Unconventional Life – Podcast, Blog, Live Events

Author: Jules Schroeder

How This Mom-of-Five Beat Cancer and Built an Entrepreneurial Empire
Rachel Brenke is a practicing lawyer and the founder of the Business Bites Podcast, an iTunes top-rated podcast that delivers 10-minute “bites” of business content to busy entrepreneurs. Rachel is also an author, a team USA athlete, a mom-of-five, and a cancer survivor.

What you’ll learn:
- How to launch a successful “niche” business.
- How to achieve work-life balance inside a busy schedule.
- How to tune out the haters—those in your life who don’t support your vision.
Key lessons from Rachel’s episode:

1. The Riches Are in the Niches. If you’re having trouble making the impact you want, it could be because you’ve cast too large of a net. You might be better off serving those who have more specific problems inside of your industry. When you target a niche, you…
- Reduce the amount of competition (and can therefore dominate).
- Have an easier time getting people to identify whether or not your service is for them.
- Can make a more profound impact in the lives of individuals.
Rachel has generated massive success targeting (and pioneering) niches in the legal industry. She’s used her legal know-how to help photographers, bloggers, and fitness professionals protect themselves from potential legal disasters like copyright infringements.

In choosing a niche, be specific and focus on what you have a personal connection to or are genuinely interested in.

2. Know Your Client From the Inside Out. How well do you know your client? Do you have a broad sense of who you’re serving, or do you know your client avatar down to the nitty gritty details? Rachel says it’s much better to know your avatar intimately. When you only have a general understanding of who you’re serving, your sales and marketing will reflect that, and will probably have a hard time reeling in clients. You might get people who are “warm,” and resonate somewhat with your message, product, or service, but chances are, you’ll get few who are “on fire”—those with a burning, hell-yes resonance, who become repeat customers and refer all their friends—you know, the clients you really want, and who are a joy to work with.

So how do you get those kinds of clients? It’s simple. Rachel says you must target a very specific kind of person. Imagine that you’re speaking to just a single person as you write your marketing and sales copy. “Get so specific. Name your avatar, define her likes and dislikes—down to the kind of wine she drinks. By speaking to that person, you’re sticking her in the middle of the bell curve, and you also grab everyone else around her,” Rachel says.

3. Make Work-Life Balance Non-Negotiable. Many of us relate to our self-care as if it’s a nice-to-have kind of thing. When we have extra time available, we might take a bath, or meditate, or make a nourishing, home-cooked meal. But when we’re pressed for time, self-care is often the first thing to go. We go into “survival mode” and sacrifice our self-care.

This might be an effective short-term strategy, but as a chronic habit, it wreaks havoc on our sense of well-being. It actually makes us much less effective. And it comes down to how we define success.

Being cash-rich and time-poor is not success.

So how do you find a greater sense of work-life balance? You make it non-negotiable. You schedule your self-care—activities that fuel and restore you—like you would any other appointment. Anchor your non-negotiable activities as unmovables in your schedule. You will find that with with more activities that replenish you, you actually have more energy, more focus, and more creativity to pour into your work. You will be more productive, accomplishing more work in less time, because you are well-resourced for your work.
May 19, 2018
The 6-Figure Earner’s Guide to Branding
Dmitriy Kozlov is the founder of Influex, an elite personal branding agency working with 6, 7, and 8 figure entrepreneurs including Mike Dillard and JJ Virgin. Influex specializes in helping entrepreneurs infuse their authentic self expression into their business.

In Dmitriy’s episode, you’ll learn:
- How to unlock authentic branding – connect instantly with your clients.
- Tips to improve the effectiveness of your website.
- What sets top influencers apart from the rest.
- Plus, a live spoken word performance by Dmitriy (watch til the end!)
Key lessons from Dmitriy’s episode:

Your full self expression is the missing piece in your business.

Many of us believe that there is no place for our full selves in our business. We have this notion of “professionalism” that seems to exclude the entirety of who we are from the realm of business.

Case in point, I did an interview with JP Sears—you know, the hysterical YouTuber behind the “Ultra Spiritual” series—where he said that for years he was terrified of bringing his humor to his business. He created content online centered around “sincere life advice” that never got any traction.

One day, JP decided to take a risk and put out a comedic video… and the video went viral, garnering millions of views. His channel became an instant sensation and viewers began asking for more comedy skits. JP’s story shows us that bringing our full selves can catalyze quantum leaps in our business.

