Episodes

  • 387 From Accountant to Seven-Figure Exit: Building Systems, Scaling Smart, and Starting Over with Staci Millard

    387 From Accountant to Seven-Figure Exit: Building Systems, Scaling Smart, and Starting Over with Staci Millard
    Dec 22 2025
    Quick SummaryStaci Millard shares her journey from burned-out accountant to seven-figure business exit and back to entrepreneurship with Thrive Accounting. This conversation dives deep into the realities of scaling a service business, the identity shifts required to become a true entrepreneur, and why community and human connection are more critical than ever in our AI-saturated world.In This Episode• The pivotal hospital room moment that changed Staci's entire business philosophy • How to remove yourself from your business without losing quality or control • The real difference between being a service provider and being an entrepreneur • Why Staci sold her successful firm for seven figures and what happened during her year "off" • Building Thrive Accounting: Creating a values-aligned business the second time around • Balancing personal brand building with actual business growth • The referral strategy that brings in multiple clients from single sources • Why the future of marketing is community, not algorithms • The biggest money mistake entrepreneurs make (hint: it's about gross margin) • How to talk about money openly without it being weird or salesyKey TakeawaysRemove yourself early: Building systems that allow your business to operate without you isn't just about scaling—it's about creating a sellable asset and protecting your mental health.Service provider vs. entrepreneur: There's a massive identity gap between "I do great work" and "I build businesses that do great work." Recognizing this shift is crucial for growth.Do what you say you'll do: The foundation of referrals isn't asking for them—it's consistently delivering on promises and overdelivering when possible.Lead with value: Whether it's coffee chats, networking events, or social media, always ask "how can I provide value?" rather than "what can I get?"Community over content: In an AI-generated world, genuine human connection and community are becoming the most powerful differentiators in business.Memorable Quotes"I've never been as depressed as I was in that year off. I thought it was gonna be freedom and it was not at all because I no longer had a way of using my gifts and contributing." — Staci on discovering that contribution is core to her identity"Your personal brand really has to coincide with what you're doing and be more about sharing what you're building than simply being about building you. It's gotta be about a business." — Staci on integrated personal branding"We cannot do business if we're not talking to people. Period. End of story." — Kelsey on the non-negotiable need for human connectionResources Mentioned• Book: Making Money is Killing Your Business • Book: 10x is Easier than 2x by Dan Sullivan• Book: The Almanac of Naval Ravikant • Vanessa Van Edwards - Body language and networking expert • Carly Ottaway / Web Awards - "Document, don't create" philosophy • Small Business School Podcast (Staci podcast) - Episode on gross margin and pillars of profitAbout the GuestStaci Millard is a CPA, entrepreneur, and the founder of Thrive Accounting, a firm dedicated to helping entrepreneurs experience more joy and freedom in business through strategic financial guidance. After successfully scaling and selling her first accounting firm for seven figures, Staci returned to entrepreneurship to build a values-aligned business focused exclusively on serving fellow business owners. She hosts the Small Business School podcast and is passionate about community, financial transparency, and helping entrepreneurs understand the real numbers that drive business success.Connect with StaciInstagram: @stacimillardPodcast: Small Business School https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/the-small-business-school-podcast/id1695210366Business: Thrive Accounting https://thriveaccounting.co/Thanks for tuning into this episode. All links, events & offers can be found below.Episode show notes can be found on my website |https://www.kelseyreidl.com/podcastThe WAVE™ Mastermind: where Canadian female entrepreneurs scale from 0-10k / months and 10-50k / months. Learn more about our group + explore upcoming events |https://www.kelseyreidl.com/mastermindWork with me 1:1 as your Marketing Consultant |https://www.kelseyreidl.com/visionary-marketing-coachingRank on Page # 1 of Google with Everyday SEO™ |https://kelseyreidl.lpages.co/seo/ Subscribe to our Email Newsletter |www.kelseyreidl.com/dose
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    1 hr and 3 mins
  • 386 How to Know If You Have a Business Opportunity (Not Just an Idea)

