#66: Leadership, Innovation, & High-Ticket Sales

Being an innovator in the online space as somebody who's not saying the same stuff as everybody else. And when I'm scrolling through Instagram, I immediately stop my scroll because you're saying something that's different. You're bringing a fresh perspective into the online space. You're not just contributing to the noise.

Hello, welcome to Aligned and Wealthy. Whether you are an online business owner, a growing professional, or a woman who just desires more, we welcome all of you here. This is the community where we lead through both tenacity and heart. Each week you can expect solo motivational talks and trainings with your host, Lindsay Bodeo. That's me. Or interviews and candid conversations with guest experts and fellow rising leaders. We cover all things marketing, business, current events, and personal development. New episodes are released every single Wednesday, so hit the follow button and get ready for the rise. All right, welcome back everyone to the Aligned and Wealthy Podcast. I'm so excited to have you all here. Um, we have an amazing guest here today. It's So excited. We have Jessica Seely. So Jessica, I'm gonna like just kind of brag on you for a minute so that everyone can be like, ooh, this is gonna be a good one. So Jessica is a sales coach and leadership mentor. Did I mess that up? Was that right?

No, you got it perfect.

Hey, okay. Sales coach and leadership mentor. Basically Jessica helps you make a shit ton of money in the online space. And she does it in a way that is like, so ethical and like just so like intuitive and just really, really like on point with making money. Yes. But like also feeling really good about the way that it happens. I always want to buy like everything that Jessica sells because her sales skills are so good. And yeah, I think that you are just going to really take a lot away, a lot away from this episode. I know that a lot of you listening are like leaning into the coaching industry. You may even be service providers. Trying to figure out how to like talk about your services. And I think that Jessica does a really, really good job of that. So I know this is going to be a good episode. So yeah, welcome on, Jessica. I'm so excited.

Thank you for having me. I love that intro.

Yeah, I'm just going to boost you up, like boost your ego some. We all need that sometimes.

So fun. I love it. Thank you.

Yeah, you're welcome. You're welcome, Jessica. So tell us, I mean, Tell us a little bit about you, maybe how you came into the online space and what it is that you really, not that you do, but like, what is like the, like the deeper stuff? Like what's like the thing, let me get deep here, you know, like what's the thing underneath the making money? Like what is the big why? What is the mission behind what it is that you do?

And yeah, I feel like my background and how I got into this ties in with that for sure. And I've really had to lean into that this past year. It's been a, wild journey. So I was actually targeted by a Facebook ad about how to start a coaching business. And I just love that part of my story because it's— I don't know, I think it's just so weird. But like, I totally was targeted by a Facebook ad and it was targeting me because I was in a 9-to-5 and I think I was looking up work from home opportunities a lot, things like that, because I just, I hated— I hate working for other people. I hate it, I hate it, I hate it. I could talk about that this whole episode, um, and it's still something that just drives me so hard. And I'll get to that. But, um, I ended up downloading this freebie, and a lot of people think freebies can't change your life. Well, this one did, and it was, um, pick your niche, um, of your coaching industry, something like that. And I came up with my niche in about 2 minutes. It was, um, helping people, uh, take their side hustle full-time. That was my niche, and it was because I had done it. Yeah, it was kind of cool. I did that previously as a copywriter, so I was like, oh well, I know how to do this. So I— that was the niche I chose. And then I downloaded another freebie, I believe, and it was Create Your Coaching Offer, and I created it like that same night. And I think like the same night, because I'm a doer, the same night or the next night or something, I like made my website. And I was just— yeah, I think within a month and a half I had made my first Instagram post, which is— that's coming up in 3 years, January 31st, 2019. It's my very first Instagram post. And yeah, um, it kind of just took off from there. And the reason why I was actually able to stick with it. And you had mentioned your listeners might be looking to get into this. Well, this is something to really listen up to. You need to make sure, in my opinion anyway, that like you seriously love the path that you are on, that you have passion in your whole body, that it just vibrates out of you. In order to really be able to make consistent high-ticket sales. And that was the thing with my niche that I chose, is that I was so obsessed with quitting my job and not working for anybody else and not having to ask for vacation time, not being limited for vacation time, not having to feel bad if I called in sick. I was dealing with some mental health issues that I ended up taking a month off of work. I never went back, but that's like a whole thing. I just, I seriously am so obsessed with the freedom element that comes with having your own business. And coaching, for me, it connects with that, with that why for me. Because here's the thing, I could have been— because I was like looking into virtual assistant work and stuff way back then, like I couldn't make that work for me because I have zero desire to do that work. Um, but coaching and helping people to also be able to quit their jobs. And I've evolved since then. But at the time, that was so meaningful for me because I hated that. And so I wanted to help other people who hated that to be able to work for themselves and be able to spend more time with their kids and be able to go on trips without going into debt, like all this cool stuff. And that's initially why I started it. Like I said, I've evolved since then, but it still means something to me. It's still relevant.

