Rooted & Relentless

Steph Rubio
  • 5.0 (11)
  • 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. 3D AGO

    #29 Introducing the Clarity Coven: Meet Alisha Bean

    Episode Summary In this Clarity Coven feature, Steph sits down with Alisha Bean, a long-time client turned mastermind member, to talk about what actually breaks when a business grows—and why most founders don’t realize the real problem until they’re already overwhelmed. This conversation digs into the moment where things are technically “working,” but everything feels harder: communication is messy, systems are duct-taped together, the founder is back in the weeds, and the business starts pulling more instead of giving freedom. Steph and Alisha unpack the difference between growth and scaling, the danger of 20-step workflows that require constant founder approval, and why hiring support doesn’t magically remove responsibility—it changes how leadership shows up. In This Episode, We CoverWhat “leaks” look like in a growing business—and why patching them stops workingThe most common presenting problems (communication + systems) vs. the real root causesWhy your 20-step process is quietly sabotaging your ability to scaleThe difference between growth (more volume) and scaling (more efficiency + stability)How to delegate without losing awareness—and why that’s the actual CEO moveWhy hiring an executor isn’t “magic” (and what to expect when you do)The identity shift Alisha experienced going from “the shoes are too big” to fully owning her expertiseAlisha’s best advice for service providers building in a noisy, comparison-heavy online spaceKey Takeaways1) “It’s working” isn’t the same as “it’s built to scale.” Most businesses do work… until they don’t. If your systems were set up for one level of volume, they’ll start breaking when you grow. That’s not a personal failure—it’s a systems mismatch. 2) Duct tape is not a long-term strategy. When your backend is 15 tools “kind of” talking to each other, leaks are inevitable: missed handoffs, duplicated work, rising software costs, and team confusion. 3) Simplifying is scaling. If a process takes 20 steps and 10 approvals from you, you don’t have a workflow—you have a founder chokehold. Cutting it down (and pre-approving decisions) is how you stop being the bottleneck. 4) Delegation doesn’t mean “checking out.” Stepping out of execution doesn’t mean you stop knowing what’s happening. You keep awareness, build trust, and create clear lanes so your team can move without you micromanaging. 5) Confidence changes your marketing. Alisha shares how proving the concept (to herself and the right clients) changed how she showed up—no more “hoping” people believe in her… just telling the truth about what she’s already doing. Connect with AlishaInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/alisha.bean.obm/ Keep up with Steph: Pop into my DM's on IG and tell me what you're up to: https://www.instagram.com/virtually_stephrubio Join the Mastermind and grow with us: https://www.stephrubio.com/themastermind

    18 min

  2. 5D AGO

    #28 Introducing the Clarity Coven: Meet Alissa Mills, The Luxe Momager

    In this Clarity Coven feature, Steph sits down with Alissa Mills, aka The Luxe Momager—an Online Business Manager who left a demanding corporate role after a life threatening wake-up call and rebuilt her life and career around what actually matters. This conversation is about far more than operations and management. It’s about choice, sustainability, leadership, and the luxury of designing a business that supports your life, not the other way around. Alissa shares her journey into entrepreneurship, the realities behind “effortless” online success, and why care, presence, and authenticity are the foundation of any business that’s meant to last. In this episode, we cover: The pivotal moment that pushed Alissa out of corporate and into entrepreneurshipWhy social media makes business look easier (and faster) than it actually isThe misconception that CEOs need to do everything themselvesChoosing your “hard” instead of defaulting to burnoutDelegation as a leadership skill—not a weaknessLetting go of perfection and building a brand rooted in care and humanityWhy authenticity beats polish every single timeRedefining luxury as choice, not aesthetics A moment that hits hard: Alissa opens up about realizing her business isn’t just about skills or services—it’s about making sure no one feels alone while building something meaningful. That clarity reshaped not only her brand, but how she shows up as a leader, a mom, and a human. If you’re building a service-based business, wrestling with imposter syndrome, or feeling the pressure to have it all figured out already—this episode is a deep exhale and a reality check in the best way. Follow along with Alissa on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theluxemomager/ Keep up with Steph's Shenanigans and keep your business game sharper than an Iron's Chef's favorite know: Tons of free, strategic advice from Steph's over two decades of experience straight to your inbox: https://stephrubio.myflodesk.com/letsconnect And please, make yourself comfortable in my IG DM's. I love a good voice note ➡️ https://www.instagram.com/virtually_stephrubio

