Business Muscle

On today’s episode, we chat with Christine Myers and Kristen Palladino, co-founders of Locals Social Club—a kids’ apparel brand born from a casual idea on a girls' weekend that turned into a nationwide, grassroots success. With no background in retail, they taught themselves everything from design to sales—all while working full-time jobs and raising kids.

We talk about what it really looks like to bootstrap a product-based business, how they stayed scrappy (and sane) while scaling, and the power of leaning into community, not perfection. From micro-influencers to wholesale dreams, this conversation is full of tactical tips and honest reflections from two women redefining what "building a brand" looks like on your own terms. Enjoy!

Locals social club: https://www.localssocialclub.com

*Use code MUSCLE gets them 15% off your order!

Work with us here: https://www.businessmusclepodcast.com/

You can follow us on Instagram @businessmusclepodcast, @elisecaira and @dr.ariel.dpt. 

Get your FREE Business Starter Checklist: https://www.businessmusclepodcast.com/freechecklist

FIXXED: https://www.fixxedstudios.com/

Sweat Fixx: https://www.sweatfixx.com/

We’re pulling back the curtain on four hard-earned lessons from our own business journey—the things we’ll never do again. From over-discounting and neglecting our email list to scaling too quickly and saying yes to everything, we’re breaking down what went wrong and how we’ve shifted since. These mistakes cost us time, money, and sanity—so we’re sharing them so you don’t have to learn the hard way!

Whether you’re in your first year or scaling up, this episode is packed with action steps and mindset shifts that will help you build with intention. If you’ve ever felt stretched too thin, unsure what to say yes to, or stuck offering deals that don’t really serve your growth—this conversation will hit home. And if you’re ready for support structuring your offers, building systems, or creating a clear marketing plan, that’s what we’re here for.

Work with us here: https://www.businessmusclepodcast.com/

You can follow us on Instagram @businessmusclepodcast, @elisecaira and @dr.ariel.dpt. 

Get your FREE Business Starter Checklist: https://www.businessmusclepodcast.com/freechecklist

FIXXED: https://www.fixxedstudios.com/

Sweat Fixx: https://www.sweatfixx.com/

On this episode, we're hanging out with Casey White, Co-Founder and Co-CEO of Jaju Pierogi, to hear how she turned a niche Polish dumpling into a nationally known brand. From selling out at farmers markets to landing in over 2,500 grocery stores like Whole Foods, Sprouts, and Costco, Casey shares the behind-the-scenes highs and lows of growing a bootstrapped business. She opens up about early doubts, what made her double down on such a specific product, and how she and her team stayed scrappy while scaling.

We also get into the real talk—like what it’s actually like to survive in the tough world of grocery retail, why some big risks paid off (and some didn’t), and how Shark Tank taught her more than she expected. Casey doesn’t hold back when it comes to the hard stuff, from shelf space battles to founder burnout—and she shares what she’d do differently if she could start all over again. If you're building a brand, thinking about going national, this one’s for you!

JAJU PIEROGI: https://www.jajupierogi.com/

Work with us here: https://www.businessmusclepodcast.com/

You can follow us on Instagram @businessmusclepodcast, @elisecaira and @dr.ariel.dpt. 

Get your FREE Business Starter Checklist: https://www.businessmusclepodcast.com/freechecklist

FIXXED: https://www.fixxedstudios.com/

Sweat Fixx: https://www.sweatfixx.com/

In this episode, we’re joined by Jenalee and Alie, the best friend duo behind Creating Connections—a pediatric occupational therapy practice that’s redefining what it means to support kids and families. We dive into how they went from traditional OT roles to building a thriving, heart-centered business from scratch! They share the real, behind-the-scenes journey of starting out, navigating growing pains, and staying grounded in their mission through it all. We also chat about what makes their approach to pediatric OT so unique and why community and connection are at the core of everything they do.

This episode is extra special because (spoiler alert!) we’re now proud business partners with Jenalee and Alie as they continue to grow Creating Connections. We talk about how they knew it was time to bring on partners, what’s changed since then, and what the future holds as we scale this dream together. Plus, you’ll hear their favorite moments with kids, their biggest lessons in leadership, and what they hope people feel when they hear the name “Creating Connections.” Enjoy! 

Creating Connections OT: https://creatingconnectionsot.com/

Work with us here: https://www.businessmusclepodcast.com/

You can follow us on Instagram @businessmusclepodcast, @elisecaira and @dr.ariel.dpt. 

Get your FREE Business Starter Checklist: https://www.businessmusclepodcast.com/freechecklist

FIXXED: https://www.fixxedstudios.com/

Sweat Fixx: https://www.sweatfixx.com/

It’s our 100th episode (!!) and we’re celebrating with something a little different—and a lot of fun. We each answered 10 surprise questions generated by ChatGPT, and somehow, they weirdly nailed our personalities. From lighthearted laughs to deeper reflections, this episode is full of unexpected moments and genuine connection as we put each other in the hot seat.

We also just want to say a huge THANK YOU for being here for 100 episodes. Whether you’ve been listening since day one or just found us recently, we’re so grateful for your support, messages, shares, and the amazing community that’s grown around this show. Here’s to 100 more!

