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The Seed: Growing Your Business

The Seed: Growing Your Business

Von: Lisa Resnick Founder of Dandelion-Inc
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 Welcome to The Seed: Growing Your Business, brought to you by Dandelion Inc. I’m your host, Lisa Resnick, and this podcast is all about connecting, developing, and supporting women in business. Join me as we explore tips and insights on leadership, business development, and social media strategies that can help you thrive. We’ll also hear from amazing guests who share their stories and experiences, offering inspiration and practical advice for your entrepreneurial journey. So, tune in, download, like, and subscribe. And remember, if you love what you hear, share the love with others. Together, let’s cultivate growth and empower women in business.2024, Dandelion-Inc Management & Leadership Marketing & Vertrieb Ökonomie
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  • Ep 123 – How to Market Test

    Ep 123 – How to Market Test
    Feb 4 2026
    How to Market Test a New Idea the Right Way (And Who Should Be at the Table) If you’re thinking about adding something new—a product, a service, a program, a nonprofit initiative, or even expanding what you already have—this is the pause you need before you spend money, announce anything publicly, or build yourself into a corner. Because here’s the truth most people learn the hard way: You can’t build in isolation.But you also can’t invite everyone to the table. That’s where people get tripped up. They either build alone and hope it works, or they ask everyone they know and end up overwhelmed, discouraged, and confused. Market testing done well is neither of those things. Market Testing Is About Information — Not Approval Let’s clear something up first. Market testing is not: Polling Instagram and letting strangers decide your future Asking people who’ve never bought from you what you should sell Looking for validation that your idea is “good” Market testing is: Asking whether a real problem exists Understanding if your idea solves that problem Learning how people experience, understand, and value what you’re building You’re not asking Should I do this?You’re asking If I do this, does it solve something real for someone real? That distinction matters. Because the moment you ask the wrong people the wrong questions, your confidence takes a hit—not because the idea is bad, but because the feedback is irrelevant. You Need Two Circles — And They Serve Different Purposes Most people skip this part entirely. You don’t need “everyone’s opinion.”You need two intentional circles. The Inner Circle These are the people already invested in you and your mission. They: Know your work Understand your audience Care enough to be honest Can tell you when something doesn’t fit Your inner circle helps you answer questions like: Is this aligned with what I already do? Does this make sense based on my audience? What am I not seeing? These are not hype people.They’re also not dream killers. They’re grounded truth-tellers. Examples: For nonprofits: board leadership, long-time volunteers, trusted donors, community partners For businesses/services: existing clients, members, advisors, collaborators, people who’ve already purchased from you If you skip your inner circle, you risk building something that looks good—but doesn’t actually fit. The Outer Circle Your outer circle comes later. These people represent your broader market. They’re less emotionally invested, which makes their feedback incredibly valuable at the right stage. Outer circle feedback helps answer: Would someone pay for this? Do they understand it quickly? Does it solve something urgent or meaningful? Outer circle feedback is about validation, not design. Stop Asking People — Start Assigning Hats Here’s where this gets practical. Instead of thinking in terms of people, think in terms of roles.One person can wear more than one hat—but no one should wear them all. The 5 Hats You Need at the Table 1. The Vision Hat (You)This is your mission, your why, your non-negotiables. No one else gets to decide this. 2. The Reality HatThis person asks: How will this actually work? What does this require operationally? What’s the time and energy cost? They protect you from burnout—even when it feels uncomfortable. 3. The Market HatThis person understands: Buyer behavior Attention spans Messaging clarity They help translate your idea into something the world can understand. 4. The Financial HatThis person looks at: Breakeven points Risk Sustainability This hat is especially important for nonprofits and service-based businesses. 5. The User HatThis is lived experience. Someone who would actually use what you’re creating. This is where assumptions get challenged—in the best way. The mistake?Asking one person to wear all five hats. That’s too much weight—and it skews feedback fast. What You Must Do Before You Build Anything No matter what you’re launching, do these five things first: Define the problem clearlyIf you can’t say it in one sentence, you’re not ready. Identify who it’s for — and who it’s notThis protects you from scope creep and burnout. Test with conversation, not commitmentListen for patterns, not praise. Run a low-risk pilotSmall group. Limited time. Clear boundaries. Evaluate before expandingWhat worked? What drained you? What surprised you? Market testing is about learning before scaling. Your idea doesn’t need more opinions.It needs the right people, at the right time, wearing the right hats. That’s how you protect both the work—and yourself. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, behind, or like your time is constantly slipping through your fingers, it’s not because you’re doing it wrong. It’s because no one ever taught you how to manage time in a way that honors: Energy Priorities Real life That’s why I host my live-only ...
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    13 Min.
  • Ep 122 – Quiet Seasons Still Count: Why Preparation Isn’t Procrastination