    18 min

  3. 6D AGO

    #27 Introducing Stakeholder Group 3: The People Who Get You Paid, Your Biz Buddies

    In this episode of Rooted & Relentless, Steph breaks down one of the most overlooked stakeholder groups in business: Your Biz Buddies. These are the people who have never paid you, never hired you, and never collaborated with you—yet still recommend you, refer you, and do not hesitate to associate their reputation with yours. This episode is a quick, grounded reminder that your reputation is doing more selling than your marketing ever will. And mad encouragement to give a little extra love and care to the people who support you even when it's not directly monetary, sending you referrals and opportunities like it's their job. In This Episode, We Cover: What “Biz Buddies” actually are (and why they matter)How referrals from Biz Buddies convert faster than cold leadsWhy trust—not transactions—is the foundation of these relationshipsSimple, human ways to care for Biz Buddies without making it weirdHow reputation quietly becomes your most powerful growth engine Key Takeaways: Biz Buddies lead people to you without being askedTrust is pre-built when someone drops your nameThese relationships save time, energy, and emotional laborYou don’t manufacture them—you earn themHow you move matters more than what you sell Notable Quotes: “Your reputation is your revenue.”“Biz Buddies exist because of how you move, not what you sell.”“You don’t manufacture these relationships—you earn them.” What’s Coming Next: The Stakeholder Experience series continues with: Your Team — contractors, W-2s, and support rolesYourself — because yes, you are a stakeholder too Loved This Episode? Support ya girl by subscribing, sharing, and leaving a review. That Biz Buddy support, ya feel me? Then, shoot me a message on IG and tell me how I can do the same for you: https://www.instagram.com/virtually_stephrubio Oh and.. This pod isn't the only place I drop this good good. Get on my email list where I send two emails per month: Steph's Shenanigans all about what I'm loving, loathing, learning, and all the good stuff and The COO Edit where we get strategic and practical about staying one step ahead in your biz. https://stephrubio.myflodesk.com/letsconnect

    14 min

  4. JAN 28

    #26 Introducing the Clarity Coven: Meet Jaci Schreckengost

    In this Clarity Coven feature episode, Steph sits down with Jaci Schreckengost—writer, market, speaker, and author of Housewarming Parties—for a conversation that blends messaging strategy, creative identity, and what it actually takes to stop operating from survival mode. This episode is a masterclass in becoming impossible to ignore online—without burning yourself out, reinventing the wheel every week, or sanding down your personality to fit an algorithm. It’s also a powerful behind-the-scenes look at what stakeholder experience looks like in action: spotlighting clients, honoring their growth, and letting their work speak for itself. What You’ll Hear in This Episode Why finding (and refining) your brand voice is less about being “revolutionary” and more about repetition and consistencyThe biggest misconception in content marketing—and why saying the same thing over and over is actually your competitive edgeHow getting to know yourself again is the key to a happier life and more fulfilling businessWhy repurposing isn’t lazy—it’s strategic (and saves your sanity)The difference between creating from fear vs. creating from joyHow clarity in your vision expands your identity—and your capacityWhy letting people dislike you is not a branding problem, it’s a branding strategyWhat happens when you stop building from survival mode and start designing intentionally Memorable Moments & Mic-Drop Lines “Repetition is how people know you know your stuff.”“You don’t need every post to be revolutionary—consistency builds authority.”“It’s wild to see what’s possible when I’m not terrified.”“You’re not just cutting people out—you're cutting the wrong people out and the right people in.” About Jaci Jaci Schreckengost is a writer, marketer, and speaker focused on helping brands find (or refine) their voice, effectively tell their stories, and become impossible to ignore online. She is also the author of a her debut poetry collection, Housewarming Parties. Connect with Jaci Instagram: @schreckengostcreativeWebsite: jacischreckengost.comBook: Housewarming Parties Steph’s Takeaway This conversation is a reminder that clarity creates expansion. When you stop building from fear and start building from intention, your work gets better, your messaging gets clearer, and your business finally feels like it fits. Come grow with Jaci and Steph inside Rooted & Relentless Mastermind: https://www.stephrubio.com/themastermind

