The Business Bestie Podcast

 One-off projects are exciting—but if you're looking for more stability in your business, consulting might be the missing piece.In this episode, we're pulling back the curtain on one of our favorite income streams and sharing exactly what consulting looks like as a media dietitian. From long-term brand partnerships to recurring monthly retainers, we're talking about how consulting can create a strong foundation for your business while still giving you the flexibility to pursue TV segments, sponsored content, writing, and everything else you love.We also share the biggest pros and cons, how we've landed consulting opportunities, what brands are actually looking for, and why relationships and networking continue to open doors year after year.If you've ever wondered how to move from one-off projects to predictable monthly income, this episode is for you.We’d love to have you join us for our upcoming Media Mentorship in August. If you’d like more information or to view the application, check out the link below: https://expertwithinfluence.com/media-mentorship In This Episode We Discuss:What consulting actually looks like as a media dietitianWhy consulting creates more predictable incomeThe biggest pros and cons of consulting workHow to land long-term consulting opportunitiesWhy networking is your biggest assetCreating proposals that brands want to say yes toMonthly retainers vs. hourly pricingExamples of consulting projects we've worked onHow to turn one-off projects into long-term partnershipsKey Takeaways:Consulting gives you the opportunity to build recurring income while keeping the flexibility of entrepreneurship.Brands hire consultants for their expertise—not simply for their time.Long-term partnerships are often built through consistent relationships and networking.A strong proposal helps brands clearly see the value you bring.Defining your scope of work upfront protects your time and prevents scope creep.Monthly retainers can provide consistency while allowing room for flexibility.Every one-off project is an opportunity to build trust that can lead to something bigger.Diversifying your income streams creates more stability and less stress as an entrepreneur.Showing up consistently and doing great work is still the best way to grow your business.Sometimes you have to "borrow confidence" and figure things out along the way.Consulting has been one of the biggest building blocks in our businesses because it creates stability without sacrificing flexibility. We hope this episode gives you ideas for how you can start creating long-term partnerships of your own.

When Deanna Wolfe? joins the Business Bestie Podcast, you know you're going to walk away with pages of notes.In this episode, we sit down with our business coach and longtime mentor, Deanna, to talk about entrepreneurship, personal branding, social media, motherhood, sales, and the mindset shifts that help women stop waiting for perfect and start taking action.We dive into why so many women stay stuck in research mode, how to build confidence by doing instead of overthinking, and why the biggest growth often happens when you're willing to be seen before you feel completely ready.We also chat about pivoting your career, building a business that supports your life, navigating social media boundaries, and what motherhood taught Deanna about focusing on what truly matters.We’d love to have you join us for our upcoming Media Mentorship in August. If you’d like more information or to view the application, check out the link below: https://expertwithinfluence.com/media-mentorship In This Episode We Discuss:Why perfectionism is often procrastination in disguiseHow to pivot your business without starting overBuilding a personal brand that grows with youThe mindset shifts that help entrepreneurs take actionSocial media boundaries that protect your mental healthWhy motherhood changes the way we approach work and successThe difference between posting to post and posting with intentionWhat it really takes to build a sustainable businessKey Takeaways:Stop waiting for perfect. The women who grow are the women who start.You are allowed to change your mind, pivot, and build something new.Your personal brand can grow right alongside you.Taking action beats endless research every single time.Not everyone has to love what you post for it to be valuable.Social media should support your business, not take over your life.Being a mom doesn't make you less ambitious. It helps you get clearer on what matters.You don't need to do all the things. You need to focus on the right things.Confidence comes from doing, not from waiting until you feel ready.The version of you you're becoming is built one decision, one post, and one brave step at a time.This conversation felt like sitting down with a friend who tells you exactly what you need to hear.Deanna reminded us that growth doesn't come from having the perfect plan. It comes from taking action, learning as you go, and trusting yourself enough to keep moving forward.Grab your favorite drink, settle in, and listen to the full episode on our website. We think you're going to walk away inspired to take that next step you've been putting off.

