Stephanie Hudson

💡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 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