Yeah, that was—

never go back to a job.

Yeah. And I remember even learning this from you, and sometimes like I'll say it, and like even to my clients, if like they're struggling, I'm like, what is the thing that like you couldn't go to bed tonight if like you didn't say that to somebody? Like, what's the thing that like you have to say, you know? So it's like, yeah, the thing in that moment, they're like, you are passionate. It was like a fire in your stomach. Like, that was something that you could talk about all day long. Because like, let's be honest, that's what we do as online marketers. Like, we're talking about the same things, like day in and day out, you know, like, so right, it just, it has to fuel from like passion alignment, like almost like an obsession, you know. And it's so funny that like, your journey as a coach started with like a freebie. So mine did as well. Yeah, we actually had my first business coach on the podcast, like 2 episodes ago, I think, Ali Daniel. And it all started with like a free 3-day challenge. And it was like, I was so miserable in my first grade job. And I was like, what am I going to do? I started a blog. And I had like been listening to like coaches, like on a podcast, like one coach in like, in particular for a while. And she was like a love and intimacy coach.

Oh, yeah.

And you may know her name is Madeline Moon. And she's amazing. If you should find her, she's pretty like woo, but she's so good. And I've been listening to her since I was like 16 or 15. But anyways, side note, sidetracked. Okay. So I saw this, this free, it was an ad, a Facebook ad, same exact way. And it was like, do you want to start your coaching business? And I'm like, oh, well, like I like, you know, I had never invested into like a coach myself other than a business coach, you know? And I was like, oh, well, like, I could do this. Like, let me go on this 3-day challenge. And like, yeah. So, so it's so true. Like you have to like listen to those nudges, take action. Like even the freebies can like change your life. So, so totally like the Facebook ads, you know, like Facebook ads get a bad rap sometimes, but like how funny is it that like both of our journeys started with Facebook?

Oh yeah. And if you start talking to people about that, you'd be amazed at how many people started their coaching journeys with the same Story. It's crazy. Those ads, the people, whoever's running them, they know what they're doing.

They know what they're doing. I was targeted.

Yeah.

Oh, okay.

All right.

Okay. So your, your journey has evolved and I know that now you really lean into helping online business owners like just sell better.

Right.

And just like lean into their leadership in the online space. Can you tell us a little bit about like what that means? I mean, I speak on leadership like within my community, but it may be different from how you do, you know?

Totally. Yeah.

You and in your community and like in your business and like in your being, like what does that mean to you? Hey gang, Lindsay here. If you are a rising business owner who is navigating the personal and professional woes of entrepreneurship and you find yourself thinking, I wish I had someone to help unpack clutter all of the plans swarming around in my head, or I have big goals for this year and I could really use a plan to help me achieve those things, then I invite you to book a one-time laser strategy session with me. This is a one-time private coaching and consulting session where we map out your high-level marketing and sales plan. We'll answer any questions you have around business mindset or leading within your life and business. You can book your one-time session directly through the link in today's show notes. Spots are limited for each month, so be sure to book yours as soon as you desire to get on the calendar. Okay, now back to today's episode.

