🎙 Episode 30: Born Feet First & Still Doing It My Way: A Mid-Year Biz Ramble

An unfiltered birthday-week download about things I’m proud of, things I’m avoiding, and why this year’s been a weird one... recorded with flabby arms out, zero plan, and too many browser tabs open in my brain.

This episode had no script—just me (overheated and freshly 43), talking through what’s been working, what’s felt hard, and where I’m at as we pass the halfway mark of 2025. If you’ve been feeling stuck, scattered, uncertain, or like your brain is a pinball machine full of untouched Trello cards… this one's for you.

In this very real birthday-week ramble, I spiral about:

• What’s been lighting me up (and what’s been draining me) in business lately

• Why “done is better than perfect” is still my north star

• Navigating low energy, weird revenue months, and the unpredictability of post-2020 biz life

• Getting visible even when engagement is down and motivation is wobbly

• The lessons of launching a workshop, flopping a flash sale, and growing a podcast

• The never-ending tug-of-war between simplifying your offers and doing all the things

• Why follow-up matters, what a value ladder really looks like, and how to sell without rushing

• Thoughts on starting a membership someday and what I’m still figuring out

• The joy of starting a “good things log,” inspired by a recent podcast guest

• A new feature I’ll be rolling out soon so YOU can submit listener questions for future episodes!

Plus: nacho metaphors, potato-day permission slips, and why I’m pledging not to give up on my business—no matter how weird this year’s been. Wanna join me?

🔖 Mentioned in this episode:

• Episode 25 with artist, Kay Potter
• Liz Wilcox’s Email Marketing Membership
• Zach Spuckler’s Facebook Ads Membership
• The freebies page of my website
• The Bear (yes, the TV show 🍕)
• My Trello obsession
• My first paid workshop + upcoming one about email marketing
• My 4th of July sidewalk sale and $1K cash injection from extending it
• The magic of Google reviews
• And how I’m constantly fighting the urge to retire everything and relaunch everything... at the same time

Let’s chat: Did anything from this episode spark something for you? DM me or tag us on social to share your biggest takeaway and let's continue the conversation! 🖤✨

🎧 Listen now: Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon, YouTube, and more!

✨ Loved this episode? Screenshot & ⁠⁠tag me on Instagram @alyciayervescreative so I can share it! And don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review Mind Your Own Biz—your support means the world! 🎙💖

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed by guests on Mind Your Own Biz are solely their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the host or the podcast. The content shared in this episode is for informational and entertainment purposes only and should not be considered professional, medical, legal, or financial advice. Always do your own research and consult with a qualified professional when needed.

Still putting off email marketing because it feels confusing, techy, or like one more thing on your list? I get it. And in this solo episode, I’m giving you both the pep talk and the game plan to finally get started (or restarted) with your email list.

We’re talking real world, no-fluff strategies you can actually use—plus the mindset shifts, lead magnet tips, and platform tools that will make this feel so much more doable.

Got zero subscribers? Or just an account that’s been gathering dust? I made this episode for you.

I’ll walk you through:

• Why email still matters in 2025 (yes, REALLY)
• How to pick the right platform (I’m team Flodesk all the way)
• What makes a good lead magnet (and what doesn’t)
• How to write welcome emails + templates that save your sanity
• Tips for writing emails that actually get opened + clicked
• How to use your data without spiraling
• What to do about unsubscribes (spoiler: don’t panic!)
• Why persistency > consistency—and why done is better than perfect

You’ll also hear how I grew my email list from basically zero to 1,000+ in under 18 months, and why building your list NOW (even before you’re ready to send) is one of the smartest moves you can make.

The best time to start email marketing was yesterday, but the second-best time is today.

🛠️ Resources + Links Mentioned:

➡️ Grab my Free Email Marketing Quickstart Guide: https://www.alyciayerves.com/emailquickstart

➡️ Get the DIY Lead Magnet Magic Kit: https://www.alyciayerves.com/leadmagnetmagic

➡️ Want me to do it all for you? Check out my Done-For-You Lead Magnet Design & Setup Service: https://alyciayerves.myflodesk.com/leadmagnetsetup/checkout

➡️ Try Flodesk free for 14 days + get 50% off your first year with my affiliate link: https://partners.flodesk.com/alycia

Let’s chat: Did anything from this episode spark something for you? DM me or tag us on social to share your biggest takeaway and let's continue the conversation! 🖤✨

🎧 Listen now: Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon, YouTube, and more!

