Newsflash: Success is not measurable, nor is it an end destinationLet’s face it -- we live in a culture that is obsessed with success. Now, that’s not necessarily a bad thing, because as business owners, the desire to be successful is what drives us to learn, to take risks, and grow, right?But when we define success solely by how much money we have in the bank, how many degrees we have hanging on the wall, or how many followers we have on social media, then “success” is impossible to achieve because we are culturally programmed to want more, and more, and more. There’s a quote I love from John D. Rockefeller, America’s first billionaire, that says “If your only goal is to become rich, you will never achieve it.” And that couldn’t be more true.That’s why it is incredibly important to define what success means to you beyond what is visible for everyone to see -- and when you do, you’ll be so much more fulfilled as a business owner, and as a human being. I get it -- it’s easy to get caught up in money and fame. But I’m here to tell you, sweet friend, that success is not measurable, nor is it an end destination. I can guarantee that when you define success according to your values, you will find more joy in life than you ever could have imagined -- I know I have!In this episode, I share my journey of defining success on my own terms, and how it has greatly impacted my life. I also share some different ways that you can go about defining success that you probably have never considered.I promise, after listening to this episode, you will feel -- and truly believe -- that you are incredibly successful.Rate, Review, & Follow on Apple Podcasts"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!

The simple strategy that earns this busy mom $100K per month, and countingIf you ever thought creating a thriving digital course while having young children was impossible, my guest today -- Jessica Berk – will prove you wrong. She’s a mom to two beautiful young girls, and the owner of a wildly successful online business, Awesome Little Sleepers.What’s so impressive about Jessica is that she was able to take a pain point of hers -- having a toddler who was protesting sleep at night -- and turn it into a digital product that has helped thousands of parents all over the country get their children to sleep easily, and stay sleeping throughout the night. Now, here’s the kicker. Jessica made $200,000 in her first year of business, and continues to make around $100,000 per month to this day. Yes, sweet friend, you read that right -- and I’m here to tell you that it’s possible for you, too. In this episode, Jessica shares her story of how Awesome Little Sleepers came to be, and what she’s done to earn her incredible success, including:  How she knew it was time to go from one-on-one coaching to creating a digital course The strategy behind her first launch and what made it so successful What she’s done to grow her email list and the one thing that’s made the most impact How she’s managed to find her flow -- being a mom, running a household, and building a business -- at the same time Jessica is truly an inspiration, and I’m so excited for you to listen to this episode!Rate, Review, & Follow on Apple Podcasts"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!

What happens when you leave your 9 to 5, pursue your passion, and create one of the most downloaded podcasts in historyIf you’ve ever listened to the podcast Crime Junkie, you know just how addictive it is. The suspense, combined with the gripping yet straightforward storytelling makes it one of the most enthralling podcasts out there. I, for one, am a loyal listener, and a self-declared Crime Junkie.But perhaps what’s most impressive about Crime Junkie is its host, Ashley Flowers, who launched the podcast in 2017 while working a super 9 to 5 job. Since its debut, Crime Junkie has remained at the top of the charts and gets 9 million downloads a month. Yes, you read that right – 9 MILLION! So how did Ashley do it? How did she make the decision to leave her cushy corporate job, invest in her side hustle, and take the leap into entrepreneurship? And how on God’s good Earth did she grow it so quickly?In this episode, you’ll find out. Yes, sweet friend, Ashley is revealing her own story on how she went from a corporate job to becoming a highly successful digital entrepreneur at the helm of an entire podcast network. This was a really fun and informative conversation, and in it, Ashley shares: How she took the leap from working a full time job to pursuing her passion  A behind-the-scenes look at her work-week, and how she manages it all Her best tips on how to grip listeners with a good story The inspiration behind her first book, and her book-writing process So get comfy, pop in those earbuds and get ready to hear Ashley Flowers like you’ve never heard her before.Rate, Review, & Follow on Apple Podcasts"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!

