When you're stuck in a growth plateau, it feels like there are a million things you could be fixing in your online business. Your funnel conversion rates are down. Your course launch didn't hit goals. Your marketing strategy feels chaotic.

But how do you know which lever to pull first?

In this episode, I'm breaking down the exact framework I use with coaching clients to turn chaotic marketing funnels into predictable revenue machines, the 1% Conversion Effect Framework.

It's called FOCUS, and it's how you stop guessing and start systematically optimizing your way to scale your online business.

RESOURCES MENTIONED:

Scale Smarter Masterclass FREE Training for Coaches & Course Creators: Learn the entire 1% Conversion Effect Framework step-by-step so you can stop operating in chaos and start scaling your online business with a proven funnel optimization system

Click here to grab your spot in the free masterclass →

Ready to Scale Without the Tech Overwhelm?

You can't truly scale a profitable business without a systematic way to bring in new leads and clients every day. If you're ready to grow faster, reach more clients, and simplify your processes, OptimaFunnels is here to help. This all-in-one platform makes building high-converting sales funnels and automating your marketing a breeze, saving you time and money.

Head over to OptimaFunnels.com to learn more and start your journey toward a simpler, more profitable business today!

Leave a Review or Share Your Thoughts

If you found this episode helpful, I’d love to hear from you! Leave a review or comment below. What resonated with you? What’s one thing you’ll be trying in your business? Your feedback helps me create more of what you need to grow your business!

CONNECT WITH MICHELLE:

Instagram: @themichellefernandez
Website: themichellefernandez.com

When everything feels off in your business, it's tempting to blow it all up and start over. But here's the truth: your business isn't broken… your focus is.

You're not stuck because you're not doing enough. You're stuck because you're doing too much of the wrong things. Once you know where your bottleneck is, you can stop spinning your wheels and start making strategic 1% shifts that actually move the needle.

In this episode, I'm showing you how to identify where the real bottleneck is in your funnel so you can stop guessing and start fixing the right thing.

IN THIS EPISODE:

00:00 Introduction: The Illusion of a Broken Business

00:27 Identifying the Real Problem

02:00 Visibility: The Traffic Problem

02:50 Connection: Building Trust and Engagement

04:00 Conversion: Turning Engagement into Sales

05:29 Finding Your Bottleneck

06:05 Homework and Next Steps

RESOURCES MENTIONED:

FREE Training
Learn how to identify your bottleneck and figure out which 1% shift to make first
 Click here to grab your spot in the free masterclass →

Conversion Clarity Kit — Custom GPT bundle to sharpen your messaging (normally $67, free for podcast listeners)

Ready to Scale Without the Tech Overwhelm?

You can't truly scale a profitable business without a systematic way to bring in new leads and clients every day. If you're ready to grow faster, reach more clients, and simplify your processes, OptimaFunnels is here to help. This all-in-one platform makes building high-converting sales funnels and automating your marketing a breeze, saving you time and money.

Head over to OptimaFunnels.com to learn more and start your journey toward a simpler, more profitable business today!

Leave a Review or Share Your Thoughts

If you found this episode helpful, I’d love to hear from you! Leave a review or comment below. What resonated with you? What’s one thing you’ll be trying in your business? Your feedback helps me create more of what you need to grow your business!

CONNECT WITH MICHELLE:

Instagram: @themichellefernandez
Website: themichellefernandez.com

Welcome to the relaunch of the podcast with a new name…Optimize to Monetize™!

This is episode 300, and if you're stuck in a growth plateau, spinning your wheels, or wondering why your funnel stopped converting, this episode is for you.

In this episode, I'm sharing:

• Why I rebranded the podcast (and what it has to do with finding my actual zone of genius after 10 years in business)
• The difference between growth and scale and why most coaches are accidentally killing their profit
• What the 1% Conversion Effect™ is and how small, strategic shifts compound into massive results
• The 3 most common conversion blind spots costing you money right now
• Why your business isn't broken your focus is

If you're ready to stop guessing what's wrong and start knowing exactly where to optimize, this episode will shift how you see your entire business.

SUBSCRIBE so you don't miss the next two episodes, they're the foundation for everything we'll cover this season.

