[CLIENT SPOTLIGHT] Overcoming Fear, to Find Success | MDIDS2E41

Thank you. Yeah, thank you. It's it's crazy. In the startup world. Time, you know, you talk a lot about time. And there are so many things that I'll say to my assistant, you know, that thing we did a few weeks ago, you know that initially, like you mean, the thing we did two days ago? I'll be like, yeah, that that right. So it's amazing to think about, that our conversations began two and a half years ago, or even perhaps more. And that this journey has been in full swing since then. And so it's a lot of fun. It's great to circle back on all

That feel like it was just yesterday, or is that feel like it was 100 years ago?

Both? Both? I don't know how to describe it any other way. Like I cannot believe it's been two and a half years since I came up with this idea. I can't believe it's been almost four years since I made a decision to that dramatically changed the course of my life and leaving my marriage. And yet, it doesn't seem like it is possible that it's already been this long.

Yeah, I find that I go through the same process of that whole the journey. And I'm so engaged in the journey that I can't believe how much gets done in the process. And yet, it also feels like because I've created so much that the person I used to be was that had to have been I came to go, it couldn't have just been a couple years ago.

Right? Right. Yeah, it's fun. It's fun. I was thinking about you the other night. I, when you work, and so many people say, How have you done all of this in two years? Right? You know, you're only two years old. Have you created this? And, you know, the short answer is, is No, I don't sleep, you know, not a lot. And you and I both share those qualities. And the other night, I was really tired. And I thought one more thing, one more thing. And Paul always say that just do one more thing. And that's how it gets to be three o'clock in the morning, you know, far too often I did one more thing, you know, but it really is that consistency compounds, it is the the action of just doing it one more time doing get it, it's unbelievable how much you can accomplish.

It's, you know, the time component, and people are really quick to say, oh, no, no, you need your sleep. Oh, no, no. And, and yet, every highly successful person I know. They profess not needing the sleep, because and I've talked to a few people that are really in tune with who they are their body and, and they all say the same thing. That your passion for life ends up transcending everything else. And that's key is that you're so passionate about what you're doing. And I know Jennifer, you are with everything that's been created. There, you're so passionate that it doesn't feel like you're sacrificing anything, it doesn't feel like you're you're doing without sleep. And it also the next day just rolls into just more of what you want. And, and with that, it's it's an amazing journey.

It's a lot of fun. So a lot of fun. So let's

go back and just kind of recap some of the things that have happened over the last two years for everybody. So we actually got engaged, got engaged you we engaged in conversation during COVID. And it was on a virtual and we really weren't traveling yet. And we I was doing virtual events, if you will. And you came on one of those events. And I don't even know how you ended up there. And you're on one of the events and we scheduled time to talk. And if you I don't know what was going through your mind during those periods of time, but talk about some of the early days.

well, is anybody gonna buy it besides me? Right? So I think this is a good idea. But then you got to do some market testing.

And I want to pause at that woman, I want to reflect on just a couple things. You said, yeah. What is that? It always amazes me. And yet I know it for the fact is that, in your MBA you you are not taught how to start a business. And that always amazes me because, well, you're being taught all these great components about business, however, the Cornerstone is getting one going. And no, you got to find someone else who already did that. And then you tap in. And and there's so much the rest of that story of what does it take to start a business? What does it take to to dig deep, and decide? And a couple of things that happen? At the event you did a reflection on? Who am I? What do I want? And what do I really want my future to be? And that is so key to then face your fears. Because we know that the fear is the key and that it's you know, digging deep and taking that next step, which you've done. And yet it's it's the understanding of what is my journey? And what do I really want? That'll be the motivating factor, to actually take that leap. Step. And, yeah, so you had the idea, you were ready, and then went title now. Most people go through the same journey, they end up selling their family and friends, they sell them all this and then they go, Hmm, so they bought but who else is going to buy? You went through that process? And well, during this time, I remember we were talking, we were already engaged, we had a console, and we were kind of there was text back and forth, there was some engagement with a few components along the way. And then I was so glad when you came to the event, because I know that becomes a catalyst for so many people in in really spending the time away from their business in their life, and getting clear with what their future is. And that was a catalyst, that's a key moment for you and driving forward.

