Are you in a crowded niche where it feels almost impossible to stand out?  And you’re looking for ways to build your customer base?

Shaunda Necole is an influencer and online business owner who has successfully built multiple blogs, podcasts and monetisation streams around her passion for food and travel.

In just two years, she built her blog The Soul Food Pot into Google's #1 site for Southern soul food. 

Part of the secret to Shaunda’s success was niche-ing down - she took iconic African American recipes and reimagined them using modern kitchen appliances to make them faster and easier for amateur chefs.

But she did more than that … and so can you.

In this episode, Shaunda shares what she did to stand out in a super competitive niche.

We Also Talked About
How Shaunda grew her Instagram following by engaging with and helping other influencers in support groups
Monetizing on Instagram through brand partnerships and affiliate links
Why you have to niche down as specifically as possible - "you have to go small to get big"
How Pinterest operates as a visual search engine and using its keyword bubbles for content inspiration
Creating content based on search intent - what your audience is actually looking for
The importance of compelling visuals and text overlay on Pinterest pins
Using tools like Tailwind to schedule and automate pinning

Want to hear more of Shaunda's journey to online business success? Listen to the full episode here! And don't forget to subscribe so you never miss an episode.

RESOURCES MENTIONED:
Shaunda Necole's website: https://shaundanecole.com
Her soul food site: https://thesoulfoodpot.com
Her Las Vegas local recommendations site: https://vegasrightnow.com
Her podcasts:  The Soul Food Pod and Vegas Right Now
Shaunda’s Pinterest course:   Pinterest Magic Marketing Masterclass


Want regular access to tips, techniques and advice from experts about growing your business?  Sign up here.  https://onlinebusinessliftoff.com/newsletter/

Are you in a crowded niche where it feels almost impossible to stand out?  And you’re looking for ways to build your customer base?
Shaunda Necole is an influencer and online business owner who has successfully built multiple blogs, podcasts and monetisation streams around her passion for food and travel.
In just two years, she built her blog The Soul Food Pot into Google's #1 site for Southern soul food. 
Part of the secret to Shaunda’s success was niche-ing down - she took iconic African American recipes and reimagined them using modern kitchen appliances to make them faster and easier for amateur chefs.
But she did more than that … and so can you.
In this episode, Shaunda shares what she did to stand out in a super competitive niche.
We Also Talked About
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">How Shaunda grew her Instagram following by engaging with and helping other influencers in support groups</li>
<li aria-level="1">Monetizing on Instagram through brand partnerships and affiliate links</li>
<li aria-level="1">Why you have to niche down as specifically as possible - "you have to go small to get big"</li>
<li aria-level="1">How Pinterest operates as a visual search engine and using its keyword bubbles for content inspiration</li>
<li aria-level="1">Creating content based on search intent - what your audience is actually looking for</li>
<li aria-level="1">The importance of compelling visuals and text overlay on Pinterest pins</li>
<li aria-level="1">Using tools like Tailwind to schedule and automate pinning</li>
</ul>
Want to hear more of Shaunda's journey to online business success? Listen to the full episode here! And don't forget to subscribe so you never miss an episode.
RESOURCES MENTIONED:
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">Shaunda Necole's website: <a href="https://shaundanecole.com/">https://shaundanecole.com</a></li>
<li aria-level="1">Her soul food site: <a href="https://thesoulfoodpot.com/">https://thesoulfoodpot.com</a></li>
<li aria-level="1">Her Las Vegas local recommendations site: <a href="https://vegasrightnow.com/">https://vegasrightnow.com</a></li>
<li aria-level="1">Her podcasts:  <a href="https://thesoulfoodpot.com/podcast/">The Soul Food Pod</a> and <a href="https://vegasrightnow.com/#">Vegas Right Now</a></li>
<li aria-level="1">Shaunda’s Pinterest course:   <a href="https://courses.shaundanecole.com/courses/bonus-pinterest-magic-marketing">Pinterest Magic Marketing Masterclass</a></li>
</ul>
 Want regular access to tips, techniques and advice from experts about growing your business?  Sign up here. <a href="https://onlinebusinessliftoff.com/newsletter/"> https://onlinebusinessliftoff.com/newsletter/</a>

