It's not about being right or wrong.

This week we had a submission around a topic that has felt necessary to talk about (in Amanda's eyes!), so here goes:

"I find myself being hesitant to provide feedback. This could be to a direct report, a colleague, a client, a prospect, or a higher up.

Oftentimes I’m afraid of being direct because in my mind it might hurt feelings or that it will be offensive to the recipient, so I end up sugar coating it, tap dancing around the real issue, or just not responding at all….maybe I’m getting in my own way here and that my feedback could actually be very helpful and positive…

What is the best way to provide accurate feedback so that everyone on both sides feels good about it?"

This was interesting as we went two different ways and then back around, like normal!

Key Takeaways:

• As an expert, we have to be careful not to come across as “I’m telling you what to do.”
• Figure out our internal issues before going into a conversation is important
• Everyone is really trying their best

What are your thoughts on feedback? Do you have an experience where this was tricky, or you thought it would be tricky and it wasn’t? OR, do you have some feedback for us on this topic of feedback?!

Got a question/suggestion/or want our advice on a topic?
We’d love to give you our unsolicited advice, so please submit your question here.

Connect with Us:
Follow along with Amanda and Callie

Instagram:
@amandalquickcoaching
@reclaimedblog
@reclaimedpage
@reclaimedbookandbean

Website:
www.amandaleequick.com
www.reclaimedpage.com

Subscribe:
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Networking.

We know there’s a gray area, but a lot of times it seems like it’s black and white. You either like it or not.

This week's question was, “Networking for introverts or for those whose work drains all of their social energy. Is one’s network really as powerful as biz influencers say? How to make the small connections when you’re drained out.”

If you haven’t noticed, Callie is an introvert, and Amanda is an extrovert. Which was fun to talk about these answers from both perspectives.

Key Takeaways:

• More is not always better because those close relationships are so powerful
• For those who need to recharge more often, find the time to do it…even just 10 minutes
• Confidence is a big part of this…you have to be confident to ask for what you need!

We’d love to hear your thoughts on this topic and if you’re coming from the lens of an extrovert or introvert!

Got a question/suggestion/or want our advice on a topic?
We’d love to give you our unsolicited advice, so please submit your question here.

Connect with Us:
Follow along with Amanda and Callie

Instagram:
@amandalquickcoaching
@reclaimedblog
@reclaimedpage
@reclaimedbookandbean

Website:
www.amandaleequick.com
www.reclaimedpage.com

Subscribe:
Never miss an episode of Unsolicited Business Advice — available wherever you get your podcast

A doozy of a question for us on this week's episode!

"How do you build generational wealth in your business?"

And because we know our lane, we brought in expert advice! Mindy McCubbin is a Certified Financial Planner and the founder of Truman Wealth Advisors. When we asked Mindy this question, she recommended the book, “Every Family’s Business” by Thomas Williams Deans, as one of their services is exit planning, and this is the blueprint they use.

And you'd be correct in thinking...that's all they shared?

No, friends.

This topic brought up:

• - thoughts on passing down money to kids
• - how money is (unfortunately) not a common topic
• - how do we talk about and teach our kids about money to help them make decisions later?

I don't think this will be our last episode on money, so if you have more questions or are interested, please share them in our Google form or DM Amanda on IG!

Connect with Us:
Follow along with Amanda and Callie

Instagram:
@amandalquickcoaching
@reclaimedblog
@reclaimedpage
@reclaimedbookandbean

Website:
www.amandaleequick.com
www.reclaimedpage.com

Subscribe:
Never miss an episode of Unsolicited Business Advice — available wherever you get your podcast

This week, we're digging into hiring!

A write-in, "Hiring! What's the secret sauce? Can you all dive deep into the ever-so-slightly painful process of 'hiring' - from where to post, to red flags (this has been a hard one for me!), to balancing your gut with hard and objective strategy."

We'll admit we are not HR, and we're not talent scouts. We dive deep into the complexities of the hiring process, sharing personal experience and practical tips.

A book recommendation is The E-Myth Revisited, and the banana bread story came from the wonderful Brandi Spurling with Spree Culture Co on her blog, which you can find here!

Key takeaways:

• Knowing your company's mission and vision will create alignment right off the bat
• While being objective is essential, don't ignore the gut feelings you get
• Don't be afraid to always be accepting applications, so you can keep the hiring door open

Have any hiring tips you've found helpful? We'd love for you to share in the comments below!

Got a question/suggestion/or want our advice on a topic?
We’d love to give you our unsolicited advice, so please submit your question here.

