43. Growing a Business as a Digital Nomad with Marta Checko

In this episode of Soulpreneur Scaling Stories, I'm joined by Marta Checko, a business strategist and embodiment coach who brings a refreshingly holistic approach to entrepreneurship. As a first-generation Polish American and part-time digital nomad currently based in Costa Rica, Marta has learned to marry analytical business operations with creative expression and emotional intelligence in a way that creates sustainable, soulful business growth.

Marta shares her journey from working in higher education nonprofits to becoming a multi-passionate solopreneur, including the transformative personal sabbatical that helped her identify her natural gifts and what truly lights her up. This conversation goes where many business discussions fear to tread - into the vital role of emotions and feelings in entrepreneurship.

What makes this episode particularly compelling is Marta's candid discussion about the realities of digital nomading while running a business, complete with the complexities of traveling internationally with a 60-pound rescue dog and the constant balance between thorough planning and flowing with unexpected changes. We draw fascinating parallels between travel experiences and business growth, discussing how both require confronting uncomfortable parts of yourself while learning to appreciate your current position rather than constantly focusing on the next milestone.

Key Points Covered:

✨ How to take a personal sabbatical without completely dropping everything - practical ways to create space for self-discovery

✨ The importance of identifying what lights you up and brings you joy as the foundation for business decisions

✨ Why emotions and feelings are essential business tools rather than obstacles to overcome

✨ The reality of digital nomading while running a business - from pet travel logistics to finding your optimal work environment

✨ How travel experiences mirror business growth challenges and teach resilience

✨ The marathon vs. sprint mentality for sustainable business development

✨ Why recognizing and appreciating your current business achievements is crucial for continued growth

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Transcript

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[00:00:00] Andrea Elibero: Andrea here, your host and passionate business coach and scaling strategist for Soulful Service Providers and Coaches. Welcome to another episode of Soulpreneur Scaling Stories. Have you ever wanted to look behind the curtain of your fellow entrepreneur's business to see what actually went into scaling it?

[00:00:22] Well, you are in for a treat because that's exactly what we are doing here. In each episode, we will be uncovering the truth behind the lessons and the stories behind what it truly takes for sole preneurs to scale their businesses intentionally. I'm hoping that their stories will help you to unlock the true potential of your business so you can create your own soulful, abundant and aligned laptop lifestyle through intentional scaling.

[00:00:46] So whether you're just starting out on your scaling journey or you're a seasoned entrepreneur seeking inspiration, this episode has something incredible in store for you. Are you ready to rise, grow and create? Create a business that fully supports your dream life. Well, let's [00:01:00] dive in before we begin.

[00:01:02] Make sure to hit that subscribe buttons. You never miss an empowering episode filled with real stories and soulful insights.

[00:01:11] Andrea Elibero: Okay, guys, I'm really excited today to chat with Marta Czeko, who is a business strategist and embodiment coach. Hello, Marta. Thank you for being here today.

[00:01:22] Marta Checko: Since we're doing the rolling art, hello and buenos dias, Andrea, nice to talk to you. Nice to see you. Um, such a great opportunity for us to connect and chat today. I'm excited to see what we have to share with a collective or a group of people that are and is your audience.

[00:01:40] Andrea Elibero: Yes, me too. And that was a beautiful R rolling. I know you said you are from Poland. Yes, so you have the skills.

[00:01:49] Marta Checko: I am a first generation Polish American, so born in New York City, actually. Both my parents immigrated from Poland, so I do a rolling R. I am fortunate enough [00:02:00] to speak a few other languages, including Spanish, so my rolling R does come in handy.

[00:02:05] Andrea Elibero: My, uh, so I live in Spain as an American and my partner, he has a hard time with the rolling of the R's. So, so he tries. There's, but anyhow, that is neither here nor there. What we're actually here to talk about are some really fun things about being an American. Pivoting and digital nomading and growing your business and all sorts of fun like this.

[00:02:28] So to kick this off Why don't you share a little bit about your personal story? Because I think that leads really well into the things that we want to talk about today

[00:02:41] Marta Checko: Absolutely. Um, so again, I'm Marta Checo or Marta Hechko, former New York, New Yorker raised, um, uh, and part time digital nomad. I, after graduating, um, and started I'm studying, um, in the U. S. I, I had graduated and worked in higher [00:03:00] education non profit, and I really evolved into a multi passionate creative solopreneur, I call it, um, as a creative curator of expression.

[00:03:09] I love to, uh, express myself either through writing or photography, um, and really have the conversations that maybe we're not having on a day to day basis. Um, and not talking about the things that, um, you know, we, we, we immediately tell our best friend like what happened, but sort of those deep things that have really led us to a transformation.

