The Experienced Entrepreneur

Here's the truth: your experience — the years you've put in, the pivots you've made, the resilience you've built — all of that together makes up your edge.

In this episode, I talk about why seasoned entrepreneurs have something no quick-fix hack or brand-new trend can give: perspective. We've lived through cycles. We've survived launches that flopped and offers that soared. We know what it means to weather uncertainty. That lived experience is what sets you apart.

If you've ever looked around online and felt like the advice you're seeing is aimed at beginners — and left you wondering if your years of work even matter anymore — let this episode affirm what you already know deep down: you're not behind. You're not irrelevant. You're experienced. And that's the most valuable asset you bring into this next chapter of business.

I'll also share stories from my own journey — from my first coaching program in 2014, through Side Hustle Support Group, into Vital, and beyond — and how each season added a layer of wisdom I couldn't have fast-tracked.

This conversation is about shifting the narrative. Experience isn't a liability. It's your superpower.

Tune in for encouragement, clarity, and a reminder that you already have what it takes to keep building something steady, sustainable, and deeply fulfilling.

Maybe you pivoted. Maybe you paused. Maybe you powered through because you didn't know what else to do.

If you've been in business for more than a few years, you know exactly what the entrepreneurial rollercoaster feels like. There are highs that feel euphoric and lows that leave you questioning everything. And the last few years — with the COVID boom and bust — amplified that rollercoaster for so many of us.

In this episode, I unpack the three paths most entrepreneurs take when things get wobbly: pivoting, pausing, or powering through. I'll share the pros and cons of each, how to know which one might be right for you right now, and why none of them are wrong. Pivoting shows you're flexible. Pausing shows you're wise enough to rest. Powering through shows you're resilient.

The key is recognizing that these seasons don't mean you're failing — they mean you're experienced. And once you reframe the rollercoaster years as part of the natural cycle of business, you stop second-guessing yourself and start feeling steadier, no matter what season you're in.

If you've been beating yourself up for not "having it all together," this episode will feel like a deep breath. You'll leave with language for your current season, perspective on why it matters, and clarity on what's next.

Tune in to learn how to reframe the rollercoaster years and steady yourself for the long game.

Feeling overwhelmed by life's emotional rollercoaster while in the trenches of launching or growing your side hustle? In this Side Hustle Support Group spotlight episode, I'm interviewing Joyce Agne about her rewilding methods and her experience inside the Side Hustle Support Group program.

Learn more about Side Hustle Support Group and apply here: https://marissalawton.com/side-hustle

How do emotions and side hustles mix? In this Side Hustle Spotlight episode, I'm interviewing, Joanne Kim who built a side hustle around helping people transform emotional challenges into strengths.

Learn more about Side Hustle Support Group and apply here: https://marissalawton.com/side-hustle

Feeling stuck with your side hustle? Tune in as Kristin Tand from "In the Kitchen with Kristin" shares her journey, struggles, and triumphs in this Side Hustle Support Group spotlight episode.

Learn more about Side Hustle Support Group and apply here: https://marissalawton.com/side-hustle

Feel overwhelmed balancing a side hustle with life's ups and downs? Tune into this Side Hustle Support Group Spotlight Episode, where Edla Prevette shares her journey of building a side hustle while supporting aging parents and personal responsibilities.

Learn more about Side Hustle Support Group and apply here: https://marissalawton.com/side-hustle

Vanity metrics. Have you heard that term before?

Sometimes it can be hard to know which numbers we should be focused on growing because they have an impact on our bottoms lines and which ones are just distractions.

In my latest Empire Rising episode, we'll set the record straight on vanity metrics and get you looking at the RIGHT data.

If you want more resources and show notes, check out http://marissalawton.com/podcast

"But I don't have an audience" — can you relate? 🤔 If you've been letting a smaller audience hold you back from building a side hustle, it's time to shift your perspective. The truth is you don't need a large audience to have a fulfilling and lucrative online business. To avoid falling into the follower count trap, listen to the latest podcast episode and I'll explain everything, including how you can tap into your small audience effectively. If you want more resources and show notes, check out http://marissalawton.com/podcast

Don't let the idea of needing a BIG audience keep you from getting started building one. If you're always working towards the next big number, you might be neglecting the process of building relationships with your current audience. This is your reminder that every person in your audience is just that: a person. They're not just a number, right? They have real hopes, real fears, real problems and real dreams. You have the great opportunity to make a positive impact in their lives. If you focus on service over accumulation, you can make a great impact AND a great income with just a few people on your list. Learn how a smaller audience can actually be better than a big one in the latest podcast episode.

Building an audience doesn't happen overnight. It's a process, right? What if I told you this process may not be as difficult as you think? Yes, you may have to overcome some mental hurdles to show up consistently. But if you can follow some basic guidelines, the process becomes so much more simple and easy. It's about learning to work the process AND trust the process. Find out more on how a shift in mindset can help you increase your audience. If you want more resources and show notes, check out http://marissalawton.com/podcast