    26 min

  5. JAN 27

    #25: Stakeholder Experience Group 2: Collaborators & Brand Partners

    In this episode of Rooted & Relentless, Steph continues the Stakeholder Experience Series by breaking down why collaborators and brand partners aren’t just “nice connections” — they’re stakeholders who directly influence your reputation, revenue, and future opportunities. Because collaborations don’t just get you seen. They get you trusted. And when you manage these relationships intentionally, they become a growth engine: warmer leads, shorter sales cycles, referrals, and opportunities flowing to you — without the constant hustle. ✨ In this episode, Steph covers: Why collaborators and brand partners matter (and how they either pay you directly or get you paid)The different types of collaborators you should treat as stakeholders:Visibility & content collaborators(podcast guests, IG Lives, newsletter swaps, co-created resources) Events & education partners(workshop hosts, speakers, retreats) Brand & revenue partners(sponsors, affiliates, UGC, software/tool partnerships) Why collaborations create instant trust — and how that accelerates credibility and conversionsThe difference between being discovered vs introduced (and why it changes everything)How collaborators become informal salespeople when you follow throughWhy you don’t need a bad reputation to lose opportunities — you just need an uncertain oneHow collaborators validate your thought leadership publicly and help your positioning land faster 🧠 The 5-part framework: How to create a great collaborator experience Define the scopeRoles, ownership, timelines, expectations, and boundaries Communicate everythingSilence breeds uncertainty — and uncertainty erodes trust Execute with boring reliabilityThis is where your reputation is actually built Add intentional EXTRAVoice notes, gratitude, sharing impact — without burning out Follow through + future loopClose the loop, share results, and plant seeds for repeat opportunities This episode isn’t about doing more collaborations. It’s about doing fewer, aligned opportunities, better. Because people pay (and refer) the ones they trust to execute, not just teach. And your collaborators are the ones saying your name in rooms you’re not in. 🔗 Want to step deeper into my world?Join the Rooted & Relentless Mastermind High-touch group coaching meets mastermind roundtable style for service-based business owners ready to stabilize, scale, and lead with steadiness and discernment: 👉 https://www.stephrubio.com/themastermind Book a Decision Intensive A 90-minute intensive to stop reacting on emotion and start building strategically, by design: 👉 https://www.stephrubio.com/small-business-consulting Connect with me on Instagram → @virtually_stephrubio 👉 https://www.instagram.com/virtually_stephrubio

    25 min

  6. JAN 23

    #24: Introducing The Clarity Coven: Meet Kat Jackson

    Meet Kat Jackson, aka Kopilot Kat—a tech solutions architect and founding member of the Rooted & Relentless Mastermind. Kat brings tailored tech solutions to help service-based business owners stop forcing themselves into tools that were never designed for how they actually work. In This Episode:Kat’s evolution from VA → OBM → Tech Solutions ArchitectWhy most business owners end up with too many systems—and worse experiences for their clients, themselves, and their teamsThe difference between having a CRM and actually managing client relationshipsWhy human-centered systems matter more than trendy toolsWhen spreadsheets stop working—and how to know you’re ready for a CRMKat’s FEWA Framework for choosing the right CRM:FlexibilityExperienceWorkflowsAnalyticsThe real danger of industry-specific tools that box you inWhy analytics matter way earlier than most service providers thinkHow poor systems quietly break your client experience (and your sanity)The mindset shift that unlocked Kat’s clarity, confidence, and momentum inside the mastermindWhy alignment and passion directly affect your marketing and growthAdvice for women building service-based businesses: removing self-imposed limits and letting yourself go full “delulu” (on purpose) Key Takeaways:You are the CRM. The tool just supports how you build relationships.Systems should bend to your business—not the other way around.Custom workflows > one-size-fits-all tech stacks.If you don’t love the work, your audience can feel it.Most limitations aren’t logistical—they’re inherited beliefs you’ve outgrown. Connect with Kat Jackson:Website: https://kopilotkat.com/contact/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kopilot.kat/?hl=enYouTube: Tech breakdowns, CRM education, and system deep dives: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVy6ctueaIM0gc3LRCV_m7A Join Steph & Kat: Want the same kind of clarity, confidence, and grounded decision-making you heard in this episode? Join me and Kat inside of the Rooted & Relentless mastermind. Where breakthroughs happen on any given Tuesday: https://www.stephrubio.com/groupcoachingwaitlist

