Advertise on podcast: Build Your Own Fairytale

Text Kristen your thoughts or feedback about the show February is the season of love — and this year, I want you to turn some of that attention toward your business. ❤️  In this episode, we’re talking about what it really looks like to love your business long-term — not the honeymoon phase, not the Instagram highlight-reel version, but the kind of relationship that actually lasts. Because most business owners don’t fall out of love with their work.  As your business grows, the logistics grow too. Emails, invoices, scheduling, follow-ups… all the things that quietly take up space and energy. And when there’s no room left, the work you love gets buried. In this episode, I’ll walk you through: Why losing excitement doesn’t mean you chose the wrong businessHow the “honeymoon phase” shows up in both relationships and businessWhy quick fixes (and shiny features) aren’t always the answerHow intentional design creates room for your spark to shine againWhy awareness is the most important first step before changing anythingI’m also sharing what I’ve been working on behind the scenes this year — refining my offers, rethinking support, and why system audits have become a non-negotiable starting point in my work with clients. If you’re using 17hats or Flodesk and your business feels heavier than it should, a simple audit might be the clarity you need. No pressure. No commitment. Just a clear look at what’s working, what’s draining you, and what’s possible. 👉 Book a free consult (your coffee date) to see if an audit is a good next step. The modern fairytale isn’t about loving every moment. It’s about building a business you don’t want to leave. 🫶 

Text Kristen your thoughts or feedback about the show Running a business can feel a lot like working on a puzzle. You’ve got pieces everywhere — ideas, tools, workflows, client needs — and you know they’re supposed to fit together… but sometimes the picture just doesn’t feel complete. With National Puzzle Day coming up, I’m leaning into one of my favorite metaphors and breaking down how puzzles and business are surprisingly similar — especially for solopreneurs navigating the messy middle of growth. In this episode, I’m sharing: Why January can feel overwhelming (even when nothing is “wrong”)A simple PUZZLE framework to help you figure out what’s missingThree different ways people naturally approach building a businessWhy support systems don’t replace your thinking — they protect your progressHow to stop feeling scattered and start placing the right next pieceIf your business feels heavy, incomplete, or just slightly off right now, this episode will help you zoom out, get grounded, and move forward with more clarity. ICYMI Ep 140: No Man's Land: Why the Messy Middle Isn't the End of Your Fairytale 🎁 17hats Giveaway (through January 25, 2026) If leads, contracts, invoices, or client follow-up feel heavier than they should, this is a great time to explore what better backend support could look like. Details & enter here. 🧩 Completing the Puzzle Subscription Looking for a fun, low-pressure way to unwind? A subscription with Completing the Puzzle could be a great fit! They send you a puzzle, you enjoy it, send it back, and move on to the next one (no clutter, no stacks collecting dust). Use code FAIRYTALE for $6 off your first month.

Text Kristen your thoughts or feedback about the show This is a special bonus episode of Build Your Own Fairytale, recorded live, in real life, while I was in Nashville with two of my favorite fellow systems strategists and business friends. What started as a casual “let’s finally get together in person” trip quickly turned into something much bigger — real conversations, honest pushback, whiteboard brainstorming, and one brand-new business idea that went from thought to action in under 24 hours. If you listened to the previous episode about consistency and being stuck in no man’s land, this conversation is the natural next chapter. In this episode, we talk about: How three “competitors” became genuine business bestiesWhy being in the room together still matters (even in an online world)What actually helps ideas move out of no man’s land and into momentumAnd what happens when smart women give each other honest, supportive pushbackYou’ll also hear how this Nashville trip sparked early conversations around creating intentional space for business owners — part strategy, part systems, part breathing room — and why we’re inviting listeners into that conversation from the very beginning. If you’ve ever felt stuck between knowing what you want to do and actually doing it, this episode is for you. P.S. If the mention of my new offer to support marketing and strategic content planning sparked something for you, join the waitlist here. Learn more and connect with my guests here: Deb Mitzel: debmitzelcreative.com and @debmitzelcreative on IG Nicole Larson: letnicolehelp.com and @letnicolehelp on IG

Text Kristen your thoughts or feedback about the show What if the hardest part of building a business isn’t the beginning… or the end — but the middle? In this episode, I’m sharing a powerful lesson that hit me in the middle of a long, sweaty run while training for my upcoming half marathon. My instructor introduced the concept of No Man’s Land — the point in a long run where you’re too far from the start to feel excited, but too far from the finish to see the payoff. And honestly? It felt exactly like solopreneurship. We talk about: Why the “messy middle” is where so many business owners get stuckThe mindset shifts that help you keep going when motivation dipsWhy discomfort doesn’t mean you’re doing something wrong — it often means you’re growingHow working smarter (not harder) becomes essential as your business growsThe systems that help reduce mental load and create breathing room againAnd to kick off the new year, I’m excited to be partnering with 17hats on a giveaway designed to support solopreneurs in this exact season. One winner will receive a one-year 17hats membership (open to new and existing users), plus a 60-minute 1:1 session with me to help you figure out the best place to start. Enter here. ✨ Because the messy middle shouldn’t be the thing that stops you from building your fairytale.

