I posted something recently about being playful in business.

And then I realized—wait, I talk all the time about commitment, discipline, and going ALL IN.

Am I contradicting myself?

Not quite.

Here's the truth: There's a part of your business where you need to be DEAD SERIOUS. And there's another part where you need to be lighthearted, curious, and willing to experiment.

Most entrepreneurs get this backwards.

They're playful about their commitment (quitting when things get hard, pivoting every time a shiny object appears, fragmenting their energy across multiple opportunities).

And they're SERIOUS about their strategy (attached to one way of doing things, stressed when it doesn't work immediately, quitting before they've actually tested anything).

That's the recipe for burnout. And failure.

In this episode, I'm breaking down where to be serious and where to be playful—so you can build something that actually lasts.

Here's what you'll learn:

→ Where to be SERIOUS: Your commitment. Take quitting off the table. If there was no Plan B, no option to go back to a job, what would you do? THAT'S the energy you need.

→ What "all in" actually means: Your complete and undivided attention, intention, and focus on ONE thing. Not "I'm committed but also doing three other side projects." That's fragmented energy. And fragmented energy doesn't build traction.

→ Where to be PLAYFUL: Your strategy and execution. Test your platform. Test your messaging. Test your demand angles. Be curious. Experiment. Adjust. This is where you get to play.

→ Why people quit: They get too serious about the execution (stressed when a post doesn't get engagement, discouraged when a strategy doesn't work immediately). When you're playful about testing, you don't quit—you just try something else.

→ The 30-day test: Commit to testing ONE thing for 30 days. Review what worked. Double down. Test again. Repeat. This is how you find what works without burning out.

→ The hardest part of entrepreneurship: The interim between starting and "it's finally working." That gap is brutal. And it's why your commitment (the SERIOUS part) has to be rock solid.

Bottom line:

Be serious about your commitment. Not quitting is non-negotiable.

Be playful in your approach. Test, experiment, adjust, and stay curious.

When you get this right? Everything changes.

Your energy stays focused. Your strategy evolves. Your business grows.

And you don't burn out chasing the next shiny thing.

What are YOU committed to? And where could you be more playful?

Have a burning question? Leave a message for Lindsay and she will turn it into an episode with an answer. Use the link below to record.

https://www.speakpipe.com/FreedomEntrepreneur

Biz in a Box CRM is the ultimate all-in-one solution designed to simplify and scale your business. Imagine managing every aspect of your operations — from smart contact segmentation and automated follow-ups to call and text functionality, calendar booking, funnels, websites, and even social media scheduling — all from one intuitive platform. No more juggling multiple tools or paying for endless subscriptions. With built-in AI employee support, Biz in a Box CRM doesn’t just organize your business, it actively helps you run it. It’s like having a full-time team behind the scenes, so you can focus on growth, impact, and freedom.

Book your demo: https://bizinaboxsolutions.com/

Join the free Facebook Community! Connect, Learn, Grow, Build https://www.facebook.com/groups/freedomentrepreneurcommunity

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LAUNCH WITH CONFIDENCE

Text FREEDOM to 55444 to access the free training on "How to Tell If Your Idea Is Profitable"

Stephanie Pierce has dyspraxia and bipolar disorder.

She had a terrible stutter. Spoke so fast people couldn't understand her. Wanted to be a lawyer but couldn't imagine standing in front of a courtroom.

For years, her disability WAS her identity.

The first thing she'd tell people? "I have dyspraxia."

Until a friend from Venezuela—who'd fled a collapsing economy where people hunted for food—called her out:

"Stephanie, you're from the States. You grew up in a decent family. You never had to hunt for food. But you let your disability define so much of who you are. I don't care about your diagnosis. I want to know who YOU are as a person."

That moment in 2017 changed everything.

Today, Stephanie is a published cookbook author (with three books on Amazon and a fourth coming with a traditional publisher), a cooking instructor living in Germany, and has traveled to 35+ countries—building a business from her laptop wherever she lands.

