Shows / Build Your Own Fairytale
Build Your Own Fairytale
If life feels like it's not the "happily ever after" you were expecting, you've come to the right place!
Around here, you'll hear from women who have paved their own way, outside traditional 9-5s. Together, we'll learn from their journeys and insights so that we can take steps toward building our own fairytales.
Episodes
Build Your Own FairytaleStarting Something New (Even When It Feels Cringe) with Katie Mueller
Text Kristen your thoughts or feedback about the show What happens when you're ready for a new chapter, but you're not entirely sure what that chapter looks…
Build Your Own FairytaleOctober Theory Without the Pressure to Reinvent Yourself (Solo Episode)
Text Kristen your thoughts or feedback about the show Have you ever revisited the goals you set in January—and immediately felt behind? That was my reaction…
Build Your Own FairytaleWhat Four Years of Podcasting Taught Me About Success (Solo Episode)
Text Kristen your thoughts or feedback about the show Four years. 160 episodes. And a podcast I started before I even knew what I wanted to podcast about. 🤷♀️…
Build Your Own FairytaleI Finally Have Time to Work on My Business. Now What? (Solo Episode)
Text Kristen your thoughts or feedback about the show I spent all summer waiting for September—the return of school-day work hours and time to focus on my…
Build Your Own FairytaleThe Summer I Didn't Grow My Business (Solo Episode)
Text Kristen your thoughts or feedback about the show Apparently, I actually did retire this summer! Back in June, I gave myself permission to do less. What I…
Build Your Own FairytaleBetting on Yourself with Meredith Hudson
Text Kristen your thoughts or feedback about the show After more than 20 years in corporate leadership at companies like Google, Amazon, Roku, and Snap…
Build Your Own FairytaleDo Your Impossible with Avery Fiordaliso
Text Kristen your thoughts or feedback about the show What happens when you stop asking "Can I?" and start asking "What else can I do?" In this episode, I'm…
Build Your Own FairytaleThe Myth of the "Naturally Organized" Business Owner (Solo Episode)
Text Kristen your thoughts or feedback about the show People often tell me I'm "so organized." But after wrapping up another busy swim team season, I found…
Build Your Own FairytaleJamie Hass on Systems, Mental Load, and Making Business More Sustainable
Text Kristen your thoughts or feedback about the show What happens when the career path you originally planned no longer fits the life you actually want? In…
Build Your Own FairytaleThe Cost of Keeping Everything in Your Head (Solo Episode)
Text Kristen your thoughts or feedback about the show As summer gets underway, I've been asking myself a different question: not "What needs to get done?" but…
Build Your Own FairytaleThe Business of Lifestyle: How Brooke Kromer Built a Luxury Real Estate Niche
Text Kristen your thoughts or feedback about the show What looks like a “perfect” business on the outside is rarely accidental. In this episode, I’m joined by…
Build Your Own FairytaleRace Day Reflections: What My First Half Marathon Actually Taught Me (Solo Episode)
Text Kristen your thoughts or feedback about the show This one took me a while to process. A few months ago, I ran my first-ever half marathon: the Disney…
Build Your Own FairytaleHow The Week Junior Built a Trusted Brand for Kids with Andrea Barbalich
Text Kristen your thoughts or feedback about the show What does it take to build something parents trust—and kids actually love? In this episode, I’m joined by…
Build Your Own FairytaleThe Annual Twin Episode: Business, Brain Breaks, and Being 11
Text Kristen your thoughts or feedback about the show 👯♀️ Special Guests: Sammy & Gracie (my twin daughters) 🗓️ Recorded after Take Your Kids to Work Day 2026…
Build Your Own FairytaleBuilding Something That Doesn’t Fit the Mold with Lynn Harris
Text Kristen your thoughts or feedback about the show Lynn Harris, a culture-shifting producer, award-winning journalist, and founder of GOLD Comedy, shares…
Build Your Own FairytaleThe Follow-Up Gap in Your Business (Solo Episode)
Text Kristen your thoughts or feedback about the show You’ve had this happen before. A potential client says yes. You send the quote, contract, or invoice… And…
Build Your Own FairytaleThe Mental Load of Business Ownership (and How to Lighten It) (Solo Episode)
Text Kristen your thoughts or feedback about the show Running a business comes with a mental load that most people don’t talk about. Not the big projects or…
Build Your Own FairytaleStart at the Front Door: A Spring Reset for Your Business (Solo Episode)
Text Kristen your thoughts or feedback about the show Spring cleaning isn’t about crisis. It’s about circulation. In this episode, I’m sharing a…
Build Your Own FairytaleHow to Choose Direction When You Can’t See the Whole Plan (Solo Episode)
Text Kristen your thoughts or feedback about the show You don’t always get the full five-year blueprint in business. Sometimes you get a clear season…
Build Your Own FairytaleA Valentine’s Day Check-In With Your Business (Solo Episode)
