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Nearly two years ago, I launched Connect & Cultivate, a free, virtual, intentional networking experience for heart-centered solopreneurs.

The vision was simple: create a space where women could build meaningful relationships with other heart-centered business owners in a way that easily fits into our busy schedules.

Over time, that community grew into The Solopreneur Sisterhood.

This year, we moved The Solopreneur Sisterhood to Substack, and next week, I’m opening applications for contributors for our first virtual conference. 🎉

I believe that we can help more people and build a kinder, more compassionate world when we join together.

If you’ve been looking for a way to share your expertise and connect with more people who need your work, I’d love for you to consider joining us as a contributor.

I invite you to take a moment and join the contributor interest list now to be among the first to receive conference details and the contributor application.

For quite a while now, I’ve been exploring how to move forward with The Solopreneur Sisterhood and my business as a whole.

While I still don’t see the full picture, I know that I want to lean into community and creating opportunities for women to support and learn from one another.

I believe that we have a wealth of experience and expertise in our community and that we can all rise together when we connect and collaborate.

So, in the spirit of supporting other phenomenal women, I’m starting a new series called We Rise Together, where I’ll periodically share podcasts, videos, articles, and other free resources that I believe can support you on your solopreneur journey.

I invite you to explore the resources that best meet what you need right now.

💜 If you want to bring more fun into your business, watch this interview on Creating a Business that’s Fun AND Profitable with Judy Murdoch and Wendy Muzzy.

💜 If you’re feeling overwhelmed in your business and want to work in a way that works for you, take a few minutes now to read How to craft a business around your genuine capacity by Katie Lazzaro.

💜 If AI is on your mind and you’re wondering if or how it fits in your business and life, take a little time to read How to use AI without losing yourself by Kathleen.

💜 If you’re considering a pivot or your work doesn’t light you up anymore, listen to this podcast interview on Finding Your Next Step with Confidence with Joanne Conrad.

💜 And if you’re holding yourself back from what you really want, read Miscalculating risk: The real cost of playing small by Shannon Watts.

As a heart-centered solopreneur, I know that you do so much to support others. As a fellow solopreneur reminded me recently, “You deserve support, too.”

I hope you find something here that meets you where you are and supports your next step.

With love and gratitude for you,
Becky

P.S. And if you’re ready to connect with other solopreneurs in real time, I’d love to have you join us for this month’s intentional networking session. We’re meeting on Wednesday, June 17th at 1:00 pm Central. Click here to find upcoming events and save them to your calendar.

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Show Notes

In this episode, Becky sits down with career counselor Joanne Conrad for a thoughtful conversation about career transitions, personal growth, and finding work that aligns with who you are.

Together, Becky and Joanne explore what it means to trust yourself when you’re considering a change; whether that’s starting a business, changing careers, or pursuing a new opportunity. They discuss the importance of taking small steps before having everything figured out, why curiosity can be more helpful than certainty, and how meaningful work often grows through relationships and service.

If you’re feeling pulled toward something new, questioning your next step, or wondering whether it’s time to pivot, this episode offers encouragement, practical wisdom, and reassurance that you don’t have to have everything figured out before you begin.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• Why self-awareness is the foundation for meaningful work and career decisions

• How taking small experiments can create clarity about your next step

• Why relationships often open more doors than traditional networking

• How to know when it’s time to pivot and when it’s time to stay the course

• Why service and generosity can become powerful catalysts for growth

Inspiration for this week:

You don’t need to have the entire plan mapped out before you begin.

Often, clarity comes from taking the next small step, staying curious, and paying attention to what continues to call you forward.

About Joanne Conrad

Joanne Conrad is a career counselor in constant growth mode, taking every opportunity to develop the dreams and skills of others. She is centered in “possibility thinking” to maximize our time on earth. Her positivity is contagious, causing her to build relationships and connections wherever she goes. Because she authentically cultivates trust and engagement, she thrives as a career coach, mentor and speaker. Joanne obtained her Master's degree in 2010 in Counseling, leading her to the non-profit arena, and ultimately launching her into the world of Human Resources. As a recruiter since 2014, she daily meets people looking for change and has evaluated thousands of resumes. In search of fresh knowledge, she obtained the NCDA credential as a Certified Career Counselor (CCC) and Catalyst Champion Coach in recent years.

You’ll find her in New York with daily inspiration from her faith, husband (Fr. Theodotus), two children, mentor Bill Johnson, and four chickens. In her spare time, she plays in a concert band and fills notebooks with ideas.

Connect with Joanne Conrad

Dynamiscoachingservices.com

Join The Free Solopreneur Sisterhood Community to access:

• A supportive space to connect with like-minded women

• Weekly conversations and community chat

• Opportunities for collaboration and partnerships

• Free monthly networking events

Visit thesolopreneursisterhood.com to explore the community, join the conversation, and find upcoming events.

Subscribe now

In case we haven’t met before…

Welcome, Kindred Spirit! I’m so grateful that you are here.

Hi, I’m Becky Lyter McCleery. I’m a Solopreneur Strategist who helps heart-centered women with service-based businesses turn big ideas into clear priorities and simple, sustainable plans for growth.

I’ve been in the online business world since 2011, working behind the scenes as a virtual assistant, OBM, and Director of Operations. Beyond my work in operations, I love helping solopreneurs step out of overwhelm and build businesses that support what matters most (to them, right now).

I’m also the founder of The Solopreneur Sisterhood, a free community where women connect, collaborate, and support one another along the entrepreneurial journey.

If you’re building something meaningful, I’m really glad you’re here. 💗

💜 If you’re ready to connect with other heart-centered solopreneurs, I’d love to have you join us for Connect & Cultivate, our free, intentional, monthly virtual networking session. Learn more and save upcoming events to your calendar right here.

💜 If you’re ready to build a solid foundation for your business (in a way that works for you), I invite you to learn more and book your free, no-obligation strategy session right here.

Subscribe now

There’s a lot of uncertainty in the online business world right now, and I know that as solopreneurs, many of us are feeling it.

And yet, I believe there are some things we can do to support ourselves as we navigate this period of uncertainty.

My best recommendation is to reach out and connect with other solopreneurs.

Yes, our friends and families can be incredibly supportive.

However, there’s something so powerful about connecting with someone who understands this unique journey and in realizing you’re not alone.

This is one of the reasons I created The Solopreneur Sisterhood: to build a safe, supportive space where heart-centered solopreneurs could connect, encourage one another, and feel less alone.

And this is why so many episodes of The Solopreneur Sisterhood Podcast are conversations.

Each conversation is a beautiful reminder that there isn’t one “right” way to build a business; most of us are experimenting, learning, and figuring it out as we go.

If you’ve been craving more connection, reassurance, or honest conversations lately, I hope you’ll take a little time to listen in and that these episodes help you feel seen and supported.

And in case recommendations are helpful, here are a few recent conversations with members of The Solopreneur Sisterhood…

Episode 3: Creating Something That Actually Helps People

A more thoughtful, effective approach to courses and client results with Dr. Catrina Mitchum

In this conversation, I’m joined by Dr. Catrina Mitchum, a learning experience designer who is rethinking how we create and deliver online offers so they actually help people, not just give them more information.

Together, we explore what’s often missing in the online course space, why many offers fall short, and how a more thoughtful, iterative approach can create something more meaningful for both you and the people you serve.

If you’ve ever thought about creating a course or want to better support your clients through your offers, this conversation offers a fresh perspective on what works.

CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO EPISODE 3

Episode 5: Navigating the Messy Middle of Business

Burnout, patience, and building something sustainable with Debbie Mitten

In this episode, I sit down with Debbie Mitten, a business coach and consultant who helps early-stage, heart-centered women entrepreneurs find clarity and build sustainable businesses.

Together, we talk about what it really looks like to build a business from the ground up, especially in the “messy middle.” We explore the challenges of navigating uncertainty, the importance of patience when growth feels slow, and how easy it can be to fall back into burnout patterns if we’re not intentional.

If you’re in the early stages of your business or feeling stuck between starting and growing, I think this episode will help you feel supported and a little less alone.

CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO EPISODE 5

Episode 6: How to Pivot When Your Work No Longer Fits

A conversation on following curiosity, building something more aligned, and the power of connection with Jackie Brown

In this episode, I sit down with Jackie Brown, a communications coach and former creative director, to explore what happens when the work you once loved no longer feels aligned.

Together, we talk about the courage it takes to pivot, the value of following your curiosity, and how our natural gifts often reveal themselves through the things that come most easily to us. We also explore the realities of building a business, from navigating noisy advice online to the importance of relationships and community along the way.

If you’ve ever felt disconnected from work you used to love or unsure what your next step might be, this conversation offers both reassurance and a thoughtful path forward.

CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO EPISODE 6

Episode 9: Building a Business by Following Curiosity, Storytelling, and Trusting Yourself

Donna Knutson shares how experimentation, resilience, and honoring your natural gifts can shape a meaningful business journey

In this episode, I sit down with writing coach Donna Knutson for a heartfelt conversation about entrepreneurship, storytelling, creativity, and learning to trust yourself along the way.

Together, we explore the connection between storytelling and human connection, how experimentation and curiosity can open unexpected doors, and why so many adults stop themselves from trying new things before they even begin.

This conversation is also such a powerful reminder that building a business doesn’t require having everything figured out ahead of time. Donna shares how she grew her business organically by starting with what she knew, learning through experience, and allowing her work to evolve.

If you find yourself struggling with perfectionism or holding yourself back because you’re not “ready” to move forward, this conversation will be an inspiring reminder of how you can start where you are and find your way forward, one step at a time.

CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO EPISODE 9

Episode 10: Marketing Through Connection and Referrals

A more relational approach to visibility, trust, and finding the right-fit clients with Judy Murdoch

In this episode, I sit down with marketing coach Judy Murdoch for a thoughtful conversation about building a business through relationships, trust, and genuine connection.

Together, we explore why so many heart-centered business owners struggle with marketing, how traditional marketing advice often misses the mark for service providers, and why relationship-based marketing can feel more natural and sustainable.

If marketing has ever felt overwhelming, performative, or disconnected from who you are, this episode offers a gentler and more human-centered perspective.

CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO EPISODE 10

Yes, your business is unique, but you don’t have to figure everything out on your own.

