Unlock Your Way with STK

What happens when two high-performance business mentors get real about landing premium clients?In this unfiltered episode of Unlock Your Way with STK, host Suzanne Taylor-King and elite business mentor Mary Shakun rip apart the myths about high-ticket coaching."Most coaches are trying to look polished when they should be focusing on being real," says Suzanne, who's helped hundreds of entrepreneurs scale their businesses.You'll discover: • The controversial "research method" Mary used to land a $3M client... in line at Whole Foods • Why Suzanne shifted from "be accessible" to "be approachable but not accessible" (and how it transformed her business) • The truth about using AI and technology to scale your coaching practice (without losing the human touch) • Mary's framework for commanding $100K/week for exclusive retreats • Why most coaches stay stuck at low prices (and the mindset shift that changes everything)Plus, Mary reveals her new "Sex, Power, and Money Mastery" framework for understanding high-performing clients.Perfect for coaches and entrepreneurs ready to transcend the "charge what you're worth" trap and position themselves for premium opportunities.Warning: This episode contains raw insights about wealth, power, and success that might make traditional business coaches uncomfortable... but they're exactly what you need to hear.Find all the show notes and links here: https://www.unlockyourwaywithstk.com/55

Is landing a million-dollar client easier than finding someone to pay you $10,000? Prepare for a mind shift!Suzanne Taylor-King welcomes Mary Shakun, the original million-dollar coach, and Dr. Dorothy A. Martin-Neville, a transformational coach who has worked with Fortune 500 leaders, for a conversation that will change how you view your business and your potential.Mary shares her unbelievable story of going from broke and jobless to coaching clients for a million dollars, revealing the mindset shifts and actions that made it possible. She also talks about the surprising truth about women and money, and the "bag lady syndrome" that holds many back.Dr. Dorothy Martin-Neville brings her wisdom and experience as a psychologist and coach to discuss what it really takes to up-level your business and your life. She emphasizes the importance of personal growth, adaptability, and being comfortable in your own skin.Suzanne adds her insights as a coach and entrepreneur, sharing how Mary and Dorothy have influenced her own journey and helped her see herself as a leader. She asks the tough questions and challenges listeners to think differently about what's possible.Ready to up-level your business and your life?Find all the show notes and links here: https://www.unlockyourwaywithstk.com/54

In this thought-provoking episode of Unlock Your Way with STK, host Suzanne Taylor-King connects with Tim Windsor, a self-proclaimed "provocateur" who challenges conventional thinking about leadership, authenticity, and personal growth.What began as a LinkedIn connection sparked by an intriguing profile headline evolved into a profound exploration of self-discovery and business transformation. Tim shares his remarkable journey from being dismissed by his high school guidance counselor to becoming a successful publisher and business leader, demonstrating the power of breaking free from societal labels.In this conversation, listeners will discover:• A fresh perspective on curiosity and its role in awakening potential• Strategies for identifying and breaking free from limiting beliefs• The crucial distinction between beliefs, opinions, and biases• Why embracing being wrong can lead to breakthrough growth• How asking better questions transforms both personal and professional lifeThrough their dynamic discussion, Suzanne and Tim delve into what it truly means to be authentic in business, offering listeners practical insights for becoming the "colorful sheep" in their industry rather than following the herd.This episode delivers valuable perspectives for entrepreneurs and business leaders seeking to catalyze real change while maintaining authenticity in their journey to success.Join Suzanne and Tim for an honest, unfiltered conversation that challenges conventional wisdom and offers a fresh approach to personal and professional growth.Find all the show notes and links here: https://www.unlockyourwaywithstk.com/53

