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

"Louis, your business is worth nothing." Louis Swart was 25, running a plumbing business with ten plumbers, and he had just asked a broker what he could sell it for. The broker asked who did the accounts. The quality control. The quoting. Every answer was Louis. Five years later he sold a different business — 200 staff — in two weeks flat. What changed wasn't how hard he worked. It was what he was willing to hand over, and what he had to stop believing about himself first.

Louis went on to build a business turning over $35 million with 450 staff, then spen...

"In life you have to be willing to get your neck out there a little bit in order to learn something new and different." That's Mary Ann Bautista on how she and her business partner talked a client into letting them experiment with a fledgling platform called YouTube back in 2006. A couple of thousand dollars, a bit of leash, and a lot of what she cheerfully calls messing around later, that client has made hundreds of millions of dollars from the work — and some of those videos are still generating orders fifteen years on.

Mary Ann is th...

Lauren Harris says even MrBeast probably watches his own videos and thinks, “I should’ve gotten more views.”

It’s a small, funny moment in our conversation, but it points at something bigger: most of us are chasing the wrong numbers in our marketing, and it’s keeping us stuck. Lauren is a marketing strategist and co-founder of Reliable PR and Marketing, and in this episode she walks through what separates a business that’s simply “doing” marketing from one that’s actually strategic about it.

Lauren co-founded Reliable PR and Marketing after building it from a fake busine...

For years, Ange Dove ran a successful copywriting agency in Singapore with no website that had her name on it, her photo on it, or any trace of her online. "I had no visibility whatsoever," she says. Then a coach gave her one blunt instruction — Google yourself — and what she found (nothing) changed how she thought about her business for good.

Ange has run her own business from Singapore for more than twenty years, first as founder of a copywriting agency serving multinational companies, and now as a coach helping business owners build the visibility she once avoi...

Chosen episode title: AI Is a Toddler With Crayons: How to Rein It In and Put It to Work

You don't expect a digital marketer to say this out loud: "Let's call cold email what it is. It's spam. It's B2B spam." But Dan Kurtz has spent twenty years learning exactly where the line sits between marketing that works and marketing that gets you deleted — and these days he's building AI systems that let one person do the work of ten, without crossing it.

Dan started out getting mom-and-pop shops found online, scaled his sk...

“Your price selects your customers.”

That one line from Per Sjofors stopped me in my tracks. Per — known as The Price Whisperer, a name he didn’t even give himself — has spent years running pricing experiments across companies in four countries. Some sent revenues up 30% in a quarter. Others were complete disasters. And that’s exactly why he says small businesses shouldn’t run pricing experiments at all — there’s a smarter way.

Per has been the CEO of multiple companies across the US, the UK, Switzerland and Sweden, and his secret sauce is applying behavioral science...

“I don’t have a story.”

Sara Lohse hears those words almost every day, and she doesn’t buy it for a second. Her proof? A spot on one of the biggest finance shows around — landed by offering to tell the story of a regrettable tattoo she got on holiday in Ireland. As Sara puts it, “you don’t need to have that massive story. You just need to tell it to people in a way that connects with them.” This episode is about finding, and finally telling, the stories you’ve been sitting on.

Sara is a podcast...

"I had no idea that even existed. I didn't even know that you could do that. What a dream job!"

When Lindy Alexander first discovered that travel writers could be flown around the world to write about their experiences, it opened a door she never knew existed. But her journey into travel writing didn't begin with exotic destinations. It started much closer to home, with a curiosity about writing, a willingness to learn, and a determination to create a flexible career that fit around family life. In this episode, Lindy shares what it really takes to break...

“If you want to write a book in five minutes, I’m not the coach for you.”

That strong declaration from Dr. Rhonda Lawson sets the tone for an enlightening and refreshingly honest conversation about authorship. In this episode, Rhonda shares what it truly takes to write, publish, and promote a successful book. From navigating self-publishing to leveraging AI responsibly, this discussion offers practical insights and inspiration for anyone ready to turn their ideas into impact.

Dr. Rhonda Lawson is a literary strategist, author, and founder of Meet the World Image Solutions. With a background as an...

“It doesn't have any friction with the real world. It doesn't have the contact with the real world that we do, you know, to like immerse ourselves in experience.”

That’s how Emily Aborn describes the difference between AI and human writers — and it perfectly sets the tone for this conversation.

If you’ve been wondering how freelance writers (or anyone who uses their words to make a living) can continue finding clients in today’s economy, this episode is for you. We talk about what’s actually working right now — from collaborations and in-person networking to br...

