1 00:00:00,000 --> 00:00:05,440 Hello, my name is Leslie and I am the host of the Why Not Say podcast. 2 00:00:05,440 --> 00:00:10,720 This is a podcast to celebrate people who have been courageous and said, Why Not Today? 3 00:00:10,720 --> 00:00:15,320 I started this podcast in honor of my father, Patrick Kane, who often did say, Why Not Today? 4 00:00:15,320 --> 00:00:19,600 I'm based in Reston, Virginia, a planned community right outside of Washington, D.C., and thanks 5 00:00:19,600 --> 00:00:21,200 for joining us today. 6 00:00:21,200 --> 00:00:25,320 And I'm excited to have my guest, Katie Cleese, be on today. 7 00:00:25,320 --> 00:00:27,600 And I would like to share how I met somebody who are connected. 8 00:00:27,600 --> 00:00:34,560 And Katie was instrumental in getting me off a couch and getting me out of fear. 9 00:00:34,560 --> 00:00:39,040 And I share that often when I remember exactly where I met somebody, I'm like, They're going 10 00:00:39,040 --> 00:00:40,040 to be in my life forever. 11 00:00:40,040 --> 00:00:41,520 And you were one of those people, Katie. 12 00:00:41,520 --> 00:00:47,160 I was sitting on the couch in the beginning of March, mid-March 2020, everybody knows 13 00:00:47,160 --> 00:00:48,160 where we were. 14 00:00:48,160 --> 00:00:51,960 And I was a little terrified that I was like, How am I going to run a business? 15 00:00:51,960 --> 00:00:54,800 And just like we always do, we're a little fearful. 16 00:00:54,800 --> 00:00:56,160 We try to distract ourselves. 17 00:00:56,160 --> 00:01:03,880 I was on social media and a comment somebody had on some site said, I'm looking for someone 18 00:01:03,880 --> 00:01:04,880 to help me with makeup. 19 00:01:04,880 --> 00:01:09,600 And so I reached out to Katie and her mom was in town and wanted to play with some makeup. 20 00:01:09,600 --> 00:01:12,720 Well, it was right about when the world shut down. 21 00:01:12,720 --> 00:01:14,440 And so we decided we'd better do something virtual. 22 00:01:14,440 --> 00:01:15,960 And that's how we started. 23 00:01:15,960 --> 00:01:21,120 And since then, in the last three years, Katie and I have become great friends and gone through 24 00:01:21,120 --> 00:01:26,880 life together, some twists and turns in your life, Katie, and just feel like God definitely 25 00:01:26,880 --> 00:01:29,640 puts you in my path and a reason for you in my life. 26 00:01:29,640 --> 00:01:35,440 And so I'm excited to have you share today, courageous things you've done in your life. 27 00:01:35,440 --> 00:01:39,040 And I didn't even realize what was going on in your life when I first met you. 28 00:01:39,040 --> 00:01:44,080 But why don't you just quick introduce a little bit about Katie and a fun fact about yourself 29 00:01:44,080 --> 00:01:46,000 and then we'll get into the courage component. 30 00:01:46,000 --> 00:01:47,000 Awesome. 31 00:01:47,000 --> 00:01:48,000 Well, yes. 32 00:01:48,000 --> 00:01:52,680 Thank you so much, Leslie, for having me on the show today and I'm excited to be here. 33 00:01:52,680 --> 00:01:59,480 My name is Katie Klespie and I am the owner and CEO and founder of Rexpert, a two-sided 34 00:01:59,480 --> 00:02:04,600 marketplace to find and connect with recreation experts near you. 35 00:02:04,600 --> 00:02:11,760 And I met Leslie, yeah, during the pandemic when I was getting my first surgery. 36 00:02:11,760 --> 00:02:13,680 I was diagnosed with breast cancer. 37 00:02:13,680 --> 00:02:17,000 My mom was in town visiting. 38 00:02:17,000 --> 00:02:21,240 And yeah, we were looking, I was looking to, you know, knock something off my list, which 39 00:02:21,240 --> 00:02:26,760 was get my professional photos done for my business as I was presenting at conferences 40 00:02:26,760 --> 00:02:30,840 and wanted someone to help me with my makeup before I had those photos done. 41 00:02:30,840 --> 00:02:32,600 And so Leslie came into my garage. 42 00:02:32,600 --> 00:02:35,400 I want to say the day that afternoon I had surgery. 43 00:02:35,400 --> 00:02:43,200 I had no idea that you had surgery or going through any of that until probably months 44 00:02:43,200 --> 00:02:44,720 later it seems like. 45 00:02:44,720 --> 00:02:45,720 Yeah. 46 00:02:45,720 --> 00:02:46,720 I think I told you that day. 47 00:02:46,720 --> 00:02:47,720 I was like, oh, I just had surgery. 48 00:02:47,720 --> 00:02:48,720 And you were like, okay. 49 00:02:48,720 --> 00:02:49,720 Oh my God. 50 00:02:49,720 --> 00:02:54,840 I think I agreed to like speak at a couple of conferences that afternoon too and they 51 00:02:54,840 --> 00:02:59,120 say no big decisions like the day when you're still kind of anesthesia. 52 00:02:59,120 --> 00:03:01,400 And that's, I wouldn't have it any other way. 53 00:03:01,400 --> 00:03:02,400 So. 54 00:03:02,400 --> 00:03:07,360 I was about to, you know, you're out doing life and not letting it slow you down. 55 00:03:07,360 --> 00:03:12,040 Well, you know what, you go through cancer and during the pandemic, right? 56 00:03:12,040 --> 00:03:19,000 I went right into 26 rounds of chemo after two surgeries and 33 rounds of radiation. 57 00:03:19,000 --> 00:03:23,000 I had the max of everything because I was only 32 at that point in time, you know, and 58 00:03:23,000 --> 00:03:27,000 I couldn't have any visitors during chemo, but I made the best of it. 59 00:03:27,000 --> 00:03:31,160 And you know, I actually had a little, not a little podcast, but I had cocktails with 60 00:03:31,160 --> 00:03:36,520 Katie had chemo every Tuesday and I would get groups of people together and we would 61 00:03:36,520 --> 00:03:39,000 play like online virtual games together. 62 00:03:39,000 --> 00:03:43,400 My aunt used to read me a story and everyone had to bring a cocktail glass and wear a funky 63 00:03:43,400 --> 00:03:45,440 hat because I had a cold camp on. 64 00:03:45,440 --> 00:03:47,600 So it just kind of made the best of it. 65 00:03:47,600 --> 00:03:53,760 But when you go through hardships like that and then my mom had been diagnosed with leukemia 66 00:03:53,760 --> 00:03:55,120 for the second time. 67 00:03:55,120 --> 00:04:03,000 Well, I was going through my own cancer journey and I ended up losing her that November and 68 00:04:03,000 --> 00:04:08,800 had to pause my cancer treatment, say goodbye to my mom. 69 00:04:08,800 --> 00:04:11,280 And then continue on my own cancer journey. 