Josie Stewart runs The Luminous Pets with her husband, and together they make pet bandanas that are more comfortable than traditional ones, fitting a wider range of cat and dog shapes and sizes. They’ve done really well this year and are on track to more than DOUBLE what they made last year! But the majority of their sales still come from in-person markets, where they are able to connect and engage with customers to educate about what sets their brand apart. Josie wants Sonja’s help to improve their brand’s website and social media presence to hook customers 24/7 virtually. Listen as Sonja shares ideas for how to push your origin story and mission front-and-center online and on social media in a way that connects with people and convinces them to buy. Lifeline Links:  Sonja's Instagram (http://www.instagram.com/sonjarasula) & Newsletter Work in Progress (https://open.substack.com/pub/sonjarasula?r=gqk8e&utm_medium=ios)  The Luminous Pets Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/theluminouspets), Website (https://theluminouspets.com/) Thanks to our Presenting Partner, Constant Contact, for supporting us and all small businesses this season. Visit (https://www.constantcontact.com/unique)www.constantcontact.com/unique (https://www.constantcontact.com/unique) for our exclusive deal to save up to 40% off annual fees for life!  SOS with Sonja Rasula is produced, edited, and engineered by Sherry Guo (https://www.sherryguo.com/)

Sonia Smith Kang is in her eighth year of business with her multicultural children’s fashion brand, Mixed Up Clothing. She started the company because she wanted her children to be able to see themselves and their multicultural background in their clothing. Her brand can be found in retailers including Macy’s and Belk and she’s gotten some great press attention! But business never stops and she is ready to take a BIG leap with her company. Sonia wants help with pitching to more retailers and scaling up financially.  In this episode, Sonja takes a deep dive on Mixed Up Clothing’s Instagram page (which on first-glance looks like a media or content company) and gives pointers for how to make the products shine to better attract retailers. And, she encourages Sonia to take a step back and think about the legacy she’s creating with her business, and to consider rebranding for the next step in the brand’s history. Lifeline Links:  Sonja's Instagram (http://www.instagram.com/sonjarasula) & Newsletter Work in Progress (https://open.substack.com/pub/sonjarasula?r=gqk8e&utm_medium=ios)  Mixed Up Clothing Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/mixedupclothing), Website (https://mixedupclothing.com/) Thanks to our Presenting Partner, Constant Contact, for supporting us and all small businesses this season. Visit (https://www.constantcontact.com/unique)www.constantcontact.com/unique (https://www.constantcontact.com/unique) for our exclusive deal to save up to 40% off annual fees for life!  SOS with Sonja Rasula is produced, edited, and engineered by Sherry Guo (https://www.sherryguo.com/)

Elizabeth Vu runs Félin Lune Apothecary, an environmentally conscious beauty brand selling alternatives to traditional beauty products, such as shampoo and conditioner, without all the wasteful packaging. She has a very loyal customer base but her products are so long lasting that she needs to constantly attract new customers to keep up momentum!  Elizabeth is worried that something about her online marketing strategy is no longer working and needs Sonja’s advice on how to convince potential customers to try her products. Listen as Sonja gives strategic tips for how to entice new customers while getting current, loyal ones to make bigger purchases and buy as gifts.  Lifeline Links:  Sonja's Instagram (http://www.instagram.com/sonjarasula) & Newsletter Work in Progress (https://open.substack.com/pub/sonjarasula?r=gqk8e&utm_medium=ios)  Félin Lune Apothecary Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/felin.lune.apothecary/), Website (https://felinluneapothecary.com/) Thanks to our Presenting Partner, Constant Contact, for supporting us and all small businesses this season. Visit (https://www.constantcontact.com/unique)www.constantcontact.com/unique (https://www.constantcontact.com/unique) for our exclusive deal to save up to 40% off annual fees for life!  SOS with Sonja Rasula is produced, edited, and engineered by Sherry Guo (https://www.sherryguo.com/)

