Rooted & Relentless

In this Clarity Coven feature, Steph sits down with Alissa Bellantoni — The Golden OBM. Alissa is an Online Business Manager, an Online Business Mentor, and the woman business owners call when the backend is on fire and burnout is knocking at the door.

Alissa is one of the founding members of the Rooted & Relentless Mastermind, and in this conversation, we dig into what it actually looks like to build a sustainable virtual support business — both as an OBM serving established clients and as a mentor helping women step into the their own virtual support business with confidence.

This episode is a candid, practical conversation about operations, hiring, boundaries, authenticity, and avoiding the comparison spiral that derails so many capable entrepreneurs.

What We Cover in This Episode

1. What an Online Business Manager really does (and doesn’t do)
2. The biggest misconception about OBMs and virtual support roles
3. Why hiring “one person to do everything” isn't the move
4. Why being honest about budget and expectations matters
5. Alissa’s biggest recent shift: stepping into authentic, unfiltered messaging
6. How comparison quietly stalls progress in service-based businesses
7. Curating your social media feed to support your growth, not sabotage it

Key Takeaways

1. Clarity in hiring starts with clarity in roles. Know what you’re hiring for before you post the job.
2. OBMs are ops specialists, not marketing unicorns. Different roles exist for a reason.
3. Burnout is often a systems problem, not a motivation problem.
4. Authenticity converts better than perfectly polished content.
5. Following competitors too closely fuels self-doubt & setbacks, not confidence.
6. You don’t need to manage everyone — you need the right leadership structure.

Connect with Alissa

Want backend brilliance and top-tier OBM wisdom? Or thinking of starting your own Virtual Support Business? 

1. Instagram: @thegoldenobm
2. Newsletter: https://thegoldenobm.myflodesk.com/newsletter

This episode is part of the Clarity Coven series — spotlighting the founding members of the Rooted & Relentless Mastermind and what stakeholder experience looks like when done right.

Want the same kind of clarity, confidence, and grounded decision-making you heard in this episode? Join me and Alissa inside of the Rooted & Relentless mastermind. Where breakthroughs happen on any given Tuesday: https://www.stephrubio.com/groupcoachingwaitlist

In this special Clarity Coven feature episode of Rooted & Relentless, Steph sits down with Kara Williams, founder of Help Me Kara and a founding member of the Rooted & Relentless Mastermind.

This conversation is a masterclass in simplification, execution, and impact — especially for business owners who know they have something powerful to teach but feel stuck at the idea stage.

Kara shares her journey from years of doing tech behind the scenes to becoming the go-to for helping entrepreneurs launch courses that actually get finished — and talked about — not forgotten.

Together, Steph and Kara unpack what really matters when building and marketing digital offers, why perfection is slowing people down, and how clarity is created through action, not overthinking.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

1. Why most people overbuild courses — and how that hurts results
2. The real goal of a course (hint: it’s not proving how much you know)
3. How faster transformations lead to stronger referrals and reputation
4. Why marketing has to start before your offer is live — and continue after
5. The biggest misconceptions about tech, production quality, and “doing it right”
6. How iteration beats perfection every time
7. What it looks like to run your business like a business — even with limited hours
8. Why data beats disappointment when things don’t land the first time
9. Kara’s best advice for service-based business owners stuck waiting for clarity

This episode is a reminder that:

You don’t need more content.

You need cleaner execution, clearer transformation, and the courage to move.

Because results change lives — and finished work builds reputation.

🔗 Connect with Kara

If you’re thinking about launching a course, digital product, or offer — or you’re stuck in tech paralysis — Kara is someone you want in your corner.

1. Instagram: @helpmekara - https://www.instagram.com/helpmekara/
2. LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/kara-williams-04b94ba

🔗 Want to go deeper into this work?

This Clarity Coven feature is one example of how stakeholder experience comes to life inside the Rooted & Relentless Mastermind.

1. Join the Mastermind Waitlist
2. High-touch coaching for service-based business owners ready to stabilize, scale, and lead with clarity
3. https://www.stephrubio.com/groupcoachingwaitlist
4. Get the deets straight to your inbox for what Steph's currently loving, learning, loathing along with a CEO edit to sharpen your strategy & bite-sized business tips that keep you scaling without selling your soul: https://stephrubio.myflodesk.com/letsconnect

Reflection Prompt:

Where are you waiting to feel “ready” — when action would give you the clarity you’re looking for?

Catch up on the ENTIRE Stakeholder Experience Series: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Odsm2fz_vkhGAj9T4uBibozotLpDhpOoFA9rSNrBCjM/edit?usp=sharing

What if the fastest way to grow your business wasn’t more content, better hooks, or another launch strategy?