In this episode, we dig into:

→ The mindset shift that freed her from letting limitations define her (and why ALL of us do this—whether we have a visible disability or not)

→ How she turned "Picky Tongue" into a memorable brand (and the funny story behind the name)

→ Why her second book, Idiot Proof, was designed specifically for neurodivergent people—huge fonts, every step photographed, high-contrast images

→ The three years she spent teaching cooking to people with disabilities in London (and why it nearly destroyed her health—shingles, burnout, total exhaustion)

→ Why she keeps her business MOBILE instead of opening a brick-and-mortar school (her laptop, her pocket, her freedom)

→ The power of letting go of tasks that don't interest you (and why forcing yourself through them actually slows you down)

→ Her top 3 must-see countries for travelers: Israel, Slovenia, and... Russia? (Yep. And her reason will surprise you.)

Here's what stuck with me:

Stephanie said she spent years feeling "disabled by her own disability"—weak, powerless, unable to express herself the way she thought she "should."

But once she stopped leading with her diagnosis and started showing up as HERSELF, everything shifted.

This episode is for anyone holding back because of a story they've been telling themselves.

Maybe it's a diagnosis. Maybe it's imposter syndrome. Maybe it's fear.

But if Stephanie can publish books, teach cooking in her FIFTH language, and travel the world while running her business from her laptop—what story are YOU ready to let go of?

Stephanie Pierce is the founder of Picky Tongue Cooking, author of three cookbooks (Picky Tongue in the Cookbook, Idiot Proof, and Lockdown), and a cooking instructor currently based in Germany. She teaches cooking to both neurodivergent and neurotypical students, with a focus on making cooking accessible for people with disabilities, visual impairments, and processing disorders. Her upcoming book, Picky Tongue Sassy, explores aphrodisiac cuisine with stories and recipes. Stephanie has traveled to 35+ countries, speaks five languages, and builds community wherever she goes.

Website: PickyTongueCooking.com (launching soon)

Books available on Amazon

Join the free Facebook Community! Connect, Learn, Grow, Build https://www.facebook.com/groups/freedomentrepreneurcommunity

Have a burning question? Leave a message for Lindsay and she will turn it into an episode with an answer. Use the link below to record.

https://www.speakpipe.com/FreedomEntrepreneur

Biz in a Box CRM is the ultimate all-in-one solution designed to simplify and scale your business. Imagine managing every aspect of your operations — from smart contact segmentation and automated follow-ups to call and text functionality, calendar booking, funnels, websites, and even social media scheduling — all from one intuitive platform. No more juggling multiple tools or paying for endless subscriptions. With built-in AI employee support, Biz in a Box CRM doesn’t just organize your business, it actively helps you run it. It’s like having a full-time team behind the scenes, so you can focus on growth, impact, and freedom.

Book your demo: https://bizinaboxsolutions.com/

Mentioned in this episode:

LAUNCH WITH CONFIDENCE

Text FREEDOM to 55444 to access the free training on "How to Tell If Your Idea Is Profitable"

You're hustling on social media.

Creating content for your podcast, YouTube, Instagram, Facebook.

Putting in the work every single day.

But your business isn't growing the way you thought it would.

Here's why:

You're treating social media like a billboard and not like a business.

Think about it: How many billboards do you pass on your way to work? How many do you actually take action on?

Exactly.

Social media is an audience. Not a customer base.

And if you're not actively moving people FROM that audience INTO your email list every single day, you're leaving money on the table.

In this episode, I'm breaking down the ONE activity that will 1000x your business in the next year:

List building.

Not occasionally. Not when you "feel like it." Daily. Intentional. Focused list building.

Here's what you'll learn:

→ Why the size of your list = the size of your bank account (and why most entrepreneurs are ignoring this)

→ The exact daily challenge I'm giving you: How many new emails are you adding to your list TODAY?

→ Two strategies for driving traffic to your lead magnet: Paid ads (as low as $3-5/day) and FREE outreach (the DM strategy that actually works)

→ The script I use to DM people without feeling salesy, pushy, or weird (you can copy/paste this today)

→ Why I spent years avoiding outreach—and the ONE mindset shift that changed everything (hint: it's about intention, not pressure)

→ My 30-day social media experiment: I posted 5-7 times a day on Facebook. Here's what happened to my engagement, followers, and reach.

→ The sneaky benefit of DMing followers you're NOT friends with (it increases your reach across the platform)

Bottom line:

If you're creating content but not building your list, you're working hard but not building assets.

