

Cubicle to CEO
Ellen Yin
We ask founders the business questions you can't Google. Cubicle to CEO® brings you weekly "behind the business" case-study interviews with leading entrepreneurs and CEOs who share a specific growth strategy they've successfully tested, how they implemented it, and what the results (and revenue) were. Host Ellen Yin also shares transparent insights about her own journey bootstrapping a media company from a $300 freelance project into millions in revenue.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Jul 28, 2025 • 51min
309. From Bottleneck to Breakthrough: How One Strategic Hire Drove 45% Revenue Growth + Cut Labor Costs by 20%
Join us in Oregon for our Bloom Together Business Soiree on September 4th! Get your ticket while you can at https://www.cubicletoceo.co/bloomtogether
In just one year, Emma Tessler restructured her agency to increase revenue by 45% with a single strategic hire.
The founder of Ninety Five Media, Emma hit a ceiling with her fast-growing social media agency. Client work was thriving, but her personal involvement in every project bottlenecked growth and drained capacity. The solution? Hiring a Creative Project Manager to be a buffer between her, the Account Managers, and their clients — owning execution, managing the creative team, and elevating systems and deliverables across the board.
The results speak for themselves: average client retainers jumped from $3K to an average of $4K–$7K/month, labor costs dropped by 20% with improved efficiency, and Emma finally stepped out of the weeds, regaining time to focus on strategy, visibility, and even take a two-week unplugged vacation for the first time in years.
This case study is proof that scaling doesn’t always require building a massive team — it requires making the right hire.
Connect with Emma:
https://ninetyfivemedia.co
The Stop Scrolling, Start Scaling Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/stop-scrolling-start-scaling-podcast/id1635151196
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emmatessler/
IG: @ninety.five.media
Iconic business leaders all have their own unique genius. Take this quick 10 question quiz to uncover your specific CEO style advantage: https://cubicletoceo.co/quiz
If you enjoyed today's episode, please:
Post a screenshot & key takeaway on your IG story and tag me @missellenyin & @cubicletoceo so we can repost you.
Leave a positive review or rating at www.ratethispodcast.com/cubicletoceo
Subscribe for new episodes every Monday.
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Jul 21, 2025 • 50min
308. Built for Flexibility: How In-House Production Became Her Customer Service Superpower
Join us in Oregon for our Bloom Together Business Soiree on September 4th! Get your ticket while you can at https://www.cubicletoceo.co/bloomtogether
Most companies in the custom closets and home organization industry outsource their manufacturing, but Jennifer Q. Williams did the opposite, and it changed everything.
As the founder of Saint Louis Closet Co., Jennifer invested in bringing the entire production process in-house from day one, a bold move that allowed her to deliver fully customizable builds, reduce lead times to 4–6 weeks, and maintain a 100% on-time installation rate. This strategy has fueled 34 years of sustainable growth and empowered her to say yes to complex, last-minute projects — including a high-profile build-out for Grammy-winning rapper, Nelly.
In today’s case study on building a customer service centric company, we’ll dig into how in-house manufacturing didn’t just build customer trust and media buzzworthy opportunities, but how it also protected her business from supply chain chaos during Covid and the recent tariffs, led to faster payment collection, and created loyal clients who now drive over 50% of Saint Louis Closet Co.’s revenue through repeat and referral business.
Connect with Jennifer:
Check out Nelly's closet: https://www.instagram.com/stlouisclosetco/reel/DHLxto6uTv5/
https://stlouisclosetco.com
Linkedin: https://linkedin.com/company/saint-louis-closet-co/
Facebook: https://facebook.com/stlouisclosetco
IG: @stlouisclosetco
Iconic business leaders all have their own unique genius. Take this quick 10 question quiz to uncover your specific CEO style advantage: https://cubicletoceo.co/quiz
If you enjoyed today's episode, please:
Post a screenshot & key takeaway on your IG story and tag me @missellenyin & @cubicletoceo so we can repost you.
Leave a positive review or rating at www.ratethispodcast.com/cubicletoceo
Subscribe for new episodes every Monday.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jul 16, 2025 • 31min
Bonus: Marketing Advice Experts Should Ignore
Join us in Oregon for our Bloom Together Business Soiree on September 4th! Get your ticket while you can at https://www.cubicletoceo.co/bloomtogether
The most qualified expert doesn’t always get the client — the best communicator does.
That’s where Dr. Michelle Mazur comes in. With a PhD in communication and two decades of experience helping brilliant business owners get crystal clear on their message, Michelle’s built a reputation for transforming experts into go-to authorities.
She’s the founder of Communication Rebel and The Expert Up Club, and in this episode, she’s breaking down why mainstream marketing advice doesn’t work for experts — and what to do instead.
