My favorite snippet from Steph in this interview… “Running a business is very simple. You need a way for people to pay you, and you need to solve a problem for people. That’s it,“
In this episode, I chat with fellow business owner Steph Blake about her business and innovative Simple Business Suite software. Hear the unique approach Steph takes in marketing her business, getting in front of new audiences, and overcoming the fear of competition in a crowded marketplace.
Timestamps
00:57 Steph’s Business Overview
01:43 Simplifying Business Tech
03:31 Marketing Strategies and Collaborations
08:43 Overcoming Business Obstacles
12:57 Creating and Customizing Software Solutions
Connect with Steph
Simple Business School: SimpleBizSchool.com
Website: The Blake Collective
Simple Business Suite: SimpleBizSuite.com
Listen On Apple Podcasts
Listen on Spotify
Watch the Podcast or Read the Post Below
Steph’s business philosophy revolves around one core principle: simplicity is best. After spending years as a virtual assistant and agency owner, she recognized a common pain point among entrepreneurs – technology overwhelm.
“I found a lot of people, especially people who are not familiar with tech or who don’t really enjoy setting up the tech, get really frustrated and overwhelmed when they’re trying to piece all of these different tools together,” Steph explains.
This realization led her to create the Simple Business Suite, an all-in-one software solution that combines essential business tools: websites, email marketing, course creation, membership management, community building, CRM, calendar scheduling, contracts, proposals, payment collection, and automations.
Overcoming Market Saturation
When asked about entering a crowded marketplace, Steph shared a powerful perspective that applies to any business owner facing competition:
“It doesn’t matter what’s out there, the way that I create it and the way that I present it is unique to me. They’re not getting me in the mix… they don’t get access to me and my brain, my strategies, my unique way of doing things.”
This mindset helped Steph build confidence in her offerings despite the abundance of existing tools. She emphasizes not just marketing simplicity but living it – creating authentic alignment between her messaging and her operations.
Marketing Through Relationships
Steph’s marketing strategy focuses primarily on two channels:
- Email marketing to her established list
- Collaborative efforts including podcast interviews, summits, and speaking engagements
“I truly find that when you can get in front of other audiences, that is the fastest way to grow your business because you’re not starting from scratch,” she shares.
For entrepreneurs trying to determine their own collaboration strategy, Steph recommends starting with what you naturally enjoy. If you like to talk, consider podcasts, summits, or speaking events. If not, explore other options like bundles, joint ventures, or partnerships.
The One-Thing Challenge
Perhaps the most valuable insight Steph shared is the importance of focus. She frequently encounters entrepreneurs who resist simplification, believing they need multiple offers to succeed.
“A lot of people say, ‘I can’t only sell one thing. I can’t simplify my business. That won’t work for me.’ And the truth is that, yes, it can,” Steph explains, pointing to companies like Amazon (books), Chipotle (burritos), and Nike (running shoes) that started with singular focus.
Why do entrepreneurs struggle to focus? Steph identifies two key factors:
- Constant distraction from social media and marketing messages
- Fear of not achieving goals quickly enough
Her recommendation? Commit to one offer for a minimum of six months, ideally a year. “On average it takes 90 days for you to market something,” she explains, as people need time to discover your offer and warm up to purchasing.
From Problem to Product
Steph’s journey to creating the Simple Business Suite began with solving her own problem. She was spending over $1,000 monthly on various tools, with her email marketing solution alone costing $500 per month.
“I had this graveyard of tools that either I was not using or if I was using them, they were just way too expensive,” she recalls.
After building a solution for herself, she mentioned it casually during coaching calls, and clients immediately expressed interest. What started as a personal solution evolved into a valuable business offering that helps entrepreneurs escape tech overwhelm.
The Takeaway
The key takeaway Steph hopes listeners remember is that “simple is best.” She emphasizes that simplicity doesn’t have to be overwhelming or complicated.
“Running a business is very simple. You need a way for people to pay you, and you need to solve a problem for people. That’s it,” she explains.
For coaches, that might mean just three tools… Zoom for calls, Stripe for payments, and a contract solution. Entrepreneurs often overcomplicate business in their minds, creating unnecessary obstacles to success.
