Leah Gervais: Hi, visionaries. Welcome back to the Your Biggest Vision show. I am your host, Leah Gervais. And today I am very excited and flattered to have Emma Henderson here with us. Emma means a lot to me. She is someone that’s been in my life in business for a while. Now. She is just, as you know, she’s so authentic. And I think that you can’t say that with everyone that you’ve become friends with over Instagram and the internet, and, um, she’s very wise, so we’re very lucky to have her. Emma, do you want to do a little intro?

Emma Henderson: Yeah. Hey Leah, thanks for having me.

Leah Gervais: Of course. So, so yeah, we’re very excited to have you here. So I’m, uh, why don’t you, I mean, so you’re an online business coach. You help people start businesses, get out of the nine to five. You have a really cool kind of story yourself. I know that you talk about how you went from getting fired and being at like the lowest point of your life to having five figure months. Take us back a little bit to like what you thought you’d be when you grow up, when you grew up.

Emma Henderson: Yeah, that’s a great question. Um, you know, I grew up in a family where my mom and dad worked like nine to fives. Um, and you know, that was really great. Like they work really hard, but, um, you know, I always had that vision long-term that I would just be in a nine to five, the rest of my life. Um, not that, that was what I wanted. It’s just like what I felt like I should do. Um, and then kind of, as I went through the corporate world and worked in New York, I always had this drive to own my own thing. 

I didn’t know what that looked like at the time. Um, but I always felt like I wanted to be my own boss once I started kind of working in the corporate world. So that’s kind of, um, how like my dream shifted over time. Um, and you know, I think I always had it, but it can be really hard when you’re surrounded by people who don’t really fully understand or haven’t done it themselves. So, yeah, to answer your question, I guess going back to it, when I grew up, you know, I wanted to be like a vet or, you know, something like a little bit more quote, unquote secure. Um, but you know, now that I’m an entrepreneur, I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Leah Gervais: Totally. So what did it look like for you when you first started having that, that gut feeling or those whispers or however, it feels true for you about running your own business? So you were working in Manhattan and your family were not entrepreneurs. So did you kind of try to suppress it at first? Did you talk to anyone about it? What was it, what was it like to navigate it at first?

Emma Henderson: Yeah, so that’s a really interesting question. Um, you know, while I was working in Manhattan, I had, um, a lot of things going on. I was dealing with a lot of anxiety as in there was a big pivotal point where I actually decided to move back to North Carolina where I live now with my boyfriend- fiance. But you know, once I moved to North Carolina, I really started to that’s when I really felt that drive to want more for myself. Um, and I actually slowly transitioned, started working for a graphic designer full time here that only lasted a couple months. And that was really when I started to feel that kind of like, I need to do this. And, um, I was like kept saying in the back of my head, it’s not the right time. I’ll do it when I’m older,  people won’t take me seriously because I’m not, you know, old enough or established enough, you know, making all these excuses for myself. 

Finally when, um, that relationship with that graphic designer ended and she fired me, um, it was kind of like a now or never type experience. And, um, I know I’ve talked a little bit about this with you before, but that was like, literally when I drove to best buy, like that same day, I bought my book, um, and said like, this is happening, I’m making it work. Like failure’s not an option. Um, so yeah, I guess in the beginning I was definitely scared. Especially like when I first started having those thoughts, but, you know, going through that experience, getting fired, you know, while in the process of buying a home, it was kind of like, you have to make it work and it didn’t matter what anyone was going to say. Um, if that drive is strong enough, you’ll make it happen for yourself.

Leah Gervais: Right. So it’s almost like that’s, it’s a great story because it’s almost like you were proving your fears wrong because it sounds like for a long time you suppressed your, um, kind of wanting to do entrepreneurship now because you thought it wasn’t secure, it wasn’t safe. And there you were in front, like right in front of you, you had this nine to five job and it wasn’t secure and it wasn’t safe. So it sounds like your brain was almost like I’m not listening to you anymore because what you, what you always thought was the right thing to do was actually not that safe. Do you think that that’s kind of what happened?

Emma Henderson: Yeah, for sure. I mean, um, and it’s really interesting seeing it now, like with everything that’s gone on in the world, like, you know, there’s really no security in having a nine to five job anymore. So, um, it was really understanding when I went through it because I went through a couple of years before everything happened and experienced that for myself. Um, and you know, I think now, like looking at it, I feel way more secure having my own business than I ever did at a nine to five, because I’m not putting my success in someone else’s hands, I’m putting it in my own hands. And I know that I work hard and I made that happen for myself. And I know that, you know, whatever does happen, I’ll always have my business and no one can take that away from me.

