A Category of One

Marie Mack showed up to one online networking event, and that's where Leslie met her. One time. The universe was paying attention.In this episode of A Category of One, Leslie sits down with Marie Mack, a business strategist, partnerships expert, and operations consultant who runs two complementary businesses entirely remotely. This conversation covers a lot of ground: how Marie went from blogging in 2014 to building a partnerships methodology, why she stopped copying what worked for other people, and what it actually looks like to show up as yourself in business when the platforms and strategies everyone else is using feel flat.Marie's two businesses reflect two sides of the same instinct. Powerful Online Partnerships (POP) helps consultants, coaches, speakers, and authors grow their visibility through strategic referral partnerships, not ad spend, not cold outreach. Her consulting firm works at the operations level inside larger companies, where she functions more like a chief of staff than a COO: getting the whole orchestra to play together.What runs underneath both is a specific kind of thinking: the belief that abundance is the operating system, not scarcity. That a referral you send out comes back. That the right collaboration doesn't cost you a lead; it multiplies them.In this episode:Why Marie tried every business model that was working for others, and why none of them fitWhat strategic partnerships actually are (and what they're not)How referrals, list swaps, and podcast swaps work as a visibility strategyThe difference between a chief of staff and a COO, and why it mattersWhat it takes to be ready for partnerships, and the honest signs you're not yetConnect with Marie Mack:Website: https://powerfulonlinepartnerships.com/LI: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marie-mack/Connect with Leslie Silverman:IG: https://www.instagram.com/lesliesilverman/LI: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leslie-silverman-hive180/FB:  https://www.facebook.com/leslie.a.silvermanWebsite: https://lesliesilverman.comHive180 Branding Agency: https://hive180.comChapters:00:00 Embracing Change: The Move to Idaho04:57 The Power of Purging: Creating Space for New Beginnings08:02 Building a Business Ecosystem: Marie's Entrepreneurial Journey14:00 Finding Your Flow: The Importance of Intuition in Business19:56 Powerful Online Partnerships: Collaborating for Success26:53 Navigating Business Relationships: Referrals and Collaborations31:45 Conducting Business: The Role of Operations in Success

In this episode of A Category of One, I sat down with Sadie Hessing, a curly hair specialist based in Boulder, Colorado, whose work goes far beyond hair.This conversation started with curls, but it quickly opened up into something deeper. Sadie shares how so many people grow up seeing their hair as something to fix, and what begins to shift when that narrative changes. Not just in how it looks, but in how someone feels walking through the world.We talk about the emotional side of hair, the identity tied to it, and why something that seems surface-level is often anything but.Sadie also walks through how she’s built her business in a way that doesn’t follow the typical path. From evolving her services, to questioning industry norms, to continuing to learn even when there isn’t a clear roadmap to follow.There’s also a thread throughout this conversation around transitions. Hormonal changes, aging, health shifts, even the process of growing something out or letting something go. And how much support people actually need in those in-between stages.If you’ve ever felt like you were supposed to “fix” something about yourself to make it work, this conversation goes there in a real way.In this episode:Why so many people grow up thinking their hair is a problem to solveWhat changes when you start working with your natural texture instead of against itThe emotional and identity layers tied to hairSupporting people through transitions like gray hair, hormonal shifts, or post-chemo regrowthHow Sadie built her business by questioning industry norms and continuing to evolveThe gap in hair education and why she’s exploring trichologyConnect with Sadie Hessing:IG: https://www.instagram.com/naturescurlssalonTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@naturescurlssalonWebsite: https://www.naturescurlssalon.comConnect with Leslie Silverman:IG: https://www.instagram.com/lesliesilverman/LI: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leslie-silverman-hive180/FB:  https://www.facebook.com/leslie.a.silvermanWebsite: https://lesliesilverman.comHive180 Branding Agency: https://hive180.com00:00 Introduction 02:39 Embracing Natural Curls: Sadie's Journey05:33 The Emotional Connection to Curly Hair08:33 Supporting Transitions: Hormonal Changes and Hair11:49 Navigating Societal Expectations and Self-Expression14:35 Innovative Ideas: Education for Parents and Eco-Friendly Practices17:33 The Passion for Learning and Evolving in Business20:27 The Importance of Holistic Approaches to Hair Care23:10 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

