Superfans Growth Hub

10/08/2025

𝗦𝘁𝗼𝗽 𝗹𝗼𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗳𝗶𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂’𝘃𝗲 𝗮𝗹𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗱𝘆 𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻𝗲𝗱.

Most service-based business owners think more sales will fix their cash flow problems — but as Debbie Deknight reveals in this episode, profit leaks start with messy books, reactive spending, and poor systems.

💬 “If your books are a mess, your decisions will be too. Profit isn’t what’s left — it’s what you plan for.” — Debbie Deknight

In 𝗘𝗽𝗶𝘀𝗼𝗱𝗲 𝟭𝟰𝟵, Debbie breaks down how she turned chaos into clarity using the Profit First model. She shows how small business owners can reclaim financial control through structure — not stress.

𝗙𝗿𝗲𝗱𝗱𝘆 𝗗: 𝗧𝗮𝗸𝗲
Most business owners think more sales will solve their problems — but as Debbie shows, profit isn’t earned by selling more, it’s protected by structure. The difference between stress and freedom often comes down to one decision: to lead your money instead of chase it.

𝗦𝗨𝗣𝗘𝗥𝗙𝗔𝗡𝗦 𝗙𝗿𝗮𝗺𝗲𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸 𝗣𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗮𝗿 𝗜𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁:
By aligning with the Finance, Elevate, Propel, and Automate pillars, this episode shows how structured money management builds freedom, fuels smarter decisions, and automates profit into every part of your business.

𝗦𝗼𝗹𝘂𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝘀𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗱:
- Implement the Profit First 5-account system (Guest)
- Plug profit leaks by fixing bookkeeping and categorization (Guest)
- Use clean books to make strategic growth decisions (Guest)
- Shift from “bank balance” management to intentional allocation (Guest)
- Build financial habits that scale profit without burnout (Freddy D)

🎧 Listen now → https://linkly.link/2GCSZ

Tag a peer who needs this or share your own takeaway in the comments.

Discover how Debbie Deknight helps service businesses protect and grow profits using the Profit First System to create clarity, control, financial freedom.

10/05/2025

𝗘𝗣𝟭𝟰𝟴 — 𝗠𝗶𝗰𝗿𝗼𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗮𝗴𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗶𝘀 𝗸𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗺𝗮𝗿𝗴𝗶𝗻𝘀
Untrained new managers create toxicity and turnover. Jennifer Jensen reveals how investing in middle managers and aligning mission/vision flips culture from fear to ownership and growth.

𝗚𝘂𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝘁𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁: Jennifer Jensen, author of Developing Authentic Leaders (AuthenticLeader®).

𝗚𝘂𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗤𝘂𝗼𝘁𝗲: “It’s huge… organizations that invest in their middle managers… your ROI is insane.”

𝗙𝗿𝗲𝗱𝗱𝘆 𝗗'𝘀𝗧𝗮𝗸𝗲: Ownership beats oversight. Give teams the plan and the deadline—they’ll give you speed, pride, and profit.

𝗦𝗨𝗣𝗘𝗥𝗙𝗔𝗡𝗦 𝗙𝗿𝗮𝗺𝗲𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸™ 𝗶𝗻 𝗔𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 – 𝗙𝗿𝗲𝗱𝗱𝘆 𝗗’𝘀 𝗠𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗠𝗶𝗻𝘂𝘁𝗲

As Jennifer shared her leadership insights, two pillars stood out from the SUPERFANS Framework™ I use when mentoring service-based leaders:

𝗨𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗲: Micromanagement divides teams. Jennifer showed how authentic leadership creates alignment, clarity, and trust across every role.
𝗘𝗹𝗲𝘃𝗮𝘁𝗲: When leaders recognize and empower their middle managers, morale and ROI rise together—proving that people-first leadership drives profit.

👉 Small shifts in leadership style can unite your culture and elevate performance faster than any marketing tactic.

