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