Entrepreneur by Default: Toby Myles & Jen Baxter on Turning Setbacks into Successes

Entrepreneur by Default: Toby Myles & Jen Baxter on Turning Setbacks into Successes

Check Out These Highlights: Jen Baxter’s story is one of unexpected pivots and resilience. After taking a leap of faith into book publishing, she faced sudden layoffs and the uncertainty of starting over. What began as a side project with Substack turned into a coaching business helping authors and entrepreneurs launch meaningful newsletters. Along the way, Jen embraced AI tools to support clients in amplifying their voices and building systems that work. In this episode, Jen shares the turning points that shaped her career, how she reframed setbacks into opportunities, and why she calls herself an “entrepreneur by default.” Listeners will walk away with insights on balancing stability and creativity, using technology with integrity, and building a business ecosystem that supports both freedom and security. About Jen Baxter: Jen Baxter is a copywriter, strategist, and newsletter coach who helps authors and entrepreneurs create intentional, reader‑focused newsletters. She blends her background in publishing with her expertise in Substack and AI tools to help clients build sustainable systems and authentic connections.  Connect with Jen: 🌐 Website: https://www.jenbaxter.com/ [https://www.jenbaxter.com/] 💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenbaxter/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenbaxter/] 📑 Substack: https://jenbaxter.substack.com/ [https://jenbaxter.substack.com/] Stalk Me Online! About Me: https://tobymyles.com/about/ [https://tobymyles.com/about/] Free Gift: The Nashville Method: 5-Day Storytelling Mini-Course [https://chipper-creator-2128.kit.com/56150443a6] Subscribe to Her Origin Story on your favorite platform. New episodes every week with real, raw stories about the moments that started it all. EPISODE NOTES FOOTER: Her Origin Story is produced by Toby Myles Copywriting, and podcast editor Ilorah Dela Cruz All content © 2025 Toby Myles. All rights reserved.

The Ripple Effect of Purpose: Toby Myles & Juliet Cutler on Storytelling That Changes Lives

Check Out These Highlights: When Juliet Cutler traveled to Tanzania as a young volunteer, she thought she was simply offering her skills to help support girls’ education. What she didn’t expect was how deeply the experience would reshape her understanding of purpose, storytelling, and the impact one person can have on an entire community. In this episode, Juliet shares how witnessing extreme poverty, resilience, and the transformative power of education changed the trajectory of her life and work. She opens up about the reverse culture shock she experienced returning home, the winding path that eventually led her into museum interpretation and experiential storytelling, and why curiosity and listening are at the heart of every meaningful story. Toby and Juliet also explore the idea of “getting quiet” enough to hear the inner voice guiding you toward work that matters. From Maasai girls’ education to museum curation, Juliet’s story is ultimately about paying attention to the stories that deserve to be told, and recognizing that purpose can create a ripple effect far beyond ourselves. If you’ve ever questioned whether your work is making a meaningful difference, this conversation will leave you reflecting on impact, intuition, and the power of using your skills in service of something bigger. About Juliet Cutler: Juliet Cutler is an author, storyteller, and interpretation consultant whose work focuses on cultural storytelling, museums, parks, and educational experiences. Through her books and her work with Nomad Studio, she helps bring overlooked stories to life while advocating for education and community impact initiatives in Tanzania. Connect with Juliet: 🌐 Websites: www.julietcutler.com [http://www.julietcutler.com] and www.nomad-studio.net [http://www.nomad-studio.net] 💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/julietcutler/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/julietcutler/] 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cutler.juliet [https://www.instagram.com/cutler.juliet] 💬 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/juliet.cutler/ [https://www.facebook.com/juliet.cutler/] Stalk Me Online! About Me: https://tobymyles.com/about/ [https://tobymyles.com/about/] Free Gift: The Nashville Method: 5-Day Storytelling Mini-Course [https://chipper-creator-2128.kit.com/56150443a6] Subscribe to Her Origin Story on your favorite platform. New episodes every week with real, raw stories about the moments that started it all. EPISODE NOTES FOOTER: Her Origin Story is produced by Toby Myles Copywriting, and podcast editor Ilorah Dela Cruz All content © 2025 Toby Myles. All rights reserved.

From Swag to Strategy: Toby Myles & Amanda Hofman on Building Modern, Meaningful Merch

