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Business Blasphemy
Sarah Khan, Business Advisor and Leadership Consultant, is calling B.S. on the hustle-focused status quo of business and entrepreneurship, and getting real about what it takes to grow a business or career and NOT become a statistic. In each episode, Sarah helps navigate the rampant B.S. that permeates business strategy, marketing, operations, and mindset that has business owners hustling and pivoting themselves into burnout. She cuts through the noise and gives you guidance on how to view the status quo with a more discerning eye. If you're ready for success without the B.S., buckle up for hard truths, fun rants, terrible puns and (more than) the occasional curse word.
Business Blasphemy
EP100: The Legacy We Leave Every Day
In this 100th episode of the podcast, I reflect on the journey to this major milestone and dive deep into the theme of legacy: what it means, and how we unknowingly build it every single day. I share a few personal reflections, lessons learned, and hear from a couple of past guests around what they want to be remembered for.
Featuring insights from Megan Hamilton, Bethany Hawkins, Jennifer DeWitt, Anita Kirkbride, and Nikki McKnight, this episode challenges you to consider the mark you're leaving on the world -- whether big or small, loud or quiet -- and is a reminder that legacy is all about intention, impact, and authenticity.
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The Business Blasphemy Podcast is sponsored by Corporate Rehab® Strategic Consulting.
Welcome to the Business Blasphemy Podcast, where we question the sacred truths of the online business space and the reverence with which they're held. I'm your host, sarah Khan speaker, strategic consultant and BS busting badass. Join me each week as we challenge the norms, trends and overall bullshit status quo of entrepreneurship to uncover what it really takes to build the business that you want to build in a way that honors you, your life and your vision for what's possible, and maybe piss off a few gurus along the way. So if you're ready to commit business blasphemy, let's do it. Hello, hello, blasphemers. I am so stoked. Welcome to episode 100. That's right, we are 100 episodes in and this is such such a huge milestone because, no matter what else happens after today, I beat the odds, I beat the stats. I have 100 episodes in the bag, that is, 100 conversations with you about the truth about life, about entrepreneurship and how hard, how challenging business can be, but also how beautiful it can be and how it really can be the vehicle for our agency and our autonomy and all of the things that we hoped it could be. For this milestone episode I really felt like the right tone, the right conversation, for this moment was legacy.
Speaker 1:I will never forget one of my first coaches, way back in the early days of my business, when she asked me you know, what do you want to do? What kind of business do you want to run? And originally it was not an operations business. Operations is something I fell into because it was, you know, something I did in my corporate career and I was good at it, and it was something that was needed. It was service-based and you know quote unquote easier to sell, easier to make money with. But that came later, and originally I really did want to help women craft a legacy. I wanted to help them figure out what mark they wanted to leave, and I'll never forget that first coach basically said to me oh no, no, you don't want to do that. Nobody understands what legacy is. You can't sell that, it's not going to work. And as a new entrepreneur who really didn't know what she knew or you know until now, that hit hard and so I didn't do that.
Speaker 1:But as I've learned and grown over the years, I realized that that is the thing that has always been on my heart, and I think that's one of the reasons why all of this bullshit in the online business space, particularly in the coaching industry and you know just how people maneuver themselves. Why it pisses me off so much? Because it really and truly gets in the way of the legacy that women want to leave, the legacy that we left our jobs for because we weren't getting the recognition and the respect that we were owed, that we deserved our jobs for, because we weren't getting the recognition and the respect that we were owed, that we deserved through our hard work and our dedication and our long hours spent away from our families and having to apologize for prioritizing our children All of the things that we left that space for to come into this space and build a business. Because we wanted to leave an impact, whether it was world-changing or, more than likely, something that was just incredibly personal to us, what we wanted to do. If you want to leave a massive mark on the world, go for it. I am 100% in your corner.
Speaker 1:But if the impact, the legacy you want to leave, is just being remembered for being a good person, is just being remembered for having given a shit, having built a life that was comfortable for you and your family, that is equally important, and so that is why I am so in the pit of my belly against so much of what goes on in this space, because your legacy, the mark that you want to leave, the impact you want to have, doesn't deserve to be taken advantage of. And I want to be really, really clear here. All of us have been victim to it, myself included, more than once, so this is not a call out of anyone. This is just a reinforcement of my belief and your belief that we can truly do something. That means something that matters, and so, as part of the conversation today, I went back and invited some of the people who have been featured in the last hundred episodes, so former guests of mine, who I pose the question what do you want to be remembered for?
