

Mistakes That Made Me
Eman Ismail
Mistakes That Made Me is the podcast that asks extraordinary business owners to share their biggest business mistake – so you know what NOT to do on your road to success.Join Eman Ismail as she chats to some of the smartest minds in business about how to push through failure and accept it as an important and necessary part of building a business.Because it turns out: your biggest business mistake often leads to your biggest lesson and then your biggest blessing.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Jul 22, 2025 • 52min
The micro-agency model: Freedom, flexibility, and family with Eman, Jess & Cindy on the Confessions with Jess and Cindy podcast
This is one of the most honest, detailed conversations I’ve had about what it really looked like to evolve from a solo email strategist to building a micro-agency. (Originally published on the Confessions with Jess and Cindy podcast).Jess, Cindy, and I talk about:Why I don’t want employees (at least for now), and how I intentionally built a team of contractorsHow I manage client relationships and quality control with multiple writersThe real numbers behind how I price our services and pay my teamWhat launching the agency actually looked like (spoiler: it wasn’t an overnight success)And the surprising offer that’s quietly become a bestsellerIf you’ve ever thought about expanding your business beyond just you, this episode gives you a behind-the-scenes look at the why, the how, and the very real challenges that come with it.Huge thank you to Jess and Cindy for having me – and for asking the questions that really pulled back the curtain on this next chapter of my business.Listen to my other, email marketing-related interview with Jess & Cindy here >> "A $35,000 from a 400-person email list with Eman Ismail"Loving the podcast?Support the show and leave a rating or review here: https://ratethispodcast.com/mistakesGet the BTS scoop on how this podcast is made in this bonus episode: https://emancopyco.com/btsWork with Eman Copy Co. to power up your email strategy, your launches, and your revenueFill in the enquiry form on this contact page: https://emancopyco.com/contact/Want to learn with me?Take Eman’s “What’s Your Perfect Newsletter Style?” quiz: https://www.emancopyco.com/quiz Check out my courses and masterclasses: https://emancopyco.com/learn-with-me/Say hi 👋🏽Connect with Eman on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emancopyco/Connect with Eman on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eman-i307/Tools for your business: (Affiliate links 👇🏽)Start your 14-day trial with ConvertKit: https://emancopyco.com/kit

Jul 7, 2025 • 44min
How to plan more inclusive business events with Eman Ismail & Sonia Thompson on the Inclusion and Marketing podcast
Today’s episode is a little different because the mic’s turned on me.This conversation was originally recorded for Sonia Thompson’s Inclusion and Marketing podcast, and it was such an important one, I wanted to share it with you here too.Sonia and I talk about what it really means to plan inclusive business events – especially for people who identify as being underrepresented or underserved communities.I share my personal experiences as a visibly Muslim woman who doesn’t drink alcohol or engage in physical contact with men, and how that’s often made it difficult to fully participate in professional events.From dodging hugs and skipping networking sessions at bars… to sparking an accidental ice cream social that everyone wanted to join… this episode is full of honest reflections, lightbulb moments, and actionable ideas for making your events (and your business) more inclusive for everyone.If you’ve ever felt like you didn’t quite fit in at a business event – or you’re someone who wants to create safer, more welcoming spaces for all your attendees – this one’s for you.Thank you to Sonia for hosting such a thoughtful conversation, and for letting me share it with you here.Listen and subscribe to the Inclusion and Marketing podcast here >> https://inclusionandmarketing.com/category/podcast/Loving the podcast?Support the show and leave a rating or review here: https://ratethispodcast.com/mistakesGet the BTS scoop on how this podcast is made in this bonus episode: https://emancopyco.com/btsWork with Eman Copy Co. to power up your email strategy, your launches, and your revenueFill in the enquiry form on this contact page: https://emancopyco.com/contact/Want to learn with me?Take Eman’s “What’s Your Perfect Newsletter Style?” quiz: https://www.emancopyco.com/quiz Check out my courses and masterclasses: https://emancopyco.com/learn-with-me/Say hi 👋🏽Connect with Eman on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emancopyco/Connect with Eman on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eman-i307/Tools for your business: (Affiliate links 👇🏽)Start your 14-day trial with ConvertKit: https://emancopyco.com/kit

