minute calls each month with Erin, Sharon, or both, plus unlimited email and Voxer access, making it feel like having mentors in your back pocket whenever you get stuck.​

They highlight why this style of support is especially powerful for introverts and solopreneurs who may feel anxious or overlooked on group coaching calls. Instead of competing for minutes on a crowded Zoom, members get personalized guidance, screen shares, and space to ask “simple” questions without worrying about what anyone else thinks.​

The conversation wraps up with a reminder that mentorship evolves as your business grows—you may outgrow one mentor and need a new one who matches the next level you’re aiming for. Erin and Sharon encourage listeners to seek out mentors in different forms, from paid programs to local coffee dates, and to take full advantage of any mentorship opportunities available to them.

Connect With the Hosts:

LinkedIn:

• Erin Alli
• Sharon Savage

Websites:

• Essential Assistance
• Virtual Assistant Sharon
• Virtual Skills Master

In this episode of Mastering Business Skills, hosts Sharon Savage and Erin Alli sit down with Humza Adam, founder and CEO of H-Factor Solutions, a revenue growth acceleration firm specializing in B2B sales training, sales and marketing strategy, and high-value sales systems. Humza shares how he’s helped organizations generate over $5B in revenue, and how small and mid-sized businesses can use the same strategic thinking, systems, and skills to sell more effectively and sustainably.

• The “revenue triangle”: Strategy, systems, and talent
• ICP and UVP: The foundation of a sales system
• Client acquisition, metrics, and “sharpening the saw”
• Anti-fragile sales systems

• Website: H Factor Solutions
• LinkedIn: Humza Adam
• Course on building amazing sales presentations (60% off for podcast listeners)

In this episode of Mastering Business Skills, hosts Sharon Savage and Erin Alli talk with Debra Angilletta, a former Wall Street trader turned fractional CFO, about how to turn “cash chaos” into cash clarity using simple systems that make profit predictable. Debra shares how to uncover hidden profit leaks, manage cashflow intentionally, and implement practical money management habits that help small business owners pay themselves more and grow sustainably.

• How Debra went from Wall Street to a fractional CFO
• Hidden profit leaks you probably have
• Simple systems to use for predictable profit
• How to do your 30-minute profit check
• Mastering cashflow at each growth stage

• Website: Next Level CEO
• LinkedIn: Debra Angilletta