Leah Gervais: Totally. I couldn’t agree more. So tell us a little bit about what it was like when you started monetizing kind of your experience. I think that that trips, a lot of people up, they like the idea of doing something on their own, but they like have no idea what it could be or how to start. And I know you help your clients with this now, too.

Emma Henderson: Yeah, definitely. Um, that’s a great question because I definitely in the beginning, um, felt like, again, I felt like I was kind of under the gun a little bit and I was like, okay, I need to make this work. Um, so I definitely started out like quote unquote freelancing and just a bunch of random marketing gigs, um, for lack of a better word. Um, and just like anything I felt like I could apply my experience too, which I quickly realized was not scalable. Um, but I think like looking back on it, I wouldn’t do it any other way for myself. Um, you know, now I work with my students to figure out, you know, what’s going to be scalable. Long-term probably before they do what I did and, you know, Burt themselves out, taking on a million roles. But it also was a good thing because it allowed me to take action, which I think is the biggest thing. I think action perpetuates more action. And in that moment, um, you know, those gigs that I started to take, um, you know, making little to no money, um, ultimately helped figure out what I wanted to focus on. Um, and what really excited me and what, um, I ultimately wanted to scale for my own business.

Leah Gervais: I love that answer. And I love what you said about action. And I think that it is so King, I just did a training, um, about like six. When I look back at my journey, what I think was most helpful to get me to, to six figure months and the first like five were all kind of mindset and just ways I started seeing things differently and things I just started looking at differently, but the sixth, which followed all of those was you have to take massive action.

It doesn’t matter how much you think about things or how good you feel about things or how much, how perfect and Instagram post is or whatever the case may be. You have to take crazy actions. So what advice do you have for someone maybe who’s listening to this, that’s thinking like, I also want to start my own business or I have a business, but it’s just not taking off. How can they get into more action?

Emma Henderson: Yeah, that’s a great question. And I think it’s also, again, like going back to what I was saying about like figuring out what got me going and what excited me was figuring out, you know, what that inspired action looks like. So fingered know what excites you, what you would be like, you know, waking up in the morning, excited to wake up and work with, with people who that audience is. 

And, um, you know, what you’re good at? I always say like, one of the exercises I do with the students in my group program is, um, asking them, you know, friends and family, even what do people come to you for? Like what do they come to you for advice? So they come to you to help them organize their home. Do they come to you to help them create a workout plan? Um, like what are you good at? What, you know, what do people ask you for? And, you know, people are like, Oh, well, how do I, you know, create money from that? How do I, um, how can I be profitable from that? And it really, you know, people will value your skillset. People value your excitement about something. And I think that you can really create a business out of anything. Um, if you’re passionate enough about it,

Leah Gervais: I totally agree. I think people have to remember that people pay for people know even people that are frugal, that don’t have a lot of money. All these, we all have these fears that people won’t be willing to pay for things. But I think people at any income level with any amount of money, no, that you pay to save time, usually to get a result faster because we always can make more money, but we don’t have more time. You can even think about this simply, like why do people go to buy whole foods? You know, like their, their hot lunches or whatever, versus cooking it for themselves. It’s because of time. 

So you just need to amplify that to your point, whatever you can help people like get a result of faster. It doesn’t have to be the most original idea in the world. It doesn’t have to be something no one’s thought of. It’s just about helping them pay for her result that you can help them get faster than they would on their own. I know you’re very good at that. So talk, talk to us a little bit about, I mean, I know that you did this pretty quickly, right? That was only a few years ago.

Emma Henderson: Yeah. Um, I guess that was yeah, about two years ago at this point. Um, and it’s really interesting when you were just talking about like helping people achieve Arizona faster. It’s really funny because I think, you know, one of the biggest parts of my business, like when I really started to, um, hit those income goals that I wanted to hit and really honed in on, like what part of my business I wanted to scale was actually when I started working with you and your mastermind program, um, that was a really big like pivotal point for me. 

It was scary when I went into it because, you know, you have to make that investment. You have to take, like we were talking about massive action, but, um, if I didn’t do that, you know, I don’t think I would have been able to actually, I know I would not have been able to scale my business as quickly as I did. So that was really, um, and that’s something I talk with my own audience, my own students about, um, you know, some of my best students I find are the ones that are like ready they, I got on the phone with them and they have that drive. Like they’re ready to go and they’re just, they need someone to help them achieve that and help them scale that, um, and figuring out what actions are going to help them, you know, get closer to that goal, to that vision.