Krystal Flores runs Soy Latina Candles, a non-toxic luxury fragrance brand that sells candles, perfumes, body oils, and more. She’s ready to take the next step in growing her business and needs Sonja’s advice on her email marketing strategy - she doesn’t want to send too much email, making people unsubscribe!  Sonja, of course, dishes out great tips for how to use email marketing to build brand recognition and juicy subject lines that entice people to click. BUT, she first gives Krystal a hard truth about some inconsistencies in her product packaging that don’t align with the elegant aura of her brand as a whole. Sonja encourages Krystal to think bigger while still keeping the homemade feel by incorporating more storytelling about the “why” behind the brand into her website and emails.   Lifeline Links:  Sonja's Instagram (http://www.instagram.com/sonjarasula) & Newsletter Work in Progress (https://open.substack.com/pub/sonjarasula?r=gqk8e&utm_medium=ios)  Soy Latina Candles Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/soylatinacandles/), Website (https://soylatinacandles.com/) Thanks to our Presenting Partner, Constant Contact, for supporting us and all small businesses this season. Visit (https://www.constantcontact.com/unique)www.constantcontact.com/unique (https://www.constantcontact.com/unique) for our exclusive deal to save up to 40% off annual fees for life!  SOS with Sonja Rasula is produced, edited, and engineered by Sherry Guo (https://www.sherryguo.com/)

Lesly Ramos runs Cositas PDX making gorgeous and intricately detailed polymer clay earrings and other small trinkets inspired by her Mexican culture. She recently went full time with the business to step it up and wants Sonja’s help with presenting her brand more professionally at this new level. She’s in the middle of transitioning from selling on Etsy to having a standalone website and Sonja gives her crucial advice for solidifying and improving her online presence through stunning - yet easy and inexpensive - product photography. And of course, Sonja gets real with Lesly about the truth behind imposter syndrome and gives her tips for how to overcome it. Lifeline Links:  Sonja's Instagram (http://www.instagram.com/sonjarasula) & Newsletter, Work in Progress (https://open.substack.com/pub/sonjarasula?r=gqk8e&utm_medium=ios)  Cositas PDX Instagram (https://instagram.com/cositaspdx), Website (https://www.cositaspdx.com/), Etsy (https://www.etsy.com/shop/cositaspdx) Thanks to our Presenting Partner, Constant Contact, for supporting us and all small businesses this season. Visit www.constantcontact.com/unique (https://www.constantcontact.com/unique) for our exclusive deal to save up to 40% off annual fees for life! SOS with Sonja Rasula is produced, edited, and engineered by Sherry Guo (https://www.sherryguo.com/)

Julia Walck is a collage artist who recently left her job to run her business full time. She makes colorful, retro-reminiscent products such as coasters and wrapping paper, and sells her art prints through her website and in a handful of shops. Business is on the up! But Julia is struggling with making video content for social media and wants to expand into more retailers. Sonja gives her insights about how to approach video in manageable and repeatable formats, to avoid feeling overwhelmed. And she gives some much needed advice on hyping yourself up as a successful entrepreneur. Lifeline Links:  Sonja's Instagram (http://www.instagram.com/sonjarasula) & Newsletter Work in Progress (https://open.substack.com/pub/sonjarasula?r=gqk8e&utm_medium=ios)  Julia Walck Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/juliawalck/), Website (https://www.juliawalck.com/)  Thanks to our Presenting Partner, Constant Contact, for supporting us and all small businesses this season. Visit www.constantcontact.com/unique (https://www.constantcontact.com/unique) for our exclusive deal to save up to 40% off annual fees for life! SOS with Sonja Rasula is produced, edited, and engineered by Sherry Guo (https://www.sherryguo.com/)

