220: Material Sourcing Secrets You Need to Know

Let’s be honest… marketing can feel soul-sucking when you’re doing it just to chase the algorithm. In this episode, I’m sharing how to build a sustainable marketing strategy that actually works and feels good. Whether you’re just getting started or trying to streamline your content approach, I’ll walk you through how to choose the right platforms, grow your email list, and repurpose content like a pro, without burning out.   I’m also taking you behind the scenes of how I manage my own content across Instagram, YouTube, podcast, email, and more using my custom Notion marketing dashboard (yes, it’s available inside my Sustain Your Marketing course!) If you’re tired of trying to do everything, everywhere with no return, this episode is for you.   I cover: How to reframe your relationship with marketing Choosing the right platform and pairing it with email A peek inside my sustainable content ecosystem Tips for YouTube, podcasting, Instagram, and email The real secret to building an engaged community that buys   TIMESTAMPS 00:36 The Intentions for Sustainable Marketing  01:10 Your Relationship with Marketing  01:38 Focusing on Your Ideal Customer  02:14 Choosing the Right Platforms  03:12 The Importance of Email Marketing  03:36 Diversifying Your Social Media Presence  04:49 Creating Platform-Specific Content  05:41 My Business Strategy  06:39 Managing Multiple Content Channels  08:04 Email Marketing: Building Your List  10:52 Creating Valuable Email Content  13:12 Leveraging YouTube  15:07 Leveraging Podcast  16:29 Leveraging Instagram  17:33 Planning and Strategizing Your Content  17:49 The Importance of Sustainable Growth   RESOURCES MENTIONED → Sustain Your Marketing: https://selinaho.com/marketing → The Complete Sustain Your Success Ecosystem: https://selinaho.com/sys → Your Success Roadmap (Free Course): https://selinaho.com/roadmap   SUPPORT TO SUCCEED → Confessions of a Conscious CEO newsletter: https://ceo-confessions.beehiiv.com → Start a business with the free Build a Sustaining Business program: https://selinaho.com/basb → Grow your business with the Sustain Your Success course suite — start with the free Your Success Roadmap: https://selinaho.com/roadmap → Secure me as your business advisor to sustainably scale your business: https://selinaho.com/btl   LET’S CONNECT → Newsletter: https://ceo-confessions.beehiiv.com  → Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/selinajho    → LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/selinaho  → TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@selinajho_

Let’s be honest… marketing can feel soul-sucking when you’re doing it just to chase the algorithm. In this episode, I’m sharing how to build a sustainable marketing strategy that actually works and feels good. Whether you’re just getting started or trying to streamline your content approach, I’ll walk you through how to choose the right platforms, grow your email list, and repurpose content like a pro, without burning out.   I’m also taking you behind the scenes of how I manage my own content across Instagram, YouTube, podcast, email, and more using my custom Notion marketing dashboard (yes, it’s available inside my Sustain Your Marketing course!) If you’re tired of trying to do everything, everywhere with no return, this episode is for you.   I cover: How to reframe your relationship with marketing Choosing the right platform and pairing it with email A peek inside my sustainable content ecosystem Tips for YouTube, podcasting, Instagram, and email The real secret to building an engaged community that buys   TIMESTAMPS 00:36 The Intentions for Sustainable Marketing  01:10 Your Relationship with Marketing  01:38 Focusing on Your Ideal Customer  02:14 Choosing the Right Platforms  03:12 The Importance of Email Marketing  03:36 Diversifying Your Social Media Presence  04:49 Creating Platform-Specific Content  05:41 My Business Strategy  06:39 Managing Multiple Content Channels  08:04 Email Marketing: Building Your List  10:52 Creating Valuable Email Content  13:12 Leveraging YouTube  15:07 Leveraging Podcast  16:29 Leveraging Instagram  17:33 Planning and Strategizing Your Content  17:49 The Importance of Sustainable Growth   RESOURCES MENTIONED → Sustain Your Marketing: https://selinaho.com/marketing → The Complete Sustain Your Success Ecosystem: https://selinaho.com/sys → Your Success Roadmap (Free Course): https://selinaho.com/roadmap   SUPPORT TO SUCCEED → Confessions of a Conscious CEO newsletter: https://ceo-confessions.beehiiv.com → Start a business with the free Build a Sustaining Business program: https://selinaho.com/basb → Grow your business with the Sustain Your Success course suite — start with the free Your Success Roadmap: https://selinaho.com/roadmap → Secure me as your business advisor to sustainably scale your business: https://selinaho.com/btl   LET’S CONNECT → Newsletter: https://ceo-confessions.beehiiv.com  → Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/selinajho    → LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/selinaho  → TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@selinajho_

