The Blackbelt Business Podcast is for martial arts school owners and managers. Each episode features guests with stories, strategies and resources which can help you establish or enhance your business with best practices. Most importantly, we’ll help you get back to doing what you love. Visit Easton.Online for more.
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As a small business owner, you need to be a lot of things to make your business go—but you don't have to be a marketer alone. Join host Dave Charest, Director of Small Business Success at Constant Contact, and Kelsi Carter, Brand Production Coordinator, as they explore what it really takes to market your business. Even if marketing's not your thing! You'll hear from small business leaders just like you along with industry experts as they share their stories, challenges, and best advice to ge ...
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How to Build a Brand that Lasts with Mathew Knowles
56:16
56:16
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56:16What can entrepreneurs learn from someone who built global brands in both medical tech and music? Dr. Knowles, founder of Music World Entertainment and former sales exec at Xerox and Johnson & Johnson, joins the Be A Marketer podcast to share how he applied the same marketing fundamentals, audience insight, branding, and process, to launch Destiny’…
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How to Drive Awareness, Loyalty, and Revenue with Jayson Alexander and Shane DiMantova
43:33
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43:33At 18, Jayson Alexander wasn't racing go-karts or growing up in a motorsports family. He was in his bedroom, learning to drive through video games. Today, he's a NASCAR driver and founder of Jayson Alexander Racing—running a full-fledged brand while juggling college, lacrosse, and military service. In this episode of Be A Marketer, Dave Charest, Di…
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The 5 Strategic Shifts That Transformed Easton - Mike Tousignant & Ian Lieberman (E49)
27:34
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27:34In this episode of the Black Belt Business Podcast, Eliot Marshall is joined by Easton Training Center CEO Mike Tousignant and VP Ian Lieberman to unpack the five major shifts that propelled Easton from a single location to one of the most successful martial arts organizations in the country. They discuss how changes in training structure, leadersh…
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The Power of Knowing Your Market with Emma Easton
57:40
57:40
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57:40Does your business feel like it’s constantly doing all the things but not seeing the results you want? Emma Easton, founder and “chief bolloxologist” of Business Bollox, joins the Be A Marketer podcast to talk about the trap of overcomplicating marketing and why simplicity and clarity are the real secret weapons for small businesses. In this episod…
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Building a Marketing Ecosystem for Black-Owned Businesses with David Derryck
54:29
54:29
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54:29David Derryck, founder and CEO of BuyBlack.org, came across a powerful quote: "People always talk about what would they have done during the time of slavery or during civil rights era. And the answer is, whatever you're doing right now." That moment sparked what would become BuyBlack.org, a platform that has grown from 10,000 to over 50,000 listing…
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Why Community Matters More Than Content with Andrea Marquez
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49:40
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49:40Andrea Marquez didn't set out to "just" launch a podcast. She built a fully branded experience, with research, structure, and intention behind every episode. As the host and Senior Producer of This Is Small Business, Amazon's podcast for entrepreneurs, Andrea treats the show like a product. That means creating branding guidelines, defining listener…
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The Power of a Strong Fundamentals Program - Mike Tousignant (E48)
28:36
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28:36In this episode of the Black Belt Business Podcast, Easton Training Center CEO Mike Tousignant joins host Eliot Marshall to discuss one of the most critical (and often neglected) components of a martial arts academy: the fundamentals class. They break down why having a dedicated fundamentals program is essential for student retention, safety, and l…
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What an NFL Running Back Can Teach You About Marketing with Austin Ekeler
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41:40From Colorado ranch life to NFL stardom, Austin Ekeler has built multiple successful ventures through resilience and strategic marketing. In this episode, Dave Charest, Director of Small Business Success at Constant Contact, explores how the Washington Commanders running back applies the same determination to his business ventures as he shows on ga…
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Ask Dave: 2025 National Small Business Week Edition
1:11:25
1:11:25
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1:11:25What happens when you take your marketing questions directly to the source, live and in person? You get real, unfiltered conversations with small business owners tackling everything from email strategy to AI content creation. To celebrate National Small Business Week, Dave Charest, Director of Small Business Success at Constant Contact, hit the roa…
