Welcome to the Business Advisor Podcast, the go-to show for accountants, bookkeepers and CFOs tired of the grind of client work and eager to step into the role of a business advisor.
This podcast is designed for those looking to increase their income and impact by transforming businesses and lives. Each week, we bring you practical, workshop-style episodes, insightful conversations, and a good dose of humor to equip you with the confidence, clarity, and cash flow strategies you need.
So, hit that subscribe button and join us on this journey to becoming a successful business advisor. New episodes every week, and you won’t want to miss what we have in store!
Welcome to the Business Advisor Podcast, the go-to show for accountants, bookkeepers and CFOs tired of the grind of client work and eager to step into the role of a business advisor.
This podcast is designed for those looking to increase their income and impact by transforming businesses and lives. Each week, we bring you practical, workshop-style episodes, insightful conversations, and a good dose of humor to equip you with the confidence, clarity, and cash flow strategies you need.
So, hit that subscribe button and join us on this journey to becoming a successful business advisor. New episodes every week, and you won’t want to miss what we have in store!
Let's be honest for a moment. Most of us aren't drowning in sales calls; we're starving for them. You're brilliant at what you do, but the feast-or-famine cycle of new inquiries is exhausting. It makes you second-guess your prices, your offers, and even the dream of building a real freedom business. But what if I told you that you're not bad at sales? You're just missing the one thing that makes sales effortless: good marketing. In this episode, I'm pulling back the curtain on my "10-Hour Marketing Rule"—the exact framework I use to generate consistent leads and attract clients who are already "pre-sold" before they even book a call. I’ll walk you through the simple, four-part weekly rhythm of Clarity, Creation, Connection, and Conversion that replaces stress with stability. This isn't about becoming a pushy salesperson or posting on social media 24/7. It's about creating a calm, intentional system that does the heavy lifting for you, building trust and momentum so you can finally get off the client rollercoaster and build the impactful business you deserve.
Key Takeaways:
1. The real reason your sales calls feel so hard (and why it’s not your fault). It’s a simple shift in perspective that can change the entire dynamic of your business development.
"You're not bad at sales. It's that you're missing the one thing that makes sales effortless. And that's good marketing." – Amanda C. Watts
2. Want to escape the client feast-or-famine cycle? There’s a simple, four-part rhythm that replaces panic and inconsistency with a calm, predictable flow of leads every single week.
"I want you to think of it as four clarity, creation, connection and conversion." – Amanda C. Watts
3. Imagine clients showing up to a call already convinced they want to work with you. This is the power of being "pre-sold," and it’s the ultimate goal of effective marketing.
"By the time someone books a call with you, they've already made up their mind. They've watched your videos, they've read your posts and listened to your podcast. They already know who you are." – Amanda C. Watts
4. Your marketing isn't just about getting clients; it's about setting them up for success. Learn why viewing your marketing as an act of service is the key to building trust and getting better results for everyone.
"Good marketing isn't vanity, it's service. It prepares the people to succeed when they finally become your clients." – Amanda C. Watts
5. Are you killing your own momentum without realizing it? Discover why consistent, focused effort is far more powerful than occasional bursts of intense activity.
"A burst of energy followed by silence kills momentum. 10 consistent hours every week will do more for your business than 30 hours once a quarter." – Amanda C. Watts
This morning, I nearly let my dressing gown win. Waking up in that quiet, half-dreamy state, all I wanted was to stay on the sofa with a cup of tea. My to-do list felt a world away. It got me thinking about how we blame a lack of motivation when, often, the real culprit is our environment. It wasn't until I forced myself to go upstairs, get dressed, and put on my face that everything shifted. It was like flicking a switch; the energy returned, and I was ready to perform. I realized that specific spaces in my life fuel different types of energy—my desk for professional delivery, my sofa for creativity, and my walking path for clarity. In this episode, I explore how consciously designing these physical and digital environments is the true secret to unlocking your best performance. It’s not about finding more motivation; it’s about creating the momentum you need by sending the right signals to your brain. Freedom doesn't start with strategy; it starts with your state.
Key Takeaways:
1. Your clothes are a light switch for your brain. Ever feel sluggish working in your pajamas? There’s a scientific reason your brain isn’t in “go mode.”
"That's why getting dressed is such a powerful thing. It's not about what you look like, it's about the signal that it sends to your brain." – Amanda C. Watts
2. Are you trying to be creative in your performance zone? Different tasks require different energies, and your physical space is the container for that energy. Trying to do the right work in the wrong space is like fighting an invisible battle.
"I've learned that each environment serves a different part of me. My desk energy is delivery energy. My sofa energy is creative energy. And walking is clarity energy." – Amanda C. Watts
3.Burnout isn't just from overworking; it's from never being fully "off". When your work life and home life blend into one, your brain lives in a "gray zone," leading to exhaustion.
"And that's when burnout sneaks in. Okay? Not because you're working too hard, but because you're never fully working or fully resting." – Amanda C. Watts
4. Clutter isn't just in your cupboards; it's in your browser tabs. Your digital environment impacts your focus just as much as your physical one. Discover the simple weekly ritual that creates a calm, controlled start to every week.