    386 How to Know If You Have a Business Opportunity (Not Just an Idea)
    Dec 15 2025
    What does it take to leave a comfortable corporate career and build a food brand from scratch? Adam D'Eramo, co-founder of Awake Caffeinated Chocolate, made the leap from PepsiCo to entrepreneurship over a single lunch conversation with two friends—and hasn't looked back in 12 years.In this episode, Adam shares the unfiltered reality of building a consumer brand: from testing their first product in a college convenience store to watching 75% of their customers disappear overnight during COVID. He breaks down the critical difference between having an idea and having a viable business opportunity, reveals how a persistent team member saved the company by pushing for e-commerce (when the founders resisted), and explains why resilience isn't just helpful for entrepreneurs—it's a prerequisite for survival.This conversation is for anyone wrestling with the "golden handcuffs" of a stable career, wondering if their side hustle could become a real business, or looking for honest insight into what it actually takes to stay alive as an entrepreneur when everything falls apart.In This EpisodeThe pivotal lunch conversation that sparked Awake Chocolate's foundingWhy "golden handcuffs" kept Adam at the breaking point—and how he broke freeThe crucial difference between having an idea and having a business opportunityHow a college convenience store test proved Awake had product-market fitSurviving COVID: Losing 75% of customers in one week and the fight to stay aliveThe team member who persistently pushed for e-commerce (and saved the company)Building a culture where ideas are welcomed and continuous improvement is the standardWhy resilience is the most unglamorized secret of entrepreneurial successKey TakeawaysStart before you're ready: If you're waiting for the perfect moment to leave corporate, allocate time on the side to test your idea. The journey of 1,000 miles begins with a single step.Ideas vs. opportunities: An idea becomes a business opportunity when people will pay for it AND you can turn a profit. Market test early and often.Use digital research tools: Concept testing through apps costs just a few hundred dollars and provides feedback in under 24 hours. Awake uses this multiple times per year.Break big problems into small ones: During COVID, Adam and his team focused on solving the problem right in front of them—this week, this month, this quarter—rather than being overwhelmed by the enormity of the challenge.Listen to your team: The marketing manager who persistently advocated for Amazon and e-commerce ultimately helped save the business during the pandemic when all physical locations closed.Memorable Quotes"I think the hardest regret for me to carry for the rest of my life would be if I didn't try this. A regret of inaction.""There's no substitute for executing an actual market test. When we found out we were selling 20 bars in a week, it was euphoric.""Are you a quitter? Quitters are losers. If no, then it doesn't look good today, but you've gotta find a way to solve this problem.""I haven't heard a single story that was all sunshine and rainbows. Everybody's had adversity. Resilience isn't just a nice attribute for an entrepreneur, it's a prerequisite.""The biggest strength of our partnership is that we know what we don't know. It's liberating to go find people who have that knowledge and capability."About the GuestAdam D'Eramo is the co-founder of Awake Caffeinated Chocolate, a functional snack brand that launched in 2012. After leaving PepsiCo with his co-founders Matt and Dan, Adam has spent over 12 years building Awake from a campus-exclusive product to a nationally distributed brand available in major retailers across Canada including Costco, Shoppers Drug Mart, Loblaws, and more. Adam is passionate about entrepreneurship, continuous improvement, and building teams with an entrepreneurial mindset.ConnectAwake Chocolate Website: AwakeChocolate.caInstagram: @AwakeChocolateLinkedIn: Adam D'EramoThanks for tuning into this episode. All links, events & offers can be found below.Episode show notes can be found on my website |https://www.kelseyreidl.com/podcastThe WAVE™ Mastermind: where Canadian female entrepreneurs scale from 0-10k / months and 10-50k / months. Learn more about our group + explore upcoming events |https://www.kelseyreidl.com/mastermindWork with me 1:1 as your Marketing Consultant |https://www.kelseyreidl.com/visionary-marketing-coachingRank on Page # 1 of Google with Everyday SEO™ |https://kelseyreidl.lpages.co/seo/ Subscribe to our Email Newsletter |www.kelseyreidl.com/dose
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    44 mins
  • 385 Building a Mental Performance Business: From Self-Doubt to Success with Cait Leavitt of Mind With Matter

