Just Start: From Ideas to Action

Starting sounds simple… until it's time to actually do it. In Episode 248, Jacqueline gets honest about something that often hides beneath our ambitions, ideas, and good intentions: the courage it takes to begin. We may talk about "just starting" all the time, but the reality? Stepping away from comfort—even comfortable stuckness—requires bravery. And in this episode, Jacqueline breaks down what that courage really looks like, how to build it, and how to use it in a way that feels honest and sustainable. This conversation is another "grandbaby" of the rich dialogue with Dallas Gordon in Episode 245, where the theme of multiple beginnings and evolving identities sparked this deeper dive. Inside this episode, you'll explore: 1. You Can Start Over—More Than Once You're not tied to old stories, old paths, or old roles. Jacqueline shares real examples (including from Dallas' many "lives") showing why new beginnings are not a sign of instability—they're a sign of permission. 2. Starting From Scratch Isn't Failure—It's Strategy Whether you're launching something new, restarting after a pause, or finally stepping into visibility, "scratch" isn't empty. You bring experience, wisdom, and tools that make each beginning stronger. 3. Fear, Uncertainty, and Imposter Syndrome Don't Disqualify You They make you human. You can take action with butterflies in your stomach. You can decide with imperfect information. Courage isn't the absence of fear—it's movement despite of it. This episode closes out a month inspired by Episode 245 with Dallas Gordon—an exploration of beginnings, reinvention, and visibility. If you missed that conversation, catch it at JacquelineMBaker.com/245. Next month kicks off with a powerful new visibility conversation and continues with three in-depth solo episodes to help you get visible in ways that align with who you truly are. Let this episode be your reminder: starting isn't easy—but you're worth the experience.

This month, we're slowing down to stretch our learning. Instead of rushing from one episode to the next, I'll be "milking" the goodness from the rich conversation with Dallas Gordon in Episode 245—and today's topic is a big one: how to be visible and keep your integrity In Episode 247: Visibility With Integrity, I explored what it truly means to show up publicly, professionally, and personally—in a way that aligns with your ethics, your values, and your capacity. You'll dive into: The Pressure to Perform vs. The Freedom to Be Real How the culture of curated perfection is shifting—and why you now have permission to share the imperfect, in-process moments of your journey (in whatever ways feel right to you). Your Unique Visibility Style Introvert, extrovert, ambivert, multipassionate—your personality plays a major role in how you show up. I'll help you uncover your personal visibility rhythm, the platforms that fit you best, and the pacing that won't send you into burnout. Creating Sustainable Visibility Practices From rituals to routines to processes,  I'll break down how to remain consistent without exhausting yourself, and how to show up with ease instead of pressure. This episode is your reminder that visibility doesn't have to be loud, constant, or draining. It just needs to be yours—rooted in integrity and aligned with the person you're becoming. ✨ Listen in and learn how to be seen in a way that feels good, honest, and sustainable. Catch the episode that inspired this series: JacquelineMBaker.com/245 Watch this over at: https://youtu.be/0gMeWOy3xYk

Do you ever feel rushed—rushed to the next task, the next goal, the next version of you—without fully honoring the moment you're actually in? Jacqueline knows that feeling well, and in this episode, she slows things down to help you step powerfully into your next season with intention. Building on the wisdom and rich conversation from Episode 245 with Dallas Gordon, this episode kicks off a February series dedicated to letting our learning live longer. Instead of rushing into new conversations, Jacqueline pulls forward the themes of reinvention, identity, and evolution that surfaced in her interview with Dallas—and breaks them down even further. In Episode 246: The Art of Reinvention, Jacqueline dives into: Letting Go of Old Identities Why it's normal (and necessary) to outgrow previous versions of yourself—and how to recognize when it's time to pivot, shed labels, or reimagine your narrative. Transferring Your Skills Across Seasons You don't have to throw away your old life to step into a new one. Jacqueline shows you how past passions, careers, and "hidden lessons" stack into powerful expertise that can fuel your next chapter. Reinventing Yourself Without Losing Yourself Learn how to stay grounded, aligned with your values, and rooted in authenticity as you evolve. Reinvention shouldn't erase who you are—it should reveal you more clearly. If you've been wondering whether it's time for a shift—or whether you're allowed to evolve again—this episode gives you both permission and practical guidance. ✨ Listen in and explore how to reinvent with intention, clarity, and confidence—without rushing your process. Catch the previous episode with Dallas Gordon at: JacquelineMBaker.com/245

Some conversations move you in ways you never expected. My deep and powerful dialogue with business consultant, author, and speaker Dallas Gordon was one of those unforgettable moments—filled with insight, honesty, and pure magic. At one point, I found myself captivated as she described what felt like the experience of living multiple lives throughout her entrepreneurial journey. From baker (yes… a real baker!) to coach, to the founder of a thriving stationery and subscription box brand, Dallas has worn many hats. Her depth of knowledge, the lessons she's gathered, and her refreshing transparency are both inspiring and educational. Tune in, soak up the gems, and let this conversation encourage you to Just Start and Get Visible—in whatever way feels authentic and right for you.

