I sat down with former guest, Deanna Russo to talk about what happens when a brilliant idea… just doesn’t work.

Deanna built Leverage Up around the power of LinkedIn — growing her network from 400 to 30,000 and coaching others to do the same. But when she tried to spin off a paid group community alongside her one-on-one coaching, it didn’t go quite as planned.

We dug into:

• The Big Idea: Create a dynamic community space to complement her coaching — a place for conversation, accountability, and shared learning. It started as a bonus for coaching clients and then branched off on its own.
• What Went Wrong: The group didn’t gain traction. Despite adjusting the format, frequency, and focus, most people showed up for the coaching — not the community. Participation lagged. Energy dropped. And the people Deanna did want to reach? They were already getting plenty from her other free content, like her weekly LinkedIn Audio show.
• What She’d Do Differently: Deanna reflects on how she’d staff and structure it if she ever tried again. She’d bring in a producer to run the logistics, develop content, and manage the tech. And she’d take a closer look at pricing — making sure it reflects the real value without cannibalizing her coaching.

Key Takeaway for Business Owners:
Just because something could work doesn’t mean it should — at least not right now. If your audience is voting with their time and money, pay attention. Sometimes your next step isn’t to fix a failing idea — it’s to let go and follow the energy. somewhere else. 

• If it’s not growing, it’s not working.
  Pay attention to where your customers naturally gravitate. If one offer is thriving while another flounders, don’t split your energy trying to force both to succeed.

• Running a community is a full-time job.
  You need structure, support, and likely a second set of hands. A community isn’t just a cheaper version of coaching—it’s a different product entirely.

• Don’t confuse content with connection.
  Just because people watch, read, or listen doesn’t mean they’re ready to join or engage. Broadcasting and building community are not the same thing.

• You can walk away and still win.
  Deanna’s weekly LinkedIn Audio show gave her visibility—but when it became more burden than benefit, she stepped back. That created space for what’s working now: one-on-one coaching and organic LinkedIn engagement that’s deeply human.