In this candid episode of Real Talk with Natalie, host Natalie Palomino shares her personal cautionary tale about chasing the Silicon Valley dream of explosive growth and quick exits. Through her own experience of nearly losing everything in 2020, Natalie breaks down why "hockey stick growth" is more myth than reality for most businesses. She reveals current investor expectations, shares shocking statistics about VC funding, and offers practical advice for building a sustainable business instead of chasing unrealistic growth patterns. If you're an entrepreneur dreaming of a quick exit or rapid scaling, this eye-opening episode provides valuable insights on avoiding common pitfalls and focusing on what truly matters in business building.

Key topics covered:

• The reality behind hockey stick growth patterns
• Current investor expectations in 2024
• The dangers of scaling too quickly
• Building sustainable growth vs. chasing quick exits
• Practical lessons from Natalie's personal experience

With Love,
XO Natalie
Web: https://www.nataliepalomino.com
Insta: @nataliepalominobeautypro

In this eye-opening episode, Natalie Palomino draws from her entrepreneurial experience to help business owners avoid costly mistakes when hiring agencies. She breaks down essential red flags to watch for, smart hiring practices, and strategies for cost-effective agency partnerships. Learn how to set clear KPIs, structure contracts effectively, and maintain control of your marketing platforms. Whether you're considering hiring your first agency or looking to improve existing agency relationships, this episode provides practical guidance to protect your business investment and ensure accountability. Natalie shares personal lessons learned and actionable tips for maintaining perspective while scaling your business with outside help.

Key topics covered:

• Red flags when evaluating agencies
• Setting measurable goals and KPIs
• Contract negotiation and exit clauses
• Cost-effective hiring strategies
• Performance tracking and reporting
• Maintaining ownership of your platforms

Part 1 of a two-part series on "Don't Drink the Kool-Aid" - exploring common pitfalls entrepreneurs face when scaling their businesses.

With Love,
XO Natalie
Web: https://www.nataliepalomino.com
Insta: @nataliepalominobeautypro

In this insightful episode, Natalie Palomino dives deep into one of the most crucial aspects of building a sustainable business: establishing and maintaining a clear, authentic WHY. Through compelling examples like J.Lo's Delola launch, Brooks Running's success, and Saltbox's innovative solution for e-commerce entrepreneurs, Natalie illustrates how purpose-driven businesses outperform those focused solely on profits.

She shares practical insights on crafting an authentic WHY statement that resonates with customers, attracts aligned team members, and guides decision-making during challenging times. Drawing from her own experience as a business owner, Natalie explains how a genuine purpose creates customer loyalty, drives employee engagement, and provides the resilience needed to overcome business obstacles.

Whether you're starting a new venture or looking to realign your existing business, this episode offers valuable guidance on developing a WHY that transcends surface-level motivations and creates lasting impact.

Show Note Links:
Tyler Scriven, Letter to Self: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/2019-letter-self-why-i-started-saltbox-tyler-scriven/

With Love,
XO Natalie
Web: https://www.nataliepalomino.com
Insta: @nataliepalominobeautypro

In this episode of "Real Talk with Natalie," host Natalie Palomino kicks off a series on what not to do when starting a business, focusing on the importance of not trying to be everything to everyone. She emphasizes the crucial role of identifying a target consumer or customer avatar, explaining how this clarity helps with focus, messaging, product development, marketing efficiency, and customer connection. Natalie provides real-world examples, including Fenty Beauty's success in addressing an underserved market. She guides listeners through the process of creating a detailed customer avatar, encouraging them to consider demographics, preferences, pain points, and aspirations. While stressing the importance of this targeted approach, Natalie also cautions against becoming too rigid, advising businesses to remain open to evolving their understanding of their customer base as they grow. The episode concludes with homework for listeners to create their own customer avatar and a preview of the next topic in the series.

With Love,
XO Natalie
Web: https://www.nataliepalomino.com
Insta: @nataliepalominobeautypro

Today, Natalie introduces a new series focused on what not to do when starting a business. Drawing from her diverse career background as an attorney, hairstylist, and entrepreneur, Natalie shares her motivation for creating this series: to help aspiring business owners avoid costly mistakes she and others have made.

