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:

1. You can't plan the best connections — but you can put yourself in rooms where they happen.
2. Every investment in a relationship compound over time, often in ways you'll never predict.
3. The same room that gives you one great connection can give you your future business partner years later.
4. Showing up consistently — even for free — builds the trust and visibility that creates opportunities.
5. 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.