Lynn Rivest is the Founder of Lynn Rivest Consulting, a firm specializing in helping small service-based business founders define profitable positioning to attract high-value clients. With over 23 years of experience in digital marketing and strategy, Lynn has worked extensively with founders to refine their messaging, improve client acquisition, and streamline their business models for maximum revenue. Her approach combines simplicity and focus, enabling businesses to gain clarity and stand out in competitive markets.

Positioning your business in a crowded marketplace can feel overwhelming. How do you ensure your message stands out and reaches the right audience?

According to Lynn Rivest, a digital strategist and business advisor, positioning is about defining your business’s unique value and ensuring it resonates with the right audience. She highlights that without clear positioning, businesses often struggle to explain their value, leading to missed opportunities and ineffective marketing. Positioning acts as a guide for all business decisions, from product offerings to marketing strategies, and helps you focus on what matters most to your ideal clients. Lynn emphasizes that strong positioning not only amplifies your message but also saves time, resources, and money by attracting the right clients and simplifying other aspects of business, like referrals and messaging.

In this episode of the Financial Clarity podcast, host Hannah Smolinski sits down with Lynn Rivest, Founder of Lynn Rivest Consulting, to discuss strategic positioning and differentiation for small businesses. They explore why positioning is essential for standing out, how it amplifies business decisions, and why differentiation is critical for success. Lynn also shares insights on identifying and serving your ideal clients while implementing positioning strategies effectively.

Mark Wainwright is the Principal Consultant and Founder of Wainwright Insight, a firm specializing in fractional sales management and consulting for professional services firms. With over seven years of experience, Mark focuses on helping businesses refine their sales pipelines, build future sales leaders, and create client-centric sales processes. He is also the co-host of the Breaking BizDev podcast, where he explores the intersection of sales, marketing, and business development for professional services.

What’s the secret to turning technical professionals into confident sales leaders? For many service-based businesses, the line between delivering exceptional work and securing new clients can feel blurry — if not overwhelming. How can businesses build a sales process that is both strategic and empathetic while maintaining the integrity of their craft?

According to Mark Wainwright, a fractional sales management consultant and expert in professional services sales, the key lies in structured and client-centric sales processes. He highlights that great sales aren’t about being pushy but about curiosity and inquiry. By teaching technical professionals to approach sales as an organized and logical process, they can develop confidence and achieve better outcomes. Mark’s framework — Create, Choreograph, and Contract — guides businesses in proactively identifying opportunities, orchestrating seamless sales conversations, and establishing solid agreements, ensuring long-term success.

In this episode of Financial Clarity, host Hannah Smolinski sits down with Mark Wainwright, Principal Consultant and Founder of Wainwright Insight, to discuss building a sustainable and healthy sales pipeline. They explore Mark’s insights on empowering technical professionals, the importance of realistic pipeline management, and how to overcome common misconceptions about sales. Mark also shares actionable strategies for staying solo while scaling impact effectively.

Jackie Meyer is the Founder and President of TaxPlanIQ, a software platform that equips tax advisors with tools to streamline tax planning and maximize client savings. A CPA with extensive experience, Jackie previously owned an award-winning CPA firm and developed the ROI Method of Value Pricing to align services with client value. She is also an educator and speaker focused on improving financial literacy and efficiency for professionals and small businesses.

Are you paying more taxes than you should? Many business owners assume their CPA or tax preparer has every deduction and strategy covered, but the truth is tax planning often goes beyond the basics. What strategies can keep more money in your pocket while staying compliant with the law?

According to Jackie Meyer, a pioneering tax strategist and educator, true tax planning is about going beyond simple projections to uncover actionable strategies that minimize liabilities. She highlights the importance of asking the right questions when engaging a CPA, such as whether they offer advanced tax strategies or attend ongoing education. By focusing on proactive, ROI-driven planning, individuals and businesses can save tens of thousands of dollars annually.

In this episode of the Financial Clarity podcast, host Hannah Smolinski hosts Jackie Meyer, Founder and President of TaxPlanIQ, to discuss actionable tax planning strategies that save money and increase value. They cover the critical differences between tax preparation and planning, how to identify when tax planning is worth the investment, and practical tips for finding the right tax professional. Jackie also shares insights into value pricing and how it transforms client relationships and CPA practices.