Unconventional Life – Podcast, Blog, Live Events

Category: Business

  • How to Creatively Combine Passion and Purpose for Positive Change with Rising Appalachia’s Chloe Smith

    How to Creatively Combine Passion and Purpose for Positive Change with Rising Appalachia’s Chloe Smith

    Thoughts inspired by some of Chloe’s favorite quotes:

    “You’re Calling is Sometimes Louder than Your Comfort” Being a professional musician was never the initial goal for Chloe Smith.  She grew up in a community of musicians and was one of the few kids running around with a bunch of adults. 

    It didn’t even occur that being a musician was a viable professional career path at the time.  Both her and her sister were raised playing classical piano but weren’t interested in investing in the musical route until after they graduated high school.

    One of Chloe’s favorite quotes is “your calling is sometimes louder than your comfort”, which contributed to her bravery to take the stage time and time again when music did, in fact, seem to be part of the path.  Her quote beautifully represents this aspect of no longer being able to let the discomfort distract you from your purpose.  Chloe shared that she’s made tons of material that has never made it to production and that she is usually her own greatest critic.

    Is there something that’s been calling your name, but also seems wildly uncomfortable?  Sometimes the path isn’t clear until it is, and even then it’s constantly evolving.  Notice the breadcrumbs along the way and keep putting one foot in front of the other.  Whether you’ve already taken the leap into entrepreneurship or you’re on the fence, the unknown and uncomfortable unfortunately deter so many from choosing the path that beckons their name. 

    Don’t let your comfort zone keep you forever.  Check out what’s on the other side.  If you’re anything like Chloe, you’ll combine aspects of your life that you’re deeply passionate about for greater impact and reach. 

    “Don’t do Art for Art’s Sake” Unlike her sister, Leah, Chloe was really uncomfortable on stage and had to make a conscious effort to choose this path.  The sisters had always been very close and were deeply passionate activists.  Using their voices for political purposes was the fuel that helped spark their music career, and ultimately a greater movement.  This quote from their father naturally invoked a deeper meaning to their music.  They set out to spread awareness about the issues that mattered to them and used the music as a platform to reach people in nontraditional ways. 

    The Slow Music Movement and Rise Collective became ways for them to honor the creatives and place attention on the misaligned values of the music industry.  They talk openly about the pitfalls and injustices happening in the music industry.  It’s all about leaving the towns they visit better than there were before arriving, advocating for slowing down and rooting deeply into the culture.  It’s more than just the music for them.  It’s about inspiring people to create the change they wish to see in the world.

    Whether you’re an activist, artist, musician, or all three, the common thread is to inspire a deeper feeling, an action, a thought, something that alters or interrupts what was once there before. Even if you believe you haven’t a creative bone in your body, there is a way to incorporate art into your life or business.  Add artistic elements to your environment, listen to an inspiring talk about something you’re interested in, or invite a friend to join you at a local event.  Get involved with something that matters to you.  Create a life that has a deeper meaning, something more than just the money, something that has the ability to make each day greater than the day before. 

    .

    .

    .

    .

    .

    Amelia Broughton is a relational facilitator, writer, and purveyor of connection, pioneering a more connected, communication-savvy, and emotionally intelligent planet. She facilitates Authentic Relating and Relational Leadership in various settings and communities. Her expertise is in team dynamics and interpersonal relations. With over 10 years of experience on teams and in communities, Amelia’s vision for the world is one of beautiful interconnection, a place where we put down the distractions and to-do lists to bask in the miracles that surround us. The type of connection that nourishes us internally, externally and has every one of us feel seen, heard and loved with a true sense of belonging.  An active Unconventional Life member, Amelia consistently contributes her writing.

  • Immediately Increase Your Income, Impact, and Influence in 2019 with Lena Elkins

    Immediately Increase Your Income, Impact, and Influence in 2019 with Lena Elkins

    Change Your Mindset, Make More Money. Lena stresses that the first thing that anyone needs to do before they can increase their income is to shift the beliefs they have about what they think is possible for them.  Once you’ve opened up the gates of possibility and internalized it, the strategies and aligned action will come. Lena shares, “your beliefs are what ultimately produce your thoughts, and your thoughts are what inspire your reality.”  

    Notice the thoughts that occur when your bills come in the mail or the next time you go to swipe your credit card for a purchase.  Are you having thoughts of ease and effortlessness or are there voices that are telling you that you’re losing money? How do you feel when you’re investing large amounts of money in yourself, your health, your friends, your company, etc?  Attune yourself to the background noise that goes on in your mind when the topic of money comes up.

