What’s In This Episode:

Who's the most unmanageable person in your business? You, the business owner! Brad and Jill theorize why - is it because we're control freaks, like to do everything, and don't want anybody telling us what to do? Is it because we just don't fit in a corporate environment? If you know the magic answer, call and tell us why! Jill recalls her time at a super corporate place and how she did everything she was supposed to do and enjoyed it, but then went to grad school and realized she never wanted to go back to corporate. She needs her freedom and thrives in it! Brad shares how he'll sit down with business owners time and time again, explain to them how they're ruining their business, yet they don't do anything about it. They also talk about the Top 5 Systems To Get You Through The Day in this episode and they welcome people development trainer and fairy dust sprinkler Alissa Friedman to the show. Listen in! »

Guest:

Alissa Friedman is a trainer and coach who lifts the fog and helps people get out of their own way. Find her on about.me and LinkedIn.

Talk to us! Leave us a Google Voicemail with your burning business question so that we can read it in a future episode at 708.872.7878. Or tweet at us using hashtag #jillnbrad. And leave us a review on iTunes — pretty please? Over here!

What’s In This Episode:

What's the best spam you've ever received? Jill got an email from an unknown sender and the first thing she saw was a picture of an adorable dog. Once she read through the copy and got to a sales pitch, she deleted it. BUT, she received more follow-up emails from the company that all included pictures of cute dogs! Considering the emails were memorable enough for Jill to forward them to Brad and talk about them in this episode, but not enough for her to remember the company name or even what they sell, is the approach worth it? Let Brad and Jill know! Call, email, tweet..including pictures of adorable dogs won't hurt either. We also hear from a longtime listener who emailed and expressed how much she enjoyed the short series on hiring we recently did (we hear you Nedra, and thank you for emailing!). She requested more themes, including one on systems and processes around running a business. So, in the first of a short series on systems, Jill and Brad talk about the Top 5 Systems To Keep Your Business On Track  and they welcome photographer Monika Labbe to the show. Listen in! »

Guest:

• Monika Labbe is the founder of Creative M Portraits, a photography studio based in Chicago specializing in luxury custom portraits and personal branding sessions. Find her on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.

What’s In This Episode:

Are you aware of the things you do and the way you act? Brad has been paying attention to awareness a lot lately and noticed he acts differently. For example, someone recently told him he tends to interrupt others and ever since then, he's been aware of it happening (and he tries to stop of course). Jill thinks she became much more self-aware when she started her own business. She thought she was pretty normal until a ton of people told her "You're so crazy!" When you hear something over and over again, it might be true. But, embrace it, champion it, and allow it to make you a better leader! Brad and Jill help you get to that point by sharing the Top 5 Things That Will Make You More Self-Aware In Business in this episode and they welcome super mom and super CEO Danielle Dy Buncio to the show. Listen in! »

Guest:

• Danielle Dy Buncio is president and CEO of VIATechnik, providers of technology solutions to the engineering & construction industry. Find her on LinkedIn and Twitter.

What’s In This Episode:

Is there a first day of work experience that's particularly memorable for you? Jill shares her worst first day of work story where her boss essentially said "Ok, go" then didn't look or speak to her for the entire day. What?! That's definitely a way to kick things off at a new job. On the other side of the spectrum, Brad remembers a job where on his first day, he already had business cards and log-in instructions for his computer right from the get-go. Plus, his boss took him on a tour of the office to introduce him to the team he'd be working with. From the very beginning, he knew what needed to be done and what his priorities were. Now that's an excellent way to make a first day impression! Brad and Jill help you make that same impression by sharing the Top 5 Things To Do On Your Employee's First Day in this episode and they welcome ice cream maven Natasha Case to the show. Listen in! »

Guest:

• Natasha Case is the co-founder and CEO Coolhaus, maker of gourmet, hand-crafted super unique ice cream with an architectural twist. Find her on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

What’s In This Episode:

Hey, in a few days, we've got a thing going on.. are you in? Of course you're not! That invitation is incredibly unclear and includes zero details! Would you ever offer a job to someone in that same manner? If you want someone to say yes to something, you need to give them a firm and specific offer. Jill looks back on past offers she's given and wonders if she's been doing it wrong this entire time. So, you can't just hire someone and say "Go!"? Has her entire life been one long "oops"? Plus, we learn all about Brad's sturdy eyebrows. Continuing their series on hiring, Jill and Brad talk about the Top 5 Things You Need When You Make A Job Offer in this episode and they welcome brow whisperer Janae' Wesby to the show. Listen in! »

Guest:

• Janae' Wesby is the founder of Changing Faces, a beauty business based in Chicago. Find her on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.

