Think you need a full team to launch your business? Think again. In this eye-opening episode, I'm tackling the costly mistake of premature hiring that's draining entrepreneurs' bank accounts before they even make their first dollar. You'll learn my proven Strategic Hiring Framework, discover when being scrappy is actually your secret weapon, and get a reality check on when you really need to hire (hint: probably not as soon as you think). Whether you're tempted by that "dream team" or feeling pressured to scale, this episode will save you thousands in unnecessary expenses and give you the confidence to grow your business the smart way.

Links:
bit.ly/natalielovesklaviyo
www.nataliepalomino.com

With Love,
XO Natalie
Web: https://www.nataliepalomino.com
Insta: @nataliepalominobeautypro

Running a successful business isn't about being a one-person show. In this value-packed episode, I'm exposing the costly mistake of trying to do everything yourself – a trap that's keeping too many entrepreneurs stuck and stressed. You'll hear the real story of how one designer tripled her business simply by learning to let go, plus get access to game-changing free resources you probably didn't know existed. I'm sharing my proven delegation framework, including where to find affordable help (hint: forget LinkedIn), and giving you a practical exercise to identify exactly what you should stop doing today. Whether you're a solopreneur drowning in tasks or a small business owner struggling to scale, this episode is your permission slip to stop trying to do it all. Grab your notebook – this one's a game-changer.

Links:

VMT: https://www.thevmt.org/

SCORE: https://www.score.org/

SBDC: https://www.sba.gov/local-assistance/resource-partners/small-business-development-centers-sbdc

CoFounders Lab: https://cofounderslab.com/

Female Founder Collective: https://the10thhouse.femalefoundercollective.com/

Founder Made: https://www.foundermade.com/

YCombinator: https://www.ycombinator.com/cofounder-matching

With Love,
XO Natalie
Web: https://www.nataliepalomino.com
Insta: @nataliepalominobeautypro

In this episode of Real Talk with Natalie, host Natalie Palomino tackles one of the biggest mistakes entrepreneurs make: resisting change. Drawing from her own journey transitioning from attorney to hairstylist to e-commerce entrepreneur, Natalie explores why we resist change, the hidden costs of staying comfortable, and how fear of change can threaten business survival. Through compelling examples like Blockbuster vs Netflix and insights from her own salon pivot during COVID-19, she demonstrates how embracing change—though scary—often leads to unexpected opportunities and growth. The episode concludes with practical steps listeners can take to overcome resistance to change and transform their businesses and lives. Whether you're considering a career transition or looking to evolve your business, this episode provides valuable guidance on turning change from an enemy into an ally.

Links:
Osea: https://bit.ly/natalielovesosea Discount Code:NATP10

Klaviyo: https://bit.ly/natalielovesklaviyo

With Love,
XO Natalie
Web: https://www.nataliepalomino.com
Insta: @nataliepalominobeautypro

In this candid episode of Real Talk with Natalie, host Natalie Palomino shares her personal cautionary tale about chasing the Silicon Valley dream of explosive growth and quick exits. Through her own experience of nearly losing everything in 2020, Natalie breaks down why "hockey stick growth" is more myth than reality for most businesses. She reveals current investor expectations, shares shocking statistics about VC funding, and offers practical advice for building a sustainable business instead of chasing unrealistic growth patterns. If you're an entrepreneur dreaming of a quick exit or rapid scaling, this eye-opening episode provides valuable insights on avoiding common pitfalls and focusing on what truly matters in business building.