If you’re riding the feast-and-famine rollercoaster (one month making bank, the next barely scraping by), this episode is for you. I’m breaking down how I built a sustainable sales system that allowed me to generate $20K while vacationing in the French Riviera with my sister (yes, really!!)   I used to burn myself out doing all the things: non-stop sales calls, masterclasses, and launches... until I hit a breaking point. I realized I couldn’t grow like that anymore. In this episode, I share how I pivoted from burnout to building a sales system that works even when I’m offline.   You’ll learn: Why intention-setting is the first step to sustainable sales The 3-part system I use (Sustained Traffic, Nurturing, and Conversion) How to attract your ideal customers consistently Ways to automate sales without losing the personal touch Tips for layering manual strategies like sales calls and live events without burning out   TIMESTAMPS 00:32 Setting an Intention for Sustainable Sales 00:47 The Unsustainable Sales Approach 01:14 The Burnout Cycle 01:49 Your Sustainable Sales Strategy 02:27 Improving Your Relationship with Sales 02:52 Creating Products People Want 03:26 Building a Sustainable Sales Funnel 03:40 Understanding the Sales Funnel 04:15 Automating Your Sales Process 04:44 The Journey to Sustainable Success 05:05 My Existential Crisis and Business Pivot 05:28 Developing the Sustain Your Success Series 06:01 Making $20,000 on Vacation 06:12 Building a Business Around Your Life 07:36 Sustained Traffic 09:19 Organic Traffic Strategies 09:27 SEO Optimization 10:10 Collaborations and Partnerships 11:51 Press Features and Podcast Interviews 12:40 Content Creators and Influencers 13:07 Paid Advertising Strategies 14:09 Sustained Nurturing 15:21 Email Opt-Ins and Lead Magnets 16:57 Sustained Conversion 19:40 Final Thoughts   RESOURCES MENTIONED → Sustain Your Sales: https://selinaho.com/sales → The Complete Sustain Your Success Ecosystem: https://selinaho.com/sys → Your Success Roadmap (Free Course): https://selinaho.com/roadmap   SUPPORT TO SUCCEED → Confessions of a Conscious CEO newsletter: https://ceo-confessions.beehiiv.com → Start a business with the free Build a Sustaining Business program: https://selinaho.com/basb → Grow your business with the Sustain Your Success course suite — start with the free Your Success Roadmap: https://selinaho.com/roadmap → Secure me as your business advisor to sustainably scale your business: https://selinaho.com/btl   LET’S CONNECT → Newsletter: https://ceo-confessions.beehiiv.com  → Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/selinajho    → LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/selinaho  → TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@selinajho_

In this episode, I’m breaking down one of the most foundational (but often skipped) parts of building a business: your products, services, and offers!   Whether you’re selling physical products, digital services, or anything in between — this is the episode you need to ensure what you're creating actually sells, creates real impact, and sustains you and your business. I get candid about the mistake I made early in my business when I skipped validation, wasted 6 months, and launched something no one wanted (yikes).   I’m sharing exactly what I wish I had done instead and now teach all of my clients to do through a 3-step framework: 1️⃣ VALIDATE the problem you're solving 2️⃣ Ensure it's VIABLE to create and profitable to sell 3️⃣ TEST DEMAND before you commit   TIMESTAMPS 00:11 The Foundation of Your Business  00:58 The Importance of Strategic Product Planning  01:53 Solving Problems for Your Ideal Customer  02:47 Standing Out in a Saturated Market  03:23 Real-World Examples of Successful Products  05:04 Service Providers: Differentiating Your Offerings  07:51 Primary and Secondary Research  08:34 Conducting Effective Surveys  11:31 Diving Deeper into Customer Needs  12:36 Analyzing Competitors  12:49 Matcha Business Example  14:30 The Importance of Validation  15:35 The Pitfalls of Skipping Validation  20:09 Viability Check: Can You Bring It to Life?  23:54 Testing Demand: Pre-Sales and Wait Lists  24:42 Executing Pre-Sales  26:39 Executing Waitlists  27:22 Steps to Create Successful Products  28:37 The Benefits of Doing the Work Upfront    RESOURCES MENTIONED → Sustain Your Products: https://selinaho.com/products → The Complete Sustain Your Success Ecosystem: https://selinaho.com/sys → Launch Your Brand Course: https://selinaho.com/lyb → Built to Last Consulting Services: https://selinaho.com/btl   SUPPORT TO SUCCEED → Confessions of a Conscious CEO newsletter: https://ceo-confessions.beehiiv.com → Start a business with the free Build a Sustaining Business program: https://selinaho.com/basb → Grow your business with the Sustain Your Success course suite — start with the free Your Success Roadmap: https://selinaho.com/roadmap → Secure me as your business advisor to sustainably scale your business: https://selinaho.com/btl   LET’S CONNECT → Newsletter: https://ceo-confessions.beehiiv.com  → Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/selinajho    → LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/selinaho  → TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@selinajho_

