It's Time for Success: The Business Insights Podcast

Many business owners invest significant time and money into their websites, yet struggle to generate consistent leads or sales. In this insightful episode, Sharon DeKoning sits down with website revenue architect Gerry Black to uncover why most websites underperform and what business owners can do to fix them. Gerry shares his journey from journalism and sales into marketing strategy, where he discovered a passion for helping entrepreneurs avoid costly website mistakes and turn their online presence into a true business asset.Gerry explains one of the most important statistics in online marketing: only 5% of first-time website visitors are ready to buy immediately. The remaining 95% are researching, comparing options, and looking for solutions. This reality changes how business owners should approach their websites. Rather than focusing solely on attracting traffic, Gerry emphasizes the importance of creating clear messaging, communicating a unique value proposition, and answering the critical question every prospect asks: “Why should I choose you over all my other options?”The conversation dives into Gerry’s three-part Website Revenue Architecture framework: capturing attention, generating engagement, and creating conversion opportunities. He shares practical strategies, including lead magnets, email nurturing sequences, testimonials, educational content, blogs, videos, webinars, and LinkedIn optimization. Gerry also discusses how trust is built online through consistent communication and authentic customer success stories, allowing businesses to nurture prospects until they are ready to buy. Whether you’re a small business owner, service provider, or entrepreneur looking to improve your website results, this episode is packed with actionable insights that can help turn your website into a predictable revenue-generating system.About Gerry BlackGerry Black is a website strategist, marketing consultant, and creator of the Website Revenue Architecture framework. With a background in journalism, advertising sales, and telecommunications, Gerry combines persuasive copywriting skills with real-world sales expertise to help entrepreneurs and service-based businesses improve their marketing results.Today, Gerry specializes in helping business owners identify the hidden weaknesses in their websites, strengthen their messaging, and build systems that consistently generate leads and revenue. Based in Barrie, Ontario, he works with businesses across North America, helping them create websites that do more than look good. They actively contribute to business growth.Resources discussed in this episode:Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion by Dr. Robert CialdiniGerry Black's free guide: Seven Website Leaks That Are Costing You SalesYou Are a Badass by Jen Sincero—Contact Sharon DeKoning | It's Time Promotions: Website: itpromo.caLinkedIn: Sharon DeKoningFacebook: It’s Time PromotionsGoogle: It’s Time PromotionsContact Gerry Black | Marketing Writer: Website: mareketingwriter.ca LinkedIn: Gerry Black

In this high-energy conversation, Sharon and Lori explore how leadership, employee well-being, and workplace culture work together. Lori Power, founder of MP Benefits, urges leaders to stop viewing benefits as a cost and start treating them as a strategic investment in health, engagement, and productivity. Drawing on work with companies like Boeing, she shows that when benefits are aligned with safety, performance, and clear communication, teams become happier and more effective.Sharon and Lori’s conversation also delves deep into leadership, team alignment, and the role of mental health at work. Lori’s stories bring these ideas to life, from reshaping law firm benefits to helping construction companies reduce turnover from 75% to zero.As the conversation turns to mindset, succession planning, and community, Lori shares practical wisdom for entrepreneurs: lead with empathy, invest in people, plan your exit early, and never stop learning. Her insights make this episode a must-listen for business owners seeking to build resilient, people-first organizations where both employees and employers thrive.About Lori PowerLori Power is the founder of MP Benefits and an expert in execution—in other words, she gets things done. Known for transforming employee benefits from a cost into a measurable investment, Lori helps businesses align their benefit plans with safety, productivity, and performance.A Certified Exit Planning Advisor and published author, Lori also holds a Workplace Mental Health Leadership Certificate from Queen’s University. Her insights on leadership, succession, and the culture of engagement in the modern workplace have been featured on Global News, CBC, and the HR Reporter.Resources discussed in this episode:Queen’s University Workplace Mental Health Leadership CertificateDisney Institute Leadership ProgramsHumor, Seriously by Jennifer Aaker & Naomi BagdonasSteal Like an Artist by Austin KleonLet’s Get Real or Let’s Not Play by Mahan KhalsaThe Psychology of Money by Morgan Housel—Contact Sharon DeKoning | It's Time Promotions: Website: itpromo.caLinkedIn: Sharon DeKoningFacebook: It’s Time PromotionsGoogle: It’s Time PromotionsContact Lori Power | MP Benefits: Website: mpbenefits.comLinkedIn: Lori PowerLinkedIn: MP BenefitsFacebook: MP BenefitsInstagram: MP Benefits

In this heartfelt episode, Sharon chats with Chantelle, owner of Provost Pets & Livestock Supply. Chantelle shares how her love for animals sparked her business idea and how motherhood changed the way she ran the business. We dig into startup realities, working through economic swings and life changes, and why community support (and a great mother-in-law!) can be the difference-maker for entrepreneurs.Chantelle opens up about her own challenges over the years, including several months spent in the NICU after her first child was born and running a growing shop while parenting (and homeschooling) two busy kids—often right from the store’s playroom. While we talk about boundaries, trade-offs, and scheduling, it always comes back to what keeps her going through the challenges: helping people and their animals every single day. About ChantelleChantelle is the owner of Provost Pets & Livestock Supply. A lifelong animal lover raised and living on a farm, she launched her store a decade ago to bring quality pet nutrition, livestock essentials, and practical expertise to the community of Provost. She’s also a mom of two, a homeschooler, and an active community member who believes business is built with the help of family, friends, and neighbours. For Chantelle, the best thing about entrepreneurship is that it’s equal parts challenging and rewarding.—Contact Sharon DeKoning | It's Time Promotions: Website: itpromo.caLinkedIn: Sharon DeKoningFacebook: It’s Time PromotionsGoogle: It’s Time PromotionsContact Chantelle Moncrief | Provost Pets & Livestock Supply: Website: https://provostpet.com/InstagramFacebook