    Ep 122 – Quiet Seasons Still Count: Why Preparation Isn’t Procrastination
    Jan 28 2026
    Feeling Behind? Quiet Progress Is Still Progress (And It’s Often the Real Kind) If you’re listening to this and you feel like you’re moving slower than everyone else right now, stay right here. This is for the people who are quietly working.Quietly pushing forward.Quietly holding it together while life beautifully throws a lot of crap your way. For the ones who aren’t announcing every move, every win, every pivot.The ones doing root work even when no one sees it. Let’s say this clearly before we go any further: This is not a hustle-harder season.Quiet does not mean you’re falling behind.And preparation is not procrastination. The “Catch Up” Conversation That Leaves You Feeling Less Than You know those moments when you finally catch up with someone you haven’t talked to in a while? Maybe it’s coffee.Maybe it’s a phone call.Maybe you run into each other at the grocery store. And within ten minutes you get the rundown: How busy they are.Everything they’re juggling.Launches, deadlines, chaos, exhaustion, kids, work… delivered rapid-fire. You listen. You nod. You keep up. Then it’s your turn. And all you’ve got is: “Same old, same old.” And you walk away feeling exhausted. Maybe annoyed. And if we’re being honest, maybe a little less than—like your steadiness didn’t measure up to their frenzy. If that’s you, you’re exactly who needs this message: Visibility is not the same as progress. The Cultural Lie: Loud = Progress We live in a world that rewards visible momentum. If it’s loud, it counts.If it’s public, it matters.If it’s fast, it’s impressive. We celebrate big launches and constant announcements.We glamorize “booked and busy.”We wear exhaustion like a badge of honor—especially in January, when the pressure is ruthless. But here’s what we don’t talk about enough: Loud does not mean aligned.Busy does not mean effective.Fast does not mean sustainable. Some of the most important seasons of growth are completely invisible. And from the outside, it might look like nothing is happening. But underneath? Everything is. What Quiet Work Actually Looks Like Quiet work gets misunderstood because it doesn’t screenshot well. Quiet work is not doing nothing. Quiet work looks like: Real thinking (not scrolling) Structuring ideas instead of rushing them Editing what no longer fits Saying no without needing to justify it Letting ideas mature instead of forcing them out early Quiet work can also look like: Building systems no one sees Reworking pricing to reflect your value Setting boundaries with clients or vendors Doing a calendar audit and realizing where your energy is leaking Tightening offers instead of adding new ones None of that is flashy. All of it matters. And here’s the part people forget: Quiet work is often harder than visible work. Because quiet work requires trust.It requires patience.And it requires you to resist the urge to perform productivity just to feel like you belong. If you’ve ever left a conversation feeling drained because your life doesn’t sound chaotic enough, that’s not a reflection of your ambition. That’s a reflection of a culture that confuses noise with worth. Same Old Doesn’t Mean Stagnant If your answer lately has been “same old,” hear this: Same old doesn’t mean stagnant.It often means stable.It means intentional.It means you’re not chasing chaos just to prove you’re moving. That isn’t weakness. That’s wisdom. And you should be proud of yourself. Growth Doesn’t Need Noise Let’s reframe this in a way your nervous system can actually believe: Consistency beats urgency every single time. Ask yourself: What looks small right now but will matter long-term? Where am I rushing just to feel productive—not because it’s necessary? What am I quietly strengthening that doesn’t need an audience yet? Not everything needs to be shared in real time. Not every season needs commentary.Not every win needs validation. Some seasons are meant to be lived and not narrated. Nothing Planted in Winter Is Wasted Just because it’s quiet doesn’t mean it’s empty. Just because others are loud doesn’t mean they’re ahead. Just because you are preparing doesn’t mean you are procrastinating. If you’re in a season of reflection, restructuring, or rebuilding—honor it. Reflect. Don’t react.Trust the work you’re doing, even when it doesn’t make for a good social media update. Action Steps for Quiet Progress Write down: One thing you’re quietly working on that doesn’t need an audience yet. One place where you’re rushing just to feel busy. One boundary or system you will strengthen this week. Quiet seasons still count. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, behind, or like your time is constantly slipping through your fingers, it’s not because you’re doing it wrong. It’s because no one ever taught you how to manage time in a way that honors: Energy Priorities Real life That’...
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    12 Min.
  • Ep 121 – Building a Business That Doesn’t Resent You