70 00:04:11,280 --> 00:04:14,840 So you realize really quickly that life is so short, right? 71 00:04:14,840 --> 00:04:21,120 Like my mom had just retired and you know, she was 62 and she only had like a year or 72 00:04:21,120 --> 00:04:25,720 two of retirement and had saved her whole life, had made all the right choices, had, 73 00:04:25,720 --> 00:04:30,720 you know, not taken big risks, but kind of done the right thing. 74 00:04:30,720 --> 00:04:34,080 And so I just any opportunity I take it now. 75 00:04:34,080 --> 00:04:35,080 Yeah, you know what? 76 00:04:35,080 --> 00:04:36,920 I love my life that way too. 77 00:04:36,920 --> 00:04:40,120 Like you got to live life and I've heard so many people that, you know, again, work 78 00:04:40,120 --> 00:04:44,520 all their, their life for that and goal of retirement. 79 00:04:44,520 --> 00:04:47,240 And with my age, a lot of people are talking about retirement or I'm like, are you going 80 00:04:47,240 --> 00:04:48,240 to retire? 81 00:04:48,240 --> 00:04:52,240 I'm like, heck no, you know, people retire to sit on the couch or retire and then you 82 00:04:52,240 --> 00:04:53,240 don't know what's going to happen. 83 00:04:53,240 --> 00:04:54,240 Like live life. 84 00:04:54,240 --> 00:04:56,920 And I think we both do a really good job about with that. 85 00:04:56,920 --> 00:05:00,880 So before we get into the courage component, what's a fun fact about Katie? 86 00:05:00,880 --> 00:05:02,600 Fun fact about Katie. 87 00:05:02,600 --> 00:05:11,560 Well, I love doing triathlons, so I just completed my first Ironman Maryland last September. 88 00:05:11,560 --> 00:05:16,720 And yeah, so I'm here at a lake today and I'm looking forward to swimming in the lake. 89 00:05:16,720 --> 00:05:19,000 Everyone thinks I'm crazy because I brought my wetsuit. 90 00:05:19,000 --> 00:05:23,360 So that's when you know, an athlete when you show up to someone's lake house on your 91 00:05:23,360 --> 00:05:26,160 vacation and like, I brought my wetsuit and my beating cap and my goggles. 92 00:05:26,160 --> 00:05:28,160 I'm very excited to swim. 93 00:05:28,160 --> 00:05:30,160 Congratulations for the Ironman. 94 00:05:30,160 --> 00:05:31,800 That's an amazing accomplishment. 95 00:05:31,800 --> 00:05:36,960 I had my brother on my anniversary episode and we talked about my dad encouraged, but 96 00:05:36,960 --> 00:05:38,680 we also talked about he did an Ironman. 97 00:05:38,680 --> 00:05:41,040 I don't know, did you do it? 98 00:05:41,040 --> 00:05:43,560 What is the completed, I guess? 99 00:05:43,560 --> 00:05:45,280 I don't know. 100 00:05:45,280 --> 00:05:49,920 But the other day I was somewhere and somebody I know who had started a fitness journey just 101 00:05:49,920 --> 00:05:54,280 the last couple of years told me, I listened to your podcast with your brother and it inspired 102 00:05:54,280 --> 00:05:57,720 me to sign up for an Ironman myself. 103 00:05:57,720 --> 00:06:03,080 And so it's kind of fun to see how this podcast is encouraged people do other things. 104 00:06:03,080 --> 00:06:07,920 So all right, so before we get started talking about your courageous thing, tell me what is 105 00:06:07,920 --> 00:06:09,800 your definition of courage? 106 00:06:09,800 --> 00:06:15,480 Yeah, well, my definition of courage, I actually wrote down some notes. 107 00:06:15,480 --> 00:06:21,320 It's having the confidence to step outside your comfort zone and try something new that 108 00:06:21,320 --> 00:06:23,560 makes you scared or nervous. 109 00:06:23,560 --> 00:06:25,960 You went like that. 110 00:06:25,960 --> 00:06:33,760 Just taking a risk essentially when you have those butterflies or just feeling anxious, 111 00:06:33,760 --> 00:06:38,200 not necessarily anxiety, but feeling anxious about something and knowing that on the other 112 00:06:38,200 --> 00:06:43,120 side it might change you for the better or improve or it could be a really great experience 113 00:06:43,120 --> 00:06:45,120 or not. 114 00:06:45,120 --> 00:06:52,360 I think courage too is just sitting in that and the pre-op before you go into surgery. 115 00:06:52,360 --> 00:06:56,560 It takes courage to go into surgery too, right? 116 00:06:56,560 --> 00:07:02,240 So it could be good or bad, but facing something that's really scary and doing anyway, I think. 117 00:07:02,240 --> 00:07:03,240 Right. 118 00:07:03,240 --> 00:07:06,800 Yeah, and we don't know when we do step out and do those things. 119 00:07:06,800 --> 00:07:11,960 We talked about before we came on, you know, you got to have A, B, C, D, plan to Z. 120 00:07:11,960 --> 00:07:16,560 And I think every time you take that step of courage to do something, and even if it 121 00:07:16,560 --> 00:07:19,440 doesn't work out, it gives you the courage to take another step. 122 00:07:19,440 --> 00:07:20,440 You're still living. 123 00:07:20,440 --> 00:07:21,440 You're still kicking. 124 00:07:21,440 --> 00:07:22,440 You're still having it. 125 00:07:22,440 --> 00:07:25,000 I mean, think about the worst thing that can happen. 126 00:07:25,000 --> 00:07:29,840 So you've had lots of courageous things in your life just since I've met you three years 127 00:07:29,840 --> 00:07:33,280 ago and I definitely want to talk about your business. 128 00:07:33,280 --> 00:07:41,000 So I don't know if you want to talk about the courage of your journey and with cancer 129 00:07:41,000 --> 00:07:47,320 treatment, your mom, your Ironman, you want to talk about traplines, you could talk about 130 00:07:47,320 --> 00:07:52,800 your business, we could talk about so many things. 131 00:07:52,800 --> 00:07:54,800 Can you tell I'm typing? 132 00:07:54,800 --> 00:07:58,400 And you're getting a PhD with all this going on. 133 00:07:58,400 --> 00:08:02,000 Yes, I was writing my dissertation through chemo. 134 00:08:02,000 --> 00:08:07,400 Like I chemo took seven hours because with the cold cap, it took like an hour to freeze 135 00:08:07,400 --> 00:08:13,040 your scalp and then a couple hours to have the chemo and then you had another hour to 136 00:08:13,040 --> 00:08:14,960 defrost your scalp. 