[00:03:28] So I am a passionate Taurus with a Virgo moon and a Libra rising. So basically at the end of my day, I just want a solid foundation, organic harmony and ease around me. Uh, I want to be comfortable. I describe myself as a visionary balancing. The analytics and details of really business operations, um, programs and projects, while also embracing this exploratory and experimental mindset.

[00:03:55] And to embody the joy that life has to offer. Um, obviously this hasn't been [00:04:00] my journey from the very beginning. It's definitely evolved and continues to evolve. Um, but I'm really here, um, as someone to share my time with other entrepreneurs. And my favorite story. soulpreneurs. So those who are really soul led and heart guided, um, the creators, dreamers, and visionaries, um, that, you know, are just looking for an extra lending hand or someone to support them in, through coaching or mentorship in their business or the, the, the business they're dreaming about and building.

[00:04:28] And I support them through micro offers. Um, you know, to sort through some of the chaos that they may feeling in strategy sessions, as well as sort of. Do with you, um, you know, project planning, um, and strategy implementation, uh, while building out sort of the systems to keep them streamlined, organized and living their best life.

[00:04:50] Andrea Elibero: This is very cool. So, so what I love is that you have combined seemingly opposite sides or like very different sides of the [00:05:00] coin or of the brain, you know, like the left handed side or the left side of the brain, the right side of the brain together to really marry them into a really cool. Cool. Business that seems to be take everything that you love and puts it together So I think this is really amazing and it's funny because you combine them I do similar things, but I kind of separated them out a little bit.

[00:05:20] So in terms of what I do in my business But how did you come to this place where you were like, oh, this is what I want to focus on

[00:05:32] Marta Checko: lot of self work.

[00:05:33] Andrea Elibero: Yeah,

[00:05:34] Marta Checko: I think it all really, I think it really all started with, um, you know, after I made some choices to perhaps leave what I was doing originally, um, sort of professionally. Um, you know, I, I had, um, quite an imperative motive to, to take some time away and I really, I call it a personal sabbatical without an end line or an end date.

[00:05:59] I really [00:06:00] needed to take some time to sit with myself, um. And sit with myself in being able to identify what I felt on a daily basis, what I wanted to feel, how I wanted to feel it, what I needed to do. Um, and then recognize maybe even the natural gifts that I had, the natural talents, what came easily to me, what brought me joy, what tingly when I was doing it.

[00:06:24] Just. Just because it, it was like interesting or curious or something I already wanted to do more of and then also, you know, what else did I want to learn? I really focused on what it is that, um, maybe something that came naturally to me, but I could learn a little bit more of, um, you know, or maybe what came naturally to me, but to someone else and how I could share that knowledge.

[00:06:49] Um, you know, you had mentioned like sort of opposite ends of things. And I've always been kind of that kind of opposite ends of things. Like I was a competitive swimmer while also like a [00:07:00] classically trained pianist. Um, you know, I grew up, um, like, studying Mandarin in school and then abandon that to become a German major in college.

[00:07:10] Like, I've always been doing sort of the, like, I'm on one path, but then I'm gonna gear this way. So, if anything, um, you know, I really try to encourage others to sit with themselves in really tuning in to what it is that lights them up.

[00:07:28] Andrea Elibero: Mm

[00:07:29] Marta Checko: out the details later, but if you have sort of that groundness in You know, maybe you don't even know what your mission is in life or your purpose.

[00:07:39] You can't identify that. But if you can identify, like, this really brings me joy in this moment, or I really love doing this every single day, or like, it's really important for me to make sure I have time to spend with my family or my friends and sort of identifying those values, those traits, even those habits to, [00:08:00] to be with yourself, you know, Everything else comes much, much easier.

[00:08:06] Cause you kind of lay out the framework for it,

[00:08:09] Andrea Elibero: Yeah, a hundred percent. And this is something that I also do with my clients. I love talking to people who are doing similar foundational framework because it's something that if you don't do you're going to go down these really random paths. and end up dissatisfied or kind of like, wait, why am I doing this?

[00:08:30] Or letting your business or life or whatever it is lead you. And in the end, it's going to be something that you're just not really into. And you're going to be like, wait, like, was I in a fever dream? You know, like what was going on here? How did I end up here? So you had said, something that when you were creating your own business, you took a sabbatical of sorts.

[00:08:53] So a lot of people I imagine are listening and say, okay, well, I can't just drop everything [00:09:00] and go into the middle of the forest or the jungle or what, what not. And, you know,

[00:09:04] Marta Checko: Too literal.

[00:09:06] Andrea Elibero: Right. And figure out what I want to be when I grow up. So for people who are like, okay, I can't drop everything. What do you recommend for them to do in order to create that space in order to get in touch with themselves so they can actually feel into what, what they want to do?

[00:09:24] Marta Checko: Absolutely, obviously I recognize that there is a level of privilege that came from taking that time off I also went through a really traumatic situation. Um, you know, I had a personal injury accident, which I never um took any sort of disability or time away from work and really work through um, And that was the years of physical recovery and not to mention the emotional and mental so that story aside or like that aspect aside I kind of what I mentioned earlier like what can I do in this moment?