Jun 17, 2025 • 52min
Getting Fired with Claire Pelletreau [OBG]
Getting fired hurts.But getting fired for the thing you’re actually an expert at is another level of pain.My guest is Claire Pelletreau, conversion expert and host of the Get Paid Podcast. (This is an Oldie But Goodie epsiode!)In this episode, Claire shares the painful moment when she was fired for making a huge mistake in her job. She explains how being fired forced her to focus on the most important aspect of her job: the results. And how it's that focus that propelled her to the tremendous success that came afterwards.Find the transcript of this episode on my site, emancopyco.com/podcast.Links from this episode:Claire Pelletreau’s websiteClaire Pelletreau on Instagram: @clairepellsClaire’s podcast: The Get Paid PodcastEman’s Email RulesIf you loved this episode, take a screenshot, post it on Instagram and tell everyone you know that this is the podcast to listen to. Don’t forget to tag me! @emancopyco.And if you’re interested in working with me, visit emancopyco.com/contactLoving the podcast?Support the show and leave a rating or review here: https://ratethispodcast.com/mistakesGet the BTS scoop on how this podcast is made in this bonus episode: https://emancopyco.com/btsWork with Eman Copy Co. to power up your email strategy, your launches, and your revenueFill in the enquiry form on this contact page: https://emancopyco.com/contact/Want to learn with me?Take Eman’s “What’s Your Perfect Newsletter Style?” quiz: https://www.emancopyco.com/quiz Check out my courses and masterclasses: https://emancopyco.com/learn-with-me/Say hi 👋🏽Connect with Eman on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emancopyco/Connect with Eman on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eman-i307/Tools for your business: (Affiliate links 👇🏽)Start your 14-day trial with ConvertKit: https://emancopyco.com/kit

Jun 3, 2025 • 35min
When to create a paid product, the 'freelancer' debate & subcontracting with Steve Folland – Extended Interview
Today, Steve's answering questions about –When a podcaster can take the leap and build a paid product/serviceThe calling yourself a 'freelancer' vs 'business owner' debateSteve's process around subcontracting and hiring other freelancers to work on projects with himLinks:Get the transcript hereListen to Steve's Mistakes That Made Me interview: Putting All Your (Client) Eggs in One BasketLoving the podcast?Support the show and leave a rating or review here: https://ratethispodcast.com/mistakesGet the BTS scoop on how this podcast is made in this bonus episode: https://emancopyco.com/btsWork with Eman Copy Co. to power up your email strategy, your launches, and your revenueFill in the enquiry form on this contact page: https://emancopyco.com/contact/Want to learn with me?Take Eman’s “What’s Your Perfect Newsletter Style?” quiz: https://www.emancopyco.com/quiz Check out my courses and masterclasses: https://emancopyco.com/learn-with-me/Say hi 👋🏽Connect with Eman on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emancopyco/Connect with Eman on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eman-i307/Tools for your business: (Affiliate links 👇🏽)Start your 14-day trial with ConvertKit: https://emancopyco.com/kit

May 22, 2025 • 1h 46min
Putting all your (client) eggs in one basket with Steve Folland [OBG]
When Steve Folland’s *only* client let him go, he’d just quit his full-time job to go all in on his audio and video editing business. Being jobless and clientless couldn’t have come at a worse time. Steve’s wife had just gone on maternity leave and they had a brand new (4-month-old) baby – plus an older child too!In this Oldie But Goodie convo, Steve – also the host of the ‘Being Freelance' podcast – shares his entrepreneurial journey, how he diversified his skills and services, and what he learned from his biggest business mistake.Find the transcript of this episode on my website emancopyco.com/podcastLinks for this episode:Being Freelance - https://www.beingfreelance.comSteve Folland’s website - https://stevefolland.comSteve Folland on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/beingfreelance/If you loved this episode, take a screenshot, post it on Instagram, and tell everyone you know that this is the podcast to listen to. Don’t forget to tag me! @emancopycoLoving the podcast?Support the show and leave a rating or review here: https://ratethispodcast.com/mistakesGet the BTS scoop on how this podcast is made in this bonus episode: https://emancopyco.com/btsWork with Eman Copy Co. to power up your email strategy, your launches, and your revenueFill in the enquiry form on this contact page: https://emancopyco.com/contact/Want to learn with me?Take Eman’s “What’s Your Perfect Newsletter Style?” quiz: https://www.emancopyco.com/quiz Check out my courses and masterclasses: https://emancopyco.com/learn-with-me/Say hi 👋🏽Connect with Eman on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emancopyco/Connect with Eman on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eman-i307/Tools for your business: (Affiliate links 👇🏽)Start your 14-day trial with ConvertKit: https://emancopyco.com/kit