In this short and sweet Wisdom Wednesday, I pulled a clip from an interview I did with TikTok expert, Elise Dharma! I love this advice because she shares three easy and strategic ways to gain your first 1,000 TikTok followers. Or, if you already have some followers, these strategies are great for getting a quick boost. She also shares how to turn those TikTok followers into customers!  You can listen to the entire interview by heading here: Episode 315: 5 Ways To Use TikTok To Reach More Customers (No Dancing Required) with Elise Darma

I only wish someone would have told me these things 13 years agoIf you’re a human on planet Earth, then there have probably been a million times that you have said, “If only I knew then what I know now, I would have ____________.”Yes, sweet friend. Hindsight is 20/20, and it’s always so much easier to analyze and evaluate situations when you’re looking back on them in the past, than when you’re in the present moment. It’s also easy to look back and blame yourself for any “mistakes” that you made, but the thing is, you were making the best decision you could based on the limited knowledge you had at the time. I mean, let’s be real -- I think we all thought that overplucking our eyebrows in the early 2000s was a great idea, but here we are in 2022 spending a small fortune on trying to get those big, beautiful brows back that we once had. All jokes aside, in this episode I’m sharing the three biggest things I wish I would have known early on -- things that would have given me a ton of momentum in my business and that would have made an impact on what it looks like today. I’m also going to share a couple of things I did do that really moved the needle. Things that I hope you consider doing, too.As you know, it’s my goal to share my own experiences with you -- both good and bad -- so you can learn from them and create the digital business of your dreams. So if you’re ready, pop in those earbuds and tune in!Here’s a glance at this episode... [05:40] Create regular and consistent content. I struggled and procrastinated with writing blog posts. I didn't hone in on my content system until I started my podcast in 2013. My profits tripled once I started producing regular content.  [09:01] I wish I would have made a quick cash injection while I was formulating and working on my long-term revenue goals. Digital courses were my long game. I should have had a simple offer on the table while building up to my course.  [11:53] I wish I wouldn't have said YES to everything. I needed to push myself, but I really needed to be more discerning from the get-go. Focus on what makes sense to you, your business, and your long-term goals. [16:32] Early on, I followed a step-by-step framework. For me, that was Marie Forleo's B-School. Digital Course Academy is also a step-by-step framework. [17:57] Surround yourself with a community of like-minded entrepreneurs. I surround myself with a great peer group through a mastermind. Rate, Review, & Follow on Apple Podcasts"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!

Why curiosity helps mitigate the fears that come along with entrepreneurshipFear can be an excellent motivator in business, but it can also completely consume you -- if you let it. Unfortunately, all too many entrepreneurs fall victim to their own fears and as a result, become completely overwhelmed. If you can relate to this, then read on, sweet friend, because my guest on today’s episode (and former student!), Calan Breckon, has a really beautiful approach to business – and that’s through curiosity, not fear.Calan is a Business Coach & Consultant, writer, educator and podcast co-host of Gay Men Going Deeper. His business is thriving -- but it hasn’t always been that way. In fact, it took a lot of curiosity, exploration, and a failed launch for Calan to land on a direction for his business that truly lit him up. But by staying curious and asking himself some really difficult questions, he was able to create the digital business of his dreams. Today, Calan teaches clients all over the world profitable action steps for creating a successful online business while also building a solid mental foundation -- something that is incredibly important. In this episode, Calan opens up about his own journey, and how being curious can help alleviate some of the fears that come along with entrepreneurship. You will also hear:  Calan’s step-by-step exercise on how to identify your 3 core values  How to create a business that is in alignment with your core values Why personal development is so important as an entrepreneur What it looks like to evolve as an entrepreneur (and why it’s okay to do so) Plus, so much more. So if you’re ready to move from fear to curiosity, grab a pen and paper and get ready to identify your core values!Here’s a glance at this episode... [12:47] Your business grows at the rate that you are personally growing. You can never outperform your self-image and what you believe about yourself. [16:09] Calan defaulted to the things he loved in his business. He loves tech and brought all of those aspects to their new business. His colleagues prefer doing the forward-facing stuff. [18:31] Through his journey of curiosity Calan discovered what really lights him up and that's getting on calls and helping people.  [22:54] In every relationship communication is key. There needs to be an ability to have those difficult conversations and integrate your business with your core values. [28:39] Calan’s process for identifying your core values or the things that you feel are the most important in relation to how you live your life.  [31:23] Get a pen and paper and identify the following: a time in your life when you were happiest both personally and professionally, a time in your life when you were the most proud personally and professionally, times when you felt the most fulfilled and satisfied. [33:02] Make a list of your top 10 core values and compare them to one another. Once you discover your top core values use them as guideposts for making decisions in your life. [41:10] It's also important to take a step back and analyze what is working and what's not working and why it may not be working. Rate, Review, & Follow on Apple Podcasts"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!

