<p>💡If you like how I think about business, technology, and systems on Fueled By Progress, you can find the best way to work with me or learn more at https://markszymanski.co/start</p><p>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.</p><p>🔗 Connect with Stephanie Hudson:<br>Website: https://focuswp.co<br>Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stephanie.hudson<br>LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/left-brain<br>X: https://x.com/stepherriffic<br>YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@FocusWP</p><p>🔗 Connect with Mark Szymanski:<br>Website: https://markszymanski.co<br>Facebook: https://mjs.link/FB<br>Instagram: https://mjs.link/IG<br>LinkedIn: https://mjs.link/LI<br>X: https://mjs.link/X<br>YouTube: https://mjs.link/YT</p><p>About the show:<br>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.</p><p>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 💪</p><p>Host --- Mark Szymanski: https://markszymanski.co/links<br>Video/Audio Production --- Nathaniel DeHaven: https://elevatedmultimedia.com</p><p>Chapters:<br>0:00 – Introducing Stephanie Hudson<br>2:25 – Growing Up in the 'Burgh (High School Colors &amp; Sports Culture)<br>6:55 – Stephanie's Journey: From Pittsburgh to LA to North Carolina<br>10:50 – Discovering the WordPress Community<br>13:34 – The Hidden Ecosystem Behind WordPress<br>18:55 – How Focus on Your Biz Facebook Group Started<br>22:24 – Early Web Days: Dial-Up, Dreamweaver &amp; Tables<br>29:19 – Meeting Tom &amp; Starting Focus WP<br>36:41 – The Visionary vs. Integrator Problem (Rocket Fuel)<br>42:08 – Freelancer Struggles &amp; Imposter Syndrome<br>48:43 – The Niche Discussion: Service vs. Audience<br>54:58 – Niching Into a Service (Not Just an Industry)<br>1:04:50 – The Coma Story: Getting "Hit by a Bus" for Real<br>1:09:22 – What Is a Continuity Plan?<br>1:14:37 – Password Managers &amp; 2FA: Critical Single Points of Failure<br>1:23:38 – Pittsburgh Pride: Heinz Ketchup &amp; Ranch Culture<br>1:29:00 – Mark's Content Strategy &amp; Daily Videos Discussion<br>1:39:38 – Stephanie's Community Platform Dilemma (Facebook vs. Fluent)<br>1:49:30 – Body Doubling &amp; ADHD Co-Working Ideas<br>1:56:57 – The 3D Glasses Website &amp; Accessibility Controversy<br>2:02:25 – Agency Safety Net: The New Course &amp; Service</p>

Fueled By Progress

Mark Szymanski

Stephanie Hudson: Surviving a Coma, FocusWP & Why Every Freelancer Needs a Continuity Plan | Ep. 90

DEC 5, 2025126 MIN
Fueled By Progress

Stephanie Hudson: Surviving a Coma, FocusWP & Why Every Freelancer Needs a Continuity Plan | Ep. 90

DEC 5, 2025126 MIN

Description

💡If you like how I think about business, technology, and systems on Fueled By Progress, you can find the best way to work with me or learn more at https://markszymanski.co/startStephanie 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.coFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/stephanie.hudsonLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/left-brainX: https://x.com/stepherrifficYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@FocusWP🔗 Connect with Mark Szymanski:Website: https://markszymanski.coFacebook: https://mjs.link/FBInstagram: https://mjs.link/IGLinkedIn: https://mjs.link/LIX: https://mjs.link/XYouTube: https://mjs.link/YTAbout 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/linksVideo/Audio Production --- Nathaniel DeHaven: https://elevatedmultimedia.comChapters:0:00 – Introducing Stephanie Hudson2:25 – Growing Up in the 'Burgh (High School Colors & Sports Culture)6:55 – Stephanie's Journey: From Pittsburgh to LA to North Carolina10:50 – Discovering the WordPress Community13:34 – The Hidden Ecosystem Behind WordPress18:55 – How Focus on Your Biz Facebook Group Started22:24 – Early Web Days: Dial-Up, Dreamweaver & Tables29:19 – Meeting Tom & Starting Focus WP36:41 – The Visionary vs. Integrator Problem (Rocket Fuel)42:08 – Freelancer Struggles & Imposter Syndrome48:43 – The Niche Discussion: Service vs. Audience54:58 – Niching Into a Service (Not Just an Industry)1:04:50 – The Coma Story: Getting "Hit by a Bus" for Real1:09:22 – What Is a Continuity Plan?1:14:37 – Password Managers & 2FA: Critical Single Points of Failure1:23:38 – Pittsburgh Pride: Heinz Ketchup & Ranch Culture1:29:00 – Mark's Content Strategy & Daily Videos Discussion1:39:38 – Stephanie's Community Platform Dilemma (Facebook vs. Fluent)1:49:30 – Body Doubling & ADHD Co-Working Ideas1:56:57 – The 3D Glasses Website & Accessibility Controversy2:02:25 – Agency Safety Net: The New Course & Service