What if the secret to getting unstuck isn't a better plan—but a messier start? In this episode of Just Start: Get Visible, I will make the case for starting messy on purpose. Drawing from my background as a planner, project manager, and multi-time founder, I'll share why perfection is a fantasy—and how messy starts are often the most sustainable path forward. You'll learn why letting go of perfection creates momentum, how starting messy gives you room to evolve publicly, why normalizing discomfort is part of visibility, and how public commitment can dramatically improve follow-through. If you've been waiting for the "right time," the perfect strategy, or total confidence, this episode is your permission slip to begin anyway. Because you don't need a flawless plan—you just need to start.

In this episode, we break down why waiting to feel "ready" is costing you momentum. Let's explore reframing readiness as a decision, embracing imperfect action, and showing up consistently can unlock confidence, visibility and compounded impact. If you've been stuck in planning, overthinking, or perfectionism, this episode is your nudge to start now—right where you are.

Some conversations are just meant to be and this was one of them. Derrick Simpson of DAS Remodeling & Design shared the story of how his company came to be and where his inspiration for making dreams comes true was born. It was an inspiring, thoughtful an overall conversation that chronicles his journey from big box stores to a stop at the justice department to ultimately changing lives and relationships through home renovation and design. Listen, share and get started!    

Things happen and sometimes we get disconnected from the people that we most need to be connected with. Use this episode as an opportunity to respark old connections and start the things that you want to do!

Yes - the big things are important, but getting a handle on mastering the small things is what will keep you going. Today, let's explore your opportunity to Master The Small Things!

Whey I say, "get visible", a wave of doubt might cloud over you, because you may not know how to really get started! Well, this episode is filled with 5 ways to get visible right now!

Has anyone else felt a little foggy lately? ...like its hard to start, keep going or even think straight because of what feels like brain fog? Let's do something about that. I'll share my experience with that feeling today and give you some pointers to take fast action against it. Let's get started!

Look, the year is pretty much 50% over.  This is the pep talk that you need to get it together and KEEP GOING! #juststart

Go Go Go... break! Do things feel like that for you? I was really excited to engage in a conversation with Jeff Wilson about his process of managing chaos, but then unwinding and resetting. His refreshing approach and commitment to unplugging and a regimen are worth hearing about, adopting and using to help you start and elevate. This episode was originally released on July 7, 2022.  Ready? #juststart #podcast #cpa #accounting #getvisible

We have a special guest this week and it's none other than Kevin Eikenberry. Kevin and I had a great conversation exploring his colorful and accomplished career in the leadership world.   It's always a pleasure to talk to guests who have career longevity and deep insights into trends, habits and what really works. In his newly released book, Flexible Leadership, we explore how you can start to operate and move differently with the skill of being flexible top of mind.   Let's get started!

I've never said that starting was easy, but it is well worth it! There's another thing that often comes along with starting - rejection! Starting is absolutely possible and something that I encourage, but let me be honest and tell you that you will get a resounding "no" sometimes.  That doesn't mean that you don't get started or move forward! Today's conversation is with Myka Meier of Beaumont Etiquette. She joins us to explore how she creatively tackles and introduces solutions for her individual and corporate clients in the etiquette and protocol space. 

Now more than ever, finding spaces to refresh, recharge and reset are essential. You deserve to have the space and time to start the things that you want to do. But, you might need to take the necessary steps to Plan Your Own Personal Retreat. Take these quick steps in this episode to help you get started! Ready? Let's get started!

A new year means new plans! Perhaps your plans this year are to attend more conferences and trainings, and leverage professional development opportunities. Well, I'm afraid to share that many of those opportunities are on the pricey side. Also, considering that company and personal budgets are always getting adjusted, modified and even eliminated, we have to think creatively about how we are continuing to grow!  That's not to say that you should not attend trainings and conferences, but first, ask yourself, "am I leveraging the skills that I already have"?  I want you to Maximize Your Current Skills To Get To Your Next level and you can do that by clicking below and listening to a conversation with Denise Hamilton. Let's get started and Get Visible! Listen here: jacquelinembaker.com/017 Also, here's a little something to help you use the skills you already have to get ahead: https://jacquelinembaker.com/sampleyourself

