What would you tell yourself in your first year of business? In this episode, I’m sharing the conversation I wish someone had with me in year one. Lately my DMs have been full of questions from women just starting out: How do I get my first clients? I’m too scared to post! Do I need a personal brand?
So I’m taking you back to June 2019, when Matt and I bought what is now Benchmark Fitness and I was literally Googling how to run a business.

Back then I was so green. I thought everyone was watching me, I posted everything in black and white for our brand, and it took me quite a few years to invest in mentorship. Now, seven and a half years into owning Benchmark and supporting female entrepreneurs through 1:1 coaching, I’m sharing the six lessons I learned the hard way, so hopefully you don’t have to.

Listen to the episode for more on:
• Why nobody is watching you as closely as you think, and what a mastermind taught me about how I used to post social media
• Why your first offer doesn’t have to be perfect, plus a challenge to pick a date and take “messy imperfect action”
• Why confusion is expensive, and how noticing what people ask you for most can help you find your niche
• Why the money is in the DMs, and how one voice note turned into a new six month membership at Benchmark
• Why “your network is your net worth,” and the networking friendships we still have today
• Why rest belongs on the ingredient list for high achievers, even in “grind seasons”

I’m still navigating some of these myself (hello, rest!), but I don’t like to gatekeep what’s working. Pick the lesson that hit hardest and act on it this week! Send me a DM on Instagram @AlliArruda and let me know, and if you’re picking a launch date for that offer, tell me so I can hold you accountable!

Want to get right to it and work together? I only have a few spots left! Click Here and let’s uplevel your life!

Let's Connect!
• INSPIRE + MOVE EVENTS
• Instagram
• Private Coaching
• BENCHMARK FITNESS
• Website
• Facebook
• TikTok

What do you do when a one star Google review hits your small business? I'm sharing the story of our first ever one star rating at Benchmark Fitness, from the moment the alert came in, to the conversation that turned it into five stars! Whether you're brick and mortar like Matt and I, or a solopreneur with a service or product, your testimonials, reviews and client feedback matter, and this one felt like a teachable moment.

For context, when we bought the gym in 2019 we inherited a really lousy Google rating, and I was toald by Google that those past reviews couldn't be removed. So I worked really hard for seven plus years to bring our rating up. Then one single rating, with no written review, knocked us down from a 4.9. I was so crushed! So tune in while I get into the situation and hear more about:

• Why giving yourself distance before you respond to a negative review helps you show up in the best possible way
• How having the conversation in person, instead of in writing, lets someone read your energy and your body language
• What it looks like to be direct and ask with clarity for exactly what you're looking for
• Why sharing openly, honestly and vulnerably before the ask can disarm a conversation that might feel slightly confrontational
• How leading with kindness and respect keeps it a "human to human interaction”

Business is always teaching us something, and this one reminded me how much more confident I've become at "asking for what you want." I only asked for the review to be taken down, and I got an even better outcome.

I'd love to hear what stood out to you, or how you handle customer feedback in your own business! Send me a DM on Instagram @AlliArruda and let me know!

Looking for some quality 1:1 coaching, with me? I only have a few spots left! Click Here and let's uplevel your life!

Let's Connect!
• INSPIRE + MOVE EVENTS
• Instagram
• Private Coaching
• BENCHMARK FITNESS
• Website
• Facebook
• TikTok

Is work-life balance really achievable, or is it a myth we've all been sold? In this episode, Matt and I get into why we've stopped chasing balance altogether and started embracing what we call “work-life harmony” instead. We talk about the seasons of running a business, choosing your stress instead of resenting it, and why giving yourself permission to define your own "enough" might be the most important mindset shift you can make as an entrepreneur.

We also share a few of our own behind-the-scenes moments (including one particularly memorable soap dispenser repair at Benchmark), why recognizing your own growth is so much harder than celebrating someone else's, and the sneaky way we all move our own goalposts without even noticing.

Tune in to hear more about:

• Why "work-life balance" is a myth, and what work-life harmony looks like instead
• The different seasons of running a business: grind mode, maintenance mode, and everything in between
• Why giving yourself permission to choose your stress changes everything
• How to define your own "enough," whether that's a dollar amount or a feeling
• Why we all unintentionally move our own goalposts, and how to notice your own growth
• Why having people in your corner to celebrate your wins matters so much

If you're a high-achieving entrepreneur craving real support and someone in your corner, it might be time to stop wearing every hat alone. High-achieving male entrepreneur? Matt's your guy @Matt_Arruda! High-achieving female entrepreneur? I'm your girl @AlliArruda Send us a DM on Instagram and let's see if 1:1 coaching is the right fit for you.

