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Episode 147: Following your DREAMS, Growing your PASSION, Product Launches and Webinars with Melyssa Griffin

Four years ago, teaching English in Japan, Melyssa Griffin decided to start a blog to connect with more people. She soon realized, however, that this blog was becoming less of a hobby and more of something she felt called to monetize and turn into a career. She left teaching and decided to offer web design services. After a couple of years, she had created a profitable business, but she still felt a touch restless… she still felt the pull to teach and do more with MORE people.

Melyssa decided to return to teaching, but this time in a different realm. She now teaches online workshops and courses to those who want to start their own business. And one of the things she’s most passionate about is managing the online communities that go along with them.

Community has always been an important and intriguing part of Melyssa’s life and I love that she had the opportunity to compare Japanese culture/community with American culture. While she found that Japanese culture, in general, tended to be more reserved (opinions and personalities) there was still a sense of community. It was a concept that wasn’t questioned – it just was. Originally from California, Melyssa found that while the culture varied (more outgoing, more flexibility), there was one universal truth. It became clear one day as she watched a Japanese man and his child play in the park. She noticed that even though she couldn’t understand what they were saying, she could still understand the “conversation” through their body language, intonation and facial expressions. It was a deeper human connection that we ALL have.

“We all have this intimate connection that we all have to each other that has nothing to do with the languages we speak.”

With a focus on this connection and sense of community, Melyssa went on to open and close several businesses – a greeting card shop, a web design shop and blogging. While one could have felt a sense of failure around the ups and downs of these businesses, it was through this process that Melyssa made a huge realization.

“Maybe the fun of it is knowing that it will change in the future and that means you’re still growing and learning new things.”

I couldn’t agree more, and I full-heartedly believe that if you’re not changing, you’re not growing – even if that means failing full force along the way. After all, when things are uncertain you might as well explore new things, am I right? Similarly, Melyssa encourages hopeful entrepreneurs to do the same.

“Move in the direction of what feels good. Don’t overanalyze it. Don’t try to calculate it. If something stops feeling good and you know that something is going to feel better, do that and start moving in that direction.”

Melyssa hasn’t always had such a great relationship with failure. Like many, she was raised to believe that she needed to be successful and wealthy. And admittedly, those are ALL great things, but it also implied that failure wasn’t an option. Today, she’s undone most of these beliefs, but she often has to consciously spin the negatives into a positive light.

“Failure is either going to lead you in a direction to something you will enjoy or that will turn out well, or you’re going to learn something massive from that failure and that will lead to something else that’s going to be that next step for you.”

So this is all good and great, but now you may be wondering how you actually even begin to turn your passion into a career you love? For many, there’s the common excuse of not having enough time. While both Melyssa and I agree that this is often the case, we also know that there are tiny spaces of time and small sacrifices you can make to just start. Melyssa suggests to start super small, but get super clear on how and who you want to serve. From there, begin by sharing your knowledge for free. This can lead to collaborations with other entrepreneurs – and you’ll be getting your stuff out there!

More tips on getting your business out there

  • Get on Pinterest. Contrary to popular belief, it’s not a social media platform. It’s a search engine for a whole lot more than DIY projects.
  • Do video in some form – podcasts, IG stories. This provides a way to deeper connect with your audience on a personal level.
  • Webinars. Once thought of as more of a “fancy” sales pitch with little value, Melyssa advises to make it valuable. Offer 30-40 minutes of quality training and THEN offer to expand on the training with your product. If you’re looking to grow your audience (and email lists) and make sales – this is a two-for-one deal.

“The more you can have your audience know you, the more you’re able to grow your business and affect people.”

One tip from Melyssa… Don’t get bogged down with the thought that it’s all been done before. Yes, it probably has, but not by YOU! When people follow you, they’ll LOVE all facets of who you are. And they’ll love your story and where you’re coming from.

“We need more voices because we need people who can deeply connect to each type of person out there.”

Of course, you’ll always have those that don’t resonate with you, but guess what? It’s OK! They’ll just find someone else who does, and you will allow room for another to follow you. But what if you get someone who just can’t keep their thoughts or dislike for your message to themselves?

Although difficult and sometimes hurtful, Melyssa suggests taking a day to process what’s been said if you need to while keeping the following thought in mind:

“Happy, secure people don’t go out of their way to hurt other people.”

With this in mind, assume that all people are good. That way when you’re ready, you can respond in the most loving way possible without judgment or anger.

