Matt Sprang thought he was building his dream when he broke ground on a state-of-the-art swim school facility in 2016. Instead, he found himself staring at an email from his lawyer suggesting bankruptcy - with over $800,000 in debt and a half-built facility that wouldn't open.

What happened next transformed not just his business, but his entire understanding of success, self-worth, and what it means to show up for the people who matter most.

In this raw conversation with Sacred Business Stories, Matt shares how hitting rock bottom became the foundation for rebuilding everything — including himself.

Show Notes

[00:00-10:00] From Swimming Champion to Business Owner

* Matt's 40-year swimming journey from age 6 to Division III All-American

* Transitioned from coaching part-time to becoming head coach

* Founded Greater Philadelphia Aquatic Enterprises after convincing school district to exit swim business

* Built vision for "cradle to grave" swimming program with new facility

[10:00-20:00] When Dreams Become Nightmares

* Three-year search for location and funding finally succeeded in 2015

* Construction began May 2016, expected to open September 2016

* By Thanksgiving, facility incomplete with major construction errors

* All SBA loan funds exhausted with no path forward

* February 2017: Lawyer recommended bankruptcy as only option

[20:00-30:00] The Moment Everything Changed

* Brief moment considering life insurance policies as "way out" for family

* Three-year-old daughter's "I love you, daddy" became turning point

* Wife (a psychologist) helped him see suicide as "short-term solution to long-term problem"

* Decision: "I can't control winning the lawsuit, but I can control doing everything possible"

[30:00-40:00] Fighting Through the Storm

* Became his own legal researcher and investigator

* Wife battling adrenal failure requiring 40mg prednisone daily

* Raising two toddlers while coaching athletes and fighting lawsuit

* "There were plenty of days where I couldn't see the finish line"

* Settlement finally reached in September 2019

[40:00-50:00] When You Think It Can't Get Worse

* Six months after settlement: COVID shut down business for 100 days

* Lost home pool, swim school closed for over a year

* Applied lessons from first crisis to survive pandemic

* Acquired another program in 2021, doubling size but masking lost passion

* Tony Robbins' UPW helped realize need for change

[50:00-60:00] The Real Transformation: Inner Work

* Maine cabin experience: "I did not like the person I was alone with"

* Joined Front Row Dads community for personal growth

* Discovered pattern of making decisions based on others' expectations

* Somatic breathwork helped access deeper healing

* Learning to forgive others and, more importantly, himself

[60:00-70:00] The Edge of Known: New Beginnings

* Sold business in August 2024 after quick sale process

* Launched "The Edge of Known" Substack about standing at comfort's edge

* Now helping executives and entrepreneurs who burn out at work

* Core message: "You can be successful in business AND very successful at home"

* Writing about USA Swimming's transformation needs

Key Quotes

"The gap between knowing what to do and actually doing it wasn't a strategy problem – it was a pattern problem." - Matt Sprang

"I made the decision that I wasn't going to be able to control winning or losing any lawsuit. But what I could do is everything within my power to make being victorious possible." - Matt Sprang

"We control very little in life, but we can influence a lot." - Matt Sprang

"If I'm not part of the problem, I can't be part of the solution, so I have to look within first." - Matt Sprang

"Winning at home is so much more important than winning at business." - Matt Sprang

Resources Mentioned

* The Untethered Soul by Michael Singer

* The Surrender Experiment by Michael Singer (recommended during interview)

* Front Row Dads - Men's community focused on family leadership

* Tony Robbins' Unleash the Power Within - Transformational seminar

* Somatic Breathwork - Body-based healing practice

Where to Find Matt

* Substack: Matt Sprang (The Edge of Known)

* LinkedIn: Matthew Sprang

* Website: MattSprang.com

Thank You

Deep gratitude to Matt for sharing such a vulnerable and powerful story. To our Sacred Business community members who show up week after week — your presence makes these conversations possible.

P.S.

Matt recommended two potential future guests: Dr. Kelly Flanagan (author and Front Row Dad) and Wayne Goldsmith (youth sports coaching expert from Australia). We'll be reaching out to continue bringing you transformational business stories.

What's Next

If this story resonated with you, you might also appreciate our conversation with Ryan Levesque about building businesses that support your vision. Access all previous Sacred Business Stories episodes in our archive.

Not part of The Sacred Business Network yet? Join our paid substack community of conscious entrepreneurs building businesses that honor both inner truth and outer success.

Missed previous episodes? Find all our Sacred Business Stories conversations in the archive.

Not yet subscribed? Join our community of heart-centered entrepreneurs here.

Go Deeper

Carolina and I are ready to support you in creating a business that aligns with your heart's calling. Here's how we can help:

* Discover Your Sacred Business Alignment (Free): Take the Harmony Map Assessment and read our Sacred Business Manifesto to understand where you are on your path and how to move forward with clarity and confidence. Perfect for entrepreneurs wanting to understand how everything in their business connects.

* Read the Sacred Business Manifesto (Free): Learn the core principles of building a Sacred Business through our founding story and framework. See how we transformed our approach to business by understanding that everything is connected.

What happens when your PhD and seven-year work gap get you automatically rejected from every job you apply to? If you're Cindy Childress, you build a thriving ghostwriting business that launches bestselling books and transforms experts into authors.

In this week's Sacred Business Stories conversation, Cindy shares how she went from zero publishing experience to writing three books in her first year - with two becoming Amazon bestsellers. Her secret? Embracing failure as data and understanding that mistakes are just invitations to serve your clients better.

The most powerful moment came when Cindy revealed a story she'd never shared publicly before. During her second client interview, she thought she was recording on Zoom but wasn't. No notes. No recording. Just a blank page where chapter two should be. "I sent it to her and she was like, this is horrible," Cindy recalls. "And I said, yes, it is." That moment of radical honesty transformed their relationship and taught her the principle that guides her business today: people want you to fix mistakes, not hide them.

Show Notes

[00:00] - The Unexpected Path to Ghostwriting

* Started with a PhD in English and creative writing background

* Lived overseas for 7 years, creating a work gap that blocked traditional employment

* Stripped her resume from PhD to Master's to Bachelor's - nothing worked

* Pivoted to personal training where she discovered her gift for sales (85% conversion rate)

[00:04:26] - The Business Birth Story

* Crying to her husband about feeling stifled led to "Why don't you start a business?"

* Bought her first domain that same night

* Completed three books in first year (2017) with two becoming bestsellers

* Learned that clients care more about your thinking than your portfolio

[00:07:01] - The Recording Disaster That Changed Everything

* Failed to record crucial second chapter interview

* Had no notes and no way to recreate the content

* Chose radical honesty: "Yes, this is horrible"

* Discovered that owning mistakes builds more trust than perfection

[00:15:00] - Breaking the Expert Trap

* New writers often try to prove themselves by dumping information

* Stories are the vehicle for knowledge, not the other way around

* You can share experiences without claiming false expertise

* "I helped a person with this problem" vs. "My client..."

[00:18:37] - When Is It Time to Write Your Book?