Want to get right to it and work together? I only have a few spots left! Click Here and let's uplevel your life!

Let's Connect!
• INSPIRE + MOVE EVENTS
• Instagram
• Private Coaching
• BENCHMARK FITNESS
• Website
• Facebook
• TikTok

I’m back with another collab episode with my friend Kristina Bartold, host of the podcast Community, and co-founder of The Social Snippet and High Vibe Women. Join us for a conversation all about turning in-person connection into real partnerships and how to get event sponsors without leaping straight to the big ask.

We dive into what it actually takes to build brand collaborations, pitch sponsorship, and create the kind of community-first experiences that make people want to say yes. Kristina shares how High Vibe Women grew out of a simple piece of advice she once received, and how that belief has shaped everything from her earliest dinners to sponsorship deals that have grown year over year.

Tune in to hear more about:

• Why Kristina believes "friendship first, business second" has been the foundation of High Vibe Women's growth
• How to pitch brand partnerships, starting with a simple list of your dream brands and a genuine DM
• Why sponsorship asks are like "at bats," you earn the bigger number by building trust and social proof over time
• How to turn a brand's "no" into a win-win by asking, "What would work for you?"
• Why leading with "how can I be of value?" is the real key to landing repeat partners

One of my favorite reminders from this conversation is that you do not have to nail the big ask right away. Whether it's a small dinner, a local event, or your very first sponsorship pitch, showing up with value and consistency compounds over time. I'd love to hear what stood out most to you from this convo! Send me a DM on Instagram @AlliArruda and let me know, and be sure to connect with Kristina @Kristina.Bartold too!

Mentioned:
• My Aligned Purpose Podcast (Nicole Crone)
• The Small Business School Podcast (Staci Millard)

Kristina's Links:
High Vibe Women OCT 2026
https://www.highvibewomen.ca/october-2026-event
Podcast - Community https://www.buzzsprout.com/2011831
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/kristina.bartold/
Website https://thesocialsnippet.com/
High Vibe Women https://highvibewomen.ca/

Let's Connect!
• INSPIRE + MOVE EVENTS
• Instagram
• Private Coaching
• BENCHMARK FITNESS
• Website
• Facebook
• TikTok

How do you find the confidence to raise your prices without losing sleep over it? That's exactly what I get into with Nicole Crone, co-host of My Aligned Purpose, on our very first collab together! Nicole is the co-founder of My Aligned Purpose with her business partner Kaila Pilecki, and together they've built a coaching business for women entrepreneurs that crossed a million dollars in revenue after making one of the scariest pivots of their business: moving forty-six one-on-one clients into a group coaching program.

We get into the real, unfiltered story behind that pivot, the bathtub-crying moment, the WhatsApp chats, the clients who said yes at the start, and how it grew from there. I also share my own experience raising membership prices at Benchmark and why it feels so personal even when the business isn't named after you!

Tune in to hear more about:

• Why Nicole and Kaila moved forty-six one-on-one clients into a group coaching program, and what it took to make it work
• The real, honest story behind raising your prices, and why it feels so personal
• Treating your business decisions like data, not failure, is the key to trying new things
• The mindset shift that turns "I'm doing pretty good" into a full “quantum leap”
• What it looks like to build a business partnership as a visionary and an integrator
• Why Nicole believes friendship, not competition, is the foundation of a strong business partnership

Raising your prices is scary, but staying stuck is scarier. If this episode gave you the confidence you needed to make that leap, I'd love to hear about it! Send me a DM on Instagram @AlliArruda and let me know what stood out to you!

Connect with Nicole:
• Instagram: @myalignedpurpose // @nicolecrone__
• Podcast: My Aligned Purpose Podcast
• Website: myalignedpurpose.com

Let's Connect!
• INSPIRE + MOVE EVENTS
• Instagram
• Private Coaching
• BENCHMARK FITNESS
• Website
• Facebook
• TikTok

Wondering how to be more visible online without feeling fake or forced?
I'm back with a short but sweet solo episode on a topic you all know that I am SO passionate about: visibility. I'm taking you all the way back to when I started my Inspire + Move Instagram account, back when I used to crop my own face out of every photo! I share the whole story of going from faceless photos to fully stepping into being seen, plus a homework assignment I give my 1:1 clients to help them find their content pillars.

