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Quick summary Host Kelsey Reidl is back from a short break with three-week-old Blair in her lap and a big life update: the family is moving. She tells the full story, from finding their dream home on the five-year anniversary of her mom's death to almost walking away after the inspection, an offer that collapsed a week after signing, and a final sale that closed with her two days overdue. In this episode Welcoming baby Blair Elizabeth, and why the show took a breakHow dueling emotions, deep joy and grief, can exist at the same timeJuly 19th: the anniversary of her mom's passing and the day the dream home was listedThe "signs" that made the house feel meant to be, including her favourite number, 43Going from 50/50 to 80/20 in four days, and the 80/10/10 rule for buying a homeChoosing community over waterfront: why the family drew a box around their small townWinning a bidding war, then nearly pulling out after the inspectionGetting a house ready to sell in four days, and why you should do everything your stager saysLiving out of the house for all of August during showingsThe 9 PM knock, the "dream offer" and the financing collapseRelisting with the agent in Greece and selling two days past the due dateLessons learned about big decisions, asking for help and letting go of outcomesKey takeaways Don't rush big decisions. Feelings can swing from yes to no to yes in three days. Give yourself time and space before you commit.Use the 80/10/10 rule when buying. Love 80% of the home, plan to change 10%, and accept that you'll live with the last 10%.Do everything the stager says. Four days of repairs, paint and decluttering finished six years of projects and helped the house sell.Ask for help, specifically. A place to work, someone to watch the dog, a mother-in-law with a supply list: people want to show up.Control the outputs, not the outcome. You can't control the market or the buyer's financing. You can make every showing your best one.Memorable quotes "Sometimes you can love what you have and know that the best decision for you and your family is on the other side of change." "We controlled the outputs. We couldn't control the outcome." "With big decisions come big emotions, and it's okay to give yourself time and space." Resources mentioned Kelsey’s Instagram: @kelseyreidlKelsey’s Website: www.KelseyReidl.comEpisode 131: Secrets Out! We're Moving..., the 2020 announcement that we were leaving TorontoEpisode 161: Moving to a Small Town & Impacts on My Business, six months in (listen on Spotify)The 80/10/10 rule for buying a homerealtor.ca, where the listing was presentedPort Dover, Ontario, one of the family's day trips during showingsComing soon on the show: Blair's birth story, plus episodes on pregnancy and preparing for maternity leave About the Host Kelsey Reidl is an entrepreneur, fractional CMO, and host of Rain or Shine (formerly Visionary Life). She's been podcasting for 8 years, helping entrepreneurs show up consistently and build sustainable businesses. She runs the Wave Mastermind and specializes in marketing strategy, website design, and business growth. Kelsey is a mom to a 2-year-old, an avid mountain biker, and a firm believer in the "rain or shine" mentality.

Quick Summary:  Stephanie Long, founder of Launch Your Nutrition Biz and Booked Out Nutritionist, sits down with marketing strategist Kelsey Reidl to untangle a question a lot of established founders quietly wrestle with: how do you build a personal brand on top of a business that already works, without confusing your audience or diluting what's already paying the bills? What starts as a funnel-strategy conversation turns into a much bigger one about identity, monotony, and giving yourself permission to evolve out loud. In This Episode: Why Stephanie paused content creation for months, stuck between two audiences and two programsThe real difference between "beginner" and "next-stage" content — and why most nutritionists get stuck in the messy middleWhy "the money is in the monotony" and what that means for founders who feel bored by what's workingHow to structure one funnel that leads to two offers, instead of running two competing funnelsWhy a personal brand doesn't need a grand announcement — or its own separate businessPractical ideas for finding your "hook" and turning conversations into content without losing your voice to AI Key Takeaways: If your programs solve genuinely different problems, your audience probably doesn't need two content funnels — they need one funnel with a clear self-select moment (a "not sure which one you need?" CTA) and application-style entry into the more advanced offer.Content pillars usually overlap more than founders assume — beginners want to hear what's ahead of them, and advanced audiences want reminders of the fundamentals.A personal brand isn't a rebrand. You can shift a podcast's tone and content gradually — your audience is evolving with you and doesn't need a big announcement unless you're shutting the whole thing down.Protect a few hours a week for creative content with no attached sales outcome — the only metric is whether it felt honest and alive.If AI-assisted content creation starts to feel like it's flattening your voice, the fix isn't to abandon it — it's to feed it your actual unscripted thoughts (via a recorded weekly check-in, a voice memo, or a journaling habit) so it has something real to work with. Memorable Quotes: "I could probably get most of your course information on ChatGPT or Claude... but I can't get your aura, your essence." — Kelsey Reidl"The money is often in the monotony." — Kelsey Reidl"I've been really scared to share my own opinion... this almost feels like a rebellion." — Stephanie Long Resources Mentioned: Stephanie’s Instagram: @stephanielong.caStephanie’s Website: stephanielong.caKelsey’s Instagram: @KelseyReidlKelsey’s Website: KelseyReidl.comLaunch Your Nutrition Biz (Stephanie's beginner program)Booked Out Nutritionist (Stephanie's advanced program and podcast)Amy Porterfield's Digital Course Academy → Momentum membership modelThe "Yap Challenge" (short daily video prompts, referenced via a coach named Jessie)Claude, used informally by both hosts for journaling and content organization About the Guest: Stephanie Long is the founder of Launch Your Nutrition Biz and Booked Out Nutritionist, and has hosted a business podcast for nutrition entrepreneurs since 2018. She's currently preparing to go on maternity leave and is rethinking how personal brand fits into an already-established coaching business.

