Latest / The Wholehearted Enneagram Podcast / Amy Porterfield! Wholehearted Work: How to Finally Step Out to Do What You Love

Transcript

Amy Porterfield! Wholehearted Work: How to Finally Step Out to Do What You Love · The Wholehearted Enneagram Podcast

0:00
SPEAKER_00: Well, friend, this podcast is a big deal.
0:04
SPEAKER_00: And I mean a big, big deal.
0:07
SPEAKER_00: I know I've put it as a bonus, but it is a extra, extra bonus.
0:12
SPEAKER_00: Okay.
0:13
SPEAKER_00: What has me using all these words?
0:16
SPEAKER_00: Well, today's guest is the one and only Amy Porterfield.
0:21
SPEAKER_00: Yes, you did hear that right.
0:23
SPEAKER_00: That Amy is on the Simply Wholehearted podcast today.
0:27
SPEAKER_00: She's truly been on my dream guest list for years because I I have uh listened to every single one of her podcasts over the years, and her teaching on email marketing has helped me have the community and the business that I get to love and deserve today.
0:45
SPEAKER_00: Now, if you haven't gotten to meet Amy Porterfield before, she has built truly an online business empire and she teaches other people to do the same.
0:57
SPEAKER_00: She gives the step-by-step guide on how to start and grow an email list.
1:02
SPEAKER_00: And those who have gotten into online business, she teaches how to create a course that will serve thousands of people.
1:11
SPEAKER_00: So there is so many aspects, not just even her courses that I've benefited from, but she shares so many open, honest stories on her podcast that have helped me learn about life as an entrepreneur, life as a business owner, and something extra that I've really loved.
1:27
SPEAKER_00: She is a married entrepreneur with a kid.
1:30
SPEAKER_00: So she gets the juggle that you and I know something a little bit about.
1:35
SPEAKER_00: Or sometimes it's the thing that holds us back, right?
1:39
SPEAKER_00: I know I talked to many of you about the juggle, and it sometimes holds you back from doing what you love.
1:44
SPEAKER_00: So Amy's going to join us today and she's going to share her story of building a life and career she loves.
1:51
SPEAKER_00: She does have a new book coming out called Two Weeks Notice.
1:54
SPEAKER_00: I think it's a very clever title.
1:56
SPEAKER_00: And I mean it when I say that this book is going to help you go from this duck to making strides in the direction of your dreams.
2:03
SPEAKER_00: Even if you have no idea where to start, or if you don't even know yet how liberating it will be when you get to where you want to be.
2:12
SPEAKER_00: If you're looking for inspiration for your business or straightforward steps to get started on your dream job, this episode with Amy and her book will help you find the courage to quit your job, make more money, work where you want and change the world.
2:26
SPEAKER_00: I know it's a big promise and I think she delivers.
2:29
SPEAKER_00: So if this sounds like a message that you need to hear, then don't go anywhere.
2:34
SPEAKER_00: Definitely listen to this episode and then share with a loved one or a good friend who has dreams to start a business of their own.
2:44
SPEAKER_00: And you guys, I'm really proud of myself.
2:46
SPEAKER_00: The Lord gave me so much grace to have this conversation.
2:49
SPEAKER_00: I thought I would fangirl and be so nervous.
2:53
SPEAKER_00: But in the end, I had the grace and peace, and Amy was such a joy and so easy to talk to.
3:00
SPEAKER_00: I think this conversation will just be really pleasant and enjoyable for everyone to listen to.
3:10
SPEAKER_00: Hello and welcome to the Simply Wholehearted Podcast.
3:14
SPEAKER_00: I'm your host, Amy Wicks, your wholehearted living coach.
3:18
SPEAKER_00: And I'm so glad that you stopped by to spend some time with me.
3:22
SPEAKER_00: Are you curious about the Enneagram?
3:24
SPEAKER_00: Do you want to learn biblical truths?
3:26
SPEAKER_00: And have you wondered if there are life rhythms that will help you thrive?
3:31
SPEAKER_00: Well, friend, then you are in the right place.
3:35
SPEAKER_00: For six years, this podcast has focused on sharing conversations with my friends about life, business, motherhood, faith, and all things Enneagram from a Christian perspective.
3:47
SPEAKER_00: I truly understand what it's like to juggle everything as a wife, mom to three teenagers, a pup, and all while building a growing business.
3:57
SPEAKER_00: And friend, I haven't always done things with clarity, peace, or joy.
4:02
SPEAKER_00: But still, the Lord has taken my broken-hearted pieces and healed them so I can live with whole-hearted rhythms to provide women like you with a step-by-step process so you can get free of anxiety, shame, and frustrations that might be holding you back from thriving.
4:19
SPEAKER_00: I pray that the Lord speaks to you as you listen today and that you would invite your friends and family to join the fun conversations.
4:27
SPEAKER_00: Are you ready to laugh a little and learn a whole lot?
