From -$1,000 in the Bank to a $7K Week: Surviving Entrepreneurship

Bad Day in Business? Listen to this..

🍸Cocktails & Close is officially on a waitlist! DM me @yourgirlmedia [https://www.instagram.com/yourgirlmedia/] to get on it  and be first to know when doors open. Having a bad day or a bad season  in business? This episode is your permission slip to feel it, plus real talk on pity days, community support, and why the rug-pull moments don't last forever. Business is a rollercoaster, and nobody talks enough about the days the rug gets pulled out from under you. In this episode, we slow down with a box-breathing exercise before getting into it — because before you can fix a bad day, you have to actually feel it. We talk about the power of the "pity day" (yes, junk TV and junk food included), why bulldozing past a bad feeling doesn't actually work, and what it really looks like to lean on a business community when a client drops, a bill hits, or a rough season stretches into months instead of days. Real stories included: losing two clients in two days during year one of business, moving back home to rebuild, and the people who opened their homes when things got hard. Plus: why comparison (hi, Threads and LinkedIn) makes a bad season so much worse, how EFT tapping can help you feel safe again, and the mantra that reframes everything — it's not "if," it's "when." The episode closes with two voice notes from Cocktails & Close community members — Rachel Perry and business coach Michelle — on why you should never quit on a bad day. Key Takeaways / Timestamps * [00:00] Why bad days are part of the business rollercoaster — and a box breathing reset to start grounded * [02:00] Give yourself a "pity day" — feeling the emotion instead of bulldozing past it * [04:00] Why a business-specific support system matters (not just your partner or friends) * [07:00] Reframe: you didn't sell your soul, you took the risk — some grace for the hard days * [08:00] The difference between a bad day and a rough patch that lasts months * [11:00] Getting off social media, EFT tapping, and finding safety in the present moment * [11:30] When it's time to pivot vs. when it's just a hard season (client episode linked below) * [12:30] A client's story: waking up $1,000 negative and getting out of it through community * [15:00] The mantra: "It's not if, it's when" — staying out of victim mode * [16:00] Nature as a reminder: seasons (and trees) grow slowly, and so does your business * [17:30] Closing voice notes from Cocktails & Close members Rachel Perry and Michelle Mentioned in This Episode * Cocktails & Close — Our community for service providers and coaches scaling their business. DM me @yourgirlmedia [https://www.instagram.com/yourgirlmedia/] to join the waitlist.  * Follow CC member, Rachel Perry — Instagram: @itsrachaelperry [https://www.instagram.com/itsrachaelperry/] * Follow CC member, Michelle Denio-  Instagram: @michelledenioconsulting [https://www.instagram.com/michelledenioconsulting/] * Check out the When to Pivot Your Business Episode [https://open.spotify.com/episode/2MLinpZlsp3EumaRO5CHsC?si=964f6a79f6174db6]on Clocked OUT  👉 Need a pick me up? Listen to Alex's Story [https://open.spotify.com/episode/4z1GnQziQi1PGi00G6dcI2?si=477f94571a104bf3]next episode  Work with me: www.yourgirlmedia.com [https://yourgirlmedia.com/] Follow on Instagram: @yourgirlmedia [https://www.instagram.com/yourgirlmedia] Want a Podcast Strategy Sesh to brainstorm your podcast? DM me at  @yourgirlmedia [https://www.instagram.com/yourgirlmedia]   Join the conversation: DM me your biggest biz question or what topic you want next on the pod!

