Best Simone Janssen Podcasts (2025)

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E137 - From Employees to A-Players: How to Keep and Grow the Talent You Worked So Hard to Find 14:47

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7d ago14:47

14:47

Hiring and onboarding get people in the door. But the real challenge begins after that: keeping them engaged, motivated, and growing with your business. Too many small business owners assume that if someone is happy today, they’ll be happy forever. That’s not how it works—and it’s why turnover quietly drains capacity, profits, and morale. In this e…

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E136 - The Hidden Cost of Bad Onboarding: Why You’re Losing Your Best People Before They Even Start 17:00

14d ago17:00

17:00

You did it—you finally hired the right person. They’re smart, capable, and seem like the perfect fit. But just 90 days later, they’re gone. It’s not because of pay. Not because of competition. It’s because you lost them before they ever had a chance to succeed. In this episode, we uncover one of the most overlooked growth-killers in small businesse…

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E135 - Why Your Hiring Isn’t Working: The Hidden Priorities That Actually Attract A-Players 19:12

20d ago19:12

19:12

Hiring shouldn’t feel like gambling—but for most small business owners, it does. You put out a job ad, interview a few candidates, and hope you find someone who sticks. More often than not, you end up disappointed, burned out, and right back in the hiring cycle. In this episode, we’re exposing the big lie about hiring: it’s not about filling seats.…

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E134 - Burnout Is A Business Model Problem - Not A Personal One 19:13

20d ago19:13

19:13

In this episode, we tackle the silent epidemic plaguing high-performing business owners: burnout. But not from the usual angle. Because burnout isn’t caused by laziness, lack of motivation, or even overwork. It’s caused by building a business that can’t function without you. If you’re tired of carrying the weight of the business on your back, this …

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E133 - The Real Reason You're Burned Out (It’s Not What You Think) 18:46

1M ago18:46

18:46

In this episode, we’re blowing up the biggest myth about entrepreneurial burnout—and showing you how AI isn’t just a task tool, but the unlock to finally getting your business out of your head and into a self-sustaining rhythm. If you’re overwhelmed, drowning in decisions, and still somehow the glue holding your business together… this isn’t a syst…

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E132 - Burnout Is A Business Model Problem—Not A Personal One 16:07

1M ago16:07

16:07

In this episode, we tackle the silent epidemic plaguing high-performing business owners: burnout. But not from the usual angle. Because burnout isn’t caused by laziness, lack of motivation, or even overwork. It’s caused by building a business that can’t function without you. If you’re tired of carrying the weight of the business on your back, this …

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E131 - The Death of Personality-Driven Leadership 21:34

2M ago21:34

21:34

In this episode, we unpack one of the most overlooked reasons small businesses stay stuck: the trap of personality-driven leadership. If your business only works when you're watching, reminding, or rescuing—it’s not your people that are broken. It’s your system. We explore how leadership systems—not superstar employees—are what make businesses scal…

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E130 - Why Saying Yes Is Sinking Your Business 18:50

2M ago18:50

18:50

Most business owners don’t realize it, but constantly saying “yes” isn’t a strength — it’s a leadership weakness. What feels like being a good, approachable leader is often the exact reason you’re stuck in operations, overwhelmed, and unable to grow. In this episode, we break down why saying yes too much traps business owners in burnout, disempower…

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E129 - AI Will Not Save You - But It Can Set the Stage for What Will 21:13

2M ago21:13

21:13

AI is not your savior—but it can be your secret weapon. In this episode, we unpack the real reason most small businesses stay stuck even after adopting AI: they’re still operating instead of leading. Discover the three powerful ways AI, when used correctly, creates leverage—and why none of it matters unless you step up and lead at a higher level. A…

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E128 - Burnout Isn’t About Working Too Much — It’s About Working On The Wrong Things 17:58

