The Solo Grind

Teresa Schlup, The Original Caffeine Creative
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  • ENTREPRENEURSHIP
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Welcome to the solo grind. Your weekly coffee break with a fellow solo entrepreneur who's right there in it with you. I am Teresa Schlup the original caffeine creative and this is where real business meets real life. No hype just honest conversations about building a business on your own terms. We talk mindset, strategy, burnout, breakthroughs, and everything in between because going solo doesn't mean doing it alone.Grab a cup of coffee, find your favorite spot, and let's talk about what it really takes to do this thing solo. 

  1. Things Our Tired Brains Do That Sabotage Success

    3D AGO

    Things Our Tired Brains Do That Sabotage Success

    Send a text How often do you stop to appreciate your brain? I know this wasn’t something I always thought of, but our brains are pretty remarkable. They help shape the people we become, store our knowledge and expertise, and come up with creative solutions when we are stuck. With all the things our brains do, why do we keep pushing them to deliver even more? Today we are going to give a little love to our overworked brains and learn how to read the signs of when enough is enough!  What I hope you take away from today's episode...  A tired brain cannot find success That "sabotage" is really your brain asking for help You can't take care of anyone else if you don't take care of yourselfLinks to the cool stuff mentioned in this episode...  3 Business Rules I Decided to Break that Paved the Way For My Success Looking at the Competition Without Losing Your Confidence How to Ditch the Busy Work In 8 Steps The Tapping Solution Links to connect with me...  Book a Consult HERE! (https://caffeinecreative.io/consult/) Email me HERE! theperfectblendcaffeinecreative.io

    35 min
  2. 8 Tips to Ditch the Busy Work & Be Productive

    FEB 17

    8 Tips to Ditch the Busy Work & Be Productive

    Send a text Boredom for me is a very dangerous thing! During times of boredom I have said yes to opportunities I regret, made commitments I dread, and started and invested tons of money into hobbies that were only mildly interesting. And as a solo business owner I have spent hours upon hours on busy work that did nothing… and I mean nothing… to actually build my business.  Just this morning I was feeling a little bored and rather than getting this podcast recorded as planned I found myself shifting my attention to a whole lot of other things that really have no value or purpose for what I am here to create.  So today we are going to hop off the hamster wheel of busy-ness and focus our attention on doing things that actually drive success. What I hope you take away from today's episode...  How to recognize what is busy work versus what is actually being productive Learn to trust yourself to know when to refocus your time and energy Recognize that avoidance is keeping you from getting things done, and what avoidance feels likeOne well documented decision can save you countless hours of busy work in the future The value of time limits on tasks and knowing what the "finish line" looks like Clearing up the clutter you've created will save you time, as well as protect your sanity and profits! Links to the cool stuff mentioned in this episode...  Episode 64: Streamlining for Sanity with my special guest Tori Chasse Connect with Tori Chassé for automation support Episode 47. The Tools I don’t use in Business  –– Any more. Links to connect with me...  Book a Consult HERE! (https://caffeinecreative.io/consult/) Email me HERE! theperfectblendcaffeinecreative.io

    31 min
  3. Looking at the Competition? Here's how to do it Without Losing Your Confidence

    FEB 10

    Looking at the Competition? Here's how to do it Without Losing Your Confidence

    Send a text Looking at our competition is normal, it can even be healthy and a strategic way to grow your business. It can help you better understand shifts and changes in your industry, and inspire you to try new approaches or even new services.  But taking a look at the competition can be a slippery slope my friends, as I am sure you have already discovered for yourself. If we aren’t careful our strategic looksie into what the competition is doing can lead to second-guessing our approach to everything from our marketing to our services. It can have us chasing trends, and making decisions that don’t align with our brand or support our goals. And it can seriously chip away at our confidence, and have us doubting our ability to be successful.  Today, we are taking an up close and personal look at the competition together, and how to do it without losing our confidence. What I hope you take away from today's episode...  Not everyone in your industry is your competitionThe really good people in your industry are ambassadors that support your industryHow to handle mimicking and copycats, even if you are the one doing the mimicking. The strategy to building a stronger business is taking a healthy look at what others are doing. Links to the cool stuff mentioned in this episode...  The dry research paper I found fascinating:  Competition Shadow: Anchoring to Fear Versus Hope in Estimating Rivals in Competition  Article by Tim Denning from Medium.com: Your Competition Is Magnificent Links to connect with me...  Book a Consult HERE! (https://caffeinecreative.io/consult/) Email me HERE! theperfectblendcaffeinecreative.io

    25 min
  4. 3 Business Rules I Decided to Break

    FEB 3

    3 Business Rules I Decided to Break

    Send a text There are a lot of "rules" out there in the business world, and I am someone who liked to challenges the rules, when they don't make sense. Today I am sharing 3 Business Rules I decided to break that actually helped pave the way for my success in some really big ways.  What I hope you take away from today's episode...  There really aren't that many "rules" for business we have to follow If something is working for you... it's not dead, its a strategy to help you succeedSometimes you just have to say "no thank you" to the well intentioned adviceTrust your instincts my friend! They are much sharper than you realize .Links to the cool stuff mentioned in this episode...  Instagram Post from Kaili Meyer with Reveal Studio Sign up for My Free Courses & Resource Library Links to connect with me...  Book a Consult HERE! (https://caffeinecreative.io/consult/) Email me HERE! theperfectblendcaffeinecreative.io

