Send us a text

I’m sharing how I’ve been using ChatGPT as a judgment-free, burnout-aware sounding board. Not to write content or automate my business systems, but to help me think clearer and make values-aligned decisions without spiraling into overthinking or dumping thousands on a coach every time I hit a fork in the road.

I’ll walk you through how I use it like a meditation app for my business brain:

• to process decisions about capacity
• to evaluate offers based on energy, not just income
• and to support my long-term vision without sacrificing sanity or smutty romantasy breaks.

This one’s for the solopreneurs who love a good DIY session but still want it to feel like collaboration. If you're redesigning your services, restructuring your client journey, or trying to decide whether to scale back or double down—this method might help you hold space for big decisions without getting stuck.

Mentioned in the episode:

Quick Boost Support Pass - A focused 60-minute call to untangle one tricky piece of how you work with clients. Before, during, or after the project. Your pick. We’ll dig into what’s going wrong, and you’ll walk away with a clear plan to fix it—plus any tools, templates, or resources I think will help. (No fluff. No tech soup.)

What next?

• Follow Here's What I Learned on your favorite podcast player
• Leave a review so the podcast is seen by more people like you
• Share this episode with a friend

Say hi!

• Follow me on Instagram at @jackihayes_obm

Credits:

Intro and Outro Music: Atomic by Alex-Productions |https://onsound.eu/

Music promoted byhttps://www.free-stock-music.com

Creative Commons / Attribution 3.0 Unported License (CC BY 3.0)

https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/deed.en_US

Send us a text

In today's episode, I’m pulling back the curtain on four small (but mighty) systems tweaks that have made my business feel smoother, calmer, and way more me. These aren’t shiny new tools or complicated funnels. I’m talking about simple shifts that helped me stop fighting my own energy and start designing a business backend that supports the way I actually work.

What next?

• Follow Here's What I Learned on your favorite podcast player
• Leave a review so the podcast is seen by more people like you
• Share this episode with a friend

Say hi!

• Follow me on Instagram at @jackihayes_obm

Credits:

Intro and Outro Music: Atomic by Alex-Productions |https://onsound.eu/

Music promoted byhttps://www.free-stock-music.com

Creative Commons / Attribution 3.0 Unported License (CC BY 3.0)

https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/deed.en_US

Send us a text

What happens when an HR pro leaves the corporate grind to build a business rooted in ethics, empathy, and real talk? In this episode, I sit down with Kirsten Ziegler, an HR consultant who’s rewriting the rules of people management for small business owners. From navigating the difference between contractors and employees (without a legal headache) to building better hiring practices from the inside out, Kirsten breaks it all down in a way that’s clear, calm, and incredibly helpful.

Plus: Kirsten’s sharing a free job description template that’s as practical as it is thoughtful.

Whether you're building your first team or cleaning up some messy legacy systems, this conversation is here to remind you: HR doesn’t have to feel heavy—it can feel human.

Topics:

• Transitioning from Corporate to Entrepreneurship (3:35)
• The Role of HR in Small Businesses (7:54)
• Navigating Contractor vs. Employee Relationships (10:42)
• Hiring Practices and Avoiding Bias (19:01)

You can find Kirsten at:

Website: kdzhrconsulting.com

LinkedIn: /in/kirsten-zeigler-humanresources/

Mentioned in the episode:

Job Description Template

What next?

• Follow Here's What I Learned on your favorite podcast player
• Leave a review so the podcast is seen by more people like you
• Share this episode with a friend

Before You Go—Grab Your Free Tech Audit Workbook!

Ever wonder if the tools you're using are actually the right ones for your business? Not just what’s popular, but what truly fits how you work?

That’s exactly what the Tech Audit Workbook helps you figure out. A straightforward way to assess your tech stack, spot what’s working (and what’s not), and make sure your tools are supporting your business—not adding extra steps.

It’s free, it’s easy to use, and it’ll help you make more intentional tech choices. Grab your copy now and give your tools a refresh!

Download the Tech Audit Workbook here →jackihayes.co/freebies

Credits:

Intro and Outro Music: Atomic by Alex-Productions |https://onsound.eu/

Music promoted byhttps://www.free-stock-music.com

Creative Commons / Attribution 3.0 Unported License (CC BY 3.0)

https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/deed.en_US

Send us a text

What if everything you’ve been taught about work, success, and professionalism is actually holding you back? In this episode of Here's What I Learned, I sit down with Becky Mollenkamp, an accountability coach and intersectional feminist, to unpack the hidden ways oppressive work norms shape our businesses—and how to break free from them.

