I have tried this entrepreneur thing more than a few times in my life. Among the many tries, I’ve had a construction business, a beer tap cleaning business, and (most recently) a managed services IT company. My success ranged from being a technician that hung out his shingle--little more than a glorified employee--to shuttering the business because I couldn't pay my bills. So you can understand my hesitation to try again and this time with a rather esoteric service offering. I call myself an Insight Designer™: I teach organizations and SME's how to craft their training with Cognitive Neuroscience and Cognitive Psychology for maximum retention, learner insight and performance outcome.
I had clients, well, I should say I had one client, and I saw myself tripping down the same historic path--a technician that had hung out my shingle who was little more than an employee with none of the benefits. To have a business, a real business that transcended me, I had to do something different. I had to learn about business systems that produced an ongoing cycle of clients and sales. I had to learn about marketing. I don’t remember what exactly introduced me to Marisa’s Experience Product Master class, but I do remember it was more than a year ago. For a list of reasons that don’t bear mentioning I ended up enrolling in another online course. Some of it was good but most of it wasn’t . . . for all of the reasons that online course aren’t very good.
I suppose it is a testimony to the effectiveness of Marisa’s email marketing campaign because the second time was the charm. Because I am in the learning business, and because I am keenly aware how poorly online learning performs, I was very interested in seeing the “Experience Formula” in action. And because the EMP class focuses directly on a systematic marketing process, I decided to give an online course another try.
In the interest of full disclosure I didn’t hit Mission Accomplished or qualify for the guarantee. The guarantee helped my decision to click the enrollment mouse, but dare I say the guarantee is . . . well, a safety net for a failure mindset. I get it. Having failed enough myself I think a healthy understanding of personal weaknesses is the only way to figure out how to improve. But here is what I learned: the value proposition for the EMP course is so good that it’s worth every penny no matter if you make “2,000 or a whole lot more in 10 weeks or less.” Hands down, this is the best online course I’ve ever participated in and I’ve built some that are pretty good.
Simply put the Experience Product Master Class delivers on what it says it does: a fully systematic approach for business development, course creation, and marketing. Having participated I know I have the tools to transform myself from a “technician who hung out his shingle” to the entity Brainformative that will lead a lead a thinking revolution.
For years I had grand ideas about creating a product and online presence, but lacked the know-how, clarity and confidence to make the necessary progress. Technology was also something I avoided and so I had almost no online presence. I joined EPM and an enthusiastic community of others all keen to move forward in similar ways. Through simple guided action and community I've ended up with a clear idea for my product and ideas for more products too. I have a clear path of action and a clear product structure to move forward with.
After reaching out using the EPM 'chatterbox campaign' I am taking someone through my course now to test it in return for good feedback and even more technology, business and marketing tips. I am slowly starting to create an online presence which I have never had before. It is not as difficult as I thought! I have a number of people very interested in my product whern I am ready to launch it to a wider audience using technology! Now feeling optimistic and confident in my ability to do this very well!
I’m a Stress & Anxiety therapist based in the UK and I’ve been doing this for over 10years. But I was stressed out and anxious from going through a feast or famine cycle in my business. I worked as a College Counsellor and when redundancy was looming I up-skilled to CBT therapy. The whole point of upskilling to CBT therapy was to support me in self-employment during my old age! (I am on the wrong side of 50). But I soon realised it wasn’t going to make me a millionairess any time soon.
Self employment has been tough …thank God for a supportive partner who has always encouraged me to keep going. Without blowing my own trumpet – I’m good at what I do and get great results. But It’s been a case of feast or famine despite my previous business know-how from the music business. This is my second attempt at launching an online course. I did so late 2016 with Emotional Skills Training for Men ..but failed! So I was extremely wary of spending a whole heap of money, and failing miserably again.
I watched Marisa’s course for over a year, and even witnessed the famous Marisa-gate disastrous webinar she talks about. But this didn’t put me off her, it simply made her more human (especially the email which made me warm to her). The EPM Program was the best decision I made at the end of 2018. Despite having had a bereavement (my son passed away in the Summer), I was ready to get back into the world and kick some ass! The EPM ideas are sensible modern day business practices. They are compelling, delivered slowly to avoid overwhelm, with lots of supportive info. And with the 3 professional touch points during the week and great coaches it was a no-brainer (value for money).