4:31
SPEAKER_00: Alrighty, let's get to the conversation.
4:41
SPEAKER_01: I remember I was in the I I had like a booth.
4:45
SPEAKER_01: They wanted me to have a booth, and uh a woman walked up to me.
4:47
SPEAKER_01: I remember this so vividly, and she and I was selling something about an email list.
4:51
SPEAKER_01: And she came in and she's two so sweet.
4:53
SPEAKER_01: She's like, I love to make a list.
4:55
SPEAKER_01: Tell me about this.
4:56
SPEAKER_01: Like she had no clue, but she was so encouraging to me.
5:00
SPEAKER_01: And I thought, I love this community.
5:02
SPEAKER_00: What inspired me at that time was to start a podcast.
5:05
SPEAKER_00: So I've had a podcast for almost six years, and you talked about an email list at that time as well.
5:11
SPEAKER_00: You did touch on social media, but you were like, the gold is in the email list, right?
5:16
SPEAKER_00: You're like how you say and how you've taught it.
5:18
SPEAKER_00: And so I started like, okay, I need to make weekly content and start building a community around it.
5:25
SPEAKER_00: And those seeds you planted, whether you felt like this was maybe the right fit for you or not, because I know you've transitioned since then and what you teach and how you teach it.
5:35
SPEAKER_00: Um, it was foundational for me.
5:37
SPEAKER_00: So thank you for being on the stage all those years ago because I I seriously binged your podcast all those years and have been a faithful Amy Porterfield consumer for my whole time.
5:49
SPEAKER_00: I'm so honored, very truly honored.
5:52
SPEAKER_00: Where do you live?
5:53
SPEAKER_00: Well, I'm in Kansas City right now.
5:55
SPEAKER_00: Now I'm actually leading a mastermind retreat in Texas uh this weekend.
6:00
SPEAKER_00: So yes, so I'm at a BB that is just like mind blowing.
6:05
SPEAKER_00: It's incredible.
6:06
SPEAKER_00: So got it.
6:07
SPEAKER_00: Okay, got it.
6:08
SPEAKER_01: And also, real quick, so when you teach or lead a mastermind, are you specifically focused on the Enneagram?
6:15
SPEAKER_00: Right now I'm at helping coach coaches and those um, and most of them want to utilize Enneagrams, some are already certified.
6:23
SPEAKER_00: And so it's been just, I'm really good friends with Beth and Jeff McCord who are, you know, in the Enneagram where you are, right?
6:30
SPEAKER_00: And um, so I I got coached with them years ago and have just, you know, but utilizing your material to be honest, to build the online business.
6:40
SPEAKER_00: And so I have a lot of women come to me going, okay, it looks like you're successful.
6:44
SPEAKER_00: How are you doing this?
6:46
SPEAKER_00: And I kind of come and help them with their own mindsets and an emotional spiritual process.
6:51
SPEAKER_00: But then I also help them build the the business piece for a coach to really have the have the the income and have the lifestyle that they're looking for.
7:03
SPEAKER_00: So um anyway, that's what the mastermind's about.
7:06
SPEAKER_00: And I'm just like this is a dream.
7:08
SPEAKER_01: Oh, so glad to be here.
7:10
SPEAKER_00: Yeah.
7:10
SPEAKER_00: Well, I'm excited.
7:11
SPEAKER_00: I want to hear about Enneagram because here's the deal, Amy.
7:14
SPEAKER_00: You have been in my earbuds for years now, like years.
7:18
SPEAKER_00: And you would talk about your Enneagram type and talk about being a two.
7:23
SPEAKER_00: And I'd be like, I don't know, I don't know, she's a two.
7:27
SPEAKER_01: Let's talk about this.
7:29
SPEAKER_00: Yes, because then I heard you say something on a recent podcast.
7:32
SPEAKER_00: I'm like, whoa, whoa, whoa.
7:33
SPEAKER_00: All right, Amy's got to tell me what's the scale.
7:36
SPEAKER_01: What happened was I took the test many, many, many years ago, the assessment, and it said I was a two.
7:42
SPEAKER_01: And in part of the two I could totally relate to.
7:45
SPEAKER_01: Uh obviously the helper part about what I do in my business makes sense.
7:50
SPEAKER_01: But what didn't make total sense is I actually don't uh put everyone else before me.
7:57
SPEAKER_01: I wish I did, quite honestly, but I I've never had a child of my own.
8:00
SPEAKER_01: Uh it's I have a stepson and it's Hobie and I, and now Cade's at college.
8:05
SPEAKER_01: And and I very much take care of myself and put myself forward.
8:09
SPEAKER_01: And I'm very competitive and I'm very hard on myself in terms of go, go, go, I gotta get it.
8:16
SPEAKER_01: I want the accolades, I want to climb the ladder, all of that.
8:20
SPEAKER_01: And I always related to my three friends.
