Grow Without Ads: The $0 Marketing Strategy That Works

In this episode, I take you inside a real GTM strategy session I ran for my client Dan, the Founder of Kalda. We unpacked his monetization options, refined his sales funnel, and aligned his brand so everything works together to drive sustainable growth. You’ll hear how we balanced big-picture strategy with tactical execution, and how I built him a roadmap to follow for the next year.I share:How to identify and validate different monetization modelsA simple but powerful sales funnel framework you can useWhy branding and positioning are just as important as revenue strategiesRESOURCES MENTIONED → GTM Essentials Course: https://selinaho.com/gtm-essentials→ Secure Your Winning GTM Strategy: https://selinaho.com/consulting START YOUR BUSINESS→ Start a business with the free Build a Sustaining Business program: https://selinaho.com/basb→ Define your version of success and build a blueprint to achieve it inside the free Your Success Roadmap: https://selinaho.com/roadmapSCALE YOUR BUSINESS→ Free GTM Essentials Course: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoxqvwU4q36bTLn_CVAaeyHPd2bjxIEz_ → Secure Your Winning GTM Strategy: https://selinaho.com/consulting LET’S CONNECT→ Newsletter: https://ceo-confessions.beehiiv.com → LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/selinaho → Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/selinajho→ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@selinajho_ TIMESTAMPS00:26 Sales and Marketing Strategy00:42 Understanding the Customer and End User01:07 Monetization Strategies01:45 Privacy and Safety Concerns02:11 Balancing Accessibility and Sustainability02:26 Charging the End User02:41 Exploring Gifting and Sponsorship03:02 Community Support 05:26 The Importance of Community05:41 Building a Strong Community06:05 Offline Touchpoints and Meetups07:40 Sales Funnel Overview09:39 Traffic and Lead Gen10:12 Optimizing SEO and Website Visits11:07 Social Media and Referrals11:41 Trusted Authority Referrals13:29 Nurturing and Building Trust14:13 Digital and In-Person Engagement15:02 Conversion Strategies18:09 Brand Building

This podcast 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. Join business advisor Selina Ho for 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!

Ever wonder what it really takes to become an “overnight success”? In this candid conversation with Stephanie Melodia, we unpack the truth behind the myth — from the years of work no one sees, to the role of money, luck, and confidence in building a thriving business. Steph shares her personal journey, powerful money mindset shifts, and the resilience it takes to keep showing up, even when the results aren’t instant.We share:Why “overnight success” is a misleading myth (and what’s actually behind it)The role money plays in creating freedom and opportunitiesHow luck really works — and how to stack the odds in your favourBuilding lasting confidence through action and evidenceThe hidden long game behind public speaking and big opportunitiesPractical tips for women to shift from scarcity to abundance with moneyRESOURCES MENTIONED → GTM Essentials Course: https://selinaho.com/gtm-essentials→ Rich Dad, Poor Dad by Robert Kiyosaki→ The Psychology of Money by Morgan Housel→ The Curve https://thecurveplatform.com/ → Female Invest https://www.femaleinvest.com/ → Vestpod https://www.vestpod.com/ LET’S CONNECT→ Newsletter: https://ceo-confessions.beehiiv.com  → LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/selinaho  → Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/selinajho   → TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@selinajho_ CONNECT WITH STEPH→ Podcast: Strategy & Tragedy https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ltJMUZ7C5_A&list=PLlV8JoK2z-iiFOW5Gw-FISA6rvBdR853z → Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stephmelodia → LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephmelodia-keynotespeaker START YOUR BUSINESS→ Start a business with the free Build a Sustaining Business program: https://selinaho.com/basb→ Define your version of success and build a blueprint to achieve it inside the free Your Success Roadmap: https://selinaho.com/roadmapSCALE YOUR BUSINESS→ Free GTM Essentials Course: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoxqvwU4q36bTLn_CVAaeyHPd2bjxIEz_ → Secure Your Winning GTM Strategy: https://selinaho.com/consultingTIMESTAMPS00:00 Podcast Intro02:11 Free Course GTM Essentials03:34 Welcome Stephanie04:16 Defining Success05:52 Early Money Memories08:58 First Job Struggles 13:28 Money Mindset28:47 The Power of Compound Interest30:48 Creativity Meets Market Need32:23 Building Her First Business33:10 The Unexpected Career Shift33:56 The Role of Luck in Success34:34 Effort vs. Talent35:03 Hacking Luck and Taking Risks37:14 The Reality Behind Success Stories37:41 The Behind-The-Scenes of Public Speaking39:22 First Public Speaking Experience41:17 The Business of Public Speaking42:28 Taking Risks for Opportunities46:22 The Long Road to a Keynote48:59 Managing Expectations49:39 Building Resilience52:19 The Importance of Consistency01:03:26 LinkedIn Strategies01:07:57 Final Thoughts and Advice

