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Make Space For More

Make Space For More

Melissa Swink

"Make Space for More" with Melissa Swink invites you into the world of entrepreneurial transformation, where Melissa shares her remarkable journey from overwhelmed solopreneur to thriving business leader. As the founder and CEO of a virtual assistant services company, Melissa intimately understands the challenges of building and scaling a business. Join Melissa each week as she unveils the blueprint to success, centered around her signature "Make Space for More" framework. Through practical advice, personal anecdotes, and expert insights, Melissa guides you through the five essential steps to growth and sustainability: defining your CEO role, decluttering your business, implementing efficient systems, building a powerhouse team, and authentically scaling your operations. Whether you're trapped in the cycle of overwork or striving to maximize your business's potential, "Make Space for More" equips you with the tools and mindset shifts needed to thrive in today's competitive landscape. Subscribe now and embark on a journey towards greater time freedom, profitability, and fulfillment in your entrepreneurial endeavors.
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Top 10 Make Space For More Episodes

Goodpods has curated a list of the 10 best Make Space For More episodes, ranked by the number of listens and likes each episode have garnered from our listeners. If you are listening to Make Space For More for the first time, there's no better place to start than with one of these standout episodes. If you are a fan of the show, vote for your favorite Make Space For More episode by adding your comments to the episode page.

Make Space For More - 5 Goals a Virtual Assistant Can Help You Achieve
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02/18/25 • 23 min

Episode Summary

In this episode of the Make Space for More podcast, host Melissa Swink discusses five common goals that virtual assistants can help leaders achieve. These goals include increasing revenue, achieving work-life balance, learning new skills, improving health and wellness, and building work relationships. Each goal is explored in-depth, with practical examples of how virtual assistants can provide support, streamline tasks, and ultimately help you reach each goal.

Key Highlights:

  • Reverse-engineer your goals by working backward to see how you can get support to reach each of them.
  • Virtual assistants can help you make more money, improve your work/life balance, learn new skills, improve your health, and deepen professional relationships.

About Melissa:

Melissa Swink, Founder & CEO of Melissa Swink & Co., has a team of virtual assistants who provide administrative and marketing support for small businesses and non-profits.

Since 2012, Melissa and her team have helped more than 100 businesses grow through the services they offer, and she is dedicated to helping entrepreneurs create profitable, scalable businesses they love.

Her work is all about doing what works (and eliminating what doesn’t) and driving real, measurable results. Visit www.melissaswink.com to learn more!

Thanks for listening!

If you enjoyed this episode and think that others could benefit from listening, please share it using the social media buttons on this page. Do you have some feedback or questions about this episode? Leave a comment in the section below!

Subscribe to the podcast

If you would like to get automatic updates of new podcast episodes, you can subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts or Stitcher. You can also subscribe in your favorite podcast app.

Leave us an Apple Podcast review

Ratings and reviews from our listeners are really valuable and greatly appreciated. They help our podcast rank higher on Apple Podcasts, which exposes our show to more awesome listeners like you. If you have a minute, please leave an honest review.

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How much time do you spend on manual, repetitive computer tasks in your business? The answer may surprise you. In today’s episode of “Make Space for More,” Melissa Swink discusses the third step of the Make Space for More framework, which is to simplify and automate your business.

Melissa highlights the negative impact of manual work on business owner productivity and teaches how to use tools and resources to streamline and automate repetitive tasks. Work smarter - not harder! Listen to hear examples of how apps, software, checklists, templates, and standard operating procedures (SOPs) can be used to simplify and automate business processes, setting you up for successful delegation down the line. Don’t miss this episode if you want to learn how to buy back hours of your time by identifying repeatable processes and making them more efficient!

Key Highlights:

  • Manual work reduces your ability to make an impact on your business.
  • Simplifying and automating business processes can save time and increase efficiency.
  • Tools like apps, software, checklists, templates, and SOPs can be used to streamline and automate tasks.
  • Making a list of repeatable processes and finding ways to simplify and automate them is a crucial step in growing and scaling a business.

About Melissa:

Melissa Swink, Founder & CEO of Melissa Swink & Co., has a team of virtual assistants who provide administrative and marketing support for small businesses and non-profits.

Since 2012, Melissa and her team have helped more than 100 businesses grow through the services they offer, and she is dedicated to helping entrepreneurs create profitable, scalable businesses they love.

Her work is all about doing what works (and eliminating what doesn’t) and driving real, measurable results. Visit www.melissaswink.com to learn more!

Thanks for listening!

