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Have you ever finished a full workday feeling exhausted but unsure what you actually accomplished?

In this episode of Strut It, I sit down with Kelly Leardon, certified Director of Operations and founder of Walk Like Warriors. We talk about why traditional time management systems fail entrepreneurs and what actually works instead.

Kelly breaks down her signature approach to theming your week, building rhythms that support focus, and reducing the mental load that keeps business owners stuck in constant busy mode. We also dive into how she generated over $30,000 from a single launch using Instagram Stories with fewer than 1,000 followers.

What You’ll Learn

[00:00] Why feeling busy does not mean you are productive
[00:27] Kelly’s approach to theming your week
[02:01] Why entrepreneurs struggle with traditional time management systems
[06:21] Why decision fatigue drains your energy and momentum
[07:15] The real cost of task switching and constant notifications
[13:24] Why theme days work better than task batching
[15:16] Kelly’s play, rest, and work philosophy
[25:54] How Kelly sold over $30,000 with a small Instagram following
[27:17] Why Instagram Stories build trust faster than posts
[29:40] A simple Monday through Friday Instagram Stories selling framework
[33:25] Why you do not need a large following to make sales
[36:05] The importance of clear calls to action
[38:51] Kelly’s final advice on designing a business you actually want

This Week’s Challenge

Choose one theme day for the upcoming week. Commit to it fully. Notice how your focus, energy, and clarity shift when you stop task switching and work in rhythm. Then share one takeaway from this episode in your Instagram Stories and tag Elizabeth and Kelly.

Guest Bio:

If you’ve got a brilliant brain but 47 tabs open - Kelly’s your girl. She's a business coach and strategist who teaches overwhelmed entrepreneurs how to manage their time and turn their chaos into calm with simple, no-fluff systems that stick. Kelly's superpower? Turning “hot-mess energy” into laser-focused action with simple, proven strategies for the ambitious-but-exhausted business owner.

Links and Resources

• Learn about the Success Squad with Kelly HERE
• Join the VIP Success Squad Waitlist HERE
• If you want {FREE!} daily business coaching Monday-Friday in Instagram Stories, click here

CONNECT WITH YOUR HOST, ELIZABETH MARBERRY:

WORK WITH ELIZABETH

• Apply for your FREE Instagram Breakthrough Session with Elizabeth
• Free guide to Monetize Your IG: Seven Simple and Proven Ways to Finally Make Money on Instagram

Follow Elizabeth Marberry on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook

Please be sure to rate, review and follow the show on Apple podcasts (or wherever you find your podcasts) so we can get this free value to other people who need it.

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If your Instagram growth feels stuck or you are posting without a clear direction, this episode gives you clarity fast. I break down the five Instagram growth hacks that are helping small business owners grow their accounts, tighten their messaging, and get more eyes on their work. Each strategy is simple. Each strategy is doable. Each strategy is relevant to your 2026 plan.

I also share how these principles work inside Hot Reels, my high-touch content lab for business owners who want clarity, confidence, and a repeatable system that drives real results.

What You’ll Learn

[00:00] Why your Instagram growth feels stalled
[00:26] Five simple growth strategies that work in 2026
[07:16] Growth hack #1: Target market research
[12:52] Growth hack #2: Narrow your focus
[16:43] Growth hack #3: Trial Reels
[21:19] Growth hack #4: Remixes
[23:38] Growth hack #5: Talking head videos and stories
[25:22] How Hot Reels supports you year-round

Key Takeaways

• Your audience responds when you use their exact words.
• Clear focus helps the right followers see themselves in your message.
• Trial Reels remove guesswork and speed up your growth.
• Remixes help your reach when you add your own perspective.
• Talking head videos deepen trust and connection fast.

Links and Resources

• Join the Hot Reels waitlist or DM me hot on Instagram
• Read Dani’s Story: How She Made $100K from Instagram in Under 12 Months (A Hot Reels Success Story)

CONNECT WITH YOUR HOST, ELIZABETH MARBERRY:

WORK WITH ELIZABETH

• Apply for your FREE Instagram Breakthrough Session with Elizabeth
• Free guide to Monetize Your IG: Seven Simple and Proven Ways to Finally Make Money on Instagram

Follow Elizabeth Marberry on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook

Please be sure to rate, review and follow the show on Apple podcasts (or wherever you find your podcasts) so we can get this free value to other people who need it.

Send us a text

Most people lose their ideal audience in the first two seconds of a video. That tiny moment determines whether someone keeps scrolling or thinks this message is for me. If your content feels ignored or flat, the issue usually starts with your hook.

If you want stronger engagement, better watch time, and more qualified leads from your content, this episode gives you the exact tools to make that shift.

What You’ll Learn

[00:00] Why the first two seconds decide whether your content works
[00:29] The reason hooks fall flat and how to fix them
[01:32] Why hook creation is a learnable skill
[02:28] How clarity and brevity help your message land
[03:49] The three hook strategies I teach inside Hot Reels
[07:05] Real client wins that show what is possible
[08:59] Why attention leads to conversions
[09:29] How to write hooks that speak to your ideal clients
[12:15] How to remove filler words and sharpen your messaging
[13:41] Examples of hooks that activate the right audience
[14:39] How to use your audience’s language when you write hooks
[17:30] How to use client conversations to find better hook ideas
[18:55] A simple hook structure anyone can follow
[19:51] How pacing and editing keep viewers engaged
[21:46] How movement, cuts, and angles strengthen your videos
[22:17] Why implementation drives results more than information

Key Takeaways

• You have two seconds to earn someone’s attention on Instagram.
• Clear and brief hooks outperform long and complicated statements.
• Your content resonates when you use the words your audience uses.
• Strong pacing and simple edits help people stay with your message.
• Small upgrades each week create major results over time.
• Support and mentorship remove guesswork and speed up growth.

This Week’s Challenge

Choose one hook strategy from this episode. Use it in your next reel, story, or carousel. Keep it short. Make it clear. Use your audience’s exact words. Then post it without overthinking.

Links and Resources

• Join the Hot Reels waitlist or DM me hot on Instagram
• Read Dani’s Story: How She Made $100K from Instagram in Under 12 Months (A Hot Reels Success Story)

CONNECT WITH YOUR HOST, ELIZABETH MARBERRY:

WORK WITH ELIZABETH

• Apply for your FREE Instagram Breakthrough Session with Elizabeth
• Free guide to Monetize Your IG: Seven Simple and Proven Ways to Finally Make Money on Instagram

Follow Elizabeth Marberry on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook

Please be sure to rate, review and follow the show on Apple podcasts (or wherever you find your podcasts) so we can get this free value to other people who need it.