In this episode, I’m joined by Valerie, the founder of Val Eves — a sustainable accessories brand redefining what it means to be both stylish and conscious. Valerie is not only one of my amazing clients, but also someone I deeply admire for her resilience, vision, and integrity as a founder.   Together, we pull back the curtain on what it really takes to build a sustainable brand from the ground up. Valerie shares her journey of discovering sustainable fashion, why she chose to start with artisan-made hand fans (trust me, you’ll want one after this), and how she’s making sustainability aspirational — not just granola.   We also get real about the behind-the-scenes moments most people don’t talk about — like walking away from a shady production partner days before signing, navigating non-traditional career paths, and building a conscious business while juggling a full-time job. Valerie opens up about the highs, the lows, and the powerful lessons she’s learned along the way.   If you’re a purpose-driven entrepreneur or simply someone who wants to create beautiful things without compromising your values, this one’s for you.   We discuss: How Valerie launched Val Eves from an idea to an artisan-crafted brand Why fans are more than a stylish accessory — and a symbol for change What really happened on our first sourcing trip to Spain (we spill ALL the tea) Tips for juggling a 9–5 and building a brand The role of intuition in sustainable entrepreneurship   TIMESTAMPS 00:00 Introduction 00:32 Launching Your Own Sustainable Brand 02:33 Valerie's Inspiration Behind Val Eves 03:15 The Gap in the Market 04:05 Why Hand Fans? 05:10 Cultural Significance of Hand Fans 05:58 Redefining Sustainable Fashion 07:32 Craftsmanship Behind Val Eves Fans 07:54 The Artisanal Process in Spain 10:48 Sourcing and Production Challenges 13:37 Starting a Fashion Brand Without a Fashion Background 15:21 Finding the Right Partners 18:44 Spain Sourcing Trip 20:04 Decision to Pause and Reevaluate 20:25 Finding a New Atelier 20:43 Reflecting on the Right Decision 21:12 Production Partner Red Flags 23:41 Choosing to Walk Away 24:18 Overcoming Disappointment 26:42 Balancing a 9-to-5 and a Passion Project 27:30 Importance of Good Habits 28:39 Working Together and Building a Brand 31:36 Valuable Advice and Lessons Learned 33:59 Fashion Accessories and Future Plans 34:46 Hopes for the Fashion Industry   RESOURCES MENTIONED → Launch Your Brand Course: https://selinaho.com/lyb - use code “PODCAST” for $100 off → Sustainable Fashion Consulting: www.recloseted.com/consulting   CONNECT WITH VALERIE → Website: https://valeves.com → Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/valevesfashion   SUPPORT TO SUCCEED → Confessions of a Conscious CEO newsletter: https://ceo-confessions.beehiiv.com → Start a business with the free Build a Sustaining Business program: https://selinaho.com/basb → Grow your business with the Sustain Your Success course suite — start with the free Your Success Roadmap: https://selinaho.com/roadmap → Secure me as your business advisor to sustainably scale your business: https://selinaho.com/btl   LET’S CONNECT → Newsletter: https://ceo-confessions.beehiiv.com  → Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/selinajho    → LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/selinaho  → TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@selinajho_