After losing his IT director role at a high-growth insurance company, Luke Williamson turned adversity into opportunity by founding Accurate Network Systems. Eighteen years later, the Edmonton- and Calgary-based firm has grown to 50+ team members, all powered by Luke’s people-first philosophy and a commitment to “radical collaboration.” In this conversation, Luke walks us through the leadership framework that guides his decisions: clarity of vision, certainty of intention (AKA discipline), and prioritizing according to your values and goals. We dig into how to make tough calls in business, why leaders need to zoom out to serve the greater whole, and how to scale a business by bringing in the right people (at the right time). Luke opens up about a humbling season where he overbuilt a leadership team too soon, including what it cost, how he reset, and the lessons he still uses to build endurance and culture in the business. Luke also shares some practical habits for staying grounded (starting with sleep!), advice for new founders moving from the “craftsperson” role to company builder, and how purpose is the ultimate goal of any business. About Luke WilliamsonLuke Williamson is the founder of Accurate Network Systems, an Alberta-based managed IT and cybersecurity provider recognized for people-centric leadership and community impact. His approach emphasizes authenticity, radical collaboration, and developing team members through meaningful opportunity.A Leaders in Edmonton honouree and two-time Alberta Philanthropy Award recipient, Luke is as passionate about endurance sports as he is about entrepreneurship and channels that passion into a unique charitable initiative called Climbing for Change.Resources discussed in this episode:Traction by Gino Wickman (EOS / Entrepreneurial Operating System)Entrepreneurs’ Organization (EO)The Big Leap by Gay HendricksClimbing for Change (nonprofit endurance event)—Contact Sharon DeKoning | It's Time Promotions: Website: itpromo.caLinkedIn: Sharon DeKoningFacebook: It’s Time PromotionsGoogle: It’s Time PromotionsContact Luke Williamson | Accurate Network Systems: Website: Accurate Network SystemsLinkedIn: Luke WilliamsonLinkedIn: Accurate Network SystemsInstagram

In this episode, Sharon shares why wearing the “busy badge” is unsustainable for entrepreneurs and how shifting focus from working in your business to working on it can lead to real growth, freedom, and balance. She offers practical strategies, mindset shifts, and personal stories to help you break free from busyness and build a business that works for you.Sharon reveals why the “busy badge” is not the honor we think it is. She shares her own journey of proudly wearing busyness as proof of dedication, only to realize it was exhausting and actually holding her business back. Drawing from her experience and lessons from her business coach, Sharon explains the critical difference between working in your business and working on your business.Listeners will learn how to identify and let go of low-value tasks, create dedicated time and space for strategic growth, and adopt habits that replace constant busyness with intentional action. Sharon offers actionable tips—like delegating minimum-wage tasks, building systems, tracking financials, networking, and protecting “on business” time from interruptions. Whether it’s carving out hours in a newly organized office or using a simple visual cue like a green hat, these tools can help entrepreneurs grow sustainable, profitable businesses without burning out.—Contact Sharon DeKoning | It's Time Promotions: Website: itpromo.caLinkedIn: Sharon DeKoningFacebook: It’s Time Promotions

In this powerful episode of It’s Time for Success: The Business Insights Podcast, host Sharon sits down with Kevin Ramsay to explore what it truly means to shift from having a job to building a meaningful career. They begin by unpacking the mindset differences between simply earning a paycheck and intentionally growing in your profession. Kevin, who started as a farmhand in Saskatchewan and rose through the ranks in the auto industry before becoming a leader in water treatment sales, shares how aligning purpose with work can lead to lasting fulfillment. He emphasizes that when employees feel invested in and valued, their motivation and loyalty skyrocket—and employers benefit just as much.Kevin recounts his journey from distrusting sales to redefining it through integrity and service. His success at Culligan stems from a culture of comprehensive training, strong mentorship, and authentic care—from both employer and employee. His story illustrates how loyalty and trust are cultivated through consistent investment in people—highlighting that great leaders don’t micromanage; they listen, support, and create environments where their teams can thrive.The conversation wraps up with key takeaways for both employers and employees: career growth stems from mutual respect, shared purpose, and a belief in the greater good. Kevin’s advice to leaders is clear—invest in your people, be transparent, and help them align their personal goals with company goals. And for employees, he urges them to bring a mindset of ownership, service, and self-awareness. Whether you’re looking to build a lasting career or a sustainable team, this episode is packed with heartfelt wisdom, leadership insights, and inspiration to build workplaces where people truly want to stay.About Kevin RamsayKevin Ramsay is a dedicated sales leader whose career is rooted in hard work, community values, and a passion for helping others. Raised on a farm in Neilburg, Saskatchewan, Kevin’s early experiences shaped his strong work ethic and people-first approach. After working in the auto industry for over 20 years—holding roles from mechanic to top-performing sales consultant—he realized that true fulfillment came not just from what he did, but from how he did it: with purpose, honesty, and heart.Kevin has thrived at Culligan, where he now serves as Sales Manager across multiple locations. He’s played a key role in growing the business by focusing on client relationships, ethical service, and team development. Kevin leads with empathy and integrity, believing that the only sustainable advantage a company has is its people. His commitment to mentoring, continuous learning, and treating every customer like family has helped build a culture of trust and excellence—turning everyday jobs into lasting careers.—Contact Sharon DeKoning | It's Time Promotions: Website: itpromo.caLinkedIn: Sharon DeKoningFacebook: It’s Time PromotionsGoogle: It’s Time PromotionsContact Kevin Ramsay | Culligan Water: Website: Culligan WaterFacebook: The Culligan GuyLinkedin