Crush the Rush™: The Life-First CEO Podcast
You didn’t leave corporate just to build another 24/7 job.
Hosted by Holly Haynes—business strategist, former Fortune 500 executive, and creator of Crush the Rush™—this top-rated podcast helps female entrepreneurs and small business owners design life-first business strategies that create freedom, profit, and sustainability without the burnout.
Each week, Holly shares practical business planning tools, behind-the-scenes lessons, and honest conversations about what it really takes to scale sustainably in a fast-changing online world. From simplifying your systems and using AI intentionally to building a supportive team and protecting your time, every episode helps you work less, think bigger, and grow smarter.
Because success isn’t about doing more—it’s about doing what matters, on your terms.
Tune in every Monday for your strategic pep talk, and start building a business that works with your life, not against it.
Crush the Rush™: The Life-First CEO Podcast
576 - Organic First, Paid Second: The Ad Strategy Most Entrepreneurs Skip with Melissa Litchfield
Thinking about running ads to scale your business? Before you hit “go,” you’ll want to hear this one. In today’s episode, I sit down with Melissa Litchfield, founder of Litchfield Media and seasoned digital ads strategist, to talk about what’s really working with ads right now—and what’s not. From the importance of building a strong organic foundation before investing in paid traffic to knowing when your offer is truly ready for ads, Melissa shares practical insights that will help you spend smarter and see better results.
Melissa unpacks how to run ads without burning out, how to test your funnel for success, and what the latest platform changes actually mean for your strategy in 2025. Whether you’re planning a Black Friday launch or prepping for next year, this episode will help you approach ads with clarity and confidence.
Today you’ll hear:
- Why ads can’t fix a weak foundation—and how to know when your business is actually ready for them.
- Melissa’s “organic success test” for validating an offer before you spend a dollar on paid traffic.
- How to blend organic and paid strategies to generate consistent leads and avoid burnout.
- The ad placements and creative types that are performing best right now (and which ones to skip).
- How to prep for Q4 campaigns the right way, from lead generation to nurturing cold audiences.
- Budget expectations and benchmarks for seeing meaningful results without overspending.
CONNECT WITH MELISSA:
Website: www.litchfieldmedia.org
Instagram: @litchfiemedia
Proven Pixel Permit:
🔗 LINKS MENTIONED:
🌟 Explore Intensives → www.hollymariehaynes.com/intensive
🎧 Anti-Social School™ → www.hollymariehaynes.com/antisocial
🌎 Website → www.hollymariehaynes.com
📲 Instagram → @thehollymariehaynes
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Comment below with your biggest takeaway, share it with a business friend, and don’t forget to screenshot and tag me so I can cheer you on!