RESOURCES MENTIONED:

Conversion Clarity Kit (FREE) Custom GPT bundle to sharpen your messaging and help you stand out (normally $67, free for podcast listeners)

Ready to Scale Without the Tech Overwhelm?

You can't truly scale a profitable business without a systematic way to bring in new leads and clients every day. If you're ready to grow faster, reach more clients, and simplify your processes, OptimaFunnels is here to help. This all-in-one platform makes building high-converting sales funnels and automating your marketing a breeze, saving you time and money.

Head over to OptimaFunnels.com to learn more and start your journey toward a simpler, more profitable business today!

Leave a Review or Share Your Thoughts

If you found this episode helpful, I’d love to hear from you! Leave a review or comment below. What resonated with you? What’s one thing you’ll be trying in your business? Your feedback helps me create more of what you need to grow your business!

CONNECT WITH MICHELLE:

Instagram: @themichellefernandez
Website: themichellefernandez.com

Feeling like you're drowning in your to-do list while your business screams for your attention? You're putting in 50+ hour weeks, but somehow STILL can't break through to that next level…

The problem? You're stuck doing tasks that cost way less than what you're worth and those "systems" you think you have are actually keeping you chained to your desk.

Today we're chatting with Esther Inman, the queen of VA placement who's helped hundreds of entrepreneurs escape the overwhelm trap. Esther can literally take days off without her business missing a beat and she's sharing exactly how you can do the same.

Join our conversation to find out how to know when you're ready to hire, what tasks to delegate first, and how to avoid the rookie mistakes that leave you more frustrated than before. Plus, Esther shares the surprising wins that have nothing to do with revenue (but everything to do with your sanity)!

Ready to stop being the hamster on the wheel and start building a business that actually works FOR you? Let's dive in! 

Connect with Esther:

Instagram

Tik Tok

Website

https://hireavaforme.com/

In this episode:

[00:01:05] - Esther Inman's journey from VA to multi-million dollar training platform and why marketing challenges are forcing business owners to seek virtual assistant help.

[00:06:03] - Part-time vs full-time VAs: Most arrangements vary by needs and budget, with overseas full-time VAs often creating timezone challenges.

[00:08:39] - How to know when you're ready to hire a VA.

[00:10:24] - What tasks to delegate first to a VA.

[00:13:32] - How to ensure a new hire is the right fit for you and your business.

[00:17:17] - Tips for hiring problem solvers and empowering new hires to think outside the box.

[00:22:50] - Esther shares some of the biggest wins she sees from clients who start outsourcing to a VA. 

[00:25:14] - Best practices for communication and check-ins when managing a remote team.

[00: 28:00] - The first conversation you should have with yourself before even looking at hiring a VA.

[00:34:14] - Esther's final tips for getting started with your first virtual assistant hire.

Ready to Scale Without the Tech Overwhelm?

You can't truly scale a profitable business without a systematic way to bring in new leads and clients every day. If you're ready to grow faster, reach more clients, and simplify your processes, OptimaFunnels is here to help. This all-in-one platform makes building high-converting sales funnels and automating your marketing a breeze, saving you time and money.

Head over to OptimaFunnels.com to learn more and start your journey toward a simpler, more profitable business today!

Leave a Review or Share Your Thoughts

If you found this episode helpful, I’d love to hear from you! Leave a review or comment below. What resonated with you? What’s one thing you’ll be trying in your business? Your feedback helps me create more of what you need to grow your business!

CONNECT WITH MICHELLE:

Instagram: @themichellefernandez
Website: themichellefernandez.com

If you're making decisions based on "gut feelings" instead of actual data, you're basically playing business roulette. Spoiler alert: The house always wins.

The difference between struggling coaches and seven-figure coaches is not luck or talent... It’s tracking the RIGHT metrics and making CEO-level decisions based on cold, hard facts (not wishful thinking).

In this episode, I'm spilling my complete "CEO Dashboard", aka the 8 key metrics that will transform you from a stressed-out solopreneur into a data-driven business owner who actually knows what's working. Plus, you'll hear how tracking just ONE metric helped me double my email open rates AND my sales in just a few months.

No more crossing your fingers and hoping for the best—tune in now if you want to ditch the emotional business roller coaster and start making decisions like the CEO you were meant to be!

In This Episode:

00:00:55 - Why running your business on gut feeling is keeping you stuck and what happens when you start thinking like a CEO.