If you’ve been craving more honest conversations, more connection, or just a reminder that you’re not alone in the journey of solopreneurship, I’d love for you to listen in.

And if you’re ready to connect with other heart-centered solopreneurs, come join the chat to share your ideas, insights, and experience.

With love and gratitude for you,

Becky

P.S. And if you’re ready to have meaningful conversations with other solopreneurs in real time, you’re always welcome to join us for our monthly networking session. Click here to find upcoming events and save them to your calendar.

Subscribe now

Show Notes

In this episode, Becky sits down with marketing coach Judy Murdoch for a thoughtful conversation about building a business through relationships, trust, and genuine connection.

Together, Becky and Judy explore why so many heart-centered business owners struggle with marketing, how traditional marketing advice often misses the mark for service providers, and why relationship-based marketing can feel more natural and sustainable.

They also dive into the power of referrals, the importance of using client language in your marketing, and simple ways to make it easier for others to recommend your work.

If marketing has ever felt overwhelming, performative, or disconnected from who you are, this episode offers a gentler and more human-centered perspective.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• Why relationship-building is at the heart of effective marketing

• Why traditional “brand marketing” advice often doesn’t work for solopreneurs

• How to make your marketing feel more natural and aligned

• Why referrals are one of the most powerful forms of marketing

• Simple ways to make it easier for people to refer clients to you

Inspiration for this week:

The way you naturally connect with people may also be the best foundation for your marketing.

You don’t have to force yourself into someone else’s strategy to build meaningful relationships and grow your business.

About Judy Murdoch

Judy Murdoch is a marketing coach who helps small business service providers attract their ideal clients with ease. Through her business, Marketing Root Work, Judy shows clients how to create a referral marketing system that creates a consistent stream of right-fit clients. And the best part is these clients are coming from the recommendation of devoted fans!

Connect with Judy Murdoch

Marketing Rootwork Substack

In case we haven’t met before…

Welcome, Kindred Spirit! I’m so grateful that you are here.

Hi, I’m Becky Lyter McCleery. I’m a Solopreneur Strategist who helps heart-centered women with service-based businesses turn big ideas into clear priorities and simple, sustainable plans for growth.

I’ve been in the online business world since 2011, working behind the scenes as a virtual assistant, OBM, and Director of Operations. Beyond my work in operations, I love helping solopreneurs step out of overwhelm and build businesses that support what matters most (to them, right now).

I’m also the founder of The Solopreneur Sisterhood, a free community where women connect, collaborate, and support one another along the entrepreneurial journey.

If you’re building something meaningful, I’m really glad you’re here. 💗

Subscribe now

💜 If you’re ready to connect with other heart-centered solopreneurs, I’d love to have you join us for Connect & Cultivate, our free, intentional, monthly virtual networking session. Learn more and save upcoming events to your calendar right here.

💜 If you’re ready to build a solid foundation for your business (in a way that works for you), I invite you to learn more and book your free, no-obligation strategy session right here.

Subscribe now

As I shared last week, in conversation after conversation with fellow solopreneurs, I find that we keep talking about how things are changing in the online business space.

And so, over the last few months, I’ve been exploring how we can move forward in this time when things aren’t working as they used to and we don’t know what does.

While it might not feel good right now, I really believe that this transition is leading us to a better way of building businesses that make a difference.

What I’ve been noticing is that people are craving connection and community.

We want to feel seen, heard, and understood.

We want to work with people who genuinely care about us and our unique challenges, and who are willing to walk alongside us in this journey.

All of this is good news for heart-centered business owners. This is an invitation to lean into our natural strengths and what we do best.

I understand that many of us are in this in-between. Yes, we’re heart-centered and genuinely want to help our clients.

At the same time, we want those clients coming in sooner rather than later, and we’re not sure how to do that right now.

This is where I think we might be overcomplicating things. We don’t have to figure this out on our own.

And the more I reflect on all of this, the more I keep coming back to one simple idea…

What If We Started With Listening?

Our people want to be heard. We just need to listen.

If we’re not sure what to offer or how to best connect with our ideal clients, it can be helpful to focus on having conversations, or what many in business call market research.

If market research sounds intimidating or if you feel yourself resisting this step, I invite you to remember that market research is really just spending time with the people you want to help and learning more about what they want and need.

At its core, that’s really all market research is.

And, as someone who tends to overthink everything, I really believe that we would save ourselves so much time, energy, and overwhelm if we spent more time having these conversations before creating offers, content, or marketing plans.

The truth is that even though you’re amazing at your work, we can sometimes become so immersed in it that we lose touch with what our clients need right now.

Even when we have offers that work and have helped clients get results, making the time to really listen to the people we want to work with almost always uncovers insights we would have missed on our own.

If you’ve never done market research or if you tried and didn’t find it helpful, here are my best recommendations for keeping it simple and effective…

Begin with Intention

Before you reach out to anyone about market research, it’s helpful to take a little time to clarify your intentions.

What do you want to learn from this market research?

How will taking time for this research support your business growth?

This can be as simple as having an offer and wanting to get feedback on what’s included and your pricing. Or perhaps you’re debating between a couple of options, and you want to learn more about what potential clients would find valuable (and be willing to pay for).

The key here is that you want a clear understanding of what you want to learn before you dive into research.

Talk to Your Right People

One of the biggest mistakes I see business owners make when it comes to market research is that they talk with their peers, instead of the people they want to serve.

For example, years ago, in Facebook groups for virtual assistants, I would see one person after another share their package ideas and ask for feedback.

The problem with this was that they were getting feedback from other people offering similar services. They could offer feedback based on their experience, but it’s not the same as talking with your ideal client and learning how your package resonates (or doesn’t resonate) with them.

If we really want to design offers, events, or even messaging that speaks to our ideal clients, we need to take the time to listen to them.

Focus on Research and then Move Forward

The tricky thing with market research is that it’s easy to get stuck in this stage of learning.

And while there’s real value in these conversations, there also comes a point where we need to take what we’ve learned and apply it to serving our clients.

Once you’re clear on what you want to learn and who you want to talk to, take a little time to put boundaries around the scope of your research.

For example, if you want feedback on a new offer, talking with 8 - 10 people who fit your ideal client should be enough.

If you have a set list of questions (which I highly recommend), you can usually complete these research sessions in 20 - 30 minutes.

Depending on your schedule and what else you’re working on, if you set limits on your calendar, you can book and complete these research sessions within just a couple of weeks.

Inviting Your People Into the Conversation

Once you’ve walked through these three steps, it’s time to reach out to people and ask for their help with market research.

I know reaching out like this can feel vulnerable, especially if you’re not used to asking for feedback or support. However, I can promise from experience that most people are happy to help.

I recommend creating a simple template that clearly outlines who you’re looking to talk to, what you’re asking of them, and how they can take the next step.

If you’re active on social media or have an email list, you can easily share this in a post or an email.

If you have a solid network, my recommended approach is to start there, by sending DMs or emails.

To clarify, I don’t recommend personal outreach for cold contacts. I only recommend sending a personal note to someone with whom you’ve already started to build a relationship.

This might be a lead who hasn’t converted yet, someone you’ve met through a coffee chat or networking, or even a former client.

The reason I recommend this approach is that you can’t control who sees, reads, or responds to posts on social media or even emails sent out to your list.

However, if you know someone in your network who is similar to the people you serve, this is an ideal person to give you feedback on what you’re working on.

In case it helps, here’s a simple example you can use as a starting point (I recommend adding some personalization to your template when you send out emails or DMs, but your template can include the details of your request):

Hi, I’m exploring some new ideas for how to be of greater service, and I realize it’s time to get out of my head and actually talk with some people.

I’d love to get your feedback and am wondering if you might be willing to take 20 minutes to answer some questions. I’m not selling anything on this call, but I’m happy to offer a free 20-minute session as a thank you for your time and help.

If you’re willing to help, you can find a time on my calendar right here (include link). Thank you for your time and consideration. Hope you have an amazing day!

Quick note: I often try to offer something as a thank you to those who share their time by answering my questions, but this is optional.

If you’re a coach or consultant, a free session that is equal in time to the length of your market research is an easy option.

To keep things simple, I like to book it all at once.

For example, if I’m asking for 20 minutes of their time for market research, I’ll then offer a free 20-minute session, and the appointment on my calendar will be for 40 minutes, so we can fit both into one block of time.

Listen Deeply and Stay Curious

Once your market research sessions are booked, your job is to show up open and ready to learn.

While I recommend having a list of questions related to what you want to learn, the most important part is to listen.

I recommend recording these calls (with permission from interviewees), as we don’t always hear or remember everything the first time. With a recording and a transcript, it takes the pressure off of trying to capture all of the insights right away.

The most important thing you can do on these calls is to be fully present.

Listen deeply and stay curious.

Be willing to adapt your questions or follow new ones if you want to better understand something an interviewee has shared.

When you do this, you’re showing your people that you genuinely care. And whether or not they ever hire you, you’re gaining insight into how you can better serve all of your future clients.

Two final notes before you move forward…

1. Please don’t turn this into a sales pitch.

People are generously sharing their time and feedback to help you move forward with your business.

And yes, some of them may become future clients, but that’s not the purpose of this session.

I’ve participated in market research calls that suddenly turned into sales pitches, and it’s always felt awful.

Enter these conversations knowing that you won’t have a client by the end of the call, and that’s okay, because it’s not the purpose of this time.

Instead, you’re building relationships and trust, and gathering insight that will help you reach and serve your clients moving forward.

2. Stay true to yourself.

While we want to learn from market research, please also trust yourself.

If someone you speak to throws out an issue or idea that doesn’t resonate with you, it might be that this is a unique need of that individual or that this individual isn’t actually an ideal client for you. That’s okay.

We’re talking with a small group of individuals because we want to be able to look for those common threads.

As you do your research, look for the common challenges, concerns, goals, and requests.

I’ve seen business owners tie themselves up in knots, trying to create an offer that meets the needs and requests of each person they met with for market research.

Instead, I encourage you to use market research as a way to improve your ideas. The goal is to combine your expertise with real-world insight from the people you want to help.

Maybe We’re Moving Toward Something Better

I’ve been in the online business space off-and-on since 2009, consistently since 2016.

For much of that time, this space has been dominated by “experts,” selling us on things we “had to do” to build a business that works.

