Change isn’t something we’re always ready for. Sometimes it feels like a gentle nudge, other times a full-blown shove. Sometimes we’re the ones initiating it, leaning into a new direction with excitement. And sometimes, it arrives like an uninvited guest, forcing us to pivot when we least expect it.

I’ve been through both. In business and in life.

I can still remember the day I decided to walk away from full-time portrait photography. For years, I poured my heart and soul into that work—capturing families, newborns, weddings. My days were filled with editing sessions, weekend shoots, and late-night uploads. And in many ways, it was a dream come true. But over time, that dream began to change.

My kids were growing up, and I was missing too much. I craved slower mornings, family weekends, time at home, the freedom to just be. The thought of letting go of something I had spent so many years building was terrifying. What would that even look like? Would people think I was giving up? Would I regret it?

But deep down, I knew: it was time to pivot.

The Weight of Staying the Same

I think there’s a misconception that changing course means we’re inconsistent or unsure of what we want. But what if the real inconsistency is staying somewhere that no longer feels right?

Because here’s the truth: staying the same when everything inside you is urging you to change? That’s exhausting.

It’s like holding your breath underwater—tight, tense, unsustainable. You can only hold on for so long before you have to come up for air.

In business, that has meant letting go of things that once felt like my entire world. It meant shutting down projects that weren’t working, walking away from offers that didn’t align, and starting over when I wasn’t ready.

And each time, I thought it might break me. Each time, I wondered if I was making a mistake. Each time, I was reminded that it’s okay to let go of what once was to make space for what could be.

The Uncertainty of the Pivot

Here’s the part we don’t talk about enough: even when you know a change is necessary, it doesn’t mean it’s easy. There’s fear. Doubt. Uncertainty.

And even now, I still feel it.

As a business owner, the landscape is always shifting. What works today might not work tomorrow. What once felt aligned might start to feel heavy. And in those moments, the question isn’t, “Should I change?” but rather, “Can I be brave enough to trust whatever comes next?”

Bravery isn’t about feeling ready. It’s about moving forward even when you don’t have all the answers.

The Beauty in Not Knowing

I often think about those early days of photography. How my camera felt like an extension of my heart. How I was terrified to start but did it anyway. And how that one decision opened doors to so many others.

Because change is like that. It’s a door. And we can’t always see what’s on the other side. But sometimes, the things we’re most afraid to let go of are the very things that lead us to where we’re meant to be.

Today, my life looks nothing like it did back then. I spend my days building things I love—writing, creating, connecting with other business owners. And yes, there are still moments when I wonder what might have happened if I stayed where I was. If I would have listened to everyone who told me to stay the same. If I kept holding on to something that no longer felt like mine.

But then, I look around. I see my kids running through the house in the middle of a weekday. I see the projects I get to work on that light me up. And I remind myself that every change I’ve made—every pivot, every letting go—brought me closer to a life that feels more like me.

So, if you’re standing at a crossroad, unsure of what to do next, let me remind you:

You don’t need permission to change. You don’t need a perfect plan. You don’t need to wait until you feel ready.

This morning, I got an email from a reader (hi, friend!) who replied to one of my newsletters with a question that made me stop and smile. It’s such a good question. And it’s one that so many people shy away from asking because the online space has made it seem like we should all already have an audience, a list, and 10,000 followers by day one. When in reality, we all start at 0.

She wrote:

“Hi Elena, first, your email is the only email I receive that I look forward to opening. 🫶🏼 I have a follow up question for this email, if you’re absolutely new, with zilch traffic and just launching your business online, where do we gain email subscribers? I am trying to avoid social media like a plague as much as possible (aside from Pinterest and just showing up on Instagram, because I know I’m easy to squirrel and get sucked in the vortex.) I see this often where online creatives talk about traffic from their email list or sales, but I don’t see much of how they are getting the subscribers in the first place… I feel a lot are buying ads or have incredible SEO?”

So if you’re in the same boat—starting something new with no audience and no clue how to grow—I want to share exactly what I did when I launched my last big idea.

