Happy Productive: Business Success Through Soul Alignment

Are you still buried in your inbox, running every task, and calling it “leadership”? Think again.

In this episode, Jennifer sits down with Renee Hastings, founder and CEO of Executive Help Now, to break down the real cost of trying to do everything yourself—and how hiring the right assistant is the most strategic move a CEO can make.

Renee shares her powerful journey from corporate burnout to building a thriving virtual assistant agency. They dive into how to delegate with confidence, what separates a great assistant from a disastrous one, and why letting go isn’t about losing control—it’s about building a business that can grow without you.

If you’re exhausted, overloaded, and secretly wondering how other leaders make it look so easy—this episode is your blueprint.

Inside this episode:

✔️ Why burnout is the red flag you can’t ignore

✔️ How to find an assistant who actually frees you up

✔️ The #1 thing you should delegate first

✔️ What “good help” really looks like—and how to hire it

✔️ How delegation makes room for strategy, scale, and sanity

Timestamps:

00:00 – Welcome + Why this conversation is so timely

01:13 – Renee’s backstory: From childhood organization nerd to C-suite EA

04:41 – The burnout breaking point that forced her to get help

06:15 – How her first VA changed her life—and sparked a business

07:20 – Why most people fail with VAs (and how to avoid it)

10:51 – What happens when you finally hire the right assistant

13:17 – Jennifer’s no-BS take: “Hell to the no—I shouldn’t be doing this myself”

14:15 – How delegation unlocks time, strategy, and momentum

15:16 – What VAs can really do for you (it’s more than you think)

17:26 – Can someone else manage your inbox? Yes—and here’s how

21:23 – Productivity hacks every busy founder should use

22:36 – The mindset shift: “It’s okay to let someone else do this”

24:45 – Final words: Delegation isn’t giving up—it’s leveling up

25:58 – Where to find Renee and how to know you’re ready for a VA

Connect with Renee Hastings & Executive Help Now

🌐 Website: executivehelpnow.org

📸 Instagram: @executivehelpnow

📘 Facebook: Executive Help Now

💼 LinkedIn: Executive Help Now

Connect with Jennifer:

Want to be a podcast guest?: Click here

Want to know how’s your business is going? Take this quiz to know

Visit our website here

Schedule a call with Jennifer here

Can AI write your content? Sure.

But can it connect, convert, and build trust with your audience the way a human can? Not even close.

In this episode, Jennifer sits down with Emmy-winning journalist and Fractional CMO Becky Freemal to talk about the real edge businesses still have in an AI-powered world: storytelling. From building a magnetic brand voice to actually making sense of your data, this episode is a must-listen for entrepreneurs who want to lead with strategy and soul.

Timestamps:

00:00 – Why good data isn’t enough

01:58 – Meet Becky Freemal: From journalism to marketing

03:18 – Storytelling is not optional—it’s revenue-driving

04:25 – Where to use story in your business (hint: everywhere)

06:12 – Brand voice breakdown: what it is and why it matters

07:40 – The hidden cost of voice mismatch

08:46 – How to define your voice (even as a solopreneur)

09:53 – Using product data to refine your messaging

12:00 – Jennifer’s AI brand guide experiment

13:25 – How to get AI to write like you

15:29 – Using AI tools for content, video, and customer insight

17:14 – Real examples of AI analyzing profit and performance

18:06 – Why retreats and white space help refine your voice

20:03 – What your clients really think about your brand

23:51 – About Becky’s book: Brand Voice: People + Data Drive Results

25:50 – Solopreneur tip: how to access strategy without the C-suite

27:48 – Final thoughts: data + story = momentum

Key Topics:

• Why story is still your most powerful marketing tool

• How AI can support your voice—but not replace it

• Turning customer feedback into brand clarity

• Using your brand voice to attract, engage, and convert

📘 Grab Becky’s book:

Brand Voice: People + Data Drive Results

https://beckyfreemal.com

Ready to build a business that grows with freedom and adventure?