Natalie emphasizes the importance of realistic expectations in entrepreneurship, cautioning against the allure of get-rich-quick promises and highlighting the genuine challenges of building a sustainable business. She briefly outlines several key pitfalls she plans to address in upcoming episodes, including trying to please everyone, losing sight of one's purpose, resisting change, and neglecting self-care.

The episode sets a tone of honesty and practicality, with Natalie promising to offer unvarnished advice based on real-world experience. She positions the series as a guide to help listeners save money, time, and personal well-being while pursuing their business goals. By sharing her own journey and the lessons she's learned, Natalie aims to provide valuable insights for anyone looking to start or scale a business successfully.

With Love,
XO Natalie
Web: https://www.nataliepalomino.com
Insta: @nataliepalominobeautypro

In her debut episode of "Real Talk with Natalie," our allergy-battling host dives headfirst into the wild world of thought patterns, emotions, and behaviors, serving up a delicious cocktail of personal anecdotes and life hacks. From navigating family drama to conquering the dating scene and dropkicking imposter syndrome in the workplace, Natalie's got the 411 on breaking free from those pesky negative thought loops and embracing your inner badass – all while keeping it real about her own podcast-launching adventures in the sagebrush-filled streets of Boise.

With Love,
XO Natalie
Web: https://www.nataliepalomino.com
Insta: @nataliepalominobeautypro

"Real Talk with Natalie" is your go-to podcast for navigating life's big decisions with confidence, humor, and a dash of adventure. Host Natalie, a four-time career changer and world traveler, brings her wealth of experience to help you tackle everything from career transitions to personal growth.

In each episode, Natalie cuts through the noise, offering practical advice and empowering insights to help you create a life that truly excites you. Whether you're considering a major career shift, looking to scale your business, or simply trying to find more fulfillment in your daily life, "Real Talk" provides the guidance and motivation you need.

What sets "Real Talk" apart is Natalie's unique blend of authority and approachability. With her witty, down-to-earth style, she transforms complex life decisions into manageable steps, all while keeping you entertained. It's like having a heart-to-heart with your smartest, funniest friend who just happens to be a life navigation expert.

Key features of the podcast include:

1. Career Transition Strategies: Drawing from her own experiences of changing careers four times, Natalie offers practical tips for making successful pivots, finding your passion, and turning it into a fulfilling career.

2. Business Growth Insights: For entrepreneurs and side-hustlers, Natalie shares actionable advice on scaling your business, managing teams, and achieving sustainable success.

3. Personal Development Tools: From boosting confidence to improving relationships, "Real Talk" covers a wide range of personal growth topics to help you become your best self.

4. Global Perspective: Natalie's experiences living and working around the world bring a unique, international flavor to her advice, perfect for those dreaming of expanding their horizons.

5. Real-Life Case Studies: The podcast features stories of real people who have successfully navigated major life changes, providing inspiration and practical examples.

6. Expert Interviews: Natalie brings in top experts from various fields to provide specialized insights on topics ranging from finance to mindfulness.

7. Interactive Elements: Listeners are encouraged to submit questions and share their own experiences, creating a supportive community of like-minded individuals.

"Real Talk with Natalie" isn't just about dreaming big – it's about giving you the tools, confidence, and motivation to turn those dreams into reality. Each episode is designed to leave you feeling inspired, equipped, and ready to take on whatever challenges come your way.

Whether you're at a crossroads in your career, looking to inject more purpose into your life, or simply in need of a motivational boost, "Real Talk" offers the perfect blend of practical advice and inspirational content. Natalie's approach acknowledges that while change can be daunting, it's also an opportunity for growth and excitement.

The podcast covers a diverse range of topics, ensuring there's something for everyone:
- Career change strategies
- Entrepreneurship and business scaling
- Personal branding and networking
- Work-life balance and time management
- Financial planning for major life transitions
- Cultivating healthy relationships (personal and professional)
- Overcoming fear and building resilience
- Finding purpose and passion in your work
- Navigating cultural differences in a global world
- Self-care and mental health strategies

With new episodes released weekly, "Real Talk with Natalie" is your constant companion on the journey to living life on your own terms. Natalie's mission is clear: to help you unlock your potential, embrace new opportunities, and create a life that truly excites you – all while keeping it real and havin

With Love,
XO Natalie
Web: https://www.nataliepalomino.com
Insta: @nataliepalominobeautypro