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What if your best marketing isn’t marketing at all, but the way you show up when it costs you? That’s the heartbeat of our conversation with Alicia Jarboe, the Worcester-based realtor and nonprofit leader who proves that relationships, not transactions, build businesses that last.

We dive into the practices that turn clients into community: thoughtful follow-up, handwritten cards, and client appreciation nights that feel like family gatherings. Alicia shares how transparency, like telling a seller to wait out short-term capital gains or walking away from a misaligned deal, creates trust that compounds into multi-year referrals. When rates spike and deals stall, she leans on diversification, stress-tested systems, and a simple priority framework that keeps her son and family time as non-negotiable “rocks,” while still delivering for clients.

Alicia also opens up about the hard season that sparked the Jarboe Foundation: insurance shocks, a foreclosure, and the choice to build the kind of help they once needed. Now a 501c3, the foundation’s Thanksgiving project fed 173 families and partners with schools and pantries to meet real needs—coats, boots, blankets—over “nice-to-have” gifts. Looking ahead, Alicia outlines a compelling vision for a community garden and pantry integrated with their real estate work, creating year-round dignity and hands-on impact for local kids and families.

Expect practical wisdom you can use today: how to say no with empathy, how to design follow-up that feels like friendship, and how to ride the market roller coaster without losing your values. If you’re ready to trade quick wins for enduring trust, and turn your business into a force for good, this conversation will give you both a blueprint and a push.

If this resonated, subscribe, share with a friend who needs the long game, and leave a review to help more people find the show.

🎙️ Connect with Chrissy Myers and discover how resilience, expertise, and community can transform your world:

🔗 Follow Chrissy on LinkedIn for behind-the-scenes insights, leadership tips, and updates on her journey as the CEO of two thriving businesses.

📘 Grab your copy of 'Reluctantly Resilient' to learn how Chrissy turned challenges into opportunities and how you can do the same in your life and business.

🤝 Explore Clarity HR and discover how Chrissy’s team simplifies HR for small businesses, giving you peace of mind to focus on what matters most.

💼 Visit AUI to see how Chrissy's employee benefits expertise can help you build a healthier, happier workforce.

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What if the difference between a resilient culture and a fragile one is a single intentional choice? We sit down with Janet Kendal White, author of Unshakable Leadership and founder of Berkshire Group, to unpack how real leadership moves beyond titles, clever slogans, and “crappy wall art.” From a jarring early career story to building a company that equips managers with practical tools, Janet shows why values must be defined in observable behaviors—and how to act when they’re violated.

We dig into the tough calls leaders face and the ripple effects of consistency. You’ll hear a memorable integrity case—the infamous mayonnaise moment—that proves culture breaks not at grand ethical scandals, but in the small, everyday decisions. Janet explains how to align HR, IT, accounting, sales, and delivery with core values so your systems reinforce trust instead of eroding it. We explore why promoting top performers without training creates “accidental leaders,” and how simple assessments and emotional intelligence coaching help people lead themselves before they lead others.

This conversation also reframes work-life balance as harmony. Seasons will tilt your time one way; intention, communication, and creativity bring you back. Janet shares practical ways to protect what matters, design policies that assume trust, and keep values alive by repeating them in meetings, stories, and decisions. Her favorite practice—becoming a learning junkie—anchors it all: ask after every interaction what could be clearer, kinder, faster, or more aligned. Promotions don’t create leaders; habits do. If you want unshakable leadership that scales with uncertainty, start with values, translate them into behaviors, align your systems, and commit to getting 1% better every day.

Love conversations that turn big ideas into daily action? Follow the show, share this episode with a leader who needs it, and leave a review to help more people build cultures they can trust.

🎙️ Connect with Chrissy Myers and discover how resilience, expertise, and community can transform your world:

🔗 Follow Chrissy on LinkedIn for behind-the-scenes insights, leadership tips, and updates on her journey as the CEO of two thriving businesses.

📘 Grab your copy of 'Reluctantly Resilient' to learn how Chrissy turned challenges into opportunities and how you can do the same in your life and business.

🤝 Explore Clarity HR and discover how Chrissy’s team simplifies HR for small businesses, giving you peace of mind to focus on what matters most.

💼 Visit AUI to see how Chrissy's employee benefits expertise can help you build a healthier, happier workforce.

