Creative Warriors

I've spent the past five weeks in Paris with one week left. When I left the U.S., I had some very clear intentions. One of them was to explore all the aspects of #TheArtOfLivingWell. I'd like to share what I learned so that you can consider these "luxuries" in your own life. Sell to the Rich: The Insiders Handbook to Selling Luxury – Website Contact Jeffrey – JeffreyShaw.com Books by Jeffrey Shaw Business Coaching for Entrepreneurs Watch my TEDx LincolnSquare video and please share! Valuable Resources – The Self-Employed Business Institute You know you're really good at what you do. You're talented, you have a skill set. The problem is you're probably in a field where there is no business education. This is common amongst self-employed people! And, there's no business education out there for us! You also know that being self-employed is unique and you need better strategies, coaching, support, and accountability. The Self-Employed Business Institute, a five-month online education is e

In this episode of the Self-Employed Life, I had the great privilege of speaking with Nesha Pai, author of the book “Overcoming Ordinary Obstacles”. Nesha shared how she transitioned from running a fully remote accounting firm to empowering others to pursue their boldest dreams.  She further explains how personal tragedies deepened her mission. We explored the difference between courage and bravery, the “Four C’s” framework she uses to guide dreamers into bold action, and how cultivating personal style and daily confidence practices can help us show up as the person we’re becoming. Nesha’s story is a great reminder that taking courageous, intentional steps—especially through life’s hardest seasons—can lead to extraordinary transformation. Nesha Pai is the founder of Pai CPA, PLLC, a fully remote bookkeeping firm in Charlotte, NC.   She started her firm in February 2011,  and was one of the first in the industry to create a fully remote office model, along with giving employment opportunities to primarily to

In this episode of The Self-Employed Life, I had the great pleasure of speaking with Annette Mason, sabbaticalist and Succession Architect at Trilogy Design Works. Annette shared how intentional sabbaticals can be powerful tools for self-employed individuals to regain clarity, spark creativity, and build sustainable success. We discussed the difference between a vacation and a sabbatical, how to structure one even while running a business, and the importance of designing time away with intention. Annette also introduced her framework of Compass, Maps, and Constellations to help people align with their values, plan with vision, and lean into the support systems around them. Annette uses her background in corporate innovation and personal experience with burnout in order to encourage others to rethink how we work and to embrace sabbaticals as a meaningful part of a resilient and fulfilling self-employed life. Annette Mason, Sabbaticalist and Succession Architect at Trilogy Design Work We help forward-thinking

In this episode of the Self Employed Life, I had the great pleasure of speaking with Heather Holloway, founder of Holloway Media Services. Heather shared her journey of personal and professional emergence, emphasizing the importance of stress reduction and serving more. We further discussed her social media strategy, focusing on the significance of LinkedIn for business networking and personal branding. Heather highlighted the need to set boundaries on social media consumption. She also touched on the evolving role of social media in business and the importance of having a support system to facilitate personal growth and business success. Heather's message encourages individuals to embrace their potential and seek support to navigate their path to emergence and recognition. Heather Holloway is one part entrepreneur and one part inspirational speaker. She is the founder of Holloway Media Services, a social media marketing agency dedicated to helping women and LGBTQ+ CEOs leverage their personal brands to gro

In this episode of The Self-Employed Life, I had the great pleasure of speaking with Rob Hunter about the art of effective communication. Rob shares his insights on why communication is a critical — yet often overlooked — skill in many businesses today. He offers practical tips and strategies to help business owners strengthen their communication and better connect with their teams and clients. Rob emphasizes that with so many distractions competing for a person’s attention, the ability to communicate clearly, concisely, and effectively has never been more important. We further discuss five important steps that anyone can take to become a more powerful communicator. This episode is for anyone who wants to strengthen their professional relationships and create a bigger impact through the power of clear and effective communication. Rob Hunter loves words. Not just any words, though…ones that create connection and meaningful, lasting impact. Over his 25+ yr. career as a radio broadcaster, he's learned that com

One of my goals is to help you develop an Alchemist Mindset. Differing from the concepts of a fixed mindset and a growth mindset. This is to have a willingness to learn from things that have nothing to do with what you do, but turning it into something valuable for yourself. Doing business with you must feel like a luxury - customers will accept no less. My new book, Sell to the Rich: The Insiders Handbook to Selling Luxury, offers the inside secrets of how luxury buyers think and behave, enabling you to connect with those clients and earn their trust at a higher level. You must elevate yourself and the standards of your business in order to make the experience for every customer a luxury.This is more than a business book, it's your call to greatness. The Self Employed Life podcast will be coming to an end with episode 1000, celebrating more than 11 years. Just as with my photography business, I didn’t make this decision because I felt bored or out of opportunity. I made the decision because I felt complet

