In this episode of the Scope Shift Podcast, host Brian Saemann sits down with Michael Fleishner, Founder of Big Fin SEO, host of the Digital Freelancers Podcast, and author of multiple bestselling marketing books, including SEO Made Simple. Michael has helped thousands of professionals grow their businesses through smart, sustainable digital marketing—and brings decades of experience as a corporate marketer turned entrepreneur, speaker, and agency leader.

🎯 What You'll Learn:

✅ How Michael transitioned from corporate marketing to building his own successful agency.

✅ Why the leap from a steady paycheck to entrepreneurship doesn’t have to be “all or nothing.”

✅ Strategies for creating mental space as a business owner to fuel creativity and growth.

✅ The importance of systematizing, hiring, and outsourcing to scale without burnout.

✅ Why knowing your numbers and setting minimum thresholds protects profitability.

✅ How to expand services strategically by meeting client needs without diluting focus.

✅ Why every agency should establish clear margins (and hold the line on pricing).

✅ Insights on leveraging newsletters, books, and podcasts to amplify your personal brand.

✅ The role of mentorship and learning from others to compress time and accelerate success.

✅ How AI is reshaping marketing—and why agencies must lead clients through its adoption.

🧠 Guest Spotlight:Michael Fleishner – Founder of Big Fin SEO Michael is a seasoned entrepreneur, speaker, and bestselling author who has been featured on The Today Show, ABC News, and at national conferences. As the founder of Big Fin SEO, he helps businesses build strong digital footprints through SEO, paid media, and websites that convert. Beyond the agency, he’s passionate about mentoring freelancers and business owners to take control of their own success.

🔗 Connect with Michael: Website:Big Fin SEO LinkedIn: Michael Fleishner

🔍 Topics Covered:

• Leaving corporate life and overcoming the fear of entrepreneurship

• How to make the transition from steady paycheck to business ownership

• Creating space in your life to innovate, grow, and pursue passions

• Pricing strategies and protecting profitability in client services

• Expanding an agency’s service offering without losing focus

• The three ways to make money: active hours, team leverage, and investments

• Using books, podcasts, and newsletters to build thought leadership

• The accelerating impact of AI on marketing and business operations

📌 Resources & Links: GoBeyond SEO Digital Marketing:gobeyondseo.com Transform your revenue generation with GoBeyond Data:gobeyondseo.com/daas Get a free Google Maps Audit with Archer:audit.archer.gobeyondseo.com Connect with Brian here:Brian Saemann on LinkedIn

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#Entrepreneurship #SEO #DigitalMarketing #AgencyGrowth #MichaelFleishner #BigFinSEO #ScopeShiftPodcast