If you’ve ever looked at someone else’s success and thought, “Should I be doing that too?”—this story is your reminder that you can build a business that feels aligned instead of forced. In this Dream Biz Podcast episode, Lauren Cunningham—host of So Can I and founder of a social media agency—shares how she’s built a life and business she truly loves by following her curiosity, staying consistent, and giving herself permission to pivot. If you want to learn about pivoting your business and building what you actually love, this episode is for you!
Following Curiosity and Letting Each Chapter Build on the Last
Lauren’s story isn’t linear—and that’s exactly what makes it powerful. She started as an accounting major, earned her MBA, worked in public accounting, and later pivoted into health coaching and recipe development during the pandemic. Those early chapters taught her discipline, communication, and creativity.
When she began developing recipes for fitness apps, she found herself photographing and filming content without realizing that she was developing a new skillset—one that would later form the foundation of her social media agency. Every step that looked like a detour was actually preparing her for what came next.
Lesson: Even when your career feels “curvy,” the dots connect in hindsight. Every skill you practice is an investment in your future business.
The Power of Asking “Do I Really Want This?”
One of the most grounding takeaways from Lauren’s journey is her approach to goal setting. She asks herself two simple but transformative questions:
- Do I really want this?
- Is now the right time?
In a world flooded with podcasts, trends, and social feeds telling us what success should look like, these questions act as a compass. They help you separate what you genuinely desire from what you think you’re supposed to chase. It’s okay to delay good ideas until they fit your capacity or season of life.
Consistency Over Virality
Lauren’s podcast didn’t take off overnight. It grew because she showed up—week after week—for three years. She took short breaks during the holidays but otherwise maintained a rhythm her audience could count on. Over time, that consistency created trust, momentum, and growth.
When she finally had the bandwidth, she added short “sizzle reels” that highlighted multiple clips from each episode. Those videos helped new listeners discover her podcast and fueled rapid growth on Instagram.
Her advice:
- Walk before you run.
- Add new layers only when you can sustain them.
- Don’t underestimate the power of one consistent commitment.
There’s no magic formula—just time, effort, and follow-through.
Pivoting Your Business and Finding What Works for You
Like many entrepreneurs, Lauren experimented with TikTok—but it left her drained. Rather than forcing it, she chose to lean into what felt better: writing on Substack, podcasting, and sharing text-based posts on Instagram.
“I don’t have to be on camera to be successful—I can write, podcast, and still grow.”
If you’re an introvert or neurodivergent creator, this reminder matters: success doesn’t have one format. Whether it’s long-form writing, audio, or carousels, choose the channels that align with your energy and let the rest go.
How to Reverse-Engineer Your Goals
Lauren learned the concept of reverse engineering just before launching her podcast. It changed the way she approached every big dream afterward. Instead of chasing vague ideas, she works backward from the goal to identify tangible steps.
Here’s how that might look:
- Start with your vision—what do you want to achieve?
- Break it down into major milestones.
- Translate those milestones into small, consistent actions you can repeat each week.
She also categorizes tasks into four buckets:
- Essential and enjoyable: Do these first.
- Essential but unenjoyable: Batch or delegate them.
- Non-essential and enjoyable: Keep as creative play.
- Non-essential and unenjoyable: Eliminate when possible.
This framework helps her focus on what truly matters and release what doesn’t.
Celebrating Progress and Staying Present
As solopreneurs, it’s easy to overlook our own wins. Lauren intentionally shares her milestones with friends and family so she doesn’t forget to celebrate them.
“Tell people your wins. They can’t cheer for milestones they don’t know about.”
Acknowledging your progress not only builds confidence but also reinforces consistency. Small celebrations create fuel for the long game.
Pivoting Your Business By Building What You Actually Love
Lauren’s story is a powerful reminder that freedom doesn’t come from having it all figured out—it comes from staying adaptable. Her success wasn’t built on hustle or overnight results; it came from curiosity, self-awareness, and small steps done consistently.
Ask yourself:
- What do I really want right now?
- What am I forcing that no longer fits?
- Where can I add consistency instead of pressure?
Keep walking toward what feels aligned. Build from what already lights you up. Celebrate your pivots, your progress, and your pace. That’s how you build a business you actually love—one intentional, sustainable step at a time.