Yeah, so I feel like leadership is a huge umbrella for me. I used to call myself a sales mentor and alignment coach, and then I realized alignment is under leadership, so I put leadership back. So, um, And then sales, the way I define it, is also under the umbrella of leadership. So I, I should just call myself a leadership coach, but you know, like sales, people know what that is. They don't have to question it. So, um, the way I see it is that when we learn and can lean into leading our community as thought leaders, if you will, if you want to use that word, or, um, inspiration motivation, all that kind of stuff, it's so much easier to sell, like so much easier to sell. And the thing is, is that when we kind of ditch the basic content and we throw it out the window, like the 3 steps to doing blank or whatever, it's like we elevate into this whole God, I feel like I'm speaking gibberish, but it's like we next— we step into this next level of our business where all of a sudden— I'm using a lot of buzzwords right now, I'm like deeply aware of that— but like we become client— we become like client magnets. And it's just, it's wild what happens when you just throw the rule book out the window and you just start speaking from like your tummy. Like, I don't know how else to explain it. Like your inner— oh, it's just amazing. And oh my gosh, and like when it comes to leadership, like leading your community— so I'm not talking about leading teams, I'm not talking about anything like that. I'm talking about being an innovator in the online space as somebody who's not saying the same stuff as everybody else. And when I'm scrolling through Instagram, I immediately stop my scroll because you're saying something that's different. You're bringing a fresh perspective into the online space. You're not just contributing to the noise. And this is coming through for me right now, but like a lot of times in the online space, like especially if there's like newer people listening to this, you'll like absorb a lot of people's content, and then it's like you start kind of like— it's just a natural human thing, like we all do it. I've done it like a million times. I have to catch myself all the time. Like we start like almost adopting other people's messages, and then what happens is like if you're a good, um, if you're like a natural marketer, you might end up starting a lot of conversations from your content but are you really being a leader? So the best example I can think of with that is like back in the day, um, there was this person in the online space, whatever, um, and she was basically just bashing the coaching industry. And what— and I'm not gonna give too much energy to that, but like basically she was, um, starting a lot of conversation. Like her posts and stuff were getting so much engagement But was she selling? No. Talking points do not equal sales. Lots of engagement and conversation do not equal sales because you're not actually leading your community. You're actually just being somebody that people can be like, oh my God, like, I agree. And also, do you want to really bring in that kind of negative energy into your space? No. But people don't think about that. Leading is inspiring. Leading is innovating. Leading is motivating. Writing, leading leads to sales. So that's my perspective on that. And it's like when you can lock that in and also realize that it's a journey— I have to catch myself all the time, and I've messed up so many times. I will continue to mess up in the fact that as online business owners, we are borderlining on influencers. It's difficult to not overshare. It is difficult, but I have to remind myself a lot that everything that I share is not actually leadership and that I need to— but when you can— let me back up. When you can realize that and back up and zoom out and admit your faults and hold up the mirror, That's leadership.

So yeah, you have self-awareness and you're able to zoom out and say, wait a minute, like this messaging, like honestly, like my people, like they're listening to me because I'm talking and they're like, oh, that's juicy. Tell me more about your personal life. Tell me about these mindset problems that you're going through. Oh my gosh, like let me sip my tea. But it's like, that's not really what's gonna make you sales. You know, it's like, yeah, share you, share your journey, of course. But like, Speak from like the place that you've healed from, you know, like speak from the place that like, yes, you can stand and like put your head up high, like hold your shoulders back rather than like, I'm pissed and this is what's wrong with everything and I'm done, you know.

Exactly.

Such a different energy, you know.

