Beyond The Status Quo Podcast | Entrepreneurship | Career | Finances | Motivation | Personal Development | Relationships

Sheila Joy is a Business Coach for Bloggers and expert on creating, strategizing and selling digital products. Digital products are intangible goods that exist in digital form. Some examples of digital products are e-books, webinars, templates, graphic designs, etc. I have had many guests on the show talk about their success selling their digital products and today Sheila will share with us her trusted resources as well as her expert advice on A) how to choose what type of digital product to sell B) how to sell it  C) how to nurture your audience.   Sheila always felt something pulling her Beyond the Status Quo and after producing a successful fashion blog she realized her zone of genius lied in her ability to coach and teach others interested in entering the blogging space. Sheila now offers group coaching and digital products to educate, inspire, and support her community!   In This Episode You Will Learn: How to turn your blog into a business Different types of digital products to sell online How to launc

Happy Monday! Over the past few weeks, my guests and I have spoken in great depth about the impact our mindset has on our everyday lives and it's direct effect on our business. As fresh-faced freelancers and first-time entrepreneurs, the idea of selling our services can be intimidating, uncomfortable and, with an anxious mindset, unsuccessful. My mission for today's episode is to help you re-frame your mindset when it comes to sales and client management. 8 Secrets to Closing Clients Effortlessly is an episode from the BSQ archives, originally aired July 2018. Take notes & enjoy! Let’s look beyond ‘making a sale’ and start cultivating authentic and wholesome relationships with potential clients. In today’s episode, I outline 8 Secrets to Closing Clients Effortlessly. These tips have propelled me to ‘smash’ through my record-breaking revenue months and I know these tips will help you too! In This Episode You Will Learn: Sales tactic Do’s + Dont’s Items to prepare for successful kick-off meetings How to a

Today on theBSQ podcast I sit with Gariele Write, Web Designer, Brand Strategist and Founder of the Rad Girls Collective. Gariele’s entrepreneurial journey is filled with adventures in travel, family, friends, success, and authenticity. Her ability to remain true to her zone of genius, listen to her intuition and recognize pivoting opportunities has helped her turn her passion into a career. As freelancers and new business owners, we are faced with fresh opportunities as well as challenges daily. It is how we respond to these pivots that makes us stronger, braver and smarter. From student to mother, influencer to designer, Gariele has been able to acknowledge, address, and tackle all of life’s unpredictable throws. She was able to learn from each experience, recognize her strengths and find her niche. Today Gariele strictly works with travel bloggers and budding travel bloggers on their website, brand development, and brand strategy. Her mission is to help her clients share their story authentically, providin

Today, I am replaying an episode that is near and dear to my heart and success. In last week's episode with Alessandra Nicole, Mastering Your Mind for a Life Beyond the Status Quo, we touched on the power of the What to Say to Your Worst Critic exercise. This tough, eye-opening and therapeutic activity impacted my life and business tremendously. Our conversation inspired me to replay this episode and encourage you to try it (if you already haven't).  Sometimes the only thing holding us back from success is ourselves. Seems like getting vulnerable has been a theme with my podcast lately! In this episode, I’m sharing a note I received from someone with all of you. This note was brutal, it hurt, and cut deep. But it was real and I want to share it with all of you. I am also sharing my response to this critic of mine. I want you to walk away with pep in your step and fire behind your dreams. Because no matter what people say, you know your true worth; you know what you were really meant for.   In today’s episode

n our modern age of information, there is no limit to what, where, or when we can learn. From books to articles, SkillShare videos to IGTV, we have the ability to expand our knowledge constantly. After we collect all this information one must wonder, how much of what I learn do I put into practice?   Today, I sit with Alessandra Nicole -- Mindset & Confidence Mastery Coach, Host of Girls on a Mission Podcast -- to address issues surrounding confidence, mindset and limiting beliefs. Alessandra and I are big supporters of the clarity comes through action mindset and on the Mastering Your Mind for a Life Beyond the Status Quo episode we will introduce methods that have helped us practice what we learn and explain how we implement them into our lives and businesses.   Alessandra became fascinated with the concept of mindset and the laws of attraction at a very young age. Her journey has led her to further exploring, experiencing, and testing growth mindset methods. Today she shares with us her library of kno