Yeah. And, you know, when I when I went by myself, and I wouldn't have gone any other way, you know, it's it's I not, I'm not an advocate for divorce, but I am an advocate for really, really, really supportive spouses. And if you don't have one, it's probably why you're unhappy. And, you know, I could not do everything that I have done. In I think, quite frankly, in any relationship. And, you know, the last two years, and I think that event for me, you know, the question that you raise is the hardest one to answer. And I go through this every day, I'm going through it again, right now. What do you want? You can have anything you want, what do you want? And that comes up at different places for different reasons at different times. And and I'm, I'm there again, on a on another, another issue related to the next level of the business, right? What do you want? And, you know, to not be influenced by anybody else for those three days and really be focused on me, what do I want? You know, when I hired you, I didn't tell anybody what I was what I was doing. You know, there are most people

For that. Thank you. Yeah, don't, don't everyone here, don't tell anyone that you hired me. I keep me a secret. It's absolutely imperative, thank you!

Yeah, most people go no, no, no, no, just tell me, what's the tool I need? What's the system? I need? Yeah, let's start here. And part of the reason why, like, I know that so profoundly is that, that that was me. I was the young kid had my first business really young in life. And I was man, who do I turn to? I'm supposed to know all the answers, and I shunned help, at literally, like, chased it away over over the first couple of decades of being in business. And I learned, that doesn't work. And you really want to step up, you really want to create the magic that's within you. Grab hold of the resources, ask for help. There's so many people around you that will will help you in so many different degrees in ways that, but you've got to start asking.

Yeah, huge. So, yeah.

No Plan B, no, Plan B, and so many people, that's if I get a fight along the distance, and along the way, that's the fight I get. What do you mean, there's no plan? No, no. Well, if this doesn't work, I was like, What do you mean if what what's going on? Because as soon as you put it out there, it's going to happen. And that's a that's a big challenge. And we breezed over it and you made it sound so yeah, well, I was afraid. You were deathly afraid. terrified to quit your job. And we had multiple conversations almost weekly on Are you sure talking about that face? Because I think that is so relevant to so many people because they they get oh yeah, it's nice. You had a great idea. I've had a great idea you you thought it might be something a and then you got a little bit of concern, but you did it because that's who you are. I could never do that.

Yeah, it's a it's, if it's a tough one. You know, I journaled a lot through that process too, and I still don't trust myself as much as I wish that I would sometimes and every time I don't I regret it. I think Not trusting myself on this would have been my biggest regret in my life. But the only reason I trusted myself you would say, and and the only reason I ended up trusting myself was because of you. Because you saw what I couldn't you believed in me and the company that I was building more than I did myself. And I struggle again, right now, two years later, doing huge next moves in this company. It's the same thing. Like when you're in the weeds, you're so far down. And even me being number one strategic, like, I'm like, just show me where the light that it can be 10 years away, and I'll see it. And I'll figure out how to get there. When you're in your own company in your own head. It's hard to get above the clouds and see the possibility. And for me to go into somebody else's world, I'm like, it's a no brainer, like, you've got this, like, just quit your job and go do this. That's you, right? Like, you can do that you're like, no big deal. And it's not that you're going to tell it to everybody. You know, it's it's a selective of like, No, you do, you do, and I did, but I don't I in a million years had I not had you sort of holding my hand through the process. And it's, it's walking through. And Keith and I talked about this not too long ago, like that, walking through that fire. Walking through that fear is part of the process. It's a huge piece of it, that you don't realize at the time, you don't realize anything that you're doing at the time is that next stepping stone and wherever you're going. And it's I always go back to it. And I know that I'm not getting a tattoo on my wrist that says it but it's as close as I could be, which is just trust the process. But it's trust myself, trust God, trust the universe, trust my team. It just trust and I work that was my second word of the year, couple years ago, and it's a whole that one close and it's hard, it's really hard. And there's not an easy answer you have to go through you have to you have to walk the walk, I right now tend to attract a lot of women that want to be happy. They want to be where I'm at in life, they want to start a company, they want to pursue their company full time, like whatever it is. And, you know, they're like, I just can't do it. That's the answer. I Oh, it's always here. I can't do that. I just don't see how I can do this, you know? And you can't, you just have to do it. And once you go, that's it. There's no I mean, I'm I'm on there gets to be a point of no return. Right. And that's part of that really hard point that I'm at right now I gotta choose two highways. I'm going down the interstate right now 120 miles an hour. And I had two exits. Neither one are really exits there. They're just like, they level right? We're not, there's not an off ramp here. And that's actually right. Like, you get you get so far down the road that you're you know, I mean, don't drive don't drive the tank off the cliff, that's not going to happen. But you know, you have two storylines. And do you go do you go left? Or do you go right, and once you pick those, that whichever way that is, it's going to be really difficult down the road to decide that you're going to change lanes later. And so it's the trust the process moment right now,

