Welcome to episode 199 and a big announcement! After nearly four years of never missing a Monday since launching in April 2022, we're taking a brief hiatus. But before we go, we're pulling back the curtain on everything: why we failed our big 2025 goal to double our podcast downloads, what we're learning about the difference between goal setting and feeling setting, and how the Odyssey Plan from Stanford's Design Lab is reshaping the next chapter of She Sells He Sells (and our lives).
If you've ever wondered whether it's time to stay the course, take a calculated risk, or blow it all up and start fresh—this episode is your roadmap. Plus, Brian announces a major career change after 20 years in health tech, and we get real about midlife pivots, entrepreneurship journey, and what it means to experience failure without being a failure.
Listen in to hear:

Why Brian's back after his "forced vacation" from the Acorn HR team
The profound message guiding our 2026 pivot: "All of us contain more liveliness than one lifetime permits"
Why we failed our goal to double podcast downloads in 2025 and what we learned
The Michael Phelps principle: Why people who achieve great things aren't necessarily better than you
Our big announcement: Taking our first Monday break since launching and what's changing
The Odyssey Plan from Stanford Design Lab explained: 3 scenarios for designing your next 5 years
Scenario 1 (Status Quo), Scenario 2 (Calculated Risk), and Scenario 3 (Magic Wand)—and how to know which is right for you
Brian's major career announcement leaving health tech after 20 years
Why this is called "Odyssey Planning" not "Finish Line Planning"
The danger of hyper-focused goal setting and why it makes you miss incredible opportunities
Dave Evans' simple formula: Get curious. Talk to people. Try stuff. Tell your story.

PRO TIP after listening:
Try the Odyssey Plan exercise this week. Map out your three scenarios for the next 5 years, rate them on excitement level (feelings, not logistics!), and identify one small step toward the scenario that feels most alive.
We're coming back in Q1 2026 with Episode 200, a fresh format, and bigger ideas. Want to help shape what's next? DM us @shesellshesellspodcast and tell us what you want more (or less) of!

Take the "What's Your Sales Style Quiz?":
https://www.kristademcher.com/sales-style-quiz
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Feeling stuck in your online business or wondering how to pivot your business strategy? In this solo episode, Krista shares her business pivot story and how content creation became the path to brand partnerships, speaking opportunities, and diversified revenue streams - all without going viral or building a massive following.

This isn't a typical content creator success story. Krista's Instagram grew by only 1,100 followers and her TikTok still has under 1,000 followers. But she landed brand partnerships with KiwiCo, Nuuly, Function Health, PrepScholar, and more. She shares the Michell C. Clark quote that changed her entire approach: "You don't need another rebrand in 2026 - you need a reunion with the version of yourself who knew what brought you joy before the world taught you to monetize it."

Listen in for:

- How to pivot from group coaching and memberships to consulting while building a personal brand through content
- Why she stopped asking "is this scalable?" and started asking "do I enjoy this?" - a mindset shift for entrepreneurs
T- he real numbers: modest social media growth that led to major brand partnerships and business opportunities
- 5 actionable content creation tips for your own business pivot and personal brand building
Why women entrepreneurs over 40 have a unique advantage as content creators and influencers
- Content strategy tips: how to let content stand alone instead of always selling your offers

Whether you're a coach, consultant, or online business owner feeling misaligned with your current business model, this episode gives you permission to pivot and practical content creation strategies to build your personal brand authentically - no viral moments required.

What's Your Sales Style? Find out here!
https://www.kristademcher.com/sales-style-quiz

Follow us on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCfQNMxt1N_x6vO_dnizVu2g

Follow SHE SELLS HE SELLS on IG:
https://www.instagram.com/shesellshesellspodcast

Follow Krista on Instagram: @kristademcher
Follow Krista on TikTok: @kristademcher

Selling the transformation, not the transaction, is what separates amateur storytelling from sales stories that convert. In this final part of our Stories That Sell framework, you'll learn how to help customers envision who they become after working with you - not just what they get.

Most entrepreneurs default to listing features and benefits: "You'll get 6 modules! It includes templates!" But transformation-based selling focuses on the shift, the change, the new version of your customer. When you master selling transformation through stories, closing sales becomes effortless.

In this episode we cover:

- How to sell transformation instead of features and benefits
- Why customers buy identity shifts, not products or services
- Tapping into feelings instead of features when selling
- Real-life examples of transformation-based sales storytelling
- The complete story-selling formula in action
- How to help customers visualize their future selves

This is Part 4 of our 4-part "Stories That Sell" framework:

Part 1 (Episode 194): The 3 Core Elements
Part 2 (Episode 195): Make Your Customer the Hero
Part 3 (Episode 196): Become the Trusted Guide

Originally released in 2022, this story-selling framework has helped thousands of entrepreneurs learn how to sell with stories that actually convert. Use these 4 parts together to transform your sales approach and turn content into customers.

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Take the "What's Your Sales Style Quiz?":
https://www.kristademcher.com/sales-style-quiz

Follow us on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCfQNMxt1N_x6vO_dnizVu2g

Follow SHE SELLS HE SELLS on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/shesellshesellspodcast

Finished the series? Share these 4 episodes with an entrepreneur who's ready to master storytelling for sales!