Key topics covered:

• The reality behind hockey stick growth patterns
• Current investor expectations in 2024
• The dangers of scaling too quickly
• Building sustainable growth vs. chasing quick exits
• Practical lessons from Natalie's personal experience

With Love,
XO Natalie
Web: https://www.nataliepalomino.com
Insta: @nataliepalominobeautypro

In this eye-opening episode, Natalie Palomino draws from her entrepreneurial experience to help business owners avoid costly mistakes when hiring agencies. She breaks down essential red flags to watch for, smart hiring practices, and strategies for cost-effective agency partnerships. Learn how to set clear KPIs, structure contracts effectively, and maintain control of your marketing platforms. Whether you're considering hiring your first agency or looking to improve existing agency relationships, this episode provides practical guidance to protect your business investment and ensure accountability. Natalie shares personal lessons learned and actionable tips for maintaining perspective while scaling your business with outside help.

Key topics covered:

• Red flags when evaluating agencies
• Setting measurable goals and KPIs
• Contract negotiation and exit clauses
• Cost-effective hiring strategies
• Performance tracking and reporting
• Maintaining ownership of your platforms

Part 1 of a two-part series on "Don't Drink the Kool-Aid" - exploring common pitfalls entrepreneurs face when scaling their businesses.

With Love,
XO Natalie
Web: https://www.nataliepalomino.com
Insta: @nataliepalominobeautypro

In this insightful episode, Natalie Palomino dives deep into one of the most crucial aspects of building a sustainable business: establishing and maintaining a clear, authentic WHY. Through compelling examples like J.Lo's Delola launch, Brooks Running's success, and Saltbox's innovative solution for e-commerce entrepreneurs, Natalie illustrates how purpose-driven businesses outperform those focused solely on profits.

She shares practical insights on crafting an authentic WHY statement that resonates with customers, attracts aligned team members, and guides decision-making during challenging times. Drawing from her own experience as a business owner, Natalie explains how a genuine purpose creates customer loyalty, drives employee engagement, and provides the resilience needed to overcome business obstacles.

Whether you're starting a new venture or looking to realign your existing business, this episode offers valuable guidance on developing a WHY that transcends surface-level motivations and creates lasting impact.

Show Note Links:
Tyler Scriven, Letter to Self: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/2019-letter-self-why-i-started-saltbox-tyler-scriven/

With Love,
XO Natalie
Web: https://www.nataliepalomino.com
Insta: @nataliepalominobeautypro

In this episode of "Real Talk with Natalie," host Natalie Palomino kicks off a series on what not to do when starting a business, focusing on the importance of not trying to be everything to everyone. She emphasizes the crucial role of identifying a target consumer or customer avatar, explaining how this clarity helps with focus, messaging, product development, marketing efficiency, and customer connection. Natalie provides real-world examples, including Fenty Beauty's success in addressing an underserved market. She guides listeners through the process of creating a detailed customer avatar, encouraging them to consider demographics, preferences, pain points, and aspirations. While stressing the importance of this targeted approach, Natalie also cautions against becoming too rigid, advising businesses to remain open to evolving their understanding of their customer base as they grow. The episode concludes with homework for listeners to create their own customer avatar and a preview of the next topic in the series.

With Love,
XO Natalie
Web: https://www.nataliepalomino.com
Insta: @nataliepalominobeautypro

Today, Natalie introduces a new series focused on what not to do when starting a business. Drawing from her diverse career background as an attorney, hairstylist, and entrepreneur, Natalie shares her motivation for creating this series: to help aspiring business owners avoid costly mistakes she and others have made.

Natalie emphasizes the importance of realistic expectations in entrepreneurship, cautioning against the allure of get-rich-quick promises and highlighting the genuine challenges of building a sustainable business. She briefly outlines several key pitfalls she plans to address in upcoming episodes, including trying to please everyone, losing sight of one's purpose, resisting change, and neglecting self-care.

The episode sets a tone of honesty and practicality, with Natalie promising to offer unvarnished advice based on real-world experience. She positions the series as a guide to help listeners save money, time, and personal well-being while pursuing their business goals. By sharing her own journey and the lessons she's learned, Natalie aims to provide valuable insights for anyone looking to start or scale a business successfully.

With Love,
XO Natalie
Web: https://www.nataliepalomino.com
Insta: @nataliepalominobeautypro