it's, it's possible to switch the lanes. The key component, though, is that you definitely take that leap. And there's a certain component of a fear in that leap, and you took it. But then there's also people don't recognize there's leap after leave after leap after leaf that you end up doing your process. And that's where the trust the process comes in. Is that you? You gotta keep taking those leaps. There's no just, oh, yeah, you know what, I'm gonna stay on this cliff for a while. I'm just gonna sit here and build my house right here on this cliff. No, you got to keep moving. And, and that's where, you know, the, the difficult and the greatness of our journey comes in. And the difficult and greatness of entrepreneur comes in entrepreneurship, is that you take that leap of faith and you keep doing it anyway. And then you do it again and again and again, knowing that every time you take it that it could go left or could go right could go up could go down only there's gonna be another leap later on. So whatever happens, trust the process.

Well, there's gonna be a net or water, right like that's what I that's what I kind of have have learned from you that you know, there's always a solution. It's not a problem. It's a challenge. and try, and it is leap F relief after leap. And the first one, there's different points that are really, really hard. Those are those milestones. Right? So quitting, quitting the day job is a really big leap. You know, I absolutely love in fact, Keith is the one who told me to read this book. So I'm sure you have as well. 10x is easier than 2x by Dan Sullivan. And Benjamin Hardy. And what was profound to me, and by the way, anybody's listening, if you haven't read it, I would highly recommend the audible version, not the book, because Dan and Benjamin do a little podcast at the end of each chapter. And so if you're short on time, skip the chapter and just listen to podcasts. But the, you know, what he says, what Dan talks about is that 10x moves are those that you are abandoning 80% of what you know, what you've done, who you've spent time with whatever it may be 80% of it to go a different direction to think differently, right. And he also talks about this was a big one for me, that people who are very goal oriented and the movers and the shakers, are, goalposts are always moving. So you have to actually measure your progress backwards rather than forwards. And that makes sense. But I'm extremely futuristic. So I'm like, oh, yeah, somebody will come up to me. And they'll be like, Oh, my gosh, congratulations. I'll be like, on what, you know, like I, you know, and it was, you know, I don't know, whatever, you know, an article or an award or something, you know, in the last few weeks that happened. And for me, I'm just like, oh, that's old news. You know, I mean, I don't say that, of course. He said, Thank you, you know, but I've moved on. Like, I'm conquering the next, you know, event or war or whatever, like, I'm already on to it. And so, you know, but moving but looking back where we're and he does this in the book, he says, Where were your 10x moves? What have you done? And and then that helps you understand you can do it again. And you will do it again, you have to do it again. Right. So what are those places, and every one of those 10x moves are terrifying. They are always scary in whatever that is. Now, I think people have who have led very boring lives. And I think that people who are not happy, haven't done those ever done as often as they should, if they've ever done a middle, and some of them were done, not by their choice, right, there was something that happened to them that changed the course of their life. And I never want to be that right? I want to be in charge. But I am but I'm very aware of it. You know, you talk about you are the average of the five people you spend the most time with, you know, being being conscientious about your space and where you are and taking the next steps. And just a few weeks ago, that came popped into my head again, I became extremely immersed in the ecosystem sort of in Nebraska of startups, and it's amazing, amazing. But it's so easy to get comfortable with a new location and stay there. And I don't mean like that can be anything right? The first time you walk into, you know, a new country club, I don't care what you're going to join, you know, you don't know anybody, right? You walk into a dinner party, you don't know anybody. And now you get comfortable and you stay there you walk into a new business networking group, do you start to meet people, and now it's easy to go to lunch every single week with those people because, you know, what I caught myself on was that I have gotten really comfortable with this group that I have met in the ecosystem show up every week I do my stuff. I know everybody, everybody knows me. And I walked into a room for the first time a few weeks ago, of of group people that I didn't know, it was next level, people in the space of founders and startups and it was an end the moment I walked in, I thought I haven't felt this for a while. And I better go back. Right? Like I recognized immediately that I'd been here for too long.