Sales legend Joe Blackburn sits down with host Suzanne Taylor-King to share raw insights about building genuine business relationships that last.As the creator of The Lion - Inner Circle, Joe transforms how professionals think about sales and networking. His approach? Skip the fancy tech and focus on what matters - real connections with real people.In this value-packed episode, you'll learn:• Why Joe walked away from corporate perks to build something authentic• The "Mustard Principle" - a powerful framework for building trust• How to make meaningful contacts that turn into long-term business relationships• The truth about transitioning from corporate to coaching• Why most "influence" strategies fail (and what actually works)Host Suzanne Taylor-King draws out Joe's most practical tips, including his famous "little black book" method that helped him build a thriving coaching practice without complex marketing systems.This conversation goes beyond surface-level networking advice to show you how to create lasting impact in your business relationships.Want more insights on building authentic business connections? Subscribe to Unlock Your Way with STK on your favorite podcast platform.Follow Joe Blackburn on LinkedIn and check out the Sales Assassin podcast to continue learning from his expertise.Find all the show notes and links here: https://www.unlockyourwaywithstk.com/52

Host Suzanne Taylor-King welcomes Darren Pallatina, founder of Darren Pallatina Designs, to share his fascinating path from military service to becoming LinkedIn's go-to profile designer.In this candid conversation, Darren opens up about his colorful past - from his punk band days to serving 14 years in military bomb disposal. He reveals how he transformed his natural design talents into a thriving business by starting with a bold move: offering free work to build his portfolio.Suzanne and Darren discuss the critical elements of professional branding, with Darren explaining why a polished profile isn't just about looking good - it's about converting visitors into clients. Through real examples and practical insights, they explore how visual branding creates instant recognition and trust.Key highlights:- How Darren landed 48 clients in two weeks through one strategic connection- The psychology behind professional profile design- Why websites and logos might not be as important as you think- Practical tips for creating a consistent brand across platformsPerfect for: Business owners, entrepreneurs, and professionals looking to enhance their digital presence and attract more clients through strategic personal branding.Subscribe to "Unlock Your Way with STK" for weekly conversations that blend real-world experience with actionable insights. Join our community of forward-thinking professionals who understand that success leaves clues.Find all the show notes and links here: https://www.unlockyourwaywithstk.com/51

Most "authentic" content creators are actually boring - but it doesn't have to be that way. In this raw and candid conversation, host Suzanne Taylor-King welcomes performance expert Paul Gordon to expose the truth about scripted content and cookie-cutter formulas that plague the online business world. Paul, who has performed on national television shows worldwide, shares his expertise on: - Why simply "being authentic" isn't enough - How to stop focusing on your appearance and start delivering real value - The crucial difference between telling people what they want to hear vs what they need to hear - Breaking free from templated scripts and formulas - Creating genuine connections through video and live presentations Suzanne opens up about her own growth journey in facilitation and group leadership, while Paul provides practical tips for developing true authority in your field. This conversation gets real about: - The problem with guru-style marketing - Why most "authenticity" advice falls flat - How to actually improve your presentation skills - Building genuine audience connections Whether you're a business owner, coach, or content creator, this episode will transform how you show up online and on camera. Ready to stop being boring and start making real impact? Listen now. Follow Paul Gordon on LinkedIn and Facebook to access his free "Pirate Content Framework" and learn more about his Unscripted Authority Academy. Subscribe to Unlock Your Way with STK for more unfiltered conversations about building an authentic business presence. Find all the show notes and links here: https://www.unlockyourwaywithstk.com/50

When a high school counselor told Terri Lonowski she'd get lost in a big city, her grandmother's wisdom changed everything. In this powerful conversation with host Suzanne Taylor-King, Terri shares her remarkable path from living above a chaotic restaurant to presenting workforce innovations at the White House. Terri introduces her groundbreaking "Soulful Listening" methodology - a simple yet profound approach built on five key elements that transform relationships, both personal and professional. You'll learn: • Why self-care is the foundation of meaningful communication • A practical 3-breath technique to become fully present • How "quantum listening" combines active listening with empathy • The critical importance of taking inspired action • Why closing the feedback loop builds unshakeable trust Host Suzanne guides this conversation masterfully, drawing out Terri's insights on workplace loneliness, the missing elements in modern communication, and how authentic listening creates business success. With over 200,000 views on her TED talk, Terri's approach has already impacted countless relationships. Her upcoming book "Soulful Listening for Leaders" promises to bring these transformative skills to an even wider audience. Want to transform your relationships and communication skills? Listen now and learn how to create deeper connections in both business and life. Subscribe to "Unlock Your Way with STK" for more conversations that will change how you think about success and human connection. Find all the show notes and links here: https://www.unlockyourwaywithstk.com/49