I love that Melyssa stresses the importance of coming from a place of love and community in all that you do. If your intent is to create a business that can grow, be sure to focus on Melyssa’s three Cs – Connection, Content and Collaboration. Focus on who you can serve and what valuable content you can provide and the community will follow.

Melyssa Griffin teaches online courses and live workshops for entrepreneurs and bloggers who want to turn their after-work hobbies into full-time businesses. A few of her specialties include
list-building, webinars, using Pinterest to get organic traffic, and content marketing. She also leads an active Facebook group of 60,000 members and helps almost 150,000 entrepreneurs with her weekly emails. But most importantly, she’s the mom to one wacky corgi, an expert at laughing, and a green smoothie aficionado.

In This Episode You Will Hear About:

  • Dealing with failure
  • Handling negative feedback
  • Community
  • Pinterest
  • Importance of using webinars
  • Strategies for launching an eCourse
  • Monetizing your passion
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Blogs
  • Online training
  • Kindness

Resources:

Follow me on social media @LoriHarder on Instagram and Lori Harder on Facebook.

You can also see more at my website: LoriHarder.com

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Episode 138: Starting a Social Impact Brand, Using Tragedy to INSPIRE and Why you NEED to Follow your GYPSY SOUL with Rachelle

Warning: This podcast may make you want to buy a plane ticket to exotic places and find your soul. Or, perhaps curl up on your couch with a cuddly dog (both of us prefer our goldendoodles) and drink a lavender latte while contemplating your soul’s purpose. 😉

Ok, let me back the train up. Today’s guest, Rachelle Tratt, is a living example of what it means to follow your heart, and you’re going to want to read on/listen to hear why.

In case you’ve never heard of this amazing lady, Rachelle is a Los Angeles-based yoga instructor, community leader, and soulful entrepreneur who created The Neshama Project, a yoga inspired, socially conscious jewelry company that gives back.

Many may not know this, but Rachelle’s company, The Neshama Project, was actually inspired by the sudden and traumatic loss of her mother when she was only 9 years old. While recognizing now that it was all meant to be part of her path so she could in turn help others, at the time she struggled with anxiety and depression – and just feeling different.

These feelings played out as a teenager as she hit a rebellious phase, which at the age of 18 ended in rehab. It wasn’t so much that she was addicted to alcohol or drugs, it was just that she didn’t know how to cope with things in a healthy way. Part of that rehab program was yoga… While always a self-professed tomboy, Rachelle laughed at the thought of the practice, but once she hit savasana, she was hooked. For the first time in a long time, she found peace.

Not long after rehab, Rachelle became a yoga teacher and eventually ended up taking a yoga training class in California. While living in Florida at time, she knew she needed to make the move permanently to California.

“It made no sense mentally, but my heart was telling me to go and I knew how to listen to that.”

And speaking of listening to her heart, Rachelle always knew that she would visit Israel (the country where her parents meant). Six years ago, she made the trip, stayed for a month and it was everything she hoped it would be. She felt connected to her mother and while there realized the connection she also felt with the Hamsa hand necklace she received from a yoga friend. Having always been a conversation starter for soulful exchanges, it had followed her after rehab, to California and now to Israel. She knew was meant to play a bigger role in her life.

Just like that, she started searching for stones in Israel (successfully). She wanted to create art and make connections – and she did. Rachelle didn’t have all the answers, but she just knew there was a great purpose for her.

“I believed in the power of a product with a meaning that stood for something greater and the mission behind it.”

Sure, there were a lot of nay-sayers. Having always been a little “different,” everyone thought it was just “one of those things” Rachelle was trying again. Rachelle had faith and trust though that things would work out because she was following her heart’s calling.

“It’s trusting that I am a unique individual and my path isn’t supposed to look like anyone else’s.”

And thank goodness for that! It’s not to say that there haven’t been growing pains – both personal and business. We’re all constant works in progress. But when something does pop up, whether in the form of darkness, stress or anxiety, she’s learned to acknowledge it and confront it head on.

“My anxiety is directly related to the levels of my self care and self love.”

Life happens and we have to find the little tools and/or rituals that calm our minds. Here are a few of Rachelle’s favorites:

  • Get your feet on the ground (feel the earth underneath your feet).
  • Breathing
  • Movement – all forms. Yoga is one of her favorites, but she can call just about anything yoga as long as it’s approached with intention.
  • Walking with her golden doodle Bailey (no phone, just being present).
  • One day of rest (kind of like the Jewish tradition of Shabat).