Yeah. My favorite mindset coach in the whole world. I'll give her a shout out, Topsy Van Den Bodge. She, I know, I love her so much. I will never forget, and I'm sure— I don't know if she's the inventor of this phrase, I don't even know, but I stand by it so deeply. It's share your scars, not your wounds. And like, that is something I have to remind myself of constantly as a leader in this space. And again, sometimes I mess up, but like, um, when you can share what you said, like places you've healed from, it makes such a difference. And then to what you were saying, to your point about how, like, when you, when you like show up and you can speak from a place that you've healed from and you're not just sharing content like this is everything that's wrong, blah, blah, blah, you're going to attract a more abundant client anyway. And also like when you do share your transparent truths, if you will, or like your vulnerabilities, that's not a bad thing. But just understand that like if that's all you're doing, it's not going to lead to sales. What you're doing when you're being vulnerable and open is you're building that like, no, like trust factor that leads to sales. You still have to, you still have to sell, right?

Yeah.

So leadership is just a big umbrella.

Yeah. And it's like they kind of go together, like they coexist, right? But we can't always be like pitching in someone's face and we can't always be just like shit, like using social media as like a diary, you know?

Yeah.

Like, I've so been guilty of that, you know, like we all have.

Me too.

Yeah. And it's like, because I think too, because if you, did you ever deal like whenever you first came into the online space, did you ever deal with like the fear of being seen or like the visibility fear or like, you know, like what people would think about you? Did you ever have any of that or is it so natural for you?

Okay, I sound like such a jerk, but I actually have never been— I've never been afraid to show up, although if we— I'm being visible, but I'm sure if we went deeper into that, I would find little places where I was like different branches of that.

Yeah, yeah. And I think it's always like one or the other. It's like, no, I had no problem, like, I could talk all day, or it's like, no, like, I really had to work work through that. I was on that side. Like, I really had to work through—

lots of people are.

Yeah, I'm like you, like, I'm a doer and I just did it. But it was like, I was so proud of myself for doing it and for showing up that for a long time it was— I was just sharing my truths and I'm just being vulnerable and I'm just being so open. And it's like, yes, but I had to find the balance, you know? Yeah, just something to be mindful of if anyone— yeah, if you're like Oh, oh, okay. Like, let's connect back to the message. Like, what are you selling? What's the message? Like, what's at the core of that?

And like, yeah, you know, it's hard to do. It's really hard to do. But it's something that you just have to be deeply aware of.

For sure. For sure.

Okay.

So tell us your passion. And I know that this is something that you're super passionate about is high ticket sales. And I'm super passionate about high ticket sales. High ticket investments changed my life as a consumer. Me too, as being someone that has like invested multiple times and just like, I know the level that like I show up for myself at and where I do that. And I know the level of like trust that I have in my mentors or like in the courses, even like high, high, high-end courses as well. And then also like as the person selling it, you know, as the one that's coaching others and like, and leading those containers. So like, For you, why are you so passionate about high ticket? Why, why does that— I know that high ticket, um, is it like a— I don't know if you call it like a pillar of your business or like something that you just stand behind. What is— what does that mean to you?