8:23
SPEAKER_01: Like when they would say, This is me or that is me, I always was like, I totally can relate, but I'm a two.
8:28
SPEAKER_01: Then I took an assessment, another assessment.
8:32
SPEAKER_01: And this is from Ian Cron.
8:34
SPEAKER_01: Did I say this?
8:35
SPEAKER_00: Yeah, yeah, totally.
8:37
SPEAKER_01: His assessment, and it was absolutely a three.
8:40
SPEAKER_01: So I don't know if you could tell me what that's about, why it used to be a two, now it's a three, but I 100% relate to a three more than a two.
8:48
SPEAKER_00: Well, this is why I love the Enneagram, because I've always noted out, even from high school in the early 90s, them um, there was Gary Smalley had the animal test.
8:57
SPEAKER_00: And then when I went to an internship, it was disc and then Myers Brig, which I couldn't keep track of all the Myers Briggs.
9:04
SPEAKER_00: So when Enneagram came in, I felt like I could handle the nine uh types.
9:10
SPEAKER_00: But then what it told me was why I do what I do, not what I do.
9:15
SPEAKER_00: Because Amy, you do serve your audience and you're all about helping others and seeing their success.
9:22
SPEAKER_00: But obviously, some of those motivations that underneath the layer kind of thing is really what the Enneagram is helping us understand better.
9:32
SPEAKER_00: Test can be helpful, but honestly, 90% of my clients who come to me are mistyped.
9:38
SPEAKER_00: So it's not uncommon.
9:40
SPEAKER_00: It is totally not common.
9:41
SPEAKER_00: Even I mistyped myself.
9:43
SPEAKER_00: So you're in good company.
9:45
SPEAKER_00: Okay.
9:45
SPEAKER_00: That's good.
9:46
SPEAKER_00: No.
9:47
SPEAKER_00: I think what I have heard from you is what I've actually thought was really refreshing and beautiful is you've been authentic about your fear of failure, of how that has been an Achilles heel at times.
9:59
SPEAKER_00: And I I really think that you showing up in that way has supported your audience and your community maybe more than you know, because whether people are a three or not, there is an aversion to failure for all sorts of different reasons due to our motivations.
10:16
SPEAKER_00: But you've shown what it looks like to go ahead and do it anyway and step with courage and face that fear and looking out.
10:26
SPEAKER_00: It's proved to be worth it.
10:28
SPEAKER_01: So absolutely so very true.
10:30
SPEAKER_00: Well, thanks for sharing that with me.
10:32
SPEAKER_00: I've been dying to know.
10:33
SPEAKER_00: I've thought if I ever get to talk to Amy Porterfield, we have to talk about Enneagram.
10:37
SPEAKER_01: Yes, absolutely.
10:39
SPEAKER_00: Well, I am so thrilled because your book is perfect for my audience.
10:45
SPEAKER_00: I have referred so many of my clients who are in the business building process to go and binge your podcast and to consume your resources truly.
10:54
SPEAKER_00: But one of the elements is I I end up meeting a lot of women in that transition period.
10:59
SPEAKER_00: And the word transition itself, actually, I always think of it relating to labor.
11:05
SPEAKER_00: And in giving birth, transition is the most painful part.
11:10
SPEAKER_00: And we really need a hand holding guide when we're taking that next step into something big and scary and birthing something beautiful, right?
11:18
SPEAKER_00: And so just like and I really think two weeks notice is that hand holding guidebook of those who are going, I, you know, I maybe I have even loved my career and I have really learned a lot of things, but I'm ready for the next thing.
11:32
SPEAKER_00: I'm ready to birth something myself and own it in a new way.
11:36
SPEAKER_00: And so, um, so anyway, I just think this book is perfect, a great resource for my people.
11:42
SPEAKER_00: But I would love just in that kind of like if you could help sum it up for those who are listening and they have a business idea or they're thinking, maybe I need to leave my nine to five because I need more freedom, or I just want to pursue this vision.
11:56
SPEAKER_00: What are some what are some of the pieces of advice that you're giving in this book and you would give the person who's listening now?
12:04
SPEAKER_01: Yeah.
12:04
SPEAKER_01: So I start the book out saying I was a corporate girl, like for life.
12:09
SPEAKER_01: I never talked about entrepreneurship or owning my own business.
12:13
SPEAKER_01: That was not even something that entered my mind.
12:15
SPEAKER_01: But after being in corporate for so very long, all the way up until my 30s, and and I started working right out of college, I thought, what's missing is freedom.
12:26
SPEAKER_01: Like I really didn't know what it meant to do what you wanted, when you wanted, how you wanted.
12:32
SPEAKER_01: I didn't know what it meant to not have someone telling me what to do and help someone else build their dream or empire.
12:38
SPEAKER_01: That's all I've ever known.
12:40
SPEAKER_01: And so when I realized there's a whole new world out there, I didn't even understand what entrepreneurship could give somebody until I started to explore it.