"What I have noticed is the more successful someone becomes, the simpler their environment gets... Because space equals clarity, Clarity equals calm. And calm equals performance." – Amanda C. Watts
5. Stop searching for motivation; create momentum instead. The smallest change in your surroundings can instantly shift your state and make work feel effortless. What if putting on your shoes was all it took?
"Sometimes it's not motivation that we're missing, it's that momentum that we need to get into. And the momentum starts the second you change your environment." – Amanda C. Watts
I once had what I thought was a dream client. They signed quickly and paid well, but the dream soon turned into a nightmare. Midnight emails followed by 7 a.m. follow-ups. Constant scope creep disguised as "just one more thing." I was on call 24/7, drowning in their demands, and it got so bad they started to chip away at my confidence, making me doubt my own abilities. In the end, after I had bent over backwards for them, they left me a bad review.
This was my first true "vampire client," and it taught me a lesson I’ll never forget: no amount of money is worth your energy, your boundaries, or your sanity.
We're taught how to win clients, but rarely how to choose the right ones. In this episode, I'm giving you the playbook to vampire-proof your business. We'll uncover the subtle red flags that scream "trouble ahead," from haggling over fees to disrespecting your process. I'll share the exact boundaries and non-negotiables I use to protect my time and energy—and give you the scripts to enforce them politely and professionally.
We'll also cover the four-step "Vampire Detox" for dealing with the bad-fit clients already on your roster. It’s time to stop letting one bad client ruin your day and turn your business into a monster. Let's create space for the clients who energize you, respect you, and make you remember why you started this in the first place.
Key Takeaways:
The True Cost of a Vampire Client is Energy, Not Time: The most significant damage from a bad client isn't the hours they consume, but the emotional and creative energy they drain, which impacts your ability to serve your best clients.
"One vampire can undo the joy of hundreds of radiators. You can finish a day having worked with three amazing clients and one vampire. And you will remember only the vampire." - Amanda C. Watts
Learn to Spot the Red Flags Early: Recognizing the warning signs of a potential vampire client during the sales process is the most effective way to protect your business before they are on your books.
"If the first question out of their mouth is, 'Can you do it cheaper?' then that's 100% a red flag because they're price shopping." - Amanda C. Watts
Boundaries Protect Your Ability to Deliver Your Best Work: Setting clear, firm boundaries around communication, scope, and payment isn't about being difficult; it's a professional necessity that allows you to maintain the high standards your good clients deserve.
"You're not putting boundaries in to be mean. You're actually there so that they protect your ability to do your best work." - Amanda C. Watts
Have a Clear Process for "Detoxing" Bad-Fit Clients: If a vampire client is already in your business, you need a professional and structured plan to either reset the relationship or let them go, so you can reclaim your energy.
"Every vampire teaches you something, and the faster you learn the lesson, the fewer vampires you will attract." - Amanda C. Watts
Saying No to Vampires Creates Space for Radiators: Every time you turn away a bad-fit client, you create the capacity to find and serve a "radiator" client—one who values you, respects your work, and makes your business enjoyable.
"The more you say no to vampires, the more space you create for radiators." - Amanda C. Watts
Want more freedom and higher profits in your firm? Download the free Value Pricing Toolkit here: https://info.businessadvisoracademy.com/toolkit
It gives you the complete proven system to break free from hourly billing, charge for impact, and grow your advisory firm to £500K+.
If you've ever thought, "I just need more clients," I need you to listen to this. In my early days, I chased that exact goal. I was getting 33 new clients every six weeks, and on paper, it looked like I was crushing it. But behind the scenes? It was complete chaos. I was stretched thin, serving underpaying clients, and drowning in stress. It was my wake-up call: it's not about how many clients you have, it's about having the right ones.
In this episode, I'm pulling back the curtain on the counterintuitive truth about scaling your advisory business. We’ll do the simple math that proves you can build a thriving, profitable business with half a million in revenue from just 15-20 clients. Forget the hustle of chasing hundreds.
I'll introduce you to the two types of clients that exist in every business: the life-giving "Radiators" and the soul-sucking "Vampires." More importantly, I'll give you the exact filters to attract the former and repel the latter. This isn't just about changing your business model; it's about reclaiming your life, your energy, and your joy. Stop chasing more and start choosing better.
Key Takeaways
Stop Chasing More; Choose Better: The default belief that growth requires a higher volume of clients is a direct path to burnout. True freedom comes from working with a smaller number of high-quality clients.
"I realised it wasn't about how many clients I had. I needed better clients, I needed fewer clients. I needed the right clients." - Amanda C. Watts
The Math to Freedom is Simple: You don't need an army of clients to reach significant revenue goals. A small, dedicated roster paying for high-value advisory is enough to build a profitable, low-stress business.
"You don't need 100 clients, you don't even need 50. You can hit your revenue goals with 10, 15 or 20 well chosen clients." - Amanda C. Watts
Identify Your Radiators and Vampires: Not all clients are created equal. "Radiators" energize you and value your work, while "Vampires" drain your resources and blame you for their lack of results.
"Radiators give off warmth, they energize you... Vampires suck the life out of you. They haggle over fees, they push your boundaries, and they demand more for less." - Amanda C. Watts
Use Filters to Protect Your Business: Actively filter potential clients based on values, mindset, and practical fit. Being selective is not a luxury; it's a critical defense against the chaos one bad client can create.