What if it was your reputation?

In this episode of Rooted & Relentless, I’m officially introducing a concept that’s been quietly shaping my work for years—and I’m finally naming it out loud: The Stakeholder Experience.

Most conversations in online business stop at client experience. And yes—client experience matters. It’s non-negotiable.

But it’s also too narrow.

Because in business, your reputation isn’t just carried by your clients. It’s carried by everyone who has a stake in your business—and whether you’re managing that intentionally or not, it’s already working for (or against) you.

In this episode, I'm giving you a sneak peek on the concept of Stakeholder Experience, including:

1. Why your reputation is your revenue
2. The difference between client experience and stakeholder experience
3. The four stakeholder groups that quietly shape your growth, referrals, retention, and opportunities
4. How this managing every relationships moves you from hustling for dollars to building a reputation that compounds

This episode also marks the beginning of the Stakeholder Experience Masterclass Series, where over the next several weeks I’ll break down each stakeholder group—why they matter and how they affect your business.

And because I don’t just teach theory—I show receipts—I’m kicking off this series by spotlighting The Clarity Coven, the founding members of the Rooted & Relentless Mastermind.

This is stakeholder experience in action.

If you’re done chasing visibility and ready to build something that lasts—

If you want your name being said in rooms you’re not even in—and said well—

If you’re ready to lead your business like the ecosystem it actually is—

Welcome to Steph Rubio land. Pull up a seat and stay awhile.

And consider joining us in the mastermind where making our experience our growth engine is just another day: https://www.stephrubio.com/groupcoachingwaitlist

This Series Is For You If:

1. You’re a service-based business owner or founder
2. You care deeply about how you do business—not just how fast you grow
3. You’re tired of chasing attention and ready to build authority
4. You believe relationships are strategy (because they are)

What’s Coming Next:

Each week in this series, we’ll zoom in on one stakeholder group and break down:

1. Why managing this relationship matters
2. How it impacts every other part of your business
3. Actions and systems that elevate the experience

Get Steph's Shenanigans straight to your inbox twice a month. Aside from this podcast, it's the most valuable free advice you can get on the internet: https://stephrubio.myflodesk.com/letsconnect

In this episode, Steph delves peels back the curtain on a characteristic many business owners miss, showcasing self-leadership as the foundation it is for lasting business success. She discusses how self-awareness, ownership, alignment, and resilience are crucial for growing a sustainable business. Steph shares personal insights and practical advice on leading yourself before leading others shedding light on the fact that if you run a business, you do lead others, even if it's not an internal team.

Follow Steph on IG: https://www.instagram.com/virtually_stephrubio

Get the deets straight to your inbox for what Steph's currently loving, learning, loathing along with a CEO edit to sharpen your strategy & bite-sized business tips that keep you scaling without selling your soul: https://stephrubio.myflodesk.com/letsconnect

Summary

Steph dives into the a fave topic of love & hate as we close another year = goal setting. She shares her journey from goal-hater to goal-setter. She emphasizes the importance of SMART goals and offers practical examples for different business functions. With a mix of humor and insight, Steph encourages listeners to set achievable, relevant, and time-bound goals, while also considering their business rhythms and personal motivations.

Book Your Decision Intensive, aka Quarterly Business Review HERE ——→ https://www.stephrubio.com/small-business-consulting

Let's hang on IG: https://www.instagram.com/virtually_stephrubio

Get the deets straight to your inbox on what I'm currently loving, learning, or loathing, along with a CEO edit to sharpen your strategy & bite-sized business tips that keep you scaling without selling your soul: https://stephrubio.myflodesk.com/letsconnect

Takeaways

1. I used to hate goals, but now I see their power.
2. Reverse engineering helps in setting and achieving goals.
3. SMART goals: Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound.
4. Set goals for each business function: marketing, sales, operations.
5. Quarterly goals help in tracking progress and adjusting strategies.
6. Revenue goals should be realistic and based on past performance.
7. Break down annual goals into quarterly targets for better management.
8. Use past data to set achievable sales and marketing goals.
9. Understand your business rhythms to set effective goals.
10. Review and adjust goals quarterly to stay on track.

In this episode, Steph delves into the complexities of hiring offshore support for online businesses. She explores the ethical considerations, potential benefits, and challenges of outsourcing, emphasizing the importance of aligning business practices with personal values and community impact. The big zinger? There is no cut and dry right or wrong answer. This episode explores critical thinking at it's core, truly discovering your values and aligning with those.

