show episodes
 
Biweekly show where my featured guests and I explore the financial and business challenges women face on the entrepreneurial journey to success. You'll hear them talk about the money side of their businesses in ways you've always wanted to know about, but wouldn't dare ask. They openly share their disappointments, failures, successes, and everything in-between as they grew sales ranging from 6 to 9 figures. Knowing where your business stands financially helps you make critical decisions with ...
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We all want to get to the next level of our business, but so many of us get stuck. The WorkSmart Podcast is specifically designed to help established entrepreneurs get the guidance, accountability, tools, and methodologies needed to accelerate their growth and create a sustainable lifestyle. Executive and entrepreneur, Morgan DeBaun, takes you inside real-life advising sessions and behind-the-scenes interviews with CEOs talking about how they overcame challenges and grew as business owners.
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The She Means Profit Podcast is devoted to helping entrepreneurs master their finances and launch, grow, and scale their businesses. Simple, digestible, actionable advice from Melissa Houston, an accredited CPA with over 20 years of experience. Real business owners, real talk, real solutions.
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show series
 
Welcome back to Her CEO Journey, the podcast empowering women entrepreneurs to build thriving businesses that make a difference! Throughout this season's Finance for Change series,our host Christina Sjahli has been breaking down complex financial concepts and translating them into actionable strategies for mission-driven founders like yourself. As …
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Forecasting is naturally imperfect. It is imperfect because businesses are always changing, and economic conditions are always shifting. So, as a founder, you have to be ready to adapt and deal with uncertainty. Today, our host Christina Sjahli will take you into the world of forecasting. In this episode, Christina will guide you through the art of…
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If you're building a mission-driven business, there's one particular number you definitely need to check. Understanding this number will quickly pinpoint any issues in your business and determine if you're building a sustainable, profitable venture. In this episode of Her CEO Journey, we demystify the significance of this essential metric for busin…
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Do you ever find yourself feeling anxious, even though your business is profitable? Perhaps this unease stems from uncertainties about your cash flow – a crucial financial aspect that often confuses many mission-driven CEOs. Fear not! This episode of Her CEO Journey serves as your comprehensive cash flow masterclass, equipping you with the knowledg…
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Imagine this: You've built a thriving business, your sales are climbing, and on paper, you're incredibly profitable. But then, reality hits. Payroll day arrives, and suddenly you're scrambling to find the cash to cover it. Does this scenario sound familiar? It's what many founders experience—the profit versus cash flow paradox. While profit might s…
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Patrice's journey serves as an inspiration for aspiring women entrepreneurs, showcasing the profound impact of blending passion, purpose, and strategic planning to build a successful and meaningful business. In this episode of Her CEO Journey, our host Christina Sjahli welcomes Patrice Mousseau, founder and CEO of Satya Organics, a company dedicate…
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Dionne Laslo-Baker, the founder and CEO of Deebee’s Organics, is a fellow certified B Corp dedicated to revolutionizing snacks. With a background in medical science and as a mother, she embarked on a mission to provide organic, flavorful, and nutritious snacks for families. In this episode, Dionne delves into the highs and lows of growing a busines…
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Amanda Klucowicz serves as a Senior Relationship Manager at Export Development Canada. She is dedicated to helping Canadian businesses break into international markets. With EDC's tailored tools and solutions, navigating global waters becomes more manageable, ensuring not only profitability but also the long-term security of your company. In this e…
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Meet Ashlee Froese, the driving force behind Froese Law, serving as its Founder and CEO. Leading this cross-border legal firm, Ashlee adeptly steers through diverse industries, specializing in key areas like branding, corporate, and commercial law. Ashlee embarked on her legal journey with a clear mission: to empower clients with comprehensive info…
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Navigating the global landscape is crucial for Canadian businesses due to the country's relatively small population — which means that most of your customers and clients are outside the country. In this episode, Sara Wilshaw, Chief Trade Commissioner at Global Affairs Canada, shares her expertise in guiding local companies towards international suc…
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“A thought leader is defined as an individual or firm recognized as an authority in their specialized field whose expertise are sought after and often rewarded. ” — Melissa Houston In an ever-growing industry, what sets you apart from the crowd of thousands proclaiming they’re the best and the greatest at what they do? The answer to this question g…
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Ever wondered where your money really goes? As a purpose-driven business, you do your best to put your money toward your mission and the world you envision. But every business relies on money, and that involves systems, like processing fees. A virtual CFO can help track every cent of your business's finances. You might be surprised to find a signif…
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"As you're starting your business, you're going to come across so many interesting and sometimes real challenges, really exciting problems to solve, areas of compliance and requirements that probably seem daunting, and I would say really seek out resources, seek out mentors.” — Dina Segal Contracts will always be an essential part of a business. Wh…
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In many companies, the main goal is to maximize profits, often overlooking the needs of people and the environment. But that's neither sustainable nor ethical. Liz Rojic experienced this in the fashion industry and bravely decided to challenge the norm. With MZ Made, she crafted a business model that prioritizes mutually beneficial relationships fo…
