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Ever held back a conversation for so long that it turned into a ticking time bomb? In this episode, we get real about the messy emotions, mounting overwhelm, and quiet assumptions that can build up when we avoid speaking our truth. From burnout tears to breakthrough clarity, we share how one honest talk completely shifted the way we work together and why those conversations, though uncomfortable, are what actually save relationships and projects.

We dive into the art of having difficult conversations before they spiral into full-blown conflicts. Breaking down real-life examples from our own business and podcast partnership, unpack why avoidance makes things worse, and share practical frameworks for tackling tough talks with clients, team members, or even yourself. Whether you’re leading a team, collaborating with a partner, or navigating client relationships, this conversation will help you lean into conflict resolution as a core soft skill.

What to listen for in this episode:

• The hidden costs of avoiding difficult conversations—and how it fuels burnout.
  
  
• Two frameworks you can use right away: “Name it Early” and the “Relationship-Preserving Approach.”
  
  
• Scripts and starter phrases to make tough conversations collaborative instead of confrontational.

Support the show

We get it, you feel like you have to be on social media 24/7 when all you really want is to focus on your clients and keep building your business. That pressure can disappear.

That’s where Dana comes in. She’ll show you how Pinterest can work for you, effortlessly. Your content and links can live on Pinterest, driving traffic without you constantly showing up.

And when it’s time to grow and manage a team, without feeling overwhelmed, Sara steps in. She builds the workflows that keep both your podcast and your team running smoothly, while bringing the human element back into your business. You’ll stay client-focused without feeling buried in the weeds.

Connect with Entrepreneur Encounter:

Newsletter: https://tinyurl.com/3azyca95

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/entrepreneur_encounter/

Host Sara Lowell:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/youarerembert/

Website: https://www.youarerembertllc.com/

Host Dana Johnson:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/danas.desk.nc/

Website: https://ddvirtualmanagement.com/

Send us a text

It’s one of the hardest moments as a leader, you pour your energy, knowledge, and heart into helping someone grow, only to realize they’re not moving forward. Maybe it’s a client who resists every strategy you put in place, or a team member who refuses to develop skills outside of their comfort zone. The frustration builds, and you start to question yourself.

In this episode, we get candid about their own missteps, the lessons we learned the hard way, and the strategies that finally made a difference. Together, we dive into what really drives resistance (spoiler: it’s often fear, not laziness), how to tell the difference between someone who’s stuck but willing versus someone who’s stuck and resistant, and why you can’t force curiosity or ambition.

What to listen for in this episode:

• The hidden role of fear in resistance, why “not growing” isn’t always about stubbornness or laziness.
  
  
• The difference between stuck but willing vs. stuck and resistant and how leaders should respond to each.
  
  
• Seven strategies for leading with compassion, including creating psychological safety, modeling curiosity, and knowing when to part ways.

Special thanks to Josh Parnall for submitting this week's question: The challenges of developing someone who doesn’t want to grow. How do you lead someone like that?

Facebook Group Limitless Leadership: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1C4De8HH2c/

Want to submit a question, send us a DM on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/entrepreneur_encounter/

Support the show

We get it, you feel like you have to be on social media 24/7 when all you really want is to focus on your clients and keep building your business. That pressure can disappear.

That’s where Dana comes in. She’ll show you how Pinterest can work for you, effortlessly. Your content and links can live on Pinterest, driving traffic without you constantly showing up.

And when it’s time to grow and manage a team, without feeling overwhelmed, Sara steps in. She builds the workflows that keep both your podcast and your team running smoothly, while bringing the human element back into your business. You’ll stay client-focused without feeling buried in the weeds.

Connect with Entrepreneur Encounter:

Newsletter: https://tinyurl.com/3azyca95

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/entrepreneur_encounter/

Host Sara Lowell:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/youarerembert/

Website: https://www.youarerembertllc.com/

Host Dana Johnson:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/danas.desk.nc/

Website: https://ddvirtualmanagement.com/

Send us a text

She sat at her desk, staring at a list of problems she felt responsible to solve. The pressure was heavy, after all, wasn’t a leader supposed to have the answers? But then came the shift: what if leadership wasn’t about fixing everything, but about asking the right questions? That simple mindset flip changed the way she showed up for her team, and it can change the way you lead too.

