In this episode of The Jasper Blueprint podcast, Bessi welcomes Co-Founders of Business Together, Nicky and Vanessa to discuss the concept of "Healthy Hustle" for sustainable business growth. They dive into their book Healthy Hustle: The New Blueprint to Thrive in Business and Life, a game-changing guide that challenges the grind of hustle culture, offering smarter strategies for business growth, empowering teams, and reclaiming time. By promoting sustainable business practices and personal growth, Nicky and Vanessa explore ways to integrate ambition with a healthier lifestyle.

Bessi challenges the notion of the hustle culture and suggests a middle path of achieving growth without destructive stress. Drawing on real-world examples and their own experiences, Nicky and Vanessa highlight strategic frameworks like the Growth Set Point and the Four Life Cycle Phases, offering practical advice for thriving in both business and life.

Also in this episode:

• Balancing personal ambition with sustainable business practices is crucial for long-term success.

• Identifying where your business currently stands and deciding which direction it should evolve towards.

• Focus on clarity of direction, sales, and profit to streamline business strategies that align with personal values.

About Nicky Miklos-Woodley and Ness Medling

Nicky and Ness are seasoned business leaders and coaches with over 50 years of combined experience in leadership, sales, and coaching. They co-founded Business Together to help business owners escape the cycle of "busy" and build thriving businesses on their own terms. Since 2015, they’ve empowered service-based businesses to move from chaos to clarity, giving owners and leaders the time freedom they crave through practical, real-world strategies.

They are also the hosts of the Smart Business Growth podcast, where they dive deeper into strategies for sustainable growth and leadership, providing listeners with practical advice to help them thrive in both business and life.

Connect with Nicky & Ness

BOOK - Healthy Hustle: The New Blueprint to Thrive in Business and Life: www.healthyhustle.com.au

TEDx Talk - Watch Nicky’s TEDx Talk The Art of Healthy Hustle: https://businesstogether.com.au/tedx-talk/

FREE SURVEY - Do the Smart Business Growth survey in under 2mins: https://businesstogether.typeform.com/smartgrowth

LINKEDIN - Connect with Nicky: https://www.linkedin.com/in/connectwithnicky/

Connect with Ness on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vanessamedling/

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Connect With Bessi Graham:

Website | | LinkedIn | Instagram | Facebook Group

About Bessi Graham:

With nearly 25 years’ of experience working with business owners, governments, and large funding bodies to merge money and meaning, my experience spans from the grassroots of sitting in the dirt working with business owners across the Pacific Islands through to the United Nations in Geneva. This has given me an unparalleled perspective.

This Podcast Is Produced, Engineered & Edited By: Simplified Impact

In this episode of The Jasper Blueprint podcast, Bessi welcomes Joshua Spodek to discuss how leadership and personal transformation drive environmental sustainability. They explore how individual change can ignite systemic shifts toward more sustainable living, with Josh sharing his personal journey and the mindset shift that fueled his mission. He introduces the Spodek Method, a unique framework designed to help people discover and act on their intrinsic motivations for sustainability. The conversation covers key topics such as personal responsibility, behavior change, and leadership in sustainability, drawing from historical examples and modern applications. Listeners are encouraged to reflect on their values and take practical steps to contribute to a more sustainable future, both personally and professionally.

Also in this episode:

• Leadership in sustainability begins with personal responsibility and understanding one’s intrinsic motivations.

• Approaching sustainable living is about challenging the perception of deprivation and instead recognising it as a source of personal and communal enhancement.

• The Spodek Method provides individuals and leaders with tools to discover and act in line with their intrinsic values, promoting sustainable practices.

About Joshua Spodek:

Joshua Spodek hosts the award-winning This Sustainable Life podcast, is a four-time TEDx speaker, bestselling author of Sustainability Simplified, Initiative and Leadership Step by Step, and professor at NYU.

He holds a PhD in astrophysics and an MBA from Columbia, where he studied under a Nobel Laureate and helped launch a satellite. He left academia to found a venture to market an invention that showed animated images to subway riders between stations.

Connect with Joshua

• https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshuaspodek

• https://joshuaspodek.com/bio

Subscribe to the Jasper Blueprint podcast:

Apple Podcast | YouTube | Spotify

Connect With Bessi Graham:

Website | | LinkedIn | Instagram | Facebook Group

About Bessi Graham:

With nearly 25 years’ of experience working with business owners, governments, and large funding bodies to merge money and meaning, my experience spans from the grassroots of sitting in the dirt working with business owners across the Pacific Islands through to the United Nations in Geneva. This has given me an unparalleled perspective.