Spoiler: I didn’t use my email list, my website, or even my name. I launched it in the scrappiest way possible. And it still worked so I know it will work for you too!

The Backstory: Launching Without the Safety Net

When I launched Wordsmith, I made a pretty bold decision: I didn’t use my audience.

I had built up a list of over 60,000 subscribers, thousands of customers, and social media followers across multiple platforms. But I wanted to test a theory.

What if I launched something as a total nobody?

No list.
No followers.
No fancy website.
No name recognition.

Just a good offer, placed in front of the right people, using the strategies I’d been teaching and using for years.

So I uploaded Wordsmith to a simple course platform, didn’t link it to my main site, and didn’t even announce it publicly for months. Instead, I created a couple of Pinterest ads, turned them on, and waited.

What happened?

I scaled it to $10,000 MRR (monthly recurring revenue)—before I ever posted about it on Instagram, emailed my list, or updated my website.

The Shift: Why This Changed Everything for Me

This experience reminded me of something I think we all need to hear:

You don’t need a big audience to get started. You need a strategy.

I know that sounds like something plucked off a Pinterest quote board, but it’s true. When you focus on getting in front of the right people instead of everyone, your growth becomes intentional and scalable.

It’s not about being viral. It’s about being visible—strategically.

And in today’s world, when social media can feel like a treadmill you didn’t mean to hop on, this strategy is a breath of fresh air.

A few years ago, I was in the thick of it. You know the feeling—the constant pressure to keep up with the latest algorithm change, the endless content creation cycle, the sense that if you’re not posting every day, you’re falling behind. Social media felt like it had become a full-time job, and honestly, it was exhausting.

But then one day, I decided to take a deep breath and really look at my numbers. Not my follower count or how many people liked my latest post—but the actual metrics that were bringing in sales.

And let me tell you, what I found was eye-opening.

Where the Real Traffic Was Coming From

When I finally sat down and pulled up my analytics, here’s what I found:

The majority of my traffic was direct. These were people typing in my URL directly or coming from a saved bookmark. These weren’t people discovering me on Instagram—they were actively seeking me out.

Next up was search. People were finding me through Google, not from a perfectly curated Instagram feed.

Then came email marketing. The emails I was sending out without flashy graphics or viral hooks were driving more sales than any reel or story.

And at the very bottom? Social media. Despite the hours spent crafting posts, reels, and stories, it was barely moving the needle.

I couldn’t believe it. All that time spent crafting social media posts, stressing over hashtags, and trying to crack the algorithm… and for what? A tiny sliver of my traffic and sales.

The Client Who Was Just Like Me

I was working with a 1:1 client recently who was feeling the exact same overwhelm. She was pouring hours into Instagram—creating reels, going live, responding to comments—but her sales just weren’t reflecting the effort.

When we looked at her analytics, the numbers told the exact same story as mine.

53% of her revenue came from direct traffic.

30% was from search.

16% came from email marketing.

And at the bottom? Social media, bringing in just 3% of revenue. All those hours spent creating Instagram content? A mere drop in the revenue bucket.

Seeing those numbers was a huge wake-up call for her—and a reminder for me.

It made me realize that it wasn’t just me experiencing this shift. Most business owners are probably pouring so much time and energy into social media, thinking it’s the main driver of their sales and traffic, when in reality, their email list—which they might barely use—is outperforming it without even trying.

Why Social Media Feels “Safe” But Isn’t

It’s easy to get wrapped up in the dopamine hit of social media. A like, a comment, a new follower—it all feels good in the moment. But those vanity metrics don’t pay the bills.

The real money? It’s in the boring metrics that don’t always feel as exciting:

→ Direct Traffic: These are people who already know, like, and trust you. They’re coming to your site intentionally. If you’re not tracking where they’re coming from, you’re missing out.

→ Search Traffic: This is the gift that keeps on giving. Content you created years ago can still bring in new leads and sales today.

→ Email Marketing: Every time you hit send, you’re landing directly in someone’s inbox—a place where they’re already paying attention.

→ Social Media: Yes, it still matters. But if it’s not driving sales, it might be time to rethink how much effort you’re putting into it.

