The Amy Porterfield Show

A pharmacist turned entrepreneur shares her journey to ditching the golden handcuffsIf you have a 9 to 5 and you’ve been thinking about leaving it to start your own business, chances are you have some fear around taking the leap -- especially if you are in a profession that compensates you well, financially or otherwise.I can totally relate to that, because just over 13 years ago I was in a similar place. I was working full-time for Tony Robbins, in a position that so many people would have loved to have. I had a great salary, benefits, and the opportunity to travel the world. From the outside looking in, my job looked like a dream -- but I was tired of working long hours and time away from my loved ones, being stressed about someone else’s business, and I knew there was much more out there for me as a business owner. Once I made the decision to do my own thing, I quit my job and never looked back -- but in all honesty, arriving at that point wasn’t easy. Employers often make jobs really hard to leave, especially if you are highly paid, or work for a company that offers really great perks – like yoga classes throughout the day or heck, I’ve even heard of some offices that have a beer tap in the break room. These are all really great things, but what these businesses don’t offer is freedom. They’ve got you locked in golden handcuffs, and they’ve got the key.In this interview, I talk to my student, Rachel Gainsbrugh, who built up the courage to ditch her cushy job as a pharmacist to pursue her dream of being an entrepreneur. And guess what? She made over $40,000 in her very first launch, and went on to 3X her pharmacist salary. Yes, you read that right. She tripled her salary after she left her pharmacist career. So if you’re afraid of giving up the golden handcuffs, tune in to this episode because Rachel’s story is a very inspiring one. In it, you’ll hear: Rachel’s advice on how to make the leap into entrepreneurship A breakdown of her first launch that generated $41,000  The unique launch strategies she used that I think are sheer genius The hard lessons she’s learned along the way 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!

This little clip of advice is such an important part of being an entrepreneur. When I started almost 14 years ago, doing this changed how quickly I found success -- not to mention it helped me to avoid tons of headaches. Tune in to find out this priceless tidbit of advice so that you can start using this as an entrepreneur, as well. 

What scares you AND lights you up is the key to rapid progressIs there something that scares you a little bit, but also lights you up when you think about doing it? Maybe the thought of leaving your 9 to 5 J.O.B. to pursue your side hustle full time or doing your first Instagram Live gives you the butterflies, but every time the idea pops into your mind you think, “Man, this could change my whole world!” I’m going to tell you something that I’ve learned over the past 13 years of being a business owner: Those butterflies in your stomach are a loud and clear message to shake things up a bit and do something different -- or DSD, as my friend says. DSD isn’t always comfortable -- because let’s be real -- it usually requires you to step outside of your comfort zone. But let me tell you, sweet friend, the biggest moments of growth are the ones where I’ve decided to DSD. My business, and my life in general, would be nowhere near where they are today without these leaps of faith, whether they’ve been really big or very small.Yes, it can be a little scary, and it’s not always easy. But I promise you that it’s totally worth it. In this episode, I share some of the life-changing, blind leap-of-faith, DSD moments that have made a major impact on my life and business, and some ways that you can shake things up, too.Enjoy! 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!

A digital course doesn’t have to be your one and only offerI’m sure you’ve probably heard the proverb ‘There are many paths to the top of the mountain, but the view is always the same.’I hate to get all cheesy on you, but it’s true -- especially when it comes to your business. There are endless ways you can go about creating the business of your dreams, and having a digital course as the core driver is just one of them. I know, I know, you’re probably thinking ‘But Amy, you are always talking about how having a digital course as your primary offer is the simplest way to run a business’ -- and I wholeheartedly believe that. But hear me out.A digital course can be a big part or a small part of your business. For me, it’s a big part because I discovered early on that this approach offers me the flexibility that I want and need in my life… … But it’s not the only way. In fact, having a digital course as one of your offers -- not your only offer -- can be incredibly lucrative. In this episode, you’ll hear real-life audio clips from a few of my students who have made digital courses a small part of their business. They shed light on how they’ve made digital courses work within their business, and all the things they’ve learned along the way. Plus, I kick it off with the many benefits of offering a digital course, regardless of your approach. So if you’ve ever thought that having a digital course won’t work with your business, I urge you to listen to this episode -- because I promise you, it’s possible -- and it’s a strategy that will only help you grow.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 back to another Wisdom Wednesday episode!In this episode, you’ll learn a simple strategy you can use throughout your website to grow your email list significantly. This strategy brings in thousands of new subscribers for me each month. I love this easy strategy, and you can use it whether you're just starting out or you've had your business for years. I'll give you all the details on this email growth strategy and how to do it the right way!