Becky shares her journey of unlearning corporate conditioning, rejecting the toxic hustle mindset, and embracing a version of success that actually feels good. We talk about why professionalism is often just a gatekeeping tool rooted in white supremacy, how internalized oppression keeps us stuck in outdated business norms, and why so many entrepreneurs struggle to fully embrace the freedom of self-employment.

Topics:

• Stress Relief and Community Inspirations (1:15)
• Professionalism and Internalized Oppression (5:47)
• Challenges of Corporate Work (8:14)
• Starting the Feminist Podcast Collective (19:52)

About Our Guest: Becky Mollenkamp

Becky Mollenkamp is an accountability coach for high-achieving business owners, helping them stay focused on their goals without burning out or sacrificing their values. With nearly 20 years of self-employment under her belt, she has first-hand experience in unlearning oppressive work norms and building a business that truly aligns with her life. Becky is also the co-founder of the Feminist Podcast Collective, a community of podcasters committed to challenging traditional narratives and amplifying diverse voices.

Find Becky at beckymollenkamp.com

Resources & Links

🔹 Learn more about the Feminist Podcast Collective

🔹 Check out Becky’s Feminist Founders Newsletter & Membership

What next?

• Follow Here's What I Learned on your favorite podcast player
• Leave a review so the podcast is seen by more people like you
• Share this episode with a friend
• Find the complete show notes and transcripts at jackihayes.co

Before You Go—Grab Your Free Tech Audit Workbook!

Ever wonder if the tools you're using are actually the right ones for your business? Not just what’s popular, but what truly fits how you work?

That’s exactly what the Tech Audit Workbook helps you figure out. A straightforward way to assess your tech stack, spot what’s working (and what’s not), and make sure your tools are supporting your business—not adding extra steps.

It’s free, it’s easy to use, and it’ll help you make more intentional tech choices. Grab your copy now and give your tools a refresh!

Download the Tech Audit Workbook here →jackihayes.co/freebies

Credits:

Intro and Outro Music: Atomic by Alex-Productions |https://onsound.eu/

Music promoted byhttps://www.free-stock-music.com

Creative Commons / Attribution 3.0 Unported License (CC BY 3.0)

https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/deed.en_US

Show Notes:

In this episode of Here's What I Learned, I’m flying solo to talk about one of my favorite nerdy rabbit holes: personality typologies—and how they’ve helped me design a business that actually works with how I’m wired.

I share what it’s like to be an INTJ, Enneagram 5w6, and Manifesting Generator (4/6 profile, sacral authority), and how these frameworks gave me language for my over-analysis, craving for competency, and need for fast decision-making.

But this episode isn’t just about me—it’s an invitation for you to explore how understanding your own personality can shape how you onboard clients, structure your services, and build a business that supports your energy instead of draining it.

Topics:

• Understanding my Myers-Briggs personality (01:24)
• Exploring the Enneagram (02:07)
• Learning my CliftonStrengths (04:03)
• Human Design and business structure (05:27)
• Discovering my Working Genius (06:55)

What next?

• Follow Here's What I Learned on your favorite podcast player
• Leave a review (it helps more folks find these convos)
• Share this episode with a friend who loves personality deep-dives
• Say hi on Instagram → @jackihayes_obm

Before You Go—Grab the Free Design Your Client Journey Mini Audit

If you’re wondering whether your client journey truly reflects how you work best—this free tool is your starting point.

The Design Your Client Journey Mini Audit blends Human Design insights with ChatGPT-powered prompts to help you evaluate and improve your onboarding, service delivery, and client offboarding process.

It’s not a generic checklist—it’s built to help creative service providers like you spot friction, recognize strengths, and shape a client experience that’s not just seamless, but sustainable and deeply personal.

Whether you're running on Manifesting Generator speed or slow-burning Projector energy, this audit helps you build smarter—not harder.

Grab your free mini audit here →jackihayes.co/freebies

Credits:

Intro and Outro Music: Atomic by Alex-Productions |https://onsound.eu/

Music promoted byhttps://www.free-stock-music.com

Creative Commons / Attribution 3.0 Unported License (CC BY 3.0)

https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/deed.en_US

In this episode of Here's What I Learned, I'm joined by Melody Johnson, founder of The Course Consultant, to talk about creating courses, redefining success, and designing a business that truly fits your life.

Melody shares her journey of taking a 10-month break from business after adopting two special needs children—and what it meant to return with a new perspective on offers, availability, and boundaries. We dive into the reality of course completion rates vs. customer satisfaction (hint: they're not the same thing), how to build flexible offers that fit your actual life instead of just looking good on a sales page, and the importance of setting boundaries and how to communicate them to clients.

Topics:

• Adjusting her business as a new mom (02:10)
• Setting and communicating boundaries (04:41)
• Transitioning from an agency model to a solopreneur (09:58)
• Considerations for creating courses (11:34)
• Making courses accessible (19:33)

You can find Melody at:

Website: thecourseconsultant.com

Instagram: @thecourseconsultant

What next?

