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INTERVIEW: FROM PARK RANGER TO 6 FIGURE ONLINE BIZ IN ONLY 10 MONTHS.
There is only ONE common thread between all successful people.
It’s not knowing the right people or having enough money to make it happen. It has nothing to do with their education or training and it certainly has nothing to do with ethics.
It doesn’t even have to do with how hard or long they worked for it.
The ONLY common denominator among ALL successful dream chasers is that no matter how many obstacles they faced, no matter how many people criticized or doubted them, they all believed in themselves and their vision.
Amazing things can happen when you’re clear, aligned and your beliefs are in check and in this post I’m going to show you a fun example.
Nikki Elledge Brown, Communication Stylist and creator of A Course About Copy went from being a park ranger and teacher to building a 6 figure online biz in only 10 months.
AND she’s the mother of a toddler!
It’s been just about a year since this all began for her and she’s already revamped her website and “brand pants” (the old ones were giving her a muffin top from the fast growth!) and it’s scheduled to launch this May.
I had a sneak peek and Nik in heavy black eye makeup = hot!
Of course Nikki had to do the work required to make all of this happen, but she followed her “divine breadcrumbs”, made sure she stayed in the right mindset and kept moving even when some less than happy for her haters tried to bring her down.
She tells us all about it in the video below.
Below are the links I promised in the video:
Nikki’s FREE copywriting training: http://acourseaboutcopy.com/
(it includes her about page recipe – step by step instructions on what goes where invaluable!)
Nikki’s website: http://www.nikkielledgebrown.com/
Also lots of free content. Sign up for her Conversational Copy Cheat Sheet and you’ll be notified when her new brand launches in a few weeks.
And here are Jimmy Kimmel’s MEAN TWEETS just for fun.
As I said in the video, I’d love to hear your thoughts on publicly speaking about money?
Love how candid this interview is- it’s so refreshing to hear about numbers in the first year and what an inspirational story. I’ve followed Nikki on FB in some of the private groups and so happy for you girl 🙂 And of course, great to meet you too SUSAN!
Great interview! I loved Nikki’s advice about taking action and stay in motion – trying things out and making adjustments. That was just what I needed to hear today! I’m just starting out but I don’t think I’ll have any issue with being transparent and speaking openly about my business and all that it entails; including its earnings. Thanks so much for sharing 🙂
Great job all around. Really enjoyed this video interview so many good nuggets of info. Loved that quote about haters. “If you could walk on water, they would say it’s cause you can’t swim.” Yes, so important to know who YOUR dream clients are. I couldn’t agree more. 1. You can’t work with EVERYONE & 2. You don’t want to work with EVERYONE.
I tell my clients all the time you are someone’s reason to smile. Take Action! Keep up the good work ladies.
Loved that quote too. And listening back I realized I got the “all sizzle and no steak” idea backwards when I said it. OOPS! Either way it’s great to have BOTH 😉
Great points on dream clients – you KNOW I’m all about ’em.
Fantastic interview! You are both so inspiring – It really gives me hope that I am building something worthy and by following my heart, I can’t go wrong 🙂
Enjoyed this interview so much! I loved the part about Nikki’s friend encouraging her to set the bar higher… it’s amazing how people come into your life at the right time (I’m experiencing that too!). As for money, I appreciate the candor and I intend to be open about it as well. Um, when I start earning some outside of my day job. (See, I was just open about not earning any yet.)
Having a friend (or coach, like Susan!) who can help you SEE your *real* potential and point out the blind spots/limits you’re placing on yourself is INVALUABLE (all caps).
Great video guys – huge thanks to both of you for sharing.
I get comments all the time about being too happy, but that is crazy right? I genuinely love my life. I had an aha moment a few weeks ago when it dawned on me (doh) that as a business owner you have total control over your business happiness, mostly through understanding marketing. Who you do business with, what you sell, how and where you sell it. These all fall under marketing and excluding financial management, dictate how happy you are in your business.
Shifting my business from providing dull standard marketing to one focussed on creating happiness feels amazing and super scary at the same time, but the pair of you have really boosted my resolve to make this happen.
A clear vision + a positive mindset + decisive action = business success + an even happier me 🙂
Thank you ladies
Jill x
I wish more people talked openly about money because I believe it would diminish the shame factor. I don’t think money, as a goal in itself, is worthwhile but there is nothing shameful about sharing information about income or monetary success.