Social media disappears. Your email list? That's YOURS forever.

The challenge:

Reach out to 5 people a day about your free offer. Do it for 30 days. Track what happens.

I guarantee: You'll be 1000x further ahead than you are right now.

Stop treating social media like your business. Start treating your EMAIL LIST like your business.

Have a burning question? Leave a message for Lindsay and she will turn it into an episode with an answer. Use the link below to record.

https://www.speakpipe.com/FreedomEntrepreneur

Join the free Facebook Community! Connect, Learn, Grow, Build https://www.facebook.com/groups/freedomentrepreneurcommunity

Biz in a Box CRM is the ultimate all-in-one solution designed to simplify and scale your business. Imagine managing every aspect of your operations — from smart contact segmentation and automated follow-ups to call and text functionality, calendar booking, funnels, websites, and even social media scheduling — all from one intuitive platform. No more juggling multiple tools or paying for endless subscriptions. With built-in AI employee support, Biz in a Box CRM doesn’t just organize your business, it actively helps you run it. It’s like having a full-time team behind the scenes, so you can focus on growth, impact, and freedom.

Book your demo: https://bizinaboxsolutions.com/

Mentioned in this episode:

LAUNCH WITH CONFIDENCE

Text FREEDOM to 55444 to access the free training on "How to Tell If Your Idea Is Profitable"

$650,000 in debt.

Four kids to feed.

A business partner who backed out the day after she signed a three-year lease.

No job. No money. No Plan B.

That's where Nancy Benet found herself.

Most people would've given up. Filed bankruptcy. Walked away.

But Nancy made a decision: I'm going to make this work. No matter what.

And she did.

Fifteen years later, she's the CEO of a thriving CPA firm with a team of 11, building a national brand—and helping other women do the same.

But here's what makes Nancy's story different:

She didn't hustle her way out. She surrendered her way through.

In this episode, Nancy breaks down the exact 4-step framework she used to manifest her way from drowning in debt to building the business (and life) she actually wanted.

Here's what you'll learn:

→ Step 1: Manage Your State - Why your energy matters more than your strategy (and how to stay calm when everything's falling apart)

→ Step 2: Get Clear on What You Want - Not the "how," just the vision. Nancy shares why holding the North Star (without obsessing over the details) is the key to making it real.

→ Step 3: Take Baby Steps Every Day - How small, consistent action compounds over time (and why leaping too fast creates fear that stops you cold)

→ Step 4: Release What You Want - The counterintuitive truth: holding on tight pushes it away. Nancy explains how surrender brought her everything she needed (including 15 free computers from the universe).

You'll also hear:

• The "magical procurement moments" that kept showing up when she was open and aligned
• Why she spent years digging through scrap bins for computer parts—and then got handed everything she needed for free
• How she learned to love accounting (even though she thought it was boring) by creating it HER way
• The mistake most new business owners make: chasing someone else's version of success instead of designing their own
• Why journaling and meditation aren't "woo-woo"—they're how you figure out what YOU actually want (not what everyone else told you to want)

Bottom line:

You don't need a perfect plan. You need a decision, daily action, and the willingness to surrender the "how."

Nancy proved it's possible. And she's here to show you how.

Connect with Nancy www.successyourway.com | www.fixitaccounting.com

Have a burning question? Leave a message for Lindsay and she will turn it into an episode with an answer. Use the link below to record.

https://www.speakpipe.com/FreedomEntrepreneur

Join the free Facebook Community! Connect, Learn, Grow, Build https://www.facebook.com/groups/freedomentrepreneurcommunity

Biz in a Box CRM is the ultimate all-in-one solution designed to simplify and scale your business. Imagine managing every aspect of your operations — from smart contact segmentation and automated follow-ups to call and text functionality, calendar booking, funnels, websites, and even social media scheduling — all from one intuitive platform. No more juggling multiple tools or paying for endless subscriptions. With built-in AI employee support, Biz in a Box CRM doesn’t just organize your business, it actively helps you run it. It’s like having a full-time team behind the scenes, so you can focus on growth, impact, and freedom.

Book your demo: https://bizinaboxsolutions.com/

Mentioned in this episode:

LAUNCH WITH CONFIDENCE

Text FREEDOM to 55444 to access the free training on "How to Tell If Your Idea Is Profitable"

The biggest mistake most entrepreneurs make?