    Find out where those thoughts that tell you that “you are enough” or that “you don’t have enough” are lingering and nip them in the bud!    

    Stop Sabotaging Your Success. How many times have you thought, “if only XYZ were in place, I would…” or “I can’t do…because I don’t have…”?  Sound familiar? Quit sabotaging yourself! Lena demands that you stop giving yourself excuses that limit what is possible.  She’s a firm believer that there is never a right time and that sometimes you just have to jump into the uncertainty to see what happens.  

    I love her no-bullshit persona.

    What would happen if you chose to take your goals seriously?  If no matter how many excuses your brain conjured up that you would take action that is aligned with your desired outcome.  The ifs, ands, or buts will always be there, and they will consume you if you let them.  Don’t give your brain, which is programmed to preemptively detect things to be afraid of, that kind of satisfaction.  Make this the year that you take risks! You never know…you might just surprise yourself.

    People Want To Invest in You. Let’s be real.  There are billions of people on this planet. There are people out there that are waiting and wanting to pay you for your brilliance.  People that need you and your unique offering! Lena says, “most of the time, the reason why people aren’t paying you is because you aren’t showing up and communicating in your own unique way consistently enough and at the level that you need to”.  When is the last time you shared about what you were up to?

    Lena suggests going on Facebook Live, setting up your sales page, creating an order form, and doing whatever it takes to create opportunities for people to hear what you’re doing.  Keep sharing about what matters to you, make sure people know exactly what you do and what your offerings are. Figure out how many ways people can pay you, and share that too!  Show up consistently, watch the magic unfold and money start to flow in.

    This episode is a tiny taste of what Lena and Jules’ have in store for their Money Manifestation Master Course.  Make this the year you transform your online business – sign up now!

    .

    .

    .

    .

    Amelia Broughton is a relational facilitator and purveyor of connection, pioneering a more connected, communication-savvy, and emotionally intelligent planet. She facilitates Authentic Relating and Relational Leadership in various settings and communities. Her expertise is in team dynamics and interpersonal relations. With over 10 years of experience on teams and in communities, Amelia’s vision for the world is one of beautiful interconnection, a place where we put down the distractions and to-do lists to bask in the miracles that surround us. The type of connection that nourishes us internally, externally and has every one of us feel seen, heard and loved with a true sense of belonging.  An active Unconventional Life member, Amelia is our Operations Director and consistently contributes her writing.

  • Self-Mastery, Search Engine Optimization, and 7 Steps Systems with Immy Tariq

    Self-Mastery, Search Engine Optimization, and 7 Steps Systems with Immy Tariq

    Immy Tariq is a master super-connector, publicity expert, and a legend in the Search Engine Optimization and Lead Generation fields.  He is the founder of Webmetrix Group, a company dedicated to creating unmatchable results for businesses wanting to take their online presence to another dimension.  He’s also a best selling author and has been featured on CNBC, CNN, Bravo, and A&E.   

    In Immy’s podcast, you will learn…

    • 7 steps to radically transform your productivity
    • How to prioritize what is most important every single day
    • Best practices to connect people and build your network
    • And much more…

    Inspired Relational Insights from Immy’s Podcast

    Seek To Find the Opportunity in Every Interaction

    If it’s all about who you know, Immy is a great person to be connected to.  He’s a super connector with an innovative mindset striving for excellence in everything he sets out to accomplish.  Immy stresses the importance of people’s time, advising thorough research about their offerings and background when it comes to introducing people and asking for advice. 

    By expanding the possibilities currently existent in one’s field through connections, he sees how to structure his network to provide massive value and recognize opportunities in advance. Listen for the thing that lights someone up.  What are they interested in?  How might you be able to support them in this desire or dream?  How might they be able to contribute to your life?  Who or what do you know that they absolutely need to be in touch with to further their career?  There is an opportunity in every interaction, seek to find the gems.    

    Invest in Your Relationships

    You’re continuously impacting the people you meet, regardless of the business you’re in.  Upon listening to Immy, I’m reminded of the Maya Angelou quote, “People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel”.  It’s clear that Immy strives to create pleasurable experiences with the people he meets by the amount of time he invests in truly getting to know someone.

    When you’re working with a client, collaborating on a project, or simply meeting someone for the first time, invest in truly getting to know what they are about.  What do you want this person to remember about you?  What quality of conversation do you wish to be having?  What could you share with this person that would make a difference in their life? It’s easy to understand the impact that Immy had when he met Jules and asked what he could do for her.  How might you offer your expertise and knowledge? 

