Not Just Candle Talk: Presents The Creator Comeback Network
Not Just Candle Talk
50 episodes
1 day ago
We relaunch NJCT as a marketing mentorship for creators and small business owners, shifting from burnout recovery to building brands that stick. We share why every business problem is a marketing problem and how to build attention systems, story-driven strategy, and smart automation. • redefining marketing as story, experience, and trust • reframing sales, engagement, and retention as positioning, storytelling, and experience • building attention systems that work while you sleep • turning b...
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We relaunch NJCT as a marketing mentorship for creators and small business owners, shifting from burnout recovery to building brands that stick. We share why every business problem is a marketing problem and how to build attention systems, story-driven strategy, and smart automation. • redefining marketing as story, experience, and trust • reframing sales, engagement, and retention as positioning, storytelling, and experience • building attention systems that work while you sleep • turning b...
We relaunch NJCT as a marketing mentorship for creators and small business owners, shifting from burnout recovery to building brands that stick. We share why every business problem is a marketing problem and how to build attention systems, story-driven strategy, and smart automation. • redefining marketing as story, experience, and trust • reframing sales, engagement, and retention as positioning, storytelling, and experience • building attention systems that work while you sleep • turning b...
We break down why marketing is the oxygen of a business and how to build a system that compounds over time. We share strategy-first steps, content pillars, and the habits that keep momentum steady without burning out your team or budget. • marketing as connection before conversion • founder as chief storyteller and culture setter • employees and customers as brand amplifiers • strategy before socials and audience clarity • content pillars for consistency and trust • measuring performance and...
We break down a practical framework to move from hustle to strategy, with five pillars, a weekly blueprint, and a 90-day plan creators can actually use. Along the way, we track market shifts, share Alex’s burnout-to-breakthrough story, and give you tools to measure what matters. • why planning beats improvisation in a fast market • five pillars: vision, audience, offers, go-to-market, operations • audience research and trend mapping for 2025 • designing an offer stack and pricing for value •...
Imagine waking up and realizing your audience is gone—not because you messed up, but because an algorithm decided you’re no longer trending. That punch-in-the-gut feeling is why we’re laying out a clear path to build a business that stands even when social platforms wobble. We pull back the curtain on AI-controlled discoverability, shrinking organic reach, and trend cycles that burn out in hours, then share a practical system to future-proof your growth. We start by reframing the problem: vi...
Time management is the hidden CEO skill that determines whether entrepreneurs thrive or merely survive in their businesses. We explore how poor time habits silently sabotage success while introducing practical strategies to reclaim control of your schedule and accelerate progress toward your goals. • Recognizing when you're "busy but broke, booked but burnt out, posting but not profitable" • Understanding that most entrepreneurs fail due to poor time management, not lack of talent • Viewing ...
Bad business decisions are not the end of your entrepreneurial journey; they're opportunities for growth and learning if you approach them correctly. The way you respond to mistakes separates successful founders from those who give up, with the key being to turn setbacks into valuable lessons that strengthen your business foundation. • Understanding if your poor decisions were rooted in fear, ego, or desperation—the three silent business killers • Five-step recovery process: own it without s...
We're witnessing a significant shift as entrepreneurs increasingly return to traditional 9-to-5 jobs for financial stability, mental wellbeing, and work-life balance. This episode explores the data behind this trend, real stories from former business owners, and strategies for both employers looking to attract entrepreneurial talent and business owners considering a return to employment. • Quit rates dropped from 2.7% in 2022 to around 2% in early 2025 as entrepreneurs recalibrate • 90% of s...
The rush of hitting your goals, watching your launch go viral, or finally receiving recognition feels incredible—until it doesn't. That's when Success PTSD kicks in: the anxiety after achievement, the burnout after breakthrough, the identity crisis after the win. We chase milestones relentlessly, but nobody prepares us for what happens when the applause stops and the dust settles. Suddenly you're wondering: Was that my peak? Can I ever do it again? What if I can't keep up with the version of...
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The sustainability revolution is reshaping how we do business, and for good reason. Whether you're running a product-based brand, offering services, or creating digital content, having a green strategy isn't just good ethics—it's smart business. Forget the old narrative that sustainability is expensive or just for big corporations. The reality? Going green saves money. From reduced packaging costs to lower energy bills, the financial benefits are tangible. Most powerfully, data shows that 70...