"One vampire can undo the joy of five radiators. And actually, in all honesty, one vampire can undo the joy of your entire client roster." - Amanda C. Watts
Deliver Emotional ROI: Clients aren't just buying your time or strategies; they are buying confidence, clarity, and peace of mind. Focusing on this deeper value allows you to charge more and deliver a greater impact.
"They're not buying hours... What they're buying is ROI... they need to buy peace of mind. They need to buy clarity. They need to buy confidence because they need someone that has their back." - Amanda C. Watts
Want more freedom and higher profits in your firm? Download the free Value Pricing Toolkit here: https://info.businessadvisoracademy.com/toolkit
It gives you the complete proven system to break free from hourly billing, charge for impact, and grow your advisory firm to £500K+.
In this episode, I get raw and real about the five critical mistakes that turn a dream into a nightmare. We’ll expose the difference between being a busy “doer” and a high-value advisor. I’ll show you how selling your time traps you, why saying “yes” to everyone is a recipe for burnout, and how a lack of boundaries invites chaos.
But more importantly, I’ll give you the escape plan. We’re flipping the script to design a Freedom Business—one that runs on your terms, attracts dream clients, and serves the life you actually want to live. It all starts with one powerful tool: your Playbook. Are you ready to stop feeding the monster?
Key Takeaways
Shift from Doer to Advisor: The foundation of a freedom business is guiding clients, not executing tasks for them. This positions you as a strategic partner, not an expensive employee.
"What most advisors are doing is giving men fish... you're doing the work rather than being a strategic advisor." - Amanda C. Watts
Sell Transformation, Not Time: Tying your income directly to your hours creates an unbreakable ceiling on your earnings and freedom. Focus on the value of the outcome you provide.
"You're trapped in the time for money equation. And there's only so much time for you to work, which means that your earnings are completely limited." - Amanda C. Watts
Choose Your Clients Deliberately: Not all revenue is good revenue. Working with "vampire clients" who don't respect your value will drain your energy and kill your passion faster than anything else.
"These bad fit clients drain your energy. They demand constant attention, and they very rarely value what you actually bring to the table." - Amanda C. Watts
Your Playbook is Your Map to Freedom: Without a clear plan detailing your numbers, business model, and priorities, you will drift off course and accidentally build the very business you were trying to escape.
"If a pilot sets off from London aiming for New York, but the plane is just 2 degrees off the whole way there, they're not going to land in New York... And that's what happens in business when you don't have a playbook." - Amanda C. Watts
Design Your Business to Serve Your Life: Your business should be a tool to create the life you desire, not the other way around. Define your non-negotiables and boundaries first, then build your business around them.
"What I'm asking you to do is ask yourself what you want your life to look like and how you want your business to serve the life that you want to have." - Amanda C- Watts
Want more freedom and higher profits in your firm? Download the free Value Pricing Toolkit.
Download the free Value Pricing Toolkit here: https://info.businessadvisoracademy.com/toolkit
It gives you the complete proven system to break free from hourly billing, charge for impact, and grow your advisory firm to £500K+.
Welcome to this episode of The Business Advisor Podcast and in this episode, I’m tackling a subject that makes even the most confident advisors crumble: pricing. I know that feeling—the sweaty palms and tight throat when you have to state your fee, terrified of hearing a "no." I see so many people undercharging or stuffing their offers with extras, confusing being affordable with making an impact.
In this episode, I'll show you that pricing confidence isn't about tricks; it's about remembering the tangible results you deliver. I’ll break down the four biggest pricing mistakes I see advisors make, from pricing like a mechanic to getting trapped in the exhausting Ascension model. We'll explore how to shift your focus from hours to outcomes and anchor your price to the transformation your clients truly desire, so you can finally charge what you're worth with confidence.
Key Takeaways
Your clients don't obsess over your price as much as you do.
"Your clients don't think about your price half as much as you do." - Amanda C. Watts
Focus on selling outcomes, not a list of deliverables.
"Clients don't want weight, they want clarity, they want outcomes." - Amanda C. Watts
Don't judge a client's ability or willingness to invest in a solution.
"Never assume what someone will or won't pay or can or can't pay." - Amanda C. Watts
Higher prices lead to more committed and effective clients.
"The more people pay, the more they pay attention." - Amanda C. Watts
True confidence comes from focusing on the value you create.
"The wobble that you feel when you say your price disappears the moment you focus on the results you deliver." - Amanda C. Watts
Want more freedom and higher profits in your firm? Download the free Value Pricing Toolkit. It gives you the complete proven system to break free from hourly billing, charge for impact, and grow your advisory firm to £500K+.
For years, I followed the gurus' advice on sales calls, and I hated every slimy, scripted minute of it. The multiple calls, the hidden pricing, and the high-pressure tactics felt awful for me and my prospects. So, I flipped the entire process on its head and created what I call the 'Champagne Close.' Instead of holding back information, I give my prospects everything upfront: the program structure, case studies, testimonials, and even the price, all before our call. This transforms the conversation from a persuasive battle into a relaxed discussion about mutual fit.
On this episode, I explain how this simple shift eliminated no-shows, attracted better clients who are ready to invest, and allowed me to build a business that truly serves my freedom by protecting my time and energy from the very first interaction.
