When creativity meets empathy, magic happens. But how do you build a business that balances both—while keeping your creative spark alive?

On this episode of Become Sensible, I sat down with Heather Chandler, seven-time Emmy-winning filmmaker and founder of The IMG Studio. After a decade in broadcast journalism, Heather left the 3 a.m. newscasts behind to build a creative company that champions human stories—especially for nonprofits and causes that matter. Together, we unpack what it takes to lead with empathy, manage creative teams, and tell stories that move people to action.

"People do business with people they like." Heather shares how deadlines, storytelling discipline, and authenticity fuel both artistry and business success—and why creative excellence is really about evoking emotion, not chasing perfection.

Connect

• Follow me, Fiona Nguyen, on LinkedIn. Learn more about Balannx.
• Heather Chandler on LinkedIn
• The IMG Studio Website

• 0:00 - Intro
• 2:30 - The "enough is enough" moment that sparked change
• 5:00 - What storytelling taught her about discipline and deadlines
• 8:00 - Why authenticity wins in business storytelling
• 11:00 - The Emmy projects that redefined her creative path
• 13:00 - Balancing creativity with budgets and client expectations
• 16:00 - The Uganda documentary that deepened her empathy
• 18:00 - Why humans are wired for stories, not stats
• 21:00 - Finding the thread of humanity in every story
• 24:00 - Vulnerability vs. perfection in storytelling
• 26:00 - Leading creative teams with clarity and collaboration
• 28:00 - The value women bring to male-dominated creative industries
• 31:00 - Confidence and leadership after years in business
• 32:00 - Advice for anyone afraid to pivot
• 41:00 - The next decade of The IMG Studio
• 43:00 - The quote that fuels Heather's resilience
• 45:00 - Creative excellence in the age of AI
• 46:00 - Closing reflections on beauty, connection, and contribution

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The new 2025 tariff adjustments are here—and for many small business owners, that means rising costs, tighter margins, and tough decisions. But before you panic, there’s a strategy to get through it.

On this episode of Become Sensible, I share an essential breakdown of how the latest U.S. import tariffs are impacting everything from manufacturing materials to consumer behavior. I walk through what’s changed, what it means for your pricing and cash flow, and how to apply my five-step resilience framework to stay grounded and profitable no matter what the market throws your way.

You’ll learn how to rework your cost structure, model new profit margins, diversify suppliers, and protect your cash runway—even as uncertainty looms.

If your business relies on imported materials or serves clients who do, this one’s a must-listen.

• Follow me, Fiona Nguyen, on LinkedIn
• Learn more about Balannx

• 00:00 – Intro
• 01:00 – What’s changing with U.S. import tariffs this year
• 02:15 – The ripple effects for small businesses and product margins
• 03:00 – How higher costs hit even non-importing companies
• 04:30 – Step 1: Rebuild your cost map
• 05:35 – Step 2: Scenario forecasting—three models to test
• 06:50 – Step 3: Localize and diversify your supply chain
• 08:20 – Step 4: Rethink your pricing, packaging, and communication
• 09:20 – Step 5: Protect your cash runway through Q4
• 10:30 – Important updates on small import exemptions
• 12:30 – How service-based businesses are also affected
• 13:00 – What you can control as a business owner
• 14:00 – Closing encouragement: Strategy over panic

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As we enter the final quarter of 2025, I can feel it—the air gets sharper, the noise quiets down, and suddenly we realize we have just 90 days left in the year.

But here’s the truth: “finishing strong” doesn’t mean adding more pressure. It means finishing with clarity.

On this episode of *Become Sensible*, I’m sharing my Q4 Design Framework—the same method I use to reset, refocus, and lead myself like a CEO in both business and life. We’ll walk through how to reflect honestly, simplify your systems, anchor your habits, and build momentum through micro-wins. It’s about executing with precision, not perfection.

"Clarity is the most underrated business strategy.”

By the end of this episode, you’ll have a simple 90-day roadmap to close out the year with calm confidence—so you start 2026 not exhausted, but proud and peaceful.

Connect

• Follow me, Fiona Nguyen, on LinkedIn.
• Learn more about Balannx.

Timestamps

- 0:00 – Intro: Why Q4 feels different

- 1:15 – Why reflection comes before strategy

- 2:00 – Three questions I ask myself every quarter

- 4:00 – Facing avoidance and reclaiming energy

- 5:10 – My 90-Day Q4 Design Framework

- 6:00 – Choosing three focus categories

- 7:10 – Defining measurable success

- 8:40 – Translating goals into daily action

- 11:10 – Building momentum through micro-wins

- 13:30 – Simplifying systems and execution

- 18:30 – The “if–then” accountability method

- 21:00 – Communicating goals with your team or partner

- 22:20 – Habit stacking that actually sticks

- 24:10 – Tracking and adjusting weekly

- 25:10 – Discipline over motivation

- 28:00 – Finishing the year with peace, not pressure

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.