In this powerful episode of Unlock Your Way with STK, host Suzanne Taylor-King welcomes Steve Campana, a former CPA turned business coach who shares his remarkable 43-year journey from technical expert to relationship-focused entrepreneur. Steve openly discusses his transformation from being known as "unapproachable" to becoming a coach who helps business owners create self-managing companies that leave lasting legacies. His candid insights about prioritizing emotional intelligence alongside technical expertise offer valuable lessons for entrepreneurs at any stage. Suzanne reveals how stepping away from a successful $10 monthly membership product transformed her business, quadrupling both income and impact. Her candid story of making swift decisions to align with bigger goals offers a powerful lesson in business growth. Suzanne and Steve explore the critical shift from focusing solely on numbers to building meaningful connections. They share practical strategies for: - Building trust before offering solutions - Creating value through authentic relationships - Transitioning from selling to serving - Using past experiences to solve current challenges Steve brings a unique perspective combining his extensive CPA background with advanced business valuation expertise. His approach helps business owners move beyond viewing their business as just a job to creating a self-sustaining enterprise. Ready to transform your business approach? Connect with Steve on LinkedIn or visit his upcoming website at Campana Business Coaching. Subscribe to Unlock Your Way with STK for weekly insights on building a business that matters. Join our community of entrepreneurs committed to growth through authentic connection and strategic action. Find all the show notes and links here: https://www.unlockyourwaywithstk.com/48

Jonathan Troen spent 20 years interviewing the biggest stars in entertainment, living three blocks from the beach, and running LA Live. He had it all - except happiness. From interviewing Cher to owning a yoga studio, Jonathan Troen's transformation story kicks off this raw conversation about self-love and personal growth with host Suzanne Taylor-King. Jonathan shares powerful insights about: - Why achievement often amplifies inner criticism - The surprising truth about emotional processing - How forgiveness changes everything - The one question that cuts through mental chaos - Why entrepreneurs face double the mental health challenges Through thoughtful questions and shared experiences around punk rock culture, Suzanne helps Jonathan unpack practical tools for: - Processing emotions in 90 seconds - Replacing judgment with curiosity - Breaking free from comparison - Teaching emotional intelligence to children This raw, honest discussion offers hope for high achievers trapped in self-criticism. Find all the show notes and links here: https://www.unlockyourwaywithstk.com/47

The man who cracked the code to finding your Why spent eight months working directly with Simon Sinek - and still struggled. That's when Gary Sanchez knew there had to be a better way. After Simon Sinek's famous TED talk reached millions, Gary was one of many who tried to find their Why. But there was no system. No framework. No clear path forward. So Gary did what any determined person would do - he called Simon Sinek directly. In this conversation with Suzanne Taylor-King, Gary shares how those eight months with Simon led him to spend seven years helping thousands of people find their Why - completely free. What he found changed everything: There are only nine core Whys. Through testing with hundreds of thousands of people, Gary built a system that takes eight minutes to find not just your Why, but your How and What too. Key moments: Why Gary left dentistry after building what seemed like the perfect practice Why Gary was only 70% accurate at finding Whys (and how he fixed it) The crucial difference between telling kids what we would do vs helping them find their path Why most college students pick majors for the wrong reasons How knowing someone's Why changes every conversation Suzanne brings her 16 years of coaching experience and her own Why of "challenging the status quo" to this rich discussion about finding purpose, building authentic connections, and creating messages that truly resonate. For coaches, entrepreneurs, and anyone feeling stuck: This conversation shows how knowing your Why, How, and What creates the clarity needed to build something meaningful. Find all the show notes and links here: https://www.unlockyourwaywithstk.com/46