This episode is jam-packed with e-commerce and social media advice, especially for all those who struggle with having to be “the face” of a business while running said business (um, that’s all of us right?!). Today’s guest, Victoria Ann Meyers, runs her jewelry brand from her home full time and is also a single mom with sole responsibility for her two kids. She’s completed "the checklist" of what to do to have a successful business – an e-commerce website, social media, email lists, wholesale clients, and diversified income streams – but is not seeing enough sales to make a full time salary. She’s having trouble bridging the gap between connecting with people on Instagram and converting them into customers. She hopes Sonja is going to give her tips to increase web traffic, because basic logic says more traffic to a website will increase sales… not if the homepage isn’t great! Sonja instead identifies issues in Victoria’s social media presence and shows how to improve her website by “storytelling, not selling." Lifeline Links: Sonja's Instagram (http://www.instagram.com/sonjarasula) & Newsletter Work in Progress (https://open.substack.com/pub/sonjarasula?r=gqk8e&utm_medium=ios)Victoria Ann Meyers Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/victoriaannmeyers), Website (https://www.victoriaannmeyers.com/)Thanks to our Presenting Partner, Constant Contact, for supporting us and all small businesses this season. Visit www.constantcontact.com/unique (https://www.constantcontact.com/unique) for our exclusive deal to save up to 40% off annual fees for life! SOS with Sonja Rasula is produced, edited, and engineered by Sherry Guo (https://www.sherryguo.com/)

Briana Berkowitz started So Many Flowers to plant and grow her very own flower farm here in the US (very rare!), and sell custom-made fresh and dried flower arrangements, floral art and more. But as sales dipped this year, she had to take a full time job… she has no idea which direction to go now, but is passionate about her business and hopes to grow it. But as Sonja says, “passion doesn’t pay the bills!”Her business is at a crucial crossroads and while Briana thinks she needs help with attracting new customers and followers, Sonja instead opens her eyes to the fact that she’s working much harder, not smarter. Listen as she helps Briana examine her sales analytics to narrow down her focus, so her business can thrive while also being less stressful to run, and gives all the tea on how to easily improve her website to attract more sales. Lifeline Links: Sonja's Instagram (http://www.instagram.com/sonjarasula) & Newsletter, Work in Progress (https://open.substack.com/pub/sonjarasula?r=gqk8e&utm_medium=ios)So Many Flowers Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/somanyflowersva), Website (https://www.somanyflowersva.com)Thanks to our Presenting Partner, Constant Contact, for supporting us and all small businesses this season. Visit www.constantcontact.com/unique (https://www.constantcontact.com/unique) for our exclusive deal to save up to 40% off annual fees for life! SOS with Sonja Rasula is produced, edited, and engineered by Sherry Guo (https://www.sherryguo.com/)

We're back - and just in time to help you through the busiest selling season of the year. The first episode of Season 5 of SOS with Sonja Rasula drops Monday Nov 6, with episodes every Monday for the rest of the year! Thanks to our Presenting Partner, Constant Contact, for supporting us and all small businesses this season. Visit www.constantcontact.com/unique (https://www.constantcontact.com/unique) for our exclusive deal to save up to 40% off annual fees for life! SOS with Sonja Rasula is produced, edited, and engineered in by Sherry Guo (https://www.sherryguo.com/)

Looking for a way to grow your follower count? Well now’s the time to get REEL because there has never been a social media tool as powerful as Reels! Tune in to learn all the tangible tips and tricks to best utilize Instagram Reels from social media expert Taylor Loren.This whole episode is dedicated to social media and Reels because since the algorithms and their pay-to-play model, it’s been next to impossible to truly and organically grow your followers! But with Reels, anyone can attract new eyeballs - and new eyeballs means new customers! If you’re an entrepreneur this episode is Reely important!And EXCLUSIVELY for our podcast listeners get $100 off Taylor’s Reels course with the offer code SOSPOD applied at check-out on thereelscourse.co (https://www.taylorloren.co/courses/instagram-reels-course). Also, check out the amazing resources Taylor mentioned during this episode that can help you craft the perfect your Reels:InShot (https://inshot.com/) - Edit Reels with easeCanva (https://www.canva.com/) - Easily design your Reels covers Lifeline Links: Sonja’s Instagram (http://www.instagram.com/sonjarasula), YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkslsuUNyaQeOUGgyLPj0BQ/videos)Taylor Loren Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/taylor.loren/?hl=en), Website (https://www.taylorloren.co/)The Reels Course Website (https://www.taylorloren.co/courses/instagram-reels-course)Reels Tips Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/reelstips/?hl=en)Let SOS save you money! Click here (https://www.constantcontact.com/sos) to save 30% on email marketing with constant contact!SOS with Sonja Rasula is produced in sunny Los Angeles by Heidi Roodvoets (https://www.instagram.com/heidiroodvoets/), and engineered and edited by Zach Schwartz (https://www.instagram.com/djlmnop/).

