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Here's What I Learned: Ditching Biz-as-Usual for Values, Freedom, and Doing It Your Way
Welcome to Here's What I Learned, the podcast for progressive entrepreneurs ready to grow their businesses without sacrificing their values, creativity, or sanity. Hosted by me, Jacki Hayes—a systems strategist, unapologetic smutty romantasy fan, and D&D geek—this show is your go-to space for honest conversations about what it really takes to create a business and life you love.
Each week, we dive into relatable stories and actionable lessons from values-driven leaders who’ve figured out how to scale sustainably while staying true to themselves. Whether you’re managing growth, navigating overwhelm, or rethinking hustle culture, this podcast is here to show you that success doesn’t have to mean burnout.
If you value integrity, autonomy, and time freedom—and you’re looking for inspiration that’s as practical as it is empowering—you’ve found your people. Hit play, and let’s rewrite the rules together.
Here's What I Learned: Ditching Biz-as-Usual for Values, Freedom, and Doing It Your Way
Dismantling the Online Business Industrial Complex with Megan Dowd
What does it really look like to build a business around your lived experience, your values, and your bandwidth—especially when capitalism tells you to do the opposite?
In this episode of Here’s What I Learned, I’m joined by Megan Dowd—equity-centered coach, trademark Word Nerd, and the kind of business owner who doesn’t shy away from nuance. We dive deep into how to dismantle exploitation in your own business, what the online business industrial complex is actually doing to us, and how Megan burned down her old offers to rebuild a more human, sustainable, values-aligned structure.
This conversation is for every creative business owner who’s tired of forcing a “9 to 5” model into their non-linear, neurodivergent life.
Topics covered:
- Why tools like tarot and human design can unlock powerful self-awareness (4:52)
- How systems of exploitation show up in small business—and how to opt out (9:45)
- Defining coach vs. consultant vs. strategist—and why the language matters (13:01)
- The truth about the online business industrial complex and pyramid schemes (13:55)
- Reframing disability and the idea of “disabling” environments (18:10)
- Why corporate work isn't built for most people—and what we can learn from that (22:02)
- The role of questioning in business-building (25:20)
- Burning it all down: how Megan rebuilt her business after having a child (28:12)
- What she’d tell her past self about time, processing, and emotional bandwidth (37:59)
You can find Megan at:
Website: withmegandowd.com
Instagram: @withmegandowd
What next?
- Follow Here's What I Learned on your favorite podcast player
- Leave a review so the podcast is seen by more people like you
- Share this episode with a friend
Say hi!
- Follow me on Instagram at @jackihayes_obm
- Tell me what you loved about the episode at jackihayes.co/contact
Credits:
Intro and Outro Music: Atomic by Alex-Productions |https://onsound.eu/
Music promoted byhttps://www.free-stock-music.com
Creative Commons / Attribution 3.0 Unported License (CC BY 3.0)
https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/deed.en_US
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