Inside, you’ll learn:
The #1 messaging mistake most expert business owners make
Why creators and experts shouldn’t market the same way
Why your messaging doesn’t need to be relatable if its relevant
If you’re sick of throwing spaghetti at the wall and ready for messaging that actually matches your level of expertise, this conversation is your blueprint.
Connect with Michelle:
Market Like an Expert - https://drmichellemazur.com/cubicle
The Expert Up Club - https://expertup.club
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drmichellemazur/
Iconic business leaders all have their own unique genius. Take this quick 10 question quiz to uncover your specific CEO style advantage: https://cubicletoceo.co/quiz
If you enjoyed today's episode, please:
Post a screenshot & key takeaway on your IG story and tag me @missellenyin & @cubicletoceo so we can repost you.
Leave a positive review or rating at www.ratethispodcast.com/cubicletoceo
Subscribe for new episodes every Monday.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jul 14, 2025 • 55min
307. The Proposal Process Powering a $300K Productized Service That Has Booked 200 Clients
Join us in Oregon for our Bloom Together Business Soiree on September 4th! Get your ticket while you can at https://www.cubicletoceo.co/bloomtogether
A 30 minute sales call. A 5 minute proposal. $4K clients signed, sealed, and paid—no chasing required.
Taylor Hedden has built a $300K+ revenue stream with her premium Dubsado setup service by rethinking the traditional sales process. Her white-glove VIP offer has served over 200 creatives and service providers, without a big team, ads or burnout.
Instead of persuasion-heavy pitches, Taylor leads with strategy and validation. Her proposals feel more like high-end brand experiences than service quotes—and that’s exactly what seals the deal.
In this case study, you’ll get the behind-the-scenes tour of Taylor’s productized service and the sales process (including application form, call, and follow-up proposal) that converts consistently and quickly.
Connect with Taylor:
Interested in Taylor's Dubsado VIP Experience? Find out if it's the right fit for your business: https://chanelandlee.com/dubsado-vip-referral-ellen-yin-media
www.ironicallyseriouspodcast.com
IG: @tay.hedden
IG: @chanelandlee
IG: @ironicallyseriouspod
Iconic business leaders all have their own unique genius. Take this quick 10 question quiz to uncover your specific CEO style advantage: https://cubicletoceo.co/quiz
If you enjoyed today's episode, please:
Post a screenshot & key takeaway on your IG story and tag me @missellenyin & @cubicletoceo so we can repost you.
Leave a positive review or rating at www.ratethispodcast.com/cubicletoceo
Subscribe for new episodes every Monday.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jul 7, 2025 • 49min
306. A Viral Video Turned A $19 Offer Into A $10K Weekend (Replicate Her Strategy)
A $19 offer completely transformed her business model.
While running a fully booked social media agency and raising two kids, Katelyn Rhoades launched a $19 Instagram Reels Challenge—just a PDF and video training promoted solely through organic Reels. One of her reels promoting the offer went viral, and within 72 hours, that tiny product brought in $10,000 in sales.
But she didn’t stop there. Katelyn turned that single offer into a scalable revenue engine: building a funnel, layering in upsells, and launching a DIY membership now doing $10K+ in monthly recurring revenue. Altogether, the $19 product has generated six figures and added thousands to her email list all from organic marketing.
In today’s case study, we’ll unpack why Katelyn’s reel went viral so you can replicate her hooks, and the laziest repurposing hack to reuse the same video over and over again to bring in a new influx of followers.
Get Katelyn's IG Growth pack (including her reels challenge) at https://stan.store/katelynrhoades !
Connect with Katelyn:
https://enfluencestudio.com/
Podcast – Call Her Creator (powered by Stan): https://enfluencestudio.com/podcast
IG: @thekatelynrhoades
Iconic business leaders all have their own unique genius. Take this quick 10 question quiz to uncover your specific CEO style advantage: https://cubicletoceo.co/quiz
If you enjoyed today's episode, please:
Post a screenshot & key takeaway on your IG story and tag me @missellenyin & @cubicletoceo so we can repost you.
Leave a positive review or rating at www.ratethispodcast.com/cubicletoceo
Subscribe for new episodes every Monday.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jul 2, 2025 • 40min
Bonus: How to Lead Across Different Personality Types and Generations with Dr. Kristine Medyanik
When 85% of leaders don’t have the tools to develop their teams, the cost of that gap shows up in more than just morale—disengagement costs U.S. companies an estimated $550 billion per year.
Enter Dr. Kristine Medyanik of Shattered Glass Leadership.
Known for designing leadership experiences that spark real growth, Dr. K has coached leaders across industries and generations. In this episode, she shares the overlooked difference between managing performance and developing people, how personality types and generational lenses shape leadership success, and how resilience shows up in leaders today.
If you want to lead in a way that inspires—not just instructs—this conversation is your blueprint.
