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"I had no idea that even existed. I didn't even know that you could do that. What a dream job!" When Lindy Alexander first discovered that travel writers could be flown around the world to write about their experiences, it opened a door she never knew existed. But her journey into travel writing didn't begin with exotic destinations. It started much closer to home, with a curiosity about writing, a willingness to learn, and a determination to create a flexible career that fit around family life. In this episode, Lindy shares what it really takes to break into travel writing, why human stories matter more than ever in the age of AI, and what she learned from launching her own podcast. Lindy Alexander is an award-winning freelance writer, travel writer, educator, and founder of The Travel Writer Accelerator. After spending a decade as a social worker and completing a PhD, she transitioned into freelance writing and built a successful career writing for major publications while helping aspiring travel writers get published. Through her courses, coaching, newsletter, and podcast, she helps writers develop the skills and confidence needed to land regular commissions. We Also Talked About How Lindy transitioned from social work into a full-time freelance writing career. Why travel writing is about much more than exotic destinations. The surprising opportunities that emerged for travel writers during the pandemic. Why human experiences are becoming more valuable as AI-generated content increases. The thinking behind launching her new podcast, Inside Travel Writing. The benefits of creating short, practical podcast episodes. How podcasting helps build trust and authority with an audience. The role AI can play in research, editing, and idea generation—and where it falls short. Why reading the publications you want to write for is still one of the most important success factors. What editors are really looking for when evaluating story pitches. The difference between a great experience and a great story. How The Travel Writer Accelerator helps writers get their first commissions and build long-term careers. If you've ever wondered whether freelance writing or travel writing could become part of your business or income strategy, this episode is packed with practical insights and encouragement. Listen now and discover how small steps, consistent effort, and strong storytelling can open unexpected opportunities. Get regular access to tips, techniques and advice from experts about growing your business:https://onlinebusinessliftoff.com/newsletter/ RESOURCES MENTIONED Lindy's Websitehttps://www.lindyalexander.net/ The Freelancer's Yearhttps://thefreelancersyear.com/ Inside Travel Writing Podcasthttps://thefreelancersyear.com/podcast/ Travel Writer Acceleratorhttps://thefreelancersyear.com/ Instagram – Lindy Alexander Writerhttps://www.instagram.com/lindyalexanderwriter/ Instagram – The Freelancer's Yearhttps://www.instagram.com/thefreelancersyear/ Publications Mentioned BBC Travelhttps://www.bbc.com/travel National Geographic Travelhttps://www.nationalgeographic.com/travel/ Condé Nast Travelerhttps://www.cntraveler.com/ Lindy mentions that writers who have completed her travel writing training have gone on to secure publication opportunities with outlets including BBC Travel, National Geographic Travel, and Condé Nast Traveler. Tools Mentioned Claudehttps://claude.ai ChatGPThttps://chatgpt.com Airtablehttps://www.airtable.com My newsletter is for people who need a way to make money from home so they can build a better life for themselves and their families: https://onlinebusinessliftoff.com/newsletter/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

“I told him not to pay a cent—and definitely not to shut his website down.” What would you do if you got a scary letter using legal language, claiming you owed $700 for a photo on your website? In this episode, I share a true story about an old client who received one of these copyright trolling threats, and how we handled it. From sleuthing image origins to proving usage rights, this is one episode you’ll want to listen to if you’ve ever used photos online. I'm Trudy Rankin and I am the founder of Online Business Liftoff and a seasoned digital strategist who helps people build sustainable, flexible businesses online.  I ALSO TALKED ABOUT What copyright trolling is—and why it’s not quite a scam, but not ethical either. How to verify image licensing years after a website goes live. The steps to take if you receive a copyright infringement notice. Why immediately removing the image can neutralize most threats. How creating a simple image tracking spreadsheet could save hours of work later. The importance of demanding proof of ownership before taking any legal-sounding demand seriously. What to include in a response that shifts the burden back to the sender. If you've ever published a photo on your website, you need to hear this. Tune in to protect yourself and your clients. RESOURCES MENTIONED Wayback Machine: https://archive.org/web/ Get regular access to tips, techniques and advice from experts about growing your business: 👉 https://onlinebusinessliftoff.com/newsletter/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

