Ever wondered if you could ditch the 9–5 and build a business on your own terms? In this episode of Beyond the Bestseller, I sit down with Liz Steblay, author of Succeeding as a Solopreneur: Six Keys to Taking the Leap, Winning Clients, and Building Wealth, to talk about what it really takes to run a thriving business without a traditional team—or a boss.

After being laid off in 2004, Liz launched her first consulting business and never looked back. From founding the Proko Agency to creating the Professional Independent Consultants of America (PICA), Liz has helped thousands of professionals navigate the transition from corporate life to successful solo entrepreneurship. She shares powerful strategies from her book, including how to tame your FUD (fear, uncertainty, and doubt), build a memorable niche, and leverage 1099 contractors without crossing legal boundaries.

Whether you’re dreaming of going out on your own or already navigating the solopreneur life, this conversation is full of practical tools, mindset shifts, and the kind of wisdom that only comes from lived experience.

• What solopreneurship really means (hint: you don’t have to do it alone!)
• The difference between solopreneurs, freelancers, and entrepreneurs
• How to tame the “FUD monster” (fear, uncertainty, and doubt)
• Legal and tax tips for working with independent contractors
• Why your LinkedIn profile should act like your storefront
• The biggest mindset blocks solopreneurs face—and how to move through them

• Get Liz’s book, Succeeding as a Solopreneur: Six Keys to Taking the Leap, Winning Clients, and Building Wealth – https://amzn.to/4iRN8bt (affiliate link)
• Visit the book’s landing page – SixKeys.info (works with both SIX and 6)
• Learn more about the Professional Independent Consultants of America (PICA) – Available via the SixKeys.info site

If you’re building (or dreaming about building) a business of your own, this episode is a must-listen. Liz’s real-world advice and approachable strategies will leave you feeling empowered and equipped. Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with a fellow solopreneur. For more tools to support your journey, visit kellyschuknecht.com.

What if the problem isn’t your willpower, but the culture that profits from making you feel broken? In this empowering episode, Kelly talks with registered dietitian and therapist Julie Duffy Dillon, author of Find Your Food Voice, about why diets fail and how to heal your relationship with food. Julie shares the science behind diet culture’s long-term harm, why restrictive eating backfires, and how we can reclaim body trust and peace.

We dive into:

• Why dieting rarely works long term and the emotional and physical toll it takes

• The difference between nutrition and diet culture, and how to spot the sneaky messaging

• How trauma, stress, and systems of oppression fuel our disordered relationship with food

• Real steps you can take to stop the cycle and reconnect with your body’s wisdom

Links & Resources Mentioned:

• Find Your Food Voice on Amazon - https://amzn.to/45EL96K

• Visit Julie’s website - https://www.julieduffydillon.com

• Check out Julie’s podcast - https://open.spotify.com/show/50BgXZyk84mygNoEAqxrag?si=66fce01d6b54471e

• Join the Author Power Circle - https://kellyschuknecht.com/author-power-circle/

If this episode resonated with you or someone you know, don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with those who might need to hear Julie’s story. For more resources to help you write and market your book, visit kellyschuknecht.com.

What if everything you believed about success, body image, and being “the perfect woman” was actually holding you back? In this powerful episode, Kelly Schuknecht sits down with Tara Whitney, author of Truly Seen, to unpack the deeply ingrained cultural expectations women face—and how to break free. From boardrooms to bake sales, Tara shares how the pursuit of thinness and perfectionism impacts our careers, parenting, and personal well-being.

We dive into:

• Why women are applauded for overachieving and how that comes at a personal cost

• The link between body image, leadership, and self-worth

• How perfectionism shows up in everyday choices—from hair styling to PTA meetings

• What it really means to be “truly seen” and how to live by your own definition of success

Links & Resources Mentioned:

• Truly Seen on Amazon - https://amzn.to/4lcTGSG
• Check out Tara’s projects, books, retreats, and free downloads - https://whitebirchadvisory.com/
• Connect with Tara on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/tara-whitney/
• Join the Author Power Circle - https://kellyschuknecht.com/author-power-circle/

If this episode resonated with you or someone you know, don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with those who might need to hear Tara’s story. For more resources to help you write and market your book, visit kellyschuknecht.com.