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Collaboration only works when both sides win—and when you can prove your value every single day. That’s the lens Chris Canova brings as he walks us through how Jobs for Ohio’s Graduates (JOG) scaled from a small team to 70+ staff across ten counties, serving youth, specialized populations, and now adults in manufacturing, business, and the growing polymer sector. We unpack the hard truth behind the word “collaboration”: it’s overused, under-practiced, and only becomes real through engagement, relationships, and clear mutual benefit.

We dig into a practical framework leaders can use right away: meet partners where they are, invest in the relationship before the contract, and set expectations that tie results to shared goals. Chris explains why nonprofits must operate like businesses to earn trust with employers and schools, and how to avoid common traps—charity posture, misaligned incentives, and one-sided deals. Inside the organization, we talk about ending silos with intentional, face-to-face time, cross-team outcomes that demand cooperation, and simple rituals that make a growing culture feel connected.

For small businesses eager to join the talent solution, we lay out a realistic starting path: be transparent about wages, schedules, and access; run a small pilot; and build from proof, not hype. Chris shares hard lessons from partnerships that went sideways and the guardrails that prevent a repeat. We also explore two big forces shaping the next five years of workforce development: engaging younger workers who crave investment and belonging, and embracing AI as a training and productivity tool that retains talent rather than scares it away.

If you’re ready to build partnerships that last, strengthen your team, and turn “collaboration” from a buzzword into a competitive edge, this conversation is your playbook. Subscribe, share with a colleague who needs it, and leave a review with your top takeaway so we can keep bringing you practical strategies that work.

🎙️ Connect with Chrissy Myers and discover how resilience, expertise, and community can transform your world:

🔗 Follow Chrissy on LinkedIn for behind-the-scenes insights, leadership tips, and updates on her journey as the CEO of two thriving businesses.

📘 Grab your copy of 'Reluctantly Resilient' to learn how Chrissy turned challenges into opportunities and how you can do the same in your life and business.

🤝 Explore Clarity HR and discover how Chrissy’s team simplifies HR for small businesses, giving you peace of mind to focus on what matters most.

💼 Visit AUI to see how Chrissy's employee benefits expertise can help you build a healthier, happier workforce.

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Confidence doesn’t show up on command; it grows after courage. That’s the heartbeat of our conversation with Erica Hill, the creator of Positioning Self—a coaching framework that turns soft skills into daily, practiced habits for interns, first-year hires, and emerging leaders. We dig into a two-sided model that pairs early-career professionals with mentors or supervisors who actively make space to practice, so growth isn’t left to chance or squeezed into yet another classroom.

Erica breaks down why “questionable” curiosity is a superpower when it’s grounded in self-checks, research, and safe, specific prompts that invite dialogue rather than trigger defense. We unpack how to transform questions into collaboration, move from fear to action, and build a “confidence bank” you can draw on when the stakes rise. You’ll hear how borrowing others’ belief can bridge the gap as you develop your own, and why courage—tiny, repeatable acts of it—is the real front door to confidence.

We also explore “sociable” networking that starts with the people who already know your work, then expands through warm introductions, volunteering, and one-on-ones that actually fit your wiring. Instead of generic advice, Erica’s micro-lessons arrive by text and include audio, written guidance, and live challenges designed to fit real schedules and diverse learning styles. For leaders, the takeaway is clear: if you can’t make the time to mentor, at least create the space—safe sandboxes, explicit invitations to practice, and support that turns potential into performance.

If building soft skills, smarter questions, and durable confidence matters to you or your team, this one’s a bookmark. Subscribe, share with a manager or mentee, and leave a review telling us the one soft skill you’re committed to practicing this week.

🎙️ Connect with Chrissy Myers and discover how resilience, expertise, and community can transform your world:

🔗 Follow Chrissy on LinkedIn for behind-the-scenes insights, leadership tips, and updates on her journey as the CEO of two thriving businesses.

📘 Grab your copy of 'Reluctantly Resilient' to learn how Chrissy turned challenges into opportunities and how you can do the same in your life and business.

🤝 Explore Clarity HR and discover how Chrissy’s team simplifies HR for small businesses, giving you peace of mind to focus on what matters most.

💼 Visit AUI to see how Chrissy's employee benefits expertise can help you build a healthier, happier workforce.

Send us a text

Do you know what your health insurance broker actually does? Most small business owners assume their broker simply shops for the cheapest rates, but that's just skimming the surface of what a true strategic benefits advisor should provide.