We also get into why authenticity beats "slop" every time, how imposter syndrome and visibility always coexist, and why putting in the reps, whether that's Instagram stories or pull-ups, is the only way through it. Plus, I share a massive, terrifying opportunity I just said yes to!

Tune in to hear more about:

• The real story behind my early, faceless Inspire + Move Instagram account
• A simple post-it note exercise to find your content pillars
• Why authenticity beats "slop," and being the same person online and in person
• Why visibility and imposter syndrome always show up together, and how to work through it
• Starting small: the exact path from Instagram stories to reels to going live
• My big, uncomfortable yes: keynote speaking in 2027!

If this episode resonates, I'd love to hear what stood out most to you! Send me a DM on Instagram @AlliArruda.

Want to work together? I only have a few spots left for 1:1 coaching with me!!! Click Here and let’s uplevel your life!

Let's Connect!
• INSPIRE + MOVE EVENTS
• Instagram
• Private Coaching
• BENCHMARK FITNESS
• Website
• Facebook
• TikTok

In part two of my chat with Staci Millard, host of The Small Business School Podcast, we dive into visibility, leadership, personal growth and what it really takes to show up well in business. We talk about how your season of business can shape the way you approach social media, growth and where your energy is best spent. We also get into the behind-the-scenes of building something new, managing imposter syndrome and becoming a stronger leader, while creating habits that help us show up as the best version of ourselves. Catch part 1 if you missed it here!

Tune in to hear more about:

• Why visibility matters, but should still align with the season your business is in.
• How Staci is navigating the uncomfortable process of building software and learning to hold belief in a bigger vision.
• Why leadership starts with how you regulate yourself, communicate and show up for your team.
• The self-development practices we both prioritize, from sleep and nervous system regulation to movement and mindset.
• Why creating energy, confidence and consistency can have such a powerful ripple effect in business and life.

Growth asks us to become a different version of ourselves along the way. Whether that means stepping into stronger leadership, sharing more of the journey, protecting our energy or simply believing in ourselves before everyone else can see the vision, the work starts with us. I’d love to hear what stood out most to you from this convo! Send me a DM on Instagram @AlliArruda and let me know!

Instagram: @staci.millard /// @thriveaccounting
Podcast: The Small Business School Podcast
Thrive Accounting Website

Let's Connect!
• INSPIRE + MOVE EVENTS
• Instagram
• Private Coaching
• BENCHMARK FITNESS
• Website
• Facebook
• TikTok

In collaboration with The Small Business School Podcast, I’m joined by my friend, podcast host, fellow entrepreneur and business owner Staci Millard for a deep dive into business growth, meaningful relationships and what it really means to invest in the right rooms. We talk about how some of the most valuable opportunities in entrepreneurship come from connection, collaboration and being willing to show up ready to learn.

We also get into the realities of making bold business decisions, listening to your intuition, evolving your brand and knowing when to stay focused on what you do best.

Tune in to hear more about:
• Why the relationships you build in the room can become more valuable than the event itself.
• How to think about ROI when investing in masterminds, events and business communities.
• Why taking action after receiving advice is your responsibility as an entrepreneur.
• How we’ve learned to hold the vision through pricing changes, pivots and uncomfortable business decisions.
• Why listening to your customers, reviewing the right data and focusing on what you do best can help you build a stronger brand.

Not every opportunity has to produce an immediate sale to be valuable. Sometimes the real return is a relationship, a new perspective, an introduction or the confidence to make a move you’ve been avoiding. This is only part one of our chat and there is so much more to come! I’d love to hear what stood out to you! Shoot me a DM on @AlliArruda

Staci's Links
Instagram: @staci.millard /// @thriveaccounting
Podcast: The Small Business School Podcast
Thrive Accounting Website

Let's Connect!
• INSPIRE + MOVE EVENTS
• Instagram
• Private Coaching
• BENCHMARK FITNESS
• Website
• Facebook
• TikTok