Join Jennifer’s coaching programs and business retreats:

Home

#BrandVoice #AIForBusiness #StorytellingMarketing #SmallBusinessGrowth #HappyProductive #FractionalCMO #EntrepreneurMindset #MarketingStrategy #JenniferDawn

If your work feels draining, your team’s energy is low, and productivity is stalling, it’s not a systems problem—it’s a flow problem.

In this episode of the Happy Productive Podcast, Jennifer sits down with Diane Allen—keynote speaker, violinist, and author of Flow: Unlock Your Genius. Love What You Do—to unpack the science and strategy behind getting into your flow state on demand.

Diane shares how a career-defining onstage freeze led her to reverse-engineer flow so leaders and business owners can work smarter, fuel their teams, and rediscover the joy in what they do.

You’ll learn how to:
• Identify your personal flow triggers to reignite energy and focus
• Lead your business from a place of inspired alignment
• Tap into your team’s full potential through group flow
• Turn stressful, stuck moments into momentum and clarity
• Use flow as a tool for decision-making, leadership, and performance

If you’re feeling burned out or disconnected from your business—this episode is your reset.

⸻

Timestamps for Key Moments:
[01:18] Diane’s journey: from orchestra leader to flow expert for high-performers
[4:36] The breakdown moment that led to her breakthrough
[06:21] What flow actually is—and why it’s the antidote to burnout
[09:00] Signs you’re in flow (and how to spot them in yourself and your team)
[14:25] Flow science: peak performance, brain chemistry, and business impact
[21:03] The “Where, What, Why” method to unlock your unique flow formula
[26:23] Creating group flow as a business leader
[30:00] Addressing executive loneliness with energy-based leadership
[34:01] Free tools and resources to start leading with flow today

⸻

🌟 Join Jennifer’s Freedom-Fueled Academy: https://jenniferdawnacademy.com

Connect with Diane Allen:
https://dianeallen.com
https://www.instagram.com/dianeallenspeaker/

https://www.facebook.com/dianeallenspeaker/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/dianeallenspeaker/

📘 Get the Book
Flow: Unlock Your Genius. Love What You Do. Available now on Amazon.

🎧 Subscribe for more bold conversations on building a business (and life) you love.

#businessgrowth #business #businessideas #businessowner #jenniferdawn #happyproductivepodcast #businesssuccess

What if the way you dress is silently costing you sales, clients, and credibility?

In this episode of the Happy Productive Podcast, Jennifer sits down with personal brand strategist and Prosperous Image founder Lee Hayward to talk about why your image is one of the most underused tools in your business, and how aligning your presence with your power can fuel serious growth.

This isn’t about fashion. It’s about identity, alignment, and energy. You’ll learn how to show up like the 7-figure version of yourself—before you get there, and why your image might be the very thing blocking your next breakthrough.

In this episode:

1. Why your image is repelling (or attracting) high-value clients

2. How to align your wardrobe with your future business, not your past self

3. What it really means to “dress for success” (hint: it’s not just about looks)

4. How to lead with confidence—even when your body, mindset, or business is in transition

5. Simple ways to uplevel your presence without sacrificing comfort or authenticity

Timestamps:

00:00 – Do You Look Like You’ve Already Closed $150K Deals?

00:22 – Why It’s Not About Clothes—It’s About Self-Identity

00:36 – Intro: Why This Conversation Matters

01:13 – Meet Lee Hayward: Brand Consultant & Author

01:49 – Lee’s Story: From Fourth Grade to Founder

03:43 – From Styling to Full-Scale Brand Strategy

04:40 – Jennifer’s Confession: “I’ve Always Struggled with Image”

05:49 – Where to Start When You Have No Style Roadmap

06:50 – The Real Question: How Do You Want to Feel?

