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Let’s flip the roles, Goal Diggers: today, YOU get to guide the conversation!
I asked you to call in with your questions about business, life, creativity, burnout, strategy… Really, anything you’re walking through right now. And you showed up with such incredible honesty, depth, and curiosity.
In this episode, I’m answering your real questions. We cover everything from pivoting your business when you’re scared to let go of what’s working, navigating grief while building something meaningful, handling burnout, organizing your growing testimonials, and what’s been giving me life outside of work lately.
You’ll hear stories, strategies, and some honest behind-the-scenes of what’s felt really hard (and really good!) for me lately.
And if you’re listening and thinking, “Wait, I have a question too!”, good news! I want to hear from you.
If you want your voice featured on an upcoming episode, just call me at 218-203-9660 and leave a voicemail with your question!
Seriously, don’t overthink it… just speak from the heart and you might be part of the next AMA episode!
Now, let’s dive into the questions, shall we?
How Do I Pivot Into a New Space Without Losing What I’ve Built?
When you’re in a season of pivots, like our caller from Edmonton, it can feel like you’re standing in two worlds: the business you’ve built and the one you’re dreaming of stepping into.
The key is to give yourself permission to move slowly and intentionally instead of rushing to “burn the boats” and abandon what’s already working. Start by getting clear on what’s lighting you up right now and why those higher-level clients feel so aligned.
Then, begin weaving that new positioning into your current business in small, low-stakes ways: think updated messaging on your website, offering a premium package alongside your current offers, or showcasing those dream clients in your marketing.
This allows you to build proof and momentum in your new space while still honoring the foundation you’ve built.
And remember: your current success isn’t a ball and chain, it’s a springboard!
What Should I Do When My Digital Products Aren’t Selling?
For Tara, who serves a deeply personal and sensitive niche in the grief and soul purpose space, it’s important to acknowledge that sales strategies in certain industries can look different than in mainstream markets.
If your mini courses aren’t converting, it’s worth asking: are they positioned as the first step your audience needs, or are they meeting them where they actually are in their journey?
In grief work, people often need trust and connection before they’re ready to buy, so leaning into free, high-value content that establishes you as a safe and compassionate guide can be key.
This might mean hosting intimate workshops, offering a free resource that addresses an immediate pain point, or inviting people into a nurturing email sequence before presenting a paid offer.
Also, look at whether your offers are too “mini”… sometimes, more in-depth, guided experiences feel more supportive and worth investing in for this kind of audience.
If You Had 3 Hours Totally Alone, What Would You Do?
Brielle’s question made me smile because I had to resist the urge to rattle off a list of “productive” things. If I had three uninterrupted hours with no kids, no emails, no notifications, I’d lean into whatever my body and mind were craving that day.
Sometimes, that’s a solo hike or bike ride with no agenda. Other days, it’s curling up with a great book and a blanket in the middle of the day just because I can.
And yes, sometimes it’s heading to a coffee shop with my journal to dream and plan without the normal interruptions!
The point is: I’d use that time to fill my cup, not drain it… because those little pockets of rest and inspiration often lead to my best ideas and most joyful energy in work and life.
How Did You Decide to Be the Brand Instead of Building a Team of “Mini Yous”?
Carrie asked a great question about brand direction. For me, deciding to make me the brand rather than building a roster of other coaches or photographers wasn’t a calculated business move at first, it was just the most natural way for me to connect.
People weren’t just buying a service; they were buying my approach, my voice, and my perspective. Over time, I realized that while a team supports the backend and allows me to scale, the brand itself works best when it’s anchored to a single, recognizable personality.
That said, you can still scale a personal brand without burning out by building systems, products, and experiences that don’t require your one-on-one presence for every single client interaction. For me, it’s been about keeping the personal touch in the brand while having a behind-the-scenes team to help me do it sustainably.
How Do You Move Forward After Loss, Betrayal, or Burnout?