Leah Gervais: Well, thank you so much for sharing that, Emma, that obviously means a lot to me, and it’s amazing to watch you. And I know that I know you believe in that so much, and that’s why that’s primarily what you do at this point is because we were not meant to do this alone and you’re meant to do it so much faster than you can. If you’re learning from someone who, you know, can, can kind of show you the way. 

So what do you think has been the most, like if you look back at what I’d really love to hear is like, has there been a mental ceiling that you really had to break through? That was the hardest, like, I know for me, I don’t know why, but breaking through my first five figure month was the hardest, more than six figures, more than a six figure a year, more than a six figure month. Any of that, it was just, I really like, it just was really hard for me. I didn’t, I did not think I could do it. And I don’t mean that to sound self-deprecating, I’d just literally done it. So when you look at something that you’ve really had to shift, it doesn’t have to be financial. What do you think has grown the most in you since you’ve become a full-time entrepreneur?

Emma Henderson: Yeah, I definitely think that going back to like my pivot and, um, going from like freelancing and burning myself out for little to no money to heading five-figure months consistently, um, I think mindset was probably the biggest player in all of that. And I know that I’ve talked to you a bit about this. I’ve talked to the girls in the mastermind group about this, but, um, you know, I really like kind of, I guess, resistant in mindset work in the beginning just because I’m like, so go, go, go. Um, and do do do however, um, I think like one of the most important things was for me to step back and really work on the mindset and my bigger vision for myself, because without that vision, you know, all of these things that I’m doing, all of these, you know, strategies that I’m putting in place and things that I’m building, um, without that vision to drive it, um, and that mindset work to, you know, believe in yourself and talk to yourself like you’ve already achieved, you know, your vision.

Emma Henderson: Um, without that, you know, all of these things that you’re doing are kind of in vain, um, a little bit. So I think that mindset work, um, was really crucial. Um, and just, you know, again, waking up every day and, you know, an entrepreneurship, I’m sure you’re aware like there’s good days and there’s bad days, but just staying consistent and reminding yourself that it’s all towards that greater goal, that greater vision that you have, um, as extremely important, because I think especially when you’re starting out, it’s really easy to, I mean, I know like I went through, like this one, I was starting my webinars. Um, I used to hate doing webinars. I hated, um, being on live camera. 

Um, and if, like, if I had like one person in the webinar, I would let it get me down for like weeks. Um, and I would be like, I’m not going to do another one. And now I’m doing them, you know, every week. And this is something that you’ve helped me with. Um, so again, I think it’s staying consistent showing up and just staying in a positive mindset, I think was one of the biggest things that helped me really start to hit those five figure months that, um, and yeah, I totally agree it like getting to that point was extremely hard, but, um, you know, doing the work to get there is crucial in order to be consistent with it.

Leah Gervais: Yeah. I love that. You just said that. I think that that is why you’ve had consistent success and continual success is because you, like, you were, you were available to kind of have to go through what you got through to, to hit it. And I think so often people, and I was probably guilty of this. Like you look for kind of the quick way and, or just like, I think I know how to do it, so why aren’t I doing it? Why is it so hard? And it’s like, Oh, well, it’s so hard because it’s making into the person who doesn’t just hit at once. But like, that’s just how, how my life is after that. So what do you think is, um, what do you see as the most use? Do you see a commonality with your new newer entrepreneurs amongst them? Like, what is a common mindset shift that you wish you could kind of tell them all or that they need to have? Or is there a common fear that you think people really have?

Emma Henderson: Yeah, I think it’s, and this kind of goes back to what we were talking about a little bit earlier. Um, just like the fact that a lot of them are like, Oh, well, people won’t pay me for this. You know, people won’t pay me to help them be more confident or, you know, um, one of my students that I have right now, like she has so much passion and excitement for what she offers. And she was like, Oh, well, how do I monetize this? And I was like, people will pay for the fact that you’re just so passionate and can help them, you know, be more confident or, you know, whatever it is, whatever their end goal is, if you can help them, you know, transition from a to B because of how passionate and knowledgeable you are, um, people will pay for that. So I think that, you know, one of the biggest things is just helping them to figure out what value they’re providing, um, and knowing that people will pay for that value.

Leah Gervais: Yeah. I love that. What, great advice. And is there anything else, like accompanying that any big action that you think people in those early phases, do you have one kind of to-do list item that you’d give them right now if they’re listening to this?