They build something nobody wants to pay for.

Not because their idea is bad. But because they skipped the ONE step that makes everything else work: nailing the transformation.

You might think you know what people need. You might be passionate about solving a specific problem. But here's the hard truth: What you THINK people want isn't always what they'll actually PAY for.

In this episode, I'm breaking down how to validate your transformation BEFORE you build anything—so you don't waste months (or years) creating an offer that doesn't land.

Here's what you'll learn:

→ Why "one transformation" is the foundation of your entire business (and why getting this wrong derails everything else)

→ The brainstorming process to evaluate if your idea solves a REAL problem people are desperate to fix

→ How to do market research without feeling awkward or salesy (workshops, interviews, and the exact questions to ask)

→ The critical difference between people who VALUE MONEY vs. people who VALUE TIME (and why this determines how much they'll pay)

→ My biggest mistake: Going after people who wanted the problem fixed more than THEY did—and why that's a recipe for burnout

→ The pivot that changed everything: How I shifted from helping people "make passive income fast" to helping business owners "get their time back" (and why one pays WAY more than the other)

Bottom line:

People don't pay for features. They pay for FEELINGS.

And if you don't know what feeling your transformation creates, you're guessing—and guessing is expensive.

This episode will save you months of trial and error.

Have a burning question? Leave a message for Lindsay and she will turn it into an episode with an answer. Use the link below to record.

https://www.speakpipe.com/FreedomEntrepreneur

Join the free Facebook Community! Connect, Learn, Grow, Build https://www.facebook.com/groups/freedomentrepreneurcommunity

Mentioned in this episode:

LAUNCH WITH CONFIDENCE

Text FREEDOM to 55444 to access the free training on "How to Tell If Your Idea Is Profitable"

Do you have "Entrepreneur Enthusiasm Disease"?

You know the symptoms: You get a brilliant new idea. You dive in full force. Then another opportunity pops up and suddenly you're chasing that instead. Before you know it, you've started and stopped a dozen things and haven't finished any of them.

Sound familiar?

This isn't about lack of motivation or poor time management. It's about discipline—specifically, learning to say NO to things that pull you off course.

After years of falling into this trap (and spending tens of thousands of dollars chasing shiny objects), I've learned that every strategy works... if you actually stick with it.

In this episode, I'm sharing 3 strategies to cure your EED:

1. Pray about it (and put a pin in it) Don't buy that course or jump on that opportunity in the moment. Save it. If it's meant to be, it'll still be there later. Most of the time? You'll forget about it because you already had the answer.

2. Test your current system first Make a rule: You can't buy anything new until you've time-tested what you're already doing. Keep a "someday list" for ideas, but commit to your current strategy.

3. Get an accountability partner Find someone (NOT your spouse) who will talk you down from impulsive decisions and help you discern between genuine opportunities and distractions.

Bottom line: Consistency wins. Every time.

The most successful people aren't chasing every trend—they're committed to ONE strategy and executing it relentlessly.

Stop chasing. Start building.

Have a burning question? Leave a message for Lindsay and she will turn it into an episode with an answer. Use the link below to record.

https://www.speakpipe.com/FreedomEntrepreneur

Biz in a Box CRM is the ultimate all-in-one solution designed to simplify and scale your business. Imagine managing every aspect of your operations — from smart contact segmentation and automated follow-ups to call and text functionality, calendar booking, funnels, websites, and even social media scheduling — all from one intuitive platform. No more juggling multiple tools or paying for endless subscriptions. With built-in AI employee support, Biz in a Box CRM doesn’t just organize your business, it actively helps you run it. It’s like having a full-time team behind the scenes, so you can focus on growth, impact, and freedom.

Book your demo: https://bizinaboxsolutions.com/

Mentioned in this episode:

LAUNCH WITH CONFIDENCE

Text FREEDOM to 55444 to access the free training on "How to Tell If Your Idea Is Profitable"

Lack of confidence is the #1 thing holding entrepreneurs back—not lack of knowledge, not lack of effort, but the inability to take that first imperfect step.