Key Takeaways
1. Give All Information Upfront, Including the Price.
Stop hiding details until the final moment. By sharing the program structure, proof, and price before the call, you ensure that only serious, qualified prospects show up, already leaning towards a "yes."
"Instead of holding everything back, I decided that before I even had a sales conversation... I was gonna give all the information upfront... And yes, I also gave them the price." - Amanda C. Watts
2. The Call is a Two-Way Audition, Not a One-Way Pitch.
The sales call isn't just for the prospect to see if they want to hire you; it's your opportunity to determine if they are the right fit for your business. This mindset shift protects you from taking on draining "vampire clients."
"...we have to audition clients as much as they audition us to see whether we are a good fit... because we're only gonna get results when we work with the right clients." - Amanda C. Watts
3. Don't Solve Their Problems on the Call.
Your goal is not to offer free consulting during the call. When a prospect shares a problem, listen and ask them to elaborate. Allowing them to sit with their pain helps them recognize the true value of your solution.
"When you do that, you rob them of a reason to hire you... Let them sit in their pain... because the only way you can help them is if they understand that there is a gap between where they are and where they want to be." - Amanda C. Watts
4. Embrace the Power of Silence.
After you ask a question, stop talking. Silence gives the prospect space to think, feel, and articulate the truth of their situation. It keeps you in control and encourages them to open up honestly.
"At first, it can feel really awkward, but silence is so powerful because what it does is it draws the truth out of your client on this call. It gives 'em space to think." - Amanda C. Watts
5. Protect Your Freedom by Saying No to the Wrong Clients.
Every client you accept shapes your business and your life. The "Champagne Close" process is designed to filter out mismatches, so you can confidently say no to those who aren't aligned and create space for your ideal clients.
"Freedom doesn't come from saying yes to everyone. Freedom comes from saying yes to the right ones."- Amanda C. Watts
Welcome to this episode of The Business Advisory Podcast and today, I'm getting brutally honest with you. Have you ever felt that creeping dread, that little whisper in your gut telling you "this isn't it," even as you nod and smile and say "yes"? I know I have, and I bet you have too. We've all been there – taking the meeting we don't need, saying yes to the client who doesn't quite feel right, joining that program that doesn't light us up. We tell ourselves it's "just one yes," but soon, it becomes a slow leak, one yes turning into five, then ten, until suddenly, you're suffocating under a mountain of polite agreements. Your dream business, the one that was supposed to give you freedom, has become a prison. I call it "death by a thousand polite yeses."
This episode isn't about productivity hacks; it's about reclaiming your precious life. It’s about a simple, powerful filter that can transform your business and your personal life: If it's not a hell yes, it's a no. "Maybe" is often just a lie we tell ourselves because we're afraid to say no, silently draining our joy. Every "yes" comes with a cost – your time, your peace. The most expensive things in your life aren't your mortgage or your car; they're the "yeses" that keep you tied to things you no longer want to do. I'll share the "Three Fs" to help you make aligned decisions. Imagine the clarity and confidence to say no, and watching as the right opportunities show up. If you're ready to build a business and a life that truly feels like yours, this episode is your wake-up call.
Key Takeaways
1. Saying "yes" to misaligned opportunities, even small ones, can lead to overwhelming dissatisfaction and turn a dream business into a prison.
2. Genuine freedom comes from consciously choosing what aligns with your goals and having the courage to decline everything else.
3. Using "maybe" often masks a fear of saying "no" and allows unwanted commitments to drain your energy and joy.
4. Implementing a "hell yes or hell no" filter in decision-making enhances clarity, boosts confidence, and attracts ideal opportunities.
5. The "Three Fs" – Freedom, Fit, and Future Value – provide a clear framework for evaluating opportunities to ensure they support your personal and business aspirations.
Want more? Join THE FREEDOM TRIBE
Here's all the FREE BONUSES you'll receive when you join our exciting community on Skool; The Freedom Tribe
PLUS: There are a few other surprise bonuses that can be UNLOCKED once you are inside the community: Get Clients Course and 5 Day LinkedIn Challenge. Super excited to see you there, and looking forward to helping you achieve all that you want in life.
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In this episode, I pull back the curtain on the single most powerful shift you can make in your business: leveraging your unique intellectual property (IP). For too long, I've seen brilliant accountants, bookkeepers, and CFOs stuck in the "trading hours for money" trap, feeling like they're just one bad month away from panic mode. The constant hustle is exhausting, and let's be honest, it's not why you started your firm.
Many of you are turning to AI, hoping for a magic solution, only to get generic, "beige" content that doesn't sound like you. The secret isn't just using AI; it's what you feed it. I share my own "aha" moment when I went from getting crickets on my posts to creating content that truly connected. I break down how to stop selling time and start building a scalable, profitable business by combining your unique expertise with the power of AI. This is how you move from being an overworked service provider to a sought-after, in-demand business advisor.
Key Takeaways:
1. Intellectual Property is the Foundation of a Scalable Business. Without documenting and packaging your unique expertise, you are stuck in a cycle of customized, one-off work that prevents growth.