137 00:08:14,960 --> 00:08:18,440 So I saw that almost like a plane ride, I'm like, oh, seven hours that I can get so much 138 00:08:18,440 --> 00:08:19,440 done. 139 00:08:19,440 --> 00:08:20,440 I love that. 140 00:08:20,440 --> 00:08:25,440 That's what got me through grad school as I was traveling for business and I was on 141 00:08:25,440 --> 00:08:28,440 lots of plane rides and I could study on a plane. 142 00:08:28,440 --> 00:08:30,360 I'm like, this is the best time to study. 143 00:08:30,360 --> 00:08:31,360 No distraction. 144 00:08:31,360 --> 00:08:34,240 Yeah, it was fun in the beginning. 145 00:08:34,240 --> 00:08:35,520 Like, I mean, not fun. 146 00:08:35,520 --> 00:08:40,160 Chemo's not fun, but like there was 12 hard sessions and I want to say the first six, 147 00:08:40,160 --> 00:08:41,360 I could get things done. 148 00:08:41,360 --> 00:08:46,040 And then you start getting chemo brain, like it's foggy, it was hard and then towards the 149 00:08:46,040 --> 00:08:48,320 end it was really, really hard. 150 00:08:48,320 --> 00:08:53,040 But I would bring like a vat of caffeine because they give you all these drugs that make you 151 00:08:53,040 --> 00:08:54,040 sleepy and tired. 152 00:08:54,040 --> 00:08:56,680 And most people just like sleep, you know, because it kind of goes by fast. 153 00:08:56,680 --> 00:09:00,240 It's like caffeine, let's do this. 154 00:09:00,240 --> 00:09:05,160 Okay, so I'll talk about courage when starting my business because that I want to say that 155 00:09:05,160 --> 00:09:06,760 was the biggest step, the biggest risk. 156 00:09:06,760 --> 00:09:12,400 When I met you, you were working for Clyde Moore Park in the aquatics department when 157 00:09:12,400 --> 00:09:14,760 I first met you. 158 00:09:14,760 --> 00:09:18,760 And then you ended up leaving that job and starting your own business. 159 00:09:18,760 --> 00:09:20,640 So that's super exciting. 160 00:09:20,640 --> 00:09:22,640 Very abruptly, actually. 161 00:09:22,640 --> 00:09:30,760 Okay, I did not know that I was planning that I was ever going to walk away in that moment 162 00:09:30,760 --> 00:09:33,920 on that Friday afternoon, but I did. 163 00:09:33,920 --> 00:09:37,200 I've always been, why not today moment? 164 00:09:37,200 --> 00:09:40,320 Oh my gosh, Leslie, 100%. 165 00:09:40,320 --> 00:09:42,120 I've always been good at making decisions. 166 00:09:42,120 --> 00:09:45,040 And when you know, you know, like I always say, like when I met my husband, when I bought 167 00:09:45,040 --> 00:09:49,200 my first house, like there are certain moments in your life you just know. 168 00:09:49,200 --> 00:09:54,520 And I just, I knew, I just knew when I called my husband and I was like, I need to do this. 169 00:09:54,520 --> 00:09:55,840 And he supported me the whole way. 170 00:09:55,840 --> 00:10:01,440 So I left Parks and Rec on a Friday and I had planned to do it. 171 00:10:01,440 --> 00:10:04,360 And half Ironman in Atlantic City that Sunday. 172 00:10:04,360 --> 00:10:07,960 And so we literally like, I came home from work. 173 00:10:07,960 --> 00:10:14,880 I was typing the resignation letter in the car on the drive to Atlantic City. 174 00:10:14,880 --> 00:10:19,840 And you know, my friends and family were saying, 24 hour rule, Katie, like calm down, like 175 00:10:19,840 --> 00:10:22,320 just, you know, send in on Monday, do your half Ironman. 176 00:10:22,320 --> 00:10:28,920 And I said, no, no, no, I know, I just know, like, so it's hip sent, showed up, had a great 177 00:10:28,920 --> 00:10:32,480 race and it was the first race that I completed after chemo too. 178 00:10:32,480 --> 00:10:35,080 So I had trained for this half Ironman all through chemo. 179 00:10:35,080 --> 00:10:38,280 And it was really important to me to finish that. 180 00:10:38,280 --> 00:10:43,200 And then that Monday I was already like thinking of what I wanted to do. 181 00:10:43,200 --> 00:10:46,680 And I had known that in Parks and Rec during the pandemic, right? 182 00:10:46,680 --> 00:10:48,680 It was a physical building. 183 00:10:48,680 --> 00:10:52,880 That physical building shut down and everybody went outside. 184 00:10:52,880 --> 00:10:56,840 So I realized that people were still looking online. 185 00:10:56,840 --> 00:10:58,320 Where can I go for hiking? 186 00:10:58,320 --> 00:11:03,360 You know, my kid wants a coach and being in Parks and Rec, working at the front desk sometimes 187 00:11:03,360 --> 00:11:07,600 or just being in aquatics, talking to parents, everybody was always asking me where they 188 00:11:07,600 --> 00:11:11,080 can find XYZ, right? 189 00:11:11,080 --> 00:11:15,240 And so I realized that, you know, there were two side of marketplaces out there to find 190 00:11:15,240 --> 00:11:17,560 contractors for your house, right? 191 00:11:17,560 --> 00:11:21,960 Why is there not anything for recreation, you know, component for that? 192 00:11:21,960 --> 00:11:26,600 And so I did my research and found out that there's fitness, there's sports coaches, but 193 00:11:26,600 --> 00:11:31,840 there's not really like hiking, biking, you know, kayaking, paddle boarding, things like 194 00:11:31,840 --> 00:11:36,280 that and opportunities for families and just people in general to connect and be outside 195 00:11:36,280 --> 00:11:37,280 and recreate. 196 00:11:37,280 --> 00:11:40,000 That's the definition of recreation, right? 197 00:11:40,000 --> 00:11:43,360 Recreating yourself and through different experiences. 198 00:11:43,360 --> 00:11:50,440 And so I called up my business partner at the time. 199 00:11:50,440 --> 00:11:54,360 He was somebody who worked in Parks and Rec with me. 200 00:11:54,360 --> 00:11:59,920 And he actually said, Katie, please be, you know, where are you going from aquatics and 201 00:11:59,920 --> 00:12:02,480 how can I come along with you? 202 00:12:02,480 --> 00:12:04,400 Like what are you doing now? 203 00:12:04,400 --> 00:12:09,280 And so we formed a partnership initially that Thursday, I think we met for lunch and then 204 00:12:09,280 --> 00:12:14,920 we came up with the name like experts for recreation, like finding coaches, Rexpert, 205 00:12:14,920 --> 00:12:18,960 you know, finding connected recreation expert, Rexpert. 206 00:12:18,960 --> 00:12:21,040 And then Rexpert was born. 207 00:12:21,040 --> 00:12:23,040 That's awesome. 