If you enjoyed this episode and think that others could benefit from listening, please share it using the social media buttons on this page. Do you have some feedback or questions about this episode? Leave a comment in the section below!

Subscribe to the podcast

If you would like to get automatic updates of new podcast episodes, you can subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts or Stitcher. You can also subscribe in your favorite podcast app.

Leave us an Apple Podcast review

Ratings and reviews from our listeners are really valuable and greatly appreciated. They help our podcast rank higher on Apple Podcasts, which exposes our show to more awesome listeners like you. If you have a minute, please leave an honest review.

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Make Space For More - Your Business is Limited if You’re a Solopreneur
play

05/07/24 • 12 min

Dive into the inaugural episode of “Make Space for More”! In this episode, Melissa Swink shares her journey of starting and growing her Virtual Assistant Services company, Melissa Swink & Co. She explains the challenges she faced as a solopreneur starting out, as well as the limitations any business owner faces when they operate all on their own. Melissa then walks listeners through how she transitioned to working with a team and the BIG benefits it brought to her business! She highlights the opportunities created for clients and team members, the ability to focus on her role as a CEO, and the scalability of her business. Melissa also gives a teaser of future episodes, where she will discuss her growth framework and overcoming obstacles in business. Don’t miss it!

Key Highlights:

  • Many small businesses in the United States are solopreneurs, operating without staff.
  • Operating solo can limit income and time freedom.
  • Working with a team can create more opportunities for clients and team members.
  • Transitioning to a team-based model allows the CEO to focus on growing the business.
  • Investing in systems and team members can lead to financial rewards and time freedom.

About Melissa:

Melissa Swink, Founder & CEO of Melissa Swink & Co., has a team of virtual assistants who provide administrative and marketing support for small businesses and non-profits.

Since 2012, Melissa and her team have helped more than 100 businesses grow through the services they offer, and she is dedicated to helping entrepreneurs create profitable, scalable businesses they love.

Her work is all about doing what works (and eliminating what doesn’t) and driving real, measurable results. Visit www.melissaswink.com to learn more!

Thanks for listening!

If you enjoyed this episode and think that others could benefit from listening, please share it using the social media buttons on this page. Do you have some feedback or questions about this episode? Leave a comment in the section below!

Subscribe to the podcast

If you would like to get automatic updates of new podcast episodes, you can subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts or Stitcher. You can also subscribe in your favorite podcast app.

Leave us an Apple Podcast review

Ratings and reviews from our listeners are really valuable and greatly appreciated. They help our podcast rank higher on Apple Podcasts, which exposes our show to more awesome listeners like you. If you have a minute, please leave an honest review.

bookmark
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Make Space For More - How to Scale Your Business Without Working More Hours
play

05/07/24 • 25 min

Join Melissa Swink in the latest episode of “Make Space for More” as she delves into the challenges and triumphs of scaling a business. Melissa discusses her initial hesitation to build a team and empathizes with other entrepreneurs who face the same fear. She then covers the importance of making investments so you can scale, putting effort into areas like team building, technology upgrades, and business coaching. Going deeper into her team-building process, Melissa shares how to delegate tasks, starting small with as little as an hour per day, so business owners can focus on strategic business responsibilities. Tune in to get practical insights on outsourcing and creating team efficiencies, so you can expand your business while achieving time freedom!

Key Highlights:

  • Overcoming resistance to hiring and prioritizing client needs are central to scaling a business.
  • Essential growth steps include investing in a team, advanced software, and expert coaching.
  • Starting small with outsourcing disliked tasks can lead to significant business autonomy.
  • Building a reliable team is vital for distributing workload and enhancing client response times.
  • Focusing on 'golden eggs'—key profit-generating aspects of the business—ensures sustained growth.

About Melissa:

Melissa Swink, Founder & CEO of Melissa Swink & Co., has a team of virtual assistants who provide administrative and marketing support for small businesses and non-profits.

Since 2012, Melissa and her team have helped more than 100 businesses grow through the services they offer, and she is dedicated to helping entrepreneurs create profitable, scalable businesses they love.

Her work is all about doing what works (and eliminating what doesn’t) and driving real, measurable results. Visit www.melissaswink.com to learn more!

Thanks for listening!

If you enjoyed this episode and think that others could benefit from listening, please share it using the social media buttons on this page. Do you have some feedback or questions about this episode? Leave a comment in the section below!

Subscribe to the podcast

If you would like to get automatic updates of new podcast episodes, you can subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts or Stitcher. You can also subscribe in your favorite podcast app.

