Top Business Podcast • over 4 million downloads • 900+ episodes

The Strategy Hour Podcast

with abagail pumphrey

Recognized by INC and Forbes as one of the best podcasts for entrepreneurs, join our twice-weekly show as we share business strategies, interviews, and actionable advice for building an online business your way.

Listen & Subscribe

Apple Podcasts Spotify Podchaser

Find us wherever you listen to podcasts

breaking news: we’re nominated for a webby!

Strategy Hour Needs Your Vote!

We’re thrilled to announce The Strategy Hour Podcast is officially nominated for the Webby People's Voice Award—recognized as one of the TOP 5 podcasts worldwide in Creativity & Marketing! This is YOUR chance to help us take home the gold!

Act fast! Voting closes April 17th.

Our Episodes

Podcast, Project Management Guest User Podcast, Project Management Guest User

What To Do When You're Busy Chasing Sparkly Squirrels

Today on the show we are going back in time to an old episode. Our schedules were jam-packed this past week — speaking at a conference in Chicago for She Did It Her Way, and having our massive strategy planning session for the rest of the year and our future — so we didn’t get to record another episode of the Goal Crusher Series. However, we think you will enjoy this episode because it is definitely an oldie, but a goodie! It is all about chasing those sparkly squirrels, what to do, and what questions to ask yourself when those sparkly squirrels pop up, as they always do!

Most creatives seem to also be known as “serial entrepreneurs” because we’re constantly thinking of new ideas and wanting to try them out. Although this keeps us innovative in business, it can also paralyze us and hold us back. Inside this episode we go through how you can stay on track or maybe get distracted intentionally to help grow your business. We’re getting you focused and making you ask the hard questions before you dive into something unknown or add on something new to what you already have to offer. So jump into this episode as we get some clarity up in here!

Read More
Podcast, Mindset Guest User Podcast, Mindset Guest User

They're More Successful Than Me Because... (And Other Excuses We Tell Ourselves)

“I don’t have enough time”, “I don’t know the right people”, “I don’t have enough money.” There are a lot of excuses we make for not being or most successful selves. We’ve all used them at least once, or have heard other people use them, over and over again! But how true are they really? This is a conversation we have recently been having and we wanted to bring you in on it. In this episode, we are talking about the excuses we make for not achieving success in our business and the things we like to tell ourselves about how others achieved their success.

We start off by looking at geographical location and how the attitudes toward money and status can influence the way we start to define and articulate our own success. We also discuss the “overnight success” myth and why time is one of the most misunderstood aspect of success. We also want to take this opportunity to remind you that you don’t need to know all the hot shots, or even know much at all for that matter, to be successful. The most successful people are great learners who focused, made the time, didn’t blame their kids and tried! If you are finding yourself constantly making excuses about your business, or the lack thereof, then this is the episode to listen to for a fresh perspective and a kick up the rear!

Read More
Podcast, Leadership Guest User Podcast, Leadership Guest User

Copyright, Copy Cats and What Creatives Can Do to Protect Themselves with Autumn Boyd

Today on the show we welcome Autumn Witt Boyd. Autumn is an experienced lawyer who helps ambitious and creative business owners, such as yourself, reach their big scary goals. She owns the law office of Autumn Witt Boyd where she guides online and e-commerce businesses as they grow. She has special expertise in copyright and trademark issues and her firm offers full legal support to creative businesses. Autumn is also the host of The Legal Road Map podcast which teaches business owners to protect their rights and stay out of legal hot water!

A lot of entrepreneurs and business owners tend to shy away from legal conversations, particularly when it comes to copyrights. These situations can get complicated, awkward and are often just downright confusing! But they shouldn’t have to be. This is why we’ve brought Autumn on - to simplify our lives and ensure that we’re all on the right track and protecting our booties! In this episode, you’ll hear more about the biggest legal mistakes that creative and online business owners are making and get some special insights related to copyright, trademarks and dealing with copycats. To top it all off, you’ll get to hear Emylee go off on a tangent about people stealing our sh*t!