Emma Henderson: Yeah, I would definitely say mindset is one. Um, because again, I resisted it for so long and it definitely held me back. And then also just getting really clear on, you know, what you want to offer and who you want to offer it to you. I think that so many times people get hung up on building a website and, you know, building so many things without having that clarity. Um, so I think getting really clear on again, your offering and who you want to offer it to before you really do any of the extra work that goes with that is extremely important.

Leah Gervais: Amazing. And one other kind of juicy nugget. I know you now have a thousand email subscribers on your list. Congratulations on that. Any words of wisdom about growing an email list or, um, I mean, it sounds like your list has been a big money generator for you.

Emma Henderson: Yeah. My email list has definitely become probably the top converting channel that I have. Um, and again, this was something that you really helped me with. I remember you, um, we were like sitting in Miami during that, um, VIP day that I had with you. And you kind of said like, Hey, look, Facebook ads will help you to get more visible, um, much more quickly. And that has really changed my business. And again, there, it was scary at first because, you know, I had to be willing to spend money. Um, but really Facebook ads and using them strategically, um, has really helped to skyrocket my email list. And then also, you know, connecting the, um, Facebook ads with the webinars that it generally, you know, using them to get in front of people and then providing value and building that trust with that audience. So, um, that was definitely one of the game changing things I did to grow my email list.

Leah Gervais: Yeah. I mean, that’s brilliant. I just like, I want to pull that out. Um, like in my, with my coaching hat on, I want to credit you because you guys, Emma has like done the work to do Facebook ads. Right. And I think that that’s why she’s finds out so much success with them coupled with she’s shown up and done live video very consistently. I think if you do the two of those your business is going to take off for whatever reason. It’s hard to do those. Two people are resistant to spending money on Facebook they’re they don’t know how. And so, you know, and Facebook ads are not intuitive. I get it. It’s hard at first, but you can learn, you know, we all, everyone who you look up to didn’t know how to do them at first and then same with live video.

People have a lot of resistance around, can I actually do this live? How often should I do it live? Um, and I just, I really want to, you know, give you so much credit and say how amazing I think it is that you have just perfected the two so well. And I think that, um, you’re, you know, it’s like, it’s just the way things are, because I don’t love the word discipline, but like I I’ve seen you do so much mindset work and it’s amazing to watch, but where you really need to get things done, you really shine. And I think that you really have shined in just taking those two things and being like, I’m going to get visible and I’m going to let people see me once they do find out about me and that’s going to work and you like, have not backed down on that. And I think it’s amazing what you’ve done.

Emma Henderson: Thanks so much, Leah. Yeah. You definitely helped me with that. Um, and yeah, I think Facebook ads are definitely crucial, but I think, you know, there’s so much strategy behind them. So I think for people, do you understand them? That’s something I help with my own students and something I teach in my group coaching programs, because I think it is such a valuable nugget, but I also think it can be really overwhelming for people who have never used them before. I mean, it was a little bit overwhelming for me, someone who has, you know, that digital marketing background. So, um, I think understanding and optimizing them, like you helped me with, um, is really crucial to that growth.

Leah Gervais: Yeah. So tell us more about your group program. I mean, if people can learn Facebook ads from you, that is like that’s worth the whole thing on its own.

Emma Henderson: Thanks. Yeah. Um, yeah, my group program is really fun to teach it’s. Um, you know, really, basically everything that I did to grow my business is what I teach and that group program. So it’s everything from email marketing to, um, using Facebook ads, to get people into lives, how to teach lives, how to grow and offer and, um, it’s really, you know, all encompassing of digital marketing and also growing an online business. So it’s really fun. Um, you know, it’s also a live coaching call, so a lot of the girls get really close because they’re going through it at the same time. Um, and they’re all creating online businesses and they can kind of like push each other and um, you know, help each other along the way. So it’s really fun to teach. And, um, like I said, it’s a lot of marketing, that’s my background. Um, so I’m really excited about it. So, yeah,

Leah Gervais: Amazing. And so this could be for someone who is still in a nine to five job or has started, but isn’t really growing, um, where, where do people need to be in business for you to help them? 

Emma Henderson: Yeah, for sure. I mean, I help people really at any point, um, depending on where they’re at, my group coaching is really for, like you said, someone who is either still in a nine to five or just starting out, um, who really needs help taking strategic action. Um, they often feel overwhelmed. They don’t know where to start. Um, and that’s really what this group coaching program is tailored to figuring out what action is going to help them get closer to that overall vision and, you know, even helping them craft what that vision looks like.