Text Kristen your thoughts or feedback about the show As we wrap up 2025, I wanted to take a moment to pause, reflect, and celebrate — both the growth of Build Your Own Fairytale and the incredible conversations we shared this year. In this special Best of 2025 episode, I’m revisiting some of the most powerful moments from the podcast — blending guest wisdom with highlights from my most-downloaded solo episodes.  From the courage to just start, to the importance of pausing and stacking small wins, to staying rooted in connection and core values as you grow, these lessons perfectly capture what this year was all about. Episodes referenced: Ep# 122 The Art of Starting Over: Michelle Amman's Leap from Education to Entrepreneurship Ep# 138 Building Her Dream Land: How Megan Lewis Turned Disney Magic into a Thriving Nanny Business Ep# 116 Solo Travel & Solopreneurship: How Kristine Thomason Found Fulfillment as a Freelance Writer Ep# 114 Maddy Fero's Fast Story from NASCR to Biz Owner Ep# 118 Beyond the Pool Deck: Erica Beine's Journey from D1 Coach to Wellness Entrepreneur Ep# 124 Science, Sugar & Soul: How Grace "Grey" Pak is Redefining Cake Ep# 134 Marco Polo's Vlada Bortnik on the Magic of Technology (for Good) & Human Connection Ep# 135 My Solopreneur Tech Stack: The Essentials That Do It All (Solo) Ep# 133 October Theory: Fresh Starts Aren't Just for January (Solo) Ep# 131 Behind the Scenes: Observations & Lessons Learned from my 1st Collab (Solo)

Text Kristen your thoughts or feedback about the show Cinderella might have had a fairy godmother—but Megan Lewis built her own magic. ✨ At just 24, Megan founded Dreamland Nannies, an Orlando-based childcare company that helps families enjoy the Disney parks stress-free. In this episode, we talk about how she turned her love for kids and theme parks into a growing business serving hotels and families across Central Florida. You’ll hear how Megan:  🎢 Took the leap from college grad to CEO  🪄 Built a team of 20+ nannies across Orlando’s theme parks  💫 Learned that “just start” really is the secret to success If you’ve ever dreamed of starting something new—or making your own kind of magic in business—this episode is your reminder that fairytales are built one brave step at a time. Connect with Megan at dreamlandnannies.com or follow along on social (Instagram | Facebook | TikTok)

Text Kristen your thoughts or feedback about the show It’s Thanksgiving week — the season of gratitude, chaos, & calendars that somehow manage to fill themselves. If you’ve ever said, “I can’t use an online scheduler… my schedule’s always changing!” or “I don’t want to be boxed in!” — this one’s for you. I’m busting the biggest myths about online scheduling & showing you how a scheduling link doesn’t take away your freedom — it protects it. Spoiler alert: an online scheduler can help you set clear boundaries, avoid double-booking, & give clients an easier way to connect — all while saving you hours each week. If you’ve been hesitant to share your calendar, you’ll leave this episode ready to set one up — and finally feel like your schedule is working for you, not against you.

Text Kristen your thoughts or feedback about the show Author and entrepreneur Charity Alyse shares the heartwarming story behind Austen’s Shelf, her tiny bookshop on wheels — a Jane Austen–inspired mobile bookstore bringing literary magic to communities across New Jersey. After a health scare reminded her that “someday” isn’t guaranteed, Charity decided to stop waiting and start building. Within weeks, she and her husband transformed a simple trailer into a charming, book-filled escape — complete with wallpaper, shelves, and the warmth of Jane Austen’s parlor. In this episode, Charity shares ALL the details of learning how to run a bookstore — budgeting, inventory, and the steep logistics of transporting and setting up hundreds of books. She also shares the lessons she’s learned about knowing your audience, building community, and staying calm when everything goes sideways (including losing the keys to her bookshop on launch day). Her story is a beautiful reminder that courage, curiosity, and persistence can turn even life’s scariest moments into something extraordinary — and that sometimes, the fairytale begins when you stop waiting for “someday.” Connect with Charity at austensshelf.com or on Instagram (@austensshelf | @charityalyse)

Text Kristen your thoughts or feedback about the show It’s National Checklist Day, which might as well be my personal holiday! In this episode, I’m sharing the tools that keep my solopreneur business organized, my brain calm (mostly), & my systems running smoothly. From my digital checklist in Asana, to client management made easy with 17hats, to two years of weekly newsletters powered by Flodesk, these are the essentials that help me simplify & scale. You’ll also hear about my favorite podcast tools, a few can’t-miss integrations, & why fewer tools that work together beat juggling twenty tabs any day. Resources & Links: Get 50% off your first year with 17hats and Flodesk using these links or code FAIRYTALE.Podcasters & Content Creators: check out Descript and BuzzsproutAdditional platforms mentioned: Google Workspace, Zapier and Canva Grab my Tech Stack PDF hereCheck out all my other freebies mentioned at kristenlettini.com ICYMI Episode 132: Email Marketing Made Simple