* You're saying the same thing over and over again

* People ask "Have you written a book about this?"

* The idea of going all-in for 2-3 years feels expansive, not constraining

* You want to do it, not just think it's a good business move

[00:22:00] - The Evolution from Ghostwriter to Guide

* Started documenting processes to find her unique IP

* Realized she had enough material to teach others

* Chose to work with authors over managing ghostwriters

* Created "Crank Out Your Book in Eight Weeks" during pandemic

[00:26:45] - Being Too Precious Can Paralyze

* Yesterday spent 2 hours accomplishing nothing on celebrity swipe copy

* Recognized she was being "precious" - expecting perfection

* Solution: Own it with the client and get over herself

* No single paragraph will make or break a project

Key Quotes

"When we mess up, the people that we're serving just want us to fix it. They don't want us to bandaid over it and pretend like we didn't make a mistake." - Cindy Childress

"I think a lot of people create mistakes that aren't real, thinking that they must have this giant portfolio. Like in my experience, it's not looked at." - Cindy Childress

"Everything is in a book and that's okay too." - Cindy Childress

"We don't have to solve all the problems. We just need to pick one and solve it really, really well." - Cindy Childress

"The level of vulnerability that I demand from my clients in order to do a great job for them, I have to give it to them if I want to have it back." - Cindy Childress

Where to Find Cindy

* Website: cindychildress.com

* Quiz: cindychildress.com/quiz - Discover Your Number One Best Selling Author Personality Quiz

* Facebook: Cindy Childress PhD

* Substack: Follow her newsletter for writing insights

Ready to Transform Your Business Story?

Cindy's story shows us something important: the patterns that make us feel like failures are often our greatest teachers. Just like she transformed a recording disaster into a trust-building principle, your business challenges are invitations to become who you're meant to be.

Thank You

Deep gratitude to everyone who joined us live and to those catching the replay. Your questions and engagement make these conversations richer for everyone. Thank you

Special thanks to Cindy for her radical vulnerability in sharing her "failure" story for the first time publicly. This is exactly the kind of honest conversation that helps us all grow.

P.S.

Got a burning question for Cindy's workshop that we’ll be offering in September? Drop it in the comments or send it our way. She's committed to addressing what you most want to know about writing your first book.

What's Next

Next week we're exploring another Sacred Business Story with enterpreneur Matt Sprang. Until then, remember: everything is connected. Your personal evolution and your business evolution are the same path.

Missed previous episodes? Find all our Sacred Business Stories conversations in the archive.

Not yet subscribed? Join our community of heart-centered entrepreneurs here.

Thank you Bill Cusano (Nonprofit Author), Sonia Singh, FZK, and many others for tuning into and many others for tuning into Episode 21 of Sacred Business Stories with Cindy Childress and your hosts, Phil Powis ❤️⚡️and Carolina Wilke.

Go Deeper

Carolina and I are ready to support you in creating a business that aligns with your heart's calling. Here's how we can help:

* Discover Your Sacred Business Alignment (Free): Take the Harmony Map Assessment and read our Sacred Business Manifesto to understand where you are on your path and how to move forward with clarity and confidence. Perfect for entrepreneurs wanting to understand how everything in their business connects.

* Read the Sacred Business Manifesto (Free): Learn the core principles of building a Sacred Business through our founding story and framework. See how we transformed our approach to business by understanding that everything is connected.

After 25 years of marriage and running multiple businesses together, Jay and Cory Fiset were on parallel tracks heading toward the inevitable end of their relationship. They'd spent five years trying everything - therapy, coaching, working on their patterns - but nothing was bridging the growing distance between them. Then in February 2020, a single MDMA journey changed everything, not just saving their marriage but birthing an entirely new business helping other couples find their way back to connection.

In this deeply personal conversation, the Fisets share how they went from being "hard no" on psychedelics for five years to becoming leading voices in the functional psychedelics space. Their journey from running personal development seminars in the 1990s (when people asked "what's a facilitator?") to pioneering couples' psychedelic retreats reveals profound lessons about following market wisdom while staying true to your lived experience. Most importantly, they demonstrate how your greatest personal transformation often contains the seeds of your most meaningful business contribution.

Show Notes

[00:00] The 25-Year Breaking Point

* Heading toward their 25th anniversary while "coasting to the inevitable end"

* Living parallel lives - great parents and partners but missing soul connection

* Spending more time coping than creating in their relationship

* The repeated invitations to try MDMA that they rejected for 5 years

[00:06] The Transformation That Changed Everything

* Jay's solo MDMA journey in February 2020 revealed the wall between them

* Every brick in the wall had a story about why relationships crumble over time

* The shift from "you do this, I'll do that" to "I'm going to transform myself"

* How COVID lockdown gave them thousands of hours to reinvent their connection

[00:17] From Corporate Pioneers to Sacred Business

* Running personal development seminars in 1991 when no one knew what that meant

* The 15-year struggle to make $1 million pushing "rope uphill"

* Learning to listen to the market instead of pushing what you think people need

* The mastermind success story: 42 sales from 65 people on first webinar

[00:39] Building The Connection Experience

* People noticed their transformation: "What the f*** have you done to her?"

* Creating their "adventure and ritual" practice every six weeks

* The moment people started asking for help with their own relationships

* Developing protocols around their own transformation experience

[00:46] The Power of Vulnerable Marketing

* Creating the "Fireside Chat" video answering couples' top 10 questions

* Corey's challenge with sharing intimate details publicly

* The lineup of 60 women after sharing about sexual healing at a conference

* Why you need to "share the thing you don't want to share"

[00:52] Education, Trust, and Threshold Experiences

* The three-circle model for any transformational business

* Why the psychedelic space requires extra care with trust-building

* Creating safety protocols and turning away clients who aren't a fit

* The importance of choosing guides wisely (beware the "wackadoodles")

Key Quotes

"The beautiful part about that journey was I came home 100% clear for the first time ever that the transformation had to be led by me... I need to get on with my life. I'm going to lose weight, fix my teeth, grow my hair, and engage. I would love for you to come with me, and I expect that you can't." - Jay Fiset

"We got really curious because in that space, we really dove into this idea of how is it that two people that love each other this much have gotten to this ridiculous spot? It wasn't 'whose fault is this?' It was like, how on earth did we devolve to this?" - Jay Fiset

"Learn, build, teach. If I can't build it, I didn't learn it. When I do that well, people always show up and go, 'Hey, how'd you do that?' And depending on my interest and willingness, I will tell them or I won't." - Jay Fiset

"To get your message out there, you really need to be vulnerable and share the thing. And it's probably share the thing that you don't want to share." - Corey Fiset

"If you're truly fascinated by something and it's moving you, learn, build, teach. Watch for the intersection of my interest, my love, my fascination, and marketplace interest. When those things intersect, everything has become so much easier." - Jay Fiset

Resources Mentioned

* The Connection Experience (couples psychedelic retreats)

* Foundations Guide Certification (psychedelic guide training)

* Fireside Chat video (top 10 questions for couples considering psychedelics)

* "How to Choose a Psychedelic Guide" guides (for couples and individuals)

* Science of Psychedelics conference

The Sacred Business Connection

Jay Fiset and Cory's story perfectly illustrates a core principle we teach at Sacred Business Flow:

the gap between knowing what to do and actually doing it isn't a strategy problem - it's a pattern problem.