    385 Building a Mental Performance Business: From Self-Doubt to Success with Cait Leavitt of Mind With Matter
    Dec 7 2025

    Quick Summary

    Cait, founder of Mind With Matter, shares her journey from working in Australia to returning to Canada to launch her mental performance and sports psychology business. In this honest conversation, she opens up about overcoming self-doubt, the importance of community, navigating challenging days as an entrepreneur, and why "mind with matter" beats "mind over matter" every time.

    In This Episode

    • Why Cait decided to leave full-time employment to start her own business
    • The pivotal advice that changed her perspective: "The job you want might not exist yet"
    • How she landed a contract with Canada Games (after thinking she'd "never get it")
    • The difference between knowing your values and actually connecting with them
    • Practical strategies for working through tough business days
    • How to discern between fatigue and fear when motivation is low
    • Building community in a new city as an adult entrepreneur
    • Why curiosity and joy are essential tools for getting unstuck

    Key Takeaways

    • Trust the alignment: Instead of forcing outcomes, Cait operates from a place of abundance, trusting that what's meant to work out will work out—and that saying no to misaligned opportunities creates space for the right ones.
    • Community is non-negotiable: From practitioner meetups to supervisor check-ins to honest conversations with friends, Cait credits her support network as essential to her success and mental health as an entrepreneur.
    • "Good enough" is enough: On challenging days, Cait chunks down her tasks and asks, "What do I need to do to be good enough today?" This mindset shift removes the pressure to be extraordinary every single day.
    • Actions precede feelings: Whether building community or starting a business, waiting for motivation or perfect conditions means waiting forever. Taking action creates the feelings you're seeking.
    • Fatigue vs. fear: Learning to distinguish between genuine exhaustion and fear-based resistance is crucial. Cait test: Try working for 10 minutes. If momentum doesn't build, your body genuinely needs rest.

    Memorable Quotes

    "If I didn't try to execute some of these ideas, the pain of regret would be a lot worse than the pain of potentially failing at them."

    "There's a very big difference between knowing your value and connecting with your values."

    "Every car needs coolant. The more I try and push myself to be amazing on this shitty day, the harder it's going to be for me to show up tomorrow."

    Resources Mentioned

    Mind With Matter (Cait's business specializing in mental performance and concussion support)

    Canada Games (where Cait served as mental performance consultant for Team BC)

    Squamish, BC (Cait's current home base and community hub)

    About the Guest

    Cait Leavitt is a sports psychologist and mental performance consultant who specializes in concussion recovery support. After gaining experience working in Australia and with various athletes and teams, she founded Mind With Matter—a practice rooted in the philosophy of working with what is, rather than pushing through at all costs.

    She currently serves clients from Squamish, BC, where she balances her work with her love of mountain biking and cycling.

    Connect

    Website: https://www.mindwithmatter.ca/

    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/caitleavitt/

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    41 mins
  • 384 Why I Disappeared for 2.5 Months (& FINALLY revealing a REBRAND after 350 episodes)

    384 Why I Disappeared for 2.5 Months (& FINALLY revealing a REBRAND after 350 episodes)
    Nov 30 2025
    Quick Summary

    After a two-and-a-half-month hiatus, Kelsey returns to announce the podcast rebrand from "Visionary Life" to "Rain or Shine." This deeply personal episode explores the philosophy behind the new name, why consistency matters even when life gets hard, and how planting seeds during difficult seasons leads to future growth. Kelsey shares vulnerable insights about business ownership, seasonal transitions, motherhood, and the courage it takes to make changes when something feels stagnant.

