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Holly Marie Haynes

The needle mover no one tells you about

Published about 1 month ago • 3 min read

Creating Life First Business Strategy

for Entrepreneurs​
​

This week’s Better Together Round-Up is here! This week: the real needle mover, a Tennessee town I can't stop thinking about, and the #1 move I'd make if I were starting over. 🕒 3-minute read, unlimited inspiration.

Hey Reader,

I just got home from four days in Franklin, TN.

If you've never been, put it on your list. It's the cutest town. Ever. Main Street looks like a movie set. The kind of place where you drink your coffee slower and take twice as many photos as you planned.

I was there for the Podcasting Moms Conference, and I spoke live for the first time in about a year. A whole year. I used the stage to test out new content about how we actually use AI in our business, specifically podcast growth, as well as study metrics that move the needle, and it landed in a way that reminded me of something I say all the time.

The #1 way to scale your business? Go speak.

We welcomed two new Anti-Social School™ clients this week. My calendar is full of coffee dates next week. It's the kind of momentum you can feel. 💛

But here's the part I wasn't expecting.

The biggest shift didn't happen on the stage.

It happened in a Dolly Parton-themed living room, curled up with a few of my closest business friends and clients. That Airbnb. Those late-night talks. The "wait, can I tell you something" moments that only happen when you're three days deep, and someone's made tea.

No sales page is going to tell you that's where the business actually moves.

Was it hard to leave for almost four days? Sort of. My systems run our company. That part is solid. Leaving Scott and the girls is always the harder part. Don't worry, they had their own fun and build a brand new dance floor while I was gone. (It's competition season!)

Was it 100% worth it? Yes.

And bonus. The three hours I had alone in the airport landed me a full competitive analysis in Claude and a completely clean inbox.

Four days. Two new clients. A sharper strategy. And a very full cup.

XO,
Holly

P.S. SURPRISE! 🎉 A brand new bonus podcast episode dropped TODAY on exactly how we use AI inside our business. Including the ONE skill I cannot live without, which I named Barb. It's the content I tested on the Franklin stage, now fully built out for your ears → www.hollymariehaynes.com/podcast​

✨Your Weekly Strategy Shift

Where can you show up live this month and share your expertise? ​
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A podcast. A stage. A panel. A workshop. Even a local networking event.

Or better yet, make it a girls' weekend. Book the Airbnb. Bring the people who get it. Let the business talks happen at 11pm in pajamas.

The rooms where you show up in person are the ones that move your business the fastest.

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✨Community Corner
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Here’s what I’m clicking, testing, and loving this week.

  • Curious about podcasting and how AI plays a role? Kylee is my go-to, and she's hosting a free workshop in a few weeks
  • Speaking somewhere soon? Here's the Riverside app I use for recording on the go
  • ​Currently reading (and obsessed, I bought the audible AND the hard copy version)
  • AI news that made me pay attention this week: 82% of small business employers have now adopted at least one AI tool, and 66% of them are reporting revenue increases tied directly to AI. If you're still on the fence, this is your sign → Read the SBE Council report​
  • Want a clear picture of where your money is actually going? The Money Map is a game-changer
  • ​Sustainable CEO Summit is happening and it's SO worth a look

Some of the links I share may be affiliate links, which means I might earn a small commission—at no extra cost to you—if you decide to make a purchase. I only ever recommend tools and resources I truly love and use myself. Think of it as a little thank-you for supporting what we do around here. 🫶

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3300 Drive, Columbus, OH 43026

Holly Marie Haynes

Business Strategist and Host of the Crush the Rush Podcast

Holly Haynes, a leading voice in the entrepreneurial world, is the founder of the globally recognized Crush the Rush Podcast. With her unique blend of business acumen and personal experience, Holly empowers women to build successful businesses while maintaining a fulfilling personal life and scaling their businesses without relying on the social media algorithm.

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