How this Certified Nurse Midwife created six figures in online course sales in 14 months...

6:39AM Apr 1, 2022

Speakers:

Sylvie McCracken

Keywords:

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Preparing to live streaming the meeting so as with most of these platforms will be live without knowing so when we might be live right the

second My thing is meaning is now streaming live on Facebook.

Well, there you go. So we might be live, so don't say anything incriminating, just in case. Okay, it looks like we're live. Um, it looks like we're live and so it didn't really even let me add a title. So anyway, there we go. We're live. So hey, everybody, welcome. If you haven't met yet, I'm Sylvie McCracken from Sylvie McCracken calm. And today I have one of my incredible clients Mariah Brown from Mariah brown.com. So Mariah, welcome. And thank you for being here today.

Thanks. I'm just so blessed. First of all, that spent the last 14 months with you. And second to be here.

I love it. So let's talk about that. So I invited Mariah on because she is one of these powerhouse action takers that really has taken every single thing. You know, I like to say, my super caffeinated ones that would have done it, you know, while doing a handstand if we had asked for it. So went above and beyond did not only everything we asked, but 1010 other things as well and Tenex faster than we expected. But really, first of all, let's start with, you know, the fact that you're a certified nurse midwife. And that's sort of your background. So how, first of all, how did you go from that to network marketing to you know, wanting to create an online course? What even made that transition happen?

Great question. Yeah. So I went from corporate America to attending my first my best friend asked me to be at her birth, and like, wait a minute, I'm a midwife. Let me do it around the world trip and apply to grad school, and then did my training at Yale, and finished the CNM training there, and started working, running women's health and loved it, I like to say that I love midwifery and women's or whatever chapter of life there in, I love it. And then to make a long story short, there was a really devastating chapter where I, we were pregnant with our first baby and literally found ourselves jobless, homeless, uninsured, and had a miscarriage with an extra $10,000 debt. And my husband and I looked at each other, and we said, this is never gonna happen. Again, I cannot allow myself to be at the the vulnerability of an employer. And so that's when we decided to try on the network marketing industry, for the with the objective of, we're looking for time, freedom, geographic freedom, and financial freedom, that's financial freedom, the feelings of paying it forward, all of that. Yeah,

the impact all of it. And I think that's what leads a lot of people to that to the online world period. And sometimes that's network marketing, sometimes that's your own thing. But what I love is that you share it really, you know, and and that's what I really want to highlight as well, because it's all fine and dandy to share all the highlight reel, right, and all the good times. But the reality is, I love the fact that you had that kind of breakdown that led to that breakthrough, which is what often happens in terms of like, you were really in a ditch, you know?

Yeah, no. Crappy scenario. Yeah.

So So then comes network marketing, which helps to some degree, totally. So

then it was personal development, it was team development, it was learning how to communicate and lead individuals and share. And I mean, there's so much there that was valuable. And of course, it was a, it was a product line that really resonated with me as a health care provider and research, blah, blah, blah. So then, through that journey, I became kind of known as an expert in the realm of female hormones, and addressing our hormonal imbalances through food.

Yep. And you created a little bit of an audience through that as well, which not only did you gain a little bit of that confidence of putting yourself out there and dipping your toe out and getting rejected, and all those things that happen when you start selling something, but you also created a little bit of a following and an audience as well. Right? So then

the audience was built and grown quickly in an in a really not premeditated way. Right. Had a Facebook group that quickly grew to eight organically. Yeah. And then that space, this Facebook group was a platform to vet experts and products and bring into this group of women in a way. arena called BEYOND THE RED tent. Right? And so then I'm interviewing all these experts from around the world that are doing online, work and have online programs. And I'm like, wait a minute, right here I am. One of these patients, one on one managing the Women's Health nagash Like, yes,

I will. Let's talk about that as well. What How old are your kids now?

Because I'm sure they're, you know, getting 873 Right.

So when we met they were

they were about six into somewhere. There you go.

Little Yeah. So I love that. So you were doing one on one, you didn't have your own course or product. And what and what I remember when you and I met you know you were hanging in there, you were hanging in there, but a lot of this BEYOND THE RED tent work was pro bono, essentially,

it kind of still is in many ways. Yes. So it

was it was free in terms of Have you know the impact piece check, you're absolutely impacting the world. No problem. But the income in terms of for you and the freedom not so much on either one of those buckets.

Yeah, so So a really stressful time in my life. And I

remember it.

