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“When you're dealing with a challenging person, it's not necessarily that they have something against you, there might be something going on in their business, in their life, or maybe they just don't understand, especially when it comes to community.”
Ever found yourself saying "Sure, I can do that!" only to realize later it was a major time-suck and distraction from your true zone of genius? On this episode of Startups and Stilettos, hosts Carlyn Bushman and Ingrid Zapata-Read dive into the tough but necessary lessons of setting boundaries, vetting clients, and knowing when to say no.
From overpromising early in business to recognizing red flags before they become full-blown problems, Carlyn and Ingrid share their personal stories of difficult client relationships, including the moment they had to "break up" with a client to protect their team and sanity.
Tune in for real talk on turning challenging client situations into growth opportunities because your time, energy, and expertise deserve to be valued.
What We Talked About:
Avoid Overextending and Overpromising [3:30]
Carlyn Shares a Client Story [9:20]
Letting a Client Go [17:30]
How to Say No to a Potential Client [24:25]
Communication is Key [29:10]
Connect with
@carlynbushmanconsulting on Instagram
Carlyn Bushman on LinkedIn
@itsingridsworld on Instagram
Ingrid Zapata Read on LinkedIn
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Guests
Hosts
Carlyn Bushman
Carlyn Bushman is a seasoned business consultant, entrepreneur, and advocate for female founders. She founded POP Business Academy to empower women entrepreneurs with tools for building sustainable, profitable businesses. As CEO of Carlyn Bushman Consulting, she specializes in helping product- and service-based business owners navigate financials, marketing, and growth strategies. With extensive corporate experience, Carlyn, a mom in a blended family and lifelong learner, has been featured on Good Morning America and in Times Square. She's here to help you make money and stay in business.
Ingrid Zapata Read
Grow With Community
Ingrid Zapata Read is a community strategist and founder of Grow With Community. She helps businesses get closer to the people they serve and build stronger, more intentional relationships around their mission.
After building a global community for moms of over 200,000 members, and through her experience in sales, startups, and customer experience, Ingrid brings a people-first perspective to growth across industries. She’s known for her thoughtful, practical approach and believes community building should be a part of every business strategy.
Join 2,000+ supportive, ambitious founders in the
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