This Podcast Is Produced, Engineered & Edited By: Simplified Impact

In this episode of The Jasper Blueprint podcast, Bessi and Dr Amy Climer explore the power of team creativity and its essential role in driving innovation within small- to medium-sized businesses. They share practical insights on how leaders foster a culture of creativity, even when team members doubt their own potential, emphasising that innovation is a systematic, learnable skill—not just an inherent trait. Bessi explains that creativity isn’t about artistic ability but about developing novel solutions that add value. Key to cultivating team creativity are elements like a shared purpose, strong team dynamics, and a structured creative process. Drawing from real-world examples, including a response to Hurricane Helene, they illustrate how creative problem-solving leads to measurable improvements and efficiency.

Also in this episode:

• Creativity and innovation are systematic processes that can be learned and implemented in any team.

• The importance of shared purpose, strong team dynamics, and a structured creative process in achieving innovative results.

• Leaders must cultivate environments where team members feel safe to express and explore creative ideas without fear of judgment.

About Amy Climer

Dr. Amy Climer is a consultant, speaker, and coach focused on innovation and teams. She teaches leaders and teams how to be deliberate about creativity. She’s also an emcee, TEDx speaker, host of The Deliberate Creative™ Podcast, and artist and designer of Climer Cards. Her new book Deliberate Creative Teams: How to Lead for Innovative Results will be out Feb 6, 2025. She lives in Asheville, North Carolina in the U.S.

Connect with Amy and access resources we mentioned in the episode:

Climer Cards: www.climercards.com Unleash the Power of Collaboration & Creativity. We discussed the Climer Cards at the end of the episode so do check them out if you want to enhance group interactions, spark creativity, and foster deeper communication through unique, metaphor-inspired imagery.

NOTE: If you’re in Australia it will be cheaper and quicker to buy your Climer Cards from https://www.playmeo.com/shop/climer-cards/

The Deliberate Creative™ Podcast: https://climerconsulting.com/podcast/

Website: climerconsulting.com

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amyclimer/

Amy’s TEDx talk: https://youtu.be/wtfo_JBFVGk

Subscribe to the Jasper Blueprint podcast:

Apple Podcast | YouTube | Spotify

Connect With Bessi Graham:

Website | | LinkedIn | Instagram | Facebook Group

About Bessi Graham:

With nearly 25 years’ of experience working with business owners, governments, and large funding bodies to merge money and meaning, my experience spans from the grassroots of sitting in the dirt working with business owners across the Pacific Islands through to the United Nations in Geneva. This has given me an unparalleled perspective.

This Podcast Is Produced, Engineered & Edited By: Simplified Impact

In this episode of The Jasper Blueprint podcast, Bessi engages in a powerful conversation with Ellen Hooper, a leader in culture and leadership coaching, about cultivating Authentic Leadership. As co-founder of The Growth Collective, Ellen shares her expertise on integrating diversity and inclusion into leadership and organisational culture, highlighting the crucial role of empowering middle management to drive thriving work environments. They explore the transformative potential of Authentic Leadership, emphasising the need for leaders to understand their personal strengths and leadership styles to effectively inspire teams. Through practical tools like profiling assessments and feedback techniques, Ellen addresses the challenges of balancing diversity and inclusion while fostering human-centered workplaces where individuals align with both their authentic selves and organisational goals.

Also in this episode:

• Authentic leadership is both an art and a discipline, centered on understanding and leveraging personal strengths and inclusion.

• Middle management plays a crucial role in enhancing employee and customer experiences, impacting organisational culture and engagement.

• Profiling tools like DISC, Myers-Briggs, and others provide critical insights into leadership styles and team dynamics.

About Ellen

Ellen Hooper is an award-winning coach and people leader. She's a certified coach with the International Coaching Federation, co-founder of leadership training business the Growth Collective, co-host of the I’ll Ask My Sister podcast and a passionate speaker and commentator. Ellen is a Top Leadership Development Voice on LinkedIn and her wisdom has been featured by the ABC, Channel 7, CEO Magazine, Smart Company, HR Leader, the Sydney Morning Herald and the West Australian.