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How to Close More Martial Arts Memberships - Ian Lieberman & Mike Tousignant (E47)
27:44
27:44
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27:44In this episode, Eliot Marshall, co-owner of Easton Training Center, is joined by Easton’s CEO Mike Tousignant and COO Ian Lieberman. Together, they pull back the curtain on how Easton consistently achieves a high close rate on membership sales. From the structure of their sales process to the mindset they instill in their team, this conversation i…
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Smart Ways to Use Al as a Solopreneur with Mike Allton
52:53
52:53
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52:53Four hours per week. That's all Mike Allton needs to run a content machine that includes newsletters, blogs, and multiple podcasts. As an AI strategist, podcast host, and chief storyteller at Agorapulse, Mike has mastered the art of efficiency. His secret? A strategic blend of AI tools and email marketing automation that turns one piece of content …
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What Hurts and Helps Your Email Deliverability with Jennifer Nespola Lantz
43:27
43:27
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43:27Have you ever wondered why some of your emails land in the inbox while others mysteriously vanish? The secret to successful email marketing isn't just what you send, it's who you're sending to. The foundation of effective email marketing starts with how you build and maintain your list. Jennifer Nespola Lantz, VP of Deliverability and Industry Rela…
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Building a Passion-Fueled Business with Jason Shron
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51:11A section of a train in his basement isn't the most interesting thing about Jason Shron. It's how he turned an obsession with model trains into a thriving international business — simply by being himself. In fact, he left his PhD program in art history to pursue his passion full-time. Jason, two decades later, is the president of Rapido Trains Inc.…
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How to Build and Manage a Healthier Email List with Constant Contact
35:42
35:42
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35:42Building your business on social media is like renting a house—you've decorated it beautifully, but the landlord can change the rules anytime. Your email list, however, is property you own outright. This distinction can make or break a small business when platforms change algorithms or face potential bans. In this episode, Dave Charest speaks with …
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Build a Fans-First Business From the Ground Up with the Savannah Bananas
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48:14
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48:14Imagine a baseball team that throws out the rulebook—not just for the game, but for how they do business. Meet the Savannah Bananas, a team that's less about scoring runs and more about sparking joy. Led by owner Jesse Cole, this isn't your typical sports team. As Jesse puts it, "We have no interest in being a billion-dollar business, but we want t…
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How Two Brothers Built a Marketing Agency from Scratch with Dan Knowlton
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48:03Dan Knowlton didn’t plan to build a top-performing content agency by dressing up in wigs and fake mustaches — but that's what helped him stand out. In 2015, Dan and his brother Lloyd launched their marketing agency, Knowlton, from a spare room in their parents' house. No roadmap. No fancy setup. Just two brothers figuring it out as they went. What …
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Art, Story, and the Business of Wonder with Gregangelo Herrera and Team
57:31
57:31
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57:31The Gregangelo Museum wasn’t supposed to exist. It began as a run-down rental in San Francisco — a place where artist Gregangelo Herrera patched collapsing rooms with found materials, turning repairs into creative experiments. One of those repairs became a full-blown art installation. One became two. Then three. Forty years later, the house is a ci…
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How to Make Marketing Work for You with Lorraine Ball
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41:51
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41:51Selling a business wasn’t part of Lorraine Ball’s original plan. But after nearly two decades of running her marketing agency, Roundpeg, she knew it was time for a change. Rather than walking away entirely, Lorraine kept the pieces she loved — her podcast, “More Than a Few Words”, and her consulting work — while selling the rest. “The day you start…
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The Power of Personalized Email Marketing with Marc Newberry and Jasmin Bollman
25:25
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25:25Running a successful marketing campaign doesn't require a massive team or unlimited resources. Sometimes, it just takes a small, dedicated group that knows how to connect with people on a personal level. That's exactly what Marc Newberry and Jasmin Bollman have accomplished at Genumark, Canada's leader in custom-branded merchandise and apparel. Wit…