    24 min
  5. Becoming Pitchworthy with KJ Blattenbauer

    JAN 27

    Becoming Pitchworthy with KJ Blattenbauer

    Send a text Joining me today is KJ Blattenbauer, a publicist with 30 years of experience, who has seen just about everything when it comes to visibility. KJ and I talk about why so many of us hide behind our screens, and she shares what it actually looks like to step into your expertise without feeling awkward or salesy. What I hope you take away from today's episode... Visibility isn’t a “nice to have.” It’s an asset that supports you and your business long-term. You don’t need more credentials to be visible. You need to own the expertise you already have.Local visibility can be just as powerful (and sometimes more effective) than chasing social media reach.PR doesn’t have to feel intimidating or out of reach. It can be practical, intentional, and aligned with how you actually run your business.The questions your clients already ask you are often the best starting point for PR and visibility.PR isn’t about chasing fame. It’s about building credibility and a business that lasts.Your story matters. Sharing it thoughtfully helps people connect with you in a real way.Mentioned in this episode...  Hearsay PR  Follow KJ on InstagramPitchworthy by KJ Blattenbauer Links to connect with me... Book a Consult HERE! (https://caffeinecreative.io/consult/) Email me HERE! theperfectblendcaffeinecreative.io

    26 min
  6. Getting Organized for a Thriving 2026

    JAN 20

    Getting Organized for a Thriving 2026

    Send a text Your business needs to evolve to carry the weight of business growth. Let's move from survival to sustainable and get your house in order. Early on in our business there was this clear path to follow. It may not have felt clear, but looking back we can see there was a checklist of sorts to complete that put systems in place that would support us so we could officially say, “I am open for business.”  Once that checklist was completed it was time to get down to the business of building our business. We networked, collaborated, and of course sought out new clients, and kept a pretty busy schedule trying to fit it all in, all while those systems were in the background doing their job.  Like me, you might not have checked in on those systems all that much. After all it wasn’t like you didn’t have other pressing and more urgent things to take care of. And no doubt what you put into place to get things going has probably served you well, but here is something we don’t often think about…  Those systems we initially put into place to support our business were designed by and for a startup fledgling business.  What I hope you take away from today's episode...  Getting your house in order today, makes everything easier as your business moves through the new year What worked for you when you set your business up may not work for you todayThe foundation you created for your business needs to evolve if it is going to carry the weight of our business growth.  Links to the cool stuff mentioned in this episode...  Find Your Marketing ZenDarkside of MarketingInterior Design Contracts from Profit Insiders CoachingDIY Legal Templates from Lisa Fraley, The Legal CoachWaveAppsLinks to connect with me...  Book a Consult HERE! (https://caffeinecreative.io/consult/)Email me HERE! theperfectblendcaffeinecreative.io

    26 min
  7. Streamlining for Sanity with Tori Chassé

    JAN 13

    Streamlining for Sanity with Tori Chassé

    Send a text The new year is in full swing, and I don’t know about you, but every year at this time I take a long hard look at my business, and ask one simple question…  “How can I make things run more smoothly?”  Thankfully this year I have someone I can lean on when things get too complicated, and she happens to be our guest on The Solo Grind today.  Tori Chassé with Grow & Thrive Business Solutions is here to share the importance of streamlining business processes to enhance efficiency and reduce stress.  What I hope you take away from today's episode...  What streamlining really means in a solo businessHow automation can support your workflow without replacing your humanityWhy flexible systems work better than rigid, overly complicated onesHow to identify and map your processes so you can work smarterPractical ways to implement changes without overwhelmThe importance of keeping a human touch, even in an automated worldHow small, intentional shifts can create big improvements in your businessThe cool stuff mentioned in this episode...  Connect with Tori personally at https://growthrivesolutions.comMy client management system: https://www.dubsado.comConnect with me...  Book a Consult HERE! https://caffeinecreative.io/consult/Email me HERE! theperfectblend@caffeinecreative.io Follow me on Substack HERE! https://substack.com/@thecaffeinecreative

    33 min
  8. Creating True Client Loyalty From First Click

    JAN 6

    Creating True Client Loyalty From First Click

    Send a text We spend a lot of time trying to keep clients happy and coming back. We tweak our services, refine our systems, and look for the next thing that will make us stand out. But real loyalty is often in the small moments that happen along the way. Today, we’re mapping those moments intentionally, so the client experience you're creating matches the kind of business you want to build. What I hope you take away from today's episode...  Customer loyalty is built through connection, not just great services or smooth systemsEvery interaction is a touchpoint, whether you’re aware of it or notSmall, thoughtful moments often matter more than big gesturesAs a solo business owner, your flexibility is a powerful advantageClear communication and consistency build trust faster than perfectionA strong closing matters just as much as a strong first impressionStaying connected after the work is done keeps relationships aliveLoyalty grows when clients feel seen, supported, and valuedLinks to connect with me...  Book a Consult HERE! (https://caffeinecreative.io/consult/) Email me HERE! theperfectblendcaffeinecreative.io Find me on Substack!

    32 min
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About

Welcome to the solo grind. Your weekly coffee break with a fellow solo entrepreneur who's right there in it with you. I am Teresa Schlup the original caffeine creative and this is where real business meets real life. No hype just honest conversations about building a business on your own terms. We talk mindset, strategy, burnout, breakthroughs, and everything in between because going solo doesn't mean doing it alone.Grab a cup of coffee, find your favorite spot, and let's talk about what it really takes to do this thing solo. 

Information

  • Creator
    Teresa Schlup, The Original Caffeine Creative
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    71
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Teresa Schlup, The Solo Grind
  • Show Website
    The Solo Grind