Alice Rhodes from AUI breaks down this misunderstood role, revealing that for businesses with fewer than 50 employees, benefits aren't just about price—they're about protection, retention, and compliance. A great broker doesn't just deliver quotes; they develop game plans tailored to your specific business needs, navigating the complex world of insurance options to find solutions that are relevant, cost-effective, and actually work.

Northeast Ohio businesses have a distinct advantage with nine carriers offering various products including MIWAs (Multiple Employer Welfare Arrangements), level-funded plans, self-funded options, and captives. This competitive landscape creates opportunities that aren't available in many other regions, but it also requires knowledgeable guidance to navigate effectively. What separates good brokers from great ones? Great brokers take time to understand your business structure, employee needs, and ask critical questions that others might miss—like whether common ownership across multiple businesses could allow you to combine entities for better purchasing power.

The "set it and forget it" approach to insurance is dangerous. Benefits aren't static—legislative changes occur, workforce demographics shift, and compliance issues arise throughout the year. If you only speak with your broker during renewal season, you're missing crucial support. True broker partners check in regularly, assist with claims issues, help with new hires, and educate your team about effectively using their benefits. This education piece is vital, as employees who understand how to be smart healthcare consumers (like knowing when to use independent labs instead of hospitals for testing) can save hundreds of dollars while helping keep overall plan costs down.

Ready to evaluate your current broker relationship? Ask yourself: When was the last time you saw them? Have they helped with claim problems? Do they educate your team? Do you even know their name? The best business leaders don't just react—they plan proactively. Reach out to us at AUI to discover what a true strategic benefits partnership looks like.

🎙️ Connect with Chrissy Myers and discover how resilience, expertise, and community can transform your world:

🔗 Follow Chrissy on LinkedIn for behind-the-scenes insights, leadership tips, and updates on her journey as the CEO of two thriving businesses.

📘 Grab your copy of 'Reluctantly Resilient' to learn how Chrissy turned challenges into opportunities and how you can do the same in your life and business.

🤝 Explore Clarity HR and discover how Chrissy’s team simplifies HR for small businesses, giving you peace of mind to focus on what matters most.

💼 Visit AUI to see how Chrissy's employee benefits expertise can help you build a healthier, happier workforce.

Send us a text

Do your employees dread Sunday nights because they have to return to your workplace on Monday morning? That's one of the clearest signs your company culture needs attention, according to HR expert Julie Wheeler.

In this eye-opening conversation about workplace culture, Julie cuts through the superficial trappings that many businesses mistake for culture—ping pong tables, pizza parties, and motivational posters. Instead, she reveals what truly matters to employees: feeling safe, understood, and valued in their workplace.

"No business owner ever starts a business for no reason and no purpose, with no values," Julie explains. The challenge lies in consistently reinforcing those values and ensuring employees connect with them. Simply posting mission statements on walls isn't enough if daily operations contradict these proclaimed ideals. Employees quickly identify this disconnect and respond with cynicism.

Julie shares practical insights on recognizing early warning signs of culture problems, supporting new managers through their transition to leadership, and the critical importance of leadership presence. Her powerful statement that "presence is power" underscores how invisible leadership creates a vacuum where culture deteriorates.

For business owners feeling overwhelmed by culture challenges, Julie offers actionable advice: start by talking to your people, give them a voice, and be willing to implement their suggestions. Sometimes bringing in a third party facilitates these conversations more effectively, preventing defensive reactions from leadership.

Whether you're a small business owner struggling with employee engagement or a growing company developing your management team, this conversation provides the roadmap for building a workplace where people genuinely want to contribute their best. Listen now to transform how you think about company culture—and take the first step toward becoming an organization where Sunday night dread becomes Monday morning anticipation.

🎙️ Connect with Chrissy Myers and discover how resilience, expertise, and community can transform your world:

🔗 Follow Chrissy on LinkedIn for behind-the-scenes insights, leadership tips, and updates on her journey as the CEO of two thriving businesses.

📘 Grab your copy of 'Reluctantly Resilient' to learn how Chrissy turned challenges into opportunities and how you can do the same in your life and business.

🤝 Explore Clarity HR and discover how Chrissy’s team simplifies HR for small businesses, giving you peace of mind to focus on what matters most.

💼 Visit AUI to see how Chrissy's employee benefits expertise can help you build a healthier, happier workforce.