For five years, they struggled with their relationship, recognizing they needed support and hiring help. As Jay said, they "did a bunch of stuff" and were "trying to work on this and fix it" - yet remained on parallel tracks heading toward divorce. It wasn't until they addressed the deeper pattern of separation that transformation became possible. This same principle transformed Jay's business approach: after 15 years of pushing personal development "rope uphill," he finally learned to listen to what the market actually wanted rather than what he thought they needed.

Their journey reveals how multiple frequencies work together to create breakthrough. Their willingness to step outside their comfort zone (Growth) after years of saying "no" to psychedelics, combined with the discipline to create their "adventure and ritual" every six weeks (Discipline), rebuilt their intimate connection (Connection). When they began sharing their story vulnerably—even the parts Cory didn't want to share—they discovered their true service (Service) and reconnected with joy in both their relationship and work (Bliss).

What's particularly powerful is how they demonstrate that vulnerability isn't just personal growth -it's a business superpower. When Cory shared about sexual healing at a conference, 60 women lined up to talk with her. Their willingness to "share the thing you don't want to share" became the foundation of their new business helping other couples.

Ready to discover which frequencies are seeking balance in your own business journey? Take the Business Harmony Map Assessment to identify the patterns that may be keeping you from your next breakthrough. Because like Jay and Cory discovered, sometimes the very thing you've been resisting contains the seeds of your sacred work.

Take the Harmony Map Assessment →

What resonated most with you from Jay and Cory's story? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

Thank You

Deep gratitude to Jay and Corey for their vulnerability in sharing such a personal journey and the wisdom they've gained from decades of pioneering work. Their willingness to "share the thing you don't want to share" creates permission for all of us to bring our full authentic selves to our work.

P.S.

If this conversation sparked something in you about integrating your personal transformation into your business offering, hit reply and let us know what resonated most. These stories matter because they show us what's possible when we stop separating who we are from what we do.

What's Next

Next week on Sacred Business Stories, we'll be exploring the power of authorship as sacred work with Cindy Childress, The Expert's Ghostwriter. With 49 books published through her A-List Author Studio (including 16 bestsellers), Dr. Cindy has mastered the art of helping experts transform their wisdom into books that create both income and impact. We'll dive into how writing your book can become a spiritual practice, why your message matters more than your writing skills, and how to move through the resistance that keeps most experts from sharing their deepest work with the world.

Until then, remember that your greatest challenge often contains the seeds of your greatest contribution. The question is: are you willing to share it?

P.S. You can read all previous editions of the newsletter here, and you can upgrade your subscription here.

Go Deeper

Carolina and I are ready to support you in creating a business that aligns with your heart's calling. Here's how we can help:

* Discover Your Sacred Business Alignment (Free): Take the Harmony Map Assessment and read our Sacred Business Manifesto to understand where you are on your path and how to move forward with clarity and confidence. Perfect for entrepreneurs wanting to understand how everything in their business connects.

* Read the Sacred Business Manifesto (Free): Learn the core principles of building a Sacred Business through our founding story and framework. See how we transformed our approach to business by understanding that everything is connected.

After 25 years of teaching leaders how to harness wonder and curiosity for breakthrough ideas, Jeffrey Davis has discovered something worth sharing: the people who flourish amid complexity aren't the ones with all the answers - they're the ones who've learned to dance with not knowing.

In this week's Sacred Business Stories, we explored how wonder becomes a "quiet disruptor of our biases" and why your greatest business breakthroughs often come from embracing uncertainty rather than fighting it.

Show Notes

[00:00] Wonder as a Business Strategy

* Wonder isn't a luxury—it's a birthright we're born with

* Defined as "an astonishment of the soul" that helps us see what's real and true

* When people actively track wonder, it changes how they work and lead

* The difference between falling in love with an idea vs. standing in love with it

[00:08] The Pivotal Crisis That Changed Everything

* Jeffrey contracted Lyme disease 4 times

* A devastating house fire destroyed 20 years of work and 300 books

* This led to the defining question: Why do some people flourish amid crisis while others flounder?

* Discovery that wonder is at the heart of navigating complexity

[00:15] Moving from "How" to "Why" Questions

* "How" questions can be paralyzing in early stages of business development

* Start with "Why couldn't...?" or "What if...?" questions instead

* Jeffrey's driving question: "Why couldn't people experience more wonder in the boardroom, bedroom, and schools?"

* The importance of scaling big dreams into feasible starting points

[00:25] The Accomplished Professional Syndrome

* When experts pivot to new fields, they face profound vulnerability

* The challenge of going from knowing everything to being a beginner again

* Using curiosity to navigate the transition: "What skills are you excited to learn?"

* Fertilizing confusion through "bewilderment" rather than pathologizing uncertainty

[00:35] Discovering Your Young Genius

* Your genius is unique character energy you were born with but forgot

* Exercise: Recall when you felt most alive and free as a child

* Carolina's example: Playing with dolls, singing in English without knowing the language

* Three qualities to activate daily: curiosity, joy, and fun

[00:45] Business as Personal Evolution

* "Who am I going to become by virtue of paying steady attention to these particular endeavors?"

* Your business challenges are invitations to evolve

* Sometimes you don't need to change your business—just your relationship with it

* The importance of not going it alone and finding allies on the journey

Key Quotes

"We are born in wonder, which means we're also born in not knowing."

"It's one thing to fall in love with an idea. It's another thing to stand in love with an idea you're devoted to."

"Why do some people flourish amidst complexity and challenge and change, and some of them flounder?"

"Your business is evolving or you've outgrown your business model... You've outgrown this business psychologically, emotionally, spiritually."

"Not right now doesn't mean not ever."

Resources Mentioned

* Tracking Wonder book - First chapter available free here

* Wonder at Work Assessment - Quick ways to experiment based on your results

* The Shiva Sutras - Where Jeffrey discovered "vishmayo" (joy-filled amazement)

* Young Genius exercises - Practices for remembering and activating your core qualities

Where to Find Jeffrey

* Substack: The Wonder Hub

* Website: trackingwonder.com

Thank You

Deep gratitude to Jeffrey for sharing his wisdom about navigating complexity through wonder. His reminder that uncertainty is "par for the course when you're living life and doing work at a sacred level" offers permission for all of us building businesses aligned with our deepest truth.

P.S.

Try Jeffrey's Young Genius exercise: Tomorrow morning, take 5 minutes to remember yourself at your most alive and free as a child. Write down three qualities you notice. Then ask: How can I bring 20% more of these qualities into my work today?

What's Next

Our Sacred Business Stories archive contains dozens more conversations with entrepreneurs who've transformed their relationship with uncertainty into fuel for growth. Each story offers unique insights for your own journey of building business as a sacred act.