How to get great press is one of the most asked about topics, and for good reason… Getting press mentions can help make your business, and that’s why it’s so important for entrepreneurs to know how and what to pitch to the media. In this episode, Sonja sits down with Karin Eldor, a senior contributor at Forbes whose writing focuses on founders, creatives, and visionaries. Can you DM an editor? How many times should you follow up before sounding like a stalker? How long should an email pitch be? Get your notebooks ready because Karin is ready to answer your questions, share examples of the best and worst pitches she’s ever received, and she’ll share about her new Ebook How To Get Press: It Takes One Yes.Lifeline Links: Sonja’s Instagram (http://www.instagram.com/sonjarasula), YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkslsuUNyaQeOUGgyLPj0BQ/videos)Karin Eldor Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/alwayskarin/?hl=en), Website (http://www.alwayskarin.com/) Let SOS save you money! Click here (https://www.constantcontact.com/sos) to save 30% on email marketing with constant contact!SOS with Sonja Rasula is produced in sunny Los Angeles by Heidi Roodvoets (https://www.instagram.com/heidiroodvoets/), and engineered and edited by Zach Schwartz (https://www.instagram.com/djlmnop/).

With zero algorithms blocking your content and limiting your reach, email marketing is by far the best way to increase sales with very little effort. So Sonja went straight to the source for this episode to give you the best advice out there! Dave Charest, Director of Content Marketing at Constant Contact, will help you save time, make more money, and learn to automate tasks. Um, yes please!!!Dave spills the tea on how to build your email list, the three must haves in every email, and he shares some mind-blowing stats proving just how powerful email marketing can be. So grab your notebook for this one and let’s dive in!Lifeline Links: Sonja’s Instagram (http://www.instagram.com/sonjarasula), YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkslsuUNyaQeOUGgyLPj0BQ/videos)Constant Contact: Homepage (https://www.constantcontact.com/?_ga=2.129877450.712843607.1644534590-0dbf2dd4-ed13-471c-8149-1c693f3563ee&_gl=1*hjav5n*_ga*MGRiZjJkZDQtZWQxMy00NzFjLTgxNDktMWM2OTNmMzU2M2Vl*_ga_14T5LGLSQ3*MTY0NDUzNDU4OS40LjAuMTY0NDUzNDU4OS42MA..) Let SOS save you money! Click here (https://www.constantcontact.com/sos) to save 30% on email marketing with constant contact! SOS with Sonja Rasula is produced in sunny Los Angeles by Heidi Roodvoets (https://www.instagram.com/heidiroodvoets/), and engineered and edited by Zach Schwartz (https://www.instagram.com/djlmnop/).

It is time to face your money! Join Sonja and this episode’s guest Paco de Leon, a financial advisor and author of the new book Finance for the People: Getting a Grip on Your Finances, for a candid conversation about managing your money and facing your financial fears. All the amazing tips, advice, and real-talk in this episode will help you come out on top – even though the current financial system may not have been designed with you in mind. It’s all about empowerment! Also, check out the amazing resources Paco mentioned during this episode that can help you face your finances:  Tiller (https://www.tillerhq.com/) - A subscription service that organizes all of your finances into spreadsheets for youYNAB: You Need A Budget (https://www.youneedabudget.com/) - Budgeting software that helps you budget and save moneyPersonal Capital (https://www.personalcapital.com/) - An app that tracks your net worthUnbury.me (https://unbury.me/) - Free loan calculator that helps you find the optimal plan to pay off your debtsLifeline Links: Sonja’s Instagram (http://www.instagram.com/sonjarasula), YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkslsuUNyaQeOUGgyLPj0BQ/videos)Paco de Leon Newsletter (https://thehellyeahgroup.com/thenerdletter)The Hell Yeah Group Website (https://thehellyeahgroup.com/)Hell Yeah, Bookkeeping Website (https://www.hellyeahbk.com/)Let SOS save you money! Click here (https://www.constantcontact.com/sos) to save 30% on email marketing with constant contact! SOS with Sonja Rasula is produced in sunny Los Angeles by Heidi Roodvoets (https://www.instagram.com/heidiroodvoets/), and engineered and edited by Zach Schwartz (https://www.instagram.com/djlmnop/).