In this episode of A Category of One, I sit down with Danette Shaifer, a coach and certified Why Discovery facilitator through Simon Sinek’s Optimism Company, to explore what it actually looks like to get clear on your why—and then live from it.This conversation started from a shared experience. Danette guided me through my own why discovery process, and what stood out wasn’t just the clarity—it was the permission. Permission to use language that already felt true. Permission to trust what had been there all along.We talk about what happens when you stop “shoulding” yourself, step away from the expected path, and start making decisions from a place that feels aligned instead of prescribed.There’s also an honest look at the in-between. The moments where things don’t feel clear. The pause that feels counterintuitive but ends up being the thing that moves everything forward.In this episode, we talk about:What the why discovery process actually looks like in practiceWhy clarity often comes from someone else reflecting patterns back to youLeaving a successful corporate career without second guessing itThe difference between pushing forward and taking a meaningful pauseLetting go of what you thought your business “should” look likeThe role of intuition vs. structure in decision makingHow self-awareness shows up in both business and personal relationshipsWorking through triggers instead of reacting to themThe shift from hustle into a more intuitive way of workingWhy alignment makes decision making simplerConnect with Danette Shaifer:Website: https://www.florishion.com/empowherLI: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shaiferd/Connect with Leslie Silverman:IG: https://www.instagram.com/lesliesilverman/LI: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leslie-silverman-hive180/FB:  https://www.facebook.com/leslie.a.silvermanWebsite: https://lesliesilverman.comHive180 Branding Agency: https://hive180.comChapters:00:00 Embracing Authenticity: The Journey Begins02:55 The Power of Why Discovery05:54 Navigating Career Transitions08:55 Empowering Women in Leadership11:55 The Importance of Self-Discovery14:49 Integrating Personal and Professional Growth17:47 Resilience Through Adversity20:48 The Role of Parenting in Personal Growth24:01 Evolving as Entrepreneurs26:51 The Power of the Pause30:01 Embracing Feminine Energy33:07 Connecting Generations35:49 Calling in Women Leaders

In this episode of A Category of One, I sit down with Emily Garcia, keynote speaker and founder of Tribe Mind Body Wellness, a counseling practice that has grown far beyond what she originally set out to build.This conversation starts with what happens when you pay attention to what’s pulling you, even when it doesn’t make logical sense.Emily shares how her business evolved from a solo practice into a team of 16 without a traditional growth plan, what it looked like to leave a role she felt responsible to stay in, and the moment she knew in her body she had made the right decision.We get into the tension between stability and alignment, how leadership can feel uncomfortable even as you grow into it, and why so much of what she has built came from stepping away long enough to actually hear herself think.There’s also a deeper thread around belonging, relationships, and the idea behind “tribe” — not as a concept, but as something people are actively missing.In this episode, we talk about:The moment she realized staying in her job was no longer sustainableBuilding a business without forcing a growth planWhat it actually feels like to trust yourself in real timeThe difference between logical decisions and internal knowingLeadership, boundaries, and still finding hard conversations hardWhy stepping away created clarity she couldn’t access while busyThe role of relationships in overall wellbeingConnect with Emily Garcia:FB: https://www.facebook.com/emilytribemindbodyIG: https://www.instagram.com/tribemindbodywellness/https://www.instagram.com/emilygarciaspeaksLI: www.linkedin.com/in/emily-garcia-tribeWebsite (swag too): https://tribemindbody.com/Connect with Leslie Silverman:IG: https://www.instagram.com/lesliesilverman/LI: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leslie-silverman-hive180/FB:  https://www.facebook.com/leslie.a.silvermanWebsite: https://lesliesilverman.comHive180 Branding Agency: https://hive180.comChapters:00:00 The Power of Connection06:50 Trusting Intuition and Embracing Change12:35 Building a Supportive Team Culture18:10 Creating a Holistic Wellness Approach24:15 Expanding Beyond Therapy: Speaking and Podcasting

In this episode of A Category of One, I sit down with Maria Gabriela Guevara, an Ayurvedic practitioner and former pharmacist, to talk about what it looks like to support your body and mind in a way that actually feels sustainable.We start in an unexpected place—Mercury retrograde, the equinox, and the feeling that something is shifting—and move into a deeper conversation about intuition, midlife, and why so many of us have been conditioned to look outside ourselves for answers.Maria shares how her own experience with burnout, anxiety, and perimenopause led her to Ayurveda, and how that shifted not just her health, but the way she relates to her body entirely.This isn’t about rigid rules or perfect routines. It’s about learning how to pay attention, understanding what your body is communicating, and making adjustments that support you in a more connected way.In this episode, we talk about:What Ayurveda actually is and why it’s often misunderstoodThe difference between managing symptoms and understanding root causesWhy intuition is a key part of healing (and how to reconnect with it)How midlife can act as an “unmasking” of accumulated habitsThe role of sleep, daily rhythms, and small practices in feeling betterWhy so many women feel disconnected from their bodies—and how to shift thatThe transition from Western medicine to a more integrative approachRethinking perimenopause and aging as something to move with, not fightWe also talk about the idea of celebrating life transitions instead of quietly enduring them—and what it might look like to approach this phase of life differently.Connect with Maria Gabriela:IG: https://www.instagram.com/intuitive_ayurveda/Website: https://www.intuitiveayurveda.com/starterkitConnect with Leslie Silverman:IG: https://www.instagram.com/lesliesilverman/LI: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leslie-silverman-hive180/FB:  https://www.facebook.com/leslie.a.silvermanWebsite: https://lesliesilverman.comHive180 Branding Agency: https://hive180.comChapters:00:00 Astrology and Its Influence on Life02:57 Intuitive Ayurveda: A Holistic Approach06:01 Understanding Ayurveda: The Science of Life09:06 Celebrating Life Stages: From Menstruation to Menopause11:48 Embracing Change: The Transition into Elderhood14:43 The Role of Community in Aging Gracefully18:09 Self-Compassion and Acceptance in Aging21:02 From Pharmacy to Ayurveda: A Personal Journey23:54 The Importance of Holistic Health27:02 Practical Steps for Integrating Ayurveda29:53 Spring Cleansing: A Seasonal Reset