Thank you Josh Woll, Kwandi McVey | Accepted™ Coach, and many others for tuning into into this episode of Sacred Business Stories with Jeffrey Davis and your hosts, Phil Powis ❤️⚡️ and Carolina Wilke!

P.S. You can read all previous editions of the newsletter here, and you can upgrade your subscription here.

Go Deeper

Carolina and I are ready to support you in creating a business that aligns with your heart's calling. Here's how we can help:

* Discover Your Sacred Business Alignment (Free): Take the Harmony Map Assessment and read our Sacred Business Manifesto to understand where you are on your path and how to move forward with clarity and confidence. Perfect for entrepreneurs wanting to understand how everything in their business connects.

* Read the Sacred Business Manifesto (Free): Learn the core principles of building a Sacred Business through our founding story and framework. See how we transformed our approach to business by understanding that everything is connected.

From Panic Attacks to 168K Followers: Jo Hutton's Journey to Yoga for Tired People

Jo Hutton built a thriving in-person yoga studio for 10 years. Then the pandemic hit, and everything changed. After experiencing panic attacks while teaching, she discovered something profound: sometimes our breakdowns become our breakthroughs.

In this powerful conversation, Jo shares how burning out from traditional yoga led her to create "Yoga for Tired People" - a revolutionary approach that brings yoga off the mat and into everyday life through 5-10 minute practices. What started as her personal healing journey transformed into a movement that attracted 168,000 Instagram followers in just one year.

Jo's story reveals a truth we see repeatedly in Sacred Business:

when we address our inner patterns and build aligned outer systems, we create offerings that deeply resonate with others facing similar challenges.

Her journey from fear of online visibility to becoming a magnetic presence on social media shows us what's possible when we honor both our limitations and our calling.

Show Notes

[00:02:00] - From University to Yoga Studio Owner

* Started yoga in university and went "all in" immediately

* Lucky to start young with low overhead and fearlessness

* Built a successful in-person studio in Newcastle for 10 years

* Had zero interest in internet business before the pandemic

[00:03:38] - The Burnout That Changed Everything

* Post-pandemic exhaustion led to panic attacks while teaching

* Couldn't imagine life without yoga - "it was my community, everything"

* Completely stopped physical practice to heal

* Returned to yoga sutras and off-the-mat practices

[00:05:00] - Birth of Yoga for Tired People

* Started with 5-10 minute practices woven through the day

* Discovered this approach transformed her relationship with yoga

* Realized everyone was burned out from hustle culture

* Created practices for people who need rest but struggle with "commodified rest"

[00:07:00] - Reverse Engineering Instagram Success

* Decided to give Instagram one year of focused effort

* Grew to 168,000 followers despite being "a normal person in Newcastle"

* People resonated with authentic, non-performative approach

* "Thank god there's someone not telling us to get up at 5am"

[00:14:00] - Working with Fear in Business

* "I'm frightened all the time" - fear never goes away

* The pain of not doing something eventually exceeds the pain of doing it

* First teaching experience: got physically sick from fear

* Business milestones are "rites of passage" not reasons to quit

[00:22:00] - Building Authentic Online Community

* Choose where your community lives (Instagram vs Substack)

* Set boundaries: doesn't reply to Instagram comments to preserve energy

* "You get to play platforms however you want"

* Different platforms = different prizes

[00:25:00] - The Business Model Reality Check

* Could spend 9 hours daily on Instagram and make nothing

* Chose Substack for "honest, clean exchange" vs selling attention

* Think about monetization from the start

* Begin with the end in mind

Key Quotes

"At some point, the pain of not doing the thing gets worse than the pain of doing the thing." - Jo Hutton

"You don't stop being frightened. You just know that the fear is okay... it's often when you're butting against your comfort zone." - Jo Hutton

"I feel like when you do yoga in smaller amounts more often, it feels closer to the surface... your life is yoga rather than you have yoga and then your life." - Jo Hutton

"Things that were awful at the time, when I look back on them I'm like oh that happens three times a week now and I don't even care." - Jo Hutton

"You get to choose where your community is. My community exists on Substack." - Jo Hutton

Resources Mentioned

* Yoga for Tired People on Substack - Jo's main platform and community

* Free complete beginner's yoga course (no mat needed)

* Weekly short yoga sessions every Monday (first of month free)

* Instagram: @johuttonyoga (172k+ followers)

Where to Find Jo

Jo has declared Substack as her community home! Find her at Yoga for Tired People on Substack where she offers:

* Free beginner's yoga course

* Weekly yoga sessions (Mondays)

* Active community discussions

* Regular "yapping" about life and yoga

As Jo says:

"If yoga is your thing, or if you just like hearing someone yap, you can subscribe."

Ready to Transform Your Business Patterns?

Jo's journey shows us how our greatest challenges often become our most powerful offerings. If you're feeling called to transform your own business struggles into sustainable success, we'd love to support you.

The Sacred Growth Club helps entrepreneurs like Jo identify the inner patterns affecting their business and build aligned outer systems for sustainable growth. Just like Jo transformed her relationship with yoga, we help you transform your relationship with business itself.

Learn more about Sacred Growth Club →

Thank You

Deep gratitude to our Sacred Business Stories community for showing up live and engaging with these powerful conversations. Your presence makes this space truly special.

P.S.

If you found value in Jo's story, please share this recap with someone who might be struggling with their own version of "tired" - whether that's business burnout, creative exhaustion, or the pressure to constantly hustle. Sometimes the medicine we need is permission to do less, more intentionally.

What's Next

Join us next week for another Sacred Business Story where we explore how entrepreneurs are building businesses that honor both their spiritual values and material success.

Can't wait? Browse our previous interviews in the Sacred Business Stories archive →

Thank you Kristoffer 'KC' Carter, Janet Ridsdale, Rebecca Weston, Philip Hofmacher and many others for tuning into into this episode of Sacred Business Stories with Jo Hutton and your hosts, Phil Powis ❤️⚡️ and Carolina Wilke!

P.S. You can read all previous editions of the newsletter here, and you can upgrade your subscription here.

What’s next?

Carolina and I are ready to support you in creating a business that aligns with your heart's calling. Here's how we can help:

* Discover Your Sacred Business Alignment (Free): Take the Harmony Map Assessment and read our Sacred Business Manifesto to understand where you are on your path and how to move forward with clarity and confidence. Perfect for entrepreneurs wanting to understand how everything in their business connects.

* Read the Sacred Business Manifesto (Free): Learn the core principles of building a Sacred Business through our founding story and framework. See how we transformed our approach to business by understanding that everything is connected.

* Sacred Business Network: Connect with heart-centered entrepreneurs who understand that success comes from alignment. Monthly connection circles, community workshops, and ongoing support through our private community space. Get the encouragement and collaboration you need to grow.