00:02:52 - Your CEO Dashboard: The 8 critical metrics that separate struggling coaches from seven-figure earners.

00:07:55 - Michelle's simple 15-minute weekly system for tracking without overwhelm.

00:10:39 - Tracking your numbers boosts CEO confidence and turns guesswork into clear, focused action.

00:12:29 - Michelle sets a challenge to help you start tracking and thinking like the CEO of your business.

Ready to Scale Without the Tech Overwhelm?

You can't truly scale a profitable business without a systematic way to bring in new leads and clients every day. If you're ready to grow faster, reach more clients, and simplify your processes, OptimaFunnels is here to help. This all-in-one platform makes building high-converting sales funnels and automating your marketing a breeze, saving you time and money.

Head over to OptimaFunnels.com to learn more and start your journey toward a simpler, more profitable business today!

Leave a Review or Share Your Thoughts

If you found this episode helpful, I’d love to hear from you! Leave a review or comment below. What resonated with you? What’s one thing you’ll be trying in your business? Your feedback helps me create more of what you need to grow your business!

CONNECT WITH MICHELLE:

Instagram: @themichellefernandez
Website: themichellefernandez.com

That sinking feeling when you see *that* client's name pop up in your inbox? Yep, we've ALL been there...

Hanging on to energy-draining clients who question everything, implement nothing, and have you working harder on THEIR success than they are.

In this episode, I'm dishing the honest truth about the art of "blessing and releasing" clients who are flat-out wrong for your business. I share my personal story of how releasing ONE high-paying but high-maintenance client transformed my entire business approach. Plus, you’ll get a step-by-step framework for having those uncomfortable-but-necessary conversations that lead to total FREEDOM.

You'll learn how to shift your mindset, attract only dream clients through your messaging, and master the exact language to use when parting ways—all without burning bridges.

Want to stop letting wrong-fit clients block your growth and start creating a business filled exclusively with clients who make you go "HECK YES!"? Tune in now!

Audio Time Stamps:

[00:00:58] - The warning signs of challenging client relationships and why they're blocking your business growth.

[00:03:15] - The triple impact of wrong-fit clients: energy drain, confidence depletion, and the invisible ceiling they place on your business growth.

[00:04:58] - Personal case study: How a high-tier client with constant red flags was costing more than just the time spent in sessions.

[00:07:50] - The transformational mindset shifts that happen once you release clients who aren't aligned with your business.

[00:10:26] - The counterintuitive truth: choosing to work only with ideal clients isn't selfish—it's strategic and necessary for scaling.

[00:13:12] - Practical ways to attract more aligned clients and fewer wrong-fit clients through strategic messaging and positioning.

[00:17:56] - The framework for having "blessing and releasing" conversations without burning bridges or feeling like you're giving up.

[00:22:39] - The magical things that happen when you serve only those who are truly ready for your guidance (and how it creates freedom for both you and them).

Ready to Scale Without the Tech Overwhelm?

You can't truly scale a profitable business without a systematic way to bring in new leads and clients every day. If you're ready to grow faster, reach more clients, and simplify your processes, OptimaFunnels is here to help. This all-in-one platform makes building high-converting sales funnels and automating your marketing a breeze, saving you time and money.

Head over to OptimaFunnels.com to learn more and start your journey toward a simpler, more profitable business today!

Leave a Review or Share Your Thoughts

If you found this episode helpful, I’d love to hear from you! Leave a review or comment below. What resonated with you? What’s one thing you’ll be trying in your business? Your feedback helps me create more of what you need to grow your business!

CONNECT WITH MICHELLE:

Instagram: @themichellefernandez
Website: themichellefernandez.com

Fully booked but exhausted AF? Your coaching business looks amazing on paper, but you're working harder than ever with zero breakthrough. Not cool.

The problem isn't your coaching—it's that you've built "digital busy work" instead of true systems. Those disconnected tools aren't just frustrating... they're the invisible ceiling on your growth and the direct cause of your burnout!

In this episode, I walk you through my 5-step system that transforms coaching chaos into scalable success, from mapping your complete business system to choosing tech that doesn't make you want to pull your hair out. Plus, you'll hear how automation helped one client TRIPLE her income while working fewer hours, and allowed her to launch a $30,000 group program that practically runs itself.