And for many of us, these systems and strategies have worked with mixed results.

So while the online business space is changing, I believe we’re moving into something better, something more genuine, something that allows us to step even more deeply into being of service.

I don’t know that any of us is exactly sure what that will look like.

We could wait around, muddling through until someone figures it out and then sells their strategy to us.

Or, we could lean into our strengths as heart-centered solopreneurs and start having more conversations that matter.

With love and gratitude for you,
Becky

P.S. And if you’re ready to have meaningful conversations with other solopreneurs in real time, you’re always welcome to join us for our monthly networking session. Click here to find upcoming events and save them to your calendar.

Subscribe now

Show Notes

In this episode, Becky sits down with writing coach Donna Knutson for a heartfelt conversation about entrepreneurship, storytelling, creativity, and learning to trust yourself along the way.

Donna shares her unexpected path from television news and teaching writing to helping women write and publish books that share their stories, wisdom, and lived experiences. Together, Becky and Donna explore the connection between storytelling and human connection, how experimentation and curiosity can open unexpected doors, and why so many adults stop themselves from trying new things before they even begin.

This conversation is also a powerful reminder that building a business doesn’t require having everything figured out in advance. Donna shares how she grew her business organically by starting with what she knew, learning through experience, and allowing her work to evolve.

Becky and Donna also discuss perfectionism, fear of failure, people pleasing, and the importance of creating support systems that help entrepreneurs grow sustainably.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• Why storytelling creates a deeper human connection and understanding

• How fear of failure often keeps adults from exploring ideas that could become meaningful opportunities

• Why trying something new doesn’t require immediate success

• The importance of learning through experimentation instead of waiting until you feel fully prepared

• How collaboration and community support can make entrepreneurship feel less overwhelming

Inspiration for this week:

Children learn through constant experimentation.

They fall, make mistakes, try again, and keep moving forward without making those moments mean something about who they are.

What if you approached your business with that same mindset?

You don’t need to know exactly how to do something before you begin.
Sometimes the willingness to try is what creates the path forward.

About Donna Knutson

Donna Knutson is a writing coach who helps women finish the books they’ve always wanted to write—especially those who are writing for the very first time. Her clients are typically women with deeply lived experiences they feel called to share, but who don’t know where to begin and want support, accountability, and a steady cheerleader along the way.

She believes a business card tells people what you do, but a book tells them who you are. And that through storytelling, we can build deeper, meaningful relationships, share hard-won wisdom, and change the lives of readers and potential clients.

With a bachelor’s degree in English and American Poetry, a master’s degree in Professional Writing, and more than 30 years of experience as a news writer and producer, adjunct English professor, and journalism instructor, Donna brings both expertise and compassion to the writing journey. She believes almost everyone can tell their own story—sometimes they just need support to get started and someone to walk beside them.

Connect with Donna Knutson

• Website

• LinkedIn

Join The Free Solopreneur Sisterhood Community to access:

• A supportive space to connect with like-minded women

• Weekly conversations and community chat

• Opportunities for collaboration and partnerships

• Free monthly networking events

Visit The Solopreneur Sisterhood to explore the community, join the conversation, and find upcoming events.

Subscribe now

In case we haven’t met before…

Welcome, Kindred Spirit! I’m so grateful that you are here.

Hi, I’m Becky Lyter McCleery. I’m a Solopreneur Strategist who helps heart-centered women with service-based businesses turn big ideas into clear priorities and simple, sustainable plans for growth.

I’ve been in the online business world since 2011, working behind the scenes as a virtual assistant, OBM, and Director of Operations. Beyond my work in operations, I love helping solopreneurs step out of overwhelm and build businesses that support what matters most (to them, right now).

I’m also the founder of The Solopreneur Sisterhood, a free community where women connect, collaborate, and support one another along the entrepreneurial journey.

If you’re building something meaningful, I’m really glad you’re here. 💗

Subscribe now

💜 If you’re ready to connect with other heart-centered solopreneurs, I’d love to have you join us for Connect & Cultivate, our free, intentional, monthly virtual networking session. Learn more and save upcoming events to your calendar right here.

💜 If you’re ready to build a solid foundation for your business (in a way that works for you), I invite you to learn more and book your free, no-obligation strategy session right here.

Quick note: It’s almost time! 🎉If you’re ready to have meaningful conversations with other solopreneurs in real time, I’d love to have you join us for this month’s intentional networking session. We’re meeting next week, on Wednesday, May 20th, at 11:00 am Central. Click here to learn more and save the event to your calendar.

Subscribe now

Things Are Changing in the Online Business World

Lately, almost every conversation I’ve had with fellow solopreneurs has centered around the same thing:

Business feels different right now.

Strategies that worked for years are no longer working. Some business owners are questioning everything, some are experimenting with new approaches, and some are beginning to wonder whether they should keep going at all.

As a strategist and business friend, I’m always going to encourage you to make the choice that works best for you.

At the same time, I noticed an important distinction in these conversations:

Those of us who have been in business for a while recognize that things have been changing over the past couple of years. We’ve been through challenges before, and we know that slower months aren’t a reflection on ourselves.

However, many of the solopreneurs I spoke with who were in their first year or two of business didn’t realize this is a larger trend.

So, no matter how long you’ve been in business, if things are moving more slowly than usual or things that used to work are no longer working, please know that you’re not alone.

Every business owner I know, no matter how long they’ve been in business, is experiencing this change.

And while I don’t know what will work as we move forward, I want to believe that we’re going to move into something even better, that we’re going to find ways of selling and serving that feel more genuine and make an even greater impact.

In the meantime, as we experiment and learn what works, we can make sure that we’re supporting ourselves and doing the inner work necessary to keep showing up and moving forward.

One of the hardest parts of being a solopreneur is that our mindset plays into everything we do.

We can create strategies and offers, we can hire coaches and take courses, but if we don’t believe in ourselves, and if we regularly second-guess every decision we make, we end up creating unnecessary obstacles and holding ourselves back.

I share all of this with love because I struggled with this for years.

Looking back now, I can see how much fear and self-doubt shaped the way I approached business in those early years.

The Mindset Shift That Changed My Business

Way back in 2009, I did everything I thought I was “supposed to” do to build a business. I spent money on branding, business cards, and a professional website. I created my coaching packages and was so excited to start working with clients.

Unfortunately, it didn’t take long to discover that being open for business didn’t mean any clients would actually come.

Although I felt discouraged and embarrassed that my business wasn’t working the way I thought it would, I figured the problem was that I just didn’t know enough about how to build a successful business.

And so I started a cycle of seeking and learning. I’d sign up for freebies, watch webinars and trainings, and convince myself I simply had to pay for one program after another because it would finally make my business work.

Over the course of several years, I’d repeat this cycle of starting up my business, trying to make it work, feeling discouraged when it didn’t work as I’d envisioned, and then pulling back to focus on family.

Fast forward to late 2016, when a friend I’d connected with online asked if I’d consider joining her team as a virtual assistant.

It wasn’t something I’d previously considered, but it seemed to use a lot of my skills, so I decided to try it for a few months.

Those few months turned into a few years, and as I worked behind the scenes of service-based businesses making multiple six-figures each year, I started to see what these business owners had in common.

• They didn’t spend their time enrolling in course after course.

• They didn’t follow some secret system.

• They didn’t succeed with every new idea they tried.

However…

• They each had a clear vision for their business.

• They set clear goals that aligned with that vision.

• They built strategies to meet these goals while strongly honoring their values and priorities.

• They did their work to implement each strategy, step by step.

Throughout it all, they were 100% committed to their success.

It wasn’t a matter of if they would succeed but how and when.

Over the years, I’ve come to believe that the main difference between those who succeed in business and those who don’t is perseverance.

Those who succeed still experience failures; they just don’t stop because of it.

Instead of deciding, “This failed, so I should quit,” they asked:
“What can we learn from this?”
“What can we try next?”
“How do we adapt?”

This mindset shift changed everything for me.

Succeeding in business doesn’t come down to having the perfect offers, marketing, or strategies.

Success comes from being willing to stay in the process long enough to figure things out.

A Few Gentle Reminders for the Hard Seasons

If you’ve been feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or uncertain lately, you’re not alone.

Here are a few common patterns I see come up for heart-centered solopreneurs (myself included) and some recommendations to keep moving forward.

Come Back to What Matters Most

One of the biggest obstacles I see for solopreneurs is that it’s easy to keep ourselves busy, but just because we’re busy, it doesn’t mean we’re moving forward.

As solopreneurs, everything comes back to us. If we’re not doing a task, it’s not getting done.

This is why it’s important to focus on what matters most right now.

The internet is filled with ideas, strategies, and recommendations of what we “should” be doing to make our business work.

However, you are the expert on your business. Not all of these ideas are of equal value for your business.

When you’re clear on your top priorities, it becomes easier to determine which tasks need your time and which can be set aside for now.

For example, if your goal is to sign your first few clients, building or redesigning your website is not a valuable use of your time.

Your fastest path to your goal is to focus on connecting with people, having conversations, and sharing your work. With this in mind, it’s easier to look at your calendar and know that you need to prioritize activities related to building relationships.

Whenever I start feeling overwhelmed, I come back to one question:

What matters most right now?

And usually, when I’m honest with myself, the answer to this question helps me to easily narrow down my priorities, and my to-do list becomes more manageable.

It’s easier to step out of overwhelm when I know that I’m focused on work that supports my current priorities, and everything else on that never-ending to-do list can wait.

Hold Your Goals with Curiosity

As solopreneurs, I think we’re naturally dreamers. We have a lot of big ideas, and we love exploring possibilities.

And yet sometimes, we’re so focused on the vision that we have unrealistic expectations that put unnecessary pressure on ourselves.

Every time I work with a client, they’re so excited to share the new offer they want to launch into the world. And pretty much every time, their vision of this offer includes an expectation of how many people will buy or how quickly people will buy.

Several years ago, I worked with a client who was so excited about a new low-ticket offer and expected hundreds of people to join within two weeks.

While I loved her excitement, I gently asked:
“How will you feel if 10 people sign up?”

She brushed it off because in her mind, the bigger number felt guaranteed.

Yet, when the launch ended, 10 people had joined.

Given the size of her audience and how quickly we ran the launch, this was actually pretty successful.

However, because her expectations were so high, she experienced it as failure rather than growth.