Text Kristen your thoughts or feedback about the show Vlada Bortnik, co-founder & CEO of Marco Polo, the video messaging app, shares what it really means to build technology that helps people feel close, not just connected. Vlada’s journey—from growing up in Ukraine to working at Microsoft to creating one of the most intentional, human-centered apps in tech—reminds us that business can be both purposeful and profitable. She shares how she and her husband built Marco Polo while raising two young kids, how they’ve kept their company values at the center of every decision, and what it looks like to “work joyfully” for the long game. If you’ve ever felt like technology is pulling you away from what matters most, this conversation is a beautiful reminder that it doesn’t have to be that way. Connect with Vlada on LinkedIn and download the Marco Polo app at marcopolo.me.  (BTW if you join Marco Polo and want to try the paid version, use my affiliate link to try 2 months free!)

Text Kristen your thoughts or feedback about the show Use October Theory to end 2025 strong & step into 2026 ready! October is the “Second New Year” — the perfect time to reflect, reset, and realign before the year ends. In this solo episode, I share 4 simple steps to make October Theory work for your business: review your 2025 goals, refresh your systems, refine your content calendar, and protect your energy. ✨ Links & resources mentioned in this episode: Grab your free step-by-step Asana content calendar guideListen to my full episode on content calendarsBook a free 30-min consult to chat about your backend systemsStay tuned for Black Friday deals on my fav tools like 17hats + Flodesk — join my email list so you don’t miss them

Text Kristen your thoughts or feedback about the show Email marketing is the most powerful tool in your business toolkit as a solopreneur—but most people overcomplicate it. In this solo episode, I’ll show you why email matters, how to start your list, and how to stay consistent so your subscribers look forward to hearing from you. 🫶  We’ll cover: Why email beats social media (40× more effective!)How to build your list—even if it’s just your two best friends to startThe role of consistency in building brand trust + better deliverabilityMy favorite tools for email marketing and content planning✨ Plus learn how to use the free version of Asana to create a Content Calendar and plan your email content with ease! +ICYMI: Episode #117 Why You NEED A Content Calendar 🗓️ & How to Make One - FREE! ✨Snag 50% off your first year of Flodesk with code FAIRYTALE

Text Kristen your thoughts or feedback about the show Spoiler alert: I learned a lot being part of my very first collaboration— not just about launching, but about how even the best laid plans can change AND how important the client POV is.  In this solo episode, I’m pulling back the curtain on what it was like to contribute to a recent collaboration bundle that I was genuinely excited about! I’ll walk you through what went well, what threw me off, and the biggest lessons I took away after opting into my fellow contributors’ offers. Whether you’re planning your next launch, offering a freebie, or hosting a collab of your own, these lessons and reflections are intended to help you keep your user experience as seamless as possible.

Text Kristen your thoughts or feedback about the show Josh Hall shares his inspiring journey from building a successful web design agency to becoming a sought-after business coach for creative entrepreneurs. Today, Josh is a web design business coach, podcast host, and course creator who helps creatives build businesses that give them freedom and flexibility. We dive into how showing up as your authentic self is the key to standing out in a crowded industry – you are your brand’s biggest differentiator.  Josh's story is a great reminder that you have permission to evolve, pivot, and design your business around what matters most to you. Tune in to hear Josh’s tips on differentiating your brand, adopting a business-savvy approach, and creating a thriving business that truly supports the life you want to live. Learn more and connect with Josh at joshhall.co or webdesignerpro.com. 

Text Kristen your thoughts or feedback about the show Get ready for a little lesson in confidence 101 - with some sandy vibes! Janel Hawkins shares her journey from courageously quitting her job to moving back home to Alabama to pursue her passion for building sandcastles. Janel attributes her "false confidence" and "secondary confidence" to allowing her to keep moving forward, despite some skepticism and negativity around building a business in the sand; she was determined to figure things out, no matter what! Today, as the owner of Sandcastle University, Janel is redefining the art of sand sculpting. Her awe-inspiring creations grace the shores of Alabama, bringing joy to all who encounter them before they vanish with the tide. She also shares her knowledge and passion with people of all ages and skill levels through her classes.  In this conversation, Janel discusses the challenges she faced, her strategic approach to overcoming obstacles, and how she expanded her business into teaching sandcastle building classes and creating custom sculptures for events. She also offers valuable advice to aspiring entrepreneurs and insights into her business model, including navigating seasonality and leveraging social media for growth. Tune in to discover Janel's resilience, creativity, and unwavering commitment to her craft and her team. Learn more about Janel and Sand Castle University at sandcastleu.com or follow her on social: Tik Tok | YouTube | Instagram