That's huge. That's huge. And is the doing a different, it's, it's stretching yourself, and you look back, you've done anything for long enough. You're gonna get into a complacency mode, you're gonna get into a comfort zone that doesn't serve you. And the good and the bad of everything that happened to this world during COVID Was that it reshuffled the deck for everybody. And for me, as somebody who observes and trains on this stuff, man, I look at that and reflect on it's like, oh, man, at all the networks got disheveled. You know that none of them were what they were in. So you had an opportunity to step into all new networks of people as a as a newbie, and they welcomed you with open arms because everyone had shuffled the deck. And recognizing that it doesn't have to be Hey, hey, we're Old empowering fate of the universe that causes you to do that, that you can just decide. Step into new networks, step into new opportunities, decide to change, change gears a little bit, every step of the way. And when you do, watch the magic that happens.

Yeah. Crazy. So yeah. So it's leap after leap. It's keep going I and push through the fear every time rushman suzani founded Girls Who Code and mom's first US and she's incredible. And she was on a, I caught a reel a few weeks ago that she was on and somebody asked her if if she was ever afraid, because she's got, you know, a half a million followers and as a powerhouse, and you know, always in really tough spaces. And she's like, Oh, my God, are you kidding me all day, every day and twice on Sundays. I was like, yes. Right. And I took my 14 year old daughter to pink. And she was talking about she took a moment during her concert. And she talked about her own daughter. And they were talking about social media and being kind and how bullied she is. And her mom's like her and their daughters like you, you're bullied on social media, she's like, You have no idea, right? This was pink. And so you know, I think that it's recognizing that whenever you're going against the grain, you're doing things different, you're in the wrong lane, you're making bold moves, the entire process is never going to be comfortable, you know, you're never you're never always going to be the most popular person in the room. And you have to be okay with that. And try it. And then it goes back to the trust yourself. I mean, time and time again, I'm not your typical founder. Now I have recently learned the average age of founder that's that has a high success rate is 43. Which is ironic that that's exactly when I started this company. I'm 45 now, but um, you know, I don't feel like a typical startup founder, I don't look at myself as a as a 25 year old, you know, in tech who just graduated. And what I've had to learn is that there's there's not a textbook for how you start a startup. And it's, you have to start making some decisions, like, Are you a small business or a startup goes back to that question of like, what do you want? Right? When and in, there's a learning process to that. And then you get to the place of like, tapping into like, Okay, this is the way that everybody says to do this. And then, okay, what I bring to the table is 25 years of business networks and experience and connections relationship is my number one. And when you go back to Dan Sullivan and Benjamin Hardy, it's who not how, right, and really tapping into the who of how to make this happen. And that's been a piece that I've come back to time and time again, it's hard to remember. And it's not that you're not doing the work you sure as heck are. But it's doing it different. Right.

So at least now, and I want to fast forward, and we haven't actually mentioned what success you've had over the last two years. So why don't you give us the the current status of where you're at, at this stage in your process now, or adjust over? Or just about two years?

Which is when you engage with me fully working and locking arms together. Yep.

How much was the company evaluated? So as you went through this first year, and you got in front of them? How much was the company evaluated? And why were they giving you the 100,000 in the accelerator program, what they say the company was worth?

Well, I'm gonna go, I have to go back to the story here real quick for you. Because what happened was, in we're going to go back to October a year ago, I will be

verta tell you the punch line, and she wants to tell the beginning backstory of the joke.