In this episode of A Category of One, I sit down with Ben Albert, owner of Balbert Marketing LLC, founder of GrowGetters ONLY, and host of the internationally recognized podcast Real Business Connections, to talk about what it actually looks like to grow a business through relationships.This conversation moves beyond the surface-level idea of “networking.” Ben shares how people approach relationships transactionally without realizing it, and what begins to shift when you start thinking in terms of long-term, strategic partnerships.We talk about the difference between making connections and building trust and how to create alignment so that relationships turn into real opportunities.In this episode:The shift from transactional networking to intentional relationshipsWhat actually builds trust in business relationshipsHow to follow through in a way that sets you apartWhy relationships—not reach—drive sustainable growthThis isn’t about working the room or collecting contacts. It’s about being intentional, following through, and understanding how to show up in a way that makes people want to keep building with you.Because the businesses that grow in a meaningful, sustainable way aren’t built on more outreach — they’re built on better relationships.Connect with Ben Albert:JOIN THE COMMUNITY: https://WeAllGrowTogether.com/ Real Business Connections Podcast: https://realbusinessconnections.com/ ​​LI:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/realbenalbert FB:  https://www.facebook.com/realbusinessconnections IG: https://www.instagram.com/realbenalbert/ Connect with Leslie Silverman:IG: https://www.instagram.com/lesliesilverman/LI: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leslie-silverman-hive180/FB:  https://www.facebook.com/leslie.a.silvermanWebsite: https://lesliesilverman.comHive180 Branding Agency: https://hive180.com00:00 Introduction and Common Ground03:16 Ben Albert's Business Ventures06:19 The Art of Reaching Out09:11 Building Authentic Connections12:22 Evolving in Business and Following Intuition15:24 Finding Your Dream Client18:14 The Role of Grow Getters21:16 Overcoming Imposter Syndrome23:55 The Importance of Gratitude27:03 Self-Reflection and Personal Growth

In this episode of A Category of One, Leslie sits down with chiropractor and lifestyle medicine practitioner Dr. Rachel Kapustka to explore health, burnout, and what it actually means to heal.Dr. Rachel’s work centers on the nervous system and the understanding that no amount of discipline, optimization, or mindset can override a body that doesn’t feel safe.Through her own lived experience—including type 1 diabetes, kidney failure, and a life-saving transplant—she brings a deeply personal and grounded perspective to the conversation. Together, they explore what it looks like to reconnect to your body instead of pushing it, how identity can become entangled with diagnosis, and why true healing is often more nuanced and honest than we’re taught to expect.In this episode:Why your body has to feel safe before real healing can happenThe connection between the nervous system, burnout, and chronic symptomsHow to separate your identity from a diagnosisDr. Rachel’s personal journey through type 1 diabetes, kidney failure, and transplantParenting a child who was born deaf and navigating a predominantly hearing worldLetting go of expectations and learning to trust your own pathThis conversation is an invitation to listen more closely, to question what you’ve been told about health, and to consider what becomes possible when you stop trying to override your body—and start working with it instead.Connect with Dr. Rachel Kapustka:IG: https://www.instagram.com/drrachelkapustka/https://www.instagram.com/realmchiropractic/Website: https://www.realmarvada.com/Connect with Leslie Silverman:IG: https://www.instagram.com/lesliesilverman/LI: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leslie-silverman-hive180/FB:  https://www.facebook.com/leslie.a.silvermanWebsite: https://lesliesilverman.comHive180 Branding Agency: https://hive180.comChapters:00:00 Introduction to Dr. Rachel Kapuska05:01 Personal Journey and Health Philosophy09:54 The Impact of Kidney Transplant on Practice14:56 Holistic Approach to Health and Healing19:57 Nutrition and Coaching in Health24:58 Empowerment Through Personal Experience26:01 Navigating Parenting in a Hearing World27:00 The Journey of Acceptance and Learning30:22 Community and Support in Parenting32:31 Choosing Communication Methods34:29 Trusting Intuition in Parenting Decisions36:17 Resilience and Advocacy in Sports37:58 Finding Gifts in Unique Experiences39:26 Shifting Perspectives for Growth