[00:09:53] To move on to the next one and not even think about, you know, what do I need to do the rest of the day, but like in this moment? [00:10:00] Is there anything else that I need? Um, you know, can I give myself that? What is missing? Um, you know, I think we have more power than we and control. It's power and control than than most of us recognize on a daily base to make ourselves feel better.

[00:10:16] You know, it's even. Now that I'm like, right now, temporarily in the States, um, you know, there's very much like, Oh, it's gonna rain today. Because like, people look at the weather forecast and they kind of set themselves up for the day. Like, I've been living in Costa Rica where most likely it's gonna rain at some point.

[00:10:33] Um, it might be for ten minutes, it might be for ten hours. And like, I can't control that. But I can control how I feel. Like through it all. Right. Like I can say like, Oh, I didn't get to do this. I have to like go to the grocery store. Now I'm going to get drenched or like, there's going to be more traffic.

[00:10:49] Like that's our programming. That's saying, and making us stick to one version instead of being like, well, the plants need water, you know, like it's [00:11:00] been really dry, you know, there are different ways to shift every narrative. And so, you know, yeah, we don't all have the opportunity. or the chance to maybe go on vacation, a retreat, um, you know, even a staycation somewhere to, because we're like so busy in our minds, but we can still pause, ground, take a breath, and really be honest with ourselves.

[00:11:24] Like, what are we feeling? Where are we feeling it? Like, where is this physically being manifested in our body? How does it make me feel? How would I want this to feel? And embodying what it is that we are really trying to harness.

[00:11:43] Andrea Elibero: It's such a good point. So you do not have to drop everything and run away to Costa Rica in order to figure out What it is that You want to embody what it is that you want to do. It really is just being intentional about it And maybe it's just taking a [00:12:00] walk outside All right So maybe just stepping away from your desk and just really like you were saying like breathing in and grounding down really connecting and feeling into it and It's the intentionality I think that is just the most important thing the intentionality and the recognition when it when you do feel something.

[00:12:22] So for somebody who said, Oh, how do I know, right? Like, how do I know when I'm like something is happening and to trust that? I would love to hear your take on that.

[00:12:35] Marta Checko: So, as much as I talk about feelings and feeling something out right now, I will say, and I really want to preface this, like, I was raised Eastern European, and as much of a stereotype as there is of, like, not talking about feelings, it is very real. Um, you know, there's, uh, I think overall, culturally, there's still a lot of, like, misinformation, there's a lack of understanding, and really [00:13:00] a lack of Um, overall implementation as society to support ourselves.

[00:13:04] Right. And so, you know, we really have to find ways to be able to focus on like ourselves first and prioritizing ourselves. And for most of that, most of us around the world, like that doesn't come naturally based on sort of what our culture structure dictates or tells us. Um, right. And so I. It might have been through my last accident, but it also was, um, due to a previous injury I had 10 years ago where I learned of a degenerative chronic condition I have in my spine as well. It was so hard to be able to even physic, like, describe how I was physically feeling, like, where the pain was to, whether it be a doctor or a parent or a friend, just trying to get that kind of understanding. And so I have gone on this [00:14:00] journey primarily in the last 10 years where I've really been almost hyper focused on trying to identify feelings. Like emotional feelings the physical feeling of something and how that can as perhaps being Shown up mentally and how that's being manifested in my body physically um, you know, it doesn't come naturally for us to one talk about feelings like the raw feelings that we may be experiencing, like what maybe a certain situation is bringing up to us.

[00:14:32] And two, we're not taught how to listen and empathize with that for someone else either. So a lot of the times when even we're, you know, trying to like, say to someone, I'm feeling, you know, let's, let's bring this to business. Like, I'm feeling really frustrated because I'm not able to grow my business.

[00:14:49] Like I'm stuck with the, these, whether it's two or 20 clients, depending on what your business looks like, like, it's just not moving. Okay. So outside [00:15:00] of like the business aspect and like what that means for numbers and like business growth and like your, your overall revenue plans, whatever it what is that bringing up for you?

[00:15:09] And we're never really taught how to talk about that and identify that and then be able to like create something that's like rational out of it. We are just used to having a reaction out of it, right? Like, okay, like maybe I'm feeling fearful because I don't have any clients for next month or next quarter.

[00:15:30] Okay? Like that is a very valid feeling. Like business, like with everything, there's ups and downs. Feelings? have experiences. It's up and down. And sometimes it's like in a whirlwind or in a spiral. And we have to learn how to be able to be open to it, listen to others and find meaningful ways to support each other by recognizing that we are not the same.

