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⚡Want to build a business that actually works? My team at Motive11 can help—websites, systems, and strategy for modern entrepreneurs → https://motive11.com
Stephanie Hudson shares her journey from freelance web developer to FocusWP founder, including how surviving a coma taught her the critical importance of business continuity planning that most solopreneurs completely ignore.
🔗 Connect with Stephanie Hudson:
Website: https://focuswp.co
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stephanie.hudson
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/left-brain
X: https://x.com/stepherriffic
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@FocusWP
🔗 Connect with Mark Szymanski:
Website: https://markszymanski.co
Facebook: https://mjs.link/FB
Instagram: https://mjs.link/IG
LinkedIn: https://mjs.link/LI
X: https://mjs.link/X
YouTube: https://mjs.link/YT
About the show:
Fueled By Progress is a podcast about candid conversations with builders, creators, and curious people—focused on decisions, disciplines, and stories that move us forward.
If you’re new here, welcome. If you’ve been here since episodes recorded in my car—thank you. We’re still just getting warmed up 💪
Host --- Mark Szymanski: https://markszymanski.co/links
Video/Audio Production --- Nathaniel DeHaven: https://elevatedmultimedia.com
Chapters:
0:00 – Introducing Stephanie Hudson
2:25 – Growing Up in the 'Burgh (High School Colors & Sports Culture)
6:55 – Stephanie's Journey: From Pittsburgh to LA to North Carolina
10:50 – Discovering the WordPress Community
13:34 – The Hidden Ecosystem Behind WordPress
18:55 – How Focus on Your Biz Facebook Group Started
22:24 – Early Web Days: Dial-Up, Dreamweaver & Tables
29:19 – Meeting Tom & Starting Focus WP
36:41 – The Visionary vs. Integrator Problem (Rocket Fuel)
42:08 – Freelancer Struggles & Imposter Syndrome
48:43 – The Niche Discussion: Service vs. Audience
54:58 – Niching Into a Service (Not Just an Industry)
1:04:50 – The Coma Story: Getting "Hit by a Bus" for Real
1:09:22 – What Is a Continuity Plan?
1:14:37 – Password Managers & 2FA: Critical Single Points of Failure
1:23:38 – Pittsburgh Pride: Heinz Ketchup & Ranch Culture
1:29:00 – Mark's Content Strategy & Daily Videos Discussion
1:39:38 – Stephanie's Community Platform Dilemma (Facebook vs. Fluent)
1:49:30 – Body Doubling & ADHD Co-Working Ideas
1:56:57 – The 3D Glasses Website & Accessibility Controversy
2:02:25 – Agency Safety Net: The New Course & Service
Stephanie Hudson shares her journey from freelance web developer to FocusWP founder, including how surviving a coma taught her the critical importance of business continuity planning that most solopreneurs completely ignore.
🔗 Connect with Stephanie Hudson:
Website: https://focuswp.co
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stephanie.hudson
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/left-brain
X: https://x.com/stepherriffic
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@FocusWP
🔗 Connect with Mark Szymanski:
Website: https://markszymanski.co
Facebook: https://mjs.link/FB
Instagram: https://mjs.link/IG
LinkedIn: https://mjs.link/LI
X: https://mjs.link/X
YouTube: https://mjs.link/YT
About the show:
Fueled By Progress is a podcast about candid conversations with builders, creators, and curious people—focused on decisions, disciplines, and stories that move us forward.
If you’re new here, welcome. If you’ve been here since episodes recorded in my car—thank you. We’re still just getting warmed up 💪
Host --- Mark Szymanski: https://markszymanski.co/links
Video/Audio Production --- Nathaniel DeHaven: https://elevatedmultimedia.com
Chapters:
0:00 – Introducing Stephanie Hudson
2:25 – Growing Up in the 'Burgh (High School Colors & Sports Culture)
6:55 – Stephanie's Journey: From Pittsburgh to LA to North Carolina
10:50 – Discovering the WordPress Community
13:34 – The Hidden Ecosystem Behind WordPress
18:55 – How Focus on Your Biz Facebook Group Started
22:24 – Early Web Days: Dial-Up, Dreamweaver & Tables
29:19 – Meeting Tom & Starting Focus WP
36:41 – The Visionary vs. Integrator Problem (Rocket Fuel)
42:08 – Freelancer Struggles & Imposter Syndrome
48:43 – The Niche Discussion: Service vs. Audience
54:58 – Niching Into a Service (Not Just an Industry)
1:04:50 – The Coma Story: Getting "Hit by a Bus" for Real
1:09:22 – What Is a Continuity Plan?
1:14:37 – Password Managers & 2FA: Critical Single Points of Failure
1:23:38 – Pittsburgh Pride: Heinz Ketchup & Ranch Culture
1:29:00 – Mark's Content Strategy & Daily Videos Discussion
1:39:38 – Stephanie's Community Platform Dilemma (Facebook vs. Fluent)
1:49:30 – Body Doubling & ADHD Co-Working Ideas
1:56:57 – The 3D Glasses Website & Accessibility Controversy
2:02:25 – Agency Safety Net: The New Course & Service
Creators and Guests
What is Fueled By Progress?
Fueled by Progress is about conversations that matter — with entrepreneurs, creators, and thinkers who are shaping the way we live and work. I’m Mark Szymanski, an entrepreneur and creator navigating the intersection of business, technology, and personal growth.
Through candid discussions and thoughtful questions, I explore the strategies, mindsets, and philosophies that drive both success and fulfillment. While business and tech form the backbone of these conversations, we also dive into personal outlooks, psychology, and the lessons that create a more complete picture of life and progress.
If you’re curious about the people, ideas, and habits that fuel real growth, this is your seat at the table.