208 00:12:23,040 --> 00:12:25,040 I love that. 209 00:12:25,040 --> 00:12:28,200 I love that you just jumped in and did it and like, you know, that you know that you 210 00:12:28,200 --> 00:12:29,200 know. 211 00:12:29,200 --> 00:12:33,440 And so often we know that we know that we know and then we survey everybody and especially 212 00:12:33,440 --> 00:12:36,600 the people we don't even value their opinion. 213 00:12:36,600 --> 00:12:40,000 And we don't really care to ask and that's, you know, how does this look on me? 214 00:12:40,000 --> 00:12:43,360 We always got to get the approval of somebody. 215 00:12:43,360 --> 00:12:46,120 But you know, it's just, I did the same thing when I quit my job. 216 00:12:46,120 --> 00:12:51,040 It was a little more thought through and it wasn't immediate, but for the couple months 217 00:12:51,040 --> 00:12:53,680 before I made that leap over, it's like, sure you're going to do it. 218 00:12:53,680 --> 00:12:55,880 You're sure you're going to, I'm like, yeah, I'm done. 219 00:12:55,880 --> 00:12:57,200 Like, and have a little bit. 220 00:12:57,200 --> 00:12:59,600 I will say, yeah, and I give you so much credit, Leslie. 221 00:12:59,600 --> 00:13:04,840 I mean, I will say to the credit of my husband, like I could not have done this without his 222 00:13:04,840 --> 00:13:08,400 emotional, financial, physical, all of it support, right? 223 00:13:08,400 --> 00:13:15,360 Like he was right there and, you know, to do that as, as not having a significant other. 224 00:13:15,360 --> 00:13:16,760 Oh my gosh. 225 00:13:16,760 --> 00:13:20,520 So you have even more courage than I do when it comes to this. 226 00:13:20,520 --> 00:13:22,160 So what's the worst that can happen? 227 00:13:22,160 --> 00:13:26,120 I knew I could sell products and, you know, I can always get into the job, which I've 228 00:13:26,120 --> 00:13:27,400 never had to do. 229 00:13:27,400 --> 00:13:31,400 So through the development of your business, you're still in the launching phase. 230 00:13:31,400 --> 00:13:38,480 And I love that you have reached out and figured out ways to get resources and funding and 231 00:13:38,480 --> 00:13:39,480 some of those things. 232 00:13:39,480 --> 00:13:45,800 And I think this, as I shared in the beginning, this podcast is really a platform to encourage 233 00:13:45,800 --> 00:13:46,800 people to do the things. 234 00:13:46,800 --> 00:13:50,480 So if somebody's looking at starting a business, some of, what are some of the resources you 235 00:13:50,480 --> 00:13:52,840 found to get some help? 236 00:13:52,840 --> 00:13:53,840 Yeah. 237 00:13:53,840 --> 00:14:02,080 So the SBDC Small Business Development Center was, you know, so influential in the beginning. 238 00:14:02,080 --> 00:14:04,200 That was one of my first calls. 239 00:14:04,200 --> 00:14:08,880 And they set me up with what was called a program called ICAP, which was the Innovation 240 00:14:08,880 --> 00:14:10,880 Commercialization Assistance Program. 241 00:14:10,880 --> 00:14:12,080 And it's free. 242 00:14:12,080 --> 00:14:17,000 And they provide me with a mentor and I got into it and it was probably, I think, a six 243 00:14:17,000 --> 00:14:18,800 week course. 244 00:14:18,800 --> 00:14:21,200 But it almost took you step by step by step. 245 00:14:21,200 --> 00:14:26,080 And they encouraged us to do customer discovery and talk to people and write down your business 246 00:14:26,080 --> 00:14:28,160 plan and the value proposition. 247 00:14:28,160 --> 00:14:30,640 Why are you doing this on each side of it? 248 00:14:30,640 --> 00:14:38,040 And so once I got involved with ICAP, and then I want to make it clear that I'm not 249 00:14:38,040 --> 00:14:40,000 a small business, I'm a startup. 250 00:14:40,000 --> 00:14:45,600 So there's a huge difference between a small business and a startup. 251 00:14:45,600 --> 00:14:49,480 Just, for instance, funding, right, the massive amounts of funding. 252 00:14:49,480 --> 00:14:51,640 And I'm not doing the skill myself, right? 253 00:14:51,640 --> 00:14:53,440 Like I have to hire developers. 254 00:14:53,440 --> 00:14:56,280 It's the tech, which makes the difference in startups. 255 00:14:56,280 --> 00:14:58,720 So a lot of those things. 256 00:14:58,720 --> 00:15:01,720 So is ICAP for startup or small business or both? 257 00:15:01,720 --> 00:15:03,320 ICAP is for startups. 258 00:15:03,320 --> 00:15:04,320 Yeah. 259 00:15:04,320 --> 00:15:05,320 Okay. 260 00:15:05,320 --> 00:15:10,240 But I want to say one of the biggest mistakes I made was following the path of a small businesses 261 00:15:10,240 --> 00:15:11,240 in the beginning. 262 00:15:11,240 --> 00:15:16,720 And if I could do it all over again, I mean, I use too many companies locally that were 263 00:15:16,720 --> 00:15:20,960 for small businesses that were not a good match as a startup. 264 00:15:20,960 --> 00:15:27,200 And then I want to say a year later, I got into the startup community in DC and got more 265 00:15:27,200 --> 00:15:31,840 connected to the startup resources that I knew and was finally in the right place. 266 00:15:31,840 --> 00:15:34,120 But I wasted tons of money and time. 267 00:15:34,120 --> 00:15:40,000 And unfortunately, I don't know, some people were connections and some just took me down 268 00:15:40,000 --> 00:15:41,720 bad paths. 269 00:15:41,720 --> 00:15:44,320 Obviously I won't name names or talk about any of that. 270 00:15:44,320 --> 00:15:49,120 But I felt like there was a solid six, seven months that I wish I could just do it all 271 00:15:49,120 --> 00:15:50,120 over again. 272 00:15:50,120 --> 00:15:51,120 Yeah. 273 00:15:51,120 --> 00:15:52,120 But you learned. 274 00:15:52,120 --> 00:15:56,760 So what lessons did you learn that you could share with other people other than, and I 275 00:15:56,760 --> 00:15:57,920 love the thing about startup. 276 00:15:57,920 --> 00:16:00,760 I've never even thought about that with the why not today brand. 277 00:16:00,760 --> 00:16:03,920 But I think it's definitely startups. 278 00:16:03,920 --> 00:16:04,920 Yeah. 279 00:16:04,920 --> 00:16:06,280 I mean, everyone has it. 280 00:16:06,280 --> 00:16:11,320 Some people have different definitions of startups like, you know, if you're a small 281 00:16:11,320 --> 00:16:15,720 business, you are starting up, but I needed funding, right? 282 00:16:15,720 --> 00:16:21,240 And I was so grateful that when my mom had passed away, she had left me some inheritance 283 00:16:21,240 --> 00:16:22,740 funding. 284 00:16:22,740 --> 00:16:29,200 And I was able to take that funding and hire a developer and hire the things, a marketing 285 00:16:29,200 --> 00:16:36,640 company, you know, initially early on, but, you know, some of those early decisions led 286 00:16:36,640 --> 00:16:38,000 me down the wrong path. 287 00:16:38,000 --> 00:16:40,360 I think I just, I didn't know what you didn't know. 288 00:16:40,360 --> 00:16:45,000 And I don't know if I can give advice on that because I really, it was such a huge pivot 289 00:16:45,000 --> 00:16:46,480 in careers. 290 00:16:46,480 --> 00:16:52,360 I had to go through it myself and go, I will, I don't know if I'll ever go back to like 291 00:16:52,360 --> 00:16:53,800 a corporate business. 292 00:16:53,800 --> 00:16:58,600 I love being my own boss and I already have ideas for my second startup after when this 293 00:16:58,600 --> 00:17:00,600 one becomes successful. 294 00:17:00,600 --> 00:17:05,320 But I would do it completely different based on the mistakes I made and now what I know 295 00:17:05,320 --> 00:17:06,320 in the beginning. 296 00:17:06,320 --> 00:17:07,320 Right. 297 00:17:07,320 --> 00:17:08,320 And don't we all need that? 298 00:17:08,320 --> 00:17:12,320 And I think the event difference with me and you in starting businesses, I started a 299 00:17:12,320 --> 00:17:13,320 business. 300 00:17:13,320 --> 00:17:18,240 It was a direct selling business that had all the everything behind it, which I think is 301 00:17:18,240 --> 00:17:23,760 helping me tremendously with launching the Why Not Today brand is I've got the systems 302 00:17:23,760 --> 00:17:29,320 in place and all the things I've done for 20 some years in place, you know, when you've 303 00:17:29,320 --> 00:17:32,040 just worked for some of you, you haven't created a business. 304 00:17:32,040 --> 00:17:35,240 I think, yeah, you're definitely coming from a different place. 305 00:17:35,240 --> 00:17:36,240 Right. 306 00:17:36,240 --> 00:17:40,600 Which is why startups are so incredibly hard and like only 3% of funding goes to women 307 00:17:40,600 --> 00:17:41,600 too. 308 00:17:41,600 --> 00:17:48,640 So like being a female founder in technology startup space, I just was, you know, I have 309 00:17:48,640 --> 00:17:49,720 a handle on it now. 310 00:17:49,720 --> 00:17:52,360 But yeah, that's great. 311 00:17:52,360 --> 00:17:55,760 So talk about the business where you're taking it. 312 00:17:55,760 --> 00:17:56,760 What are you doing with it? 313 00:17:56,760 --> 00:18:00,480 How can we even support people and do encourage us things? 314 00:18:00,480 --> 00:18:01,480 Yeah. 315 00:18:01,480 --> 00:18:08,280 So let's see, we launched our beta product last January and had some early doctors, but 316 00:18:08,280 --> 00:18:14,280 it was built on WordPress, which is like your basic, you know, website designer and to be 317 00:18:14,280 --> 00:18:18,400 a startup, you need what's called intellectual property IP, right? 318 00:18:18,400 --> 00:18:24,280 Something that's unique and that you can kind of change and manipulate as you grow and WordPress 319 00:18:24,280 --> 00:18:25,320 doesn't allow for that. 320 00:18:25,320 --> 00:18:32,040 So we took it down and totally recoded it, found developers and coded it from the ground 321 00:18:32,040 --> 00:18:39,000 up to something that we wanted it to be, which was more of a user friendly, two-sided marketplace 322 00:18:39,000 --> 00:18:43,160 where a busy family can go and type in what they're searching for. 323 00:18:43,160 --> 00:18:49,320 You're looking for pickleball and coming and it generates different coaches and trainers 324 00:18:49,320 --> 00:18:53,560 and things that are local to you that you can message back and forth right on your phone 325 00:18:53,560 --> 00:19:00,200 and connect with them and choose them through profiles, reviews, ratings, things like that. 326 00:19:00,200 --> 00:19:08,040 So we are, we just about, I want to say a few weeks out from launch for our MVP to, 327 00:19:08,040 --> 00:19:11,240 I want to say, minimal viable products. 328 00:19:11,240 --> 00:19:13,280 So we're very excited about that. 329 00:19:13,280 --> 00:19:18,000 We've got about 50 early adopters we're working on getting on right now. 330 00:19:18,000 --> 00:19:23,720 But yeah, eventually, you know, once we launch, you'll be able to find not only solopreneurs. 331 00:19:23,720 --> 00:19:28,840 So like, you know, those who are coaches who have their own business, his small business, 332 00:19:28,840 --> 00:19:30,360 but also recreation centers. 333 00:19:30,360 --> 00:19:38,400 So one of the biggest habits that we made in the last month was connecting with rec centers. 334 00:19:38,400 --> 00:19:43,960 So rec centers will be able to load all their classes so that as a parent or a local person 335 00:19:43,960 --> 00:19:50,280 or family individual, you'll be able to see all the recreation options, not just personal 336 00:19:50,280 --> 00:19:55,440 coaches, but the rec center too, so that you don't have to go multiple tabs across your 337 00:19:55,440 --> 00:19:57,000 search bar. 338 00:19:57,000 --> 00:20:01,520 So with the coaches you work with, do they have to be local? 339 00:20:01,520 --> 00:20:04,440 Do you have them all over the country? 340 00:20:04,440 --> 00:20:09,880 Well, for our marketing strategy, you know, we want to start here in this area. 341 00:20:09,880 --> 00:20:17,960 So Virginia, Maryland, DC, and coincidentally for our research, this area is one of the 342 00:20:17,960 --> 00:20:25,640 top five areas and towns and cities and that invest in parks and rec in the United States. 343 00:20:25,640 --> 00:20:27,640 So I think Norfolk was like number five. 344 00:20:27,640 --> 00:20:35,600 So we'll grow from there and eventually grow from East Coast to West Coast and scale that 345 00:20:35,600 --> 00:20:37,960 way, but we want it to be strategic. 346 00:20:37,960 --> 00:20:43,760 So you're kind of a connector to all the resources to the public? 347 00:20:43,760 --> 00:20:44,760 Yes. 348 00:20:44,760 --> 00:20:46,480 Yeah, it's a subscription. 349 00:20:46,480 --> 00:20:49,160 It's for the experts in the rec centers. 350 00:20:49,160 --> 00:20:54,720 And so the families use it for free or individuals use it for free. 351 00:20:54,720 --> 00:20:58,280 And obviously you can purchase your services right on the platform. 352 00:20:58,280 --> 00:21:05,520 So it's $39 a month for solopreneurs and $99 a month for the big rec centers to load up 353 00:21:05,520 --> 00:21:07,240 all their classes on there. 354 00:21:07,240 --> 00:21:08,240 That's awesome. 355 00:21:08,240 --> 00:21:12,160 So I'm thinking about somebody I interviewed on my podcast that she's a health and fitness 356 00:21:12,160 --> 00:21:20,040 coach and she has a coaching business and work with people like nutrition and giving 357 00:21:20,040 --> 00:21:23,120 you your exercises and everything. 358 00:21:23,120 --> 00:21:26,760 And you have a coach you work with, everything's completely virtual. 359 00:21:26,760 --> 00:21:30,240 And she's probably a good partner with you and a good person. 360 00:21:30,240 --> 00:21:35,560 She's very, she's young, I keep saying that, she's in her twenties, but she is wise beyond 361 00:21:35,560 --> 00:21:38,920 age and what she's been able to put together in this company. 362 00:21:38,920 --> 00:21:39,920 Awesome. 363 00:21:39,920 --> 00:21:40,920 Love to hear. 364 00:21:40,920 --> 00:21:41,920 Yeah, definitely. 365 00:21:41,920 --> 00:21:46,640 So I know it's been courageous to keep going with this project. 366 00:21:46,640 --> 00:21:50,080 You've had some things that have not gone well. 367 00:21:50,080 --> 00:21:54,120 And we just talked about something that happened a couple of weeks ago. 368 00:21:54,120 --> 00:21:58,880 And so talk about, you don't have to give specifics of what hasn't gone well, but talk 369 00:21:58,880 --> 00:22:03,400 about, you know, how do you get back up and how do you keep going and how do you not like 370 00:22:03,400 --> 00:22:04,400 growing the talent? 371 00:22:04,400 --> 00:22:10,640 Where do you get that resolve to say, or courage to say, I'm not quitting. 372 00:22:10,640 --> 00:22:14,760 Yeah, it's funny because so many people have asked me like, are you at that point yet? 373 00:22:14,760 --> 00:22:17,000 And like, no, no, failure is not an option. 374 00:22:17,000 --> 00:22:18,160 We haven't even launched yet. 375 00:22:18,160 --> 00:22:21,880 Like there's not even, that's not even my vocabulary. 376 00:22:21,880 --> 00:22:26,440 So yeah, one of the things that has been a biggest challenge for me in a startup is, 377 00:22:26,440 --> 00:22:29,840 you need, they say, you know, you need a co-founder. 378 00:22:29,840 --> 00:22:34,240 So from day one, I've always wanted to, I wanted someone to do this with, right? 379 00:22:34,240 --> 00:22:38,240 And so I have gone through three co-founders now. 380 00:22:38,240 --> 00:22:44,120 And for whatever reason, they have left and, and, you know, I've got a board of advisors 381 00:22:44,120 --> 00:22:47,000 and everyone is like, Katie, you're so strong. 382 00:22:47,000 --> 00:22:48,000 You can do this on your own. 383 00:22:48,000 --> 00:22:49,000 You don't need a co-founder. 384 00:22:49,000 --> 00:22:51,000 Yeah, you don't need a co-founder girl. 385 00:22:51,000 --> 00:22:53,000 Yeah, just keep going. 386 00:22:53,000 --> 00:22:57,000 And you know, and I just, what you said is so strong and I was going to recommend is 387 00:22:57,000 --> 00:22:58,840 you have a board of advisors. 388 00:22:58,840 --> 00:23:03,760 So you don't have to have a co-founder, but you have your tribe, your mastermind group, 389 00:23:03,760 --> 00:23:08,560 your women, your people that surround you that are going to cheer you on and give, and 390 00:23:08,560 --> 00:23:10,560 be able to mastermind and brainstorm with people. 391 00:23:10,560 --> 00:23:12,040 And I love doing that. 392 00:23:12,040 --> 00:23:18,120 Oh yeah, I've found in people have just, you know, almost like, I guess, magnetic. 393 00:23:18,120 --> 00:23:22,520 They've reached out to me and it's funny how things happen for a reason because so, you 394 00:23:22,520 --> 00:23:26,640 know, one of the biggest things that I had to have courage was two weeks ago, my third 395 00:23:26,640 --> 00:23:30,920 co-founder left the company and they, I'm allowed to talk about this legally now. 396 00:23:30,920 --> 00:23:33,440 So I'm just going to go for it. 397 00:23:33,440 --> 00:23:35,120 So he took all the code. 398 00:23:35,120 --> 00:23:36,640 He just removed myself. 399 00:23:36,640 --> 00:23:37,640 Yeah. 400 00:23:37,640 --> 00:23:42,480 He took us to my entire company for two years and he took down our landing page. 401 00:23:42,480 --> 00:23:46,040 We were getting ready to pitch that Friday in a pitch competition. 402 00:23:46,040 --> 00:23:51,920 So here I am on Tuesday with no landing page and nothing to show for two years for Rex 403 00:23:51,920 --> 00:23:52,920 Bert. 404 00:23:52,920 --> 00:23:58,520 So long story short, you know, we ended up getting it back, but there was, you know, 405 00:23:58,520 --> 00:24:01,640 a couple of days there. 406 00:24:01,640 --> 00:24:07,880 I had to dig deep and, you know, one of my old business coaches, Katie Nelson, has said 407 00:24:07,880 --> 00:24:13,920 to me, you know, Katie, you have a plan A, B, and then all the way to Z. And I felt like 408 00:24:13,920 --> 00:24:15,720 I hit Z that day. 409 00:24:15,720 --> 00:24:23,120 And yeah, well, she was like, then we started Alpha Bravo, Charlie, you know, the Zulu alphabet. 410 00:24:23,120 --> 00:24:28,360 So I was, you know, working on Alpha at that point and had to just keep going. 411 00:24:28,360 --> 00:24:32,000 So my husband was such a great supporter in that moment. 412 00:24:32,000 --> 00:24:36,520 I reached out to my advisory board, you know, I used all my resources and I just took it 413 00:24:36,520 --> 00:24:41,360 day by day and leaned on the things that I could control. 414 00:24:41,360 --> 00:24:46,160 And I think in those moments, that's the phrase that I was in my head, like, what can I control 415 00:24:46,160 --> 00:24:47,160 right now? 416 00:24:47,160 --> 00:24:48,640 Because you have no control, right? 417 00:24:48,640 --> 00:24:51,640 So I could control my Ironman training. 