Creative Entrepreneur: A Podcast For Business Growth and Trending News

In this powerful episode of The Creative Entrepreneur Podcast, Dominick Domasky sits down with legendary entrepreneur, keynote speaker, and sales powerhouse Forbes Riley for a conversation every entrepreneur, author, speaker, and business owner needs to hear.

With more than $2.5 billion in product sales, over 197 infomercials, multiple bestselling books, and decades of experience in media and business, Forbes has built a career around one simple truth:

Life is a pitch.

From networking events to podcasts, from sales calls to social media DMs, every interaction is an opportunity to connect, communicate, and create momentum.

This episode dives deep into what makes a great pitch, why so many people get it wrong, and how mastering communication can transform your business and your life.

Together, Dom and Forbes unpack:

• Why pitching is not about selling but about connection

• How to avoid sounding salesy or scripted

• Why authenticity and confidence matter more than perfection

• The power of tailoring your pitch to the person in front of you

• How to approach high-level opportunities with clarity and confidence

• Why practice creates profit

Forbes shares powerful stories from her journey, including working with icons like Kim Kardashian, Mario Lopez, Richard Simmons, Serena Williams, Grant Cardone, and Fabio, while revealing how one great pitch has repeatedly changed the trajectory of her career.

As founder of Motivation Champs Media, Dominick brings a unique perspective as a publisher, storyteller, and brand builder who has helped countless authors transform stories into books, businesses, and opportunities. His message has remained consistent for years: your story matters, and learning how to communicate that story effectively can change everything.

Co-host Julie Lokun was out preparing for the upcoming Cre8tive Con OTR Boston 2026, but her influence is felt throughout this episode. As a media strategist, publicist, podcast expert, and co-founder of Cre8tive Con, Julie has long championed helping entrepreneurs build visibility, authority, and real business growth through media and meaningful connection.

Key Takeaway:

The best entrepreneurs are not just better at selling.

They are better at communicating.

They know how to connect.

They know how to create trust.

And they know how to clearly articulate value.

Connect + Take Action

Follow The Creative Entrepreneur Podcast on Apple Podcasts and Spotify

Leave a review and tell us what you're building

Join the Cre8tive Con community and get your ticket to the next live event

Connect with Julie Lokun:

Get Obsessed Podcast

Connect with Dominick Domasky and his publishing work:

Motivation Champs Media

Interested in being a guest on the Creative Entrepreneur Podcast?
Reach out : www.creativeenrepreneurpod.com

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

What if Instagram disappeared tomorrow? What if Facebook changed the algorithm — again — and your reach dropped to zero overnight? For millions of entrepreneurs, that's not a hypothetical. It's already happening.

In this high-energy, no-fluff episode of The Creative Entrepreneur Podcast, hosts Julie Lokun and Dominick Domasky deliver a wake-up call every entrepreneur needs to hear: social media is not a business strategy — it's borrowed land. And if you're building your brand exclusively on rented platforms, you're one algorithm update away from losing everything you've worked for.

REACH OUT TO JULIE AND DOM- www.creativeentrepreneurpod.com
and www.cre8tivecon.com

Julie and Dom break down what it actually means to own your ecosystem — and give you the concrete, actionable framework to start doing it this week.

What You'll Learn in This Episode

Why social media is a rental agreement, not a business plan — and what to do instead

The shocking truth about organic reach in 2025 (Instagram: 5–7% of your own followers; Facebook: as low as 1–2%)

The 7 pillars of owning your ecosystem: website, email list, podcast, book, community, live events, and your own stage

How the RSS feed works — and why your podcast content is truly yours forever

Why your website is your most important digital real estate in the age of AI and deepfakes

How to turn social media from your strategy into your megaphone

Why books are still the ultimate credibility asset — and how to use one to unlock speaking, coaching, and media opportunities

How Cre8tive Con OTR was built from community demand — and why live events are a business moat

The SBA principle that proves: if you only have one customer (or one platform), you don't have a business

How to reverse engineer your business from the problem you solve, not the platform you post on

Key Quotes

"Posting on social media is not a business strategy. It's a rental agreement — because you do not own the building." — Julie Lokun

"You're either the product or you're getting paid. Until you own your own ecosystem, you're playing their game." — Dominick Domasky

"Social media is the door. Your ecosystem is the house." — Julie Lokun

"Use it. Don't let it use you." — Dominick Domasky

"The entrepreneurs who are going to win this next decade are writing books, launching podcasts, building email lists, and creating the rooms where they make the rules." — Julie Lokun

️ Your Homework This Week

Pick one thing that moves you off rented land and onto something you own:

Write your first chapter

Start your email list

Record your first podcast episode

Plan your first live event or community meetup

Build or update your website with an opt-in

You don't have to build it all today. You just have to start.