Feeling like your business is in survival mode 24/7? You're not alone. The numbers don't lie—41% of small businesses reported profit declines in early 2025, and we're experiencing what experts call a "consumer recession." People feel broke even when they're not, fundamentally changing how they spend money and interact with businesses like yours. This raw, unfiltered conversation cuts through the noise to deliver actionable strategies that actually work in today's challenging economy. Forget ...
Ever looked at your bank account after a "successful" month and wondered where all the money went? You're not alone. Financial chaos isn't just common among entrepreneurs – it's practically a rite of passage. But it doesn't have to be. Truth bomb: most entrepreneurs don't have business problems, they have money mismanagement problems. Behind those Instagram-worthy business moments – the invoicing, branding, and fancy coffees – lurks a different reality. You're robbing Peter to pay Paul. Your...
Ever stared down a deal that seemed completely out of reach? You're not alone. In this gripping episode, I take you behind the curtain of my most nerve-wracking entrepreneurial moment — facing a five-figure deal that could either catapult my business forward or set me back months. With no industry track record and legacy competitors circling, my chances looked slim to none. What happened next revolutionized my approach to high-stakes negotiations. I break down my "Bridge Before the Ask" meth...
Are you constantly leaving money on the table? The uncomfortable truth is that most entrepreneurs under-negotiate, guided by fear of rejection or a misplaced belief that accepting less somehow gets you through the door faster. In this compelling episode of Not Just Candle Talk, we dive deep into the psychology and strategy behind effective negotiation—not the aggressive, winner-takes-all approach you might imagine, but negotiation as professional, strategic communication that respects ...
Ever notice how entrepreneurs put peace on layaway? "Once I hit six figures, I'll rest. Once I scale, I'll breathe." But what if peace isn't a milestone—what if it's a muscle that needs daily attention? Welcome to Part Two of Finding Peace, where we dive deeper into the boundaries, habits, and healing every entrepreneur needs to sustain success. After experiencing burnout firsthand and having to scale back my own schedule, I've learned a truth worth sharing: if success costs you your peace, ...
What happens when the lights go out but the entrepreneurial fire keeps burning? This captivating episode takes you on a journey to fictional Ebon Hollow, where three unlikely entrepreneurs—Rena, Jax, and Nova—transform darkness into opportunity when their town loses power permanently. Their story unfolds as a powerful metaphor for building something meaningful from nothing. Without funding or fancy websites, these characters create businesses that resonate deeply with customers: a café-turne...
Have you ever felt like you're pouring everything into your business but getting nothing in return? Today's story will resonate deeply with anyone who's experienced entrepreneurial burnout. Meet Nina, a 34-year-old candle maker who started Wicken Flame with just $500 and a dream. Her initial success quickly gave way to the harsh realities of business ownership—shelves full of product, an empty bank account, and that devastating moment when she whispered to herself: "I think I'm done." The lo...
Have you ever felt like you're doing everything right in your business, yet somehow it's still not enough? That feeling of running uphill, alone, in silence—even as you check all the entrepreneurial boxes everyone says lead to success? This raw, unfiltered conversation pulls back the curtain on what entrepreneurship really feels like behind the highlight reels. We've all been sold a fairy tale that hard work, consistency, and passion automatically unlock the dream life. But the truth? Succes...
Ever found yourself asking, "Why am I even doing this?" in your business? You're experiencing what I call a purpose crisis – a critical turning point where the passion that once fueled your entrepreneurial journey seems to have disappeared. Purpose isn't just some fluffy concept for vision boards. It's the backbone of sustainable business success and the antidote to entrepreneurial burnout. Throughout this episode, I break down how purpose transforms from an abstract concept into a tangible ...
Ready to break free from financial mediocrity? The wealth landscape has transformed dramatically, and what worked for previous generations won't cut it anymore. In this revealing episode, we pull back the curtain on the unfiltered blueprint to wealth that the 1% leverages but rarely discusses publicly. The harsh reality we're facing in 2025 demands bold new approaches. AI is replacing jobs at an accelerating pace, inflation continues to devour savings, and the once-reliable 9-to-5 has become...
Not Just Candle Talk: Presents The Creator Comeback Network
We relaunch NJCT as a marketing mentorship for creators and small business owners, shifting from burnout recovery to building brands that stick. We share why every business problem is a marketing problem and how to build attention systems, story-driven strategy, and smart automation. • redefining marketing as story, experience, and trust • reframing sales, engagement, and retention as positioning, storytelling, and experience • building attention systems that work while you sleep • turning b...
