Unleashing LinkedIn Success & Long-Term Business Growth with Wendy Shore

Amber Stitt
Sep 23
3 min read

Building Success and Community Online: Insights from the Wendy Shore Unleashed Podcast

On a special edition of Pathways with Amber Stitt—Pathways Unleashed—host Amber sits down with Wendy Shore, best-selling author and renowned LinkedIn strategist, at the Unleash Your Superpower conference. Their conversation offers valuable insights for entrepreneurs, business owners, and anyone looking to build a meaningful online network. Here, we’ll explore major takeaways from their engaging discussion.

LinkedIn: More Than an Online Resume

According to Wendy, many professionals still view LinkedIn as just a digital resume—a place for job seekers to park their work history. But the platform has evolved. “It’s a real social media platform with real people who are mostly business people,” Wendy emphasizes. With its strong SEO integration, having an active LinkedIn profile increases your visibility in web searches—often placing your LinkedIn page or posts at the top results. In today’s digital-first world, if someone looks you up, LinkedIn is likely one of the first things they see.

But simply having a profile isn’t enough. Wendy notes that consistent engagement—posting, commenting, collaborating—helps you rank higher and be more discoverable (take it from her: as she became more active, she rose above other Wendy Shores in the search results!).

Collaboration is the New Currency

Amber and Wendy discuss the power of collaboration in business, especially for entrepreneurs and solopreneurs. Wendy shares her experience meeting her podcast co-host, Melissa Cohen, through purposeful engagement on LinkedIn. Unlike other platforms, LinkedIn fosters real connections that often turn into genuine friendships and partnerships.

Wendy’s advice is clear: “You want to build the relationship first.” Rather than “pitch slapping”—the all-too-common instant sales pitch that follows a connection—Wendy encourages getting to know your network. “You could actually be reaching out to somebody who is your ideal client, but you want to build the relationship first. If you build a relationship, you may find that someone they know is the perfect referral.”

This, she shares, is the foundation of a thriving online (and offline) community. “Success doesn’t happen in a silo. You don’t grow alone,” Wendy reminds listeners. Even for solopreneurs, growth is rooted in community and collaboration.

The Solopreneur Shift

A refreshing part of the conversation is the celebration of solopreneurs. While much business advice pushes for constant scaling and delegation, Wendy notes a growing trend: people intentionally building one-person businesses that can reach six or even seven figures, thanks to modern tools and digital networks. Delegating tasks (like hiring a virtual assistant) means you’re not truly working alone, even as a solopreneur. Wendy’s own journey across industries—from restaurants to LinkedIn strategy—highlights the resilience and adaptability today’s entrepreneurs need.

Authentic Networking and Reputation

Not all connections are created equal. Wendy and Amber discuss the difference between a “referral” and an “introduction,” with referrals carrying a deeper endorsement and putting your reputation on the line. Building trust and operating with integrity may not yield overnight results, but it pays off in sustainable, meaningful growth.

There’s no shortcut to genuine reputation online. “Whatever you do in business, you really need to do it with integrity. Sometimes that means longer growth patterns,” says Wendy.

Practical Tools for Accountability

Wendy introduces her Quarterly Ledger, a hands-on planner for setting and tracking business goals. For solopreneurs and small business owners, it’s a powerful way to stay accountable, pivot when necessary, and weather the unpredictable storms of life and business. “If you don’t block out time for yourself...you can’t expect the ships to come in if you’re not sending them out,” she shares, using the metaphor of sending ships to illustrate proactive networking.

Final Thoughts: Your Experience is Enough

Don’t let the absence of a “hero’s journey” hold you back. Wendy reminds us: you don’t need an epic backstory to serve and inspire others. Sometimes, what feels ordinary to you is exactly what someone else needs to hear or learn.

Ready to take action? Build or revamp your LinkedIn presence, invest in genuine relationships, embrace solopreneurship if it fits your path, and remember: success is best when it’s shared. For more insights, or to connect with Wendy Shore, visit WendyShore.co and follow the podcast at AmberStitt.com.

Let’s keep taking action—together!