08:15 – Why Comfort & Confidence Are the Baseline

09:07 – Aligning Your Wardrobe with a $10M Business Vision

11:06 – How a Prosperous Image Attracts More Sales

12:23 – Why First Impressions Are Built on Image

13:57 – Creating Trust Through Consistent Brand Experience

14:25 – Who Are You Really Dressing For? (Hint: Two People)

15:48 – Your Image Should Say: “You’re in the Right Room”

16:29 – Essentials for Upleveling Your Brand Image

18:21 – The Curse of $1M: Why People Wait to Show Up Fully

19:42 – Lee’s Wake-Up Call: “Would You Dress Like This If You Were Already Successful?”

20:55 – Showing Up to Events with Confidence & Alignment

22:13 – The “Impression of Increase” (And How to Use It)

24:21 – Quick Tips for Looking Aligned—Even in Yoga Pants

24:53 – How to Find the Right Branding Expert or Stylist

26:23 – How Lee Helps You Hold the Vision for Your Future Self

28:04 – Why It’s Never Just About the Clothes

28:23 – Image Isn’t Just Personal—It’s Company-Wide

30:28 – What If You’re Not Comfortable in Your Body Right Now?

32:40 – Strategic Dressing at Every Stage of Life

34:22 – Where to Find Lee + Get Her Book Strategically Suited

36:01 – Final Takeaway: Don’t Just Listen—Take One Aligned Action

Whether you’re scaling toward 7 or 8 figures, hosting live events, or just trying to show up like the boss you are—this conversation will rewire how you think about confidence, visibility, and brand presence.

Grab Lee’s bestselling book: Strategically Suited → https://www.amazon.com/Strategically-Suited-Secret-Sales-Clients/dp/1683502434

Connect with Lee:

• Home

• https://www.instagram.com/prosperousimage/

• https://www.facebook.com/prosperousimage/

• https://www.linkedin.com/in/prosperousimage/

— 

Jennifer Dawn is a business coach helping high-performing entrepreneurs scale smart, ditch burnout, and build a business that fuels their freedom and adventure.

Connect with Jennifer: ⁠www.jenniferdawncoaching.com⁠

Join our Academy: ⁠www.jenniferdawnacademy.com

Subscribe for real strategy, bold conversations, and a few laughs along the way.

#PersonalBranding #EntrepreneurStyle #HappyProductive #BusinessGrowth #JenniferDawn #AdventureDrivenBusiness

Most people cringe at the word “sales”, but what if you could master it with authenticity and integrity?

In this eye-opening episode, Jennifer sits down with Geoffrey M. Reid, bestselling author of The Revenue Catalyst, former university professor, and globally recognized sales leader. From public policy analyst to top revenue generator across North America, Geoffrey shares how smart, genuine sales isn’t about pressure. It’s about powerful conversations that create pull, not push.

Whether you’re a business owner, team builder, or just trying to improve your own sales mindset, this episode is packed with actionable gems.

Timestamps:
[04:15] Why business schools don’t teach sales
[05:20] Great salespeople are made, not born
[06:00] Can you be great at sales and authentic?
[07:15] The myth of the “pushy” salesperson
[08:00] What really holds people back from embracing sales
[09:00] KPI plans and making sales predictable
[10:10] Overcoming fear and building confidence
[11:00] Who the book is for: students, small biz owners, and execs
[12:15] Revenue vs. cost cutting: what really matters
[13:30] Hiring sales talent: look for mindset and attitude
[14:50] How bad training ruins natural talent
[16:00] The full spectrum of sales: persuasion to negotiation
[17:45] Why sales programs must align with your process
[19:00] How to choose a training program that fits
[20:30] Why misalignment leads to poor results
[21:15] Jennifer’s #1 rule: Sleep on big sales decisions
[22:00] Healthy urgency vs pressure in sales
[23:00] Where to buy the book + final thoughts
[24:00] “If money can solve a problem, you don’t have a problem”
[25:00] Why strong revenue beats cost cutting every time

“Sales done correctly is the intersection between negotiation and trust.” – Geoffrey M. Reid

Grab Geoffrey’s book The Revenue Catalyst and learn how to create a sales system you’ll actually feel good about: https://geoffreymreid.com/thebook

Ready to stop avoiding sales and start mastering it on your own terms? Hit play.