• Follow Here's What I Learned on your favorite podcast player
• Leave a review so the podcast is seen by more people like you
• Share this episode with a friend
• Say hi on Instagram → @jackihayes_obm

Before You Go—Grab Your Free Tech Audit Workbook!

Ever wonder if the tools you're using are actually the right ones for your business? Not just what’s popular, but what truly fits how you work?

That’s exactly what the Tech Audit Workbook helps you figure out. A straightforward way to assess your tech stack, spot what’s working (and what’s not), and make sure your tools are supporting your business—not adding extra steps.

It’s free, it’s easy to use, and it’ll help you make more intentional tech choices. Grab your copy now and give your tools a refresh!

Download the Tech Audit Workbook here →jackihayes.co/freebies

Credits:

Intro and Outro Music: Atomic by Alex-Productions |https://onsound.eu/

Music promoted byhttps://www.free-stock-music.com

Creative Commons / Attribution 3.0 Unported License (CC BY 3.0)

https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/deed.en_US

Send us a text

In this episode of Here's What I Learned, I sit down with Casey Eade—connection strategist, professional friend-finder, and advocate for low-capacity business owners—to dive deep into authentic engagement, values-driven marketing, and creating sustainable business relationships. Casey shares her fresh take on collaborations, slow business growth, and why engagement strategies should actually work for you, not against you. We also discuss the importance of community, social media pressures, and how to balance business ambitions with personal capacity. If you're tired of cookie-cutter marketing advice and want to create connections on your own terms, this episode is for you.

Topics Covered:

• Rethinking engagement strategies for low-capacity business owners
• How to build collaborations that actually feel good
• The importance of business values in decision-making
• Navigating social media without the pressure of industry standards
• Slowing down and creating sustainable growth

You can find Casey at:

Website: heyitscasey.com/savvy

Instagram: @caseyconnects

What next?

• Follow Here's What I Learned on your favorite podcast player
• Leave a review so the podcast is seen by more people like you
• Share this episode with a friend
• Say hi on Instagram → @jackihayes_obm

Before You Go—Grab Your Free Tech Audit Workbook!

Ever wonder if the tools you're using are actually the right ones for your business? Not just what’s popular, but what truly fits how you work?

That’s exactly what the Tech Audit Workbook helps you figure out. A straightforward way to assess your tech stack, spot what’s working (and what’s not), and make sure your tools are supporting your business—not adding extra steps.

It’s free, it’s easy to use, and it’ll help you make more intentional tech choices. Grab your copy now and give your tools a refresh!

Download the Tech Audit Workbook here → jackihayes.co/freebies

Credits:

Intro and Outro Music: Atomic by Alex-Productions |https://onsound.eu/

Music promoted byhttps://www.free-stock-music.com

Creative Commons / Attribution 3.0 Unported License (CC BY 3.0)

https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/deed.en_US

Welcome back to Here's What I Learned! We’re kicking off Season 8 with a solo episode (because apparently, I like talking to myself). It’s been two years since I started this podcast, and I’m reflecting on the lessons I’ve learned over three years of running my business.

This episode is part storytelling, part real talk, and part “what would 2021 Jacki say if she knew what was coming?” Spoiler: She’d probably be both terrified and relieved. From unexpected pivots to figuring out how not to have a toxic relationship with your business, this episode is packed with lessons I wish I’d known sooner.

What’s inside this episode?

• The winding path from VA to systems strategist—why niching down wasn’t the answer for me
• The myth of stability in retainers (and why you should always be selling)
• Why celebrating small wins actually makes a difference (and how I tricked myself into doing it)
• Business besties: the secret weapon for staying sane as a solopreneur
• Permission to diversify your income (because one offer does not have to be your entire identity)

If you’re in the thick of building your business and wondering if you’re doing it “right,” this episode is for you. Spoiler: There is no right way—just your way.

Hit play, and then tell me: What’s one lesson you’d tell your past self on day one of your business? Find me on Instagram or drop a review—I’d love to hear from you!

Mentioned in the episode:

My Favorite Networking Groups

Big Brave Business Podcast

What next?

• Follow Here's What I Learned on your favorite podcast player
• Leave a review so the podcast is seen by more people like you
• Share this episode with a friend

Say hi!

• Follow me on Instagram at @jackihayes_obm

Credits:

Intro and Outro Music: Atomic by Alex-Productions |https://onsound.eu/

Music promoted byhttps://www.free-stock-music.com

Creative Commons / Attribution 3.0 Unported License (CC BY 3.0)

https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/deed.en_US