Welcome to my first Wisdom Wednesday Episode! Each week, I’ll be bringing you a short five to ten minute episode with some of my favorite bits of wisdom that have been shared on Online Marketing Made Easy in the past.  With over 500 episodes, it’s easy to forget or recall strategies or mindset shifts you’ve learned along the way.  Some clips will be from solo episodes… and others will be from interviews I’ve done. But they’ll both have something in common… they are invaluable tidbits of wisdom worth hearing over and over again.  This week, I'm sharing one of my favorite content tips for course creators! We're also talking about the power of repetition and free content versus paid content.  Wanna listen to the entire episode that this clip was pulled from? You can check it out here: Episode #297: Grow Your Business & Revenue: 6 MUST DO Action Items to Make Magic Between Launches Enjoy six minutes of a knowledge packed episode!

Spoiler alert: You cannot win a game you do not playDo you ever think back to when you were a kid playing sports, and what you felt like as you stood on the sidelines of the soccer field, or the ice skating rink, or basketball court? For me, it was cheerleading. If you were anything like me, you were probably a little bit nervous (ok… let’s be real -- a lot nervous). Your palms were sweaty, you felt your heart beating through your chest, and even though you had been practicing for weeks, you were afraid to get out there.All of a sudden your coach looks at you and says, “Go.” She gives you a nudge, and just like that, game on – it’s go time.  And somehow, once you’re in motion all your fear disappears. All of that nervous energy turns into adrenaline and you think to yourself, “I’ve got this.” You feel incredible because you’re doing it, and you didn’t think you could. Now, you’re probably wondering why I’m sharing sports analogies with you, and I’ll tell you, sweet friend -- it’s because if you want to be successful as an entrepreneur, you have to be able to get in the game, get into motion without hesitation. You have to be willing to take calculated risks, willing to fail, and willing to put yourself out there without feeling 100% ready. If I’ve learned one thing over the years, it’s that there’s power in being in the game, even if it’s imperfect. In this episode, you’ll hear about a recent experience where my own ability to take a calculated risk was put to the test. Yes, it was uncomfortable… and yes, I was afraid I was going to embarrass myself. But I did it, and let me tell you, it was totally worth it.So if you’re ready to hear what it is, grab your favorite iced beverage, turn up the volume, and tune in. And I promise, no more sports analogies. ;)Here’s a glance at this episode... [02:25] You know that being an entrepreneur is so much more than owning a business or multiple businesses. Managing your mindset can be more difficult than any of the other tasks that we do. [03:10] Failure only gives you the opportunity to grow. It's hard to get in this frame of mind, when things aren't going well, but remind yourself that you're learning and growing.  [04:31] Hobie and I bought an NFT. When the auction happened, I realized that I didn't know what I needed until I got in the game and tried it.  [06:53] That night, I realized that I learned five things that I never would have learned by reading books or watching videos, or asking questions. I had to get off the sidelines and get into action! [10:42] You do not know what you need to know until you get in the game. Where are you standing on the sidelines? There's a point where you need to cut bait and get in the game. [14:21] If you're struggling in an area or chasing a goal or chasing a dream, and you're clear on what you want, then where do you need to get in the game now? [16:25] Remember, no time is going to be perfect. Getting in the game will be the best education that you could possibly imagine. Rate, Review, & Follow on Apple Podcasts"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!

