Freedom Entrepreneur Podcast | Online Business Tips, Business System Strategy, Marketing Training, Entrepreneur Mindset

What if the hardest-working version of you is actually the least valuable? In this deeply personal and tactical episode, Lindsay sits down with George Rivera, founder of the Buyback Time Formula, to unpack a truth most entrepreneurs avoid: you can scale without sacrificing your life—but only if you stop being the bottleneck.

George's story begins with missed basketball games, a father who was always working, and a deathbed promise that changed everything. When his dad told him, "Don't miss Leo's games. I missed too many of yours," George was already repeating the cycle—working 16-hour days, managing 40 people directly, and missing his son's milestones while his wife sent him photos from the sidelines.

Fast forward to 2018: George's business hit $20 million in sales. He was printing money. And he hated every second of it. Burned out, exhausted, and ready to sabotage his own company, he sent his coach a distress call that led to a two-hour conversation and a complete transformation.

Here's what George discovered: he was spending 40 hours a week on tasks that could be handled for $50/hour or less. By implementing the Buyback Time Formula—auditing his time, eliminating waste, automating what repeats, and delegating with ownership (not just tasking down)—he bought back his life. Two years later, his business more than doubled to $50 million, and he was working less than 30 hours a week.

In this episode, you'll learn:

1. The "Freedom Audit": how to track your time for two weeks and identify what's actually costing you your life
2. The three things you can do with any task: eliminate, automate, or delegate (with ownership and decision rights)
3. Why delegating without transferring ownership keeps you trapped in the "Founder Prison"
4. How to hire right using simple tests that weed out 90% of unqualified applicants
5. The Loom + ChatGPT SOP method that ensures tasks never boomerang back to you

If you're cash-rich and time-poor, stuck managing instead of leading, or missing out on your family while your business "succeeds," this episode is your wake-up call.

Connect with George: buybacktimeformula.com | Free book (just pay shipping) | Facebook & LinkedIn

Join the free Facebook Community! Connect, Learn, Grow, Build https://www.facebook.com/groups/freedomentrepreneurcommunity

Have a burning question? Leave a message for Lindsay and she will turn it into an episode with an answer. Use the link below to record.

https://www.speakpipe.com/FreedomEntrepreneur

Does online marketing feel like the diet industry in the '90s right now? One week you're told THIS strategy is the secret to success. The next week, someone's claiming that same strategy is dead and you need to pivot immediately. It's exhausting, confusing, and honestly? It's keeping you stuck.

In this game-changing solo episode, Lindsay breaks down exactly why you're seeing so much conflicting advice—and more importantly, how to cut through the noise and choose the strategy that actually aligns with YOUR business and YOUR goals.

Here's the truth: there are two primary schools of thought dominating online marketing right now, and neither one is wrong. The first is the virality approach—think social media dominance, massive content output, building huge audiences on platforms like YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok. It's all about quantity, visibility, and constant engagement. If you love creating content and thrive on high-energy output, this path could be your goldmine.

The second is the long-term game approach—SEO, blogging, and the emerging world of AEO (Answer Engine Optimization), which is all about showing up in AI search results from ChatGPT, Google's AI overviews, and other LLMs. This strategy prioritizes clarity over quantity, conversion over impressions, and building sustainable visibility that compounds over time.

Lindsay dives into the pros and cons of each, shares fascinating research about how AI is pulling content (spoiler: 44% of LLM results aren't even ranked in traditional Google search), and explains why THIS moment is your opportunity as a small business owner. The playing field is leveling. You don't need a massive budget anymore—you need an effective strategy and crystal-clear messaging.

By the end of this episode, you'll know exactly which path aligns with your strengths, your lifestyle, and your revenue goals. No more second-guessing. No more strategy hopping. Just clarity, confidence, and a plan you can actually execute.

The through-line for both strategies? Clarity. Hyper-specific, consistent, coherent messaging is the name of the game—no matter which road you choose.

