FOUNDERS & FORTITUDE
Episode 16
No Time For Nails
Forget Balance. Build the Business (and Life) That Actually Fits, with KJ Lenbauer and Steph Wibrary
Episode Overview
In this candid and energizing episode of Founders & Fortitude, host Audrie Dollins is joined by two powerhouse founders. KJ Lenbauer is a publicist, three-time author, and founder of Hearsay PR. Steph Wibrary is the founder of Joy Creative Shop. Together they have an honest conversation about what it really takes to build, scale, and sustain a business while showing up fully in life.
From the early days of PR before social media existed to the modern world of influencer marketing, brand partnerships, and subscription launches, KJ and Steph share the lessons, missteps, and mindset shifts that helped them build companies they love. They dig into team building, delegation, the messy reality of motherhood and entrepreneurship, the redefinition of success, and the freedom that comes from choosing who you work with and what you say yes to.
This episode is a permission slip for every founder, creator, and dreamer who is tired of comparing their season to someone else’s and ready to build something that actually fits their life.
Key Takeaways
- Balance Isn’t Real, Priorities Are. Why the pursuit of “balance” is a setup for failure, and how ebb and flow plus clear priorities actually run a business and a life.
- The Evolution of PR and Influencer Marketing. How the industry shifted from mailed press kits and unboxing videos to integrated brand partnerships, and where it might be headed next.
- Brand Partnerships That Actually Move the Needle. Why business to business collaborations and shared audiences are one of the most underrated growth strategies for modern brands.
- Delegation Is a Priority, Not a Privilege. Buying back your time, hiring before you feel “ready,” and trusting your team to run with the vision.
- Redefine Success on Your Own Terms. Whether it’s a Chanel bag, a piece of original art, a condo in Florida, or the freedom to pick your kids up at 3:20, success looks different for everyone, and that is the point.
- Start Small, Start Now. Why 25 subscribers in week one is a win for a multi-million-dollar brand, and how testing small ideas creates the biggest breakthroughs.
- Know What You Want to Be Known For. The single most important question every founder should answer before saying yes to anything else.
Notable Quotes
“It’s not privliege it's priority. It’s priority.” (Audrie Dollins)
“Success for me is not a monetary number. I get to choose what I do every day, who I get to do it with, and what I’m actually going to do.” (KJ Lenbauer)
“There’s no balance. I’ve grown Joy Creative Shop in the margin of motherhood, of life. But I’ve worked harder than most everyone you know.” (Steph Wibrary)
“What you walk in to achieve is what you receive. I can’t get you further if you’re not willing to go further.” (Audrie Dollins)
“It doesn’t have to be big, because this could be the biggest thing we ever do. But it has to start.” (Steph Wibrary)
“What do you really want to do? What do you really want to be known for? That is the piece of advice I give to everyone.” (KJ Lenbauer)
Links and Resources
Connect with KJ Lenbauer
- Website: hearsaypr.com
- Instagram: @kjlenbauer
- Book: Pitchworthy (and the accompanying Pitchworthy workbook), available on Amazon and anywhere books are sold
- Third book coming soon
KJ’s Highlights
- Publicist with nearly three decades of experience
- Best-selling author with a third book on the way
- Hearsay PR currently serves around 20 clients across multiple industries
Connect with Steph Wibrary
- Brand Website: Joy Creative Shop
- Instagram: @joycreativeshop
- New launch: Happy Mail Subscription. A monthly mailed letter, notecard, and pre-stamped envelope to pay forward to someone you love.
- Active brand partnership with Ali and Best
Mentioned in This Episode
- Pretty Woman (“I say who, I say when”), referenced on owning your terms
- Warren Buffett (KJ’s husband’s hero)
- Katie Craig, local artist whose work hangs in Steph’s kitchen as a milestone marker
- Bonnie of Shop with Bonnie, stylist and longtime friend of the show
- The “fund the dream vs. buy the bag” debate, and why both can be true
Host
- Audrie Dollins. Founder and CEO of Parlay Collective, Influencer and Brand Marketing Strategist, Host of Founders & Fortitude.
Final Note
This episode is for every founder who is tired of chasing a version of “balance” that doesn’t actually exist. KJ and Steph remind us that success is not a single number, a single bag, or a single milestone, and balance is not the goal. The goal is freedom. The freedom to choose your priorities, the courage to start small, and the clarity to know what you actually want to be known for.
Whether you are scaling a brand, building a team, raising kids in the margin of motherhood, or finally ready to outsource the things you do not love, let this conversation be your nudge to stop waiting for permission and start building the version of success that fits your life.
Capture, brand, and engage, and let’s do big things.
Quote of the Week
Sponsored by Parlay Collective.
“It’s easy to like those who make life fun and paths simple, but the ones worth choosing are those you respect, who challenge, push, and ultimately draw out the greatness within you, leading you to true strength and success.” (Audrie Dollins)
This Week’s Three from Me
Actionable tools and tips to apply right now.
1. Audrie’s Amazon and LTK Storefronts.
When you are too busy to put outfits together, I have done the work for you. Everyday looks to save time, workwear that takes the guesswork out of getting dressed, and gift ideas you can shop in one click. All sourced from what I actually use and wear, day in and day out. From gifts to outfits, I’ve got you.
- Amazon Storefront: amazon.com/shop/audriedollins
- LTK: @audriedollins on the LTK app
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