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Your Real Estate Marketing Playbook: A Full Recap with Stephanie, Dave, and Kelsi
34:55
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34:55In this final episode of Be A Marketer - Real Estate edition, hosts Dave Charest, Stephanie Alfonso, and co-host Kelsi Carter, recap key lessons from their six-episode deep dive into marketing strategies for real estate professionals. But these insights aren’t just for real estate, business owners across industries can apply these takeaways to thei…
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Changing Your Behavior to Build a Stronger Business with Carissa Reiniger
45:03
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45:03Running a business that lets customers choose what they pay might sound like a recipe for failure. But for Carissa Reiniger, Founder and CEO of Silver Lining, it's part of a 20-year mission to change the global economy one small business at a time. Using her background in psychology, Carissa used behavioral change to build a company that helps smal…
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Building a Real Estate Powerhouse with Anthony Lamacchia
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35:54Anthony Lamacchia learned the power of aggressive marketing at a young age while working with his father in construction. One postcard would bring in dozens of calls and thousands in deposits. When he entered real estate in 2004, he brought that bold marketing mindset but quickly discovered that different businesses require different approaches. Th…
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Using LinkedIn to Grow Your Business with Lea Turner
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43:01
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43:01Tattooed, pierced, a school dropout who'd worked minimum wage jobs her entire life, Lea Turner initially thought LinkedIn wasn't "for people like her." In 2019, she was a single parent running a small transcription service, struggling to make ends meet and relying on government support. The corporate, polished world of professional networking seeme…
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Building a Sustainable Independent Brokerage with Ian Hoover
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48:38
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48:38When Ian S. Hoover got fired from his job in retail, he wasn’t expecting it to lead to him opening a real estate brokerage one day. After a few drinks at his former partner's daughter's wedding, a casual conversation sparked the launch of Deacon & Hoover Real Estate Advisors in 2017. Today, his brokerage stands as the second-largest independent fir…
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Making Technology Accessible for Nonprofits with Nick Fynn
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46:03
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46:03Nonprofits face a constant challenge: delivering their message effectively with limited resources. For Nick Fynn, Head of Global Growth Marketing at TechSoup, this reality drives his mission to help organizations bridge the gap between technology and social impact. Nick has a deep understanding of effective communication strategies through his work…
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Real Estate Teams, Systems, and Family with Verl Workman
48:06
48:06
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48:06From satellite dishes and hot tubs to coaching real estate teams, Verl Workman's entrepreneurial journey is full of unexpected turns. Facing hardship early in life, Verl developed a strong work ethic and a knack for sales. A chance encounter with a satisfied customer led him to a successful career in real estate. But Verl's drive to innovate pushed…
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Building Multiple Revenue Streams in Real Estate with Jacqui Luberto
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39:41When most real estate agents sell a property, they often lose the customer to property managers, insurance agents, and other service providers. But Jacqui Luberto saw an opportunity to change this pattern. Jacqui opened her brokerage in 2020, on the day Florida shut down and has since built a network of six interconnected businesses that help clien…
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The Art of Real Estate Branding with Christine George
29:31
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29:31Being a successful real estate agent demands a clear and authentic personal brand. Christine George, CEO and Founder of Post & Beam Creative, didn’t set out to help agents sell more homes. Instead, she focuses on helping them uncover their unique identities and stand out in a crowded market. Christine has spent over 15 years in the real estate indu…
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The No Excuse Zone: Real Estate with Marki Lemons Ryhal
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52:49
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52:49Building a real estate empire wasn't Marki Lemons Ryhal's first career choice. A fifth-generation entrepreneur, she found her way to real estate after a lawsuit with her family and because she wanted a flexible career as a working mom. Now a global keynote speaker, author, and prop tech investor, Marki's journey is anything but ordinary. In this ep…
