"What I have learned from the journey is more powerful than the $2000 goal. ""One way to describe my graduation story or experience with EPM is to compare myself to Dorothy landing in the magical place of The Land of Oz where Marisa is a more badass version of the Wizard of Oz (definitely not the humbug, grouchy character we see in the movie). Every time I listen to her, I find myself gleaning information. She is wise as a wizard and has a magical quality that comes from her being true to her authentic self and she gives us permission to be the same. Marisa is rare soul and offers inspiration in many forms. Her work is saturated with her enthusiasm and passion, which are contagious.
When I signed up for EPM, I had just started my journey to create my business. My knowledge was very limited in the realm of entrepreneurship or course creation, so the cyclone that landed me in the Land of Oz or for me EPM left me both shocked and in awe. During the entire time of working on the program, Marisa did this beautiful act of pulling back the curtain and sharing her wisdom and insights, even teaching us about the trial-and-error part of experimenting to make things better. In the end, she gives us the gift of becoming wizards ourselves.
The modules, trainings, and videos were like the bricks of the yellow brick road that were carefully placed, so I could follow them one step at a time to reach my destination. I met so many companions that helped me along the way: my coaching team, the Facebook Community, all the coaches helping everyone in the Facebook group, Emily Fontes and Mathew Turton, Murray, and Marisa. I can’t forget to mention all the hiding munchkins doing stuff behind the scenes to keep this program running smoothly.
My coach, Coach Sean, had the special role of being like Glinda the Good Witch. He was the calm and collected voice that would listen to all our troubles and offer us guidance. One way Coach Sean offered wisdom was with quotes. Once, he shared Kahlil Gibran’s inspirational story about the pearl. Coach Sean explained things may feel uncomfortable or even painful while we are on our journey in EPM. He added all of the uncomfortable/painful parts are leading to us the beautiful pearl (our EPM product). He ended by emphasizing the world needs our pearl. Some painful experiences did come up as I was creating my product. My story—just like the Wizard of Oz—was not one of just ruby slippers and rainbows. I had my own obstacles—angry apple trees, enticing poppy fields, and flying monkeys—all forces trying to interfere and stop me from reaching my destination. I ended up relying on replays and still have so much more to catch up on. The metaphor of our product being a pearl ended up being my magical ruby slippers.
I am like Dorothy at the ending because I hit the graduation button and not the mission accomplished button. I do feel like my hot air balloon departed without me. I did not hit my mission accomplished, but it is okay because the lesson ended up more impactful by not making it to my destination. What I have learned from the journey is more powerful than the $2000 goal. You can’t put a price on the information and experiences I gained. I will get where I need to when the time is right because I have learned so much and still have so much to learn from this beautiful program.
Unlike the Wizard of Oz, I get to keep souvenirs—all the wisdom in the form of videos and words written in the Facebook group, this community Marisia brought together, and Murray’s beautiful gift to the world of course creation known as Xperiencify. I will hold these souvenirs close to my heart. I feel so incredibly blessed. I am stronger for traveling through the beautiful and unpredictable land know as EPM.
I was just like Dorothy who gained what she needed on her journey, I have gained so much knowledge (The Scarecrow), the courage to be true to myself and show up for my tribe in ways I never thought possible (The Cowardly Lion), and to have more heart (Tin Man). I say more heart because the work I did in this program opened me to think deeply about my message and my purpose. EPM taught me just like The Wizard of Oz teaches: you can achieve what you want and the power has been right inside you the entire time. EPM has left me ready to put on my wizard hat and deliver my pearl to the world.
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What is your biggest takeaway from EPM?
It is so hard to narrow down to one big thing that I took away from this course. The material has so many diamonds within it. If I had to choose a big takeaway, it is how to make sure you are not creating a product that no one needs, and I learned that we do that by listening to the voice of our audience. Before starting this course, I seriously thought I must have a complete product before selling it, but I learned how wrong that can be. Thank you for sharing your trial-and-error for me to learn from your experience!
How did EPM help you become successful?
About 5 months ago, I had begun my journey as an entrepreneur, and I was new to everything. I didn’t know what resources were available, but I had a deep desire to make sure my tribes had a meaningful experience. From my time as an educator, I knew engagement was key, and EPM gave me insight on how to ensure engagement and success. EPM not only gave me what I was looking for in knowledge, but it helped me with answers I didn’t know I should be asking. I am grateful for having taken the program! I cannot imagine how much time, effort, trial-and-error, and money that EPM must have saved me through their help.
How has EPM and your success impacted your life?
EPM transformed me as a person and as an entrepreneur. I will try my best to explain. Simon Sinek in his book First Start with Why mentions his concept of the Golden Circle, which provides a framework for success. His book highlights that we must first answer “Why?” before the “How?” and “What?” can be answered. In a similar manner, EPM allowed me to experience what it was like to be a student of an experience product. Marisa and her team showed me the how to do it. I gained a deep understanding of inner workings of how to make my course so much more than a course. Most importantly, I learned why Marisa packaged her course the way she did. In short, I got to see both perspectives of student and teacher, and the lessons helped me become a better person to help my audience achieve their mission impossible. Lessons like those are hard to place a price on!
What has been the biggest change in your business?
The biggest change has been with my mindset. Getting in my own way, letting my worries win, and being a perfectionist have been my three biggest challenges, but I have learned from this course progress always wins over perfection. I know I will have a completed product because it will imperfectly be the way it is meant to be, and it will get done.
What is now possible for you because of your Experience Product?
Anything is possible for me. I may not have yet earned back the money I used in this course, but I know you have given me the keys to success and opportunity. I have no doubt I will make that money back because you gave us an invaluable wealth of knowledge (well worth more than the amount that I paid for). Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.