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The Do Good Business Podcast

The Do Good Business Podcast

Written by: Ashley Dreager
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About this listen

 I'm Ashley Dreager, and I'm here to talk about building profitable, ethical businesses. There are solid strategies that actually work, and then there's misleading garbage put out just to make a sale. I call out the difference. We have real conversations that go deep. I break down what's working for those building businesses the right way, and call out the ridiculousness flooding your feeds. Straightforward advice, real stories, honest conversations about what works and what's BS.Ashley Dreager Economics Marketing Marketing & Sales
Episodes
  • 1.17 Building Your Marketing Strategy from Point A to Point B

    1.17 Building Your Marketing Strategy from Point A to Point B
    Oct 8 2025
    In this episode, I dive deep into what a marketing strategy actually is and how to build one that works for your business. I'm breaking down the roadmap that takes you from where you are now (Point A) to where you want to be (Point B), and why having this documented is crucial for consistency and team communication. This isn't about creating a document to collect digital dust – it's about building a strategic foundation that saves you time, money, and energy while keeping everything intentional.Key Takeaways:Your marketing strategy is your roadmap that bridges the gap between where you are now and where you want to be, requiring a clear audit of your current state and defined vision for your goalsStrategy prevents reactive marketing by giving you clear boundaries, intentional activities, and the ability to troubleshoot when something isn't working instead of just throwing tactics at the wallThere's a difference between ideal and realistic strategy – it's okay to build your dream marketing plan in phases based on your current budget and capacity constraintsContent strategy is how you talk within your marketing channels – your marketing strategy defines what you're doing, while content strategy determines how you're positioning and messaging within those channelsDocumentation is essential for consistency and delegation – keeping strategy in your head makes it nearly impossible to stay consistent or effectively communicate with team membersTimestamps:[00:40] - Introduction to building detailed marketing strategy[01:20] - What a marketing strategy actually is and why it matters[02:20] - Understanding Point A (current state) and Point B (goals) in your strategy[03:10] - Breaking down the components: goals, vision, marketing channels, and tactics[04:20] - The difference between marketing channels and marketing tactics[04:30] - Content strategy: messaging, positioning, and content pillars[05:00] - Action plans: one-off projects vs. ongoing optimization[05:40] - Why documented strategy prevents inconsistency and team confusion[06:20] - Setting clear boundaries and staying motivated with intentional marketing[07:30] - How strategy helps you troubleshoot and problem-solve marketing issues[08:40] - Why intentionality saves time, money, and energy in marketing[09:20] - Starting with goals: how business objectives drive marketing decisions[10:10] - Competitor analysis: finding gaps and differentiation opportunities[11:50] - Connecting offers and services to sales funnel development[12:30] - Balancing marketing channels with budget and time capacity[13:10] - Building ideal vs. realistic marketing strategy in phases[14:10] - Content strategy: pillars, categories, and target market relevance[15:30] - Scheduling and repurposing content across channels[16:50] - Free strategy workbook and course resourcesReferenced Links:⁠⁠Free Strategy Plan Workbook⁠⁠ - High-level marketing strategy creation guide that's perfect for DIYing!⁠⁠Marketing for Success- The Course⁠⁠ - (PROMO CODE: PODCAST) $357 self-paced marketing course with ongoing Slack community support (best for service-based businesses, adaptable for e-commerce)⁠⁠Work With Me⁠⁠ - One-off strategy calls and ongoing consulting options------------------------------------Have questions or topics you'd love to hear about? I want to hear from you! This isn't a one-size-fits-all approach. There are millions of ways to grow a business, and I'm here to help you find what works best for you.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ashleydreager.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠
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    18 mins
  • 1.16 Guest Interview: Andrea Yenawine with Franchise Harmoney