In this episode of Entrepreneur Encounter, we unpack the concept of humble inquiry, a leadership style built on curiosity, not control. Instead of rushing to give solutions, we explore how creating space for your team to share ideas, take ownership, and problem-solve leads to stronger culture and sustainable growth. You’ll hear why asking better questions doesn’t make you look weak, it makes you the kind of leader people trust and want to follow.

What to listen for in this episode:

• The surprising leadership myth that keeps many entrepreneurs stuck in “answer mode.”
• How to use humble inquiry to empower your team and strengthen workplace culture.
• Simple question swaps you can start using today to shift from control → collaboration.

Support the show

We get it, you feel like you have to be on social media 24/7 when all you really want is to focus on your clients and keep building your business. That pressure can disappear.

That’s where Dana comes in. She’ll show you how Pinterest can work for you, effortlessly. Your content and links can live on Pinterest, driving traffic without you constantly showing up.

And when it’s time to grow and manage a team, without feeling overwhelmed, Sara steps in. She builds the workflows that keep both your podcast and your team running smoothly, while bringing the human element back into your business. You’ll stay client-focused without feeling buried in the weeds.

Connect with Entrepreneur Encounter:

Newsletter: https://tinyurl.com/3azyca95

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/entrepreneur_encounter/

Host Sara Lowell:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/youarerembert/

Website: https://www.youarerembertllc.com/

Host Dana Johnson:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/danas.desk.nc/

Website: https://ddvirtualmanagement.com/

Send us a text

Every entrepreneur faces that moment when everything seems to be falling apart, missing files two days before a client deadline, algorithm changes that tank your reach overnight, or technical glitches that threaten your reputation. These scenarios used to send successful business owners into complete spirals of panic and self-doubt.

But what separates thriving entrepreneurs from those who burn out isn't avoiding these challenges, it's developing the soft skills of resilience which transforms every setback into fuel for growth and creative solutions.

In this episode, we explore the essential skill of building entrepreneurial resilience, diving deep into how effective stress management and strategic problem solving can become your greatest business strategies.

We share three core strategies for developing unshakeable resilience: creating bounce-back routines, collecting evidence of your wins and recoveries, and building strategic support systems. Through personal confessions and real-world examples, we demonstrate how transparency and vulnerability actually build stronger business relationships and sustainable personal development practices.

What You'll Learn in This Episode:

• The 24-Hour Rule for Stress Management: A method for processing setbacks without letting them derail your entrepreneurial momentum or business strategies

• Why Documenting Wins is Critical for Resilience: How collecting evidence of your successes and recoveries creates a foundation for future problem solving and growth mindset development

• Building Your Strategic Support Ecosystem: The difference between emotional support and strategic guidance, and how to cultivate the right support systems for sustainable entrepreneurship success

When you face your next business setback, will you choose to spiral into stress mode or step into your problem-solving superpower? What would change in your entrepreneurship journey if you viewed every challenge as evidence of your growing resilience?

Support the show

We get it, you feel like you have to be on social media 24/7 when all you really want is to focus on your clients and keep building your business. That pressure can disappear.

That’s where Dana comes in. She’ll show you how Pinterest can work for you, effortlessly. Your content and links can live on Pinterest, driving traffic without you constantly showing up.

And when it’s time to grow and manage a team, without feeling overwhelmed, Sara steps in. She builds the workflows that keep both your podcast and your team running smoothly, while bringing the human element back into your business. You’ll stay client-focused without feeling buried in the weeds.

Connect with Entrepreneur Encounter:

Newsletter: https://tinyurl.com/3azyca95

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/entrepreneur_encounter/

Host Sara Lowell:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/youarerembert/

Website: https://www.youarerembertllc.com/

Host Dana Johnson:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/danas.desk.nc/

Website: https://ddvirtualmanagement.com/

Send us a text

Ever catch yourself spending unpaid hours researching solutions for problems you weren't even hired to solve? There have been times when we both have done exactly that, laying awake worrying about a business when we should have not. We then discovered the hard way that there's a crucial difference between caring about your clients and caring yourself straight into burnout.

In this episode, we explore the difference between empathy and enabling in client relationships. We share hard-won lessons from our own experiences of burning out while trying to solve problems outside our expertise, and provide practical frameworks for maintaining boundaries without losing your caring nature. From the "empowerment check" method to building strategic referral networks, we offer actionable strategies for supporting clients while protecting energy and staying in one lane.