[00:15:55] What we may feel is our own experience and that is so beautifully [00:16:00] unique to us, but being able to like connect with someone about what it is you're feeling and why and how that's happening. I mean, that's really special and that's not easily available. Um, And it takes personal work to be able to get there.

[00:16:13] I'm not saying I finished, I've like, you know, graduated in feelings, but if anything, it's a continuous learning experience, um, you know, to be able to identify that within ourselves, to be able to sit with those feelings, like really acknowledge, and like before trying to resolve them or move on from them, like really be able to appreciate what's coming up for us.

[00:16:38] Andrea Elibero: It's such a good point and it was something that I also had to develop within myself is these, this because I grew up, my coping mechanism was the avoidant one, you know? So my coping mechanism was. The, okay, this is not, we'll just keep going, like it's fine and not really stopping and pausing and saying like, okay, like what's going on?

[00:16:59] [00:17:00] Like, let me actually feel it and move through it. And when I started doing that and, and feeling it in my body, myself and being conscious of it and saying, okay, I'm going to feel this and I'm going to get to the other side of it. Then that's when everything started to shift. And I think that's really powerful.

[00:17:18] Marta Checko: I, um, through whether it was therapy or, you know, my own like reading and self knowledge, um, you know, I really had to develop like a self care toolkit or like a toolbox that I, actually I still have a note on. My Apple notes, you know, one of many, the solopreneurs like always just having notes in different places.

[00:17:37] I have one that's called self care toolkit. And I think it's a list of 20 things that like at any point, if I'm feeling something and I'm uncomfortable and like, maybe need a moment, like I can go there and be like, take a breath. It's as simple as that. There's like, take a breath, take a walk. Shake it out, so maybe like put on your favorite song, and I have like a [00:18:00] playlist of my favorite songs, and I just like click it, and maybe I just shake it out.

[00:18:04] Maybe it's step outside and read a book. You know, it's these simple things that come up. That, you know, it's not just resolving the problem to move on to the next feeling, it's being able to sit with it and also soothe yourself. Because a lot of these feelings, it's just energy that hasn't been exuded, right?

[00:18:22] So we just, you know, how can we do it in a way that's healthy and productive and optimized for us? It's like, just because I tell you, well, I sit with breath work daily, or You know, I, before I start my day, I write in my gratitude journal and I sit with my tarot cards or I pull a crystal like that may not work for you and that's okay.

[00:18:43] And recognizing that you have the power and control to be able to sit with yourself, to develop that for yourself, I think is so powerful that sometimes we just don't recognize like what we already have readily available to us.

[00:18:59] Andrea Elibero: Yeah, [00:19:00] and it's such a good point and in addition to that developing this practice also makes you really resilient, because as we know, having your own business is a whole journey and things happen. And really, this was, I mean, we all did this because we had a dream. And if we want to realize this dream, And it really takes a lot of conviction and it takes a lot of growth and it takes a lot of the self development work.

[00:19:26] So it's really important and, and cause I feel like, not this podcast cause my people are my people, but like somebody else who's maybe stumbling upon this might be like, well, why are they talking about these emotions and things? So, you know, like it's about the numbers and this and that, but it's not, this is the most important piece.

[00:19:42] Like this right here is so much more important. That other stuff is easy. The other stuff is like, You can hire that out. You know what I mean? Like, somebody can do that for you. You can't hire this piece out, right? Like, you can't hire out the piece of, of developing this, this self care and this [00:20:00] resiliency within you and this ability to feel into what you're doing, feel it through, move past it, you know, sit with it, and then do it.

[00:20:09] move on to the next thing and be okay and move on to the next what we're doing. And as we grow, it's going to keep coming up, you know, because we're always growing and it's going to keep coming up over and over again. So this is what's going to get you to the next level each and every time.

[00:20:27] Marta Checko: Yeah, I absolutely agree with that. And really, I mean, the feelings, I think I mentioned this earlier, feelings are just energy. Um, and a lot of the time, they keep us, you know, like, if we're not exuding it, if we're not exerting it, if we're not, you know, you know? Showing it a way that it can like move through us or with us, then that's how we get stagnant.

[00:20:47] That's how we start to get stuck. You know, I, I relate to a lot of solopreneurs, um, and solopreneurs who, you know, are so passionate about their business. You know, it's every part of [00:21:00] them. It's, you know, I, myself, like, uh, yeah, I share my affirmations because it's a part of me and that's how I ground in my business.

[00:21:07] Um, you know, sometimes we can get, So intertwined that we're like, we're inseparable from it. Right. And then we get lost in that because we're like, Oh, well, this isn't working. What else haven't I done? You know, when we can sort of get onto that

[00:21:22] Andrea Elibero: hmm.

[00:21:22] Marta Checko: down, downfall end, and then we like get up these feelings of limiting beliefs, right.