It’s time to stop being the bottleneck in your own business and start creating that freedom you signed up for—tune in now! 

In This Episode:

00:00:53 - Using disconnected tools and manually transferring information across platforms is costing you time, money, and preventing business growth.

00:02:06 - Case study: The relationship coach trapped by 23 manual touchpoints that consumed her time and prevented scaling (despite being fully booked).

00:04:33 - The CEO mindset shift: stop working IN your business—every hour spent on manual tasks costs your hourly rate in opportunity cost.

00:08:09 - How bringing in a systems strategist (aka Michelle!) helped her client automate her entire business and TRIPLE her income while working fewer hours.

00:10:32 - Five practical steps to transform your manual processes into scalable systems that cover your entire business operation.

00:17:19 - How automation enhances rather than replaces the personal touch in your coaching business, while avoiding the hidden costs of disconnected systems.

00:21:36 - Your growth is directly tied to how effectively your business can run without your constant intervention.

Ready to Scale Without the Tech Overwhelm?

You can't truly scale a profitable business without a systematic way to bring in new leads and clients every day. If you're ready to grow faster, reach more clients, and simplify your processes, OptimaFunnels is here to help. This all-in-one platform makes building high-converting sales funnels and automating your marketing a breeze, saving you time and money.

Head over to OptimaFunnels.com to learn more and start your journey toward a simpler, more profitable business today!

Leave a Review or Share Your Thoughts

If you found this episode helpful, I’d love to hear from you! Leave a review or comment below. What resonated with you? What’s one thing you’ll be trying in your business? Your feedback helps me create more of what you need to grow your business!

CONNECT WITH MICHELLE:

Instagram: @themichellefernandez
Website: themichellefernandez.com

Have you ever been ghosted? That awful feeling when someone completely disappears after you *thought* things were going well? Well, plot twist… 

Despite all your hard work, YOU might be "ghosting" the very people ready to invest in your business—and it's silently killing your profits. Whether it's leads that hit your funnel then get radio silence, or clients who buy but never receive proper follow-up, this engagement gap is costing you serious money. 

In this episode, I reveal exactly what ghosting your own leads is costing you (spoiler: acquiring new customers is FIVE TIMES more expensive than retention!) and give you my step-by-step roadmap to fix it. You'll discover how to transform your buyers into loyal fans who can't stop raving about you—filling your pipeline with perfect-fit leads so you can finally break free from the constant lead-chasing hustle and actually enjoy your business again!

In this episode:

[00:00:50] - How silently "ghosting" your leads and clients is secretly costing you money, clients, and growth opportunities.

[00:03:07] - The financial reality: acquiring new customers costs 5x more than retention, while small retention increases can nearly double profits.

[00:04:28] - Ghosting revealed: what lead abandonment and client neglect actually look like in your business systems.

[00:07:54] - Case study: how revamping nurture systems doubled conversions and tripled client retention in just three months.

[00:11:26] - Your anti-ghosting roadmap: map customer journeys, create personalized touchpoints, and celebrate wins to transform buyers into fans.

[00:14:47] - Your next steps to creating warmer leads, vocal brand advocates, and the freedom to raise prices while spending less on marketing.

Hit the "Follow" button so you don't miss an episode!

Ready to Elevate Your Marketing, Amplify Your Sales & Optimize Fulfillment? Heck Yea you are!

Check Out OptimaFunnels and discover how coaches and course creators are finally making marketing easy, without getting caught up in the tech..

https://optimafunnels.com/

Connect with Michelle on Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/themichellefernandez/

Leave a Review or Share Your Thoughts

If you found this episode helpful, I’d love to hear from you! Leave a review or comment below. What resonated with you? What’s one thing you’ll be trying in your business? Your feedback helps me create more of what you need to grow your business!

What if I told you there’s a way to add 20-30% (or more) to your annual revenue without creating a new course or working extra hours? Sounds too good to be true, right? Well, that’s the power of affiliate marketing! 

Imagine tapping into a network of promoters who bring in consistent cash flow while you focus on what you do best. No more scrambling for new clients or stressing about your next launch…

In this episode, we're diving into how affiliate marketing can help you monetize the recommendations you're already making, creating a more sustainable business model that works even when you're not. If you're looking to add extra revenue streams, create more freedom, and build a business that's less dependent on constant hustle, this episode is for you! 

