Entrepreneurship is hard, yet rewarding but we need to talk about the hard stuff so you know you're not alone. In this conversation, Ruthie Sterrett and I talk about the hard things we've encountered that we didn't know was coming our way as an entrepreneur. From revenue changes to emotions, we share it all and we do it while we are both experiencing hard things. Instead of waiting until we were on the other side of it, we share while we're in the messy middle so you know you're not alone. In the end the reality is that things in life and in entrepreneurship don't get easier, but you get better at handling the hard things that come your way. You've got this and we hope this conversation is something you come back to anytime you need it. 

Takeaways:
Entrepreneurship often involves taking action and embracing uncertainty, even without having all the answers.
Making hard decisions, such as cutting expenses or ending coaching relationships, is necessary for the long-term success of the business.
Balancing business and personal life requires effective time management and the ability to compartmentalize different aspects of life. Finding work-life integration is more effective than striving for work-life balance.
Social media comparison can negatively impact mental health, so it's important to remember that everyone has their own struggles.
Taking time to feel and reflect on emotions is an important part of personal growth and learning.

Resources Mentioned: 
Ruthie's Website - https://www.theconsistencycorner.com/decide
Ruthie's Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/theconsistencycorner 
Amanda's Free Resources: https://www.amandamckinney.com/free
What's Your Productivity Personality (Free Quiz): https://www.amandamckinney.com/quiz
All podcast episodes: https://pod.link/1473751874
Amanda's Website: https://www.amandamckinney.com/
Amanda's Coaching Options: https://www.amandamckinney.com/coaching
Amanda's Book: https://www.amandamckinney.com/book

In this episode, Josh Haynam, co-founder of Interact, a quiz software company, shares openly about the rewards and challenges of entrepreneurship. Josh was on the podcast in 2020 and we talk about all that's changed at Interact including how they've built a team (with no investment), continued to focus on not just results for customers but also a culture of the team as it's grown and how "egolessness" was at the heart of it all. We talk about the iterative process of evolving a business, intrinsic motivation and the significance of cherishing the early days of business. Plus we talk about the new product interact has: InteractAI which allows you to create a quiz in under 2 minutes! 

Takeaways
Focus and continuous improvement are key to success in entrepreneurship.
Leaders should foster an egoless culture and guide their teams towards their goals.
Iterative processes are essential for implementing new technologies and improving products.
Intrinsic motivation and valuing internal growth are crucial for long-term success.
Cherishing the early days of iteration and being adaptable are important for building a strong foundation.
How you can build a quiz to grow your email list (and business) in under 2 minutes! 

Resources Mentioned: 
Create your free quiz: https://www.amandamckinney.com/interact 
Interact Website: https://tryinteract.com/ai 
Josh Haynam Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jhaynam/ 
Interact Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tryinteract/
Amanda's Free Resources: https://www.amandamckinney.com/free
All podcast episodes: https://pod.link/1473751874
Amanda's Website: https://www.amandamckinney.com/
Amanda's Coaching Options: https://www.amandamckinney.com/coaching
Amanda's Book: https://www.amandamckinney.com/book

In this episode, I share how the use of quizzes can help you grow your email list and business. We talk about why quizzes are more interactive, how they help you learn more about your audience and how they can help you grow your business. I share the 3 types of quizzes and then share a step-by-step process of creating a quiz in just 2 minutes using InteractAI. 

You can find all the details about this process and create your quiz in 2 minutes for free at amandamckinney.com/interact. 

Takeaways
Using quizzes can help grow your email list and attract new audiences.
Quizzes provide valuable insights into your audience and their needs.
There are different types of quizzes, including personality type quizzes, assessments, and scored quizzes.
Creating a quiz using Interact AI is a quick and easy process.
Quizzes can help nurture relationships with your audience and ultimately grow your business.

Resources Mentioned: 
Create your quiz for free: amandamckinney.com/interact
Amanda's Free Resources: https://www.amandamckinney.com/free
All podcast episodes: https://pod.link/1473751874
Amanda's Website: https://www.amandamckinney.com/
Amanda's Coaching Options: https://www.amandamckinney.com/coaching
Amanda's Book: https://www.amandamckinney.com/book

In this episode, Matt Gerlach shares his journey of stumbling into entrepreneurship and working with entrepreneurs in the baby product industry. He discusses the challenges and lessons he learned along the way, including the importance of self-care and setting boundaries. Matt emphasizes the need to trust the process and surrender to the unknown. He also highlights the significance of focusing on results and prioritizing actions that lead to success. Matt encourages entrepreneurs to avoid the trap of busyness and instead focus on what truly matters. Overall, his story serves as an inspiration for those navigating the ups and downs of entrepreneurship.

