The Business Bestie Podcast

Kristen and Gillean dive deep into one of the most essential — and often intimidating — aspects of working in media: contracts. Whether you're creating your own agreement or reviewing one sent by a brand, they break down exactly what to look for, what to include, and how to negotiate with confidence. 

In this episode, we discuss:

• When and why you need a contract for brand partnerships and media work

• How to create your own contract, including key terms like deliverables, fees, rounds of revisions, payment timelines, and late payment penalties

• What to watch for when a brand sends you their contract — exclusivity clauses, usage rights, payment terms, and termination provisions

• The art of negotiation: how to advocate for yourself without damaging the relationship

• Real-life stories of contracts gone wrong (and how to avoid the same mistakes)

• Pits & Peaks: school lunch struggles, press-on nail mishaps, a powerhouse panel appearance, and a budget-friendly Trader Joe's skincare discovery

Key takeaways:

• Always get a signed contract back before starting any work — verbal or email agreements leave you vulnerable

• Include specifics in your own contracts: scope of work, deliverables, revision rounds, reimbursement limits, payment timelines, and late fees

• When reviewing a brand's contract, pay close attention to exclusivity periods and usage rights — these can limit your future opportunities and should be reflected in your rate

• You can and should negotiate contract terms; brands are often more flexible than you'd expect

• Your name, image, and likeness are valuable — charge accordingly for long-term or perpetual usage

• Review termination clauses to ensure you have adequate notice and protection for long-term arrangements

Ready to jump in and join our media mentorship program? Get started here: https://expertwithinfluence.com/media-mentorship

Looking for an in-person event to get together with a community of ambitious, heart-forward women who just get you? Learn more about our next retreat: https://expertwithinfluence.com/2027-retreat 

Disclaimer: Kristen and Gillean are registered dietitians, not attorneys. The information shared in this episode is based on their personal experience and is for educational purposes only. Always consult a qualified legal professional before signing any contract.

In this episode, Kristen sits down with Crystal Orozco, a registered dietitian and graduate of the Business Bestie media mentorship program, to talk about her journey from burnt-out corporate wellness dietitian to confident on-air TV personality. Crystal shares how she discovered the media space, navigated her anxiety around public speaking, and built long-term brand partnerships through authentic relationship-building. From her first nerve-wracking live segment to her monthly "Cooking with Crystal" TV series on ABC10, Crystal's story is a testament to facing your fears, pitching relentlessly, and trusting that you'll figure it out along the way.

In this episode, we discuss:

• Crystal's transition from corporate wellness to media and why she made the leap

• How she overcame public speaking anxiety and panic attacks to thrive on live TV

• Landing her first paid TV segment and building long-term brand partnerships

• The power of in-person networking at conferences like FNCE and Expo West

• Why over-delivering and authentic brand alignment keep clients coming back

• How the media mentorship program accelerated her learning curve with real-time support

• Practical advice for dietitians waiting to feel "ready" before pitching

Key takeaways:

• No one ever feels ready — you learn by getting in and doing the work

• The more you pitch, the more likely you are to hear a yes; rejection is rarely personal

• In-person networking is invaluable — brands want to know the personality behind the pitch

• Over-deliver on every partnership: make it easy for clients to say yes and keep coming back

• Surround yourself with a community of people who have been there and can guide you in real time

• Treat media work like a full-time job — consistency and persistence are what build momentum

• You can chase your fears and still enjoy the ride — growth happens outside your comfort zone

Ready to jump in and join our media mentorship program? Get started here: https://expertwithinfluence.com/media-mentorship

Looking for an in-person event to get together with a community of ambitious, heart-forward women who just get you? Learn more about our next retreat: https://expertwithinfluence.com/2027-retreat 

Feeling stuck, stressed, or stretched too thin trying to "hustle" your way to success? In this episode, we sit down with best-selling author and National TV nutrition expert DJ Blatner, RDN, to unpack the surprising link between joy and achievement. DJ shares how ditching the hustle-at-all-costs mentality — and learning to ask "is there any way I could make this a hell yes?" — completely transformed her career, from landing an unconventional sports dietitian role with the Chicago Cubs to building a business rooted in fun instead of burnout.

We dig into practical tools for reclaiming joy in everyday life: the "are you having fun?" phone reminder that keeps you honest, why singletasking beats multitasking for productivity and peace of mind, and how surrounding yourself with bigger-thinking people (hello, retreats) can shift your entire mindset. Plus, DJ opens up about her hilarious side-hustle history — from candle-making flops to poop-improving cookies — proving that entrepreneurial joy doesn't have to be perfect to be powerful.

If you're a dietitian, entrepreneur, or busy parent looking for permission to have more fun without sacrificing success, this conversation is your reminder that joy isn't the reward for hard work — it's the strategy.

