The Solo Grind

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I’m not going to lie… this was a tough one to record. I’ve loved every minute of the two years I’ve spent with you here on The Solo Grind, but as I share in today’s episode, it’s time for me to start a new season.

What started as a 10-episode experiment turned into something much bigger than I ever imagined. But a recent, simple question I asked ChatGPT made me realize I was accidentally sabotaging the business I really want to build. I’ve been unintentionally showing up as a coach, when my true passion, the thing that really fuels my soul, is being a web designer and a strategist.

So, this isn't a "goodbye," it's more of a "see you later." I’m hitting pause on the podcast so I can reclaim my focus and pour my energy back into the design work and one-on-one client projects that I love so much.

What I hope you take away from this episode

• Trust the relief: Some decisions are incredibly hard to make, but if you feel a sense of relief after making them, you know you’re on the right track.
• Honor the seasons: Not everything in your business is meant to last forever. It’s okay for something to be a "season," even if it was successful.
• Define your own success: Don't get caught up in the "influencer" or "empire-building" trap unless that’s truly what you want. You are the only person who gets to define what a successful life and business look like for you.
• The power of a brand audit: Sometimes we need to step back and look at how we’re positioning ourselves. If the world sees you as one thing, but your heart is in another, it’s time to pivot.

Links to resources I shared in this episode:

• Episode 81: What is AI saying about you? – The episode where a whim and a ChatGPT prompt changed everything.
• The Solo Grind Central Library – My collection of resources and secrets to help make your solo business life a little easier.
• My Caffeine Creative Website – This is where you can find me now! I’ll be focusing on my blog and my design work here.
• Reach out and say hi: I read every single email personally. You can find me at [email protected].

Links to connect with me... 

Book a Consult HERE! (https://caffeinecreative.io/consult/)
Visit my website HERE! https://caffeinecreative.io/

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I love today’s topic because it’s something I feel so strongly about: you can be driven and ambitious without sacrificing your life to the "hustle."

I see two common ideas of what it means to be successful in business, and honestly, I don't agree with either one of them. Whether it’s the "work yourself weary" hustle culture or the "two-hour workweek on a beach" fantasy, I think most of us actually want something right in the middle.

Today, I’m sharing why I choose "sustainable ambition" over the hustle, and how I’ve built a business that leaves me room for 5Ks, my dogs, and slow dinners with my husband.

What I hope you take away from this episode

• You deserve to get paid: It is not a badge of honor to skip your paycheck month after month. Charge your worth, then add tax, and pay yourself for the job you’re doing.
• The "Beach Dream" is usually a myth: Most of us would be bored silly if we didn't have meaningful work to do. Success isn't about escaping work; it's about doing work you love so much that you’d actually miss it.
• Exhaustion isn't an achievement: Unless it’s a big "season" (like Mother's Day for a florist), being weary all the time is a sign that something needs to change.
• Success is defined by you: For me, success is a 14-hour design day when I choose it, but it’s also a long walk on my five acres or baking cookies on a Tuesday. You get to decide what your "perfect" looks like.

Links to resources I shared in this episode:

• Profit First by Mike Michalowicz – If you aren't paying yourself yet, please go get this book. It will change everything.
• Sustainable Ambition by Kathy Oneto – I’m really leaning into the three pillars she talks about: the right ambition, at the right time, with the right effort.
• Episode 69: 8 tips to ditch the busy work and be productive – If you feel like you’re just staying "busy" to feel productive, this one is for you.
• Reach out and say hi: I’d love to hear what your version of success looks like. Email me at [email protected].

Links to connect with me... 

Book a Consult HERE! (https://caffeinecreative.io/consult/)
Visit my website HERE! https://caffeinecreative.io/

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Have you ever had a tiny little experiment completely shift the way you see your business? Because apparently I have.

Today, I am following up on the conversation we started last week about what AI is saying about you. What started as a whim... asking a brand new AI window one simple question... turned into a full blown realization that I was unintentionally sabotaging the direction of my business.