418 00:24:51,640 --> 00:24:55,520 Like I can go out and do, you know, even things that have nothing to do with your business, 419 00:24:55,520 --> 00:25:02,960 like that makes me feel more grounded in the chaos that is happening around me. 420 00:25:02,960 --> 00:25:05,360 So randomly slip that in. 421 00:25:05,360 --> 00:25:09,520 We talked about it before, but I don't think you actually said that you have, or you did, 422 00:25:09,520 --> 00:25:12,560 I guess we did talk about the Ironman and triathlons. 423 00:25:12,560 --> 00:25:14,600 I mean, and that's just such a major thing too. 424 00:25:14,600 --> 00:25:17,560 I mean, all the courage and all the things. 425 00:25:17,560 --> 00:25:18,560 Oh yeah. 426 00:25:18,560 --> 00:25:22,760 I mean, and everyone's like, oh, you do all these things, but I'm scared. 427 00:25:22,760 --> 00:25:24,760 I'm super scared inside. 428 00:25:24,760 --> 00:25:25,760 I don't care. 429 00:25:25,760 --> 00:25:26,760 Yeah. 430 00:25:26,760 --> 00:25:28,760 I just, I don't know. 431 00:25:28,760 --> 00:25:30,880 I'm able to just push beyond that. 432 00:25:30,880 --> 00:25:34,320 And I think I've lost a lot of really important special people in my life early on and I've 433 00:25:34,320 --> 00:25:38,720 gone through cancer and I've gone, like I feel like you name it, I've gone through it. 434 00:25:38,720 --> 00:25:45,240 And you know, the day I finished my last chemo for breast cancer, I found out I had skin cancer 435 00:25:45,240 --> 00:25:47,640 and I had a chunk of my neck removed. 436 00:25:47,640 --> 00:25:50,400 Like, so it's just not worth it. 437 00:25:50,400 --> 00:25:52,880 Like if it's going to be good, just do it. 438 00:25:52,880 --> 00:25:57,720 Like we were on the lake yesterday and I said, I'm going to jump off and go swimming and 439 00:25:57,720 --> 00:25:58,720 they're like, it's cold. 440 00:25:58,720 --> 00:26:01,560 You know, it's early, it's May and, and then I got the whole boat. 441 00:26:01,560 --> 00:26:05,440 We all jumped off the boat, but it was just such a why not today moment. 442 00:26:05,440 --> 00:26:09,120 I thought of you yesterday and we're, let's just do it. 443 00:26:09,120 --> 00:26:10,120 What's the worst that could happen? 444 00:26:10,120 --> 00:26:11,120 They were cold and there's cows. 445 00:26:11,120 --> 00:26:12,120 We'll get back up. 446 00:26:12,120 --> 00:26:13,120 Like, yeah, exactly. 447 00:26:13,120 --> 00:26:16,120 It's like cold is not going to kill you. 448 00:26:16,120 --> 00:26:17,120 Yeah. 449 00:26:17,120 --> 00:26:20,560 So my computer's beeping for some reason. 450 00:26:20,560 --> 00:26:25,080 All right, so lots of courageous things and I just love and I can't wait to see your business 451 00:26:25,080 --> 00:26:29,560 launch and we definitely need to schedule another brainstorming. 452 00:26:29,560 --> 00:26:35,640 You know, there was a reason you reached into my life because of makeup and look where it's 453 00:26:35,640 --> 00:26:40,240 taken and we've been able to share ideas and brainstorm and, you know, I think you'd be 454 00:26:40,240 --> 00:26:45,120 a great partner too for the why not today brand and encouraging people to get out and 455 00:26:45,120 --> 00:26:47,680 exercise and, you know, just get started. 456 00:26:47,680 --> 00:26:51,960 I am, I used to, and I know this is a connection we had when I taught water broke, I used to 457 00:26:51,960 --> 00:26:55,680 tell people like, just think about how you're going to feel at the end of the day when you 458 00:26:55,680 --> 00:26:56,680 put your head on the pillow. 459 00:26:56,680 --> 00:27:00,760 If you did or you didn't, and I think, you know, exercise and starting business and all 460 00:27:00,760 --> 00:27:05,120 those things saying why not today is also important. 461 00:27:05,120 --> 00:27:06,120 Just doing it. 462 00:27:06,120 --> 00:27:12,040 So what would you do to encourage somebody else to be courageous? 463 00:27:12,040 --> 00:27:21,200 Ironically, I didn't thought about it, the word encouraged is has courage in it. 464 00:27:21,200 --> 00:27:23,760 You know, that's a tough question. 465 00:27:23,760 --> 00:27:25,240 I've always struggled with that. 466 00:27:25,240 --> 00:27:31,720 I think I feel like sometimes I do that naturally organically when there are people around me 467 00:27:31,720 --> 00:27:37,080 and people have told me that like I do it, but I don't know how to articulate how I do 468 00:27:37,080 --> 00:27:38,080 it. 469 00:27:38,080 --> 00:27:47,720 So somebody wants to start their own business, quit their job, compete in Ironman, fight 470 00:27:47,720 --> 00:27:50,520 cancer, like all those things you've gone through. 471 00:27:50,520 --> 00:27:55,040 I would say just do it, you know, and what's stopping you. 472 00:27:55,040 --> 00:27:56,040 Life is too short. 473 00:27:56,040 --> 00:28:00,720 Like a friend of mine just bought a beautiful house in Florida and, you know, she's close 474 00:28:00,720 --> 00:28:04,200 to retirement and she's like, oh, it's long plan, you know, like we're going to be down 475 00:28:04,200 --> 00:28:08,280 in their 70s and then we're going to do X, Y, Z and I said, what is holding you back? 476 00:28:08,280 --> 00:28:09,680 Like just do it. 477 00:28:09,680 --> 00:28:11,240 Just go down to Florida. 478 00:28:11,240 --> 00:28:14,560 Like life is too short. 479 00:28:14,560 --> 00:28:19,440 And I honestly, you know, it's a phrase that everybody says like life's too short. 480 00:28:19,440 --> 00:28:21,440 But it really is. 481 00:28:21,440 --> 00:28:22,440 Yeah. 482 00:28:22,440 --> 00:28:23,440 Yeah. 483 00:28:23,440 --> 00:28:27,440 And so when you when you lose people at an early age, it really is too short. 484 00:28:27,440 --> 00:28:32,960 Everybody should we be also lucky to get to retirement and to be in our retirement house, 485 00:28:32,960 --> 00:28:38,440 whether it's on a lake or in Florida to get to your retirement plan, you know, if you 486 00:28:38,440 --> 00:28:39,440 can get there. 487 00:28:39,440 --> 00:28:40,440 Yeah. 488 00:28:40,440 --> 00:28:44,360 So I would say, I don't know, like live life to the fullest. 489 00:28:44,360 --> 00:28:48,680 Like, like I said, we should be obviously lucky to live to 100 and do all the things. 