"In every single business I've helped grow, IP is the turning point. It's the moment you stop selling time and start building something that lasts." - Amanda C. Watts
2. AI's Effectiveness is Determined by the Quality of Your Input.
"AI follows the oldest rule in computing. Garbage in, garbage out. And if you put in weak, vague, generic input, you're going to get weak, vague, generic output." - Amanda C. Watts
3. Your IP is the Key to Authentic and Powerful AI-Generated Content.
"The difference between garbage and gold is your intellectual property, your ip, your frameworks, your process, your proof. It's the ingredients list. And without it, AI is just stirring an empty pot." - Amanda C. Watts
4. Leveraging IP with AI Streamlines Every Aspect of Your Business.
"Your assets are your ip... AI is the tool that takes these assets and turns them into content proposals, tools that you use, reports, all of your marketing, all of your client delivery." - Amanda C. Watts
5. AI is a Tool for Amplification, Not Replacement.
"AI isn't here to replace you. It actually enables you to be amplified, but you can only amplify what you give it." - Amanda C. Watt
Want more? Join THE FREEDOM TRIBE
Here's all the FREE BONUSES you'll receive when you join our exciting community on Skool; The Freedom Tribe
PLUS: There are a few other surprise bonuses that can be UNLOCKED once you are inside the community: Get Clients Course and 5 Day LinkedIn Challenge. Super excited to see you there, and looking forward to helping you achieve all that you want in life.
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Speak to you in the next episode...
Are you trapped in the belief that growing your financial advisory business means more clients, more hours, and more stress? I'm here to tell you that is a story you've been sold, and it’s not the truth. You can scale without the burnout, and in this episode, I'm showing you exactly how.
I’m pulling back the curtain on my proven "Scalable Six" system—the exact framework I use to help financial professionals hit the 500-200-10 target: that’s £500k in revenue, £200k take-home pay, and just 10 hours a week on client delivery. I’ll walk you through all six essential steps: Profile, Productize, Price, Position, Promote, and Profit. Each step is a link in a chain that, when connected, creates a smooth, predictable, and highly profitable business.
Forget the hustle culture. It's time to build a smarter, leaner business that gives you both the income you deserve and the freedom you crave. This episode is your practical roadmap to transforming your practice from a source of stress into a vehicle for your ideal life. Let’s dive in and build the business you've always dreamed of.
Key Takeaways
Want more? Join THE FREEDOM TRIBE
Here's all the FREE BONUSES you'll receive when you join our exciting community on Skool; The Freedom Tribe
PLUS: There are a few other surprise bonuses that can be UNLOCKED once you are inside the community: Get Clients Course and 5 Day LinkedIn Challenge. Super excited to see you there, and looking forward to helping you achieve all that you want in life.
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This week, I created 11 pieces of content in just seven days. And no, it’s not about burnout—it’s about being strategically visible in today's advisory era. If you're still relying on referrals and your good work alone, you're falling behind.
In this episode, I pull back the curtain on my exact strategy. I’ll show you how to use psychological triggers like the 'Mere Exposure Effect' to turn visibility into trust and attract high-value clients. I break down how to leverage the raw power of live video, repurpose one core idea into a dozen assets, and show up consistently where your dream clients actually spend their time.
Learn why posting once a week isn't enough and how strategic content creation is the non-negotiable business development tool for building a thriving advisory practice. Ready to stop being a best-kept secret and start dominating your niche? This episode is your blueprint.
Key Takeaways:
1. Be Present on Multiple Platforms to Maximize Reach : You cannot rely on a single channel to find your ideal clients. To build trust and authority, you must show up where they spend their time
"Pick three places where your ideal clients spend time. Show up regularly there sharing some great content." - Amanda C. Watts
2. Live Content Builds Trust Faster Than Polished Videos : It allows your audience to see you think on your feet, making you appear more genuine and authoritative.
"Even a five minute live video can build more trust than a perfect recorded longer one." - Amanda C. Watts
3. Turn One Core Insight into Many Pieces of Content : Draw from your years of experience and repurpose a single powerful idea into various formats like videos, podcasts, and articles to reinforce your message.
"You can turn one core insight into many pieces of content." - Amanda C. Watts
4. Consistency is the Ultimate Separator : Sporadic content creation won't deliver results.
"Consistency is what separates advisors from who grow their advisory practice from those who don't and struggle." - Amanda C. Watts
5. Your Visibility is More Important Than Your Work Ethic : Your success depends on being seen as a thought leader, which is achieved through consistent, strategic content creation.
"Success as an advisor today isn't about you doing great work. Sadly, it's about you being seen as a thought leader in your field." - Amanda C. Watts
Want more? Join THE FREEDOM TRIBE
Here's all the FREE BONUSES you'll receive when you join our exciting community on Skool; The Freedom Tribe
PLUS: There are a few other surprise bonuses that can be UNLOCKED once you are inside the community: Get Clients Course and 5 Day LinkedIn Challenge. Super excited to see you there, and looking forward to helping you achieve all that you want in life.
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I have a confession: I used to wear my ability to execute everything like a badge of honor. I built a successful six-figure business that looked impressive from the outside, but on the inside, I had created a prison. I call it the "monster business," and it demanded I feed it with my personal time and energy every single day, leaving me burnt out and trapped on a hamster wheel.