We are also taking an up close and personal look into why the world is so obsessed with giving entrepreneurs a "pep talk" when things change and why I refuse to turn a business shift into a personal identity crisis. I am sharing my own journey through so called "risky" moves like starting a YouTube channel in 2012 and the 18 month struggle of trying to force an agency model that just didn't fit. This episode is an invitation to stop worrying about what others think and start seeing every experiment as valuable information rather than a failure.

What I hope you take away from today's episode... 

• Allow yourself to explore, to pivot, to shift, and to change without stress, worry, or shame.
• Allow yourself to outgrow things without turning it into a personal identity crisis.
• You are absolutely allowed to make strategic changes without turning it into a story about failure.
• In fact, you don't even have to embrace the concept of failure at all... these are just opportunities to learn, to grow, and to gain clarity on what direction we actually want to go.
• Don't let anyone else tell you how you are supposed to feel... not the people in your life, not Google, and not your AI buddy.
• You are the only one who can truly tap into what you are feeling and you have a choice to feel good about the shifts in your life and business.
• You have the choice to see the steps you have taken as growth and that the path was a necessary one to lead you to where you are today.

Links to the cool stuff mentioned in this episode... 

Episode 81: What is AI Saying About You?

Links to connect with me... 

Book a Consult HERE! (https://caffeinecreative.io/consult/)

Email me HERE! theperfectblendcaffeinecreative.io

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A few weeks ago I decided to have a little fun at the end of a long workday and asked ChatGPT one simple question: "What can you tell me about Teresa Schlup?" I’ve Googled myself for years out of curiosity, so this felt like a natural progression. The results were fascinating! AI saw me not just as a web designer, but as a "translator" between a business and its audience.

It got me thinking... If AI can see me that clearly, what else is it seeing that I might be missing? I’ve tried traditional brand audits before with surveys and coaches, but I rarely got the return on investment I was looking for. Clients don't want to hurt your feelings, and coaches don’t always know your heart. But AI is objective. It doesn’t care about my feelings; it just tells me what the data says.

In today’s episode, I’m sharing how you can use AI as an objective strategist to do a deep-dive brand audit on your own schedule and budget. I’ll even share the five categories of questions you need to ask to see if your messaging is actually attracting your dream clients. (And please excuse my "scattered puppy brain" today! My new puppy, Remy, is sleeping at my feet and being his adorable, naughty self!)

Questions I asked...

Category 1: The Basics

• "What can you tell me about [Insert Name or Business Name]?"
• "What kind of clients would be best for this business?"
• "Does this business feel approachable or intimidating?"

Category 2: Experience and Clarity

• "Is it immediately obvious what this business offers?"
• "Does this business sound experienced?"

Category 3: Gauging Emotional Reactions

• "Does this brand feel trustworthy?"
• "Does this business feel confident or uncertain?"

Category 4: Money and Mechanics

• "Does this business feel high-end, mid-range, or budget-focused?"
• "What assumptions would you make about their pricing based on their messaging?"
• "Would you expect a streamlined experience or a highly customized experience?"

Category 5: Hard Truth Questions

• "Does this business sound more experienced than its website looks?"
• "Does anything weaken the trust?"
• The Ultimate Test: "If you had to summarize this business in one sentence, what would you say?"

What I hope you take away from today's episode...

• AI isn’t just a tool for writing emails; it’s an objective mirror that can show you the branding gaps you’re too close to see.
• Traditional audits often fail because of human bias, but AI only cares about the data you’ve put out into the world.
• There are 5 key areas to audit: The Basics, Experience & Clarity, Emotional Reaction, Money & Mechanics, and the Hard Truths.
• Your visuals must support your words. If your website looks janky but your copy sounds elite, you’re creating a "trust gap" that AI can help you spot.
• The ultimate test of your brand's clarity is whether AI can summarize your business in one clear, punchy sentence.

Links to the cool stuff mentioned in this episode...

• IntelligentX Brewing Co. (The AI-driven brewery)
• Junkstock (My favorite festival in Waterloo, Nebraska)

Links to connect with me... 