✨ Loved this episode? Screenshot & ⁠⁠tag me on Instagram @alyciayervescreative so I can share it! And don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review Mind Your Own Biz—your support means the world! 🎙💖

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed by guests on Mind Your Own Biz are solely their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the host or the podcast. The content shared in this episode is for informational and entertainment purposes only and should not be considered professional, medical, legal, or financial advice. Always do your own research and consult with a qualified professional when needed.

When you think of a coffee shop, you probably picture espresso, pastries, maybe some lo-fi music in the background. But for today’s guest, Ellen Bodnovich, coffee is just the beginning.

In this episode of Mind Your Own Biz, we’re talking about what it really takes to build a community-centered business — the kind people return to not just for the caffeine, but for the connection.

Ellen is the founder of Ocean Brew Co, a microroastery and vibrant café in Ocean Township, NJ that’s grown from backyard pop-ups to a full-fledged local hub with coffee, waffles, events, equipment sales, wholesale roasting, and collabs galore. It’s part coffee biz, part maker space, part market, part mission — and all heart.

We talk about her journey of building something different, letting it grow organically, and staying true to the vibe she wanted to create — one that makes people feel welcome, seen, and part of something bigger.

Whether you’re dreaming of a storefront or just want to be reminded that business can be built on relationships, this one will fill your cup. ☕💫

💬 In this episode, we chat about:

• How Ocean Brew Co started with backyard events and a dream

• Doing business differently on purpose (and why it works)

• The power of building a brand around vibe and intention

• What it really takes to build community as a business value

• Her philosophy on collaboration and supporting local makers

• What she learned from changing locations and trusting her gut

• Balancing entrepreneurship and motherhood (real talk!)

• • Advice for building a business with heart first

  
  

  🔗 Mentioned in this episode:

• • Join my Facebook group, The HELP! Desk
  • ⁠Join the waitlist for Alycia’s Social Media Content Strategy Course⁠
  • Ocean Brew Co website
  • Ellen on Instagram
  • Ocean Brew Co on Instagram

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  Let’s chat: Did anything from this episode spark something for you? DM me or tag us on social to share your biggest takeaway and let’s keep the convo going! 🖤✨

  
  

  🎧 Listen now: Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon, YouTube, and more!
  

  ✨ Loved this episode? Screenshot & ⁠⁠tag me on Instagram @alyciayervescreative so I can share it! And don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review Mind Your Own Biz — your support means the world! 🎙💖

  
  

  Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed by guests on Mind Your Own Biz are solely their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the host or the podcast. The content shared in this episode is for informational and entertainment purposes only and should not be considered professional, medical, legal, or financial advice. Always do your own research and consult with a qualified professional when needed.

In this solo episode, I’m walking you through the 7 social media topics I swear by — the same ones I use myself, recommend to my clients, and teach inside my content strategy course. These prompts are simple, effective, and (best part?) totally reusable.

Whether you’re in a content rut, too tired to be creative, or just need a starting point, these ideas will help you show up, connect with your audience, and stay visible without burning out.

You’ll also hear why these 7 topics work for any business, and how to customize them to your voice + brand.

Grab your notes app or that old sticky note on your desk — this episode is a quick win to get your content flowing again.

🔗 Mentioned in this episode:

• 🎁 Download my FREE “7 Go-To Topics for Social Media” guide

• 📝 Snag my $7 Ultimate Social Media Marketing Checklist Bundle

• 📆 Get on the waitlist for my social media content strategy course — 4th cohort opens soon!

Let’s chat: Did anything from this episode spark something for you? DM me or tag me on social to share your biggest takeaway and let’s keep the convo going! 🖤✨

🎧 Listen now: Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon, YouTube, and more!
✨ Loved this episode? Screenshot & ⁠⁠tag me on Instagram @alyciayervescreative so I can share it! And don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review Mind Your Own Biz — your support means the world! 🎙💖

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed by guests on Mind Your Own Biz are solely their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the host or the podcast. The content shared in this episode is for informational and entertainment purposes only and should not be considered professional, medical, legal, or financial advice. Always do your own research and consult with a qualified professional when needed.

Ever felt like you’re not the same person you were when you started your business, or that maybe you haven’t even met your true biz self yet? Then you've gotta hop into this episode.

