Starting Over: When Redirection Becomes Realignment

Join Molly Baker, founder of Indie Consulting, and Emma Klipstein, as they discuss her career journey from executive assistant to entrepreneur. She shares the importance of resilience, hard work and how to embrace redirection. Join us for a true behind the scenes of launching a podcast, creating your own brand and how to get uncomfortable.  If you're craving a dose of real talk, reinvention, and ambition—this one's for you.

MB: What's been top of mind professionally?

EK: Growing my new podcast! There was a lot of adversity in leaving my old podcast, but I’ve made success my revenge. I’m fired up like never before—I even told my boyfriend that sleeping feels like an inconvenience right now. I’ve got work to do.

MB: Brag about yourself! What are you really good at?

EK: I throw a killer party, I can talk to anyone—including a wall—and I make a mean carrot cake with 50-year-old cream cheese frosting. But mostly, I know how to make people feel seen, and that’s what makes me a good host and human.

MB: What’s been the most pivotal moment in your career?

EK: Leaving my last podcast. It tested me on every level. I handled it with grace, even though it would’ve been easy to go scorched earth on TikTok. I had two weeks to launch my new show. I named it, did the branding, got a photo shoot done, and launched on January 21.

MB: That’s fast. What was it like starting from scratch?

EK: Liberating. I had the experience, I knew the formula, and I also have a marketing agency—so I led with brand, not virality. I trusted my gut, ignored some bad advice, and embraced doing it solo. It’s finally all me, and it’s working.

MB: How did “Too Much” come to be?

EK: People always called me “too much.” Then I saw a TikTok quoting the Mad Hatter: “You used to be much muchier.” It hit me. That was it—Too Much. The podcast is about being unapologetically yourself in your career, relationships, and life. No shrinking. No dimming your light.

MB: Tell us about Jakoväl Creative.

EK: I started it after getting fired from a job where I felt underutilized. Four days later, I launched my creative agency and had three clients by Monday. We do everything—social media, branding, event curation. It’s a 360° creative agency. It helped me financially while I focused on launching the podcast.

MB: Do you consider yourself more of a creative or entrepreneur?

EK: Both. I’m a shark—if I stop moving, I’ll die. I’ve got the eye for design and the brain for logistics. Hyper-independence and perfectionism help, too—double-edged swords, but they work for me.

MB: You turned being let go into a company launch in a week. Where does that fearlessness come from?

EK: Confidence, independence, and knowing that creative agencies have low overhead. I’ve always worked best under pressure. Done is better than perfect. If I overthink, I freeze. You just have to jump—and pivot if needed.

MB: What’s your vision for the podcast?

EK: Empire. I want to build what Alex Cooper has—but my way. I want a book, a cookbook, a coffee table book, merch, a clothing line, a nonprofit. Right now, I’m focused on community—answering every DM, doing local events, and building a grassroots following. I want every follower to feel known.

MB: How do you handle trends and staying relevant?

EK: I don’t chase trends. I build brand-first. I keep content evergreen. That’s true for my podcast and my client work. I do scroll constantly—but for inspiration, not clout. I’d rather build something real than go viral for a day.

MB: What does a typical day look like?

EK: Chaos, but productive chaos. I run the podcast solo—editing, posting, design, everything. I also handle a few agency clients and manage my personal brand. I stack plans—if I’m doing makeup one day, I cram everything into that day. Most days I’m a troll working from home, and I love it.

MB: Do you ever rest?

EK: Nope. I’m like Buddy the Elf—I sleep maybe 4-5 hours. But I love it. When you love what you do, you don’t want to break from it. I’m building something huge. I’ll rest later. Maybe.

MB: What’s the best advice you’ve received?

EK: My mom always told me to get off my pity pot. No one is coming to save you. Pick yourself up and get it done. You’re the only one who can make things happen for you.

MB: Did you ever imagine this is where you’d end up?

EK: No way. At 21, I didn’t even know podcasts were a thing. I wanted to be a CEO, maybe start a company. But everything in my life—being called “too much,” told I couldn’t be a jack of all trades, mocked for how I told stories—led me here.I think I've really, like, followed my destiny. Not to get cheesy and spiritual, but, like, I think that, like, this has always been the plan and, like, I'm happy that I figured it out. Yeah. And turned all those things into opportunities too, which is amazing. 

Listen to Too Much Podcast! And follow on TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube. You follow Emma at @lifeofemmapage.

As for us, follow @namedrop.pod on Instagram & LinkedIn and@molbakes on Instagram for all future episodes and insights.