Connect with Ellen

Websites: www.ellenhooper.com; www.growthcollective.com.au

Podcast: www.askmysisterpod.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ellenjhooper/

Subscribe to the Jasper Blueprint podcast:

Apple Podcast | YouTube | Spotify

Connect With Bessi Graham:

Website | | LinkedIn | Instagram | Facebook Group

About Bessi Graham:

With nearly 25 years’ of experience working with business owners, governments, and large funding bodies to merge money and meaning, my experience spans from the grassroots of sitting in the dirt working with business owners across the Pacific Islands through to the United Nations in Geneva. This has given me an unparalleled perspective.

This Podcast Is Produced, Engineered & Edited By: Simplified Impact

In this episode of The Jasper Blueprint podcast, Bessi dives into critical insights on business strategy and cultural shifts as we approach 2025. Bessi critiques the current market culture, highlighting how the rush for quick fixes and disconnected projects often divert resources from long-term strategic work and emphasises the importance of intentional decision-making and strategic planning to drive sustainable growth amid uncertainty. Bessi argues that true mastery in business strategy requires time, consistent practice, and embracing both novice and expert elements of leadership. By identifying and leveraging your unique strengths, your business can differentiate itself from competitors and secure a lasting competitive advantage. This episode is a must-listen for leaders aiming to align their company's goals with its core capabilities for continued success in 2025 and beyond.

Also in this episode:

• An unhealthy rush for quick success in today's market often distracts businesses from essential strategic work.

• True mastery requires time, intentional practice, and embracing the state of being a novice when necessary.

• Differentiation and leveraging a company's brilliance are key to achieving sustainable growth and competitive advantage.

Subscribe to the Jasper Blueprint podcast:

Apple Podcast | YouTube | Spotify

Connect With Bessi Graham:

Website | | LinkedIn | Instagram | Facebook Group

About Bessi Graham:

With nearly 25 years’ of experience working with business owners, governments, and large funding bodies to merge money and meaning, my experience spans from the grassroots of sitting in the dirt working with business owners across the Pacific Islands through to the United Nations in Geneva. This has given me an unparalleled perspective.

This Podcast Is Produced, Engineered & Edited By: Simplified Impact

In this episode of The Jasper Blueprint podcast, Bessi is joined by Marcia Dawood, an expert in angel investment and author of Do Good While Doing Well. They discuss the shift from traditional investment approaches to those that combine profit with purpose, driving sustainable growth and innovation. The conversation highlights how business leaders can become active investors, while addressing myths around angel funding and the growing accessibility of diverse investment opportunities. They also explore the growing number of innovative financial products, small businesses can tap into and the role of women in closing funding gaps. This episode is packed with actionable insights for anyone curious to understand how they can become more involved in supporting the growth and success of other small and scaling businesses.

Also in this episode:

• The historical exclusivity in investment is now shifting toward more democratic participation, allowing a broader array of individuals to become investors.

• Angel investing is not just for the wealthy; platforms today enable fractional investments, making supporting entrepreneurs and small businesses accessible at different levels.

• Women and other historically marginalised investors can play a pivotal role in resolving funding inequities by participating actively as investors.

About Marcia

Marcia Dawood is the author of Do Good While Doing Well, TEDx speaker, Podcast host, and an early-stage investor who serves on the Securities and Exchange Commission’s Small Business Capital Formation Advisory Committee. She is a venture partner with Mindshift Capital and the chair emeritus of the Angel Capital Association (ACA), a global professional society for angel investors. She is also an associate producer on the award-winning documentary Show Her the Money.

Connect with Marcia

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marciadawood/

Website: https://www.marciadawood.com/

Buy the book - Do Good While Doing Well: https://bit.ly/3yxekKD

Watch Marcia’s TEDx Talk: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yI4i4qb3E8E

Subscribe to the Jasper Blueprint podcast:

Apple Podcast | YouTube | Spotify

Connect With Bessi Graham:

Website | | LinkedIn | Instagram | Facebook Group

About Bessi Graham:

With nearly 25 years’ of experience working with business owners, governments, and large funding bodies to merge money and meaning, my experience spans from the grassroots of sitting in the dirt working with business owners across the Pacific Islands through to the United Nations in Geneva. This has given me an unparalleled perspective.