Another important factor (and this is super important) is finding a tribe/community/sisterhood that has your back. It can be tricky if you’re from a small area and don’t have as big of a pool as L.A. But she promises that,

“What you put out there is what you attract.”

So put yourself out there. Way outside of your comfort zone. Start by attending classes and introducing yourself to others. If you seem to click, schedule a time to have coffee… It’s all about using the network around you. And lastly, “dial, don’t file.” People don’t have the time for those who don’t follow through. Nurture your relationships. Does this mean you have to super close relationships with everyone? No! Find that smaller inner tribe who you know on a deeper level, that has your back and you can tell ANYTHING to.

And above all, follow your heart. Follow your soul. Follow your bliss.

*Stay tuned for a post in the hopefully very near future when our goldendoodles (and us) have a dog date.

In This Episode You Will Learn:

  • Jewelry
  • Entrepreneur
  • Finding rituals in your day to day
  • Finding your tribe
  • Success
  • Following your soul

Resources:

Follow me on social media @LoriHarder on Instagram and Lori Harder on Facebook.

You can also see more at my website: LoriHarder.com

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Episode 136: Easiest Way to Create and Monetize a Blogging or Online Business, Take the Guesswork Out of Starting with Kat McKibbin!

Kate McKibbin is the self-professed very-tall, super nerdy founder of the blog, Secret Bloggers’ Business, and creator of several successful online blog courses and workshops.

Cutting her teeth in the magazine industry in 2007 (when online shopping was just starting to take off), Kate created one of Australia’s largest independent lifestyle blogs (Drop Dead Gorgeous Daily), and grew to a team of five with more than 500,000 visitors a month and several awards to show for her efforts.

Even though her much-loved blog was doing well, Kate still felt called to do more and help more people. In 2014, she created her second business, Secret Bloggers’ Business, to share everything she’d learned about how to create, grow and run a successful blogging business. She did so well that in 2015 she was awarded the Female Entrepreneur of the Year award for her contributions to women in technology. Today, Kate has made it her mission to help bloggers and creatives around the world turn their passions into something that’s profitable, too.

So perhaps you’re looking to get into blogging, but don’t know if you have what takes. Here’s a few things to keep in mind. While a lot of work goes on behind the scenes of a blog, you’re not going to get very far if you haven’t found your passion.

Keep in mind that while blogs used to only be about the person who wrote it (what they ate, what they watched etc.), today’s bloggers must understand that it’s not about THEM! People will follow you based on your point of view, your knowledge and expertise. But don’t worry!

“You don’t have to be the biggest expert in the world. You just have to be a few steps down the track from where your audience is at and help them.”

Also, content, content, content. Are you constantly creating and sharing your findings online?

If you can find a group of people who you know you would love to help – and you have the content, experiences and skills to back it up, go for it. You can’t go wrong if you’re going into it from a place of service.

So, where do you start? Kate suggests the following steps:

  1. Find your niche. Go “free range” for a bit if you have multiple ideas and can’t decide. What are you drawn to? Put some feelers out there (social media, existing contacts that you may have). What types of things get more engagement? Start putting some of your ideas/content out there and see what draws people in and what sticks.
  2. Brainstorm content. This is a biggie. Come up with as many ideas as possible (Kate suggests 100). What themes could you use (season, different times of the year etc.)? Just because you think it’s great doesn’t mean it’s going to resonate with your audience. Let your audience tell you what direction they want you to go.

If you do start a blog, be sure to have an extreme amount of PATIENCE. Allow 6-12 months to see any type of reward. For Kate, one of her biggest benefits was to have the freedom to do work that she loved. Give it your all, but also be cautiously optimistic.

“Set yourself up so you feel safe enough to take a scary leap.”

When you’re starting out, be super responsive to your audience and be CONSISTENT in your content. This doesn’t mean you have to put out things daily. It can be once a week or month. Just figure out what’s realistic for you and do that.

Keep in mind that nothing in life, especially a blog, has guarantees. And you can be certain that others are doing something similar to you. But here’s the thing…all audiences and bloggers are different in SO many ways.

“Don’t compare yourself to others in your space. Find what works for you, but still provides great value to your audience. Focus on you and what’s right for your audience.”

There will be bumps along the road, but stick to it and don’t give up!

“If you’ve got something to say, if you’ve got something to give, and you’ve got a burning fire that says you have to do it, and you feel that pull. There’s no way you’re going to let yourself fail.”

Follow me on social media @LoriHarder on Instagram and Lori Harder on Facebook.

You can also see more at my website: LoriHarder.com