"I asked Ron if AI was going to eat his job for lunch—he said yes and no.” That mix of realism and optimism sets the tone for this episode. When AI started disrupting his on-camera spokesperson business, Ron Desi didn’t panic—he pivoted. And he used the same technology that threatened his income to build a completely new opportunity, including an email list of 1300 people in just 55 days using a personality-based quiz that hit all the right notes. Ron Desi is the founder of Growth Vids and a seasoned video strategist with a background in business education. For over a decade, he's helped companies communicate with clarity and authenticity through video. Now, he's embracing change and leading the way on how to adapt—creatively and strategically—in an AI-powered world. WE ALSO TALKED ABOUT The reality of AI’s impact on service-based businesses Why Ron is pivoting away from video production and toward video strategy How authenticity beats automation (especially in industries like law) Ron’s thoughtful use of Gemini, ChatGPT, and Claude to brainstorm, write, and research The surprising way Dungeons & Dragons is helping autistic teens build confidence How he created a quiz that deeply resonated with his niche audience The step-by-step approach he used to design the quiz with AI input Ron’s long-term plan to build a business around what he loves—and why YouTube is part of it If you're worried about how AI is changing the game, this episode is proof that you can use it to create new opportunities, not just survive disruption. Get regular access to tips, techniques and advice from experts about growing your business:👉 https://onlinebusinessliftoff.com/newsletter ## RESOURCES MENTIONED GrowthVids.com – Ron’s site for video strategy and spokesperson services Dungeon Noob – Ron’s D&D YouTube channel Gemini, ChatGPT, Claude – AI tools Ron uses to strategize and create My newsletter is for people who need a way to make money from home so they can build a better life for themselves and their families:  👉 https://onlinebusinessliftoff.com/newsletterSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

"Sometimes it’s not about legal advice—it’s about understanding the process. And that’s something you can learn without going to law school." – Shatrasha Butler Shatrasha Butler didn’t just go to law school—she’s on a mission to make legal knowledge actually useful for small business owners. In this episode, we unpack the legal must-knows for getting your business off the ground without drowning in jargon or draining your bank account. Shatrasha Butler is a licensed attorney with over a decade of experience spanning government counsel, private firm litigation, and corporate contract law. She’s the founder of Label Me Legal, where she empowers solopreneurs to protect and grow their businesses with confidence—no expensive retainers required. WE ALSO TALKED ABOUT The key differences between a lawyer and an attorney—and why that matters Why “start simple” is often the best legal advice for new business owners What you really need before trademarking your brand How to use free resources (like your country’s tax office) to register your business The low-cost legal protections you can DIY with AI (and when not to) Why a basic loan agreement can protect you—even if you’re just moving money between personal and business accounts Which contracts matter early on—and where to find affordable templates How to use the Madrid Protocol if you want international trademark protection Listen in for practical, empowering advice that will help you protect your business and move forward with confidence. Get regular access to tips, techniques and advice from experts about growing your business 👉 https://onlinebusinessliftoff.com/newsletter/ RESOURCES MENTIONED IRS.gov (for EIN in the U.S.) U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO): https://www.uspto.gov Madrid Protocol info via USPTO: Madrid System Label Me Legal: https://labelmelegal.com  My newsletter is for people who need a way to make money from home so they can build a better life for themselves and their families: https://onlinebusinessliftoff.com/newsletter/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

“If you look deep into nature, you'll find the blueprint for a thriving business.” That’s the philosophy Matthieu Mehuys has cultivated—literally—from the soil up. From his beginnings on a Belgian family farm to founding a globally scalable regenerative design business, Matthieu shares how he turned a health crisis and a backpacking breakdown into a sustainable business that not only heals the planet, but educates and empowers others to do the same. Matthieu is an award-winning landscape architect and founder of Polonia Landscape Architect. Through his masterclasses, AI-supported tools, and best-selling book The 12 Universal Laws of Nature, he’s revolutionizing how people think about land, food, and freedom—bringing sustainable garden design out of elite hands and into everyday backyards. We Also Talked About: Why 95% of beginner gardeners give up—and how he solves it What business owners can learn from a weed-infested garden How a single client request led to a scalable, global model The reason most landscape services are designed to keep you dependent Why the native vs. invasive plants debate is more complex than you think The three-step framework for starting a regenerative garden anywhere How regenerative farming could reverse climate change in 7 years Turning crisis into clarity: what dengue fever taught him about entrepreneurship The surprising business power of understanding ecosystems How to build a profitable business that doesn’t compromise your values RESOURCES MENTIONED Matthieu's Book:  The 12 Universal Laws of Nature Matthieu’s Regenerative Design Podcast Apple Spotify Project Kamp (YouTube channel) - https://www.youtube.com/@ProjectKamp Get regular access to tips, techniques and advice from experts about growing your business.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

