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 ...
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Teresa Schlup The Caffeine Creative Podcasts
Send us a text 🎧 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 much of the advice out there doesn’t fit when you don’t have a full team or unlimited time, and how to start build…
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What to Do When Writing Isn't Your Thing (But Your Business Needs It)
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Send us a text 🎧 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-you services—and sharing how I’ve personally used them in my business. This isn’t about what’s “right” or “wrong.”…
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More isn’t always better. Sometimes it’s just more!
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Send us a text 🎧 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 Macarons, to launching Season 3 of this podcast with BIG ideas—I ALWAYS HAVE something big in the works! But some…
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Send us a text 🎧 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 our own inner wisdom. Whether it’s business numbers, expert advice, or progress trackers—we can get so caught…
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Before You Bring in an Expert, Ask Yourself This…
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Send us a text 🎧 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 hope it will—and how to know when you're making decisions from clarity instead. We’ll talk about what it really…
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Legacy Isn’t Something You Leave Behind—It’s What You’re Doing Right Now
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Send us a text 🎧 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 single day by how you show up, how you treat people, and the values you live out? In this episode, I’m talking…
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What Would You Do When All Doors Feel Closed?
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Send us a text 🎧 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 a real-life moment where someone asked for my opinion—and what they really wanted was permission to compromise their growth and …
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I’ll Just Be Over Here Doing What You Said I Couldn’t Do
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Send us a text 🎧 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 thought I wasn’t “qualified” to run, I’ve heard it all—and guess what? I did it anyway. These limitations weren’…
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Send us a text 🎧 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 hell I won’t. I’m reflecting on my journey as a solo entrepreneur, the unique challenges we fa…
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From Overwhelmed to Organized- How Systems & Processes Create More Time and Profit
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Send us a text 🎧 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 with—systems and processes. We’re take a look at the difference between selling products vs. selling servi…
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Are You Chasing Sales or Building a Business?
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Send us a text 🎧 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, why finding the right balance matters, and how to create a customer experience that keeps people coming …
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When All Hell Breaks Loose (And You Have a Plane Ticket in Hand)
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Send us a text 🎧 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 hits and you’ve got a plane ticket in hand. I’m diving into why it’s so important to step away, reset, and …
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Send us a text 🎧 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 standing out in a crowded market. We’re talking about how to define what makes you unique, why authenticity is everything,…
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Love is in the Details! Creating an Unforgettable Client Experience
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Send us a text 🎧 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 way beyond just delivering a service. It’s about the little details, clear and consistent communica…
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Send us a text This month, we’ve been talking all about LOVE—loving our businesses, our boundaries, our homes, and most importantly, the lives we’re creating. But let’s be real... living a life you love isn’t just about dream jobs, bubble baths, and champagne. Sometimes, it’s about loving your dreams more than your excuses. Last week, I got hit wit…
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Letting Go of Struggle & Embracing Life's Journey
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Send us a text In this special birthday episode of The Solo Grind, I am celebrating with my best friend Crystal Loveless Nerpel, who has just launched her book 'Loving Your Home'. We will be sharing more about love, self-care, and the importance of creating a nurturing environment both at home and in business. There is so much goodness in this epis…
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Send us a text 🎧 Episode Summary: In this episode, I’m getting real about something we don’t talk about enough—falling out of love with your business. We all start with passion and excitement, but somewhere along the way, things can start feeling more like a grind than a joy. So, what happened? And more importantly, how do we fix it? I’m diving int…
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Boundaries, Balance, and Breaks: Time Management for Creatives
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Send us a text In this episode, I’m joined by the amazing Lesley Myrick, Associate Coach with Nancy Ganzekaufer and Interior Designer, and we’re diving into time management with a twist—tailoring it to your personality type! Lesley shares how understanding your unique strengths (yes, even the quirks) can help you manage your time more effectively, …
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Send us a text 🎧 Episode Summary: In this episode, I’m pulling back the curtain on the often unseen struggles behind success. Let’s be real—the journey is messy, full of challenges, and rarely a straight line. I’m sharing some of my own experiences, along with insights from two incredible women who inspire me every day. Together, we’re diving into …
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Staying focused on your dreams when things get messy!