May 6, 2025 • 1h 29min
Falling prey to new ideas with Caroline & Jason Zook [OBG]
This might be my favourite episode of Mistakes That Made Me 😍 (An oldie but goodie!)Caroline and Jason Zook are two creatives who are full of ideas. They’re the founders of Wandering Aimfully – the UN-boring coaching program for intentional online business owners – and Teachery: a software platform for creating and hosting online courses.After more than a decade of online entrepreneurship, they found that constantly creating and launching new ideas is exhausting. They figured there had to be another way.In this episode of Mistakes That Made Me, the Zooks describe how putting less energy into new ideas and more energy into refining existing ideas has created two reliable, profitable, and intentional businesses for them.Find the transcript of this episode on my site, emancopyco.com/podcastLinks from this episode:Wandering Aimfully: https://wanderingaimfully.com/Teachery Lifetime Plan for $550: https://www.teachery.co/ (affiliate link)Jason and Caroline’s podcast, 'What is it all for?': https://wanderingaimfully.com/podcast/Caroline’s productivity hacks in Notion: https://wanderingaimfully.com/notion/Caroline's TEDx Talk, 'Find Your Inner Artist'Eman's Email Rules (Free 35-minute email class)If you loved this episode, take a screenshot, post it on Instagram, and tell everyone you know that this is the podcast to listen to. Don’t forget to tag me! @emancopyco.And if you’re interested in working with me, visit emancopyco.com/contactLoving the podcast?Support the show and leave a rating or review here: https://ratethispodcast.com/mistakesGet the BTS scoop on how this podcast is made in this bonus episode: https://emancopyco.com/btsWork with Eman Copy Co. to power up your email strategy, your launches, and your revenueFill in the enquiry form on this contact page: https://emancopyco.com/contact/Want to learn with me?Take Eman’s “What’s Your Perfect Newsletter Style?” quiz: https://www.emancopyco.com/quiz Check out my courses and masterclasses: https://emancopyco.com/learn-with-me/Say hi 👋🏽Connect with Eman on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emancopyco/Connect with Eman on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eman-i307/Tools for your business: (Affiliate links 👇🏽)Start your 14-day trial with ConvertKit: https://emancopyco.com/kit

Apr 22, 2025 • 1h 13min
32 of my favourite things (for my 32nd birthday 🥳) [OBG]
It's my (33rd) birthday week! So, I'm re-sharing the super popular birthday episode I published last year for my 32nd birthday. (An oldie but goodie!)Tune in to hear me share 32 of my favourite (business and personal) things... from business hires, podcasts, software/tools to mentors to TV shows and more as I celebrate another trip around the sun 🎉Thanks for listening! Note: this episode was recorded in 2024.Loving the podcast?Support the show and leave a rating or review here: https://ratethispodcast.com/mistakesGet the BTS scoop on how this podcast is made in this bonus episode: https://emancopyco.com/btsWork with Eman Copy Co. to power up your email strategy, your launches, and your revenueFill in the enquiry form on this contact page: https://emancopyco.com/contact/Want to learn with me?Take Eman’s “What’s Your Perfect Newsletter Style?” quiz: https://www.emancopyco.com/quiz Check out my courses and masterclasses: https://emancopyco.com/learn-with-me/Say hi 👋🏽Connect with Eman on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emancopyco/Connect with Eman on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eman-i307/Tools for your business: (Affiliate links 👇🏽)Start your 14-day trial with ConvertKit: https://emancopyco.com/kit