    22 min
  7. #23: Introducing the Clarity Coven: Meet Rachael Perry, Founder of Chateau Marigold

    JAN 21

    #23: Introducing the Clarity Coven: Meet Rachael Perry, Founder of Chateau Marigold

    In this episode of Rooted & Relentless, Steph sits down with Rachael Perry, founder of Chateau Marigold and one of the founding members of the Clarity Coven inside the Rooted & Relentless Mastermind. What starts as a conversation about content creation quickly turns into something much deeper: grief as a catalyst, motherhood as a driver, boundaries as a business skill, and why relationships—not hacks—are the real growth strategy. Rachael shares how losing her father sparked her passion for documentation and storytelling, eventually leading her to build a business that helps founders create content that feels good and performs—while saving clients an average of 60 hours a month. (Yes, sixty. Go ahead and mentally spend that time however you want. Reading fantasy novels is encouraged.) Together, Steph and Rachael unpack: Why most people struggle with content (and it’s not because they’re “bad at it”)The mindset shift that instantly quiets comparison and imposter syndromeWhy connection > conversion in today’s marketing landscapeHow interest-based media is changing the way we build audiencesWhat it actually looks like to edit your business when growth starts to feel heavyThe rarely-talked-about loneliness of entrepreneurship—and why safe rooms matterHow Rachel made hard decisions, cut misaligned clients, and landed more aligned onesWhy relationships will take your business farther than any funnel, giveaway, or gimmick Connect with Rachael Follow Rachael and keep up with her brilliance on Instagram 👉 @chateaumarigold Hang with Steph Want the same kind of clarity, confidence, and grounded decision-making you heard in this episode? Join me and Rachael inside of the Rooted & Relentless mastermind. Where breakthroughs happen on any given Tuesday: https://www.stephrubio.com/groupcoachingwaitlist Get the deets straight to your inbox for what Steph's currently loving, learning, loathing along with a COO edit to sharpen your strategy & bite-sized business tips that keep you scaling without selling your soul: https://stephrubio.myflodesk.com/letsconnect Your support helps this community grow—and keeps these conversations happening.

    28 min

  8. JAN 20

    #22: Introducing Stakeholder Experience: Your Client Experience

    In this episode of Rooted & Relentless, Steph kicks off the Stakeholder Experience Series by breaking down why your clients are more than just the people currently paying you and why past clients and even your clients’ clients are part of your business ecosystem too. This conversation reframes client experience as a leadership responsibility, not a customer service task. Because when you truly lead your client relationships, the ripple effect shows up everywhere: retention, referrals, reputation, revenue — and the kind of impact your business has beyond you. In this episode, Steph covers: Why client experience is a strategic ripple effect, not a “nice to have”How dazzling your clients fuels retention, referrals, and easier marketingThe real difference between managing clients and leading the relationshipFour practical ways to elevate your client experience without overgiving:Clear communication & expectation settingProactive leadership (anticipating needs, not waiting for direction)Being EXTRA on purpose (without burning out)Evolving alongside your clients as they growWhy silence creates stories — and how unspoken expectations quietly erode trustHow to normalize feedback early and often (and turn it into better offers)The overlooked power of re-engaging past clientsWhy your work enables your clients’ impact — and how that responsibility compoundsThis episode is about more than client satisfaction. It’s about building a reputation that carries you into rooms you’re not in. Because when people feel held, guided, and genuinely cared for — they stay, they buy again, and they tell everyone. 🔗 Want to step deeper into my world? If this episode had you nodding along, you’ll love these next steps: Join the Rooted & Relentless Mastermind Waitlist. High-touch coaching for service-based business owners ready to stabilize, scale, and lead with clarityhttps://www.stephrubio.com/groupcoachingwaitlist Book a Decision Intensive to Nail Your Client Experience Strategy. A 90-minute intensive to make Client Experience a priority, design your path to doing so, walk away with a clear, actionable plan to make it happenhttps://www.stephrubio.com/small-business-consulting Connect with me on Instagram → @virtually_stephrubio: https://www.instagram.com/virtually_stephrubioCome tell me how you’re being EXTRA for your clients.

    19 min
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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
    30
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Steph Rubio