Have you been thinking of starting your own business? Or maybe you dream of turning a hobby or side hustle into a full-time career? Megan Yelaney has successfully switched careers and now works as a coach to help other entrepreneurs turn their ideas into flourishing businesses. Below, she offers advice on how to successfully change careers and launch your own small business.
You’ve successfully switched careers three times. How did you go about accomplishing that?
It definitely wasn’t easy, but it also wasn’t as hard as most people might expect! I think the biggest reason it was a smoother transition than I planned was two-fold. One-I kept my brand consistent throughout. No matter what type of coaching I was doing or industry I was in, I was still me at my core, with the same overall message and vibe, so it wasn’t confusing for my audience. Two-I only transitioned when I knew whole-heartedly I was meant to. I trusted my intuition and knew that I was meant to switch to this new type of coaching, and was READY. I had content ready and things ready to make that transition smoother. Because of that, I was able to provide my audience with so much value immediately upon the switch, which made them trust it and embrace it all that much more fully. I also was so confident in my decision to switch that my posts, my live videos, my emails, etc, reflected that. My energy and vibrancy was through the roof, and they could feel my passion, which made THEM excited to be a part of the journey and become customers.
How can habitual morning routines change one’s life?
TREMENDOUSLY. Without a habitual morning routine, I would not be where I am today. My morning routine sets me up for success right away. I am constantly giving, giving, giving to people all day as a coach. My focus is on other people, and helping them have success. So if I don’t take time for myself in the morning, I feel completely drained starting my day, and can only give so much. Not only does my morning routine make me feel energized and like I took time for me, but it makes me a better coach to my clients. It also gets me regimented right away so I’m more likely to stick to a schedule and a plan for the rest of the day.
What are the biggest mistakes people make with their side hustles?
Treating it like a side hustle! This doesn’t mean you have to work your side hustle for 8 hours a day, but when you ARE working it, you should be truly WORKING it. I see a lot of people (myself included when I started), complain that they’re not making it work and feel like they spend “so much time” on it, but in reality, they’re scrolling Instagram and Facebook, and not really doing money making activities that will move their business forward. You can absolutely build a thriving side hustle in 1-2 hours a day, five days a week, but during those 1-2 hours, you must be working on things that will move the needle forward, and IG scrolling isn’t one of them 🙂
How can people use free challenges and workshops to launch their businesses?
AH! So successfully! This is my favorite way to launch programs. This past April I had an almost $35K launch using my Free challenge strategy. I have a step by step system laid out in a course you can check out here. I also had an over $12K launch in a 5 day period from a free workshop in February. The reason these methods work is because they prime people for your program or whatever you’re launching. They are receiving so much value in the challenge or workshop, making quick wins (that’s essential–actually giving them content that will give them a quick win-even if it’s mentally!), and are ready and primed for your paid offer. In fact, they WANT IT, because they want to up-level and keep this momentum going. It build so much trust in such a short amount of time, and is the gift that keeps on giving. Even if they don’t buy right after your workshop or challenge, they trust you SO much more now, and are officially a part of your tribe, making them that much more likely to purchase in the future.
Any other tips for would-be entrepreneurs?
STICK WITH IT. Entrepreneurship is amazing, but it’s also very hard. It takes WAY longer than most people think to see traction, and the biggest upset I see as a business coach FOR entrepreneurs, is them giving up on themselves after only a few weeks or months. This is the long game, and even that is underplaying it. Because “long game” could mean a year or two to see success. If you think about it, most people in 9-5 jobs work until they’re in their 50’s or 60’s then retire and get to do what they want to do. You, as an entrepreneur, have to work really hard for a few years to get it off the ground, and then yes, still work hard, but on YOUR TERMS. You get to live the life you want to in a relatively SHORT amount of time. So give it time, and find the FUN in the process. Balance the “hustle” mindset with taking time off, enjoying yourself, and being a human (go on vacations, watch some Netflix once in awhile, and turn off your phone). And lastly, surround yourself with like-minded people who are doing what you are trying to do. Get into a mastermind, a free community (I have an awesome one here!), hire a coach, or join a group program. When you’re doing this with other people, you’re way more likely to stick with it, and it’s WAY more fun.
More About Megan Yelaney
Megan Yelaney, Online Life + Business Coach, went from starving artist to multiple 6 figure entrepreneur building three different online coaching businesses in the past two years, all using social media strategy and client attraction systems. She’s the creator of Client Attraction University, a 10 Week Group Program to help online coaches gain more targeted ideal clients consistently, and is helping female entrepreneurs create more purpose in their day to day lives, while still building the empire of their dreams.