Happy Friday, all!
This week’s podcast episode is especially close to my heart. I had the joy of sitting down with Theresa Pablos, CFP®, who many of you might not realize has been the editor behind every single episode of the Mission Driven Business podcast. Over the past few years, I’ve also had the privilege of supporting her as she transitioned from a career in journalism to becoming a financial planner. Watching her grow into a role that beautifully blends her people-first mindset, storytelling strengths, and analytical skills has been nothing short of inspiring.
In this episode, we dive deep into what it really means to define your niche — not just as a branding exercise, but as a foundational step in building a sustainable and purpose-driven business. Theresa shares the excitement and vulnerability that come with choosing a focus, and how identifying your “why” can help illuminate your ideal client and how you serve them best.
Here are three powerful takeaways from our conversation:
- Start with your “why”: Theresa knew she wanted to make complex topics accessible and improve people’s lives. That clarity helped her land on values-based financial planning as her path forward. Your business niche starts with knowing yourself.
- Identify a real need: As she builds her client base, Theresa is exploring whether to focus on creative solopreneurs or tech professionals. She’s learned that a niche isn’t just who you like working with, but also who needs your services enough to seek them out.
- Do it scared: Like many new business owners, Theresa has wrestled with the fear of getting it wrong. But she’s learning to trust herself and take action anyway. Her background in journalism taught her that “no” is just part of the process, and that resilience is key to finding your fit.
Theresa’s story is a reminder that defining your niche is an ongoing, evolving process. It’s okay to experiment. It’s okay to be nervous. And it’s absolutely okay to take your time.
Questions of the Week
- What personal values are guiding the direction of your business?
- Who do you truly want to serve, and what problem are you uniquely equipped to help them solve?
- What’s one small, brave step you could take this week to test or clarify your niche?
Tool of the Week
This week, I’m sharing my own 100 Conversations Worksheet—a powerful tool to help you clarify your ideal client through direct, meaningful conversations. The goal isn’t to sell—it’s to listen. This structured guide includes open-ended questions to uncover real needs, values, and decision-making patterns. If you’re still defining your niche or refining your services, these interviews can offer invaluable clarity.
You can use it to:
- Understand your audience’s world
- Uncover the problems they actually want solved
- Discover how they make buying decisions
- Build relationships based on trust and insight
Start your conversations with curiosity, and you’ll be amazed what you learn.
Wishing you clarity and courage this week,
Brian