    Ep 121 – Building a Business That Doesn’t Resent You
    Jan 21 2026
    Building a Business That Doesn’t Resent You: How to Prevent Burnout Without Burning It All Down There’s a version of success that looks perfect on paper. Revenue is coming in.Clients are happy.People compliment your work.You’ve built something real. And yet… it feels heavy in your body. If you’re here right now—successful, capable, “doing it well”—but privately irritated, drained, or stuck in a low-grade state of dread, I want you to stay right here. Because businesses don’t usually burn us out overnight.They do it slowly—through a thousand small compromises we keep calling “just this season.” Somewhere along the way, the thing you created for freedom can start to feel like a cage. This post is about how to build a business that doesn’t resent you—and just as importantly, how to build one that the people working with you don’t end up resenting either. Because success that costs your nervous system, relationships, and sense of self isn’t sustainable—and it’s not the point. Resentment Doesn’t Scream. It Whispers. Resentment rarely shows up with fireworks. It leaks. It disguises itself as: “I’m just tired.” “It’s been a rough week.” “This is what growth feels like.” “Other people would love to be where I am.” But underneath that… something feels off. Here are the most common signs resentment is already present. 1) You dread clients you used to love Their name pops up and your shoulders tense. You delay replying—not because you’re busy, but because you don’t want to engage. That dread often isn’t because they’re “bad clients.” It’s because you’re carrying misaligned expectations too long. 2) You’re overgiving and under-recovering You keep saying yes.You keep adding value.You keep throwing in “just one more thing.” And then you quietly feel bitter that no one notices how much you’re giving. Resentment thrives where generosity isn’t reciprocated or respected—and that’s just human nature. You’re not “bad” for feeling it. You’re human. 3) You avoid your own business You procrastinate on work that normally excites you. You stay busy with side projects. Your house has never been cleaner. You reorganize everything. You scroll. Avoidance isn’t laziness—it’s often self-protection. 4) You feel trapped in what you created “I can’t raise my prices now.”“I can’t change this.”“People depend on me.”“I can’t slow down—everything would fall apart.” That’s not leadership. That’s fear dressed up as responsibility. Most Resentment Isn’t Caused by Failure—It’s Caused by Unexamined Success This is where I plant my flag: Many people don’t resent their business because they’re failing.They resent it because they grew—and never updated the structure. Here are the biggest culprits. Culprit #1: Boundaries that evolved… but you didn’t update them What worked early on doesn’t work as you scale. Access that once felt generous becomes draining.Availability that once felt flexible becomes expected. Boundaries aren’t walls. They’re instructions. And instructions can be updated. Culprit #2: Pricing fear Underpricing doesn’t just hurt revenue. It erodes respect. When you’re not paid fairly, you subconsciously expect gratitude to fill the gap—and it never does. Pricing is tricky, especially in service businesses where “value” feels subjective. But here’s what I know: Survival pricing might get you started. It can’t sustain you. Culprit #3: Over-identifying with your work When your business becomes your identity: Critique feels personal Setbacks feel like verdicts on your worth You stop knowing where you end and the business begins That’s a fast track to burnout. You need an identity outside of what you produce—even if you love what you do. Culprit #4: Saying yes early on… and never revisiting it Early-stage yeses are often survival-driven. But survival strategies don’t always belong in growth seasons. What once kept you afloat may now be the very thing pulling you under. The Real Fix: Renegotiate the Relationship (Don’t Burn It Down) Needing to repair your relationship with your business doesn’t mean you need to set it on fire. It means you need to renegotiate. 1) Rewrite expectations (yours and everyone else’s) Ask yourself: What am I expecting of myself that I never agreed to? What am I allowing others to expect of me by default? Clarity stops resentment. 2) Adjust access Not everyone needs immediate access to you. Not everything needs a same-day response. This one was a learning curve for me. I used to be an immediate responder—because I was trying to be reliable and helpful. But it created a pattern where I was constantly reacting, constantly “on,” and I could feel the slow drain. Access is not entitlement. 3) Design work around energy (not just time) Time management without energy awareness is useless. Notice: When are you most clear?...
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    22 Min.
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