If you’ve ever hesitated to invest in yourself because you couldn’t calculate the return, this episode might shift how you think about growth.

As solopreneurs, it’s easy to justify investing in tools, programs, or tactical solutions. Those feel measurable and practical. But investing in visibility, branding, proximity, and the rooms you put yourself in can feel different. It can feel indulgent, unnecessary, or even premature.

In this episode of The Solopreneur CEO Podcast, Carin and Marcia reflect on their recent experience participating in the 40 Over 40 branding campaign and attending the gala, and what being in that room revealed about leadership, identity, and environment.

They unpack why certain investments don’t just improve your business, they expand how you see yourself. You’ll hear how proximity shifts standards, why visibility reinforces identity, and how being surrounded by other ambitious women changes what feels possible. They also talk honestly about the friction of growth, the emotional highs and lows of being a solopreneur, and why environment often shapes leadership more than discipline ever will.

This is a grounded conversation about investing in yourself, stepping into bigger rooms, and understanding that the return on identity investments compounds over time.

In This Episode, We Talk About:

• Why investing in yourself feels different than investing in tactics
• How branding experiences reinforce identity, not just visuals
• The power of proximity and being “in the room”
• Why environment shapes confidence and leadership standards
• The emotional friction that comes with growth
• The difference between expense and identity investment
• Why borrowing energy and courage accelerates momentum

If you’ve been feeling stuck, disconnected, or hesitant to step into bigger rooms, this episode will help you see why the environments you choose matter more than you think.

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