In this episode, I share the raw story of my breaking point and the single most important shift I ever made: I stopped being an executor and became a strategic thinker. I’ll show you how to stop selling your time and start selling your thinking as a productized system. You’ll learn how to command premium prices, deliver better results for your clients, and finally build a business that gives you real freedom. It’s time to stop feeding the monster and reclaim your life.
Key Takeaways
1. The "Executor's Trap" creates a monster business that consumes your life.
"You've created what I call a monster business, and it demands that you feed it with your personal time and energy every single day." - Amanda C. Watts
2. The path to freedom is transitioning from a hands-on executor to a strategic designer.
"The ones thriving aren't the best executors anymore. The ones who are thriving have transformed how they think about their role and how they think about strategic thinking." - Amanda C. Watts
3. Clients don't want to buy your time; they want to buy certainty and a guaranteed solution to their problem.
"Your clients don't want more of your time. They want certainty. They want to know that their problem is going to be solved." - Amanda C. Watts
4. Productizing your thinking into a system turns your expertise into intellectual property that commands premium value.
"When you say, this is exactly how we solve this problem, this is what happens at each step, and this is the result you'll get, clients stop shopping around because they feel very safe and secure." - Amanda C. Watts
5. Your unique strategic insight is your most valuable asset, not your ability to complete tasks.
"The reality is your thinking is what makes you special, not how you decide to do the bookkeeping." - Amanda C. Watts
Upcoming Episode Preview:
Episode 102: Building Authority In The New Advisory Era.
Want more? Join THE FREEDOM TRIBE
Here's all the FREE BONUSES you'll receive when you join our exciting community on Skool; The Freedom Tribe
PLUS: There are a few other surprise bonuses that can be UNLOCKED once you are inside the community: Get Clients Course and 5 Day LinkedIn Challenge. Super excited to see you there, and looking forward to helping you achieve all that you want in life.
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I’m thrilled to hit the 100th episode of the Business Advisor Podcast! Starting this journey, I dreamed of inspiring advisors, accountants, and coaches to break free from the grind of compliance work and embrace their potential. I never imagined it would spark over 25,000 downloads across the UK, USA, Australia, and beyond in just 18 months. Your heartfelt DMs, reviews, and emails fuel my drive. For 20 months, I’ve shown up weekly—through sickness, burnout, and doubt—learning that consistency, not perfection, builds trust and authority. From Episode 4’s content marketing gems to Episode 28’s freedom practice blueprint and my six-part advisory conversation series, I’ve poured real-world insights into every episode. This podcast has sharpened my expertise and ignited my passion for turning complex ideas into actionable frameworks. Want to transform your advisory business? This episode is a must-listen to learn more on how consistency compounds and discover strategies to productize, price, and position your services for freedom. Join me for the next 100 episodes as we dive deeper into courage, clarity, and impact!
Key Takeaways
1. Consistency Over Motivation: Showing up weekly, even when unmotivated, drives impact.
“Consistency isn’t about feeling motivated every single week. It’s about showing up anyway, even when you don’t feel motivated.” - Amanda C. Watts
2. Repetition Builds Authority: Repeating core messages helps them resonate over time.
“Repetition isn’t boring; it’s essential.” - Amanda C. Watts
3. Authenticity Trumps Perfection: Imperfect but genuine content connects deeply with listeners.
“Sometimes authenticity is more valuable than perfection.” - Amanda C. Watts
4. Value-Driven Content Converts: Focusing on value, not virality, attracts high-value clients.
“You don’t need to go viral. You just need to bring value.” - Amanda C. Watts
5. Commitment Sustains Impact: Finishing what you start, despite challenges, builds trust.
“Consistency isn’t just about showing up every week. It’s about finishing what you start.” - Amanda C. Watts
Upcoming Episode Preview:
EP 101: The one where you are stuck doing the work.
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Ever felt that selling a £2,000 service is an uphill battle? In this eye-opening episode, I dismantle the myth that lower prices mean easier sales. She reveals why selling a £20,000 advisory offer is not only more profitable but also psychologically easier for both you and your client.
I show you how premium pricing fundamentally shifts the dynamic from a transactional cost to a committed investment, attracting clients who respect your expertise and are ready for transformation. I also explain how charging what you're worth doesn't just change your clients; it changes you, compelling you to step up as a confident leader. Learn to escape the compliance hamster wheel by building an offer that solves major problems and positions you as the strategic partner you were meant to be. This is a must-listen for any advisor ready to stop undercharging and start building a more respectful and manageable business.
Key Takeaways
1. Low pricing attracts problematic, transactional clients.
"When you price low, you don't make it easier for the client. You actually make it harder for both of you." - Amanda C. Watts
2. Premium pricing commands commitment and builds stronger relationships.
"Someone investing £20,000 or dollars doesn't want to bargain. They're actually wanting a result. They have got skin in the game." - Amanda C. Watts
3. The price you set determines the leader you become.
"When you charge £20,000 or $20,000 a year, you actually start to lead... you speak with more confidence because you're finally being paid in alignment with your value." - Amanda C. Watts
4. High-value offers are about selling transformation, not time.
"If you price low, people treat you like a pair of hands. If you price high, they trust you to help them with the big decisions." - Amanda C. Watts
5. Confidence is a result of raising your prices, not a prerequisite for it.
"You don't raise your prices when you feel confident; you feel confident when you raise your prices. And people say, 'Yes.' That is the shift." - Amanda C. Watts
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Does the thought of "selling" make you feel awkward, pushy, or fake? You're not alone. Many advisors love helping clients but dread the sales process. In this episode, I flip the script on selling, reframing it not as a necessary evil but as a powerful form of service.