This sampled episode meets present day! While I recently attended CES 2025 and ended up wearing loads of makeup because of my presence on the stage, it reminded me of how powerful the makeup industry is ... clocking in at about 617 billion dollars recently. Listen to this episode with Alexandra Butler as she shares her experiences and even dives into the world of reinvention with a new look! Even if you haven't actually put on makeup in a while, (or you never do) knowing how to do it right is really helpful. And, what better time to learn something new than when you have a bit more time to actually learn it. Also, having some key go-to makeup techniques under your belt  can help you completely reinvent yourself. If you know that in your very near future, you'd like to start something new, embrace a new career or just switch it up, a few new makeup tricks can help you get there and show up confidently. What an awesome opportunity to have a transparent, open and fun discussion with Alexandra Butler about how she started, some career mistakes that she made and her expert tips on Using Makeup To Reinvent Yourself. After several jobs, several career restarts (firings), she landed in her most ideal place, a professional makeup artist at Alexandra Butler Makeup Artistry. Let's get started and Get Visible!

Oh the irony of 12/31 falling on the day that we release podcasts! It's the perfect day to share my top 10 lessons from producing this podcast and supporting people starting the things that they want to do this year!  So, here it is....

While we often wait for the right sign or the glimmer of a miracle to get started, its actually a gift that we can give to ourselves. Let's explore how to give yourself the gift of starting. 

Just like you likely want to support you, there are ways for you to be supportive as well! I adopted a practice of asking people one simple question that has stuck with me for decades. Let me share a bit more... Let's get started!

Do the people around you actually know how best to support you? When is the last time that you truly introduced yourself? Is it time for your to Brief Your Circle? Let's get started!

My goodness! Our last video episode of the year is so worth the wait! What a wonderful conversation with Matt Onojafe of Jafe Cycling about how he builds community through cycling, what opening up a storefront is really like and what's next. You don't want to miss this dynamic conversation. It will inspire you. It will challenge you. It will leave you inspired to JUST START! Let's get started!

Have you ever been traveling somewhere and you arrived to your location unaware of the route that you actually took to get there? Yeah, me too - it happens! We often go on autopilot and forget about our surroundings. This often happens in our workspaces - where we're unknowingly in an uninspiring space that keep us from being motivated and excited about starting anything new or even being good at what we're currently working on. Well, let's let go of that today! Today, you'll get all me, in a quick opportunity to learn how I utilize 5 small things in my workspace to keep me inspired, motivated and moving forward. Ready to get started? Let's roll! Listen. Share. Just Start.

Although we tend to be tough on ourselves when it's time to acknowledge our growth, there is another way.  

You deserve to have the space and time to start the things that you want to do. But, you might need to take the necessary steps to Plan Your Own Personal Retreat. Take these quick steps to help you get started! Ready? Let's get started! #juststart

Even if you are an introvert, there is a meaningful way for you to get visible in a way that feels right for you. Let's explore what that might look like for you!

What a thrilling and down right honest conversation with Shauné Hayes. From professional and celebrity makeup artist to wellness coach and pioneer, I can not stress to you how great this episode is. If you are questioning if you can transition from one thing to the next or how you can start something when you are in a completely different space, search no more - this is the conversation for you! Ready, let's get you started and visible!

This month, I decided to gift Gold Medallion Status to someone in our Scarlet Community. Did you enter into the drawing? Today is the day that we actually announce the winner, so its a special one. In addition to giving you some pointers on how to try new things, I'll also share an exciting announcement for 2025! Ready? Let's do it - let's get started (and get visible)!

I really love today's episode. I mean, in our history of over 200 episodes this is the first time that I have interviewed a DJ... and it's not just any DJ, it's our dear friend, DJ Kutz, aka Mike West. From sharing his historical love for music, how he "live" practices and how he navigates staying musically creative, this was quite a special conversation. Also, this episode is so special that you can also see it over on youtube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g5ARzBSvhTk&t Ready? Let's get started!

Just a few weeks ago, I went to dinner with a good friend of mine, Jacqueline M. Welch, who also wrote the foreword for my latest book, The Unexpected Leader. I can guarantee you that every time I meet with her, I walk away feeling positive, filled up and refreshed. Do you have a friend in your life like that - one that always leaves you and you feel better than when you first came into their presence. Let's explore how you can refresh by getting the right people around you. 

Partnering - we hear that word a lot. But, partnering takes on a completely different type of meaning and tune when you actually have an opportunity to meaningfully partner with your bestfriend. This episode welcomes The Allen Lewis Agency founders, Jocelyn Cooley and Chandra Lewis, who bravely left their comfortable corporate careers to start a full service transformational agency. They share their journey and path in starting this firm along with the many mistakes that were made and the intended legacy that it will leave. Listen. Share. Just Start!