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Growing an Online Business with Teresa Heath-Wareing
56:23
56:23
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56:23Starting a business often means learning to trust yourself first — especially when battling both personal and professional challenges. Teresa Heath-Wareing built a six-figure agency as a single parent, then transformed it into a successful online business. But her journey involved more than just business growth; she also sought authenticity in both…
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Destination Marketing Strategies with Aljolynn Sperber
42:12
42:12
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42:12After a career in Los Angeles, Aljolynn Sperber returned to her hometown with a vision. She became the Executive Director of Visit Kitsap Peninsula, combining her marketing skills with her passion for her community. Her goal is to both promote the area to visitors and build a strong sense of belonging for locals. This is not just about attracting t…
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Building Customer Relationships Through Email with Lena Niedzielin
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25:44From the slopes to the screen, Lena Niedzielin’s marketing journey is anything but predictable. Growing up skiing in New England, Lena never imagined she’d be managing an indoor ski facility in London. But as the manager of Skieasy, she’s traded her skis for spreadsheets and discovered a passion for connecting people with winter sports, all year ro…
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Bake Club's Recipe for Community Building with Christina Tosi and Shannon Salzano
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45:59Who knew a simple idea to bake together virtually could turn into a thriving online community? When the pandemic hit, Christina Tosi, chef and founder of Milk Bar, and Shannon Salzano, Milk Bar’s Brand Director, found themselves searching for a way to connect with people. Turning their cameras on, they invited others to join them in the kitchen, cr…
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Crush Your Marketing Goals in 2025: 5 Game-Changing Tips
31:07
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31:07The future of marketing feels like a runaway train. It's exciting, sure, but also terrifying. How do you keep up and plan for success when the ground beneath you seems to shift constantly? Dave Charest, Director of Small Business Success at Constant Contact, and Kelsi Carter, Brand Production Coordinator at Constant Contact, understand this struggl…
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Martial Arts Is a People Business - Ian Lieberman & Mike Tousignant (E46)
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51:24Whether it’s dealing with members or managing staff, we as martial arts academy owners and operators are in the people business. Your ability to skillfully manage relationships, offer constructive feedback, and direct people’s progress will dictate the success, culture, and health of your martial arts academy. Easton Training Center's CEO, Mike Tou…
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Dave Charest, Director of Small Business Success at Constant Contact, and Kelsi Carter, Brand Production Coordinator at Constant Contact, have spent the year chatting with small business owners and marketing experts on the Be a Marketer podcast, gathering insights to help entrepreneurs thrive. Now, they're ready to share the best of those lessons. …
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How to Segment Your Email List for Better Results with David Fischer
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19:05Most small business owners excel in their chosen fields, but marketing often feels like uncharted territory. You know you need a website and an email list, but what should your website look like? What should you be sending to your email list? And how do you know if any of it is even working? David Fischer, Founder and CEO of Solutions for Growth an…
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Reporting Beyond Opens & Clicks with Lindsay Higgins
16:49
16:49
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16:49Are your email marketing reports leaving you feeling puzzled? You're getting opens, you're even getting clicks, but are those translating to real results for your business? On this episode of Be a Marketer, Dave Charest, Director of Small Business Success at Constant Contact, sits down with Lindsay Higgins, owner of L2L Creative Group and a Constan…
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Expand Your Reach with Multi-Channel Campaigns with Aaron Wesley Means
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16:10Juggling a business is hard enough without adding the pressure of mastering multiple marketing channels. It's easy to feel overwhelmed, spreading yourself thin across social media, email, and who-knows-what-else. But what if there was a way to streamline your efforts and make your marketing work smarter, not harder? That's where multichannel market…
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List Building Strategies for Small Businesses with Melanie Diehl
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16:30Melanie Diehl had always envisioned a career path similar to her father's — dedicating 30 years to a single company and retiring comfortably. But then she got laid off and decided to use her severance to explore different options. That's when she discovered her talent with a sewing machine. Melanie learned by doing, navigating the ups and downs of …