Speaker 1:And, to be fair, I did not give people a huge turnaround, because I am not one of those people. You will know this by now. I'm not one of those people who usually has my episodes planned out for like weeks in advance or recorded weeks in advance. I'm pretty much a fly by the seat of your pants kind of girl. It's just how I go because I like to be in that creative flow. So I didn't give them a lot of time. I sent the email probably a week before I edited this episode, and so I'm very grateful to have gotten any response at all, because people are busy.
Speaker 1:But five of my former guests did come back and share their thoughts about what they wanted to be remembered for, and I think that's something that we need to start thinking about as women in this space. How do we, as leaders, make sure that we are leaving the legacy that we actually want? Because, if you've been listening to the last few episodes, I've talked a lot about how, when we come into this space, one of the things that the coaches you know will do is try to interpret your vision through their lens, through their perspective, and a lot of the time, you don't know what you don't know and you are led down a path that doesn't actually take you where you want to go. So how do we make sure the legacy that we leave is the one we actually want? So let's jump right in. Megan was featured on episode 67 of the podcast Mastering your Voice From Silence to Spotlight with Megan Hamilton, so when I asked her, how do you want to be remembered? Here's what she said. Here's what she said.
Speaker 3:Hello, sarah. This is your friend Megan Hamilton of UBU Skills, and first of all, congratulations on 100 episodes. As a fellow podcaster, I know what that means and I hope you are feeling excellent about it. I think that I would like people to remember me as somebody who spoke up and said the truth even when it was challenging, somebody who leads with their values and also, because of that, helped other people feel like they could do the same. When I really think about because you know, I get a lot of, I get up to a lot of different things when I really think about what it is, what the main thing is, it's that ability for people to feel like they can say what they need to say, say no when they need to say no, stand up for themselves, stand up for others and get out there and do whatever it is that they are called to do. Looking forward to this episode and here's to a hundred more.
Speaker 1:It is so easy to say you want to speak up and you want to share the truth and speak to the truth, and there are few people who actually walk in that embodiment and have the courage to do so, and Megan Hamilton is 100% one of those people. It's scary, it is hard, it is really, really challenging. It's supposed to be to be able to stand in your truth and speak up, but the leaders who have the deepest impact are the ones who refuse to stay silent, because when you speak the truth, very often it does go against the status quo and that shows such a deep level of integrity and a really strong connection and commitment to your own values, right being the voice that challenges the status quo, even when it's hard and it's easy to say it is hard to do but when you do, man alive the impact that you make, it truly is something that leaves a legacy. You know, I know that I am known as somebody who speaks up and speaks the truth. And you know what? For a long time, that was not me. For a long time, I was somebody who towed the party line, who said what everybody wanted to hear, because it was safe, it was palatable, there was a lot of you know just my own sort of baggage around wanting to belong, and that stifled my voice. And you know what? There's only so much you can take and at some point the truth is going to burst free, whether you do it intentionally and you are in control of the truth, or it just comes out because you've had fucking enough right so being remembered for speaking up and saying the truth.
Speaker 1:People like that are unsung heroes, and I think Megan is one of those people that's going to leave one hell of a legacy. So here's my question for you when was the last time you spoke a truth that felt super risky but absolutely necessary? I want you to think about that, because that is where your legacy starts. Sometimes the most impactful legacy you can make is the one you leave with the words that you share and the truth that you share. And the truth starts with your story. I want to now hear from Bethany Hawkins. She was featured on episode 84. But you know what I'll?
Speaker 4:let her tell you about it. My name is Bethany Hawkins and I'm the CEO and founder of Crackers and Soup, an award-winning podcast production company, and I was on episode 84, podcast Like a Pro award-winning podcast secrets with Bethany Hawkins. If I could be remembered for one thing, it would be empowering others to use their voices and gifts to create meaningful change. I think that we get very wrapped up in what we can't do, that we forget that using our voices is the ultimate what we can do, and our voices are so powerful and they can move mountains, and if it doesn't move mountains, it can move one person. So, through storytelling, through podcast work, through helping people, especially women of color, step into their power and share their stories and build something lasting.
Speaker 4:That is what I want to be remembered for and hopefully I am On a personal level. I want to be remembered for making people feel good and feel entertained. If you do not get the gems and the wisdom from engaging with me, I hope you at least got a chuckle. So that is my story. That is what I want to be remembered for, and I can't wait to hear what your other guests say in response to this question.