Starting a business is one of the most rewarding (and hardest) things I’ve ever done. I launched Recloseted over six years ago and scaled it to multiple six figures, worked with incredible clients, and built something I’m deeply proud of. But looking back, there’s so much I wish I had known that could’ve saved me time, money, and stress.   In this episode, I’m sharing the unfiltered truth behind the mistakes I made and the key sustainable strategies I wish I had when I started. Whether you’re launching your first business or looking to grow more intentionally, I hope this gives you a head start and helps you avoid the painful lessons I had to learn the hard way!   I share: Why understanding your market size is non-negotiable How to nail your USP and solve a real, unique problem Why a strong product or service is your best growth tool The power of community-first marketing (and how to actually build one) The importance of strategic partnerships for visibility and growth Why you should invest in your learning early and wisely The need to know your numbers and make data-driven decisions How to build systems that actually serve you (not just look pretty) What I’ve learned about hiring before you’re desperate The game-changing habit of quarterly founder reviews How your mindset can make or break your success as a conscious entrepreneur   TIMESTAMPS 01:03 The Importance of Market Size 03:39 Defining Your Unique Selling Proposition 05:57 Creating a Great Product 07:26 Building a Community 11:50 Gaining Visibility Through Partnerships 13:34 Investing in Learning and Development 16:23 Knowing Your Numbers 17:31 Setting Up Effective Systems 19:19 Hiring Strategically 21:33 Quarterly Board Meetings 23:11 Mindset and Self-Development 24:29 The Reality of Entrepreneurship 25:42 Grow-at-All-Cost Strategies   SUPPORT TO SUCCEED → Confessions of a Conscious CEO newsletter: https://ceo-confessions.beehiiv.com → Start a business with the free Build a Sustaining Business program: https://selinaho.com/basb → Grow your business with the Sustain Your Success course suite — start with the free Your Success Roadmap: https://selinaho.com/roadmap → Secure me as your business advisor to sustainably scale your business: https://selinaho.com/btl   LET’S CONNECT → Newsletter: https://ceo-confessions.beehiiv.com  → Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/selinajho    → LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/selinaho  → TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@selinajho_

In this honest and unfiltered episode, I’m pulling back the curtain on what it really looked like to build my first business, Recloseted. From the outside, it looked like a dream—working with fashion brands I admired, traveling the world, and scaling to multiple six figures. But behind the scenes, I was constantly burning out, feeling depleted, and running on fumes.   I share how I got to that point, the mistakes I made (like blindly following mentors and not defining my version of success), and what finally caused me to pivot. I also talk about how I’ve rebuilt my business in a way that actually supports my health, lifestyle, and happiness—and how you can too.   If you’ve ever felt like you’re doing everything “right” but still feel unfulfilled or on the edge of burnout, I hope this episode gives you permission to pause, reassess, and build a business that truly works for you.   I discuss: How my dream business slowly turned into a nightmare The danger of following "grow at all costs" strategies Why it’s crucial to define your own version of success (instead of copying someone else's) The importance of working with values-aligned mentors What to do when your business constantly feels like an uphill battle Why I stopped reinvesting every dollar and started paying myself How I finally feel healthy, happy, and excited about my business again Proof that you can sustainably grow your business and support yourself   TIMESTAMPS 00:00 The Dream Business Turned Nightmare 00:29 The Birth of Recloseted 00:49 The Hustle and Learning Phase 01:26 Investing in Knowledge and Mentors 01:48 Misaligned Mentorship and Values 02:33 Defining Personal Success 04:26 The Importance of Sustainable Growth 05:22 Chasing Personal Fulfillment 07:05 Recognizing the Breaking Point 08:29 Paying Yourself Properly 09:52 Finding Health and Happiness 11:49 Future Strategies and Tactics   RESOURCES MENTIONED → Your Success Roadmap: https://selinaho.com/roadmap   SUPPORT TO SUCCEED → Confessions of a Conscious CEO newsletter: https://ceo-confessions.beehiiv.com → Start a business with the free Build a Sustaining Business program: https://selinaho.com/basb → Grow your business with the Sustain Your Success course suite — start with the free Your Success Roadmap: https://selinaho.com/roadmap → Secure me as your business advisor to sustainably scale your business: https://selinaho.com/btl   LET’S CONNECT → Newsletter: https://ceo-confessions.beehiiv.com  → Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/selinajho    → LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/selinaho  → TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@selinajho_