Connect with Us:
Follow along with Amanda and Callie

Instagram:
@amandalquickcoaching
@reclaimedblog
@reclaimedpage
@reclaimedbookandbean

Websites:
www.amandaleequick.com
www.reclaimedpage.com

Subscribe:
Never miss an episode of Unsolicited Business Advice — available wherever you get your podcast

Think of this as Part 2 of Episode 11, as we continue the conversation about marketing and branding and how they play into building a growing business. But, the kicker of this one is…

Self Awareness.

How many times a day do we do things because it’s just what we’ve always done, or it’s how we’ve seen other people do it? We didn’t actually count, but it’s a shit ton. And because of that, there’s been a sense of vanilla in the world. Samesies as the cool kids would say (or maybe they don’t anymore?).

Today, we’re talking about how being self-aware helps you make decisions that will truly shape the business you’re looking to build.

Key Takeaways:

• In a world of vanilla, it’s not hard to stand out and be authentically you
• Finding balance in work and life is incredibly important to be aware of
• As long as you’re a solid person doing good things in the world, say the things you feel you need to say…even if they’re hard

And if you'd really like to subscribe to Amanda's newsletter, you can do so here!

Episodes to go back to based on this one:

Episode 8: Wait? How Did I Get Here?

Episode 11: How do you all feel your branding affects your leads/potential clients?

Got a question/suggestion/or want our advice on a topic?
We’d love to give you our unsolicited advice, so please submit your question here.

Connect with Us:

Follow along with Amanda and Callie
Instagram:
@amandalquickcoaching
@reclaimedblog
@reclaimedpage

@reclaimedbookandbean

Website:
www.amandaleequick.com
www.reclaimedpage.com

Subscribe:
Never miss an episode of Unsolicited Business Advice — available wherever you get your podcast.

A new submission for us to answer, as kind of marketers, but no marketing experts!

“How do you all feel your branding affects your leads/potential clients?”

Long story short, who you show up as will attract who you want AND repel who you don’t…and that can be kind of scary.

Callie shares details about their brand, Reclaimed, and how each new business is essentially the same yet not the same. And then, Amanda shares how different her first personal brand was vs. her current one.

Key Takeaways:

• Being authentically you is key
• How saying yes can evolve into being able to say no
• It’s freaking scary to think about repelling clients, but it’s necessary

The next episode is an expansion on this, so stay tuned next week!

Got a question/suggestion/or want our advice on a topic?
We’d love to give you our unsolicited advice, so please submit your question here.

Connect with Us:
Follow along with Amanda and Callie

• Instagram:
  • @amandalquickcoaching
  • @reclaimedblog
  • @reclaimedpage
• Website:
  • www.amandaleequick.com
  • www.reclaimedpage.com

Subscribe:
Never miss an episode of Unsolicited Business Advice — available wherever you get your podcast

This submission took us on a journey back in time…a time when we closed something of our own down.

“I'm not sure. I want to continue my business. And I know you guys have talked about this, but please talk me through it.”

Our conversation explores our personal experience of business closure, emphasizing that shutting down a business is often a new beginning rather than an end…and yes, it’s hard to see that in the middle of it. We discuss the emotional challenges entrepreneurs face, such as shame and guilt, and encourage a mindset shift to view closure as a stepping stone for future opportunities.

Key Takeaways:

• As hard as it is in the moment, there will be goodness on the other side
• Understanding the emotional impact of closure
• You will absolutely piss some people off when you close and that’s on them

Got a question/suggestion/or want our advice on a topic?
We’d love to give you our unsolicited advice, so please submit your question here.

Connect with Us:
Follow along with Amanda and Callie

• Instagram:
  • @amandalquickcoaching
  • @reclaimedblog
  • @reclaimedpage
• Website:
  • www.amandaleequick.com
  • www.reclaimedpage.com

Subscribe:
Never miss an episode of Unsolicited Business Advice — available wherever you get your podcast

The topic dreams are made of...market research!

Today, we share our insights from a submission,

"How do I know if there's a market for my product/service? Will people buy XYZ?

In true fashion, we share some very logical steps for conducting market research for your business idea, and yes, the book All In Start Up is mentioned because, duh!

And, of course, we also share our {unsolicited} thoughts on starting a business and how part of it is actually figuring yourself out.

Key Takeaways:

- Simple steps to conduct market research

- How even a half a step is a big freaking deal

- Do you even want to do it?

And, Jordi, if you didn't notice...we think your idea is solid!

Got a question/suggestion/or want our advice on a topic?
We’d love to give you our unsolicited advice, so please submit your question here.

Connect with Us:
Follow along with Amanda and Callie

• Instagram:
  • @amandalquickcoaching
  • @reclaimedblog
  • @reclaimedpage
• Website:
  • www.amandaleequick.com
  • www.reclaimedpage.com

Subscribe:
Never miss an episode of Unsolicited Business Advice — available wherever you get your podcast