All Episodes

You’ve hired an assistant before. It didn’t stick. And if you’re honest, you’re not totally sure why.Host Samantha C. Prestidge of Auxo Business Services breaks down the three areas of clarity founders need to have in place before they bring on an assistant — and why skipping them is almost always what tanks the working relationship.This solo episode gets into why even strong assistants fail when founders aren’t ready, the difference between delegating tasks and delegating outcomes, and the Map It → Keep It → Delegate It framework Sam uses with her own clients.Topic BulletsWhy building SOPs before you hire is the wrong starting point — and what to do insteadThe “cart before the horse” pattern that ends most assistant relationships earlyWhat “how you want to play in your business” actually means — and why founders who skip it become micromanagersHow to write a value statement that ties your assistant’s work to real business outcomes, not just your to-do listWhen “I can’t grow because I’m at capacity” is actually a clarity problem, not a bandwidth oneThe Map It, Keep It, Delegate It frameworkBook a delegation strategy session: auxosvs.com/strategyTimestamps00:00 Hidden Expectations00:21 Podcast Mission01:49 Delegation Failures03:31 Skip The SOP Trap04:52 Three Clarity Areas05:08 Map What Youre Building07:18 Keep Your Founder Role09:13 Delegate Outcomes Not Tasks11:49 Map Keep Delegate Framework12:27 Book A Strategy Session

Hiring operations help for your small business is harder than it should be — and most founders are looking at the wrong things when they do it.Ashley Connell, CEO of Prowess Project, has spent seven years matching small business owners with operations partners. She's learned that the skills on a resume tell you almost nothing about whether someone can actually run your business alongside you.In this episode:Why hiring for tech stack and job titles fails service-based business ownersHow to find the right operations partner for your small businessThe four-step framework Ashley's ops partners use from day oneWhy delegating outcomes doesn't work — and what to communicate insteadHow to know if you need an operations partner or if your processes need fixing firstWhat a two-week time study reveals that no hiring process can00:00 The Need for Management00:41 Welcome to Can We Not01:41 Meet Ashley Connell02:22 What is an Ops Partner04:46 Meeting Leah05:42 Flexible and Fulfilling Careers06:59 The 97 Percent Statistic07:38 The Matching Algorithm10:47 Proven Results and Success Stories13:14 Overcomplicating the Journey15:38 Niching Down to Accounting Firms17:22 Testing and Experimentation19:22 Naming the Ops Partner21:20 Experimentation With Intent22:35 Accountability and Feedback26:06 Four Step Delivery Method29:03 Setting Clear Expectations32:24 Behaviors Over Outcomes34:28 Practical AI Integration36:29 Time Study to Simplify38:40 Closing Thoughts

Most sales training teaches you to push harder when a prospect hesitates. Aleasha Bahr teaches you to get curious instead — and the results are hard to argue with.Host Samantha C. Prestidge chats with Aleasha Bahr, author of Black Sheep Sales and founder of a sales coaching practice that helps service business owners build strategies designed around how they actually think and communicate — not a pushy script that never fit them in the first place.They dig into what it looks like to simplify your message down to outcomes people actually want (hint: it's not your list of deliverables), why defining your anti-audience is as important as defining your ICP, and how knowing when to walk away from a sale is the thing that actually brings clients chasing you.LINKSAleasha Bahr on LinkedIn Black Sheep Sales bookAleasha's websiteCatch more episodes: canwenotpodcast.comApply to be a guestHave Sam as a guest on your podcast: info@auxosvs.com

You're not running seven apps because you're disorganized. You're running seven apps because each one solved a real problem at the time and nobody ever stopped to ask if the pile still made sense.Host Samantha C. Prestidge chats with Bryant Solomon, co-founder of ControlQore, who did something most founders skip — he went and worked inside his customer's business before building anything. What he found was a back office held together with workarounds, and a team trained on tools that were never designed for them.They get into how chasing the wrong kind of growth poisons an entire industry's relationship with technology, and why the founders who build slow and stay profitable are the ones still standing when the VC-fueled competitors burn out.Links:Bryant Solomon on LinkedIn ControlQore website Converge Summit Josh Luebker (fractional CFO mentioned) on LinkedInMore episodes at canwenotpodcast.comApply to be a guestHave Sam on your podcast: info@auxosvs.com