Repeating affirmations and future pacing are tools I love to use. I practice them as part of my daily routine to help me stay focused, motivated, and confident. Future pacing is a technique used to help you envision your future goals, and repeating affirmations are your daily reminders to help you get there. These two exercises can be done independently, but I have found that they work harmoniously together.   Whether working alone or leading a team of people, it can get lonely, distracting and difficult navigating the waters of running a successful business. It is important to remind yourself regularly of your mission, your why, and what you need to do to get there. Building a routine of these practices might be challenging at first but I promise you, over time, it will get easier. The more you train your brain with positive affirmations and big goals the better, and more enjoyable, your hustle will become.   In today’s episode, I walk you through the practice of future pacing and the do’s + dont’s for creat

A ‘tiny gain’ is the practice of small steps that, over time, can lead to a big change. We use this term as we weight train at the gym, scale our business and when we develop a new set of skill. Achieving small goals, one step at a time is a great confidence booster and motivator.  My guest on the show today, James Quigley, is a former Fitness Coach and now works with his clients as a Life Strategist and Personal Development Coach. He utilizes the ‘tiny gains’ method to coach his community and helps them create tailored daily routines that revitalize and inspire them to live more meaningful lives.   I am no stranger to routines. In fact, I encourage my listeners, clients, and friends regularly to find their practice. By creating a ritual that sets apart moments in your day, you allow your mind and body to relax and recover. As freelancers, especially those who work from home, it can be so easy to get lost in our work. Hours can fly by and we can still be in our pajamas! While staying cozy can seem appetizing,

Today’s episode is centered around outsourcing projects and automating systems in order to save you time and energy. Running a freelance business has incredible perks - freedom, ownership, flexibility! But it also can be extremely overwhelming - organization, business development, invoicing! As you grow and develop your business more and more items start to pile on your plate. I have found that in order to run a successful freelance shop, you must  A) learn to trust others to help you and B) understand what your time is worth. If you continue running on all cylinders you can burn out and start hating your freelance experience.   I start by sharing with you my top recommended automation tools. These are typically free resources online that help you with administrative tasks such as calendar management (Calendly) and invoicing (Dubsado). These tasks are typically easy and simple but they take time and for a Freelancer, time is $$. The more time you save on the smaller tasks, the more energy you can put into the

As human beings, our biggest aspiration in life is to be happy. We simply want to feel good. From our late teenage years to early adulthood, we start to experience a negative edge, a mental shift. The world looks a bit darker, things start to get harder and you continuously ask yourself ‘why me’. It wasn't until recent years that the topic of mental health became a less taboo item. Since no one prepared us for it, we never learned how to address it. My guest on the show today, Gemini Bhimani, is a long time friend, nurse, and entrepreneur. She shares with us her triumphant story of how she worked her way through depression to become a successful and passionate advocate for mental health as well as an entrepreneur. Her life lessons, healing practices and determination to live Beyond the Status Quo has transformed her experience, and her inspirational story is encouraging for anyone going through a tough time. Today, we have apps with 24-hour counselor support, journaling techniques, medications, and meditati

Fear is a natural human instinct that has protected our species since day one, but in this modern age, fear cripples us more than protects us. No matter what transition we are trying to make in work, life and love we seem to be unable to shake our ‘fear gremlins’. They linger in the back of our mind, reminding us that we can’t and shouldn’t take risks or change our routine.   As freelancers and entrepreneurs, once we start to feel our ‘fear gremlins’ waking up,  we are faced with two options - fight or flight. We can either crawl into bed and hide from our fears OR we can live Beyond the Status Quo, address our anxieties, find solutions and level up!   In today’s episode, I break down my tried and true 3 -step process to combating your ‘fear gremlins’. This exercise will encourage you to acknowledge your fears in a safe, low-pressure environment so that you can understand what triggers your anxiety and why.   In today’s episode you will learn: How to acknowledge your fears Defeat your ‘fear gremlins’ Breakth