    1.16 Guest Interview: Andrea Yenawine with Franchise Harmoney
    Oct 1 2025
    I had no idea franchise brokers existed before meeting Andrea, and honestly, this conversation completely changed how I think about franchising. We dove deep into the reality of franchise ownership beyond the McDonald's model most people picture. Andrea specializes in low investment, high return franchises - particularly home-based options that can get you profitable much faster than traditional retail locations. She breaks down funding options I'd never heard of (hello, ROBS!), explains why most franchises have a 90% success rate versus 50% for independent businesses, and reveals how some franchisors literally set up your marketing for you. If you've ever been curious about franchising or are tired of the traditional employment grind, this episode will open your eyes to possibilities you probably didn't know existed.Key Takeaways:Home-based franchises offer lower barriers to entry - You can get into many franchises for $50,000-$120,000 versus $350,000+ for retail locations, and you avoid the overhead costs of brick-and-mortar operations.ROBS (Rollover Business Startup) lets you use 401k funds penalty-free - If you have a 401k from a previous employer, you can invest that money in your own franchise without IRS penalties through a legitimate company structure.Franchise success rates blow independent businesses out of the water - About 90% of franchises are still operating after five years compared to only 50% of businesses started from scratch.Not all franchises require industry experience - Many franchisors prefer certain personality traits over specific backgrounds and provide extensive training. Some even offer business coaching throughout your ownership.Marketing systems are already proven and tested - Instead of spending 6-12+ months figuring out messaging and target markets, you get plug-and-play marketing strategies that have worked for hundreds of other locations.Timestamps:[00:04:30] - Andrea explains her focus on low investment, high return franchises and why she avoids the McDonald's model that takes 5+ years to see ROI[00:06:20] - The real costs behind retail franchises - why brick-and-mortar locations require $350,000+ investments due to leases, build-outs, and construction[00:08:20] - Funding options for franchises, including traditional SBA loans and creative approaches most people don't know about[00:09:40] - Deep dive into ROBS (Rollover Business Startup) - how to use 401k funds penalty-free to start your franchise[00:12:40] - Why working with a franchise broker benefits everyone and doesn't cost the buyer anything[00:16:10] - What makes franchise relationships go sideways and red flags to watch for in franchise ownership changes[00:21:40] - Home-based franchise models explained - from mobile pet grooming to digital marketing services[00:24:30] - How to scale home-based franchises by starting with one territory and expanding[00:31:00] - Why franchises have built-in marketing advantages and proven systems that eliminate the typical startup struggle[00:38:30] - Ongoing franchise fees breakdown - initial franchise fees, monthly royalties, and advertising costs[00:44:00] - Training and support systems that help people without business experience succeed in franchising[00:53:40] - Semi-passive ownership options and how to start a franchise while keeping your day jobReferenced Links:Franchise Harmoney website Andrea's email: andrea@franchiseHarmoney.comPhone: (510) 928-2641---------------------------------------Have questions or topics you'd love to hear about? I want to hear from you! This isn't a one-size-fits-all approach. There are millions of ways to grow a business, and I'm here to help you find what works best for you.⁠ashleydreager.com⁠⁠Instagram⁠ Get in touch: ⁠FREEBIE! Client Journey Mapping Workbook⁠Want me to help with your marketing? Fill out ⁠this form⁠ and I'll reach out!
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    56 mins
  • 1.15 Guest Episode: Azka Mistry with Little Panda's Play Cafe

    1.15 Guest Episode: Azka Mistry with Little Panda's Play Cafe
    Sep 25 2025
    In this episode, I sit down with Azka Mistry, owner of Little Panda's Play Cafe in Everett, Washington, for an incredibly honest conversation about building a physical business while navigating motherhood. Azka doesn't hold back as she shares her journey from Amazon program manager to cafe owner, the daily reality of running a business that requires you to show up no matter what, and how she's learned to balance being a working mom on her own terms. We dive deep into creating strong workplace culture, the anxiety that comes with physical business ownership, and why customer obsession has been key to her success.Key Takeaways:Physical businesses require different sacrifices - Unlike online businesses, you can't just work from anywhere when childcare falls through. Azka wakes up two hours before opening every day, anxious about potential staffing issues, because the doors must open no matter what."On your own terms" doesn't mean easy - Leaving corporate for flexibility doesn't automatically give you more time with your kids. It gives you control over your schedule, but often means working twice as hard while learning to navigate childcare guilt and boundary-setting.Customer obsession drives real results - Azka's team maintains consistent excellence because she's instilled a culture where customer experience is non-negotiable. This Amazon-learned principle directly translates to increased sales and customer loyalty.Your backup needs a backup - Running a physical location means having more team members than you technically need on any given day, because someone will always call out and you cannot close your doors.Marketing moves the needle immediately - Azka has tested the direct correlation between social media posting and foot traffic. When they don't post, they see a measurable drop in sales, even without direct links or online shopping.Timestamps:[00:02:30] - Azka introduces herself and explains her passion for creating community spaces for parents without nearby family support[00:05:30] - The origin story: how having her first child in 2021 sparked the idea for Little Panda's Play Cafe[00:07:00] - The pivotal moment of leaving Amazon and committing fully to opening the cafe[00:11:00] - Real talk about working mom expectations vs. reality and why dedicated childcare time is necessary[00:15:20] - The daily anxiety of physical business ownership and always having backup plans[00:18:30] - How she maintains boundaries (or struggles to) and the importance of self-care for business performance[00:23:00] - The moment her 3-year-old asked her to get off her phone and the wake-up call it provided[00:28:30] - Behind the scenes of planning consistent events and creating more than "just a coffee shop"[00:31:40] - Building an all-female team culture and why treating employees like family matters[00:36:00] - Creating workplace culture where team members feel comfortable being open about personal challenges[00:43:50] - The direct impact of social media marketing on physical business sales[00:50:00] - Addressing the fear of competitors copying her business model[00:53:40] - All the business ventures she tried before landing on the play cafe conceptReferenced Links:Little Panda's Play Cafe Instagram: @littlepandasplaycafeAzka's Personal Instagram: @azkaayLittle Panda's Play Cafe Website-------------------------------------------Have questions or topics you'd love to hear about? I want to hear from you! This isn't a one-size-fits-all approach. There are millions of ways to grow a business, and I'm here to help you find what works best for you.⁠ashleydreager.com⁠⁠Instagram⁠Get in touch:FREEBIE! Client Journey Mapping Workbook⁠Want me to help with your marketing? Fill out ⁠this form⁠ and I'll reach out!
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    1 hr and 1 min
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