Yeah, so, um, high ticket sales, well, it completely changed my life. And same with you, like investing it and charging it. Um, I'll start with the charging. Well, no, Okay, let me back up. So when I first got into this industry, um, I was severely undercharging. I was technically charging high ticket, but I remember giving somebody like a $2,000 discount. So I was charging $3,000 for, uh, 6 months of my coaching at the time, and I ended up for my very first client who's willing to pay me to lock her in, I like gave her a $2,000 discount. So I charged her $1,000. So I think back to that and it's just so funny. But when I like, I have no, oh, I'm gonna zoom past this. But basically like my very first investment into coaching was $5,000. And I remember at the time I was like, oh my gosh, I've never invested this much money before. Like I've never invested anything like this is crazy. But doing that was so, such a powerful experience. And like, I remember my first call with her, she like, whatever, gave me like advice and helped me and all this stuff. And then like within a week, I think I booked 2 clients, high-ticket clients at my $3,000 rate. I'm like, oh my gosh, I can't believe people would actually pay me this. This is crazy. It's working. And it was just cool. Yeah. And I was like, of course, a star student. Like, yeah, I was like the best client ever. I remember that coaching. I was getting like the best results in my mastermind containers. That's what it was. And I don't know, like, that's just how I am is when I invest in something, I try to be like the best client and like I try to like— like I've always been a teacher's pet, a teacher's pet, even though I wasn't like a good student in school. I'm going off on a weird tangent. But anyway, so it just— it changes your perspective of what you get to receive. And so as I started working with that coach, she started like, you know, reminding me about all the work I'm doing and encouraging me to raise my prices and blah, blah, blah. And slowly I started raising my prices just little by little until I got to a place that I was like comfortable with, which was I think like $10,000 at the time, $8,000 to $10,000. And then I started working with a new coach and I remember she encouraged me to raise my prices to like $15,000. And I seriously could not fathom that. I could not fathom people paying me at that rate. I was like, I can't. Like, it gave me a stomachache. Um, uh, so I just kind of like stayed where I was. But like, even where I was, it just like allowed so much freedom into my life. Like, I was able to— I remember I got married and we went to Los Angeles after we got married, and like, we didn't have to go into any debt. Like, we were able to just like pay for like little luxuries on our trip and not have to worry. And I just really liked that. It just felt so freeing. It was like so nice to not have to check my bank account and feel a stomachache every time I wanted to like buy something, like because I used to have a really weird relationship with my bank account and like because I would always be negative funds all the time.

Yeah.

And like being able to like you know, go out for dinner and not worry about whether or not I could afford it, things like that. So I was really starting to notice a big change in my relationship with money, um, being a business owner. It was cool. Um, and then, uh, when I did start to raise my prices even more, that's when things really changed. Um, I remember my very first mastermind round, like the new and improved mastermind, if you will. It was at the beginning of 2020. Um, I charged $15,000 and I remember I was going to revert, like I was going to go back and like lower it. So I was terrified. I'm like, nobody's going to pay me this. This is so stupid. Um, and then I did kind of some math and I'm like, wait, I literally have to charge this because my program is so expensive to run. And if I want to hit my financial goals and make profit, I I like can't charge less.

So I'm like, okay, I have no choice. This is it.

I have no choice. And doing that, um, uh, like, I, I feel like I'm just like going off. I hope this is okay.

Yeah, no, no, I think it's like you kind of took the emotion out of it. Like, that's what it reminds me of.

Yes.

Looking at high ticket sales, like, yeah, because we want to feel good and we want to live a great life. But it's like in that moment you had to say, wait a minute, I'm investing this much time, I'm hiring these. Yeah. Speakers to come in. So now it's like, it's not like a subjective like choice anymore. Now it's like, no girl, no girl, you got to have to, you have to do this.

Well, and that's the thing that a lot of people don't do when they're charging high ticket. They don't look at profitability. They just like charge what feels good or like what they're comfortable with or what they can believe that they can receive. But the thing is, is once they start doing that, they enter a crazy burnout cycle because they realize, well, I have to take like 8 million clients in order to hit my goals. It's like, well, no, you don't have to do that. Like, you can increase your prices. Of course, you have to stand behind the belief of them and stuff, but like, do that work then, and then, and then charge them.

Yeah. And it's like, if you raise your price, or, or, okay, if you're basing your prices on how you feel, well, like, your feelings are not like level all the time, right? So then you feel badly. Or let's say you did have a low month. Or let's say you have some relationship stuff going on because it all trickles in, right?

Yeah.

And let's say that you're just kind of going through like a normal dip in life and business, whatever, right? Well, then guess what? Now you think, oh, my prices need to go down. And it's like, you don't directly think that, but like subconsciously, if you're, if you're basing your pricing on your feelings, like when you feel like shit, you're not going to believe in your prices as much.

That's right. And actually, that leads to a really— like, you ask— I think you asked this, like, how high-ticket sales has really transformed my life. Well, 2021 was probably the hardest year of my entire life, like, legit. And I made minimum $20,000 cash every month from the way I sell high-ticket.