Hi Susan, great interview and nice to meet ya! Nikki’s story is so inspirational. It is so true that no matter what you do someone won’t like it and with any success comes a few bad seeds to rain on your parade. But that just means you are doing something right! Keep up the good work ladies!
Love all of this interview, especially the last piece of advice! I’ve been traveling a lot in the last month and have been doing more thinking than acting and I’ve been noticing how I’m starting to get in a rut. That said last night I started working on my website and I’m so looking forward to implementing the advice from Nikki’s free training sessions!
I’m still in awe about Nikki’s first year. Like, my brain cannot even compute how it happened. I’ve been plodding along, writing stuff. But I haven’t really put the big, audacious goals out there. Maybe it’s because I’m already loaded up with full-time ministry and raising four kids. But even if my goal isn’t to make 6 figures, I think it’s time for me to figure out some next steps.
Helping people connect with God in a full-contact relationship is what I love to write and speak about.
Turning this from a hobby to a secondary income to improve my family’s future is my dream.
Thanks so much Susan and Nikki. I never get tired of hearing Nikki’s story. It’s almost like feel-good medicine that I reach for to keep powering on. Thanks ladies!
I love the term “divine breadcrumbs.” Some people have a natural gift and receive many blessings because their message is so valuable to the world…thanks for sharing this gift and bestowing this message as a blessing to your followers!
I loved the interview! Thank you both! I love how open and authentic Nikki is about her business. Speaking about numbers is a really interesting topic and most people are seem to be uncomfortable about it. Whenever I’ve mentored less experienced coaches I have always been open about money as I know how helpful it is to understand how it works for others when you’re just starting out or moving your business to the next level.
I always loved that Nikki shared how much support she got from various people. It’s a good lesson in how we don’t have to do it all on our own, but by reaching out we can enrich the experience and go places we never thought possible.
Love to you both!
Ania
Ps. Nikki, I’m not stalking you, honest! 🙂 Very good recommendation, thank you. x
Fabulous interview! I love the openness and authenticity with which you speak Nikki! And I loved your questions Susan! The sky is the limit for both of you!!!
Thank you much for the interview, Susan. It is always such a pleasure to listen to Nikki. I can do this for hours 🙂 Very grateful. Thank you once again.
This is an inspiring interview. I have been following Nikki for only a few months. Haven’t yet signed up for one of her programs but she seems like an amazing sister in a big heart business. I love how she spoke about the gentleman who spoke of her high costs but then realized it was his hangup not the cost of her program. Wise words indeed. I need to call in that thought as I build my business. Thank you for sharing such an amazing conversation. 🙂
There was so much in this interview that I really needed to hear right now. But the best was Nikki saying just get your product out there!
Thanks for the inspiration both of you!
Love it! You both are amazing!
Aww thanks Anna!! <3
Thanks, Anna!
Love how candid this interview is- it’s so refreshing to hear about numbers in the first year and what an inspirational story. I’ve followed Nikki on FB in some of the private groups and so happy for you girl 🙂 And of course, great to meet you too SUSAN!
xo Desha
Glad you liked it Desha! Nice to meet you too! 🙂
Thanks so much, Desha. Greatly appreciate the happy vibes 🙂
I love your site – your articles and now video (congrats on that!). Such a great interview! Love both you and Nikki! x
Thanks so much Anne!!
Love to YOU, Anne! (And yay for Susan’s first video!)
Great interview! I loved Nikki’s advice about taking action and stay in motion – trying things out and making adjustments. That was just what I needed to hear today! I’m just starting out but I don’t think I’ll have any issue with being transparent and speaking openly about my business and all that it entails; including its earnings. Thanks so much for sharing 🙂
Awesome Carin! Thanks for watching!
That’s exactly it, Carin. Get STARTED, then style as you go.
Excited for you!
Nikki is such an inspiration. I loved your interview with her, Susan! Nice work. 🙂
I agree! She is. That’s so much Lily 🙂
Thanks, Lily!
Great inspirational video! Your a fantastic interviewer! 🙂
Aww! Thank you Angelica! <3
^^^ What Angelica said 😉
Haha thanks Nik!
