

The Thoughtful Entrepreneur
Josh Elledge · UpMyInfluence.com & PodVerified.com
The Thoughtful Entrepreneur features candid, commercial-free conversations with the founders, CEOs, and B2B leaders building the companies and ideas shaping their industries.
Each episode runs 15-25 minutes, built for busy professionals who want substance without the filler. Guests include agency owners, consultants, coaches, and executives with real stories, hard-won lessons, and specific insight for business leaders focused on growth.
Host Josh Elledge has conducted 3,000+ interviews, helped launch 300+ podcasts, and has been directly involved in generating $40M+ in client results through relationship-driven media. He knows what makes a guest worth featuring and what makes an appearance actually worth the guest's time.
Want to be featured?
Guests are selected through PodVerified, the platform built by podcast hosts to restore trust and quality to podcast guesting. If you're a serious B2B expert with a clear message and a story worth sharing, apply here:
👉 https://PodVerified.com/podcast
Each episode runs 15-25 minutes, built for busy professionals who want substance without the filler. Guests include agency owners, consultants, coaches, and executives with real stories, hard-won lessons, and specific insight for business leaders focused on growth.
Host Josh Elledge has conducted 3,000+ interviews, helped launch 300+ podcasts, and has been directly involved in generating $40M+ in client results through relationship-driven media. He knows what makes a guest worth featuring and what makes an appearance actually worth the guest's time.
Want to be featured?
Guests are selected through PodVerified, the platform built by podcast hosts to restore trust and quality to podcast guesting. If you're a serious B2B expert with a clear message and a story worth sharing, apply here:
👉 https://PodVerified.com/podcast
Episodes
Mentioned books

May 12, 2023 • 16min
1543 – Tax Strategy is Like A Chessboard with Tax Goddess’s Shauna A. Wekherlien, CPA
In this episode of the Thoughtful Entrepreneur, your host Josh Elledge speaks with the Owner of Tax Goddess Business Services, PC, Shauna A. Wekherlien, CPA.Connecting with Shauna offers significant benefits, including expert tax advice and personalized strategies. Her extensive experience and innovative tax solutions have saved businesses and individuals millions of dollars. Shauna simplifies complex tax concepts using plain language, making it easier for clients to understand their tax situation. She provides customized solutions tailored to each client's unique goals, ensuring optimal financial outcomes.Shauna's scenario planning expertise helps clients make informed decisions, maximizing their business potential. By working with Shauna, you gain peace of mind knowing your tax matters are handled by a top professional, allowing you to focus on other aspects of your life or business. Her media recognition speaks to her credibility and success in the taxation field.About Shauna A Wekherlien: Shauna is a Certified Public Accountant (AZ) with a master’s degree in Taxation. She is ranked in the top 1% of the country's Tax Strategists (per AICTC). Before starting her own company, Shauna had gained experience and sharpened her skills working with leading corporations such as KPMG and American Express.With over 24+ years of experience in implementing innovative tax solutions, Shauna has continued to actively create tax strategies that, so far, have saved businesses and individuals to the tune of over $741 million.Her resourcefulness and mastery in her field have led her to be featured by numerous top broadcast media platforms such as Forbes, CNN Money, Daily Herald, Big News Network, Entrepreneur, CBS, FOX, ABC, Sonoran Living, The List, The Connect Show, The Arizona Republic and many more!About Tax Goddess Business Services, PC: Tax Goddess is a global team of 65+ specialists that uses plain language (not tax code) to help business owners, investors, and entrepreneurs create plans of action to increase the business owner’s bottom line, reduce costs, significantly reduce taxes, increase cash flow, and perform what-if scenario options so that owners know what decisions to make and which paths are best suited to their particular situation.Tweetable Moments: 2:19 - “The highest tax rate in the country is California at 63%.”10:18 - “The way I look at tax strategy, you have a chessboard, okay? And you have lots of little different pieces. The more options you have, the better it is, and the easier it is to play the game because you have 50 different ways to get the cat.”Apply to be a Guest on The Thoughtful Entrepreneur: https://go.upmyinfluence.com/podcast-guestLinks Mentioned in this Episode:Want to learn more? Check out Tax Goddess Business Services, PC website athttps://taxgoddess.com/Check out Tax Goddess Business Services, PC on LinkedIn athttps://www.linkedin.com/company/tax-goddess-business-services-pc/Check out Tax Goddess Business Services, PC on Twitter athttp://twitter.com/TaxGoddessCheck out Tax Goddess Business Services, PC on Instagram athttps://www.instagram.com/thetaxgoddess/?hl=enCheck out Tax Goddess Business Services, PC on Facebook athttps://www.facebook.com/thetaxgoddessCheck out Shauna A Wekherlien on LinkedIn athttps://www.linkedin.com/in/taxgoddess/Don’t forget to subscribe to The Thoughtful Entrepreneur and thank you for listening. Tune in next time!More from UpMyInfluence:We are actively booking guests for our The Thoughtful Entrepreneur. Schedule HERE.Are you a 6-figure consultant? I’ve got high-level intros for you. Learn more here.What is your #1 Lead Generation BLOCKER? Take my free quiz here.Want to learn more about all the podcasts managed by UpMyInfluence? Opt in here.

