In this episode of The Next Step Podcast, I sit down with Aarti Achar, also known as the Happiness Ninja. Aarti is a powerhouse in personal development and mindfulness, guiding ambitious, creative professionals toward sustainable happiness.

This episode is packed with insights on how saying “no” can be a powerful tool for reclaiming your time and energy. Listen in to discover Aarti's unique approach to balancing the demands of life and work with personal happiness. Trust me, you won't want to miss the moment when Aarti shares her transformational “happiness game” it's a real eyeopener!

Topics We Cover:

• The Power of No: Aarti shares her journey from being an enthusiastic people pleaser to mastering the art of saying no, and how this shift has been pivotal in achieving personal freedom and happiness.

• The Happiness Game: Find out how Aarti gamified her approach to happiness with five key pillars: mind, body, soul, relationships, and future. This method helps her and her clients stay intentional about their daily actions.

• Tracking Time: Learn the importance of tracking your time to understand where it goes, allowing you to make more intentional decisions about how to spend it.

• Needs, Wants, and Desires: Learn how to categorize your daily tasks and obligations into needs, wants, and desires to better manage your time and energy.

• Mindfulness and Balance: Practical tips on how to incorporate mindfulness into your daily routine to balance responsibilities and personal happiness.

This episode contains practical advice for anyone feeling overwhelmed by the demands of their business and life. It will help you take strategic actions to not only manage but thrive, ensuring you can scale your business while maintaining your personal wellbeing.

Tune in to learn how to make intentional choices that align with your needs, wants, and desires, so you can achieve a sustainable, happier life. Let's take that next step together!

Social Media:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aarti.achar/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Tea.with.Aarti

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tea.with.aarti/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TeawithAarti

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/aartiachar

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@tea.with.aarti

www.teawithaarti.com

In this week’s episode, we have a fantastic conversation with Susan Pratt, a copywriter and messaging strategist. Susan shares her journey from writing newsletters for her local Girl Scout Council to becoming an expert in crafting messages that resonate deeply with target audiences. You won't want to miss Susan's insights on the critical role of messaging in business success and her valuable tips on how to create compelling content that attracts and converts clients.

Topics We Cover:

• From Cookies to Copywriting: Susan Pratt shares her unique journey from working on the Girl Scouts cookie program to becoming a messaging strategist, emphasizing the importance of repurposing skills and experiences.

• Understanding Your Audience: Learn the importance of deep market research and truly understanding your clients' pain points to craft messages that resonate.

• Problem-Solving Over Product Selling: Learn why it's crucial to focus on the problems your product or service solves rather than the features of the product itself.

• Personal Stories Matter: Learn how sharing personal stories and client testimonials can create powerful connections and enhance your messaging strategy.

• Testing and Iteration: Discover the importance of testing your messages and iterating based on audience feedback to find what truly works.

• Grace in Growth:Get encouragement as an entrepreneur to give yourself grace during the process of refining their messaging, understanding that it takes time to get it right.

Gain practical insights that will help you take strategic actions to refine your messaging and effectively communicate with your audience. Susan's expert advice will guide you in creating a sustainable business strategy that aligns with your vision and attracts the right clients.

www.linkedin.com/in/susanprattcopywriting

https://www.instagram.com/messagemasterywithsue/

http://www.susangpratt.com/

Welcome to another episode of The Next Step Podcast! Today, we have a special guest, Hersh Rephun, the "Message Therapist," who brings a unique blend of humor and humanity to branding and communication.

In this episode, Hersh shares his mantra of "selling the truth with humor and humanity" and talks about the profound impact this approach has on personal branding. Hersh's shares how his background in comedy and advertising has shaped his career, and discover a significant moment where he discusses the myth of authenticity in branding—a truth bomb you won't want to miss.

Topics We Cover:

• Sell the Truth: Hersh's principle of selling the truth with humor and humanity stems from his extensive experience in PR, working with artists and creatives who valued authenticity over corporate spin.

• Balancing Humor and Sincerity: Humor can diffuse difficult situations and make messaging more relatable, but it must be balanced with sincerity and good intent to truly resonate.

• Personal Branding: Hersh emphasizes that all branding is personal, whether for individuals or large corporations. The key is to create a genuine connection with the audience.

• Overcoming Fear: Some clients seek Hersh's help specifically to incorporate humor into their branding, despite their discomfort with being funny or vulnerable.

• Distinguishing Factors: Personal integrity and unique experiences often become the most powerful differentiators in a saturated market.

• Adaptability: Hersh highlights the importance of being flexible and not sticking rigidly to formulas, as adaptability can lead to discovering what truly works.

• Personal Story: Hersh shares how his journey in stand-up comedy unexpectedly blended with his business, enhancing his ability to connect and communicate effectively.

This episode is packed with insights that will help you infuse humor and humanity into your branding, ensuring it stands out in a crowded market. Hersh Rephun's wisdom on selling the truth and embracing personal integrity offers a fresh perspective on building a sustainable and impactful brand. Listen in to learn how to to use your unique qualities and take strategic actions that will elevate your business to the next level. Let's make a plan and take action!

Social Media Links:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/hershrephun/

Hersh Rephun's Website: Get Message Therapy

https://getmessagetherapy.com

LinkedIn: Hersh Rephun

https://www.linkedin.com/in/hershrephun