Read More
Podcast, Services Guest User Podcast, Services Guest User

Becoming a Wellness Guinea Pig with Monica Woodhams of 45 Fairmount

Today on the show we welcome Monica Woodhams. Monica is a success coach & lifestyle expert with over half a decade of experience in the blogging industry. She assists influencers and creative entrepreneurs in conquering the work-life balance needed for success and is also the host of the Influencer Lifestyle Podcast. Today we speak with Monica about about health and success and how the two go hand in hand. As business owners, and especially as women business owners, we have a tendency to want to accomplish great things. Taking care of yourself, mentally and physically, is not something that you can just check off your list and it’s done. It is an ongoing practice and because of this, we tend not to prioritize it because the benefits are not immediate.

We want to see the clients coming in, the money coming in and your health is not necessarily a tangible accomplishment within your business. In your business, you are proactive about so many things, so why are you not proactive about your personal life and personal health? In this episode, Monica shares with us the benefits of slowing down and how taking care of yourself leads to added self-worth and added confidence in your business. Monica gives us four tangible steps to taking better care of ourselves and how to turn personal care into a habit. In this fast-paced world with burnouts and breakdowns around the bend, there is no better time to look after yourself so that you can in turn, look after your business and those around you.

Read More
Podcast, Project Management Guest User Podcast, Project Management Guest User

Beginner Business Series – Part 5: Launch, Launch Baby

In this episode, we’re addressing the stage where most people give up and why you are not going to be one of those people. So let’s recap – by this point in the Beginner Business Series, you’ve created a product from something you are already amazing at doing. You’ve got it out the door and up quickly, you’ve validated your dreamies, you’ve packaged it, you’ve priced it, you’ve created a plan to market it and you’ve created a website landing page so that someone can pay you. (Wow! You’re crushing it, babe!)  This is also the point where sometimes, for SOME people, their plan fizzles and they lose motivation after all their hard work and planning.

Sounding like you? Well, guess what? This is NOT the time to scrap everything and start over! You are so close to seeing success and in this episode, we’re going to help you get through this last leg of the journey and recognize your worth. Sure, it might be easier to quit but you can push through! We are going to help you get over your fear of re-launching by giving you actionable steps that you can implement. A lot of that comes back to your personal attitude about your own product or service and today, we’re here tell you why you have to believe in your product and yourself, just like we do.

Read More
Podcast, Marketing Guest User Podcast, Marketing Guest User

Beginner Business Series - Part 4: Your Marketing Game Plan

Today we are creating your marketing game plan and we couldn’t be more jazzed. Up to this point in the Beginner Business Series, you have figured out what you are best at and what you can get to market the quickest without learning anything new. We’ve also figured out how to package and price it. We’ve set up your shop, listed it and you are ready to sell! You’ve come a long way and in today’s episode, we’re going to dive into your marketing game plan so you can get your stuff out into the world and start making money right away.

A lot of the times, when people get to this point of selling, they’ve taken all the necessary steps to get there, but their product just won’t sell! Why? Well, we want to tell you this is not because you or your product or service or idea suck – it’s because you just didn’t have a solid marketing game plan in place. So if this sounds like you, you’re in the right place. Marketing just so happens to be our internet love child and in this episode, we’re going to be walking you through social media posts and the three foundational posts you should be doing in order to engage your audience and build a consistent relationship with them – one that will benefit them as much as it does you. So let’s jump in and get started!

Read More
Podcast, Services Guest User Podcast, Services Guest User

Beginner Business Series – Part 3: Setting Up Shop

We’re back for part three of the Beginner Business Series! First off, the response has been great and we just want to thank you for your comments on Facebook and Instagram – we love hearing from you! Keep using the hashtag #bbs. It helps us keep track of your questions, concerns, comments and feedback. If you’re just joining us now and don’t know what the hell this is, we’d advise you pause right now and go back to part one and part two and then dive into this one. So, let’s go!

