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Kelly Hogrebe

If You Dread Mondays, It Might Not Be You…

If You Dread Mondays, It Might Not Be You — It Might Be the Business You Built

By Juliann Nichols

Founder & CEO of JULO Strategy Global

 

Let me be blunt.

If Sunday night feels like dread instead of drive, it’s not just founder fatigue. It’s a signal.

It’s your wiring telling you, “Hey, this thing you’re building? It’s not built for you.”

Rachel Greenberg’s brilliant piece, “The Silent Startup Killer Turning Founders Into Frauds (Who Don’t Even Know It),” nails something I’ve watched play out for years inside JULO Strategy — entrepreneurs confusing discomfort with dread and calling it growth

They keep rowing. Harder. Longer. In the wrong boat.

Wearing Every Hat Doesn’t Make You a CEO — It Makes You Tired

At JULO, we teach that being the CEO of your business starts with being the CEO of YOU. That means learning the difference between growth that stretches you and roles that strangle you.

 

Healthy discomfort sounds like:

“I’ve never done this before, but I’m curious.”

“I bombed that pitch, but now I know what to fix.”

 

Dread sounds like:

“Why do I feel dead inside every time I open my laptop?”

“I used to love this work, but now I can’t stand any of it.”

 

Here’s the truth: you can’t build a business you love from a place of constant misalignment. You’ll burn out. You’ll second-guess everything. And worst of all? You’ll start to believe you’re the problem.

 

But you’re not broken. Your business model might be.

 

The Real CEO Mindset Shift: Fit First, Hustle Later

The best founders I’ve ever worked with weren’t fearless or overly optimistic — they were aligned. They were in the right game for their wiring.

That’s the shift. That’s the actual secret. CEO Mindset™ isn’t about pushing harder — it’s about building smarter.

It’s about asking:

Am I building something I want to scale?

Am I energized by this challenge, or slowly eroded by it?

Does this role bring out my brilliance, or make me feel like I’m faking it every day?

If the answer is “no” — to any of that — it’s time for a Power Pause.

You Can’t Brute-Force Your Way Into Loving the Wrong Business

If something feels off, it’s not your job to just “grind through the suck.”

It’s your job to get back in the driver’s seat and redesign a business that fits your life, your vision, and your unique strengths.

That’s what we do inside the CEO Mindset™ Phase 1 class. We strip away the noise. We find the wiring. And then we build — with clarity, confidence, and alignment.

Don’t Wait Until You Hate It

If you’re in that silent dread spiral — second-guessing your every decision, stuck wearing hats that don’t fit, secretly resenting your own calendar — please don’t wait another quarter to pivot.

Apply now for the next live CEO Mindset™ class starting July 7 or July 10. Spots are limited and once we’re full, we’re full.

This is your invitation to stop rowing the wrong boat and start building something you’ll actually love scaling.

 

🔗 Apply Now

🌐 More info: juloglobal.com/ceo-mindset

 

Because building a business you hate isn’t noble — it’s just unnecessary.

 

– Juliann

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Kelly Hogrebe

Stop Doing It All: From Overwhelmed to CEO of Your Business

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From Overwhelmed to CEO of Your Business

By Juliann Nichols, CEO & Founder of JULO Strategy Global

Let’s be real.

If you’re reading this, you’re probably sitting at your desk (or your kitchen table), surrounded by sticky notes, a half-drunk cup of coffee, and a to-do list that’s somehow longer at the end of the day than it was this morning.

You’re wearing all the hats.
 Marketing Manager. Bookkeeper. Customer Service Rep. Social Media Guru. Salesperson.
 And oh yeah — you’re the CEO, too.

But let me ask you something…

Are you actually running your business — or is your business running you?

🚧 The Hustle Hangover is Real

I call it The Hustle Hangover — that point where your brain is fried, your energy is leaking out faster than you can refill it, and your passion? It’s fading into resentment.

You’re not alone.
 Entrepreneurs everywhere are trying to do it all, and it’s no wonder they feel like they’re failing.

But here’s the thing no one tells you when you start a business:
 You can’t grow while you’re drowning.

🚫 Let’s Talk About the “B” Word: BUSY

At JULO, we don’t use the “B” word.
 Why? Because “busy” is not a badge of honor — it’s a red flag.

When you say “I’m busy,” what you’re actually saying is:

  • “I don’t have time.”
  • “I’m overwhelmed.”
  • “My priorities are unclear.”

And here’s the kicker — people hear you.

🧠 When you say it to a potential client, they may not hire you… because it sounds like you don’t have time for them.
 💔 If you say it to your child, spouse, or partner, they hear, “I don’t have time for you.”
 📵 When you say it to a friend, they stop calling… because you’re always “busy.”