May 11, 2023 • 23min
1542 – Applying New Ideas with The ReWild Group’s Matthew Pohl
In this episode of the Thoughtful Entrepreneur, your host Josh Elledge speaks with the Principal and Senior Business Adviser of The ReWild Group LLC, Matthew Pohl.
Connecting with Matthew offers entrepreneurs and small business owners valuable insights and guidance. As a seasoned entrepreneur, CEO, and leader of three successful businesses, Matthew possesses extensive experience in data analytics, management, and business growth. His expertise in developing exceptional workplaces can help you create an environment that fosters personal growth, skill development, and increased productivity. You can enhance your business's profitability and overall well-being by leveraging his knowledge and resources, such as The ReWild Group's 60-Minute Guidebooks for Business Growth series.
About Matthew Pohl: Matthew is a seasoned entrepreneur and CEO with a background in data analytics and management in the legal and business sectors. He currently leads three businesses: The Rewild Group, The Capitalist Alliance, and Herculean Litigation.
In Broomfield, Colorado, Matthew enjoys spending time outdoors, including hiking 14,000-foot peaks known as "14ers" in the state. With a passion for helping businesses become autonomous, profitable, and healthy, he continues to make a significant impact in the entrepreneurial space.
About The ReWild Group LLC: The ReWild Group is committed to expanding the number of exceptional businesses worldwide, believing that work greatly influences individual and societal well-being. They advocate for outstanding workplaces that enable people to apply their natural talents, develop new skills, and grow personally and professionally. This, in turn, creates positive ripple effects throughout homes, communities, and nations.
The ReWild Group provides resources and tools for small business owners, including their 60-Minute Guidebooks for Business Growth series, which offers actionable insights on various aspects of business development. Their unique methodology emphasizes the importance of exceptional businesses in fostering individual growth and enhancing the overall quality of life.
Apply to be a Guest on The Thoughtful Entrepreneur: https://go.upmyinfluence.com/podcast-guest
Links Mentioned in this Episode:
Want to learn more? Check out The ReWild Group LLC website at
https://www.rewildgroup.com/
Check out The ReWild Group LLC on LinkedIn at
https://www.linkedin.com/company/digital-neighbor/
Check out The ReWild Group LLC on Facebook at
https://www.facebook.com/people/The-ReWild-Group/100057406901052/
Check out The ReWild Group LLC on Instagram at
https://www.instagram.com/therewildgroup/
Check out Matthew Pohl on LinkedIn at
https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthewepohl/
Don’t forget to subscribe to The Thoughtful Entrepreneur and thank you for listening. Tune in next time!
More from UpMyInfluence:
We are actively booking guests for our The Thoughtful Entrepreneur. Schedule HERE.
Are you a 6-figure consultant? I’ve got high-level intros for you. Learn more here.
What is your #1 Lead Generation BLOCKER? Take my free quiz here.
Want to learn more about all the podcasts managed by UpMyInfluence? Opt in here.

May 10, 2023 • 16min
1541 – Selfless Service is Embedded in Us with Live Not Loathe’s Jevon Wooden
In this episode of the Thoughtful Entrepreneur, your host Josh Elledge speaks with the Business Growth Strategist, Author, Founder of Live not Loathe, Jevon Wooden.
Connecting with Jevon Wooden can benefit individuals or businesses looking to achieve their goals, particularly in marketing, sales, and technology. With his extensive military experience and mastery of the 5Y Framework™, Jevon can offer unique insights and strategies for optimizing performance and generating revenue with less effort.
His expertise has been recognized in top publications, making him a trusted and sought-after coach for entrepreneurs and business leaders.
About Jevon Wooden: Jevon is a dynamic business coach, speaker, author, and Bronze Star recipient, specializing in marketing, sales, and technology. Passionate about helping individuals and businesses succeed, he holds a master's degree in cybersecurity and an MBA.