12:50
SPEAKER_01: That's when everything changed for me.
12:52
SPEAKER_01: So a few things.
12:53
SPEAKER_01: When you're still in a nine to five job, I really do believe it's important if you want to pursue something else, if you have a desire on your heart or dream to start something new, do something different, be your own boss, we need to get a runway going because that cannot be ignored.
13:09
SPEAKER_01: I don't want five years to pass and you think, oh, I've been thinking about doing my own thing forever, and I just have never had the courage to go for it.
13:17
SPEAKER_01: Five years of your life have passed and you haven't gone for what you want.
13:21
SPEAKER_01: And I think it's very common.
13:23
SPEAKER_01: I tell the story in the book of Carolyn, who she's always dreamed of doing her own thing.
13:27
SPEAKER_01: She always thought she could be her own boss.
13:28
SPEAKER_01: And she was, she really thought she could do a good job, but she was just too scared to take the leap and too safe in her nine to five job.
13:35
SPEAKER_01: And it was a good job.
13:36
SPEAKER_01: So she had golden handcuffs.
13:38
SPEAKER_01: It wasn't like the worst job she's ever had.
13:40
SPEAKER_01: So she was good enough.
13:42
SPEAKER_01: Never did anything to start her own business.
13:44
SPEAKER_01: And then she was laid off.
13:46
SPEAKER_01: And she realized now I don't even have a choice.
13:49
SPEAKER_01: I either have to go look for another job or start my own thing, but it's not on my terms.
13:52
SPEAKER_01: I was forced out.
13:54
SPEAKER_01: And so that's a horrible feeling and not necessary, especially I'm talking today in a time where layoffs are happening everywhere.
14:02
SPEAKER_01: And so at least you be in control of your own destiny.
14:07
SPEAKER_01: And if you have this on your heart to do your own thing, let's start exploring it.
14:10
SPEAKER_01: So that runway looks like this.
14:12
SPEAKER_01: First, you start to explore what I might do?
14:15
SPEAKER_01: What might I create?
14:16
SPEAKER_01: And a lot of people will say, I don't even know what I would create for my own business.
14:20
SPEAKER_01: And what I want you to start looking at is where is your skill set, your knowledge, where have you gotten results personally and professionally?
14:27
SPEAKER_01: What do people ask you about all the time?
14:30
SPEAKER_01: What comes super easy for you that you take for granted?
14:33
SPEAKER_01: There's a lot in there.
14:34
SPEAKER_01: Everyone has something in them that could translate into their own business.
14:39
SPEAKER_01: I have no doubt.
14:40
SPEAKER_01: So you want to start looking at that and then start exploring it.
14:44
SPEAKER_01: So for me, I knew that I could do social media for small businesses if I went out on my own.
14:49
SPEAKER_01: I knew that wasn't my end all be all, but that's where I could start.
14:53
SPEAKER_01: And so I started buying books and listening to podcasts and buying digital courses around social media so that when I went out on my own, I'd be ready to do it even better for more people.
15:03
SPEAKER_01: And so start educating yourself.
15:05
SPEAKER_01: Start thinking like an entrepreneur when you're still in your nine to five job.
15:09
SPEAKER_01: The second thing is you got to get look at your finances.
15:12
SPEAKER_01: So I'm not saying give your two weeks' notice tomorrow.
15:15
SPEAKER_01: Let's get a little plan together here and let's look at our finances.
15:20
SPEAKER_01: Do we want to save a little money before we go out on our own?
15:22
SPEAKER_01: Do we need to clean a few things up so we have a little grace while we make all the mistakes as an entrepreneur?
15:28
SPEAKER_01: So get clear on your finances and know that this is not the year you're gonna go on vacation, uh, buy a new house or buy a new car.
15:35
SPEAKER_01: We're gonna really buckle down so that we don't have to make a bunch of money and still can survive.
15:41
SPEAKER_01: So that's one thing to think about, or another thing.
15:44
SPEAKER_01: The final thing is an exit date.
15:47
SPEAKER_01: Most people will never leave their nine to five job if they don't declare an exit date, put it in their calendar, and share it with a few people that they trust to keep them accountable.
15:56
SPEAKER_01: Because for me, because I did have a really great job that I left, I could easily say, I don't need to leave this job.
16:05
SPEAKER_01: I could just do a side hustle and just do that forever.
16:08
SPEAKER_01: But this job is comfortable and secure.
16:10
SPEAKER_01: There's no growth in comfort or security.
16:13
SPEAKER_01: I knew I needed to play a bigger game and I couldn't stay.
16:16
SPEAKER_01: So I set my exit date, put it on a post-it note, put it on a mirror where I saw it every single day, and asked the question, what do I need to do today to move me closer to that goal of leaving my job?
16:27
SPEAKER_01: And then when I started to think maybe I don't really need to leave, my husband would say, Well, you can do whatever you want, but you did tell me you were committed to that date and you did tell me you wanted to be your own boss.