That's so amazing. Like, freaking—

thanks. Like, that's— and like I didn't have to— like, I barely worked last year. Yeah, I barely worked last year. But the thing is, is at the beginning of the year, I set myself up so powerfully for the whole year. And like, yeah, it's just— it's actually so crazy looking back. Like, high ticket sales, when you can stand behind, you can do that work to like really believe in the rates that you're charging and like charge prices that scare you a little bit. And like step into that belief, it really does have the power to change your life. I was able to pay for my IVF treatment in full, $30,000, like every invoice I had, like pay it, not even notice it was gone. I was able to pay off like $20,000+ in debt, like combined between me and my husband. We bought like a nice family vehicle. We are able to make flights like on a whim without even worrying about it. When something really bad happened in my personal life, I was able to pay for an almost $30,000 coaching investment in full and not even worry. Like my tax bills, like here you go, like all sorts of stuff and still like profit massively every month while doing the bare minimum. Like the bare minimum because last year was so hard. So it's just amazing how it can truly transform your life, but you got to get over your stuff. Like, you got to, like—

yeah, that was kind of like what I was, what I was wondering. It's like, you know, you said that you worked less, and that's something that I'm really leaning into this year. 2021, I hustled my ass off. Like, I was taking, you know, 10 sales calls a week, you know, oh God, yeah. Oh, that's only 10 hours every week. Like, that's nothing. But it's like, no, girl, like, that's like emotionally taxing, you know, like, like, I hustled my ass off in 2020. And like, in 2021, it's a huge shift that we're making. And it's like, slowing down is speeding up and like, how little can we do and how big of an impact can we make? But it's, oh my gosh, the friggin, like, mindset stuff that has come with that. And like just, and just like realizing that you don't have to fill in your time with something else, you know? So like, did you ever feel that come up for you of like, oh, it's safe to like not be busy all the time, you know?

Huge, huge. Like I actually, um, I wouldn't even, I wouldn't even call it a recovering workaholic. I'm like a straight up workaholic. And so I have a lot of stuff that comes through when I'm not doing enough that really showed up when I had my baby, like really showed up. Um, and so when you talk about filling your time, that's really hard for me. I feel like if I'm not posting multiple times a day, every day, I'm not doing enough. It's like a toxic thought cycle for me that I haven't quite healed from. Yeah.

Yeah. That's okay to think that, right?

Like that's okay. Yeah.

Yeah.

For sure. So when, like, with last year, so first I was pregnant last year. So first trimester, I was really sick, like really sick. I just made this massive investment in my business and I couldn't— so earlier, and I said I was like a star student in a lot of my coaching lessons. This one I wasn't. I could barely function. I remember I had a sales call once. I'm in my first trimester, which I don't often do, but when I was in— I did a sales call and I literally was sleeping until 10 minutes before the call and I like rolled up and I'm like, you can't see me, but like fake smile. Like I just— it was a struggle. And so to not, um, to have that kind of be the start of my year really set the tone, I think, for my year and with business because I was having a hard time showing up that I lost a lot of momentum. Actually, if I had a more healthy viewpoint around how to show up, maybe I wouldn't have lost such momentum. So this is a good lesson for people listening that like it's okay to not be working all day every day.

Yeah, and it's like even like losing momentum or not losing momentum, but like if you had like maybe just trying to think about like for me, it's specifically like I quote unquote lost momentum at like the end of last year. Like I took huge income dips last year and it's like, yeah, like you were dealing with mental health stuff. Like it's okay, you know, almost like preparing ourselves for those things. So that was like a huge thing this year and I was like planning out like I did like a, like a high, high level plan. Like I'm not planning out what I'm launching exactly what month, like not No, we're not doing that. But I'm like, okay, well, I know in like July and August, we're going to be sending kids to school. Like, I'm not going to want to be like doing a Reel every day, you know, I'm not going to be super hardcore, like launch mode. So like, like almost like being prepared for those big life events so that you don't find yourself in like this like conundrum of like working harder, working less. What am I supposed to be doing? Like, am I guilty for taking time off, like just kind of like mentally like preparing yourself for that, you know?

