These days you hear all kinds of stories about how people have turned their lives around through an online business. But it’s hard to tell what’s hype and what’s real. My guest today is Jessica Rodriguez and she’s got a story that as authentic as they get. She was $120,000 in debt and working multiple jobs when she started looking for little ways to make a little extra cash online. An extra $20 or $30 here and there was all she was looking for. But after a friend pointed out to her that she had a significant following online, she realized she could actually leverage that into a business. Sinc then, she’s shared her journey and her business experiences for the world to see, and the response has been amazing. On this episode, Jess shares her story and provides many helpful tips for creating unique products, building an email list the right way, overcoming challenges, and a whole lot more.
How can you figure out what you should sell and whether it’s worth it?
One of the most difficult parts of coming up with online business ideas, especially if you’re a beginner is figuring out what you have to offer that others would actually pay for. It’s one thing to have an idea, and quite another to have people beating down your door to purchase it. When I asked Jess what she does to determine if an idea she has is worth creating and selling, she said she never creates anything unless she has already had people asking her for it. She doesn’t trust her own sense of what people need, she lets them tell her. It’s an ingenious way to do market research that has enabled her to launch one successful course or product after another. You can hear the details of how she does it, in this episode.
Jessica shares how you can find your own unique secret sauce to offer to the world
With all the noise out there it’s hard to know whether you should add your own voice by starting an online business, or not. But one thing is for certain, if you do, you’ll have to offer something that is uniquely you. Jessica has done an amazing job at that, chronicling her journey from broke to successful for her fans to see and learn from, so I asked her how women entrepreneurs can find their own secret sauce – the thing that they do better or different than anyone else. She had some great tips to share that I know you’ll love. And as you hear how she discovered them for herself, you’ll see why I asked her to be my guest. She’s just the kind of honest, open, down-to-earth woman who I trust to give you advice, and she does well it on this episode.
Do you know what your most important tasks are for your business?
Once you start an online business there are so many things that will vie for your attention. You’ve got to be able to cut through the clutter and shiny objects to focus on the things that make the most difference. As Jessica shared her online business ideas for beginners on this episode, I asked her what the biggest challenges have been for her. She said it’s been staying focused on her most important tasks. Websites, graphics, blog posts – they’re all important, but the things that matter most are the things that move her business forward financially. You can hear how she made those kinds of decisions on this episode.
Being open about your story wins your audience over.
Perhaps the most endearing thing about the way Jessica has built her business is that she did it all out in the open. As she tried a new approach to building her online business she explained what she was doing and why she did it. Then, whether it succeeded or failed, she shared the results openly. She’s found that a transparent approach like that has endeared her audience to her. They know, like, and trust her because they have seen that she doesn’t hold anything back. When you can learn to be open about your story I’m confident you will find your followers are attracted to it in the same way.
Episode Highlights
- 1:46 – The true story of what happened to move Jessica out of $120K of debt and into helping other women accomplish amazing things as an “accidental entrepreneur.”
- 5:37 – Becoming a student of successful entrepreneurs and narrowing down her focus to the most important tasks
- 9:50 – Jessica’s definition of an online business, and why it matters
- 11:44 – How to find your own unique secret sauce
- 15:45 – Is there a way to figure out what you should sell and whether it’s worth it?
- 21:13 – The best way to differentiate yourself and make your best offer
- 24:25 – How to build a mailing list the right way
- 30:54 – The biggest challenges Jess has faced and what she’s learned
- 34:35 – How can you tell when a project or business has run its course and is done?
Resources Mentioned
- Jessica’s website: http://thedaydreamachiever.com
- MyFitnessPal App
1. Favorite book for women?
- Present Over Perfect by Shauna Niequist
2. Favorite self-care hack?
- Running or working out helps Jess get your thoughts out and get ready for the day.
3. Best piece of advice and who gave it to you?
- “Prosper where you are planted,” received at a conference.
4. Female CEO or thought leader you’re into right now?
- Jen Sincero, author of You Are A Badass At Making Money
5. One piece of advice you’d give your 5 years younger self?
- “Stop looking outside yourself for validation.”
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