Ready to stop spinning your wheels? This episode is your roadmap.

Join the free Facebook Community! Connect, Learn, Grow, Build https://www.facebook.com/groups/freedomentrepreneurcommunity

Have a burning question? Leave a message for Lindsay and she will turn it into an episode with an answer. Use the link below to record.

https://www.speakpipe.com/FreedomEntrepreneur

Mentioned in this episode:

Freebie 5k recurring revenue

It's time to take action and build the recurring revenue you long for. Text FREEDOM to 55444 right now to get instant access to the free guide 'Earn $5k/month on repeat.' You deserve more freedom!

Wondering where to start your online business and how to make money online in 2026? This episode is the place to start.

We have covered a lot of changes and ideas to steer clear of, and today we break down the #1 best place to make money online in 2026.

What's the secret? YouTube! That's right. YouTube is the King of streaming platforms and they got there by supporting creators. That's not going away and instead it's getting better.

Today I cover

1. A common myth that you need to know - Can you monetize AI content on YouTube? Yes!!!
2. What makes a YouTube channel successful and why you may have struggled to get subscribers in the past
3. How to make your YouTube channel semi-passive. That's right... in this episode I reveal a tool that allows you to create AND schedule content. Gone are the days of editing for hours (if you want to leverage AI)

Make Your YouTube channel semi-passive with Syllaby. Syllaby https://syllaby.io/?via=lindsay73

Join the free Facebook Community! Connect, Learn, Grow, Build https://www.facebook.com/groups/freedomentrepreneurcommunity

Have a burning question? Leave a message for Lindsay and she will turn it into an episode with an answer. Use the link below to record.

https://www.speakpipe.com/FreedomEntrepreneur

Mentioned in this episode:

Freebie 5k recurring revenue

It's time to take action and build the recurring revenue you long for. Text FREEDOM to 55444 right now to get instant access to the free guide 'Earn $5k/month on repeat.' You deserve more freedom!

"I saw an email in my promotions box and it surprised me because I had engaged frequently with that company!" a friend mentioned at a recent networking function.

It's true, this is happening to our clients as well. Email discoverability rules have gotten stricter and it is effecting established businesses.

Step 1 - you must be using a domain email. An old fashion simple @gmail is not going to cut it anymore. Sadly, too many bad apples have ruined the bunch.

Step 2 - you must set up the DKIM and DMARC records. In today's episode I break down what these are and where to go about updating them.

Another good rule of thumb that I did not mention in the audio is to do a warm-up campaign after the initial records are set up. Find 20-30 known contacts. Send an email and then ask them to reply. This benefits your sender reputation.

Furthermore, I discuss the importance of an email sending domain.

If you have questions or want help with email marketing connect with us at https://bizinaboxsolutions.com/crm.

Biz in a Box CRM is the ultimate all-in-one solution designed to simplify and scale your business. Imagine managing every aspect of your operations — from smart contact segmentation and automated follow-ups to call and text functionality, calendar booking, funnels, websites, and even social media scheduling — all from one intuitive platform. No more juggling multiple tools or paying for endless subscriptions. With built-in AI employee support, Biz in a Box CRM doesn’t just organize your business, it actively helps you run it. It’s like having a full-time team behind the scenes, so you can focus on growth, impact, and freedom.

Book your demo: https://bizinaboxsolutions.com/crm

Join the free Facebook Community! Connect, Learn, Grow, Build https://www.facebook.com/groups/freedomentrepreneurcommunity

Have a burning question? Leave a message for Lindsay and she will turn it into an episode with an answer. Use the link below to record.

https://www.speakpipe.com/FreedomEntrepreneur

Mentioned in this episode:

Freebie 5k recurring revenue

It's time to take action and build the recurring revenue you long for. Text FREEDOM to 55444 right now to get instant access to the free guide 'Earn $5k/month on repeat.' You deserve more freedom!

