"I have a successful Etsy shop... do I really need a website?"

It’s the question I get asked most by makers and crafters. While Etsy is fantastic for getting discovered, relying on it 100% means you are renting your business on land you don't own and therefore are subject to algorithm changes, fee hikes, and competitors advertising right on your listings.

In this episode, I break down the Etsy vs Shopify dilemma. We’ll look at why Etsy is the perfect starting line, but why Shopify is the necessary upgrade for long-term growth. I’ll cover how Shopify acts as your "extra employee" with built-in automation, better SEO, and wholesale management. Plus, I share my favorite strategy for using BOTH platforms together to get the best of both worlds.

🛒 Ready to stop renting your success?

Start your Shopify Trial here: https://shopify.pxf.io/4eQxXn

Get your free Hometown Health Check here: https://www.calibratedconcepts.com/freebies

💌 Grab the Hometown Business Health Check: https://www.calibratedconcepts.com/freebies

Welcome to 2026! After taking a month off to rest and reset, I’m back in the office with a major update. I just celebrated my 8th business anniversary, and looking back, my journey from VA to web designer to systems strategist has been anything but a straight line.

In this video, I’m getting honest about why I’m pivoting my business model for 2026. For years, I’ve been torn between my love for building websites and my passion for backend systems. The truth? Selling "systems" is hard, and most business owners just want results.

That’s why I’m officially combining them. I’m no longer just building websites; I’m building High-Performance Engines. Think of your website as a Digital Employee—it shouldn't just look pretty; it should be booking clients, sending contracts, and recovering lost sales while you sleep.

I also share why this shift is crucial for my life here in Pendleton, Oregon, and introduce my new Growth & Maps Membership designed to help local businesses dominate search results without lifting a finger.

Does your brain always feel full? If you're stuck in "chaos mode" and feel like you have no time to be the CEO, you're not failing — you just need a solid foundation.

In this video, I break down the three key systems that every small business owner needs to create a scaffolding for their work. We're not talking about rigid, robotic rules. We're talking about systems that create flexibility, clarity, and the space you need to finally work in your zone of genius.

I cover:

✔️ Client Relationship Management (CRM): How to create a kick-ass, professional client experience that runs on autopilot (and stop wondering, "Did I send that contract?").

✔️ Project Management: How to build a "home base for your business" so you can stop shuffling papers and know exactly what to work on every day.

✔️ Marketing Systems: A simple 3-part framework to help people find you, nurture them, and become clients.

To help you get started, I created a free resource: The Calm CEO Starter Pack. It includes a guided video workshop, a journaling tool to find your vision of simplicity, and a 25% discount on my toolkits.

► Grab your free Calm CEO Starter Pack here: https://www.calibratedconcepts.com/freebies

Thanks for watching! Don't forget to comment and let me know which of the three systems you're focusing on first.

I’m breaking down all the things I don’t do in my business and why I’m so glad I’ve learned to say no to them. From ditching hustle culture (no working weekends here!) to ditching outdated definitions of “professionalism,” I’m sharing the boundaries, systems, and choices that have made my business simpler, more flexible, and honestly, way more fun.

Whether it’s turning off notifications, outsourcing what drains me, or working from my sofa with dry shampoo in my hair. These no’s have made space for bigger, better yeses. I’d love to know: what’s something you’ve stopped doing in your business?

What do Matchbox cars, a racetrack rug, and an alphabetized movie collection have to do with running a business? In this video, I’m sharing the childhood quirks that became the foundation of my career — and how my love of tidying, organizing, and creating systems became the heart of Calibrated Concepts.

From lining up toy cars to designing streamlined onboarding systems, I’ve always found comfort in bringing order to chaos. And as it turns out, that coping mechanism (hello, undiagnosed anxiety!) turned into my superpower as a systems strategist for small businesses.

This video is for anyone who’s ever wondered how their weird little habits might actually be a gift — and a reminder that the things we loved (or needed) as kids often point us toward the work we're meant to do.

💡 If your business backend feels more like a racetrack than a library, I’d love to help. Check out the links below to work together or connect.

What would I tell myself if I were starting my business from scratch? After nearly 8 years in business (and a whole lot of trial and error), I’ve learned a thing or two about what actually makes a business sustainable... and what doesn’t.

In this video, I’m sharing the lessons I wish I’d known earlier, from setting boundaries to building the right systems, to learning to let your business evolve with you. If you’re in the early stages of your business or going through a season of change, I hope this offers you some clarity and encouragement.

🔗 Grab my free tools + templates over at https://calibratedconcepts.com

📩 Join my behind-the-scenes email list: https://calibratedconcepts.myflodesk.com/db2d8ed7-f554-435a-94af-1431d94534d6

Let me know in the comments: What’s your biggest lesson so far?

In this quarterly update, I’m sharing the latest happenings in my life and business, including the launch of my newly updated website with exciting new services and ongoing experiments with a quiz freebie.

I'm also battling some burnout while trying to maintain balance and prepare for my annual birthday sale in August. I’m also discussing my efforts to build a local entrepreneurial community and my personal adventures with my new puppy, Guinness.

Stay tuned for more updates and feel free to reach out with any questions or suggestions!

In this episode, I share my personal strategies for tackling overwhelm when your to-do list feels unmanageable. I discuss the importance of journaling, tracking your time, and allowing flexibility in deadlines to maintain sanity. I also emphasize the need for self-kindness and the power of saying no to tasks that aren't priorities. If you find these tips helpful, please consider subscribing for more insights!