The SoloCEOs

Shani Harmon didn't set out to build a company that would work with organizations like Microsoft, Hershey's, and Macy's.com. Stop Meeting Like This started as a joint venture between two solo consulting practices, born out of a conversation over wine with her cofounder Renee about why some meetings work and most don't. Thirteen years later, the business has evolved well beyond meetings into helping organizations rethink how people collaborate, make decisions, and lead.

In this conversation, Shani traces the path from that first idea to a formal partnership with Microsoft -- a connection that came about because her cofounder's child went to school with the child of the Harvard Business Review author whose research first caught their attention. She talks candidly about buying out her cofounder, carrying the full weight of the business on her own, and the scarcity mindset she has carried since growing up with financial insecurity in rural West Virginia. She also shares why generosity has been one of her most effective business strategies and why community continues to be one of her greatest long-term advantages.

Discussion points include:

•  How a conversation over wine became a consulting company

•  The unexpected path from a Harvard Business Review article to Microsoft

•  Buying out a cofounder and leading the business alone

•  Why generosity has paid off as a long-term strategy

•  Building products from thirteen years of client experience

•  Managing a scarcity mindset while leading a growing company

•  Why community has driven her long-term success

To learn more about Shani Harmon and Stop Meeting Like This:

www.stopmeetinglikethis.com

https://www.linkedin.com/in/shaniharmon/

What's your magic? It's the question at the heart of this conversation with Jason Lorber, stand up comedian and founder of Aplomb Consulting. 

Jason joins Marilyn and Terra for a conversation full of laughs, tangents, and genuine moments, where they discuss imposter syndrome, the parts of ourselves we hide to seem professional, and why bravery means being scared and acting anyway, but only after you've taken stock of which fears are worth listening to and which ones are just old baggage.

He shares the story behind his one man show, the time a client turned down work that wasn't her strength, and what happened when he tried to write a comedy bit and accidentally wrote a story instead. This episode is funny, honest, and full of the kind of energy that reminds you why solopreneurship really is my work, my way.

What does it actually look like to build a business around your life — not the other way around? Connie Casson has been living that answer for over a decade, and she joins Terra and Marilyn for one of the most honest and genuinely useful conversations in SoloCEO history.

Connie is the founder of Blue Seats Consulting, a strategy and operations firm she launched in 2013 after a career that ran from Accenture to Denver Public Schools to the Rhode Island Governor's office. Her story isn't a highlight reel — it's a masterclass in pivoting with intention, knowing what you're not, and betting on yourself when the path isn't clear.

If you've ever wondered whether real freedom is possible for someone with your background and your responsibilities, this one is for you.

Every day you wake up, you get 1,440 minutes. What are you doing with yours? Joset Wright Lacy — executive coach, attorney, and one of Marilyn's longest-standing champions — joins the conversation to talk about what it took for her to build a solo business on her own terms. This one you'll want to pull up twice.

Derek Canty — mentor, master trainer, and the Big Ball Shot Caller behind Winning Edge — brings over 20 years of solopreneur wisdom to our table.

From leaving corporate with no money and betting on himself, to building a life rooted in the belief that heart, purpose, and work must align — this candid conversation is packed with the kind of truth that moves people. You don't want to miss this one.

Connect on LinkedIn with Derek Canty, CEO and founder of Winning Edge, Inc.

In this episode of the SoloCEOs podcast, hosts Terra and Marilyn welcome Starr Hall, a seasoned PR expert and solopreneur. Starr shares her journey from a young age in PR, influenced by her grandmother, to navigating the challenges of solopreneurship, including mental health struggles and the importance of resilience.

The conversation delves into the evolution of PR in the digital age, the significance of authenticity in building connections, and the necessity of setting boundaries for self-care. Starr emphasizes the mindset shift from viewing 'no' as a rejection to seeing it as an opportunity for growth.