[00:21:28] Doubts, fears. That triggers stress that maybe triggers insomnia chronic illness, um, you know sickness even Uh, how many times do you just like get a cold because you're like trying to purge through something, right? Like you're trying to work through something and you're just like not taking care of your your body yourself and Yeah, your business starts with you because you're the one that's creating it Um, there's absolutely power in setting boundaries with yourself like really Excuse me.

[00:21:58] Emotionally and [00:22:00] for like protection and like being able to have some level of separation, but it's still going, your business is going to run how you make it run. If you're sitting here questioning and doubting and saying like nothing is working and you're not open to the possibility of something else spontaneously can happen, well then nothing's gonna happen, you know?

[00:22:23] Andrea Elibero: hmm. Mm hmm. Yeah, totally. It really is this balance of sitting with your emotions and being open to every possibility that's out there and not like this not getting stuck like really like I really like the um, this is what I like to do Like when you're feeling that is like the shaking like I really resonate with that Like, okay, like, you know, like getting that energy and movement out animals do that in the wild You know animals in the wild when they're feeling something they they shake and they move through it So So, and I can see like my dogs do that, you know, like when there's some anxiety, yeah, they shake it off.

[00:22:58] Marta Checko: Yeah. Yeah, [00:23:00] good shake off. Exactly. I say the same.

[00:23:02] Andrea Elibero: So everybody do that. Shake it off. Okay. So I want to transition into something fun. Um, so a lot of people in my world love to, or have this dream or this goal. This goal is to either move abroad or digital nomad or experience life, you know, somewhere else. And that's a big reason. It's this freedom is a big reason why they're starting their business.

[00:23:25] And you are like, as you were saying, a part time digital nomad. So I am super curious on your end, because for me, I moved. So I moved from the US to Spain, relocated. This is what's going on, brought the dogs, brought the boy, like did all the things. And you're going kind of like back and forth and moving around.

[00:23:43] So I'd love to hear. about your experience. It's a balance, right? In terms of planning this travel and doing this and running your business. It's a lot of brain space that's being used up. So I'd love to hear about this.

[00:23:58] Marta Checko: Well, one thing is I [00:24:00] named my one off one hour strategy session simply from my own experience of needing to bring chaos into calm because there were, I thrive in like a certain level of let's, let's stick with chaotic energy. Like there's a lot going on. Like I'm used to that, that it's, it's almost like comfortable.

[00:24:22] So like when it's slow or like when things are too, like that's. I mean that's like part of like also being in costa rica. Everything is so much slower, right? so One thing is

[00:24:32] Andrea Elibero: a Pura Vida life.

[00:24:33] Marta Checko: Pura vida life exactly Um, you know, it's it's yes a lot of balance, but it's coming back to like What is it that I really need like right now?

[00:24:43] Um, you know, I can't if i'm um You know, I, to, to be clear, like, I also moved my 60 pound rescue dog down there. So it's not like I'm totally, you know, going back and forth. Cause it gets really expensive traveling with pets. And if any listeners need help in how [00:25:00] to travel with your pet, please reach out to me because I spent multiple months doing the research and calling, I think every airline in the U S to make it happen.

[00:25:09] Um,

[00:25:10] Andrea Elibero: girl, listen, we could have a whole podcast episode just on this topic.

[00:25:14] Marta Checko: I,

[00:25:15] Andrea Elibero: I am with, I know every option on how to move your dogs overseas. Every option.

[00:25:20] Marta Checko: I considered every option, you know, I, I thought about driving multiple hours, doing road trips. I didn't know what to do. Yeah, that is a whole podcast episode in itself. Um, But you know one thing I I really want to harness here is that yes, we want freedom We want independence and like there's a lot of unknown Um, if regardless if you're moving to a new country or if you're just traveling and nomadding Um, there's a lot actually that that travel is If you don't know about it yet, like parts of yourself, um, that maybe you're not comfortable with or you haven't confronted, oh, you will, you know?

[00:25:59] Uh, if [00:26:00] you don't know how you work best or like what environment, oh, you will, you know? Like, you think you can work from a cafe? No. Like, you need to know What's the ambience? What's the weather? Like, what's the temperature? Is there Wi Fi access? Like, what availability of beverages even are? I mean, I call myself a beverage connoisseur because I have three hydration vehicles at all times near me.

[00:26:24] Um, you know, like, the ambience and environment makes a difference and is important. And a lot of the times, We can get stuck in trying to Analyze all the different things that maybe like we think will happen or what will happen And kind of like running a business like whether it's moving abroad traveling Like I said nomading like sometimes you just got to learn to let like be brought with the flow There's like only so much planning and organization.

[00:26:53] You can do while also just like enjoying, you know, like when you You You get through security, [00:27:00] you get through your check in, like you're finally in the plane seat before you take off and you're just like, oh, I made it. Like it, sometimes it's not that immediate feeling, um, but that doesn't mean it doesn't happen.

