The Solo Grind
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.
Episodes
47 episodes
Doing it Solo The Challenges, Structure, and Slump-Busters
Working solo sounds amazing until you realize just how tricky it can be to keep yourself on track. Freedom of schedule can quickly feel like chaos, the quiet of home can get a little too quiet, and without a team there’s no one to lean on when ...
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Season 3
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Episode 15
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31:06
Let's Finish 2025 Strong with Emily Aborn
🎧 Episode Summary:Today I am sitting down with my good friend, go-to copywriter and fellow podcaster Emily Aborn to talk about all the noise around Marketing at the end of the year and why mos...
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Season 3
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Episode 14
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27:17
When Your Brain Has Too Many Tabs Open
🎧 Episode Summary:Ever find yourself mid-conversation or deep into a project and your brain just… stops? That frozen moment usually has nothing to do with your skills or creativity and everything to do with the invisible to-do lis...
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Season 3
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Episode 12
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18:41
Profit, Growth, and Intuition with Megan Dahle
🎧 Episode Summary:In this episode of The Solo Grind, I sit down with my friend Megan Dahle, a business strategist and fractional CFO, to talk about something that used to terrify me—numbers. We dig into how creative entre...
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Season 3
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Episode 11
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38:25
Recapturing Your Creative Spark
🎧 Episode Summary:Some seasons in business feel electric. Ideas are flowing, projects are exciting, and you can’t wait to dive in each day. And then there are the other seasons… the ones where the spark seems to have packed up and...
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Season 3
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Episode 10
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21:28
When Slow Looks Scary...
🎧 Episode Summary:We have all had those slow periods in business. You know the ones that have us questioning everything from if we made a good decision to going into business for ourselves, or if we are even good at what we do. Th...
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Season 3
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Episode 9
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22:30
Mastering Profitability, Even in Uncertainty with Nancy Quinn
🎧 Episode Summary:Today I am chatting once again with business coach Nancy Quinn about mastering profitability, even in uncertainty, particularly when running a successful interior design business. We explore the importance of pro...
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Season 3
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33:19
5 Signs You’re Ready for the Next Step
🎧 Episode Summary:Today I want to talk about the mindset hurdle that keeps so many solo entrepreneurs stuck... waiting to feel “ready.” I am sharing five clear signs that it’s time to take that next step, even if yo...
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Season 3
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Episode 7
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13:58
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Your Best Clients Are Already in Front of You
🎧 Episode Summary:In this episode of The Solo Grind, I’m talking about something we don’t talk about enough. Nurturing the people who are already here. It’s so easy to get caught up chasing new leads, new followers, new s...
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Season 3
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Episode 6
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18:57
What I learned from the “Real Life Wizard of Oz”
🎧 Episode Summary:In this episode of The Solo Grind, I’m honoring someone who made a big impact on my entrepreneurial journey: Steve Sims.Steve was an author, coach, creati...
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Season 3
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Episode 5
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20:38
It’s Not You, It’s Them
🎧 Episode Summary:In this episode of The Solo Grind, I’m sharing some real talk about something every solo entrepreneur faces: rejection. It’s never fun, but it’s also not always personal. Sometimes it’s truly not about you at all...
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Season 3
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Episode 4
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18:24
Marketing Solo
🎧 Episode Summary:In this episode of The Solo Grind, I’m talking about the reality of marketing as a solo entrepreneur—when it’s just you wearing all the hats and trying to figure out what actually works. I share why so m...
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Season 3
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Episode 3
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22:31
What to Do When Writing Isn't Your Thing (But Your Business Needs It)
🎧 Episode Summary:Not sure whether to DIY your website copy, use AI, buy a template, or hire a pro? In this episode of The Solo Grind, I’m breaking down the pros and cons of each option—from affordable tools to done-for-y...
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Season 3
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Episode 2
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31:00
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More isn’t always better. Sometimes it’s just more!
🎧 Episode Summary:In this episode of The Solo Grind, I’m talking about something I know all too well: going completely over the top when you’re excited about something you love. From over-the-top kid lunches and 3D Swiss ...
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Season 3
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Episode 1
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21:59
Knowledge Is Power—Until It Isn't
🎧 Episode Summary:We’re told knowledge is power—but when does it stop helping and start holding us back?In this final episode of Season 2, I’m talking about how easy it is to let metrics, data, and outside opinions override...
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Season 2
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Episode 19
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21:42
Before You Bring in an Expert, Ask Yourself This…
🎧 Episode Summary:Have you ever hired someone for your business because you felt behind, stuck, or scared of failing? Yeah... me too.Today, we’re having a real conversation about why hiring from fear never leads where you h...
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Season 2
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Episode 18
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24:33
Legacy Isn’t Something You Leave Behind—It’s What You’re Doing Right Now
🎧 Episode Summary:We often think of legacy as something people talk about after we're gone—like it’s only visible in the rearview mirror. But what if your legacy isn’t about the grand finale? What if it’s being shaped every ...
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Season 2
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Episode 17
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14:54
What Would You Do When All Doors Feel Closed?
🎧 Episode Summary:This week on The Solo Grind, I’m digging into a tough question: What would you do if it felt like every door was closed and success was nowhere in sight? This conversation was inspired by ...
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Season 2
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Episode 16
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17:02
I’ll Just Be Over Here Doing What You Said I Couldn’t Do
🎧 Episode Summary:In this episode of The Solo Grind, I’m sharing a little truth talk about all the times I’ve been told, “You can’t.” From standing up to bullies on a concrete bench as a kid to launching a business people...
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Season 2
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Episode 15
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16:51
Be a Good Girl and Don't Make Waves!
🎧 Episode Summary:In this episode of The Solo Grind, I’m getting real about what it means to be a woman in business—especially for those of us who grew up being told to follow the rules, stay in line, and not make waves. Spoiler alert: The ...
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Season 2
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Episode 14
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19:27
From Overwhelmed to Organized- How Systems & Processes Create More Time and Profit
🎧 Episode Summary:In this episode, I’m hanging out with my good friend and business coach, Nancy Quinn (formerly Nancy Ganzekaufer), and we’re getting into something every solo entrepreneur needs but doesn’t always want to deal wi...
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Season 2
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Episode 13
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45:27
Are You Chasing Sales or Building a Business?
🎧 Episode Summary:In this episode, we’re talking about the two big approaches to marketing—transactional and relationship-driven—and how both can actually work together in your business. I’ll break down the pros and cons of each, ...
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Season 2
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Episode 12
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26:52
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When All Hell Breaks Loose (And You Have a Plane Ticket in Hand)
🎧 Episode Summary:Ever had one of those days where everything seems to go off the rails—right before you’re supposed to go on vacation? Yeah, me too. In this episode, I’m keeping it real and talking about what to do when chaos hit...
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Season 2
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Episode 11
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12:21
You Are Your Best Marketing Strategy
🎧 Episode Summary:Personal branding isn’t just about logos, colors, and fonts—it’s about you. In this episode, I’m breaking down what personal branding really means for solo entrepreneurs and why it’s the key to ...
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Season 2
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Episode 10
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33:56
Love is in the Details! Creating an Unforgettable Client Experience
🎧 Episode Summary:In this episode of The Solo Grind, I’m diving into something that can make or break your business—loving your clients and creating a stellar client experience. First impressions matter, but the client experience goes wa...
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Season 2
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Episode 9
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38:34