Leave us an Apple Podcast review

Ratings and reviews from our listeners are really valuable and greatly appreciated. They help our podcast rank higher on Apple Podcasts, which exposes our show to more awesome listeners like you. If you have a minute, please leave an honest review.

bookmark
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share episode
Make Space For More - What to Do if You Can’t Afford to Hire a Team
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05/07/24 • 19 min

Join Melissa Swink as she addresses common objections that she hears from business owners about hiring a team and investing in systems to streamline their operations. Most say that they can’t afford to hire team members or invest in systems, and they don’t have time to train or implement! You’ll learn from real-life stories of business owners who took the leap, including how they made it work from a financial standpoint. Melissa also reveals her strategic approach to financial management using the Profit First system, which enabled her to invest profits wisely back into her business, prioritizing team growth over personal salary temporarily. This episode also touches on practical tips for those preparing for significant life changes, like maternity leave, highlighting the importance of documentation, process sharing, and leveraging experienced hires to maintain business operations. Tune in to discover how structured financial planning and embracing systemized operations can lead to sustainable business growth and personal peace of mind.

Key Highlights:

  • Business owners need to overcome financial fears and invest in growth tools like software and essential team members.
  • Implementing a centralized project management system enhances team productivity and ensures alignment on deliverables.
  • Learn how Melissa uses the Profit First system for effective cash flow management, enabling reinvestment in team growth.
  • Documentation of processes and using tools like Loom aids in consistent training and efficient task delegation.
  • Strategic financial planning, including setting aside funds for taxes and expenses, supports sustained business expansion.

About Melissa:

Melissa Swink, Founder & CEO of Melissa Swink & Co., has a team of virtual assistants who provide administrative and marketing support for small businesses and non-profits.

Since 2012, Melissa and her team have helped more than 100 businesses grow through the services they offer, and she is dedicated to helping entrepreneurs create profitable, scalable businesses they love.

Her work is all about doing what works (and eliminating what doesn’t) and driving real, measurable results. Visit www.melissaswink.com to learn more!

Thanks for listening!

If you enjoyed this episode and think that others could benefit from listening, please share it using the social media buttons on this page. Do you have some feedback or questions about this episode? Leave a comment in the section below!

Subscribe to the podcast

If you would like to get automatic updates of new podcast episodes, you can subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts or Stitcher. You can also subscribe in your favorite podcast app.

Leave us an Apple Podcast review

Ratings and reviews from our listeners are really valuable and greatly appreciated. They help our podcast rank higher on Apple Podcasts, which exposes our show to more awesome listeners like you. If you have a minute, please leave an honest review.

bookmark
plus icon
share episode

Episode Summary

In this episode of the Make Space for More podcast, Melissa Swink discusses the seven signs that hint at the fact that you might not be ready to work with a virtual assistant or build a team. She emphasizes the importance of recognizing personal readiness, overcoming cashflow challenges, prioritizing relationships, and establishing clear goals. The conversation also touches on the need for organization and trust in hiring processes, providing you with actionable insights to prepare for successful team building!

Key Highlights:

  • Building a team can make your business more enjoyable and manageable.
  • There are stages to hiring; you don't have to jump in fully.
  • You need to be ready to embrace a new role in your business.
  • Trust issues with delegation can stem from past experiences that need to be addressed.
  • Start where you are and take steps to prepare for hiring.

About Melissa:

Melissa Swink, Founder & CEO of Melissa Swink & Co., has a team of virtual assistants who provide administrative and marketing support for small businesses and non-profits.

Since 2012, Melissa and her team have helped more than 100 businesses grow through the services they offer, and she is dedicated to helping entrepreneurs create profitable, scalable businesses they love.

Her work is all about doing what works (and eliminating what doesn’t) and driving real, measurable results. Visit www.melissaswink.com to learn more!

Thanks for listening!

If you enjoyed this episode and think that others could benefit from listening, please share it using the social media buttons on this page. Do you have some feedback or questions about this episode? Leave a comment in the section below!

Subscribe to the podcast

If you would like to get automatic updates of new podcast episodes, you can subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts or Stitcher. You can also subscribe in your favorite podcast app.

Leave us an Apple Podcast review

Ratings and reviews from our listeners are really valuable and greatly appreciated. They help our podcast rank higher on Apple Podcasts, which exposes our show to more awesome listeners like you. If you have a minute, please leave an honest review.

bookmark
plus icon
share episode
Make Space For More - Six Hidden Time-Wasters in Your Business
play

07/09/24 • 25 min

Episode Summary

Are you struggling to keep up with everything on your to-do list? Do you ever get to the end of a workday and wonder what you actually accomplished?

