We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Heather Zeitzwolfe. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Heather below.

Hi Heather, thanks for joining us today. Do you take vacations? Why or why not?

Yes, I do take vacations! As a business owner, it’s important to step away to recharge and gain fresh perspectives. However, I completely understand the feeling that stepping away might mean losing momentum. Here’s how I manage things to make it possible:

Automate and Delegate: I use automation tools wherever possible—whether it’s for email sequences, scheduling social media posts, or podcast episode drops. I also delegate tasks to trusted team members or contractors.

Batch Work: I batch content creation and tasks ahead of time so I’m not scrambling before I leave. For example, I’ll produce multiple podcast episodes in advance or pre-write show notes and marketing copy.

Clear Communication: I inform clients or collaborators in advance that I’ll be out of office. Setting expectations is key. I also use out-of-office email responders to manage inquiries during that time.

Minimal Check-Ins: If I absolutely need to stay in touch, I schedule minimal check-ins instead of staying on call 24/7. This helps me stay present while still keeping an eye on things.

For entrepreneurs who feel like they can’t step away, my advice is to plan ahead and trust your systems. Taking time off is crucial to avoid burnout, gain fresh ideas, and come back with renewed energy. You’re building a business, but you’re also building a life—both need time and care.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

Compassion starts on our plates.

Hi, I’m Heather Zeitzwolfe, the **Savvy Frugal Vegan**, a business coach, podcast host, and Vegan CPA. I’m dedicated to empowering vegan entrepreneurs to thrive in the mobile food industry.

As the host of the **Vegan Food Truck Business Podcast**, I combine my passion for veganism with my business expertise to help food truck owners, pop-ups, and carts transition from chefs to thriving entrepreneurs.

My mission is to elevate vegan businesses, guiding food entrepreneurs in building profitable ventures while spreading compassion through plant-based cuisine. I aim to support 1 million people in adopting a vegan diet and help vegan food businesses succeed financially, amplifying their impact on the animals, the environment, and their communities.

As the **Vegan CPA**, I also offer tax and bookkeeping services tailored to small business owners, ensuring they have the financial clarity to grow and scale their operations. Leveraging my finance and business coaching background, I provide a unique combination of practical support and entrepreneurial insight. This empowers my clients to navigate the competitive food industry with confidence and success.

As a seasoned business coach and mentor, I provide strategies, insights, and support to navigate the unique challenges of running a vegan business in a non-vegan world. From creating effective business plans to mastering financial sustainability, systems, software, and marketing, I empower entrepreneurs to confidently grow and scale their operations.

I firmly believe that food is a powerful form of activism—delicious vegan dishes can convert skeptics and open minds. By helping entrepreneurs succeed, I aim to increase access to vegan options nationwide.

I’m a multi-passionate creator with a fun and authentic vibe. I’m a GenXer who loves kitsch, modern art, film, and drag queens. Whether I’m coaching clients, creating content, or supporting social justice causes, I strive to infuse every endeavor with creativity, kindness, positivity, and a sprinkle of glitter.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

One of the biggest lessons I had to unlearn was you have to do everything yourself for it to be done right.

When I first started my entrepreneurial journey, I believed that outsourcing or delegating tasks meant sacrificing quality. I wore every hat—podcast host, marketer, editor, PR manager, copywriter—and prided myself on being able to juggle it all. But eventually, I hit a wall of exhaustion and realized that trying to do it all wasn’t sustainable.

The turning point came after a particularly busy launch. I was burned out, and I knew I couldn’t maintain this pace if I wanted to keep growing. I finally hired help—a podcast editor and a virtual assistant. At first, I was nervous. Would they do things “my way?” But as I learned to let go, I saw how freeing it was. Not only did it allow me to focus on high-impact tasks like strategy and client relationships, but it also improved the overall quality of my work.

Unlearning that belief was a game-changer. Trusting others and building systems have been key to scaling my business without sacrificing my well-being. Sometimes, stepping back gives others the chance to step up—and it’s a win for everyone.

Any advice for growing your clientele? What’s been most effective for you?

The most effective strategy for growing my clientele has been a combination of relationship-building and visibility through value-driven content. Here’s what that looks like in practice:

1. Providing Value First: I create free content that showcases my expertise, like podcast episodes, blog posts, social media tips, and workshops. By offering actionable insights, I build trust with my audience before they ever become clients. My Amp My Pod Skool community is a great example of this—people get valuable resources, and many eventually transition into clients.

2. Networking and Collaborations: Building authentic relationships has been a game-changer. I connect with others in the industry through podcast guest appearances, speaking engagements, and social media engagement. Collaborations not only expand my reach but also provide social proof when others recommend my services.

3. Referrals and Word-of-Mouth: Happy clients are my best marketers! I make sure to go above and beyond with every project, which leads to organic referrals. I also launched an affiliate/referral program for my podcast marketing agency, offering commissions as an incentive for spreading the word.

4. Niche Focus: By positioning myself as an expert in podcast growth, marketing, and PR, I’ve been able to stand out in a crowded market. Being clear about my specialty helps attract the right clients.

Consistency with these strategies has been key. It’s all about showing up, offering value, and nurturing relationships over time!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.savvyfrugalvegan.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/savvyfrugalvegan/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SavvyFrugalVegan/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@SavvyFrugalVegan