#businessgrowth #business #businessideas #businessowner #jenniferdawn #happyproductivepodcast #businesssuccess

Men aren’t broken—they’re just missing the tools.

In this episode of the Happy Productive Podcast, Jennifer sits down with Owen Marcus, founder of MELD and a pioneer in men’s emotional fluency. For decades, Owen has helped men drop the armor, ditch the isolation, and reconnect with who they truly are—not just for their relationships, but for their leadership, their careers, and their peace of mind.

You’ll hear:
✔ The biggest lie men are taught about emotions (and how it holds them back)
✔ Why emotional expression isn’t weakness—it’s a leadership skill
✔ The secret to connecting better at home and at work
✔ How the nervous system affects your relationships more than you think
✔ What actually works (spoiler: it’s not more therapy or talking it out)

Whether you’re a man looking for deeper connection or a woman who wants to support the men in your life, this episode will flip the script on what strength really looks like.

💥 Because emotional fluency isn’t just for women—it’s the future of badass leadership.

—

⏱️ Timestamps:
00:00 – Real Men, Real Emotions: Meet Owen Marcus
02:00 – From Rolfing to MELD: Owen’s 50-Year Journey
05:00 – Why Men Were Cut Off from Emotional Models
07:30 – How Suppressed Emotions Sabotage Success
09:00 – What Happens When Men Speak Up in Safe Spaces
11:00 – The Problem with “Extreme” Men’s Groups
12:40 – Why Safe, Normal Connection Changes Everything
15:00 – Why Traditional Self-Help Fails for Most Men
17:30 – How Emotional Fluency Translates to Better Business
20:00 – The R.O.C. Formula: Relax, Open, Connect
23:00 – One Simple Action That Changes Everything
26:00 – What Makes MELD Different (And How to Get Involved)

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💻 Learn more about Owen’s work: https://www.meld.community
📚 Check out his book: Grow Up – A Man’s Guide to Masculine Emotional Intelligence: https://www.amazon.com/Grow-Up-Masculine-Emotional-Intelligence/dp/0988703521

🌟 Join Jennifer’s Freedom-Fueled Academy: https://jenniferdawnacademy.com
🎧 Subscribe for more bold conversations on building a business (and life) you love.

—

📌 Hashtags:
#EmotionalFluency #MensWork #OwenMarcus #MELD #Leadership #EmotionalStrength#HappyProductive #JenniferDawn #NervousSystemHealing #BusinessGrowth#TraumaInformedLeadership #MenAndEmotions #RocFormula #FreedomFueledBusiness

Are your emails going straight to spam?

If you’re relying on outdated outreach strategies — or worse, blasting 1,000 cold emails with zero engagement — this episode is for you.

Jennifer Dawn sits down with Shira Simmonds, CEO of SSC Digital and founder of SmartReach AI, to unpack why your cold outreach is failing and what actually works in 2025.

Learn how to:

• Warm up domains (and why it matters)

• Send only 30 emails a day per domain

• Use AI to write emails in your tone and voice

• Leverage LinkedIn signals for smarter targeting

If you want more leads without wasting time, money, or credibility — start here.

Watch now to discover why “lead gen lies” are keeping your business stuck.

Links:

• Connect with Jennifer: ⁠www.jenniferdawncoaching.com⁠
• Join our Academy: ⁠www.jenniferdawnacademy.com⁠
• Shira’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shirasimmonds/
• Smart Reach: https://www.smartreachai.com/product

Tune in and start building a freedom-fueled business that aligns with who you really are.

Subscribe for more interviews with bold thinkers and real business builders.

