How to let your heart guide you through the most difficult parts of entrepreneurship

As a business owner, there’s so much focus on what your mind tells you to do. 

Case and point: When you’re facing a challenge in your business, what do you do? You research. You look at the data. You strategize. You think from your head. 

Even as a total data nerd myself, I’ve realized over the years that it’s just as important to tap into your heart as it is your mind.

In fact, your heart is the most neglected form of intelligence that you have -- and according to my guest on this episode, Danielle LaPorte, you can actually use it to navigate your journey as an entrepreneur. 

Danielle is one of the most acclaimed spiritual thought leaders of our time, who in Oprah Winfrey’s words, “is uniquely connecting the world together with a spiritual energy that matters.” 

I love this conversation with her, because I’ll be honest -- letting my heart play a role in some of the bigger decisions that I make in business hasn’t always been the easiest thing for me. Like everything, it’s been something I’ve had to practice.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

• What a heart-centered business is, and how you can create one
• How to overcome the low-level feelings of not “being enough”
• A new way to face challenging moments by choosing higher quality thoughts

… Plus so much more! I promise, you’ll get tons out of this episode – so go someplace comfy, pop in your Airpods and enjoy! 

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Why do entrepreneurs like Brendon Burchard, Jenna Kutcher & Jamie Kern Lima say “No” more than “Yes”

One of the most important skills for a business owner is their ability to say “No” to ideas, opportunities, and offers that are out of alignment with their mission.

Now, I’ll be honest -- this is much harder than it sounds, and it’s something that I’ve really struggled with over the years. 

As a notorious people-pleaser, I’ve said “yes” to doing things that I don’t want to do because I feel guilty saying no. Not to mention, when you’re a new entrepreneur (and you don’t have a ton of opportunities coming your way to begin with), it can be even harder to turn things down.

There’s a quote I love by author Alain de Botton that says, "What kills us isn't one big thing, but thousands of tiny obligations we can't turn down for fear of disappointing others."

This, sweet friend, could not be more true. And the good news is, I have a really simple exercise that you can do to determine which opportunities are a “Heck yes!” and those you can politely decline -- and it all comes down to asking yourself a single question. 

It’s the same question that some of the most brilliant entrepreneurs out there – like Brendon Burchard, Jenna Kutcher, and Jamie Kern Lima – have used to evaluate what opportunities to embrace, and which ones to pass on. 

In this episode, you’ll hear what that question is, along with:  

• How you can get crystal clear on your mission (and stay aligned with it)
• What to do when you feel guilty for saying “No” to things
• Why NOT returning a favor is 100% OK

Whether you’re just getting started in business or are a seasoned entrepreneur, this is a great listen – so get comfy and press play on this episode!

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Simple strategies to build long-term wealth, save on taxes, and recession-proof your small business

Did you know that 73% of Americans say that their finances are the number one stressor in their life? 

It’s true, sweet friend. Money (and lack thereof) is top of mind for the large majority of people -- more than family, or even work. I don’t know about you, but I think that statistic is quite concerning! 

And I’ll be honest, if you’re worried about your finances -- and you want to make a change -- it’s really hard to know where to even begin. 

It seems like there’s so many ‘financial gurus’ out there touting a “think and grow rich” mentality that, quite honestly, is just a bunch of fluff.

That’s what I love about my guest on today’s episode, business and finance expert Candy Valentino. She’ll be the first to admit that building long term wealth takes much more than positive thinking – it takes good old fashioned hard work. 

She’s able to break down wealth creation with practical, actionable strategies that anyone can use. And the proof’s in the pudding, because it’s these exact strategies that she used to escape poverty, create a multi-million dollar empire, and become financially free by the age of 40.

I’m super excited to share this episode with you. Not only will you take away Candy’s essential wealth building strategies, but you’ll also hear:

• The many tax benefits of having your own business (even if it’s a side hustle)
• Tax strategies that can help you give as little to the IRS as possible
• Whether or not starting a business during a recession is a good idea
• Ways to recession-proof your small business 

Just a heads up – you’ll probably want to take notes on this! So get comfy, open up that Google Doc and get ready for an incredibly informative conversation.

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Why so many entrepreneurs get stuck trying to build a passion-based business

Have you ever been told that in order to be successful, you need to build a business that’s based on your passion? I’ve heard it time and time again, and I’ll be honest – this “advice” couldn’t be further from the truth. 

When I first started my business, I wasn’t passionate about what I was doing. And [spoiler alert!] even these days I don’t wake up and think, “I’m so excited to help someone create a digital course today.” 

Don’t get me wrong – I absolutely love serving my audience.

But instead of starting a business that was solely based on my passion, I started a business based on what I was good at. And by doing this, over the years I’ve built something that’s wildly successful, gives me freedom, and fulfills me.