This week, I’m joined by the vibrant and brilliant Coach KemZi, a self-reinvention coach and business strategist who helps aspiring entrepreneurs grow businesses that reflect who they really are. (Yes, chocolate cake is involved. 🍫✨)

We’re talking about identity work, building confidence before you feel ready, starting over (sometimes more than once), and how business is so much more than strategies and sales funnels. It’s about becoming who you’re meant to be... even if you’re doing it scared.

KemZi shares her personal story of transformation, including how a near-death experience gave her the push she needed to finally say yes to the life and business she wanted — not the one that felt expected.

This conversation is a cozy, powerful permission slip to leave behind what no longer fits and build something real. If you’ve ever said “I’m not ready,” “I’m not confident enough,” or “I don’t know who I am anymore”… don’t skip this one.

In this episode, we chat about:

💫 What it really means to launch yourself, not just your business

🧠 Identity work as the foundation of business strategy

📉 Why “failure” is actually part of the success path

🍰 The difference between chocolate cake… and cake that tastes like chocolate (ahem)

🎭 How to stop booing yourself offstage before you’ve even performed

🚨 ADHD, social media anxiety, and building systems that actually work for your brain

🛠 Tips for building confidence when you feel like you have none

📝 Her 4-step identity shift process for becoming the biz version of you

🧁 Rewriting the story of who you are — and what your business can become

🎁 Links and resources:

30 Days of Social Media Ideas – Free Download: https://www.alyciayerves.com/30daysofsocial

Work with KemZi! Book a Show Up & Sell readiness assessment call: https://coachkemzi.com/show-up-and-sell

KemZi’s Website: https://coachkemzi.com

KemZi’s Podcast: https://coachkemzi.com/podcast/

KemZi on Instagram: @coachkemzi

🖤 Connect with today’s guest: Coach KemZi is a self-reinvention coach and business strategist who guides big-dreaming business owners through the identity work needed to finally take action and thrive. A former engineering student turned impact-driven coach, KemZi is also the host of The KemZi Show, a podcast about using identity work and personalized strategy to build the life and business of your dreams. Learn more at coachkemzi.com or follow her @coachkemzi.

Let’s chat: Did anything from this episode spark something for you? DM me or tag us on social to share your biggest takeaway and let's continue the conversation! 🖤✨

🎧 Listen now: Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon, YouTube, and more!

✨ Loved this episode? Screenshot & ⁠⁠tag me on Instagram @alyciayervescreative so I can share it!

And don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review Mind Your Own Biz — your support means the world! 🎙💖

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed by guests on Mind Your Own Biz are solely their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the host or the podcast. The content shared in this episode is for informational and entertainment purposes only and should not be considered professional, medical, legal, or financial advice. Always do your own research and consult with a qualified professional when needed.

What if the term “starving artist” was just a myth?

In this episode, I’m chatting with Kay Potter — artist, educator, and founder of The Artist’s Guide to Business. She helps creatives turn their passion into steady income without burning out or selling out. Kay took her own art business from $12k to over $90k a year, and now teaches other artists how to do the same with structure, clarity, and systems that don’t kill your soul.

We talk about why action comes before confidence, how to make systems feel supportive (not scary), and the power of just starting. Even when it’s messy. Even when your brain is like, “wait… what are we doing?”

You’ll hear:
🎨 How her pet portrait biz grew and led to a new mission
🧠 Why artists need systems too (especially ADHD brains)
🧭 What client journey mapping actually looks like
📬 Her simple but powerful email marketing tips
✨ The quarterly ritual she created using Claude AI

And if you’ve ever felt weird or guilty about wanting to earn real money from your creative work, this episode might be the loving permission slip you didn’t know you needed.

🎁 FREEBIE FOR YOU:
Is the backend of your business a hot mess? Download my freebie VA 101: How to Reclaim Your Time by Hiring a Virtual Assistant to figure out what you can finally delegate and take off your plate!

Kay’s Links:
🌐 Website: theartistsguidetobusiness.com
🎁 Mini-training: Find More Pet Portrait Clients
📺 YouTube: @theartistsguidetobusiness
🎧 Podcast: The Artist's Guide to Business on all major players

💬 Let’s chat: Did anything from this episode spark something for you? DM me or tag us on social to share your biggest takeaway and let's continue the conversation! 🖤✨

🎧 Listen now: Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon, YouTube, and more!

✨ Loved this episode? Screenshot & ⁠⁠tag me on Instagram @alyciayervescreative so I can share it! And don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review Mind Your Own Biz. Your support means the world! 🎙💖

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed by guests on Mind Your Own Biz are solely their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the host or the podcast. The content shared in this episode is for informational and entertainment purposes only and should not be considered professional, medical, legal, or financial advice. Always do your own research and consult with a qualified professional when needed.