His 12 years of military experience have honed his leadership skills and earned him numerous accolades. Jevon created the innovative 5Y Framework™, assisting clients in generating more revenue with less effort. His expertise has been featured in top publications, making him an invaluable resource for entrepreneurs and business leaders.
About Live not Loathe: Live Not Loathe is a coaching service tailored to driven individuals who have achieved incredible successes but struggle balancing their personal and professional lives. It offers a combination of mindset and business coaching and practical business analysis to help clients focus their energy where it has the most impact, minimize stress, and create a clear direction for their lives.
Understanding that success doesn't solely come from investing more time, effort, and resources, Live Not Loathe aims to help clients create a purposeful, passionate, and profitable life by implementing effective strategies. The goal is to take the struggle out of their hustle and enable them to create a life that doesn't require a vacation, ultimately achieving more with less effort and maximizing ROI.
Tweetable Moments:
1:41 - “You look at their content, how are they saying, have they done market data analysis? Because a lot of people are just jumping in, and they're focused more on the branding than the messaging.”
10:36 - “People tend to keep striving and keep wanting to do a great job for you, because we know that we don't want to fail the people that we look to left and right. We have that selfless service embedded in us.”
Apply to be a Guest on The Thoughtful Entrepreneur: https://go.upmyinfluence.com/podcast-guest
Links Mentioned in this Episode:
Want to learn more? Check out Live not Loathe website at
https://livenotloathe.com/
Check out Live not Loathe on LinkedIn at
https://www.linkedin.com/company/livenotloathe/
Check out Live not Loathe on Twitter at
https://www.twitter.com/livenotloathe
Check out Live not Loathe on Instagram at
https://www.instagram.com/livenotloathe
Check out Live not Loathe on Facebook at
https://www.facebook.com/livenotloathe
Check out Jevon Wooden on LinkedIn at
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jevonwooden/
Check out Jevon Wooden on Instagram at
https://www.instagram.com/coachjevonspeaks
Check out Jevon Wooden on Facebook at
https://www.facebook.com/livenotloathe
Don’t forget to subscribe to The Thoughtful Entrepreneur and thank you for listening. Tune in next time!
More from UpMyInfluence:
We are actively booking guests for our The Thoughtful Entrepreneur. Schedule HERE.
Are you a 6-figure consultant? I’ve got high-level intros for you. Learn more here.
What is your #1 Lead Generation BLOCKER? Take my free quiz here.
Want to learn more about all the podcasts managed by UpMyInfluence? Opt in here.

May 9, 2023 • 16min
1540 – Leveraging Quizzes with Maeve Ferguson
In this episode of the Thoughtful Entrepreneur, your host Josh Elledge speaks to the Owner and Coach of Maeve Ferguson Coaching, Maeve Ferguson.
Frustrated but expert coaches can gain valuable insights and guidance on creating their own profitable online coaching businesses by connecting with Maeve. Maeve's mission revolves around empowering parents to succeed in their coaching endeavors while enjoying quality time with their loved ones. By taking action and learning from Maeve's strategies, individuals can unlock the potential to establish thriving businesses and a strong presence in their professional and personal lives.
About Maeve Ferguson: Maeve is a successful CEO and International Bestselling Author, known for her innovative approach to scaling online businesses - The Evergreen Lifestyle Business Blueprint.
Maeve has been featured in Forbes and is passionate about helping Frustrated but Expert Coaches to build their own Evergreen Lifestyle Coaching Business, enabling them to get off the launch roller coaster, balance their family life and become successful CEOs.
Her mission is to empower parents to create profitable online coaching businesses from the comfort of their own homes, so they can enjoy more time with their loved ones.
Maeve firmly believes that any parent who takes action can achieve a thriving business while maintaining a balanced and fulfilling lifestyle and presence with their kids.
Tweetable Moments:
1:13 - “So a complete stranger coming into your world organically through your quiz funnel, onto your automated workshop, and then booking a call with your program advisors who sell them into your high tech coaching program, and you literally have never had any interaction with this person.”
5:25 - “The most important question is the hook up front. Because if that hook doesn't perform, you're not going to get your opt in at the back end of the quiz. Nobody is actually going to take that thing.”