* Join Our Next Implementation Challenges: Action-focused programs like the Sacred Business Planning Rituals Challenge and Substack Growth Challenge help you create real momentum in specific areas of your business. Free for Club members, discounted for Network members. Be sure you are subscribed to be notified when the next one is offered live.

* Sacred Growth Club: A complete support system with weekly embodiment classes, live coaching calls, writing circles, and expert workshops. Designed for entrepreneurs ready to build sustainable success through proven practices while staying connected to their purpose. Includes full access to the Network and all challenges.

* Be The Flow Coaching (1:1): Personal guidance combining strategic business planning with energy alignment work. Weekly coaching sessions plus full access to Sacred Growth Club benefits. Ideal for entrepreneurs seeking deep transformation and sustainable growth in their business.

Today's Sacred Business Stories conversation with Charlie Gilkey revealed a powerful truth: sometimes the most meaningful businesses aren't planned—they emerge organically when we stop arguing with the opportunities life presents.

Charlie, founder of Productive Flourishing and author of multiple books including "Start Finishing" and "Team Habits," shared his unexpected journey from Army logistics officer and philosophy graduate student to becoming one of the most thoughtful voices in productivity and leadership. His story illuminates how sacred business often begins not with a grand plan, but with a willingness to say yes to what others see in us before we see it ourselves.

Show Notes

[00:04:28] - The Accidental Beginning

* How Charlie "fell ass backwards" into business while serving in the Army and pursuing his PhD in philosophy

* The paradox of managing complex military operations while struggling with a 5,000-word essay

* Why he started blogging in 2007 when it was still "something you didn't want to tell your friends about"

* The gap he discovered between granular productivity advice and aspirational personal development

[00:11:12] - When Others See What You Can't

* Why Charlie initially resisted when people approached him for business help

* The power of not arguing with people who recognize your value

* How limited self-perception can block opportunities for growth

* The importance of separating your identity from the labels you carry

[00:16:25] - Focus on Verbs, Not Nouns

* Why getting stuck on titles and labels prevents action

* "Your cage, your key" - how we create our own limitations

* The freedom that comes from doing the work without needing the perfect identity

* How to play with possibilities rather than fight predetermined categories

[00:19:43] - Building Your Bridge Before Jumping

* Charlie's practical approach to transitioning from military/academia to entrepreneurship

* Why building while still employed creates better outcomes than desperate leaps

* The danger of making your business solve all your needs at once

* How to reduce pressure on early-stage ventures by maintaining other income sources

[00:26:09] - The Sacred Nature of Neutral Work

* The revolutionary concept that not all work needs to be "joy work" or "dread work"

* How creative spiritual people create unnecessary suffering by avoiding neutral tasks

* The wisdom of "fetch water, chop wood" - how enlightenment changes your approach, not your tasks

* Why accepting neutral work creates more energy for meaningful projects

[00:42:07] - Working with Fear and Resistance

* Charlie's current fears around pivoting his brand from productivity to leadership

* How he "de-stakes" commitments to reduce pressure and create space for experimentation

* The weight of time displacement and choosing projects carefully at 45

* Why you should only pursue projects because "you can't not do them"

Key Quotes

"Don't argue with people about a more limited view of yourself when they see a more expansive view of yourself." - Charlie Gilkey

"Your cage, your key. You're the one that created that label and that context, that constraint, and put yourself in there." - Charlie Gilkey

"Don't write a book because you want to write a book. Write a book because you can't not write a book, because it will bug you and haunt you if you don't." - Charlie Gilkey

Resources Mentioned

* Productive Flourishing (Charlie's main platform)

* "Start Finishing: How to Go from Idea to Done"

* "Team Habits: How Small Actions Lead to Extraordinary Results"

* Getting Things Done by David Allen

* The Bhagavad Gita ("fetch water, chop wood" wisdom)

Where to Find Charlie

* Primary: ProductiveFlourishing.com (hosted on Substack)

* LinkedIn: Charlie Gilkey

The Sacred Business Connection

Charlie's story perfectly illustrates a core principle we teach at Sacred Business Flow: the gap between knowing what to do and actually doing it isn't a strategy problem—it's a pattern problem.

His journey shows how business evolution often happens through organic recognition rather than forced planning. When we stop fighting the opportunities that present themselves and start saying yes to what others see in us, we create space for our sacred work to emerge naturally.

The concept of "neutral work" that Charlie shared connects directly to our understanding that everything is connected. When we approach necessary tasks with presence rather than resistance, we free up energy for our most meaningful contributions. This isn't about settling for work that drains us—it's about recognizing that even in our most aligned businesses, some tasks simply need to be completed without creating elaborate stories about them.

What resonated most with you from Charlie's story? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

P.S. Charlie's insight about only pursuing projects "because you can't not do them" reminds us why we created Sacred Business Flow. Sometimes the most important work chooses us, and our job is simply to stop arguing with it and start building the bridge between where we are and where we're called to go.

🔄 Share this post if you've ever found yourself arguing with an opportunity that was trying to find you.

📧 New here? This is Sacred Business Stories, where we explore what it really takes to build a business aligned with your deepest truth. Subscribe to join our community of entrepreneurs who understand that everything is connected.

What's Next: Join us for our next Sacred Business Stories conversation, where we'll continue exploring the intersection of spiritual growth and practical business building.

Suzy Ashworth on Living Your Truth

This week on Sacred Business Stories, we had the privilege of speaking with Suzy Ashworth, a remarkable entrepreneur who embodies what it means to build a business aligned with your deepest truth.

Suzy’s journey from high school dropout to bestselling author and success coach generating over £6 million in revenue since 2020 is inspiring, but what truly resonates is her unwavering commitment to authenticity. Her story isn't about overnight success—it's about making consistent choices to honor her unique path, even when those choices were unconventional or uncomfortable. As a single mother of three who teaches others to build heart-aligned businesses, Suzy offers powerful insights on embracing your differences as strengths.

Show Notes

[00:04:00] - Motherhood as a Catalyst for Change

* Suzy’s transformation began when she got pregnant with her first child 14 years ago

* She realized if she wanted to tell her son he could do anything, she needed to live that truth

* This awareness led her to leave her advertising job at The Guardian newspaper

* She retrained as a hypnotherapist and psychotherapist after her second child was born

[00:05:42] - Finding Strength in Being Different

* Entered the birth industry, which was surprisingly controversial and competitive

* Created the world's first video-based hypnobirthing program

* Being different in a "crunchy" industry became her greatest asset

* Discovered she loved business and marketing more than the birth industry itself

[00:08:00] - Embracing Your Unique Greatness

* One of the pillars of her "Infinite Receiving" philosophy is knowing your unique greatness

* Your uniqueness is your superpower in business—like a thumbprint no one else has

* Success comes from taking proven pathways but superimposing yourself onto them

* Being willing to evolve while staying true to your ever-changing authentic self

[00:10:46] - Dealing with Judgment and Fear

* Her biggest vulnerability is fear of being judged as a mother due to her unconventional choices