Okay besties, this episode goes in a direction we did not expect and we loved every minute of it.We sat down with writer, media dietitian, and sustainability expert Christina Manian to talk about her career journey, how she built a successful freelance writing business, and why she's intentionally designed her life around what matters most to her.What started as a conversation about media work quickly turned into a deeper discussion about networking, entrepreneurship, manifestation, social media boundaries, mindfulness, creating a lifestyle you actually enjoy, and having the courage to pursue what feels aligned.Christina shares how she transitioned from working in intensive care at the Mayo Clinic to becoming a full-time freelance writer with nearly 700 published articles. She also opens up about building a career that supports her values, her love of nature, and her commitment to sustainability-focused nutrition.This conversation is thoughtful, inspiring, and full of reminders that success doesn't have to look the same for everyone.We’d also love to have you join us for our upcoming Media Mentorship in August. For more information and the application, check out the link below: https://expertwithinfluence.com/media-mentorship In This Episode, We Discuss:Christina's journey from clinical dietetics to full-time writingWorking at the Mayo Clinic and realizing it wasn't her long-term pathBuilding a freelance writing career from the ground upWhy networking continues to be one of the most valuable career toolsThe realities of today's freelance writing industryHow writing rates and media opportunities have changedCreating a career around lifestyle instead of statusSustainability-focused nutrition and why it mattersSocial media boundaries and protecting your energyMeditation, mindfulness, and manifestationFinding work that feels aligned with your valuesWhy doing things you love often creates unexpected opportunitiesBuilding a business that supports the life you wantKey Takeaways:There is no single roadmap to success.Networking often creates opportunities that strategy alone cannot.A career can be built around your ideal lifestyle.Discipline creates freedom.Social media boundaries can have a major impact on mental health.Doing meaningful work often starts before there's a financial payoff.Success looks different for everyone.Clarity comes from spending time with yourself and your goals.There were so many moments in this conversation that had us nodding along. Christina reminded us that success doesn't have to look loud, busy, or like anyone else's version of it. Sometimes success looks like creating a life that feels aligned, protecting your energy, spending time doing work you love, and having the courage to trust yourself along the way.Grab your favorite drink, put your feet up, and join the conversation with your business besties. We think you're going to love this one.

Okay besties… this episode is SUCH a good behind-the-scenes look at what it actually feels like to start putting yourself out there in media.We’re sitting down with two recent media mentorship grads — Lainey Younkin and Megan Huff — to talk about what happened when they stopped waiting and started pitching, networking, creating content, and saying yes to opportunities that felt a little scary.From landing paid brand partnerships and TV segments… to navigating rejection, undercharging, busy schedules, and confidence hurdles… this conversation is packed with honest insight for anyone who wants to grow in the media space.We also talk about balancing media work with private practice, clinical jobs, motherhood, entrepreneurship, and the very real challenge of trying to do all the things at once 😅If you’ve ever wondered what the “early stages” of media work really look like — this episode gives you the real story.We’d also love to have you join us for our upcoming Media Mentorship. For more information and the application, check out the link below: https://expertwithinfluence.com/media-mentorship In this episode, we discuss:How Lainey and Megan got started in dieteticsWhy both of them felt pulled toward media workUsing media to diversify income and expand opportunitiesBalancing full-time jobs, private practice, and media projectsThe reality of pitching brands and handling rejectionWhy the “slow middle” is part of the processLearning how to confidently charge higher ratesLanding first paid partnerships and TV opportunitiesUsing media to fight misinformation onlineWhy networking matters so much in mediaThe importance of community and mentorshipHow the snowball effect starts happening in businessDelegating and learning where your time is best spentBuilding confidence while putting yourself out thereKey TakeawaysMedia work takes consistency before momentum buildsRejection is normal — and not personalConfidence grows through repetition and experienceYour expertise has real valueNetworking creates opportunities you can’t plan forDiversifying your income creates more flexibilitySmall wins eventually stack into bigger opportunitiesYou don’t need to have everything figured out before startingThis episode is such a good reminder that every media career starts somewhere. One pitch. One reel. One conversation. One uncomfortable first step. And honestly? That’s usually where the magic starts 💛

