If there's anything the past few years of entrepreneurship have taught me, it's that we no longer need to be bound by the constraints society seems to place on us. It's up to us to succeed. It may be a scary thing to claim, but the results will be worth it if we're willing to let go of old conditioning, take action toward something better, and say “yes” to the amazing possibilities that await on the other side of uncertainty.
We are allowed to pursue what ignites our souls, and there are inspiring people who prove this every day. Kate Scudder, an American millennial woman and world traveler, earns six figures a year by coaching women to confidently harness their talents and create profitable, purpose-driven businesses.
Scudder speaks about the importance of clarifying your dreams and then taking consistent action every day to make them a reality:
Céline da Costa: Tell us about your background.
Kate Scudder: I grew up in New England and have always been ambitious and proactive: I earned an English and Spanish double major at Amherst College, founded a nonprofit literacy initiative in Costa Rica as an undergraduate, and earned a Master's in Education from Smith College by the time I was 23.
After grad school, I taught Spanish and yoga for two years, but decided to quit after my second year at a private high school. I originally became a teacher because I wanted to help people tap into their inner power and create a better reality for themselves. However, I was only able to teach two subjects, even though what my students really wanted to learn, and what I was most passionate about teaching, was how to use their strengths to create a life beyond the norm.
Being confined to the classroom left me feeling unfulfilled, unable to inspire others in the way I most desired, and I knew there had to be another way.
Da Costa: Why did you decide to leave full-time teaching?
Scudder: Simply put, I wanted more freedom (I had a 1.5 hour commute each day and 60+ students), money (I had a master's degree and was making $38,000 a year), and impact (I wanted to teach beyond the walls of the classroom).
To create the life I wanted, I had to let go of the belief that I had to sacrifice myself to help others. Too often, we cling to identities that no longer serve us out of fear of failure, change, or disappointing others. But holding onto outdated thought patterns is a recipe for anxiety, burnout, and even depression. I learned that doing the things I fear most and giving myself the space to venture into new territory brings creativity, vitality, and success into my life.
For me, that meant giving up a steady income, investing thousands of dollars in personal development, and committing myself to living my best life and helping others do the same.
Da Costa: How did you get involved in the online business world?
Scudder: A few months after quitting my job, I visited Bali and discovered a digital nomad oasis where people run online businesses from remote locations. The concept was completely revolutionary. I too wanted the freedom to set my own schedule, work in a coworking space, sip coconuts during breaks and do what I love to impact people's lives.
Within two years, I decided to create an online business that combined my passion for teaching with helping women create freedom in their lives. I moved to Bali eight months later and spent the next year and a half voraciously learning about online business models. While saving money as a freelancer. I enrolled in online courses, in-person business masterminds, and attended live events with inspiring female entrepreneurs.
I started sharing tips on social media about taking risks, overcoming limiting beliefs, and taking action towards my goals. I woke up to a flood of emails from women asking for advice, so I decided to launch a group program to teach women how to be the bold leaders they were born to be.
Soon after, my coaching business exploded. I achieved five-figure sales, signed private clients, and watched my students start their own businesses, quit their jobs, and redefine what was possible. I witnessed firsthand how necessary it is to fully commit to running your own business full time.A year later, I made over $114,000.
Da Costa: What was the biggest challenge you faced?
Scudder: The biggest challenge for me was definitely imposter syndrome. I kept thinking, “There are so many beautiful, confident women out there who are already running successful online businesses, why should I?” That voice of inadequacy is so ingrained in women that it keeps many of them in a stagnant cycle of wanting to rise up but being too scared to do so.
Like many women, I learned from a young age to downplay my aspirations, self-esteem, and talents as a way of protecting myself from the embarrassment of failure or, even worse, the overwhelm of success.
There is an outdated and false assumption that some women's prominence makes others less so. We have been conditioned to believe that standing out is arrogant, acting small makes us less threatening to others, and taking up a lot of space is cause for apology.
Nothing could be further from the truth. The stronger, more radiant and more empowered we become as women, the more we give permission for others to do the same. We create a space where we can all thrive.
When I hit a setback in business and feel like my confidence is slipping, I focus on evidence of success rather than fear. I analyze the problem and ask myself, “How can I get back on track?” Sometimes I need sleep, exercise, or listening to uplifting music or podcasts. teeth In business, your performance directly correlates with how you feel, so it's important to prioritize getting what you need.
Da Costa: What advice would you give to women looking to build an online business?
Scudder:
1. Define your mission and market — To turn your idea into a profitable online business, you need to identify exactly what problem you are trying to solve, who your customers are, and what the consequences of not solving this problem will be.
A good way to write this out is, “I help X (person) create Y (result) and have Z (ultimate change).” This exercise helps you focus on what you do, why you do it, and who you do it for. For example, I help women overcome limiting beliefs, organize their vision, and build profitable businesses to create more freedom and fulfillment in their lives.
Then we create products that solve these problems.
2. Offer valuable content for free — By creating valuable free content that directly solves your audience's problems, you build trust, recognition, and a sense of community with your audience. Break down your audience's problems into bite-sized, step-by-step solutions they can implement themselves. Once they're interested in learning more, the next step is to hire you or buy the product you create.
Build a strong brand in people's minds by being consistent. When your audience witnesses you solving their problems over the course of months, they'll reach out to you first when they need help.
3. Use your strengths — I see so many new entrepreneurs copying someone else's business message or business model, and in doing so, they are robbing the world of what they are trying to create. I know that you Your business' unique strengths are what set it apart. Showcasing your unique strengths to the world will help you stand out, get more customers, and increase sales. As an exercise, ask five friends to think about their greatest strengths. Notice any patterns and compare them to the list you wrote.
Your genius talent is a combination of your talents and unique experiences. If you are a natural teacher or public speaker, live streaming can be a powerful tool for you. If you enjoy writing, guest blogging might be a good place to start.
Remember, you have the power to build the career and life you deserve, you just need to give yourself permission to do so.