We that that's our our next journey, if you will over the neck, we're gonna get that dialed in. Because it's such a powerful place manifestation. A will we'll touch on that. In other

It works, every has it just don't quite have it perfected yet. So I'm in for that class for sure. So I will just say for simple, simplistic purposes, you and I bantered and I finally wrote down that I was going to, you know, generate $750,000 in revenue my first year. And I didn't believe it, right. But you always say it doesn't matter if you believe it, just write it down, right? And like, Okay, fine. And I was, you know, being grumpy about it. And so a year later, I was feeling really down, I had my head hurt, and I knew I wasn't going to hit that number, I was not going to hit 750,000 in revenue, and I did it. And this is where I, this whole thing ends manifesting. But I was feeling I was feeling down and sad. And a couple of weeks later, I had a meeting with a guy who is a finance guru in the startup world. And it was the first time I'd really kind of shared my numbers, and he's a high D, and he's like, you know, just by or in a way, you know, what do you want? And I'm just, you know, I've given him back the, you know, the numbers that he wants. And I, this was a tough, I mean, I this was a tough conversation. I think this design, I don't know how this is going, but I don't think it's going well, you know, and so he gave me, you know, I give him all the numbers, and he's kind of sitting here and I gotta say, things like, well, you know, I don't know, I'd say your company is probably around 1.31 point 5 million. And I'm like, what? This, this is a very different number from my bank account balance, right. But what I had done in that year was created a company that was worth over a million dollars and, you know, exceeded almost doubled what my number that I wrote down with you was, so that's where we get more specific about, okay, we need access to that being in cash. And you know, how does that work, but you invest the money back into the business over and over and over again. So

what I want everyone to get this is a little over just about one year, from when you started the company when you had a conversation with someone who was really good at annual lysing these numbers and they're like, yeah, it's 1.3 million. 1.4 million is the valuation of your company, and your feeling. And this is really key for most people that are out there, because they're the they all have those chit chat in their head and the quiet moments at home when they're beating themselves up. And you are in the process of having those conversations with yourself when this guy comes, in your mind out of the blue with a number that's totally insane. And it's the first time that you reflected on a well, I really have created something here. That is worthy of the time and energy I put into it.

And you're also building and, and it's, you know, our focus creates our intent and, and creates our, our perception. And so focusing in on Oh, I've worked so hard, I've done so much. And yet, that the magnitude that it has in your purpose, and getting back to what I read in your bio, when and what I know to be true for you, as with all our conversations, that showing young women, what life could be, is what you've done, not just you know, in a general sense, but for your daughters to know and for, if if you could pick a life for them. Are you saying that you wouldn't want them to go down the journey that you just went on last two years?

Oh, my gosh, no. I mean, I want them to do whatever they want to do. I mean, I'm not anti higher education, I'm just about choices. I'm just about providing a you know, be happy. It goes back to like, and I'm just looking at so many women, it's unbelievable the number of women to me between the ages of 35 and 50 that I know that are unhappy, where

I want you to pause the what creates happiness, what has created the happiness for you,

living life for you, and not everybody else. Like it goes back to like you have to put your own oxygen mask on first. The analogy that I give moms is I'm like listen, when you are in your house and you get sick your kids are little and you get sick for three days. The house it goes frickin goes hell in a handbasket. Like I mean, you know everybody lived but laundry definitely getting didn't get them the house looks like hell, right? I mean, he you don't even want to go down that path. Every mom knows what I'm talking about. Right? And we go through life and this is what you're pulling it all together. You're the glue. You're the mom, the daughter, the wife's the grandma be the friend of the employee, the everything and women lose themselves through that process. They just do. And they've all of a sudden live their life for everyone else except for them and there's just never On the statement are true that you have to put your own oxygen mask on first. And if you are sick on the couch for three days, which is essentially what ends up happening, you're entitled, or like sick on the couch, but you're not recognizing it. Right? No one else is going to be happy around you. And when you're happy, and you're thriving, everyone else that you want in your life wants to be around you. And Ian wants to emulate that. They love the energy I draw people out all the time, like, Oh my God, you're just you're just so amazing. Your energy so great.

The energy comes from a purposeful intent. Yeah. And that's what people people hear the first line of the message is, oh will do for yourself. And then they just create themselves to be selfish and, and focused in on Oh, I'm gonna go lay on the beach all day because or lay by the pool. And that's what I do. It's the purposeful intent and working hard to create a purpose and living a purpose every day. Yeah, creates and has created that momentum for you. That is a shining star for your daughters and every other woman out there.