How to Start Tracking the Right Metrics

If you’re ready to shift your focus from vanity metrics to what really drives revenue, here’s where to start:

1. Open Google Analytics

Head straight to the acquisition section and take a hard look at your traffic sources. Where are your sales actually coming from? Identify which channels are driving the most conversions and adjust your focus accordingly.

2. Check Your Email Marketing Platform

How many clicks, opens, and sales are your emails generating? This is often an untapped goldmine. Look at your top-performing emails and replicate the strategies that work.

3. Look at Your Search Traffic

What keywords are people using to find you? Are you showing up for the terms that actually relate to what you sell? Dive into Google Search Console to see which search terms are bringing in the most traffic.

4. Assess Your Social Media ROI

Are your posts leading to sales or just engagement? If it’s the latter, it might be time to scale back and focus elsewhere. Track the clicks and conversions coming

Whenever I talk about Pinterest ads, someone always asks: But how much do they actually cost? And it’s a fair question. If you’re running a small business—especially one that’s bootstrapped or run by one person wearing all the hats—every dollar counts. And when it comes to paid advertising, it can be hard to know what’s worth the spend… and what’s not.

So let’s break it down.

In this post, I’ll walk you through how Pinterest ad pricing works, what to expect in terms of budget and ROI, and how to get started without wasting your money.

How Pinterest Ad Costs Work

Pinterest uses a bidding system for ads, which means you can essentially choose how much you’re willing to pay to reach people. There are a few different objectives to choose from—like brand awareness, traffic, conversions—and the cost per result depends on which one you choose.

Here’s a general breakdown:

Traffic Campaigns: Expect to pay anywhere from $0.10 to $1.50 per click.

Conversion Campaigns: These vary more widely, often ranging from $0.75 to $5.00 per conversion (depending on your niche, landing page quality, and product).

Awareness Campaigns: You might pay around $2 to $5 per 1,000 impressions.

The good news? You can start with as little as $5 per day. And with the right strategy (more on that in a second), you can start seeing real results even at a small budget.

For example, my best-performing Pinterest ad cost me just $0.008 per click. That means if I spent $50, I’d reach over 6,000 people—6,250 to be exact.

But here’s the thing: it’s not just 6,250 random people scrolling social media and getting interrupted by an ad. These are 6,250 people actively searching for the exact thing I had to offer. That kind of marketing power—placing your product in front of someone who’s already looking for it—is what makes Pinterest so unique. That’s the kind of reach and efficiency that’s hard to beat on other platforms.

My Real Numbers (This Might Surprise You)

Want to know how much I’ve personally spent on Pinterest ads?

Over the last few years, I’ve spent just over $41,000 promoting one digital product. That’s not pocket change, but the return?

$684,000 in revenue.

That’s the kind of ROI that makes Pinterest ads not just worth it—but one of the smartest investments I’ve made in my business.

It’s not about dumping money into ads and hoping they work. It’s about strategy—knowing your produc

It usually starts like this: A simple idea pops into your head while you’re making lunch or folding laundry or trying to fall asleep. It doesn’t shout. It doesn’t beg. It just quietly returns, again and again. “What if I tried this?”

That’s how it’s always been for me.

Over the years, I’ve launched multiple businesses, products, services, each born from nothing more than a passing idea and a willingness to try before everything was perfectly figured out.

Some flopped. Some flourished. One quick launch I nearly dismissed as “too simple” ended up bringing in over $700,000 in revenue. (Yep, really.)

The common thread? I didn’t wait until everything was polished. I started before it felt “ready.”

But here’s the thing: when we hear people say “start before you’re ready,” it sounds inspiring—but also kind of vague. What does that actually look like? For me, it looked like publishing a sales page I wasn’t 100% sure about. It looked like launching without all the bells and whistles. It looked like trusting my gut more than my inner critic. The common thread? I didn’t wait until everything was polished. I started before it felt “ready.”

Do You Have an Idea That Won’t Leave You Alone?

Maybe it’s a digital product you know your audience needs. Maybe it’s a shift in your services that would bring your work closer to what lights you up. Or maybe it’s something completely new.

