100. I Can't Believe We're Here! 6 Game-Changing Lessons from 100 Episodes

Oh my goodness, 100 episodes! I literally cannot believe we've hit this incredible milestone. When I started this podcast back in June 2023, I had absolutely no strategy, no plan - just this intuitive, burning desire to share the real, messy behind-the-scenes of what it's actually like to build a service business.

 And honestly? Thank God for my podcast manager because I had no clue what I was doing! But if you've ever thought "I'm not ready" for that business pivot, new offer, or big scary project, this celebration episode is going to hit you right in the feels.

 I'm getting emotional sharing six powerful lessons I've learned from starting scared, building consistently, and how these same game-changing principles can completely transform your business growth.

Key Points Covered:

✨ Start messy, then improve - Why I'm so grateful I didn't wait until I had it "figured out" and how building the habit first changes absolutely everything

✨ Confidence comes through practice - How I went from "there's no way I could do a solo episode" to completely loving them (spoiler: confidence doesn't magically appear!)

✨ Systems create consistency - The behind-the-scenes of how I've shown up for 100 episodes without missing a beat (even with a crazy new puppy!)

✨ Authenticity is your secret weapon - Why showing up as your real, imperfect self is what creates that magnetic connection with dream clients

✨ Honor your seasons - Getting real about why I'm taking my very first (short!) break and how to adapt without abandoning your goals

✨ Connection creates magic - The unexpected opportunities and beautiful relationships that have grown from just showing up consistently

Special Celebration:

I am so incredibly grateful for every single person who has listened, shared, or connected with me through this podcast. To celebrate this milestone, I'm giving away a FREE coaching call! Email me a screenshot of your podcast review at andrea@dancingleafsolutions.com to enter.

My biggest takeaway for you: You absolutely do not have to have it all figured out to start. Please don't wait! Build the habit, show up authentically and consistently, and evolve as you go. The magic truly happens in the messy middle of doing, not in the endless planning.

Here's to the next 100 episodes! 🥂

Thank you for being a part of the Soulpreneur Scaling Stories community!

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Chapters

• 0:00 Introduction and Welcome
• 1:10 Celebrating 100 Episodes
• 2:20 Giveaway Announcement
• 2:48 Lesson 1: Start Messy and Improve
• 5:57 Lesson 2: Confidence Through Practice
• 7:36 Lesson 3: Consistency Through Systems
• 9:08 Lesson 4: Authenticity Works
• 11:24 Lesson 5: Honor Your Season
• 14:32 Lesson 6: Unexpected Connections and Opportunities

Transcript

[00:00:00] Introduction and Welcome

[00:00:00] Andrea Elibero: Andrea here, your host and passionate business coach and scaling strategist for soulful service providers and coaches. Welcome to another episode of Solepreneur Scaling Stories. Have you ever wanted to look behind the curtain of your fellow entrepreneur's business to see what actually went into scaling it?

[00:00:22] Well, you are in for a treat 'cause that's exactly what we are doing here. In each episode, we will be uncovering the truth of the lessons and the stories behind what it truly takes for sold entrepreneurs to scale their businesses intentionally. I'm hoping that their stories will help you to unlock the true potential of your business so you can create your own soulful, abundant, and aligned laptop lifestyle through intentional scaling.

[00:00:46] So whether you're just starting out on your scaling journey or you're a seasoned entrepreneur seeking inspiration, this episode has something incredible in store for you. Are you ready to rise, grow, and create a business that fully supports your dream life? Well, let's dive in. [00:01:00] Before we begin, make sure to hit that subscribe buttons.

[00:01:03] You never miss an empowering episode filled with real stories and soulful insights.

[00:01:10] Celebrating 100 Episodes

[00:01:10] Andrea Elibero: So 100 episodes. I cannot believe that we are here, especially because when I started this podcast in June of 2023, can you believe that June of 2023, I started this? I had no clue what I was doing. Thank God for Ms. Who's my podcast manager, because I had no strategy, no plan. I just had this. Intuitive desire to share and connect and inspire so many other.

[00:01:44] Service providers. So if you have ever thought, no, I'm not ready, I can't do that, whether it's a podcast, a business pivot, a project, a new offer, this is the episode for you. Welcome to episode 100 of Solepreneur Scaling [00:02:00] Stories. This is not just a celebration of numbers, it's a celebration of growth.