Quick Summary After eight or nine live events and nearly four years of hosting, Wave for Women co-founders Kelsey and Emily sit down for an unfiltered conversation about the fears that keep them up at night before an event — from pregnancy scares and ice storms to missing name tags and worn-out swag bags — alongside the parts of event-hosting they've learned to fully trust. In This Episode Emily's biggest event fear: a sick kid (or herself) making an event impossible to attendNavigating a first-trimester pregnancy and morning sickness during a live 75-person eventTwo intense weather scares — an ice storm and an air quality warning — and the "Acts of God" risk that comes with event hostingWhy every attendee has a different risk tolerance, and how that shapes hard callsThe "little things become big things" logistics spiral: name tags, tape, table assignmentsReal mishaps: a mismatched speaker time, a water shortage on a hot day, worn swag bagsWhy building an event team (and having a "runner" on standby) changed everythingWardrobe mishaps on the road — bra straps, blisters, and the case for trying on your full outfit beforehandWhat Kelsey and Emily never worry about: guest connection, public speaking, and trusting their unconventional approachWhy choosing small-town venues and unique guest speakers became a competitive advantageKey Takeaways Plan for the things you can't control. Weather, illness, and "Acts of God" risks aren't preventable — build contingency plans and a trusted team rather than assuming you'll be lucky forever.Respect that risk tolerance varies. Not every attendee will weigh a health or weather risk the same way you do — communicate clearly and let people opt in or out.Build an event team, not a two-person show. Having a trusted "runner" on standby for last-minute needs (water, supplies) keeps hosts from being stressed out at their own event.Give yourself grace for the 2% hiccups. Wrong speaker times, mismatched dates, worn swag bags — these happen at almost every event, and naming them openly builds trust with your audience rather than eroding it.Trust your unconventional instincts. Choosing smaller-town venues and guest speakers you personally love — rather than copying what everyone else does — can become your strongest differentiator.Memorable Quotes "Don't make a mountain out of a molehill when little things go funny.""When you make decisions that just feel good in your soul, you will attract the right attendees who see in that vision, and they want to build it out with you."Resources Mentioned Kelsey's Instagram: @KelseyReidlEmily's Instagram: @itsemilyelliotWebsite: waveforwomen.caInstagram: @waveforwomenWave Mastermind — live coaching and blueprints for hosting events, podcasting, and public speakingUpcoming Wave for Women events: October in Elora; early 2027 in ParisAbout the Hosts Kelsey and Emily are the co-founders of Wave for Women, having hosted eight or nine live events over nearly four years — ranging from intimate 10-woman gatherings to events with almost 100 attendees, top guest speakers, and vendors. They also run the Wave Mastermind, a coaching community for women building podcasts, events, and businesses.

Quick Summary Nicole Crone — co-founder of My Aligned Purpose and host of a podcast with over 600 episodes — joins Rain or Shine for a candid conversation about becoming a mom at 40 after years of not wanting kids, surviving a two-year fertility journey, and navigating one of the hardest eight-week stretches her business has faced. Along the way, she shares the systems, mindset tools, and rituals that keep her grounded — from "duvet days" to yearly word-of-the-year necklaces. In This Episode Nicole's go-to rituals for decompressing after an overloaded weekHow she uses Claude and Cowork to organize her to-do list into an Eisenhower MatrixHer lifelong love of learning — human design, astrology, Kabbalah, and yogaThe surprising vision that changed her mind about wanting kidsA two-year fertility journey, including a pregnancy loss, and what it taught her about compassion and timingWhat she wishes she'd known about postpartum boundaries as an entrepreneurNavigating the hardest eight weeks in her business's six-and-a-half-year historyHer personal toolkit for processing hard emotions (solo drives, audiobooks, trusted masterminds)Her philosophy on what to share publicly versus keep private as a personal brandWhy My Aligned Purpose builds yearly themes, challenges, and rewards into its coaching programsKey Takeaways Name what your nervous system needs, and ask for it. Vocalizing a specific need — like a full "duvet day" with zero plans — is more restorative than defaulting to "productive" rest.Trust doesn't mean things happen on your timeline. Nicole's fertility journey taught her that "the universe delivers when you know what you want and why you want it" — but not necessarily on schedule.Take the time off you think you don't need. Plan for real postpartum (or any major life transition) downtime rather than assuming you'll want to keep working — you likely won't, and you'll regret cutting it short.Process alone before you process out loud. Solo time (a drive, a cry, a walk) before bringing a hard situation to trusted people helps you find your own direction before outside opinions can sway it.Build structure your community can buy into. Yearly themes, challenges, and rewards — borrowed straight from a teaching background — deepen engagement and retention in a business or program.Memorable Quotes "It's like it does feel really big right now, but it's not going to feel really big if I decide that it's not gonna take any more of my focus, and energy, and attention.""As Dan Martell says, '80% done by somebody else is 100% awesome.'"Resources Mentioned Nicole’s Website: myalignedpurpose.comPodcast: My Aligned Purpose PodcastInstagram: @myalignedpurposeKelsey’s Website: KelseyReidl.comKelsey’s Instagram: @KelseyReidlTime as a Tool — Benjamin Hardy10x Is Easier Than 2x — Benjamin HardyWho Not HowHuman Design, astrology, numerology, Kabbalah (as ongoing personal studies)Claude + Cowork (for task organization via the Eisenhower Matrix)Melanie Auld (Vancouver-based jewelry brand, for the annual "word of the year" necklaces)Dan Martell (quoted concept: "80% done by somebody else is 100% awesome")About the Guest Nicole Crone is the co-founder of My Aligned Purpose, a coaching and educational company she runs alongside business partner Kayla, and host of the My Aligned Purpose Podcast (600+ episodes). A former junior high and high school teacher, Nicole became a mom at 39 to her son, Cruz, after a two-year fertility journey. Her upcoming book, Aligned CEO Method: How to Stop Trading Time for Money and Have Your Most Profitable Year Yet, releases September 18th.