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Pillars of Successful Martial Arts Academies - Derek Alumbaugh & Kyle Wright (E45)
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45:53Matrix Martial Arts General Manager and Owner, Derek Alumbaugh, and BJJ Department head at Easton Denver, Kyle Wright, join Eliot to introduce themselves and discuss their roles at Easton Online, as well as explain the pillars of successful martial arts academies and how to establish them in your school. Watch or listen to the full podcast on our b…
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7 Critical Email Design Elements with Aaron Wesley Means
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26:25After a corporate career in direct marketing, Aaron Wesley Means had no plans to start a business. It wasn't until he began helping his wife launch her dream dog grooming business that he immersed himself in small business marketing. Eager to build a brand and attract customers, he dove headfirst into researching list-building strategies, email cam…
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Effective Goal-Setting for Small Business Marketing with Tracey Lee Davis
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15:44Tracey Lee Davis never imagined she'd become a business owner. After years of managing a pet care company, she craved a simpler role where she could follow someone else's lead. But life had other plans. When unemployment benefits ran dry, and job applications went unanswered, Tracey reluctantly stepped into entrepreneurship. Now, as the owner of Zi…
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Creating Content That Resonates: LinkedIn Success Strategies with Lucy Hall
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49:20Lucy Hall's journey into the digital world began with a chunky Dell computer and an eBay account. At 17, she became one of the first eBay power sellers, selling thousands of "ab belts" and discovering a passion for online marketing. This early experience set the stage for Lucy's future as a digital skills advocate and community builder. Today, she …
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Digital Marketing Tips for Real Estate Agents with Stephanie Alfonso
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39:26Clients are everywhere, but so is the competition. This is the reality for real estate agents in a crowded market. But what if you could become the go-to expert in your community — the agent everyone remembers when it's time to buy or sell their home? For over a decade, Stephanie Alfonso has helped real estate agents transform their marketing strat…
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Implementing Systems in Your Martial Arts School - Michael Phipps & Jordan Shipman (E44)
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57:35Easton Training Center's Director of Kids Martial Arts, Jordan Shipman, and Director of Marketing, Michael Phipps, join Eliot to discuss the challenges of implementing systems in martial arts academies and how to make sure everyone on your team is on the same page. Watch or listen to the full podcast on our blog: https://www.easton.online/blog/ Int…
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How to Build a Brand for Your Business with Liz Mosley
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49:47What if you could transform the fear of rejection into a catalyst for growth in your business? Graphic designer Liz Mosley did just that. After realizing that playing it safe was holding her back from exciting opportunities, Liz embarked on a journey to reframe rejection as a stepping stone to success. Liz has been helping small businesses and crea…
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Multi-Channel Marketing Made Easy with AI with Michael Wood and Kate Conway
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22:11Small business owners often juggle countless tasks, leaving marketing on the back burner. But what if there was a way to streamline marketing efforts and boost confidence? Enter Constant Contact's latest innovation: the AI-powered Campaign Builder. This tool promises to revolutionize how small businesses approach marketing, addressing the challenge…
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Building a Creative Business Legacy with Maria Miranda
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47:23Building a successful business takes grit, determination, and a commitment to your vision. For Maria Miranda, founder and creative director of Miranda Creative, that journey began in 1988 with a simple yet powerful belief: work should be about respect, creativity, and client value. In this episode of the Be a Marketer podcast, Maria and host Dave C…
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Ask Dave: How Can You Showcase Content to Grow Your Community?
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17:59Want to grow your community and attract more subscribers on social media or LinkedIn?💡 In episode 68 of the Be a Marketer podcast, Dave Charest, director of small business success at Constant Contact, and Kelsi Carter, the team’s brand production coordinator, share their insights on how storytelling can help you capture your audience's attention. T…
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