Smashing the Plateau Smashing the Plateau

Holly Jean Jackson is a Revenue and Performance Consultant, Speaker, Podcast Host, Author, and Founder of Business Builder Throwdown. Her career encompasses a range of fields including technology, communications, organizational change, public relations, and content strategy.
With over 12 years of experience, she has been instrumental in helping business leaders rejuvenate their physical, mental, and emotional well-being. Holly Jean has spearheaded a Local to Global Policy Initiative, influencing the impact of future leaders on communities. A fun fact about her: Holly Jean has performed as the first chair clarinetist in Carnegie Hall and holds a black belt in karate.
Her Peak Performance Blueprint offers a comprehensive and pragmatic approach to success, recognizing that monumental business achievements require a life that is equally or more successful.
Business owners engage her services to master the art and science of genuine success. Many lack direction, take insufficient action, and see lackluster results. Holly Jean steps in to help define and design a business roadmap that ensures impactful visibility, intentional profitability, and unfailing sustainability.
In today's episode of Smashing the Plateau, you'll learn about Holly Jean's journey from multiple layoffs in corporate America to becoming a successful entrepreneur and finding the balance and respect that she desired in her professional life.
Holly Jean and I discuss:
The pattern of layoffs and health challenges in her corporate career [00:42]Acknowledging a need for appreciation and a push towards entrepreneurship [01:00]The dehumanization of layoffs in large companies [01:44]Transitioning to a consultancy role and how it differs from employment [05:03]Establishing a more respectful and balanced consultant-client relationship [06:14]Holly Jean's process of finding her consulting niche [08:15]The impact of COVID on her business strategy [10:46]How to strategically pivot your business for growth [11:37]The importance of niching down your target market [12:00]Leveraging personal achievements and passions to build your business [13:52]The significance of internal validation over external comparison [14:12]Tactical advice for transitioning from corporate to entrepreneurship [16:32]The critical role of community and support in building a successful business [21:07]
Learn more about Holly Jean at:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/hollyjjackson/
https://www.facebook.com/hollyjeanjackson
https://www.instagram.com/coachhollyjeanjackson/ https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC3ElvJLGqpJ2ThA9utJCqMg
www.hollyjeanjackson.com
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Alan Heymann excels at coaching fellow introverts, helping them discover their superpowers in an extroverted world. He has coached leaders from 32 countries across four continents. His diverse clientele includes individuals from Fortune 50 corporations, nonprofit organizations, public utilities, and various levels of government—federal, county, and municipal.
Alan is the author of "Don't Just Have the Soup: 52 Analogies for Leadership, Coaching, and Life." His extensive experience spans over two decades in public, government, and nonprofit communications, where he has led teams of sizes ranging from two to over 100 people. Motivated by his own career transformation, which was facilitated by an executive coach, Alan established Peaceful Direction in April 2019.
In today's episode of Smashing the Plateau, you will learn about Alan's journey from a communications expert to a respected executive coach and successful business owner. 
Alan and I discuss:
His career transformation inspired by executive coaching [00:44]Navigating complexities in his most challenging role [02:29]The unforeseen benefits of coaching for career development [03:00]Serving a diverse range of clients across the economy [03:40]Adapting coaching methodologies to suit client needs [04:28]Transitioning from corporate employment to entrepreneurship [05:39]The practicalities and psychology of running your own business [07:00]The importance of cash flow and financial management [09:16]Alan's approach to growing his business and client base [10:06]Balancing personal preferences with market demand [11:01]The business development aspect of coaching [13:31]Building a coaching business and the challenges faced [14:26]Utilizing community and networks for business growth [23:22]
Learn more about Alan at https://www.peacefuldirection.com
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Diana File founded DF Analytics to instill rigor and accountability in DEI efforts worldwide. As a research and organizational psychologist, she has devoted 15 years to refining her proprietary data science methodologies, driving impactful results for Fortune 500 corporations, startups, government agencies, nonprofit institutions, and small businesses globally.
Diana leverages data science to enable companies to cultivate highly diverse and inclusive teams that excel in productivity, collaboration, and profitability. Her proprietary analytical methods reveal the underlying neuroscientific factors that determine success or failure. She then translates these assessments into actionable strategies, leading cross-functional implementation throughout the organization. This comprehensive approach ensures companies remain at the forefront of the evolving generational and cultural landscapes affecting both employees and customers.
As a former consultant for the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), Diana has redefined decision-making processes within complex hierarchies and has led pioneering global research on fostering the resolution of intractable conflicts. Her breadth of expertise encompasses workforce analytics, team development, project management, organizational effectiveness, conflict resolution, and research on best practices.
Diana is a sought-after workshop leader and keynote speaker, contributing to prestigious institutions such as Cornell University's School of Industrial and Labor Relations, Columbia University School of Professional Studies, Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, National Libraries of Medicine, HR Leadership Forum, and various industry associations.