#emaildeliverability #coldemailstrategy #salesfunnels #smartreachai #leadgeneration #entrepreneurmindset

What happens when women rise to the top—only to find themselves mimicking the very systems they hoped to change?

In this honest and powerful episode, Jennifer sits down with Megan Bozzuto, Interim CFO of Professional Diversity Network and longtime President of the International Association of Women. Together, they unpack what it’s really like to lead inside toxic corporate cultures, the silent sacrifices women make in the name of success, and what it takes to reclaim your voice in environments that punish authenticity.

Inside this episode:

• Megan’s emotional breaking point—and why it became a turning point
• The hidden pressure women face at the top
• How to lead without losing your values
• Lessons from 20+ years in global leadership, marketing, and finance

Check the full transcript on our Podpage!

Timestamps

• Megan’s Career Journey to IAW Leadership (01:08)
• Culture at IAW & No Mean Girls Policy (03:29)
• Resilience Through Career & Divorce (06:00)
• Power of Vulnerability & Community Support (10:04)
• Showing Up Authentically & Mental Health Work (11:58)
• Personal Responsibility & Growth Mindset (17:16)
• What IAW Offers – Events, Resources, Community (18:42)
• Invitation to Join + LinkedIn Connect + Discount (21:01)

If you’ve ever felt like you had to “armor up” to succeed, this conversation is your permission slip to lead differently—and freely.

Links

• Website: www.iawomen.com
• Connect with Jennifer: www.jenniferdawncoaching.com
• Join our Academy: www.jenniferdawnacademy.com

Tune in and start building a freedom-fueled business that aligns with who you really are.

Overwhelm can feel like you have so much on your plate you don’t know what to do next, or no matter what you do you’ll disappoint someone.

It’s a terrible feeling and in a recent Gallop study they found 55% of Americans are stressed out and overwhelmed during their day. That’s 20% higher than the world average of 35%.

When we are going through our day overwhelmed we don’t think as clearly, we are not as productive as we could be, we make more mistakes, having to re-do work because we didn’t have the time to really think through it, that causes us to experience more negative emotions like disappointment, frustration, and shame, then all of that robs us of our happiness, health, and well being.

That’s why I feel it’s so important to start understanding overwhelm for what it truly is – and that may surprise you a bit. I know it was somewhat mind blowing for me when I first learned the truth about it.

We hope you’ve found today’s episode of the Happy Productive Podcast inspiring. Every successful business is formed by a set of small, consistent, and attainable steps.

Visit Jennifer at jenniferdawncoaching.com to take your next step and learn how to meet your business goals.

Thank you for listening and stay tuned for Jennifer’s next episode.

I’m spending extra time on overwhelm and getting it out of the picture in our lives because when you feel overwhelmed, stretched, stressed each day, there’s no space for you. 

What I mean by this is when there’s no space, you won’t feel motivated to change your life – you are stuck in just surviving each day – you may not have the energy to care about your health, or pursue your hobbies or interests – when there’s no space and people ask you for things you may find yourself getting angry or defensive, or reacting in a way that’s kind of unpleasant to be around… then you feel guilty or shameful, beat yourself up and the process keeps repeating.

It’s so important to eliminate this state of overwhelm from your life so you can create the space you need to bring in the fun stuff like love, joy, laughter, and patience, compassion, understanding, gratitude.  When you are in a constant state of busy, rush, hurry, survive the day, I have no idea what to do next, all those really wonderful feelings and emotions you WANT to be feeling get pushed to the side.

In this episode I’ll also share my Brain Dump exercise and how to start asking Power Questions

We hope you’ve found today’s episode of the Happy Productive Podcast inspiring. Every successful business is formed by a set of small, consistent, and attainable steps.

Visit Jennifer at jenniferdawncoaching.com to take your next step and learn how to meet your business goals.

Thank you for listening and stay tuned for Jennifer’s next episode.