Dr. Christiane Schroeter, business professor and TEDx speaker, knows this firsthand. As a German immigrant teaching entrepreneurship in California, she noticed something that shocked her: America's hustle culture was burning people out before they even got started.

The problem? Entrepreneurs are waiting for perfection. They're stuck comparing themselves to competitors. They're overwhelmed by the size of their goals.

In this episode, Christiane shares her STEP framework—a simple system for building momentum through what she calls "petite practice" (small, intentional actions that compound over time).

You'll learn:

• Why "it's all been said and done before, but nobody said it like YOU"
• The STEP framework: Simplify, Tell, Examine, Praise
• How to build confidence by examining what's ALREADY working (instead of chasing what others are doing)
• Why speaking your goals out loud creates accountability and momentum
• How to escape the perfection trap and just get started

About Dr. Christiane Schroeter:

Connect: Dr. Christiane Schroeter is a TEDx speaker, Business and Wellness Coach, Professor, and bestselling author. She created Petite Practice™, a framework that helps professionals achieve lasting success through small, strategic actions. As host of the Top 1% podcast Happy Healthy Hustle, she shares evidence-based tools for clarity, resilience, and sustainable growth. With a Ph.D. in Health Economics and more than 20 years of experience in marketing and innovation, Christiane empowers professionals to align their goals with their values and create success that feels both authentic and sustainable. https://doctorchristiane.com/

Have a burning question? Leave a message for Lindsay and she will turn it into an episode with an answer. Use the link below to record.

https://www.speakpipe.com/FreedomEntrepreneur

Biz in a Box CRM is the ultimate all-in-one solution designed to simplify and scale your business. Imagine managing every aspect of your operations — from smart contact segmentation and automated follow-ups to call and text functionality, calendar booking, funnels, websites, and even social media scheduling — all from one intuitive platform. No more juggling multiple tools or paying for endless subscriptions. With built-in AI employee support, Biz in a Box CRM doesn’t just organize your business, it actively helps you run it. It’s like having a full-time team behind the scenes, so you can focus on growth, impact, and freedom.

Book your demo: https://bizinaboxsolutions.com/

Mentioned in this episode:

LAUNCH WITH CONFIDENCE

Text FREEDOM to 55444 to access the free training on "How to Tell If Your Idea Is Profitable"

Are you chasing every new strategy that promises quick money online? AI prompts, faceless videos, "10K months" formulas—they're everywhere. And they all sound so promising.

But here's what they're NOT telling you: The strategy is secondary.

After spending tens of thousands of dollars on coaches, burning out from constant learning and implementing, and fragmenting my energy across a dozen different approaches, I finally figured out what actually works.

It's not about finding the "perfect" way to make money online. It's about building a foundation first.

In this episode, I'm sharing the 4-pillar framework that will save you YEARS of frustration:

→ One Transformation - Solve ONE specific problem (not five)

→ One Product Ladder - Take people on a journey from entry-level to high-ticket

→ One Audience - Build your list around ONE type of person (not random leads)

→ One Platform - Start on ONE platform (don't burn out trying to be everywhere)

Here's why chasing shiny objects will fail you:

1. Fragmented email list - Random people who won't buy your next offer
2. Fragmented energy - Constant learning/starting/stopping kills momentum
3. Market saturation - What's hot today is oversaturated tomorrow

The coaching industry taught me this the hard way. Now I'm seeing the same pattern with AI and faceless content strategies.

Stop chasing. Start building.

If you have the foundation, the strategy doesn't matter. You can pivot, scale, and sustain.

Ready to build your foundation? Text FREEDOM to 55444 for the Online Business Basics Bundle.

Have a burning question? Leave a message for Lindsay and she will turn it into an episode with an answer. Use the link below to record.

https://www.speakpipe.com/FreedomEntrepreneur

Biz in a Box CRM is the ultimate all-in-one solution designed to simplify and scale your business. Imagine managing every aspect of your operations — from smart contact segmentation and automated follow-ups to call and text functionality, calendar booking, funnels, websites, and even social media scheduling — all from one intuitive platform. No more juggling multiple tools or paying for endless subscriptions. With built-in AI employee support, Biz in a Box CRM doesn’t just organize your business, it actively helps you run it. It’s like having a full-time team behind the scenes, so you can focus on growth, impact, and freedom.