    In This Episode
    • Why Kelsey took an extended break and what she learned during the pause
    • The origin story of the "Rain or Shine" philosophy and what it means
    • How the 52 Pickup Method led to the podcast rebrand
    • The importance of showing up consistently, even when things are difficult
    • Why business owners are feeling collective heaviness right now
    • The 90-day accountability framework for understanding your current results
    • Making November the best month ever with intentional planning
    • Seasonal transitions and the gift of slower, more introspective seasons
    • Behind-the-scenes updates: speaking gigs, WAVE event, teaching, and motherhood

    Key Takeaways
    • Your marketing plan isn't static—when something stops feeling good, it's okay to pause and reassess
    • The "rain or shine" mentality means showing up consistently regardless of circumstances, knowing that sunny seasons follow rainy ones
    • If you're unhappy with your current results, look back 90 days and take accountability for what you did (or didn't do)
    • Planting seeds during difficult seasons changes your relationship with those challenges
    • Slowing down in winter months isn't weakness—it's an opportunity for strategic thinking and planning
    • Changing direction doesn't mean you're making a mistake; sometimes it's the exact risk you need to take

    Memorable Quotes
    • "Planting seeds inevitably changes my feelings about rain." —Lucy Shaw
    • "The more somebody complains, the less accurate their perspective of the world is." —Dr. Rangan Chatterjee
    • "I want to know that there's sunshine coming on the rainy days... by planting seeds, we can enjoy the rainy season."
    • "To kill time or to wish time away just feels like the biggest waste of life."

    Resources Mentioned
    • Visionary 2026 Workshop: Annual business planning session on December 17th (www.kelseyreidl.com/2026)
    • All Things Visionary Newsletter: Weekly insights at www.kelseyreidl.com/newsletter
    • The 52 Pickup Method: Kelsey's framework for setting weekly goals
    • My First Million Podcast: Discussion on the importance of unscheduled thinking time
    • Ed Mylett Show: 90-day accountability framework
    • Chris Williamson Podcast: Dr. Rangan Chatterjee's perspective on complaints
    • Bandit Creative: Designed by Josie for the Rain or Shine rebrand

    About the Host

    Kelsey Reidl is a marketing strategist, business consultant, and host of the newly renamed Rain or Shine podcast (formerly Visionary Life). With over 350 episodes and seven years of podcasting, she helps entrepreneurs build sustainable marketing strategies while navigating the ups and downs of business ownership. She's also a speaker on topics like ranking on ChatGPT, a course creator, and a mother balancing it all with her signature "rain or shine" philosophy.

    

    Connect
    • Instagram: @kelseyreidl
    • Website: kelseyreidl.com
    • Newsletter: kelseyreidl.com/newsletter
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    38 mins
  • 383 Rebranding, Boundaries & Building a Business That Fits You

    383 Rebranding, Boundaries & Building a Business That Fits You
    Sep 9 2025

    Seven and a half years. Over 300 interviews. Countless solo episodes. And now, it feels like the podcast is ready for its next chapter.

    In this episode, I share a preview of where the show is heading, why podcasting continues to feel like the most authentic way to connect, and how I’ve been rethinking what truly matters in the content I create.

    I take you behind the scenes of the rebrand currently underway with new cover art and fresh interviews already recorded, while reflecting on the balance between saying “yes” to opportunities and protecting your energy. I also share a powerful quote that has reshaped how I view time and priorities.

    Together, we’ll explore the importance of knowing when to move quickly with intention, when to slow down and create space, and how to avoid the “anxious middle” that leaves us feeling stuck.

    Plus, I’ll highlight why I consistently invest 10% of my revenue into events and masterminds, and how that commitment has elevated both my business and mindset.