Check Out These Highlights: Amanda Hofman didn’t set out to reinvent branded merchandise, but her frustration with outdated swag sparked a new path. In this episode, she shares how she went from running a women’s networking group in New York City to co‑founding a company that helps businesses create merch people actually want to use and wear.  We talk about the turning points that shaped her entrepreneurial journey, why swag should reflect values instead of just logos, and how perspective helps balance the highs and lows of business ownership. Amanda also explains how print‑on‑demand storefronts can transform client and employee gifting into something personal, sustainable, and memorable.  About Amanda Hofman: Amanda is the co‑founder of a modern merchandise company that helps businesses create branded products aligned with their values. She’s passionate about making swag strategic, sustainable, and something people genuinely love to use.  Connect with Amanda: 🌐 Website: https://gotomarket.studio/ [https://gotomarket.studio/] 💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amandagoldfinehofman/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/amandagoldfinehofman/] 📸 Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/gotomarketstudio [http://www.instagram.com/gotomarketstudio] Stalk Me Online! About Me: https://tobymyles.com/about/ [https://tobymyles.com/about/] Free Gift: The Nashville Method: 5-Day Storytelling Mini-Course [https://chipper-creator-2128.kit.com/56150443a6] Subscribe to Her Origin Story on your favorite platform. New episodes every week with real, raw stories about the moments that started it all. EPISODE NOTES FOOTER: Her Origin Story is produced by Toby Myles Copywriting, and podcast editor Ilorah Dela Cruz All content © 2025 Toby Myles. All rights reserved.

Unfiltered Visibility: Toby Myles & Melanie Borden on Building a Bold, Human Brand on LinkedIn

Check Out These Highlights: Melanie Borden didn’t grow her brand by playing it safe, and that’s exactly why people pay attention. In this episode, she shares how she carved out her space on LinkedIn by showing up with honesty, personality, and a willingness to be seen beyond the highlight reel. We talk about what it actually looks like to build visibility from the ground up, including the mindset shifts that come with putting yourself out there, the pressure to “perform” online, and how Melanie learned to trust her voice instead of following someone else’s formula. Melanie also breaks down her approach to content; why real, human posts outperform overly polished ones, how she creates connection through storytelling, and what consistency really looks like behind the scenes. If you’ve been holding back from showing up fully online, this conversation will challenge you to rethink what authenticity actually looks like in your brand. About Melanie Borden: Melanie Borden is a LinkedIn strategist and personal branding expert known for helping entrepreneurs and professionals grow bold, authentic brands that stand out. She’s built her presence by blending strategy with personality, showing others how to turn visibility into meaningful connections and opportunities. Connect with Melanie: 🌐 Website: www.humantobrand.com [http://www.humantobrand.com] 💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melanieborden/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/melanieborden/] 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/humantobrand/ [https://www.instagram.com/humantobrand/] Stalk Me Online! About Me: https://tobymyles.com/about/ [https://tobymyles.com/about/] Free Gift: The Nashville Method: 5-Day Storytelling Mini-Course [https://chipper-creator-2128.kit.com/56150443a6] Subscribe to Her Origin Story on your favorite platform. New episodes every week with real, raw stories about the moments that started it all. EPISODE NOTES FOOTER: Her Origin Story is produced by Toby Myles Copywriting, and podcast editor Ilorah Dela Cruz All content © 2025 Toby Myles. All rights reserved.

The Skill You Didn’t Know Was Your Superpower: Toby Myles & Sara Torpey on Bridging Gaps and Building What’s Next

Check Out These Highlights: If you’ve ever felt like your career path has taken unexpected turns, this episode will feel like a deep exhale. Sara Torpey’s story is one of evolution, from classroom teacher to instructional coach, to working in the corporate world with a major digital education company, and eventually building her own business. In this conversation, Sara shares what it was like to leave the structure of teaching for a completely different world, including the steep learning curve of working remotely long before it was the norm. She opens up about becoming the “translator in the middle”, bridging the gap between educators, sales teams, and developers, and how that skill became a defining strength in her career. We also dive into how her business began organically, with people asking for her guidance until it became clear she was already doing the work of a coach. Today, through her Uncomplicating Business Lab and her refreshing approach to sales, “Selling for Weirdos”, Sara helps entrepreneurs simplify their businesses, embrace what makes them different, and sell in a way that actually feels good. This episode is a powerful reminder that your skills are transferable, your path doesn’t have to be linear, and sometimes you’re the last one to recognize your own brilliance. About Sara Torpey: Sara Torpey is a former educator turned consultant and coach who helps entrepreneurs simplify their businesses and sell in ways that feel authentic. Through her Uncomplicating Business Lab and “Selling for Weirdos” philosophy, she supports people in building businesses that actually fit them. Connect with Sara: 🌐 Website: www.torpeycoaching.com [http://www.torpeycoaching.com] 💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/saratorpey/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/saratorpey/] 💬 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/saractorpey/ [https://www.facebook.com/saractorpey/] 🎙 Podcast: https://www.torpeycoaching.com/podcast [https://www.torpeycoaching.com/podcast] 🎁 Free Resource: https://torpeycoaching.kit.com/freemasterclass [https://torpeycoaching.kit.com/freemasterclass] Stalk Me Online! About Me: https://tobymyles.com/about/ [https://tobymyles.com/about/] Free Gift: The Nashville Method: 5-Day Storytelling Mini-Course [https://chipper-creator-2128.kit.com/56150443a6] Subscribe to Her Origin Story on your favorite platform. New episodes every week with real, raw stories about the moments that started it all. EPISODE NOTES FOOTER: Her Origin Story is produced by Toby Myles Copywriting, and podcast editor Ilorah Dela Cruz All content © 2025 Toby Myles. All rights reserved.