Quick Summary: In this episode, host Kelsey sits down with Shayla, founder of Better Than a Bot, a personal assistant service based in Calgary. Shayla shares her journey from 15 years in oil and gas to building a business on her own terms — and why hiring a personal assistant isn't just for the elite. This is a candid, inspiring conversation about time, boundaries, burnout, and building a life that actually fits. In This Episode: What a personal assistant actually does (it's not what most people think)The three biggest reasons people don't hire a PA — and why they should reconsiderShayla's three-month onboarding system and how she identifies client pain pointsThe "dead bunnies in the backyard" story and other lessons in setting boundariesThe viral Japanese monkey and what it has to do with entrepreneurshipWhy delegation is the #1 advice Shayla wishes she'd received on day oneHow LinkedIn and word of mouth built her client rosterWhy Shayla's 14-year-old daughter is her biggest reason to keep going Key Takeaways: A personal assistant handles the personal tasks that drain your time outside of work — so you can be fully present for the things that matter.Hiring help isn't an expense; it's an investment in your sanity, your family, and your future earning potential.Saying yes to the wrong clients or projects doesn't just hurt you — it's also unfair to them. Boundaries protect everyone.Delegation is the fastest path to growth. You don't have to do it all yourself.Building trust takes time. Shayla's three-month trial period is intentional — the best client relationships develop over weeks, not in a single discovery call. Memorable Quotes: "When I started my business, I could finally control my calendar. If my daughter had an award show at school, I didn't have to ask anyone.""It's not an expense. It can actually be seen as an investment in you, in your family, in your sanity.""If it's not a right fit, it's not fair to me or to that client." Resources Mentioned: Shayla’s Website: www.betterthanabot.caShayla’s Instagram: @betterthanabotincKelsey’s Website: www.kelseyreidl.comKelsey’s Instagram: @KelseyReidlPunch the Monkey — the viral Japanese monkey Shayla references (search on Instagram!)IKEA plush monkey (sold out during peak viral fame) About the Guest: Shayla is the founder of Better Than a Bot, a personal assistant service based in Calgary, Alberta. After 15 years in the oil and gas industry, she left corporate life to build a business that gives busy professionals back their most valuable resource: time. She serves clients in Calgary and surrounding areas and is passionate about helping people live less stressed, more intentional lives.

Quick Summary: Recording live from the car en route to a Wave members' event in Prince Edward County, Kelsey reflects on the origin story that started it all — a fully sponsored podcast tour of PEC eight years ago — and unpacks why deciding to stop being a "beginner" changed the trajectory of her business. She also gives an honest, real-time update on prepping for maternity leave. In This Episode: The full story of how a Toronto co-working space event led to a sponsored six-episode podcast series in Prince Edward CountyWhy the word "decide" is about cutting off other options — and how that mindset let her charge money as a beginner podcasterThe concept of "caging yourself" and the subconscious limits we set around time, money, and ambitionAn honest, unfiltered life update on juggling client work, speaking gigs, and a looming mat leaveHow staggered payment plans and SEO/AI visibility made stepping back from the business easierWhy she's choosing to fully pause the podcast rather than "hustle" to pre-record content Key Takeaways: Getting to the next level often requires a literal decision to stop operating like a beginner — pricing, consistency, and professionalism included.The stories we tell ourselves ("I don't have time," "I'll never...") are self-imposed cages — identifying them is the first step to breaking out.Long time horizons, not quick wins, are where real business and personal growth happen.Staggering client revenue (via 6–12 month payment plans) can make stepping away from a business — for any reason — far less stressful.Consistency, not constant presence, is what builds long-term trust with an audience. Memorable Quotes: On the meaning of commitment: "I'm not gonna hang out in beginner land anymore."On expectations of instant results: "When you stretch the time horizon, success is inevitable."On earning trust: "Consistency breeds trust."Resources Mentioned: Kelsey's Website: www.KelseyReidl.comKelsey's Instagram: @KelseyReidlWave (Kelsey's community for women entrepreneurs)The June Motel — founded by Sarah Slack and business partnerLove Child Social (co-working space, Toronto)Build a New Life blog/program (Prince Edward County business development initiative)Anice Jewelry — founded by BritDrake Devonshire & Frontera Flower Farm (Wave event venues) About the Host Kelsey Reidl is an entrepreneur, fractional CMO, and host of Rain or Shine (formerly Visionary Life). She's been podcasting for 8 years, helping entrepreneurs show up consistently and build sustainable businesses. She runs the WAVE Mastermind and specializes in marketing strategy, website design, and business growth. Kelsey is a mom to a 2-year-old, an avid mountain biker, and a firm believer in the "rain or shine" mentality.