Stop guessing. Start listening.

If you've ever built a course, service, or product that nobody bought... you know that sinking feeling. Months of work. Crickets when you launch.

The problem? You built BEFORE you validated.

In this episode, I'm breaking down the exact 48-hour validation process I use with clients to determine if an idea is worth building—before investing weeks or months of effort.

You'll discover:

✅ The Mohnish Pabrai story that reveals why listening (not pitching) is the secret to real validation

✅ The critical mindset shift: Information doesn't solve problems. Transformation does. (This changes everything about what you build)

✅ 3 validation methods you can complete in 48 hours:

1. Method 1: AI + Reddit (The Digital Listening Post) - Use AI to search forums and extract the EXACT language your market uses
2. Method 2: Coffee Chats (The Human Connection) - The 3 magic questions that reveal if people will actually buy
3. Method 3: Competitor Research (The Missing Piece Strategy) - Find the gaps in existing solutions and build around them

✅ The Lindsay Friedman case study: How she's competing with Care.com by solving what they get WRONG (this is brilliant positioning)

✅ The decision framework: Green light, yellow light, or red light—exactly when to build, pivot, or move on

✅ The pre-sell test: How to get people to say "take my money" before you build anything

This is for you if:

1. You have ideas swirling but don't know which one to pursue
2. You're stuck in the overthinking loop (research → more research → analysis paralysis)
3. You've built things in the past that didn't sell
4. You want to know your idea will work BEFORE you invest time building it

The truth? 48 hours is enough time to validate. More time just means more overthinking.

Stop assuming what your market needs. Start listening to what they're actually asking for.

Your next step: Pick ONE idea and run it through the validation process this week. The market will tell you what to build.

idea validation, market research, product development, audience research, entrepreneurship, online business, digital products, course creation, solopreneur, validation framework, competitor analysis, customer research, Reddit marketing, AI for business, pre-sell strategy, business strategy, avoid failure, product-market fit

Mentioned in this episode:

Freebie 5k recurring revenue

It's time to take action and build the recurring revenue you long for. Text FREEDOM to 55444 right now to get instant access to the free guide 'Earn $5k/month on repeat.' You deserve more freedom!

What if your business could operate at a 90% profit margin?

Not someday. Not after years of grinding. Right now—with the technology already at your fingertips.

David Asarnow spent 17 years in corporate America, growing a $6-8M company into a $45M division. Then he built an all-digital portrait studio franchise to eight figures in five years. Now? He's helping entrepreneurs leverage AI to cut operating costs down to 10%.

His clients are downsizing teams—from six people down to one. Not because they're struggling, but because AI agents are doing the work that used to require full-time employees.

In this conversation, David reveals:

The Team Shift: David told his team three and a half years ago: "I know you're scared AI will take your job. But if you don't use it, you'll be replaced by someone who does. And if WE don't use it, we'll be replaced by companies who do."

Recently, a team member said: "I don't have as much work. I'm getting things done faster. Should I stop using AI?"

David's response? "If you don't use AI, you don't have a job."

The AI Agent Strategy: Create autonomous agents that handle tasks you used to pay people full-time to do:

1. Copy agents that write on-brand messaging
2. Reporting agents that scan Facebook and Google Ads and deliver ROI analysis
3. Customer service agents that handle inquiries

What used to require hiring an outside agency or a full-time employee? Now it's an agent you build in an afternoon.

The CHAOS Framework: David created this hiking on a Friday:

1. Coherence: Slow down to speed up
2. Action: Focus on ONE thing for 90 days
3. Outcome: That one thing will achieve more than 10 things you're juggling
4. Stabilization: Persistence beats shiny objects

The Communication Secret: Most people use AI and get garbage. Why? They communicate with it like it's Google.

Instead, treat it like your smartest collaboration partner. Ask it to interview YOU. Ask it questions like a first-grader needs step-by-step instructions. Train it on frameworks (marketing psychology, buyer behavior, brand voice).