I always thought learning online should be waaaay much more fun and definitely a memorable experience – and this was. Despite not reaching mission accomplished with my “Stop Feeling Stressed Out” program, I am confident that I can do this successfully …perhaps with more input from the team Marisa and the amazing friends for life I've made on this journey (you know who you are!)
3 years ago I created a combined online one on one coaching program that went nowhere. The people that signed up for it never completed it. It was so frustrating that I just dropped the project after investing thousands and thousands of dollars in something that nobody wanted to complete. What I learned here at EPM was that what I created wasn't a complete waste of time and money. In fact it is possible to take what I have created, revamp it and put it back out in the world using the EPM model.
My biggest result is that this program has given me the clarity and the confidence to know that I can deliver this product successfully. As I make the necessary changes to my offering, based on what I have learned here at EPM, I look forward to launching my amazing program to the financial services and business world very soon.
While I didn't make Mission Accomplished by the deadline. I have learned a lot, especially by actually following the instructions and doing the launch. While the hard work, crazy working hours creativity and resourcefulness are mine, I owe a lot to the program, especially for the coaching. I now have the confidence that I WILL have a successful 1:many programs soon. I am finally comfortable that I can and will succeed in doing this. I had to actually do a launch to get to understand the process and also get a sense of how I can make it work for me. Not only is EPM an Experience Program, but it is also experiential learning by doing.
Doing the launch also made me ready to accept doing a 1:few program for this launch and to be ready to postpone the start date to make that happen. I don't have to say why; it doesn't have to look like a failure any more than my offering a Scholarship to my own program to those who need it does. I also realize that I can do other launches for the same program over different timeframes, with different amounts of coaching to make it less expensive.
I can record both the long and shorter versions and sell them along with a reduced amount of coaching for much less to appeal to those without money. I can revise my message and advertising plan and figure out how to appeal to those with fibromyalgia with discretionary money. That might require a Premium LinkedIn account and joining lots of groups. I need to hunt where the clients are. So, I think my next offering of the extended version will be a combination of Facebook and LinkedIn. I can also package and market an Exclusive Private Package and even a Fibro Retreat
The failure to make mission accomplished by the deadline has inspired me to make alternate program lengths and record the live delivery. Then, I can offer a variety of recorded options with different amounts of my "live" coaching and different price points to serve the needs of the market and to help the largest number of women with fibromyalgia possible, having much more Impact.
This core program can serve multiple markets with multiple options, all part of the Signature System and worthy of the original logo as part of their branding. This multiple options plan will become part of my Signature System which has lots more potential for modification. I'll market it to suit people with other chronic pain and fatigue illnesses. Then, another version can help entrepreneurs with chronic illnesses to improve both their business and their lives. It can take off on another branch to serve people with chronic illness to start a business. It can be repackaged again to serve people wounded in early childhood who now have developed illnesses and disabilities, also people like me.
I see practically unlimited potential for growth by keeping my core program and my core message, just modifying it for different audiences and that excites me. I have lots of management and team building experience to bring to a scalable business that employs other-abled creatives and salesforce.
My launch's failure to reach Mission Accomplished has uncovered details of my future successful and scalable business. I will keep working to build my followers and to build a list and gain lots of social as I progress though stages of growth. I see lots of travel to any place, other than the US , in my near future, then back to Hawaii as a welcome visitor.
See you at your Live Event after June 15, 2023 as a very successful businesswoman, over 70, with a really great story to tell and a successful book that tells it. Christine Rosas
Before I felt like I gauged business success solely in dollars. If I didn't reach my financial goal, I questioned if I was even capable of being a business owner. I'll be honest, I didn't reach Mission Accomplished with EPM. Yet, I believed I reached something bigger: the confidence to share my voice, my way. No matter what challenges may appear in my business journey, I now know my voice matters, and I'm gonna share it.
Marissa and her team helped me to realize that fear, anxiety and everyday life stresses happened to all business owners. And these are not a sign that I'm not capable in owning a successful online business. During EPM, I had end of school year for my kids, the Christmas holidays, traveling overseas with my family to visit family, and coming back jetlagged and having to get ready for the next school year. But I kept going. And I made an Experience Product and marketing materials I'm proud of. Now, I am the embodiment of Thomas Edison's quotes: "I have not failed. I've just found 10,000 ways that won't work." However, I know with having the knowledge from EPM, it won't take me 10,000 tries. ;-)
What is your biggest takeaway from EPM?
I found confidence in sharing my true voice, and not the voice I am "supposed to have."
How did EPM help you become successful?