But then the voice creeps in: You don’t have it all figured out yet.

If you’ve been stuck in idea limbo, wondering when you’ll finally feel ready—this post is for you. I want to share what I’ve learned from taking messy action, launching without guarantees, and letting real-world feedback shape my path.

Because the truth is, starting your business before you’re ready might just be the smartest thing you ever do.

The Story: When I Almost Didn’t Launch

A few years back, I had an idea for a super simple digital product. It wasn’t flashy. It wasn’t complex. Honestly, I didn’t think it was anything groundbreaking. I was simply trying to solve a problem I myself kept having as a business owner. I figured, worst case, I’d end up with the problem solved. Best case, there might be other business owners struggling with the exact same thing—and I could help them too.

But something told me to try it.

So I put it out into the world.

No fancy funnel. No massive social media following. Just a good offer that solved a real problem, paired with a Pinterest ad and an email to my small-but-loyal list.

That product went on to generate $684,000 in revenue.

And what still amazes me is that I almost didn’t launch it at all.

When I first launched the idea, it was built in the scrappiest way possible. I didn’t want to waste time, so I used a simple course platform to host the content, dropped in the materials, and opened it up as a membership. That was it. There wasn’t a fancy dashboard or custom design. I was just curious to answer one question: Were people actually interested? I figured I could polish and expand the idea later.

It wasn’t until we hit $11,000 in sales that I started building the full site and dashboard for it. I had put so little effort into the launch intentionally—I just needed proof of concept. And that clarity made all the difference.

I was working with a client the other week, deep-diving into her website strategy. She felt stuck. Stuck in that place where traffic was coming in, but not much was happening after that. People were landing on her pages, but not clicking. Not signing up. Not buying. And as she said it all out loud, I could see how frustrated she was. Because she had done so much work already—the branding, the photos, the copy.

But something still wasn’t clicking.

So I did what I always do in these moments: I opened up Hotjar.

And just like that, the fog cleared.

Have You Ever Wondered What People Actually Do on Your Website?

Like, not the page views. Not just the bounce rate. But the real, nitty-gritty stuff:

Where they scroll

Where they pause

What they click (or don’t)

When they drop off

Because while Google Analytics is great, it doesn’t tell the full story. Hotjar does.

Hotjar is a tool that gives you heatmaps, session recordings, and even on-page feedback from real users. It lets you watch how people move through your site like you’re peeking over their shoulder (but, you know, not in a creepy way).

The Moment I Fell in Love With Hotjar

Years ago, I had a product page that I thought was rock-solid. Great photos. Great copy. Clear call to action.

And yet… sales were slow.

When I watched the Hotjar session recordings, I noticed something wild: people were scrolling all the way to the bottom of the page… and never seeing the Buy Button. It was buried under a block of testimonials that looked, apparently, a little too much like a footer.

A five-minute tweak and a quick scroll test later?
Sales picked up almost overnight.

What I Learned From Watching Website Behavior

Working with clients (and on my own businesses), I keep coming back to this one simple truth: we’re too close to our own websites.

We know what we meant for someone to do.
But that doesn’t always mean that’s what’s happening.

I’ve seen clients with absolutely gorgeous homepages—stunning visuals, great design—only to find out their visitors never even make it halfway down the page. Or pages with forms that aren’t mobile-friendly, and 60% of traffic is coming from phones.

Hotjar gives you real-time clarity. And that’s something every business owner needs—especially if you’re:

Launching something new

Updating your offers or layout

Getting traffic, but no conversions

Rebranding or rebuilding your website

Trying to figure out why sales dropped (or never started)

Why Traditional Analytics Can Only Tell You So Much

Google Analytics can show you where your traffic is coming from and how long they’re staying. But it won’t show you what they’re doing while they’re there. Hotjar bridges that gap.

With session recordings, you can see the journey. You can watch someone move from your blog to your offer, hover on your pricing, scroll past a form, then leave. And that kind of data is what turns educated guesses into strategic action.