Apply to be a Guest on The Thoughtful Entrepreneur: https://go.upmyinfluence.com/podcast-guest
Links Mentioned in this Episode:
Want to learn more? Check out About Profit website at
https://wendybarlin.com/
Check out Maeve Ferguson on LinkedIn at
https://www.linkedin.com/in/maeveferguson/
Check out Maeve Ferguson on Instagram at
https://www.instagram.com/iammaeveferguson/
Check out Maeve Ferguson on Facebook at
https://www.facebook.com/maeve.gormley.5
Don’t forget to subscribe to The Thoughtful Entrepreneur and thank you for listening. Tune in next time!
More from UpMyInfluence:
We are actively booking guests for our The Thoughtful Entrepreneur. Schedule HERE.
Are you a 6-figure consultant? I’ve got high-level intros for you. Learn more here.
What is your #1 Lead Generation BLOCKER? Take my free quiz here.
Want to learn more about all the podcasts managed by UpMyInfluence? Opt in here.

May 8, 2023 • 14min
1539 – Examining Your Expenses with Wendy Barlin
In this episode of the Thoughtful Entrepreneur, your host Josh Elledge speaks with the Profit Consultant, Cash Flow Strategist, Tax Advisor, Founder of About Profit , Wendy Barlin.
Connecting with Wendy Barlin, a Personal Business Manager and financial confidante, can provide invaluable financial guidance and support. With over 10 years of experience across diverse industries, Wendy possesses a wealth of knowledge and expertise in handling financial tasks, allowing you to focus on your core strengths. Her unique approach to accounting, bookkeeping, and income tax services ensures that your financial decisions are optimized for success and increased profits.
By partnering with Wendy, you can benefit from her commitment to your financial well-being and understanding of complex accounting systems. As a member of the California Society of CPAs and the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, Wendy's professional affiliations further reinforce her credibility and reliability in the financial services field.
About Wendy Barlin: Wendy is a Personal Business Manager and financial confidante with over 10 years of experience in various industries. Born in Cape Town, South Africa, she graduated from the University of Cape Town with a double major in Accounting and Information Systems. Wendy specializes in handling financial tasks for busy professionals and business owners, helping them focus on their core strengths. She offers comprehensive accounting, bookkeeping, and income tax services.
Wendy is committed to her clients' success, ensuring financial decisions lead to increased profits. She is a member of the California Society of CPAs and the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, and a mentor for the Jewish Vocational Services Mentor Program. Wendy now calls Los Angeles her home and is married to an American from Michigan.
About About Profit: About Profit is a financial services company that sets itself apart from its competitors with a unique fee model emphasizing people over profit. This client-centric approach ensures that the focus remains on providing customers the best possible service and financial solutions, rather than solely on generating revenue. By adopting this innovative model, About Profit creates a strong foundation of trust and transparency, fostering long-term relationships with clients.
The company offers a range of services, including accounting, bookkeeping, and tax management, all tailored to meet the diverse needs of individuals and businesses. Through its commitment to customer satisfaction, About Profit establishes itself as a reliable and ethical choice in the financial services industry.
Tweetable Moments:
3:42 - “It's really important to look at your expenses and see which ones are supporting the revenue and which ones are just expenses for should sake. And then we look to minimize those.”
4:32 - “My real purpose is to help people find the answers. Right now, the American economy is being run by small business owners, and it's our goal to help everybody do better.”
Apply to be a Guest on The Thoughtful Entrepreneur: https://go.upmyinfluence.com/podcast-guest
Links Mentioned in this Episode:
Want to learn more? Check out About Profit website at
https://wendybarlin.com/
Check out Wendy Barlin on LinkedIn at
https://www.linkedin.com/in/wendybarlin/
Check out Wendy Barlin on Instagram at
https://www.linkedin.com/in/wendybarlin/
Don’t forget to subscribe to The Thoughtful Entrepreneur and thank you for listening. Tune in next time!
More from UpMyInfluence:
We are actively booking guests for our The Thoughtful Entrepreneur. Schedule HERE.
Are you a 6-figure consultant? I’ve got high-level intros for you. Learn more here.
What is your #1 Lead Generation BLOCKER? Take my free quiz here.
Want to learn more about all the podcasts managed by UpMyInfluence? Opt in here.

May 7, 2023 • 17min
1538 – Don’t Wait to Share Everything with Visionary Literary’s John Feldman
In this episode of the Thoughtful Entrepreneur, your host Josh Elledge speaks to the CEO of Visionary Literary, John Feldman.
Connecting with John Feldman, a successful writer with a 15-year career, can be an invaluable opportunity for anyone looking to make an impact through writing. With his expertise in creating bestselling titles and ghostwriting for thought leaders and industry experts, John can provide insights into the publishing process, writing techniques, and networking strategies. His experience crafting meaningful and transformative content ensures that he understands the importance of visionary literature in inspiring change.