Book a Consult HERE! (https://caffeinecreative.io/consult/)

Email me HERE! theperfectblendcaffeinecreative.io

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Last week, we talked about the cost of pretending and how sometimes we just have to "try things on for size" to find our true niche in the world. Well, this week, we have someone who has found her niche. She went from pretending to be "Positively Powerful" to living through the "Schmidts" in a very real, genuine, and authentic way. Her business has blossomed in more ways than you can imagine in four short years.

If you love hearing a success story, this episode, my friends, is one you don't want to miss.

What I hope you take away from today's episode... 

• It’s okay to "try things on for size." Finding your niche is a journey. Don't be afraid to pivot if your current brand feels like a costume; "trying on" different directions is often the only way to find the one that fits perfectly.
• Authenticity is your greatest shortcut. When you stop pretending and start "heart-branding," the work begins to flow. Content, design, and marketing become easy because they are simply an extension of your true self.
• Your hardest seasons can become your most powerful mission. Nicole turned her personal experience with the "Schmidts" of life into a business that provides genuine connection. Your lived experience is often where your most valuable business offerings are hidden.
• Give yourself permission to do it your way. Whether you are navigating grief or growing a business, there is no "hierarchy" or set of rules you have to follow. Success happens when you lean into what is natural to you, rather than trying to copy the "gurus."

Links to the cool stuff mentioned in this episode... 

Visit Nicole's website: LivingThroughTheSchmidts.com

Purchase her book or other fabulous offerings

Take a look at the Heartfelt Haven Community

Last weeks' episode: The Real Cost of Pretending

Links to connect with me... 

Book a Consult HERE! (https://caffeinecreative.io/consult/)

Email me HERE! theperfectblendcaffeinecreative.io

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Today I’m getting real about a piece of advice we hear all the time in business: "fake it till you make it." Honestly? I hate that advice. After seeing a totally staged, AI-generated post on social media from an acquaintance, I started thinking about the high price we pay when we pretend to be someone we aren’t.

In this episode, I’m sharing my own journey of tossing out the "different hats" I felt I had to wear in the corporate world and what happened when I finally started showing up as the real me. We’re talking about why pretending attracts the wrong people, how it drains your energy, and why focusing on becoming a better version of yourself is so much more powerful than just appearing like one.

What I hope you take away from today's episode...

• Why the "fake it" mentality backfires: Understand how playing a role actually attracts the wrong clients and collaborators into your circle.
• The true cost of appearances: Why keeping up a persona is the fastest way to hit burnout and lose sight of your original dream.
• It’s okay to "try things on": Why following the wrong path for a little while isn’t a failure—it’s actually a necessary part of figuring out who you really are.
• Becoming vs. Appearing: Why real success lives in doing the work to improve yourself rather than spending that same energy trying to look successful for others.

Previous Episodes Mentioned that you may want to check out... 
The DARKSIDE of Marketing
The “Fairy Tale” Business Mindset

Links to connect with me...
Book a Consult HERE! (https://caffeinecreative.io/consult/)
Email me HERE! theperfectblendcaffeinecreative.io

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Boundaries sound simple… until you actually start paying attention to how they show up in your day-to-day life.

In this episode, we’re playing a little game: Are you the boundary pusher… or the boundary eraser? Through real-life scenarios you’ll probably recognize immediately

We will be taking a closer look at the small, everyday moments where boundaries get tested, ignored, or quietly disappear. Some of these might feel uncomfortably familiar. You might see yourself showing up as the one overcommitting, over giving, or saying “it’s fine” when it really isn’t.

Or you might catch yourself pushing limits without even realizing it.

Either way, this isn’t about blame. It’s about awareness.

Because once you can see the pattern, you can start to change it, and create healthier, more respectful relationships in every area of your life.

What I hope you take away from today's episode...

• Not every boundary issue is someone else’s fault
• Sometimes we’re participating in the pattern without realizing it
• You can be both a boundary pusher and a boundary eraser depending on the situation
• Avoiding uncomfortable conversations doesn’t keep the peace
• You don’t have to be rude to be honest. Clear communication can still be kind
• Letting people struggle a little is sometimes the most respectful thing you can do
• Boundaries start with YOU (and me too!) 

