Eight Years Later, Still Showing Up —Now With a Podcast ☕️
January has a way of inviting reflection.
Not the kind that keeps us stuck looking backward, but the kind that helps us notice how far we have come and where we might be getting a quiet nudge to go next.
This January holds two meaningful milestones for me.
Last week, I officially launched the Coffee with Kelly: To Go! podcast, a space I have felt called to create for a long time.
And this month, The Kelly Merbler Company celebrates eight years of leadership, growth, courage, and community.
Both moments are deeply connected by one simple theme:
Showing up before you feel perfectly ready.
Eight years ago, I took a leap and left my six-figure corporate job after dedicating 21 years of my life to one company. I had no clear roadmap, no guaranteed paycheck every two weeks, and definitely no crystal ball. The security of knowing exactly what to expect was suddenly gone.
What I did know was this: I did not have it all figured out.
What I did have was a deep belief that leadership could be more human, more encouraging, and more rooted in strengths and purpose. I saw leaders who wanted to grow but did not always feel seen or supported, and organizations that wanted better cultures but did not always know where to start.
So I said yes anyway.
Since then, I have had the privilege of walking alongside leaders, teams, entrepreneurs, and organizations navigating change, burnout, growth, and uncertainty, sometimes all at once. I have seen what happens when leaders choose courage over comfort and intention over autopilot.
And that is exactly what launching this podcast represents for me.
Why a Podcast, and Why Now?
For nearly six years, Coffee with Kelly has been a live space on Zoom. Early Friday mornings, honest conversations, shared laughter, real leadership lessons, and sometimes coffee refills.
But I kept hearing the same thing.
“I love this… I just can’t make it at 8 a.m.”
The podcast is my answer to that.
Leadership “To Go.”
Twenty minutes of insight, one episode at a time.
Something you can take with you on a walk, during a commute, or between meetings, without adding one more thing to your plate.
And yes, launching it stretched me. New formats tend to do that. Growth almost always comes with a little discomfort. And just to be fully transparent, yes, I am definitely uncomfortable in this new format.
After years of Zoom, I could practically do Coffee with Kelly in my sleep. This podcast was a very real wake-up call to try something new so I could reach more people who need encouragement, perspective, and leadership support right where they are.
The Leadership Lesson I Want to Leave You With
Do not wait for clarity to act. Action creates clarity.
Momentum is built by movement, not perfection.
Your Simple Action Step This Week
Ask yourself,
What is one small action I can take this week that aligns with how I want to grow in 2026?
Write it down.
Say it out loud.
Tell someone who will hold you accountable.
Then take the first step.
One Last Sip, and an Invitation
If this message resonated with you...
If you are navigating growth, change, or the quiet courage it takes to keep showing up...
I would love to continue the conversation with you.
Subscribe to the Coffee with Kelly To Go! podcast below.
Leadership lessons, real talk, and encouragement you can take with you, twenty minutes at a time.
Subscribe on Youtube: Click here 👈
Follow on Spotify: Click here 👈
Thank you for being part of this journey.
Love & Coffee,
Kelly