In this episode of The Business Owners Podcast, Linda Reed-Enever is joined by Kirstin Carey, a dynamic business strategist with a rich background spanning corporate marketing, health and wellness, and high-ticket sales. From battling burnout to building seven-figure businesses, Kirstin shares how she helps entrepreneurs achieve a 50% or higher close rate on sales calls, without feeling pushy.

Together, Linda and Kirstin dive deep into the modern business owner’s reality: wearing all the hats, navigating desperate sales energy, and aligning your strategy with service, clarity, and connection.

Whether you’re a solo founder or leading a team, this conversation will shift how you view sales and help you avoid the fatigue that so often accompanies the hustle.

Key Takeaways from This Episode

Marketing is Not One Hat, It’s a Whole Department

Linda and Kirstin explore how many business owners underestimate the complexity of marketing, forgetting that what used to be multiple departments (creative, copy, ads, sales) are now often one person.

Desperation Destroys Sales

A frantic “I need this sale” mindset repels ideal clients. Kirstin explains how desperation creates burnout across the board, for the seller, the team, and the offer itself.

Celebrate the “No”

Sales is about finding clarity, not chasing every “yes.” A clean “no” is just as valuable as a “yes” when you’re building a sustainable, service-based business.

Sales Culture Starts at the Top

Burnout begins when leadership puts pressure on numbers without fostering a team culture of trust and collaboration. Your team needs to feel included, valued, and supported, especially your frontline salespeople.

The Right Client is Better Than Any Client

Both Linda and Kirstin share personal stories of letting in the wrong client, and how it always backfires. Learning to qualify clients, trust your boundaries, and say no is a non-negotiable business skill.

Repairing Mistakes Builds Loyalty

When something goes wrong, whether in sales, service, or delivery, owning the error and offering repair can turn a disgruntled customer into your biggest advocate.

Small Tweaks, Big Impact

Sometimes it’s not about burning it all down. Kirstin shares how minor messaging shifts led to higher conversions and better-fit clients in her campaigns.

Micro Action from Kirstin

Clarify your sales goal. Ask yourself (and your team): What’s the real objective of your sales calls? If the answer is “to get a credit card,” rethink it. The real goal is clarity: Is this the right person, product, and timing? Reframe your approach and reduce the pressure for everyone involved.

Whether you’re just starting out or scaling your team, this episode is a powerful reminder that burnout is not the cost of doing business. When you lead with clarity, empathy, and aligned strategy, marketing and sales become vehicles for connection, not stress.

Listen now and share this with a fellow business owner who’s ready to do sales differently.

Connect with Kirstin Carey:

Work with Linda Reed-Enever:

From branding to course creation, Linda’s expertise empowers entrepreneurs to create a lasting impact. Book a discovery call with Linda. 

Want more marketing tips? Join Linda and other like-minded business owners at the Ideas, Impact & Marketing Circle. 

Highlights

  • [00:44] Meet Kirstin Carey: Sales and Marketing Expert
  • [01:21] Kirstin’s Journey: From Corporate to Health and Wellness
  • [02:52] The Importance of Sales and Marketing in Business
  • [03:14] Marketing Strategies Without Burnout
  • [03:47] The Role of Different Departments in Marketing
  • [06:14] Avoiding Desperation in Sales
  • [09:53] Creating a Healthy Sales Environment
  • [17:08] Adapting to Changes in the Market
  • [21:58] The Art of Receiving Feedback
  • [22:19] Identifying Common Threads in Feedback
  • [22:55] Adapting Sales Strategies
  • [24:43] Quality Over Quantity in Leads
  • [30:28] The Importance of Saying No
  • [34:37] Owning and Fixing Mistakes
  • [37:39] Closing Thoughts