Passive income sounds good, doesn't it? You know that whole thought of doing a little work at some point, then perpetually reaping the financial benefits in the future? Well, I have a bit of news here. Passive income isn't really that passive. That's not to say that your hard work won't pay off in the long run, but it still requires you to put in a bit of work. (or a lot of work) Today's episode is a special one. I get the opportunity to talk to a dear friend, Mack Hendricks, about his many entrepreneurial ventures over the years. We explore some of his biggest lessons learned and how he holds himself and his teams accountable to get things done!

As we wrap up this month focused on Health & Wellness, this is the absolute perfect conversation. Karissa Wallace is a wellbeing coach, teacher and speaker. She's also a corporate lawyer who has experienced burnout. She became a wellbeing coach to help professionals avoid the common burnout traps. In her highly-rated workshops, she draws from the latest science and her own experience to highlight the importance of career wellbeing. Through stress management mastery, she guides her clients to sustainable success, creating both personal and career fulfillment. Fueled by renewed energy, her clients are empowered to excel in high-stakes environments without sacrificing their values or wellbeing.  Join this exciting conversation, focused on Doing More By Doing Less with Karissa Wallace! Watch this conversation over at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WJk196PDpto

So, you make a decision to Get Visible and then... you feel like you failed, you fumble or you just slip up... now what? Well, you can recover!  Let's dive into this episode focused on Recovering From A Visibility Fumble!

As much as many of us would like to completely unplug, hide under a "rock" or just disappear for a short while, the lives we've built and the careers that we are commited to don't always allow this. So, how can you embrace the importance of being visible and maybe even in the spotlight while also taking care of yourself. Let's dive into today's episode, which will teach you how to do just that. Let's Just Start and Get Visible!

You read that right! It's a (re) introduction. We recently changed our name to Just Start: Get Visible. We are on a mission to help you start the things you want to do by getting visible in a way that feels good for you. Ready? Let's get started!

So, you're doing it? You've started or you've given yourself permission to start something and you're thinking about sharing it. But, is it time for that? When should I consider starting to share more about my "thing"?

It's so nice to take a break sometimes, but if I'm being honest, ramping up to get back in the swing of things can be hard! Well today, let's talk all about it. I'm going to deliver my playbook of how to get back into the swing of things after you've taken a break. Ready? Well, let's get started #juststart #vacation #break #podcast

I'm going to continue to do something that is not surprising at all. I'm going to encourage you to JUST START! But, while you're busy starting, are you taking moments to refresh? Today's episode is a magical one! I get the opportunity to have a very inspiring and honest conversation with Loretta A. Forbes about her journey in giving herself permission to start, some of the most memorable mistakes that she made and what's next for her and her company - Life Beyond The Norm. Ready? Let's Get Started! #juststart #podcast

Bad days are just... BAD. And, unfortunately, we have to expect that one day a bad day, accompanied by a bad mood will come knocking on our door. There is something we can do about it though. We can make a plan fo resetting our mood when a not so great day, situation, encounter or decision comes our way. I'll personally share my go-to plan when a bad mood or day has become a reality. My hope is that you can use some (or all) of these items to resetting your mood when you need to. Ready? Let's get started! #podcast #juststart

Starting anything can be a challenge, but it becomes a lot easier when you have a community of people to support you, hold you accountable and cheerlead for you. What a great conversation with Tanya Alvarez.  We talked about all the things, but especially how she started her first agency at 25, grew it past 1MM in revenue and leveraged all of that experience to lead at her current company, OwnersUp. I want you to prepare to be inspired, encouraged and armed with new information to become more visible and start the things that you want to do!

Isn't it the worst... when it's time for you to speak up and say something and then the dreaded nervousness creeps in? Whew! Well, let's do something about it. Let's explore how to get past nervousness when speaking!

The word "visible" can feel sorta heavy, right? Many of us feel like we should be able to do the work that we signed up for and that should be enough. But, what if its not? What if being more visible in a way that feels good to us is actually what's missing to get us from where we are to where we want to be. Let's explore the world of visibility. 

While many of us made major style adjustments during the pandemic years, we're all emerging from that place of isolation and we're fully back outside. Well, Robin Fisher never left. For decades, she has been committed to spaces that help women become more confident, prepared and intentional. Listen (and watch) this special edition episode featuring image strategist and stylist, Robin Fisher. 

We're hitting rewind and revisiting one our older episodes. We're sampling today! Why oh why can't you focus and get things done? Well, maybe you can .. with a few anti-procrastination tips, of course. Let's get you started!