What to listen for in this episode:

The Helper's High Trap: Learn why that good feeling you get from being "needed" by clients can actually damage both your business and your client relationships.

The Empowerment Check Method: Discover a simple but powerful technique for separating feelings from fixing: asking "Do you want me to just listen right now or do you want me to help brainstorm a solution?" plus the follow-up question that shifts responsibility back to your client.

The Strategic Referral Network: Understand how saying "I know someone who can help you" becomes your superpower for maintaining boundaries while still showing you care and how this approach can actually grow your business through relationship-building.

What if the most empathetic thing you could do for your clients isn't diving in to rescue them, but stepping back and letting them figure it out themselves?

Support the show

We get it, you feel like you have to be on social media 24/7 when all you really want is to focus on your clients and keep building your business. That pressure can disappear.

That’s where Dana comes in. She’ll show you how Pinterest can work for you, effortlessly. Your content and links can live on Pinterest, driving traffic without you constantly showing up.

And when it’s time to grow and manage a team, without feeling overwhelmed, Sara steps in. She builds the workflows that keep both your podcast and your team running smoothly, while bringing the human element back into your business. You’ll stay client-focused without feeling buried in the weeds.

Connect with Entrepreneur Encounter:

Newsletter: https://tinyurl.com/3azyca95

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/entrepreneur_encounter/

Host Sara Lowell:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/youarerembert/

Website: https://www.youarerembertllc.com/

Host Dana Johnson:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/danas.desk.nc/

Website: https://ddvirtualmanagement.com/

Send us a text

Does your creative brain underestimate projects?

You know that sinking feeling when you confidently tell a client "this will only take 30 minutes" and then find yourself three hours deep in what was supposed to be a quick task? Dana learned this lesson the hard way when a simple Pinterest rebrand turned into an all-day task, leaving her scrambling to catch up on her own business marketing.

It's the classic creative entrepreneur trap: we get so excited about the fun parts of our work that time becomes this slippery thing that somehow always works against us. This episode unpacks why our creative brains are terrible at estimating time and what we can actually do about it.

In this conversation, we explore the hidden culprit behind why creative professionals consistently underestimate project timelines. We break down the difference between planning for the "Pinterest perfect" day versus messy reality, share personal stories of time estimation gone wrong, and reveal why your brain lights up during creative tasks while completely losing track of time.

Most importantly, we provide actionable frameworks to help you build realistic buffers, match your energy to your tasks, and finally stop feeling like you're always playing catch-up.

What to listen for in this episode:

The Real Cost of Context Switching - Discover why every interruption (email ping, dog barking, roof repair) costs you 5-20 minutes of refocus time and how to build this reality into your planning.

Micro Step Mapping Framework - Learn how to list every detail of a task (even the 5 minutes it takes to find your Canva brand kit) to stop losing those tiny steps that eat up your entire day.

The Teaching Test Strategy - Find out how imagining you're training a new hire on a task reveals the real time estimate you should be using – and why this protects both your sanity and your team's success.

Think about this: When was the last time you told yourself a project would take 30 minutes, only to look up hours later wondering what happened to your day? What would change in your business if you could finally estimate time accurately and stop feeling behind?

Support the show

We get it, you feel like you have to be on social media 24/7 when all you really want is to focus on your clients and keep building your business. That pressure can disappear.

That’s where Dana comes in. She’ll show you how Pinterest can work for you, effortlessly. Your content and links can live on Pinterest, driving traffic without you constantly showing up.

And when it’s time to grow and manage a team, without feeling overwhelmed, Sara steps in. She builds the workflows that keep both your podcast and your team running smoothly, while bringing the human element back into your business. You’ll stay client-focused without feeling buried in the weeds.

Connect with Entrepreneur Encounter:

Newsletter: https://tinyurl.com/3azyca95

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/entrepreneur_encounter/

Host Sara Lowell:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/youarerembert/

Website: https://www.youarerembertllc.com/

Host Dana Johnson:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/danas.desk.nc/

Website: https://ddvirtualmanagement.com/

Send us a text

A hurricane, an unexpected illness, or even the chaos of back-to-school season, sometimes life throws curveballs that force us to step away from work. But what happens when your business can’t stop running just because you need to? In today’s episode of Entrepreneur Encounter, we share real stories and honest conversations about the importance of having systems in place, especially as business owners and team leaders transition from summer slowdown into fall routines.