* Reconnects with essence/God/universe when fear arises

* Recognizes fear of rejection is based on the illusion that we're separate

* Reframes challenges as learning opportunities for growth

[00:14:14] - The Reality of Motherhood and Entrepreneurship

* Honest about the challenges of raising teenagers while building a business

* Children don't always appreciate your choices until they're much older

* Being a parent forces you to practice what you preach about trust and letting go

* Acknowledges the struggle between wanting to control and trusting the process

[00:20:39] - On Not Postponing Your Dreams

* "Tomorrow is never going to come" - Suzy lost her mother at 19 and a close friend recently

* Believes her children chose her to learn specific lessons through her example

* Views living her purpose as fulfilling her end of the soul contract with her children

* Encourages women not to wait until their children are grown to pursue their calling

[00:26:58] - The Power of Taking the Next Step

* Used maternity leave to retrain professionally (while acknowledging this isn't for everyone)

* Never tried to plan 5-10 years ahead, just focused on the immediate next step

* Finished top of her class, which dramatically boosted her confidence

* Believes people get stuck when they try to anticipate too far ahead

[00:32:00] - Expanding Your Vision Through Community

* Credits environments like retreats and masterminds for stretching her vision

* Made the decision to become a 7-figure entrepreneur after a literal cliff jump

* Looked for similarities between herself and successful entrepreneurs instead of differences

* Has only gone without a coach for six months of her entire career

[00:37:32] - The Truth About Transformative Moments

* Was "absolutely petrified" when jumping off the cliff but did it anyway

* Had to trick her subconscious mind to get herself to the edge

* Most people don't take action because they fear failure on a deep, existential level

* The key shift is making these big decisions "no big deal" - you'll be okay either way

Key Quotes

"If I wanted to be able to say to him, you can do anything that you want to do in this world, I needed to be living that. Because I intuitively knew that kids do what they see rather than what you say." - Suzy Ashworth

"In business, it is your ability to take often proven pathways, but then superimpose yourself onto that pathway. That's the thing that enables you to stand out, be heard, and for people to have something to latch onto." - Suzy Ashworth

"I am so acutely aware that tomorrow is not guaranteed. And so many people move through their lives thinking that they're going to get tomorrow. It sounds like a cliche, but cliches are around because they are true." - Suzy Ashworth

"In order for me to fulfill my end of the bargain, I have to live my life. If I don't live my life, I'm stopping them from learning the lessons." - Suzy Ashworth

"For every single one of us, 99% of the time, the reason that we're not doing it is because we are afraid that we are going to fail. And in that failure, it's going to affect our mortality in some way." - Suzy Ashworth

Resources Mentioned

* Infinite Receiving (Suzy’s bestselling book)

* Hypnobirthing book

Where to Find Suzy

* Instagram: @Suzy_Ashworth

* Website: suzyashworth.com

* Upcoming masterclass: suzyashworth.com/unlocksixfigures

Ready to Build Your Own Sacred Business?

If Suzys story resonated with you, I invite you to join our Sacred Business Network. This is a community of heart-centered entrepreneurs committed to building businesses that honor their deepest truths while creating meaningful impact and income.

Thank you for being part of our Sacred Business Stories community. Your presence here matters.

What's Next

If you found value in this conversation, please consider sharing it with a friend who might benefit from hearing Suzy’s story. Together, we can inspire more people to build businesses that honor their unique gifts.

In yesterday's episode of Sacred Business Stories, we had the privilege of speaking with Rebecca Weston, a Camino de Santiago expert who has completed an astonishing 12 pilgrimages over the past 12 years. What began as a personal adventure in 2012 has evolved into a profound calling to help others experience this life-changing journey.

Rebecca's story reminds us that our deepest passions often become our most meaningful work when we follow the signs life presents us. With each Camino experience uniquely transformative yet built on the same foundation, Rebecca's journey offers powerful lessons about connection, authenticity, and embracing the unknown – principles that apply to both sacred pilgrimages and sacred business.

Show Notes

[00:00:00] - Introduction to the Camino de Santiago

* Rebecca explains that the Camino is a network of historic pilgrimage trails across Europe leading to Santiago de Compostela in northwestern Spain

* These routes have existed for over 1,200 years, originally with religious roots

* People walk for various durations: some for a week, others for five weeks, some even from their doorsteps in distant countries

[00:04:50] - Rebecca's Personal Journey with the Camino

* First heard about the Camino 25 years ago through Shirley MacLaine's book

* Completed her first Camino in 2012 during a self-imposed sabbatical

* Within days of her first experience, knew she wanted to return

* Found community in Asheville, NC with others who had walked the Camino

[00:09:50] - The Transformative Power of the Camino Experience

* Meeting people from all walks of life and countries you might never encounter otherwise

* The moving community of people on the same path with the same goal creates a unique environment

* Locals along the route offering extraordinary help and kindness to pilgrims

* Many walkers describe it as a model for how the world could function

[00:13:40] - Returning to Normal Life After the Camino

* The challenge of integrating the Camino experience back into daily life

* The importance of processing the journey afterward through community and writing

* Rebecca's advice: do tourist activities before the Camino, not after

* How the experience continues to impact your perspective long after returning home

[00:16:20] - Most Surprising Elements of the Camino Experience

* The variety of people and their generosity was unexpected

* The deep connections formed with people from different countries and backgrounds

* Experiencing humanity at its best - people helping one another despite differences

* How the Camino strips away societal divisions and reveals our common humanity

[00:20:30] - From Personal Journey to Business Evolution

* Rebecca's transition to guiding others began with helping a 70-year-old friend

* Desire to pay forward the help she received before her first Camino

* Recognized the need to show people there are many ways to do the Camino

* Focused on making the experience accessible to those who believed they couldn't do it

[00:27:00] - Facing Fear and Resistance in Business

* The importance of showing up consistently (posting weekly on Substack)

* Accepting that things will go wrong and learning to embrace uncertainty

* Teaching clients that the Camino requires flexibility and openness

* Using her own experiences to help others prepare for the unexpected

[00:41:40] - Lessons on Authentic Connection from the Camino

* Being authentic to who you are while remaining open to unexpected connections

* Finding common ground with people you might initially think you have nothing in common with

* The power of being fully present in interactions with others

* How the Camino naturally creates opportunities for meaningful human connection

Key Quotes from Rebecca

"If the world could function like the Camino functions, it would be an incredible place to live. And I still believe the world is an incredible place to live if we look for it and recognize how amazing it is. But on the Camino, it is just right there. It's real. It's physical." - Rebecca Weston

"A lot of people come on the Camino for some reason, whether it's something bigger like they just retired, they just graduated, they just lost a partner, they want a change in their life but aren't sure what." - Rebecca Weston

"Just showing up consistently over and over and over... just by committing to that, so much has opened up for me." - Rebecca Weston

"Things are going to go wrong. Not something terrible necessarily, but we can't control this experience completely. And so it's something now that I tell my clients and I teach in my classes, like you can do all the prep you want. But life throws things at you and you have to be able to kind of roll with that." - Rebecca Weston

"I feel like there's almost nothing more important we could be doing at this particular time in history... In this time where the media and just like this kind of disconnect we feel and the identities that are imposed upon us in so many different ways, it is extremely powerful when you can come together with people of all these differences and you're kind of united by this common bond or cause or shared intentions." - Rebecca Weston

Resources Mentioned

* Shirley MacLaine's book about her Camino experience (early 2000s)

* The American movie "The Way" with Martin Sheen

* The Camino Calls - Rebecca's weekly Substack newsletter

* thecaminocalls.com - Rebecca's website

Embrace Your Own Sacred Journey

This conversation reminds us that our most meaningful work often emerges naturally when we follow what lights us up. Rebecca didn't set out to build a business around the Camino – she simply followed her passion, served others, and allowed the path to unfold before her.

