She Thinks Big with Andrea Liebross

You have 60,000 thoughts a day, but how many of them are intentional?When you’re on autopilot, your brain dismisses options before you even have a chance to explore them and only accepts the ones that seem realistic, familiar, and safe. But there’s a better way to make better choices; you have to pause and engage your higher brain.In this episode of She Thinks Big, you’ll learn how to access all of your options and make better choices through intentional thinking.  I’ll teach you the process of searching for ideas so that you can see what it takes to go beyond the easy answers and find out what’s really possible for you.7:16 - What you’re NOT doing that often causes you to miss all the options you have10:14 - The value of brainstorming to generate ideas and options14:30 - The importance of being open to ideas and solutions and why decision-making can be so hard19:43 - Three strategies you can use to help you keep an open mind about new ideas23:46 - How I brainstorm alone and how to create a safe space for yourself to explore ideas27:00 - My client Jill describes how she found space to solve her issuesMentioned In How to Slow Down and Choose Wisely With the Power of Intentional ThinkingJody Moore CoachingBig Magic by Elizabeth GilbertShe Thinks Big Vision to Action IntensiveBook a Call with AndreaAndrea on LinkedIn, Instagram, and FacebookLeadership Lessons From The Great BooksUnderstanding great literature is better than trying to read and understand (yet)...Listen on: Apple Podcasts   Spotify

You’ve got a ton on your plate right now, in both your business and personal life. It’s the fourth quarter; business might be picking up, you’re thinking about how you want to end this year and start the new one, and holiday festivities are just around the corner.Perhaps at the beginning of this year, you even made a promise to yourself to get better at delegating. Yet, you’ve persisted in resisting, and that’s holding you back from growing and scaling. So why are you struggling so much with delegation?In this episode of She Thinks Big, you’ll learn three reasons why you resist delegating in your business and what you can do about it. I’ll also provide some examples of how these play out specifically for women entrepreneurs.4:37 - How fear of losing control stops you from delegating7:00 - How perfectionism stops you from delegation9:35 - How time investment stops you from delegatingMentioned In Why You're Resisting Delegation In Your Business and What You Can Do About ItShe Thinks Big by Andrea LiebrossVision to Action IntensiveAre You Ready to Scale Big? QuizFive Levels of DelegationAccess The Zone of Extraordinary AchievementBook a Call With AndreaAndrea on LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook

What is it really like to go on a business retreat?You might experience the things that tend to immediately come to mind when thinking of the word “retreat.” Perhaps you have an image of cucumber slices over your eyes while getting a facial, or enjoying a massage at a spa, or tanning by the pool, or meditating on a beach somewhere.But retreats with a specific focus offer something extra, something that can truly level up your life (and, in this case, your business). So what actually happens at retreats like the one for Runway to Freedom mastermind members?In this episode of She Thinks Big, you’ll learn the four rewards you can receive by being part of a retreat like the one I offer. You’ll hear directly from some of the women about how they’ve benefited and what the experience is like, in their own words.4:11 - Setting the beautiful scene and why retreats help you come up with your best ideas7:13 - How our retreat was the right combination of work and play for the attendees9:16 - How the retreat helped the women get in touch with themselves and what they love13:21 - How retreats like this help with the loneliness of entrepreneurship15:23 - How these retreats affect your confidence and inspiration Mentioned In Four Ways Big Thinkers Use Retreats to Support Business GrowthRunway to FreedomShe Thinks Big Book a Call with AndreaAndrea on LinkedIn, Instagram, and FacebookAndrea’s Links