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“With the right mindset and dedication, successful debt management is within your reach.” —Melissa Houston Many aspire to start their own business, but a common obstacle preventing them from doing so is financial constraints. People who do not have enough funding often resort to taking out loans to build their first business. But what’s the deal wi…
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In a world filled with plastic and single-use packaging, how can we reduce our impact on the environment? We often purchase, use, and discard products daily, but the zero-waste movement encourages both consumers and business owners to be more environmentally responsible.This reflects the values that Allisha Heidts aimed to promote when she founded …
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“The bottom line is that tracking your sales conversion is an essential step towards driving your business profit and ensuring that your business profit continues to grow and thrive, and not just your profit, but your sales and your whole business.” —Melissa Houston What sets a business up for success? It should have the capacity for profitability …
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Every founder has a team behind them, working together to make the whole business successful. If you're a business owner, you care not only about growing your company but also about your employees' well-being. This includes making sure they earn a living wage and have the support they need. But to make such a big change, you must first ensure your …
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“There’s never gonna be a perfect time to start a business. There’s never gonna be a perfect time to start calling yourself an entrepreneur until you actually start doing it.” — Dianne Welsh Here’s the deal: success isn’t some kind of magic trick. It starts when you decide to go on an adventure and grab opportunities offered to you. When it comes t…
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“Cash is queen and with the right strategies, you can manage it wisely and achieve long-term prosperity.” —Melissa Houston When running a business, cash flow is absolutely critical. As business owners, we are responsible for making sure that the cash moving in and out of business is managed properly. Why is it crucial to avoid running out of cash? …
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Creating positive change sounds like a good idea — and one effective way to achieve it within your company is by implementing a living wage. However, like any worthwhile endeavor, it requires careful planning. Good intentions are a starting point, but thoughtless action can lead to unintended consequences. In the fourth episode of our Living Wage s…
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“Every business owner has made mistakes along the way, but the secret to success is learning from each mistake.” —Melissa Houston What makes a business successful? It’s how you turn mistakes into opportunities to improve and grow your way to success. Mistakes are not to be seen as weaknesses if you are a business owner. These must be seen as valuab…
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“As you prepare for your sales, be sure to prepare as well for your profit. Do not let the busyness of the season be an excuse for you not to create profit in your business.” —Melissa Houston It’s almost the end of 2023, and you know what that means - the busiest season is just right around the corner! So, what’s in the card for businesses this tim…
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At the heart of ethical employment lies our commitment to providing fair compensation to our workers. By fair, we mean more than just meeting the minimum wage. We're dedicated to offering living wages, enabling our employees to lead financially stable lives, free from undue financial stress. This extends beyond wages; it encompasses essential aspec…
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“Finances and marketing numbers are a game as well. So understanding how those numbers overlap can be a game changer.” —Melissa Houston 2023 has not been a great year for business owners. It’s been a rough year, really, with a lot of things happening around us and the economy affecting many different sectors. Experts are debating whether we’re expe…
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“No matter what stage of business you are at, it's really knowing that sales absolutely is, can, and should be beautiful.” —Jamie Gulino Davis There’s always a negative connotation about sales. People have this idea that we should never listen to salespeople because they only have one agenda: they make you lose control, urging you into buying their…
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Success in business is a complex recipe, unique to each company and influenced by various factors. Similarly, the path to fair compensation isn't a one-size-fits-all equation. While numerous websites provide data on what constitutes a fair living wage, they often fail to consider an individual's specific needs and circumstances. The question of wha…
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“Raising capital can be a critical component of your success. So, with the right financial strategy, you can take your business to the next level.” —Melissa Houston This is why starting or expanding a business can be daunting and overwhelming. It’s hard to answer the question ‘Where do we get our funding?’ Anyone could easily get confused—scared ev…
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“A common mistake that entrepreneurs make is checking their bank balance at the end of the month and assuming that what is left is their profit.” —Melissa Houston Heads up: your bank balance does not equate to your true profitability. Doesn’t mean that you have all those money in your bank account, you’re free to spend them all you want. No—that’s …
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Creating meaningful impact as a business is more than just ensuring your customers receive the best services and products. It's also about creating a positive impact on the lives of your employees and the communities you serve. One powerful way you can achieve this is by embracing the concept of a living wage. This transformative approach ensures t…
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As a woman entrepreneur, you have the power to lead a profitable business that makes an impact. You'll hone your skills, take action and make authentic decisions that will put you on your own path to success. It may be a difficult journey ahead, but fortunately, the stories of successful women in business can guide your way. Take inspiration from t…
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“You need to have a solid understanding of what's going on in your business.” —Melissa Houston It’s a no-brainer that anyone who owns a business must have a solid understanding of what's going on in the business—everything, including the ins and outs and the future plans. It’s simply the bedrock of success. And while it is a no-brainer, actually co…
