In this episode of A Category of One, I sit down with Ben Albert, owner of Balbert Marketing LLC, founder of GrowGetters ONLY, and host of the internationally recognized podcast Real Business Connections, to talk about what it actually looks like to grow a business through relationships.

This conversation moves beyond the surface-level idea of “networking.” Ben shares how people approach relationships transactionally without realizing it, and what begins to shift when you start thinking in terms of long-term, strategic partnerships.

We talk about the difference between making connections and building trust and how to create alignment so that relationships turn into real opportunities.

In this episode:

• The shift from transactional networking to intentional relationships
• What actually builds trust in business relationships
• How to follow through in a way that sets you apart
• Why relationships—not reach—drive sustainable growth

This isn’t about working the room or collecting contacts. It’s about being intentional, following through, and understanding how to show up in a way that makes people want to keep building with you.

Because the businesses that grow in a meaningful, sustainable way aren’t built on more outreach — they’re built on better relationships.

Connect with Ben Albert:

JOIN THE COMMUNITY: https://WeAllGrowTogether.com/ 

Real Business Connections Podcast: https://realbusinessconnections.com/ 

​​LI:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/realbenalbert 

FB:  https://www.facebook.com/realbusinessconnections 

IG: https://www.instagram.com/realbenalbert/ 

Connect with Leslie Silverman:

IG: https://www.instagram.com/lesliesilverman/

LI: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leslie-silverman-hive180/

FB:  https://www.facebook.com/leslie.a.silverman

Website: https://lesliesilverman.com

Hive180 Branding Agency: https://hive180.com

00:00 Introduction and Common Ground

03:16 Ben Albert's Business Ventures

06:19 The Art of Reaching Out

09:11 Building Authentic Connections

12:22 Evolving in Business and Following Intuition

15:24 Finding Your Dream Client

18:14 The Role of Grow Getters

21:16 Overcoming Imposter Syndrome

23:55 The Importance of Gratitude

27:03 Self-Reflection and Personal Growth

In this episode of A Category of One, Leslie sits down with chiropractor and lifestyle medicine practitioner Dr. Rachel Kapustka to explore health, burnout, and what it actually means to heal.

Dr. Rachel’s work centers on the nervous system and the understanding that no amount of discipline, optimization, or mindset can override a body that doesn’t feel safe.

Through her own lived experience—including type 1 diabetes, kidney failure, and a life-saving transplant—she brings a deeply personal and grounded perspective to the conversation.

Together, they explore what it looks like to reconnect to your body instead of pushing it, how identity can become entangled with diagnosis, and why true healing is often more nuanced and honest than we’re taught to expect.

In this episode:

• Why your body has to feel safe before real healing can happen
• The connection between the nervous system, burnout, and chronic symptoms
• How to separate your identity from a diagnosis
• Dr. Rachel’s personal journey through type 1 diabetes, kidney failure, and transplant
• Parenting a child who was born deaf and navigating a predominantly hearing world
• Letting go of expectations and learning to trust your own path
  

This conversation is an invitation to listen more closely, to question what you’ve been told about health, and to consider what becomes possible when you stop trying to override your body—and start working with it instead.

Connect with Dr. Rachel Kapustka:

IG: https://www.instagram.com/drrachelkapustka/

https://www.instagram.com/realmchiropractic/

Website: https://www.realmarvada.com/

Connect with Leslie Silverman:

IG: https://www.instagram.com/lesliesilverman/

LI: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leslie-silverman-hive180/

FB:  https://www.facebook.com/leslie.a.silverman

Website: https://lesliesilverman.com

Hive180 Branding Agency: https://hive180.com

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction to Dr. Rachel Kapuska

05:01 Personal Journey and Health Philosophy

09:54 The Impact of Kidney Transplant on Practice

14:56 Holistic Approach to Health and Healing

19:57 Nutrition and Coaching in Health

24:58 Empowerment Through Personal Experience

26:01 Navigating Parenting in a Hearing World

27:00 The Journey of Acceptance and Learning

30:22 Community and Support in Parenting

32:31 Choosing Communication Methods

34:29 Trusting Intuition in Parenting Decisions

36:17 Resilience and Advocacy in Sports

37:58 Finding Gifts in Unique Experiences

39:26 Shifting Perspectives for Growth

What if scaling your business didn’t require hiring a team, working more hours, or chasing endless clients?