In this episode, we are going to do a quick recap of where you should be at and make sure that you’re ready to tackle part three – setting up shop. Websites are where we see so many people get stuck. Often, they get so obsessed with perfecting it and hold themselves back from actually doing what their business is supposed to be doing – which is making money, honey! Sound like you? In this part three episode, we’re going to be tackling this challenge with you step by step. We’ll be focusing on the four core pages that get people from landing page to checkout, feeling confident in their purchase and believing that you are their superhero. We’re going to help you put the most relevant information on these pages and show you just how easy it really is.  

Read More
Podcast, Services Guest User Podcast, Services Guest User

Beginner Business Series - Part 2: Packaging & Pricing Your Offer

Welcome to the second part of our Beginner Business Series! If you have not checked out the first episode in this series, we highly recommend you do before listening to this golden egg! So now that you are up to date, let’s get down to it. Today, we are going to be talking about packaging and pricing your offer. This goes for selling products or services and we will be dealing with specifics as well as general rules during this discussion. You can post in the Think Creative Group with the hashtag bbs, that’s #bbs, so we can get to your questions and feedback easily and serve you even better.

In the first episode, we got you to look at what you should be selling by gauging your skills and interests. In this episode, we are asking you to make this final decision from the ideas of last time and dive in with that choice. This choice does not have to be forever, but you do need some commitment. The talk includes looking at motivators for buying, what might be holding sales back, good ideas to jumpstart sales, trusting yourself and your business and how all of this and more ties into a successful business. So without any more ceremony, let’s get into the episode. Join us as we help you with you beginner business!

Read More
Podcast, Mindset Guest User Podcast, Mindset Guest User

Beginner Business Series – Part 1: Adopting a Profit First Mentality

We’re excited to be doing something new over the next few episodes and this is thanks to all your amazing feedback! A question came up inside the TCC community, “Where are the podcasts for brand new business owners? Business owners who haven’t made anything yet or haven’t got off the ground yet?” Over the next few episodes, we’re going to be sharing our five-part Beginner Business Series (BBS). We’re going to be asking you to share your homework, takeaways and insights inside our community using the hashtag #bbs.

If you’ve been in business for a while, a lot of these things are going to be in review for you, but it might also be an opportunity for you to go back and solidify a foundation. Regardless of where you’re at or what industry you are in, you should definitely be listening. If you are brand new and wondering where to even begin, this is an awesome place to start! In this episode, we are going to help you identify your skills and unique strengths, your why and your goals and help you discover your potential, most viable product or skill that you can start putting out this very week! Making you nervous? The good news is that this is something you already have!

Read More
Podcast, Mindset Guest User Podcast, Mindset Guest User

From Mama to Work-from-Home Freelancer with Micala Quinn of The Live Free Mama Movement

Today on the show, we welcome Micala Quinn. Micala is a wife, mom, teacher, lifelong learner and founder of The Live Free Mama Movement. She helps moms launch their freelance business using the skills they already have so they can have more freedom, flexibility and financial stability. Our lives were very similar to Micala’s since she had worked for a bit, started freelancing from home and then started a business. A lot of moms want to work from home in the freelance world, but don’t know where to start. It can be daunting and overwhelming, but not if you know where to start. This is where Micala comes in.

In this episode, Micala shares how a mom can do things from home to create a sustainable business. If you’re out there wondering, “What is the thing I can do to bring in some extra cash-dollar bills this month?” this is the episode you want to listen to. Today, we share so many brainstorming activities and questions you can ask yourself to help pull those skills into a profitable service you can actually charge for. If you’ve ever had an interest in freelancing or VA work, this episode will sure as hell give you some ideas.