Resources + Tools Mentioned

Meetup.com — community building + email list growth

Mighty Networks / Skool — community platforms you control

RSS Feed / Podcast Syndication — own your audio content across all directories

Stripe — sell directly from your own website

Thryv — proud sponsor of Cre8tive Con OTR

Cre8tive Con OTR — Boston | July 13 | One Financial Center

Who This Episode Is For:

This episode is essential listening for coaches, consultants, authors, speakers, and service-based entrepreneurs who are spending the majority of their time and energy on social media content — and wondering why their business isn't scaling. If you've ever felt at the mercy of an algorithm, this is your roadmap out.

Connect + Take Action

Follow The Creative Entrepreneur Podcast on Apple Podcasts and Spotify

Leave a review and tell us what you're building

Join the Cre8tive Con community and get your ticket to the next live event

Connect with Julie Lokun at getobsessedpod.com

Connect with Dominick Domasky and his publishing work www.motivatonchamps.com

Interested in being a guest on the Creative Entrepreneur Podcast?
Reach out : www.creativeenrepreneurpod.com

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

JOIN US ON THE ROAD AND MEET US LIVE! www.cre8tiveconotr.com

What if the story you've been hiding is actually the thing that builds your authority, fills your calendar, and grows your business?

On this episode of The Creative Entrepreneur Podcast, hosts Julie Lokun, JD (founder of Cre8tive Con) and Dominick Domasky (CEO of Media Champs Publishing, COO of Cre8tive Con) sit down with Porsche Mysticque Steele — award-winning book coach, TEDx speaker, and independent publishing strategist — for a conversation that is equal parts raw and tactical.

Porsche doesn't just teach entrepreneurs how to write books. She lived the proof. Books saved her life. Now she helps founders, executives, coaches, and speakers across Chicago and the United States turn their lived experience into published authority and paid stages.

Connect with Porsche Mysticque Steele → porschesteele.com

What You'll Learn in This Episode:

Why your personal story is your most underleveraged business asset — and how to architect it for maximum impact

How publishing a book positions entrepreneurs as the go-to expert in crowded, competitive markets

The concept of story architecture — the framework Porsche uses to shape both books and keynote talks that convert

How the process of writing a book transforms the author before the first copy is ever sold

The real reason strategic networking (not transactional pitching) is what actually lands speaking opportunities

How to turn pain into profit — ethically, powerfully, and without exploiting your own story

Why books remain one of the highest-ROI credibility tools for business owners and thought leaders

About the Guest:

Porsche Mysticque Steele is an award-winning book coach, TEDx speaker, and independent publishing expert who works with entrepreneurs, speakers, and executives to transform personal stories into published books, keynote platforms, and lasting authority. She works with clients in Chicago and nationwide.
porschesteele.com

About The Creative Entrepreneur Podcast:

Hosted by Julie Lokun, JD and Dominick Domasky, The Creative Entrepreneur Podcast is built for founders, creatives, and business leaders who are ready to amplify their voice, build their brand, and stop playing small. This podcast is powered by the team behind Cre8tive Con — a traveling entrepreneurship conference designed to connect and elevate the next generation of bold business owners.

FAQs

What is The Creative Entrepreneur Podcast?
The Creative Entrepreneur Podcast is hosted by Julie Lokun, JD (julielokunconsulting.com | bigbetterbrand.com) and Dominick Domasky (motivationchamps.com) — a podcast built for founders, creatives, and business leaders ready to amplify their voice, build authority, and grow a brand that actually means something. Powered by the Cre8tive Con community.

Who hosts The Creative Entrepreneur Podcast?
Julie Lokun, JD is a communications strategist, attorney, entrepreneur, and founder of Cre8tive Con. Learn more at julielokunconsulting.com and bigbetterbrand.com. Dominick Domasky is CEO of Motivation Champs and a publisher and brand strategist — connect with him at motivationchamps.com. Together they bring a powerhouse blend of legal, media, and publishing expertise to every episode.

What will entrepreneurs learn from this episode?
Julie Lokun and Dominick Domasky guide a conversation that delivers real frameworks — how to leverage storytelling and book publishing to build credibility, land speaking engagements, and grow a personal brand that opens doors in competitive markets.

Why should entrepreneurs consider writing a book?
As Dominick Domasky knows firsthand from the publishing world, a book establishes you as the definitive expert in your field, differentiates you in crowded markets, and attracts speaking stages, media features, and high-value clients that other marketing strategies simply can't match.

How does Cre8tive Con support entrepreneurs?
Cre8tive Con, co-founded by Julie Lokun and Dominick Domasky, is a traveling entrepreneurship conference that amplifies founder voices, elevates bold ideas, and creates meaningful connections between business leaders, creatives, and industry experts — live and in person.

What is story architecture and how does it apply to entrepreneurs in Chicago?

Story architecture is a strategic approach to shaping personal experiences into compelling narratives that support branding, speaking, and publishing. Chicago entrepreneurs use story architecture to create books and talks that resonate locally and nationally.

How can Chicago entrepreneurs get booked on speaking stages?

Chicago entrepreneurs can get booked on stages by combining a clear message, a published book, and strong relationships within entrepreneurial communities, conferences, and events like Cre8tive Con.

Is The Creative Entrepreneur Podcast relevant beyond Chicago?

Yes. While hosted by a Chicago-based team, The Creative Entrepreneur Podcast reaches entrepreneurs, authors, and speakers nationwide and internationally through major podcast platforms.

How can business owners connect with Porsche Mysticque Steele after this episode?

Business owners can connect with Porsche Mysticque Steele through the links provided in the episode show notes to explore book coaching, publishing strategy, and speaking development services.

Who should listen to this episode of The Creative Entrepreneur Podcast?

This episode is ideal for entrepreneurs, coaches, consultants, authors, and speakers—especially those in Chicago—who want to turn their story into a credibility-building business asset.

Interested in being a guest on the Creative Entrepreneur Podcast?
Reach out : www.creativeenrepreneurpod.com

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

What if the thing you've spent your life hiding is actually the thing that builds your empire?

In this episode of The Creative Entrepreneur Podcast, hosts Julie Lokun and Dom Domasky sit down with Wendy Babcock — TEDx speaker, songwriter, visibility strategist, and founder/CEO of When Stories, a storytelling and visibility platform helping women turn their defining moments into talks, books, podcasts, and media assets.

This conversation goes way beyond "share your story." Wendy breaks down the real business mechanics behind turning vulnerability into authority — including the three specific assets (a book, a TEDx talk, and podcast appearances) that shifted her own business and started attracting speaking opportunities to her instead of the other way around.

The conversation also dives deep into a topic every entrepreneur and speaker needs to understand right now: GEO and AEO — how AI tools like ChatGPT, Claude, Perplexity, and Gemini are increasingly used by event planners to find and vet speakers, and what kind of content actually gets indexed by AI versus what just looks good on Instagram.

Plus: a hilarious (and brutally honest) round of "Jules Rules" covering the worst things you can possibly do on a stage, and Wendy's signature framework for building a talk that actually moves an audience — including her concept of neuro-coupling and the difference between speaking from "the wound" versus "the scar."

If you've ever felt like your story was too messy, too painful, or not "polished" enough to build a business around — this episode is your sign.

Meet Your Guest: Wendy Babcock

Wendy Babcock is the founder and CEO of When Stories, a storytelling and visibility platform that helps women transform their defining life moments into TEDx-style talks, books, podcasts, and media assets. She's a TEDx speaker, songwriter, and visibility strategist with nearly a decade of professional speaking experience, and she's also a past featured speaker at Cre8tive Con OTR.

Connect with Wendy:

When Stories: whenstories.com

Personal site: wendybabcock.com

In This Episode

Intro — Why the thing you're hiding might be the thing the world needs

Meet Wendy Babcock — From TEDx speaker to founder of When Stories

Why vulnerability builds connection — "When you share the real, real stuff... it connects you on a whole different level"

The origin story of When Stories — How one coaching question — "Tell me a moment when everything changed" — became a business

The 3 Authority Assets — Why a book, a TEDx talk, and podcast appearances changed everything for Wendy's business

Egocentric vs. Authority-Centric Visibility — The two types of visibility, and which one actually builds a business

GEO & AEO Explained — How AI search (ChatGPT, Claude, Perplexity, Gemini) is changing how speakers get discovered and booked

Reels, Content & John Lee — Why "more content" isn't always the right advice, and what event planners actually want to see now

Jules Rules — The worst things you can do on stage (slap somebody, admit you're nervous, pitch from the jump, recite a memorized speech, run over time)

Wendy's Storytelling Framework — Leading from the scar (not the wound), the "drop them into a moment" technique, and neuro-coupling

Final Takeaway — Healing becomes leadership: how your story becomes your service

Quotable Moments

"Your story is not your weakness — it's your authority, and it can be your asset."

