Send us Fan MailIs LinkedIn really for entrepreneurs—or is it still mostly a corporate platform?According to LinkedIn consultant Mary Wu, LinkedIn in 2026 is simply networking: humans connecting with humans on a business level.In this episode of The BOLD and Brilliant Podcast, Tracie talks with Mary about the winding career path that eventually led her to become known as “the LinkedIn person,” even before she was ready to claim it herself.They talk about choosing your “one thing,” leveraging relationships you've already built, taking your network with you when your career changes, and some simple ways to make your LinkedIn profile work harder for you.Most importantly, Mary reminds us that LinkedIn doesn't have to feel complicated, corporate, or impersonal. It's about people.What You'll LearnWhy LinkedIn is valuable for entrepreneurs, not just corporate professionalsHow Mary became known for LinkedIn before intentionally choosing it as her specialtyWhy focusing on one area made her business simplerHow to bring your existing network along when your career or business changesWhy connections who aren't potential clients can still be incredibly valuableHow your LinkedIn headline can help people remember what you doWhy you should check how your profile looks on both desktop and mobileActionable TipsTell people what you're doing now. Your former colleagues and connections may not be your ideal clients, but they may know exactly who needs you. Don't abandon the network you've already built when your career changes.Use your headline strategically. The words following your name travel with you when you comment on other people's content. Make those first words memorable instead of relying on a generic title like Founder or CEO.Check your Featured section on mobile. Three items may appear on desktop, but only one leads on mobile. Make sure the first thing people see is the thing you most want them to see.Memorable Quote“You can't do anything well if you're not all in.” — Mary WuBOLD Moment of the EpisodeMary didn't start out planning to become a LinkedIn consultant.After owning a franchise, working as a personal assistant, returning to school, and taking a school district job for the benefits, she reached a point where she needed more control over her schedule.Mary decided to go all in on working for herself as a Virtual Assistant. She eventually shifted into social media and noticed something interesting: whenever someone needed LinkedIn help, people kept pointing to Mary.Then a coach asked her one simple question:“What's your one thing?”Mary already knew the answer everyone else had been giving her: LinkedIn.Claiming that specialty gave her a clear lane and allowed her to become deeply knowledgeable about one platform instead of trying to be everything to everyone.About Mary WuMary Wu is an independent LinkedIn consultant who helps small business owners stop guessing and start growing on the platform that actually gets them clients.Named one of John Espirian's “LinkedIn Experts to Follow,” Mary breaks down the “algamabob” into strategies real people can actually use—no jargon, no fluff.Off the platform, she's probably curating the perfect connection for someone, thinking in song lyrics, or hanging out with her plushie collection.Connect with MaryWebsite: https://marywuva.com/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/maryawuLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maryawu/One Final BOLD ReminderLinkedIn doesn't require you to sound corporate or become someone you're not.As Mary says:“Don't be afraid of being on LinkedIn, and don't be afraid of being yourself because everybody else is already taken.”Connect with TracieFind more episodes of The BOLD and Brilliant Podcast and what's coming next:https://www.tracieroot.com/podcastIf you enjoyed this episode, subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone who could be making more of their LinkedIn connections.Support the showThank you for supporting The Bold and Brilliant Podcast! Find out what's up with Tracie by connecting on your favorite social media channel, and with The Gather Community by joining us at an upcoming online event or receiving our mailing list. Go to:https://www.tracieroot.com/linksto find upcoming events, workshops, courses and more!We're just getting started, so I hope you subscribed, and please leave a review so we can start building some podcast-momentum!xoxoYour host,Tracie Root