Read More
Podcast, Leadership Guest User Podcast, Leadership Guest User

How to set Boundaries in Your Business & Life

Today on the show, we are tackling a topic that has cropped up in a lot of Facebook groups recently, ours included, and it’s a really good one for discussion! The question is, “How the heck do you set, handle and enforce boundaries when you work from home?” Not only with yourself, clients and customers but also if you have a spouse, a partner, or your kids at home. So whatever your situation, we are digging deep and pulling out the good stuff to help you with those boundaries.

In this episode, we share how we managed the transition from working in an office to working from home. We discuss the importance of figuring out your own workflow, setting concrete boundaries with your family and friends and how to communicate them effectively. At the end of the day, you have to manage the expectations of others, ensure your business is respected and at the same time, enjoy the wonderful privileges that come with working from home! We will share with you the challenges we’ve faced and how we have managed these often tricky scenarios, in the hope that this will empower you to crack that whip and lay down the law!

Read More
Podcast, Systems & Automation Guest User Podcast, Systems & Automation Guest User

Utilizing Software, Building Communication Channels and Striving for Common Goals with Angela Greaser of All the Ops

We are super excited to welcome our great friend and colleague, Angela Greaser, to the show today! Angela works with us as the Director of Operations at Think Creative Collective and is the Co-Founder of All the Ops. We really know how much Angela’s expertise has helped us in our business since she came on board and we cannot wait to share it with you! We get down to it with Angela on how you can streamline your operations, open communication channels and the importance of documenting your processes.

During our chat, we break down different social media platforms, software solutions and the integral value of company culture. Before we hired Angela at TCC, we are open to admit we really did not have any company culture to write home about. But with Angela’s help and proficiency, we are glad to say we have built much stronger practices within our virtual workspace. We even kept Angela’s name a secret until very recently just so no one could poach her from us! She’s just that good! If you are looking for ways to enhance and optimize operations in your business or even just want some inspiration to get things moving in the office, this episode is for you! Let’s get right into it!

Read More
Podcast, Scaling Guest User Podcast, Scaling Guest User

Scaling Your VA Business with AllieDanae Walker of the Social Walker Agency

On today’s episode, we welcome our good friend and social media whizz, AllieDanae Walker. AllieDanae owns a Virtual Assistant and Social Media Managing company called of The Social Walker Agency. She works with companies, running their online presence and keeping their social platforms in check. We are actually lucky enough to say we have had first-hand experience with AllieDanae while she has been the VA for The Strategy Hour Podcast! We love AllieDanae and know you will too and we cannot wait to share all her knowledge with our listeners!

What are some of the ways you can apply for a Virtual Assistant position? How do you grow a small, one-person operation into a company with employees and assistants of its own? When looking for VAs, what can companies do to ensure a healthy and successful relationship in this regard? If any of these questions sound faintly familiar or if you just want to get the lowdown on an important aspect of present-day business, then we know this episode is for you. Tune in to hear more!

Read More
Podcast, Leadership Guest User Podcast, Leadership Guest User

From an Invertebrate Biologist to a Floral Maven with Gina Thresher

Today on the podcast we have Gina Thresher. Gina is the founder of From the Ground Up Floral and she started out her journey, believe it or not, by pursuing marine biology, DIY’ing her own wedding and eventually turning into a very talented florist in her industry. In her own words, she makes kick-ass floral arrangements and we are talking more about her journey today. We are taking the idea outside of just the realm of a bouquet and really looking at it as a business and what she can add on.

 

Inside this episode, we are talking about the transition of Gina’s hobby mindset to a business mindset and what it really looked like when she was chasing brides and chasing weddings and then finally realizing that she really needed to be paying attention to other pieces of her business. She shares with us some tactics and strategies she was able to pull from The Strategy Academy like figuring out what to do and when to do it to actually focus on your business holistically instead of just one tiny detail. We dive into everything from travelling the world to speak, workshops, educating other florists and everything in between. This will spark you with some ideas you can implement in your own business so you are not just focusing on one tiny detail.