Book your demo: https://bizinaboxsolutions.com/

Biz in a Box CRM is the ultimate all-in-one solution designed to simplify and scale your business. Imagine managing every aspect of your operations — from smart contact segmentation and automated follow-ups to call and text functionality, calendar booking, funnels, websites, and even social media scheduling — all from one intuitive platform. No more juggling multiple tools or paying for endless subscriptions. With built-in AI employee support, Biz in a Box CRM doesn’t just organize your business, it actively helps you run it. It’s like having a full-time team behind the scenes, so you can focus on growth, impact, and freedom.

Book your demo: https://bizinaboxsolutions.com/

We have a scintillating conversation for you on the Freedom Entrepreneur Podcast today! Joining me are TWO guests - Alan Lazaros, co-founder of Next Level University and Chelsea Rosner, founder of Be Your Own Black Sheep.

Both took a side - Collaboration vs Competition and what is a more effective leadership style.

Chelsea was brave and took the unpopular opinion that Competition is more favorable, while Alan touted Collaboration's good side.

Tune in to hear the surprising summary that we all took away from this fun and dynamic conversation!

Join the free Facebook Community! Connect, Learn, Grow, Build https://www.facebook.com/groups/freedomentrepreneurcommunity

Have a burning question? Leave a message for Lindsay and she will turn it into an episode with an answer. Use the link below to record.

https://www.speakpipe.com/FreedomEntrepreneur

Biz in a Box CRM is the ultimate all-in-one solution designed to simplify and scale your business. Imagine managing every aspect of your operations — from smart contact segmentation and automated follow-ups to call and text functionality, calendar booking, funnels, websites, and even social media scheduling — all from one intuitive platform. No more juggling multiple tools or paying for endless subscriptions. With built-in AI employee support, Biz in a Box CRM doesn’t just organize your business, it actively helps you run it. It’s like having a full-time team behind the scenes, so you can focus on growth, impact, and freedom.

Book your demo: https://bizinaboxsolutions.com/

Mentioned in this episode:

LAUNCH WITH CONFIDENCE

Text FREEDOM to 55444 to access the free training on "How to Tell If Your Idea Is Profitable"

28,000 people. Two years of work. No successful business to show for it.

That's the reality Cliff Ravenscraft discovered after helping over 40,000 people launch podcasts. And the reason they failed wasn't what you'd think.

They weren't lazy. They showed up. They created content. They did the work.

But they were focused on the wrong thing.

They focused on the VEHICLE (the podcast, the social media, the platform) instead of building the BUSINESS first.

In this episode, I break down what those 28,000 people were missing—and how you can avoid making the same mistake.

You'll discover:

• Why focusing on podcasts, social media, or courses FIRST is backwards
• The 4-pillar framework you actually need (one human, one transformation, one audience, one product ladder)
• Why most influencers don't make money the way you think (featuring insights from viral marketing expert Austin Armstrong)
• How to build a business that your content SERVES—not the other way around

Featured clips:

• Cliff Ravenscraft on the shocking pattern he discovered across 40,000 podcasters
• Austin Armstrong on the myth of getting rich as an influencer

Stop building backwards. Start with the foundation.

Get the FREE Online Business Basics Bundle: Text FREEDOM to 55444

Includes video training on the 4-pillar framework, how to build a profitable online business, and a PDF worksheet to map out your pillars.

Pre-Order Austin's book here https://www.amazon.com/Virality-Playbook-Social-Media-Marketing-ebook/dp/B0FSTK8QNB

Have a burning question? Leave a message for Lindsay and she will turn it into an episode with an answer. Use the link below to record.

https://www.speakpipe.com/FreedomEntrepreneur

Biz in a Box CRM is the ultimate all-in-one solution designed to simplify and scale your business. Imagine managing every aspect of your operations — from smart contact segmentation and automated follow-ups to call and text functionality, calendar booking, funnels, websites, and even social media scheduling — all from one intuitive platform. No more juggling multiple tools or paying for endless subscriptions. With built-in AI employee support, Biz in a Box CRM doesn’t just organize your business, it actively helps you run it. It’s like having a full-time team behind the scenes, so you can focus on growth, impact, and freedom.

Book your demo: https://bizinaboxsolutions.com/