Thanks for sharing your positive energy ladies! There is much to be gleaned here– it deserves a repeat listen for sure.
Great job Susan!
🙂 Alison
Definitely Alison! Thank you for watching (and the compliment! :))
Thanks for joining us, Alison!
My 2 awesome B-sisters …. love you both — inspiring to see your journey! Booyah…!
Thanks for watching Rob! Booyah too! <3
Oh, how I love seeing you in comments, brother Rob 🙂
… makes me wonder where this is going next. 😉
An ellipsis AND a winky face! This is getting serious.
Great job all around. Really enjoyed this video interview so many good nuggets of info. Loved that quote about haters. “If you could walk on water, they would say it’s cause you can’t swim.” Yes, so important to know who YOUR dream clients are. I couldn’t agree more. 1. You can’t work with EVERYONE & 2. You don’t want to work with EVERYONE.
I tell my clients all the time you are someone’s reason to smile. Take Action! Keep up the good work ladies.
#truethat Holly!! thanks for watching!
Oh heeey, MRS. HSGillen!
Loved that quote too. And listening back I realized I got the “all sizzle and no steak” idea backwards when I said it. OOPS! Either way it’s great to have BOTH 😉
Great points on dream clients – you KNOW I’m all about ’em.
Fantastic interview! You are both so inspiring – It really gives me hope that I am building something worthy and by following my heart, I can’t go wrong 🙂
Love that Renee! You can’t 😉
Absolutely, Renee! Even a #fail is really a WIN if you look for the lesson (then throw the rest away).
Go get ’em, tiger.
Great interview, always love hearing people’s stories. Nikki is awesome. So proud of her.
Thanks Amber! Agreed 🙂
Thank you, Amber! A digi-hug from Honolulu is on its way to you.
Hey Susan, Great interview! You were great, and Nikki shared some great info! xxoo Rick 😉
Susan’s sleeping, so I get to comment and thank you first, Rick 😉
Glad you liked Rick! And it’s kinda nice having back up while I sleep!
Enjoyed this interview so much! I loved the part about Nikki’s friend encouraging her to set the bar higher… it’s amazing how people come into your life at the right time (I’m experiencing that too!). As for money, I appreciate the candor and I intend to be open about it as well. Um, when I start earning some outside of my day job. (See, I was just open about not earning any yet.)
Ha! Love that, Beth. Great start 🙂
Having a friend (or coach, like Susan!) who can help you SEE your *real* potential and point out the blind spots/limits you’re placing on yourself is INVALUABLE (all caps).
Awesome video! Super inspirational!!! Thanks for posting!
Thanks for joining us, Sarah!
Great video guys – huge thanks to both of you for sharing.
I get comments all the time about being too happy, but that is crazy right? I genuinely love my life. I had an aha moment a few weeks ago when it dawned on me (doh) that as a business owner you have total control over your business happiness, mostly through understanding marketing. Who you do business with, what you sell, how and where you sell it. These all fall under marketing and excluding financial management, dictate how happy you are in your business.
Shifting my business from providing dull standard marketing to one focussed on creating happiness feels amazing and super scary at the same time, but the pair of you have really boosted my resolve to make this happen.
A clear vision + a positive mindset + decisive action = business success + an even happier me 🙂
Thank you ladies
Jill x
You can do it Jill! That’s the the equation!
Absolutely, Jill – you’re onto something with that amazing + scary combo. It’s a winner 😉
Great video!
And I love the comment about following her ‘divine breadcrumbs’ as those are the Exact word my coach used with me yesterday!
xx
I love that phrase too Sam!
I often think in metaphors and analogies, Sam – these particular breadcrumbs have proven quite valuable 🙂
I wish more people talked openly about money because I believe it would diminish the shame factor. I don’t think money, as a goal in itself, is worthwhile but there is nothing shameful about sharing information about income or monetary success.
1000% agree Therese!
Thanks for sharing, Therese!
Wonderful interview! Thank you for breaking it down so specifically and getting into mindset. This is exactly what I needed to hear and learn today.
Awesome Jessica! Thanks for watching 🙂
Glad you joined us, Jessica 🙂
Hi Susan, great interview and nice to meet ya! Nikki’s story is so inspirational. It is so true that no matter what you do someone won’t like it and with any success comes a few bad seeds to rain on your parade. But that just means you are doing something right! Keep up the good work ladies!