Read More
Podcast, Mindset Guest User Podcast, Mindset Guest User

Starting from Scratch: Fears & Fumbles While Growing Our Side Hustles

The cat’s out the bag! We have just started our own new businesses. Two different businesses. Two different industries. And we’re building them completely on our own. Emylee’s latest side-hustle is selling her own hand-painted artworks online and Abbie has started an MLM business with Young Living products. In addition to TCC, we wanted to start something completely on our own and as exciting as it is – truthfully, we’re both a hot mess and are grappling with so many aspects of product-based entrepreneurship that we didn’t even expect as mentors in this field.

 

Inside this episode, you will find out more about our latest side hustles, why we started them, how we are growing them and the many challenges we are currently facing in this new terrain. If you are a compulsive entrepreneur or are in the same boat of juggling your many business passions, then this is definitely an episode you’ll relate to. So take a listen, find out how we are going about our new ventures and most importantly, know you are NOT alone!

Read More
Woman leaning on back of chair and smiling at camera

meet your host

I don’t believe there’s one right way to build a business.

I’m your host, Abagail Pumphrey. And I’m dedicated to supporting online businesses.

I’m here to help you build business your way: one that supports not only the life you have but the life you want. I’m on a personal mission to help you become financially free.

I’m talking about all the lessons learned as I turned a layoff into a 7-figure online business. I’m here to help you prioritize your life every step of the way, whether you’re creating your first digital product, growing an email list, or scaling an already profitable business.

I want to hear your hot takes, your biggest takeaways, or the genius ideas that pop in your head as you’re listening to the show.

My DMs are always open on Instagram, so head over and introduce yourself so I can get to know you!

Listener Love

Software & Services We Swear By

Meet Our Partners

The links below are affiliate links. We receive a commission (at no additional cost to you) when you purchase through these links.

Teachable logo

Host courses, coaching, digital products, memberships, and more on Teachable’s all-in-one platform. Their platform is perfect for businesses who want to create real impact.

Save on Teachable Pro with our link.

Try Teachable >

Flodesk logo

If you’re looking for an email service provider made with creatives in mind, is simple and intuitive, and has one set price regardless of list size, look no further than Flodesk.

Get 14 days of Flodesk for free with our link.

Try Flodesk >

The power of Adobe is now in a cloud-based design platform. Creating beautiful graphics is easier than ever, with Adobe Font + Stock libraries available in Express.

Get 40% off the CC All Apps Plan.

Try Adobe Express >

If you’d rather not be spending hours on end learning design skills and new programs just to make some graphics for your biz, definitely check out Canva.

Get 30 days of Canva Pro for free with our link.

Try Canva > 

Later is our favorite visual-first planning tool for social media. Use it for Facebook, Instagram, or TikTok. Plan, schedule, and post with this all-in-one software.

Try Later free for 14 days with our link.

Try Later >

If you’re searching for a platform to house client portals, internal business resources, or even a public landing page, Notion might be the perfect fit for you!

Try Notion for free with our link.

Try Notion >

Unleash the power of chat marketing! ManyChat is a powerful tool that can help you capture leads and sell your digital products in the blink of an eye.

Get ManyChat for free with our link.

Try ManyChat >

SimpleTexting allows you to fire one-off messages, a series of messages in an automation, tag clients, and more, giving your clients a high-touch experience.

Try SimpleTexting for free with our link.

Try SimpleTexting >

Digital Product Jumpstart

Build your list and grow your revenue at the same time!

I’ve kept these details to myself for far too long. I’m ready to spill everything and give you the exact steps that’ve helped me generate tens of thousands of qualified leads and MILLIONS in low-ticket digital product sales. I won’t just show you what I did, I’ll teach you how you can do it too.

Never Miss an Episode

Every week we’ll pop into your inbox to share the latest episodes, business strategies, and epic guests we’ve interviewed.