David's hack? He opens two windows—one with ChatGPT, one with the software he's using. He asks ChatGPT to troubleshoot step-by-step instead of digging through help documentation.

The $100 vs. $10K Shift: Someone bought David's sub-$100 offer and said it added more value than a $10K training they'd purchased before. The market is shifting: People expect value, but they're not investing in $50K masterminds anymore.

Give massive value at lower price points. Build trust. They'll buy everything you offer.

The Human Edge: AI gives you 90% of the way there. But unless you understand marketing frameworks, buyer psychology, and brand voice—you'll get average results.

The difference between stellar output and mediocre? YOU. The human who knows what good looks like.

The Proofreading Disaster: A client submitted a workbook to David's team for design. When they got it back, they complained: "This doesn't match our brand voice AT ALL."

David's response? "That's interesting. We didn't change a single word. This is the exact copy you gave us."

The client had written it in ChatGPT, never proofread it, and sent it off for design.

The Bottom Line: AI isn't replacing you. It's amplifying you. But only if you know how to use it. Learn the frameworks. Master the prompts. Build the agents. And always—ALWAYS—proofread.

ABOUT DAVID ASARNOW:

David Asarnow is the founder of Business Nitrogen, an AI-powered marketing strategist who's helped clients generate over $750 million in revenue over 15 years. After 17 years in corporate America (including growing a division from $6M to $45M), he's now teaching entrepreneurs how to leverage AI to cut operating costs to 10% and operate at 90% profit margins.

He's trained with Tony Robbins and Chet Holmes, spoken at workshops with 600+ entrepreneurs, and launched Business Nitrogen AI to provide accessible AI training and strategy.

Connect with David: 🌐 businessnitrogen.ai (free resources + low-cost training) 🌐 businessnitrogen.com (business strategy & growth)

Key Takeaway: AI-empowered businesses can operate at 90% profit margins. But AI alone gives you garbage. Master the frameworks, train the agents, and proof your work. That's the edge.

Join the free Facebook Community! Connect, Learn, Grow, Build https://www.facebook.com/groups/freedomentrepreneurcommunity

Have a burning question? Leave a message for Lindsay and she will turn it into an episode with an answer. Use the link below to record.

https://www.speakpipe.com/FreedomEntrepreneur

Mentioned in this episode:

Freebie 5k recurring revenue

It's time to take action and build the recurring revenue you long for. Text FREEDOM to 55444 right now to get instant access to the free guide 'Earn $5k/month on repeat.' You deserve more freedom!

"I know the secret to going viral on TikTok!"

"I make all my money on Instagram!"

"Buy my course and I'll teach you the algorithm hack!"

Stop. Just stop.

Lindsay's reading a book called Virality and guess what? There's no hidden secret. No insider algorithm hack. No magic formula that gurus are hiding from you.

This is Part 2 of "Weeding Out the Legit from the Shit"—and today we're calling out the false narratives about social media that keep you on a hamster wheel buying courses that promise instant results.

The False Narrative (The Shit): Chasing virality. Believing that if you just get famous on some platform, it'll solve all your problems. Thinking you're missing some secret about the algorithm that's keeping you from success.

The Truth (The Legit): Feed the algorithm what it wants—and align it with what you do.

Here's What Actually Works:

1. The algorithm isn't controlled by Meta or TikTok—it's controlled by PEOPLE. The viewers. The content consumers. They ARE your market. Give them what they want.

2. Say the same thing over and over and over. This is the part most people struggle with (Lindsay included). It feels boring. But look at any large account—go to their page, open their latest post, scroll backwards. They're saying the SAME STUFF. It's like Mexican food: same ingredients, just put together differently.

3. One pillar of content. Not three. ONE. People follow you for YOU and your MESSAGE. That's the recipe for loyal, engaged followers. Yes, you can tie in personal stories. Yes, you can talk about transformations. But it's all the SAME THING.