In this podcast episode, Melissa Swink discusses the six hidden time-wasting activities that can dilute your results and keep you from reaching your goals. After defining each of the six time-waters, Melissa talks about the importance of spending time on impactful work that creates results. Tune in to learn how you can save time and increase your productivity!

Key Highlights:

  • Spending time on impactful work is crucial for achieving business goals.
  • Identify and eliminate busy work that can be streamlined, automated, or delegated.
  • Minimize time spent on the six time-wasting activities.
  • Focus on quality over quantity when it comes to your work hours.

About Our Guest:

About Melissa:

Melissa Swink, Founder & CEO of Melissa Swink & Co., has a team of virtual assistants who provide administrative and marketing support for small businesses and non-profits.

Since 2012, Melissa and her team have helped more than 100 businesses grow through the services they offer, and she is dedicated to helping entrepreneurs create profitable, scalable businesses they love.

Her work is all about doing what works (and eliminating what doesn’t) and driving real, measurable results. Visit www.melissaswink.com to learn more!

Thanks for listening!

If you enjoyed this episode and think that others could benefit from listening, please share it using the social media buttons on this page. Do you have some feedback or questions about this episode? Leave a comment in the section below!

Subscribe to the podcast

If you would like to get automatic updates of new podcast episodes, you can subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts or Stitcher. You can also subscribe in your favorite podcast app.

Leave us an Apple Podcast review

Ratings and reviews from our listeners are really valuable and greatly appreciated. They help our podcast rank higher on Apple Podcasts, which exposes our show to more awesome listeners like you. If you have a minute, please leave an honest review.

bookmark
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Make Space For More - Embracing Your Strengths to Unlock Your Potential
play

03/18/25 • 43 min

Episode Summary

In this episode of the Make Space for More podcast, Melissa Swink chats with a special guest, Jenni Schubring. They discuss the transformative power of understanding and leveraging your personal strengths in both business and life.

Melissa and Jenni talk about the CliftonStrengths assessment, the importance of coaching, and how recognizing one's strengths can lead to greater self-awareness and fulfillment. The conversation also touches on the significance of setting boundaries, embracing one's role in teams, and shifting the focus from weaknesses to strengths.

Tune in to learn how authenticity can lead to success, the value of collaboration, and the significance of building a culture of strengths awareness within your entire team!

Key Highlights:

  • Cultivating self-awareness is vital for personal growth. Understanding your strengths can transform your life and improve collaboration within teams.
  • Coaching can deepen your understanding of personal and team strengths and expedite growth, helping you align your work with your passions.
  • Setting boundaries and saying “no” when necessary are powerful acts of self-care that maintain harmony and alignment with your personal passions.
  • Embracing individual roles, collaborating effectively, and building trust are essential practices for utilizing team strengths.
  • Effective communication and regular check-ins foster a culture of strengths awareness and improves personal relationships.

About Our Guest:

Jenni Schubring is a Gallup Certified Strengths Coach, speaker, and owner of Embrace Your Story Coaching. Along with her 1:1 coaching, she works with teams, speaks at conferences, and utilizes CliftonStrengths in staff trainings. Jenni lives in Green Bay with her husband of 25 years and is still getting used to having only one of her four children living under her roof.

Offer link: https://embraceyourstory.as.me/virtualstrengths

CODE: MSwink25 for $25 off

About Melissa:

Melissa Swink, Founder & CEO of Melissa Swink & Co., has a team of virtual assistants who provide administrative and marketing support for small businesses and non-profits.

Since 2012, Melissa and her team have helped more than 100 businesses grow through the services they offer, and she is dedicated to helping entrepreneurs create profitable, scalable businesses they love.

Her work is all about doing what works (and eliminating what doesn’t) and driving real, measurable results. Visit www.melissaswink.com to learn more!

Thanks for listening!

If you enjoyed this episode and think that others could benefit from listening, please share it using the social media buttons on this page. Do you have some feedback or questions about this episode? Leave a comment in the section below!

Subscribe to the podcast

If you would like to get automatic updates of new podcast episodes, you can subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts or Stitcher. You can also subscribe in your favorite podcast app.