Takeaways
Stumbling into entrepreneurship can lead to unexpected opportunities and personal growth.
Starting a business during challenging economic times requires resilience and adaptability.
Believing in your worth and setting boundaries are essential for success in entrepreneurship.
Focusing on results and prioritizing actions that lead to success is more effective than being busy with non-essential tasks.

Resources Mentioned:
Website: mattgerlach.com
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matt-gerlach/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@iammattgerlach 
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iammattgerlach/ 
Amanda's Free Resources: https://www.amandamckinney.com/free
All podcast episodes: https://pod.link/1473751874
Amanda's Website: https://www.amandamckinney.com/
Amanda's Coaching Options: https://www.amandamckinney.com/coaching
Amanda's Book: https://www.amandamckinney.com/book

In this episode, I share my overview of the book 'Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us' by Daniel Pink. The book is focused on motivation and especially highlights the importance of intrinsic motivation as it relates to following through and staying focused on a specific outcome. As an entrepreneur, this content will help you understand how to set meaningful goals and continue to stay motivated through tough times. I also emphasize the concept of mastery and how you can apply this in your business to see longterm success and fulfillment. 

Takeaways:
Intrinsic motivation is more effective than extrinsic motivation.
The three components of intrinsic motivation are autonomy, mastery, and purpose.
Mastery is a mindset, a pain, and an asymptote.
Identifying what you want to master can help you stay focused in your business.
Setting goals with intrinsic motivation and assessing actions can lead to greater progress and fulfillment.
Staying motivated requires tapping into your intrinsic motivation and embracing the journey of mastery.

Resources: 
Drive by Daniel Pink -  https://bookshop.org/p/books/drive-the-surprising-truth-about-what-motivates-us-daniel-h-pink/587231?ean=9781594484803
Mindset by Carol Dweck - https://bookshop.org/p/books/mindset-the-new-psychology-of-success-carol-s-dweck/7841782?ean=9780345472328
Amanda's Free Resources: https://www.amandamckinney.com/free
All podcast episodes: https://pod.link/1473751874
Amanda's Website: https://www.amandamckinney.com/
Amanda's Coaching Options: https://www.amandamckinney.com/coaching
Amanda's Book: https://www.amandamckinney.com/book

In this episode, Amanda McKinney and Erika Lucas discuss the topic of knowing when to shut down a business. They emphasize the importance of listening to customers and being receptive to their feedback and also checking in with yourself to ensure the business is still connected to your values. They also discuss failure, adaptability and getting support from other entrepreneurs. The combination of understanding data (revenue, product-market fit, etc.) as well as your capacity and willingness to continue are the keys to understanding if it's time to shut your business down or address burnout. Throughout this conversation they both share personal examples and highlight that all entrepreneurs have moments of doubt so you're not alone if you're feeling this way. 

Takeaways:
Listen to your customers and be receptive to their feedback.
Failure is a natural part of the entrepreneurial journey and should not be attached to personal identity.
Adaptability is crucial for success in entrepreneurship.
Self-evaluation is important to determine if your business is still aligned with your values and goals.
Seek support and guidance from other entrepreneurs who have experienced similar challenges.

Resources Mentioned: 
StitchCrew: https://www.stitchcrew.com/
VESTHer: https://www.vesther.co/ 
VESTHer Podcast: https://www.vesther.co/podcast 
Erika's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/erika-lucas-51207911/
Erika's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/erika_lucas07/
Erika's Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@erika_lucas7?lang=en
Erika's Threads: https://www.threads.net/@erika_lucas07
Amanda's Free Resources: https://www.amandamckinney.com/free
All podcast episodes: https://pod.link/1473751874
Amanda's Website: https://www.amandamckinney.com/
Amanda's Coaching Options: https://www.amandamckinney.com/coaching
Amanda's Book: https://www.amandamckinney.com/book

In this episode, Erika Lucas shares her insights on the 5 mistakes that new entrepreneurs often make. As an investor who works with startups, growth phase and mature companies, she's seen it all and boils it down into 5 things to watch out for. All entrepreneurs fall into these traps but once you know what to look out for, you can prevent staying in them. Both Amanda and Erika share personal examples of each of the mistakes to ensure you don't feel like you're the only one navigating the tough times in entrepreneurship. 

*This conversation led to a part 2 that will be released in the next episode on this podcast. 