In this impactful interview, I sit down with Dr. Stasa Stankovic, the co-founder & CEO of OvartiX. She's a powerhouse that's leveraging her PhD from Cambridge to pioneer therapeutic solutions to transform women’s reproductive healthWe dive into the real statistics and science behind fertility, IVF, and early menopause — including why ovaries are the fastest-aging organ, how 90% of your eggs may be gone by age 30, and why IVF has only a 25% success rate per cycle.We also discuss the challenges of fundraising as a female founder in women’s health, and how Stasa is building a supportive ecosystem for women through her community, Wealth. Whether you're navigating your own fertility journey or want to better understand the science behind reproductive health, this is a must-listen.We cover:Why ovaries age faster than any other organWhat egg quantity & quality really meansThe limitations of IVF and egg freezingHow stress, sleep, and lifestyle affect your fertilityHormone testing (FSH, LH, AMH) and what to ask forWhat most investors get wrong about women’s healthHow to build community and raise capital as a female founderRESOURCES MENTIONED → GTM Essentials Course: https://selinaho.com/gtm-essentials START YOUR BUSINESS→ Start a business with the free Build a Sustaining Business program: https://selinaho.com/basb→ Define your version of success and build a blueprint to achieve it inside the free Your Success Roadmap: https://selinaho.com/roadmapSCALE YOUR BUSINESS→ Free GTM Essentials Course: https://selinaho.com/gtm-essentials → Secure Your Winning GTM Strategy: https://selinaho.com/consultingLET’S CONNECT→ Newsletter: https://ceo-confessions.beehiiv.com  → LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/selinaho  → Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/selinajho   → TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@selinajho_ CONNECT WITH STASA→ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stasa-stankovic-93723a137→ WEALTH: https://www.linkedin.com/company/wealth-women-in-healthTIMESTAMPS00:00 Intro to Women's Health Issues02:02 Stasa's Journey into Healthcare03:34 From Serbia to Cambridge06:01 Understanding Genomic Medicine07:06 The Impact of Genetic Mutations08:41 Reproductive Aging and Women's Health09:42 The Reality of Menopause and Infertility12:56 Preventative Measures for Women's Health14:33 The Role of Hormone Testing18:12 Myths and Realities of IVF & Egg Freezing20:37 The Reality of IVF20:52 The Emotional and Physical Toll of Fertility Treatments21:08 Improving Fertility Solutions21:35 The Importance of Awareness in Fertility21:43 Empowering Women Through Information22:59 The Role of Male Partners in the Fertility Journey24:44 The Power of Advocacy and Support25:19 Perimenopause and Menopause27:46 The Impact of Lifestyle on Menopause Timing28:47 Transgenerational Effects of Diet and Lifestyle30:16 Balancing Stress and Wellness31:14 The Challenges of Fundraising for Women's Health34:03 Building Wealth: Empowering Female Leaders36:52 A Promising Future for Women's Health

Let’s talk about how to sustainably execute everything you’ve planned. Because your strategy is only as strong as your ability to carry it out… without burning out in the process.This GTM Essentials lesson serves as a reminder that you are your business’s greatest asset, and protecting your energy is crucial for long-term growth.I cover:Why “doing more” doesn’t equal progressHow to shift from reactive to intentional executionWhat it looks like to lead your business like a high-performance athleteHow to implement CEO strategy days, build a self-care menu, and prevent burnoutThe 3Ds framework: Delete, Delay, or DelegateADDITIONAL RESOURCES → Download the GTM Essentials Notion Workbook: https://selinaho.com/gtm-essentials→ The Complete GTM Essentials Course: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D-01GTm7NWQ&list=PLoxqvwU4q36bTLn_CVAaeyHPd2bjxIEz_LET’S CONNECT→ Newsletter: https://ceo-confessions.beehiiv.com  → LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/selinaho  → Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/selinajho   → TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@selinajho_ P.S. Learning a lot from this free GTM Essentials course? It would mean the world to me if you shared it with a fellow entrepreneur 🤍