Links to connect with me...
Book a Consult HERE! (https://caffeinecreative.io/consult/)
Email me HERE! theperfectblendcaffeinecreative.io

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Have you ever experienced something that looked amazing… but didn’t actually work?

I have and today I am sharing a little behind the scenes of my trip to coast that sparked a bigger conversation about something I see all to often in business... Good ideas with good intentions, but poor execution.

I'm sharing everything from the beautiful design details,  incredible cookies, and sketchy bathroom that made it very clear that “pretty” isn’t enough. 

I will be chatting about intention and execution, and why choosing excellence (even when it’s harder) is what actually sets you apart from every other business out there! 

What I hope you take away from today's episode... 

• If it doesn’t work, it doesn’t matter how good it looks.
• Good intentions don’t equal good delivery.
• “Good enough” might be quietly costing you more than you realize.
• Excellence doesn’t come from doing more. It comes from doing the right things well.
• People remember how your work made their life easier... or harder.

Links to connect with me...
Book a Consult HERE! (https://caffeinecreative.io/consult/)
Email me HERE! theperfectblendcaffeinecreative.io

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Have you ever caught yourself waiting for a "magic bean" or a "glass slipper" moment to finally catapult your business to the next level? I've been there, and even when it does happen it is never as great as we think it will be.

Today, I’m taking a trip down fairytale lane to look at how the stories we loved as kids, and the ones we still tell ourselves today, that might be messing with our business mindset. ​

I am sharing why I actually think Jack and the Beanstalk is really a story about a lazy thief how Cinderella is actually one incredibly empowered woman who didn't need saving. 

We’re diving into:

• The Integrity Filter: Why popular opinion shouldn't dictate your business ethics.
• The "Ever After" Shift: Lessons from my favorite movie, Ever After, on why you don’t need a fairy godmother (or a viral video) to save you.
• Strategic Hard Work vs. Busy Work: Shifting the narrative from waiting for "the big break" to creating your own luck through resilience.
• Dealing with the "Stepmothers": How to protect your energy from people who try to diminish your worth.

What I hope you take away from today's episode... 

• Don't be afraid to let your ideas and perceptions be challenged.  
• Embrace the good in life... ALWAYS! 
• You don't need to be saved or rescued. 
• You create your own dream... your own success. 
• Only you can shift the narrative playing out in your mind. 

Links to the cool stuff mentioned in this episode... 
Movie: Ever After: A Cinderella Story

Links to connect with me...
Book a Consult HERE! (https://caffeinecreative.io/consult/)
Email me HERE! theperfectblendcaffeinecreative.io

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One of the things I hear the most from new potential clients is, "I just don't know that I... have enough... am enough... to have a good website." And from my seat at the computer looking in I see how much modesty is getting in the way of letting them shine! 

Most of us are way better at what we do than we give ourselves credit for, and yet we sometimes still play small and hide waiting for "one day" when we are ready. Today I am chatting with my client, Angela Cunningham of Hemstitch Interior Design who decided not to wait, and who's new website has helped her shine for the world to see in new and unexpected ways. 

We talk about about websites, copywriting, the process of getting to launch and what it really looks like to be an interior designer. 

What I hope you take away from today's episode... 

• The importance of strategic content, including words and images, for SEO and client attraction
• How a well-crafted website acts as a digital handshake and confidence booster
• The process behind capturing a client’s personality and business essence
• Overcoming modesty and self-doubt to confidently promote your expertise
• Designing with purpose: reflecting processes, values, and personality

Links to the cool stuff mentioned in this episode...
Checkout Angela's website at https://hemstitchdesign.net/
Meet our copywriter Emily Aborn at https://emilyaborn.com/

Links to connect with me...
Book a Consult HERE! (https://caffeinecreative.io/consult/)
Email me HERE! theperfectblendcaffeinecreative.io