The Emma Stratton Show

Entrepreneurship as Personal Growth with Dave Gerhardt

You probably know Dave Gerhardt as a top B2B marketing pro. But there’s way more to him than LinkedIn posts, clever copy, and great advice. On this episode of The Emma Stratton Show, I sit down with Dave to talk not about marketing — but about mindset, personal growth, and the real inner work required to run a successful business. What unfolds is a soul-nourishing conversation about journaling, spirituality, identity shifts, and building a business that supports a full life. If you're an entrepreneur, creator, or human being trying to make work and life feel more aligned — this one’s for you. Highlights:  – Why entrepreneurship is the ultimate personal growth program  – Letting go of a former identity to build something bigger  – Dave’s rituals for grounding, sanity, and creativity  – Why nature, journaling, and gratitude are his go-to tools In this episode, we cover:  (00:00) Welcome to The Emma Stratton Show  (03:50) Emma shares how this conversation with Dave came to be  (05:15) Dave’s wandering phase—and what it taught him  (09:00) The identity crisis that came with leaving corporate  (13:45) The mistake he made going back to a “safe” role  (17:40) Personal growth through building a team and company  (24:00) Reclaiming meaning and freedom through work  (30:50) Dave’s go-to routines: exercise, journaling, reading, nature  (39:20) How spirituality and gratitude show up in his day  (45:30) Redefining success—and designing a life around it Follow Dave on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/davegerhardt/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/davegerhardt/]) and Exit Five (https://www.exitfive.com [https://www.exitfive.com]) Follow Emma on Substack (https://substack.com/@emmastratton [https://substack.com/@emmastratton]) and LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/emma-stratton-punchy/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/emma-stratton-punchy/])

Honor how you’re wired

For a long time, I thought I had to change who I was to be successful. Grind harder. Be more productive. Follow the “right” process. But all of that went against how I’m naturally wired — and it left me burned out and doubting myself. On this solo episode of The Emma Stratton Show, I share how I came to see my quirks not as flaws, but as strengths. I talk about the tools and moments that helped me embrace my true nature — and how aligning my business with that wiring unlocked more fun, freedom, and yes, success. Whether you’re building your own business or working inside someone else’s, this episode will help you start honoring the way you’re wired — and find a better way forward. Highlights:  – What I believed about success (and why it kept me stuck)  – The surprising assessments that changed how I saw myself  – How play, freedom, and quick decision-making became my superpowers  – Simple ways to align your life and work with your true wiring In this episode, we cover:  (00:00) Welcome to The Emma Stratton Show  (02:10) Why I thought I wasn’t cut out for business  (08:05) How two assessments reframed my thinking  (13:50) The real power of being a “quick start”  (18:12) Discovering my soul-level wiring: play and exploration  (24:36) Making business decisions based on alignment  (30:22) How to explore your own natural wiring  (37:41) Steps to design work that fits how you operate  (43:55) Final reflections and encouragement Follow Emma on Substack (https://substack.com/@emmastratton [https://substack.com/@emmastratton]) and LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/emma-stratton-punchy/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/emma-stratton-punchy/])

Building a Business That Works for You with Katelyn Bourgoin

You have to work hard to be successful. But you also have to work smarter on the right things.On this episode, I’m joined by entrepreneur and marketing expert Katelyn Bourgoin [https://www.linkedin.com/in/katebour/]. Katelyn has built multiple businesses, faced the highs and lows of startup life, and figured out what actually works—and what doesn’t—when creating a business that aligns with your strengths.In this conversation, Katelyn shares hard-earned wisdom on building a business that fits you, not just what the industry says you should do. We talk about how she went from running an agency to launching a tech startup (and realizing it wasn’t for her) to growing her hit newsletter Why We Buy [https://www.linkedin.com/company/whywebuy/] and teaching entrepreneurs how to build standout personal brands.If you’ve ever wondered whether you’re on the right path or struggling with when to pivot vs. when to stay the course, this episode is for you. Highlights: * Why starting with the problem, not the format, leads to better businesses * The biggest mistakes new entrepreneurs make (and how to avoid them) * How to balance customer feedback with sticking to your vision * The truth about lifestyle businesses and why they’re not just a shortcut to easy money In this episode, we cover: (00:00) Welcome to The Emma Stratton Show (01:06) Why Katelyn turned down the creator economy in 2014 (05:29) From agency life to tech startup struggles (10:40) The hard truth about pivoting too soon (14:14) Finding your zone of genius (and avoiding what drains you) (17:50) How to build a business that fits your life, not the other way around (22:57) The biggest myth about entrepreneurship (27:38) What most people get wrong about business ideas (33:31) The most underrated path to success (39:45) Why sticking with it is the real key to long-term success Follow Katelyn on https://customercamp.co/ [https://customercamp.co/] and LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/katebour/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/katebour/] Follow Emma on Substack (https://substack.com/@emmastratton [https://substack.com/@emmastratton]) and LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/emma-stratton-punchy/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/emma-stratton-punchy/])