When it comes to feeling like we’re failing because of unrealistic expectations, I think it’s helpful to try new ideas as an experiment or set stepping-stone goals.

For stepping-stone goals, I like to create the following:

• A baseline goal - this is the minimum goal, the one I feel confident I can easily reach.

• A stretch goal - this one feels like it’s possible, but I’m not entirely sure I can get there.

• An ideal goal - this is the big one, the goal that feels out there, but that would be amazing to realize.

Both approaches, trying new ideas as experiments or setting stepping-stone goals, help me stay curious instead of falling into all-or-nothing thinking when it comes to moving forward with new ideas.

“This Isn’t Working” vs. “This Isn’t Working Yet”

You post consistently for a few weeks and feel like you’re posting into the void.
You send emails, and nobody responds.
You launch a new offer, and fewer people sign up than you hoped.

And suddenly your brain says:
“This isn’t working.”

But often what’s really happening is:
“It’s not working yet.”

There’s such a big difference.

One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned over the years is that most things take longer than we think they should. We have to keep showing up consistently before we have any evidence that it’s working.

And yes, that can feel uncomfortable, but that doesn’t mean that something is wrong. It just might mean that you’re growing.

To clarify, you never have to implement a strategy that doesn’t feel aligned to you, but with any strategy you choose, you need to give it enough time to work.

One thing I often recommend is choosing a few aligned strategies and committing to them consistently for 90 days.

This doesn’t have to be perfect, just consistent enough to gather real information on what’s working and what to try next.

Even with how things are changing in the online business space, I believe this recommendation still holds.

For example, in late January, we set up a new sales process for one of my clients. February, March, and April went by, and it didn’t look like anything was changing.

She was just about to jump to a different plan when we realized that the clients who signed on over the past few weeks all came from this new process.

So if you have a strategy and you’re implementing it consistently, keep going. Just because we’re not seeing results yet doesn’t mean it isn’t working.

A Gentle Reminder If You’re Doubting Yourself

If you’ve been feeling stuck or discouraged, if business isn’t working the way you want it to, please remember that one disappointing launch, one offer that flops, or a slow month doesn’t determine the success of your business.

Your business success will come as you decide to keep showing up, learning, serving, and finding your way forward.

Whenever I catch myself slipping into self-doubt (and yes, even after all these years, I still have days when I’m questioning everything), I come back to this question:

Who can I help today?

When I focus on being of service, instead of worrying about whether I’m succeeding or failing, I get out of my own way.

And when I’m focused on helping others, that’s usually when things begin to flow again.

In case you need a reminder, right now, in this very moment, there are people in our world who need you.

We need your ideas, your voice, and your unique gifts.

Even if others offer something similar, nobody will offer it exactly the way you do.

Your people need you; they just might not have found you yet.

Keep going. Keep showing up.

I’m cheering you on as you find your way forward, one step at a time.

With love and gratitude for you,
Becky

Subscribe now

Show Notes

In this episode, Becky and Jason continue their conversation on experimentation; this time focusing specifically on how to test and refine your offers without overthinking or overcommitting.

If you’ve ever felt stuck trying to create the “perfect” offer, unsure how to price your services, or hesitant to put something out into the world before it feels fully ready, this episode offers a more spacious and supportive approach.

Becky shares how starting with low-pressure offers can help you gain real experience, build confidence, and better understand what your clients need. Rather than waiting until everything is perfectly mapped out, this approach allows you to learn through doing.

Together, Becky and Jason also explore the resistance that often comes up when trying something new, the fear of giving too much (or not enough), and how experimentation can support both short-term momentum and long-term business growth.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• Why starting with smaller, lower-pressure offers can be more effective than jumping into big packages

• Simple ways to test your services (without building everything upfront)

• How to create offers that feel good for both you and your clients

• Common fears that come up when offering free or low-cost services (and how to move through them)

• How experimentation can help you pivot or evolve your business over time

Inspiration for this week:

As your life changes, your interests shift, and your priorities evolve, your business will likely evolve as well.

Experimentation isn’t a detour; it’s how you continue to build a business that works for you.

Join The Free Solopreneur Sisterhood Community to access:

• A supportive space to connect with like-minded women

• Weekly conversations and community chat

• Opportunities for collaboration and partnerships

• Free monthly networking events

Visit thesolopreneursisterhood.com to explore the community, join the conversation, and find upcoming events.

Subscribe now

In case we haven’t met before…

Welcome, Kindred Spirit! I’m so grateful that you are here.

Hi, I’m Becky Lyter McCleery. I’m a Solopreneur Strategist who helps heart-centered women with service-based businesses turn big ideas into clear priorities and simple, sustainable plans for growth.

I’ve been in the online business world since 2011, working behind the scenes as a virtual assistant, OBM, and Director of Operations. Beyond my work in operations, I love helping solopreneurs step out of overwhelm and build businesses that support what matters most (to them, right now).

I’m also the founder of The Solopreneur Sisterhood, a free community where women connect, collaborate, and support one another along the entrepreneurial journey.

If you’re building something meaningful, I’m really glad you’re here. 💗

💜 If you’re ready to connect with other heart-centered solopreneurs, I’d love to have you join us for Connect & Cultivate, our free, intentional, monthly virtual networking session. Learn more and save upcoming events to your calendar right here.

💜 If you’re ready to build a solid foundation for your business (in a way that works for you), I invite you to learn more and book your free, no-obligation strategy session right here.

Subscribe now

Subscribe now

If you’ve been in my world for a while, you may know that throughout my life, I’ve moved through seasons of depression.

Lately, I’ve realized that I’m experiencing these symptoms once again.

As many times as I’ve been through this, you might think it would be obvious by now, but it never is.

The changes are always subtle…

Little tasks begin to feel heavier.

I find myself avoiding things I need to do or even want to do.

And everything just feels like it requires extra effort.

It’s easy to dismiss any of these as just being tired or having an off day, and then suddenly I realize that I’m struggling.

Somehow, it still catches me by surprise every time.

If you’re in a season like this, whether you’re struggling with mental health or any other challenge that’s making it hard to keep moving forward with business as usual, please know that you’re not alone.

Please take good care of yourself and remember that you matter (so much more than you probably realize).

Right now, I’m in that space of slowing down and figuring out what support I need.

And, since I’ve been here before, I’m leaning into some of the practices that help me keep finding my way forward, whenever life feels hard.

In case it helps, here are the practices I return to; I invite you to test them out and adapt them to work best for you.

Focus on what matters most

When our capacity shifts, it helps to also adjust our expectations.

This doesn’t mean that we’re failing or falling behind.

We’re human beings (not robots), and we’re not meant to operate at full capacity in every season.

I can admit that for years, my strategy was to just push through. It didn’t matter how I felt; the to-do list “had” to get done.

I don’t recommend this approach, as it inevitably leads to burnout.

One of the most supportive tools I’ve learned is that when my capacity is limited, I need to be really honest with myself about what matters most right now.

When I’m in a harder season, I’ve learned to focus my time and energy on just a few top priorities.

To find these priorities, I look at what I most want to change or accomplish in the next few months, and then choose just a few actions that best support that.

These are my must-do actions. Everything else moves to my list of things to come back to when I have more time or energy.

Choose a minimum baseline

Along with limiting my focus, I’ve found that it helps to set a minimum baseline. If I do nothing else, I will do these things consistently.

In life, that might look like getting out of bed, showering, and getting dressed (in real clothes, not pajamas) every day.

In business, this might look like continuing to show up for your clients, sending one weekly email to your list, or checking in regularly with a couple of business friends.

It’s a slower pace, but it can be empowering to prove to yourself that you can keep moving forward in your own way. And often, when I start moving forward with those baseline commitments, I find that I feel up to doing just a little bit more.

Protect your time and energy

Creating space is one of the most supportive practices I’ve found; I lean into this when I’m struggling or even when I’m simply going through a busier season of life.

As an introvert, I tend to feel drained when I have too many calls or meetings in any given day. When I’m struggling with depression, showing up and being present can feel even more tiring.

So when I need more space, I’ll intentionally go into my calendar and block off times when I’m not available for calls.

Whether it’s blocking off entire days or simply a few hours on certain days, this gives me more time for my top priorities, while also making it easier to show up and be present because I’m not overscheduling myself.

Make space for what lights you up

As heart-centered solopreneurs, we tend to be pretty good at taking care of everyone else. However, many of us struggle with making time to nourish ourselves.

When I’m going through a more challenging season, making space for things that bring me joy or feel nourishing becomes essential.

For me, this might look like taking a walk with my husband, reading a book just for fun, or spending time outside working in one of my flower beds.

While this looks different for each of us, the key is to make time and space for those things that light you up and make you feel even a little bit better.

As a side note here, I know that one of the symptoms of depression is that we no longer enjoy things we usually enjoy.

When I’m in that space, I try to look for something that feels just a bit hopeful or a bit lighter than what I’m currently feeling, and then I challenge myself to try it.

So if a walk feels a bit better, but I don’t feel like going on my regular longer walk, I’ll tell myself I can just do a short walk. Sometimes, I stick with that short walk, but usually, just being outside will feel better, and I’ll suddenly feel up to continuing.

We’re looking for a starting point, and then our enjoyment can grow from there.

Remember that you don’t have to carry this alone

And on top of all of this, my best recommendation for supporting yourself through a rough time is to make sure you have support.

This might look like a friend, a partner, or a fellow business owner who understands what you’re going through.

I know how hard it can be to open up and share how you’re struggling, and yet I also know that anytime I’ve opened up to someone I’ve trusted, it’s helped so much to no longer have to carry it by myself.

No matter what you’re going through right now, you’re not alone, and reaching out to others who understand can be a powerful way to support yourself and make it easier to find your way forward.

If you’re going through bigger changes in your life or are struggling in any way, please give yourself some grace.

As solopreneurs, most of the deadlines we set for ourselves are flexible and can be adjusted as needed.

You don’t have to do everything, and you don’t have to keep showing up as usual.

Instead, this is your invitation to slow down and give yourself the support you need, trusting that you’ll find your way forward, one step at a time.

If you feel open to it, I’d love to hear from you.

What helps you keep showing up or moving forward during harder seasons?

I invite you to come share in the chat; your experience might be exactly what someone else needs to hear today.