And I wanted to create a program, I had written out outlines and started creating stuff, but I just felt stuck. It was like,

when you dabbled in memberships, as well remember that? Were going on? So I got that. Yeah. And you had a business partner, as well as all I forget all this because we, you know, you guys, when Mariah and I met, you know, there was all of these different pieces going on. And I was like, Okay, I was taking notes furiously taking notes, I'd probably probably have those somewhere. And it was just like, there's this and there's this, and there's this. And there's this. And there's this. And there's a business partner we got to consult with. And then there's this, and this thing doesn't make any money, but takes up all this time. And then I got this other thing. And I got this other idea. And I was like, Yo, how about we do now but we move all of that to the side and do one thing and create one online course. And I also want to talk about for one quick second, your hesitations for a second, you know, like, what was it that at that moment was like, I don't know, you know, like, I don't know, what was it that kind of you almost didn't jump in? I feel like

oh, no, I felt I actually felt like I had total clarity. Like there have been maybe three times in my life. Hmm. Where there was I feel lost. I feel lost. I don't see the path. I don't know. Oh, there it is. I didn't even have I see the person that I know will help me get there. Yeah. And I had clarity. But I didn't have money.

Right. Right. Well, that's a huge one. A lot.

I had a business partner that was not on the same page. She was not

she was her heels were dug all the way up.

And I literally I'm not a crier. Yeah. But I it brought me to tears having so much clarity in but I know that's the path. I know. That's, but I, all our credit cards were maxed out. I literally did not have a way. Yeah. And I was stuck by my business partner not being engaged. And so I couldn't use those funds, right. And so it was my best friend who sat down and listened to me, it makes me feel emotional. Even though I'm not a crier.

And let's cry. She just said,

you know, I believe in you. And I know that you need to do this. And she's a savvy businesswoman. And she said, I will give you the money, but it's not a gift. This is a loan you're going to repay and oh, by the way, you're getting to give me a percentage of your proceeds from now. And now she's making bank.

Shout out to me because yes, I mean, why not a smart investment on her heart. So she knew a winner. She knew a winning horse. She know winning horse. Yeah.

And I and I continued to let you know, like, I know, this seems like I'm hesitating, and I'm right. You're right. But, and I kept like saying, but look, here's my credentials, and I promise I'll take this. Have to get right.

I need a minute. Yeah, well, first of all, my I really honestly truly from the bottom my heart, I want to thank you for sharing that because of course, I know all that story. And for me, everything our clients say or every confidential conversation we have is confidential until someone tells me otherwise. But I'm so glad that you're you know, willing to be that vulnerable and share that because I think that that story is actually a lot of people's story. And it's just there's this whatever that we don't want to share that sometimes in terms of when we were in those spots of course it's a lot easier to share once we're you know, things are completely different but really not even having that initial investment to make to be able to solve the problem you're trying to solve and I think that that is that catch 22 that a lot of people see themselves in and you know, when you're in that situation often you get creative just like you did where if you know where there's a will there's a way you figure it out and of course you have even more pressure now in terms of you better turn that into a return on investment. Absolutely. But you're the type of person yeah obviously there was skin

in the game there was greed to create shift Yeah, and so you know to everyone listening yes they'll be helped me in my first year make a six figure year yeah, but

importantly more importantly I say that she helped me create a life I mean, it was

the kids the kids knocking

that well someone just came to the front door okay.

That's life yeah,

I mean, literally in a place of looking at my future in a completely different

way. Yeah, well I love that and thank you for that and and you know, I mean yeah six figures is fantastic and all especially since you didn't have an income stream although to be clear, you know, Maria had done other things before and all of that jazz but but going from that zero to six figures is honestly the hardest part so seeing you now I think your highest month was you know, during our time together was 20k. Seeing you now like being able to create a seven figure you know, business if you so desire. It's like that's the Easy, right? And and believe it or not, for a lot of people listening, actually the zero to zero to 100k is the hardest part. It's where, you know, it's where you're really learning to ride the bike of the mechanics of the bike. Right?

Well, and the mindset crap, my thinking continues to show up, you know, at the beginning with you all on my worthiness stuff was was in my way and all the stories of who am I like that? Your list of 50? Honestly, I still never done it. I couldn't.

It was so difficult for you. Yeah. So yeah, just feeling like who am I to do this? You know, these other PhDs and elemental peas and whatever, and who am I?

Right? And how do I ask someone for money, right? For the thing that I do, because as a health care provider, no, here's your slip, you go check out at the front desk.