In today’s episode Sonja’s friend Ginger Siegel, North America Small Business Lead at Mastercard, throws down major gems to help your business! Because of her role at the massive brand, Ginger is able to bring us her global perspective of small biz trends, shares how you can better protect your business, and we dive deep into the world of digitization to help save you time and money – allowing you to grow your business faster and smarter!Lifeline Links: Sonja’s Instagram (http://www.instagram.com/sonjarasula), YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkslsuUNyaQeOUGgyLPj0BQ/videos)Ginger Siegel Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/ginger.siegel/?hl=en)Mastercard Digital Doors Program Website (https://www.mastercard.us/en-us/business/overview/grow-your-business/digital-curriculum.html)Mastercard’s Trust Program for Cyber Security Education Website (https://www.mastercard.us/en-us/business/overview/safety-and-security/cyber-security.html)Let SOS save you money! Click here (https://www.constantcontact.com/sos) to save 30% on email marketing with constant contact!SOS with Sonja Rasula is produced in sunny Los Angeles by Heidi Roodvoets (https://www.instagram.com/heidiroodvoets/), and engineered and edited by Zach Schwartz (https://www.instagram.com/djlmnop/).

Who else has put off legal-type tasks because “lawyers”? In this episode Grant Atkinson, the founder of Framework Law Group and the most un-lawyery lawyer you will ever meet, drops by the studio to share some seriously VITAL information about all those legal matters your small business needs but that you may have been avoiding. Grant explains the difference between various business entities, why it’s important to have lawyer-approved contracts, and how to tackle your legal necessities without being intimidated. Plus, you’ll hear about the entrepreneurial journey that led him to leave the corporate legal system and start his own firm that specializes in working with small businesses and artists.Lifeline Links: Sonja’s Instagram (http://www.instagram.com/sonjarasula), YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkslsuUNyaQeOUGgyLPj0BQ/videos)Grant Atkinson Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/grantkinson/?hl=en)Framework Law Group Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/frameworklawgroup/?hl=en), Website (http://www.frameworklawgroup.com/) Framework Law Group Legal Kit Website (https://www.frameworklegalkit.com/)Let SOS save you money! Click here (https://www.constantcontact.com/sos) to save 30% on email marketing with constant contact! SOS with Sonja Rasula is produced in sunny Los Angeles by Heidi Roodvoets (https://www.instagram.com/heidiroodvoets/), and engineered and edited by Zach Schwartz (https://www.instagram.com/djlmnop/).

Here on SOS we are always rooting for all our guests, so we are very pleased to present this special bonus episode featuring Llance Kezner of Millie's Sipping Broth and Krystyl Wright of Lot XI! Tune in as Sonja welcomes these very special season 2 guests, who have recently had some exciting company growth since being on the podcast!   Lifeline Links: Sonja's Instagram (http://www.instagram.com/sonjarasula), YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkslsuUNyaQeOUGgyLPj0BQ/videos), Twitter (http://www.twitter.com/sonjarasula) Millie's Sipping Broth Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/sippingbroths/), Website (https://www.keeplifetasty.com/milliessippingbroth) Lot XI Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/lot_xi/), Website (https://www.lotxi.com/) SOS with Sonja Rasula is produced in sunny Los Angeles by Heidi Roodvoets (https://www.instagram.com/heidiroodvoets/) and engineered and edited by Zach Schwartz (https://www.instagram.com/djlmnop/).