“Everyone—from the engineer to the CEO—should take part in supporting customers. It changes how we build everything.” That insight from fractional CTO Brian Childress isn’t just memorable—it’s a blueprint for building better tech businesses. In this episode, Brian shares how embedding customer support into every role improves product development, team alignment, and long-term growth. Whether you're a SaaS founder, solopreneur, or future CTO, this episode is full of sharp, actionable advice. Brian Childress is a seasoned software architect and fractional Chief Technology Officer. With deep experience leading software engineering teams and scaling tech infrastructure, Brian helps startups and growth-stage companies make the leap from “just launched” to “ready for real users.” His superpower? Balancing deep tech know-how with customer-first strategy. WE ALSO TALKED ABOUT What a fractional CTO does (and how to become one) The hardest part of shifting from employee to business owner How to prepare your SaaS platform for real-world users Why every team member should experience customer support Creating company culture without making it a “project” How AI agents can act like super interns Protecting your intellectual property while using AI tools Why understanding your team’s cultural background improves collaboration Systems and frameworks that keep solo consultancies running smoothly Tune in now for a candid conversation full of practical strategies and lightbulb moments. Get regular access to tips, techniques and advice from experts about growing your business: https://onlinebusinessliftoff.com/newsletterSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Are you bringing in revenue, but your business still feels like it’s drowning? In this episode of the Online Business Launchpad podcast, host Trudy Rankin sits down with accountant and financial strategist Chidi Egbujie to unpack the #1 cash flow mistake that silently sinks good businesses—and how to avoid it. “Every number has a story,” Chidi says.  And he goes on to add that if you’re only talking to your accountant at tax time, you’re missing the plot. Chidi brings years of corporate finance experience.  And now, as founder of Virtual Focus Accountants, he helps small business owners use their financial data not just to survive, but to grow strategically. From fixing your over reliance on your bank balance numbers to designing a business that supports your life (not the other way around), this episode is packed with practical insights for service-based entrepreneurs ready to get out of the weeds. If you’re tired of hustling without clarity, this one’s for you. If your business brings in revenue but still feels like it’s gasping for air, you’re not alone. My newsletter is for founders and business owners who didn’t sign up for 80-hour weeks and client emails at midnight. If that sounds like you, join me for free, here. We Also Talked About: Why most small business owners overlook the real power of financial data How using QuickBooks or Xero properly can change your business trajectory A client turnaround story that started with confusion and ended in clarity (and profits) Why goals based on your personal life vision make better business targets What every business owner should be doing—but most aren’t—when it comes to planning Preparing your business for sale (or scale) and why you should start now Why “knowing your numbers” is more than just bookkeeping—it’s strategic survival The single most misunderstood concept in business finance: cash flowHow to choose the right technology—and avoid drowning in it His thoughts on AI, where it works, and where it’s not quite there yet  RESOURCES MENTIONED QuickBooks:  quickbooks.intuit.com  Xero:  xero.com  Virtual Focus Accountants: https://virtualfocusaccountants.co.uk Connect with Chidi on LinkedIn: Chidi Egbujie Want regular access to tips, techniques and advice from experts about growing your business? Sign up here.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

"It just seemed fun and easy—and I really didn’t have anything to lose." That moment of curiosity led Andreea Matei into the world of the Amazon Influencer Program, and two years later, she’s turned it into a six-figure revenue stream. In this episode, Andreea breaks down exactly how she did it—from shooting 30-second videos to building multiple income streams, all without ever needing to show her face on camera. If you’ve ever wanted a realistic and accessible side hustle (or full-blown business), this one’s for you. Andreea Matei is a seasoned Amazon Influencer who’s made over $140,000 in two years by reviewing products from her home (and her sister’s). A former marketer turned ecommerce expert, she now teaches others how to succeed with this surprisingly low-barrier income model. We Also Talked About: What the Amazon Influencer Program is—and why it’s different from affiliate marketing How to get approved (even if you don’t have a massive following) The types of videos that perform best (hint: you can stay behind the camera) Smart strategies for choosing which products to review Breaking into paid brand collaborations and free product offers How to leverage your influencer content across platforms like YouTube Common mistakes to avoid when applying and creating your first videos How Andreea’s course helps beginners accelerate their Amazon Influencer journey My newsletter is for people who need a way to make money from home so they can build a better life for themselves and their families. RESOURCES MENTIONED Six Figure Reviewer: Amazon Influencer Edition Course Launch Grow Joy (Andreea’s main site): launchgrowjoy.com Find Andreea on all platforms: @launchgrowjoy See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.