"AI doesn't care about egocentric. It's looking for content that serves an audience, that teaches something, that shows your expertise."

"Event planners are going to Claude and ChatGPT saying, 'I need a speaker who solves this problem for my audience,' and seeing what comes up."

"There's a difference between leading from the wound and leading from the scar. When you lead from the wound, you're still bleeding. When you lead from the scar, healing becomes leadership."

"Drop them into a moment. Don't narrate — describe."

5 Key Takeaways for Entrepreneurs & Speakers

Your story isn't a liability — it's an asset. The most painful chapter of your life can become the foundation of your authority, your brand, and your revenue.

Build your 3 authority assets. A book, a TEDx (or TEDx-style) talk, and podcast appearances are the assets that actually move the needle on bookings and credibility.

Know the difference between egocentric and authority-centric visibility. "Look at me" content is flashy but slow to convert. Content that teaches and demonstrates expertise is what AI search engines — and event planners — are now prioritizing.

GEO and AEO are not optional anymore. If your content (articles, transcripts, podcast appearances) isn't being indexed by AI tools, you may not show up when someone asks ChatGPT or Claude for a recommendation in your space.

Master the "drop them into a moment" technique. Skip the preamble. Start your story mid-scene, with sensory detail, so your audience experiences neuro-coupling — feeling like they're living the moment with you.

Resources & Links Mentioned

When Stories (Wendy's company): whenstories.com

Wendy Babcock (personal site): wendybabcock.com

Cre8tive Con OTR — the conference where Julie & Dom discovered Wendy as a speaker

Keep Creating — Connect With Us

Loved this episode? Don't just listen — go do something with it. Your story has been sitting on the shelf long enough.

Want help turning your story into your brand strategy? That's exactly the kind of work Julie does — head to julielokunconsulting.com to learn more.

Need a daily dose of motivation to keep going while you build? Get your fix at motivationchamps.com.

Subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with the entrepreneur in your life who's been hiding their story.

Until next time — keep creating.

JOIN US AT CRE8TIVE CON! www.cre8tivecon.com

Interested in being a guest on the Creative Entrepreneur Podcast?
Reach out : www.creativeenrepreneurpod.com

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Are you struggling to get your book, product, or business in front of the right people? In this power-packed solo episode of the Creative Entrepreneur Podcast, host and publisher Dominick Domasky steps in while Julie is out on assignment to deliver one of the most actionable marketing episodes yet.

Whether you're an author, small business owner, entrepreneur, or content creator, Dominick breaks down more than 20 real-world strategies to help you expand your reach, grow your audience, and convert connections into customers — without waiting for someone else to do it for you.

What You'll Learn in This Episode:

Why networking events are about connections, not closes — and how to work a room the right way

How to land speaking opportunities at Rotary Clubs, Kiwanis, chambers of commerce, and retirement groups

The power of being your own hype man (and why no marketing firm can replace your authentic voice)

How consignment shops, boutique hotels, and local gift shops can become unexpected sales channels

Why podcast tours are one of the most underutilized growth tools for entrepreneurs and authors

The social media engagement trap — and what you should be doing instead

How Amazon book reviews directly impact your discoverability (the magic numbers: 50 and 100)

How to throw a launch party that creates buzz and builds community

The press release strategy that works for both local and national exposure

How to tap into book clubs, mommy influencers, and business event speakers series

TED Talks, university speaking, and how to build a global platform

The power of unique partnerships — and the story of an author who sold 400,000 books through college students

How to create your own stage with vlogs, reels, and social audio

Dom's Rules (Today's "Jules Rules" Replacement):

Don't wait until 3 days before launch to start talking about your product

Don't make it all about you — vanity is not a marketing strategy

Stop giving the same canned speech — tailor your message to every room

Key Takeaway:
"Your story, your message, your business, your brand, your service can help people — to not share it with the world is actually a disservice." — Dominick Domasky
Resources & Topics Mentioned:

Networking events and local business groups

Rotary Clubs, Kiwanis, chambers of commerce

Consignment shops and local retail partnerships

Amazon book review strategy

Podcast guesting / podcast tours

Press releases (local and national)

TED Talks and Blue Talks

University speaking engagements

Social media content creation (reels, vlogs, social audio)

Launch party strategies

Connect with Dominick Domasky:

Motivation Champs | Creative Entrepreneur Podcast

www.motivationchamps.com

www.cre8tivecon.com

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Interested in being a guest on the Creative Entrepreneur Podcast?
Reach out : www.creativeenrepreneurpod.com

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.