So the next time “busy” is about to fly out of your mouth, I challenge you to pause and ask:
 What am I really trying to say?
 Am I disorganized? Distracted? Doing too much?
 Let’s get honest — and then let’s fix it.

🎯 Doing Everything Isn’t a CEO Move

When you’re stuck in task mode — replying to every email, creating every social post, running every errand — you’re not operating as a CEO.

You’re functioning as an employee in your own business.

And while that may feel productive, it’s actually one of the biggest reasons entrepreneurs stall.
 No time to plan. No time to hire. No time to scale.

Because you’re too “busy” trying to survive the day.

🔥 What Needs to Shift? Your Mindset.

At JULO Strategy Global, we don’t just teach strategy.
 We teach the CEO Mindset — and that starts with this truth:

“Just because you can do everything, doesn’t mean you should.”

I meet entrepreneurs every week who are one burnout away from quitting their dream. Not because they lack passion or skill — but because they’ve never been taught how to think and act like a CEO.

That’s why we teach tools like:

  • Brain Dumping — get it out of your head and onto paper
  • Quad Goals — simplify your focus into 4 clear categories
  • A.D.E. (Automate, Delegate, Eliminate) — because NOT doing it all is the real power move

 

💡 The CEO Shift You Can Make Today

Want to feel less overwhelmed this week? Try this:

  1. Brain Dump for 15 minutes. Set a timer. Write down everything that’s on your mind — business, personal, emotional, all of it.
  2. Highlight only 3 things that move your business forward. Revenue, clients, systems.
  3. Ask yourself: Who else can do the rest? Can you delegate, automate, or simply delete it?

It’s not magic — but it’s mindset. And it works.

💬 You Deserve to Be the CEO

You didn’t start your business to feel like a prisoner in it.

You started it for freedom, for legacy, for joy.
 So let’s build it in a way that actually gives you that.

At JULO, we help entrepreneurs make that shift every single day.
 From chaos to clarity.
 From “I can’t do this anymore” to “I’ve got this.”

Your business deserves a CEO.
 Will the real CEO please stand up?

—
 Juliann Nichols
 CEO & Founder, JULO Strategy Global
 💻 www.juloglobal.com
 📲 Follow me on Instagram @julostrategyglobal

 

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Juliann Nichols

Impacting Florida Ecosystems One Region at a Time

   

On January 18th, 2024, JULO Global proudly hosted the Camo to Commerce networking event in Pensacola, FL. This gathering drew the attendance of key partners, including Veterans Florida and FAVOB, along with dozens of local leaders in the Pensacola area, underscoring the event’s significance in the veteran community. The response from attendees was heartening, highlighting the collective eagerness to connect problem solvers and innovators to the workforce.

JULO Global believes that investing in veteran-led initiatives contributes not only to individual success stories but also to the collective prosperity of the local community and state. As the connections made during Camo to Commerce ripple through the community, they pave the way for a more resilient and empowered local workforce.

This event series has become a beacon of hope and a platform for rebuilding stronger, more interconnected communities around the globe! We look forward to the exciting journey ahead, as we host more events, foster partnerships, and contribute to positive change in the lives of veterans in Florida and beyond.

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Juliann Nichols

Making Waves in Miami

The Miami JULO CEO Mindset cohorts are currently in full swing, and it’s exhilarating to witness their remarkable growth and the emergence of their “JULO Moments!”  Throughout this journey, our clients have encountered numerous revelations – from gaining fresh perspectives about their business to embracing new technologies, delving into the core WHY of their businesses, and sharpening their focus on mindset and goals. This transformative process creates a ripple effect, where the sharing of experiences and A-ha moments by one client becomes a source of learning and inspiration for others.

One unique strength of our JULO CEO Mindset program lies in this very essence – genuine entrepreneurs openly sharing their experiences, discussing challenges, and collaboratively embracing the wealth of knowledge represented at this transformative table. The shared wisdom of this group of CEOs is truly invaluable, fostering a vibrant community of entrepreneurs committed to mutual growth and success.

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Juliann Nichols

Filling the Void with “The Leadership Void”

Many people and veterans will be familiar with the phrase “Unknown Unknowns”, a term coined by former United States Secretary of Defense, Donald Rumsfeld, to explain situations where you don’t know what you don’t know. In business and entrepreneurship this rings true! Oftentimes, at any given point or situation, new risks may arise that need immediate decisions for situations no one could have foreseen and prepared for.

Tackling these challenges and unknowns of leadership is the job of  “The Leadership Void” Podcast. The podcast, hosted by Vince Loran and Enrique Acosta Gonzalez, two military veterans and JULO CEO Mindset grads, taps into these unknowns that can make the difference in success and failure for business leaders, and provides content to help leaders sharpen their knowledge and stay informed, minimizing those “unknown unknowns.” Topics range from advice for new leaders, employee relations, staying sharp as a leader and best practices for approaching change and the challenging moments in life.