Here’s How I Recommend Using Hotjar (Without Getting Overwhelmed)

You don’t have to watch every single session or analyze every single scroll.
Instead, treat Hotjar like a seasonal check-in. Here’s how I do it:

1. Run It Once or Twice a Year

Especially after a website update or launch. Let it collect data for 2-3 weeks.

2. Watch 5–10 Session Recordings

Look for patterns. Are people clicking where you want them to? Are they confused? Getting stuck?

3. Review the Heatmaps

Where are most users focusing? What are they ignoring? Are your CTAs in the right spots?

4. Make One Small Change at a Time

Tweak your layout, button placement, headline, or form. Then run Hotjar again a few weeks later and compare.

5. Use It as a Decision-Making Tool

Thinking about a full website revamp? Use Hotjar first to see what’s actually working—and what’s not.

6. Repeat When Needed

This isn’t something you have to do constantly. But when you do it intentionally, it can give you some of the clearest insight you’ll ever get about your site.

The Real Power? Seeing Through Your Customer’s Eyes

Working with my current client reminded me of something powerful: sometimes all it takes is seeing your business through someone else’s eyes. When you’ve been building your business for years, you know every inch of your site. You stop noticing what’s confusing because it makes sense to you.

But to a first-time visitor? That navigation bar might be clunky. The headline might be vague. The form might feel too long.

Hotjar lets you step into their shoes. And from that place? You make way better decisions.

The Bottom Line?

You work way too hard on your business to let website confusion stand between you and your next sale.

Tools like Hotjar help you stop guessing and start seeing. They help you understand what people do on your website—so you can stop leaving conversions on the table.

And for me? It’s become one of those tools I recommend to every client. It’s like having a little marketing crystal ball. ✨

If you’ve never tried it, start simple. Install it. Let it run for a week or two. Watch a few recordings. I promise—you’ll never look at your website the same way again.

Let me just say this right off the bat: I’ve never been the kind of person who could just do one thing. I run multiple businesses. I build things from scratch. I pivot, I create, I explore new ideas like a kid with a blank notebook and a brand new set of colored markers.

And you know what? I love it that way.

Some people hear that and say, “Wow, that sounds exhausting.”

But to me? It’s energizing—because I’ve learned how to do it without burning out.

If you’re someone who’s multi-passionate too, you know the feeling. Your mind is full of ideas. You’ve got dreams in one hand and a to-do list in the other. And while it’s a beautiful thing to be creative and curious and excited about more than one path… it can also feel a little chaotic if you don’t have a system in place.

Because here’s the truth: When you’re multi-passionate and disorganized, it starts to feel like you’re constantly running in circles.

You’re working hard—sometimes really hard—but you’re not seeing the kind of progress you want. You’re pouring your energy into so many different places that nothing feels like it’s truly moving forward. You feel pulled in multiple directions. Unsure which idea to run with, which task to prioritize, which business needs your attention the most.

You sit down to work and freeze—not because you don’t have ideas, but because you have too many. And that kind of overwhelm? It can lead to burnout, second-guessing, and spinning your wheels without ever gaining real traction.

The good news? It doesn’t have to be that way.

The moment you put a structure in place—the moment you start mapping out your ideas, organizing your projects, and planning your time with intention—you go from scattered to strategic.

From overwhelmed to in control.

From “I’m doing everything and nothing is working,” to “I know exactly what to focus on this week.”

That shift is powerful.

So today, I want to talk about how to find your focus when you’re multi-passionate—without forcing yourself to pick just one thing. Because you don’t have to. You just need to be a little more strategic about how you manage it all.

First, Let’s Redefine “Focus”

We tend to think of “focus” as choosing one thing and sticking with it forever.

But for me, focus means being intentional with my time and energy. It means knowing which hat I’m wearing today, and giving that version of me the attention it deserves—without guilt that I’m not doing everything at once.

I think focus is less about narrowing your dreams, and more about designing your life and business in a way that lets you pursue them well.

Why I Love Being Multi-Passionate (and How I Make It Work)

I’ve built a life and career around multiple ventures—each with its own purpose, audience, and strategy.