A successful launch isn’t just a single moment — it’s a carefully planned strategy.In this GTM Essentials lesson, I’m walking you through how to launch a new product, feature, or category with intention, from pre-launch hype to post-launch analysis. You’ll learn how to set clear goals, track the right metrics, and avoid the “one-and-done” launch mistake most founders make.We’ll cover:The difference between a launch and a full go-to-market strategyHow to plan your pre-launch, launch week, and post-launch phasesThe key KPIs to track for successWhy you need a centralized launch plan (and what to include in it)How to avoid burnout and ensure you have the right resources to executeADDITIONAL RESOURCES → Download the GTM Essentials Notion Workbook: https://selinaho.com/gtm-essentials→ The Complete GTM Essentials Course: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D-01GTm7NWQ&list=PLoxqvwU4q36bTLn_CVAaeyHPd2bjxIEz_LET’S CONNECT→ Newsletter: https://ceo-confessions.beehiiv.com → LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/selinaho → Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/selinajho → TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@selinajho_ P.S. Learning a lot from this free GTM Essentials course? It would mean the world to me if you shared it with a fellow entrepreneur 🤍

Your business doesn’t need more followers — it needs a community.In this GTM Essentials lesson, you’ll learn how to turn passive followers into an engaged, loyal community that buys from you, tells their friends, and sticks around for the long haul.I cover:The difference between an audience and a true communityWhy engagement matters more than follower countHow to build a loyal community without spending a dime on adsReal examples of unscalable but powerful community-building tacticsA challenge to help you build deeper relationships with your audience this weekADDITIONAL RESOURCES → Download the GTM Essentials Notion Workbook: https://selinaho.com/gtm-essentials→ The Complete GTM Essentials Course: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D-01GTm7NWQ&list=PLoxqvwU4q36bTLn_CVAaeyHPd2bjxIEz_LET’S CONNECT→ Newsletter: https://ceo-confessions.beehiiv.com  → LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/selinaho  → Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/selinajho   → TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@selinajho_ P.S. Learning a lot from this free GTM Essentials course? It would mean the world to me if you shared it with a fellow entrepreneur 🤍

Relying on paid ads to grow? You might be skipping your most powerful growth lever: organic marketing. In this GTM Essentials lesson, I’ll show you how to build a sustainable, $0 marketing strategy that consistently drives traffic, nurtures leads, and converts them into loyal customers.I cover:Why organic marketing is the foundation for long-term growthHow to pick the right platforms for your audience (without burning out)Building a simple content strategy using content pillarsA 3-step content repurposing framework (1 idea → 5 pieces of content)How to grow and monetize your email listADDITIONAL RESOURCES → Download the GTM Essentials Notion Workbook: https://selinaho.com/gtm-essentials→ The Complete GTM Essentials Course: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D-01GTm7NWQ&list=PLoxqvwU4q36bTLn_CVAaeyHPd2bjxIEz_LET’S CONNECT→ Newsletter: https://ceo-confessions.beehiiv.com  → LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/selinaho  → Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/selinajho   → TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@selinajho_ P.S. Learning a lot from this free GTM Essentials course? It would mean the world to me if you shared it with a fellow entrepreneur 🤍

If you nail your branding, you can literally charge double — and your customers will happily pay for it. In this GTM Essentials lesson, I’ll show you how to build a brand that stands out, creates trust, and allows you to command premium pricing.I discuss:What branding really is (hint: it’s not just logos and colors!)How to create strong brand associations that stickWhy clarity beats cleverness when crafting your messageA simple exercise to define your brand’s personality, values, and toneHow top brands like Nike and IKEA build long-lasting recognitionADDITIONAL RESOURCES → Download the GTM Essentials Notion Workbook: https://selinaho.com/gtm-essentials→ The Complete GTM Essentials Course: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D-01GTm7NWQ&list=PLoxqvwU4q36bTLn_CVAaeyHPd2bjxIEz_LET’S CONNECT→ Newsletter: https://ceo-confessions.beehiiv.com  → LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/selinaho  → Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/selinajho   → TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@selinajho_ P.S. Learning a lot from this free GTM Essentials course? It would mean the world to me if you shared it with a fellow entrepreneur 🤍

Without sales, you don’t have a business — you have an expensive hobby.In this GTM Essentials lesson, I’ll show you how to build a sustainable sales funnel that drives consistent revenue without the constant stress of wondering where your next sale is coming from.I cover:The 3 key stages of every sales funnel: Traffic → Nurture → ConversionHow to identify and fix bottlenecks that block your sales flowOrganic and paid traffic strategies that actually workProven tactics to build trust, nurture leads, and convert dream clientsHow to track and optimize your funnel for long-term successADDITIONAL RESOURCES → Download the GTM Essentials Notion Workbook: https://selinaho.com/gtm-essentials→ The Complete GTM Essentials Course: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D-01GTm7NWQ&list=PLoxqvwU4q36bTLn_CVAaeyHPd2bjxIEz_LET’S CONNECT→ Newsletter: https://ceo-confessions.beehiiv.com  → LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/selinaho  → Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/selinajho   → TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@selinajho_ P.S. Learning a lot from this free GTM Essentials course? It would mean the world to me if you shared it with a fellow entrepreneur 🤍