What if scaling your business didn’t require hiring a team, working more hours, or chasing endless clients?In this episode of A Category of One, Leslie Silverman sits down with entrepreneur, author, TEDx speaker and NoBS Mastery founder Pia Silva to talk about a different way to build a business centered on expertise, leadership, and freedom.Pia shares the philosophy behind her new book Scale Solo and the model she teaches to agencies and expert-based businesses who want to grow to $250K–500K+ without employees.Leslie and Pia explore why so many service businesses undervalue their expertise, how leading clients creates stronger relationships, and why charging for strategy instead of free proposals can completely change your business. This conversation is about confidence, ownership, and stepping fully into your role as the expert.In this episode, we discuss:Why trust, leadership, and process are the three pillars of great client relationshipsThe LP Method and why you should stop giving away free proposalsHow selling outcomes instead of hours transforms your business modelWhat it really takes to scale a solo expert business with freedomIf you're a consultant, creative, strategist, or service-based entrepreneur who wants to do meaningful work without building a big team, this episode will challenge the way you think about growth.New episodes every Wednesday.Chapters:00:00 Introduction to Pia Silva and Her Journey01:57 The Concept of Scale Solo and Its Importance03:00 Three Pillars of Business: Trust, Leadership, and Process08:58 The LP Method: A New Approach to Client Engagement16:11 Building Confidence and Overcoming Imposter Syndrome25:57 Quality Over Quantity: The Value-Based Selling Approach32:48 The Evolution of Pia's Book Cover and Personal BrandingConnect with Pia:LI: https://www.linkedin.com/in/piapiasilva/IG: https://www.instagram.com/pialovesyourbiz/Website: https://www.nobsmastery.com/Book: https://scalesolobook.com/FREE Masterclass on March 24, 2026 Register here:https://join.nobsmastery.com/scale-solo-masterclass?am_id=leslie2601Connect with Leslie Silverman:IG: https://www.instagram.com/lesliesilverman/LI: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leslie-silverman-hive180/FB:  https://www.facebook.com/leslie.a.silvermanWebsite: https://lesliesilverman.comHive180 Branding Agency: https://hive180.com

If you’ve ever felt the tension between who you really are and who you think you’re supposed to be in business, this podcast is for you.In this short introduction, Leslie Silverman shares why she created A Category of One — a podcast built around deep, honest conversations with entrepreneurs about authenticity, identity, and the courage to do things differently.Each week, Leslie sits down with founders, creatives, and business leaders to explore what it really looks like to show up as the truest version of yourself both personally and professionally.Because when we let our light shine, we give others permission to do the same.Subscribe and join the conversation.

In this episode of A Category of One, Leslie Silverman sits down with copywriter and messaging strategist Rachael Johnson, founder of Rachael Johnson Creative, to talk about authentic messaging and what it really takes to build a brand that stands out.Rachael shares her approach to copywriting through brand voice clarity, messaging strategy, and deep customer research. Instead of trying to sound like everyone else in an industry, she explains how leaning into personality can transform the way entrepreneurs communicate and attract the right clients.Leslie and Rachael also dive into email marketing and why an email list remains one of the most valuable assets a business owner can build. They discuss how thoughtful messaging creates deeper connections with audiences and how AI can support the writing process without replacing the human voice behind great copy.In this conversation, you will hear about:Finding and owning your brand voice  Why personality is a competitive advantage in business  The long-term value of email marketing  How to use AI without losing authenticity  Allowing your business and identity to evolve over time  At its core, this episode is about trusting your instincts and having the courage to communicate in a way that genuinely reflects who you are.Because the entrepreneurs who stand out are not the ones trying hardest to fit their industry’s mold. They are the ones who become a category of one.Connect with Rachael Johnson:IG: www.instagram.com/rachaelwritingcopyLI: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachael-johnson-copywriter/ Website: www.rj-creative.comSkool community: https://www.skool.com/copy-confidence-club-8280/about Connect with Leslie Silverman:IG: https://www.instagram.com/lesliesilverman/LI: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leslie-silverman-hive180/FB: https://www.facebook.com/leslie.a.silvermanWebsite: https://lesliesilverman.comHive180 Branding Agency: https://hive180.com00:00 Introduction to Rachael Johnson02:16 The Unique Approach to Copywriting04:37 Embracing Personality in Business08:34 Launching the Copy Confidence Club13:04 The Role of AI in Copywriting18:45 Writing Authentic Emails23:14 Building an Email List29:56 Overcoming Fear and Embracing Change34:51 OUTRO