Leah Gervais: Amazing. And where can people, well actually, I’ll ask you more about the details in a minute, but, um, well, Emma, congratulations on your growth. It’s been an honor to have a seat in your watching your journey. Um, and I know that, you know, you have so much still in front of you, you’re getting married this year, which is so exciting. Congratulations. And it’s just been, you’re, you’re such a Testament of the combination of action and mindset and how much you’ve done in a relatively short amount of time. And, um, I say this with a lot of admiration, I don’t say this in any negative way, but you’re a great example that you don’t need a hundred thousand Instagram followers. You know, you don’t need, like, I’ve never had that many Instagram followers. And I used to think that I would need so many to get to a place, but with the right mindset work in the right action, you don’t need any of these kinds of vanity metrics that so many of us, you don’t need a trust fund. You know, you don’t need all these things that like allow people to stand in their way. And I think you’re, you’re living proof of that. 

Emma Henderson: Oh, thanks Leah. 

Leah Gervais: Yeah, of course. It’s amazing. You’re, you’re an inspiration to us all. So I have three lightning round questions for you. Are you ready? Okay. What has been the most proud moment of your entrepreneurship journey so far?

Emma Henderson: Oh, that’s a great question. Um, there have been a couple for sure. Um, probably the most proud, um, Hmm. Probably filling my first group coaching program. Um, you know, pivoting my online business was a huge step. Um, so filling that program and also like seeing the breakthroughs that the girls had in that program, um, was really fulfilling. Um, to me, that’s like one of the things that helps, you know, keep me going, is seeing, you know, the girls successes and when they get their first client and, you know, yeah. So probably that.

Leah Gervais: Amazing, huge accomplishment. Um, do you have a business book or podcast that’s really helps you or been a big part of your journey?

Emma Henderson: Yeah, that’s a great question. I’m actually reading, The Vision Driven Leader by Michael Hyatt right now. Um, and that I’m only about halfway through it, but it’s really been a game changer for me. Um, I think that, you know, in the book he talks a lot about, again, like some of the things that I brought up, like, you know, having that bigger vision is way different than having, you know, the day to day checklist. Um, because you need to make sure that what you’re doing is fueling that bigger vision. Um, and he has a lot of great examples of, you know, the ways that different companies are able to, or not able to achieve, um, you know, successful businesses using basically what he lays out. So that’s definitely been a huge help. And then obviously your podcast, I love your podcast, so.

Leah Gervais: Thank you. Well, I look forward to hearing from you with this. Um, and do you, what’s your, go-to now with all your mindset work, what do you do when you have a bad day?

Emma Henderson: That’s another really great question. Um, usually I definitely am guilty of just getting so wrapped up in stuff that I can like frustrate myself and overwhelm myself. So sometimes I just have to take a step back. I’ll like, go for a walk, I’ll go to the beach. I just need to clear my head. And usually that really helps me, like, come back with a clear mind, I’m making sure, like I’m taking action, not out of frustration or desperation or anything like that. I’m really, you know, taking action again, to help me towards my greater vision. So like true inspired action. So generally just taking a step back helps me do that.

Leah Gervais: Love that, and love that you live in a place where you can go outside. I mean, it’s- yeah. 

Emma Henderson: I’m very lucky. 

Leah Gervais: It’s amazing. And where can people find you?

Emma Henderson: Yeah, so people can find me on my Instagram, @digitalnomadmarketingco or on my website, www.digitalnomadmarketingco.com.

Leah Gervais: Amazing. Well, we’ll have all the links, um, for that in the show notes. And we also will have a link to your group program. If anyone out there is looking, you guys are still in a nine to five job, or maybe you started and you’re looking, I love what you said. I’m up for that strategic action. You know, you’ve been told to take action and for whatever reason, things just aren’t clicking. Emma is your girl. 

So thank you so much for sharing your story. Congratulations on your success and your engagement. I obviously I’m excited, you know, that you’re still in my mastermind for the whole year, but it’s been amazing to watch even what you’ve done thus far. And I know you’re only getting started, so thanks for sharing with us. 

Emma Henderson: Thank you so much for having me, Leah. There’s a lot of fun. Thanks, Emma. All right, visionaries. I hope this helped. And we’ll talk to you soon.

Show Notes:

Website: http://www.digitalnomadmarketingco.com/ 

Instagram: @digitalnomadmarketingco

Mentorship Program: https://digitalnomad.kartra.com/page/mentor 

Your Biggest Vision’s Daily Checklist for Visionaries;

Free Download!

Click here to download the checklist