Pivoting your business or career can feel like letting go of everything you've built — but sometimes it's the most aligned and powerful decision you can make. In this episode, I’m sharing the raw, real behind-the-scenes of my biggest pivot to date: leaving behind my identity as a sustainable fashion consultant to start a brand new chapter.   Last year, when I turned 30, I hit a full-on existential crisis. I questioned everything — my work, my purpose, and my future. So many of you asked how I knew it was time to pivot, how I found the courage to do it, and how I figured out what to do next. That’s exactly what I’m breaking down for you today. Whether you’re feeling stuck, burnt out, or just curious about what else is possible for your next chapter, this episode is for you. I hope it gives you support, clarity, and some practical tools to move forward!   I discuss: - How to know when it’s time to pivot vs. when you need to stick it out - The mindset shifts that helped me finally quit what wasn’t working - Tactical tips for financially and emotionally planning your pivot - How to communicate your pivot (if you want to) without spiraling - Lessons I’ve learned after changing my business and identity   TIMESTAMPS 00:11 The Challenge of Pivoting 01:29 Recognizing the Need for Change 01:50 Knowing When to Pivot 02:44 The Mindset Shift Around Quitting 05:02 Setting Checkpoints and Metrics 07:45 Dealing with Burnout 09:16 Examples of Successful Pivots 10:34 Making a Plan for Your Pivot 14:52 Communicating Your Pivot 17:50 Financial Planning for Your Pivot 18:34 Testing Before Committing 19:48 Lessons Learned from Pivoting   RESOURCES MENTIONED → Your Success Roadmap: https://selinaho.com/roadmap → Quit by Annie Duke → https://youtu.be/3xCbTC0Jqm0   SUPPORT TO SUCCEED → Confessions of a Conscious CEO newsletter: https://ceo-confessions.beehiiv.com → Start a business with the free Build a Sustaining Business program: https://selinaho.com/basb → Grow your business with the Sustain Your Success course suite — start with the free Your Success Roadmap: https://selinaho.com/roadmap → Secure me as your business advisor to sustainably scale your business: https://selinaho.com/btl   LET’S CONNECT → Newsletter: https://ceo-confessions.beehiiv.com  → Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/selinajho    → LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/selinaho  → TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@selinajho_

Confessions of a Conscious CEO pulls back the curtain on what it really takes to build a purpose-driven business that aligns with your values, sustains your lifestyle, and actually makes money. I'm sharing unfiltered insights, behind-the-scenes lessons, and honest conversations with visionary founders who are redefining success. From profitable product development to intentional scaling and funding — it’s the real talk every conscious entrepreneur needs. Tune in weekly to get inspired, sustainably grow, and achieve your version of success!   SUPPORT TO SUCCEED → Confessions of a Conscious CEO newsletter: https://ceo-confessions.beehiiv.com → Start a business with the free Build a Sustaining Business program: https://selinaho.com/basb → Grow your business with the Sustain Your Success course suite — start with the free Your Success Roadmap: https://selinaho.com/roadmap   LET’S CONNECT → Newsletter: https://ceo-confessions.beehiiv.com → Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/selinajho → LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/selinaho → TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@selinajho_

I share what’s happening with Recloseted in this podcast episode… Thank you for joining this journey with me 💚   FREE RESOURCES For Sustainable Fashion Brands: → How to Fund Your Fashion Line Training: https://www.recloseted.com/budget → How to Launch a Profitable Sustainable Fashion Brand Training: https://www.recloseted.com/masterclass → Your Success Roadmap Program: https://selinaho.com/roadmap   For Fashion Service Providers: → Build a Sustaining Business Program: https://selinaho.com/basb → Your Success Roadmap Program: https://selinaho.com/roadmap   LET’S WORK TOGETHER For Sustainable Fashion Brands: → Launch Your Brand Course: https://www.recloseted.com/lyb - use code “FIGHTTHEGOODFIGHT” for 50% off → 1:1 Consulting: https://recloseted.com/consultation - only three spots available for 2025   For Fashion Service Providers: → Sustain Your Success Private Podcast: https://selinaho.com/sys - use code “TOYOURSUCCESS” for $50 off → Uncork Your Potential 1:1 Consulting: https://selinaho.com/consulting - now booking for 2025 → Transform Your Sales Group program: https://selinaho.com/tys - accepting clients for 2025   LET’S CONNECT → My Personal YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@selinajho → Sustainable Success Series Newsletter: https://sustainable-success.beehiiv.com → Instagram @selinajho https://www.instagram.com/selinajho → TikTok @selinaho_ https://www.tiktok.com/@selinaho_