Build That Business

Episode 135: The Silence Was the Story: How I've Been Rebuilding

If you've been waiting for a new episode — it's here. And this one is different.

After a few months of quiet on the podcast, Lindsay is back with the most personal episode she's ever recorded. This isn't a strategy episode. It's the real story of what happens when the chaos that built your business finally stops — and your nervous system doesn't know what to do with the silence.

In this episode Lindsay covers:

The survival mechanism that kept life and business in separate boxes for years — and what shifted when she finally let the two worlds touch.

Why hustle isn't a dirty word — but what's behind the hustle matters more than the hustle itself.

The 10 out of 10 in business, zero at home split — and where that actually comes from.

What healing really looks like on a Tuesday afternoon (hint: it's not a sunrise post).

The intrusive thought framework her coach taught her that changed everything — and why reassuring yourself is actually making it worse.

The "oh my god" phase — the two versions of it, and why nobody warns you about what comes after the healing starts to work.

Why she's done building for external validation — and who she's building for now.

A line from this episode: "The silence was the story. And I'm ready to tell it now."

Connect with Lindsay: Instagram: @LindsayvanHarssel DM Lindsay and tell her what you're building 💙

If this episode resonated: Share it with a woman in your life who is crushing it on the outside and quietly falling apart on the inside. She needs to know she's not alone.

134: Sales Convos Pt. 3 - Pushy, Sleazy Sales: From The Gorgeous Effect

This episode is an excerpt from my conversation with Julie Chenell and Cathy Olson on The Gorgeous Effect Podcast, and it’s part 3 of our special sales series.

In this segment, we take a real, honest look at why so many sales conversations feel awkward, high-pressure, or downright sleazy, and what you can do to change that in 2026 and beyond. If you’ve ever cringed at pushy tactics, tone-deaf DMs, or the classic “car salesman” energy, you’re in good company. We’ve been there too.

Together, we swap stories from the worst sales interactions we’ve seen, unpack why those outdated tactics fall flat with today’s trust-driven buyers, and talk through simple shifts that help your sales conversations feel natural, grounded, and human again.

If you’re ready to ditch the pressure and step into an approach that feels aligned, this episode will give you the clarity and confidence to rework your sales conversations for the year ahead.

Join our upcoming free class: www.Easiestyes.com/class

" Master Your Sales Instincts, Double Your Close Rate, & Start Guiding Conversations Where Buyers Sell Themselves"

133: Sales Convos Pt. 2 - The Sales Script Myth: From The Gorgeous Effect

This episode is an excerpt from my recent conversation on The Gorgeous Effect Podcast with Julie Chenell and Cathy Olson,  part 2 of our 3-part Sales Series.

In this segment, we dive straight into the real talk around sales scripts, AI, and what actually creates a confident, high-converting sales experience. You’ll hear why memorizing a script (or leaning on AI alone) won’t turn anyone into a strong closer, and why the magic really lives in nuance, understanding human behavior, and bringing your full energy into the process.

We unpack the difference between surface-level selling and the kind of connection-driven conversations that lead to genuine yeses. You’ll hear candid stories, practical insights, and the simple shifts that help you move away from “salesy” tactics and into a more natural, aligned approach.

If you’ve ever wondered why some people sell with ease while others get stuck, or you’re ready to rethink how you show up in your sales process, this episode is packed with the perspective you need.

Tune in for a fun, honest, strategy-rich conversation pulled straight from The Gorgeous Effect.

Join our upcoming free class: www.Easiestyes.com/class
" Master Your Sales Instincts, Double Your Close Rate, & Start Guiding Conversations Where Buyers Sell Themselves"

Featuring Julie Chenell, Cathy Olson & special guest Lindsay J. Williams

I’m kicking off a special three-part series from my guest appearance on The Gorgeous Effect Podcast with Julie Chenell and Cathy Olson of Funnel Gorgeous  and this first episode dives straight into a question every business owner needs to answer:

Do you have a leads problem, or a sales problem?