490 00:28:48,680 --> 00:28:53,640 Like every year, you know, I want to look back and be like, what did I accomplish? 491 00:28:53,640 --> 00:28:54,640 What did I do? 492 00:28:54,640 --> 00:28:59,840 I want to live life to the fullest in that moment as much as possible. 493 00:28:59,840 --> 00:29:00,840 But. 494 00:29:00,840 --> 00:29:01,840 Love it. 495 00:29:01,840 --> 00:29:02,840 Yeah. 496 00:29:02,840 --> 00:29:03,840 I love life. 497 00:29:03,840 --> 00:29:07,920 And you know, so I always in the questions I give, oh my guess, I'm like, how do you 498 00:29:07,920 --> 00:29:10,480 connect to my dad and people are like, I never met your dad. 499 00:29:10,480 --> 00:29:11,680 How could I possibly connect? 500 00:29:11,680 --> 00:29:16,800 But really it's a as I talk to my guests, I mean, some of my guests have met my father 501 00:29:16,800 --> 00:29:18,760 but or had met him. 502 00:29:18,760 --> 00:29:22,640 But I really kind of see where you can connect and where similarity. 503 00:29:22,640 --> 00:29:28,240 So the first thing before we even started recording was we talked about plan ABC or D. 504 00:29:28,240 --> 00:29:29,520 And he was definitely that kind. 505 00:29:29,520 --> 00:29:34,240 He was by trade a planner and I mentioned that in his, when he passed away, his eulogy, 506 00:29:34,240 --> 00:29:39,440 my brother's talked about, you know, he did have a plan ABC and his life, the path he 507 00:29:39,440 --> 00:29:43,960 ended up in where I am was because of plan A and B didn't work. 508 00:29:43,960 --> 00:29:47,080 And your whole philosophy of just living life and live life to the fullest. 509 00:29:47,080 --> 00:29:50,680 I think my dad was a great example of that. 510 00:29:50,680 --> 00:29:55,160 That he and our logo and I talked about this before the logo is my dad's, is my dad's 511 00:29:55,160 --> 00:29:58,920 logo and he had an iPad to handle my mustache. 512 00:29:58,920 --> 00:30:03,920 And he had the iPad since the night he grabbed, or not immediately, but he got in a car accident 513 00:30:03,920 --> 00:30:06,120 and I graduated high school and almost died. 514 00:30:06,120 --> 00:30:12,360 And he was in the hospital interaction for months and they didn't think he'd make it. 515 00:30:12,360 --> 00:30:16,640 And he did and he was supposed to play football for USC, I think, and that didn't work. 516 00:30:16,640 --> 00:30:20,040 So in the day, he decided instead he would just go to Notre Dame. 517 00:30:20,040 --> 00:30:24,680 He might have a kid today just deciding, I'm going to go to Notre Dame instead. 518 00:30:24,680 --> 00:30:30,640 But he got on a train and went to Notre Dame and instead that was his plan B. And then 519 00:30:30,640 --> 00:30:32,640 he almost died in another car accident. 520 00:30:32,640 --> 00:30:39,240 And so lots of, you know, why not today moments that he taught me, like, live your life. 521 00:30:39,240 --> 00:30:42,400 I remember one time I wrecked his car in high school and I was devastated. 522 00:30:42,400 --> 00:30:44,560 I thought he was going to kill me. 523 00:30:44,560 --> 00:30:45,560 And he was out of town. 524 00:30:45,560 --> 00:30:46,560 I didn't want to talk to him. 525 00:30:46,560 --> 00:30:47,560 I was afraid. 526 00:30:47,560 --> 00:30:49,560 And he came back to flowers for me and he said, you're alive. 527 00:30:49,560 --> 00:30:51,280 Who cares about the car? 528 00:30:51,280 --> 00:30:54,480 Like, you know, you're alive and that's all that matters. 529 00:30:54,480 --> 00:30:57,280 And so definitely live by that example, what you're living. 530 00:30:57,280 --> 00:30:58,280 Like, just do it. 531 00:30:58,280 --> 00:30:59,280 Do the things. 532 00:30:59,280 --> 00:31:00,680 And I love how you're enjoying life. 533 00:31:00,680 --> 00:31:04,520 And like you're in a lake house right now in Tennessee, in a lake house in southern 534 00:31:04,520 --> 00:31:06,600 Virginia and we can work wherever. 535 00:31:06,600 --> 00:31:10,920 We keep talking about how you have a place at the beach that we need to plan an excursion 536 00:31:10,920 --> 00:31:14,360 there and just kind of escape your play. 537 00:31:14,360 --> 00:31:15,480 So lots of good lessons. 538 00:31:15,480 --> 00:31:17,560 So thank you so much for being on. 539 00:31:17,560 --> 00:31:22,080 And so if somebody wants to find you, we will share this in the show notes. 540 00:31:22,080 --> 00:31:26,600 But if somebody wants to find you, where are the best places to find you and connect? 541 00:31:26,600 --> 00:31:27,600 Yeah. 542 00:31:27,600 --> 00:31:34,520 Well, our website is, you know, rexpert.com, R-E-C-S-P-E-R-T. 543 00:31:34,520 --> 00:31:40,600 And my, our Instagram is at rexpert and my Instagram is at katieclisby. 544 00:31:40,600 --> 00:31:44,800 And so you can just email me at the rexpertinfo at rexpert.com too. 545 00:31:44,800 --> 00:31:46,320 And happy to connect. 546 00:31:46,320 --> 00:31:47,320 Great. 547 00:31:47,320 --> 00:31:49,080 Well, thank you again for being on. 548 00:31:49,080 --> 00:31:51,160 And I love getting to know even more about you. 549 00:31:51,160 --> 00:31:55,360 So if you want to follow the podcast, we are on all the platforms, Spotify, iTunes, 550 00:31:55,360 --> 00:31:56,360 Google. 551 00:31:56,360 --> 00:32:00,320 You can go to our website, which is whynottodaypodcast.com. 552 00:32:00,320 --> 00:32:04,720 Would love to have guests review us, rate us, share it with your friends, let other people 553 00:32:04,720 --> 00:32:07,320 know that you're here and that you watched. 554 00:32:07,320 --> 00:32:09,440 And just remember, say why not today. 555 00:32:09,440 --> 00:32:12,680 And also on the website, I do have some swag. 556 00:32:12,680 --> 00:32:15,120 We've got cups and t-shirts and vinyls. 557 00:32:15,120 --> 00:32:18,120 I'm thinking about some journals as another thing. 558 00:32:18,120 --> 00:32:20,000 So we're just seeing where this is going to go. 559 00:32:20,000 --> 00:32:21,880 Again, Katie, thanks for joining us. 560 00:32:21,880 --> 00:32:23,360 Thank you for having me. 561 00:32:23,360 --> 00:32:24,360 You're welcome. 562 00:32:24,360 --> 00:32:25,360 Thanks everybody for listening. 563 00:32:25,360 --> 00:32:26,360 Have a great day. 564 00:32:26,360 --> 00:32:27,360 Bye. 565 00:32:27,360 --> 00:32:28,360 Bye. 566 00:32:28,360 --> 00:32:51,200 i