This podcast is for new and emerging online business owners who are determined to do what it takes to reach their financial goals, help people along the way and learn a bunch of useful new skills. Have a love/hate relationship with the tech? We talk about that. Not sure you have what it takes to achieve success? We talk about that, too, plus how to deal with mindset challenges. Trudy Rankin, Founder of the Online Business Program, shares actionable tips that will help you really get your business growing, as well as interviews with experts and inspiring stories so that you can grow your online business with confidence.

This podcast is for new and emerging online business owners who are determined to do what it takes to reach their financial goals, help people along the way and learn a bunch of useful new skills. Have a love/hate relationship with the tech? We talk about that. Not sure you have what it takes to achieve success? We talk about that, too, plus how to deal with mindset challenges. Trudy Rankin, Founder of the Online Business Program, shares actionable tips that will help you really get your business growing, as well as interviews with experts and inspiring stories so that you can grow your online business with confidence.

Online Business Launchpad | Start An Online Business | Online Business Growth

The Online Business Launchpad podcast shares tips, techniques and stories from small business owners who have solved problems and challenges like the ones you face.  This podcast is for you if you want to increase revenue and profits without burning out so that you can have more time for yourself and your family and more choices in how you live your life.

The Online Business Launchpad podcast shares tips, techniques and stories from small business owners who have solved problems and challenges like the ones you face.  This podcast is for you if you want to increase revenue and profits without burning out so that you can have more time for yourself and your family and more choices in how you live your life.

How You Can Stand Out In A Crowded Niche With This Soul Food Blogger’s Winning Formula

Do you ever feel like you’re on a hamster wheel, always serving clients but never finding the time to grow your own business? As veteran Chief Marketing Officer Victoria Hajjar puts it, “It’s the biggest mistake you can make for your future—neglecting to build your own marketing engine.”

So are you ready to build a marketing engine that works for you instead of the other way around? 

Tune in to this week’s episode  and listen as Victoria shares how you can move from burnout to brilliance with a 24/7 marketing flywheel that scales your business and frees up your time. 

Victoria Hajjar is a seasoned Fractional Chief Marketing Officer with nearly 15 years of experience helping women founders transition their businesses from six to seven figures. Having built ROI-focused marketing systems for entrepreneurs worldwide, Victoria has mastered the art of creating sustainable growth strategies tailored to resource-limited businesses.

Be sure to sign up for my newsletter to stay updated on future episodes. 



WE ALSO TALKED ABOUT:


Why mindset matters: The hidden psychological barriers holding entrepreneurs back from investing in their marketing systems.


The 24/7 Marketing Flywheel: A six-step framework that transforms your marketing into a self-sustaining engine.


Building the right team: How to hire help strategically, even on a tight budget.


Leadership habits: Why quarterly reviews and weekly meetings (even with yourself) are non-negotiable for success.


Niching down: How specificity in your marketing can lead to exponential results online.

RESOURCES MENTIONED


Victoria Hajjar’s End Marketing Overwhelm Guide


Victoria’s LinkedIn Profile:Connect with Victoria

Want regular access to tips, techniques, and advice from experts about growing your business? Sign up to my newsletter here.

Do you ever feel like you’re on a hamster wheel, always serving clients but never finding the time to grow your own business? As veteran Chief Marketing Officer Victoria Hajjar puts it, “It’s the biggest mistake you can make for your future—neglecting to build your own marketing engine.” 
So are you ready to build a marketing engine that works for you instead of the other way around? 
Tune in to this week’s episode  and listen as Victoria shares how you can move from burnout to brilliance with a 24/7 marketing flywheel that scales your business and frees up your time. 
Victoria Hajjar is a seasoned Fractional Chief Marketing Officer with nearly 15 years of experience helping women founders transition their businesses from six to seven figures. Having built ROI-focused marketing systems for entrepreneurs worldwide, Victoria has mastered the art of creating sustainable growth strategies tailored to resource-limited businesses.
Be sure to <a href="https://onlinebusinessliftoff.com/newsletter">sign up for my newsletter </a>to stay updated on future episodes. 
 