So if you’re on the fence about whether or not to start a business because you’re not passionate about one specific thing, don’t let it stop you from moving forward. 

And if you do have a passion for something – and are unsure if it should stay a hobby or become a business – there are definitely some things to consider, which you’ll hear in this episode. 

You’ll also learn:

• The questions you should ask yourself when you want to start a business
• Why entrepreneurs with passion-based businesses often get stuck
• How to define value you bring to the world with my Sweet Spot framework

This is a topic that I am, in fact, very *passionate* about – so I hope you enjoy it!

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The small-but-mighty promo strategy that gave my business a quick revenue boost

If you’re looking to get a quick revenue boost in your business -- but don’t have the time to run a full-on digital course promotion -- then you should consider doing what I like to call a Mini-Promo. 

A Mini-Promo is – you guessed it – a simplified version of your regular promotion strategy. And while there’s only a few elements to it, it can still pack a pretty big punch if you do it right. 

In this episode, I’m going to tell you all the juicy details about the success of my most recent Mini Promo – what it included, and the specific strategies my team and I used to keep it simple while still making it worth our ROI. 

You’ll hear:

• How to get crystal clear on your Mini-Promo offer
• The two primary ways I market my Mini-Promos
• Ways to segment your email list for maximum return
• The social media ad hack that will get you more buyers
• How to get your communities to help you promote our offer

… Plus much, much more! So if you’re ready for a strategy-filled episode that you’ll come back to time and time again, then press play right now!

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Work travel isn’t always glamorous – learn what I do to show up as the best version of myself

If you’ve ever traveled for work before, you know that even though it might seem glamorous, it isn’t always.

Sure, there are a lot of great things about business travel -- you often get to experience a new place, meet new people, and let’s not forget about those fancy airport lounges. 

But what people don’t always see is how frustrated you are from the countless airport delays, how exhausted you are from being out of your routine, and how overwhelmed you feel because even though you’re “working,” you haven’t kept up with your day-to-day tasks. 

I can definitely relate. Even before I started hitting the road to promote Two Weeks Notice, I used to travel a lot when I worked for Tony Robbins. 

And because I’ve traveled so much professionally, I’ve not only racked up my fair share of frequent flier miles – but also my fair share of travel tips that keep me on top of my game. 

In this episode, I’m sharing the three specific things I do to set myself up for success when I’m on the road -- and it’s my hope that the next time you have a work trip, they’ll help you show up as the very best version of yourself.

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Grab the freebie for this episode here! >>> The Brand Voice Guide Outline You Wish You Had Sooner

If you want to develop your brand voice, here’s where you should start 

When people think of a brand, they often think of what they look like visually – from its logo to its color palette. 

But one often overlooked (and equally important) aspect to a business’s brand is its voice. Your brand voice is your brand’s unique personality -- what you sound like to the rest of the world -- and it’s oh-so important when it comes to standing out from the crowd.

One way to figure out if you have a well-established brand voice is by asking yourself, “If my logo or visual branding didn’t appear alongside my content, would people even know it's me or my company?”

Be honest! If the answer is no, then you might need to spend some time developing your brand voice.

Once you’ve really honed in on how you want to sound to your audience, you can create a brand voice guide – which will serve as your guiding star when it comes to all things content creation. 

In fact, my brand voice guide has been a crucial part of how I’ve been able to have my team, and various contractors, write content that sounds like I could have written it myself.

In this episode, I’m diving into what I include in my own brand voice guide, along with exercises you can do to hone in and perfect your own. You’ll learn: 

• Why your voice is such an important piece of your brand
• What I include in my brand voice guide, plus a few examples
• Exercises to help you develop your own brand voice
• Examples of companies that have a well-developed brand voice

Plus much, much more! I promise this episode is a great listen for any business owner looking to polish their branding, whether you’re just getting started or have been in the game for a while. 

Here’s a glance at this episode...

• [01:39] Your brand voice should be consistent throughout all of your communication. 
• [08:35] Get an NDA signed before sharing your brand voice guide with employees or contractors. 
• [09:46] The first section should be an introduction to your business and the value you offer. This is also known as a mission or brand statement. 
• [11:37] The next section is an overview of your audience, or ideal customer Avatar. Include 5 to 10 bullet points from demographics to desires and fears.
• [13:16] The next section is your brand values. Brand values help you frame your brand story in a way that resonates with your target audience.
• [15:53] The next section is your biography. It's important that you determine how you want people to talk about you.
• [18:09] The next section is your brand personality. This is how you want to sound to your audience. 
• [25:52] You can also include a section on your tone, or the overall attitude and mood that you create in your communication. 
• [30:07] You can use the “this but never that” formula to describe your tone.
• [33:14] The final section is essential content. Grab some A+ examples of your own content that can be used as a reference.