    What you’ll learn in this episode:

    • Why podcasting still feels like the deepest, most authentic way to connect
    • How to know when it’s time to reimagine your creative projects
    • The “52 pick up” method I use for weekly goal-setting
    • Why September energy can make us overcommit (and how to check yourself before you say yes)
    • The difference between going fast, going slow, and getting lost in the anxious middle

    KEY TAKEAWAYS

    • Stop loving in the Anxious Middle

    • Your Business doesn’t have to look like everyone else’s

    • Isolation kills business

    • It’s okay to rebrand and evolve

    • Boundaries create freedom

    TIME STAMPS

    • [04:23] The “seven-year itch” and reflecting on the podcast’s evolution

    • [08:00] Weekly goal-setting with the “52 Pickup Method”

    • [11:40] Behind-the-scenes of the rebrand process

    • [16:09] Saying “hell yes” vs learning to say no

    • [19:14] Join our WAVE Elora In-Person Event

    • [22:12] The importance of in-person events & communities

    • [25:29] Why you can’t build a business alone

    

    • [28:19] Going fast vs going slow in work and life

    MENTIONED IN THE EPISODE:

    • The 52 Pick Up
    • WAVE Elora

    CONNECT WITH KELSEY

    Thanks for tuning into this episode. All links, events & offers can be found below.

    Episode show notes can be found on my website |

    https://www.kelseyreidl.com/podcast

    The WAVE™ Mastermind: where Canadian female entrepreneurs scale from 0-10k / months and 10-50k / months. Learn more about our group + explore upcoming events |

    https://www.kelseyreidl.com/mastermind

    Work with me 1:1 as your Marketing Consultant |

    https://www.kelseyreidl.com/visionary-marketing-coaching

    Rank on Page # 1 of Google with Everyday SEO™ |

    https://kelseyreidl.lpages.co/seo/

    Subscribe to our Email Newsletter |

    www.kelseyreidl.com/dose
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    32 mins
  • 382 Why You Don’t Need a Perfect Plan to Succeed with Jennifer Van Barneveld (Coach JVB)

    382 Why You Don’t Need a Perfect Plan to Succeed with Jennifer Van Barneveld (Coach JVB)
    Sep 4 2025

    What does it really take to build strength not just in the gym but in life and business?

    This week we are sharing an episode where I sat down with Jennifer Van Barneveld (Coach JVB), owner of Strong Fitness Magazine and the powerhouse between Team Strong Girls. Her story is nothing short of inspiring.

    Jennifer went from selling printer toner, to hitting what she calls her “MacDonald’s Miracle” rock-bottom moment, to building a 7-figure coaching business and leading one of the most recognizable fitness publications in the world.

    Here’s what you’ll learn in this podcast

    • Why you don’t need a perfect plan to start
    • How to turn setbacks into fuel for growth
    • The power of momentum and why clarity comes after action
    • Jenni’s biggest lessons in leadership, resilience, and staying grounded through success.

    If you’ve ever felt stuck, uncertain, or like you’re waiting for the “right time” to make your move, this episode is your reminder that strength isn’t about doing it all perfectly. It’s about moving forward, even when it’s messy.

    TO CONNECT WITH JENNIFER:

    Jenn’s instagram: https://www.instagram.com/Coach_JVB/

    Strong Fitness Magazine’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/strongfitnessmag/

    Team Strong Girls’ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/teamstronggirls/

    CONNECT WITH KELSEY

    Thanks for tuning into this episode. All links, events & offers can be found below.

    Episode show notes can be found on my website |

    https://www.kelseyreidl.com/podcast

    The WAVE™ Mastermind: where Canadian female entrepreneurs scale from 0-10k / months and 10-50k / months. Learn more about our group + explore upcoming events |

    https://www.kelseyreidl.com/mastermind

    Work with me 1:1 as your Marketing Consultant |

    https://www.kelseyreidl.com/visionary-marketing-coaching

    Rank on Page # 1 of Google with Everyday SEO™ |

    https://kelseyreidl.lpages.co/seo/

    Subscribe to our Email Newsletter |

    www.kelseyreidl.com/dose
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    49 mins
  • 381 How to Stay Motivated When LITERALLY EVERYONE is on Vacation

    381 How to Stay Motivated When LITERALLY EVERYONE is on Vacation
    Aug 26 2025

    Kelsey dives into how to stay inspired, productive, and consistent in your business even when it feels like the whole world has checked out for the last week of Summer Holidays!