When you feel like a total failure, these 4 strategies will get you back on trackIf you’re a living, breathing human being, then I’d hedge a bet that there have been times where you’ve doubted yourself and your capabilities as an entrepreneur. In fact, you’ve probably even wondered, ‘Am I even cut out for this?’Believe me, sweet friend -- I’ve been there. One minute you're on top of the world and feeling as confident can be, and the next you’re questioning everything and feeling like a total failure.Maybe you sent an email to your list with an incorrect link, missing a huge sales opportunity (been there!). Or maybe you saw a competitor on social media absolutely crush their launch and you start to compare yourself to them, which is never a good thing (also been there). As business owners, there are so many different triggers that can immediately launch us into feelings of inadequacy -- so what are we supposed to do when our self-worth feels like it’s just been trampled by a herd of elephants? Over the years, I’ve come up with a handful of ways to get back on track when I start to doubt myself, and I’m sharing them in this episode. You’ll hear:  The strategy I use to make positive thinking a practice How to refresh your mindset and restore your belief in yourself The books I always come back to that remind me of my self-worth Ways you can lean into your community for support This is a great episode to listen to, regardless of where you are in your business journey. Happy listening!Here’s a glance at this episode... [03:27] Give equal airtime to positive thinking. Don't beat yourself up, but if you do give just as much time to positive thoughts.  [05:03] Take a trip down memory lane. Take a pen and paper and write down things that you've accomplished in the last year or the last five years. This refreshes your memory and illustrates how you've stuck with something or accomplished something. [06:50] Read or listen to something that's inspiring. Getting inspired every single day will get you to the place you need to be in. Keep a go to inspiration folder.  [09:06] I want you to brag! It's so important to surround yourself with a community of like-minded people. Have a place where you can share your wins with people who will actually understand your level of accomplishment. [11:18] You are worth it. You are important. It's important that you get your message out into the world. On the days that you're not feeling it, try some of these methods. 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!

When you make a BIG mistake, pull up your bootstraps, get scrappy, and use it as a learning experienceHave you ever made a careless mistake in your business that could have potentially been catastrophic?I know I have. In fact, back in my Tony Robbins days I accidentally canceled a Masterclass the night before it was supposed to start. I was absolutely mortified, angry at myself, and had no idea how to recover from it.But here’s the thing that I couldn’t see at the time: Making big mistakes, like the one I made years ago, are bound to happen -- no matter how careful and cautious you think you’re being. You’ve just gotta pull yourself up by the bootstraps, get a little scrappy, and use the experience as a learning opportunity. That’s what my guest on this episode (and DCA student!), Isobel Anderson, did when she deleted her entire email list three months before her launch. Some business owners would absolutely crumble if this happened to them, but Isobel did the exact opposite. Instead of getting down on herself and giving up, she flexed her entrepreneurial mindset muscles by asking, “How can this be good?” -- and guess what? She went on to rebuild her email list to twice its original size. Yes, you read that right. In this episode, Isobel shares her story of how she used the experience of deleting her email list to better herself as an entrepreneur, plus exactly what she did to double the size of her list. She also shares: Her experience with adding tiers to a launch -- the good, the bad and the ugly How adding Live coaching to her latest launch proved to be incredibly lucrative What she plans to do next in order to take her business to the next level This is a great listen for anyone, regardless of where you are in your business -- and I know you’ll find Isobel as inspiring as I do.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!

"Your habits are the compound interest of self-improvement." This quote comes from my guest in this Wisdom Wednesday episode, James Clear, and it's brilliant. To this day, this episode is one of my most popular episodes -- and this little clip from it provides an impactful punch. Get ready to hear how improving just 1% each day can significantly change your life.  

