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Illana Burk hosts The Good Business Podcast. Each week, we offer up a clear, actionable lesson on leading with integrity, visioning with values, and shaping a new wave of commerce that puts people first.
Our Latest Episodes
What is your work ACTUALLY worth? | GB32
Do you know what your work is actually worth? How do you answer when someone asks why they should pay your rates? Episode Transcript: I'm Illana Burk, CEO of Your Life's Workshop, coach to entrepreneurs and solopreneurs across dozens of industries and host of...
Why you shouldn’t start a membership site | GB31
Today's episode is all about how to look a little closer at the ever-growing trend of membership sites all over the place and how to know if you should jump on the bandwagon or not. Episode Transcript: I'm Illana Burk, CEO of Your Life's Workshop, coach to...
Four not shocking disappointments in a time of crisis | GB30
Today’s episode is about the simple idea that your business exists not just to support you and your stakeholders, but to support your community.
Be of service and don’t be a sh*thead | GB29
Today's episode is all about how to not be a jerk in the middle of a crisis. Episode Transcript: I'm Illana Burk, CEO of Your Life's Workshop, coach to entrepreneurs and solopreneurs across dozens of industries and host of Good Business. With nearly 20 years...
Avoid the piles of bricks | GB28
Today, we talk all about that craptastic feeling of being buried. Underwater. Crushed by the weight of big ideas, neverending task lists, and elephant-sized goals. First, we’ll talk about what this really means and the ways in which this feeling tends to show up, along with a little on how we tend to behave as a result. Then we’ll talk about a simple way to handle these moments better. And finally, we’ll wrap up with a healthy pep talk.
When you’re failing, learn how to ask the right questions | GB27
Today’s episode is all about how to not shoot yourself in the foot right out the gate. I’m gonna break down one very common mistake that newbies (and non-newbies) make and how to fix it. Today, we learn how to ask for help and guidance in a way that doesn’t completely fuck up your chances of getting what you ACTUALLY need, which is respect.
Why overdelivery is the enemy of getting rehired | GB26
Today’s episode is all about why over-delivering is a really good way to not get asked back for more work. We all think doing our best and giving more than people asked for is a good thing. And in some ways, it is. Things like adding extra value to something you do is fine. What I’m talking about is when you completely blow the scope of what was asked of you out of the water. It’s one of the hardest things to identify when you’re trying to figure out why no one seems to hire you twice.
Start where you are. Use what you have. Do what you can. | GB 25
Today’s episode of The Good Business Podcast is all about my very favorite quote in the whole world. “Start where you are. Use what you have. Do what you can.” by Arthur Ashe
Why impact matters as much as marketing, sales, or strategy. Maybe more. | GB24
Today’s episode is less of a lesson than recent episodes. Instead, today we’re making a case for a topic we’ll be talking a LOT more about in the future: IMPACT. What it is. Why it matters. And how to pay attention to it.
Market visibility for people who care about other people | GB23
Today is a branch off of our stakeholder conversation. If you listened to that episode, you should have a clear picture of exactly who matters to you and your work and why, as well as how much time you have for your work without sacrificing what those VIPs need and expect from you. Next up, we talk about exposure, protection, and the responsibility you have to those who matter most.
Know Your Stakeholders | GB22
In this episode, I’m going to walk you through how to think about establishing your stakeholders, the steps you need to take to do so, and how to make decisions based on who they are without compromising those big fat dreams we’ve been talking about.
Pricing Basics: Why discounts are almost never a good idea | GB21
Today’s episode dovetails on our last one, where we talked all about how your value isn’t determined by your price tag. Today, we’re talking about discounts. First, we’ll talk about why businesses offer them, what their purpose is and when they ARE a good idea. Then we’ll talk about why they are probably a bad idea for you and what to do instead.
Pricing Basics: Your value is not attached to your price | GB20
This episode breaks down the popular trope that if you don’t charge a lot, people won’t value your work. First, we talk about the conditions that make this a common piece of advice. Then I lay out why this is complete crap for certain kinds of businesses. Finally, the episode wraps up with a brief primer on how to think about pricing in a way that serves your people AND your bigger dreams for yourself.
Why trust-building beats list-building every day of the week | GB19
Today’s episode is all about why focusing on listbuilding as your primary focus in client acquisition is the very best way to feel like you’re banging your head against a wall. It’s also the very best way to make the people you MOST want to connect with feel like the only think that matters to you about THEM is their email address.
CEO Mindset: Looking into the dark | GB18
Today’s episode is on one area of what people call the ‘CEO Mindset’. First, we’ll dig in a little to what people THINK this means. Then, we’ll talk through what it ACTUALLY means. And finally, we’ll wrap up with some simple truths about how to do this better and why doing so is necessary to actually grow.
What to do when you just can’t get fired up about a great idea | GB17
Today’s episode is all about what to do when you’re working on something that you love but you can’t figure out why it just. isn’t. working. First, we’ll talk about what it feels like to love something but not be lit UP by it. Then we’ll talk about what to do about it and how to fix it. And finally, we’ll wrap up with some inspiring examples of how this works in action.
Are you a quitter? Because the world needs more quitters. | GB16
Quitting usually comes with shame. It feels like bad decisions and ignorance and can certainly be predicated on failure, but it is, and will always be a choice that is 100% within your control. You can’t be forced to quit. You can only choose to quit. Episode...
The Content Series: Take responsibility for your words | GB15
Gone are the days of taking out an ad in the local newspaper to get foot traffic. When you start a business this day in age, you have to not only have something to SELL, you have to have something to SAY.
The Content Series: Why telling the truth is the only content strategy left | GB14
Today’s episode is all about the last frontier of content marketing: The bold notion that you can tell the whole truth and people will buy whatever you’re selling.
The Content Series: The Necessity Myth | GB13
Content is NOT just another task to be checked off the list. And it shouldn’t be something you do because you think you’re supposed to. Because it is not the only path to business building. Plenty of people thrive at their work without writing blog posts or starting podcasts. It DOES however, help a LOT.
Your business model is making you miserable. Here’s how to fix it. | GB12
Today’s episode is about the fine art of designing offers and revenue models that work for YOUR work. Because when it comes to how you deliver what you do, one size most definitely does not fit all.
The case for loving your business as much as you love your work | GB11
Today’s episode is a piggy back on last week’s when we talked about how, in order to have real success as an entrepreneur, you have to actually love BEING an entrepreneur as much as you love doing your ACTUAL work. So today, as promised, I’m going to talk about all the reasons why being in business for yourself TODAY is actually pretty damn wonderful.
You don’t have to make a living at your life’s work | GB10
Starting a passion-based business is not the same thing as creating a business around your life’s work. And here’s the hard and simple truth, there are actually very few things people are willing to pay for. And the fundamental truth is that your life’s work might be wildly rewarding and profoundly difference-making – but it might not be something people are willing to pay for. And that is 100% ok.
The two leaders: Do you feed your people, or feed ON them? | GB09
Leadership is not an optional choice to be made, but rather something that WILL come with success, and how it’s essential you choose who YOU want to be from the two primary types of leaders. Because if you DON’T choose, you’re leadership style will continue to be muddled with bad habits and a tactical vacuum. It will affect who you are, how people see you, and the behaviors of those who follow.