With love and gratitude for you,
Becky

Subscribe now

Show Notes

In this episode, Becky is joined by her husband, Jason, for a conversation about a concept that can completely shift the way you approach your business: holding your ideas lightly.

If you’ve ever found yourself overthinking, putting pressure on outcomes, or feeling stuck because something has to “work,” this conversation offers a refreshing alternative. Becky shares how approaching ideas with curiosity (rather than rigid expectations) can make it easier to take action, stay consistent, and actually enjoy the process of building your business.

Together, Becky and Jason explore the difference between experimenting with intention versus jumping from idea to idea, why attaching specific outcomes can limit your creativity, and how to create simple guardrails that help you move forward with clarity.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• Why putting too much pressure on outcomes can slow your progress

• How curiosity can help you take action (even when you’re unsure)

• The difference between intentional experimentation and “throwing spaghetti at the wall.”

• Simple questions to ask before moving forward with a new idea

• How to test offers without overbuilding or overcomplicating

Inspiration for this week:

If you have an idea you’re considering, instead of asking, “Will this succeed?” try asking, “What can I learn from this?”

When you treat your ideas like experiments, you create space to move forward without the weight of needing a specific outcome. From this place, it becomes easier (and more enjoyable) to move forward and build momentum.

Join The Free Solopreneur Sisterhood Community to access:

• A supportive space to connect with like-minded women

• Weekly conversations and community chat

• Opportunities for collaboration and partnerships

• Free monthly networking events

Visit thesolopreneursisterhood.com to explore the community, join the conversation, and find upcoming events.

Subscribe now

In case we haven’t met before…

Welcome, Kindred Spirit! I’m so grateful that you are here.

Hi, I’m Becky Lyter McCleery. I’m a Solopreneur Strategist who helps heart-centered women with service-based businesses turn big ideas into clear priorities and simple, sustainable plans for growth.

I’ve been in the online business world since 2011, working behind the scenes as a virtual assistant, OBM, and Director of Operations. Beyond my work in operations, I love helping solopreneurs step out of overwhelm and build businesses that support what matters most (to them, right now).

I’m also the founder of The Solopreneur Sisterhood, a free community where women connect, collaborate, and support one another along the entrepreneurial journey.

If you’re building something meaningful, I’m really glad you’re here. 💗

💜 If you’re ready to connect with other heart-centered solopreneurs, I’d love to have you join us for Connect & Cultivate, our free, intentional, monthly virtual networking session. Learn more and save upcoming events to your calendar right here.

💜 If you’re ready to build a solid foundation for your business (in a way that works for you), I invite you to learn more and book your free, no-obligation strategy session right here.

Subscribe now

Subscribe now

It kind of started as a joke, but it ended up changing my life.

It was the spring of my senior year of college, and I was supposed to be writing a paper. However, I’d recently heard a commercial for eHarmony and decided to take a break to try their personality assessment.

While my roommate teased me about finding any excuse to procrastinate, I joked that finding the love of my life was more important than this paper.

I completed the assessment and the paper, and over the next few weeks, started receiving matches. They were nice, but nothing life-changing.

And then, on May 3, 2004, I was matched with Jason. Online chats led to phone calls and eventually (after I’d graduated and moved back to Illinois) our first date. We’ve been together ever since.

Twenty-two years ago, I had no idea my life was about to change in the most incredible way.

With our matchiversary coming up this weekend, I’ve been thinking more about this story and why it worked.

What strikes me most is how out of character this was for me. I’m a planner in pretty much every area of my life.

I take my time with decisions. When I have an idea, I usually don’t leap into it. Rather, I try to look at it from various angles, examining possible outcomes before I commit.

Basically, my natural tendency is to overthink everything.

And yet, in this situation, I didn’t do any of that. I simply followed my curiosity and took the first step.

If anything, I think this adventure in online dating worked because I held it so lightly.

Yes, I joked about meeting the love of my life, but I didn’t have any expectations. Instead, I stayed curious, viewing the whole endeavor as an experiment.

And the beauty with this insight is that I’ve found this mindset can work in many areas of our lives, including business.

As solopreneurs, I think we’re naturally curious and creative. The ideas seem to come easily.

The challenge is that we sometimes grow too attached to our ideas and put unnecessary pressure on ourselves to make them work.

When we feel like an idea has to lead to clients, justify our time, or prove something, we often make business harder than it needs to be.

I understand this pressure because I’ve done this more times than I can count. However, I also believe that this pressure ultimately slows everything down.

What I’ve found, both in my own business and in my work with clients, is that business begins to flow with greater ease when we hold our ideas lightly, allowing ourselves to take the next step, viewing it as an experiment, and not making the outcomes mean anything about our business or ourselves.

So this week, I’m inviting you to try an experiment with me. Here’s how it works:

Step 1: Create a simple free offer.

If you’re a coach or consultant, this might be a free session. If you’re a graphic designer, perhaps it’s a free set of templates customized to a client’s brand colors. If you’re a copywriter, perhaps it’s writing a new LinkedIn bio or new copy for a landing page. If you’re a web designer, perhaps it’s a 10-minute video audit of someone’s current website.

The idea is to create a small offer that lets someone experience working with you, while also allowing you to do the work you most love.

Step 2: Create a simple description of your free offer.

This might be a paragraph or a series of bullet points. We’re not worried about the perfect pitch right now; we just need a simple description so that someone knows what your offer is and how it will help them.

As this is a free offer, I strongly recommend limiting the number of spots available. We want to find that sweet spot between being generous and also honoring your time and energy.

Step 3: Set up a way for someone to sign up for your free offer.

For many of us, this looks like setting up a unique appointment type in our calendar. Whether you use a calendar link, a form, or something else, the key is to make it as easy as possible for someone to sign up.

Now, before we get to step four, I want to dig a bit deeper into why I’m inviting you to join me in this experiment.

Even though I’m a planner, I’ve found that one of the most powerful ways to step into the work I want to do… is to do the work.

The idea behind this limited free offer is that you’re becoming someone who is already doing the work you want to do. This can work for you if you’re starting your business, want to bring on more clients, or are considering a pivot into something new.

When you do the work, your mindset shifts from “I want to do this…” to “I am doing this.” It’s the fastest way I know to step into the business you’re imagining.

When you do this work, your confidence and commitment to your business tend to grow. From here, it becomes easier to talk about what you do and share your work, and this is how momentum grows.

Those who claim your free offer get to experience what it’s like to work with you, and their feedback and testimonials can help you optimize your service and better reach others who need your work.

As a gentle reminder, it’s not about making money from this step. It’s about taking one intentional step and staying open to what unfolds from there.

With this understanding, here’s step four…

Step 4: Share your free offer.

Your offer isn’t for everyone, and you have limited space available, so I encourage you to share your offer with intention.

I recommend starting by making a list of people in your network who might be interested (or know people who might be interested) and then sending emails or DMs with the details. Again, you don’t need a huge list. If you’re offering 2 or 3 free spots, you might start by sharing this offer with 10 - 15 people.

And if you want an extra place to try this out, I’d love to have you share your limited free offer in The Solopreneur Sisterhood community chat.

You’ll find a thread in the chat exclusively dedicated to sharing your limited free offer. In your post in the chat, please include:

• What your offer is

• Who your offer is for

• The number of spots you’re offering

• How to book

I invite you to think of this as your version of the first step, sort of like how I took a personality assessment that helped me meet my husband.

And just like that one small, slightly random decision all those years ago changed the course of my life; you have no idea what possibilities might open up because you decided to start (even if you didn’t feel ready).

If you notice resistance to this idea, I encourage you to pay attention to the thoughts that are coming up.

If you’re not fully booked with clients, but you find yourself thinking anything along the lines of…

“I don’t have time for this.”
“I don’t want to give this away for free.”
“No one will be interested.”

I encourage you to pay attention to these thoughts, as they often reveal where you might be holding yourself back.

Whenever I work with clients, I offer suggestions, but I always encourage them to honor what feels best to them. I encourage you to do the same here.

If it’s not a good fit, you don’t have to do this. However, if you’re not fully booked or if you want to step into something new, this is a simple yet powerful way to move forward and start building momentum.

Right now, in this very moment, there are people who need you, your gifts, and your work. It might simply be that they haven’t found you yet.

If you’re open to this experiment, you can join us in the chat and share your offer right here. I can’t wait to see what you create and who you’ll help.

With love and gratitude for you,
Becky

P.S. Whether you share an offer or not, you’re welcome to join us in the chat to see what others are sharing. It just might be that another member is offering exactly what you need right now.

Subscribe now

P.P.S. In my commitment to supporting other solopreneurs, sometimes the P.S. will share upcoming events. I don’t receive anything for sharing these, and only share offers from people I know and trust. Here’s an upcoming event that may be of interest…

Find Your Magic: A Self-Discovery & Inner Alchemy Experience

Find Your Magic: A Self-Discovery & Inner Alchemy Experience is a live, heart-centered workshop for women who feel like they’ve lost themselves in relationships or life transitions and are ready to reconnect with who they truly are.

Through guided reflection and powerful insights, you’ll begin to see yourself more clearly, understand the patterns that have been holding you back, and take the first step toward creating a life that feels aligned, authentic, and truly your own. Learn more and save your spot right here.

Show Notes

In this episode, Becky sits down with Jackie Brown, a communications coach and former creative director, to explore what happens when the work you once loved no longer feels aligned.

After spending 20 years in creative direction, Jackie built a successful business doing work she deeply identified with, until, over time, that spark began to fade. What followed was a period of questioning, reflection, and ultimately, a willingness to listen to what was shifting for her.

Together, Becky and Jackie talk about the courage it takes to pivot, the value of following your curiosity, and how our natural gifts often reveal themselves through the things that come most easily to us. They also explore the realities of building a business, from navigating noisy advice online to the importance of relationships and community along the way.

If you’ve ever felt disconnected from work you used to love or unsure what your next step might be, this conversation offers both reassurance and a thoughtful path forward.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• How to recognize when something you once loved is no longer aligned

• Why following your curiosity can lead you to your next direction

• The role of connection (not just credentials) in effective communication

• How to navigate the noise of business advice and marketing tactics

• Why relationships and consistent connection matter more than quick wins

Inspiration for this week:

Pay attention to what keeps calling your attention.