Speaker 1:Oh man, bethany is one of those people that, when you are in her energy, you cannot help but feel just like her entire energy is like a giant, warm, squishy hug. She is wonderful and just so encouraging and you feel so safe in her presence and I think it's one of the key qualities that makes her such a powerhouse in the podcasting space and her desire to leave a legacy of empowering others to use their voice and gifts. I mean, come on right, that is so, so important, because leadership, true leadership, true impact it isn't always about the spotlight either. True leadership, true impact it isn't always about the spotlight either. Sometimes you leave a really powerful legacy when you hand the mic to someone else, because the most powerful, impactful legacies don't just create change, they actually empower others to carry it forward and however you choose to do that right. That's important. Let's hear from Jennifer DeWitt, who's on episode 63, stories that Sell Entrepreneurial Storytelling with Jennifer DeWitt.
Speaker 5:If I could be remembered for one thing, I hope that it would be my ability to help people see the importance of their stories and my ability to help people amplify their stories and share their stories. As a copywriter, I never take it lightly that my clients are allowing me to take on their voice. Which is one of the most important assets that we have is our ability to speak and share our stories and share our ideas and our opinions and our expertise. And I have had so many clients who have come to me and said you know who would want to hear my stories, who could relate to that? Who cares about my stories?
Speaker 5:They think that their life and their business is too mundane, too ordinary, that no one's going to care, that no one wants to hear what they have to say. And helping them recognize that actually, those quote unquote everyday stories are some of the most powerful, accessible, transformative things for others to hear. That is how other people are going to relate to you and remember you and trust you and know, yeah, this is the person that I want to work with and who is the right coach, therapist, fill in the blank, whatever expertise you are bringing to the world that they are the person for me. I think that stories are the most natural way for us to reach other people and connect with other people, and helping people recognize that their stories are so powerful is something that I think I do exceptionally well as a copywriter, and that is something that I hope that I will be remembered for my ability to see people and see their stories and see what they bring to the table and helping them share all of those things with the world.
Speaker 1:This is another incredible powerhouse who wants to be remembered for helping others see the importance of their story. And, again, the most important impactors they empower others, and both Bethany and Jennifer are leaving an incredible legacy that highlights how legacy multiplies when we help other people find their voice. One of the hardest things for the vast majority of people to do. I mean, we've all heard the stat or the, I guess, the quote. No, it's a statistic, whatever it is, but the one that the biggest fear most people have is of public speaking, and I think that people automatically assume that having to tell my story or empowering my voice means having a public speak, and that's not necessarily true. You can really use your gifts to help other people empower their voice without them having to actually speak. I mean, that's one of the things that's super important to me, right, helping women leaders step into their own power and visibility and influence. And what's really really critical is making sure that the legacy they're leaving is the one they actually want to lead, that they are able to embody the identity that is truly them and not the one that I or anybody else interprets them as, and you do that by helping people connect with the truth of their story. It's kind of a thread here, right Stories, storytelling, being honest, all right.
Speaker 1:I want to share next from Anita Kirkbride. She is a fellow Canadian and she was on episode 88, doing it Scared, imperfection and Mental Health in Business with Anita Kirkbride and can I just say this was and remains one of the top three most popular episodes of the podcast. It was an incredibly raw, honest conversation between two friends about the emotional and mental toll being an entrepreneur can take. So here's Anita.
Speaker 2:So your question was what do I want to be remembered for? And I've always thought that I wanted to be remembered for being a helper. Wanted to be remembered for being a helper. But I said that to another coach type person once and they laughed and chastised me. Because you just want to be a helper, you just want to help other people. Don't you have a legacy you want to build? And I don't? I'm not trying to cure cancer or some other big world ill, I'm trying to help people. And why the fuck isn't that enough? Helping people is a good thing, so I want to be remembered for how and how many people I was able to help in this life.
Speaker 1:What can I say? I've known Anita for years. She is one of my day ones, she was one of my very first clients and then we became friends and, honestly, I am just constantly in awe of her courage and her just tenacity and her unapologetic honesty. And what I love about this is that she is the epitome of sometimes legacy isn't in the big, bold moments. It's in the small, consistent acts of generosity and care.