Manifestation Lessons from Ask and It Is Given

Most of us don’t realize how much resistance we have to the very things we want. I didn’t until I found myself working harder than ever but felt stuck in the same place.In this episode, I’m sharing how I first discovered "Ask and It Is Given: Learning to Manifest Your Desires [https://www.amazon.com/Ask-Given-Learning-Manifest-Desires/dp/1401904599]” by Esther and Jerry Hicks, and why its core ideas completely reframed the way I approached business and life. I’ll walk you through my early skepticism, the moment I recognized my own resistance, and the mindset shifts that changed everything. If you’ve ever felt like you’re pushing against what you want instead of letting it in, this episode might change how you see things. Highlights: The fundamental principle that well-being is always flowing to us How resistance (often subconscious) blocks what we desire Why emotions are a powerful guide to shifting energy and manifesting more In this episode, we cover: (00:00) Welcome to The Emma Stratton Show (02:30) Ask and It Is Given: the OG book on manifestation (05:03) My first encounter with Esther Hicks and the teachings of Abraham (06:58) The universe is working for you if you let it (09:31) The resistance that blocks success (and how I found mine) (13:13) Understanding the Law of Attraction beyond the buzzwords (20:12) Emotions as a compass: how to shift your energy in real time (27:34) The one rule I live by: nothing is more important than feeling good Link to the book Ask and It Is Given by Esther and Jerry Hicks: https://www.amazon.com/Ask-Given-Learning-Manifest-Desires/dp/1401904599 [https://www.amazon.com/Ask-Given-Learning-Manifest-Desires/dp/1401904599] Follow Emma on Substack (https://substack.com/@emmastratton [https://substack.com/@emmastratton]) and LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/emma-stratton-punchy/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/emma-stratton-punchy/])

Building a Business on Your Own Terms with April Dunford

For years, I followed the typical business advice, but something wasn’t clicking. I was pushing myself harder and harder, but I wasn’t seeing the results I hoped for. On this episode of The Emma Stratton Show, I’m joined by April Dunford [https://www.linkedin.com/in/aprildunford/?originalSubdomain=ca], a leader in product positioning. April’s story is all about shifting from the traditional business grind to embracing a more authentic approach. We talk about how stepping away from social media actually helped her grow her business, the importance of being true to yourself in your work, and why humor and authenticity became her superpowers in consulting.In this conversation, we explore how building a business that aligns with who you are can unlock the success you’ve been searching for. Highlights: * The journey from corporate marketing to self-employment * Why stepping away from social media led to more business * How authenticity and humor became April’s superpower in consulting In this episode, we cover: (00:00) Welcome to The Emma Stratton Show (02:24) April’s journey from corporate marketing to consulting (06:23) Why April chose to step away from LinkedIn for her business (12:17) April’s podcast journey and unexpected outcomes (17:40) The highs and lows of being a solo consultant (23:11) Setting boundaries and saying “no” to the wrong clients (30:55) Advice for those transitioning from corporate to consulting (35:40) Building a business with an abundance mindset Follow April on https://www.aprildunford.com/ [https://www.aprildunford.com/] and LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/aprildunford/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/aprildunford/] Follow Emma on Substack (https://substack.com/@emmastratton [https://substack.com/@emmastratton]) and LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/emma-stratton-punchy/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/emma-stratton-punchy/])