WE ALSO TALKED ABOUT:
<ul>
<li dir="ltr" aria-level="1">
Why mindset matters: The hidden psychological barriers holding entrepreneurs back from investing in their marketing systems.
</li>
<li dir="ltr" aria-level="1">
The 24/7 Marketing Flywheel: A six-step framework that transforms your marketing into a self-sustaining engine.
</li>
<li dir="ltr" aria-level="1">
Building the right team: How to hire help strategically, even on a tight budget.
</li>
<li dir="ltr" aria-level="1">
Leadership habits: Why quarterly reviews and weekly meetings (even with yourself) are non-negotiable for success.
</li>
<li dir="ltr" aria-level="1">
Niching down: How specificity in your marketing can lead to exponential results online.
</li>
</ul>
RESOURCES MENTIONED
<ul>
<li dir="ltr" aria-level="1">
Victoria Hajjar’s <a href="https://www.ugliventures.com/resources">End Marketing Overwhelm Guide</a>
</li>
<li dir="ltr" aria-level="1">
Victoria’s LinkedIn Profile:<a href="https://linkedin.com"> </a><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoria-hajjar/">Connect with Victoria</a>
</li>
</ul>
Want regular access to tips, techniques, and advice from experts about growing your business? <a href="https://onlinebusinessliftoff.com/newsletter">Sign up to my newsletter here</a>.

The 24/7 Marketing Flywheel That Will Free Up Time and Grow Your Business With Victoria Hajjar

“AI is moving at light speed, but it’s not here to replace people. It’s here to augment our expertise and make us more efficient.” – Sami Hero

In this episode of the Online Business Launchpad podcast, Sami Hero, a seasoned expert in AI and technology, unpacks how small businesses can leverage AI without getting lost in the complexity. From streamlining customer service to creating targeted marketing campaigns, Sami shares practical advice for business owners on using AI to solve real problems and improve efficiency.

Whether you’re a solo entrepreneur or a growing team, Sami’s insights will help you harness AI to work smarter, not harder.

WE ALSO TALKED ABOUT
How Sami’s early career in semantic search and AI laid the groundwork for his expertise.
Tips on using accessible tools like Pictory.ai and Synthesia to create video content and enhance your marketing without breaking the bank.
AI’s impact on accessibility, enabling visually impaired users to engage with online content more seamlessly.
Why starting with a specific use case is the best way to approach AI for small business needs.
The challenges of AI “hallucinations” (generating incorrect information) and how to manage biases in data.
Building a cohesive, cost-effective tech stack without overwhelming your team.
How AI can improve customer service and streamline internal operations, allowing small teams to achieve more.

Want to be notified when new episodes come up? Sign up here: Online Business Liftoff Newsletter

RESOURCES MENTIONED
Pictory:  https://pictory.ai  – Quickly turn articles or blog posts into engaging videos.
Synthesia:  https://synthesia.io  – An AI tool for generating videos with digital avatars.
Lex Page:  https://lex.page  – A writing tool for generating drafts and AI-assisted editing.
Napkin:  https://napkin.ai  – Quickly transform ideas into presentations.
Cassidy:  https://cassidy.ai  – For building complex, AI-driven workflows.
AWS Rekognition – https://aws.amazon.com/rekognition/  - Amazon’s image recognition service for identifying objects and enhancing accessibility.