Collaborating with or learning from John, aspiring writers and individuals seeking to promote positive change can gain valuable knowledge and guidance to refine their literary projects, ultimately contributing to a better future for the world and its inhabitants.
About John Feldman: John is a successful writer with a 15-year career and four bestselling titles under his belt. His journey began when his college roommate, Greg, suggested they write a story about their lives. This idea sparked John's passion for writing, leading him to pursue a career in the field. After a brief stint in California, John returned to the East Coast and explored various writing avenues, including short stories, fiction, and website content.
His big break came when he started ghostwriting for thought leaders and industry experts. This opportunity allowed John to work on impactful books that could shape the world, cementing his passion for writing and turning it into a fulfilling and successful career.
About Visionary Literary: Visionary literature aims to produce meaningful and impactful books that can transform readers' lives, ultimately contributing to a better future for the world and its inhabitants. These works often contain thought-provoking ideas and innovative concepts that challenge conventional thinking and inspire readers to see the world in a new light.
By exploring themes such as social change, environmental sustainability, and personal growth, visionary literature seeks to engage and enlighten readers while providing insights into the potential for positive change. In doing so, this genre of writing fosters a deeper understanding of our world. It encourages readers to actively shape a more compassionate, sustainable, and enlightened future.
Tweetable Moments:
01:13 - “There's really no need to wait until you've hit the pinnacle of your career to share everything in a book.”
02:47 - “We don't think that anyone should write their book fully using some AI tool because there's not a human component to it.”
Apply to be a Guest on The Thoughtful Entrepreneur: https://go.upmyinfluence.com/podcast-guest
Links Mentioned in this Episode:
Want to learn more? Check out Visionary Literature website at
https://visionaryliterary.com/
Check out Visionary Literature on LinkedIn at
https://www.linkedin.com/company/visionary-literary/
Check out Visionary Literature on Facebook at
https://www.facebook.com/VisionaryLiterary
Check out Visionary Literature on Instagram at
https://www.instagram.com/visionaryliterary/
Check out Visionary Literature on Twitter at
https://twitter.com/visionarylit
Check out John Feldman on LinkedIn at
https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-feldman/
Check out John Feldman on Twitter at
https://twitter.com/john_feldman_
Check out John Feldman on Instagram at
https://www.instagram.com/john_feldman_
Don’t forget to subscribe to The Thoughtful Entrepreneur and thank you for listening. Tune in next time!
More from UpMyInfluence:
We are actively booking guests for our The Thoughtful Entrepreneur. Schedule HERE.
Are you a 6-figure consultant? I’ve got high-level intros for you. Learn more here.
What is your #1 Lead Generation BLOCKER? Take my free quiz here.
Want to learn more about all the podcasts managed by UpMyInfluence? Opt in here.

May 6, 2023 • 19min
1537 – How to be a Pleasure to do Business With Always with Gap Wireless’ Glenn Poulos
In this episode of the Thoughtful Entrepreneur, your host Josh Elledge speaks with the Author, Co-Founder of Gap Wireless, Glenn Poulos.Connecting with Glenn Poulos is an invaluable opportunity for anyone seeking to learn from an accomplished sales professional with over 30 years of experience. As co-founder of Gap Wireless, Glenn has a proven track record of building successful companies and navigating the ever-evolving mobile broadband and wireless markets. His expertise in sales strategy, consumerism, and motivational factors can provide insights that could significantly impact your career or business growth. Glenn's experience as a sought-after speaker and educator demonstrates his ability to effectively communicate complex ideas and inspire others. By connecting with Glenn, you can access his wealth of knowledge and learn from a true industry leader, potentially driving your personal and professional development to new heights.About Glenn Poulos: Glenn is a seasoned sales expert and co-founder of Gap Wireless, a prominent distributor in mobile broadband and test & measurement equipment markets. With over 30 years of experience, Glenn has played a vital role in growing several successful companies. He began his career as a Technical Sales Rep in 1985 and later founded mmwave Technologies Inc. in 1991 while serving as Anritsu Electronics Ltd.'s President for nine years. Glenn is a sought-after speaker who shares insights on sales strategy, consumerism, and motivational factors. He resides near Toronto, Ontario, Canada, and enjoys spending time with his wife and five children, participating in outdoor activities and playing pickleball.About Gap Wireless: Gap Wireless is a top distributor of mobile broadband and wireless