In this episode of The Self-Employed Life, I had the pleasure of speaking with Gayle Friend, founder of Unrestricted Intimacy, about the power of creating deep, meaningful relationships in business. Gayle redefines intimacy as more than just a romantic concept—it’s about forming deep, authentic connections with clients through shared experiences, vulnerability, and presence. We explored the often-overlooked aspects of intimacy, including the importance of recognizing what we have in common and showing up as our full selves. This episode is for anyone who wants to build stronger, next-level relationships with their clients. Dr. Gayle Friend’s expertise is helping people stand in their power and gain the confidence to freely be their true selves and create deeply meaningful relationships. Once on the brink of a second divorce, Gayle developed a transformational process that turned her and her love life completely around. She knows what it takes to create a happy relationship and is highly successful in helpin

"What motivates us most is the desire to become bolder versions of ourselves." This is a quote from my first book, LINGO, and I believe that to be true. With all the goals we might have, and all the rewards we can pursue, I do believe that continuing to find a bolder version of ourselves is at the heart of our motivation. In the episodes I share a few thoughts on being bold and a wonderful story from my new book, Sell to the Rich, that truly expresses boldness. Contact Jeffrey –  Website Books   Watch my TEDx LincolnSquare video and please share!  Valuable resources to help you – Take The Self-Employed Assessment! Ever feel like you're all over the place? Or frustrated it seems like you have everything you need for your business success but it's somehow not coming together? Take this short quiz to discover the biggest hidden gap that’s keeping you from having a thriving Self-Employed Ecosystem. You’ll find out what part of your business needs attention and you'll also get a few laser-focused in

In this episode of The Self-Employed Life, I had the great pleasure of speaking with Shaneh Woods, CEO of Prosperity First. During our conversation, we discussed the importance of understanding both the soul and science of money, and how mindset and strategy come together to shape financial success. Shaneh shares exceptional insights on breaking through financial ceilings, setting goals with an “or better” mindset, shifting limiting beliefs about money, and much more. This episode is filled with expert advice to help anyone who longs to have a better relationship with their money. Shaneh F. Woods brings Big Money Energy!As the CEO of Prosperity First, she helps driven, heart-centered entrepreneurs 4-5X their business profits with her proprietary Money Design creation.Combining your human design, gene keys, and 28 years as an accountant and CFO, Shaneh bridges the soul and science of money.Positively changing your relationship with money, forever. Shaneh helps clients create their own Big Money Energy - maki

Words have a powerful energy. In this episode I share the importance of paying attention to the energy of words and how to use the right words with careful intention to influence the results you want. Contact Jeffrey –  Website Books   Watch my TEDx LincolnSquare video and please share!  Valuable resources to help you – Take The Self-Employed Assessment! Ever feel like you're all over the place? Or frustrated it seems like you have everything you need for your business success but it's somehow not coming together? Take this short quiz to discover the biggest hidden gap that’s keeping you from having a thriving Self-Employed Ecosystem. You’ll find out what part of your business needs attention and you'll also get a few laser-focused insights to help you start closing that gap. The Self-Employed Business Institute You know you're really good at what you do. You're talented, you have a skill set. The problem is you're probably in a field where there is no business education. This is common amon

In this episode of The Self-Employed Life, I had the pleasure of speaking with two guests, Milton Pedraza and Erica Wertheim Zohar, co-authors of High Trust Worth: The New Currency of Business is Not Money, It’s Trust. We discuss the power of trust in business and why it is more important now than ever. Drawing from their experience in the luxury market, Milton and Erica break down the five pillars of building high trust and share what it really takes to both earn and keep it. We explore how businesses can stand out by making trust their foundation and how even small gestures can make a lasting impact. This episode is filled with advice for anyone who wants to grow their business with integrity. Erica Wertheim Zohar is a distinguished entrepreneur, consultant, speaker, philanthropist, and journalist with specialized expertise in luxury brands and ultra-high-net-worth individuals (UHNWIs). After founding a successful clothing manufacturing company, she transitioned to consulting, advising leading luxury bran

There are so many options to increase your sales and even more importantly, enhance the experience for your customers. I cover several ideas that you can add to your business that will delight your customers and increase your average sale. Contact Jeffrey –  Website Books   Watch my TEDx LincolnSquare video and please share!  Valuable resources to help you – Take The Self-Employed Assessment! Ever feel like you're all over the place? Or frustrated it seems like you have everything you need for your business success but it's somehow not coming together? Take this short quiz to discover the biggest hidden gap that’s keeping you from having a thriving Self-Employed Ecosystem. You’ll find out what part of your business needs attention and you'll also get a few laser-focused insights to help you start closing that gap. The Self-Employed Business Institute You know you're really good at what you do. You're talented, you have a skill set. The problem is you're probably in a field where there is no

In this episode of The Self-Employed Life, I had the great pleasure of speaking with Deborah Coviello, author of The CEO’s Compass: Your Guide to Get Back on Track, to talk about what it really means to be a CEO. Deborah explains the power of shifting from a results-driven mindset to one that prioritizes peace of mind. We discuss how that change of thought can lead to better leadership and long-term success. We also talk about balancing logic with intuition, learning from past experiences, and why true leadership is more than just chasing results. This episode will help anyone who has struggled with feeling overwhelmed or uncertain about being a CEO to  find clarity and confidence in their role as a leader. Known as The Drop In CEOTM, Deb’s superpower is lowering the temperature and elevating conversations with empathy and patience. As a speaker, author, podcaster, and consultant, she teaches C-Suite leaders how to establish a “Lift, Light, Lead” environment and create calm amidst chaos or crisis. She is th