2M ago17:58

17:58

If you want to build a business that runs without draining your people — or you — this episode is your roadmap to creating alignment, clarity, and growth without the burnout spiral. Most people think burnout is about being overworked. But for many high-performing employees, the real culprit is misalignment. When work lacks meaning, challenge, or a …

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E127 - Why Your Team Is Pretending to Work (And What to Do About It) 21:33

3M ago21:33

21:33

If nearly half your team is pretending to work, the real problem isn’t laziness—it’s leadership. When your mission is fuzzy, KPIs are unclear, and communication is inconsistent, your team isn’t engaged—they’re surviving. And most leaders make it worse by tightening control instead of building culture. In this episode, we break down how to fix the d…

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E126 - Confident But Clueless: Leading The Un-Coachable Employee 21:10

3M ago21:10

21:10

In this episode, we tackle one of the most frustrating (and costly) leadership challenges: working with a team member who’s sure they’re performing… but everyone else sees the truth. This isn’t just about ego—it’s about the collision between inflated self-worth and a lack of self-awareness. And if you don’t know how to handle it? It can quietly dra…

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E125 - The AI Takeover — Tool Or Trap? 19:47

3M ago19:47

19:47

Hey, here is the next one—wherever it fits in the lineup. Show Notes: The AI Takeover — Tool or Trap? In this episode, we pull back the curtain on the AI revolution—what it really means for small business owners, and why using it wrong could cost you far more than ignoring it altogether. AI isn’t just a tech trend. It’s a leadership shift. When use…

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E124 - Broken Promises, Boiling Points, And Burnout: What Your Team’s Silence Is Really Telling You 23:08

3M ago23:08

23:08

In this episode, we pull back the curtain on why so many small business teams are disengaged—and what your leadership habits may have to do with it. Disengagement isn’t about lazy employees. It’s usually about broken systems, unclear expectations, and leaders who are running on fumes. We explore the real reasons teams stop trying, why yelling is a …

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E123 - Why HR Is A Must Have And Why Waiting On It Could Cost You Your Business 38:25

3M ago38:25

38:25

In this episode, Simone and HR expert Katherine Hartvickson dive deep into one of the most misunderstood — and often avoided — parts of running a business: Human Resources. HR has a reputation problem. It’s often associated with getting written up, let go, or stuck in bureaucratic red tape. But the truth? Skipping HR is one of the most expensive mi…

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E122 - The 80% Shift: Why Doing Less Is The Key To Scaling More 11:27

4M ago11:27

11:27

You don’t need another time management hack. You need margin. Breathing room. Strategic space. That’s what today’s podcast episode is all about: the 80% Rule — and how it could save your sanity, scale your business, and finally get you out of firefighting mode. Here’s the hard truth I unpack: Most SBOs don’t have a time problem. They have a team pr…

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E121 - Leadership Beyond Fear: Inspiring The Next Generation Of Teams 33:30

4M ago33:30

33:30

This episode is all about leadership - the stark contrast between fear-based approaches and the type of inspirational leadership that truly drives results. As Simone shares, the old-school leadership styles that may have worked in the past are now falling flat, especially with the influx of younger Gen Z employees entering the workforce. The realit…

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E120 - Unlocking The Mindset Of Freedom And Wealth: From Operators To Entrepreneurs 28:11

4M ago28:11

28:11

Simone and Nicky explore the journey from being business operators to becoming true entrepreneurs. The conversation underscores how authenticity in business creates both fulfillment and market success. By introducing Jung's archetypes, they offer a framework for entrepreneurs to connect with their true selves and communicate more effectively. Nicky…

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E119 - AI Isn't Optional Anymore: Why Small Business Owners Must Adapt or Fall Behind 17:19

4M ago17:19

17:19

AI is revolutionizing small businesses across all industries - from contractors to medical clinics to restaurants. What previously took weeks or months (accountability frameworks, hiring systems, org charts) can now be done in minutes with tools like the AI Business Scaling Blueprint, which combines AI efficiency with my 20+ years of leadership exp…