    Offer a Solution to a Pain Point

    By tapping into desired outcomes, he’s able to find solutions and simplify the order of operations.  Immy enjoys finding his client’s SEO problems to provide tools that alleviate any frustrations or confusion they may have been having.  In this case, Immy’s superpower shines while his clients benefit from the invaluable addition he provides.  A win-win for all parties involved is the aim of the game.  

    What do you have to offer?  What do you love to share that can make a difference in another person’s life?  There is something only you have to give in the exact way you do.  Seek out the opportunity, invest in your relationships, and offer your unique solutions.

    .

    .

    .

    .

    Amelia Broughton is a relational facilitator and purveyor of connection, pioneering a more connected, communication-savvy, and emotionally intelligent planet. She facilitates Authentic Relating and Relational Leadership in various settings and communities. Her expertise is in team dynamics and interpersonal relations. With over 10 years of experience on teams and in communities, Amelia’s vision for the world is one of beautiful interconnection, a place where we put down the distractions and to-do lists to bask in the miracles that surround us. The type of connection that nourishes us internally, externally and has every one of us feel seen, heard and loved with a true sense of belonging.  An active Unconventional Life member, Amelia recently became our Operations Director and will be consistently contributing her writing.

  • How to Travel the World For Free While Getting Top Hotels to Pay You with Instagram Influencer Zach Benson

    How to Travel the World For Free While Getting Top Hotels to Pay You with Instagram Influencer Zach Benson

    Zach Benson is the founder of Assistagram, an Instagram growth agency that reaches a network of 500M+ across its Instagram accounts. Assistagram has engineered the social media strategy behind top-tier brands like The Four Seasons and The Ritz Carlton.  He is also the founder of Tribe Influencer, an online course designed specifically for those wanting to learn how to become an official travel and lifestyle influencer.

    In Zach’s podcast, you will learn…

      • How he gets paid to travel the world
      • Why he is compelled to help people through Instagram
      • How to boost your numbers and expand your network
      • And much more…

    “Content is king. It’s always going to be king, and with great content comes crazy growth”

    If you’re one of Zach’s followers on Instagram, you may have seen some of the luxury hotels he’s been paid to stay at.  With over 300+ free nights under his belt, it’s easy to see why Zach is the best in the world at travel hacking.  While he may not be the first to discover travel hacking (think earning points for flights through credit cards), he’s found a way to offer immense value while experiencing the richness and wonder of resorts across the globe.

    Hotels are always in need of exposure, new content, perspective, tools and efficiency tricks.  In recent years, hotels have been selling out months in advance because of Instagram and influencer marketing.  By offering exposure and placement in travel pages, influencers have found a way to leverage their gifts within the hospitality industry.

    Founding two companies, Assistagram and Tribe Influencer, Zach has seen the wildfire growth that happens with great content and strategic systems.  Dedicated to helping others be the savvy influencers they were born to be, Zach’s answered a few common questions for you to confidently dive into Instagram and unleash the influencer within.

    What is Instagram and why should I use it? Simply put, Instagram is the most engaging platform in the world for captivating content.  It is perfect for branding and marketing, as it features profiles and photos that span an abundance of different interests.  From puppy pics to product launches, secret getaways to death-defying accomplishments, it’s hard to remember life without this platform.  Whether you want to drool over decadent dishes or scroll the latest news, there is something for everyone to discover and desire.  It’s a hub to be heard on, somewhere people can celebrate and comment on what you want to share.

    Adopted from South Korea, Zach grew up in Iowa somewhat confused about his place in this world.  A speech impediment kept him rather quiet for most of his life, and it wasn’t until he found dance that he started to be more confident.  Being able to give back and help people find their voice to speak to the world is one of the biggest reasons Zach loves Instagram so much — he’s found a way to continuously provide value and enrich the experience for more than just himself in the process. 

    I don’t have a big following, where do I start? If you don’t have a big account yet, don’t worry.  Focus on your strengths, what can you provide?  Zach recommends just getting into action.  For his travel hacking, he chooses a place he wants to stay and reaches out at least a month before.  His focus is 4-5 star hotels.  He sends an email and will follow up as needed.   When Zach is pitching these hotels, he is committed to finding a win-win, and most of all offering tons of value.  You may hear some ‘no’s’, but keep going. 