Speaker 1:You build your legacy, like I said, every day, intentionally or not. You're building your legacy every single day, in the actions you take, in the lives you touch, in the holding of space for people who need it. I've had several friends do that for me, even in the past couple of weeks, you know, just helping me navigate my own challenges and my own self-doubt and allowing me to reconnect with the truth of who I am and the stories that I want to tell, and you know the legacy that I want to leave. And so it's important to understand and remember that legacy does not need to be grand or complex. It can truly be deeply personal and still world-changing. So if legacy feels like something that is too big for you, let me ask what is one small act that you can do today that contributes.
Speaker 1:I want to share one more voice note from my dear friend, another Canadian and somebody who actually only lives about 40 minutes away from me and we still haven't met in person. Just saying Nikki McKnight. Her episode is actually coming out next week. She has the distinct pleasure and honor of being episode 101, so stay tuned for that. But when I asked Nikki what her legacy was, what she wanted to be remembered for, honestly, she delivered a mic drop moment.
Speaker 6:Hey, it's Nikki McKnight, operations and systems strategist at the Ops Shop.
Speaker 6:I was reading a book recently that was talking about legacy and, yes, it was a romance novel and it essentially said that when you look back on a life, the more important part or the more important point of view is the overall picture and not the individual tiles or pieces that make up that picture.
Speaker 6:And this book said it's because life is too short to make every moment poignant and it's too long to make every moment perfect. So, whatever you do, for work, for fun, for hobbies, who you loved, who you fought with, who you stood against, who you championed, you're going to cry, you're going to laugh, you're going to win, you're going to lose, you're going to do all of those things and hopefully, when you step back, the overall picture was beautiful. So the legacy that I really want to leave, or the thing that I want to be remembered for, is after everything is said and done, after the chips have been played, the touchdowns have been scored, the applause has been given, the tears have been shed. What I want my legacy to be is that, when we step back, my picture is beautiful, I swear.
Speaker 1:I listened to that voice note and I got emotional Hashtag team crybaby, right, you know, this really brings the conversation full circle, from what we leave behind for others to how we reflect on our own journey, right, like I said, legacy is something that you are leaving every day, whether you are doing it intentionally or not, and it's not just about the external impact, like, yes, legacy can be big, it can be world changing. It can be super impactful. It can be something deeply personal. It can be something that you do from behind the scenes for other people. It can be super impactful. It can be something deeply personal. It can be something that you do from behind the scenes for other people. It can be your own personal journey. It can be something that you do for yourself, right, and it can truly be also not about external impact. It can be about inner fulfillment, and this is where leadership, legacy, purpose, identity all of these things intersect. Whatever mark you want to make in the world, whatever you want all of this to mean, whether it's your personal life, whether it's through business, whether it's through the relationships, you cultivate the stories you tell whatever you're leaving behind. You cultivate the stories. You tell whatever you're leaving behind. If you zoomed out and looked at your life as a whole, would you call it beautiful? Would it reflect your values, your voice, your impact? Because legacy isn't built later, it's not something that you do after you've retired from your job or you've retired from business. It's built now. It's built in intention, it's built in what you wake up every morning wanting to do, and this podcast is one of those things.
Speaker 1:This started out as something that you know some friends had encouraged me to do because they loved my rants and they were like you should rant on microphone and I thought you know that's great. Yeah, it might be a great lead gen opportunity or something to help, you know, with my marketing and blah, blah, blah. But as I really got into it, I realized the impact it was having on you, on everyone who tunes in every week to listen, and the comments and the feedback and the reviews are proof that every week, I do my best to say the things I know people need to hear and that they sometimes want to say for themselves, but just don't know how, or they're afraid, or they're worried about what other people will think, and all of those are valid and legitimate. And I see you and I hear you, and that's why I show up week after week, because I know how crazy this online business space is, I know how entrepreneurship can be, and I just want you to know every week that you are not alone, that there is somebody who understands, and that's how I want to be remembered. I want business blasphemy to be a small part of the legacy that helped everybody who was a part of it feel like they belonged to something.
Speaker 1:Now, before I get all mushy and emotional, I would love for you to head to the show notes and hit the link that says send me a text or leave a comment if you're listening on Spotify, and tell me how you want to be remembered. I would love to highlight your legacy in a future episode. Share it on my socials, you know. Just get it out there Because, honestly, more and more of us need to be really invested in why we are doing this Not what anybody else thinks we should be doing this for, but why we truly want to do it. Because, like I say every fucking week, you guys truly want to do it. Because, like I say every fucking week, you guys, you can have success without the BS, and the success has to be your own. Thank you for being here for 100 episodes. I love you, I'm grateful for you and I will talk to you next week. That's it. You next week.