Let’s be honest — this episode is part hot take, part therapy session, and part “can we please stop pretending we like retainers?”

I sat down with Emily Mathis to talk about what really happens when you’ve built your business around one big client, the panic that hits when that rug gets pulled, and the identity crisis that follows when you realize you hate calling yourself a coach but you also can’t stomach being called a “virtual assistant” anymore.

I am begging you to stop burying the lead. Your buyers don’t need your case study collage, they need direction. Today I’m breaking down the tiny messaging shifts that turn waffly conversations into clean yeses, and why high‑level clients would rather you be decisive than endlessly “bring receipts.” If your proposals, emails, and sales calls feel like a polite TED Talk, this is your intervention.

This episode hit me right in the gut — in the best way. Haley and I sat down (or, let’s be real, spilled our guts) about what it looks like to rebuild your life and business after everything feels like it’s fallen apart. I’m talking marriage, business partnerships, identity, all of it.

I’m going to poke a tender spot today, because a lot of you are quietly tanking your best offer and calling it a “suite.” You don’t need more stuff, you need clarity. If your DIY, done with you, and done for you containers all promise the same result, you didn’t build an ecosystem, you built silos. And silos confuse buyers. Confused buyers don’t buy. Simple.

I lit this episode with a match and a mic, literally, because we pulled tarot on air and asked Spirit to weigh in on the show. The first card? Anger. Which honestly tracks, because I’ve got a lot to say about the website platforms service providers are being sold. If you’ve ever wondered why I ran back to Squarespace after a three-month fling with Showit, or how to blend something as woo as astrology into something as technical as web design, you’re in the right room. I brought on Alex, a designer who blends astrology with web and brand work, and we went all the way in on templates, pricing, capacity, and why you should stop judging your day one against someone’s day one thousand.

When I keep repeating myself in one-on-one calls and group calls, that’s my cue to bring the rant to the mic. Today I’m talking about the single decision that makes everything in your business simpler, cleaner, faster. It impacts how you market, how you sell, how quickly you convert, what your packages are called, what’s inside them, who they’re for, how long they take, what they cost, even what you post on Threads or how you introduce yourself at a networking event. It’s your authority anchor.

Ashley and I dug into how Systems Over Stress is different, why it’s not just another rigid system, and why Airtable has been the only platform that’s stuck for me long term. Plus, she gave us a sneak peek at what’s coming next and teased a brand new offer launching in 2026 that you’ll definitely want to keep an eye on.

When I keep repeating myself in one-on-one calls and group calls, that’s my cue to bring the rant to the mic. Today I’m talking about the single decision that makes everything in your business simpler, cleaner, faster. It impacts how you market, how you sell, how quickly you convert, what your packages are called, what’s inside them, who they’re for, how long they take, what they cost, even what you post on Threads or how you introduce yourself at a networking event. It’s your authority anchor.

What if you actually love running a service-based business? Not everyone wants a giant team or a massive digital empire. If you’re a service provider who enjoys the work but knows there’s room to grow, this podcast is for you.

In this kickoff episode, Emylee shares why Sell the Damn Service exists, who it’s for, and how it will help you scale smarter with one-on-one services.

What if you actually love running a service-based business? Not everyone wants a giant team or a massive digital empire. If you’re a service provider who enjoys the work but knows there’s room to grow, this podcast is for you.

In this kickoff episode, Emylee shares why Sell the Damn Service exists, who it’s for, and how it will help you scale smarter with one-on-one services.