Whether you're considering a physical pilgrimage like the Camino or creating your own sacred business, remember that the journey itself transforms us. By embracing uncertainty, remaining open to unexpected connections, and staying true to what moves you, you create space for your unique path to reveal itself.

If you're feeling called to explore your own sacred business journey, join our Sacred Business Network where we support heart-centered entrepreneurs in building businesses aligned with their deepest truth. Learn more here.

Thank you for being part of our community!

P.S. Have you had a transformative travel experience that changed your perspective on life or business? We'd love to hear about it in the comments!

P.S. You can read all previous editions of the newsletter here, and you can upgrade your subscription here.

What’s next?

Carolina and I are ready to support you in creating a business that aligns with your heart's calling. Here's how we can help:

* Discover Your Sacred Business Alignment (Free): Take the Harmony Map Assessment and read our Sacred Business Manifesto to understand where you are on your path and how to move forward with clarity and confidence. Perfect for entrepreneurs wanting to understand how everything in their business connects.

* Read the Sacred Business Manifesto (Free): Learn the core principles of building a Sacred Business through our founding story and framework. See how we transformed our approach to business by understanding that everything is connected.

* Sacred Business Network: Connect with heart-centered entrepreneurs who understand that success comes from alignment. Monthly connection circles, community workshops, and ongoing support through our private community space. Get the encouragement and collaboration you need to grow.

* Join Our Next Implementation Challenges: Action-focused programs like the Sacred Business Planning Rituals Challenge and Substack Growth Challenge help you create real momentum in specific areas of your business. Free for Club members, discounted for Network members. Be sure you are subscribed to be notified when the next one is offered live.

* Sacred Growth Club: A complete support system with weekly embodiment classes, live coaching calls, writing circles, and expert workshops. Designed for entrepreneurs ready to build sustainable success through proven practices while staying connected to their purpose. Includes full access to the Network and all challenges.

* Be The Flow Coaching (1:1): Personal guidance combining strategic business planning with energy alignment work. Weekly coaching sessions plus full access to Sacred Growth Club benefits. Ideal for entrepreneurs seeking deep transformation and sustainable growth in their business.

Andrew Horn’s journey from an insecure kid in Maui to building an eight-figure tech company, only to transition into executive coaching, reveals a profound truth: our greatest failures often become our most powerful gifts. During our conversation on Sacred Business Stories, Andrew shared how mastering communication techniques wasn't enough—he had to discover that authenticity itself could be an act of service.

What struck me most was Andrew's story about breaking through his lifelong patterns at the Conscious Capitalism Summit. A simple interaction with a fellow entrepreneur named Megan became a "Matrix moment" that transformed not just how he communicates, but how he shows up in the world. This wasn't about learning new techniques—it was about embodying a different way of being.

Now, as someone Forbes calls "the Dale Carnegie for the digital age," Andrew helps other leaders navigate the deep work of authentic connection while building successful businesses. His insights on transforming our relationship with fear, understanding emotional patterns, and finding flow states offer a roadmap for anyone seeking to align their work with their deepest truth.

Show Notes

[00:03:00] - The Foundation: Why Connection Became Andrew's Obsession

* Bullied in Maui, struggled with social connection

* First moment of agency at 13: deciding to change by talking to girls despite fear

* Mother was 13-time published author in interpersonal dynamics

* Learned communication techniques but internal insecurity remained

[00:05:18] - The Matrix Moment: Authenticity as Service

* Attended Gestalt Awareness Practice workshop

* Three pillars: authenticity, curiosity, presence

* Breakthrough conversation with Megan (media entrepreneur)

* Realized his anxiety came from stories, not reality

[00:16:47] - The Career Pivot: From Tech CEO to Executive Coach

* Built Tribute.co to eight figures

* First coach Lauren Zander told him "you're a coach at heart"

* Needed two years to exit with integrity

* Discovered he was good at coaching from day one

[00:23:28] - The Power of Autotelic Activities

* Definition: activities done for their own sake

* Surfing as metaphor—exercise happens, but enjoyment is the point

* Flow states and peak performance

* Why doing what you want leads to better outcomes

[00:30:23] - Working with Fear and Upper Limits Patterns

* Scarcity mindset persisting despite financial success

* Upper limits work from Gay Hendricks

* No enemy in the mind or emotions

* Emotional inquiry and understanding positive intent

[00:40:06] - Breaking Childhood Patterns

* Breaking the Cycle exercise

* Childhood patterns from primary caregivers

* Carry Forward vs Break the Cycle lists

* Understanding negative love syndrome

Key Quotes

"When done consciously, my authenticity could be an implicit act of service." - Andrew Horn

"They all are doing what they're doing because they want to be doing it." - On what successful entrepreneurs have in common

"Any emotion that is presenting itself is there fundamentally because it is trying to serve us." - Andrew Horn

"There's no enemy in the mind. There's no enemy in the emotions." - Andrew Horn

"Context, what it is that we're feeling and thinking about the thing, is going to be much more important for improving performance than a new skill or technique." - Andrew Horn

Resources Mentioned

* Gestalt Awareness Practice (Esalen Institute)

* "The Big Leap" by Gay Hendricks (Upper Limits work)

* "Flow" by Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi (Flow states research)

* "The Work" by Byron Katie (Thought inquiry)

* Lauren Zander (Andrew's first coach, Handel Group)

* Hoffman Process (Childhood pattern work)

* Diana Chapman (Three tiers of integrity)

* Brian Franklin (Ecology of emotions)

Where to Find Andrew

* Substack: Relational Leadership

* Website: itsandrewhorne.com

* Retreats: Quarterly leadership retreats for men (entrepreneurs) in New York, Los Angeles, and Austin

Thank You

A huge thank you to Andrew for sharing his journey and wisdom with our community. And thank you to everyone who joined us live or is catching up with the recording,

Please Share

If you enjoyed this conversation, please consider sharing it with someone who might benefit from hearing Andrew’s perspective on building a business that truly supports what matters most in life.

What’s next?

Carolina and I are ready to support you in creating a business that aligns with your heart's calling. Here's how we can help:

* Discover Your Sacred Business Alignment (Free): Take the Harmony Map Assessment and read our Sacred Business Manifesto to understand where you are on your path and how to move forward with clarity and confidence. Perfect for entrepreneurs wanting to understand how everything in their business connects.