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Many businesses strive to create lasting social impact. To pursue this mission, you can invest in multiple endeavors and work with as many groups as you prefer. However, there’s one step you need to take for your efforts to truly matter. Listen to the people you want to serve; understand their needs. Alicia Wallace is the co-founder and COO of All …
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"There's an interconnection between mental health and financial health." —Joyce Marter At first glance, it may appear that there is no correlation between mental health and financial health, but the truth is that they affect one another. Existing mental health issues can make it difficult to manage finances effectively, just as having financial iss…
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“Finding new and innovative ways to increase the amount and frequency of sales should be one of your top priorities if you want long-term success.” —Melissa Houston Sales volume is essential; it is the heart of your business. Without sales, businesses cannot drive revenue, gain profits, and eventually grow. In simple words, there is no business if …
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How do you know if your company is creating the difference it wants to be in the world? There’s a powerful quote by Peter Drucker, “If you can’t measure it, you can’t improve it.” For a social impact business for whom the mission is paramount, knowing your impact is critical. Enter impact reporting: an impact report measures and tells your company’…
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"When running a product-based business, profitability should be top of mind." —Melissa Houston Creating and operating a product-based business demands a significant amount of courage and drive to bring your product to the market. Thus, it’s a must that entrepreneurs possess a deep understanding of their intended audience, their competitors, and the…
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"The key to succeeding in business isn't just having a strong idea, but also knowing how to manage your business correctly." —Melissa Houston What motivated you to start your business? Each of us has unique reasons why we started to take the journey of entrepreneurship. For some, it’s their passion, while for others, it’s the desire to have another…
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“Your brand is everything in your business that people have a touchpoint with.” —Tiffany Neuman Your brand is your signature. But it is not just about the colors, logos, or other visuals you provide. Building a brand is all about creating a foundation for your business that includes your vision, voice, story, and goals. It should be like a conversa…
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"Money serves as a tool to help you create positive things in the world and support your values." —Melissa Houston Contrary to the common notion, money is NOT just a number. We all know how this number in our banks and our wallets has a huge influence on our quality of life. So, it is not surprising that many of us tie our worth and happiness to th…
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What does it mean to be a climate-positive company? Is it easy to become one? Aiming for a goal that seems unclear — or even detrimental — is hard. Many business owners tend to focus on profit. They keep their company running, create a great product, and have excellent sales. Why focus on the environment when it eats into profits? But as companies,…
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“Create what you consume.” - Kelsey Reidl In a competitive environment like the business industry, having the right strategies is the tool to success. While it is a fact that marketing should reflect a brand's personality and be fun, brands should focus on "self-expressed" marketing strategies as well. A good way to start creating a social media st…
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"Every risk taken has something to teach us, and with each failure comes an opportunity to grow, learn, and move forward." —Melissa Houston It’s scary to take risks, but it’s more daunting not to take one. Taking risks also means taking a leap into our growth. It allows us to move beyond our comfort zones, confront our fears, and ultimately achieve…
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Your spending can change the world. How you spend your money makes a difference. Conscious consumerism, if done by enough people, can make huge leaps toward solving our current climate crisis. Businesses have the biggest impact on the climate, but consumers are the reasons behind their choices. We speak and vote with our wallets. Business-as-usual …
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“Businesses need proper information to make informed business decisions. And key to that is the accounting information that the accounting professional should be offering to their clients.” —Roger Knecht In the ever-evolving business world, we are met with strict competition, different challenges and obstacles, and exciting opportunities to help us…
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“Money dates are so helpful, and when you get into a regular routine of having maybe weekly or monthly money dates with your business, it's going to help your business in so many ways, and mostly by increasing profit.” —Melissa Houston Like it or not, any business's lifeblood is money; without it, it will be hard for the enterprise to thrive. There…
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All business owners and humans living on the planet make an environmental impact. When the planet faces problems like climate change, we are also affected. It's up to us to be aware of the planet's struggles we face today and be part of an environmental solution. In this episode of Her CEO Journey, we invited Jenny Morgan, Market Development Manage…
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“The biggest thing that I noticed in me after starting to work with you is just a boost in confidence. I certainly went into it having major imposter syndrome.” — Sarah Beth Davis As entrepreneurs, we know how valuable our financial resources are and want to make sure we put every cent of it to good use. Unfortunately, the most common mistake young…
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“It's not enough to have a good business idea. You need to have the financial structure in place.” —Melissa Houston When you hear the word “rich”, what emotion or feeling do you attach to it? Is it a positive notion? Are you proud, excited, and inspired to act? Or are you left feeling bothered, guilty, or even repulsed by it? At the heart of being …
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Do you know what's in your beauty products? You may think of the active ingredients and their effectiveness in your beauty routine. Do you ever think about whether they have microplastics in them and how your packaging is most likely single-use? Most people think plastics are limited to things we can see — from plastic bags to plastic bottles. The …
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