Connect with Dr. Kristine:
Grab an Uncourse: https://a.co/d/eA350nQ
https://shatteredglassleaders.com/
Take the personality quiz: https://shatteredglassleaders.com/personality-quiz/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/shattered-glass-leadership/
IG: @shatteredglassleaders
Iconic business leaders all have their own unique genius. Take this quick 10 question quiz to uncover your specific CEO style advantage: https://cubicletoceo.co/quiz
If you enjoyed today's episode, please:
Post a screenshot & key takeaway on your IG story and tag me @missellenyin & @cubicletoceo so we can repost you.
Leave a positive review or rating at www.ratethispodcast.com/cubicletoceo
Subscribe for new episodes every Monday.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jun 30, 2025 • 57min
305. From 1 Client to 200+ Weekly 1:1 Students: Scaling Beyond a Solo Service Provider To A Multi-Coach Studio
She started with one client from Craigslist and grew it into a multi-coach vocal studio now serving over 200 clients a week.
In today’s case study, vocal coach and bestselling author Jessica Doyle-Mekkes breaks down how she scaled her studio using community outreach, strategic follow-ups, and a waitlist-first hiring strategy. After capping her solo roster at 30 clients, she built a waitlist of 100+ in just six weeks—then launched her first associate coaches with ready-to-book clients.
With tiered pricing and scalable offers like group classes and digital voice check-ins, Jessica grew a high-touch brand powered entirely by word of mouth.
This is a must-listen for any entrepreneur with a specialized skill or 1:1 service looking to scale beyond their own capacity, without sacrificing the quality of their client delivery.
Connect with Jessica:
Get Jessica's book I'm Speaking: Every Woman's Guide to Finding Your Voice and Using It Fearlessly: https://a.co/d/4F3ryoe
www.jessicadoylemekkes.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessicadoyle-mekkes/
IG: @jessicadoylemekkes
Iconic business leaders all have their own unique genius. Take this quick 10 question quiz to uncover your specific CEO style advantage: https://cubicletoceo.co/quiz
If you enjoyed today's episode, please:
Post a screenshot & key takeaway on your IG story and tag me @missellenyin & @cubicletoceo so we can repost you.
Leave a positive review or rating at www.ratethispodcast.com/cubicletoceo
Subscribe for new episodes every Monday.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jun 23, 2025 • 48min
304. How To Find Dream Clients In Non-Business Spaces ($40K From Casual Conversations)
Flo Esho, CEO of The Easy Flow Life, shares her journey of forging authentic connections that led to $40,000 in revenue through casual conversations. She emphasizes the power of engaging in interest-based communities rather than traditional networking. With anecdotes of landing high-ticket clients from a local group and a Facebook comment, Flo discusses the art of quiet marketing. Her approach highlights that genuine interactions can fuel referrals and shape long-term business success, encouraging listeners to rethink how they build client relationships.

Jun 18, 2025 • 40min
Bonus: Uncommon Ways to Use AI In Your Business (And Why Women Have an Unfair Advantage with AI)
Anne Murphy, founder of She Leads AI, is a trailblazer in AI operations, assisting over 4,000 professionals, mainly women, in leveraging AI to enhance their businesses. She reveals how her AI-first approach generated an extra $100K in revenue without expanding her team. Discover uncommon ways to utilize AI, the secret advantages women possess in working with it, and what an AI-first business truly looks like. Dive into the transformative possibilities of AI and learn how to work less while scaling faster.

Jun 16, 2025 • 51min
303. Inside the Free Summit with an 83% Opt-In Rate and $77K in Back-End Sales (Plus 2025 Strategy Updates)
What does it take to host a summit where your registration page converts at 83% and drives $63,000 in back-end course sales and $77,000 in total revenue?
In today’s case study, Summit in a Box® founder Krista Miller breaks down the behind-the-scenes of her 2020 virtual summit that attracted 1,250 attendees and led to her highest-converting course launch at the time.
With a two-tier all-access pass offer and a brilliant scholarship incentive that led to a 40% LIVE show-up rate for the end-of- summit masterclass that sold her course, Krista turned free attendance into high-ticket enrollment.
Now, five years later with hundreds of more summits under her belt (both her own and her students), she’s reflecting on what she’d change if she ran this summit today—from rethinking her pricing strategy to why she now avoids co-hosting entirely—and how that hindsight is informing the way she hosts summits in 2025.
Connect with Krista:
https://www.summitinabox.co
IG: @summitinabox
Iconic business leaders all have their own unique genius. Take this quick 10 question quiz to uncover your specific CEO style advantage: https://cubicletoceo.co/quiz
If you enjoyed today's episode, please:
Post a screenshot & key takeaway on your IG story and tag me @missellenyin & @cubicletoceo so we can repost you.
Leave a positive review or rating at www.ratethispodcast.com/cubicletoceo
Subscribe for new episodes every Monday.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices


