Épisodes

  • Adding KPIs to Your Hobbies with Michelle Ong
    Jan 20 2026

    Ever feel like “work-life balance” is code for “work all the time and feel guilty about it”? In this episode, I chat with Michelle Ong (https://hellolemonmedia.com/), Instagram strategist and certified path-of-least-resistance advocate, to talk about rediscovering movement and joy—without adding another impossible item to your already bonkers to-do list. Spoiler: It’s not about running marathons or “crushing” anything. It’s about hacking your day with what actually fits—sweatpants, laziness, and all.

    Michelle shares how going from spin class junkie to solo business owner killed her favorite habits (cue: too many days in the same spot, not enough fresh air). We chat about how she side-eyed hustle culture and booted the all-or-nothing mentality, how to pick movement that fits real life (not Instagram life), and why your hobby shouldn’t spark more pressure. Plus, she gets hilariously real about failed accountability buddies, public progress, and turning her running attempts into bingeable TikTok series.

    → Learn more about The Ordinary Business: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.theordinarybusiness.com

    Key Takeaways:

    • Do less to do more: Lower the barrier to movement (hello, run outside your front door) so you’ll actually stick with it.

    • Make your goals visible—and fun: Setting silly “KPIs” for workouts (yes, a sticky note on the fridge totally counts) is more motivating than another self-help podcast.

    • Let your messy, ordinary life fuel your content: Sharing your real progress (and setbacks) online leads to more support, community, and yeah, accountability—minus the shame.

    This podcast is for business owners who are tired of hustle culture and want relatable, honest conversations about running a sustainable business that actually works for their life.

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    28 min
  • Taking Time Off Even If You’re the Only One Running Things
    Jan 13 2026

    Ever wish you could take a real vacation without needing a “seven figure team” or burning the midnight oil before and after? This episode is for the ordinary-but-thriving business owner who wants a life, not just a job.

    Taylor's workshop: https://tayloraller.myflodesk.com/buildyourbotjan

    If you’re tired of feeling like time off is only for empire builders and “productivity hacks,” I’m right there with you (and, spoiler alert: I’m not buying it either).

    I’m pulling back the curtain on how I—just one person, no team—manage to take 5-7 weeks off every year without ghosting my clients or sacrificing a paycheck. I’ll walk you through my not-super-fancy-but-very-effective process for planning time off, building in margin, and balancing client work with living a life you actually want. This episode is all about making time off possible for real people, with actual client loads and maybe a kid whose school calendar controls your existence.

    → Learn more about The Ordinary Business: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.theordinarybusiness.com

    Key Takeaways:

    • Block your time off first—even if it’s just a weekend or a random Tuesday—then plan your projects around it.

    • Set clear boundaries with clients up front, and don’t be afraid to say, “That week’s not an option.”

    • Build in breathing room before and after vacations so you’re not playing catch-up (or meltdown) when you get back.

    This podcast is for business owners who are tired of hustle culture and want relatable, honest conversations about running a sustainable business that actually works for their life.

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    18 min
  • Time Management When “Time Blocking” Doesn’t Work with Melissa Boufounos [Mini Series]
    Jan 6 2026

    This conversation is part of a mini series on the ordinary-but-real health complexities so many business owners face. We’re talking honestly about capacity, caregiving, and the behind-the-scenes adjustments we make to keep our businesses sustainable.

    Ever had your life plan derailed by something totally out of left field? That’s exactly what happened to Melissa Boufounos, my guest on this episode.

    We’re getting real about what it’s actually like to run a business with “hidden” challenges—think post-concussion syndrome, chronic illness, and all the curveballs that force you to break up with time-blocking, Pinterest-perfect plans, and the 40-hour workweek hustle.

    Today’s conversation goes beyond the “get up and grind” grind. Melissa shares how she manages client work, deadlines, and the chaos of toddler mom life while listening to her body and honoring actual limits. You’ll hear why flexible systems beat rigid schedules, how to navigate work on both good and migraine days, and, yes, how to use Asana for real life (no, you don’t need to use every hack an “online guru” sold you).

    → Learn more about The Ordinary Business: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.theordinarybusiness.com

    Key Takeaways:

    • Ditch traditional time-blocking and break big tasks into small, doable steps—especially when your energy comes and goes.

    • Use project tools like Asana to keep your brain organized, your to-dos accessible, and your stress levels at “ordinary business owner” instead of “celebrity meltdown.”

    • Give yourself grace and re-prioritize often; sometimes the “shoulds” can wait so you can rest—naps are absolutely work strategy here.

    This podcast is for business owners who are tired of hustle culture and want relatable, honest conversations about running a sustainable business that actually works for their life.

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    25 min
  • Boundaries, Business, and a Medically Complex Child with Parijat Deshpande [Mini Series]
    Jan 6 2026

    This conversation is part of a mini series on the ordinary-but-real health complexities so many business owners face. We’re talking honestly about capacity, caregiving, and the behind-the-scenes adjustments we make to keep our businesses sustainable.

    In this episode, I chat with Parijat (https://ruvelle.com/), a business owner and parent who’s balancing high-stakes parenting with running a business that actually matters.

    I get into the nitty-gritty with Parijat about automations that actually save brain cells, protecting your time like it’s the last donut in the box, and building visibility the real-person way (spoiler: it’s not going viral on Instagram). Forget hustle culture—the conversation is stuffed with honest laughs about dropping balls and why “fame” can stay far away. This episode is for anyone who's tired of business advice written for superhumans with a private chef.

    → Learn more about The Ordinary Business: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.theordinarybusiness.com

    Key Takeaways:

    • Automate the tasks you hate so your precious brainpower can go toward what actually matters (like remembering a weekday).

    • Set real guardrails around your energy by saying “no,” turning off your phone at 8pm, and being okay with missing a few emails.

    • Build your business visibility in ways that don’t drain you—like podcasting over Instagram if that’s what actually feels good.

    This podcast is for business owners who are tired of hustle culture and want relatable, honest conversations about running a sustainable business that actually works for their life.

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    22 min
  • The ADHD-Friendly Systems Hillary Ervin Uses to Run Her Business [Mini Series]
    Jan 6 2026

    This conversation is part of a mini series on the ordinary-but-real health complexities so many business owners face. We’re talking honestly about capacity, caregiving, and the behind-the-scenes adjustments we make to keep our businesses sustainable.

    In this episode, I sit down with Hillary, a registered dietitian and business owner who found out she has ADHD after building her business. If you’ve ever wondered how to keep your keys, thoughts, and clients from falling into the void—or why “cute bowls” are basically survival tools—this one’s for you.

    Today, Hillary gets real about theme days, ditching rigid schedules, and exactly how she structures her week to save sanity and keep work actually fun. I dig into what actually helps when timers, sticky notes, and boundaries all threaten to unravel, and why asking for help isn’t “cheating”—it’s basically required. If you’re navigating running a business while also juggling motherhood and re-learning your brain, this episode is basically a group hug.

    → Learn more about The Ordinary Business: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.theordinarybusiness.com

    Key Takeaways:

    • Hack your day by making even boring jobs cuter (it actually works, promise).

    • Build flexible theme days to cut down on chaos, not creativity.

    • Give yourself permission to ask for help—nobody wins solo.

    This podcast is for business owners who are tired of hustle culture and want relatable, honest conversations about running a sustainable business that actually works for their life.

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    24 min
  • What's Next for The Ordinary Business
    Dec 30 2025

    Let’s talk what’s really coming: summits (yes, plural!), monthly Slack chats, and maybe a cozy in-person event that’s more coffee chat than conference. My whole focus for next year? Finding ways to help you connect, feel seen, and actually enjoy being a business owner at any stage.

    → Learn more about The Ordinary Business: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.theordinarybusiness.com

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    8 min
  • How Habit Anchors Keep Dr. Sapphire’s Life Together
    Dec 23 2025

    Ever buy a stack of books that looks nice on the shelf…but somehow, you never read any of them? Same. This episode, I sat down with Dr. Sapphire, an ordinary business owner who’s juggling two careers, a reading habit that keeps multiplying, and a battle against end-of-year panic. We talked about anchor habits—the sneaky tricks that help you actually follow through on routines without burning out or quietly quitting.

    This isn’t another “7 habits of billionaire founders” kind of chat. Dr. Sapphire shares real strategies for weaving new habits into your workday, how routine helps when you’re running on low brainpower, and why sometimes your “failed” experiments are really just clues for what will work next. If you’re tired of trying productivity hacks that never stick—or you just want permission to drop perfection for progress—this is your episode.

    → Learn more about The Ordinary Business: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.theordinarybusiness.com

    Key Takeaways:

    • Tie new habits to routines you already do, so it feels less like a chore and more like part of life.

    • When experiments flop, dig into why—your failed habits usually have a story worth listening to.

    • Choose one simple change at a time (not the whole self-improvement buffet) and anchor it to something reliable.

    This podcast is for business owners who are tired of hustle culture and want relatable, honest conversations about running a sustainable business that actually works for their life.

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    14 min
  • How I Get Clients Without Relying on Email Marketing
    Dec 16 2025

    This episode, I'm spilling the real tea on what it actually looks like to run a profitable, sustainable business—without your “number one moneymaker” being a magical inbox.

    Here’s the thing: I’ve spent 14 years in business, tried all the freebies, webinars, and custom quizzes the internet has to offer, and my email list is still not paying my grocery bill. I'm break ing down exactly where my clients do come from (hint: it’s not email), how I’ve learned to let go of what “should” work, and why leaning into what works for you is the real power move for ordinary but thriving business owners—just like you.

    → Learn more about The Ordinary Business: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.theordinarybusiness.com

    Key Takeaways:

    • Stop forcing a marketing tool that’s never worked for you—focus instead on what actually brings you clients.

    • Know that referrals, SEO, and genuine connection on social media can be your secret sauce (no matter what the gurus say).

    • Give yourself permission to ditch the “shoulds,” play to your business strengths, and define success on your own, very ordinary terms.

    This podcast is for business owners who are tired of hustle culture and want relatable, honest conversations about running a sustainable business that actually works for their life.

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    14 min