Courage & Clarity Ep. 164: [CLIENT PANEL] These 4 CEOs Doubled Their Launches & More

Host: Steph Crowder
Guests: Melody Wilding, Melinda Nelsonhurst, Michael Kilkelly, Caitlin Denning
Date: November 5, 2025

Episode Overview

This special episode features a panel of four diverse entrepreneurs—each a successful graduate of Steph Crowder’s Sold Out Group Programs (SOGP)—discussing how they dramatically scaled their businesses. The focus is on demystifying what it actually takes to double your launch results (and more) through sustainable business strategies. The panelists share candid stories about sales systems, overcoming setbacks, refining messaging, and the real experience of being a part of Steph’s mastermind program.

Through a mix of practical tactics, inspiring success stories, and frank acknowledgment of entrepreneurship’s emotional roller coaster, listeners get a behind-the-scenes look at the repeatable strategies and essential support that fueled these CEOs’ growth.

Meet the Panel (Introductions)

[01:26–06:05]

• Melody Wilding:

  • Career & leadership coach, author of two books, SOGP member for 1.5 years
  • Cites the program as highly recommended
  • “I cannot recommend it enough. That's the first thing I'll say.” [01:48]

• Melinda Nelsonhurst:

  • Egyptologist, teaches hieroglyphs to adults outside academia
  • Veteran of Steph’s programs since 2018
  • Excited to build further on her offerings through SOGP

• Michael Kilkelly:

  • Architect specializing in teaching others to automate industry software (Revit)
  • “Here, Steph, take my money, I'm going to do it.” [03:51]
  • Notes the universality of Steph’s methods even in technical niches

• Caitlin Denning:

  • Life & executive coach for working moms
  • Appreciates the diversity of backgrounds in SOGP—“Not just full of coaches!”
  • “I am often most inspired and take so many learnings from the people in the group who’re doing something completely different from what I offer.” [05:20]

Key Discussion Points & Insights

The Buzz Blitz: Foundations of a Repeatable Launch System

[06:05–14:54]

• What is Buzz Blitz?

  • Steph’s signature, multi-phase sales campaign process
  • Emphasizes building a library of assets for repeat launches

• Melinda’s Experience:

  • Used Buzz Blitz in its early days to launch a digital course—without live events, just emails
  • Expected 20 signups, dreamt of 50…got 60 in the first round

    “I thought maybe ... I might get like 20 people ... ended up just during the waitlist period with 50.” [08:17]

  • Has used and evolved the process for every launch since, emphasizing resilience and stress reduction during personal crises

• Michael’s Experience:

  • Saw launches dwindle before Buzz Blitz; presumed market saturation
  • Buzz Blitz delivered launch numbers that revived the business
  • “You can gauge interest early on and then you can generate sales at the front end. That was super helpful—to motivate me, but also just get some early success.” [12:34]
  • Highlights the emotional roller coaster of launches, and the stabilizing effect of community and proven processes

• Steph’s Commentary:

  • Reinforces that “repeatable” really means not starting from scratch each time
  • “I have a literal library of messages and emails ... I’m going to be able to just hand this to my assistant ... so that I can just show up to my training.” [10:52]

Transitioning from 1:1 to Group Programs

[14:54–18:49]

• Caitlin’s Journey:

  • Entered SOGP in a 1:1 focus, after failed independent group attempts and a “client drought”
  • First stabilized 1:1 revenue, then incrementally built (and repeatedly sold out) a group offer
  • “It just normalized so much ... so then when I was ready ... I already had that perspective on it.” [16:13]
  • Reached a point where she’s mapping out a full year’s plan, exceeding her own expectations

• Steph’s Process Overview:

  • SOGP isn’t just for group-program creators—often helps clients first stabilize 1:1 offers

Standout Success Story: Melody’s “Speak Like a Senior Leader” Launch

[18:49–23:29]

• Background:

  • After relaunching her core program with SOGP’s help, Melody noticed shifting audience needs
  • Used “personal outreach” strategies learned in SOGP to rapidly validate a new offer

• Rocket-ship Results:

  • Hoped for 25–35 enrollments; hit 50 with early bird launch, raised prices and got 50 more
  • “We ended up with ... about 103 people in this first round ... I was in total disbelief.” [20:22]
  • Cites mastery of messaging, positioning, and email frameworks as key factors
  • “16 emails in three hours—used to take me days, or I’d hire a copywriter for $5,000. Now I do it myself.” [22:00]

• Steph’s Notable Quote:

  • On the panelists’ growth: “When I read your emails, I have to kind of go to the next level. I’m like, man, these people are really getting it.” [23:29]

Personalized Support & Coaching—How SOGP Delivers

[23:29–33:16]

“Will I actually get support, or be lost in the sauce?”

• Melody:

  • Compares SOGP favorably to far pricier programs
  • “Steph, you are so present in the program, physically, on the calls, in the feedback, in the community ... You know us. You know each of us.” [25:00]

• Melinda:

  • Most courses “never really got any personalized feedback at all”—SOGP is the “complete opposite”
  • Submits launch assets even after years for review: “I build on that feedback—emails, sales pages, webinars ... it gets better and better as we go.” [26:28]

• Caitlin:

  • Experiencing this level of support raised her own service standards
  • “Being in a space like this ... has made me think about my programs and made them better.” [31:14]
  • 90-day planning cycles give structure and keep coaching “in the nitty gritty”

• Michael:

  • Structures and extras like asset reviews and a lively community create real accountability, even for those with “day jobs”
  • “The program is there when I need it, the community’s there, and we pick up right where we left off.” [31:52]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Repeatable Systems:

  “What’s really uniting of these folks is everyone here has doubled a launch or doubled their results at least ... and are able to leverage the same tools.” – Steph Crowder [04:47]

• On Real-Life Resilience:

  “When I do have—you know, the proverbial stuff hits the fan and I’m in the middle of a launch ... I have that to fall back on.” – Melinda [09:53]

• On Emotional Reality of Launching:

  “Launching can be really emotional. Like, you’re up and down and like: what’s going on? ... It’s nice to have a sounding board.” – Michael [14:54]

• On the Value of Coaching Support:

  “The support in here is unparalleled ... there's a reason why all of us are renewing.” – Melody [25:00]

• On Upleveling Through Community:

  “Being in a space like this ... has made me think about the programs and even the 1:1 coaching and containers that I have for my clients—and made them better.” – Caitlin [31:14]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Panel Introductions: [01:26–06:05]
• Buzz Blitz (Repeatable Launching): [06:05–14:54]
• 1:1 to Group Program Pathway (Caitlin's journey): [14:54–18:49]
• Melody’s 100+ Student Launch: [20:06–23:29]
• Real Talk on Coaching Support: [23:29–33:16]

Closing Thoughts

Steph wraps with heartfelt thanks and highlights the longevity of her client relationships as the ultimate testimonial. The group’s camaraderie, practical transparency, and commitment to growth was mutual and palpable.

“Every person on this panel has grown so much since I met you. You all should be very proud. ... This is really cool to get to hear from people ... that have been rocking with me for quite a while.” – Steph [33:17]

For listeners considering joining Steph Crowder’s programs:

• Applications, bonus details, and process clarity were briefly outlined, but the core focus here was real transformation, actionable strategies, and the power of ongoing, truly personalized support.

Episode Takeaways:

• Sustainable business growth comes from repeatable systems, targeted messaging, and community support—not from constantly reinventing your offers.
• Personalized, “hands-on” feedback is transformative, even (or especially) for experienced business owners.
• Diversity of backgrounds in a mastermind creates unexpected learning and inspiration for all.
• Success is as much about emotional resilience and structure as it is about sales tactics.