Neil Shoney’s origin story is the kind that makes you sit up straight: six months into launching a major fitness exhibition, he had sold less than 50 tickets, while already committed to over 200,000 pounds of outgoings at 21 years old. Facebook ads were a last-ditch roll of the dice, but after spending around 110 pounds and seeing ticket sales come in, everything clicked. “So if I keep putting that money back in. I can almost choose how many people I want to to be at the show.” This episode is a practical, confidence-building look at ads that actually lead somewhere.

Neil...

“Like there’s this weird thing of the disappearing lawn guy… he shows up two or three times and then just drops off the face of the earth.”

If you’ve ever hired a service provider who mysteriously vanished, you’ll appreciate this episode. Bryan Clayton took that exact frustration and turned it into a multi-city marketplace now used by 300,000 people every week. But this isn’t just about lawn care. It’s about systems, scale, simplicity — and why this might actually be the best time in 30 years to start a business.

Bryan Clayton is the CEO and co-fou...

Jared Bauman didn’t expect to compete for his own name online.

But when a state representative with the exact same name started appearing everywhere in search results, it forced him to confront something bigger: search engines — and now AI tools — don’t guess who you are. They connect dots.

And if your digital presence isn’t clearly connected, someone else may become the “expert” instead.

In this episode, we take a calm, strategic look at how search is evolving from traditional SEO into what Jared calls “GEO” — Generative Engine Optimization — and what that means for solopre...

“If I really want to make wealth for myself, I need to bet on myself.”

That’s how Juzbi Walia explains the moment she stopped playing the corporate game and started building her own. And that same energy runs through this whole episode: sell with integrity, don’t slime people into a ‘yes’, and stop guessing what your audience is thinking. If you’ve ever read bro-marketing copy and felt like you needed to wash your eyeballs afterward, you’ll love Juzbi’s approach to persuasion that’s effective and ethical.

Juzbi Walia has spent over a decade in pers...

"I was working 18-hour days, seven days a week, and my mum said, 'You're making good money, but we have something you don't—free time.'"

Sara Vezensek had the kind of job most people fantasize about—flying on private jets, managing superyachts, and earning big. But it came at a cost. In this episode, she shares how she walked away from the dream lifestyle to build a business on her terms—one with time, financial, and location freedom.

Sara Vezensek is an online business coach who specializes in helping women build businesses that give them “...

"Just because someone’s great at marketing doesn’t mean they can teach."

When Jasmine Jonte invested in a high-ticket online course and discovered it was badly designed and nearly impossible to learn from, she had an epiphany: great teaching is a skill — and it’s one most experts don’t have. So, she used her background as a teacher to build a business that helps experts teach well, turning their brilliance into scalable, binge-worthy programs.

Jasmine Jonte is a former kindergarten teacher turned founder of a course creation agency. She’s helped build over 140 programs acro...

“When New Zealand won the America's Cup, it wasn’t the biggest budget that won, it was one key question: Will it make the boat go faster?”

That same philosophy drives Colin Clapp’s content strategy in a world now ruled by AI-driven search. If you’ve been told that SEO is dead, buckle up because Colin is here to explain why that couldn’t be further from the truth.

Colin Clapp has been in the content trenches for years, helping creators and businesses grow visibility through smart, structured content strategies. From traditional SEO to adapting to...

“When I was six, my grandmother gave me a blank book and said, ‘This is for your first novel.’ I didn’t write in it because it had to be perfect.”

That’s how Emily Aborn’s writing journey began.  And it’s a relatable tale for anyone who's ever struggled with perfectionism in their content. In this episode, Emily shares why copywriting success is not about perfection.  It’s about connection, clarity, and curiosity.

Emily Aborn is a seasoned copywriter, content creator, and podcast host who helps entrepreneurs craft messaging that reflects their personality and drives action. W...

If you’re feeling stuck, maybe it’s not because you’re doing something wrong, but because you’re using the wrong business model.

That’s exactly what happened to Stefanie Carlstedt. She’d built a business that looked successful on the outside.  But it felt completely off on the inside … and she was burning out.

Then came a moment that changed everything:

“I thought it was fluff—just another personality test. But then I read my Human Design chart and started crying. For the first time, I felt seen.”

If you’ve ever felt like...

“I told him not to pay a cent—and definitely not to shut his website down.”

What would you do if you got a scary letter using legal language, claiming you owed $700 for a photo on your website? In this episode, I share a true story about an old client who received one of these copyright trolling threats, and how we handled it. From sleuthing image origins to proving usage rights, this is one episode you’ll want to listen to if you’ve ever used photos online.

I'm Trudy Rankin and I am the founder of...

“Most people think SEO is dead. But it’s not. It’s just evolving into something far more interesting.”

John Horn doesn’t sugarcoat the reality of digital advertising in 2025. In this episode, we take a look at how businesses can stop wasting money on paid ads and how to prepare for the next wave of AI-driven advertising platforms like ChatGPT. Whether you’re running ads now or scared to even try, John brings clarity, strategy, and a calm ‘don’t-panic’ tone to a space full of noise.

John Horn is the CEO of Stub Group, a d...

"I asked Ron if AI was going to eat his job for lunch—he said yes and no.”

That mix of realism and optimism sets the tone for this episode. When AI started disrupting his on-camera spokesperson business, Ron Desi didn’t panic—he pivoted. And he used the same technology that threatened his income to build a completely new opportunity, including an email list of 1300 people in just 55 days using a personality-based quiz that hit all the right notes.

Ron Desi is the founder of Growth Vids and a seasoned video strategist with a backgroun...

“It feels like we’re standing on the side of the interstate naked, holding a sign that says ‘Look at me!’”
That’s how visibility expert Tracy Beavers describes what it’s like to show up online when you’re building a business. If that sounds uncomfortably familiar, this episode is a must-listen. Tracy breaks down how to grow your audience and email list authentically—without the ick.

Tracy Beavers is a visibility and list-building strategist with over 25 years in corporate sales and marketing. She helps entrepreneurs cut through overwhelm and fear so they can grow an online business...

"Sometimes it’s not about legal advice—it’s about understanding the process. And that’s something you can learn without going to law school." – Shatrasha Butler

Shatrasha Butler didn’t just go to law school—she’s on a mission to make legal knowledge actually useful for small business owners. In this episode, we unpack the legal must-knows for getting your business off the ground without drowning in jargon or draining your bank account.

Shatrasha Butler is a licensed attorney with over a decade of experience spanning government counsel, private firm litigation, and corporate contract law. She’...

"Sometimes being an outsider is actually your best kept secret."

Gloria Chou knows a thing or two about being an outsider—and turning that into a superpower. In this episode, she shares how she went from cold-calling journalists with no connections to getting clients featured in major outlets like Forbes and Vogue. If the idea of PR feels overwhelming or off-limits, you’ll want to listen to this.

AUTHORITY

Gloria Chou is a former U.S. diplomat who transitioned into the world of PR without any agency experience—and built a thriving business doing j...

“If you look deep into nature, you'll find the blueprint for a thriving business.”

That’s the philosophy Matthieu Mehuys has cultivated—literally—from the soil up. From his beginnings on a Belgian family farm to founding a globally scalable regenerative design business, Matthieu shares how he turned a health crisis and a backpacking breakdown into a sustainable business that not only heals the planet, but educates and empowers others to do the same.

Matthieu is an award-winning landscape architect and founder of Polonia Landscape Architect. Through his masterclasses, AI-supported tools, and best-selling book The 12 Universal...

Dan Hafner got the grandaddy of all sticker shocks when he saw the quote to develop an app.

That moment of sticker shock was all it took for him to go from app dreamer to no-code doer. In this episode, we explore how Dan turned a DIY project into a successful business—and how you can use no-code tools and AI agents to do the same.

Dan Hafner is a no-code expert, app agency founder, and host of the Tech Bytes podcast. With a background in software testing and a passion for solving problems through au...

“Everyone—from the engineer to the CEO—should take part in supporting customers. It changes how we build everything.”

That insight from fractional CTO Brian Childress isn’t just memorable—it’s a blueprint for building better tech businesses. In this episode, Brian shares how embedding customer support into every role improves product development, team alignment, and long-term growth. Whether you're a SaaS founder, solopreneur, or future CTO, this episode is full of sharp, actionable advice.

Brian Childress is a seasoned software architect and fractional Chief Technology Officer. With deep experience leading software engineering teams and scaling tec...

“Pretty doesn’t mean it’s going to work.”

That quote from marketing veteran James Hipkin cuts to the core of a major problem for online business owners: too much noise, too little strategy. With four decades of top-tier marketing experience across four countries, James joins us to unravel the confusion and teach you how to swap chaos for clarity, without falling for the next shiny thing.

James Hipkin has been at the helm of multimillion-dollar marketing efforts and now helps small business owners use enterprise-level strategies on a manageable scale. His superpower? Translat...

Are you bringing in revenue, but your business still feels like it’s drowning?

In this episode of the Online Business Launchpad podcast, host Trudy Rankin sits down with accountant and financial strategist Chidi Egbujie to unpack the #1 cash flow mistake that silently sinks good businesses—and how to avoid it.

“Every number has a story,” Chidi says.  And he goes on to add that if you’re only talking to your accountant at tax time, you’re missing the plot.

Chidi brings years of corporate finance experience.  And now, as founder of Virtual Focus...

"If you’re not using analytics, you’re just shooting in the dark.”

Philippa Gamse doesn’t mince words—and she’s right. In this episode, Trudy chats with digital marketing strategist and analytics expert Philippa Gamse, who unpacks the powerful, often overlooked role analytics plays in business growth. “People look at the numbers and glaze over,” Philippa says. But once you know what to look for, data becomes a goldmine of insights. From why your visitors might never see your call-to-action to how a simple change boosted one client’s revenue with an eBook, this episode is packed with rea...

"It just seemed fun and easy—and I really didn’t have anything to lose."

That moment of curiosity led Andreea Matei into the world of the Amazon Influencer Program, and two years later, she’s turned it into a six-figure revenue stream. In this episode, Andreea breaks down exactly how she did it—from shooting 30-second videos to building multiple income streams, all without ever needing to show her face on camera. If you’ve ever wanted a realistic and accessible side hustle (or full-blown business), this one’s for you.

Andreea Matei is a seasoned A...

"I tell people: Google's a machine, not a person. You have to feed it the right signals." 

In this episode of the Online Business Launchpad podcast, Trudy sits down with SEO expert Brandon Leibowitz, founder of SEO Optimizers, who’s spent the last 15+ years helping small and medium businesses turn clicks into conversions. With his no-fluff approach to SEO, Brandon demystifies what it really takes to get your website found online, and why most entrepreneurs are spinning their wheels with outdated tactics.

Brandon’s journey started with a job board internship, evolved into a side hustl...

In this eye-opening episode, I sit down with Steve Anderson — risk expert and bestselling author of The Bezos Letters — to explore how hidden friction points quietly drain momentum from your business.

If you’re ready to clear the roadblocks standing between you and your customers, this episode is packed with practical insights to help you move faster, serve better, and grow smarter.

Steve Anderson brings decades of experience at the intersection of insurance, technology, and business growth strategy. He’s the author of The Bezos Letters: 14 Principles to Grow Your Business Like Amazon, a Wall Street Jo...

"A community-first mindset means showing up for your people—even when they're just quietly watching." That’s how Paul Gowder, founder of PowWows.com, defines decades-long success in the online space. What started as a college hobby has blossomed into a vibrant, multimillion-follower platform celebrating Native American culture and proving that niche communities can not only survive but thrive in today’s noisy digital world.

Paul’s journey is a masterclass in staying true to your values, listening to your audience, and building engagement through heart, strategy, and the occasional well-placed email sequence.

We Also Talked A...

"The world doesn’t happen to you — it happens through you." — Martin Salama

What if losing millions, a home, a marriage, and a BMW all within a few months could actually be the best thing that ever happened to you? For Martin Salama, that's exactly what it was. In this episode, Martin shares how he transformed personal and financial disaster into a powerful coaching philosophy — one that helps entrepreneurs not just survive chaos, but thrive because of it.

Martin is known as The Architect of The Warrior's Life, a coach who specializes in helping people live inc...

"You can’t out-hustle burnout. Trust me, I tried."

That’s the hard-earned insight from Dr. Victoria Mensch, who went from clinical psychologist to Silicon Valley high-achiever — and burned out in both. Now she teaches leaders how to create burnout-proof lives by mastering energy, not just calendars. In this episode, Victoria breaks down why traditional success so often leads to emotional exhaustion, and how you can build a life and business that leaves room for joy, not just productivity.

With a PhD in psychology and an MBA from UC Berkeley, Victoria brings both brain science and bo...

“Marketing hasn’t fundamentally changed in 150 years. The tools have — but the core principles? Still the same.”

That’s Phillip Marzouk, branding strategist and marketing nerd (his words), explaining how modern business owners often get tripped up by tactics while missing the big-picture strategy. With a background spanning website development, airline marketing campaigns (hello, Hobbiton!), and helping mom-and-pop shops thrive, Phillip breaks down how solopreneurs can stop chasing every shiny tool and start focusing on what actually works.

Phillip has over 13 years of marketing experience, starting out in film before transitioning to the digital world. He’s led c...

Have you ever faced a moment in life that completely changed your trajectory? For Alan Lazaros, that moment came in the form of a near-fatal car accident. Once a corporate high-flyer with a successful career in engineering and business, Alan found himself questioning everything he thought he knew about success, fulfillment, and purpose. That moment of reckoning led him to embrace podcasting as a vehicle for growth, connection, and impact.

Fast forward to today, and Alan is the co-host of the Next Level University podcast, boasting nearly 2,000 episodes and a global reach. His journey is one of...

Have you ever felt stuck in a job you didn’t love and wondered if there was a way to break free? Carol Kabaale, a Meta-certified ad strategist, knows exactly what that’s like. She secretly quit her corporate job—without telling her fiancé.

As Carol puts it, “I just knew if I told everyone around me, they’d talk me out of it, so I kept quiet and built my plan in secret. And it worked.”

In this episode, Carol shares how she went from her first client to a full-fledged agency, the smart ad strategies...