[00:27:12] You just have to harness those moments that actually just like bring you that tranquility and be like, I'm doing it. Yeah

[00:27:19] Andrea Elibero: So it sounds like for you it's a lot of in the moment just intentionality and being appreciative and just saying, okay, where am I now? What do I need right now? And just being very in tune with that. Is that correct? This

[00:27:38] Marta Checko: i'll have for any listeners like I here have I've been working and developing and I created my business on Notion. Um, so databases and lists and to do lists and pages and pages, like that's my jam. Um, you know, I'll do the planning.

[00:27:55] I'll do the research. I will process that with someone, whether it's [00:28:00] my partner or a friend, or find any listener to try to, you know, hear me out on something. And And then at some point you kind of just need to put pause on it or for me at least, you know Like I can do all the planning I can do all the organizing.

[00:28:14] I do all the research and then I Need those moments where I can be like What's actually happening right now like where am I going? What is this for? I mean I get I get not to be like two existential crises right now But sometimes you just like need those check in with yourself and doesn't have to be a whole 20 minute like Breath work session. It can just be you know, the two minutes of like, all right I'm feeling super frazzled because I still gotta make this call.

[00:28:47] I'm still missing this thing I gotta go pick up things, you know, like the the rush before traveling When you gotta like, at least in the States, I'll give my routine, like, I gotta do at least three Target [00:29:00] runs, I'm gonna go to CVS, like, I, I gotta pick up this medication, I gotta pick up this, this toy for my dog, like, you're just like running around, and then, like, we can get so amped up and like stressed up, and this is the same in business, like, oh, okay.

[00:29:14] We can get so amped up and stressed about the next thing that we're doing and what's happening next and like the next project and What phone call we got to prepare for or what email we got to respond to or another message came in? And then at one point you just go pause quiet

[00:29:30] Andrea Elibero: is such a good parallel. Such a good parallel.

[00:29:34] Marta Checko: This is just This is me talking about my life This is really how I do it because it's so easy and this is really why I work with other You solopreneurs and, and those small business owners that really run their own businesses because I understand how it feels to want to do it all and not knowing how to make it happen and make it feel easy. You know, sometimes you just want to do all the things [00:30:00] you want to start a podcast, but you're writing a newsletter and then you're also like doing this pitch and you're, you're still rewriting your business plan and I mean, I'm not going to talk about my own to do list, right? Like there's a million things going on, but there's a reason

[00:30:15] Andrea Elibero: Okay. Yes. Yes. And I wanted to Pause on this for one second just to give a little like logistical tips in here because I like the balance also of of both of the things. I will say that I have a lot of things going on and and I'm sure that you'll agree with this. What I do is I do a thing, I make a system I make a system out of everything and then it flows so much easier.

[00:30:40] So instead of having 15 balls in the air that are like halfway done, I focus on the one thing, I make a system and then that gets enveloped into my process and then I move on to the next thing. So like this, like having a podcast, by the way, in case you didn't know, is a gazillion steps. Like it's not just, oh, we pop on and record the thing and, [00:31:00] and edit it.

[00:31:00] And like, it's, it's chill. Like, no, there's a lot that goes on in the background of having a podcast, but I love it. It's my favorite thing. So like when I started this, there is a whole system. So like, We don't drop any balls, everything is good. So it's just one, one like super logical thing that I just wanted to pop in here to throw out to everybody because It's also similar with traveling, you know, it's like Okay, what do I do when I want to go somewhere?

[00:31:30] all right, like I have a trip coming up to switzerland next month and So I have a like an unconscious almost but a system for when I have a trip coming up with what I need to do And it just makes everything so much easier and the other thing that Uh was a cool thing that came up for me when you were talking was when you were talking about You Just like, okay, you do the thing you plan and then you take a breath and everybody has gone somewhere, has gone on vacation.

[00:31:58] Have you ever traveled [00:32:00] and you almost forget to appreciate what you're doing in the moment because you're thinking about tomorrow and the next thing you have to plan and the next thing. This is a really cool parallel business, right? Because this is what we're talking about. This is what happens in business.

[00:32:14] Oh, the next thing, the next thing, the next thing, the next thing without like really appreciating where you are in that moment. No, it was, it's not brilliant. I see you nodding. I'm like, oh, yes, such a good, good, good analogy. Yeah,

[00:32:31] Marta Checko: I worked with a client, I think it was within two months ago. And, you know, without sort of disclosing too many details, you know, she was like feeling really overwhelmed and stressed because, you know, she wanted to get. X amount of things or like needed all these responsibilities done because she was going to carve out time for the first time To take six weeks off as a small business owner like within the first three business Three years of your business like that's an achievement to be [00:33:00] able to do to be like I'm taking six weeks completely off of my business and You know, we were like talking about, you know, why this overwhelm was so big Or seeming this overwhelmed or this stress or this frustration almost and um, you know, I I kind of said to her Hey, do you remember when you started this business or even a year ago, like what you were dreaming about in terms of clients or maybe like the type of work you were doing?

[00:33:27] And she was like, yeah, I like really wanted to have like two to three retainers and like work with these types of projects. I'm like, and so without trying to, you know, call you out, like what is your workload? Like we had already discussed sort of like her overall, like who she was working with and at what capacity.

[00:33:44] And I was like, huh, sounds pretty much like what you're. Kind of doing now. How cool is that? And um, she goes Yeah, I didn't even realize that and I mean I can do that for myself like in in a self audit of [00:34:00] my own business like I can be frustrated that like, you know right now my website is still under development Um, you know, i'm still reworking some things Uh, you know, I have other creative projects like waiting for me You And then I can think about like, huh, two years ago, I didn't even like have an idea or know what, where I would be guided and how cool is that?

[00:34:26] And it's so hard to, to, you know, take those moments when, you know, we can easily sort of be amped up by the emotion of like wanting to do it all and do it. Right. Because obviously like we're trying to do our best. And then having that sort of, like, reflection back, kind of like, huh, I finally made it to the plane, you know?

[00:34:48] Like, I'm in, I'm sit, I have my, my seatbelt on. Like, I'm ready to go. Take me. Um,

[00:34:56] Andrea Elibero: I love that and I'll share with you another [00:35:00] something else that came to mind that was related is, so I had a point where in my business which was What led me into pivoting where I was super burnt out so I was an obm with all these one on one retainer clients and making all the money and but but it was a lot and When and then when I first started to Integrate coaching.

[00:35:24] I was just like go go go. No because I wanted to Shift away from that so bad, but everything I was doing at that time was not that it wasn't intentional It was but it was like I had this to do list like let's go I just want to release this thing and and you know, like let me release this program let's go and like not sit with it and you know, like put a lot of pressure on it because I had shifts that I wanted to make, but that wasn't the, the right quote unquote, the correct energy to be in.

[00:35:50] And since that point and why I'm so passionate about helping people to pivot and grow their business in this way is because I've done it every wrong way and I've done it the right way. [00:36:00] Right. And it really is this idea of. Okay, let's be intentional with it. When we're shifting things, when we're growing, what steps do we need to take?

[00:36:09] Take a breath. Let's step back. You know, let's really like look at the big picture. What are we trying to achieve? And actually acknowledge and accept that it took me years, like literally years to realize that like, Oh, it really is a marathon and not a sprint. Cause there's always going to be 15 things that you need to do.

[00:36:28] And it all seems very urgent. But it's not urgent. You know, it's not urgent if you're going to cause yourself to burn out, if you're going to, you know, do all these things and put your own health at risk. So it's really this balance and this intentionality throughout everything that is so important to embody in your business and just really accept that and flow with it and have fun along the journey.

[00:36:53] Have fun on the airplane ride, right? Like, yeah,

[00:36:57] Marta Checko: Maybe you're in first class, like maybe you're [00:37:00] in the back in economy, which is fine, but you're still on a plane. Like how cool you're still going somewhere. Like, I don't know. Maybe an engineer listens to this and can explain how an airplane works. I finished high school, like I graduated college.

[00:37:13] I don't understand. But I will sit in that seat and if they pass me a diet coke, like I am taking it, you know? Like, I am enjoying that. Um, and I absolutely just agree to that point. Like, it is the marathon. Um, you know, whether someone's like an athlete and like, you know, if you're someone who's not running, like, Running a marathon tomorrow is gonna be really tough and not advisable for you.

[00:37:37] I, a lot of the times, have to compare, I, sometimes, like, I compare against myself because I have to remind myself, like, who I am. You know, I can get so frustrated in my business, yes, everything is the most urgent and should have been done yesterday, right? I think of myself, um, even ten years ago, like, writing, I wrote a thesis, and actually I wrote it in German [00:38:00] after studying abroad in Germany.

[00:38:02] Um, because I did that for a year, um, and I like remember, remember wanting to just like be done with the chapter or like be done with this section or be done with this. And I remember having these conversations with friends, even then being like, I just wish I could be done and move on. But like, it's never done.

[00:38:19] Cause I was like, so. Still learning, still reading, still researching. I, something else came up and again, it's just back like right now, 10 years later in my business, like, oh, email marketing, like, yeah, I have the basics, but there's something new coming up. Like, oh, this feature has been released. Or

[00:38:37] Andrea Elibero: my God.

[00:38:37] Marta Checko: this workshop on this, there's, there's this workshop.

[00:38:40] Like there's always a webinar to attend. There's, and like. We got to figure out how to balance it all in a way that works for us. And yes, allow ourselves to sort of flow with it and be guided while also, you know, being able to know when to put a paddle in and like, give it some direction. Right.