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How I’ve completely ignored these 4 pieces of popular business advice and still found success

Have you ever been given a piece of business advice that makes you roll your eyes? 

I know I have. In fact, there are four pieces of advice that I’ve heard on repeat over the years that I believe can be more detrimental than helpful -- especially if you’re first getting started in business. 

The thing is, this is really popular business advice. You see it all over Facebook and Instagram, it’s published in business media outlets, and I can’t even tell you how many times I’ve heard a successful entrepreneur say it Live from stage, or while presenting a webinar. 

Sure, I’ll bet it’s been helpful for some people. But for me, it’s been more discouraging than motivating. 

And because this advice is so mainstream (cough cough, played out), it’s made me feel like following it is the only way to be successful in business – and I’m here to tell you that it’s not.

So, sweet friend, in this episode, I’m flipping the script -- and it’s my hope that if this advice has left a salty taste in your mouth, like it has mine, you might be able to gain a new perspective. 

Here’s a glance at this episode...

• [05:18] As entrepreneurs, we receive a lot of advice. I'm going to talk about advice that I'm sick and tired of hearing. 
• [06:45] #1: Follow your passion. This does more harm than good. For most of us, following your passion isn't reality. 
• [09:10] #2: If you want to be successful, you have to constantly be learning. Consuming a ton of content without taking dedicated action isn't going to get you anywhere. 
• [10:40] #3: In order to succeed you have to hustle. Sacrificing everything that’s important to you is a recipe for burnout. 
• [14:02] #4: You've got to be fearless. We should listen to rational fears that are wired into our brains to protect us.

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The 6-step framework that grew Donald Miller’s small business to a 15 million dollar operation

Have you ever thought about growing your business, but then stopped dead in your tracks because you have absolutely no idea where to start?

I get it, sweet friend – the thought of accelerating your business growth sure does sound nice, but it’s hard to take that first step, especially when you don’t have a proven framework to follow. 

But here’s the good news. There are proven frameworks out there that can help you optimize your small business for revenue and profit.

And that’s why I invited Donald Miller to the show. Don is a business educator and author (among many other things) who scaled his four person business to a 15 million dollar operation by following a simple six-step plan. 

Talk about some serious growth! 

He’s going to break down his six-step framework (that anyone can use, no matter where you are in your entrepreneurial journey) -- along with the biggest lessons he learned along the way. 

Don is no stranger to the show, and it’s because I have the utmost respect and admiration for him as a person, and a business owner. 

I hope you enjoy this conversation and learn as much as I did!

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"I love Amy and Online Marketing Made Easy." <-- If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing my show! This helps me support more people -- just like you -- move toward the online life and business that they desire. Click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review.” Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode!

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99% of entrepreneurship is having to ‘figure things out’ – here’s the process I use when I don’t know where to start

I don’t know if anyone has ever told you this, but 99% of entrepreneurship is figuring things out when you have no idea what to do. 

That’s not an exact statistic, but you get the point. 

I can’t tell you how many times I've set a goal without having the slightest clue on the first step to take. And I’m talking about big goals – like writing a book, and adding an entire sales department to my team.

For me, having to get a little scrappy in order to figure something out is one of the most exciting parts of being an entrepreneur. I like being resourceful, I like learning new things, and I also get a ton of satisfaction out of creating something from nothing.

But the thing is, the fact that ‘figuring it out’ is exciting and not overwhelming to me is because I have a very specific mindset I adopt when I’m facing a new challenge. 

And in this episode, I’m going to share what that mindset is. You’ll also hear:

• Why being resourceful is the key to figuring anything out
• How to create an identity around the fact that you’re a resourceful person
• The specific steps I take when I’m clueless on how to accomplish my goals
• The mantra I tell myself when I start to feel overwhelmed

If you’ve ever not done something because you don’t know how to do it, then this episode is for you, sweet friend. So pop in those earpods and give this episode your full attention!

Here’s a glance at this episode...

• [04:38] The first thing to do when you don't know what to do is to create an identity around being a resourceful person. 
• [08:18] Break your goal into small segments or phases. Take small steps and as you complete them move on to the next one. 
• [09:55] If you're not sure how to do something, reach out to someone who has already done it. Then put together a plan and get into action. 
• [13:18] Clarity comes with each step and action creates momentum. 
• [14:24] When you embrace mistakes, that’s when the magic happens. 
• [16:22] Homework: List five things that you've always wanted to do in your business but haven't because you don't know how. 

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"I love Amy and Online Marketing Made Easy." <-- If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing my show! This helps me support more people -- just like you -- move toward the online life and business that they desire. Click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review.” Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode!

Also, if you haven’t done so already, follow the podcast. I’m adding a bunch of bonus episodes to the feed and, if you’re not following, there’s a good chance you’ll miss out. Follow now!