In this episode:

Why "hell yes or no" isn't the only choice — and how to find the middle ground

The story behind DJ's unconventional path to becoming a sports dietitian

How single tasking and presence can amplify joy (and productivity)

Why surrounding yourself with bold, big-thinking people changes everything

Our first entrepreneurial ventures (wax candles, bedazzled phone cases, and poop-friendly cookies included)

One-off projects are exciting—but if you're looking for more stability in your business, consulting might be the missing piece.

In this episode, we're pulling back the curtain on one of our favorite income streams and sharing exactly what consulting looks like as a media dietitian. From long-term brand partnerships to recurring monthly retainers, we're talking about how consulting can create a strong foundation for your business while still giving you the flexibility to pursue TV segments, sponsored content, writing, and everything else you love.

We also share the biggest pros and cons, how we've landed consulting opportunities, what brands are actually looking for, and why relationships and networking continue to open doors year after year.

If you've ever wondered how to move from one-off projects to predictable monthly income, this episode is for you.

We’d love to have you join us for our upcoming Media Mentorship in August. If you’d like more information or to view the application, check out the link below: 

https://expertwithinfluence.com/media-mentorship 

In This Episode We Discuss:

• What consulting actually looks like as a media dietitian

• Why consulting creates more predictable income

• The biggest pros and cons of consulting work

• How to land long-term consulting opportunities

• Why networking is your biggest asset

• Creating proposals that brands want to say yes to

• Monthly retainers vs. hourly pricing

• Examples of consulting projects we've worked on

• How to turn one-off projects into long-term partnerships

Key Takeaways:

• Consulting gives you the opportunity to build recurring income while keeping the flexibility of entrepreneurship.

• Brands hire consultants for their expertise—not simply for their time.

• Long-term partnerships are often built through consistent relationships and networking.

• A strong proposal helps brands clearly see the value you bring.

• Defining your scope of work upfront protects your time and prevents scope creep.

• Monthly retainers can provide consistency while allowing room for flexibility.

• Every one-off project is an opportunity to build trust that can lead to something bigger.

• Diversifying your income streams creates more stability and less stress as an entrepreneur.

• Showing up consistently and doing great work is still the best way to grow your business.

• Sometimes you have to "borrow confidence" and figure things out along the way.

Consulting has been one of the biggest building blocks in our businesses because it creates stability without sacrificing flexibility. We hope this episode gives you ideas for how you can start creating long-term partnerships of your own.

When Deanna Wolfe? joins the Business Bestie Podcast, you know you're going to walk away with pages of notes.

In this episode, we sit down with our business coach and longtime mentor, Deanna, to talk about entrepreneurship, personal branding, social media, motherhood, sales, and the mindset shifts that help women stop waiting for perfect and start taking action.

We dive into why so many women stay stuck in research mode, how to build confidence by doing instead of overthinking, and why the biggest growth often happens when you're willing to be seen before you feel completely ready.

We also chat about pivoting your career, building a business that supports your life, navigating social media boundaries, and what motherhood taught Deanna about focusing on what truly matters.

We’d love to have you join us for our upcoming Media Mentorship in August. If you’d like more information or to view the application, check out the link below: 

https://expertwithinfluence.com/media-mentorship 

In This Episode We Discuss:

• Why perfectionism is often procrastination in disguise

• How to pivot your business without starting over

• Building a personal brand that grows with you

• The mindset shifts that help entrepreneurs take action

• Social media boundaries that protect your mental health

• Why motherhood changes the way we approach work and success

• The difference between posting to post and posting with intention

• What it really takes to build a sustainable business

Key Takeaways:

• Stop waiting for perfect. The women who grow are the women who start.

• You are allowed to change your mind, pivot, and build something new.

• Your personal brand can grow right alongside you.

• Taking action beats endless research every single time.

• Not everyone has to love what you post for it to be valuable.

• Social media should support your business, not take over your life.

• Being a mom doesn't make you less ambitious. It helps you get clearer on what matters.

• You don't need to do all the things. You need to focus on the right things.

• Confidence comes from doing, not from waiting until you feel ready.

• The version of you you're becoming is built one decision, one post, and one brave step at a time.

This conversation felt like sitting down with a friend who tells you exactly what you need to hear.

Deanna reminded us that growth doesn't come from having the perfect plan. It comes from taking action, learning as you go, and trusting yourself enough to keep moving forward.

Grab your favorite drink, settle in, and listen to the full episode on our website. We think you're going to walk away inspired to take that next step you've been putting off.

Okay besties, this episode goes in a direction we did not expect and we loved every minute of it.

We sat down with writer, media dietitian, and sustainability expert Christina Manian to talk about her career journey, how she built a successful freelance writing business, and why she's intentionally designed her life around what matters most to her.