This Podcast Is Produced, Engineered & Edited By: Simplified Impact

In this episode of The Jasper Blueprint podcast, Bessi is joined by Derek Mumford to explore fundamental business strategies for increasing sales in today's challenging market. Drawing on his extensive experience in corporate leadership and consulting, Derek shares practical solutions that seamlessly blend financial success with meaningful impact. Together, they highlight the importance of returning to foundational business principles to achieve sustained growth while avoiding the distractions of industry noise. The conversation delves into simplifying business processes, building authentic relationships, and aligning business goals with core values. Derek emphasises the critical need to understand and target the right audience, urging businesses to differentiate between genuine engagement and superficial online visibility.

Also in this episode:

• Simplicity and fundamentals, returning to business basics often yields better results than chasing fleeting trends.

• Focus on finding and engaging with your specific audience instead of appealing to broader but less relevant markets.

• The Power of Asking Questions - regularly engaging with your audience to understand their evolving needs provides critical insights into your business strategy.

About Derek Mumford

With over 15 years of entrepreneurial experience, Derek Mumford has a proven track record of scaling, leading, and selling businesses to achieve multi-million-dollar success. As a former co-owner of a global manufacturing company, he grew the business to an 8-figure exit in 2021 before taking on a leadership role at a prominent global coaching company. Derek specialises in helping businesses achieve ambitious growth goals and prepare for future success, whether through strategic scaling or premium exit valuations. His passion for entrepreneurship and business coaching inspired him to co-found Mumford & Burns Consulting, where he guides others on their journey to building thriving businesses.

Connect with Derek

Website: https://www.mumfordburns.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/derek-mumford-b19b2588/

Subscribe to the Jasper Blueprint podcast:

Apple Podcast | YouTube | Spotify

Connect With Bessi Graham:

Website | | LinkedIn | Instagram | Facebook Group

About Bessi Graham:

With nearly 25 years’ of experience working with business owners, governments, and large funding bodies to merge money and meaning, my experience spans from the grassroots of sitting in the dirt working with business owners across the Pacific Islands through to the United Nations in Geneva. This has given me an unparalleled perspective.

This Podcast Is Produced, Engineered & Edited By: Simplified Impact

In this episode of The Jasper Blueprint podcast, Bessi dives into branding strategies for business leaders with marketing expert Danielle Cevallos, exploring the evolving landscape of personal and company branding. Danielle shares powerful insights into the unique strengths of personal branding and explains why it remains essential, regardless of business size or type. Listeners will uncover actionable strategies to blend character-driven storytelling with strategic marketing, creating a lasting impact and gaining a competitive edge. They also break down the distinctions between branding, marketing, and sales, emphasising the importance of building a personal brand that transcends traditional business boundaries and aligns with various life stages and goals. Learn how to strategically leverage online platforms like LinkedIn and harness the power of email marketing to scale relationships, engage audiences, and drive sustainable success.

Also in this episode:

• Personal branding allows business leaders to establish deeper connections and amplify their reach while staying aligned with the company’s overarching goals.

• Leveraging social media is about building relationships at scale, offering a strategic advantage and enhancing brand visibility.

• Although leveraging online networks is critical, personal, face-to-face connections should not be overlooked as they complement digital efforts.

About Danielle Cevallos

Danielle Cevallos is the President of Conviction Marketing Agency, where she empowers prominent 7- and 8-figure brands to elevate their thought leadership and personal branding for transformative impact. With a rich background in psychology, education, and copywriting, Danielle brings a distinctive understanding of today’s marketing landscape and culture, making her an invaluable resource for strategic, creative brand direction. Her hands-on approach to content creation ensures that each client’s brand voice resonates authentically, helping them stand out in a competitive market.

Connect with Danielle

Instagram: daniellecmarketing

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danielle-cevallos/

Website: www.convictionmarketingagency.com

Subscribe to the Jasper Blueprint podcast:

Apple Podcast | YouTube | Spotify

Connect With Bessi Graham:

Website | | LinkedIn | Instagram | Facebook Group

About Bessi Graham:

With nearly 25 years’ of experience working with business owners, governments, and large funding bodies to merge money and meaning, my experience spans from the grassroots of sitting in the dirt working with business owners across the Pacific Islands through to the United Nations in Geneva. This has given me an unparalleled perspective.

This Podcast Is Produced, Engineered & Edited By: Simplified Impact