16:38
SPEAKER_01: So let's get focused here.
16:40
SPEAKER_01: Let's get back on track.
16:41
SPEAKER_01: So that's a little bit of the runway that I map out in the book, just so we have a plan and people feel secure about when they actually do leave.
16:50
SPEAKER_00: I love that you wrote it down and forced yourself to look at that.
16:54
SPEAKER_00: It's that declaration.
16:56
SPEAKER_00: I really think that hand, you know, pen to paper uh motion solidifies something in us.
17:03
SPEAKER_00: And even if maybe circumstances don't allow us to hit the date, we have something to work with, right?
17:10
SPEAKER_00: That we are aiming for and moving for.
17:13
SPEAKER_00: So, and I love that you had accountability with Hobie and him making sure he's been such a sweet support system.
17:20
SPEAKER_00: I've loved hearing about how that dynamic has really played out for you.
17:24
SPEAKER_01: He really has been.
17:25
SPEAKER_01: I've been very fortunate.
17:27
SPEAKER_00: One of the pieces that I took away that we were just talking about from a conference that you spoke at years ago was this idea of an email list.
17:36
SPEAKER_00: And what's so fun is I happen to be teaching at a mastermind.
17:40
SPEAKER_00: And one of the people who are cooking for us is actually the spouse of an attendee and a fellow organizer.
17:47
SPEAKER_00: And um, he has a surveying business actually.
17:51
SPEAKER_00: And his wife has been trying to convince him to start an email list.
17:55
SPEAKER_00: And I know this is something that comes because it everyone's like, well, I need social media.
17:59
SPEAKER_00: And I'm like, well, yes, but the power is in the email list.
18:03
SPEAKER_00: So give your like you just say it so well, so clearly, so convincingly.
18:09
SPEAKER_00: What is it about an email list and give us some support because maybe some of us are what, like you said, you mean, you know, just a little note on notes on paper.
18:19
SPEAKER_00: What's an email list?
18:20
SPEAKER_01: Yes, okay.
18:20
SPEAKER_01: So let's talk about this.
18:22
SPEAKER_01: I really do believe in order to have a viable business, you need an email list of names and emails of subscribers that have raised their hand and said, I would like to hear from you on a regular basis.
18:32
SPEAKER_01: This is so important because here's the deal: you do not own social media.
18:38
SPEAKER_01: If you put all your eggs in one basket and you think that you are running your business with Instagram, TikTok, Twitter, whatever it might be, that algorithm could change and boom, your business changes.
18:49
SPEAKER_01: Elon Musk buys Twitter and decides to change all the rules, and how you were doing business is not going to fly anymore.
18:57
SPEAKER_01: Now your whole business is rocked from it.
19:00
SPEAKER_01: However, if you have an email list, you control that.
19:02
SPEAKER_01: That is your security.
19:04
SPEAKER_01: You actually get at any given time when you have a thriving email list, and I know this because I've done it a million times.
19:11
SPEAKER_01: At any time, you can email an offer to your list and make money in a day.
19:16
SPEAKER_01: The day that Facebook and Instagram went out last year, it went black.
19:21
SPEAKER_01: Like it felt like the world didn't exist anymore.
19:23
SPEAKER_01: Both sites were down.
19:25
SPEAKER_01: I happened to email my list and tell them about a product that I had had for years, but wanted to remind them it's still available.
19:31
SPEAKER_01: And thousands of dollars later, within just hours, uh, we were able to generate thousands of dollars when social media was down.
19:39
SPEAKER_01: That wouldn't happen if all I was doing was relying on social.
19:43
SPEAKER_01: And so, yes, social is important and I use it every day.
19:46
SPEAKER_01: But if you said, what's the one asset in your business, Amy, you would rely on and come back to and you couldn't live without, it's my email list.
19:54
SPEAKER_01: It gives you confidence to know that you can always make money in your business.
19:59
SPEAKER_01: So to get started, you need an email service provider.
20:02
SPEAKER_01: So Convert Kit is my favorite, but there's tons of them.
20:06
SPEAKER_01: I like to start out free, and then as your list grows, you can start paying for it.
20:10
SPEAKER_01: Very inexpensive.
20:11
SPEAKER_01: And you need a lead magnet.
20:13
SPEAKER_01: You need some kind of freebie.
20:14
SPEAKER_01: Start with a PDF, a checklist, a cheat sheet, a guide, something of value that you tell people about a lot, meaning you tell them about it and you tell them about it and you tell them about it in all different ways.
20:26
SPEAKER_01: And over time they start to listen and they say, I really want that cheat sheet.
20:30
SPEAKER_01: This is gonna be really helpful.
20:31
SPEAKER_01: And that's how you get them into your fold.
20:33
SPEAKER_01: But I want to add one more thing to that.
20:35
SPEAKER_01: You have a podcast that you started, you said five years ago.
20:38
SPEAKER_01: Six years ago.
