What makes a story truly unforgettable? It’s the humanity and emotions behind it. In this episode of The Real Bottom Line, I chat with Crystal Adair-Benning, a prolific ghostwriter and storytelling expert, about why the most impactful content comes from real, human experiences.

Crystal opens up about her journey, from ghostwriting her first New York Times bestseller at just 14 to redefining her career during COVID. We dive into:

• Why human-written stories resonate more deeply than AI-generated content.
• How emotion and authenticity create connections that drive business success.
• The shift from event planning to becoming a full-time storyteller and creative coach.
• The power of storytelling as a marketing tool for entrepreneurs and thought leaders.

Crystal also shares her belief that emotion is the currency of the future and offers insights into how writers and business owners can stand out by focusing on their unique human experiences.

Key Takeaways:

• Authenticity Wins: Stories told with empathy and authenticity connect with audiences at a level AI cannot replicate.
• Marketing with Heart: Using your story as a marketing tool isn’t just effective—it’s transformative for your audience.
• Human Creativity Matters: Creativity isn’t unlocked; it’s already within you. Sometimes, you just need the right guide to find it.

Connect with Crystal:

• Website: www.writewordmagic.com
• Instagram: @writewordmagic

Resources Mentioned:

• Crystal’s Freebie: Bestselling Blueprint (available on her website)

Real Bottom Line: Emotions are the ultimate currency. When you tap into the heart of your story, you unlock the power to connect, inspire, and drive impact.

In this episode of The Real Bottom Line, I sit down with Christine Tolton, CEO of Red Cat Marketing, as she celebrates 20 years in business. Christine shares her journey from corporate to entrepreneurship, the lessons she’s learned, and her top marketing insights for 2025. Discover how to adapt to changing trends, harness creativity, and build a business that thrives.

Success is rarely a straight line—it’s more like a bowl of spaghetti! In this episode of The Real Bottom Line, I chat with Jackie Dinsmore, a lawyer-turned-serial entrepreneur and investor, about her unconventional journey. Jackie shares how she built two successful businesses, navigated high-stakes exits, and disrupted the legal industry with her innovative approach at Caravel Law.

We dive into the highs, the challenges, and the lessons learned, covering everything from cash flow struggles in retail to the art of negotiating business sales. Plus, Jackie offers invaluable advice for entrepreneurs on staying resilient, surrounding yourself with the right team, and knowing when to pivot or push through.

If you’ve ever wondered what it takes to grow, sell, or reinvent a business, this episode is packed with actionable insights and candid stories you won’t want to miss!

Topics Covered:

• Jackie’s entrepreneurial journey from handbags to kids’ apparel
• The challenges of retail cash flow and inventory management
• Lessons from selling businesses and working with buyers
• Disrupting the legal industry with Caravel Law
• Practical advice for entrepreneurs on navigating the messy path to success

Subscribe for more insights from entrepreneurs who’ve been there, done that, and are ready to share the real bottom line!

📌 Links Mentioned:

• Connect with Jackie Dinsmore: Caravel Law Website

Join us for the Bottleneck to Breakthrough 5-Day Challenge, designed specifically for ambitious and growth-oriented business owners who are feeling overwhelmed and hitting revenue plateaus. In just 60 minutes a day, over the course of 5 days, we will provide you with the blueprint to go from bottleneck to breakthrough by reframing your relationship with time. This challenge will help you break through revenue plateaus, spend more time in your zone of genius, and build a more valuable business – even if you feel like you've tried everything and are time-starved.

Join the Bottleneck to Breakthrough 5-Day Challenge. Here's what you'll learn each day:

Day 1: Design Your Ideal Day

• Explore what your ideal day looks like as an entrepreneur and how to allocate your time based on entrepreneurial time rules

Day 2: Unlock Your Genius

• Shed tasks outside your zone of genius and focus on activities that energize and fulfill you

Day 3: Master Letting Go

• Analyze tasks and activities, determine their fit in your zone of genius, and understand the cost of holding onto them

Day 4: Leverage Your Time Blueprint

• Build a step-by-step process to shed undesired or time-consuming activities, explore delegation in a new way, and escape business jail

Day 5: Build Momentum

• Learn how to execute your ideal day by chunking down activities, overcoming forces of perfection, procrastination, fear, and ego, and amplifying growth drivers for your business.

Register at https://bottlenecktobreakthrough.com/