Here’s a sneak peek at what you’ll learn:

• How to turn recommendations into revenue with no extra work
• 3 key affiliate marketing strategies
• How to earn 30–50% (or more) in commissions
• A step-by-step guide to monetize your current recommendations
• How to turn loyal followers into promoters
• Mistakes to avoid in affiliate marketing

In This Episode:

00:00:50 - How affiliate marketing turns your trusted recommendations into revenue—no extra cost to your audience, no extra work for you, just smarter service and aligned income.

00:03:14 - The three strategic approaches to affiliate marketing for coaches and course creators: complementary product promotion, strategic partner promotion, and high-ticket affiliate programs.

00:04:40 How to earn 30–50% commissions on digital products—some programs offer up to 75%—plus recurring or flat-fee options that create true passive income.

00:08:20 How affiliate marketing gives coaches the potential to increase revenue by 20–30%, create stability, and earn passive income without extra work

00:11:22 Step-by-step guidance to start monetizing recommendations you're already making through auditing your current recommendations.

00:16:27 Key mistakes to avoid in affiliate marketing, including over-promoting and failing to provide adequate support to affiliates.

Hit the "Follow" button so you don't miss an episode!

Ready to Elevate Your Marketing, Amplify Your Sales & Optimize Fulfillment? Heck Yea you are!

Check Out OptimaFunnels and discover how coaches and course creators are finally making marketing easy, without getting caught up in the tech..

https://optimafunnels.com/

Connect with Michelle on Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/themichellefernandez/

Leave a Review or Share Your Thoughts

If you found this episode helpful, I’d love to hear from you! Leave a review or comment below. What resonated with you? What’s one thing you’ll be trying in your business? Your feedback helps me create more of what you need to grow your business!

Public Speaking Coach Aurora Gregory was just 14 when she stepped onto her first stage—a shaky 8th grader, reluctantly roped into a local speech contest by her social studies teacher. She didn’t win, but she did walk away with two truths that still guide her work today: A powerful story can hold an entire room and the person with the mic is the most visible person in any space.

The reality is, if you’re not tapping into speaking as part of your business strategy—whether that’s an IRL stage, a podcast, or even Instagram reels and stories—you are seriously leaving money and momentum on the table.

In this episode, Aurora breaks down why speaking is one of the most effective marketing tools in your back pocket—and how you can use it to actually drive conversions (not just collect applause). 

References:

Get Aurora’s free “One Sheet Wonder” checklist 

Visit Aurora’s website

Follow Aurora on Instagram

In This Episode:

01:20 - Today’s guest, Public Speaking Coach Aurora Gregory, shares what sparked her love for public speaking and how she now helps entrepreneurs shine on stage.

04:52 - Aurora explains why speaking—on stage or online—is a powerful, efficient way for entrepreneurs to build trust, grow their audience, and drive sales.

08:55 - Nerves mean you care. Whether it’s a stage or a story, connection comes first—confidence follows.

13:38 - Aurora reminds us that our speaker brand should focus on the transformation we offer, not just what we sell.

18:10 - Solving ONE key problem simply makes your message clearer and more impactful as a speaker.

24:00 - The importance of tailoring your presentation to the audience's level of knowledge.

26:50 - Common mistakes entrepreneurs make when pitching themselves.

29:30 - Aurora shares her final top tips for speaking success.

33:20 - Michelle’s “Hot Minute” with Aurora!

Ready to Scale Without the Tech Overwhelm?

You can't truly scale a profitable business without a systematic way to bring in new leads and clients every day. If you're ready to grow faster, reach more clients, and simplify your processes, OptimaFunnels is here to help. This all-in-one platform makes building high-converting sales funnels and automating your marketing a breeze, saving you time and money.

Head over to OptimaFunnels.com to learn more and start your journey toward a simpler, more profitable business today!

Leave a Review or Share Your Thoughts

If you found this episode helpful, I’d love to hear from you! Leave a review or comment below. What resonated with you? What’s one thing you’ll be trying in your business? Your feedback helps me create more of what you need to grow your business!

CONNECT WITH MICHELLE:

Instagram: @themichellefernandez
Website: themichellefernandez.com