I introduce the "SELL Method," a four-part framework designed to help you approach every client conversation with confidence and integrity. You'll learn why your discomfort is actually a sign of your integrity and how to turn it into a strength. Discover how to build unshakeable belief in your services, lead conversations with clarity, and make a decisive ask without feeling like a hard-nosed salesperson. I also feature the memorable "Lighthouse" analogy; this episode provides the mindset shift and practical steps you need to stop hiding your value and finally become the trusted guide your clients are searching for.
Key Takeaways:
1. Reframe Selling as an Act of Service: Your primary goal isn't to win a deal but to genuinely help the person in front of you.
"When you show up to help instead of to win, people really feel it. And energy in everything changes." – Amanda C. Watts
2. Build Confidence from Evidence, Not Hype: Systematically collect proof of your impact to anchor your belief in the value you provide.
"People buy your certainty before they buy your solution. And if you don't believe in how great you are, why would anybody else?" – Amanda C. Watts
3. Lead the Conversation with Clarity: Clients are often overwhelmed. They don't need another option; they need a clear path. Your role is to listen, diagnose, and confidently recommend a plan.
"In the absence of guidance, people default to what they know, which usually means nothing or picking the cheapest option." – Amanda C. Watts
4. Failing to Ask is a Disservice: If you genuinely believe you can help someone, it's your professional duty to make a clear and direct offer.
"You are not here to make friends; you are here to make change. So you close the deal, not by being pushy, but by being decisive." – Amanda C. Watts
5. Withholding Your Help is Neglect: The most significant shift is realising that hiding your valuable services to avoid discomfort is ultimately selfish.
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I’m here to save you months of frustration and guesswork when launching your advisory offer. I've seen too many brilliant advisors create services that nobody buys, or worse, that lead to complete burnout. I know this pain firsthand—my first offer had me driving three hours each way for a client and earning next to nothing. It was messy and unsustainable, and I was miserable.
That experience forced me to develop a system, my 7-step Launch Ready Method, that I'm sharing with you today on this episode of the Business Advisor Podcast. This isn't about selling fluff or just "building a funnel". It's the essential groundwork for creating a profitable, scalable advisory service that clients are genuinely eager to buy. I’ll walk you through everything from validating the real problem to marketing with purpose, so you can build a “Freedom Practice” that serves you, not a “Monster Business” that drains you. Let’s build something that truly works.
Key Takeaways
1. Start with the Client's Pain, Not Your Product.
"Great advisory offers aren't built in your head. They're built in response to what your clients actually want and what others aren't giving them." - Amanda C. Watts
2. Package Transformation, Not Time: Clients don't purchase hours, tasks, or a list of deliverables; they invest in a clear and desirable outcome.
"People don't buy time; they buy results. They buy momentum, they buy clarity and progress, and they buy transformation." - Amanda C. Watts
3. Price on Impact, Not Effort: Your fee should be a reflection of the value and transformation you create, not the hours you work.
"Your clients... don't want to buy hours. They want to buy the result, the return, and the relief that they get from actually working with you." - Amanda C. Watts
4. Intentionally Design Your Business Model for Freedom.
"If you don't stop to think about your business structure, the monster business builds itself." - Amanda C. Watts
5. Never launch a new offer to the public without first testing it in a controlled environment.
"The goal here is not for you to be perfect. It's about feedback, its proof, and its confidence in what works and clarity on what doesn't." - Amanda C. Watts
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Have you ever quoted a price and instantly regretted it? I know that feeling—the knot in your stomach when you know your services are life-changing, but you lower the fee just to get the “yes”. It’s a cycle that traps so many of us in an overworked, underpaid, and unfulfilling business.
In this episode, I'm pulling back the curtain on why this happens and how to fix it for good. It's not about being greedy; it's about being smart and pricing with purpose. I’ll introduce you to my simple but powerful framework, the Value Triangle, which aligns your self-belief, the results you deliver, and how clients perceive you. This is the key to confidently charging what you're truly worth and finally building a business that gives you the freedom, energy, and income you deserve. It’s time to stop guessing and start earning.
Key Takeaways:
1. If an advisor doesn't fundamentally believe in their own value, no pricing strategy will work, as they will always find a way to discount or undercharge.
"Your pricing will never rise higher than your self-worth." - Amanda C. Watts
2. Clients Invest in Outcomes, Not Effort.
"They actually care about what is going to be different after they work with you. They care about the transformation." - Amanda C. Watts
3. How an advisor is branded and positioned can be more influential on their fee than the service itself.
"The work might be the same that you're doing, but that perceived value – that is where the profit lives." - Amanda C. Watts
4. Premium clients are looking for a confident expert to solve their problems, and an unusually low fee signals a lack of confidence and value.
"When your prices are too low, high-value clients don't take you seriously. They actually want results, and they want to feel confident when they make a buying decision." - Amanda C. Watts
5. Productising Your Service Creates Clarity and Confidence.
"When you productise your value, you stop guessing, and you start building a business around what actually works." - Amanda C. Watts
Preview for Next Week!
