Rooted & Relentless

Steph Rubio
  • 5.0 (12)
  • ENTREPRENEURSHIP
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Rooted & Relentless is the podcast for big-dreaming, soul-led entrepreneurs building businesses—and lives—on their own terms. Hosted by Biz Growth Strategist & Operational Powerhouse Steph Rubio, this show blends unfiltered business strategy with personal growth stories, mindset shifts, a touch of randomness, and plenty of humor to keep you laughing. Everything is on the table. It’s raw, real, and relentlessly honest. New episodes drop weekly(ish). Bring your notebook & an open mind. This is where strategy meets soul, & scaling doesn’t mean selling yours. Hang with Steph: Find me on IG and say hello: https://www.instagram.com/virtually_stephrubio If you love the pod, you'll love the monthly newsletter, always packed with industry insights, a view from the C-Suite desk, what I'm currently loving, learning, loathing, the whole shebang: https://stephrubio.myflodesk.com/letsconnect

  1. MAY 20

    #44 How Client Experience as a Strategy Builds Six-Figure Businesses with Guest Kendra Harris

    What if the biggest growth strategy in your business isn’t more content, more marketing, or more visibility… but how people feel after working with you? In this conversation, Steph sits down with now friend (who started as a client) and operations powerhouse Kendra Harris, a self-described “business doctor of organization,” to unpack the concept of stakeholder experience — and why your reputation might be your most powerful revenue engine. Kendra is one of the most intentional service providers I met and every time I get a thoughtful little something extra I know takes her time, I'm always left shocked how she can manage it while also managing a client load and living the life of a mother of 5 kids. From leaving a 15-year teaching career to building a six-figure business in under two years, Kendra shares the real story behind sustainable growth: intentional relationships, thoughtful systems, and showing people they matter. This episode is equal parts strategy and humanity — because business growth isn’t just operational… it’s relational. Work with KendraAspiring new VA's:: Kendra is proud to offer affordable coaching to new and aspiring VAs: https://www.kendraharris.co/coaching Continue the Convo with Steph:💌 Join Steph’s email list (Steph’s Shenanigans + The COO Edit): https://stephrubio.myflodesk.com/letsconnect ⚡ Work directly with Steph — Decision Intensive: https://www.stephrubio.com/small-business-consulting Key TakeawaysWhy client experience alone isn’t enough — and what stakeholder experience really meansHow thoughtful gestures create long-term referrals without constant marketingThe mindset shift required to leave security and bet on yourselfWhy systems make personalization scalableHow being remembered turns into predictable revenueThe difference between transactional service providers and trusted partnersWhy “extra effort” is actually elite business strategy Memorable Moments“When you’re remembered, you get referred.” “Nothing comes without risk — but growth lives on the other side of belief.” “I don’t just want clients. I want relationships.” “Your reputation becomes your greatest revenue engine.” “Being thoughtful isn’t fluff — it’s strategy.”

    47 min

  2. MAY 14

    #43 Maycember Reminds Us That Our Best Marketing Strategy Might Be Seasonal

    In this episode of Rooted & Relentless, Steph Rubio unpacks the very real phenomenon of “Maycember” and why it matters to more than just mompreneuers and parents alone. This isn’t just a conversation about parenting busy seasons. It’s about understanding the rhythms of your audience, planning your business around real human capacity, and creating strategy that actually meets people where they are instead of pretending everyone has unlimited time, energy, and brain space year-round. Steph breaks down: Why buyer behavior changes seasonallyHow to anticipate summer slowdowns strategicallyWhat service providers should actually focus on during slower seasonsWhy backend operations matter more than flashy marketing during certain quartersHow calm leadership creates sustainable growthThe strategic planning framework most small business owners skip entirely This episode is part business strategy, part reality check, and part permission slip to stop marketing like every month functions the same. Memorable Moments + Soundbites“You have to know the business rhythms of your ideal client just like you need to know yours.” “Your audience isn’t ignoring you. They may just not have the brain space right now.” “Stop selling like it’s March.” “Summer isn’t the time to disappear. It’s the time to shore up your backend.” “Stable calm leadership means knowing your people, knowing their rhythms, and planning accordingly.” “Business has seasons. So do buyers.” Key TakeawaysSeasonal buyer behavior affects engagement, sales, and decision-makingParents of school-aged kids often experience “May-cember” and summer capacity shiftsStrategic planning should account for audience energy, not just business goalsSummer can be the perfect operational cleanup and preparation seasonQ3 and Q4 momentum depends heavily on what gets prepared beforehandStrategy is about timing, context, and market awareness — not just tacticsMentioned in This EpisodeExplore The Rooted Reset retreat https://www.stephrubio.com/reverse-engineering-vip-day?utm_source=chatgpt.com Connect on Instagram - Steph is a voice note Kween https://www.instagram.com/virtually_stephrubio?utm_source=chatgpt.com