Learn how to be intentional with how you organize and spend your timeIf I could make a wild guess, I’d say that ‘entrepreneur’ is just one of the many hats that you wear. In fact, you probably have a laundry list of roles that you fill on a day-to-day basis -- mother, father, wife, husband, fur-parent, housekeeper, chef, chauffeur, personal shopper, gardener, accountant -- the list goes on. And with all that you’ve got going on in your life, I’m sure you’ve probably wondered, “How the heck do I keep up with everything and have a successful business?”Sweet friend, if I had a dollar every time I asked myself that question, I’d be quite rich. And when I do, I remind myself that I don’t have to hustle through it all. Life is so much more fulfilling when you have more white space, more quiet time with loved ones, and more time for yourself. But like many things, that’s easier said than done. In order to achieve that sort of balance, you have to be intentional with how you organize and spend your time – and my guest on this episode is an expert when it comes to doing that. Her name is Shunta Grant, and she’s on a mission to help women live lives of intention, leading with self-awareness and self-love. Sounds pretty great, right? I loved this conversation with Shunta because I learned so much about how I can set habits and routines that compliment my life, and I won’t lie – her philosophy is a bit different from many others in this space.So if you’re ready to stop going through the motions and start living in the present, tune in to hear:  The difference between being productive and being efficient Strategies on how to balance being an entrepreneur and a parent without falling victim to the hustle mentality How to create a routine that connects you to who you are and what you want The philosophy behind her brand, Best TodayHere’s a glance at this episode... [06:33] Shunta began her career as an attorney. She realized that she wanted to create resources that plan humanity first, as opposed to doing and doing. [07:50] Everything they do is built on the four principles of proaction, intentionality, self-awareness, and self-love. We need all four to live an intentional life and grow an intentional business. [11:03] If you're clear on who you are and what you want, you will produce the things you want. Slow down and make sure the destination is the place where you want to be. [13:22] Who are you? What do you want? Sit down and write out the answers to these questions and give yourself the freedom to dream. [19:06] It's okay to throw the idea of balance out the window. Ask yourself what you really want? Honor the season that you are in. It's a container, not a restriction. Caring for children is a season.  [24:06] 1. Honor the season you are in. 2. Stop comparing. 3. Take the time to prune those things that aren't feeding what's the most important. [30:00] We all have routines, they just may not all be healthy. We need to create healthy routines, so that when we feel triggers we know what positive action we'll take. [35:03] A lot of people don't believe they are worthy to live an intentional life. You are worthy of the effort it takes to live an intentional life. You were born worthy. Rate, Review, & Follow on Apple Podcasts"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!

How time blocking has transformed my life, my business and my stress levelsClose your eyes and imagine this super dreamy scenario:You wake up in the morning excited for the workday, and are crystal clear on what you have to accomplish.You feel 100% prepared because you know exactly what’s expected of you.You have all of the information you need to be successful at your fingertips.You cruise through each task effortlessly, and even have time to take several breaks.You end the day feeling productive, successful, and not the least bit overwhelmed.This is not some sort of weird alternate universe. In fact, this exact workday is easily achievable, and I know that because I live and breathe it every. single. day. Yes, sweet friend. I have developed a very specific formula for structuring my workdays, and time blocking is a big part of it. It helps me stay clear and focused on what my outcomes are, and knock out my task list without context switching. Let me tell you, this little formula of mine has helped me immensely in my business, and I am so excited to share it with you. In this episode, you’ll hear: What time blocking is and why it’s been a game changer for my business The specific tools I use to block out my days, and how I go about it step-by-step How I’m able to take multiple breaks a day and still be productive How I use the Full Focus Planner alongside technology to stay on track So if you’re ready to transform your work days for the better, pop in those earbuds and give this episode a listen. I promise, you’ll thank me.Here’s a glance at this episode... [02:38] There's an art and a science to how I block my time. It took me a few years to nail it down, but now I have a very specific formula to help me stay on track. [03:30] Time blocking is crucial to my business, because it helps me get really clear about the action items I'm going to be doing that day. [04:14] It all starts with Google Calendar and my project management tool Asana. You can even use it if you have a one-man or one-woman show.  [10:52] I also use my Full Focus planner to get the most out of my time blocks. I use it to identify my top three priorities for the day. Come rain or shine, these three things get done! [13:27] Recap: Schedule time blocks along with non-negotiables. Time blocks are assigned to me in Asana with more specifics. I write down my three priorities for the next day. If something doesn't get done, we reschedule. Rate, Review, & Follow on Apple Podcasts"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!