Your GRADUATION Story
I was thrashing about trying to find a niche that truly fit my values, my skills, and what I want to contribute to the world. I was truly feeling lost because, without the passion of knowing I was making a difference, I just didn't have the confidence that would make others believe and want to join me. But I had been supposed " in business" for almost 3 years already and was embarrassed that I had really not launched. Almost. Had one client per pivot but I was really feeling like a total loser! I can only imagine what observers would be thinking and I didn't like it!
I joined EPM and with the thought-provoking and relentless progression (in a good way!) of milestones and challenges and the thought-provoking coaching, I was able to niche down and focus with laser clarity on what I needed to do. It was after digging around in my heart, my head, and my gut, and finding all the pieces - like niche, micro-niche, audience, and mission statements that I was able to be articulate and on fire with my vision for what I needed to accomplish in the world!
EPM helped me by giving a well-orchestrated structure, to build a strong foundation for my course and then once that was solid, the modules and content flowed.
It was a huge challenge for me to overcome the "I don't want to go on FaceBook" phobia. I have no problem chatter boxing with live humans I meet and people I know but the online unknowns made me uncomfortable. But I had by then completed a beta launch and was getting a great response so I took the bait in a challenge from Coach Emily and posted that I had a secret. Wow. I had a filled-up program in about 20 minutes! Real paying clients!
Suddenly I am running a paid program. My confidence is high. My focus is clear and I truly feel inspired and unstoppable!
Sure I know there will be valleys and challenges but I know where I am going! I'm going to help hundreds and hopefully thousands of baby boomers achieve their optimum mental fitness so they can live into their golden years with all their mental marbles intact!
Your PROVED MY IDEA Story
"DEAR EPM / Marisa et al:
I wrote this before I saw the template. Well duh. I should have known. But I would like to share it anyway because I am so grateful to have had this experience and come out with clients, a course I am proud of and can sell, and real paying clients! So here goes:
If I had to summarize EPM in one word, it would be superlative!
My EPM adventure began almost a year before I could finally sign up. I had every intention of joining as soon my friend referred me, but a string of family tragedies right at signup time meant I had to delay until the next year!
I was so frustrated!
But I used the time in Momentum, to do some serious internal digging to find my jumbled up, blocked up, locked up heartfelt mission that was burning a hole in my gut. I knew it was in there… just had a hell-uv-a time getting it focused and put into words!
All year while waiting, I was thinking about my business and my mission, my course and what I feel passionate about giving to my clients. I was constantly jotting down ideas, perfect wording, catchy phrases, and a wide assortment of program ideas.
I felt like the gold was at the top of the mountain and all I had to do was scramble up the overhanging cliffs and there it would be! Have you ever gone mountain hiking and you think you’ve made it to the final peak only to look around and see several more in the way? I kept imagining I was in the climbing team for the “14 Peaks” film!
EPM started with a bang! The little electronic celebration was a great kick-off. I felt like a pent-up athlete, released by the starters gun – off and running. I was truly excited and whole heartedly invested.
At first slogging through the niche, micro-niche, mission statement, audience statement … I was challenged more than I had anticipated. My coach, Lucas, was not about to let me slide past without getting laser clarity on what I’m doing. Just when I thought I had the final answer, he would ask a provocative question and send me up a slightly different route to the peak.
I worked diligently on my niche, audience statement (who knew that would be so hard to articulate?), mission. From there, it was pretty easy to define modules and content. Why have all that content and clarity and not use it? Try it out!
Thank YOU, Lucas! Between your coaching and Marisa’s, I refined and re-refined umpteen times, and now am laser focused.
I created, massaged, and refined the offer that I hoped would make a difference in my clients’ lives and fulfill a need for them. I followed all the steps and signed up and started my very first beta group in the beginning of December. I might have thought more about the holiday season and running an 8-week course right through it, but I was totally focused on getting this course working for my beta group! So exciting!
Earlier, when I had heard Marisa and the coaches encouraging the “earn while you learn” approach, I truly was skeptical but, since nothing else was working for me, I decided to jump in with both feet anyway. They are after all, the experts and I paid for their wisdom so why would I not listen to what they were telling me?
Do it! Seriously. So, I did.
I jumped into my imperfect course and started. I’ve learned so much about my clients by listening to their stories and their needs. I’m learning what works and what I need to improve. And I am surprised and thoroughly delighted to say my clients are getting way more out of it than I even thought possible. And now I have paying clients! This is totally gratifying!
Through several soul searching pivots, both major and minor, all the refinements and minute shifts in my path, and clearing away the internal roadblocks to find my real calling, it now feels totally right. I’m in the right place. Doing the right thing. For the right people. And for the right reasons.
My mission sits perfectly in my heart, my mind, and my gut. And wow, when it locked into place, it felt like setting in the final piece of a 2000 piece jigsaw puzzle. AHA!
It has been a whirlwind: frantic-fantastic. I’m learning like crazy! Not only the course part, but the technology piece was like climbing that icy cliff to the peak while blindfolded. Yes, I did “fall behind” a little with EPM milestones so no cha-ching winning the time with Marisa but I’m okay with that.
The purpose for me was not to win prizes. EPM is the path to the Holy Grail: MY business. A real business with real paying clients! This is my prize!
It has been well worth the BS&T (Blood Sweat and Tears), self-examination, letting go of “darlings”, and having an open mind to climb the mountain. I won’t say I’m at the final peak because I know it is going to be an iterative process. I know there will be changes. Growth in me and growth in the business. I know there will be many other adventures ahead and I know with absolute certainty that EPM was the essential catalyst to get me from wanna-be-businesswoman to Business Woman.
Just as it takes a village to raise a child, it takes the whole team in EPM to get a graduate through. My deepest and most sincere thanks to the whole EPM Team: Captain Marisa, Amazing Coach Lucas and all the other wonderful coaches, tech wizards like Murray and his team, Emily and Matthew and all the generously helpful support team and behind-the-scenes pillars of strength. It has certainly been one of the BEST rides of my life!
As we say in Canada – Merci Beaucoup!!
Sara Atkins
What's been the biggest change in your business?
I went from weight loss, to Shecology, to ADHD to Mental Fitness! No clients. One client... About face - ready - set and ON TARGET! The pivots were huge in finding my voice and my confidence. Anyone worried about making a pivot, if it makes your heart sing, do it! As you said Marisa - sometimes it is the 12 degree pivot that makes the right answer!
How's EPM and your success impacted your life?
It is huge. I feel energized, and happy, and my relationships are better because I am confident and full of passion. I feel empowered and like success is rolling in. Finally! I WILL realize my land of plenty!
What's your biggest takeaway from EPM?
Just friggin do it. Earn while you learn because the acceleration of learning with clients is incredibly inspiring. Getting niched down and being absolutely clear on my audience and mission and then letting that certainty fire up my creativity to build the course! The foundation is the niche and mission. Once solid you can build to the sky!
What's now possible for you because of your Experience Product?
I have the confidence to go out and promote, sell, talk it up, give presentations ... on an on. I know it can be done and that I can do it!!
Is there anything else you would like to add?
Please see my story for all my gratitude and thanks. Can't wait to share onward!