The books you pick up, the conversations you love, the questions you keep asking, those are clues.

You don’t have to have it all figured out. Just follow what feels meaningful, one step at a time.

About Jackie

Jackie Brown is a leadership and communications coach who helps thoughtful professionals and leaders communicate with more clarity, confidence, and connection. A former creative director turned coach, she’s spent her career helping smart people make their ideas land—without resorting to performative polish. Through her workshops and coaching, Jackie helps professionals lead with presence, listen with intention, and turn everyday conversations into real influence.

Connect with Jackie

Website: jbcommunicationsgroup.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jackie-brown-coach/

Join The Free Solopreneur Sisterhood Community to access:

• A supportive space to connect with like-minded women

• Weekly conversations and community chat

• Opportunities for collaboration and partnerships

• Free monthly networking events

Visit thesolopreneursisterhood.com to explore the community, join the conversation, and find upcoming events.

In case we haven’t met before…

Welcome, Kindred Spirit! I’m so grateful that you are here.

Hi, I’m Becky Lyter McCleery. I’m a Solopreneur Strategist who helps heart-centered women with service-based businesses turn big ideas into clear priorities and simple, sustainable plans for growth.

I’ve been in the online business world since 2011, working behind the scenes as a virtual assistant, OBM, and Director of Operations. Beyond my work in operations, I love helping solopreneurs step out of overwhelm and build businesses that support what matters most (to them, right now).

I’m also the founder of The Solopreneur Sisterhood, a free community where women connect, collaborate, and support one another along the entrepreneurial journey.

If you’re building something meaningful, I’m really glad you’re here. 💗

💜 If you’re ready to connect with other heart-centered solopreneurs, I’d love to have you join us for Connect & Cultivate, our free, intentional, monthly virtual networking session. Learn more and save upcoming events to your calendar right here.

💜 If you’re ready to build a solid foundation for your business (in a way that works for you), I invite you to learn more and book your free, no-obligation strategy session right here.

Subscribe now

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Spring has finally arrived here in northeastern Illinois.

If you’ve known me for a bit, you know that my gardens are one of my happy places. And for weeks now, I’ve been longing to go outside and start working on the gardens, but for the past few weeks, we've had storm after storm.

This week, our weather is shifting. It’s warming up, and we’re supposed to have longer stretches without rain.

On Monday, I walked through the yard to see what was coming up and to start planning changes I want to make this year. And while many of my perennials are coming up, so are the weeds; and not just little weeds, fast-growing weeds that are already crowding out the plants I want to grow.

Although I’m eager to buy new plants and expand our current flower beds, I realize I need to prioritize pulling weeds to create space for what I want to grow.

If I don’t, the weeds will compete for space and nutrients. Plus, no matter what I plant, if the weeds take over, I won’t be able to create or enjoy the garden I’m envisioning.

It’s definitely not my favorite part of gardening, but I know this work matters and is an important step towards what I want to create.

In my own business and in my work with clients, I regularly see this same pattern.

As solopreneurs, I think one of our common traits is that we’re creative. We have a lot of ideas, and we’re frequently focused on what we want to create next.

And while planning our next steps is important, many of us tend to skip over a key step.

Often, we’re so busy thinking about or working on what comes next that we fail to evaluate what we might need to clean up or clear out in our existing business.

The challenge is that when we keep building and adding without evaluating what’s already in place, things start to pile up.

Over time, it becomes overwhelming to maintain, and eventually, things begin to fall apart.

As we move into a new season, I find myself coming back to this question:

How do I want to experience the next few months?

With nicer weather and my kids home from school, I want more time outside and more time with family.

And with this clarity, the next question to explore is:

What needs to shift in my business to support this vision?

While this might mean setting up a new offer or running a special promotion, my first step is to look at what I currently have in place.

How do my current systems and strategies support this goal? What might need to be updated, improved, or redesigned?

If you’re feeling the pull of a new season (whether that’s spring where you are, or just a shift in your life or business), this might be a gentle place to start:

Instead of asking, What should I create next?

Try asking,

What needs to be cleared out or cleaned up to make space for what I want?

A few places you might look:

• Are there offers, ideas, or projects you’re holding onto that no longer feel aligned?

• Are there systems in your business that feel clunky, inconsistent, or harder than they need to be?

• Are there areas where you don’t have a system at all, and you’re reinventing the wheel every time?

This doesn’t have to be a full overhaul.

The first step is to create a simple list of systems or strategies you can clean up to better support your goals.

Once you have that list, choose one to start with, whether that’s cleaning up one workflow, setting up a simple email template, or finally organizing a process you’ve been recreating each time.

With each step, you create more space, freeing up time and energy for what matters most to you.

Though I’m eager to start planting, I know the importance of this stage.

Taking time now to pull the weeds creates space for the garden to thrive.

The same is true in your business.

It’s not the most enjoyable part of the work, but regularly taking time to evaluate and clean up systems and strategies is essential to building a sustainable business that works for you.

As you move through the week ahead, I invite you to take a little time to explore:

How do you want to experience the next few months?

And once you have that vision in mind…

What might need to be cleaned up or cleared out to support this vision?

And if you need help with this, whether it’s figuring out what to clean up or how to set up a system that works best for you, this is something I help clients with regularly. I have limited availability, but invite you to schedule your free strategy session right here.

With love and gratitude for you,
Becky

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P.S. In my commitment to supporting other solopreneurs, sometimes I’ll share upcoming events. I don’t receive anything for sharing these, and only share offers from people I know and trust. Here are two upcoming events that may be of interest…

✨ When They Still Don’t Get It

You know that moment when you’re explaining what you do, and you can just feel the other person... not getting it? Jackie Brown has spent years figuring out why that happens — and it’s probably not what you think.

It’s not your messaging. It’s not your confidence. It’s the sequence. Most of us lead with data and credentials when what actually creates connection is something else entirely.

Jackie’s running a 90-minute working session on April 30th called When They Still Don’t Get It. You’ll bring a real situation you’re navigating — a discovery call that keeps falling flat, a pitch that isn’t landing, a conversation you keep having and losing — and you’ll leave with a different approach. Learn more and save your spot right here.

✨ Find Your Magic: A Self-Discovery & Inner Alchemy Experience

Find Your Magic: A Self-Discovery & Inner Alchemy Experience is a live, heart-centered workshop for women who feel like they’ve lost themselves in relationships or life transitions and are ready to reconnect with who they truly are.

Through guided reflection and powerful insights, you’ll begin to see yourself more clearly, understand the patterns that have been holding you back, and take the first step toward creating a life that feels aligned, authentic, and truly your own. Learn more and save your spot right here.

Show Notes

In this episode, Becky sits down with Debbie Mitten, a business coach and consultant who helps early-stage, heart-centered women entrepreneurs find clarity and build sustainable businesses.

After spending 37 years in corporate, supporting CEOs, building systems, and wearing more hats than one role could reasonably hold, Debbie experienced burnout that ultimately led her to reevaluate everything. What followed was a courageous transition into entrepreneurship, where she began creating a business rooted in alignment, energy awareness, and meaningful support.

Together, Becky and Debbie explore what it really looks like to build a business from the ground up, especially in the “messy middle.” They talk about the challenges of navigating uncertainty, the importance of patience when growth feels slow, and how easy it is to fall back into burnout patterns if we’re not intentional.

If you’re in the early stages of your business or feeling stuck between starting and growing, this episode will help you feel seen, supported, and a little less alone.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• How burnout can shape (and ultimately redirect) your career path

• Why the “messy middle” is a normal and necessary part of business growth

• The difference between tweaking your strategy and starting over

• How community can help you stay grounded, especially during challenging seasons

• The importance of honoring your energy and building a business that supports your life

Inspiration for this week:

You don’t need to rush the process or force the outcome.

The seeds you’ve planted are growing, even if you can’t see them yet.

Stay with it. Adjust when needed. And trust that what you’re building is unfolding in its own time.

About Debbie Mitten:

Debbie Mitten is a curious and creative soul entering an exciting new chapter.

After 37 years balancing a corporate strategy career by day with fronting a band by night, she hit serious burnout.

At 60, instead of slowing down, she dove headfirst into entrepreneurship, launching “Virtually Debbie” as an Intuitive Business Coach for heart-centered women business owners.

Debbie lights up working with coaches, creatives, educators, and healers who are building something meaningful.

Having learned the hard way, she’s now passionate about helping women entrepreneurs put their health first while growing their businesses.

When she’s not coaching, this lifelong introvert and closeted tech geek can be found pondering life’s big questions, meditating, singing, songwriting, playing guitar, painting, or sharing her journey on YouTube.

Connect with Debbie:

• Substack

• YouTube

• LinkedIn

• Instagram

• Linktree

Join The Free Solopreneur Sisterhood Community to access:

• A supportive space to connect with like-minded women

• Weekly conversations and community chat

• Opportunities for collaboration and partnerships

• Free monthly networking events

Visit thesolopreneursisterhood.com to explore the community, join the conversation, and find upcoming events.

Subscribe now

In case we haven’t met before…

Welcome, Kindred Spirit! I’m so grateful that you are here.

Hi, I’m Becky Lyter McCleery. I’m a Solopreneur Strategist who helps heart-centered women with service-based businesses turn big ideas into clear priorities and simple, sustainable plans for growth.

I’ve been in the online business world since 2011, working behind the scenes as a virtual assistant, OBM, and Director of Operations. Beyond my work in operations, I love helping solopreneurs step out of overwhelm and build businesses that support what matters most (to them, right now).

I’m also the founder of The Solopreneur Sisterhood, a free community where women connect, collaborate, and support one another along the entrepreneurial journey.

If you’re building something meaningful, I’m really glad you’re here. 💗

💜 If you’re ready to connect with other heart-centered solopreneurs, I’d love to have you join us for Connect & Cultivate, our free, intentional, monthly virtual networking session. Learn more and save upcoming events to your calendar right here.

💜 If you’re ready to build a solid foundation for your business (in a way that works for you), I invite you to learn more and book your free, no-obligation strategy session right here.

Subscribe now

Quick reminder: Our next Connect & Cultivate intentional networking session is on Wednesday, April 22nd at 1:00 pm Central, and we’d love to have you join us. Learn more and save the event to your calendar right here.

They say the years go by in the blink of an eye, and right now, that feels especially true.