𝗦𝗼𝗹𝘂𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀:
Jennifer: Behavior assessments + coaching to align strengths and reduce stress.
Jennifer: 1:1 feedback > public reprimands; build SOPs.
Jennifer: Define mission/vision to synchronize ex*****on.
Freddy D: Transfer plan ownership to the team; leader = facilitator.

🎧 Listen: https://linkly.link/2G01x

Tag a peer who needs this or share your own takeaway in the comments.

George Swetlitz of Right Response AI reveals how AI-powered review engagement helps SMBs convert more customers, protect cash flow, and build loyal superfans.

10/02/2025

EP147 — PR & AI workflows sell faster 🤖⚡🗞️
SMBs don’t lose to big brands—they lose to slow response, no PR, and zero automation. Roberto Martinez (Braven Agency, Google coach for CA) shares how to digitize, install AI workflows, and activate partners so you can scale without Fortune-100 budgets.

“It’s not confidence, it’s competence.” — Roberto

SUPERFANS Framework Pillar Insight: S¹ Strategize | U Unite | P Propel | E Elevate | R Rally | F Finance | A Automate | N Nurture | S² Sustain

Solutions
Roberto: Digitization, audience segmentation, e-comm enablement, AI agents/workflows, PR as authority, partner & city programs, team empowerment.

Freddy D: 3–15 minute lead-response rule, direct mail recognition, PR/editorial for third-party proof, ecosystem activation.

🎧 Listen: https://linkly.link/2Fva3

Tag a peer who needs this or share your own takeaway in the comments.

George Swetlitz of Right Response AI reveals how AI-powered review engagement helps SMBs convert more customers, protect cash flow, and build loyal superfans.

09/30/2025

EP146 • Stop “managing” reviews—convert them.

Most sevice-based SMBs drown in templates and slow replies. George Swetlitz (Right Response AI) shows how facts-driven AI turns review readers into customers—at scale. The shift: personalize requests, respond with specifics, measure sentiment by location, and benchmark competitors (recent months, not all-time).

“Trust is built in public, long before the meeting.”
“It’s not about managing reviews—it’s about conversion.”

Pillars: S¹ Strategize • P Propel • E Elevate • R Rally • A Automate • N Nurture • S² Sustain

Solutions (George):
• “Facts” woven into replies • Autoresponder for 4–5★ • Personalized review requests (+ prompts + AI-from-notes) • Topic-level sentiment by location • Last-6mo competitor benchmarks • Usage-based pricing

Solutions (Freddy D):
• Recognition builds Superfans • Respond fast—same day when possible

🎧 Listen: https://linkly.link/2FleC

CTA: Tag a peer who needs this or share your takeaway in the comments.

George Swetlitz of Right Response AI reveals how AI-powered review engagement helps SMBs convert more customers, protect cash flow, and build loyal superfans.

08/07/2025

🚨 New Business Superfans® Podcast Drop – Episode 126 🎙️
Featuring: Melih Oztalay

Melih’s story is a masterclass in transforming clients into loyal stakeholders who drive business growth.

In this episode, we explore how he built a thriving agency without a sales team—and what it means to rally your community of clients and partners into superfans.

🔥 Key Insights:
✅ Strategy > task ex*****on: why most agencies miss the point
✅ The surprising ROI of consistent collaboration and data-backed pivots
✅ How taking care of people better than anyone else built a referral engine

💡 S.U.P.E.R.F.A.N.S. Pillar Spotlight: R – Rally
→ Melih shows how authentic client care and real-time collaboration turn one-off customers into superfans for life.

🎧 Listen now → https://bit.ly/4ldbIEd
💬 What’s your biggest takeaway from Melih’s story?

07/29/2025

🚨 New Business Superfans® Podcast Drop – Episode 122 🎙️
Featuring: Kelly Schuknecht

Kelly’s story is a masterclass in turning disruption into strategic direction.

