Social Media Decoded

• From 9-5 Burnout to Freelance Freedom: How Shruti Built a 5-Figure Online Business from Scratch

  Are you stuck in a 9-5, dreaming of building a profitable online business—but not sure where to start? In this powerful episode of Social Media Decoded, host Michelle Thames sits down with Shruti, the founder of Thriving Mondays and a Certified Online Business Manager, to share how she left her corporate job with zero experience and built a 5-figure freelancing business from her bedroom in India. With over 100 clients and a Top-Rated Plus badge on Upwork, Shruti spills the secrets to growing a successful freelance business without relying on social media followers, a YouTube channel, or going viral. Whether you're a virtual assistant, aspiring freelancer, or overwhelmed CEO wondering if it’s time to hire an OBM—this episode is packed with practical tips and real-life inspiration. What You’ll Learn: How Shruti quit her corporate job with no backup plan Her exact steps to landing clients on Upwork with zero experience What a Certified Online Business Manager (OBM) actually does How to scale a freelance business into consistent 5-figure months Tips to avoid burnout, set boundaries, and stay motivated The difference between hiring a VA vs. OBM for sustainable business growth Guest Info: Shruti – Founder of Thriving Mondays Website: https://thrivingmondays.com Upwork Profile: View Here LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/hello-shruti Episode Quote to Share: "You don’t need to go viral to make money online—you just need the right skills and the courage to start." – Shruti how to start freelancing freelance business tips Upwork success strategy how to find clients on Upwork virtual assistant vs online business manager building a business from home quitting your job to freelance OBM for entrepreneurs online business systems and strategy 🎧 Listen + Subscribe: Don’t miss this episode! Subscribe to Social Media Decoded and leave a review to help more people discover inspiring stories like Shruti’s. Available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, and everywhere you listen.

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• How I Sold Out My Offer with Just Vibes and Voice Notes

  What if your next sold-out offer didn’t require a funnel, ads, or a 37-email sequence? In this episode, I’m sharing the real, behind-the-scenes strategy I used to fill my one-month Marketing Sprint—without a single launch webinar or complicated tech. Real conversations, clear messaging, and intentional connection through voice notes and content that spoke directly to my people. This episode is for entrepreneurs who are tired of overcomplicating their business and ready to simplify, connect, and get paid without burning out. You’ll walk away with:✔️ A breakdown of how I sold out my offer using content and voice notes✔️ The 4 key things that made it successful (and how you can do it too)✔️ How to shift from pitching to inviting in your sales conversations✔️ What to focus on when you want to book clients without launching Because you don’t need to go viral—you need to get clear. And when your offer hits right and your message connects? The sales flow with ease. Want to Sell Out Your Offer Too? Start with my FREE 7-Day Visibility Challenge and show up in front of the people who need your brilliance—without guessing what to post. Do you need a step-by-step roadmap to grow your visibility and monetize your message? My $17 audio course is your next best move. Let’s be friends on the ’gram! I’m always sharing behind-the-scenes, client wins, and marketing gems you won’t want to miss. Follow me @michellelthames. This episode is your reminder that simplicity sells. You already have what it takes; you need the right strategy to back it up. Let’s make your next offer the easiest sell yet.

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• The 10-Minute Marketing Fix That’s Making My Clients Thousands

  What if the thing slowing down your marketing success… is you? If you’ve ever felt stuck spinning your wheels—trying to post consistently, show up on all the platforms, and still hearing crickets—this episode is for you.You don’t need to start from scratch or build a complicated funnel.You need clarity, simplicity, and a strategy that fits your life and your season. In this episode, I’m walking you through the 10-minute marketing audit I’ve used with my private clients to help them clean up their message, tighten their content strategy, and book dream clients without burnout. You’ll walk away with: ✔️ A simple framework to audit your content, bio, and offers✔️ The #1 messaging mistake that’s keeping people from saying YES✔️ A tangible, doable strategy to start marketing with purpose, not pressure Friend, you don’t need more content. You need a better container for your message.Let’s fix that today—together. Ready to Get Visible with Ease? Grab my FREE 7-Day Visibility Challenge and start showing up strategically so your dream clients can finally find you:michellelthames.com/challenge 🎧 Want the full playbook? Download my $17 audio course that teaches you how to build visibility and convert followers into paying clients with ease:Check it out here 📲 Let’s stay connected! Come hang out with me on Instagram, where I share daily tips, wins, and real talk:@michellelthames

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  8:04
• Bootstrapping to Success: How Johnathan Grzybowski Built Penji Without Investors

  In this episode of Social Media Decoded, host Michelle Thames sits down with Johnathan Grzybowski, co-founder of Penji, a creative-as-a-service platform that helps businesses access top-tier design talent through a simple subscription model. Johnathan shares how he bootstrapped Penji from the ground up—with no investors and no safety net—scaling it into an Inc. 5000 company that has served thousands of clients worldwide. If you're a startup founder, creative entrepreneur, or small business owner looking for bootstrapping tips, branding advice, or scalable business models, this conversation is packed with value. What You’ll Learn in This Episode: How Johnathan scaled Penji without outside funding The biggest challenges of bootstrapping a business (and how he overcame them) What makes customer experience a true differentiator in today’s digital world How subscription-based services are shaping the future of creative work Lessons from managing a high-performing creative team and building long-term client trust Resources & Links Mentioned: 💻 Penji Website: https://penji.co📲 Follow Penji on Instagram: @penji.co🎙️ Dear Dads Podcast: Listen Here💡 Free Ideas Daily: https://freeideas.io how to bootstrap a startup bootstrapped business success stories customer experience strategy building a creative agency subscription business model tips how to start a service-based business creative team management small business branding and marketing 💬 Connect with Michelle: 🌐 Website: www.michellethames.com📧 Email: michelle@michellethames.com📲 Instagram: @michellelthames

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• Content That Converts: What to Post to Get Visible AND Paid

  Feeling like you’re showing up online but not seeing results? You’re not alone—and the issue isn’t just “post more.” In this episode, I’m breaking down the 3 types of content you need to attract visibility and aligned clients consistently. If you’re tired of throwing content at the wall and hoping it sticks, this episode is your blueprint. I’m walking you through the content system I teach inside my $17 audio course, Visible & Booked™, and sharing how to build a visibility rhythm that works—even if you’re not posting every day. ✨ You’ll learn: The 3 content types you need to turn followers into clients Why engagement ≠ visibility (and what actually matters) The #1 mindset shift to stop overthinking your content How to create consistent visibility without burnout 🎧 Whether you're a coach, service provider, or multi-passionate entrepreneur—this episode will give you a real strategy you can use today. Ready to Build a Brand That Stands Out? Join my FREE 7-Day Visibility Challenge and learn how to confidently show up, attract aligned clients, and build a brand that gets remembered (without posting 24/7).→ JOIN HERE Want My Full Visibility System? My $17 audio course, Visible & Booked™, teaches you how to create a simple, sustainable content rhythm that turns your ideas into income.→ Grab it now here You’ll walk away with:✅ A weekly content plan that works for your life✅ Plug-and-play visibility strategy✅ Confidence to show up like the expert you are 📌 Don’t forget to subscribe + leave a review if this episode gave you clarity! Let’s keep you visible & paid,—Michelle Thames@michellelthames | Host of the Social Media Decoded podcast

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