4. Your relationship is with PEOPLE, not the algorithm. The #1 way Lindsay grows? Slow and steady relationship building. Podcast guests. DM conversations. Real connections. When those people show up in her feed, she recognizes them. She LIKES them. That's what social media should feel like.

The Virality Problem: Lindsay has a post with 12,000 clicks. It went viral. But those aren't her people. Virality doesn't equal followers who convert. It just means you entertained strangers.

What Happens When You Chase the Wrong Strategy: You grow a following of people who don't care about your offer. Then when you pivot to aligned content that actually converts, they bounce. And you're back to square one—but this time, you're frustrated and broke from buying all those courses.

The Algorithm's Real Goal: Keep people ON their platform. That's it. That's the secret.

Want links off-platform to work? They won't perform as well. Want to win on YouTube, Instagram, Facebook? Link OTHER content on the SAME platform. Keep people engaged there.

The Bottom Line: Stop chasing hacks. Build relationships. Say the same thing in different ways. Feed people what they want—and align it with what you offer.

Lindsay fact-checked this entire episode with Claude AI. Everything she said? True.

Key Takeaway: Social media isn't a lottery. It's not insider trading. It's simple: One message. One human. Lots of humans who relate to that one person. Build relationships, not follower counts.

Join the free Facebook Community! Connect, Learn, Grow, Build https://www.facebook.com/groups/freedomentrepreneurcommunity

Have a burning question? Leave a message for Lindsay and she will turn it into an episode with an answer. Use the link below to record.

https://www.speakpipe.com/FreedomEntrepreneur

Mentioned in this episode:

Freebie 5k recurring revenue

It's time to take action and build the recurring revenue you long for. Text FREEDOM to 55444 right now to get instant access to the free guide 'Earn $5k/month on repeat.' You deserve more freedom!

"We're spending $5,500 a month on marketing and getting nothing."

Behdad sat down with the business owner, pulled up the dashboards, and started digging. What he found? $3,500 spent for ONE lead one month. Three leads the next. The agency had promised results. The data said otherwise.

Worse? The client had no access to his Google My Business. No access to his Google Ads account. The agency was charging $500/month for two Google My Business posts—and wasn't even doing them.

Welcome to the marketing agency nightmare many business owners face.

Behdad Jamshidi is an engineer-turned-marketing connector who's vetted over 1,100 marketing agencies. He's seen it all: agencies that can't provide references, platforms built "in the cloud" that don't exist, businesses spending six figures with zero ROI, and small companies getting scammed out of thousands by agencies that do nothing.

His conclusion after years of research? 89% of marketing agencies are good at nothing. 11% are good at 1-3 things.

In this conversation, Behdad reveals:

The 5 Types of Marketing Partners (And When You Need Each One):

Level 1: Freelancers/Contractors ($0-500K revenue)

1. Perfect for taking $10-20/hour tasks off your plate
2. You're still doing most of the strategy yourself
3. Good for social media posting, basic content creation, simple tasks

Level 2: Value-Based Agencies ($500K-3M revenue)

1. Hire them for ONE specific thing they do really well
2. They might offer "full service" but really excel at Google Ads or Facebook Ads
3. Everything else they do is average (and that's okay for now)

Level 3: Niche Specialists + Fractional CMO ($3M-10M revenue)

1. You've found product-market fit—now you need experts
2. Hire agencies that ONLY do SEO for your industry, or ONLY do email marketing
3. Bring in a fractional CMO ($8-12K/month) to build your actual marketing strategy
4. Most businesses at this stage have thrown things at the wall with no real plan

Level 4: Full-Funnel Managers ($10M-30M revenue)

1. These partners manage the entire customer journey: paid ads → landing page → conversion optimization → email nurture
2. Retainers: $10-30K/month
3. Ad budgets: $100K+/month
4. Not cheap, but they manage multiple teams end-to-end