Apr 8, 2025 • 27min
The challenge of growing your business slowly with Belinda Weaver (Extended interview)
If you loved my first interview with Belinda Weaver back in 2022 (Going and Growing Too Slow), join us for this unedited extended interview (recorded in 2024) where we continue our conversation about growing your business slowly and intentionally.Links from this episode:Belinda WeaverHot Copy podcastGet The Email Rules: Eman's FREE 35-minute email classGet the transcript hereLoving the podcast?Support the show and leave a rating or review here: https://ratethispodcast.com/mistakesGet the BTS scoop on how this podcast is made in this bonus episode: https://emancopyco.com/btsWork with Eman Copy Co. to power up your email strategy, your launches, and your revenueFill in the enquiry form on this contact page: https://emancopyco.com/contact/Want to learn with me?Take Eman’s “What’s Your Perfect Newsletter Style?” quiz: https://www.emancopyco.com/quiz Check out my courses and masterclasses: https://emancopyco.com/learn-with-me/Say hi 👋🏽Connect with Eman on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emancopyco/Connect with Eman on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eman-i307/Tools for your business: (Affiliate links 👇🏽)Start your 14-day trial with ConvertKit: https://emancopyco.com/kit

Mar 25, 2025 • 54min
The secret to engaging email newsletters with Eman Ismail & Liz Mosley on The Building Your Brand Podcast
This week, I'm on the Building Your Brand Podcast (hosted by Liz Mosley) discussing the ins and outs of email marketing.We explore how to create effective email strategies, why consistency is key, and how to infuse your newsletters with your unique voice.I share my journey from generalist to email expert and offer valuable advice on finding your perfect email style (including how to use my nifty quiz!)We also cover repurposing content, making the most of email blocks, and growing your email list organically.If you’ve been struggling with your email marketing strategy, this is the perfect episode for you.Don't forget to check out Liz's podcast, Building Your Brand, right here or wherever you listen to your favourite podcasts.Loving the podcast?Support the show and leave a rating or review here: https://ratethispodcast.com/mistakesGet the BTS scoop on how this podcast is made in this bonus episode: https://emancopyco.com/btsWork with Eman Copy Co. to power up your email strategy, your launches, and your revenueFill in the enquiry form on this contact page: https://emancopyco.com/contact/Want to learn with me?Take Eman’s “What’s Your Perfect Newsletter Style?” quiz: https://www.emancopyco.com/quiz Check out my courses and masterclasses: https://emancopyco.com/learn-with-me/Say hi 👋🏽Connect with Eman on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emancopyco/Connect with Eman on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eman-i307/Tools for your business: (Affiliate links 👇🏽)Start your 14-day trial with ConvertKit: https://emancopyco.com/kit

Feb 25, 2025 • 17min
My February fail 😔 (And why I officially HATE VIP Days) with Eman
I’m sharing my most recent failure: the challenge of trying to relaunch my signature course before my maternity leave.Want to know more about Design Your VIP Week? Get the details and join here >> http://emancopyco.com/vipweek The pop-up Slack community opens THIS Friday. See you inside? :) (Get the unedited transcript for this episode here)Loving the podcast?Support the show and leave a rating or review here: https://ratethispodcast.com/mistakesGet the BTS scoop on how this podcast is made in this bonus episode: https://emancopyco.com/btsWork with Eman Copy Co. to power up your email strategy, your launches, and your revenueFill in the enquiry form on this contact page: https://emancopyco.com/contact/Want to learn with me?Take Eman’s “What’s Your Perfect Newsletter Style?” quiz: https://www.emancopyco.com/quiz Check out my courses and masterclasses: https://emancopyco.com/learn-with-me/Say hi 👋🏽Connect with Eman on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emancopyco/Connect with Eman on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eman-i307/Tools for your business: (Affiliate links 👇🏽)Start your 14-day trial with ConvertKit: https://emancopyco.com/kit