In this episode, we explore how she built a niche agency around elevating thought leaders—and why being laser-focused on one type of client can unlock growth, credibility, and referrals.

🔥 Key Insights:
✅ The surprising upside of being laid off—and how to prepare strategically
✅ Why narrowing your services can speed up business growth
✅ A practical system for landing speaking gigs and writing a book (even if you’re busy)

💡 S.U.P.E.R.F.A.N.S. Pillar Spotlight: S¹ – Strategize
→ Kelly shows how crafting a precise offer and audience fit is a strategy that scales.

🎧 Listen now → https://bit.ly/3J5Mpq0
💬 What’s your biggest takeaway from Kelly’s story?

Join Freddie D and Kelly Schuknecht as they explore thought leadership, brand elevation, and actionable marketing strategies for entrepreneurs.

07/24/2025

🚨 New Business Superfans Podcast Episode 121 Just Dropped! 🎹️

In this episode, we sit down with Dan Balcauski, a product strategy veteran who turned his global backpacking sabbatical and meditation retreat into the founding spark behind Product Tranquility.

Dan shares how stepping away from tech to seek personal clarity helped him realize the antidote to product chaos — and led to a mission of helping SaaS CEOs bring calm and clarity to their pricing and packaging strategies.

Here’s what you’ll learn:

✅ Why pricing is the most neglected growth lever in SaaS
✅ The hidden churn risks baked into misaligned packaging
✅ How product bloat creates customer confusion (and how to untangle it)
✅ What makes segmentation the linchpin of any pricing strategy

🎷 Catch the full episode here → https://bit.ly/4lLlTkt

Tag a fellow founder, entrepreneur, or product leader who needs this inspiration! 💬

💬 What's one pricing or packaging lesson from Dan's journey that resonated with you most?

Discover SaaS pricing and packaging strategies that sustain growth with Dan Balcauski. Learn how to retain customers and scale smarter in Episode 121.

07/19/2025

🚨 𝗡𝗲𝘄 𝗕𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗦𝘂𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗳𝗮𝗻𝘀 𝗣𝗼𝗱𝗰𝗮𝘀𝘁 𝗘𝗽𝗶𝘀𝗼𝗱𝗲 𝟭𝟮𝟬 𝗝𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝗗𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗽𝗲𝗱! 🎹️

In this episode, we sit down with Diane Yarborough, who went from building magical team cultures at Disney to helping small businesses create contagious, people-first environments.

Diane shares how leaving the Disney ecosystem revealed just how far behind most organizations are in culture, leadership, and team empowerment—and why she felt called to change that.

Here’s what you’ll learn:

✅ Why "culture is your brand"—and how to make it work in your favor
✅ The real reason most employee issues are actually leadership problems
✅ What "intentionality" looks like when you’re building a thriving team
✅ Why great employees don’t leave great leaders—even during tough times

🎷 Catch the full episode here → https://bit.ly/4eUsar8

Tag a fellow founder, entrepreneur, or leader who needs this inspiration! 💬

💬 What's one lesson from Diane's journey that resonates with you most?

Join Diane Yarborough on the Business Superfans podcast as she shares insights on creating contagious workplace cultures for lasting success.

07/15/2025

🚨 New Business Superfans Podcast Episode 119 Just Dropped! 🎙️

In this episode, we sit down with Joshua Hart, a conflict resolution expert who turned his early speech and hearing challenges into a superpower for communication and leadership.

Joshua shares how navigating adversity and working through miscommunication — in life and business — shaped his philosophy around building emotionally intelligent, high-performing teams.

Here’s what you’ll learn:

✅ Why fixing one broken conversation can rescue an entire company culture
✅ How emotional intelligence can scale your operations (and your profits)
✅ The crucial role of consistency and clarity in leadership
✅ How to reduce team conflict by aligning communication with personality types

🎧 Catch the full episode here → https://bit.ly/3ImeKbx

Tag a fellow founder, entrepreneur, or leader who needs this inspiration! 💬

💬 What's one lesson from Joshua's journey that resonates with you most?