    10 min

  3. MAY 6

    #42 What does Scaling & Sustaining in Business Even Mean with Katelyn Hamilton

    Scaling your business shouldn’t cost you your sanity but for a lot of women, it does. In this episode of Rooted & Relentless, Steph sits down with systems strategist and business coach Katelyn Hamilton to unpack the truth behind “scaling” and why so many entrepreneurs are burning out chasing it. Here’s the reality: more clients, more offers, more revenue… isn’t scaling. It’s just more. This conversation breaks down what sustainable growth actually looks like, how to build systems that give you your time back, and why your capacity—not your ambition—is the real constraint in your business. If you’ve ever felt exhausted, resentful, or like your business is running you instead of the other way around, this is a cannot miss episode because we'll reframe the way you think and leave you with actionable takeaways to know better then do better. If you enjoyed this conversation, why step here. Continue the Conversation Take Katelyn's Leadership Assessement: https://katelynhamilton.myflodesk.com/leadership-self-assessment ✨ Join the waitlist for The Rooted Reset so you can plan ahead like a Leader: https://www.stephrubio.com/reverse-engineering-vip-day 💌 Join Steph’s email list (aka the good stuff): https://stephrubio.myflodesk.com/letsconnect Key Takeaways Scaling ≠ adding more. It’s increasing efficiency and capacity without increasing effort.Burnout isn’t just being tired—it’s losing interest, energy, and clarity.Systems and automations are not “nice to have”—they’re how you buy back your time.Sustainable growth means your business supports your life—not competes with it.Capacity isn’t fixed—it’s hidden in inefficiencies.Pausing to evaluate your business is not failure—it’s leadership. Memorable Moments & Soundbites “You don’t scale by adding more—you scale by doing what you already do better.” “Burnout is when you wake up and think… what am I even doing this for anymore?” “You can’t scale adding more manual work to your plate.” “Sometimes the most strategic thing you can do is pause.” “Your business should support your life—not the other way around.” “Capacity isn’t gone—it’s hidden in inefficiency.”

    36 min

  4. APR 30

    #41 Hot Baths & Hard Truths about Sustaining Your Business by Refusing to Neglect YOU

    In this episode, Steph pulls back the curtain on the most overlooked growth strategy in your business: you. If this episode hit, here’s where to go next: ✉️ Get on Steph’s email list because it's the real real about life & business in a way that you can actually absorb & implement like all the time:https://stephrubio.myflodesk.com/letsconnect The place to start is getting crazy clear on what you actually want (and why it feels terrifying):https://www.stephrubio.com/your-terrifying-vision After powerful conversations at Power Table Live, one truth kept surfacing—most women are building businesses that rely on them… while completely neglecting themselves. Steph breaks down what it actually looks like to treat yourself as a stakeholder in your business, why “self-care” isn’t fluffy—it’s foundational—and how prioritizing yourself directly impacts your revenue, relationships, and long-term sustainability. This is the episode that will challenge how you think about productivity, success, and what it really means to build a business that lasts. Key Takeaways Why your reputation = your revenue (and how your experience shapes both)The concept of stakeholder experience—and why you belong in that categoryHow neglecting yourself quietly sabotages your business growthWhy 30 minutes a day can radically change your life (and business)The real reason you struggle to prioritize yourself (hint: it’s not time)How to communicate your needs without guilt—and actually stick to themWhy boundaries aren’t selfish—they’re protective Memorable Moments “Your reputation is your revenue.” “If you can’t sustain, the business can’t sustain.” “I give my kids what they need 23 and a half hours a day. The other 30 minutes? That’s mine.” “Boundaries aren’t the point. They protect what you value.” “You’re not lacking time—you’re lacking permission.”