Quick Summary Sarah McCready, founder of Illuminated Joy, joins host Kelsey for a rich conversation about what it truly means to operate from a place of peace rather than hustle. From charming the village grump as a five-year-old to building a thriving mentorship business after 20+ years in corporate financial services, Sarah shares the real story behind her business name, why nervous system regulation is the missing piece for most entrepreneurs, and how the simple act of genuine human curiosity can become your most powerful business superpower. In This Episode How Sarah and Kelsey met in a café — and why that moment perfectly captures Sarah's gift for connectionThe origin story of Illuminated Joy, from red light therapy and Reiki to a transformational mentorship for womenWhat "the dark night of the soul" taught Sarah about healing, patterns, and creating a new lifeWhy thinking beyond the five senses is no longer "woo" — and what science now says about nervous system regulationHow hustle culture keeps us stuck in a primal state and disconnected from our intuitionSimple, accessible nature-based practices for entrepreneurs who feel stalled or burned outThe surprising reason most people don't connect others — and how to build this as a skillWhy getting outside (rain or shine!) is one of the most neuroscientifically sound things you can do for your businessKey Takeaways Your nervous system drives 90% of your reactions. If you're not learning to regulate it, you're unknowingly operating from fear and stress rather than clarity and creativity.Entrepreneurship is the biggest personal development journey you will ever go on. Unresolved wounds, limiting beliefs, and past patterns will surface — and that's actually an invitation to heal.Nature is not optional — it's regulatory. Getting outdoors, breathing fresh air, and moving your body recalibrates your nervous system and literally brings both brain hemispheres online.Genuine connection starts with curiosity about others, not yourself. Shifting the spotlight from yourself to the person in front of you is the foundational practice of meaningful networking.Start with one small thing and do it for a month. Whether it's a daily walk, deep breathing, or attending one event — momentum builds from commitment to consistency.Memorable Quotes "Those that shine the brightest have experienced a lot of dark — and I am no exception to that rule." — Sarah McCready"When we are in that stuck or stalled place, trying to create a whole new habit that hasn't been familiar to you isn't going to fly. Your body and your mind will resist it. The biggest thing you can do is just get out in nature." — Sarah McCready"The only way you can tap into that inner knowing consciously is to give yourself space and silence and time to reflect inward." — Sarah McCreadyResources Mentioned Instagram: @illuminatedjoyLinkedIn: Sarah McCreadyFacebook: Sarah McCreadyWebsite: illuminatedjoy.comKelsey’s Website: KelseyReidl.comKelsey’s Instagram: @KelseyReidl3 Easy Techniques to Inner Calm (Free resource from Sarah): https://www.illuminatedjoy.com/3easytechniquestointernalcalmIlluminated Joy Website: illuminatedjoy.comGUSS — Sarah's acronym for God, Universe, Source, Spirit (the language of your inner knowing, however you name it)About Sarah McCready Sarah McCready is the founder of Illuminated Joy, a transformational mentorship practice for women. After 20+ years in corporate financial services and a personal healing journey through what she calls "the dark night of the soul," Sarah combined her early work with red light therapy and Reiki into a powerful six-month, one-to-one mentorship program focused on nervous system regulation, subconscious healing, and authentic connection. She is known for her extraordinary ability to see people, build bridges between them, and help women move from survival mode to a life of purpose, peace, and joy.