Let's talk about that for a second. Because I that I hear a lot. So both both that so there's that part where it's like, you know, there's obviously you know, with as a healthcare provider, somebody else is in charge of taking payment. And also, the business model is, you know, costs x dollars for X amount of minutes. And there's nothing to really talk about, it just is what it is. And somebody else handles payment or insurance handles it. Or if you're an employee, then you get a salary and someone else's dealing with the customer, whatever, there's that. And then the second thing is as a as a network marketer as well, it's not your product. And so you had been asking for money it to some degree, but selling somebody else's thing and being like, they are so great. And this is so great. And over there, they're so great. And now there's this big shift on like, me, you know, my thing, I created this with my expertise,

and, and it's my freedom to practice in whatever way I want to practice and then into the program, what I feel like, resonates best with my clients outside of my licensing.

Can Yes, exactly. Well, I love that. So now you're able to, you know, kind of run your own thing, which you know, share a little bit if you if you if you're open to it, you know, kind of what your value is and what your day to day looks like. Because everybody's day to day looks a little bit different, as we even heard, you know, just the knock on the door and whatever. We're both in our home offices. But share a little bit of what your day to day looks like now versus you know what it did before

it wasn't. And I will say when you said go into seven figures, like my stomach trends a little bit I still going like, Oh, yes, that's really exciting. But really, am I there again, right, right. But it

all comes you kind of go back to it's like Chutes and Ladders where all of a sudden you go back and you're like, but who am I? No, no, no, no, we got to go through all that again.

So when my life like I work from home, yeah. For me, it's really important that I have an office space where I like having the kids in earshot where I know that they're cared for. Yeah, but if it's bad, I need mommy cry, that I hear it and I'm accessible to them. I love it. When I say that Sylvie helped me not just design a program but design a life a lot of that was around setting boundaries and prioritizing the time. So I hired someone to come in and do food prep, and someone to come in and clean my house and initially felt amazing, totally guilty for it. And I would like one to be mopping or sleeping well. I'll never forget the day where I was like, No, I'm going to sit down and play a game with my daughter. Yes. Because my time is that valuable. And when I fill up my cup and hire this support, so that I can have a quality time with my family or fill up my reserves so that I can do a better job at pouring into those that I serve. Yes, um, it's been powerful. Another piece that is alive right now is I live in Southern Oregon, and we're going into fire season is where there's a whole nother season. Right. And last year was pretty traumatic. We live in a community where, like the town five miles from us was burned down and my I had to literally drive through the fire to get to my kids playing like, so we had a little bit of smoke in the air. And both of my kids were panicking. Yep. And so we're like, Okay, let's go.

Yeah, I love this. I love the story. And I've heard it before you guys. And also you know, I've lived a little bit of it because Maria and I actually happen to live in the same town of southern in southern Oregon and Ashland, Oregon, which, I mean, you're the only current client that lives here. We only had a handful of clients that live locally, but it was literally just by happenstance that we met nothing to do with living in the same town. So we live this traumatic event last year where we're like, in the middle of a call going, Hey, I think we need to evacuate again. So we totally resonate with this PTSD. But how amazing is it that you can actually make the choice of being like, you know what? I'm bouncing. I'm going to go to Florida, and that's where we're spending the summer.

It gives me chills. I love it. And seriously, I found you through a Facebook ad. And then I watched a little webinar, right? It

wasn't too long. Yeah. And

I was mentioning small town in Oregon. You're like Wait small town. Are you aware?

Yeah. wait out the window.

And then what state do you live on? Right, exactly. In the same place. So yeah, the freedom. So initially, what I was looking for was time freedom, geographic freedom, financial freedom. Yes.

Yeah. And you've done all of that mean? Hope you guys Hiring a chef hiring a housekeeper, you know, employing these women as well, which by the way, really keeps that abundance flowing, which I'm a huge, huge fan of, you know, none of them are inexpensive. We actually have the same chef. So I know. And you know, and but being able to do this in a way that you know, feels like it really aligns with our life values is, is incredible. And I am a huge fan. And we just so happen to we don't exclusively work with women, but it just so happens that a lot of people that come our way are women, and a lot of times mothers, and we are probably the group that spends the least amount of time on ourselves money on ourselves, that has that deals with these issues, like you mentioned in terms of guilt, with creating a little bit of ease, like how dare we sit down and play a game with our kids while somebody else is mopping or whatever else. So I love that you're sharing this, but also you managed to pay off you know, all of your debt, which How incredible is that? Like, it was like credit card after credit card was like another one paid off, and another one paid off? Incredible, like blow your credit score out of the water,

literally 750 My friend.