    29 min

  5. APR 16

    #40 Be Unforgettable: The System & Strategy Behind High-Impact Collaborations

    Collaborations aren’t just a “cute visibility play”—they’re one of the most powerful ways to accelerate trust, authority, and revenue in your business. In this episode, Steph pulls back the curtain on what actually makes collaborations work—and why most people are leaving massive opportunities on the table. We’re talking about: Why borrowed trust is more valuable than new eyeballsHow collaborations shorten your sales cycle (yes, really)The systems that make you easy to work with (and rebooked)And the secret sauce that turns a one-time collab into referrals, intros, and bigger rooms Because getting invited into the room is one thing…But what people say after you leave? That’s the game changer. Continue the Conversation If this episode hit—don’t just nod your head. Let's do something with it. 💥 Audit your collaboration workflow or build one that actually converts: 👉 https://www.stephrubio.com/small-business-consulting 🧠 Want more strategic thinking like this in your inbox (without the fluff)? 👉 https://stephrubio.myflodesk.com/letsconnect Key Takeaways Collaborations = credibility exchanges, not just visibilityBorrowed trust gives you instant authority by proximityWarm leads from collaborations convert faster than cold audiencesBeing “easy to collaborate with” is a system, not a personality traitReliability gets you invited back—but intentional EXTRA makes you unforgettable Memorable Moments (Soundbites) “Collaborations aren’t just about visibility—they’re about borrowed trust.” “When someone collaborates with you, you’re being introduced, not discovered.” “Being easy to collaborate with isn’t a personality trait. It’s a process.” “Reliability gets you invited back… but it doesn’t make you unforgettable.” “It’s not about getting in the room. It’s about what people say after you leave it.”

    17 min

  6. APR 8

    #39 Client Experience Isn’t Optional, It’s Your Most Profitable (Yet Most Underutilized) Strategy

    In this episode of Rooted & Relentless, we’re pulling back the curtain on one of the most underleveraged growth strategies in business: how you treat the people who have already paid you. Because your clients should be your best marketers, easiest sales, strongest social proof and most reliable revenue stream. Instead, most business owners are stuck chasing new leads while ignoring the goldmine sitting right in front of them. We’re talking about how to: Turn client experience into a referral engineRe-engage past clients (aka the easiest money you’ll ever make)Create “extra” moments that make you unforgettableBuild a business where your reputation walks into rooms before you do If you’re tired of spinning your wheels with marketing, this episode will change how you think about growth—completely. And if you want the original episode introducing this entire concept, you can listen in here: On Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/22-introducing-stakeholder-experience-your-client-experience/id1821487374?i=1000745924692 On Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/5Udhvkv2383IHqPlaVCe5j?si=yqw97TgqQPOXQraB9YhBfQ Key Takeaways Client retention is 5–25% more cost-effective than acquisitionReferrals are free, high-converting marketingYour current clients are your most powerful social proofPast clients are one of the most overlooked revenue opportunities“Delivering what you sold” is the baseline—not the differentiator Memorable Moments (Soundbites) “Delighting the hell out of your clients makes your marketing easier—and cheaper.” “Your clients should be saying your name in rooms you’re not even in.” “Delivering what you sold is the bare minimum.” “Your reputation is your revenue.” “You have a pool of people who already trust you… just sitting there.” “People that are remembered get referred.” Strategic Links & Next Steps If this episode lit a fire under you, here’s where to go next: ✨ Decision Intensive (BEST FIT for this episode) If you’re sitting on too many ideas and not enough clarity, this is your move. → https://www.stephrubio.com/small-business-consulting ✨ Your Terrifying Vision (Lead Magnet) Get clear on what you actually want to build—and stop playing small. → https://www.stephrubio.com/your-terrifying-vision ✨ Join My Email List (Steph’s Shenanigans + The COO Edit) For strategic thinking + unfiltered insights twice a month. → https://stephrubio.myflodesk.com/letsconnect

    17 min

  7. APR 2

    #38 CEO Mindset for Service Providers: How to Transition From Doer to Leader with Fran Moore, Part 2