I kept going, even though the worry, doubt, and fear was so strong at times through the process.
How has EPM and your success impacted your life?
I realized I want to share my message more than anything. Even though I didn't sell anything, I have the confidence to see marketing as testing. I didn't get so wrapped up in the "failure."
What has been the biggest change in your business?
Before I felt like I gauged business success solely in dollars. If I didn't reach my financial goal, I questioned if I was even capable of being a business owner. Now I am the embodiment of Thomas Edison's quotes: "I have not failed. I've just found 10,000 ways that won't work." However, I know with having the knowledge from EPM, it won't take me 10,000 tries. ????
What are you most excited about moving forward with your Experience Product?
The heavy lifting is done! I have a solid course foundation. Now, it's all about finding the right people to join!
I was having a problem creating a new package name since I was coaching one on one. So I joined EPM to get better clarity and to show me how and why to choose a product to create and market. In less than 30 minutes on our first call did I realize I was in a graduate level type program. It was fun, well organized but taught me what I was looking for. I feel good about the product I created, based on my professional experience and what people need after survey feedback. "Shy In Sales No More".
I am thrilled to help women in business overcome this obstacle through the experience I have created for them. When I started in sales I was so nervous I didn't know how I would break through...but I did and can share with many how to do the same thing. Quicker, more efficient while having some fun.
What is your biggest takeaway from EPM?
My biggest takeaway is that when you run a race and have amazing coaching staff sometimes you jog, walk and sprint. Marisa holds an integrity container to make sure you can accomplish as long as you do your part too. It is possible to achieve!
How did EPM help you become successful?
EPM helped me by giving small assignments then turning them towards the big picture. The step by step with support makes a huge difference. As entrepreneurs we can get lost in the details.
How has EPM and your success impacted your life?
Ah, impact on my life. Well, when you do things that are new your mind shuts off as a safety measure and says, "no". EPM dragged me through with a mindset to counter the resistance. Allowed me to say, it is ok to change direction. Iterate your way to what will work and make sense. Ultimately, Feels good.
What has been the biggest change in your business?
The biggest change is I feel positive, there is momentum and engagement with prospects. Soon the effort will turn into clients. AWESOME!
What are you most excited about moving forward with your Experience Product?
I look forward to going through the first full cycle and tweak and launch again. Then add more offerings to it.
What is your biggest takeaway from EPM?
My biggest takeaway from EPM is affirming how my fear of being successful, which in itself is a real challenge, largely exists in my own mind and that I can absolutely break this mindset and way of thinking by the shear mantra I continually heard throughout this program -- I can iterate my way to awesome. The past 10 weeks have been so revealing for me in that I quietly took steps to work the program and the milestones and as we got closer to the 2 week break in Christmas, I lost my moment and my fear of getting closer to potential success increased.
Fortunately, I found so much AFFIRMATION in the messaging that is offered in everything EPM offers. The "iterating" and Earn While You Learn" mantra has literally been a life saver for me and my mindset and self-identity. I know I have all I need to make the magic happen and although I have not sold a VIP (or future 1:Few program yet), I have envisioned myself doing it in my mind and had several chatterbox conversations where I felt myself doing it in the moment. This is my biggest learning because it has been a pattern in my life and largely what has kept in the same job for the past 8 years -- and which will change in 2019!!
How did EPM help you become successful?
EPM has helped me in two ways that for me are signs of success. The first is it has afforded me the courage to hold myself accountable to a decision to quit my job of 8 years this Spring and become a full-time independent coach and consultant. This is a success for me because it means I am finally embracing my own value and worth in a way that is overdue. Second, it has helped me recognize that I have all of the ingredients in me coupled with the tools and wisdom of EPM to actually sell my skills and talents for a price that I never thought would be possible.
During my chatterbox campaign, I spoke with a former client of mine who I coached for 6 months 1:1 to help him reach his mission accomplished. When I shared my idea about my product and offer and the price, not only did he tell me he would pay it but said that once its ready, he would be happy to refer other executives that he knows to me and will give me a testimonial for my website. I realize this has not happened yet, but I believe and know that I can happen -- it does not seem like a mountain I can never climb or get around to reach my goal.
How has EPM and your success impacted your life?
Not only has the clear messaging been helpful in helping me to shift my mindset but it has given me throughout structure that I can use and follow as I create products of my own for the first time in a way that I believe will set me apart from my competition. I was and continue to be excited about how I can be more creative, curious and thoughtful in designing a 1:1 or 1:Few coaching experience for my clients utilizing the Experience Product Formula. Based on what I have created thus far, and will clearly by iterating, my anxiety levels around this have shifted as I allow my thoughts and ideas to flow more naturally.