Want regular access to tips, techniques, and advice from experts about growing your business? Sign up here: Online Business Liftoff Newsletter

“AI is moving at light speed, but it’s not here to replace people. It’s here to augment our expertise and make us more efficient.” – Sami Hero
In this episode of the Online Business Launchpad podcast, Sami Hero, a seasoned expert in AI and technology, unpacks how small businesses can leverage AI without getting lost in the complexity. From streamlining customer service to creating targeted marketing campaigns, Sami shares practical advice for business owners on using AI to solve real problems and improve efficiency.
Whether you’re a solo entrepreneur or a growing team, Sami’s insights will help you harness AI to work smarter, not harder.
WE ALSO TALKED ABOUT
<ul>
<li dir="ltr" aria-level="1">How Sami’s early career in semantic search and AI laid the groundwork for his expertise.</li>
<li dir="ltr" aria-level="1">Tips on using accessible tools like Pictory.ai and Synthesia to create video content and enhance your marketing without breaking the bank.</li>
<li dir="ltr" aria-level="1">AI’s impact on accessibility, enabling visually impaired users to engage with online content more seamlessly.</li>
<li dir="ltr" aria-level="1">Why starting with a specific use case is the best way to approach AI for small business needs.</li>
<li dir="ltr" aria-level="1">The challenges of AI “hallucinations” (generating incorrect information) and how to manage biases in data.</li>
<li dir="ltr" aria-level="1">Building a cohesive, cost-effective tech stack without overwhelming your team.</li>
<li dir="ltr" aria-level="1">How AI can improve customer service and streamline internal operations, allowing small teams to achieve more.</li>
</ul>
Want to be notified when new episodes come up? Sign up here:<a href="https://onlinebusinessliftoff.com/newsletter/"> Online Business Liftoff Newsletter</a>
<hr>
RESOURCES MENTIONED
<ul>
<li dir="ltr" aria-level="1">Pictory:  <a href="https://pictory.ai">https://pictory.ai</a>  – Quickly turn articles or blog posts into engaging videos.</li>
<li dir="ltr" aria-level="1">Synthesia:  <a href="https://synthesia.io">https://synthesia.io</a>  – An AI tool for generating videos with digital avatars.</li>
<li dir="ltr" aria-level="1">Lex Page:  <a href="https://lex.page">https://lex.page</a>  – A writing tool for generating drafts and AI-assisted editing.</li>
<li dir="ltr" aria-level="1">Napkin:  <a href="https://napkin.ai">https://napkin.ai</a>  – Quickly transform ideas into presentations.</li>
<li dir="ltr" aria-level="1">Cassidy:  <a href="https://cassidy.ai">https://cassidy.ai</a>  – For building complex, AI-driven workflows.</li>
<li dir="ltr" aria-level="1">AWS Rekognition – <a href="https://aws.amazon.com/rekognition/">https://aws.amazon.com/rekognition/</a>  - Amazon’s image recognition service for identifying objects and enhancing accessibility.</li>
</ul>
Want regular access to tips, techniques, and advice from experts about growing your business? Sign up here:<a href="https://onlinebusinessliftoff.com/newsletter/"> Online Business Liftoff Newsletter</a>

How Small Businesses Can Use AI to Save Time and Boost Revenue with Sami Hero

Imagine navigating the online world without being able to see it. For most of us, it's a quick look, click, and scroll. But for Maxwell Ivey, who is blind, accessing the digital world takes screen readers, patience, and grit.

In this episode, Max reveals his journey from learning to code out of necessity (while blind) to founding the Accessibility Advantage Consultancy, which advocates for a truly inclusive digital experience. Max's story is a testament to the power of resilience, adaptability, and why accessibility isn’t just important—it’s essential.

Max (aka "the Blind Blogger,") has been breaking barriers online since 2007. With over a decade of experience navigating digital spaces as a visually impaired entrepreneur, Max now educates business owners on the power of accessibility through his consultancy.

He's also an Eagle Scout, an author, a speaker, and a podcast host, leveraging his personal journey to make digital spaces more inclusive.

WE ALSO TALKED ABOUT


The unique challenges and tools Max uses to navigate the web as a blind business owner.


How AI is making strides in accessibility but still has a long way to go.


The critical role of screen readers, adaptive tech, and accessible web design for inclusivity.


Practical steps small business owners can take to improve their site’s accessibility.