Work with us here: https://www.businessmusclepodcast.com/

You can follow us on Instagram @businessmusclepodcast, @elisecaira and @dr.ariel.dpt. 

Get your FREE Business Starter Checklist: https://www.businessmusclepodcast.com/freechecklist

FIXXED: https://www.fixxedstudios.com/

Sweat Fixx: https://www.sweatfixx.com/

Trying to grow your business but don’t have the budget for ads? We’ve got you. In this episode, we’re talking all about how to land your first clients without spending a single dollar on marketing. From sliding into DMs the right way to getting creative with social media and tapping into your community, we’re sharing the scrappy, real-world strategies that actually work.

If you’re just getting started, bootstrapping your way through, or tired of throwing money at things that aren’t moving the needle, this one’s for you. It’s all about getting resourceful, making the most of what you’ve got, and building serious momentum—no budget required.

Work with us here: https://www.businessmusclepodcast.com/

You can follow us on Instagram @businessmusclepodcast, @elisecaira and @dr.ariel.dpt. 

Get your FREE Business Starter Checklist: https://www.businessmusclepodcast.com/freechecklist

FIXXED: https://www.fixxedstudios.com/

Sweat Fixx: https://www.sweatfixx.com/

In this episode, we’re getting real about Elise’s decision to close the Beverly Sweat Fixx studio—and how it came down to a tough, numbers-driven call. Even with an amazing community of clients and a lot of love for the space, the data was telling a different story. Elise shares how rising costs, inconsistent traffic, and performance that didn’t match up to other locations made it clear that something had to change. It wasn’t about the vibe or the people—it was purely a business decision based on what the numbers were showing.

We also dive into the emotional side of making a decision like this—because closing a space filled with memories is never easy. Elise opens up about how she navigated supporting her staff, communicating with the community, and ultimately staying focused on the bigger mission. If you’re an entrepreneur facing a big shift or tough call, this episode is packed with real talk, lessons learned, and a fresh perspective on how letting go of one piece can actually make your business stronger.

Work with us here: https://www.businessmusclepodcast.com/

You can follow us on Instagram @businessmusclepodcast, @elisecaira and @dr.ariel.dpt. 

Get your FREE Business Starter Checklist: https://www.businessmusclepodcast.com/freechecklist

FIXXED: https://www.fixxedstudios.com/

Sweat Fixx: https://www.sweatfixx.com/

In this episode, we’re chatting about why we love using OpenPhone in our businesses. It has made managing client communication so much easier—no more missing phone calls, losing track of missed calls, or feeling tied to our personal numbers. We’ve been able to set up auto-replies, share a team inbox, and keep everything organized without the chaos. Plus, the voicemail, call recording, and integrations make it feel like we’ve leveled up how we communicate with our clients. It’s one of those tools we didn’t realize we needed until we had it—and now we’re not going back! 

Work with us here: https://www.businessmusclepodcast.com/

You can follow us on Instagram @businessmusclepodcast, @elisecaira and @dr.ariel.dpt. 

Get your FREE Business Starter Checklist: https://www.businessmusclepodcast.com/freechecklist

FIXXED: https://www.fixxedstudios.com/

Sweat Fixx: https://www.sweatfixx.com/

Today we are replaying one of our favorite episodes with Mike Sjogren ! Seven years ago Mike had a life changing event that made him decide he was done trading time for money in the corporate world. He launched his own short term rental business starting with just one rental property, which grew to 15 in the first year, and over 80 today!

Mike is the go to guy for all things short term rentals with over 90k followers on instagram, his own short term rental mastermind program which has helped hundreds succeed, and his own podcast, Short Term Rental Secrets. Mike shares how he got started while still working his full time job, how he built his Instagram following, and how you can build the business of your dreams if you have a clear vision. Enjoy! 

Join Mike’s STR Masterclass: https://www.strsecrets.com/

Find Mike on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_airbnbguy/

Work with us here: https://www.businessmusclepodcast.com/

You can follow us on Instagram @businessmusclepodcast, @elisecaira and @dr.ariel.dpt. 

Follow us on facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100095609733486

Join our Facebook community of other entrepreneurs for insider tips and tricks: https://www.facebook.com/groups/255295687403161

Get your FREE Business Starter Checklist: https://www.businessmusclepodcast.com/freechecklist

FIXXED: https://www.fixxedstudios.com/

Sweat Fixx: https://www.sweatfixx.com/

In this episode, we're sharing the biggest lessons we've learned from coaching other business owners. One thing we know for sure? Clarity beats everything. Whether you're choosing your next offer, marketing direction, or business model, having a clear vision and message makes every decision easier and more impactful. We also talk about how you're never truly stuck — pivots, changes, and new directions are all part of the process.

We dive into the power of investing in the right support and how it can dramatically shorten your learning curve. From narrowing your focus to paying attention to the small details most people overlook, these are the insights we come back to again and again. If you're feeling overwhelmed, scattered, or unsure of your next step, this episode is for you! 

Work with us here: https://www.businessmusclepodcast.com/

You can follow us on Instagram @businessmusclepodcast, @elisecaira and @dr.ariel.dpt. 

Get your FREE Business Starter Checklist: https://www.businessmusclepodcast.com/freechecklist

FIXXED: https://www.fixxedstudios.com/

Sweat Fixx: https://www.sweatfixx.com/