I have an example of how I have seen my success in learning the EPM Experience Product formula has impacted my way of seeing new opportunities in myself and in my work like never before. In short, a woman friend and I are in the process of designing a 4 hour workshop. We are expanding on a 2.5 hour workshop we designed and led last fall. We met just after new year to begin brainstorming our ideas, I found myself making suggestions that mirrored much of what I have been learning over the past 10 weeks and was amazed at how much I was retaining in my head and soul. This is huge for me given how much I was feeling unsure about my own understanding and wisdom gained in the course and the fact I could see I would not reach Mission Accomplished by Feb 5th. It means I will reach MA in the timeline that allows me the opportunity to see a true success (e.g. selling even 1 of my programs to one person).
What has been the biggest change in your business?
Well, I have not yet seen a change financially namely because I have not started the marketing my product in a timely manner. The biggest change for me is that I am committing to spending more time on my business beginning in April. Shifting from 5-7 hours every week to 20-25 hours. If I can build the business in 12 months that I hope to build, I will shift to 35 hours per week by 2020. My biggest opportunity is to instill the habit of working on my business everyday to be successful in reaching these goals.
What are you most excited about moving forward with your Experience Product?
I am most excited that I am not giving up and will be coming to M2M Live next week to make sure I don't!! I am committing to myself without having much evidence of having made a sale yet. I know I can sell however since I have private clients right now in addition to a full-time job. I never knew that I could be more creative and design my own programs that feel more like a true expression of myself and that I can not only earn while I learn but that I have the potential to earn 6-figures (like I once did), working hard being of service to others but with an even deeper sense of purpose and clarity about allowing myself to build and cultivate my own greatness. I have a lot of work ahead and am grateful to be challenged by it.
What is your biggest takeaway from EPM?
There is so much more to creating a successful online business than I thought
How did EPM help you become successful?
I believe I will have a strong direction and impact in my niche
How has EPM and your success impacted your life?
I have clear focus I’m excited and feel like I know exactly what to do
What has been the biggest change in your business?
I believe I can do it now, instead of letting more years pass before I launch
What are you most excited about moving forward with your Experience Product?
That I can do it over and over and get better and better
I defined success as getting to Mission Accomplished and making $2000 or more in 10 weeks or less. So, by that definition I did not become successful. Unfortunately, I got no sales and didn't make any money.
But, I completed the program. How? By staying focused, taking action, asking questions, getting encouragement and following the advice from my coach. Looks as though I have a lot of iterating to do before I have an awesome product.
What is your biggest takeaway from EPM?
Sometimes even the best plan and consistent action don't get you to Mission Accomplished.
How did EPM help you become successful?
Hmm, I defined success as getting to Mission Accomplished and making $2000 or more in 10 weeks or less. So by that definition I did not become successful. But, I completed the program. How? by staying focused, taking action, asking questions, getting encouragement and following the advice from my coach.
How has EPM and your success impacted your life?
I never worked so hard in such a short amount of time for so little financial reward. It has been an extremely tough time. I will see how I can pivot and start at the beginning.
What has been the biggest change in your business?
When I first started the business I was making $500-$1500 per in-home decorating plan. And, now I've made $0. The biggest change is that my income has gone backwards!
What are you most excited about moving forward with your Experience Product?
I'm most excited about reviewing the videos to see if I can figure out how I can pivot and generate income.
I was looking for a new direction for my business. Working with the same customer for 20 years, it was time to let others know about what I do and why.
EPM helped me to learn how to tell my story better, make an offering, and follow up with potential customers. I'm thankful for the learning and next need to better understand how best to apply what is offered in EPM.
What is your biggest takeaway from EPM?
This is a B:C program, and my business is B:B
How did EPM help you become successful?
EPM helped me to understand that action is the key to success.
How has EPM and your success impacted your life?
EPM has taken a big chunk of my time. I have seen many good ideas, and I'm trying to sort out which apply to me and which don't. Met some nice people.
What has been the biggest change in your business?
Biggest change for my business is that I have more conversations underway and trying to determine how to prioritize.
What are you most excited about moving forward with your Experience Product?
Most excited about getting responses from the people I've engaged to see if I can finally get the payoff for the work I've put in.