Do you ever felt like your childhood chores were more like forced labor? š
Imagine little me at five years old on a construction site, where my 'big paycheck' was a penny for every nail I picked up. Let's just say, I quickly learned that this rate wasn't my shortcut to becoming a millionaire.
Yep. True story.
Fast forward to my twenties, and Iām in the wilds of Alaska, mushing sled dogs. Talk about a career pivot, right? šāš¦ŗ
My life took another leap after discovering the vibrant co-working spaces in Indonesia. This was more than a trip; it opened the door to a world of international living and non-traditional choices. š
Here's the pivotal twist: I made a rather traditional decision to go back and pursue my graduate degree at the renowned and challenging Academy of Art University.
Easy-peasy, right? Not so fast.
I was in the middle of nowhere, Alaska, while enrolled in a remote art school program based in the metropolis of San Francisco.
No formal art background? Bring it on, I thought. I was used to living my life outside my comfort zone.
BUT, getting my graduate degree at art school remains one of the most difficult things Iāve done.
And itās not for the reasons you might think.
Iām dating myself a bit here, but Iām old enough to be of the era of [forced] belief that college was essential and grad school could be a significant career step.
Do your homework before you fall for the grad school trap these days!
My tiny, rustic Alaskan cabin became my classroom, my design studio, and occasionally my battleground. Between freelancing in Alaskaās emerging design market and being just another lowly student at AAU, I juggled two vastly different worlds.
And oh boy, did I get schooled! Not just in design but also in life. My academic mentors were like drill sergeants pushing more caffeine, all-nighters, and relentless critiques.
āSleep with your computer, drink more coffee,ā they said.
Four years and a few heartbreaks later, I emerged boyfriend-less but finally with my Master of Fine Arts (MFA). Iāll even post a picture of my diploma so you know itās real!
Fast forward, and I was invited back into academia to teach at AAU during the onset of COVID. I saw firsthand how traditional education struggles to adapt to real-world needs.
My students were bored, distracted, and frustrated... all while racking up school debt and knee-deep in a world pandemic.
These poor twenty-something-year-olds were trying to trudge through an undergraduate degree with a rigid curriculum that taught them NOTHING about making money in the real world.
They were struggling financially and scared for their future. Artists already have it hard enough, in my opinion!
š” Thatās when the lightbulb moment hit me!
Frustrated with the gaps in traditional education, I took a bold step.
Why not develop an online course infused with the practical, real-world business skills universities often overlook...delivered in a fraction of the time?
So, that's precisely what I did.
My courses culminate my journey ā from a solo design freelancer braving the Alaskan wilderness to the head of an international branding agency.
Theyāre packed with the hard-earned, money-making insights I gathered during my decade-long career. I compress years of experience into lessons you can apply immediately, catapulting your journey from learning to earning.
I had an epiphany as I embraced the freedom of teaching my craft on my own terms.
There's a whole world of entrepreneurs out there, just like me, each with their own unique story but facing similar crossroads:
- Skilled professionals yearning to amplify their reach
- Passionate experts eager to extend their knowledge and increase their impact in the world
- Visionaries longing to tailor their teachings to the individual needs of their audience, breaking free from the confines of outdated curriculums
- Trailblazers aiming to accelerate others' growth, sharing the wisdom that took them years to accumulate
- Innovators seeking to diversify how they earn, moving beyond traditional revenue models
- Time-savvy entrepreneurs craving to reclaim their hours through passive income streams, breaking the cycle of trading time for money
- Community builders ready to transition beyond one-on-one client work, fostering a broader, more connected, and impactful community
In each of these aspirations, I saw reflections of my journey- from navigating solo challenges to creating pathways for collective growth and success.
Now, I look back at my six-figure grad degree and shutter for my experience, but I am THRILLED that there are many alternative options to learn, grow, and evolve in today's business world.
It's not just about my story anymore; it's about how we, as entrepreneurs, can rewrite the narrative of business success together.
The traditional college model is evolving. Online platforms are now the go-to for relevant, agile learning. Itās an exciting time for educators and learners alike.
So, whatās next? Join me in this digital revolution.
Letās explore the untapped potential of online courses and peopleās learning experiences as thrilling as my Alaskan adventures (but with better Wi-Fi and less frostbite).
Traditional education taught me the hard wayāreal success isnāt found in a degree; itās built through strategy, positioning, and impact.
If youāre ready to scale your knowledge into a profitable, aligned business, it all starts with knowing your strengths.
Thatās where the Brand Archetype Quiz comes in. It uncovers your unique business style and how to leverage it for bigger impact, income, and freedom.
As always, live large!