Good job because I know that that was a big thing. And that's not by the way, what we do you guys, but this is like these domino effects of what comes with finding and hiring a VA. Yes, hiring a virtual assistant is huge, huge. So hiring, you know, team on you're not just personally but professionally as well.

Right? So that I'm not spinning, trying to do all things, but allowing myself to do the things that I that I think of is in my zone of genius. Yep. And letting others do something that's in their zone of genius. Yep. So we're paying it forward. And we're assignments so that our cup is filled, and we get to when we're doing work, we're doing a better job. And it's like, you're also phenomenal, and your retreats. The you know, we were in a pandemic retreat line, I don't even know what in person retreats were, but they were awesome.

Right. Right. Well, I love that well, spending time with a group of so with anyone listening to this? I mean, the reality is, what you have to think about is are the people around you or the people that you're spending the most time with the five that you spend the most time with? Are they adding? Are they a plus or a minus? You know, are they adding to your life? Are they adding to your thinking? Are they expanding the way you think? Are they questioning your limiting beliefs? Or are they fueling them? Are they are they actually the ones saying Well, are you sure that's gonna work? Or who do you think you are? You know, so there's, there's that part. So I love having, you know, watched you really grow into this powerful CEO that's also completely in alignment and has that you know, huge heart. And I love that you're not only serving these incredible women that you coach, but also you know, your team members as well. So tell people a little bit about what you coach women on? Oh, yeah.

So their energy hormones and libido. The tagline that Sylvie helped me design, which is so true is I help women move from exhausted to energized, balanced of hormones and feel turned on by their life, their lover in themselves. So it's a deep dive into addressing the physiology through a functional medicine lens, but also helping women revive their vitality and their passion and their relationships. It's, it's really awesome, phenomenal.

Well, I mean, I love first of all, I've seen some of Maria's testimonial. So I know firsthand, you know, her program works because we've seen some of the love notes she's gotten from her clients. And you've not only created you know, you created a front end program, then you created a back end program, because you're one of my super caffeinated ones, like I like to say, but I love that you really are transforming these women's lives forever and very deeply. Because your testimonials are fire. But not only I have to imagine that it's that same domino effect that happened with you. And your life is also happening in these women's partners and children and friends and entire circles. So you're really transforming entire communities.

I've received thank you letters from partners. That's amazing. But actually, there was a one it was a they were a heterosexual couple that had her. It's not a partner and long term partner sent me a gift and a handwritten card. Oh, sharing the transformation that he saw in her and thanking me.

Okay, well, that's going in your homework, but I can't help it, coach. Oh, my God, listen, I don't want you to tell me you don't have enough reasons why that's the whole reason. I love it. That's so amazing. And I love that, you know, I love people that take the time out of their day, because I can guarantee you for that one that sent you that there's 10 others that thought it and just didn't get around to actually acting on it.

But there was another that was just a DM. That's amazing.

Hey, that works too. You know, it's just confirmation and usually those land exactly when you needed it. So that's awesome. So Mariah, I love this. I love the fact that you're able to create a six figure year I love that you're able to impact women so deeply. I also love that you didn't have the money at first. I love that you had to get so resourceful. Just because it really shows you know people the possibility in terms of when you're really committed when you're really serious. And let's be honest, Moran did hard work. I would love to be able to take more credit I'm getting there. We're rolling up our sleeves and work involved and some scraped knees along the way. For sure, so that's always my disclaimer, this is not, you know, get rich quick scheme or whatever I'm sure for those first

three months, particularly because I had kids, and then we're in the pandemic, and they were gone and all of that. Yeah, at school, I was often working midnight to 2am, even today, and sometimes and I was putting in the grit.

I'm glad you're mentioning that, because that's what it takes. Sometimes when people are in that catch 22 of they, sometimes they have a day job where it's like, all they've got is evenings and weekends, and you had toddler, you know, plus two other kids in pandemic with no childcare, with your husband off working, and trying to juggle all of that. And at some point work had to get done. Yeah.

It Done. You really there was, there was no other option for me. Yes. So bigger go home. And, and also, like you say, the water bottle that you gave me say perfectionism as canceled? Yeah. It was just like, This doesn't have to be perfect enough. It has to be an action. Yep. Because my life has to change.

Yes, it reached a critical point of like, we can't keep doing this any longer.

And I wanted to serve women in a way that I wouldn't be in my zone of genius and to feel like I'm doing amazing work in the right, changing lives.

Right. And that's not happening one on one when you're repeating yourself over and over again.