In this episode of A Category of One, Leslie Silverman sits down with entrepreneur, author, TEDx speaker and NoBS Mastery founder Pia Silva to talk about a different way to build a business centered on expertise, leadership, and freedom.

Pia shares the philosophy behind her new book Scale Solo and the model she teaches to agencies and expert-based businesses who want to grow to $250K–500K+ without employees.

Leslie and Pia explore why so many service businesses undervalue their expertise, how leading clients creates stronger relationships, and why charging for strategy instead of free proposals can completely change your business. This conversation is about confidence, ownership, and stepping fully into your role as the expert.

In this episode, we discuss:

• Why trust, leadership, and process are the three pillars of great client relationships

• The LP Method and why you should stop giving away free proposals

• How selling outcomes instead of hours transforms your business model

• What it really takes to scale a solo expert business with freedom

If you're a consultant, creative, strategist, or service-based entrepreneur who wants to do meaningful work without building a big team, this episode will challenge the way you think about growth.

New episodes every Wednesday.

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction to Pia Silva and Her Journey

01:57 The Concept of Scale Solo and Its Importance

03:00 Three Pillars of Business: Trust, Leadership, and Process

08:58 The LP Method: A New Approach to Client Engagement

16:11 Building Confidence and Overcoming Imposter Syndrome

25:57 Quality Over Quantity: The Value-Based Selling Approach

32:48 The Evolution of Pia's Book Cover and Personal Branding

Connect with Pia:
LI: https://www.linkedin.com/in/piapiasilva/

IG: https://www.instagram.com/pialovesyourbiz/

Website: https://www.nobsmastery.com/

Book: https://scalesolobook.com/
FREE Masterclass on March 24, 2026 Register here:

https://join.nobsmastery.com/scale-solo-masterclass?am_id=leslie2601

Connect with Leslie Silverman:
IG: https://www.instagram.com/lesliesilverman/

LI: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leslie-silverman-hive180/

FB:  https://www.facebook.com/leslie.a.silverman

Website: https://lesliesilverman.com

Hive180 Branding Agency: https://hive180.com

If you’ve ever felt the tension between who you really are and who you think you’re supposed to be in business, this podcast is for you.

In this short introduction, Leslie Silverman shares why she created A Category of One — a podcast built around deep, honest conversations with entrepreneurs about authenticity, identity, and the courage to do things differently.

Each week, Leslie sits down with founders, creatives, and business leaders to explore what it really looks like to show up as the truest version of yourself both personally and professionally.

Because when we let our light shine, we give others permission to do the same.

Subscribe and join the conversation.

In this episode of A Category of One, Leslie Silverman sits down with copywriter and messaging strategist Rachael Johnson, founder of Rachael Johnson Creative, to talk about authentic messaging and what it really takes to build a brand that stands out.

Rachael shares her approach to copywriting through brand voice clarity, messaging strategy, and deep customer research. Instead of trying to sound like everyone else in an industry, she explains how leaning into personality can transform the way entrepreneurs communicate and attract the right clients.

Leslie and Rachael also dive into email marketing and why an email list remains one of the most valuable assets a business owner can build. They discuss how thoughtful messaging creates deeper connections with audiences and how AI can support the writing process without replacing the human voice behind great copy.

In this conversation, you will hear about:

• Finding and owning your brand voice  
• Why personality is a competitive advantage in business  
• The long-term value of email marketing  
• How to use AI without losing authenticity  
• Allowing your business and identity to evolve over time  

At its core, this episode is about trusting your instincts and having the courage to communicate in a way that genuinely reflects who you are.

Because the entrepreneurs who stand out are not the ones trying hardest to fit their industry’s mold. They are the ones who become a category of one.

Connect with Rachael Johnson:
IG: www.instagram.com/rachaelwritingcopy

LI: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachael-johnson-copywriter/ 

Website: www.rj-creative.com

Skool community: https://www.skool.com/copy-confidence-club-8280/about 

Connect with Leslie Silverman:

IG: https://www.instagram.com/lesliesilverman/

LI: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leslie-silverman-hive180/

FB: https://www.facebook.com/leslie.a.silverman

Website: https://lesliesilverman.com

Hive180 Branding Agency: https://hive180.com

00:00 Introduction to Rachael Johnson

02:16 The Unique Approach to Copywriting

04:37 Embracing Personality in Business

08:34 Launching the Copy Confidence Club

13:04 The Role of AI in Copywriting

18:45 Writing Authentic Emails

23:14 Building an Email List

29:56 Overcoming Fear and Embracing Change

34:51 OUTRO