    If part one cracked open the identity shift from “I'm just a VA” to CEO, this episode is about what it actually takes to build a business that doesn’t depend on you doing everything. Because the truth is, you don’t scale by working more. You scale by working differently, more efficiently. In part two, Fran Moore and I break down what it really looks like to grow from VA to agency owner without becoming the bottleneck in your own business. We’re talking niching (ew, yeah, I know), systems, delegation, and the hard (but necessary) shift out of “everything queen” energy into something that’s actually sustainable. If you’ve been feeling stretched, stuck, or like your business can’t grow without you… this is the episode you’ve been waiting for. What You’ll Walk Away WithWhy being an “everything queen” is blocking your ability to scaleHow to choose a niche that actually supports growth (not just trends)What makes a business repeatable—and why that’s the key to scalingHow to delegate without overcomplicating itThe difference between growing a business and scaling oneWhat it really takes to build an agency that doesn’t rely on you Memorable Moments & Soundbites“If it’s not repeatable, it’s not scalable.” “You can’t be an everything queen and build an agency.” “Delegation is a skill—you just have to practice it.” “Nobody dies. Everyone is fine.” “Your business does not have to be your hobby. Missed Part 1? Start ThereApple: Spotify: Ready to Build This for Real?If you’re sitting there thinking, “okay… but how do I actually do this?”—this is exactly the work we do inside my Mastermind so join us & let's do this shall we? https://www.stephrubio.com/themastermind Stay in My WorldTwice a month, I send out what I’m loving, learning, and what’s actually working behind the scenes in business: 👉 https://stephrubio.myflodesk.com/letsconnect Connect with FranInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/fransmoorePodcast: Franly AdviceLoved This Episode?Hit that SSR: Subscribe. Share. Review. And if you know someone stuck in “everything queen” mode… send this their way.

    16 min

  8. APR 1

    #37 CEO Mindset for Service Providers: How to Transition From Doer to Leader with Fran Moore, Part 1

    In part one of this conversation, I’m joined by Fran Moore, who went from booking 7 clients in 2 months to scaling a $50K/month agency —and we’re breaking down the identity shift that has to happen before any of that growth is even possible. We’re talking about what it actually means to step into a CEO role, why delegation feels so hard (even when you know you need it), and the leadership standard most people are getting completely wrong. This episode isn’t just about VAs, it's about identity. Because the biggest bottleneck in your business isn’t your systems, your offers, or your clients—it’s the version of you that still thinks your value is tied to doing the work. And until that shifts: You’ll struggle to delegateYou’ll stay stuck in executionYou’ll cap your own growth Part one is about breaking that pattern. Part two? That’s where we build. And it's dropping tomorrow. What You’ll Walk Away WithWhy “I just…” language is quietly limiting your growthThe real difference between a doer and a CEOHow to start letting go of how without losing controlWhat it actually means to lead a team (hint: take the fall, pass the praise)Why your ego might be the thing keeping you stuck in executionThe mindset shift required before you ever scale into an agencyMemorable Moments & Soundbites“You take the brunt and you pass the praise—that’s leadership.” “At some point, it becomes none of your business how it’s getting done.” “I just… statements will ruin you.” “You don’t get to be the CEO and the doer forever.” (paraphrased from discussion) “You put the right butts in seats—that’s the win.” Ready for your Next Level?If this episode hit a nerve—in the best way—it might be time to stop figuring this out on your own. Because that's costing you time, energy, and money, three things I bet you'd love more of. Inside The Mastermind, we go beyond mindset and into real strategy: Leadership developmentScalable systemsDecision-making at a CEO levelBuilding a business that doesn’t depend on you doing everything👉 Apply here: https://www.stephrubio.com/themastermind Stay ConnectedGet on the email list for behind-the-scenes strategy, honest insights, and the occasional chaos: 👉 https://stephrubio.myflodesk.com/letsconnect Connect with our girl FranInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/fransmoorePodcast: Friendly AdviceLoved This Episode?Hit that SSR: Subscribe. Share. Review. And if this made you rethink how you show up in your business—send it to someone who needs to hear it too.

    27 min
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Trailer

5
out of 5
12 Ratings

About

Rooted & Relentless is the podcast for big-dreaming, soul-led entrepreneurs building businesses—and lives—on their own terms. Hosted by Biz Growth Strategist & Operational Powerhouse Steph Rubio, this show blends unfiltered business strategy with personal growth stories, mindset shifts, a touch of randomness, and plenty of humor to keep you laughing. Everything is on the table. It’s raw, real, and relentlessly honest. New episodes drop weekly(ish). Bring your notebook & an open mind. This is where strategy meets soul, & scaling doesn’t mean selling yours. Hang with Steph: Find me on IG and say hello: https://www.instagram.com/virtually_stephrubio If you love the pod, you'll love the monthly newsletter, always packed with industry insights, a view from the C-Suite desk, what I'm currently loving, learning, loathing, the whole shebang: https://stephrubio.myflodesk.com/letsconnect

Information

  • Creator
    Steph Rubio
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    45
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Steph Rubio

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