Julie and Cathy invited me onto the show to unpack one of the biggest misconceptions in online business: believing you need more leads when what you actually need is a clearer, stronger sales process. We talk about what really drives conversions, why more traffic isn’t always the answer, and how to diagnose what’s actually going on behind the scenes of your funnel.

This episode is packed with simple, psychology-driven insights you can use right away, whether you run wedding shows like me or funnels like FG. Julie and Cathy pull back the curtain on mistakes they’ve seen hundreds of entrepreneurs make, and together we break down how to spot whether your bottleneck is marketing… or sales.

If you're ready to stop guessing and start understanding what your numbers are really telling you, this is a must-listen.

Join our upcoming free class: www.Easiestyes.com/class
" Master Your Sales Instincts, Double Your Close Rate, & Start Guiding Conversations Where Buyers Sell Themselves"

Episode 131: What 11 Years of Entrepreneurship Taught Me About Living

This week marks 11 years since I launched into entrepreneurship, and this episode is unlike anything I’ve ever shared before.

When I sat down to reflect on what I’ve learned over the past decade, I realized this isn’t just about business. It’s about becoming.

In this episode, I’m pulling back the curtain on what the journey has really looked like, the seasons of survival, the rebuilding, the healing, and the growth that changed everything.

I’ll walk you through 11 insights from 11 years in business... the truths I’ve learned not just as an entrepreneur, but as a woman who’s learning how to live again.

It’s real. It’s raw. It’s vulnerable.
But my hope is that by the end, you’ll see yourself somewhere in this story. Because there’s no finish line. Just deeper peace, bigger purpose, and the person you’re meant to be on the other side.

130: Your Standards Shape Your Life, Not Your Goals

 This one’s a little different, and it’s personal.

Over the last six months, I’ve walked through one of the hardest seasons of my life. I haven’t shared it publicly until now, but I’ve been navigating my divorce. And while it’s been painful, it’s also brought more clarity than I’ve ever had before.

This season has taught me something I’ll never forget:
Our standards shape our life, not our goals.

Your goals are what you want.
But your standards? They’re what you allow.
They determine what you say yes to, what you walk away from, and ultimately, what kind of life you build.

In this episode, I’m talking about what it looks like to truly raise your standards,  not from a place of perfection or control, but from a place of self-respect. I’m sharing the lessons that came from realizing I didn’t want to live feeling unseen and undervalued, and how I made the decision to choose myself, even when it meant starting over.

We’ll talk about:
 ✨ The difference between goals and standards (and why one matters more)
 ✨ What happens when you compromise your standards — and how to stop
 ✨ The freedom that comes from taking back your power
 ✨ Showing up as the version of you who enforces her boundaries with grace and confidence
 ✨ Why it’s okay to be “the villain” in someone else’s story when you’re protecting your peace

This isn’t just a motivational pep talk, it’s real, raw, and from the heart.
If you’ve ever found yourself settling, shrinking, or silencing what you need to keep the peace, I hope this conversation reminds you that you’re allowed to want more.

Because you are a grown adult who gets to choose.
And when you finally stop lowering your standards to keep everyone else comfortable, you make room for the life that truly fits you.

Episode 129: Hustle? Rest? Or Risk? Here’s How You Know…

I had one of those pull-the-car-over-and-voice-note-myself moments this week, the kind that hits you right in the middle of a messy, beautiful season of business. After a conversation with my coach (and a few late-night thoughts from my mentorship students), I realized something big: so many of us are getting discouraged not because we’re doing it wrong… but because we’re following advice meant for a different season than the one we’re in.

In this episode, I’m breaking down the three seasons I’ve lived, over and over again, in my own business: Hustle, Optimization & Boundaries, and Risk Tolerance & Scaling. I’m sharing what each one really looks and feels like, beyond the curated Instagram version, and how to know which one you’re standing in right now.