Get ready for Episode 97: 7 Steps to Creating & Launching Your Advisory Offer
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In this episode, I’m tackling a topic I'm incredibly passionate about: why short-form content platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and Reels are a trap for serious business advisors. I know it might sound controversial, but I believe these platforms, which are built for distraction and escapism, are the wrong place to build the deep trust required to attract premium clients.
When you pour your valuable insights into 60-second videos or catchy carousels, you're whispering in a hurricane. You're showing up where your ideal clients go to switch off, not to make critical business decisions. Instead of chasing fleeting visibility and "fire emoji" engagement, I want to show you a better way. I share the power of the "Netflix Effect"—creating long-form, binge-worthy content that allows potential clients to connect with your expertise on a deeper level. I share real-life stories, from my own experience buying a treadmill to clients who followed my work for years before hiring me, to prove that authority and trust are built through depth, not just frequency. My goal is to help you shift your strategy from being just another face in the scroll to becoming a respected authority whose future clients are pre-sold on your value before they even book a call.
🧠 Key Takeaways:
1. Short-form content creates a false sense of productivity without delivering real clients.
"I can guarantee these things are not bringing you leads, sales, or real results from business advisory clients." - Amanda C. Watts
2. The context of a platform is more important than the content itself.
"Even the most brilliant insight is going to fall flat if it's delivered at the wrong time in the wrong place or to the wrong mindset." - Amanda C. Watts
3. Meaningful trust cannot be built in 60-second increments.
" Trust doesn't come in 60 seconds or less. It comes when people feel like they are truly understood." - Amanda C. Watts
4. Advisors should leverage "binge-worthy" long-form content to build deep connections.
"Just like watching six episodes of a series makes you feel emotionally connected to the characters, long-form content helps people feel emotionally connected to you." - Amanda C. Watts
5. The primary marketing goal for an advisor should be authority, not visibility.
"authority comes from showing your thinking, not just your face." - Amanda C. Watts
Preview for Next Week!
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In this episode, I tackle one of the most requested topics from our community: how to create content that cuts through the noise and builds trust with premium advisory clients.
I reveal why most advisors are stuck in a cycle of inconsistent posting and ineffective marketing—and how to break free. I’ll walk you through a clear, actionable strategy for creating content that doesn’t just get seen, but actually converts leads into high-value clients.
Whether you're struggling with what to say or frustrated that your content isn’t bringing in the right people, this episode gives you the tools to build a powerful content system that works for you, even on repeat.
🧠 Key Takeaways
1. Focus your content on solving your client's real problems at every stage of their journey, not on showcasing your own expertise.
“Content has to speak to real problems. It has to show that you understand what your clients are going through.” -Amanda C. Watts
2. Use your content as a pre-sale system to build trust and prove your value long before you ever ask for the sale.
“Great content isn't a one-hit wonder. It's a drumbeat of trust.” -Amanda C. Watts
3. Avoid common mistakes like using industry jargon or over-relying on AI, as authentic content is what builds true authority.
“Authority isn't loud. It is earned.” -Amanda C. Watts
4. Follow a proven formula (Problem, Perspective, Proof, Practice, Presence) to create magnetic content that connects and converts.
“The more you ground your content in experience, the more magnetic you become.” -Amanda C. Watts
5. Overcome your fear of video by shifting your focus from performance to genuinely serving your audience with helpful answers.
“If you focus on helping someone else, it gets easier.” -Amanda C. Watts
Preview for Next Week!
Get ready for Episode 95: “Instagram Is Where Good Businesses Go to Die.”
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In this insightful episode of The Business Advisor Podcast, I dive deep into the often-avoided topic of client conflict—an issue every advisor faces but few discuss openly. I share personal experiences, expert insights, and a powerful framework called "GRACE" to help you navigate emotionally charged situations with empathy, curiosity, and professionalism.
I walk through a real-world example where a client stopped returning my calls after receiving tough feedback about letting go of an underperforming team member. Using the GRACE framework, I demonstrate how to reopen communication with empathy, curiosity, and collaboration.
Conflict isn’t a sign of failure; it’s an opportunity for deeper connection and growth. Whether you're dealing with silent clients, defensive reactions, or stalled progress, this episode will equip you with the tools to turn discomfort into trust.
Key Takeaways
“When your client becomes defensive or avoids your calls, they aren’t deliberately being difficult. Their brain is responding to stress or discomfort.” – Amanda C. Watts
“Conflict and resistance can deepen trust, strengthen relationships, and enable powerful breakthroughs for both you and your clients.” – Amanda C. Watts
“By naming these emotions, you help your client feel seen and understood. This builds trust and encourages them to open up.” – Amanda C. Watts
“The worst thing you can do is push harder, because this only heightens the client's defensive instinct.” – Amanda C. Watts
“It’s easy to take client resistance personally and feel rejected and frustrated. You have to remind yourself: this isn’t about you. It’s about them and their inner struggle.” – Amanda C. Watts
Preview for Next Week!
Get ready for Episode 94: “Creating Content That Stands Out and Gets Clients.” This is a highly requested topic from the community, and I can't wait to share it with you.
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