Leave us an Apple Podcast review

Ratings and reviews from our listeners are really valuable and greatly appreciated. They help our podcast rank higher on Apple Podcasts, which exposes our show to more awesome listeners like you. If you have a minute, please leave an honest review.

bookmark
plus icon
share episode

Episode Summary

In this episode of the Make Space for More podcast, Melissa Swink discusses three key strategies for scaling a service-based business with the help of a virtual assistant (VA). Each of these concepts can be modified if your business sells products. Melissa walks through how to invest strategically in a team, how to turn services into products, ways to replicate successful systems, and how to reach the goal of doubling your revenue. Tune in for actionable insights for business owners looking to grow and scale their organizations.

Key Highlights:

  • Investing in a team is crucial for scalability.
  • Turning services into products can create passive income.
  • A virtual assistant can handle tech and marketing tasks.
  • Standardizing processes helps replicate success.
  • Documenting standard operating procedures is essential.
  • A VA can assist in hiring and onboarding new team members.
  • Increasing prices can lead to higher revenue.
  • Outreach to potential clients can be streamlined with a VA.
  • Creating a course can diversify income streams.

About Melissa:

Melissa Swink, Founder & CEO of Melissa Swink & Co., has a team of virtual assistants who provide administrative and marketing support for small businesses and non-profits.

Since 2012, Melissa and her team have helped more than 100 businesses grow through the services they offer, and she is dedicated to helping entrepreneurs create profitable, scalable businesses they love.

Her work is all about doing what works (and eliminating what doesn’t) and driving real, measurable results. Visit www.melissaswink.com to learn more!

Thanks for listening!

If you enjoyed this episode and think that others could benefit from listening, please share it using the social media buttons on this page. Do you have some feedback or questions about this episode? Leave a comment in the section below!

Subscribe to the podcast

If you would like to get automatic updates of new podcast episodes, you can subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts or Stitcher. You can also subscribe in your favorite podcast app.

Leave us an Apple Podcast review

Ratings and reviews from our listeners are really valuable and greatly appreciated. They help our podcast rank higher on Apple Podcasts, which exposes our show to more awesome listeners like you. If you have a minute, please leave an honest review.

bookmark
plus icon
share episode
Make Space For More - Leveraging Your Team to Create White Space as a CEO
play

02/11/25 • 29 min

Episode Summary

In this episode of the Make Space for More podcast, Melissa Swink discusses the importance of creating “white space” for business owners. This is defined as time to think strategically and innovate, outside of work time and meetings. She shares insights from her own experience and evolution as a business owner, emphasizing the need for delegation and how she uses her team’s support to free up time for higher-level thinking. Melissa also provides examples of tasks that can be handed off to others to enhance productivity and reduce bottlenecks in business operations.

Key Highlights:

  • According to HBR, CEOs spend 72% of their time in meetings.
  • Creating white space is essential for strategic thinking.
  • Delegating tasks can free up time for innovation.
  • Hiring a senior team can alleviate bottlenecks.
  • Regularly auditing your calendar can reveal time wasters.
  • It's important to let go of tasks that don't serve you.
  • Effective delegation leads to better team performance.

About Melissa:

Melissa Swink, Founder & CEO of Melissa Swink & Co., has a team of virtual assistants who provide administrative and marketing support for small businesses and non-profits.

Since 2012, Melissa and her team have helped more than 100 businesses grow through the services they offer, and she is dedicated to helping entrepreneurs create profitable, scalable businesses they love.

Her work is all about doing what works (and eliminating what doesn’t) and driving real, measurable results. Visit www.melissaswink.com to learn more!

Thanks for listening!

If you enjoyed this episode and think that others could benefit from listening, please share it using the social media buttons on this page. Do you have some feedback or questions about this episode? Leave a comment in the section below!

Subscribe to the podcast

If you would like to get automatic updates of new podcast episodes, you can subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts or Stitcher. You can also subscribe in your favorite podcast app.

Leave us an Apple Podcast review

Ratings and reviews from our listeners are really valuable and greatly appreciated. They help our podcast rank higher on Apple Podcasts, which exposes our show to more awesome listeners like you. If you have a minute, please leave an honest review.

bookmark
plus icon
share episode

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FAQ

How many episodes does Make Space For More have?

Make Space For More currently has 48 episodes available.

What topics does Make Space For More cover?

The podcast is about Entrepreneurship, How To, Podcasts, Education and Business.

What is the most popular episode on Make Space For More?

The episode title 'What to Do if You Can’t Afford to Hire a Team' is the most popular.

What is the average episode length on Make Space For More?

The average episode length on Make Space For More is 27 minutes.

How often are episodes of Make Space For More released?

Episodes of Make Space For More are typically released every 7 days.

When was the first episode of Make Space For More?

The first episode of Make Space For More was released on Apr 29, 2024.

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