My son turns 17 this Friday.

(And yes, the photo I’m sharing is one of my favorites from when my kids were little, as he doesn’t love having his picture taken these days.)

On birthdays, I naturally find myself looking ahead.

This year, we’re having more conversations about life after high school, and starting to explore what his next chapter might look like. There’s a lot of “what’s next” in the air.

Yet this year, I’ve also felt pulled in a different direction. This year, I keep looking back and appreciating how far we’ve come.

Seventeen years ago, I was learning how to be a mom of two. That transition stretched me in ways I never anticipated. I had no idea what was ahead.

I didn’t know he would be on the autism spectrum (or that I was, too) and that I would learn entirely new ways of supporting, understanding, and advocating for him.

I didn’t know he would be incredibly kind and intelligent (he can do crazy math in his head, a gift he absolutely did not get from me).

And I didn’t know that being his mom would help me grow into a stronger, kinder, more patient, and more loving version of myself.

There have definitely been moments, truthfully, days, weeks, and even months that felt like a long struggle.

And yet, looking back, it feels like these 17 years have flown by.

The part we don’t always see

As I’ve been sitting with all of this, one thought keeps coming back to me:

We don’t pause nearly enough to acknowledge how far we’ve come.

Not in life. And definitely not in business.

I see this in myself and in so many of the phenomenal women I work with.

When you’re a solopreneur with big dreams and an abundance of ideas, it’s so easy to stay focused on what isn’t working yet, on the gap between where you are and where you want to be.

You’re showing up, putting in the time, and trying to stay consistent. And it can still feel like nothing is happening.

That’s often when the doubts start creeping in:

Is this ever going to work?
What am I doing wrong?
What if I’m just not cut out for this?

If you’re in that space right now, you are not alone.

In this moment, I gently invite you to pause, look back, and celebrate how far you’ve come and all that you’ve already accomplished.

The risks you’ve taken. The ways you’ve shown up. The things you’ve learned.

The moments you kept going when it would have been so much easier to simply give up.

Just like these 17 years with my son, this journey is changing you in ways you might not be able to fully see yet.

When I look back on my own business, I wish I had understood this sooner.

There were so many moments where I thought:

This isn’t working.
I must be doing something wrong.
Maybe I’m not cut out for this.

In those moments, I would pull back, convince myself to quit my business, and focus on something else.

And yet, there was always a gentle whisper that nudged me to come back, try again, and keep going. Eventually, I found my way forward.

Looking back now, I can see that those seasons weren’t signs that I was failing; they were part of the process, and I could have moved through them with greater ease if I had known how to support myself.

If you’re in one of those seasons right now, here are two simple practices I regularly return to whenever I need to shift my focus and find my next steps forward.

Practice 1: Shift the questions you’re asking

Our brains are always looking for evidence to support what we’re thinking and believing.

And so, when I ask questions like…

Why isn’t this working?
What am I doing wrong?
What if I just can’t do this?

My brain starts to look for all of the reasons why things aren’t working, or all of the things I might be doing wrong, or all of the reasons why I might not be able to succeed.

Understandably, this tends to make me more anxious and overwhelmed.

Over the years, I learned that if I’m in that place of frustration and self-doubt, I need to look at the questions I’m focused on and start looking for new possibilities.

Some of my favorites include:

What’s one thing I can do to move forward today?
Where am I already making progress?
What’s something else I can try (to reach this goal)?

This isn’t about ignoring reality. It’s about opening up possibilities.

When I shift my focus, new ideas begin to flow, and I can usually see my next steps forward.

Practice 2: Who can you help today?

As heart-centered solopreneurs, most of us didn’t start our businesses simply because we wanted to own a business. Instead, we care about helping people, and our business is one way we can do this.

When I’m in that place of feeling stuck or like nothing is working, shifting my attention away from myself and looking for who I can help is a powerful way to re-align with what matters most to me.

This doesn’t have to be huge or time-consuming.

Look for someone to encourage.

Send a thoughtful email or DM letting someone know you appreciate them.

Be the person who offers support or shares a resource, simply because you want to help someone else succeed.

In these moments, you’re moving out of being stuck in the problem. You’re moving your attention away from what isn’t working and re-aligning with what really matters.

And again, when we’re shifting our attention away from focusing on how nothing is working, it’s a powerful way to reconnect with inspiration and new ideas for how to move forward.

Plus, you’re helping other people and making a difference right now.

A gentle reminder…

If you’re in one of those seasons where you’re questioning everything or nothing seems to be working, you’re not alone.

From my own experience and my work with clients, I know these stages are normal.

Most of us are questioning ourselves more than we let on.

Most of us go through seasons where things feel quiet, slow, or uncertain.

You’re just in the middle of it right now.

However, just like I look at my son now and see everything that has unfolded over 17 years, there will come a day when you look back at this season in your business and realize that you were growing, learning, and finding your way forward, even when it didn’t feel that way at the time.

So today, I invite you to do two things:

1. Take a little time to look back and celebrate how far you’ve come.

2. Choose one small step to move forward with one of your current priorities.

And if you feel up for it, join us in the chat and share something you’re celebrating or what you’re working on right now, so we can cheer you on.

And in case you need a reminder:

Right now, in this very moment, there are people who need you, your gifts, and your work. It just might be that they haven’t found you yet.

I believe in you, and I’m cheering you on every step of the way!

With love and gratitude for you,

Becky

P.S. If you’re in that place where you feel stuck, I dive into this more deeply in this week’s podcast. You can listen right here.

P.P.S. You know that moment when you’re explaining what you do, and you can just feel the other person... not getting it? Jackie Brown has spent years figuring out why that happens — and it’s probably not what you think.

It’s not your messaging. It’s not your confidence. It’s the sequence. Most of us lead with data and credentials when what actually creates connection is something else entirely.

Jackie’s running a 90-minute working session on April 30th called When They Still Don’t Get It. You’ll bring a real situation you’re navigating — a discovery call that keeps falling flat, a pitch that isn’t landing, a conversation you keep having and losing — and you’ll leave with a different approach. Learn more and save your spot right here.

Subscribe now

Show Notes

In this episode, Becky is joined by her husband, Jason, as they explore what it really looks like to feel stuck in your business and how to start moving forward again.

From getting caught in cycles of overthinking or constant learning to juggling too many ideas (or not giving anything enough time to work), this episode offers an honest look at the patterns that can quietly keep you spinning your wheels.

Becky shares insights from her own journey and her work with clients, along with simple, practical ways to recognize when you’re stuck and how to begin building momentum again.

If you’ve been feeling like nothing is quite clicking or you’re unsure what to focus on next, this conversation will help you reset, refocus, and take your next step.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• Why getting stuck in cycles of learning or overthinking can slow your progress

• How to recognize whether you’re in a natural pause or truly stuck

• A simple way to refocus on one aligned goal and move forward

• How to create a realistic, supportive plan (without overwhelming yourself)

• The importance of weekly check-ins and tracking your progress

• Why having support can make all the difference

Inspiration for this week:

If it feels like nothing is working, it doesn’t mean you’re off track.
Sometimes it just means you haven’t given something enough time to work yet.

Stay with it. Keep going. Small steps still move you forward.

A quick behind-the-scenes moment:

At the beginning of this episode, Jason shared about a recent idea he brought to life for Becky. Here’s a photo of the nearly-finished bookshelf:

Join The Free Solopreneur Sisterhood Community to access:

• A supportive space to connect with like-minded women

• Weekly conversations and community chat

• Opportunities for collaboration and partnerships

• Free monthly networking events

Visit thesolopreneursisterhood.com to explore the community, join the conversation, and find upcoming events.

Subscribe now

In case we haven’t met before…

Welcome, Kindred Spirit! I’m so grateful that you are here.

Hi, I’m Becky Lyter McCleery. I’m a Solopreneur Strategist who helps heart-centered women with service-based businesses turn big ideas into clear priorities and simple, sustainable plans for growth.

I’ve been in the online business world since 2011, working behind the scenes as a virtual assistant, OBM, and Director of Operations. Beyond my work in operations, I love helping solopreneurs step out of overwhelm and build businesses that support what matters most (to them, right now).

I’m also the founder of The Solopreneur Sisterhood, a free community where women connect, collaborate, and support one another along the entrepreneurial journey.

If you’re building something meaningful, I’m really glad you’re here. 💗

💜 If you’re ready to connect with other heart-centered solopreneurs, I’d love to have you join us for Connect & Cultivate, our free, intentional, monthly virtual networking session. Learn more and save upcoming events to your calendar right here.

💜 If you’re ready to build a solid foundation for your business (in a way that works for you), I invite you to learn more and book your free, no-obligation strategy session right here.

Subscribe now

Quick note: I’ve been working on the following for a few months.

I’m currently finishing this post/email on Tuesday, and I recognize that I have no idea what may or may not happen tonight and what the world will look like by the time this reaches you on Wednesday.

As I’ve said before, the world is a lot right now.

For me, it doesn’t feel right to move on with business “as usual.” And yet the fact is that we’re living in this crazy time where the world seems to be falling apart, and we somehow need to carry on with daily life as best we can.

In the midst of it all, I believe it’s important that we continue to create, connect, and support one another in small, meaningful ways, as that’s how we gradually build the world we want to live in. I also know that I need community even more right now, and perhaps you do, too.

That being said, please honor what you need right now.

If reading this feels supportive or grounding for you, I’m so glad you’re here.

And if your capacity feels low, or it’s hard to focus right now, that’s okay too. This is something you can come back to later.

Most importantly, I hope you’re finding small ways to take care of yourself and honor what you need today.

After sharing last week’s update, I kept coming back to one simple truth:

We’re not meant to do this alone.

Yes, your business and your journey are unique, but you don’t have to figure it all out on your own.

In fact, even though we’re solopreneurs, I believe we’re more successful when we have a community walking with us, offering support and encouragement along the way.

And this is a big part of why I decided to relaunch The Solopreneur Sisterhood Podcast.

This podcast is for heart-centered solopreneurs who want to build a business that’s not just profitable, but purposeful and sustainable; a business intentionally built to support what matters most to you.

When I tried the podcast before, I burned out because I was following what other people told me to do, and I was working in a way that didn’t light me up.

I don’t like talking into the void. Scripts feel fake. Creating on my own feels lonely.