Level 5: Enterprise Agencies ($30M+ revenue)

1. Million-dollar marketing budgets
2. They hire consultants on the backend for creative campaigns, programmatic ads, whatever you need
3. This is big-league, Fortune 500 territory

The $500/Hour Consulting Session That Saved $6K:

Behdad charged a small business owner $500 for one hour of consulting. He showed them:

1. Where they were wasting $3,500/month on useless ads
2. How their agency wasn't even tracking data accurately
3. How to do their own Google My Business posts in 10 minutes
4. Which services to cut immediately

The owner told him: "You should charge way more. You just saved me thousands."

The Bottom Line:

Most marketing agencies don't understand business. Most businesses don't understand marketing. That gap is where people get scammed.

Behdad's Free Resources: He's created checklists, pricing guides, and question frameworks so you can vet agencies yourself. They're free on his website.

What to ask agencies:

1. Can I talk to 3 references?
2. Do I get full access to all my accounts (Google Ads, Analytics, etc.)?
3. What happens after you drive traffic to my site?
4. How are you optimizing my funnel beyond just running ads?
5. What does success look like in 90 days? 6 months? 12 months?

The Integrity Problem:

Behdad estimates 90% of agencies lack integrity. Not because they're evil—but because they're selling what they know how to do, not what YOU need.

An SEO agency will sell you SEO. A Google Ads agency will sell you Google Ads. Nobody's asking: "Should you start a podcast? Host a VIP customer party? Build a referral program?"

The Layered Approach:

Quick cash? Run ads (if you have budget).

Sustainable growth? Build a marketing ecosystem with multiple channels, owned assets (email list), and compounding organic strategies.

Don't rely on one platform. When the algorithm shifts, your business shouldn't collapse.

ABOUT BEHDAD JAMSHIDI:

Behdad Jamshidi is the founder of CJAM Marketing, a marketing connector who's vetted over 1,100 agencies and works with the top 11%. A former sales engineer at Telus (Canada's version of Verizon), Behdad spent years building technology roadmaps for mid-size companies before launching his own business seven years ago.

He quickly discovered most marketing agencies don't understand business, and most businesses don't understand marketing. So he became the bridge—matching businesses with the exact specialists they need at each stage of growth.

Today, he works with 11 carefully vetted marketing partners across websites, branding, SEO, Google Ads, and more. His engineering brain brings analytical precision to marketing strategy, and his business consulting background helps him translate tech-speak into actionable plans.

Connect with Behdad: 🌐 cjammarketing.com (free resources in the footer) 💼 LinkedIn: Behdad Jamshidi (thought leadership on finding the right marketing partners)

Join the free Facebook Community! Connect, Learn, Grow, Build https://www.facebook.com/groups/freedomentrepreneurcommunity

Have a burning question? Leave a message for Lindsay and she will turn it into an episode with an answer. Use the link below to record.

https://www.speakpipe.com/FreedomEntrepreneur

Biz in a Box CRM is the ultimate all-in-one solution designed to simplify and scale your business. Imagine managing every aspect of your operations — from smart contact segmentation and automated follow-ups to call and text functionality, calendar booking, funnels, websites, and even social media scheduling — all from one intuitive platform. No more juggling multiple tools or paying for endless subscriptions. With built-in AI employee support, Biz in a Box CRM doesn’t just organize your business, it actively helps you run it. It’s like having a full-time team behind the scenes, so you can focus on growth, impact, and freedom.

Book your demo: https://bizinaboxsolutions.com/crm

"I bought a course on making money with faceless content. It made no sense. Nothing's working. I can't afford another course. Somebody please tell me how to make this make sense."

Lindsay saw this message in a Facebook group and her heart broke. Because she knows exactly what's happening—and it's spreading like wildfire.