What You’ll Learn:

• How to create boundaries in business and life that protect your peace and profit

• Why visibility isn’t vanity — it’s survival for solopreneurs

• The "Holly Grant" method to becoming your own publicist

• How to stop giving your brilliance away for free — even to friends or partners

• Reclaiming your confidence after personal and professional setbacks

If you’re ready to reclaim your voice, value, and PR power — this conversation will light the spark.

Listen now and share with someone who needs this!

Guest: Starr Hall, Starr Hall & Partners
Website: www.starrhall.com
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/starrhall
Instagram: @prstarrhall

00:02:31 Starr Hall's Entrepreneurial Journey

00:06:17 The Ups and Downs of Entrepreneurship

00:10:26 Rebuilding After Setbacks

00:14:20 The Evolution of PR and Media

00:18:35 Authenticity in Content Creation

00:22:23 The In-Between Journey of Success

00:25:15 Working Smarter, Not Harder

00:26:04 Embracing Flexibility in Work

00:27:55 Redefining Success and Work-Life Balance

00:30:14 Transforming Rejection into Opportunity

00:35:02 The Power of Community and Support

00:39:58 Celebrating Wins and Building Confidence

00:42:43 Maintaining Boundaries in Business Relationships

00:47:17 Navigating the Entrepreneurial Journey

00:51:26 Becoming Your Own Advocate

00:54:32 The Importance of Connection and Community

keywords: entrepreneurship, PR, storytelling, resilience, community, boundaries, mindset, personal branding, authenticity, self-care, soloCEO, solopreneurship

Are you a solopreneur feeling the weight of the world on your shoulders? You're not alone. In this episode, we dive deep into the often-confused concepts of motivation and determination.

Discover how motivation can be your initial spark, igniting your entrepreneurial journey, while determination is the relentless force that propels you forward when the going gets tough.

As a solopreneur, you'll experience the ebb and flow of both, but it's your determination that truly becomes your secret weapon. Join us as we explore how to harness this powerful force to soar above challenges and achieve your business goals.

We find ourselves a month into 2024 – and let's be honest, how are those resolutions holding up? Yep, we stopped making them, too. However, this is an opportune moment to take stock of how you're navigating through the year. Have you unknowingly carried along some less-than-ideal habits from the past? Caught in the loop of old patterns that no longer serve you? Well, it's time to put a stop to it – it's time for a reset.

Join us in this episode as we delve into the art of reflection and explore the power of hitting the reset button. Discover actionable insights to break free from unproductive cycles and set a course for a more fulfilling path ahead. Don't let those lingering habits hold you back; it's your time to redefine and reclaim your journey. Tune in and let's embark on this journey together – it's Time for a Reset.

Join us for a special year-end episode of The SoloCEOs as we unpack the highs, lows, and pivotal moments of 2023. From personal experiences to shared insights within our solopreneur community, we explore resilience, lessons learned, and the importance of connection.

As we set our sights on 2024, our hosts discuss goals and strategies for success in the ever-evolving solo business landscape. Discover the power of The SoloCEOs community in overcoming challenges and celebrating victories together.

Whether you're a seasoned solopreneur or aspiring to join the ranks, this episode offers motivation, shared wisdom, and a sense of camaraderie. Tune in as we bid farewell to 2023 and welcome the exciting possibilities of the new year.

Here's to resilience, growth, and a thriving community in 2024!

While listening to Crystal’s solopreneurial experiences, one can only think that This Girl (lady) is on FIRE.  Crystal takes us through her ups and downs in building and closing several business ventures.  Her conversation with Marilyn and Terra is a no holds barred chat about the wisdom she has gained over the years and what keeps her going.  She even brings her mama into the conversation!  If you ever wonder how or why people never give up on their dream of becoming a solopreneur or entrepreneur do yourself a favor and listen to Crystal’s story, but be warned that this is NOT a PG conversation.

Connect with Crystal on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/heycrystallove/