We’ll talk about…
 ✨ The truth about hustle culture (and why hustle isn’t toxic, burnout is)
 ✨ How to stop feeling guilty for working hard or resting when you’ve earned it
✨ What to focus on in each season so you can actually move forward
✨ And how to stretch without snapping when it’s time to take bigger risks

This one is equal parts pep talk and permission slip. Because I want you to stop beating yourself up for not being where someone else is, and start honoring what your season needs from you right now.

Whether you’re in the trenches building momentum, learning to protect your peace, or taking the big, scary swings that stretch your comfort zone, this episode will help you recognize where you are, own it fully, and trust that every season is shaping you into the business owner you’re meant to be.

Because you’re not just building a business. You’re becoming the version of you who can hold it.

Episode 128: High-Leverage Sales Activities: The Shortcut to Doubling Your Business

Ever feel like you’re working nonstop in your business but still not seeing the growth you want? 

Most wedding pros spend 90% of their time serving clients and squeezing sales and marketing into that last 10%... usually running on bottom-of-the-barrel energy. But what if the secret to scaling isn’t more time… it’s better strategy?

In this episode, I’m sharing how to focus your limited hours on high-leverage sales activities, the kind of moves that multiply your results instead of draining your energy. We’ll talk about:

✨ What “high-leverage” really means (and how to know if you’re stuck in low-leverage busy work)
 ✨ The simple mindset shift that doubled my business, without adding more hours to my week
 ✨ Why wedding shows are the most high-leverage opportunity in the wedding industry
✨ How to find and protect your own high-ROI activities that keep your calendar full

You’ll walk away from this episode ready to stop running your business on fumes, and start running it like a CEO.

🎧 Listen in and then grab your free seat at my masterclass:
 👉 How to Actually Fill Up Your Calendar in One Sitting at Your Next Wedding Show
Save your spot at LindsayJWilliams.com/training

Because the time you have *even if it feels small* is already enough to build something beyond your wildest dreams 💛

6-Part Free Audio Training Series for Wedding Pros: Booked Solid: How Wedding Pros are Winning Shows in 2026

Training 6: Scarcity Sells: How to Create Urgency Without Feeling Pushy

Tired of hearing couples say “we’re just browsing”? In this episode, I’ll show you how to guide those on-the-fence couples toward action using scarcity strategies that feel natural, not pushy. When you apply these simple shifts, you’ll spark momentum and fill your consultation calendar faster than ever.

Here’s what you’ll learn:

• The powerful difference between urgency and scarcity, and how to use both at wedding shows.
• What to say when couples tell you “we’re not ready yet” (this works like magic).
• The visual trick that creates instant FOMO and gets couples lining up for appointments.

Scarcity done right doesn’t feel like pressure, it feels like opportunity. And it’s the secret to turning warm interest into booked weddings.

Sign up for our FREE Masterclass:

👉 Want more examples and step-by-step strategies? Join me for my free masterclass at LindsayJWilliams.com/Masterclass and learn how to fill your entire calendar in one sitting with wedding shows. 

6-Part Free Audio Training Series for Wedding Pros: Booked Solid: How Wedding Pros are Winning Shows in 2026

Training 5: How to Attract Your Ideal Clients (Not Just Freebie Seekers) at Wedding Shows

Yes, wedding shows have freebie-seekers, but they also have your dream clients. In this episode, I’ll show you how to stand out from the crowd, speak directly to your ideal buyers, and walk away with high-end bookings (even in a room full of budget shoppers).

Here’s what you’ll learn:

• The strategic shift that helps you connect with luxury buyers, even in a sea of deal hunters.
• What ideal clients are actually looking for at shows (hint: it’s not the cheapest vendor).
• The hidden buying signals most vendors miss when talking to couples.

When you show up with the right strategy, wedding shows become a magnet for the clients you’ve always wanted to work with.

Sign up for our FREE Masterclass:

👉 Want more examples and step-by-step strategies? Join me for my free masterclass at LindsayJWilliams.com/Masterclass and learn how to fill your entire calendar in one sitting with wedding shows.