So true Kat! Thank you and nice to meet you too 😉
Thanks, Kat!
As I like to say: I don’t mind a little rain on my parade every now and then. That’s how we get rainbows over here 😉
Love all of this interview, especially the last piece of advice! I’ve been traveling a lot in the last month and have been doing more thinking than acting and I’ve been noticing how I’m starting to get in a rut. That said last night I started working on my website and I’m so looking forward to implementing the advice from Nikki’s free training sessions!
Thanks Michelle! Nikki’s training is AWESOME!! Especially her ‘About Page Recipe’. She makes things SO much easier!
Go get ’em, Michelle! Implementation is where it’s at.
I’m still in awe about Nikki’s first year. Like, my brain cannot even compute how it happened. I’ve been plodding along, writing stuff. But I haven’t really put the big, audacious goals out there. Maybe it’s because I’m already loaded up with full-time ministry and raising four kids. But even if my goal isn’t to make 6 figures, I think it’s time for me to figure out some next steps.
Helping people connect with God in a full-contact relationship is what I love to write and speak about.
Turning this from a hobby to a secondary income to improve my family’s future is my dream.
My brain can’t compute it either, Joe. That’s why I say there’s literally no earthly explanation. All a God thing in my book.
You can do it, dude! Susan’s got all kinds of great resources to help you realize that it’s just a decision away.
Thanks so much Susan and Nikki. I never get tired of hearing Nikki’s story. It’s almost like feel-good medicine that I reach for to keep powering on. Thanks ladies!
Music to my eyeballs, Andrea. Seriously. Thank you so much for sharing that 🙂
I love the term “divine breadcrumbs.” Some people have a natural gift and receive many blessings because their message is so valuable to the world…thanks for sharing this gift and bestowing this message as a blessing to your followers!
Thanks, Stacey.
We’ve all got valuable gifts to share – I’m super-thankful that part of mine is helping others share theirs!
I loved the interview! Thank you both! I love how open and authentic Nikki is about her business. Speaking about numbers is a really interesting topic and most people are seem to be uncomfortable about it. Whenever I’ve mentored less experienced coaches I have always been open about money as I know how helpful it is to understand how it works for others when you’re just starting out or moving your business to the next level.
I always loved that Nikki shared how much support she got from various people. It’s a good lesson in how we don’t have to do it all on our own, but by reaching out we can enrich the experience and go places we never thought possible.
Love to you both!
Ania
Ps. Nikki, I’m not stalking you, honest! 🙂 Very good recommendation, thank you. x
UMM, Ania. You are welcome to stalk me (and not call it stalking) anytime, lady.
Happy to share and introduce y’all to Susan 🙂
Nice to meet you Ania 😀 I’m so glad you got something out of it!
Fabulous interview! I love the openness and authenticity with which you speak Nikki! And I loved your questions Susan! The sky is the limit for both of you!!!
Thank you, Lana!
Thanks Lana! You too xx!
OMG love you both! thank you for sharing this inspiring video!
Thanks for joining us, Maru 🙂
love you too Maru! 😉
Thank you much for the interview, Susan. It is always such a pleasure to listen to Nikki. I can do this for hours 🙂 Very grateful. Thank you once again.
What a nice thing to say, Alina! Thank you 🙂
Thanks so much for watching Alina! She’s an inspiring chica for sure!
This is an inspiring interview. I have been following Nikki for only a few months. Haven’t yet signed up for one of her programs but she seems like an amazing sister in a big heart business. I love how she spoke about the gentleman who spoke of her high costs but then realized it was his hangup not the cost of her program. Wise words indeed. I need to call in that thought as I build my business. Thank you for sharing such an amazing conversation. 🙂
Thanks for joining us, Connie!
Criticism can bring up all kinds of STUFF, but there’s always a good lesson in it 🙂
There was so much in this interview that I really needed to hear right now. But the best was Nikki saying just get your product out there!
Thanks for the inspiration both of you!
Simple but true! 🙂 Thanks for watching Allison!
Terrific interview… you two are great together… full of super juicy tidbits! Nikki, LUV the nickname, Jiminy Cricket of Mindset.
Thank you for reading it! 😉