Max’s advice on overcoming barriers, finding support, and building a business with disabilities.


Why designing for keyboard navigation first can make your site more accessible to all users.


How product accessibility reviews and his work with AudioEye impact the lives of visually impaired users.

Have a listen to this interesting episode with Maxwell Ivey to discover how you can make your business more accessible and inclusive.

Want to be notified when new episodes come up?  Sign up to get notifications, tips, stories and advice for growing your online business. 

RESOURCES MENTIONED


Max's Accessibility Advantage Consultancy - https://theaccessibilityadvantage.com/


The Blind Blogger - https://theblindblogger.net


AudioEye - https://www.audioeye.com


Wave Accessibility Checker - https://wave.webaim.org


LEGO Braille Bricks - https://www.lego.com/en-au/theme/braille-bricks/about

Imagine navigating the online world without being able to see it. For most of us, it's a quick look, click, and scroll. But for Maxwell Ivey, who is blind, accessing the digital world takes screen readers, patience, and grit.
In this episode, Max reveals his journey from learning to code out of necessity (while blind) to founding the Accessibility Advantage Consultancy, which advocates for a truly inclusive digital experience. Max's story is a testament to the power of resilience, adaptability, and why accessibility isn’t just important—it’s essential.
Max (aka "the Blind Blogger,") has been breaking barriers online since 2007. With over a decade of experience navigating digital spaces as a visually impaired entrepreneur, Max now educates business owners on the power of accessibility through his consultancy.
He's also an Eagle Scout, an author, a speaker, and a podcast host, leveraging his personal journey to make digital spaces more inclusive.
WE ALSO TALKED ABOUT
<ul>
<li dir="ltr" aria-level="1">
The unique challenges and tools Max uses to navigate the web as a blind business owner.
</li>
<li dir="ltr" aria-level="1">
How AI is making strides in accessibility but still has a long way to go.
</li>
<li dir="ltr" aria-level="1">
The critical role of screen readers, adaptive tech, and accessible web design for inclusivity.
</li>
<li dir="ltr" aria-level="1">
Practical steps small business owners can take to improve their site’s accessibility.
</li>
<li dir="ltr" aria-level="1">
Max’s advice on overcoming barriers, finding support, and building a business with disabilities.
</li>
<li dir="ltr" aria-level="1">
Why designing for keyboard navigation first can make your site more accessible to all users.
</li>
<li dir="ltr" aria-level="1">
How product accessibility reviews and his work with AudioEye impact the lives of visually impaired users.
</li>
</ul>
Have a listen to this interesting episode with Maxwell Ivey to discover how you can make your business more accessible and inclusive.
Want to be notified when new episodes come up?  Sign up to get <a href="https://onlinebusinessliftoff.com/newsletter/">notifications, tips, stories and advice</a> for growing your online business. 
RESOURCES MENTIONED
<ul>
<li dir="ltr" aria-level="1">
Max's Accessibility Advantage Consultancy - <a href="https://theaccessibilityadvantage.com/">https://theaccessibilityadvantage.com/</a> 
</li>
<li dir="ltr" aria-level="1">
The Blind Blogger - <a href="https://theblindblogger.net">https://theblindblogger.net</a>   
</li>
<li dir="ltr" aria-level="1">
AudioEye - <a href="https://www.audioeye.com">https://www.audioeye.com</a> 
</li>
<li dir="ltr" aria-level="1">
Wave Accessibility Checker - <a href="https://wave.webaim.org">https://wave.webaim.org</a>
</li>
<li dir="ltr" aria-level="1">
LEGO Braille Bricks - <a href="https://www.lego.com/en-au/theme/braille-bricks/about">https://www.lego.com/en-au/theme/braille-bricks/about</a>
</li>
</ul>

How You Can Stand Out In A Crowded Niche With This Soul Food Blogger’s Winning Formula

In 1 playlist(s)

Online Business Launchpad | Start An Online Business | Online Business Growth

Social links

Follow podcast

Recent clips