So this time around, I’m intentionally creating a podcast that aligns with what matters most to me: connection, community, and meaningful conversations about what it actually looks like to build a business that works for you.

Each episode is designed to feel like a conversation.

Instead of solo episodes, my husband, Jason, is joining me as a guest co-host, asking questions you might be asking as well.

Along with these conversational episodes, we’ll have guest episodes that are coffee chat-style conversations with other heart-centered solopreneurs about their real experiences in business: the uncertainty, the pivots, the growth, and everything in between.

My hope is that when you listen, you feel seen and encouraged, and that you’ll walk away with ideas or inspiration that make your journey feel a bit easier.

And then, if you want to keep the conversation going, you can bring it right back into the community chat.

To get you started, here are the first three episodes:

Episode 1: A New Chapter for The Solopreneur Sisterhood
Real conversations, shared experiences, and building a business that works for you

This episode is a behind-the-scenes look at how all of this began, and where it’s going.

You’ll hear how this podcast is shifting into a more conversational, honest, and supportive space, with a mix of behind-the-scenes business conversations and real stories from heart-centered solopreneurs.

This episode also introduces the vision for The Solopreneur Sisterhood community and how it’s designed to help you feel supported and connected as you build a business that works for you.

Listen to Episode 1 Now

Episode 2: I Had No Idea What I Was Doing
The messy, real path to building a business that actually works for you

This one is a little more personal.

I’m sharing the behind-the-scenes story of how I built my business, from leaving my career as a teacher to navigating the many unknowns of entrepreneurship.

This isn’t a story of having a clear plan or getting it “right” from the start. It’s a story of trial and error, pivots, learning as you go, and continuing forward even when nothing seems to be working.

If you’ve ever felt like you don’t know what you’re doing (or wondered if you’re the only one), this episode is a reminder that most of us are figuring it out as we go, and that’s not a problem; it’s part of the process.

Listen to Episode 2 Now

Episode 3: Creating Something That Actually Helps People
A more thoughtful, effective approach to courses and client results with Dr. Catrina Mitchum

In this conversation, I’m joined by Dr. Catrina Mitchum, a learning experience designer who is rethinking how we create and deliver online offers, so they actually help people, not just give them more information.

Together, we explore what’s often missing in the online course space, why many offers fall short, and how a more thoughtful, iterative approach can create something far more meaningful, for both you and the people you serve.

If you’ve ever thought about creating a course or want to better support your clients through your offers, this conversation will give you a fresh perspective on what actually works.

Listen to Episode 3 Now

If you’ve been craving more honest conversations, more connection, or just a reminder that you’re not alone in the journey of solopreneurship, I’d love for you to listen in.

And if you’re ready to connect with other heart-centered solopreneurs, come join the chat to share your ideas, insights, and experience.

With love and gratitude for you,

Becky

P.S. And if you’re ready to have meaningful conversations with other solopreneurs in real time, you’re always welcome to join us for our monthly networking session. Click here to find upcoming events and save them to your calendar.

Subscribe now

In this episode, Becky sits down with Dr. Catrina Mitchum, a learning experience designer who is rethinking how we create and deliver online offers, so they actually help people, not just give them more information.

After experiencing burnout in higher education, Catrina built a business that bridges education and online entrepreneurship. Her work focuses on helping business owners design learning experiences that lead to real understanding, application, and results.

Together, Becky and Catrina explore what’s often missing in the online course space, why many offers fall short, and how a more thoughtful, iterative approach can create something far more meaningful, for both you and the people you serve.

If you’ve ever thought about creating a course or want to better support your clients through your offers, this conversation will give you a fresh perspective on what actually works.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• Why many online courses don’t lead to real results (and what’s missing)

• Why iteration (not perfection) is key to building effective offers

• How to approach feedback in a way that supports growth

• What to do when your ideas and your audience’s needs don’t fully align

• The role of community and support in both learning and business growth

  ---

Inspiration for this week:

You don’t have to get it perfect; you just have to get it into the hands of the people you’re here to help.

From there, you can listen, learn, and refine. That’s where the real impact is built.

About Dr. Catrina Mitchum:

Dr. Catrina Mitchum, founder of Catrina Mitchum Learning Design, is on a mission to revolutionize the online course creation space. She’s a recovering academic that’s been teaching adults online since 2009, and she uses her experience designing and delivering online courses to give course creation support to overwhelmed small business owners and aspiring course creators that give a sh*t about their course client success.

Connect with Catrina:

• Website

• Threads

• LinkedIn

• YouTube

Join The Free Solopreneur Sisterhood Community to access:

• A supportive space to connect with like-minded women

• Weekly conversations and community chat

• Opportunities for collaboration and partnerships

• Free monthly networking events

Visit thesolopreneursisterhood.com to explore the community, join the conversation, and find upcoming events.

Subscribe now

In case we haven’t met before…

Welcome, Kindred Spirit! I’m so grateful that you are here.

Hi, I’m Becky Lyter McCleery. I’m a Solopreneur Strategist who helps heart-centered women with service-based businesses turn big ideas into clear priorities and simple, sustainable plans for growth.

I’ve been in the online business world since 2011, working behind the scenes as a virtual assistant, OBM, and Director of Operations. Beyond my work in operations, I love helping solopreneurs step out of overwhelm and build businesses that support what matters most (to them, right now).

I’m also the founder of The Solopreneur Sisterhood, a free community where women connect, collaborate, and support one another along the entrepreneurial journey.

If you’re building something meaningful, I’m really glad you’re here. 💗

💜 If you’re ready to connect with other heart-centered solopreneurs, I’d love to have you join us for Connect & Cultivate, our free, intentional, monthly virtual networking session. Learn more and save upcoming events to your calendar right here.

💜 If you’re ready to build a solid foundation for your business (in a way that works for you), I invite you to learn more and book your free, no-obligation strategy session right here.

Join Becky McCleery and her husband and co-host, Jason, in this episode where they explore the real, behind-the-scenes story of how Becky built her business, from leaving her career as a teacher to navigating the many unknowns of entrepreneurship.

This isn’t a story of having a clear plan or getting it “right” from the start. It’s a story of trial and error, pivots, learning as you go, and continuing forward even when nothing seems to be working.

If you’ve ever felt like you don’t know what you’re doing (or wondered if you’re the only one), this episode is a reminder that most of us are figuring it out as we go, and that’s not a problem; it’s part of the process.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• What led Becky to leave teaching and start exploring a different path

• The reality of starting a business without experience or a clear roadmap

• How her work evolved (and why those pivots mattered)

• The mindset shift that helped her move through “failure” and keep going

• Why “not knowing what you’re doing” might be exactly where you’re supposed to be

Inspiration for this week:

There are so many moments in this journey where it will feel uncertain.
Keep going anyway. You’re learning more than you realize.

---

Join The Free Solopreneur Sisterhood Community to access:

• A supportive space to connect with like-minded women

• Weekly conversations and community chat

• Opportunities for collaboration and partnerships

• Free monthly networking events

Visit thesolopreneursisterhood.com to explore the community, join the conversation, and find upcoming events.

Subscribe now

In case we haven’t met before…

Welcome, Kindred Spirit! I’m so grateful that you are here.

Hi, I’m Becky Lyter McCleery. I’m a Solopreneur Strategist who helps heart-centered women with service-based businesses turn big ideas into clear priorities and simple, sustainable plans for growth.

I’ve been in the online business world since 2011, working behind the scenes as a virtual assistant, OBM, and Director of Operations. Beyond my work in operations, I love helping solopreneurs step out of overwhelm and build businesses that support what matters most (to them, right now).

I’m also the founder of The Solopreneur Sisterhood, a free community where women connect, collaborate, and support one another along the entrepreneurial journey.

If you’re building something meaningful, I’m really glad you’re here. 💗

💜 If you’re ready to connect with other heart-centered solopreneurs, I’d love to have you join us for Connect & Cultivate, our free, intentional, monthly virtual networking session. Learn more and save upcoming events to your calendar right here.

💜 If you’re ready to build a solid foundation for your business (in a way that works for you), I invite you to learn more and book your free, no-obligation strategy session right here.

Welcome to The Solopreneur Sisterhood Podcast!

Join Becky McCleery and her husband and co-host, Jason, in this relaunch episode, where Becky shares the heart behind The Solopreneur Sisterhood, what inspired its evolution, and what you can expect moving forward.

You’ll hear how this podcast is shifting into a more conversational, honest, and supportive space, with a mix of behind-the-scenes business conversations and real stories from heart-centered solopreneurs.

This episode also introduces the vision for the Solopreneur Sisterhood community and how it’s designed to help you feel supported and connected as you build a business that works for you.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• Why the podcast is being relaunched and what’s different this time

• The inspiration behind The Solopreneur Sisterhood community

• How connection and collaboration can support sustainable business growth

• The role that community plays in building a business that aligns with your values

• How you can get involved and continue the conversation beyond the podcast

Inspiration for this week:

You don’t have to build your business alone. When you surround yourself with people who see you, support you, and walk alongside you, things don’t just feel easier, they become more possible.

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Join The Free Solopreneur Sisterhood Community to access:

• A supportive space to connect with like-minded women

• Weekly conversations and community chat

• Opportunities for collaboration and partnerships

• Free monthly networking events

Subscribe now

In case we haven’t met before…

Welcome, Kindred Spirit! I’m so grateful that you are here.

Hi, I’m Becky Lyter McCleery. I’m a Solopreneur Strategist who helps heart-centered women with service-based businesses turn big ideas into clear priorities and simple, sustainable plans for growth.

I’ve been in the online business world since 2011, working behind the scenes as a virtual assistant, OBM, and Director of Operations. Beyond my work in operations, I love helping solopreneurs step out of overwhelm and build businesses that support what matters most (to them, right now).

I’m also the founder of The Solopreneur Sisterhood, a free community where women connect, collaborate, and support one another along the entrepreneurial journey.

If you’re building something meaningful, I’m really glad you’re here. 💗

💜 If you’re ready to connect with other heart-centered solopreneurs, I’d love to have you join us for Connect & Cultivate, our free, intentional, monthly virtual networking session. Learn more and save upcoming events to your calendar right here.

💜 If you’re ready to build a solid foundation for your business (in a way that works for you), I invite you to learn more and book your free, no-obligation strategy session right here.

Subscribe now