What started as a conversation about media work quickly turned into a deeper discussion about networking, entrepreneurship, manifestation, social media boundaries, mindfulness, creating a lifestyle you actually enjoy, and having the courage to pursue what feels aligned.

Christina shares how she transitioned from working in intensive care at the Mayo Clinic to becoming a full-time freelance writer with nearly 700 published articles. She also opens up about building a career that supports her values, her love of nature, and her commitment to sustainability-focused nutrition.

This conversation is thoughtful, inspiring, and full of reminders that success doesn't have to look the same for everyone.

We’d also love to have you join us for our upcoming Media Mentorship in August. For more information and the application, check out the link below: 

https://expertwithinfluence.com/media-mentorship 

In This Episode, We Discuss:

• Christina's journey from clinical dietetics to full-time writing

• Working at the Mayo Clinic and realizing it wasn't her long-term path

• Building a freelance writing career from the ground up

• Why networking continues to be one of the most valuable career tools

• The realities of today's freelance writing industry

• How writing rates and media opportunities have changed

• Creating a career around lifestyle instead of status

• Sustainability-focused nutrition and why it matters

• Social media boundaries and protecting your energy

• Meditation, mindfulness, and manifestation

• Finding work that feels aligned with your values

• Why doing things you love often creates unexpected opportunities

• Building a business that supports the life you want

Key Takeaways:

• There is no single roadmap to success.

• Networking often creates opportunities that strategy alone cannot.

• A career can be built around your ideal lifestyle.

• Discipline creates freedom.

• Social media boundaries can have a major impact on mental health.

• Doing meaningful work often starts before there's a financial payoff.

• Success looks different for everyone.

• Clarity comes from spending time with yourself and your goals.

There were so many moments in this conversation that had us nodding along. Christina reminded us that success doesn't have to look loud, busy, or like anyone else's version of it. Sometimes success looks like creating a life that feels aligned, protecting your energy, spending time doing work you love, and having the courage to trust yourself along the way.

Grab your favorite drink, put your feet up, and join the conversation with your business besties. We think you're going to love this one.

Okay besties… this episode is SUCH a good behind-the-scenes look at what it actually feels like to start putting yourself out there in media.

We’re sitting down with two recent media mentorship grads — Lainey Younkin and Megan Huff — to talk about what happened when they stopped waiting and started pitching, networking, creating content, and saying yes to opportunities that felt a little scary.

From landing paid brand partnerships and TV segments… to navigating rejection, undercharging, busy schedules, and confidence hurdles… this conversation is packed with honest insight for anyone who wants to grow in the media space.

We also talk about balancing media work with private practice, clinical jobs, motherhood, entrepreneurship, and the very real challenge of trying to do all the things at once 😅

If you’ve ever wondered what the “early stages” of media work really look like — this episode gives you the real story.

We’d also love to have you join us for our upcoming Media Mentorship. For more information and the application, check out the link below: 

https://expertwithinfluence.com/media-mentorship 

In this episode, we discuss:

• How Lainey and Megan got started in dietetics

• Why both of them felt pulled toward media work

• Using media to diversify income and expand opportunities

• Balancing full-time jobs, private practice, and media projects

• The reality of pitching brands and handling rejection

• Why the “slow middle” is part of the process

• Learning how to confidently charge higher rates

• Landing first paid partnerships and TV opportunities

• Using media to fight misinformation online

• Why networking matters so much in media

• The importance of community and mentorship

• How the snowball effect starts happening in business

• Delegating and learning where your time is best spent

• Building confidence while putting yourself out there

Key Takeaways

• Media work takes consistency before momentum builds

• Rejection is normal — and not personal

• Confidence grows through repetition and experience

• Your expertise has real value

• Networking creates opportunities you can’t plan for

• Diversifying your income creates more flexibility

• Small wins eventually stack into bigger opportunities

• You don’t need to have everything figured out before starting

This episode is such a good reminder that every media career starts somewhere. One pitch. One reel. One conversation. One uncomfortable first step. And honestly? That’s usually where the magic starts 💛

Okay besties… this episode is SUCH a good reminder that your career path does not have to be linear.

We’re sitting down with Dr. Renee Korczak — media dietitian, researcher, entrepreneur, and founder of Good Gut Family — to talk about the winding road that brought her from pre-med student to food industry scientist to PhD researcher to building her own business in the media space.

This conversation is packed with wisdom around adaptability, confidence, networking, motherhood, entrepreneurship, and learning how to trust yourself even when the next step feels uncomfortable.

We also talk about building credibility online, working with brands ethically, creating opportunities for yourself, and why sometimes the biggest growth comes from simply staying in the game long enough.

If you’ve ever questioned your direction, wondered if you’re “too late” to pivot, or needed a reminder that your experience matters, this episode is for you.