Brenda’s question about moving forward after deep personal and professional losses is one I’ve experienced myself. When I heard her voice, I just wanted to give her the biggest hug.
My advice to you, Brenda, is to honor the pause. Our culture worships speed, but healing takes time, and some of the most meaningful progress happens in quiet, invisible seasons.
Get clear on your anchor: what matters most to you in this next chapter? Let your purpose set your pace instead of rushing into the next “big thing.”
I also recommend creating safe wins with low-pressure projects or creative experiments that rebuild your confidence without risking everything. And surround yourself with safe, trusted people who see you beyond your output.
Progress might be slow, but forward is forward, and moving in alignment with your values is worth more than hustling toward someone else’s definition of success.
How Do I Get My High-Quality Content Seen?
For Dr. Ayla, the frustration of pouring time and heart into content only to have it disappear into the void is real. The truth is, creating amazing content is only half the battle: getting it seen requires just as much strategy!
Flip the script on your content habits and use the 80/20 rule: spend 20% of your time creating and 80% promoting.
Psssst… I recorded a whole podcast episode about this last year!
This can look like:
- Repurposing your best-performing work into multiple formats and platforms.
- Making it searchable with SEO keywords your ideal audience is actually typing into Google or Pinterest.
- Stepping outside your own channels: pitch guest appearances, write for publications, or collaborate with local businesses to get in front of new audiences.
Your work is too valuable to play “if I post it, they will come.” Lead people to it, over and over again!
What’s Lighting You Up Outside of Work Right Now?
Michelle’s question let me gush about something I’ve been so excited about: designing my dream greenhouse/chicken coop combo with NW Green Panels (not sponsored! ;))
Gardening is my happy place, but Minnesota’s short growing season makes it tricky, so this is my solution to stretch the joy! Beyond that, this summer has been full of bike rides into town, bakery stops, lake house mornings, family reunions, cousin camp for the kids, and even a trip to Greece with Drew.
Oh, and our “foster fail” puppy, Hank, has brought endless joy (and adorable distractions) into my workdays. I made a goal to make work the least interesting part of my life, and right now, that feels truer than ever!
How Do You Organize and Use a Mountain of Testimonials?
Shelby’s question about managing nearly a hundred testimonials is one I could talk about all day. In my business, we funnel every review, DM, and email into a single Slack channel so nothing gets lost.
From there, they’re logged into a project management tool and tagged by offer, niche, and, most importantly, the objection they address. This lets us find exactly the right story for a sales page, launch email, or webinar slide in seconds.
One extra tip: upload them into ChatGPT for help sorting and categorizing. And don’t just collect testimonials during launch season… Make it a weekly habit so you’re always stocked with fresh, authentic proof of transformation.
Above all, frame them as celebrations of your clients’ hard work, not as credit for your own!
How Can I Stop Subscription Costs from Spiraling?
Rachel’s subscription overwhelm is something I’ve experienced myself. Over time, it’s easy to accumulate a tool for this, a platform for that, until your monthly expenses start to rival your revenue.
My first move is to audit everything with the Rocket Money app, which shows exactly what you’re paying for and lets you cancel unused services with a click.
Next, look for all-in-one solutions. For example, we use Kajabi for courses, landing pages, email, and even podcasts to avoid paying for four separate tools.
Finally, make sure you’re fully using what you’re paying for, and don’t be afraid to negotiate rates or downgrade plans. Streamlining not only saves money, it also saves you the mental load of managing a dozen logins.
Got A Question? Give Me A Call!
This AMA reminded me why I love opening up the floor to you. You ask the questions so many of us are living in real time!
Whether you’re standing at the edge of a pivot, trying to get your work in front of more eyes, or figuring out how to keep your business expenses in check, I hope these answers give you both the encouragement and the strategy to move forward.
If you want to be part of the next AMA, call 218-203-9660 and leave me a voicemail with your question.
You might just hear YOUR own voice on an upcoming episode, followed by my voice cheering you on!
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