From digital products to content strategy, from writing to tech development (hello, Wordsmith 👋), I’ve learned to switch gears without losing momentum. But here’s the key:

👉 I don’t treat every business like it’s happening all at once.

I map out my year. I segment my focus. I batch my work.

If you’re anything like me, you’ve probably asked yourself at some point: “Are Pinterest ads even worth it?” In a world that screams about Instagram trends and TikTok hacks every five seconds, Pinterest feels like this quiet, often-overlooked little corner of the internet.

But here’s the thing. That “quiet corner”?

It’s filled with buyers. Not just scrollers. Not just people looking for entertainment. People actively searching for ideas, products, and services—and making decisions.

And if you show up at the right time, in the right way?
Yes, you absolutely can make money with Pinterest ads.
I know because I’ve done it. And today, I’m pulling back the curtain to show you exactly how.

Why Pinterest Ads Are Different (And Why That Matters)

First, let’s clear something up: Pinterest is not a social media platform.

It’s a search engine—with pictures.

That means when people log onto Pinterest, they’re not looking to kill time like they might on Instagram or Facebook. They’re searching. They’re planning. They’re shopping.

Think about it:

Brides planning their weddings.

Moms decorating nurseries.

Entrepreneurs looking for marketing strategies.

Homeowners searching for renovation ideas.

Business owners researching new tools.

When someone finds your product, service, or resource through a Pinterest ad, it doesn’t feel intrusive. It feels like they found exactly what they were looking for.

And that, my friend, is why Pinterest ads convert so beautifully when done right.

How I Started Making Money with Pinterest Ads

A few years ago, I made a decision: I wanted to grow my business without relying so heavily on social media. I didn’t want to be chained to my phone 24/7, chasing engagement and algorithms.

So I doubled down on long-form marketing (like my blog), SEO, and Pinterest.

At first, I was all about organic Pinterest traffic (which is amazing, by the way—and still a huge part of my strategy). But when I decided to test out Pinterest ads? Everything changed.

I started small—about $5 to $10 a day—testing simple campaigns promoting my best-selling products and services.

And what I found absolutely changed the way I think about marketing:

Over the last few years, I’ve spent $41,000 running Pinterest ads to promote a single digital product.

And from that one product?

I’ve generated over $684,000 in revenue.

Let’s break that down:

That’s a 1,568% return on ad spend (ROAS)

For every $1 I spent on Pinterest ads, I made $16.68 back

That’s the kind of performance most ad platforms DREAM about delivering

And it’s been almost entirely powered by Pinterest ads + my email list—no daily posting, no viral Reels, no constant burnout

This strategy didn’t just boost my revenue—it gave me my freedom back.

I built a system that quietly worked behind the scenes, allowing me to grow my business while being present with my family, without needing to hustle around the clock.

No massive ad agencies. No complex funnels.

Just a simple, sustainable strategy that kept working for me, month after month.

How to Actually Make Money with Pinterest Ads

Now, here’s where most people go wrong: They jump in without a plan. They run ads for the wrong products. Or they target the wrong audience. Or they create beautiful pins… but link them to confusing landing pages.

If you want your ads to actually make money (and not just rack up impressions), here’s what you need to know:

1. Start with Your Best-Seller

Don’t try to use Pinterest ads to “save” a product that isn’t selling organically. Promote your best-seller—the thing you know people already want.

Ask yourself:

What product or service has already proven itself?

What offer feels like a “no-brainer” for my ideal customer?

What solves a clear, urgent problem?

Start there.

My husband and I have worked on more projects together than I can count.

He’s the lead developer behind everything I dream up. The one who translates all my wild, messy, inspired ideas into something real. We’ve built businesses side by side, taken long car rides just to brainstorm, and stayed up late many nights bringing our shared visions to life.

But the truth is: we’re total opposites.

I’m the carefree, million-ideas-a-minute type. I have paintbrushes and half-finished projects scattered around the house. I thrive in the beginning stages—in the energy of a new idea, the possibilities, the vision. I am Type B to my core. Entrepreneur through and through.