[00:02:05] Persistence and connection and lessons, because that's what I'm going to be talking about. But first, I want to tell you that I'm so grateful for every one of you, for every listener, for every guest in every single conversation that has shaped this podcast. 

[00:02:20] Giveaway Announcement

[00:02:20] Andrea Elibero: So to celebrate, I am doing a giveaway. I am doing a free coaching call with me.

[00:02:28] All you have to do is email me a screenshot of your. Podcast review and you'll be entered to win. You can email me, it'll be below, but you can email me at andrea@dancingleafsolutions.com and I'm so excited. I cannot wait to connect with you and it is my way of saying thank you for supporting this podcast.

[00:02:48] Lesson 1: Start Messy and Improve

[00:02:48] Andrea Elibero: So what I want to share is six lessons that I have learned. From this podcast experience so far. So let's dive right in with lesson one, which [00:03:00] is to start messy and then improve. When I started this podcast, I didn't really know what it would look like. I had this inspiration where I wanted to share the actual behind the scenes and show you what real business growth looks like because everybody I saw online.

[00:03:17] Was talking about how easy it was and how you could work like four hours a week and make six figures. And I was like, that, that, that's not real. So I wanted to tell people and inspire them and let them know that they're not failing and show you, you know, some real ways that people grew their businesses and the things that they went through and to inspire and hopefully you learn things and things like that.

[00:03:42] So I started with interviews because interviews were safe for me. Yeah. And of course my interviews were not perfect, especially the first ones, right? Sound issues, connectivity, things like questions about how do I title them, like all sorts of things. But I showed up anyways and I [00:04:00] kept going, and over time I got so much more comfortable.

[00:04:03] I figured out the real true like north, like the direction that I wanted to take this podcast in. Everything was evolving as it should. And the lesson here is that. You don't need to have everything figured out, and I hope you don't have everything figured out before you start something. Just start, build the habit and then refine it.

[00:04:26] Because the magic happens when you show up, when you do it, and when you do it consistently. I have done 100 episodes over these two years and I have not taken a break that wasn't planned. I know so many people that had a podcast, no shade to them where they record a few, they stop for like months and you know, it's inconsistent.

[00:04:43] But I this. I love doing this. It's so important to me and I don't care how many people listen to it. I don't need like thousands of listeners per episode or whatever. Weird things, right? Like I love it. I show up. I'm dedicated to this. It is important to me. It has grown, it has evolved. I built the habit, I built the [00:05:00] systems and.

[00:05:01] Then I improve them. And so this also applies directly to your business too. So maybe you've been hesitant to launch something because you don't have all your systems set up yet. Maybe you have wanted to pivot from hourly into packages or your core offer, or from general VA or OBM retainer work into specialized support.

[00:05:23] And you haven't because you're like, well, I need to do this, this, and this, and you're making up all these excuses. Start. Period start. You are never gonna get anywhere unless you just start. And then you will learn and improve and evolve as you grow. And that's the way this just goes. There is no way, there's no, I do not.

[00:05:44] There's no scenario that exists where whatever you build at the beginning of something, it's just gonna stay like that. No. 'cause you're going to evolve. And so you might as well just get started now. So with that lesson two. 

[00:05:57] Lesson 2: Confidence Through Practice

[00:05:57] Andrea Elibero: Is that confidence is built [00:06:00] through practice. When I first started this, as I mentioned, I said No, there's no way I could do a solo episode.

[00:06:06] Like that's insane. I have no idea what I would talk about. Like who would wanna listen to me just babble on like, no. I felt so much more comfortable having guests having a conversation. 'cause that was fun, right? And I was like, yeah. But as I practiced, and it took a while, but as I practiced, I gained more confidence.

[00:06:24] And now I love doing solo episodes. I love coming on here and like yapping and like teaching you guys things and sharing my wisdom and hopefully inspiring you and things like that. So solo episodes are not my favorites. So what I learned from this in the lesson is that confidence doesn't come before, right?

[00:06:44] It comes through doing. The same goes for you, right? And your business, whether it's raising your prices, whether it's. Pitching to clients or trying to upsell them things, whether it's, you know, reaching the, reaching out to them, whether it's launching, you build that [00:07:00] confidence by doing so. The biggest barrier that I see where a lot of people stop is that, well, just that, right?