Takeaways
Avoid falling into the trap of focusing on vanity metrics instead of metrics that really matter
Spending money before making money is not a good option, you need organic growth first
Remember that there will always be challenges in entrepreneurship, no matter your level of success 
Detach your personal identity from professional roles and find your core values and purpose.
Be aware of the fear of missing out and prioritize activities that align with your goals and values.

Resources Mentioned: 
StitchCrew: https://www.stitchcrew.com/
VESTHer: https://www.vesther.co/ 
VESTHer Podcast: https://www.vesther.co/podcast 
Erika's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/erika-lucas-51207911/
Erika's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/erika_lucas07/
Erika's Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@erika_lucas7?lang=en
Erika's Threads: https://www.threads.net/@erika_lucas07
Amanda's Free Resources: https://www.amandamckinney.com/free
All podcast episodes: https://pod.link/1473751874
Amanda's Website: https://www.amandamckinney.com/
Amanda's Coaching Options: https://www.amandamckinney.com/coaching
Amanda's Book: https://www.amandamckinney.com/book

In this episode, I share what to do when it feels like nothing is working in your business because these times are tough when you're an entrepreneur and feel alone and like you're the only one dealing with the hard times. I share my approach that helps me and my clients navigate the tough times and come out stronger on the other side. I share my step-y-step process (which includes 7 questions to ask yourself) for assessing the stressful situation and creating a focused and intentional plan to move forward. All along the way we also check in with your mental health to ensure that you're taking care of yourself as well as your business. 

Takeaways
You are not alone in experiencing challenges in your business.
Entrepreneurship is inherently hard and will always have ups and downs.
Do not take setbacks personally; focus on your business rather than yourself.
Assess the situation by pausing, checking in with your mental health, and identifying points of stress.
Focus on what you can control and take intentional action.
Find accountability and support to stay focused and navigate tough seasons.
Remember the lessons learned from tough seasons for future growth.

Resources Mentioned: 
Free Follow Thru Workshop: https://www.amandamckinney.com/workshop
Blog Post: Questions To Check In With Your Mental Health: https://www.anandacounselingandwellness.com/blog/7-daily-questions-to-support-mental-health 
All podcast episodes: https://pod.link/1473751874
Amanda's Website: https://www.amandamckinney.com/
Amanda's Coaching Options: https://www.amandamckinney.com/coaching
Amanda's Book: https://www.amandamckinney.com/book

Feeling the stress of doing it all in your business? It can be overwhelming and while it seems like doing it all yourself is the best option, it might be time to let go a little. In this episode, my right-hand-lady, Jess Gulley-Ward, and I talk about how we approached working together so I could successfully hand things off to her and gain some of my time back as the CEO of my business. This honest, casual conversation includes: 

What led Amanda to (finally) outsource in my business 
Finding the right fit for outsourcing in your business 
Difference between Virtual Assistant and Online Business Manager 
How to start/test working with someone to ensure it's a good fit
Setting boundaries and celebrating progress 

Resources Mentioned: 
FREE Clarity Call with Jess: https://www.jugglinglogistics.com/amanda 
Jess's Website: https://www.jugglinglogistics.com/ 
Jess's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jess_juggles_logistics 
Free Follow-Thru Workshop: https://amandamckinney.com/workshop 
All podcast episodes: https://pod.link/1473751874
Amanda's Website: https://www.amandamckinney.com/
Amanda's Coaching Options: https://www.amandamckinney.com/coaching
Amanda's Book: https://www.amandamckinney.com/book

In this episode, I discuss how to get what you want this year. After conducting research from my audience I realized there are 3 main things everyone seems to want: Clarity, Calm and Profit. After analyzing the data, I realized that you're closer to these things than you think but you have to do one thing first...stop lying to yourself. I've identified 3 lies we tend to tell ourselves as entrepreneurs in the thick of things but if we stop lying about these, we will have the Clarity, Calm and Profit we desire. 

Clarity, calm, and profit are the key desires for success in 2024.
We often lie to ourselves about what we truly want, what we can realistically accomplish, and what's working in our business.
Slowing down, being honest with ourselves, and seeking support can help us overcome these lies and achieve our goals.
Focusing on one revenue source and one marketing channel can lead to increased profit and success.

Resources Mentioned:
Free Follow-Thru Workshop: https://amandamckinney.com/workshop 
All podcast episodes: https://pod.link/1473751874
Amanda's Website: https://www.amandamckinney.com/
Amanda's Coaching Options: https://www.amandamckinney.com/coaching
Amanda's Book: https://www.amandamckinney.com/book