[00:38:59] Andrea Elibero: Mm [00:39:00] hmm. And I love this whole like analogy between traveling and business. It's really fun. I resonate with that a lot. So thank you so much for sharing that. Before we say goodbye. Is there anything else pending that's on your mind? Oh, I really want to share about this thing. We haven't covered this topic yet.

[00:39:18] Marta Checko: You know, I, uh, I know that we had sort of original. Maybe, maybe like questions that came up, like, you know, some of the biggest hurdles or, you know, learning experiences, I think at the end of the day, um, you know, maybe even me as someone who does listen to podcasts and these types of topics as well from other creators and entrepreneurs, you know, I love to hear what are the practical things that like you were able to do and, or like what you practiced.

[00:39:46] Andrea Elibero: hmm.

[00:39:47] Marta Checko: And I think so often, especially like if we do consider our feelings in business, and sometimes we do have to separate them or like put boundaries on them, but you know, working with them is just keep trying. [00:40:00] And I tell myself this all the time, you know, I even like I'm, I'm pretty vulnerable in, in what I share on social media.

[00:40:07] Like I had a whole crying session yesterday, like, you know, the classic solopreneur, like, I don't know what I'm doing or where's this going. And there's space for that as well. Um, but then tomorrow you still, you know, hopefully, and, and, you know, God willing, you can get up and choose how you want to live your day.

[00:40:26] Um, you got to just You gotta figure out what it is that you really want, find a way to commit to your conviction, and keep trying at it. It's hard, sometimes it'll be slow, by the way, putting slow and fast on timelines is really our own, like, understanding of what time is, and um, yeah, we put way too much pressure on that as a society.

[00:40:53] And even as business owners, because right, there are certain, like, responsibilities in life, but if you're [00:41:00] creating and it's out of passion, it's from your heart, it's something that you just feel like you have to get out and keep doing it any little bit, bit by bit. It's like training for a marathon. At some point, you're going to be ready to run that marathon.

[00:41:17] Maybe you'll get an injury along the way. Maybe you'll rehab it and be able to still do it. Maybe you'll run a shorter marathon. Like you can still find ways to do what it is you love to do. Maybe scale it in a way that works for you because you start off with something and it's like way out of your league or way out of your training zone.

[00:41:38] You can always change your direction, pivot from where you're going. But be patient with all of the spectrum of those emotions, and that's really hard to do, so give yourself some credit.

[00:41:53] Andrea Elibero: It's beautiful. What a beautiful way to end this. So thank you so much. Please let us know how can we [00:42:00] stay in touch with you? Where can we connect with you further?

[00:42:04] Marta Checko: Well, there are a lot of different ways to find me because as I describe a multi passionate entrepreneur, I'm always working on something else, but the best way to keep in touch with me is through my Bain business newsletter called The Flourish Collective. You can find it in my link tree below, and I share bi weekly sort of practical and tangible ways to work with the feelings that come up in running your own business.

[00:42:27] I always share three ways to sort of put it into practice or Maybe even deal with it. I, um, also write a weekly blog called the Tuesday Tingle. So actually it is, we are recording on a Tuesday. So I'm going to be writing that this afternoon. And it's really where I share the things that I can't stop fixing, um, fixating on, excuse me, in my head.

[00:42:49] Always with a highlight, some wins and a shout out for the week. And I do also play, um, or excuse me, share a playlist of songs from every Tuesday tingle. Now I've been doing [00:43:00] this for over two years, so I have over 65 posts on it. And honestly, I'm also very accessible on Instagram at Marta Cecho, which I believe should be down below.

[00:43:11] And lastly, um, you know, I'll write a great email if you want it. Um, and, and I prefer to book a call and just gab it out. But if you want to reach me, you can also do so at hi at martacheco. com.

[00:43:24] Andrea Elibero: Amazing. Thank you so much, Marta, for being here. I really enjoyed this conversation. And next time, catch us when we're talking about how we shipped our dogs overseas.

[00:43:34] Marta Checko: Oh my God, please let's do that and we could probably put together like a PDF of how like what to just research depending on where you're going on which hemisphere. Thank you so much for your time, Andrea. I hope this was helpful to share in a new light. I hope this brought, um, you know, a little bit of tingle to anyone listening and I hope they learned something from it.

[00:43:56] So thank you for sharing your platform and your space with me, [00:44:00] um, as well as exchanging your energy. It was such a lovely, lovely chat with you.

[00:44:06] Andrea Elibero: Agreed. 

[00:44:08] Thank you so much for joining us today. I really hope you found inspiration and insights from today's episode. You know, scaling your business intentionally and from the inside out is a transformational process, but I'm here to support you every step of the way. Head on over to dancingleafsolutions. com slash resources for free tools to help you do just that.

[00:44:33] And thank you again for being a part of the Soulpreneur Scaling Stories community, your presence and dedication to growth, inspiring me every day.