market products and services, celebrating its 15th year in business. Serving North American carriers and contractors, the company collaborates with reputable vendors to supply wireless infrastructure, Test & Measurement products, and UAV (Drone) Defence hardware and services. Gap Wireless also offers technical and engineering support.In early 2022, Gap Wireless was acquired by Network Wireless Solutions, LLC (NWS), a fast-growing solutions and logistics provider backed by investment firm Grain Management, LLC. NWS has also acquired JF Tech Inc.Headquartered in Mississauga, Ontario, Gap Wireless occupies 15,000 square feet for office and warehouse operations. Additional locations include Calgary, Ottawa, Montreal, Buffalo, San Jose, Los Angeles, Rochester, Miami, Boston, and Dallas. The most recent expansion is the 8,000-square-foot warehouse in Calgary, catering to Western Canada.Tweetable Moments: 03:18 - “One of the tenets of the business Gap Wireless that I built starting in 2007 was how to be a pleasure to do business with always.”04:50 - “We've had to make the tradition transition back to getting in front of our customers and getting them engaged with the products and services that we sell.”Apply to be a Guest on The Thoughtful Entrepreneur: https://go.upmyinfluence.com/podcast-guestLinks Mentioned in this Episode:Want to learn more? Check out Gap Wireless website at https://gapwireless.com/Check out Gap Wireless on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/company/gapwireless/Check out Gap Wireless on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/gapwirelessCheck out Gap Wireless on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/gapwireless/Check out Gap Wireless on Twitter at https://twitter.com/GapWirelessCheck out Glenn Poulos on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/glennpoulos/Check out Glenn Poulos on Twitter at https://twitter.com/GlennPoulosCheck out Glenn Poulos on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/glenn.poulos/Check out Glenn Poulos on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/glenn.poulosDon’t forget to subscribe to The Thoughtful Entrepreneur and thank you for listening. Tune in next time!More from UpMyInfluence:We are actively booking guests for our The Thoughtful Entrepreneur. Schedule HERE.Are you a 6-figure consultant? I’ve got high-level intros for you. Learn more here.What is your #1 Lead Generation BLOCKER? Take my free quiz here.Want to learn more about all the podcasts managed by UpMyInfluence? Opt in here.

May 5, 2023 • 22min
1536 – Being More Self-Aware with pLink’s Alexis Robin
In this episode of the Thoughtful Entrepreneur, your host Josh Elledge speaks to the Co-Founder & Chief Experience Officer at pLink Leadership, Alexis Robin.Connecting with Alexis Robin can benefit individuals and organizations seeking to enhance their leadership skills and foster a positive work culture. With her 20 years of experience in various sectors, Alexis offers valuable insights and best-in-business approaches to improve team dynamics and performance. Her custom leadership trainings focus on competence, character, and consciousness, promoting psychological safety and courage within teams. Alexis is a trusted executive coach who helps revitalize stagnant organizations, boosting morale, talent retention, and innovation. By engaging with Alexis, you gain access to her expertise in cultivating bravery and accelerating ideas into action, leading to personal and professional growth and a more positive, effective work environment.About Alexis Robin: Alexis is the CXO and co-founder of pLink Leadership®. He inspires people to be brave, make generous assumptions, and “take themselves on.” Her zest and expertise help her clients go bigger, be braver, and accelerate ideas into action. Alexis is a trusted executive coach who brings energy to stagnant organizations and teams, improving morale, talent retention, and innovation.Throughout her 20 years of corporate consulting and successful entrepreneurship, Alexis has worked across various sectors, including tech, hospitality, finance, consumer goods, and government organizations. Alexis’s expertise has informed many of the signatures, best in-business approaches developed at pLink Leadership. Her custom leadership trainings positively shift organizational dynamics by focusing on competence, character, and consciousness. Alexis masterfully facilitates leaders in growing their teams’ capacity to create psychological safety and courage through insightful, honest conversations and imaginative ideation.Alexis is the author of Leap of Faith: Cultivating Your Brave Heart and hosts The Bright Side: Life and Leadership coaching podcast. She partakes in the great outdoors near her home in Truckee, California, and enjoys snowboarding, stand-up paddling, and forest bathing with her husband and teen twins.About pLink Leadership: pLink Leadership is an organization focused on cultivating positive leaders who drive change and contribute to a better world. They provide support to organizations and individuals that prioritize both employee well-being and