Is your onboarding process a smooth sailing experience for new people you bring into your company? You can get tripped up when hiring (or firing) someone and discover that you need the help of a professional.My guest, Cherie Ihnen is a Human Resources consultant who works with different size businesses. She has approximately 20 years of experience in HR leadership, and she’s seen many of the mistakes CEOs make that lead to performance issues and ill-fitting team members who need to be let go.In this episode of the She Thinks Big podcast, you’ll learn about the value of HR in businesses and the importance of effectively onboarding a newly hired person. Cherie will discuss common problems with the onboarding process and how to set clear expectations, how to categorize and address issues with anyone on your team, and how to protect yourself from legal and reputation risks when terminating employment.2:54 - Common problems people make with the onboarding process after a hire8:29 - What a good onboarding process looks like in a nutshell12:14 - One question to help you decide whether to hire an employee or contractor to fulfill a role14:20 - Cherie’s bucket theory for handling issues with someone you’ve hired who you’re not happy with20:13 - Guidelines on how to document progress made from addressing work or performance problems24:06 - How to know when it’s really time to let go of someone you’ve hired28:15 - Is your business too small to have professional HR support?30:33 - Why you shouldn’t fear being exposed to bad word-of-mouth if you fire someoneConnect with Cherie IhnenCherie Ihnen is a Human Resources consultant based in Indianapolis, IN. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Indiana University Bloomington and has a robust skill set that includes employee relations, onboarding, applicant tracking systems, benefits, administration, and more. She has also gained experience from current and previous roles at Better Bodies Inc., Ascent 121, VMS BioMarketing, and ResCare.Email | LinkedIn Mentioned In How to Onboard New Hires & Address or Fire Problematic Ones with Cherie IhnenGet the She Thinks Big bookAndrea’s LinksSubscribe to Andrea’s newsletterAndrea on LinkedIn, Instagram, and FacebookLeadership Lessons From The Great BooksUnderstanding great literature is better than trying to read and understand (yet)...Listen on: Apple Podcasts   Spotify

Are you feeling a sense of dissatisfaction with writing and crossing things from your to-do list every day? It’s time for you to dump that list altogether!To-do lists are ineffective and can actually hinder your productivity. But you’re so accustomed to using them as a way to plan your life and business, you might be thinking, “Well, what other way is there?”There is another way! You can plan and prioritize tasks that help you focus on what truly matters and achieve your goals...without the to-do list.In this episode of She Thinks Big, you’ll learn a few issues with to-do lists that make them ineffective. I’ll also discuss how you can still plan and get ahead when you no longer have a to-do list, and reveal the kind of list you should be working on instead.3:33 - Why you’re not really winning the battle between you and your to-do list6:37 - Reasons why you should dump your to-do list forever9:51 - One way you can tackle the big projects you don’t normally include on your to-do list13:06 - How to plan and still get things done without the to-do list to fall back on15:12 - What you can replace your to-do list with that will make a huge difference for youMentioned In Dump Your To-Do List: How to Really Plan for SuccessShe Thinks Big by Andrea LiebrossFull Focus Planner StoreVision to Action IntensiveGet Access to the Eisenhower MatrixSubscribe to Andrea’s newsletterAndrea’s LinksBook a Call With AndreaAndrea on LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook

If you’re not celebrating your business success, why? What’s stopping you?There are several reasons why you might tend to avoid acknowledging your wins. But refusing to celebrate them can have a detrimental impact on you and your business.My fellow masterminder and coach Jennine Heller certainly sees celebrating as a necessity, not an indulgence. And what better way to celebrate another milestone for the show than to not only talk about and indulge in the act of celebration but also discuss why it’s so essential and how to begin cultivating it as a practice. So join us as we celebrate the 200th episode of the podcast!In this episode of She Thinks Big, you’ll take a deep dive into why you need to celebrate wins (big and small) to maintain a positive mindset and achieve long-term success. Jennine and I will also discuss strategies for building a celebration habit, reasons why you might be stopping yourself from acknowledging your successes, and the importance of celebrating your wins with others.1:58 - Who Jennine is and why she’s the perfect person to help celebrate the 200th episode4:31 - Why celebration is a necessity and six questions to ask that can help you cultivate it into a habit10:43 - How chasing a to-do list can stop you from feeling your wins14:56 - How fear as a motivator can stop you from celebrating success and negatively impact your business17:23 - The benefit of learning how to celebrate with other people and why you shouldn’t confuse pride with arrogance21:39 - How men and women generally act differently when it comes to their success and how to start turning the act of celebration into a practice26:52 - Why celebrating your wins goes beyond just feeling good in the momentConnect with Jennine HellerJennine Heller is a no-nonsense executive coach for leaders in tech. As a software engineer who moved into management, co-founded (and sold) a software company, and held several executive positions, she brings decades of hands-on business experience to her practice. Jennine is a member of the Forbes Coaches Council and writes articles on leadership for Inc., Forbes, Fast Company and Women On Business.J Heller Coaching | LinkedIn | Facebook | Twitter/XMentioned In Why It's Important to Celebrate Your Wins with Jennine Heller“Celebrate the Small Wins” | Brendon Burchard | YouTubeGet the She Thinks Big bookAndrea’s LinksSubscribe to Andrea’s newsletterAndrea on LinkedIn, Instagram, and FacebookLeadership Lessons From The Great BooksUnderstanding great literature is better than trying to read and understand (yet)...Listen on: Apple Podcasts   Spotify