Quick Summary Jen Govier is the founder of HUX, a bamboo charcoal underwear brand designed to eliminate camel toe and keep women feeling confident and comfortable. In this conversation, Jen shares the origin story behind HUX — from a mortifying gym mirror moment to a product now sold in 19 countries — and the patient, intentional entrepreneurial journey that made it possible. In This Episode: The gym mirror moment that sparked the idea for HUXWhy Jen spent four years validating and building before launching in 2020How she balanced building a business on evenings and weekends while running private wealth managementThe decision to resign from a six-figure corporate career at 50 — and what happened immediately afterHow organic social media and community-first marketing drove 90% of HUX's growthThe shift from saying yes to everything to being strategic with time and ROILanding GoodLife, F45, The Source, and Trish Stratus — and what made those partnerships workManifestation as a practice: dreaming bigger and taking action despite not knowing the "how"Key Takeaways: One thing a day compounds. Jen turned a gym mishap into a global brand by committing to a single daily action — starting in 2016 and launching in 2020. Time passes anyway; put it to work.Talk about your idea before it's ready. Every major breakthrough — the fashion mentor in Costa Rica, the GoodLife connection, Trish Stratus — came through people who knew what she was building. Keeping an idea private kills the serendipity.Saying yes to everything has a shelf life. Early-stage, saying yes builds brand awareness. Later-stage, it erodes margins and time. Learn when to make the shift.Partnerships are for credibility; direct-to-consumer is for revenue. Major retail and gym partnerships gave HUX legitimacy — but organic social media and word-of-mouth remains the #1 revenue driver.Don't wait for a full-body yes before leaping — build toward it. Jen's leap felt right because she spent years preparing the conditions. There's no universal timeline. Memorable Quotes: "Time is going to pass anyway — so you might as well put in what you want." — Jen Govier"The day I resigned, we were on Breakfast Television. Within three months we'd signed with GoodLife. It was like the universe said, 'Okay, you're serious. We'll meet you where you're at.'" — Jen Govier"It's more than underwear. It's about giving women confidence — whether you're at the gym or on a stage. It's the first thing you put on every day. You want to feel good in it." — Jen Govier Resources & People Mentioned: HUX Underwear — myhux.ca | @huxwearFriends and Neighbors (TV series, starring Jon Hamm) — Jen's current bingeKelsey's Website: www.KelseyReidl.comKelsey's Instagram: @KelseyReidlGoodLife Fitness — national partnership / rewards programThe Source — Canadian retail partnerF45 — gym partnershipLondon Health Sciences Centre — employee program partnerTrish Stratus — WWE Hall of Famer, brand ambassador for HUX 2.0 launchDragon's Den — Jen pitched producers; validated unit economics without taking a dealMolly Middleton — Dragon's Den producerWestern University (London, ON) — Engineering department, early fabric research About the Guest Jen Govier is a London, Ontario-based entrepreneur and the founder of HUX, an innovative underwear brand built around bamboo charcoal fabric and a built-in camel toe guard. After nearly a decade of building the brand alongside a career in private wealth management, she left a senior banking role in January 2025 to go all in. HUX has now been sold in 19 countries.

Quick Summary In this energetic solo episode, Kelsey shares three unscripted but surprisingly connected ideas: the power of genuinely celebrating others' wins, using "time confetti" to nourish yourself instead of defaulting to your phone, and the marketing principle of "wrapping your garlic in prosciutto" to make your message irresistible. In This Episode Why two back-to-back engagement announcements sparked a reflection on building a culture of celebrationWhat "time confetti" is and how to use it more intentionally throughout your dayThe "wrap it in ham" story from Layla Hormozi and how it applies directly to your marketing messagingThe difference between garlic marketing and prosciutto marketing (and how to tell which one you're doing)How the Wave Mastermind was born from a desire for a community that celebrates each other Key Takeaways Celebrating someone else's win freely and genuinely creates a rising-tide energy for everyone.Time confetti — those scattered micro-moments in your day — can be reclaimed for nourishing habits instead of mindless scrolling.Your best ideas don't come from sitting at your desk in a routine. Get out, move, change your environment.If your marketing message sounds like plain garlic, wrap it in prosciutto — speak to the outcome people actually desire.Community is essential for entrepreneurs. Without people to celebrate your wins with, success can feel hollow. Memorable Quotes "Your best ideas are not going to come while you're sitting at your desk in the same 9-to-5 routine you've created for yourself.""When you celebrate others freely and genuinely, you win, I win, we all win.""Is your Instagram bio garlic, or is it garlic wrapped with prosciutto? Because that's where the attention travels."Resources Mentioned Kelsey's Website: www.KelseyReidl.comKelsey's Instagram: @KelseyReidlLayla Hormozi (concept: "wrap it in ham")The WAVE Mastermind (co-founded by Kelsey and Emily) — community for entrepreneurs About the Host Kelsey Reidl is an entrepreneur, fractional CMO, and host of Rain or Shine (formerly Visionary Life). She's been podcasting for 8 years, helping entrepreneurs show up consistently and build sustainable businesses. She runs the WAVE Mastermind and specializes in marketing strategy, website design, and business growth. Kelsey is a mom to a 2-year-old, an avid mountain biker, and a firm believer in the "rain or shine" mentality.