And he’s the guy who loves simplicity. Order. A step-by-step process. One task at a time. He wants someone to tell him exactly what needs to be done and when. Military-trained, logical, a Type A realist.

He brings structure. I bring spark.

Together? We somehow make it work beautifully.

The other day, I came to him with a new idea. I was buzzing with excitement, ready to bring it to life, and his immediate reaction was, “You can’t just do that.”

I smiled and said, “Why not?”

That conversation stuck with me. Because it sums up the difference between how we think—and also how I believe so many of us are conditioned to think when it comes to building a business.

My husband’s mindset makes sense in many contexts. Rules, order, expectations. A framework that helps people move safely through the world.

But entrepreneurship? That’s different.

Entrepreneurship taught me something that took me years to realize: The rules don’t apply. And if they do? You can change them.

There’s no single path to success. No universal playbook. No secret formula that works the same for everyone. You get to build the business that fits you.

Let’s take something as seemingly straightforward as pricing.

My husband would start by researching competitors. He’d study market trends. He’d analyze, assess, and carefully position his offer based on logic and industry standards.

Me? I price based on instinct.

I think about what the offer is worth. I think about what feels right in my gut. And most importantly, I think about how I want to feel delivering that product or service. Energized? Valued? Confident?

I don’t really care what others charge for the same thing.

Because I’m not building someone else’s business. I’m building mine.

One of the greatest myths in business is that there’s a right way to do it.

You don’t need permission to pursue your dream. You don’t have to follow industry norms if they don’t align with you. You don’t have to grow the way someone else did, or market the way they do, or price like the rest of the field.

That’s the freedom of entrepreneurship.

You get to write your own rules.

And sometimes, yes—you’ll meet resistance. Someone will say, “You can’t just do that.”

But that’s when you smile and ask, “Why not?”

Let’s talk about a word that gets tossed around a lot in the world of entrepreneurship: consistency. It sounds good, right? It’s the kind of thing we all say we want more of—it’s pinned on vision boards, scribbled in planners, and woven into goal-setting rituals. But if we’re being really honest with ourselves, it’s not always the most exciting thing. It’s not flashy, it’s not glamorous, and it rarely comes with instant results or applause.

Consistency is steady. It’s quiet.

It’s the small, sometimes boring actions repeated over and over again… that eventually add up to something pretty incredible.

And this year? I made some big life shifts, both personally and professionally—and at the center of it all was my intention to finally embrace consistency like never before.

The Plan I Created (And Why This Year Felt Different)

At the end of last year, I sat down with my planner and a very long list of hopes for the year ahead. I love mapping out the big picture of my business—it’s something I look forward to every year. But this time, I went deeper. I created not just a broad annual strategy, but a detailed daily and weekly plan for my life and work.

And something shifted.

Instead of chasing inspiration or trying to build as I went (which, let’s be honest, was my norm for a long time), I started building structure. I mapped out 52 weeks of intentional focus—what I wanted to create, when I’d share it, and how it aligned with my bigger goals. I added tasks into my calendar with purpose. I made space for work and life.

And even though I’ve been in business for 16 years, this year—this year—I’ve felt more consistent than ever. And although I am working less hours, I really feel like I am getting so much more done.

It Wasn’t Easy… But It’s Working

Each week, I have a small list of “must complete” tasks. Not 30 things. Not a never-ending to-do list. Just the non-negotiables that, if completed, would keep me aligned with my bigger vision.

And let me tell you—it’s not always easy to check them off.

I’m a mom to four kids. Two are homeschooled. Two are little and full of energy. My days are full of snacks and questions and sticky fingers and math worksheets and bedtime stories. There are days when the laundry piles up and the dinner is frozen pizza. There are nights, like tonight, when I sneak downstairs after everyone’s asleep to open my laptop in the quiet and do the work I didn’t get to earlier.

But I show up.

Because consistency, for me, means showing up again and again—even when it’s not perfect, even when I’m tired, even when inspiration feels far away. It’s carving out time for what matters. It’s making a promise to yourself—and keeping it.