environmental responsibility. The goal of pLink Leadership is to transform the way people work and lead by incorporating principles of positive psychology into business practices. By connecting scientific research with real-world applications, they equip leaders with tools to foster well-being, robust connections, and success within their teams. As a result, pLink Leadership's approach aims to create a ripple effect of change, improving work environments and contributing to a more compassionate and sustainable future.Tweetable Moments: 00:58 - “As leaders, we often get in our own way. Often it’s about our levels of consciousness, development and understanding. Sometimes it's impostor syndrome. Sometimes it is holding on to work that we should be delegating because we're afraid it won't go quite so well.”03:14 - “Positive leaders who are self aware are constantly asking for feedback and not like, in the formal 360 type, although that is a valuable way of doing it. But in terms of asking for feedback on a day to day, “How am I doing?”.Apply to be a Guest on The Thoughtful Entrepreneur: https://go.upmyinfluence.com/podcast-guestLinks Mentioned in this Episode:Want to learn more? Check out pLink Leadership website at https://plinkleadership.com/Check out pLink Leadership on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/company/plinkleadership/Check out pLink Leadership on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/PlinkLeadership/Check out pLink Leadership on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/plinkleadership/Check out pLink Leadership on Twitter at https://twitter.com/pLinkLeadershipCheck out Alexis Robin on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexiskrobin/Check out Alexis Robin on Twitter at https://twitter.com/AlexisrobinCheck out Alexis Robin on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/alexiskrobin/Don’t forget to subscribe to The Thoughtful Entrepreneur and thank you for listening. Tune in next time!More from UpMyInfluence:We are actively booking guests for our The Thoughtful Entrepreneur. Schedule HERE.Are you a 6-figure consultant? I’ve got high-level intros for you. Learn more here.What is your #1 Lead Generation BLOCKER? Take my free quiz here.Want to learn more about all the podcasts managed by UpMyInfluence? Opt in here.

May 4, 2023 • 19min
1535 – What You Should do to Achieve Your Vision with Simple Strat’s Ali Schwanke
In this episode of the Thoughtful Entrepreneur, your host Josh Elledge speaks to the CEO & Founder of Simple Strat, Ali Schwanke.
Connecting with Ali Schwanke can provide numerous benefits, especially if you want to enhance your marketing and sales strategies. As the founder of Simple Strat, a Diamond HubSpot Solutions Partner, and a B2B content marketing agency, Ali has a wealth of experience in helping businesses optimize their use of HubSpot and improve their customer acquisition and retention.
As a sought-after speaker, marketing advisor, and podcast guest, Ali can offer valuable insights into marketing strategy, content creation, and HubSpot. Her no-BS approach and ability to bring fresh ideas and strategies to the table can be beneficial for marketing and sales teams.
About Ali Schwanke: Ali Schwanke is the founder of Simple Strat, a Diamond HubSpot solutions partner and B2B content marketing agency. She’s also the co-host of HubSpot Hacks, the unofficial YouTube channel for HubSpot tutorials with more than 1M views and over 15,000 subscribers.
Ali is a sought-after speaker, marketing advisor, and podcast guest about HubSpot, marketing strategy and driving leads and awareness through content across multiple platforms. Audiences appreciate her no-BS approach and her keen ability to bring fresh ideas and strategies to marketing and sales teams.
A past-president of the Lincoln chapter of the American Marketing Association, Ali also serves as a trusted advisor for Vistage International and a marketing mentor for the Gener8 Accelerator Network. In her spare time, you can find her running or watching her boys play sports.
About Simple Strat: Simple Strat is a marketing and sales firm that optimizes businesses' use of HubSpot, a leading inbound marketing, sales, and customer service platform. They provide various services, such as CRM strategy and setup, marketing automation, and content creation, designed to enhance customer acquisition and retention.
As a Diamond Solutions Partner, Simple Strat demonstrates high expertise in the HubSpot ecosystem. Additionally, they host HubSpot Hacks, a popular unofficial YouTube channel that offers HubSpot tutorials.
They work with diverse clients across the United States, from Fortune 500 companies to startups, helping them maximize their investment in HubSpot and achieve their marketing and sales goals.
Tweetable Moments:
02:14 - “We help folks get more out of the system because when you're using a new technology, you don't know what you don't know.”
02:26 - “If you're a founder, you should not be spending your time learning all the things. You should hire the people that know what they're doing and then ultimately help them accomplish your vision."