What are you holding back from your business?

Dmitriy offers, “What’s your artistic passion? Everyone has one as a kid. When you bring it into your entrepreneurship, it gives you an opportunity to something greater in business and is more fulfilling. My friend Yanik Silver loves to doodle and it sets his marketing apart.”

Integrating purpose into business makes a big difference.

One of the main reasons people burn out in business is that they lack a strong “why.” When we lack greater context for the small things we do everyday, these small things can seem mundane and even pointless.

When your “why” is strong—it’s something that’s worth showing up for, something that challenges you to rise to the occasion—your business has sustainable fuel.

Dmitriy recommends aligning your business with positive impact. He says, “when your business does good in the world, you’re willing to put energy into it whether or not you have external support. It inspires your team to show up in a different way. When your purpose is expressed, unexpected things come into support you, including media and PR opportunities, which may end up turning into greater profits for you. When you do something good for the world, the world rallies to support you in doing more good work.”
May 11, 2018
How to Manifest the Life of Your Dreams
Gabrielle Bonneville is the co-founder of Momentom Collective, an artist residency for entrepreneurs featuring co-training and co-working in exotic locations around the world—

Including Bali, Guatemala, and Nicaragua. Prior to founding Momentom Collective, Gabrielle worked at the United Nations promoting human rights.

In Gabrielle’s episode, you’ll learn:
- How to surround yourself with inspiring and uplifting people – create a kickass community!
- Tips to manifest the life of your dreams
- The keys to profound introspection and authentic self-expression
- And so much more…
Major themes in this episode:

1. Introspection is the key to self-actualization.

In order to fulfill upon your dreams, you must first know yourself so that you can know what your dreams are. The more in touch you are with yourself, the more you will be able to attune to what satiation feels like for you in terms of aligned work, relationships, hobbies, etc. So how do you come to know yourself?

Gabrielle says for her, the pathway is introspection. Introspection can look different for different people. For you, it may be…
- Awareness of breath
- Meditation
- Yoga
- Psychedelic journeys
- Creative outlets
“Whatever form connecting with self comes in for you intuitively and excitedly, do it for a minimum of twenty minutes a day,” Gabrielle recommends for maximum results.

2. Credibility starts in your immediate network.

In just a few short years, Momentom Collective has impacted thousands globally and become a household name among aerial artists, entrepreneurs, and travelers.

Gabrielle credits the success of Momentom to the quality of her internal community. At each residency, community is at the core of their values. Momentom welcomes artists and travelers into their residencies on an application basis. A hand-curation process ensures that each individual is in alignment with the intentions of the broader community, while maintaining an intimate environment that fosters meaningful connection. Word spreads among visitors, which in turn attracts more visitors.

While many of us think the best way to create community is through an active social media presence, Momentom reminds us that in-person connection and word-of-mouth advertising can be just as effective, if not more.

How can you create more emphasis on in-person connection in your brand?

3. Who you surround yourself with matters.

You’ve probably heard you are the average of the five people you spend the most time with. But are you living by this?

Pay attention to how you feel when and after you spend time around others. Do you tend to feel drained after spending time with certain individuals? Does maintaining any connection feel like “work”?

Don’t expose yourself to others who consistently drain you.

Practicing self love means not jeopardizing your well-being by spending time with those who drain you. It can be hard to hold a firm boundary around access to your energy, but it is much better for yourself and those involved. Sometimes, by keeping others around who do us harm—advertently or inadvertently—we are enabling them.

If you really value a connection with someone whose presence seems to dull your light, have a conversation with them. Be honest and give them feedback about your experience of connecting with them impacts you. Remember to own your experience; the conversation may be delicate so how you approach it can influence the outcome. Don’t levy blame. Use “I” statements rather than “you” statements, and use specific examples. You might say, “when you do ___, I feel ___.”

Honesty can go a long way in improving any relationship. However, if honesty still doesn’t work, you may consider distancing yourself from this individual. You can still love and support them at a distance that honors your own well-being.

It’s just as important to fill your circle with those who uplift you.

Gabrielle says, “Surround yourself with the right people. I have a desire to be surrounded with business entrepreneurs, energy healers and artists. Build a team around yourself that is so bomb.”