After years of working for household recognized fashion brands, Melissa Velia launched her own company selling scrunchies, belts, and ties -- all of which she handmakes. Even though her products are amazing Melissa's product photography is outdated and Sonja thinks she should be making double or triple what her annual revenues are. In order to compete in a very very crowded ecommerce space Melissa needs Sonja's help to revamp her product styling, photography, and essentially her whole website! Along with her marketing, Sonja provides expert advice on how to move off Etsy to an improved website, and how to express brand style expertly through photography. And for the people in the back, make sure you stay tuned for Sonja's Top Takeaways at the end of the episode! Lifeline Links:Sonja's Instagram (http://www.instagram.com/sonjarasula), YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkslsuUNyaQeOUGgyLPj0BQ/videos), Twitter (http://www.twitter.com/sonjarasula)Melissa Velia Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/melissavelia/), Website (https://melissa-velia.myshopify.com/pages/about-us)SOS with Sonja Rasula is produced in sunny Los Angeles by Heidi Roodvoets (https://www.instagram.com/heidiroodvoets/) and engineered and edited by Zach Schwartz (https://www.instagram.com/djlmnop/). 

So many people have become entrepreneurs during COVID or because of it! One of these new entrepreneurs is Maria Varela, who's business My Layover Box, was founded in March 2020, RIGHT BEFORE we went into lock down! Not great timing for a company based on the joy of traveling. Pandemic or not, the business has barely sold anything. As a fledgling company, Maria needs immediate help to change her business model before it's too late! Listen as Sonja helps Maria broaden her customer base, change her business model, and essentially lay a new foundation for her company!   Lifeline Links: Sonja's Instagram (http://www.instagram.com/sonjarasula), YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkslsuUNyaQeOUGgyLPj0BQ/videos), Twitter (http://www.twitter.com/sonjarasula) My Layover Box Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/my.layoverbox/), Website (http://www.mylayoverbox.com) SOS with Sonja Rasula is produced in sunny Los Angeles by Heidi Roodvoets (https://www.instagram.com/heidiroodvoets/) and engineered and edited by Zach Schwartz (https://www.instagram.com/djlmnop/).

At first glance Dear Joie looks picture perfect, but if you look deeper you'll notice that you would never know who actually runs the company; there's no "About Us" page or founder story anywhere! This may be why Dear Joie founder Amanda Delos Reyes, is not making as many sales as she should be. Amanda needs Sonja's encouragement to share her founder story to give her brand "heart" and to increase sales. And while Amanda wants her brand to express joy and be more than just the stationary and jewelry that she sells, she needs Sonja's help to realize that SHE is the brand. Make sure you stay tuned for Sonja's Top Takeaways at the end of the episode!   Lifeline Links: Sonja's Instagram (http://www.instagram.com/sonjarasula), YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkslsuUNyaQeOUGgyLPj0BQ/videos), Twitter (http://www.twitter.com/sonjarasula) Dear Joie Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/dearjoie/), Website (https://dearjoie.com)   SOS with Sonja Rasula is produced in sunny Los Angeles by Heidi Roodvoets (https://www.instagram.com/heidiroodvoets/) and engineered and edited by Zach Schwartz (https://www.instagram.com/djlmnop/).  

Don't listen to the hype, it's 2021, you don't have to be a 'starving artist'! Whitney Manney is an incredible fashion designer and artist, selling everything from handmade jackets to scarves and fanny packs. Whitney's sales grew since 2020, #ThanksCOVID, but she has SO MANY PRODUCTS and needs Sonja's help simplifying the website's user experience. Listen in as Sonja gives the best tips on how to improve your website's interface to increase sales, how to write better product descriptions that draw customers in, and how to stop thinking small in order to grow big.   Lifeline Links: Sonja's Instagram (http://www.instagram.com/sonjarasula), YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkslsuUNyaQeOUGgyLPj0BQ/videos), Twitter (http://www.twitter.com/sonjarasula) Whitney Manney Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/whitneymanney/), Website (https://www.whitneymanney.com/) SOS with Sonja Rasula is produced in sunny Los Angeles by Heidi Roodvoets (https://www.instagram.com/heidiroodvoets/) and engineered and edited by Zach Schwartz (https://www.instagram.com/djlmnop/).