For those of you working you're way through the workshop- how's it going?? If you are starting to wonder what comes next, for those of you in the Greater Boston area I have a suggestion. We've relaunched our mentoring and growth work labs. Known as the Sunday Sessions they run around the country... and I'm excited to say that I'm thrilled that Boston is about to join the list. Not in Boston, no worries- we're launching a virtual group as well. Currently looking for members to host and promote their businesses in their areas... So if you know someone that we can help. are starting to think about your way to get visible, or just love a good referral and free bonus ( referral bonuses are a real thing and I'm happy to give them out) DM In the Boston area- please share https://www.meetup.com/boston-networking-and-business-strategic-network/events/311064155/?utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=share-btn_savedevents_share_modal&utm_source=link&utm_version=v2

The moment my career and life changed was the moment I was able to sit back and realize I had been so concentrated on the big moments, the mountain tops, and the massive mile markers In my career and in my life, that I hadn't paid any attention to the ripples and the waves I had made getting those in place. It finally hit that the accomplishments were fleeting, no matter how long it took to get there or build them. What truly mattered was what I had left in my wake, the footsteps I was able to carve for someone to come after me, the far reaching ripples impacting others that continued to spread out further and further even long after my moment was gone. I started Strategy to be the company that didn't exist when I needed it, it never occurred to me that someone else might need it to. Take a moment this week and stop, look around and see where the ripples of your work, your life, and your actions have reached.... you just might be surprised.

So while the previous challenges haven’t necessarily been “easy”- the next couple are going to start asking for a little more effort. However, as always I’m a voice on the phone-‘send me voicemail, block or answer the choice is yours That said if anyone needs help with finding the answers - DMs are always opem 1. What have I tolerated for too long?Call it out. Then cut it off. 2. What would I do if I knew I wouldn't fail? That's your direction. Follow it. 3. What pain am I pretending isn't there? Ignored wounds don't heal. They fester second set coming next week

This weekend's challenge is a little more in-depth and a little ahead of where most of you in The Fractional Playbook August Workshop may find yourselves, but still worth starting with the basics The "Anti-Algorithm" Business Challenge 7-Day Challenge to Humanize Your Business Growth The Problem Your business is stuck in "algorithm brain"—obsessing over growth hacks, engagement pods, and magic formulas while forgetting the most powerful tool you have: being genuinely useful to real humans. The Challenge: Go Full Human for 7 Days Just like social media algorithms reward authentic human behavior, business growth happens when you stop overthinking and start being genuinely helpful. Day 1: The Transparency Challenge Instead of: Crafting the "perfect" marketing message Do this: Share one behind-the-scenes struggle your business is actually facing Why it works: People buy from humans, not corporate robots Day 2: The Response Challenge Instead of: Auto-DMs and templated emails Do this: Personally respond to every customer message (yes, every single one)Why it works: One real conversation beats 100 automated touch points Day 3: The Value-First Challenge Instead of: Posting promotional content Do this: Share something genuinely useful with zero sales pitch attached Why it works: Help first, sell second (the algorithm of trust) Day 4: The Community Challenge Instead of: Broadcasting to your audience Do this: Ask your customers a real question and actually engage with their answers Why it works: Communities buy more than audiences do Day 5: The Vulnerability Challenge Instead of: Only sharing wins and success stories Do this: Admit a mistake you made and what you learned Why it works: Vulnerability builds trust faster than perfection Day 6: The Surprise Challenge Instead of: Following your content calendar religiously Do this: Do something unexpected and generous for a customer (just because) Why it works: Unexpected delight creates word-of-mouth marketing Day 7: The Connection Challenge

For those that are starting to put the pieces together, and look ahead to when you have your framework built.... an ode to the beast that drives your business The Algorithm Isn't Your Enemy (It's Just Socially Awkward) Everyone's out here treating "the algorithm" like it's some ancient dragon hoarding engagement points in a digital cave, when really it's just a very literal friend who does exactly what you tell it to do. Plot twist: The secret sauce isn't secret at all. It's literally just... being human on the internet. The Universal "Algorithm" (AKA Basic Human Decency) Step 1: Share what you're actually doing and thinking Not what you think people want to hear. Not what some guru said would "hack" the system. Just... your actual thoughts. Revolutionary, I know. Step 2: Respond to people who engage with you Shocking concept: when someone talks to you, talk back. The algorithm doesn't care if you're too cool to reply to comments. But humans do. Step 3: Engage with others Leave comments that aren't just "First!" or fire emojis. Ask questions. Add value. Be the person you'd want to see in your own comments section. Step 4: Repeat until successful That's it. That's the tweet. That's the post. That's the entire marketing strategy. Turns out the way to grow on Substack/ Linkedin/ Facebook is the same as all social media up to and including that weird neighborhood app where people argue about leaf blowers. It's almost like being genuine works... everywhere. I know, I know.... But honestly... The algorithm isn't some mystical beast—it's just a popularity calculator that really, really likes it when humans act like humans instead of engagement robots. Who knew?