A few years ago, I thought having a big following meant I was successful. I measured my momentum by how many likes I got, how many new followers clicked over, how often my content was shared. Back then, the numbers felt like a reflection of my worth. They were the proof I thought I needed that I was doing something right.

But somewhere along the way, I started asking a harder question:

What does success really look like—for me?

And the honest answer? It didn’t look like constantly chasing content ideas or feeling the pressure to stay “on” just to be seen. It didn’t look like growing an audience just for the sake of growth.

Instead, success looked like freedom. Like peace. Like getting to be home with my kids, working on projects I love, and building something meaningful without having to share every moment of it online.

Stepping Away From the Metrics

My real reward hasn’t been growing a large social media following. It’s been building a business that doesn’t depend on one.

And I’ll be honest—at first, I wasn’t even sure it was possible. Everyone I knew who was doing great in their business seemed to be all-in on social media. They were sharing constantly, showing up publicly, and building visibility by staying front and center. And for a while, I tried to keep up with that rhythm.

Because there’s no real rule book on how to build a modern business without social media. It felt like I was trying to merge old-school business principles with a modern-day spin—and I didn’t know if it would actually work.

For a long time, I leaned on social media because I thought it was the key to growth. And yes, it helped me build momentum in those early years. But it also made me feel like I had to be everywhere, all the time. That I had to share everything to be relevant. That my visibility equaled my value.

It wasn’t until I shifted my focus to long-term, sustainable marketing that everything changed.

I started to really focus on building my email list. I focused on creating evergreen content that lives on (hello blog posts and newsletters). I paid attention to the parts of my business that still worked even when I was off social media.

And slowly, something powerful happened:

I started breathing again.

And to really prove it, I didn’t post a single time in 2024 to show myself that yes, I could 100% run my business without needing social media.

Living a Quiet Life That Still Moves Big Things

I stopped feeling like I had to document every single moment.

Now, I show up on social when it feels right. Sometimes that means sharing more. Sometimes it means taking a quiet step back. But either way, my business doesn’t stop. My growth doesn’t pause. Because I’ve built a foundation that doesn’t rely on being plugged in 24/7.

And I can’t tell you how freeing that is.

There’s something sacred about being able to live your life without constantly performing it. About being present in a world that keeps telling you to produce. Some days I look around at the stillness in my home, the sound of my kids playing, the quietness of this life I’ve created—and it feels like success in its purest form.

Let’s talk about something that’s been quietly revolutionizing the way I work behind the scenes—AI. Now before you start picturing some robot sitting at a desk doing all my marketing for me—let me stop you right there. This isn’t about replacing the heart of your business or handing over everything to technology. It’s about working a little bit smarter. About giving yourself the gift of help in a world where we’re all trying to wear a dozen hats at once.

The other day, I posted a quick poll on Instagram asking who’s using AI—even in small, simple ways. 51% of my audience said they use it. The other 49%? They slid into my DMs with the same question: “Okay, but how?!”

If you’ve been feeling the same—curious about AI, wondering how it actually fits into your business without feeling robotic or overwhelming—this post is for you.

I’m going to walk you through exactly how I use it in my own work, why I created Wordsmith to help other business owners do the same, and where I’d start if I were brand new and just getting my feet wet.

I’m a Writer at Heart… But Not Always a Perfect One

Let me be honest with you—I’ve always loved writing.

There’s something about putting thoughts into words that feels like home to me. It’s how I make sense of the world. How I connect. How I teach and serve and show up.

But grammar?
Perfect sentence structure?
Avoiding run-on thoughts that sound more like a rambling voice memo?

Yeah… not so much.

I moved to America when I was 11 years old and didn’t speak a word of English. I learned the language by listening—by paying attention to the rhythm, the tone, the meaning behind the words. And while I eventually became fluent and feel like someone who’s great at communicating, I never had those early years of formal grammar lessons or spelling drills.

So now, when I sit down to write, I know what I want to say—but sometimes the mechanics don’t always come out perfectly. I write the way I talk. I pour my thoughts out quickly and with feeling. And honestly? I think that’s part of what makes my writing real and relatable.

Still, that’s also why AI has become one of my most trusted tools.