Feeling overworked, overloaded, or like you’re the only one holding everything together in your business?You might be stuck in the trap that catches so many founders and high performers: confusing self-sufficiency with strength.In this episode of Strategy, Solutions, and Sanity, Samantha shares the one mindset shift that helps founders stop being the bottleneck in their own business. Through personal stories, real-life examples, and practical delegation insights, you’ll learn:why asking for help feels uncomfortablehow over-functioning secretly drains your time and energythe difference between being capable and overcompensatinghow to make delegation simple (and not feel like letting go of control)why receiving support is the unlock for scaling without burnoutIf you’re an overwhelmed founder or small business owner trying to grow without losing your sanity, this episode gives you the clarity and permission you didn’t know you needed.00:00 Mom’s lesson that sparked the mindset shift00:58 Why asking for help feels so hard02:32 What happened when Samantha tested “helping”04:15 The hidden plague of over-self-sufficiency07:17 How to stop being the bottleneck in your business09:52 The mindset shift that makes delegation simple

Creative hiring for executive assistants and office managers: learn how to define day-to-day tasks, map soft skills, and find great candidates in unexpected places. We cover transferable skills, small-town recruiting, and why PTA leaders, teachers, and restaurant team leads can shine in admin and EA roles. If job boards are failing you, this will help you think outside the resume.What you’ll learnHow clarity in tasks reveals the right soft skillsWhere to look beyond resumes: PTA, education, and hospitalityWhen “hire for character, train the tech” makes senseCost trade-offs and how to train new hires wellChapters00:00 Intro: creative interviewing and recruiting01:02 Why job clarity matters02:04 Unconventional places to find talent03:32 Leveraging non-traditional candidates05:53 Cost benefits and training06:43 Wrap + how to get helpNeed help? Comment with the role you’re hiring. Connect with Samantha C. Prestidge on LinkedIn or email info@auxosvs.com

In this episode, we diverge from the scheduled content plan to address a critical business principle: simplicity. Spurred by early Christmas setups in stores, I discuss the importance of simplicity in both business and personal life. You'll learn three practical strategies to maintain simplicity: 1) Stop being oversubscribed with information, 2) Get to the root cause of problems, and 3) Embrace the boring but profitable tasks. These steps will help you stay aligned with your business goals and avoid unnecessary complications. Tune in next week for some creative tips on interviewing and recruiting.00:00 Introduction and Content Overview00:39 Holiday Decorations and Business Insights02:22 Embracing Simplicity in Business03:44 Strategy 1: Avoid Being Oversubscribed05:26 Strategy 2: Identify the Root Cause06:56 Strategy 3: Embrace the Boring09:22 Conclusion and Next Week's Preview

In this episode, we delve into four essential interview questions designed for the final round of our four-stage hiring process, specifically targeting virtual administrative, executive, and operations assistant roles. The goal is to assess soft skills, character traits, and personality beyond technical competencies. I explain the rationale behind each question and the insights they provide into a candidate’s ability to navigate client relationships, self-reflect, take initiative, and balance confidence with humility. If you're looking to hire an assistant without the hassle of interviewing, visit our website and book a call with us. Learn how to uncover the real potential of your next team member!00:00 Introduction to Interview Questions00:19 Understanding the Interview Process01:10 The Importance of Conversational Interviews01:41 Favorite Interview Questions04:22 Evaluating Initiative and Confidence07:30 Conclusion and Next Steps

In this episode, we tackle a common piece of advice given to business owners: 'Just hire an assistant.' While it sounds great on the surface, many find that hiring without a clear plan often leads to frustration and wasted resources. Learn why it's essential to understand your business functions and desired involvement before bringing an assistant on board. We share practical insights on how to define your role, identify tasks to delegate, and ensure a seamless integration of a virtual assistant. Need personalized help? Consider a delegation strategy session with us to streamline this process. Visit AUXOSVS.COM/BOOK to schedule a call.00:00 Introduction: The Problem with Common Advice on Hiring Assistants00:27 The Flaws in 'Just Hire an Assistant' Advice01:37 A Better Approach: Defining Your Role and Tasks01:54 Practical Steps for Effective Delegation02:40 Conclusion and Further Assistance

In this episode of Strategy Solutions, Sam explains the importance of delegation for business owners and consultants. By effectively delegating tasks, you can reduce chaos, improve processes, and free up mental space, allowing you to focus on creative and strategic thinking. Sam also offers resources and personalized strategies to help you begin the delegation process and reclaim your role as a confident, visionary CEO.00:00 Introduction: Seeing the Forest for the Trees00:15 Welcome to Strategy Solutions01:37 The Importance of Delegation02:47 Benefits of Delegation04:41 Getting Started with Delegation05:25 Conclusion: Book Your CallBook your call at auxosvs.com/book