20:39
SPEAKER_01: Six years ago.
20:40
SPEAKER_01: Like that's a big deal.
20:41
SPEAKER_01: I love the idea of a podcast because now that they are on your list, the next question I get is, Well, what am I supposed to email them?
20:48
SPEAKER_01: What am I communicating?
20:49
SPEAKER_01: Well, when you're not selling to them, which is a small portion of the time, you are giving them value.
20:54
SPEAKER_01: And in your case, every week you can email your list and say, I've got a new podcast.
20:59
SPEAKER_01: Here's what it's about, here's why you're gonna love it.
21:01
SPEAKER_01: So we're giving value and really enticing that list to pay attention with our podcast or whatever it might be.
21:08
SPEAKER_01: So that's just kind of in a nutshell what it looks like.
21:10
SPEAKER_01: But here's the thing: most people won't do what I said.
21:13
SPEAKER_01: Most people won't start an email list until way down the road when they're really hurting in their business and ready to give up.
21:20
SPEAKER_01: Or they think that they're just gonna rely on social or whatever and they really regret it.
21:25
SPEAKER_01: The number one regret in most people's businesses is they should have started an email list sooner.
21:30
SPEAKER_01: So who's ever listening that has a little bit of a competitive spirit, your competitors likely won't do it.
21:36
SPEAKER_01: So you should do it so you have that competitive edge.
21:39
SPEAKER_00: A men, I'll tell you what, the email list has been brilliant.
21:43
SPEAKER_00: Of course, I'm still, you know, I'm still in the thousands.
21:47
SPEAKER_00: And, you know, I hear some of it's easy to hear big numbers, right?
21:52
SPEAKER_00: But even at hundreds, it started to form a community.
21:56
SPEAKER_00: It made the business real.
21:58
SPEAKER_00: I was able to have experience.
22:00
SPEAKER_00: Exchanges with people.
22:01
SPEAKER_00: I otherwise, while I could give them the podcast, I couldn't hear back from them.
22:05
SPEAKER_00: But the email gave that opportunity.
22:07
SPEAKER_00: And I hands down the reason why people know like and trust me, yes, thanks to the podcast.
22:14
SPEAKER_00: But my email is easy to find in their inbox because it comes every single week.
22:19
SPEAKER_00: And so they just have to remember one part of my name or the name of the podcast or type in something.
22:24
SPEAKER_00: And that email is available when they need me at that moment.
22:29
SPEAKER_00: And so it's brilliant.
22:31
SPEAKER_00: I can absolutely testify to the goodness of an email list.
22:35
SPEAKER_00: You have to do it.
22:36
SPEAKER_00: It does seem overwhelming at first, but I've also would say because I've made it a priority, it has been way easier than I thought it would.
22:44
SPEAKER_00: Because I am here to say six years later, writing an email every day.
22:48
SPEAKER_00: If I had looked ahead, could I do this for six years?
22:51
SPEAKER_00: No.
22:51
SPEAKER_00: But I look back and I'm like, I did it.
22:52
SPEAKER_00: I just showed up week in and week out.
22:54
SPEAKER_01: So it's brilliant.
22:56
SPEAKER_01: Absolutely love hearing that.
22:57
SPEAKER_01: It's it's you did the work and now you can reap the benefits.
23:00
SPEAKER_01: And with just a few thousand people on your list, you can do amazing things.
23:04
SPEAKER_01: You can make a lot of money and make a lot of impact.
23:07
SPEAKER_00: One of the things that I'd love to touch on because there is a little bit of insecurity of putting yourself out there, whether it is a podcast or asking for people's email and what if they unsubscribe.
23:19
SPEAKER_00: You know, you have um a conversation and a little story about a conversation with Jasmine Starr, who I also adore.
23:27
SPEAKER_00: Um, and she's got this great phrase you ate for everyone, boo.
23:31
SPEAKER_00: Tell us a little bit about the story and how that hit you at just the right time.
23:35
SPEAKER_01: It really did hit me at just the right time.
23:37
SPEAKER_01: So I am very sensitive and I take it personal and I really work on it, but it still pops up for me.
23:43
SPEAKER_01: But many years ago, I had posted an idea for a strategy online, and this guy just tore it apart in the comments and saying, You're an idiot, you don't know what you're talking about, and telling me all the reasons I was wrong.
23:55
SPEAKER_01: And I instantly started to believe him.
23:57
SPEAKER_01: That's how impressionable I was.
23:58
SPEAKER_01: And then other people chimed in and I was like mortified.
24:02
SPEAKER_01: Now it might have been three people, but it felt like 3,000 people that were saying stuff.
24:06
SPEAKER_01: And I call up my good friend Jasmine and I start saying, you know, this guy's attacking me online and I didn't do anything wrong, and it was just an opinion and I don't know what to do.
24:14
SPEAKER_01: And she just starts laughing, thinking, Are you laughing at me?