[00:07:08] Is that they want to do something, but they don't, they stop themselves from doing it. Stopping is the only. Failure, I promise you that it will suck. Whatever it is that you're nervous about, yeah, it'll suck the first time. It'll suck less the second time, and then maybe eventually you'll do it a third time and a fourth time and you'll get to love it and be like, oh yes.

[00:07:26] Like this is amazing and I'm so glad that I did this. So just try and know that confidence is non innate trait. It comes from doing. 

[00:07:36] Lesson 3: Consistency Through Systems

[00:07:36] Andrea Elibero: So, lesson three, consistency comes from systems and commitment.

[00:07:41] Over the past two years, recording my podcast consistently became a habit. I did not rely on motivation to do this so consistently for the past two years. No way. The very first thing I did was build a system. And I was [00:08:00] completely committed to doing this. I knew if I showed up week after week, that my audience could count on me, that I'm setting an example, and that they would trust me more.

[00:08:10] So I wasn't just doing it when I felt motivated, right? I set up my system. I everything I made as easy as I could, and when something felt a little clunky, I changed it and improved it. So it became really easy. It became a habit. My systems support me and they keep me accountable. And it's exactly the same with your business.

[00:08:33] So maybe, and hopefully you have this as having an automated onboarding instead of winging it every time. Maybe it's batching your content on Mondays instead of scrambling throughout the week. Maybe it's creating this, this system for your client experience. Consistency creates trust. A hundred percent.

[00:08:52] I've actually had people tell me that, not for the podcast as much, but on Instagram, I had some people tell me like, oh, I see you show up all of the time, and I [00:09:00] admire that. I want to be like that. So consistency creates trust, and trust creates growth. All right. 

[00:09:08] Lesson 4: Authenticity Works

[00:09:08] Andrea Elibero: And with that lesson four, authenticity works.

[00:09:12] So one of the things that is always, it's one of my core values is authenticity. And a really big lesson and something I hold really important is that authenticity is a strategy. So I very much am not going to show up here as some sort of persona that is not me, right? Like I don't. That's weird. So I have never felt like I had to force a persona.

[00:09:40] And whether it's podcasting, creating content or coaching, I show up a hundred percent as myself. And that authenticity is what builds connection. And I know especially at the beginning stages, a lot of. People who kind of go from a nine to five and into having their own business, they feel like, oh, I have to be professional or I have to be this.

[00:09:59] I actually was [00:10:00] talking to somebody who, um, on Instagram who has the coolest brand, and it's really cool to me because she's a scientist or was a scientist and I was a biology major and worked at the National Institutes of Health and I did all this research, whatever. So like I was like, yes. And like I was so excited because I was like, oh my god.

[00:10:17] Like this is hilarious and I love it so much. And she was like, oh. And she had said that nobody has really given her feedback and she actually kind of tampers it down like, and I was like, no, this is you. Like, lean into it and I think it's so cute and people are going to remember you. So don't tamper down your personality.

[00:10:36] Try to fit into some sort of weird box that you think you need to fit into. It's actually the opposite. The more authentic you are, the more that your clients are going to, to. Be attracted to you. The more magnetic you are and the more they're like, oh my God, this person is for me. So don't be polished all the time.

[00:10:53] If you are polished all the time, then be polished all the time. But if you're not, then don't show up as yourself. Be real [00:11:00] people. Connect to people. Not perfect templates or AI versions of people, so be you. If you're have kids and they're constantly interrupting you while you're doing work, show that you know, don't think that, oh, people think that I'm not professional.

[00:11:13] No, this is real life. And do you know how many times I've been on calls with OBM clients in the past and they've been interrupted by pets or kids like all the time? So. Be you. All right. 

[00:11:24] Lesson 5: Honor Your Season

[00:11:24] Andrea Elibero: Lesson five, and this one is a hard one for me actually, and it is to honor the season that you are in. And it's hard because it's really relevant for me right now, and I'm sure for many of you, surprise.

[00:11:40] I am taking a very short break from this podcast for the first time. Uh, I don't even like saying it because. I don't actually want to, but I have to and I will explain. So life has shifted, as some of you know, uh, we welcomed a new puppy in a couple of [00:12:00] months ago and my capacity has completely changed because of her.

[00:12:06] I love her. She is very cute. Please check her out on my Instagram or wherever. Um, ask me for a picture. I will happily share. She is crazy and insane and we're working on crate training her so she can be in there for longer stretches of time and so I can meet in my office and do the recording and things like that.