Send us a text

"There's always a solution. It might be over, might be under, might be around, or straight through." These words of wisdom from Adrienne Wilkerson, co-founder of Beacon Media + Marketing, perfectly capture the mindset needed to navigate what she calls "the messy middle" of entrepreneurship.

From her beginnings as Alaska's first full-service digital marketing agency to becoming a specialized partner for mental health and behavioral health businesses nationwide, Adrienne's journey demonstrates the power of stubborn determination coupled with strategic flexibility. Her two-time Inc. 5000 company has weathered industry disruptions and major pivots by embracing change rather than resisting it.

During our conversation, Adrienne demystifies the difference between logos and comprehensive brands, breaking down the seven essential elements every business needs for authentic marketing. She shares why niching down—though initially terrifying—ultimately creates clarity that attracts ideal clients. Her insights on building company culture through relentless communication of values, and leveraging different learning styles in leadership, provide actionable strategies for creating stronger teams. The discussion extends to modern marketing approaches, distinguishing between quick-win lead generation and the longer-term trust building that creates loyal clients who "know, like, and trust" your business.

Want to get just 1% better in your business today? Adrienne suggests looking for simple solutions to complex problems. Rather than focusing on what's broken, identify what's working in your business—a person, system, service or product—and find straightforward ways to duplicate that success. Listen now to discover how this approach can help you navigate your own "messy middle" with confidence and clarity.

🎙️ Connect with Chrissy Myers and discover how resilience, expertise, and community can transform your world:

🔗 Follow Chrissy on LinkedIn for behind-the-scenes insights, leadership tips, and updates on her journey as the CEO of two thriving businesses.

📘 Grab your copy of 'Reluctantly Resilient' to learn how Chrissy turned challenges into opportunities and how you can do the same in your life and business.

🤝 Explore Clarity HR and discover how Chrissy’s team simplifies HR for small businesses, giving you peace of mind to focus on what matters most.

💼 Visit AUI to see how Chrissy's employee benefits expertise can help you build a healthier, happier workforce.

Send us a text

Reaching that 15-30 employee threshold brings a crucial decision for business owners: is it time to hire a dedicated HR person? Before taking that leap, Julie Wheeler of Clarity HR makes a compelling case for considering fractional HR services as a strategic alternative that could save your business money while providing superior expertise.

When businesses cross this growth threshold, they typically face one of two scenarios: either they've experienced a negative event highlighting their compliance gaps, or their office manager has become overwhelmed as simple HR tasks evolve into complex responsibilities requiring specialized knowledge. The misconception that employment regulations only matter once you reach 50 employees leaves many small businesses vulnerable to costly mistakes.

Wheeler explains that fractional HR offers distinct advantages over hiring a single full-time generalist. Rather than paying for 40 hours weekly of limited expertise, fractional services provide access to a collaborative team of specialists with diverse industry knowledge and regulatory expertise. This approach delivers high-level guidance that might otherwise be unaffordable, especially considering the rising salaries commanded by experienced HR professionals.

Perhaps most valuable is the unfiltered perspective fractional HR professionals provide. Unlike employees who might hesitate to challenge the owner's perspectives, external consultants can directly address problematic practices without fear of repercussions. "An employee doesn't always have that leverage to say 'you hired me as an expert, why aren't you taking my advice?'" Wheeler notes. "We're going to give them our best advice to protect them and their organization, regardless of whether they're going to be happy with that answer."

For business owners wondering if they need HR support, Wheeler offers a simple litmus test: listen to your employees. When staff members begin questioning policies, seeking clarification on procedures, or documenting issues independently, these are strong indicators your HR infrastructure needs attention. These challenges are common in growing businesses, and addressing them proactively creates an environment where expectations are clear and the organization is protected from compliance risks.

Ready to explore if fractional HR is right for your business? Schedule a discovery call with Clarity HR today and take the first step toward comprehensive HR support tailored to your organization's unique needs.

🎙️ Connect with Chrissy Myers and discover how resilience, expertise, and community can transform your world:

🔗 Follow Chrissy on LinkedIn for behind-the-scenes insights, leadership tips, and updates on her journey as the CEO of two thriving businesses.

📘 Grab your copy of 'Reluctantly Resilient' to learn how Chrissy turned challenges into opportunities and how you can do the same in your life and business.

🤝 Explore Clarity HR and discover how Chrissy’s team simplifies HR for small businesses, giving you peace of mind to focus on what matters most.

💼 Visit AUI to see how Chrissy's employee benefits expertise can help you build a healthier, happier workforce.