Apply to be a Guest on The Thoughtful Entrepreneur: https://go.upmyinfluence.com/podcast-guest
Links Mentioned in this Episode:
Want to learn more? Check out Simple Strat website at
https://simplestrat.com/
Check out Simple Strat on LinkedIn at
https://www.linkedin.com/company/simple-strat/
Check out Simple Strat on Facebook at
https://www.facebook.com/simplestrat/
Check out Simple Strat on Instagram at
https://www.instagram.com/simplestrat/
Check out Simple Strat on Twitter at
https://twitter.com/SimpleStratChat
Check out Ali Schwanke on LinkedIn at
https://www.linkedin.com/in/alischwanke/
Check out Ali Schwanke on Twitter at
https://twitter.com/alischwanke?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor
Check out Ali Schwanke on Instagram at
https://www.instagram.com/alischwanke/?hl=en
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May 3, 2023 • 21min
1534 – Adapting to New Opportunities with Async Labs’ Luka Klancir
In this episode of the Thoughtful Entrepreneur, your host Josh Elledge speaks with the COO of Async Labs, Luka Klancir.
By connecting with Luka Klancir, individuals interested in entrepreneurship, digital innovation, and blockchain technology can access a wealth of knowledge and experience. Luka's background in founding Async Labs and the Croatian Bitcoin website and his role as COO demonstrates his expertise in these fields. Engaging with Luka allows for exchanging insights, advice, and practical leadership and project management lessons.
Also, building a connection with Luka may lead to networking opportunities with other professionals and experts, fostering the growth of one's professional network and providing access to up-to-date information on industry trends and developments.
About Luka Klancir: Luka Klancir is an entrepreneur and developer, co-founder of a Croatian digital agency Async Labs and Croatian Bitcoin website. Although he just entered his thirties, Luka has been in the entrepreneurial scene for almost a decade now. Interestingly, after living and studying abroad for a couple of years, he decided to quit college and start working as soon as possible. He applied for various internships and entry positions until he finally got accepted by one of the most successful marketing agencies in the region. Although his love is programming, his passion was project management which ultimately led to him positioning his current role of COO.
The start of his career is marked by the launch of the first and currently one of the biggest cryptocurrency-related platforms in SE Europe, CroBitcoin. As a crypto and blockchain enthusiast, Luka wanted a relevant and exact source of information regarding the industry, so he made one. Now, besides integrating CroBitcoin, Async Labs, among other things, is one of the few IT companies in the region that deals with blockchain technology.
Luka was also listed as one of the "30 under 30" successful people in the Balkan region and is the author of the book "Lean It if you Mean It". The book is a kind of diary of how he lived and worked during a period when he extremely optimised his life by certain rules and habits. This included lots of planning, precisely defined dates for sports, work and study, etc. This was all inspired by startup methodologies, especially the "lean" startup method. Although he doesn’t have much free time, his hobby is scuba diving and of course, continuous learning and advancing.
About Async Labs: Async Labs is a global IT solutions provider, specializing in creating and implementing tailor-made solutions for various industries. They focus on addressing businesses' specific challenges and delivering meaningful results that align with each client's brand vision and objectives.
With expertise in developing engaging digital experiences and innovative business solutions, Async Labs ensures that clients receive top-tier service. Their team of experienced and passionate professionals works tirelessly to meet and surpass client expectations. Async Labs' commitment to excellence and client satisfaction has established them as a reliable choice for businesses seeking a competitive edge in today's digital landscape.
Tweetable Moments:
07:08 - “As you know, the business climate, the markets are always shifting. There are always new parameters and factors that are impacting your directions.”
07:26 - “If you see an opportunity in some aspect of the market you haven't noticed, you need to quickly adapt to it."
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Links Mentioned in this Episode:
Want to learn more? Check out Async Labs website at
https://www.asynclabs.co/
Check out Async Labs on LinkedIn at
https://www.linkedin.com/company/async-labs/
Check out Async Labs on Facebook at
https://www.facebook.com/asynclabs/
Check out Async Labs on Instagram at
https://instagram.com/asynclabs
Check out Async Labs on Twitter at
https://twitter.com/asynclabsco
Check out Luka Klancir on LinkedIn at
https://www.linkedin.com/in/lklancir/
Check out Luka Klancir on Twitter at
https://twitter.com/lklancir
Don’t forget to subscribe to The Thoughtful Entrepreneur and thank you for listening. Tune in next time!
More from UpMyInfluence:
We are actively booking guests for our The Thoughtful Entrepreneur. Schedule HERE.
Are you a 6-figure consultant? I’ve got high-level intros for you. Learn more here.
What is your #1 Lead Generation BLOCKER? Take my free quiz here.
Want to learn more about all the podcasts managed by UpMyInfluence? Opt in here.