Recently, The Leadership Void podcast featured JULO’s very own CEO and Founder, Juliann Nichols, where she shares about her entrepreneurship journey along with current events happening at JULO. Did you know Juliann was a mobile DJ? What advice does she give to new entrepreneurs? What’s one of her A-ha moments? Find out all this and much more! Check out their podcast with Juliann! And subscribe to hear more about other business and military leaders here.

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Juliann Nichols

Jennifer Currence, MBA, SPHR, SHRM-SCP, ACC, CEO of WithIN Leadership

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Jennifer Currence is the CEO of WithIN Leadership, a leadership development and coaching company focusing on legacy leadership – who you want to be – in Tampa, Florida. It is here where Jennifer delivers results through customized training and coaching programs for leaders and Human Resources. She is the creator of the Leading for RealTM leadership development program and content creator for Society for Human Resource Management’s (SHRM’s) new People Manager Qualification (PMQ).

She earned her MBA with an emphasis in management and holds a nationally accredited certification in coaching (ACC) and two international senior-level certifications in human resources (SPHR and SHRM-SCP). Jennifer has been recognized as a Thought Leader by the International Society of Performance Improvement, a Subject Matter Expert by SHRM, and was named Tampa Bay’s HR Consultant of the Year for 2017.  She has 20+ years of experience in Human Resources and training in organizations, is a university professor, and is one of roughly 50 people in the world serving as a faculty member for SHRM.

Jennifer met JULO Strategy’s CEO Juliann Nichols at a Predictive Index Class they were both attending, and they established a relationship. Jennifer took CEO Mindset because she realized there were things she didn’t understand about running a business and the processes she needed to succeed.

During CEO Mindset, Jennifer learned how to “bake cupcakes,” Juliann’s process for writing detailed procedures, and her exit strategy – who does she want to be when she grows up. Jennifer focused on where she was in the present and not where she wanted to be. Her A-Ha Moment during CEO Mindset was thinking about the end game – a big awareness for her. She is still acting upon that awareness today.

Jennifer’s best things about CEO Mindset were hearing from other entrepreneurs – their successes and failures. The class helped her understand why she is a leader and business owner and clarify her business role. She now understands what she can automate, delegate, and eliminate to do more things she enjoys and is a genius doing. She’s learned how to spend her time wisely and more effectively.

Jennifer’s revenues have increased and are the most they’ve been since taking CEO Mindset. Being a CEO means freedom, constant change, a lot of innovation, and empowerment to Jennifer. She now has control over her destiny.

Jennifer has been published in HR Magazine and featured in Fast Company magazine, USA Weekly, and HR.com. She is a professional member of the National Speaker’s Association, the International Coaching Federation, and the author of three SHRM-published books on business behavioral competencies.

We are so proud of your accomplishments, Jennifer, and look forward to watching your continued successes!

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Juliann Nichols

14 Microchanges Guaranteed to Advance Your Career

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Is there some way to advance your career that’s faster than completing an MBA, and easier than rescuing your company from a hostile takeover bid? The truth is there are plenty of microchanges that can have a macro effect on increasing your value as an employee.

If you want a raise or just more job satisfaction, try these simple tips for taking your work performance to the next level. They’ll pay off quickly.

Online Microchanges for Greater Career Success

The internet makes it easy to gain knowledge and promote your visibility. Take advantage of virtual opportunities to climb the career ladder.

  1. Edit your LinkedIn profile. When’s the last time you updated your LinkedIn profile? Let colleagues see your most recent accomplishments. Research the most effective keywords that will make you stand out.
  2. Manage your network. Organize your contacts so you can follow up with the interesting graphic designer you met on the jogging trail. Whatever software you use, a successful system will help you to stay in touch and grow your network.
  3. Support others. Networking is more effective and rewarding when you focus on giving to others. Take a second to retweet someone’s message or recommend a former intern on LinkedIn.
  4. Follow industry news. Impress others with your knowledge. Spend a few minutes between meetings scanning the top business blogs in your industry.
  5. Collect time saving apps. Use technology to increase your productivity. Find a program that will remember your passwords or play phone tag for you.
  6. Monitor your time. On the other hand, it’s easy to lose track of time when you’re browsing online. Set limits on your YouTube sessions if you find yourself becoming distracted.

Offline Microchanges for Greater Career Success

Face-to-face interactions still have a dramatic impact. Maybe that’s even more true today when so much communication occurs electronically. See what a difference showing up in person can make.