From -$1,000 in the Bank to a $7K Week: Surviving Entrepreneurship

🍸Cocktails & Close is officially on a waitlist! DM me @yourgirlmedia [https://www.instagram.com/yourgirlmedia/] to get on it  and be first to know when doors open. Be honest... entrepreneurship isn't all sold-out launches, six-figure screenshots, and "I made $50K while I was on vacation" posts. Sometimes it's losing your biggest client. Sometimes it's opening your bank account and seeing negative $1,000. Sometimes your card gets declined trying to buy one grapefruit (yes... that actually happened). And somehow... you still have to wake up the next day and keep building. In today's episode, I'm sitting down with one of my favorite humans (and Cocktails & Close member), Alex DiMattia [https://www.instagram.com/scribbledsage/], to talk about the messy middle that almost nobody shares online. Alex opens up about going through emergency surgery, being bedridden for weeks, wondering if she should dissolve her LLC, and watching her business fall apart... before completely rebuilding it. I also get real about what's happening in my own business right now—from losing one of my biggest podcast clients to putting my California move on hold and navigating another season of uncertainty. This isn't an episode about "manifesting your dream life." It's about surviving the months where you're eating tuna, questioning every decision you've ever made, wondering if you're actually cut out for entrepreneurship... ...and choosing to keep going anyway. If you're in a hard season right now, this one's for you. In this episode, we talk about: * Why the "messy middle" is a normal part of building a business * Losing clients and dealing with inconsistent income * What it feels like when your business bank account hits negative * Alex's emergency surgery and how it impacted her business * The emotional side of entrepreneurship nobody talks about * Why asking for help can completely change your business * Building a creative business without burning yourself out * How community can literally save your business * The importance of systems instead of running your business entirely on vibes * Knowing when to pivot versus when to stay consistent * Why income is a lagging indicator (this one blew my mind) * Building emergency savings as an entrepreneur * Turning setbacks into new opportunities * How one Threads post turned into a successful online course * Why relationships are still your biggest business asset If you're looking for an incredible brand designer, illustrator, or website designer who truly gets entrepreneurs, Alex is your girl. Follow Alex DiMattia and Scribbled Sage: * Instagram: @scribbledsage [https://www.instagram.com/scribbledsage/] * Website: Scribbled Sage [https://scribbledsage.com/scribbled-sage-links?utm_source=ig&utm_medium=social&utm_content=link_in_bio&fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQPOTM2NjE5NzQzMzkyNDU5AAGn3J2CQ1XyYZQu-k96tgMCcQbRpQR5o6hwwxw3PtgMLeSi5GsxKVLwXGs2fXw_aem_wlL5iY4cO3BnKTKKMsC_3g] And if you've ever wanted to learn illustration (even if you think you can't draw), keep an eye out for her Shape Safari course relaunch! Work with me: www.yourgirlmedia.com [https://yourgirlmedia.com/] Follow on Instagram: @yourgirlmedia [https://www.instagram.com/yourgirlmedia] Want a Podcast Strategy Sesh to brainstorm your podcast? DM me at  @yourgirlmedia [https://www.instagram.com/yourgirlmedia]   Join the conversation: DM me your biggest biz question or what topic you want next on the pod!

Your CEO Glow-Up: Branding, Confidence & Charging More

🍸Cocktails & Close is officially on a waitlist! DM me @yourgirlmedia [https://www.instagram.com/yourgirlmedia/] to get on it  and be first to know when doors open. Have you ever looked around your business and thought… "I know I'm good at what I do... so why am I still charging these prices?" This conversation started as a chat about personal branding… but quickly turned into one of the most honest conversations I've ever had about money mindset, imposter syndrome, premium pricing, and becoming the CEO your business actually needs. Because here's the truth: You can have an incredible offer. You can be amazing at what you do. But if your positioning, branding, and confidence haven't caught up with the level you're trying to reach… you'll keep attracting the same clients, charging the same prices, and wondering why you're stuck. In this episode, I'm joined by branding strategist Jasmine from Red Bow House [https://www.instagram.com/theredbowhouse/] , and we dive into what it really takes to build a premium brand that attracts high-paying clients, stand out in a crowded market, and stop playing small in your business. We also get real about the identity shifts that happen when your business starts growing faster than your confidence—and why becoming the woman who can hold bigger success might be the most important business strategy of all. In this episode, we cover: * Why your personal brand should do more than just "look pretty" * The biggest branding mistakes keeping entrepreneurs stuck * How to attract premium, high-ticket clients through strategic branding * The difference between branding and positioning * Why your pricing often reflects your self-worth more than your skill level * Building trust through every customer touchpoint * Creating a premium brand experience that actually converts * The mindset shifts required to scale your business * Overcoming imposter syndrome as you grow * Why building a "brand world" is the next step for established business owners * How CEO identity impacts business growth * Why hiring before you feel ready can change everything * The surprising connection between confidence, branding, and revenue If you've been feeling like your business has outgrown the version of you that's currently running it… this episode is your permission slip to think bigger, charge more, and finally step into the authority you've already earned. Connect with Jasmine: Follow Jasmine on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/theredbowhouse/] Listen to her Podcast: Without a Brief  [https://open.spotify.com/show/7nrJsPipsdP61uJ8PgxmNv?si=9b07d866df6a4026] Work with me: www.yourgirlmedia.com [https://yourgirlmedia.com/] Follow on Instagram: @yourgirlmedia [https://www.instagram.com/yourgirlmedia] Want a Podcast Strategy Sesh to brainstorm your podcast? DM me at  @yourgirlmedia [https://www.instagram.com/yourgirlmedia]   Join the conversation: DM me your biggest biz question or what topic you want next on the pod!