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E118 - Vision-Aligned Hiring: Beyond Skills to Find True Alignment 16:42

5M ago16:42

16:42

Looking for the right employees in today's market is challenging, especially for small business owners seeking qualified, accountable, and strategic talent. This episode explores why successful hiring goes beyond skills to find true motivational alignment. The most revealing interview question is simple: "Why do you want to work here?" The answer r…

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E117 - Hiring Right: Navigating Growth Challenges 30:37

5M ago30:37

30:37

In this eye-opening conversation with hiring expert Corey Harlock from Key Hire, we dive into why so many small businesses struggle with talent acquisition and what you can actually do about it. The brutal truth? Most business owners make three critical hiring mistakes: Unclear role definition (what does success actually look like?) No defined hiri…

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E116 - Asking For The Sale: Marketing And Copywriting For Scalability 29:32

5M ago29:32

29:32

Samantha and Simone discussed the critical role of copywriting and marketing in driving business growth and scalability: Salespeople need to be confident in asking for the sale, as effective copywriting can streamline the process. Audience education through low-ticket courses, etc. improves lead quality by helping customers understand value. Unders…

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E115 - The Hiring Paradox: Why Your Dream Team Keeps Ghosting You 18:21

5M ago18:21

18:21

The brutal truth? Most small businesses aren't "hiring ready." When 87% of owners can't find qualified candidates, it's time to look in the mirror. This podcast unpacks the Small Business Death Spiral: can't hire quality people → work yourself to exhaustion → no time to train mediocre hires → poor performance → lost customers → reduced profits → ca…

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E114 - The Manager Effect On Employee Performance 21:13

6M ago21:13

21:13

In today's episode, we tackle the critical influence managers have on employee performance and business growth. While 70% of employees would quit over a bad manager, research shows managers can be the second most influential people in employees' lives—creating enormous potential for positive impact. Many small business owners fall into the "just hi…

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E113 - Hacking The Watercooler: High Performance By Community 17:17

6M ago17:17

17:17

The modern office is a living social system, yet most fail to cultivate real connections. Over a third of employees would rather clean a toilet than ask a coworker for help - "social muscle atrophy" from remote work and impersonal tools. The result? Quiet quitting, disengagement, and a sense that work is just individual tasks, not shared endeavors.…

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E112 - When Passion And Purpose Drive Smart Growth 35:04

6M ago35:04

35:04

In this Episode, special guests Vicky and Jo from Canine Business Academy from the UK share how they help their typically operator focused clients become the leaders of successful dog training businesses. Listen to this fun, colored by British-isms episode as we discuss the importance of being the brand of your business and it reflecting who you ar…

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E111 - Building a Profit-Focused Culture 17:38

6M ago17:38

17:38

In this episode, host Simone tackles a critical issue for small business owners - establishing a profit-centric mindset throughout your entire organization. We'll discuss why every role in your company needs to be directly or indirectly driving profitability, and provide a strategic framework for instilling this profit-focused culture in your team.…

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E110 - Coming Out On Top: Thriving In Change Fostering Resilience And Adaptability 18:41

7M ago18:41

18:41

In today’s fast-changing world, great leaders don’t resist change—they embrace it, pivot quickly, and lead with trust and empathy. In this episode we’ll explore: How to pivot quickly as a leader How to maintain trust in times of crisis How to lead with empathy during uncertainty By the end, you’ll have actionable strategies to become a more adaptab…

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E109 - Launch And Scale Without Wasting Your Money And Resources 25:35

7M ago25:35

25:35

In this episode we are excited to talk with David Hirschfeld, owner of https://launch1st.tekyz.com/ about the right way to start and scale without making the biggest mistake that costs founders precious time, money and momentum. Simone and David discuss the 4 main areas of focus: 1—How starting with the vision is only the beginning but may have to …

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E108 - Where Elon Musk Is Right And Wrong And How You Can Do Better 13:36