Text Kristen your thoughts or feedback about the show February is the season of love — and this year, I want you to turn some of that attention toward your…
Build Your Own FairytaleEvery Day I’m Puzzlin’: What Your Business Might Be Missing (Solo Episode)
Text Kristen your thoughts or feedback about the show Running a business can feel a lot like working on a puzzle. You’ve got pieces everywhere — ideas, tools…
Build Your Own FairytaleOut of No Man’s Land: What Happens When Systems Nerds Get in the Same Room (Bonus Episode)
Text Kristen your thoughts or feedback about the show This is a special bonus episode of Build Your Own Fairytale, recorded live, in real life, while I was in…
Build Your Own FairytaleNo Man’s Land: Why the Messy Middle Isn’t the End of Your Fairytale (Solo Episode)
Text Kristen your thoughts or feedback about the show What if the hardest part of building a business isn’t the beginning… or the end — but the middle? In this…
Build Your Own FairytaleBest of 2025: Lessons in Starting, Pausing & Building with Heart
Text Kristen your thoughts or feedback about the show As we wrap up 2025, I wanted to take a moment to pause, reflect, and celebrate — both the growth of Build…
Build Your Own FairytaleBuilding Her Dream Land: How Megan Lewis Turned Disney Magic into a Thriving Nanny Business
Text Kristen your thoughts or feedback about the show Cinderella might have had a fairy godmother—but Megan Lewis built her own magic. ✨ At just 24, Megan…
Build Your Own FairytaleHow a Scheduling Link Can Actually Protect Your Time (Solo Episode)
Text Kristen your thoughts or feedback about the show It’s Thanksgiving week — the season of gratitude, chaos, & calendars that somehow manage to fill…
Build Your Own FairytaleTurning Fear Into Fuel: How a Health Scare Sparked Charity Alyse’s Mobile Bookshop Dream
Text Kristen your thoughts or feedback about the show Author and entrepreneur Charity Alyse shares the heartwarming story behind Austen’s Shelf, her tiny…
Build Your Own FairytaleMy Solopreneur Tech Stack: The Essentials That Do It All (Solo Episode)
Text Kristen your thoughts or feedback about the show It’s National Checklist Day, which might as well be my personal holiday! In this episode, I’m sharing the…
Build Your Own FairytaleMarco Polo’s Vlada Bortnik on the Magic of Technology (for Good) & Human Connection
Text Kristen your thoughts or feedback about the show Vlada Bortnik, co-founder & CEO of Marco Polo, the video messaging app, shares what it really means to…
- Build Your Own Fairytale
October Theory: Fresh Starts Aren’t Just for January (Solo Episode)
Text Kristen your thoughts or feedback about the show Use October Theory to end 2025 strong & step into 2026 ready! October is the “Second New Year” — the…
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Email Marketing Made Simple: How to Start and Keep Going (Solo Episode)
Text Kristen your thoughts or feedback about the show Email marketing is the most powerful tool in your business toolkit as a solopreneur—but most people…
Build Your Own FairytaleBehind the Scenes: Observations & Lessons Learned From my 1st Collab (Solo Episode)
Text Kristen your thoughts or feedback about the show Spoiler alert: I learned a lot being part of my very first collaboration— not just about launching, but…
- Build Your Own Fairytale
Josh Hall’s Journey from Web Agency Owner to Business Coach
Text Kristen your thoughts or feedback about the show Josh Hall shares his inspiring journey from building a successful web design agency to becoming a…
- Build Your Own Fairytale
BONUS REPLAY: Janel Hawkins' Sand Sculpting Success
Text Kristen your thoughts or feedback about the show Get ready for a little lesson in confidence 101 - with some sandy vibes! Janel Hawkins shares her journey…
- Build Your Own Fairytale
Rewriting the Rules of Midlife with Jenn Arthurton
Text Kristen your thoughts or feedback about the show When the life you've built no longer feels like yours — what comes next? This week, I’m joined by Jenn…
- Build Your Own Fairytale
Timeless Touches, Modern Magic: Etiquette That Elevates Your Brand (Solo Episode)
Text Kristen your thoughts or feedback about the show We don’t talk enough about the simple stuff in business — like saying thank you, acknowledging a message…
- Build Your Own Fairytale
From Sisterhood to Strategy: Alicia Conner Helps Turn Sorority Leadership into Career Confidence
Text Kristen your thoughts or feedback about the show Alicia Conner is building a business while balancing a full-time job and two young kids—and she’s doing…
- Build Your Own Fairytale
How to Prioritize When You’re Overwhelmed AF (Solo Episode)
Text Kristen your thoughts or feedback about the show Ever looked at your to-do list and felt completely paralyzed… or like a cat chasing its own tail getting…
- Build Your Own Fairytale
Science, Sugar & Soul: How Grace “Grey” Pak is Redefining Cake
Text Kristen your thoughts or feedback about the show What do neuroscience, web design, and cake have in common? For Grace "Grey" Pak — everything! In this…
- Build Your Own Fairytale
How to CEO (According to My 10-Year-Olds 👯♀️)
Text Kristen your thoughts or feedback about the show 👯♀️ Special Guests: Sammy & Gracie (my twin daughters) 🗓️ Recorded on: Take Your Kids to Work Day 2025…
