400 Solo: How One Conference in 2019 Led to $100K in Contracts, a Business Partner, and a Sold-Out Event

Quick Summary:

In this solo episode, host Kelsey takes listeners through the real, unscripted story of how one decision — buying a ticket to a conference in LA back in 2019 — set off a chain of events that led to a $70,000 contract, a $30,000 client referral, life-changing friendships, and eventually co-founding the Wave community. This is a raw, honest account of what happens when you say yes to the room.

In This Episode:

• Why entrepreneurship requires trusting the ripple, not just the plan
• Kelsey's background: 15+ years in marketing, 9 years as a business owner
• The 2019 Toronto business summit that started it all
• Getting a free ticket to an LA conference — and what came from it
• Joining Archangel Synergy and landing a $70,000 contract
• Meeting Michael Roderick and the Hit Makers mastermind
• Saying yes to a Curiosity Quest adventure retreat — 4 months pregnant
• A $30,000 client referral that came in during mat leave
• Meeting Amy Sussex at a brunch and the serendipity of a seat assignment
• The full-circle story of how Emily — now Kelsey's co-founder — entered the picture
• The Wave community, Paris Ontario event, and what's next

Key Takeaways:

You can't plan the best connections — but you can put yourself in rooms where they happen.Every investment in a relationship compound over time, often in ways you'll never predict.The same room that gives you one great connection can give you your future business partner years later.Showing up consistently — even for free — builds the trust and visibility that creates opportunities.Being open to receiving, not just pursuing, is what makes the magic happen.

Memorable Quotes:

• "One event, one introduction, one yes: $70,000. I couldn't have planned that."
• "The ripple effect will happen, and it will rewrite what you ever even dreamed was possible."
• "I very much detach from having really rigid big visions, because when you say yes, things change."

People & Resources Mentioned:

• Kelsey’s Instagram: @KelseyReidl
• Kelsey’s Website: www.KelseyReidl.com
• Raymond — Mentor met at a coworking space in Toronto
• Archangel Synergy — Coaching/mastermind program (scaling from 6 to 7 figures)
• Nicole Weston — Wave community member; met at the LA Archangel Summit
• Michael Roderick — Speaker, coach, founder of Hit Makers mastermind; referable brand expert
• Brandon Fong — Super-connector, host of Beyond Curious podcast
• Curiosity Quest — Adventure retreat in Park City, Utah
• Max — Founder of Pick My Brain; met at the Curiosity Quest
• Amy Sussex — Operations consultant; met at a women's brunch in Kitchener
• Blake Fly — TEDx speaker; member of Thank You Live community
• Emily — Co-founder of the Wave community
• Wave Paris Event — April 17th, Paris Ontario

About the Host

Kelsey Reidl is an entrepreneur, fractional CMO, and host of Rain or Shine (formerly Visionary Life). She's been podcasting for 8 years, helping entrepreneurs show up consistently and build sustainable businesses. She runs the Wave Mastermind and specializes in marketing strategy, website design, and business growth. Kelsey is a mom to a 2-year-old, an avid mountain biker, and a firm believer in the "rain or shine" mentality.