Quick Summary In this episode, host Kelsey sits down with Lauren Murdoch, founder of Murdoch Marketing, a fractional marketing consultancy based in Burlington, Ontario. Lauren shares the raw, messy, and ultimately inspiring story of leaving a burnout-inducing corporate career, taking her family to New Zealand for four months, and coming home to build a business rooted in clarity, community, and genuine strategy. This is a must-listen for marketers, entrepreneurs, and anyone who has ever felt the pull toward something more aligned — but wasn't sure how to get there. In This EpisodeHow Lauren went from corporate marketer to fractional marketing consultant after 15 yearsThe 1:00–3:00 AM panic attacks that finally pushed her to quitWhy she spent months saying yes to everything — and what it unlockedThe real story of how her family made four months in New Zealand happen (no big bank account required)Her first fractional client — and why he showed up at a golf simulatorWhy going viral is NOT the goal — and what actually generates revenueThe simple marketing moves most small business owners skip entirelyHow co-hosting workshops became her most powerful visibility strategyWhy she hopes she never goes viralKey Takeaways It's never the right time to take the leap — but if the desire is there, dig in and figure out how to make it work. The right conditions rarely just appear; you have to engineer them.In the early days of a new business, saying yes to everything isn't reckless — it's research. Clarity comes from doing, not planning.The best marketing starts with one thing: being relentlessly clear about who you are, what you offer, and telling people exactly what to do next.Optimize before you add. Before building a new offer or platform, look at what you already have and ask if it's been given a real chance to work.Getting out of your office and into rooms — events, coffee chats, workshops — is still one of the most underrated business development strategies that exists.Memorable Quotes "You will always find reasons not to do something. It's never a good time.""Don't go try to do five to ten channels. Pick two. Get really good at those.""I genuinely hope I don't go viral — because that's not the fastest path to building a real business."Resources Mentioned Murdoch Marketing website:murdochmarketing.caLauren’s Instagram:@itslaurenmurdochKelsey's Website: www.KelseyReidl.comKelsey's Instagram: @KelseyReidlJuly 23rd Burlington Event: Cocktails, dinner & speakers on inner self and outer style — checkmurdochmarketing.ca for detailsNew Zealand Work From Heart sabbatical program (mentioned in context of Lauren's employer's policies)About the Guest Lauren Murdoch is the founder of Murdoch Marketing, a fractional marketing consultancy helping entrepreneurs and small business owners build clear, effective marketing strategies. After 15 years scaling companies in corporate marketing, she left to build a business and life that actually fit — including a four-month family adventure in New Zealand. She's based in the Burlington/Hamilton area of Ontario and works with clients across Canada.

Quick Summary Consistency isn't about doing everything all at once — it's about doing the right things, repeatedly, in a way that's actually sustainable. In this solo episode, your host breaks down the real reason most people fall off the wagon, introduces a powerful Venn diagram framework for diagnosing consistency blocks, and walks through a practical goal-mapping method you can use starting today. In This Episode Why modern productivity advice sets you up to fail at consistencyThe Cambridge Dictionary definition of consistency — and why it might surprise youThe difference between healthy evolution and self-sabotaging reinventionWhy "big burst" entrepreneurs burn out before they ever see compounding resultsThe tortoise and the hare: what it actually takes to win the long gameThe Time–Energy–Money Venn diagram for diagnosing why you're inconsistentThe "never break the chain" calendar method (and how the host has used it for 15+ years)How to set 1–3 outcome-based goals and map them to a strategy, a why, KPIs, and support systemsWhy the path of least resistance is the secret to long-term consistencyKey Takeaways Stop trying to be consistent with everything at once. Pick one focus per season and stack habits intentionally over time.Use the Time–Energy–Money Venn diagram. If two of three are present, you can be consistent. If none are, eliminate or defer the goal until the conditions change.The "never break the chain" method works — but only for goals that genuinely matter to you. Meaning fuels the mark on the calendar.Map every goal to four elements: the goal itself, the strategy, the why, and your KPIs. This eliminates decision fatigue and keeps you on track.Consistency is the path of least resistance — by design. Build systems and get support so that showing up becomes the easiest choice, not the hardest.Memorable Quotes "It's not the entrepreneurs who work the hardest who succeed — it's the ones who show up consistently, so they're always top of mind.""Structure your life so that consistency is the path of least resistance.""If you have no time, no energy, and no money to invest in support, you're not going to be consistent. That's not a character flaw — that's math."Resources Mentioned Kelsey's Website: www.KelseyReidl.comKelsey's Instagram: @KelseyReidlThe One Thing by Gary Keller — goal-setting and focusJerry Seinfeld's "Never Break the Chain" method — visual habit trackingF45 Training — referenced as an example of removing decision-making from a fitness routineFactor Meals — referenced as an example of outsourcing for consistencyAbout the Host Kelsey Reidl is an entrepreneur, fractional CMO, and host of Rain or Shine (formerly Visionary Life). She's been podcasting for 8 years, helping entrepreneurs show up consistently and build sustainable businesses. She runs the Wave Mastermind and specializes in marketing strategy, website design, and business growth. Kelsey is a mom to a 2-year-old, an avid mountain biker, and a firm believer in the "rain or shine" mentality.