- Build Your Own Fairytale
The Art of Starting Over: Michelle Ammann’s Leap from Education to Entrepreneurship
Text Kristen your thoughts or feedback about the show Meet Michelle, a passionate artist who transitioned from teaching to a career in art. Inspired by…
- Build Your Own Fairytale
Lead Management for Solopreneurs at Any Stage (Solo Episode)
Text Kristen your thoughts or feedback about the show Ever feel like your DMs, inbox, and texts are bursting at the seams with client leads—and you have zero…
- Build Your Own Fairytale
She Did THAT and So Can You; How Viva Kreis is Breaking Barriers in Women’s Sports
Text Kristen your thoughts or feedback about the show Meet Viva Kreis - a trailblazing young athlete and passionate advocate for women in sports. From her…
- Build Your Own Fairytale
Level Up Your Productivity with this Biz HQ Blueprint (Solo Episode)
Text Kristen your thoughts or feedback about the show I’m breaking down why a Biz HQ is important, WHAT details & docs to put there and how to decide WHERE to…
- Build Your Own Fairytale
Beyond the Pool Deck: Erica Beine's Journey from D1 Coach to Wellness Entrepreneur
Text Kristen your thoughts or feedback about the show Whether coaching from the pool deck or guiding athletes through nutrition, Erica Beine’s philosophy…
- Build Your Own Fairytale
Why You NEED a Content Calendar 🗓️ & How to Make One - FREE! (Solo Episode)
Text Kristen your thoughts or feedback about the show What is a content calendar and why should you create & maintain one for your biz? This episode will…
- Build Your Own Fairytale
Solo Travel & Solopreneurship: How Kristine Thomason Found Fulfillment as a Freelance Writer
Text Kristen your thoughts or feedback about the show Kristine Thomason shares her fascinating journey as a lifestyle writer and editor at major publications…
- Build Your Own Fairytale
3 Ways to Simplify Your Business (Solo Episode)
Text Kristen your thoughts or feedback about the show This is the first episode where I’m starting to share content more closely aligned with my business…
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Maddy Fero’s Fast Story from NASCAR to Biz Owner
Text Kristen your thoughts or feedback about the show Maddy Fero shares her inspiring journey from a broadcast journalism background to becoming a successful…
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Year-End Wrap-Up: 2024 Edition
Text Kristen your thoughts or feedback about the show As we prepare to close out the year, this episode is the perfect opportunity to get a feel for what this…
- Build Your Own Fairytale
Sketching Success: Chari Pere's Journey in Cartooning and Storytelling
Text Kristen your thoughts or feedback about the show Chari Pere shares her inspiring journey from a childhood passion for drawing to a career in cartooning…
- Build Your Own Fairytale
From Pre-Law to Branding Guru with Jaci Russo
Text Kristen your thoughts or feedback about the show Jaci Russo, PCM, shares her journey from aspiring lawyer to branding expert, navigating unexpected…
- Build Your Own Fairytale
Rising Above Adversity: Michelle Kuei's Resilience
Text Kristen your thoughts or feedback about the show Michelle Kuei, a resilient and inspiring woman, shares her journey from a life-altering car accident at…
- Build Your Own Fairytale
From Classroom to Boardroom; Dr. Laura Sicola on Communication and Influence Strategies
Text Kristen your thoughts or feedback about the show Dr. Laura Sicola shares her story from college professor to leadership communication and influence…
- Build Your Own Fairytale
From Google Sales Exec to Sleep Coach; Rachel Boyman Won’t Sleep on Success
Text Kristen your thoughts or feedback about the show Rachel Boyman shares her winding career path that most recently took the leap from e-commerce at Google…
- Build Your Own Fairytale
From Banking Exec to Romance Author: GiGi Meier's Bold Career Switch
Text Kristen your thoughts or feedback about the show GiGi Meier shares her journey from a 30-year-corporate career in banking, where she achieved C-suite…
- Build Your Own Fairytale
Behind the Scenes: Reflecting on a Mompreneur Summer
Text Kristen your thoughts or feedback about the show Life as a mom and solopreneur has its ups and downs. This summer was a lot of fun, but also really…
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From Headbands to Date Nights; How Heather Metroka Became the Fairytale Foodie
Text Kristen your thoughts or feedback about the show When Heather Metroka first stepped into the world of entrepreneurship, she simply wanted something to…
- Build Your Own Fairytale
Balancing Books & Business: How Jenna Kardasz Built her Photography Biz Before College Graduation
Text Kristen your thoughts or feedback about the show Jenna Kardasz started her photographer business during COVID-10 while still in high school! What was once…
- Build Your Own Fairytale
Angela Reitter on How Hula Hoops Spread Fun & Fitness
Text Kristen your thoughts or feedback about the show Angela Reitter shares her inspiring journey from a simple poolside vacation activity to finding a passion…