[00:12:25] Recording. This podcast has become very difficult to fit into my schedule. I used to have all the time in the world. Now I don't, so. I have to honor that. Right? I could force it and if I force it, what will happen is that I'm going to, then I. Uh, ignore other areas that are a bit more important, right in my business.

[00:12:51] And that's showing up for clients, that's getting new clients, you know, all of these types of things. So when the capacity is reduced, uh, you have [00:13:00] to honor that and do the more important things. I love this podcast, so have my heart and soul. I'm not abandoning it. It's only going to be a short break because this puppy is getting older and getting much better at to great training.

[00:13:11] But I need to do this sustainably. I need to show up as my best self for you. And this is a big lesson for you too. Seasons change, your bandwidth changes. Maybe you need to pause your client acquisition efforts because you're at capacity or something else is going on in your life, like somebody is sick or you have a new.

[00:13:36] Somebody, whether it be two legs or four legs coming into your home, maybe you're pivoting and you need to build up your back end. Maybe you're shifting in priorities again 'cause something is happening in your life. Honoring that is not a failure. It's actually a strategy for longevity. So if you want to continue on and not burn out, you have to [00:14:00] honor where your energy is and what's actually going on in your life.

[00:14:04] So if some of you may have listened to a recent episode where there was the constant soundtrack of puppy barking and crying in the background almost the entire time, I almost didn't. Air that episode. But you know what? I kept it. It was messy. It was imperfect, but it was real. And that's part of also what honoring your season looks like.

[00:14:27] Embracing imperfection while staying committed to the bigger picture. 

[00:14:32] Lesson 6: Unexpected Connections and Opportunities

[00:14:32] Andrea Elibero: And finally, lesson six is that connection and opportunities come in unexpected ways. This podcast has been a door opener in ways that I never imagined. I have connected with some amazing people, my guests, my listeners, messages from people who I never met, who told me that they listened to my podcast and love it.

[00:14:51] Oh my God, that makes my life like, I was like, wait, people listen to my podcast. You know, like, I see the numbers, but you don't get feedback at this type of. Situation. [00:15:00] So it's so cool when somebody tells you that, and these moments remind me why I started doing this. I've had the privilege, the absolute privilege of connecting with people that I never would have otherwise.

[00:15:12] And I've built up this beautiful circle. I feel like I have so much more support. They're rooting for me. I'm rooting for them. I love it. And having conversations and all of this has inspired me to keep this going. So the lesson here is that. When you show up, you create ripples that you cannot predict.

[00:15:31] You never know what happens just from taking that inspired action, that inspired first step. And of course, this applies to your business as well. Your consistent presence creates opportunities that will show up only after you start, right? These things are not going to happen unless you make moves. So here we are officially 100 episodes later, and the biggest lesson of all that I invite you to take away from this is [00:16:00] that you absolutely do not have to have it all figured out to start.

[00:16:03] And please don't have it all figured out when you start. Build the habit, show up, be committed, and evolve as you go. I am so, so, so grateful for every single person who has ever listened, has ever shared, has ever connected with me. This milestone would not be possible without you. So thank you so much for being a part of this journey.

[00:16:25] And one last quick reminder that if you want to enter the giveaway for a free coaching call, to celebrate this 100th episode, email me, Andrea, at dancing leaf solutions.com, a screenshot of your podcast review and I am super excited to brainstorm with you whether it's, you know, figuring out how, how you should do to launch your offer.

[00:16:46] You've been thinking about is this the right offer for me? Figuring out how do I take Fridays off? Or there is crazy things happening with your clients, or just talking through your next move we can talk about so many amazing things. So again, I am taking a [00:17:00] very short break, but I'll be back really soon with.

[00:17:02] More stories, lessons and conversations for the next chapter of this podcast, and hopefully with a little less puppy barking in the background. Until then, keep showing up imperfectly, authentically, consistently, because that is where the magic happens. And here is to the next 100 episodes.

[00:17:21] Thank you so much for joining us today. I really hope you found inspiration and insights from today's episode. You know, scaling your business intentionally and from the inside out is a transformational process, but I'm here to support you every step of the way. Head on over to dancing leaf solutions.com/resources for free tools to help you do just that.

[00:17:46] And thank you again for being a part of the Solepreneur Scaling Stories community. Your presence and dedication to growth inspiring me every day.