She earned her B.A. in Psychology, graduating cum laude from Yale University, and holds an M.A. in Psychology from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. Diana is proficient in English, Hebrew, and Russian.
In today’s episode of Smashing the Plateau, you will learn from Diana File how to bring accountability to DEI efforts using data science.**
Diana and I discuss:
Her journey from a child immigrant facing intolerance to a DEI leader [00:47]How Diana's personal mission shaped her career path [01:31]The importance of addressing systemic inequities through organizational psychology [01:59]Her groundbreaking research in trauma recovery and conflict resolution [02:19]The birth of DF Analytics and its mission [03:37]The pivotal year of 2020 for DEI and how that shaped her business [05:18]Why certain industries like healthcare, technology, and financial services focus on DEI [07:14]How Diana uses her coaching approach to build business relationships [08:50]Overcoming the fear of rejection in business development [12:32]The business model behind DF Analytics and working with a diversified team of consultants [16:37]
Learn more about Diana at www.dfanalytics.co and https://www.linkedin.com/in/diana-file
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Jessica Mehring is a strategic consultant for technology companies, a published author, and holds an M.A. in Communication. Through her graduate academic work, she has closely examined the impact of generative AI on strategic communication and is exploring how storytelling fosters empathy and helps us connect in a modern context. When she's not working to infuse tech marketing with more humanity, she can be found researching the intersections of art and science, creativity and data, and communication and innovation.
In today's episode of Smashing the Plateau, you will learn how to leverage storytelling to make your marketing resonate with your audience and build a successful consulting business that can change the way technology is perceived and utilized.
Jessica and I discuss:
How Jessica's passion for writing and storytelling shaped her career [00:01:59]The pivotal moment that led her to entrepreneurship [00:04:11]Her approach to creating high-performing content for tech companies [00:08:18]The role of storytelling in establishing customer connection [00:11:14]Jessica's advice for corporate refugees on using storytelling in their businesses [00:13:56]The significance of community in Jessica's entrepreneurial success [00:22:18]
Learn more about Jessica at https://www.horizonpeakconsulting.com/jessica/.
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Gina Cotner is the CEO of Athena Executive Services, a firm that pairs virtual executive assistants across the United States with swamped and successful entrepreneurs and executives. Her team of high-caliber executive assistants works part-time from home, taking many tasks and projects off the plates of successful people, leaving them free to spend their time where they are most needed.
In today's episode of Smashing the Plateau, you will learn how to transition from a secure corporate job to founding and scaling a company that aligns with your personal values and lifestyle.
Gina and I discuss:
Her initial decision to leave IBM and her corporate life behind [00:00:38]The journey from planning to open a martini lounge to becoming an entrepreneur [00:02:59]How Gina faced and overcame financial fears during a divorce [00:05:10]The inception of Athena Executive Services and its growth [00:07:54]Strategies for dealing with disappointment and the importance of keeping it simple [00:15:19]Building a business that thrived during the pandemic [00:11:00]The benefits of community and networking in business development [00:19:08]
Learn more about Gina with Athena Executive Services on social media to stay updated on latest insights and offerings: 
Facebook: [https://www.facebook.com/AthenaVirtualAssistants]
Instagram: [https://www.instagram.com/athena_executive_services]
YouTube: [https://www.youtube.com/@athenaexecutiveservices5248]
LinkedIn: [https://www.linkedin.com/company/athena-executive]
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Introducing Tyler Martin: a Business Coach and CPA with a talent for growing businesses. He escalated a staffing firm to $25 million a year and expanded a CPA firm to 200 clients in just five years. Tyler's unique strength lies in his hands-on business experience — he's not just a coach. He has personally built and sold successful companies. Specializing in service businesses with revenues of $1-15 million, Tyler provides practical, actionable guidance to help them grow. He is the ideal mentor for business owners eager to develop their enterprise.
Tyler Martin is a seasoned CPA and business coach with a knack for helping businesses flourish. With his firsthand experience in growing a staffing firm to $25 million and building a CPA firm from scratch to 200 clients in just five years, Tyler understands the ins and outs of business growth. Moreover, having sold successful companies of his own, Tyler brings a wealth of knowledge and practical advice to his role as a mentor to service businesses with revenues between one to $15 million.
In today's episode of Smashing the Plateau, you will learn how to navigate the waters of business growth and deal with the challenges of being a corporate refugee starting from scratch.
Tyler and I discuss:
His transition from CPA to entrepreneurship and why he took the leap [00:01:13]Building his own CPA firm and acquiring 200 clients in five years [00:01:33]Strategies for lead generation and client selection [00:03:06]The significant pivot from business coaching to providing CFO services [00:09:23]Overcoming the fear of investing money into seemingly sinking ships [00:15:25]The balance between proactive business modeling and reacting to emergent opportunities [00:07:07]
Learn more about Tyler at www.thinktyler.com.
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