24:17
SPEAKER_01: And that's when she said, You ain't for everyone, boo.
24:20
SPEAKER_01: Like you're not Santa Claus, everyone's not gonna love you.
24:23
SPEAKER_01: And I realized in that moment, why did I ever think that everyone online would like my ideas?
24:30
SPEAKER_01: Like, that's not life.
24:32
SPEAKER_01: And and listen, I'm not someone that would ever post a nasty comment to anybody, but there are people that they do it because they feel like they're offering value to other people.
24:42
SPEAKER_01: Like, let me tell you why this isn't right.
24:45
SPEAKER_01: Like they think they're doing a good job.
24:46
SPEAKER_01: So I just have to kind of wish them well.
24:48
SPEAKER_01: But in that moment, I realized look, this guy's not paying the bills.
24:52
SPEAKER_01: So in my mind, he doesn't get an opinion.
24:54
SPEAKER_01: He doesn't get a space in my mind to derail me.
24:58
SPEAKER_01: Because if I really listened to him, I would start playing small.
25:01
SPEAKER_01: I would start watering down my message.
25:03
SPEAKER_01: I would not be putting myself out there.
25:05
SPEAKER_01: So just know you will not make everyone happy.
25:08
SPEAKER_01: But also part of entrepreneurship is personal growth.
25:12
SPEAKER_01: It shines a light on your strengths and your weaknesses, and it really makes you work to understand who you are and what you stand for.
25:19
SPEAKER_01: And I think that's a beautiful lesson.
25:21
SPEAKER_01: So if you want to really grow as a person, become an entrepreneur because there's no way you win it.
25:27
SPEAKER_01: I am a dramatically different person than I was 14 years ago when I started.
25:32
SPEAKER_01: And I really like who I am.
25:34
SPEAKER_01: And so I really do think you grow, you expand, you change in all the greatest ways if you do the work.
25:40
SPEAKER_00: I love that you've said this, Amy, because I couldn't say it better myself.
25:46
SPEAKER_00: I have found that to be the truest thing in this entrepreneur journey.
25:50
SPEAKER_00: I it has made me more dependent on the Lord, which has only bettered me.
25:54
SPEAKER_00: It has made me a better mom.
25:56
SPEAKER_00: And I think about ultimately what I get to then show not only my kids, but the other people who are watching, what a privilege that is.
26:04
SPEAKER_00: And that's more what it's about sometimes than making the bucks.
26:08
SPEAKER_01: That is so true.
26:09
SPEAKER_01: You know, I have a 20-year-old stepson.
26:12
SPEAKER_01: He's been in my life since he was four.
26:14
SPEAKER_01: And uh, his mom also does entrepreneurial work.
26:18
SPEAKER_01: And uh I just really pray that he gets to see two strong women that are making our way in the world, doing it on our terms.
26:25
SPEAKER_01: And he doesn't want to be an entrepreneur yet.
26:28
SPEAKER_01: I'm still crossing my fingers.
26:30
SPEAKER_00: Or he'll marry one.
26:32
SPEAKER_01: Oh, even better.
26:33
SPEAKER_01: I love that you said that.
26:35
SPEAKER_01: I'll support that all day long.
26:37
SPEAKER_01: So I just hope that you're right.
26:39
SPEAKER_01: It's not just about like what I'm doing or what I'm learning, but I hope I'm a really good example for those around me of maybe exploring this world as well.
26:48
SPEAKER_00: Yeah.
26:48
SPEAKER_00: Well, Amy, before we go, I would love to just like there's so much I want to ask you, right?
26:55
SPEAKER_00: But this time has been such a gift and so precious.
26:57
SPEAKER_00: And I know it's blessing people as they listen.
27:00
SPEAKER_00: So if there's one little thing that you would either give yourself advice to or change or do differently, if you could go back in time and rewind the clock, I think right around 2009, maybe 2010, what would what piece of advice would you offer something that you would do differently?
27:17
SPEAKER_01: When I think about starting out, what I would tell myself is every decision you make is not set in stone.
27:24
SPEAKER_01: Everything you do, every choice you have, you get to change it or tweak it as you get going.
27:30
SPEAKER_01: Action creates clarity.
27:32
SPEAKER_01: That clarity will lead you to where you need to go.
27:34
SPEAKER_01: I wish I had number one, uh, more faith in believing that everything works out the way it's supposed to.
27:42
SPEAKER_01: So don't beat yourself up when things don't work out.
27:44
SPEAKER_01: And I wish, I wish I told myself that uh if if what I create, if it doesn't work or it needs to change, I have the ability to do so.
27:54
SPEAKER_01: I was so scared to do things.
27:56
SPEAKER_01: I would look left and right, not sure what to do.
27:58
SPEAKER_01: So I wouldn't do anything.
27:59
SPEAKER_01: And it kept me playing small for many years.
28:01
SPEAKER_01: So make the mistakes, get into action, learn the lessons you need to learn because the business you have today will look dramatically different 10 years from now and much more successful if you just get into action.