    Zach also suggests helping out other big accounts, building relationships with others in your field of interest, and asking if you can help leverage their accounts. 

    How can I boost my network? It’s all about posting epic content.  The more engagement you have with your audience the better.  A quick tip for those just starting out — repost viral content that others have posted.  Begin with the end in mind and learn what your target audience responds well to.  Zach advises mastering the basics.  Create captivating content, research hashtags, and join engagement groups.  The more your research the basics, the better.

    .

    .

    .

    .

    Amelia Broughton is a relational facilitator and purveyor of connection, pioneering a more connected, communication-savvy, and emotionally intelligent planet. She facilitates Authentic Relating and Relational Leadership in various settings and communities. Her expertise is in team dynamics and interpersonal relations. With over 10 years of experience on teams and in communities, Amelia’s vision for the world is one of beautiful interconnection, a place where we put down the distractions and to-do lists to bask in the miracles that surround us. The type of connection that nourishes us internally, externally and has every one of us feel seen, heard and loved with a true sense of belonging.  An active Unconventional Life member, Amelia recently became our Operations Director and will be consistently contributing her writing. 

  • Multitalented? How to Fuse Your Business and Artistic Passion into Your Life

    Multitalented? How to Fuse Your Business and Artistic Passion into Your Life

    David Andrew Wiebe is the host of The New Music Industry Podcast, founder of The Music Entrepreneur HQ, and author of The New Music Industry: Adapting, Growing, and Thriving in The Information Agebook, and The Essential Guide to Music Entrepreneurship. A multi-talented entrepreneur, he is also highly skilled in audio, video, music, and multimedia design.

    In David’s episode, you will learn…

    • How to navigate entrepreneurship when you have so much to offer
    • The importance of building a team to support your vision
    • How to be a “Both, And” person
    • And much more…

    Sound Strategies for the Beginner Entrepreneur

    Overcome Shiny Object Syndrome

    If you identify as a multipotentialite, the diverse range of gifts and skills you have to offer is vast.  With so much curiosity and interest, it can be frustrating when you’re trying to figure out where to invest your time and energy.  After all, everything seems to have so much potential!

    Wiebe shares that when he was first starting out he created all the projects and websites that beckoned to be made.  After writing his first book, he realized directing all the websites to one page would be the most efficient strategy instead of continuously writing a book for each website.  He recommends validating your exciting idea first before making anything. Once you know there is demand, it’s time to start creating.

    Insights are rapidly available, but the integration or materialization of said insight takes time and energy.  Write out your most desirable ideas and ask people you know for feedback. See what sticks and take action in the direction with the most traction.  Commit to focusing your attention on this idea for 90 days and see what comes into fruition. Allow yourself to be process-oriented instead of results-oriented along the way.  Most of all, make sure you’re enjoying yourself.

    Start with The Basics

    After being introduced to network marketing, Wiebe realized that the core components of the techniques, skills, and content he was being given could map to just about anything.  He swiftly started to apply the principles to his musical entrepreneurship and dedicated his time to increase his success.

    When you’re first starting out as an entrepreneur, you may be easily overwhelmed with the endless content flying out every crevasse of the internet.  Instead of getting caught up with the excess, try to find a blueprint of an already successful or familiar model. Be willing to adapt and practice fluidity as your business evolves, but start by solidifying your basic outline first.

    Conquer Those Defeating Tendencies

    Along the way, you will likely meet obstacles, jump hurdles, and come up against some diminishing thoughts.  Wiebe remembers his moments of questioning his projects, and shares that comparing his work to others success got the best of him at times.

    Having a strong mindset and continuously coming back to the bigger picture of your creation will support you when you’re struggling.  He suggests finding people that compliment your vision and building a team of individuals that are skilled at the tasks that are less desirable to you.  Find a way to focus your energy on the things you love to do and know that you don’t have to do it alone.

     Amelia Broughton is a relational facilitator and purveyor of connection, pioneering a more connected, communication-savvy, and emotionally intelligent planet. She facilitates Authentic Relating and Relational Leadership in various settings and communities. Her expertise is in team dynamics and interpersonal relations. With over 10 years of experience on teams and in communities, Amelia’s vision for the world is one of beautiful interconnection, a place where we put down the distractions and to-do lists to bask in the miracles that surround us. The type of connection that nourishes us internally, externally and has every one of us feel seen, heard and loved with a true sense of belonging.  An active Unconventional Life member, Amelia recently became our Operations Director and will be consistently contributing her writing.