7M ago13:36

13:36

In this episode, we explores the CEO updates or the 5-15 concept. The podcast delves into the benefits of this approach for business owners, how to effectively implement it, and the importance of distinguishing its use in a business context versus a governmental one. Key Takeaways: Understanding the 5-15 Concept Helps business owners stay informed …

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E107-Unsticking Your Leadership 17:23

7M ago17:23

17:23

As business leaders, we often know the changes we need to make to drive our organizations forward—delegate more, have difficult conversations, embrace innovation. Yet we find ourselves stuck in our "uncomfortably comfortable" routines, unable to take the necessary steps outside our familiar (but limiting) comfort zones. In this episode, we unpack t…

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E106 - Leading through uncertain times 16:19

7M ago16:19

16:19

In this eye-opening episode, we dive deep into the real-world challenges facing minority/immigrant employees - and uncover concrete strategies small business leaders can use to guide their teams through turbulent times with empathy, trust, and a relentless focus on shared purpose. Key Topics Covered: Understanding the Struggles Your employees are d…

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E105 - The crisis of employee (dis)engagement 21:12

8M ago21:12

21:12

Employee engagement has hit a decade-low, with less than a third of employees feeling truly engaged at work. This crisis is driven by factors like rapid organizational changes, remote/hybrid work challenges, and a lack of clear priorities, consistent feedback, and accountability from leadership. In this episode, we'll cover 5 essential practices yo…

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E104 - The Highest Cost In Business… Why Do Employees Really Quit Their Jobs? 23:01

8M ago23:01

23:01

Are you tired of feeling trapped in the endless cycle of firefighting and micromanagement in your business? In this episode, we dive deep into the single biggest factor holding your company back from explosive, sustainable growth - and it all comes down to empowering your team to think and act like entrepreneurs. We explore the proven strategies fo…

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E103 - Unleashing The Superpowers Of Gen Z: A Small Business Owner's Guide 19:35

8M ago19:35

19:35

As a small business owner, you're probably all too familiar with the dreaded "Gen Z" workforce. The entitled, distracted, always-online youngsters who seem to have a completely different set of priorities and expectations than the generations that came before them. It's enough to make even the most seasoned entrepreneur want to pull their hair out …

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E102 - Building the Right Team for Business Growth and Exit with Pete Mohr 30:04

8M ago30:04

30:04

Guest: Pete Mohr, certified exit planner and Kolbe coach Key Topics Covered: The importance of having a clear external-facing "promise" for your business Using the Kolbe assessment to understand how your team naturally makes decisions and takes action Leveraging Kolbe insights to improve communication, alignment, and role fit within your team The v…

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E101 - Stop Thinking About It: The One Thing Holding Your Business Back In 2025 (It's Not What You Think) 22:53

9M ago22:53

22:53

Small business owners, it's time to decide that enough is enough. This year, in 2025, commit to breaking the cycle, empowering your team, and unlocking the growth and freedom you deserve. Take the first step by watching this video to identify where you're the bottleneck in your business. Visit http://www.bulletproofbusinessgrowth.com/scalingbluepri…

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E100!!! - Mastering the Art of Networking with Michael Forman 31:10

9M ago31:10

31:10

Guest: Michael Forman, author of "Networking Unleashed" and networking expert Key Topics Covered: The importance of quality over quantity when it comes to networking - being selective about the conversations you have Tips for introverts on how to approach networking events, including bringing a "wingman" to help facilitate conversations The step-by…

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E99 - Time Thief Tracker: Reclaim Your Time, Accelerate Your Growth 23:07

10M ago23:07

23:07

As small business owners, we're often trapped in the day-to-day, unable to focus on strategic growth. The consistent roadblock to scaling and sustainable success isn't lack of skill or vision; it's lack of time. In this episode, you'll learn how to implement the Time Thief Tracker – a simple yet powerful system to identify and address your time-was…

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E87 - PIPs - Your Secret Weapon To Unlock Your 2025 Growth 21:13