June Business Lessons: Hire More, Brag More, Scale Smarter

🍸Cocktails & Close is officially on a waitlist! DM me @yourgirlmedia [https://www.instagram.com/yourgirlmedia/] to get on it  and be first to know when doors open. This month, my client Laura Haley [https://www.instagram.com/travelcontentwriting/] and I are unpacking the biggest business lessons we've learned over the last two months—from finally hiring support, raising prices, fixing our sales process, thinking about capacity instead of just revenue, and realizing that the "boring" work is actually what grows profitable businesses. We're talking about what it really looks like to scale without burning yourself out, why we've stopped chasing shiny objects, and the mindset shifts that completely changed how we're running our businesses. If you're an entrepreneur, service provider, coach, creator, or female founder trying to build a sustainable online business, this episode is going to feel like sitting in on one of our business mastermind conversations. And yes... somehow we also end up talking about ducks, birds living in air conditioners, buying cars, storefront mood boards, and why Glen might secretly be the greatest VA on the internet. In this episode, we chat about: * Why boring is profitable (even when we hate admitting it) * The lead tracker that immediately helped generate sales * Why successful businesses iterate instead of constantly creating new offers * Hiring before you're "ready" and learning how to actually use a Virtual Assistant * Building a business that runs on systems instead of hustle * The difference between growing your business and actually scaling it * Why protecting your time matters just as much as increasing your revenue * Treating your online business like a real storefront * How Instagram Stories are becoming our biggest sales tool * Selling through nurturing instead of cold pitching * Building workshops that convert at over a 70% rate * Pricing your services without emotional attachment * Why capacity should determine your pricing * Creating recurring revenue through memberships * Building a team instead of trying to do everything yourself * The exciting changes happening inside Cocktails & Clothes Resources & People Mentioned:  ✨ Michelle — Our business coach who continues to call us out in the best way possible. We reference her advice throughout this episode, including: Follow her on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/michelledenioconsulting/] ✨ Laura Haley Host of the Travel Creator Podcast  [https://open.spotify.com/show/29k8CvPIzku8KBkbnwWzQB?si=dcb1275cd27e4e5a]and email marketing strategist helping creators turn newsletters into revenue.  ✨ Glen Our incredible Virtual Assistant who we love!! Follow him on Instagram  [https://www.instagram.com/alyssalmoorhead/] Work with me: www.yourgirlmedia.com [https://yourgirlmedia.com/] Follow on Instagram: @yourgirlmedia [https://www.instagram.com/yourgirlmedia] Want a Podcast Strategy Sesh to brainstorm your podcast? DM me at  @yourgirlmedia [https://www.instagram.com/yourgirlmedia]   Join the conversation: DM me your biggest biz question or what topic you want next on the pod!

This Founder Closes $9,000 in Instagram DMs Without a Single Sales Call ( Here's How..)

This week, I'm handing the mic over to one of my incredible clients, Alyssa from The DM Sales Gal Podcast. And let me tell you—if you've ever dreamed of making sales from Instagram without living on Zoom, you're about to be obsessed. Alyssa breaks down exactly how she closed $9,000 in sales directly through Instagram DMs in just five weeks—with zero sales calls. No complicated funnels. No endless discovery calls. Just strategic content, intentional conversations, and a DM process that actually converts. If you've been wondering how to generate leads from Instagram, sell high-ticket offers without sales calls, and create a simpler sales process that doesn't drain your energy, this episode is for you. In This Episode We Talk About: * Why Alyssa stopped relying on sales calls altogether * The shocking reality of doing 70 sales calls and only closing a fraction of them * How she reclaimed her time and created a more scalable sales process * The exact offer she sold entirely through Instagram DMs * How to use Instagram Stories, carousels, and content as your sales page * The 5-step DM sales framework that helps prospects move toward a buying decision * Why people don't always need a sales call to buy from you * How to create low-touch, high-converting sales systems * The power of asynchronous selling for online business owners * How to qualify leads without wasting hours on Zoom The Biggest Takeaway Your content should be doing more of the selling for you. When your audience understands what you offer, who it's for, the results you create, and how to buy, sales conversations become dramatically easier. Alyssa proves that with the right content and DM strategy, you can close clients without constantly hopping on calls. Want more from Alyssa?  If you loved this episode, go follow Alyssa and binge her content: Follow her on Instagram: @alyssalmoorhead [https://www.instagram.com/alyssalmoorhead/] Listen to her Podcast: The DM Sales Gal Podcast [https://open.spotify.com/show/2BjZoEkMRwEOaEixjT9jhy?si=48e8685e12634078] Instagram DM Sales, Selling in the DMs, Instagram Lead Generation, Sales Without Sales Calls, High Ticket Sales, Instagram Marketing Strategy, Online Business Sales, DM Marketing, Lead Generation for Coaches, Social Media Sales Strategy, Instagram Stories Marketing, Sales Funnel Alternatives, Client Attraction, Female Entrepreneur Podcast, Online Business Growth, Lead Conversion Strategies, Asynchronous Selling, Digital Marketing for Entrepreneurs, Business Growth Strategies, Service-Based Business Marketing Work with me: www.yourgirlmedia.com [https://yourgirlmedia.com/] Follow on Instagram: @yourgirlmedia [https://www.instagram.com/yourgirlmedia] Want a Podcast Strategy Sesh to brainstorm your podcast? DM me at  @yourgirlmedia [https://www.instagram.com/yourgirlmedia]   Join the conversation: DM me your biggest biz question or what topic you want next on the pod!