    (But also, if you want to enjoy a dang holiday… please take it!!!)

    She shares personal stories, practical strategies, and mindset shifts that will help you separate yourself from the pack during what can feel like a ‘slow time’ in business, and strategies to use this time to plant seeds for Fall success.

    KEY TAKEAWAYS

    • Why the “summer slump” doesn’t have to dictate your results.
    • The power of separation season: how to get ahead when others are slowing down.
    • Simple ways to set boundaries between work and fun hours.
    • How to make your workspace (and work routine) feel energizing again.
    • The difference between wearing your CEO hat vs. hobby hat — and why it matters most in the summer.

    TIMESTAMPS

    [1:30] Why “summer slump” is soo common for entrepreneurs

    [2:53] Rewriting the narratives on why slow months don’t have to be slow

    [4:19] How to leverage “Separation Season”

    [5:22] Tip #1 Boundaries and structures work/play hours

    [9:50] Tip #2 Jazz up your workspace to bring back creativity.

    [11:53] Tip #3 Keep your CEO hat on (experiment, track data, and stay consistent)

    CONNECT WITH KELSEY

    Thanks for tuning into this episode. All links, events & offers can be found below.

    Episode show notes can be found on my website |

    https://www.kelseyreidl.com/podcast

    The WAVE™ Mastermind: where Canadian female entrepreneurs scale from 0-10k / months and 10-50k / months. Learn more about our group + explore upcoming events |

    https://www.kelseyreidl.com/mastermind

    Work with me 1:1 as your Marketing Consultant |

    https://www.kelseyreidl.com/visionary-marketing-coaching

    Rank on Page # 1 of Google with Everyday SEO™ |

    https://kelseyreidl.lpages.co/seo/

    Subscribe to our Email Newsletter |

    www.kelseyreidl.com/dose
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    16 mins
  • 380 How to Bounce Back When Confidence and Motivation Take a Hit

    380 How to Bounce Back When Confidence and Motivation Take a Hit
    Aug 19 2025

    In this episode, Kelsey dives into one of the most common struggles for entrepreneurs: feeling deflated, unmotivated, or directionless.

    She shares her personal experiences, mindset shifts, and actionable strategies to regain confidence, rekindle motivation, and get back on track in your business.

    Whether you’re dealing with a rough month, client setbacks, or just general burnout, this episode is packed with practical guidance to help you bounce back faster and stronger.

    KEY TAKEAWAYS:

    • Normalize deflated moments: Every entrepreneur experiences low confidence or dry spells; knowing this helps you respond faster instead of feeling stuck.

    • Content constraints for motivation: Limit your platforms and output to reduce overwhelm; set achievable content goals and stick to them consistently.
    • Surround yourself with the right people: Engage with mentors, masterminds, peers, or inspiring content to challenge your thinking and reignite drive.

    TIMESTAMPS:

    [0:51] Why low confidence and lack of motivation are normal in entrepreneurship

    [2:51] the highs and lows of leaving corporate life to run your own business

    [7:29] Return to rituals to regain energy and inspiration

    [12:56] Tip #2 How to put constraints around content creation to build consistency

    [15:17] How to overcome perfectionism and get content out into the world

    [17:50] Tip #3 Surround yourself with inspiring people (mentors, masterminds, peers)

    CONNECT WITH KELSEY

    Thanks for tuning into this episode. All links, events & offers can be found below.

    Episode show notes can be found on my website |

    https://www.kelseyreidl.com/podcast

    The WAVE™ Mastermind: where Canadian female entrepreneurs scale from 0-10k / months and 10-50k / months. Learn more about our group + explore upcoming events |

    https://www.kelseyreidl.com/mastermind

    Work with me 1:1 as your Marketing Consultant |

    https://www.kelseyreidl.com/visionary-marketing-coaching

    Rank on Page # 1 of Google with Everyday SEO™ |

    https://kelseyreidl.lpages.co/seo/

    Subscribe to our Email Newsletter |

    www.kelseyreidl.com/dose
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    24 mins