10M ago21:13

21:13

Performance improvement plans (PIPs) often get a bad rap, but I'm here to tell you that when done right, they can be a total game-changer for hitting your 2025 growth goals. Traditional performance reviews simply aren't cutting it anymore. They lack the structure and accountability needed to drive real improvements in employee performance. But a we…

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Building a "Lean Profit Machine": Unlocking the Power of Six Sigma and Lean 23:10

10M ago23:10

23:10

If you're a business owner or leader who's tired of constantly fighting fires and struggling to drive sustainable growth, this podcast episode is a must-listen. Simone Janssen reveals the powerful methodology they've used to help countless organizations break free from chaos and unlock new levels of operational efficiency and profitability. And it …

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Your Exit Strategy… How Well Will You Do? 33:20

10M ago33:20

33:20

In this episode, Simone and Joshua Monge, a fractional COO specializing in business optimization, discussed the critical steps business owners should take to prepare for a successful exit. They highlighted the importance of proper structuring, documentation, and maintaining a scalable business identity separate from the owner. The conversation cove…

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Right People, Right Seats: Hiring Your #2 25:17

10M ago25:17

25:17

Are you a founder or CEO looking to take your organization to the next level? The key might just be in your second-in-command. In this essential new episode, we dive deep into the power of the #2 role and how to navigate the opportunities and pitfalls of this critical hire. Join us as we explore: -The critical functions and responsibilities of a st…

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E94 - Resilience: The Foundation For Your Vision In 2025 21:59

11M ago21:59

21:59

In this episode we are diving deep into the power of crafting an inspiring, hope-filled vision for your organization in 2025 and beyond. Too often, leaders get caught up in day-to-day firefighting without a clear roadmap for long-term growth. But the most resilient, transformative businesses are the ones that can step back, envision a brighter futu…

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E93 - Is Your Mission Actually Scalable? 23:18

11M ago23:18

23:18

This episode stresses the importance of designing your core mission and offering for scale upfront. Too often, entrepreneurs lose focus chasing shiny opportunities that dilute their message over time, killing growth potential. To scale efficiently, focus on four levers: 1) Do you love the daily work? Passion fuels excellence. 2) Are you unequivocal…

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E92 - The Art Of Feedback: Gold Or Disaster 30:11

11M ago30:11

30:11

In this episode, learn best practices for delivering feedback that encourages growth rather than crushing motivation. Discover why establishing a two-way dialogue through active listening is key to gaining understanding and buy-in. Hear how keeping feedback specific with illustrative examples provides clarity on where to improve. Find out why balan…

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E91 - Why Micromanaging Is Highly Underrated 22:47

11M ago22:47

22:47

Why Micromanaging is Highly Underrated Many founders pride themselves on empowering teams by staying out of the weeds. But does letting go of responsibilities too quickly undermine your ability to guide a growing company? In this episode, we'll explore how transitioning from owner to CEO demands adapting your leadership style to meet new challenges…

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What Gen Z Teaches Business Owners 23:11

12M ago23:11

23:11

Gen Z is one of the biggest labor and talent pools available to business owners right now and… to be the company they want to work for, many business owners need to update their leadership practices and culture. Tune in to learn practical steps for cultivating a servant culture where people feel valued, engaged and able to contribute their best wor…

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E80 - What To Do As The CEO - And What NOT To... 31:38

12M ago31:38

31:38

Push your business to the next level through focused leadership development. As entrepreneurs, it's easy to get caught up in the day-to-day tasks and operational duties and lose sight of the bigger strategic picture. But to truly scale, we must replace ourselves in our current roles and start thinking - and working - at a higher level. In this epis…

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Remote Culture For A Hands-off Team 18:10

12M ago18:10

18:10

Here is an interesting hack: even if you team is not remote, building an intentional, remote culture is your key to excellence and freedom… We’ll talk about the secrets to building a self-sufficient team through clarity, accountability and connection from anywhere. Part of this is auditing your current cultural processes, communicating expectations…