This is a very special episode. Alysha DeMarsh from Basil and Bark is back on the BSQ podcast! We catch up from where we left off in episode 60, Freelance Hacks: Find Alignment, Build an Email List, and Create Multiple Streams of Income, and discuss her new course for Digital Creatives as well as her new passion, supporting female entrepreneurs with mental illness.   After a recent introspective meditation, Alysha was able to identify her root causes of anxiety. When she went back to the drawing board she envisioned a new way to approach her (already thriving) business in order for it to align with her unlimited true self. We can all learn a lot from Alysha’s transparency and confidence as she levels up and takes on her new challenges.   This episode is full of golden nuggets. We talk about creating opportunities for bringing in a passive income, techniques for leveling up, why you should feel confident in charging your clients what you are worth and so much more!   In today’s episode you will learn: How to

Today, we talk about how to raise your freelance prices because chances are, you are not charging what you are worth! I will walk you through mathematical equations and real-life scenarios to help you better understand how to appropriately change your clients. Early on in my freelance career, like most of you, I charged my clients an hourly rate based off of my desired yearly salary. After a while, I found that this formula not only devalued my self-worth and production but also, it fractured my relationships with my clients. I constantly felt like I was providing my clients with great work but not getting properly compensated for it. It forced me to feel me bitter and frustrated. Through the muck came clarity and I created a five-step approach to evaluating how to charge my clients. I now look at my potential customers and their businesses holistically. I conduct research to understand where they fit in the marketplace, how the project I am helping them with affects their bottom line, and what their return o

Today, on the BSQ podcast, I break bread with Entrepreneur and Instagram Marketing Strategist, Tyler J. McCall! We have been long time Insta-friends and I am thrilled to have him on the show.   Tyler is an expert at building relationships and forming communities on Instagram. His genuine and heart centered approach to relationship management has led him on a path of epic success. Tyler and his partner are running a successful consulting business that helps people understand their instagram goals, teaches them how to post with purpose as well as best practices for connecting with followers GENUINELY.   On this episode, Tyler and I talk all things Instagram - the trends to avoid and the tracks for success. We debunk brand byasses and discuss how Instragam can be used for any business, specifically service based entrepreneurs. This episode is great for freelancers looking to market themselves successfully and purposefully on Instagram. In today’s episode you will learn: An insiders view to Instagram What works

Today on the BSQ podcast I interview my very own Virtual Assistant, Cara Katz! We focus on the topic of a learning mindset and how it has helped her ditch the 9-5 and freelance with confidence.   A learning mindset is a mentality that fosters growth and education. As Cara moved around the country and transitioned into different jobs she understood quickly that a learning mindset was going to be her strongest asset. After her most recent move, Cara turned on the BSQ podcast and decided to start her own business. SYT (Support Your Tribe) is a collaboration shop that focuses on helping entrepreneurs and small businesses optimize new systems, strategize, and, essentially, get sh*& done. By utilizing modern technology and maintaining a strong mindfulness practice, Cara is able to take on all types of projects and is excited to learn new skills.   A learning mindset is great for everyone! We can all learn a lot from today’s episode. Cara’s passion for continued education and her positive mindset is contagious.

In today’s episode, I focus on helping you shift your mindset from negative to positive. It is far to easy for us to enter a negative ethos and cloud our perception of the world around us. Luckily, there are many ways for us to shift out of a negative mentality, for example: working out, meditating, visiting friends, and going for a walk are simple and effective catalysts of change.   One practice that has helped me tremendously is deep breathing. Anytime I feel anxious or overwhelmed, I take a second to step back, close my eyes and breath deeply for three breaths. This scientifically proven technique signals your parasympathetic nervous system to relax and calm down. This not only affects your mind but it also slows down your heart rate and releases tension throughout your whole entire body. I recommend you give this short and effective method a try! When you open your eyes,  the world around you will look much brighter :)   In this episode you will learn: Techniques for relaxation How practicing gratitude