When it comes to your business finances, you might find it uncomfortable (maybe even a bit mystifying) to talk about. But if you really want to think big and level up as a CEO, your business strategy needs (and deserves) a financial plan to match.Some people love analyzing the financials behind a business and how they affect strategy (and vice versa) and want to help other entrepreneurs get a firm handle on it, too. My new friend Michele Williams is one of them!Michele is the dynamic owner of Scarlet Thread Consulting and Metrique Solutions, two companies that focus on empowering creative professionals. She’s a financial expert who loves to talk about and teach all things money, strategy, and finance. And she’s crazy about financial success!In this episode of She Thinks Big, you’ll learn about her dedication to helping business owners bridge the gap between their strategic vision and financial reality. Michele will discuss how she can help you develop a clear financial plan that supports your strategic goals so that you make better decisions, avoid costly mistakes, and achieve your long-term objectives.1:45 - Why Michele is on a mission to close the financial literacy gap for business owners5:09 - What entrepreneurs struggle with most when it comes to the financial backbone of their strategy11:05 - The process and financial modeling tools Michele uses to help clients create the financial backbone they need for their business15:19 - One thing Michele does to make the money she earns from her business feel more real to her18:53 - The disconnect that can occur between strategy and financials and why it feels mysterious to us21:56 - The purpose of Michele’s CFO program, how it’s designed to serve smaller business owners, and how it’s different from bookkeeping and accountingMentioned In How to Align Your Business Strategy and Finances with Michele WilliamsScarlet Thread Consulting | CFO2Go | InstagramMetrique Solutions | InstagramMichele Williams on LinkedInFinancial Health Check-up QuizThe Inventory Genius by Ciara StockelandGet the She Thinks Big bookAndrea’s LinksSubscribe to Andrea’s newsletterAndrea on LinkedIn, Instagram, and FacebookLeadership Lessons From The Great BooksUnderstanding great literature is better than trying to read and understand (yet)...Listen on: Apple Podcasts   Spotify

Are you tired of wishing things were different and ready to start actively pursuing what you truly want?Using the “concept of 20 asks,” I’ve helped clients get what they want. But with the 200th episode of the podcast drawing near, I realized I’d never done a show about it...until now! So let’s talk about the concept of 20 asks so you can identify exactly what you want and how to get it.In this episode of She Thinks Big, you’ll learn about the power of asking for what you deserve. We’ll explore how to overcome the fear of wanting and cover specific strategies to help pave the way for you to discover your true wants so you can transform those desires into reality!3:05 - The problem for the majority of women I work with who are trying to figure out what they want7:39 - An example of the far-reaching power of a big thinker who knows what she wants11:05 - How your resistance to what you want can fool you and disguise itself as a want13:10 - A suggestion to help you figure out what you really want16:18 - Examples of what you can ask to make space for getting exactly what you wantMentioned In The Power of 20 Asks: From Wishful Thinking to Getting What You WantShe Thinks Big by Andrea LiebrossSubscribe to Andrea’s newsletterLessons in Chemistry by Bonnie GarmusAndrea’s LinksAndrea on LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook

Today, we’re celebrating! A year ago, the She Thinks Big book (and movement) was launched. You’ve had access to it in paperback, hardback, and e-book form, but now here comes the audiobook version!In this episode of She Thinks Big, you’ll hear what I’ve learned over the last year about who big thinkers are and what they’re doing. I’ll share five things I’ve noticed that they have in common, some of the big-thinking women you can emulate, and why I created the audio version of the She Thinks Big book.3:22 - The five characteristics that big thinkers have in common11:00 - Examples of big-thinking women who can serve as inspirational role models16:41 - The process of recording the audiobook and the overarching reason why I did itMentioned In From Messy Middle to Big Moves: How Big Thinkers Shape the FutureShe Thinks Big by Andrea LiebrossVision to Action IntensiveSubscribe to Andrea’s newsletterVIA Character Strengths SurveyLessons in Chemistry by Bonnie GarmusLean In: Women, Work, and the Will to Lead by Sheryl SandbergI Am Malala: The Girl Who Stood Up for Education and Was Shot by the Taliban by Malala YousafzaiAudivitaAndrea’s LinksAndrea on LinkedIn, Instagram, and FacebookLeadership Lessons From The Great BooksUnderstanding great literature is better than trying to read and understand (yet)...Listen on: Apple Podcasts   Spotify

In corporate America, it’s often all about the numbers, the metrics, the quotas, the profit. But in your purpose-driven business, it has to be about something more. It has to be about people.Mary Elaine Baker understands this, as it’s one of the four priority pieces in her business. She is the co-founder and integrator of VAUSA, a virtual assistance company unlike any other. With no entrepreneurial background beforehand, she’s taken her business and grown and scaled it in a way that really resonates with her clients. To find out how she’s done it, let’s dive into her corner of the virtual assistance world!In this episode of She Thinks Big, you’ll learn about the importance of building a strong company culture, the challenges and rewards of scaling a business, and the valuable lessons she learned along the way. Mary will discuss her four priority pieces, their significance in building her business, and how you can approach business scaling to ensure the creation of a thriving, purpose-driven enterprise for yourself and your clients.2:35 - Mary introduces herself and discusses why she co-founded VAUSA5:27 - What Mary’s clients and virtual staff are normally struggling with when they come to her11:57 - The importance of how your business values show up and how Mary grew (and then intentionally downsized) her business21:15 - Mary’s four priority pieces and how they ground you and prevent fear or scarcity-based decision-making23:54 - Questions to ask yourself if you want to move from growth to scale mode in your business27:09 - What Mary does when a VA she hires experiences a confidence crisis about their ability to do the work32:43 - What to ask yourself if you’re considering hiring a virtual assistantConnect with Mary Elaine BakerIn 2018, Mary Elaine co-founded VAUSA with her husband after experiencing the benefits of time freedom when Mary Elaine became a virtual assistant. As a military couple, they appreciated the flexibility that remote work provided, allowing Mary Elaine to balance her work and family life while easily adapting to the frequent changes of military life. Her experience working with entrepreneurs and connections with military spouses highlighted the need for a platform that could connect clients and virtual assistants, build trust, and facilitate effective collaboration. Thus, VAUSA was created to offer the gift of time freedom to both its clients and team.VAUSA | Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn | YoutubeMentioned In Beyond Growth: How to Build a Purpose-Driven Business with Mary Elaine BakerThe Ruthless Elimination of Hurry by John Mark ComerThe 6 Types of Working Genius AssessmentGet the She Thinks Big bookAndrea’s LinksSubscribe to Andrea’s newsletterAndreLeadership Lessons From The Great BooksUnderstanding great literature is better than trying to read and understand (yet)...Listen on: Apple Podcasts   Spotify