In this episode, we delve into what it takes to trust someone enough to hire them as an assistant. We'll explore past discussions on delegation strategy and the essentials for onboarding an assistant. The focus will be on overcoming trust issues—fear of poor performance or exposing personal work details—and what to look for during the hiring process. Key points include establishing initial trust, solidifying it in the first two months by assessing competence and chemistry, and nurturing it through assigning more challenging tasks and observing proactive, adaptive behavior. Join us to learn how to confidently trust your assistant and effectively delegate tasks.00:00 Introduction: Trusting an Assistant00:07 Delegation Strategy and Hiring Essentials00:34 Overcoming the Trust Hang-Up01:09 Building Chemistry and Competence02:15 The Growth Journey to Trust03:38 Challenging Tasks and Proactive Support04:23 Adapting and Innovating for Success05:17 Conclusion: Flourishing Trust with Your Assistant

In this week's Quick Cast, we discuss how to create better clarity and ownership within your team. We'll tackle common issues like unclear job descriptions and undefined processes. Learn the simple, actionable steps to visualize your team's tasks and responsibilities using a process flowchart and swim lanes. This method helps you map out tasks, assign ownership, and ensure accountability. Perfect for small business owners and team leaders looking to improve efficiency and team dynamics.00:00 Introduction to Clarity and Ownership00:08 Identifying the Problem01:06 Creating a Process Flow Chart02:19 Using Swim Lanes for Clarity04:04 Assigning Ownership and Accountability04:48 Addressing Concerns and Encouraging Implementation06:10 Conclusion and Practical Steps

In this episode of Strategy Solutions and Sanity Today, we dive deep into the journey and insights of Adriana, an ER nurse turned public speaker and leadership coach. Adriana shares her evolution from a healthcare career to coaching, emphasizing the importance of vulnerability, setting boundaries, and integrating personal passions into professional life. We discuss her unique events like Boundaries and Bubbly, the challenge of networking, and practical advice for maintaining work-life balance. Get inspired by Adriana's authentic approach to business growth and her commitment to meaningful connections.00:00 Introduction and Warm Welcome00:28 Adriana's Journey: From Nursing to Entrepreneurship01:37 The Evolution of Adriana's Coaching Career03:24 Balancing Nursing and Coaching04:31 The Art of Humor in Public Speaking06:16 The Importance of Feedback and Boundaries16:43 Integrating Fun and Work-Life Balance26:45 Networking Insights and Personal Boundaries27:40 Authenticity in Networking30:00 Balancing Work and Personal Life32:39 Challenges in Leadership and Entrepreneurship38:17 The Importance of Vulnerability49:57 Final Thoughts and Encouragement

Feeling like every task in your business is heavier than it should be? You might not be burned out in the way people typically imagine — but for high achievers, burnout looks different. It shows up as procrastination, losing motivation, brushing off wins, or even resenting small parts of your business.In this QuickCast, I’m breaking down 5 subtle red flags that signal you’re starting to lose motivation in your business — and how to address them before burnout steals your creativity, vision, and momentum.👉 You’ll learn:The everyday frustrations that reveal deeper cracks in your businessWhy “just pushing through” actually stalls growthHow resentment and comparison creep in quietlyWhat to shift so you can get back to enjoying your role as CEOIf you’re starting to feel stuck, overwhelmed, or less excited by your business, this episode is for you.

In this episode of Strategy, Solutions, and Sanity, host Samantha welcomes financial expert Megan Schwan. Megan shares her inspiring journey from being a teen mom to becoming a successful business owner. She discusses the importance of fostering a supportive culture, embracing calculated risks, and using the Profit First method to manage business finances effectively. Megan also highlights her personal experiences, including overcoming challenges like divorce and moving across the country, all while maintaining a growing business and raising four children. Tune in for valuable insights on resilience, business strategy, and financial empowerment.00:00 Introduction and Show Overview00:16 Meet Megan Schwan02:22 Megan's Journey: From Teen Mom to Business Owner05:20 Balancing Family and Business10:31 The Importance of Calculated Risks16:13 Trusting Intuition in Business20:41 The Drive Behind Determination22:15 Major Life Changes and Business Flexibility22:56 The Importance of Grit and Determination24:12 Navigating a Saturated Market30:36 The Concept of Profit First40:09 Implementing Profit First: A Personal Journey44:18 Final Thoughts and Gratitude

In this quickcast, we explore the two primary reasons clients seek consulting help: proactive preparation for growth and being overwhelmed by unsustainable workloads. The discussion emphasizes the importance of setting boundaries to avoid burnout and improve business operations. Key points include the necessity of recognizing and changing non-productive behaviors, understanding that hustling harder isn't the solution, and the benefits of maintaining healthy communication and respect with clients. The video also mentions a follow-up episode focusing on effective delegation to prevent becoming a bottleneck in the business.00:00 Introduction: The Two Camps of Clients00:55 Recognizing the Need for Change01:46 The Importance of Setting Boundaries02:38 Overcoming Fear and Ego03:17 Shifting to a CEO Mindset04:33 Building a Stronger Team and Processes05:53 Conclusion: Maintaining Sanity and Growth