Aim to curate a group of friends who uplift, inspire, and encourage you. The presence of these people in your life will nurture you and facilitate your growth.
May 5, 2018
Decoding the Wisdom of Your Soul With Astrology
Debra Silverman has had a private astrology practice for over 40 years. She has served celebrity clientele including Sting and Trevor Hall. She is also the author of the book The Missing Element: Inspiring Compassion for the Human Condition and a successful YouTuber who has garnered 7+ Million video views.

In Debra’s episode, you’ll learn:
- How astrology provides insight into your personality and why you are the way you are.
- A method to heal trauma and emotional pain.
- How to cultivate self-compassion.
Key lessons from Debra’s episode:

1. Your Personality is Largely Determined by Your Astrological Sign.

“Astrology explains the parts of ourselves we can’t explain,” Debra says. “It’s not just a predictive tool, it’s also a tool for understanding and cultivating compassion for our personalities.”

If you’ve ever wondered why you’re introverted, disorganized, or perfectionistic, astrology could provide you the answers you’re looking for. Debra says our personalities take basis in our astrological signs, which are determined by our place, date, and time of birth. It may provide you closure to know that many of your traits are a consequence of your sign and not some defect or something you need to change.

2. It Helps to Neutralize Your Point of View.

So often we get so involved in the story and drama of our lives. We tell ourselves we are a victim, that he or she is bad, or that it would be so terrible if a certain outcome unfolded. Allowing our minds to weave these kinds of stories can be exhausting and potentially destructive, particularly when those stories are negative.

Debra encourages us to strip away our stories. Here’s how:
- Bring a neutral lens to your experience. Simply notice what is happening around you. Detach yourself from judgment and expectation.
- Practice this “observer muscle” often, especially when you feel yourself getting dragged into the story.
Meditation can be a powerful practice to help you get out of the mind’s story and into a neutral perspective. Allow the inner mental chatter to fade out.

3. Movement is Key.

“Moving energy is the shortest, simplest way to never age and stay healthy,” Debra says. She’s a huge advocate for daily movement, not only for its physical benefits, but also for its mental and energetic benefits. If you often feel tense, or if your chest feels “heavy,” this can signal the presence of dense energy in your body. An effective way to help it clear your system is to move your body. Find a form of movement you actually enjoy and commit to it as a regular practice.
May 5, 2018
The ‘How’ and ‘Why’ of Launching a Social Impact Business
Josh Shukhman is the founder of Social Change Nation, a platform and podcast that empowers change-hungry entrepreneurs with the resources they need to create a profitable and impactful business. To date, he has hosted over one hundred episodes featuring interviews with successful entrepreneurs whose businesses are making a difference.

In Josh’s episode you’ll learn:
- The foundation of any social impact business.
- How to restore purpose and alignment to your life through service.
- Tips to plug into an uplifting support network.
Plus, Josh is giving 3 lucky listeners 6 month access to his membership program, The Impact Business Hub, which contains tons of invaluable content for social impact entrepreneurs. The winners will also gain access to The Impact Business Hub private Facebook group where they can connect with other likeminded doers.

Key takeaways from Josh’s episode:

1. Social Impact is the New Normal. In the past, companies that had a cause were the exception. But today, 87% of consumers will choose social responsible brands over their competitors, while 75% will refuse to buy from a brand who counteracts an issue they care about. If you’re thinking about launching a business or you have an existing one, integrating a social cause is virtually a requirement. Not only will it help distinguish you from competitors but it will improve consumers’ perception of you while making a tangible difference in a world that needs your help.

2. It Starts With Your “Why.” Josh says what makes or breaks a successful social impact business is the reason they’re doing what they’re doing. Those whose ‘why’ involves personal or material gain (for example, using your social mission as a marketing ploy) almost always burn out, while those who have a genuine, heartfelt interest in the cause they’re targeting are the ones who last.

Searching for your big ‘why’? Josh recommends you reflect on what angers you. “Look at the social problems that really piss you off,” he says. Where do you see injustice in the world? What group of marginalized people do you wish you could help? Anger can be the powerful fuel that inspires you to take action and sustains your cause.

3. Community Helps. Starting a social change business can feel like an uphill battle. But it’s easier with community. Josh recommends you surround yourself with likeminded others who also have a high value on service and impact. Better yet, immerse yourself in a community of doers who are actually actioning upon these values via entrepreneurship. There are tons of Facebook groups open to the public centered around this cause. With community, you will be able to endure the dips and be successful.

If you haven’t already, make sure you check out Josh’s podcast, The Dollar and a Difference Show.
April 26, 2018