* Read the Sacred Business Manifesto (Free): Learn the core principles of building a Sacred Business through our founding story and framework. See how we transformed our approach to business by understanding that everything is connected.

* Sacred Business Network: Connect with heart-centered entrepreneurs who understand that success comes from alignment. Monthly connection circles, community workshops, and ongoing support through our private community space. Get the encouragement and collaboration you need to grow.

* Join Our Next Implementation Challenges: Action-focused programs like the Sacred Business Planning Rituals Challenge and Substack Growth Challenge help you create real momentum in specific areas of your business. Free for Club members, discounted for Network members. Be sure you are subscribed to be notified when the next one is offered live.

* Sacred Growth Club: A complete support system with weekly embodiment classes, live coaching calls, writing circles, and expert workshops. Designed for entrepreneurs ready to build sustainable success through proven practices while staying connected to their purpose. Includes full access to the Network and all challenges.

* Be The Flow Coaching (1:1): Personal guidance combining strategic business planning with energy alignment work. Weekly coaching sessions plus full access to Sacred Growth Club benefits. Ideal for entrepreneurs seeking deep transformation and sustainable growth in their business.

Ryan Levesque went from quitting his corporate job during the 2008 financial crisis to building and selling multiple multi-million dollar businesses. But his most profound transformation came when he decided to prioritize what truly mattered - family, connection, and living in alignment with his values. Now living on a 140-acre farm where his family grows their own food, Ryan shares how he built businesses around his life (not the other way around) and why the "unscalable" might be your greatest competitive advantage.

In this deeply personal conversation, Ryan reveals how he made major life pivots, developed the courage to take action despite fear, and why he believes the future belongs to entrepreneurs who focus on authentic connection over automation. If you've ever felt trapped by conventional business wisdom or wondered how to build a business that truly serves your vision of a well-lived life, this episode offers both practical wisdom and inspiring perspective.

Show Notes

[00:00:52] - The Unexpected Connection

* Phil reveals how Ryan's Ask Method became the foundation for his patient acquisition system

* This system eventually spawned an entire business serving other practice owners

* Ryan shares how finding solutions to your own problems can become opportunities to serve others

[00:06:52] - Ryan's Entrepreneurial Journey

* Left his financial firm job during the 2008 crisis with nothing but a suitcase

* Built his first business teaching people how to make Scrabble tile jewelry

* Expanded into multiple markets including Orchid Care and Memory Improvement

* Developed the Ask Method, a methodology for understanding market segments

* Helped companies achieve nine-figure exits using his methods

* Sold his own software company, Bucket.io, in 2024

[00:14:02] - Overcoming Fear and Taking Action

* Ryan explains why people hesitate to give up "good" to go after "great"

* Shares his "ramen noodle and bologna sandwich" season of life

* Reveals his neuroscience-based approach to overcoming fear

* Advocates breaking big goals into impossibly small steps

[00:22:27] - The $500 Growth Strategy

* How Ryan grew his business from zero to $25,000/month in 18 months

* The power of asking "How can I grow my income by $500 more?" each month

* Why small, manageable goals lead to exponential results

[00:25:56] - The Farm Life Transition

* Ryan's realization that he was burning out in his business

* Taking time off to work on a Vermont farm and discovering a new calling

* Selling his house in 14 days with no plan except a vision

* Building a sustainable farm life from scratch with no prior experience

[00:30:47] - Living with Purpose and Courage

* Ryan's perspective on raising children and making the most of limited time

* His life mantra: "Be curious, ask questions, seek truth"

* The importance of deep conviction loosely held

* Defining courage as taking action despite fear

[00:38:13] - The Return to Real Connection

* Ryan's realization that he hated his business and the "photocopy" voice it had created

* His decision to personally write all communications that bear his name

* The Digital Contrarian newsletter and focusing on "unscalable" authentic connection

* Why the best things in life don't scale

[00:46:12] - Creating a Business Around Life's Non-Negotiables

* Setting clear boundaries like no meetings before noon or on Fridays

* Making family dinner and children's events absolute priorities

* Understanding that every business has an optimum size

* Building a business that supports what's meaningful rather than the reverse

Key Quotes

"I believe there's no better bet than betting on yourself. There's no better investment that you can make than investing in yourself." - Ryan Levesque

"What is one step I can take toward that vision I've set for myself that is so small, it's literally impossible for me to fail?" - Ryan Levesque

"Courage is not about not being afraid. There are a lot of things that I'm afraid of. But what I've learned is that courage is what's required to take action in spite of that fear." - Ryan Levesque

"I believe the best things in life don't scale. And oftentimes when I'm asked, how do you make the time to write something every single week yourself? Well, I take great solace in that because I know that's not something that my competition is willing to do." - Ryan Levesque

"As entrepreneurs, we have the opportunity to build businesses that support what's most meaningful to us. And it should not be the other way around." - Ryan Levesque

Resources Mentioned

* The Digital Contrarian - Ryan's weekly newsletter on Substack

* Ask. Book - Ryan's methodology for market research and segmentation

* ScoreApp - The assessment software company that acquired Ryan's company Bucket

Thank You

A huge thank you to Ryan for sharing his journey and wisdom with our community. And thank you to everyone who joined us live or is catching up with the recording,

Please Share

If you enjoyed this conversation, please consider sharing it with someone who might benefit from hearing Ryan's perspective on building a business that truly supports what matters most in life.

P.S. You can read all previous editions of the newsletter here, and you can upgrade your subscription here.

What’s next?

Carolina and I are ready to support you in creating a business that aligns with your heart's calling. Here's how we can help:

* Discover Your Sacred Business Alignment (Free): Take the Harmony Map Assessment and read our Sacred Business Manifesto to understand where you are on your path and how to move forward with clarity and confidence. Perfect for entrepreneurs wanting to understand how everything in their business connects.

* Read the Sacred Business Manifesto (Free): Learn the core principles of building a Sacred Business through our founding story and framework. See how we transformed our approach to business by understanding that everything is connected.

* Sacred Business Network: Connect with heart-centered entrepreneurs who understand that success comes from alignment. Monthly connection circles, community workshops, and ongoing support through our private community space. Get the encouragement and collaboration you need to grow.

* Join Our Next Implementation Challenges: Action-focused programs like the Sacred Business Planning Rituals Challenge and Substack Growth Challenge help you create real momentum in specific areas of your business. Free for Club members, discounted for Network members. Be sure you are subscribed to be notified when the next one is offered live.

* Sacred Growth Club: A complete support system with weekly embodiment classes, live coaching calls, writing circles, and expert workshops. Designed for entrepreneurs ready to build sustainable success through proven practices while staying connected to their purpose. Includes full access to the Network and all challenges.

* Be The Flow Coaching (1:1): Personal guidance combining strategic business planning with energy alignment work. Weekly coaching sessions plus full access to Sacred Growth Club benefits. Ideal for entrepreneurs seeking deep transformation and sustainable growth in their business.