Quick Summary Matt Diamante — founder of the Hey Tony Agency — joins host Kelsey for a candid conversation about his winding path from process server to band member to SEO expert. Matt breaks down the foundational steps any small business owner can take to rank on Google, explains how AI search is changing content strategy, and shares the simple daily habit that transformed his referral-only agency into a content-driven machine. In This Episode How Matt accidentally fell into marketing while trying to promote his bandThe unusual jobs (process server, film crew) that shaped how he runs his agencyGrowing an alternative lifestyle blog from zero to 4 million monthly visitors — and what it taught him about hooksThe origin story behind the name "Hey Tony"The three SEO fundamentals every small business needs: Google Business Profile, a multi-page website, and topical authorityWhy most SEO vendors are scamming small businesses — and how to protect yourselfThe AI prompt Matt uses to write unique, expert-driven blog posts in one hourHow SEO is evolving in the age of ChatGPT and AI search enginesWhat two books pushed Matt to post on social media every single day in 2023Why he doesn't batch content — and why he thinks you shouldn't eitherKey Takeaways Every page on your website is a door. Service-based businesses should have a dedicated page for every service they offer. If Google doesn't see it, it doesn't know you offer it.Use AI to extract your expertise, not replace it. Instead of asking ChatGPT to "write a blog post," prompt it to interview you with 10 questions and answer in voice mode. The result is genuinely unique content that reflects your experience.Get to the point faster. In the age of AI search, content that buries the answer under a long preamble will lose. Lead with the answer, then go deeper.Reviews require a system, not willpower. Build a consistent ask into every completed transaction. You can incentivize leaving a review — just not a five-star one specifically.Consistency beats perfection. Matt went from 4 hours per video to 5–10 minutes by posting every single day. The skill builds. The ideas flow. Just start. Memorable Quotes "I believe the world is built on small businesses. If I can help good people grow through SEO, they can hire more staff, create jobs, send their kids to college. If I want to make the world a better place, I can do that one small business at a time." — Matt Diamante"SEO is just solving somebody's problem. How do I fix this myself? That's a blog post. How do I hire someone? That's a service page." — Matt Diamante"That's basically how you run a business. You set up a printer in your car and you figure out how to do this more efficiently." — Matt DiamanteResources Mentioned Instagram: Search @heytonyagency or Matt Diamante???? Get Found by Matt Diamante — Matt's plain-English SEO book for small business owners???? The One Thing by Gary Keller & Jay Papasan???? Jab, Jab, Jab, Right Hook by Gary Vaynerchuk???? AnswerThePublic.com — tool for finding customer questions to write blog posts around???? ChatGPT / Claude — recommended AI tools for blog post creation???? Hey Tony Inside — Matt's community for small business owners doing their own SEO???? Google Business Profile — free local SEO tool for any brick-and-mortar or service-area businessAbout the Guest Matt Diamante is the founder of Hey Tony Agency, a Canadian digital marketing agency specializing in SEO for small businesses. After growing an alternative lifestyle publication to 4 million monthly visitors, Matt channelled those hard-won content lessons into building an agency, a community, and a book — all aimed at helping small business owners get found online without getting scammed. He has posted on social media every single day since January 2023.

Quick Summary In this candid solo episode, Kelsey Reidel breaks down four mindset shifts she's observed over nearly a decade in business — distinctions that separate entrepreneurs who stay stuck from those who keep growing. Inspired by a morning hike and a Marco Polo conversation with two long-time entrepreneur friends, Kelsey shares real scenarios, personal stories, and honest reflections on what it actually takes to build a sustainable business. In This EpisodeWhy "junior" vs. "experienced" has nothing to do with how long you've been in businessThe real purpose of your first event, launch, or marketing experiment (hint: it's not profit)Why experienced entrepreneurs still slide into DMs — and why you should tooHow to turn every "no" into a source of intelligence rather than a source of shameThe emotional regulation strategies that keep seasoned entrepreneurs from spiraling when things go sideways Key Takeaways Your first event is a research project, not a revenue event. Kelsey grew her events from 10 women in a free coffee shop to 80 women at a sold-out, fully sponsored venue — one small step at a time. Start with three people if you have to.The unscalable work is where the business actually gets built. No matter how big your email list, DMs, coffee chats, and personal follow-ups still move the needle. The most successful entrepreneurs never stop doing this work."No" means "not yet" — treat it like data. Every objection tells you something your messaging isn't addressing. Get curious instead of shutting down.One hard week isn't a business crisis. The experienced entrepreneur has systems to process difficult events without letting them derail the entire plan.You are your business's biggest cheerleader. The moment you start to believe it's not working, your revenue reflects it. Protect your confidence fiercely. Memorable Quotes "Hosting your first event is never about profiting on day one. It's about brand-building, visibility, relationship-building, and market research — all rolled into one.""The experienced entrepreneur never outgrows the unscalable stuff. They just get more intentional about it.""When people say no, it usually means 'not yet,' or 'I don't have the information I need.' Get curious — don't shut down." Resources Mentioned Kelsey’s Website: KelseyReidl.comKelsey’s Instagram: @KelseyReidlChicka Chicka Boom Boom by Bill Martin Jr. & John Archambault — Kelsey's go-to reminder that it's A to B, not A to ZMarco Polo app — Kelsey's favourite tool for voice-note conversations with business friendsRain or Shine event in Prince Edward County — July 17th (details on Kelsey's Instagram)About the Host Kelsey Reidl is an entrepreneur, fractional CMO, and host of Rain or Shine (formerly Visionary Life). She's been podcasting for 8 years, helping entrepreneurs show up consistently and build sustainable businesses. She runs the Wave Mastermind and specializes in marketing strategy, website design, and business growth. Kelsey is a mom to a 2-year-old, an avid mountain biker, and a firm believer in the "rain or shine" mentality.