There's a "business opportunity" flooding social media right now. You've probably seen it: "I made $XXX dollars a day with this $27 PDF!" The websites all look the same. The copy is identical. The promise is irresistible: buy this one thing, post on social media, watch the money roll in.

It's a PLR (Private Label Rights) product. And it's not quite a scam—but it's not what they're telling you either.

In this episode, Lindsay breaks down:

What's Actually Happening:

1. You buy a $27 PDF that comes with a pre-made website, sales copy, and social media templates
2. You're not really selling a product—you're selling an affiliate white-label course
3. The business model is genius for the person who created it (they make money every time someone buys in and recruits others)
4. It's structured like an MLM, but for digital products

Why It's Not a Scam (But Also Not What You Think): Lindsay doesn't say it's fake—people ARE making money with it. But here's what they're not telling you:

1. The market is getting saturated (it's everywhere now)
2. You're not learning how to build a business—you're learning how to sell ONE funnel
3. If that funnel stops working, you're back to square one
4. You can't recreate this success with a different topic or product
5. It's not scalable, not authentic, and not sustainable

The Real Problem: These courses promise "easy" and "overnight" success. They show you flashy income screenshots. They make it sound like three hours of work will change your life.

The truth?

1. Creating consistent content is HARD
2. Getting 70-80% of your views from non-followers requires deep platform knowledge
3. Organic growth takes 6-18 months minimum of consistent hustle
4. If you don't have money for ads, you need TIME and SKILL

The Woman Who Couldn't Afford Another Course: She bought a course for less than $100, expecting it to solve her financial problems. It didn't work. She's now desperate, asking strangers in Facebook groups to help her make sense of something that was never designed to help her succeed—it was designed to make the course creator money.

Lindsay's Advice: If you want to make $1,000/month overnight, you need a paid ads budget. Period.

If you don't have money for ads, expect:

1. 6-18 months of consistent content creation
2. Learning platform algorithms (not just "posting consistently")
3. Building an actual skill set you can apply to multiple income streams
4. Choosing a topic you can fall in love with (because you'll be doing this for a while)

What You Should Do Instead: Don't buy into one-funnel wonders. Build a real business around something authentic to YOU. Use PLRs as a tool (not the entire business). Create multiple income streams. Learn to fish—don't just take the fish they're handing you.

The Bottom Line: Side hustles without strategy are recipes for burnout. Quick cash without skill-building leaves you vulnerable when the trend dies. And courses promising "easy money" are almost always selling you a dream that benefits them more than you.

Lindsay's PSA: If you're broke and desperate, a $27 PDF is not going to save you. If someone is selling you "the secret" to making money online, ask yourself: why are they selling the secret instead of just using it?

What's Next: This is part of a series called "Weeding Out the Legit From the Shit" (yes, that's the actual first episode title). Lindsay is committed to helping you navigate the muddy waters of online business without falling for get-rich-quick schemes.

Resources:

1. Join the Freedom Online Business Builders Community on Facebook
2. Text FREEDOM to 55444 to get the free guide: "Earn 5K On Repeat"
3. Subscribe to the podcast for more episodes exposing what's real and what's not

Final Thought: There ARE legitimate ways to make money online. But if it sounds too easy, too fast, or too good to be true—it probably is. Build something real. Build something sustainable. Build something YOU can be proud of.

ABOUT THIS EPISODE:

Disclaimer: This is Lindsay's opinion based on research. She's not saying NO ONE can make money with PLRs—she's saying the way it's being sold is misleading, unsustainable, and leaving people broke and confused.

Connect with Lindsay: 📘 Facebook: Freedom Online Business Builders Community

Join the free Facebook Community! Connect, Learn, Grow, Build https://www.facebook.com/groups/freedomentrepreneurcommunity

📱 Text: FREEDOM to 55444 🎙️ Subscribe: Freedom Entrepreneur Podcast

Mentioned in this episode:

Freebie 5k recurring revenue

It's time to take action and build the recurring revenue you long for. Text FREEDOM to 55444 right now to get instant access to the free guide 'Earn $5k/month on repeat.' You deserve more freedom!