Okay besties… this episode is SUCH a good reminder that your career path does not have to be linear.We’re sitting down with Dr. Renee Korczak — media dietitian, researcher, entrepreneur, and founder of Good Gut Family — to talk about the winding road that brought her from pre-med student to food industry scientist to PhD researcher to building her own business in the media space.This conversation is packed with wisdom around adaptability, confidence, networking, motherhood, entrepreneurship, and learning how to trust yourself even when the next step feels uncomfortable.We also talk about building credibility online, working with brands ethically, creating opportunities for yourself, and why sometimes the biggest growth comes from simply staying in the game long enough.If you’ve ever questioned your direction, wondered if you’re “too late” to pivot, or needed a reminder that your experience matters, this episode is for you.(And yes, there’s also a very passionate discussion about press-on nails 😂)In this episode, we discuss:Renee’s journey from pre-med to becoming a dietitian and PhD researcherWorking in the food industry before becoming an RDHow mentors helped shape her career pathWhy adaptability matters more than having a “perfect” planBuilding the Good Gut Family brand and finding a nicheTranslating nutrition science into consumer-friendly messagingThe reality of working with brands ethically as a media dietitianStanding your ground when claims go too farWhy community and mentorship matter in entrepreneurshipWhat Renee learned from attending the Business Bestie RetreatThe mindset shifts that helped her take big career risksLaunching her upcoming women’s wellness coaching programConfidence, imposter syndrome, and putting yourself out thereKey TakeawaysYour career path can evolve many times — and still make senseEvery job teaches you something valuableNetworking can completely change your futureYou don’t need to know the entire plan before taking the next stepConfidence grows through action, not before itBeing adaptable is one of the biggest entrepreneurial skillsYou can be evidence-based AND creativeCommunity makes hard seasons easier to navigateStaying in the game long enough often leads to momentumRenee’s story is such a powerful reminder that success rarely looks perfectly planned.Sometimes the next chapter starts because you were willing to say yes before you felt fully ready.And honestly? That’s where some of the best things begin

Episode Description: Okay besties… this one is for anyone who feels stuck between “this isn’t it” and “what do I do next?”We’re sitting down with Chelsea LeBlanc — a media dietitian, mom, and entrepreneur — who shares how she went from clinical work (including the chaos of hospital life during COVID 😅) to building a career in media that actually fits her life.From starting her blog 10 years ago to finally going all in when life forced the decision… Chelsea is sharing what it really looks like to pivot, trust yourself, and figure it out as you go.We’re talking pitching, persistence, motherhood, messy systems (lol), and how this career can evolve with you in every season.If you’ve been waiting for the “right time”… this might be your sign.In this episode, we discuss:How Chelsea discovered media dietetics in collegeTurning a side hustle into a full-time careerLeaving clinical work and why it wasn’t the right fitThe moment everything changed (and forced her to go all in)What pitching actually looks like behind the scenesWhy most opportunities come from follow-ups — not first emailsHow to come up with creative, timely pitch ideasBuilding multiple income streams (TV, partnerships, toolkits, events)What it’s really like balancing work and motherhoodHow becoming a mom shifted her priorities and workflowWhy flexibility is one of the biggest advantages of media workThe reality of “figuring it out” in every seasonKey Takeaways:Your career doesn’t have to look like what you were taught in schoolStarting on the side builds confidence before going all inSometimes the “push” you need comes unexpectedlyFollow-ups matter more than your first pitchCreativity makes your pitches stand outYou don’t need a perfect system — you just need to keep goingMotherhood doesn’t stop your goals — it reshapes themEvery season of life requires a different approachChelsea’s story is such a good reminder that there isn’t one perfect path — just the one you keep showing up for.