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Send us a text In this episode, I am sharing the importance of creating a life with intention and maintaining momentum in goal setting, especially as the initial excitement of the new year fades. I will be telling you more about the 'Three Rs of Momentum'—Reflect, Reprioritize, and Recharge—and how essential each of these are for sustaining momentu…
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Send us a text In this episode, I’m talking all about setting 'dream big goals' for 2025 and why having a clear personal vision can make all the difference. I’m sharing some of my own stories—about big goals, small changes that had a huge impact, and how to handle life’s curveballs along the way. My goal? To encourage you to go after what you truly…
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Send us a text Hey there, my friends! It’s a brand-new year, and I’m so excited to kick off Season Two of The Solo Grind with you. This episode is all about getting clear on what YOU want—your dream, your business, your rules. I truly believe with all my heart: you don’t have to settle for a life that happens to you. You get to choose. You have the…
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Send us a text 🎧 Episode Summary: In this episode, I’m sharing something close to my heart—how I create my vision each year to shape the life I want. Whether you’re a dreamer with your head in the clouds, a planner with lists for everything, or someone who waits until the last minute (guilty!), this episode is for you. I’m diving into three tools t…
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Pricing, Confidence, and Building a Sustainable Business with Nancy Ganzekaufer
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Send us a text In this episode of The Solo Grind, I’m joined by my trusted business coach and mentor, Nancy Ganzekaufer. Nancy is a no-nonsense, powerhouse business coach specializing in guiding interior designers and service-based entrepreneurs to build profitable, sustainable businesses. Together, we dive into one of the most critical aspects of …
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Stop trying to fit in and build a business that feels like you!
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Send us a text Have you ever tried to follow someone else’s blueprint for success, only to realize it just doesn’t feel like you? In this episode of The Solo Grind, I’m diving into what happens when you try to fit your business into a mold that isn’t truly yours—and how to pivot back to authenticity. I share my own story of attending a high-profile…
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Creating an EXPERIENCE on your website with Robyn White
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Send us a text In this episode of The Solo Grind, I am have a very special guest with me—Robyn White from RDW Design Studio. Robyn is an incredible web designer and SEO expert. She’s the owner and founder of RDW Design Studio, a strategy-first design studio celebrated for its sophisticated approach to website design. Robyn specializes in providing …
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Using Naysayers, Copycats & Haters to Propel Your Success
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Send us a text As entrepreneurs, we’ve all had those moments when doubt and negativity block our path. it’s a naysayer questioning your dreams, a copycat mimicking your work, or a hater throwing shade your way, these challenges can feel overwhelming. But here’s the thing—they don’t have to hold you back. The good news is they don’t have to derail y…
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No Excuses: Owning Your Success, No Matter What Life Brings
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Send us a text In this episode of The Solo Grind, I’m sharing one of the hardest years of my life—a year that came with challenge after challenge, after challenge! I faced a life threatening diagnosis then a heartbreaking family crisis, and that was just my January and February. It was one of those years with built in excuses to step back, throw in…
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Not According to Plan with special Guest Emily Aborn
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Send us a text 🎧 Episode Summary: In this episode of The Solo Grind, I sit down with Emily Aborn—an incredible copywriter, speaker, and host of the podcast Content with Character. Emily and I share an up close and personal look at the unpredictable journey of entrepreneurship and explore what happens when life doesn’t go according to plan. We share…
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Are You Productive or Just Busy? Identifying and Eliminating Time-Wasting Habits
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Send us a text I’m diving deep into a topic that hits home for every solo entrepreneur—how to tell the difference between being busy and being truly productive. It’s easy to fall into the trap of thinking that if we’re constantly working, we’re making progress, but not all activity actually moves the needle forward in our businesses. I break down c…
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The Metrics That Matter: How to Measure Real Business Growth
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Send us a text In this episode of The Solo Grind, we take a deep dive into the world of metrics and why focusing on vanity numbers like social media followers, website views, and email open rates can steer us away from real success. Host Teresa Schlup shares her insights on why these popular metrics don’t always paint the full picture of a thriving…
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The Power of Pivoting with Special Guest Crystal Nerpel
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Send us a text We have all heard about the power of the pivot, but what exactly does that look like, and what does it mean in this episode with my very first guest, my best friend, Crystal Nerpel. We dive deep into the power of pivoting in life and business—what it means, why it’s necessary, and how to overcome the fear and resistance that often co…
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Is It Risk or Just Fear Holding You Back?
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Send us a text 🎧 Episode Summary: In this episode of The Solo Grind, we’re diving deep into a common struggle for entrepreneurs—indecision and the fear of making a mistake. Are you frozen, stuck in perfectionism, and afraid to take the next step? What if the step you fear isn’t really a risk at all? What if it has little to no impact on the outcome…
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Send us a text Being a solo entrepreneur can be a wild ride—especially when it comes to making those big decisions. You’re wearing all the hats, juggling CEO duties with admin work, marketing, and everything in between. But when it’s time to make a tough call, who do you turn to for advice? In this episode, we’ll explore the importance of having th…
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Send us a text In this episode of The Solo Grind, we’re diving deep into the concept of success. What does success look like for you? How has your definition of success evolved over time? And more importantly, are you chasing success based on what you truly desire, or are you following external pressures and expectations? I share my personal journe…
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Send us a text Welcome to The Solo Grind, with me, your host, Teresa Schlup, The Caffeine Creative. Our first full episode will broadcast bright and early Tuesday, September 24th! In this welcome episode, I’m excited to share a little bit about myself, the dream that started this podcast, and what you can expect from the show. Being a busy, doin’-i…
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