Amanda Wittenborn was making $3,000-5,000 a month on Etsy—the first time in her marriage she'd ever had all the bills covered with money left over. She'd built the business from absolute broke (parking the car in debt at the front of the driveway so it couldn't be towed overnight) to finally breathing financially.

Then one morning, while still in the newborn fog with her third son, she got an email: copyright infringement flag. She'd respond later. A week went by (sleep deprivation is real), and Etsy shut down her account. Permanently.

Just like that, years of work—gone. Financial security—gone. Her dream job—gone.

She quit. For nearly a year, she gave up entirely.

But then she got an email from another party brand looking for a designer. She took the job, started designing for a "competitor," and something sparked. That little voice whispered: You're supposed to be designing party supplies.

So she tried again. But there was a problem: Amazon (the biggest audience) doesn't allow digital downloads like Etsy does. She had to pivot from digital invitations to physical products—fill-in-the-blank invitations people would have to handwrite.

She thought: No one's going to buy these.

She was wrong.

In this conversation, Amanda reveals:

The $750 Gamble: Her first inventory order felt impossible to pay back. But Prime-eligible products sold 10-to-1 compared to ones she shipped herself. That bet changed everything.

The 2-Hour Morning Rule: Amanda starts every day with 2 hours of creativity (crocheting, painting, reading)—NOT business work. Just joy. It transformed her entire life. Minimum: 30 minutes. Optimal: 2 hours. No exceptions.

From Broke to Multimillion-Dollar Business: Today, Amanda runs a multimillion-dollar-per-year business with over 8,000 products (all designed by her). She sells on Amazon, Shopify, Oriental Trading, and is expanding to Walmart.

The Whimsical Secret: Rollerskating llamas. Outer space kitty cats. Snow leopard princesses. Amanda connects with kids' wild imaginations—and that's why her products sell when thousands of competitors don't.

The Hurdles She's Jumped:

1. Etsy account shut down permanently
2. COVID wiping out party supplies overnight (she lost the business TWICE)
3. Counterfeit products copying her designs
4. Getting sued wrongfully
5. Copyright infringement battles

None of it stopped her.

The Mindset Shift: Amanda's friend recently said: "I love when things are hard because that means not a lot of people are doing it." Amanda's willing to do the hard things—and that's why she's still standing when others quit.

The Creator Unleashed: Amanda now mentors female entrepreneurs in her new community, helping them build businesses that don't run their lives—businesses where they get to play, create, and feel joy instead of drowning in tasks.

The Bottom Line: Every hurdle is an opportunity to decide: Is this the one that stops me? For Amanda, the answer has always been no. She's been through the ringer—and she keeps going.

Sometimes the universe is working in your favor even when it feels devastating. Losing her Etsy store was the worst thing that happened to her—and the best thing that ever happened to her business.

ABOUT AMANDA WITTENBORN:

Amanda Wittenborn is the founder of Amanda Creations, a multimillion-dollar party supply business featuring over 8,000 whimsical, kid-approved designs (rollerskating llamas, outer space kitty cats, and mermaid unicorns included). After losing her thriving Etsy business overnight, Amanda rebuilt on Amazon, Shopify, and Oriental Trading—proving that the hardest moments can lead to the biggest breakthroughs.

She's also the founder of The Creator Unleashed, a mentorship community helping female entrepreneurs streamline their businesses so they can play, create, and enjoy life instead of being buried in tasks.

Amanda lives in snowy Illinois with her husband (who quit his job 8 years ago to work for her) and three sons. She's a personal growth junkie, crochet enthusiast, and firm believer that 2 hours of creative time every morning changes everything.

Connect with Amanda: 📧 Email: [email protected]

📘 Facebook: Amanda Wittenborn (business page)

🌐 Community: The Creator Unleashed

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