What’s In This Episode:

Have you been on some bad interviews? Jill sure has. From a computer store fiasco in high school to "interviewing" with the ultimate New York jerk in college (it's ok, she still loves NY! #pizza), she's been burned and has learned from it the hard way. For Brad, a brilliant recruiter taught him an easy way to nail an interview, but unfortunately it doesn't involve learning about the job at all! Luckily, Brad is a stand-up guy who turned down a position (and a potential boss) that probably wasn't the right fit. Windex, pop vs. soda vs. Coke, a brand new self-awareness course called "No, You're Not" Jill will probably launch in late 2017...it's a jam packed episode! They also talk about the Top 5 Signs You Are Interviewing All Wrong and welcome author and business coach Amanda Young to the show. Listen in! »

Guest:

• Amanda Young is the founder of Simplify Your Marketing, a consulting agency focused on helping women entrepreneurs design businesses they love while finding themselves, fulfilling their life's purpose, and supporting their families. Find her on Twitter, Facebook, and her book on Amazon.

What’s In This Episode:

Do you need to hire? Have you ever hired a friend, neighbor, or even someone you bumped into on the street? Jill admits to hiring anybody she bumps into, but is steadfast in never hiring family. You're too emotionally tied and it'll be difficult to fire them! Stay far far away from that situation! The best hires come through referrals; someone who knows you sends along a gem (who's already pre-vetted) - it's so great and much easier! If you aren't so lucky and you have to go through the hiring process, Jill and Brad share the Top 5 Ways To Make Your Job Posting "Pop" in this episode and welcome creative genius George Berlin to the show. Listen in! »

Guest:

• George Berlin is the founder of George Berlin Productions, a one-stop shop for your animation, illustration, and interactive experience needs. Find him on Facebook and YouTube.

What’s In This Episode:

Do you make New Year’s resolutions? Unlike Jill and Brad, do you stick to them? If you’re resolving to get in shape, stop doing all the bad things and wanna sing Kumbaya more often: Good luck with that. Jill and Brad talk about how they make goals, not resolutions, and they plan ahead rather than making a few things up in the hopes that they stick to it. They also talk about the Top 5 Things To Think About BEFORE You Hire in this episode and they welcome advertising guru Rich Kahn to the show. Listen in! »

Guest:

• Rich Kahn is the co-founder and CEO of eZanga.com, an online search engine marketing firm. Find him on Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn.

What’s In This Episode:

Do you make New Year’s resolutions? Unlike Jill and Brad, do you stick to them? If you’re resolving to get in shape, stop doing all the bad things and wanna sing Kumbaya more often: Good luck with that. Jill and Brad talk about how they make goals, not resolutions, and they plan ahead rather than making a few things up in the hopes that they stick to it. They also talk about the Top 5 Ways To Stay The Course in this episode and they welcome mom extraordinaire Kelly Jurecko to the show. Listen in! »

Guest:

• Kelly Jurecko is the Co-founder and President of SPD Parent Zone, a non-profit dedicated to raising awareness about Sensory Processing Disorder. Find her on Twitter and Facebook.

What’s In This Episode:

Is your plan for 2017 just to work harder and hopefully get more from your efforts? What makes that different from every other time you've set that goal? For Jill, this isn't the first time she's made a 'no sugar' resolution except this time around, she's telling tons of people about it (that includes you!). We get an update on the noble quest and learn a cookie or two may have snuck its way in. Maybe even a doughnut. We'll have to check Instagram to find out for sure. Jill and Brad ask some hard-hitting questions that may make you realize something needs to change in the Top 5 Signs You Need To Switch Things Up. They also welcome talk show host and producer Niala Boodhoo to the show. Listen in! »

Guest:

• Niala Boodhoo is the host and executive producer of The 21st, a weekday public radio show for Illinois. Find her on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.