You're here. You're here. Yeah, I had someone asked me recently, when when are you going to slow down? And you know, my answer, that's not happening anytime soon? Because I don't know how to live a life that is less than. Yeah. And for me, the slowing down is that less than is that the purposeful intent, and it's not about, you know, it's about affecting the millions that I can and every day that I'm alive, I can impact the world. And not to play at that level is, is is to me sacrilegious.

So here's my question for you today. How do you so Benjamin Hardy and Dan Sullivan talk about doing less to get more? Right? There's a lot of conversations, there's a lot of books about right. So how do you not live less, not live a lesser life, right? And balance that doing less to get more because that's the concept right now that I can't quite get through my head.

And and so now that it goes down to defining what, what you mean by less, actually less creation? Or is it just less like, I'm not digging ditches anymore,

right? Like,

I don't need to write like, you know, my own copy. I've got a team of people to do that. I don't have to. So there's things I do a lot less I, I joke, you know, I have forgotten more than some people will ever know. Because I don't do it every day anymore. So that's less to get more to know how to delegate know how to build a team know how to empower other people know how to how to create collaboration, and to focus in on the highest and best use of your talents. But doesn't mean actually slowing down. And so that's, you know, for me, and I'll tell you and for this question, I was just had a trip planned. I'm hanging out with my wife with my daughter, and it was four or five days where we were just going to do nothing. And we had no plans. And then right before we left, there was a call for me to spend two days in another city to create magic for 400 people. Do I do that? Do I Do I step away. Now my wife was excited because I was actually leaving her for two days and then she got to play with my daughter an extra two days we just had extended our time and then everybody was happy. And my team the most amazing thing, my team first reaction to when I said, Well, should I take this opportunity? Should I do this? But like, we know you, of course, you're going to do this. Right? And and that is what I mean by the slowing down. No, I'm just going to do, you know, have the five days of doing that. Like, we just extended our trip an extra couple of days, my daughter, my wife and daughter got the play for next couple days why? Flew another town over and said, All right, let me go and play somewhere else for two days and then come back and it just took a plane ride over, came back. It was no big deal. And we create a magic we create a whole nother. And it was a place that I hadn't played before. It was one of the stretches for me. Because I got to play in an arena of all Spanish speaking people there. I was one of the few people that spoke English in the room. And that was fine. And, and what what a great, what a great room what a great experience. And, and that's what I mean, you know, over the last month I've created and we're launching a whole nother story, a couple of new companies.

This is just what we do right now. I love it.

For most people, they go ooh, you know, that's that's a lot. Only once you're moving, and you recognize that there is so much more within you. I can't imagine not sharing it with the world before I go.

Well, thank you for that. Because I've learned so much, Paul, thank you truly, it's been, it's been a really fun journey. And I have said it over and over and over again, I never would have taken the leap, I never would have started it I never would have gone down this path without your support and belief in me from day one. And it means the world and I cannot wait to see where the rest of the story unfolds, right? Get up, dress up, show up. This is only the beginning.

This is only the beginning and what a great close for our podcast and everything that we're doing together. But it's certainly not a goodbye. This is only the beginning for entry envy and for everything. And I do believe there's more ventures within you that are and I know we've talked about some of the things that are the next level for you. And so excited to see. And for everyone that listens to this podcast that watches this watch for Jennifer, and the shining star that you are and where you're gonna go. It's it's a glorious journey. And this is truly only the beginning. You've barely scratched the surface of getting past the camp at the bottom of the mountain, the mountain still in front of you, even though you've already created such success. Thank you. God bless. Thank you for being here. Thank you for sharing the just the pieces of your story. And there's so much more for everybody here that wants to take a look at her amazing creations. Go to entry envy.com just amazing, amazing. Not only an amazing product, and we didn't touch on it, but man oh man, your ability to create an experience. If anyone's ever you know, opened the box from you know, so many of the top level companies in the world will entry envy will give you that experience as well and receiving it every month and the experience that you give people is well worth the price of admission. And so thank you for doing all that you do every day.

Thanks, Paul. Great stuff.