28:13
SPEAKER_00: Oh, Amy, so good.
28:16
SPEAKER_00: I've loved every minute of this.
28:17
SPEAKER_00: This has been such a gift to me.
28:19
SPEAKER_00: Such a I'm so excited for others to get your book.
28:23
SPEAKER_00: It's coming out just in a few days.
28:25
SPEAKER_00: So before we know it here, just all the best to you and congratulations on this um amazing adventure because I know it took courage.
28:33
SPEAKER_00: Oh, I've been hearing you talk about it that you're doing it.
28:36
SPEAKER_01: Thank you.
28:36
SPEAKER_01: Thank you for that.
28:37
SPEAKER_01: Woo! It's like I've never felt more vulnerable in my life, but I'm so very glad I did it.
28:42
SPEAKER_01: And I wanted to say if you pre-order the book or you order it when it just comes out, I've got bonuses.
28:48
SPEAKER_01: So twoweeksnoticebook.com is where you go to get all my freebies when you buy my book.
28:53
SPEAKER_01: So twoweeksnoticebook.com, I'll give you all the details, but you can buy the book wherever you buy books, online or in stores.
29:00
SPEAKER_00: And I'll tell you what, if you hear this to get the freebies, do it.
29:03
SPEAKER_00: The freebies are goal.
29:05
SPEAKER_00: So thank you.
29:06
SPEAKER_00: Thank you, Amy, for seeing me.
29:08
SPEAKER_00: Absolutely.
29:09
SPEAKER_00: You are welcome anytime.
29:11
SPEAKER_00: Thank you.
29:12
SPEAKER_00: Talk soon.
29:14
SPEAKER_00: Wow, friend, I am still pinching myself that I got to have this amazing conversation with Amy.
29:19
SPEAKER_00: Digi fangirl a little bit with me.
29:22
SPEAKER_00: I am too, as I'm listening back to it.
29:24
SPEAKER_00: And I am smiling so big.
29:27
SPEAKER_00: I do pray that her tips encouraged you to make the career change that is right for you right now.
29:34
SPEAKER_00: Yes, you.
29:36
SPEAKER_00: I do find Amy so inspiring when it comes to taking leaps towards your big career dreams.
29:41
SPEAKER_00: And I know that there's a lot of you who have let different things hold you back.
29:46
SPEAKER_00: And I hope that this will be the inspiration to take the next step to at least get the book or maybe even begin to seriously pray about what your next step or what your big business dream is and how to go after it.
30:01
SPEAKER_00: And if you miss it, go back and listen again because Amy gave super practical advice and beginner steps to get on your path to branching out on your own.
30:09
SPEAKER_00: Now, of course, the link to her book and all her social media handles can be found in the show notes.
30:15
SPEAKER_00: If this episode blessed you, please send this episode to a friend who is an Amy Portofield fan or who needs to be and is also craving some career change.
30:25
SPEAKER_00: I would really love it for them to take that step of faith that would align with their passions and their giftings and talents.
30:33
SPEAKER_00: And maybe alongside you.
30:35
SPEAKER_00: Next week on the podcast, I'm so excited to introduce you to a new friend, Simi John.
30:41
SPEAKER_00: She is a pastor's wife, Bible teacher, and she's also a physical therapist who takes her life to Instagram.
30:50
SPEAKER_00: I've been following her for a little while, and then she started reposting my stuff and sharing about the Enneagram.
30:55
SPEAKER_00: And I'm like, who is this lady?
30:57
SPEAKER_00: I like her.
30:58
SPEAKER_00: I had liked her already, and then she shares my stuff.
31:02
SPEAKER_00: It was so awesome.
31:04
SPEAKER_00: Anyway, we started talking uh last year, and basically I was like, listen, I need to talk to you, so I think we should have a podcast conversation.
31:13
SPEAKER_00: That's literally oftentimes where I jump to, right?
31:16
SPEAKER_00: That's just how my brain works.
31:17
SPEAKER_00: Anyway, Simi indulged me and we worked on it a couple of months to find the exact right topic that would align with her passion, would support this audience, and would also bless her community.
31:28
SPEAKER_00: So I invited her to talk about wholehearted community, all about relationships and specifically how church can build community in our life and how the church can be a community.
31:43
SPEAKER_00: So it was rich, it was good, and she's an Enneagram six.
31:47
SPEAKER_00: And we haven't had a six on for a while.
31:48
SPEAKER_00: So I was super glad to get to have her take on the world.
31:52
SPEAKER_00: All right, that's so good.
31:53
SPEAKER_00: That's next week.
31:54
SPEAKER_00: Be sure that you are following the Simply Wholehearted podcast so you can catch that episode as soon as it downloads on Monday.
32:02
SPEAKER_00: Until next time, friend, and continue to pursue God's perspective, purpose, and plans for your simply wholehearted life.