  1. Demonstrate initiative. Identify what your boss considers to be the top business priorities so you know where to devote your efforts. Find a way to contribute that goes above and beyond your job description.
  2. Volunteer your assistance. Make allies by being helpful and generous. Pitch in when your office mate is facing a tight deadline.
  3. Speak up. Participating in meetings and business discussions will grow your confidence as they bring you extra approval.
  4. Radiate enthusiasm. Your boss will trust and value you more if you show that you’re invested in your career. Think about how your efforts contribute to the success of the company.
  5. Express gratitude. Let your colleagues know how much you appreciate them. Offer sincere praise and share credit for team projects. They’ll be more likely to return the favor.
  6. Dress sharp. Appearances count. Pay attention to the office culture so you can choose an appropriate wardrobe even if there’s no formal dress code. One good rule of thumb is to start dressing like the position you want to hold in the future.
  7. Join a professional association. Membership has its benefits, including networking and educational opportunities. Your employer may be willing to cover all or part of the cost.
  8. Use your vacation days. According to the Harvard Business Review, employees who take all of their vacation time have a 6.5% higher chance of receiving a promotion or a raise than their peers who are stockpiling their time off. Now, that’s a fun way to succeed in business.

The average fulltime work week in the United States is already 47 hours long. Wouldn’t you like to have a strategy for impressing your boss that doesn’t involve putting in a lot of extra hours? These microchanges will help you do a great job and maintain balance in your life.

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Juliann Nichols

Sara Ferrera, Veteran and CEO of Floaty’s Farm – Providing Locals With Home Grown Microgreens

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If you have never heard of microgreens, they are young vegetable greens that fall somewhere between sprouts and baby leaf vegetables. They have an intense aromatic flavor and concentrated nutrient content and come in a variety of colors and textures. Although fragile, microgreens are versatile and flavorful and can complement or shine in any dish. And yes, they make powerful and delicious garnishes – but they are more than just toppers. Despite their small size, they pack a nutritional punch, often containing higher nutrient levels than more mature vegetable greens. This makes them a good addition to any diet.  

If you are looking for these fresh greens, Sara Ferrera, Founder and CEO of Floaty’s Farm has you covered. Sara provides local residents with these tiny but beautiful plants and does it all in her own backyard! 

Sara Ferrera spent most of her childhood running through cattle farms with friends in Russellville, Arkansas. Born in her grandparent’s cabin in the Ozark Mountains, Sara is no stranger to the wilderness and still finds solace when surrounded by nature. 

In 2011, Sara followed her grandfather’s footsteps and joined the Army as an Intelligence Analyst. She spent her days working in an office conducting research and processing Soldiers for the Combat Aviation Brigade out of Fort Riley, Kansas. Office life was a challenge, but Sara met the love of her life – in the next cubical over, and within a year, they were married. 

In August 2014, Sara left active duty to pursue the Army Reserves and experience what life was like on the “civilian side.” She soon moved to Florida to eventually become a contracted intelligence analyst until February of 2019, when she decided to pursue her passion and work toward a Fish and Wildlife Management degree. However, due to health complications, Sara put her education on hold. 

In January 2020, Sara joined the Veterans Florida Agricultural internship with the University of Florida’s Gulf Coast Research and Education Center.  This hands-on opportunity gave Sara just what she needed, a chance to learn the ins and outs of commercial agriculture. 

Sara expanded her knowledge by learning how to research chemical impacts of produce yield, identifying plant disease, identifying nematodes, and more. However, her internship was cut short due to COVID-19, and she was unable to continue lab rotations. Instead, Sara moved to the Farm Crew, where she transitioned from intern and eventually to a permanent employee. Sara’s time on the Farm Crew has been invaluable. She has learned managerial techniques, equipment logistics, and chemical operations. But the biggest lesson learned was that it is okay to make mistakes as long as you fix them and move forward. 

Sara has taken this lesson – along with her husband and team members’ encouragement and moved forward with starting her own urban farm, Floaty’s Farm.

She attended our CEO Mindset course to have a solid business plan and information on how to move forward to be successful. “I learned that I have a fear of failure but also success. I couldn’t start my business or begin to sell until I was confident in myself to get customers.” While focusing on produce, she still didn’t have a niche,  therefore, she wasn’t going anywhere with the product. Encouraged by peers, she decided to focus on microgreens and when she put out there what she was selling, she sold out in ONE DAY. She managed her time better by incorporating an assistant to handle tasks so she could focus on her produce.   

Floaty’s Farm began as a multi-produce urban farm, but after going through and utilizing what she learned from JULO Strategy, Sara now produces a microgreen specialty farm. Soon after, she began raising Barred Rock chickens and vermicomposting to assist with fertilization. 

Sara has vivid plans for Floaty’s Farm’s future, including expanding produce offerings, raising livestock, and an education center to teach others about responsible farming, wildlife conservation, and how agriculture can help others battling PTSD, much like her own internship. 

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