For me straight up shenanigans from Steph:

Follow along on IG: https://www.instagram.com/virtually_stephrubio

Get the deets straight to your inbox - what Steph's currently loving, learning, loathing along with a CEO edit to sharpen your strategy & bite-sized business tips that keep you scaling without selling your soul: https://stephrubio.myflodesk.com/letsconnect

Takeaways

1. Hiring offshore can be cost-effective but raises ethical questions.
2. Aligning business practices with personal values is crucial.
3. Globalization impacts local and international communities differently.
4. Outsourcing can offer significant scaling potential for businesses.
5. Ethical considerations include fair wages and community support.
6. Steph emphasizes the importance of women's empowerment globally.
7. There's no one-size-fits-all answer to offshore hiring.
8. Understanding cultural differences is key in global business.
9. Steph advocates for supporting local communities through business.
10. The conversation on globalization is nuanced and ongoing.

In this episode, Steph delves into the art of making the sales ask, emphasizing the importance of timing and building rapport, but making it short & sweet - you go for the jugular as soon as they give you the ammunition. She shares personal experiences and insights on how to identify the right moment to pitch, ensuring that the ask is made when there's a clear need. The discussion includes strategies for pre-qualifying leads, asking discovery questions, and overcoming common objections.

Follow me on IG: https://www.instagram.com/virtually_stephrubio

Get Steph's Shenanigans straight to your inbox: https://stephrubio.myflodesk.com/letsconnect

Takeaways

1. Make the ask as soon as there's a need.
2. Build rapport before pitching.
3. Pre-qualify leads to ensure readiness.
4. Use discovery questions to uncover needs.
5. Sales is about problem-solution matching.
6. Overcome objections by understanding them.
7. Remove emotion from sales interactions.
8. Content can nurture potential leads.
9. Sales is more than a numbers game.
10. Be convicted in your offering.

In this episode, Steph demystifies common marketing misconceptions, emphasizing the importance of understanding marketing beyond social media. She breaks down the four P's of marketing—Product, Price, Place, and Promotion—and explains how these foundational elements are crucial for getting to the core of how to bring your service to market to ultimately sell it. With all of the online guru's giving you a different framework for the perfect social media post, how to find clients, and everything in between, it's high time you start learning the basics so you can cut through the noise and market like a boss.

Keep up with Steph:

Follow me on IG: https://www.instagram.com/virtually_stephrubio

Get more of Steph's shenanigans & seriously useful tips straight to your inbox: https://stephrubio.myflodesk.com/letsconnect

In this episode of Rooted and Relentless, host Steph Rubio welcomes Taylor Smith of The Power Table to discuss the theme of collaboration over competition. They are both uniquely positioning to discuss this emerging theme because they are "competitors" in the very real sense of the word and Steph has her own mastermind while being a part of Taylor's. They explore the importance of authentic visibility and the power of community in growing a business. Taylor shares insights on membership retention, the significance of mentorship, and how to navigate competition with grace and integrity, leveraging it as a tool for growth, not the woman pitted against woman we were all taught. The conversation highlights the value of collaboration, the role of mentors, and the impact of community-driven growth.

Join us at The Power Table LIVE Personal Branding & Marketing Conference for Female Founders April 22–23, 2026 Destin, Florida 2 days to learn the strategies, land the collaborations, and build the personal brand that gets you seen and paid!

https://stan.store/affiliates/8032e3fc-7522-4607-8e6a-0c063451411f

Connect with Taylor online:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/taylorsmithonline/ https://www.instagram.com/taylorsmithonline/ https://www.taylorsmithonline.com/

Hang with Steph:

Follow me on IG: https://www.instagram.com/virtually_stephrubio

Get Steph's Shenanigans straight to your inbox: https://stephrubio.myflodesk.com/letsconnect

In this episode of 'Rooted and Relentless,' Steph digs under the hood a bit to discuss how clarity and qualifying clients in your business are crucial to success (and your sanity). She shares personal experiences and insights on how to identify and attract the right clients who are committed to taking action and achieving success. Steph emphasizes the need for clear messaging, appropriate pricing, and understanding client readiness to ensure a fruitful client relationships. The big takeaway? We're not cutting people out when we get specific, we're cutting people in.

Keep up with Steph's Shenanigans on IG: https://www.instagram.com/virtually_stephrubio

Get Steph's Shenanigans straight to your inbox: https://stephrubio.myflodesk.com/letsconnect

Takeaways

1. Qualifying clients is crucial for successful client relationships.
2. Clear messaging helps attract the right clients.
3. Pricing should reflect the value and transformation offered.
4. Client readiness is key to achieving desired outcomes.
5. Understanding client needs leads to better service.
6. Aligned clients lead to social proof and business success.