You've likely heard about a growth and fixed mindset. In this episode, I take that to a whole new level that is proving to be a distinguishable difference between those that thrive in business and those that struggle to get past whatever level they are currently at. It's what I'm calling an Alchemy Mindset. Contact Jeffrey –  Website Books   Watch my TEDx LincolnSquare video and please share!  Valuable resources to help you – Take The Self-Employed Assessment! Ever feel like you're all over the place? Or frustrated it seems like you have everything you need for your business success but it's somehow not coming together? Take this short quiz to discover the biggest hidden gap that’s keeping you from having a thriving Self-Employed Ecosystem. You’ll find out what part of your business needs attention and you'll also get a few laser-focused insights to help you start closing that gap. The Self-Employed Business Institute You know you're really good at what you do. You're talented, you have a sk

In this episode of The Self-Employed Life, I had the great pleasure of speaking with Cara Poppitt, author of Big Freakin’ Change: How to Gain Confidence by Stepping Out Before You Are Ready, about the process of implementing change. Cara explains that courage is the starting point, with confidence following later, and encourages listeners to embrace change rather than resist it. We discussed the barriers that hold people back, the differences between courage and confidence, and eight essential steps to help individuals break free from stagnation and move forward. This episode offers valuable insights and practical steps to anyone who is feeling stuck to help them embrace change. Cara Moeller Poppitt is dedicated to empowering individuals to overcome limitations, take decisive action, and achieve their personal and professional aspirations. She has developed a profound understanding of how mindset and movement can drive personal, professional and organizational change that lasts. In her Get Unstuck, Cycle of

In this episode you'll learn about one of the biggest changes in marketing and sales, the reason for it, and what you can do about it. I can almost guarantee it's going to warrant some changes in either your digital platform, customer engagement, or both. Important information and perspective change.

In this episode of The Self-Employed Life, I had the pleasure of speaking with Jessica Pettitt, author of Good Enough Now: How Doing the Best We Can with What We Have Is Better than Nothing. Jessica highlights the importance of accepting yourself  and finding balance between imperfections and growth. Our conversation delves into how releasing the pressure to be perfect can reduce stress and open the door to meaningful progress. This episode is a powerful reminder that progress often begins when we allow ourselves to simply do our best, even if it’s not perfect. Perhaps it’s her Texas roots, but Jess Pettitt, MBA, M.Ed., CSP, believes that to really thrive in this world, you have to ride two horses—one of giving and one of receiving. For Jess, the giving horse is her passion for service, and the receiving horse is the high she rides entertaining audiences. For almost 10 years, Jess rode one horse by day, serving as an administrator in student affairs for university Diversity and Inclusion programs, and the

Business is a cycle of ups and downs. If you're feeling the pinch, if your business is slowing down or you fear it might, these strategies will be business-saving. If your business is thriving, great! But learn these strategies for when it's not. Contact Jeffrey –  Website Books   Watch my TEDx LincolnSquare video and please share!  Valuable resources to help you – Take The Self-Employed Assessment! Ever feel like you're all over the place? Or frustrated it seems like you have everything you need for your business success but it's somehow not coming together? Take this short quiz to discover the biggest hidden gap that’s keeping you from having a thriving Self-Employed Ecosystem. You’ll find out what part of your business needs attention and you'll also get a few laser-focused insights to help you start closing that gap. The Self-Employed Business Institute You know you're really good at what you do. You're talented, you have a skill set. The problem is you're probably in a field where there

In this episode of The Self-Employed Life, I had the pleasure of speaking with TJ Slattery, founder of Crowsnest Consulting, about the key elements of successful business models. We discussed the importance of having a solid plan, staying focused on priorities, and taking that leap of faith to move your business forward. TJ shared valuable insights on breaking down goals into actionable steps, what it takes to turn a vision into reality, and much more. This episode is filled with advice and inspiration for anyone looking to build a strong foundation for their business. TJ Slattery is the owner and founder of Crowsnest Consulting. A lifetime entrepreneur and strategic advisor, TJ harnesses his decades of experience to create clarity and stability for business owners immersed in the day-to-day on an entrepreneurial island.  With honest, relatable candor (and a stylish neckerchief), TJ helps small business owners across industries create and improve operational systems and develop proactive processes to forge

It's the beginning of a new year and perhaps you want to increase sales and grow your business. Whether you love sales as much as I do or find it incredibly uncomfortable, what I want to share with you I believe has the potential to increase sales, make an amazing experience for your customers, and maybe motivate you so sales becomes your favorite part of your business. Contact Jeffrey –  Website Books   Watch my TEDx LincolnSquare video and please share!  Valuable resources to help you – Take The Self-Employed Assessment! Ever feel like you're all over the place? Or frustrated it seems like you have everything you need for your business success but it's somehow not coming together? Take this short quiz to discover the biggest hidden gap that’s keeping you from having a thriving Self-Employed Ecosystem. You’ll find out what part of your business needs attention and you'll also get a few laser-focused insights to help you start closing that gap. The Self-Employed Business Institute You know y