Ok, this chat? Instantly a faaaaaave episode for me. This convo was SO much fun and honestly one of my most joyful interviews to date!I got to hang out with Melquea Smith, an award-winning illustrator and visual storyteller with a super inspiring way of looking at the world—and it shows in everything she creates.We gabbed about everything from solo travel adventures and colorful sketchbooks to the real and messy feelings behind visibility, self-sabotage, and that sneaky fear of... success?! Yep.If you’ve ever felt like your neurodivergent brain is both a blessing and a chaotic creative tornado, you’ll feel right at home with us in this episode.This felt less like an interview and more like two artsy ADHD brains colliding in the best way possible. Eavesdrop on our colorful spiral of ideas, laughs, and oh-wow-yep-me-too moments.🎨 Bonus! Melquea’s gifting you 3 FREE illustrations to use in your own projects: https://www.prettykittypaintings.com/free-illosInside this episode:- How travel helps Melquea stay inspired and connected to her creativity- What it’s like building a business as someone with ADHD- Letting go of perfection and just making the damn thing- That weird moment when success feels scarier than failure- Why coloring outside the lines is the whole point- The beauty of showing up as your full, real, sparkly self

Links Mentioned:Melquea's website + shop: https://www.prettykittypaintings.comGrab 3 free illustrations: https://www.prettykittypaintings.com/free-illosFollow her on Instagram: @prettykittypaintings💬 Let’s chat: Did anything from this episode spark something for you? DM me or tag us on social to share your biggest takeaway and let's continue the conversation! 🖤✨🎧 Listen now: Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon, YouTube, and more!✨ Loved this episode? Screenshot & ⁠⁠tag me on Instagram @alyciayervescreative so I can share it! And don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review Mind Your Own Biz—your support means the world! 🎙💖Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed by guests on Mind Your Own Biz are solely their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the host or the podcast. The content shared in this episode is for informational and entertainment purposes only and should not be considered professional, medical, legal, or financial advice. Always do your own research and consult with a qualified professional when needed.

Ever feel like you’re forcing your business to follow someone else’s blueprint… and it’s just not working? This week’s episode is here to remind you: your way is the right way.

I’m joined by soulful biz coach Michelle Sheerin for a convo that’s part business, part healing, and all real. We talk about what happens when hustle culture burns you out, why it’s OK to change your mind mid-launch, and how to build a business that actually supports your life, your energy, and your brain.

Michelle gets deep into how unmasking, inner child work, and radical self-acceptance show up in business — especially for neurodivergent entrepreneurs, moms, and sensitive, soul-led creatives. We also chat about ADHD-friendly hacks, letting go of “shoulds,” and the magic of doing things your way (even if it breaks every rule in the book).

If you’ve ever questioned if you’re cut out for this whole entrepreneurship thing, or wondered if it’s “too late” to pivot — this one’s for you.

🎧 In this episode, we talk about:

• What burnout teaches you about your business (and yourself)

• Why it’s brave to change your mind

• Unmasking, identity, and honoring your energy as an entrepreneur

• ADHD, deliverables, and the “rules” we don’t need to follow

• How to build a business that actually feels like YOU

🎁 Bonus! Don’t forget to take Michelle’s Business Blueprint Quiz — linked below — to discover what kind of business model best matches your energy and motivations.

Links + Resources:

• • Join the waitlist for my social media content strategy course: https://www.alyciayerves.com/waitlist
  • Connect with Michelle Sheerin on socials: @themichellesheerin

• • Take Michelle's Business Blueprint Quiz: https://michellesheerin.com/business-blueprint-quiz

  • Learn more about Michelle’s coaching offers: michellesheerin.com

  
  

  💬 Let’s chat: Did anything from this episode spark something for you? DM me or tag us on social to share your biggest takeaway and let's continue the conversation! 🖤✨

  
  

  🎧 Listen now: Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon, YouTube, and more!

  
  

  ✨ Loved this episode? Screenshot & ⁠⁠tag me on Instagram @alyciayervescreative⁠⁠ so I can share it! And don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review Mind Your Own Biz—your support means the world! 🎙💖

  
  

  Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed by guests on Mind Your Own Biz are solely their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the host or the podcast. The content shared in this episode is for informational and entertainment purposes only and should not be considered professional, medical, legal, or financial advice. Always do your own research and consult with a qualified professional when needed.