Join conflict resolution expert Joshua Hart as he shares insights on communication, culture transformation, and overcoming adversity in business.

07/11/2025

🚨 𝗡𝗲𝘄 𝗕𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗦𝘂𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗳𝗮𝗻𝘀 𝗣𝗼𝗱𝗰𝗮𝘀𝘁 𝗘𝗽𝗶𝘀𝗼𝗱𝗲 𝟭𝟭𝟴 𝗝𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝗗𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗽𝗲𝗱! 🎙️

In this episode, we sit down with Nicky Billou, a fierce advocate for entrepreneurial freedom and the founder of eCircle Academy.

Nicky shares how fleeing tyranny as a child and watching his parents sacrifice everything for freedom forged his belief that business is about people — not just profits.

Here’s what you’ll learn:

✅ Why your real job is restoring people’s faith, not just closing sales
✅ The mindset shift from selling to serving (and why it changes everything)
✅ How to go from overlooked to overbooked as a coach or consultant
✅ Why freedom and capitalism aren't just political — they're deeply personal for entrepreneurs

🎧 Catch the full episode here →https://bit.ly/4ksiYLP
Tag a fellow founder, entrepreneur, or leader who needs this inspiration! 💬

💬 What’s one lesson from Nicky’s journey that resonates with you most?

Join Nicky Billou on Business Superfans as he shares strategies for entrepreneurs to elevate their impact and income through authentic connections.

07/05/2025

🚨 New Business Superfans Podcast Episode 117 Just Dropped! 🎙️

In this episode, we sit down with Jaime Raul Zepeda, a workplace culture architect who has dedicated his life to helping companies build thriving, employee-first cultures.

Jaime shares how a single book sparked his journey to transform organizations by proving that happy, inspired employees double productivity and drive business success.

Here’s what you’ll learn:

✅ Why recognizing employees publicly amplifies engagement and shapes culture
✅ How leaders unintentionally sabotage innovation — and how to fix it
✅ Why transparency from executives builds trust (and what silence does instead)
✅ A simple 5-minute habit that can transform employee motivation

🎧 Catch the full episode here → https://bit.ly/4eJMjAf

Tag a fellow founder, entrepreneur, or leader who needs this inspiration! 💬

💬 What’s one lesson from Jaime’s journey that resonates with you most?

Join Jaime Raul Zepeda on Business Superfans as he shares insights on transforming workplace culture for employee engagement and success.

07/01/2025

🚨 𝗡𝗲𝘄 𝗕𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗦𝘂𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗳𝗮𝗻𝘀 𝗣𝗼𝗱𝗰𝗮𝘀𝘁 𝗘𝗽𝗶𝘀𝗼𝗱𝗲 𝟭𝟭𝟲 𝗝𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝗗𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗽𝗲𝗱! 🎙️

In this episode, we sit down with Angelo Ponzi, a marketing and brand strategist with 30+ years of transforming iconic brands.

Angelo shares how seeing businesses fail because they ignored strategy inspired his mission: teaching companies how to work on their business — not just in it — so they thrive, not just survive.

Here’s what you’ll learn:

✅ Why “great people” and “cool logos” aren’t real differentiation — and what is
✅ The danger of “drinking your own Kool-Aid” and ignoring what the market thinks
✅ How strategic customer insights can turn near-failures into growth stories
✅ Why your employees are your first superfans — and how that drives external loyalty

🎧 Catch the full episode here → https://bit.ly/3I8TYf8

Tag a fellow founder, entrepreneur, or leader who needs this inspiration! 💬

💬 What’s one lesson from Angelo’s journey that resonates with you most?

Join marketing strategist Angelo Ponzi on the Business Superfans podcast for insights on brand strategy, market positioning, and growth tactics.