(And yes, there’s also a very passionate discussion about press-on nails 😂)

In this episode, we discuss:

• Renee’s journey from pre-med to becoming a dietitian and PhD researcher

• Working in the food industry before becoming an RD

• How mentors helped shape her career path

• Why adaptability matters more than having a “perfect” plan

• Building the Good Gut Family brand and finding a niche

• Translating nutrition science into consumer-friendly messaging

• The reality of working with brands ethically as a media dietitian

• Standing your ground when claims go too far

• Why community and mentorship matter in entrepreneurship

• What Renee learned from attending the Business Bestie Retreat

• The mindset shifts that helped her take big career risks

• Launching her upcoming women’s wellness coaching program

• Confidence, imposter syndrome, and putting yourself out there

Key Takeaways

• Your career path can evolve many times — and still make sense

• Every job teaches you something valuable

• Networking can completely change your future

• You don’t need to know the entire plan before taking the next step

• Confidence grows through action, not before it

• Being adaptable is one of the biggest entrepreneurial skills

• You can be evidence-based AND creative

• Community makes hard seasons easier to navigate

• Staying in the game long enough often leads to momentum

Renee’s story is such a powerful reminder that success rarely looks perfectly planned.

Sometimes the next chapter starts because you were willing to say yes before you felt fully ready.

And honestly? That’s where some of the best things begin

Episode Description: Okay besties… this one is for anyone who feels stuck between “this isn’t it” and “what do I do next?”

We’re sitting down with Chelsea LeBlanc — a media dietitian, mom, and entrepreneur — who shares how she went from clinical work (including the chaos of hospital life during COVID 😅) to building a career in media that actually fits her life.

From starting her blog 10 years ago to finally going all in when life forced the decision… Chelsea is sharing what it really looks like to pivot, trust yourself, and figure it out as you go.

We’re talking pitching, persistence, motherhood, messy systems (lol), and how this career can evolve with you in every season.

If you’ve been waiting for the “right time”… this might be your sign.

In this episode, we discuss:

• How Chelsea discovered media dietetics in college

• Turning a side hustle into a full-time career

• Leaving clinical work and why it wasn’t the right fit

• The moment everything changed (and forced her to go all in)

• What pitching actually looks like behind the scenes

• Why most opportunities come from follow-ups — not first emails

• How to come up with creative, timely pitch ideas

• Building multiple income streams (TV, partnerships, toolkits, events)

• What it’s really like balancing work and motherhood

• How becoming a mom shifted her priorities and workflow

• Why flexibility is one of the biggest advantages of media work

• The reality of “figuring it out” in every season

Key Takeaways:

• Your career doesn’t have to look like what you were taught in school

• Starting on the side builds confidence before going all in

• Sometimes the “push” you need comes unexpectedly

• Follow-ups matter more than your first pitch

• Creativity makes your pitches stand out

• You don’t need a perfect system — you just need to keep going

• Motherhood doesn’t stop your goals — it reshapes them

• Every season of life requires a different approach

Chelsea’s story is such a good reminder that there isn’t one perfect path — just the one you keep showing up for.

Okay besties… this one is for anyone in the “is this actually going to work?” phase.

We’re sitting down with Katharine — a dietitian, mom of three, and past media mentorship student — who is in her first real year of building a media career… and she is in it.

From starting with a food blog to landing brand partnerships, TV segments, and even covering her family’s daycare expenses through media work — Katharine shares what it actually looks like to build momentum from scratch.

We talk about the slow start, the snowball effect, learning to charge your worth, and how she’s navigating it all while raising three boys (including one at home full-time 👏).

If you’ve ever wondered what the early stages really look like… this episode is your proof that it’s possible.

In this episode, we discuss:

• How Katharine found her niche in family-friendly, realistic recipes

• What it looked like starting media work with zero brand partnerships

• The “no response” phase — and how she pushed through it

• The snowball effect and when things finally started clicking

• Landing her first sponsored TV segment (and why that changed everything)

• What she says yes to now vs what she passes on

• Why she’s focusing on long-term partnerships this year

• Balancing media work with being a mom of three

• The reality of working during nap time, early mornings, and in the margins

• Mom guilt — and how to actually cope with it

• How she used media work to help cover daycare costs

• Why looking at your income month-by-month can change your strategy

• Traveling with kids and building a flexible life through this career

Key Takeaways:

• The beginning is slow — but momentum builds if you stay consistent.

• One “yes” can open the door to many more opportunities.

• You don’t need everything figured out to start.

• Long-term partnerships create more stability and income.

• Media work can fit into real life — even with kids at home.

• Guilt doesn’t go away — you just learn how to manage it.

• Flexibility is one of the biggest advantages of this career.

• Small wins turn into big growth over time.

If you’re in that early stage where you’re questioning everything… Katharine is your reminder to keep going.

Because the snowball does happen — you just have to stay in the game long enough to see it.