Join us for an insightful episode of 'Strategy Solutions and Sanity' featuring Nikki, The Sales Maven! Nikki shares her fascinating journey from working in a male-dominated tech industry to becoming a renowned sales expert. Discover how she navigated her way using neurolinguistic programming (NLP) to enhance her communication skills and build meaningful client relationships. Learn actionable sales strategies, the importance of asking the right questions, and how to manage sales conversations effectively. Perfect for business owners and sales professionals looking to improve their sales tactics and build stronger client relationships. Don't miss Nikki's exclusive offer of a free training on sealing the deal with effective questions!00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome00:59 Nikki's Journey to Becoming the Sales Maven02:31 Understanding Neurolinguistic Programming (NLP)06:24 The Importance of Flexibility in Sales07:31 Building Relationships and Rapport in Sales20:19 The Selling Staircase Framework27:44 Rant on Referral Partners and Sales Process28:59 The Importance of Giving Price Ranges30:21 Personal Experience with a Sales Process32:56 The Value of Flexibility in Sales34:44 Using AI Note Takers for Sales Conversations36:19 Overcoming Shyness in Business40:13 Finding Inspiration from Others45:31 Adapting Coaching Styles to Client Needs52:39 The Power of Asking Questions in Sales55:01 Special Offer for Listeners-Free Gift: salesmaven.com/sanity

In this quick episode of Strategy, Solutions, and Sanity, Sam, a business and team strategist, outlines how delegating high-impact tasks to virtual assistants (VAs) who leverage AI can significantly enhance your sales process. The episode covers five strategies: filtering high-quality leads, providing follow-up support, preparing for sales calls, turning sales conversations into marketing content, and improving the client experience. These strategies aim to help business owners and small teams offload critical yet time-consuming tasks, ensuring they can focus on building relationships and driving sales growth. Sam emphasizes the importance of combining AI's efficiency with a VA's human judgment to maximize sales effectiveness.00:00 Introduction: The Problem with Wearing Too Many Hats00:15 The Power of Delegation: Leveraging Virtual Assistants00:55 Combining AI and VAs for Sales Success02:31 Five Strategies to Boost Sales with AI-Powered VAs02:36 Strategy 1: Filtering High-Quality Leads03:59 Strategy 2: Follow-Up Support to Avoid Dropping the Ball05:01 Strategy 3: Sales Prep for Sharp Client Interactions05:50 Strategy 4: Turning Sales Conversations into Marketing Content06:48 Strategy 5: Enhancing Client Experience for Repeat Business07:25 Conclusion: Elevate Your Sales Game with AI and VAs

Catch this episode of Strategy Solutions and Sanity as we dive into the messy and often overlooked aspects of growing a business. Our special guest, Sarah Gonnella from Full Sail Partners, shares her journey and insights into effective leadership, the importance of emotional intelligence, and how embracing technology can simplify business processes. Sarah discusses practical strategies for building a collaborative and fun company culture while maintaining high standards of excellence. Learn how to reframe challenges, leverage AI for better efficiency, and the crucial steps for meaningful automation. Whether you're struggling with sales, trying to improve client satisfaction, or looking to enhance your leadership skills, this episode is packed with valuable advice and actionable insights.00:00 Welcome to Strategy Solutions and Sanity00:36 Introducing Our Guest: Sarah Gonnella01:20 Sarah's Professional Journey and Personal Insights02:57 Embracing Challenges and Personal Growth05:10 The Importance of Reflection and Self-Awareness07:05 Leadership Lessons and Overcoming Mistakes16:59 Navigating Sales and Embracing Vulnerability21:33 Balancing Logic and Emotional Intelligence27:23 The Role of KPIs and Unintended Consequences28:02 Balancing Utilization and Collaboration28:57 Setting Clear Goals and KPIs29:47 Learning from Mistakes in Management30:56 The Importance of Guardrails in Management36:09 Building a Fun and Productive Work Environment37:32 The Role of Branding in Business Success39:34 Effective Onboarding and Training49:44 Embracing AI and Automation

In this episode of Strategy Solutions and Sanity, business strategist Sam Cordero Prestidge explains why open door policies often fail to achieve their intended purpose. Despite being a well-intentioned concept aimed at creating an accessible and supportive environment, these policies fall short because employees may hesitate to seek help due to a desire to appear competent. Sam highlights the importance of leaders actively reaching out to their team members to offer support, building trust, and ensuring that their employees feel seen and understood. She shares personal experiences to emphasize the need for proactive leadership and offers actionable strategies for fostering better communication and support within teams.00:00 Introduction to Open Door Policies00:25 The Concept and Its Shortcomings02:32 Real-World Examples and Challenges