Quick Summary Sonya Szabo is a Canadian business lawyer, former café owner, and entrepreneur who has never done things the conventional way — and that's exactly why it works. In this episode, she returns to the Rain or Shine podcast after eight years to share the full arc of her story: building and selling the Vic Café, going to law school at forty, battling imposter syndrome, and ultimately creating a law practice that reflects her values instead of the industry mold. In This Episode How Sonya opened the Vic Café at 35 with three kids — and led with boundaries from day oneWhy she hired a manager before opening the doorsThe highs and hard realities of running a brick-and-mortar restaurant for eight yearsGoing back to law school at forty and navigating four years of imposter syndromeThe "90-year-old self" exercise Sonya uses to make every major decisionHer "quit week" in 2025 — what triggered it and what brought her backWhy in-person relationship-building has been her most effective marketing strategyWhat Zebo Law does and how to work with Sonya Key Takeaways Know your priorities before you open your doors. Sonya put a note in her very first employee handbook that said she was a mom first — and that transparency set the tone for every working relationship that followed.Build the business around your strengths, not your job description. She hired a manager before opening and stayed focused on owner-level decisions from the start.Your vision isn't a prediction — it's a decision-making filter. Sonya doesn't hold her vision because she expects it to happen exactly as planned; she holds it because it tells her what to say yes and no to.Think about your ninety-year-old self. When you filter decisions through who you want to be at the end of your life, the noise clears fast.A "quit week" isn't the end — it's a signal. Panic means something isn't working. Go back to your values before you go anywhere else. Memorable Quotes "Before we even opened our doors, we hired a manager. Traditionally that would have been the owner's job — but I knew I needed to outsource that and just be the owner.""When I hold a decision up against my vision and ask, 'Will this bring me closer to where I want to go?' — the answer tells me whether to say yes or no.""When people started connecting me and 'lawyer' together, you could see the relief on their faces — like, finally, a lawyer who doesn't make me feel belittled. Someone who makes me feel empowered." Resources Mentioned The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen R. CoveyThe E-Myth by Michael E. Gerber (referenced)Sonya's Instagram: @askmeaboutcontractsSonya's Website: sonyaszabo.comKelsey’s Website: KelseyReidl.comKelsey’s Instagram: @KelseyReidlFirst Rain or Shine episode featuring SonyaVoxer app — walkie-talkie voice messaging About Sonya Szabo Sonya Szabo is a Canadian business lawyer and the founder of Zebo Law, where she helps entrepreneurs and business owners navigate contracts, corporate structure, trademarks, and more — in language they can actually understand. After eight years running the Vic Café in Prince Edward County and selling it in 2023, Sonya went to law school at forty and built a practice rooted in her own experience as a founder, parent, and entrepreneur.

Quick Summary In this candid solo session, Kelsey answers your top marketing questions — covering pricing strategy, how to evaluate cold PR pitches, and what to do when your Instagram feels scattered and purposeless. Woven throughout are honest life updates: navigating her second pregnancy, the power of accountability, and how to embrace change as an entrepreneur. In This Episode Why accountability partners (and assistant nudges) are the secret to getting things doneHow pregnancy #2 has looked very different — and why Kelsey is packing her calendar before mat leaveDebating winter babies vs. summer babies (she genuinely wants your input)The Picasso story and what it teaches you about price vs. valueHow to know if your prices are too low, too high, or just rightThe truth about cold pitch emails — when to say yes and when to runA step-by-step Instagram strategy for business owners who feel scatteredThe four-part Instagram sales funnel: Create, Connect, Collect, ConvertWhy showing up imperfectly beats waiting for perfect every timeKey Takeaways Accountability changes everything. You'll cancel on yourself, but you won't cancel on someone else. Use that psychology intentionally — schedule with others, hire coaches, or create external check-ins to move your biggest projects forward.Pricing is a gut check. If you feel undervalued after every transaction, your prices are too low. If you feel like you're ripping someone off, they may be too high. When it feels like a mutual exchange of value — you've nailed it.Evaluate cold pitches with your wallet and your gut. Only pay for media opportunities you're 100% okay losing. Ask for traffic stats, audience demographics, and backlink terms. Some are incredible; many aren't.Brand pillars create consistency. Before you open Instagram again, define 3–4 content pillars — at least one professional, one personal — and some rules for what you won't post. Decision fatigue is the enemy of consistency.Don't stop at "create." Most business owners post and walk away. The real magic is in connecting with your audience, collecting intel on what they need, and then actually making an offer. Memorable Quotes "Picasso was pricing based on his value. He's put in thousands and thousands of hours — so to charge on an hourly basis simply does not make sense.""Once you make that leap, you can then decide: is this the right place for me, or do I need to keep moving forward? That's what you do through life — you just keep turning the next page.""The ratio of people who show up and create good content is probably 1% of Instagram users. The people who want to consume? Probably 99%. So yes, it feels competitive — but the opportunity is massive." Resources Mentioned Kelsey’s Website: KelseyReidl.comKelsey’s Instagram: @KelseyReidlInstaSales Course — Kelsey's four-hour Instagram sales funnel course (free for podcast listeners — DM "InstaSales" to @kelseyreidell on Instagram)Wave Mastermind — Kelsey's business mastermind communityYahoo! News — Referenced as an example of a paid media placement that converted to high-ticket clients About the Host Kelsey Reidl is an entrepreneur, fractional CMO, and host of Rain or Shine (formerly Visionary Life). She's been podcasting for 8 years, helping entrepreneurs show up consistently and build sustainable businesses. She runs the Wave Mastermind and specializes in marketing strategy, website design, and business growth. Kelsey is a mom to a 2-year-old, an avid mountain biker, and a firm believer in the "rain or shine" mentality.