And the last thing I just want to add I didn't miss was. I feel like it's done wonders for my marriage, too. I mean, when we started, the marriage is in a tough place. Because we were dealing with financial struggles. I was. I mean, there was so many different reasons. But now, I just observed with the new hope for my future. Yeah. And having something that I love doing right. And I feel inspired to wake up and do it. I'm a more filled up version in my bring to the marriage. Right. And even at our one of our calls, you mentioned Alison Armstrong and her book and watching how that plays out. Yeah, literally, y'all. Sylvie doesn't just help you build a program, she helps you create a life. And I think it was part of my marriage recovery. And in our financial time, you I was literally showing her all of our debts, and

we're at all financing, which is hilarious, because that's totally not even what we do. But I was like, on a retreat, I was like, You guys want to do this? Yep. All right, great. That's the flexibility of running our own business where it like it applied to everybody. And everybody wanted some help on that. And I love personal finance. So why the hell not? But I love that you

will entrepreneur and you can help others become successful entrepreneurs if they're ready to put in?

Oh, that last part? Yeah. If they're ready to put in the work, and really listen and be coachable? For sure. So

he says no resistance? Yeah, for sure. For sure. So

if there's anyone kind of hesitating or, you know, deciding, should I create an online course, whether they're coming from being an employee? Or maybe they have their brick and mortar one on one? Or maybe they're doing network marketing, or whatever it may be? What would you kind of what message would you want to leave them?

I think three things. Number one, figure out what is it that you're really passionate about, like if you were to go, this is the thing that I would really love to be doing out in the world and impacting people, right? And hopefully, it's something where there's lots of competitors, because where there's lots of competitors means there's money in the marketplace. I love it. That's something that's so specialized, it's like your thing, but nobody has money to spend.

I love it because most people see competitors, and they're like, there's too many. So you're saying the exact opposite, which I completely agree with

competitors is a good thing. And then have a call with Sylvie and then put in the work.

Yeah, put in the work. That's a huge one. Like nothing will happen by magic. There's nothing nothing that happens magically with a sign up button. It's work

for you just do what she says. And don't get caught up in all the reasons why not and, and trying to get it. So you know, I'll see people just prefer separating on what's the name of my program, right? To have a website or I have to have, right Yes, it doesn't move forward. Perfect. It just simply needs to be an action and I would literally just go okay, tell Sylvie tell me where to step. Right. How do I jump? How high do I jump? Then go and do it. And even though I felt like I was willing, and I didn't know where I was going, yeah, the trust my trust? Yeah. In the process. And I listened into that. And I said, this is something I'm committed to so we're going to let's roll

I love it and the commitment was you know, you weren't you really weren't interested or curious. You were committed right there is the interested in curious and there's that phase where you're sort of window shopping and you're sort of and then there's like okay, committed Let's go. And that's it where it's like okay, seatbelts on, we're going, we're dying. I love it. I love it. Okay, great. Well, Mariah, where can people find more about you? Where can they find you if they want to connect or if maybe they want to join your program or find out more about your work? Yeah, absolutely. So

Mariah is Ma are a ya ma rap. Yeah. So going to Mariah brown.com Perfect. We'll put them up on mute. Find me over on Facebook, you're welcome to just DM me to be honest with you. Two groups that I run one is BEYOND THE RED tent. The other one is women rockin their energy hormones and libido, you're welcome to pop over to any of those, either of those Facebook groups. And if you go to Ryan brown.com, you're welcome to grab my free adaptogen elixir recipes, use those drink them that will benefit you in all sorts of ways. And I have a free workshop coming up in August. So take a peek over there and let me know if you're gonna attend. And if nothing else, I get to pour into you and you get to learn something and have some very practical steps to start transforming your own experience with energy hormones and libido.

I love it. I love it so much and we were will definitely put your link to your Facebook group and I'm sure all of those things are linked out there as well we're going to or not to this group to your website, and that way they can find all the different things below. If you are listening to this and you are a health professional and you're interested in creating an online course I'll invite you to go ahead and apply below. So the link to that is Sylvie mccracken.com forward slash apply and what that will be is a very short couple of questions and that will give you our free training to take a look at and see if this is something you want to do so even if you're not entirely sure, I invite you to just take a couple of moments and fill out that questionnaire and we'll let you know if it's something that we can help you with and send your free private training either way and we'll take it from there alright. Thanks so much for joining guys. And we'll see you all very very soon bye for now Oh no, that's not what I wanted to see. I need to read. We don't need to know but I will see you let me end this and come back on Zoom. It's like a job with you got it.