You can follow a recipe line by line, and it can still turn out wrong. Whether you’re baking a new bread recipe, putting together an Ikea Bed Frame or launching a brand new online course – things don’t always work out perfectly.

And that’s life.

I think it’s safe to say that we all know that feeling of disappointment when things don't go according to plan. 

You work so hard on something, put your heart and soul into it, and then it falls flat. 

It can be disheartening, but it's important to remember that these setbacks are a normal part of life. 

Every successful person has experienced their share of failures– including Sara Monika, a Wedding Photographer, Educator and Host of The Shine & Thrive Podcast.

The key is to learn from these experiences and use them to make you stronger and more resilient. This is something that Sara and I discuss at length inside of this podcast episode.

So if you want to hear from a Business Owner who has BEEN THROUGH IT ALL, you’re going to love this convo with my friend Sara Monika.

https://www.instagram.com/saramonikaphoto/

IN THIS EPISODE, WE CHAT ABOUT…

• Why did you decide to launch a podcast?
• What’s been the most rewarding part of creating & producing the show?
• Any unforeseen challenges?
• Can you recap how 2020 went for you, as a professional photographer who shoots mostly weddings & in-person events
• Right at the start of the pandemic, you launched your first online course, Outsourcing Made Easy for Wedding Photographers
• Walk us through your journey of building this course
• Why did you decide to take the plunge into the world of Online Course Creation
• It’s a huge undertaking to build an online course - how did you stay on task and stay accountable?
• Any tips for aspiring online course creators, now that you’ve gone through the experience
• Why did you start with in person sessions, was there a strategy here?
• First, what types of tasks did you start outsourcing years ago
• Have you always been confident in the investment required upfront to pay a V.A?
• What would you say to someone who is hesitant to outsource?
• You actually have data that prove that outsourcing saves you 100’s and 100’s of hours per year - would your business be where it is today without outsourcing?
• You had your VA take an SEO course (you paid her $7 / hour to take it), it sounds like you have an amazing VA! Where did you connect with them?
• Something that you’re a true master of is Showing up Authentically...
• You share stories of yourself dancing, shuffling, walking your dog - and sometimes you go deeper & talk about your struggles with binge eating or feeling unmotivated… Why do you pull the curtains back on your life so authentically?
• You mentioned in a podcast that you had mastered “being you” in your wedding photography business, but when it came to your role as an educator you felt like you were still looking to others in the industry to show you how to act or perform
• In what ways did you catch yourself not being authentic?
• It takes self awareness to catch yourself being someone you’re not and to address it. Do you have any tips or practices that allow you to reconnect with yourself?
• One thing I admire about you is that you won’t use Skin Smoothing Filters… is this in an effort to be authentic, too?
• Growth & The Future
• How much of your success do you attribute to showing up consistently & authentically, and how much do you attribute to being an expert of your craft
• What drives you each day? You are someone who is very self-motivated, being able to work from home & push the boundaries of success each year
• I know you’re constantly investing in yourself & in your business, so I am curious - what’s one thing you have invested in over the past 6 months that’s been worth every penny
• Where do you want to take this? Where do you want to go?

When the time is right, here are a few ways that we can work together…

• Email List: Steal the Tools, Templates & Frameworks that help me to run my 6-figure Online Business! Subscribe now >>
• Free Online Course for New Business Owners:Ready to start your Online Business? In just 5 days, you could have the entire business plan mapped out… Enroll free >>
• Private Business & Marketing Coaching: Over 200 clients can’t be wrong. Learn more >>

Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcast, or YouTube

Let’s connect on Instagram or find out more about Private Business Coaching on my Website

Thanks to our show sponsor, Healthy Planet Canada. Use code VISIONARY2022 at checkout to save 10% on any online order over $50