Shiny object syndrome has the potential to devastate your businessShiny object syndrome is a real thing, and you’d better believe that it can throw you off course in ways that are devastating to your business and everything you’ve been working towards.I don’t mean to sound harsh, but it's the cold, hard truth. If you are constantly going after the ‘next best thing’ then you are wasting time, energy and focus on something that might not be in alignment with your business goals.Now, don’t get me wrong. It’s super easy to get distracted by new ways of making money that are fun and exciting, especially if they’re something you could do with your eyes closed. I’ve been there, believe me. But what I know from my own experience in creating a multi-million dollar digital business is that time, focus, and a willingness to play the long game are absolutely essential if you are serious about achieving your long-term goals (more on the importance of playing the long game in this episode). In other words, don’t change lanes before the magic happens.Now, I’m not discouraging you from considering new opportunities. But what I do encourage is for you to be discerning about them. In fact, there are a series of questions that I ask myself every time something shiny and new comes my way that help me determine if it’s going to be something that supports growth in my business, or hurts it -- and I share them in this episode. I also talk a bit about when you should consider changing lanes, and go in another direction. Are you ready? If so, pop in your earbuds, and tune in!Here’s a glance at this episode... [04:11] Going for something you know you'll crush it and because it’s in your comfort zone is playing small. In your heart, you know you should keep your head down and keep creating what you are creating at the moment. [05:26] We can't only do things in our business that we are inherently good at. You don't stretch yourself if you are only doing things that come second nature to you. [06:29] Whenever you make a decision about something that doesn't align with where your goals are, stop yourself and do a gut check. [08:27] Your income will increase each time you launch your course, and you'll end up making more than you could have made from that distracting opportunity. [10:45] Being uncomfortable and continuing to move forward anyway is when the magic happens. [11:41] When you stay in your lane and you start to be known for something, you'll come to a point where all of a sudden it will feel like you're in the flow. 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!

Growing your side-hustle while working full-time is easier than you might thinkDoes the thought of building your own business while working your 9 to 5 job absolutely overwhelm you? If so, I can guarantee that you’re not alone. I felt the same way when I realized that I wanted to start my own business. At the time I was working for Tony Robbins, and I remember thinking, ‘I want this more than anything -- but how on Earth am I going to do it?’But here’s the good news -- it’s possible, and doing both doesn’t have to feel defeating. While growing your side-hustle while also working full-time is definitely a commitment, pulling it off is more possible than you think.It’s true, sweet friend -- and I have proof. In this episode, you’ll hear about a handful of my own students who have successfully juggled having a full-time job and growing their business at the same time, and exactly how they’ve made it happen.And here’s the really good news. I also share a 4-step framework that you can use to lay a solid foundation for your online business, and I promise – it’s simple, completely manageable, and doesn’t require a ton of your time. Sounds pretty great, right?So if you are in the throes of cubicle life and are on the fence about getting your side-hustle started, this one is for you. Grab your journal, go someplace free of distractions, and listen closely -- because this episode is sure to set you up for success.Here’s a glance at this episode... [08:11] Step 1: Schedule your tiger time! You need a system that makes time to drive your business forward. This is the part of the day that you fiercely protect like a tiger. [12:51] William is a full-time elementary teacher and a biblical parenting coach. He worked through DCA and launched his first course. His client list is growing, and he's also a speaker all while teaching full time. You can create your dream business while working and being present with your family. [14:18] Step 2: Create a lead magnet and set up your ESP or email service provider. This is a platform that houses your email list with tools and resources.  [17:40] Roberta created her side-hustle while being a full-time corporate launch manager. She struggled with time issues and worked on her launches in fifteen-minute time blocks. She's been massively successful and shows why it's so important to get clear on your tiger time. [20:14] Step 3: Put together an offer. You need the time to put together the offer, set up your ESP, and create your lead magnet. You can do this by setting aside tiger time.  [21:29] Offers that might work well include a guide or PDF workbook, a limited one-on-one or group coaching offer, or a lower ticket challenge. [27:11] Brooke does bookkeeping and owns and operates a local business called The Welcome Basket. After DCA, she created a course to teach others to start their own welcome basket business. She also offers coaching. She had so much going on, she had to take a step back and put courses on evergreen where they still earn for her. 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!