Intuition is defined as the ability to understand something immediately, without the need for conscious reasoning. When we listen to our intuition and solidify our mission, we become more aligned and confident in our abilities. In today’s episode, I sit down with Dee Gautham, founder of Dee Gautham Live Fearlessly, to discuss how tapping into her intuition has helped her build her brand, overcome entrepreneurial obstacles, and find clients. When Dee noticed an opportunity to foster a community in the Instagram fitness space she entered it without hesitation. She had no hopes of becoming Insta-famous but the more she listened to her intuition the bigger she became. Her side-hustle grew naturally and soon she was able to ditch her 9-to-5 and focus on her brand full time. Dee has now shifted from the fitness space and coaches female entrepreneurs on mission alignment and sales. I love Dee’s entrepreneurial spirit because she addresses her challenges with a positive attitude, an open mind, and a refreshing appro

In today’s episode, I lay down the top 10 lessons I have learned while running a 6-figure business over the past 12 months as a freelancer and entrepreneur. As most of ya’ll know, it has been a trying and exciting year for me. It was a year of growth, development, success, and self-discovery. My mission for the BSQ podcast and this episode especially is to condense everything I have learned and neatly deliver my tips and techniques to set you on a straight path toward success.   The freelancer path to a 6-figure income isn’t easy but if you face each challenge with the right energy and mindset, I promise, you will find your way to the top.   In this episode you will learn: The importance of planning ahead and project management The value of investing in yourself and continuing your education The benefits of setting your personal and professional boundaries Why taking care of yourself is key   Related BSQ Podcasts: How Saying No Can Change Your Life 5 Ways to Take Back Your Schedule How to Use Automation to

This episode is brought to you by my FREE class - How to Go From Freelancer to 6-Figure Consultant in 90 Days. Sign up for this FREE 60 minute class to learn all about the secret to taking control of your freelance practice again to make more money in less time. I'll be covering the 3 Building Blocks for a sustainable 6-figure consulting business: Client Attraction, Client Management, and Client Automation. Register for the free class at: www.avanimiriyala.com/6-figures or type in "tiny.cc/6-figures" into your web browser. If you are feeling unmotivated or uninspired, it might be time for you to review your current environment. Take a step back and observe the people you surround yourself with, the places you go, the activities you do and the media you consume - are you finding that your environment is not encouraging you to live Beyond the Status Quo? In today’s episode, I discuss the subconscious power of our surroundings and how it affects our motivation. This episode is great for anyone in a rut, steppi

This episode is brought to you by my FREE class - How to Go From Freelancer to 6-Figure Consultant in 90 Days. Sign up for this FREE 60 minute class to learn all about the secret to taking control of your freelance practice again to make more money in less time. I'll be covering the 3 Building Blocks for a sustainable 6-figure consulting business: Client Attraction, Client Management, and Client Automation. Register for the free class at: www.avanimiriyala.com/6-figures or type in "tiny.cc/6-figures" into your web browser. As freelancers and entrepreneurs, setting limits can seem impossible. In my recent episode, Burnout: Using Your Lows as a Launching Pad to Your Highs, I discuss how I hit my capacity and found myself utterly burnout over a vacation with my friends. In today’s episode, I piggyback off the topic of burnout and shed light on how the power of saying ‘no’ has helped me both mentally and in my business. As a natural born hustler and people pleaser, the thought of turning away business never cr

Over the past few years, we have watched Instagram soar and take our society by storm. The social media platform has changed the way we shop, eat, advertise and so much more. Instagram has given a voice to people all over the world, and no one understands the value of this new stage better than the Instagram Influencer.   Today, I sit down with Rachel Holtin of @Austinfoodstagram - Austin food, fashion and lifestyle influencer. What started as a creative outlet for her to document her culinary experiences around Austin, has turned into her full-time career. Rachel shares with us her entrepreneurial journey, her tips for building an authentic and loyal following, as well as, how to make money as an influencer.   This episode is helpful to anyone who is intrigued by the Instagram influencer market and wants to learn how to build a social following. I loved talking to Rachel about this because her perspective is refreshing, sincere and exciting! After talking with her, I personally, started looking at social med