This episode is all about reestablishing focus, setting realistic schedules, and leading with empathy while keeping productivity alive. We discuss juggling family life, client work, and leadership responsibilities. From why SOPs are non-negotiable, to managing energy levels and creating boundaries, we break down what it really looks like to bring yourself and your team back into “work mode” without burning out.

What to listen for in this episode:

• Why Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) are critical—not just for turnover, but for everyday emergencies and smooth team operations.
  
  
  
• The importance of setting realistic expectations and boundaries for yourself and your team, so everyone can succeed without burnout.
  
  
  
• How to have human-to-human conversations with your team that go beyond tasks and projects, ensuring they feel supported and seen.

Take 30 minutes this week to review your current systems and schedules. Ask yourself: If I had to step away tomorrow, would my team or business be able to keep running smoothly? If not, start creating one SOP for a recurring task or set one boundary that helps protect your time and energy.

Support the show

We get it, you feel like you have to be on social media 24/7 when all you really want is to focus on your clients and keep building your business. That pressure can disappear.

That’s where Dana comes in. She’ll show you how Pinterest can work for you, effortlessly. Your content and links can live on Pinterest, driving traffic without you constantly showing up.

And when it’s time to grow and manage a team, without feeling overwhelmed, Sara steps in. She builds the workflows that keep both your podcast and your team running smoothly, while bringing the human element back into your business. You’ll stay client-focused without feeling buried in the weeds.

Connect with Entrepreneur Encounter:

Newsletter: https://tinyurl.com/3azyca95

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/entrepreneur_encounter/

Host Sara Lowell:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/youarerembert/

Website: https://www.youarerembertllc.com/

Host Dana Johnson:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/danas.desk.nc/

Website: https://ddvirtualmanagement.com/

Send us a text

Picture this: It's the end of summer, and you're staring at your neglected Pinterest account. While other entrepreneurs are frantically trying to catch up on daily social media posts, scrambling to create new content, and feeling overwhelmed by the pressure to be "constantly on," there's a different path. What if we told you that one platform could work for you even when you're out with your kids or enjoying that slower summer pace? Dana shares how she uses Pinterest not just as a business tool, but as a way to find activities for her summer camp at home, proving that this platform serves both sides of the entrepreneurial life.

In this conversation, Sara and Dana discuss the importance of Pinterest marketing, especially as summer transitions into fall. They explore how to effectively use Pinterest as a search engine rather than a social media platform, emphasizing the need for consistent content creation and the benefits of batching pins. The discussion also highlights the significance of mindset shifts in content creation, encouraging entrepreneurs to give themselves grace and focus on sustainable marketing practices rather than the pressure to go viral. Most importantly, they discuss the mindset shift required to move from the exhausting "always-on" social media mentality to a more sustainable, grace-filled approach to business growth.

What to listen for in this episode:

The Pinterest Advantage Over Traditional Social Media: Learn why Pinterest's search engine functionality means you can maintain visibility even during breaks, and how one hour of batching can create a month's worth of content that works while you rest.

The Simple 3-Step Comeback Strategy Dana breaks down her foolproof method for getting back on track: audit your existing account, focus on three priority boards (service-based, seasonal, and evergreen), and align your content with upcoming seasonal goals.

Repurposing Content Like a Pro Discover how to transform one piece of existing content (like a blog post or popular reel) into 10 different pins, and why "new content" on Pinterest simply means giving your existing work new life.

Support the show

We get it, you feel like you have to be on social media 24/7 when all you really want is to focus on your clients and keep building your business. That pressure can disappear.

That’s where Dana comes in. She’ll show you how Pinterest can work for you, effortlessly. Your content and links can live on Pinterest, driving traffic without you constantly showing up.

And when it’s time to grow and manage a team, without feeling overwhelmed, Sara steps in. She builds the workflows that keep both your podcast and your team running smoothly, while bringing the human element back into your business. You’ll stay client-focused without feeling buried in the weeds.

Connect with Entrepreneur Encounter:

Newsletter: https://tinyurl.com/3azyca95

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/entrepreneur_encounter/

Host Sara Lowell:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/youarerembert/

Website: https://www.youarerembertllc.com/

Host Dana Johnson:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/danas.desk.nc/

Website: https://ddvirtualmanagement.com/