Huge. Yeah. Like really setting strong boundaries as early as possible and reminding yourself it's okay. Like it is okay. You're not, nobody's going to die. You're going to be fine.

Oh my gosh.

That's so good. So good.

It's hard. So if you could get our listeners like anything to walk away with, which I feel like they've walked away with so much. It's been so good. What would you kind of send them with? Like if maybe like, um, I don't know, like, uh, what would you kind of speak into them? Like what's coming through to you or maybe like a sales tip or I don't know, like what would you want to send them with?

Yeah. So let me, let me just like ponder for a second. So If people are listening to this and they are typically people who are a little newer to the space and to high ticket, yep, I think what's really coming through is, A, you, you need support. Not saying you need to invest thousands upon thousands upon thousands right away, But I am saying that a lot of people— okay, this is what's coming through— a lot of people when they first start a business or they're newer to their business and they're trying and they're struggling, they try to take shortcuts, they try to take the free path, things like that. When in reality, as a business, if you're really wanting to take it seriously and make a real go out of it, I don't think that you can do it by yourself. I truly don't. That doesn't mean you need a coach, it just means like I think you need a support system of some sort to help you. You need to just do the work. So like, for example, a lot of people like make a whole content plan and then they don't post it. Like they don't post content and it's like, why aren't you posting anything? Like show up. Like you have to show up. That's key. You do need to invest money to receive money. Like, that's a non-negotiable. You have to— like, you have to find what works for you, um, but like, you're not going to make money if you don't spend money. Like, that's just facts. That's how business works. I don't make the rules. I'm not saying this to like piss people off. It's just that's what a business is. We can't ignore the facts. A lot of people try to ignore the facts. And then in order to actually sell, you need to promote. So if you want to sell high ticket, if you want to sell high ticket, like please sell like every day, if not most days of the week. In like all areas. Like, it's okay. Like, but the thing though to remember about selling every day is people need to— yeah, they— it's so basic, but they need to know you, like you, and trust you. Um, and so how are you going to do that? Because the thing is, if you're just doing like a sales pitch every day and you're not giving value, um, then, then how are they going to know you, like you, and trust you? So You have to fill in that gap in order to see sales. So like, answer that question, like, how can I get people to know me, like me, and trust me today so that they feel more inclined to buy from me?

Hmm. That's so like sales lesson right there. Like, seriously, ask yourself that this week.

Yeah. Yeah. And I think that that's really important. So that's what's coming through. When I first started, this is also coming up. When I first started my business, I'll just kind of give a little tidbit of like an insight. So like I said earlier at the beginning of this, my very first Instagram post was January 31st, 2019. I made my first high-ticket sale in March. Yeah, like early March, I believe. So it only took me a couple of months. I was like fully booked, I think, by May. So it was a really fast process. It's not like that for everybody, but this is all I did. I literally, from January to the end of February, posted— I'm not saying you have to do this, but I posted on my Instagram feed every day giving free value. That's what I did. So free education, um, free— like, just like sharing inspiration, sharing like tidbits about what I knew, blah blah blah. And I talked a lot about leaving your full-time job, so like I always connected it back to that. So that's what I did every day. And then it sounds so weird because I'm a sales mentor now, but like at the time I didn't know I needed to promote in order to like receive sales. And then so like my coach, she's like, hey, I want you to go on like a sales blitz, just promo like all the time, every day. And so like I promoted a couple of times and that's when people started reaching out. But the thing is, is that I built a lot like a very strong foundation of trust. Unknowingly for like 2 months. Um, and then so when I finally did sell, they finally knew how they could work with me. They didn't know how they could work with me. They didn't know they could because I wasn't talking about it.

And they trusted you and they knew you were like an expert at what it was that you were talking about.

So yeah. And so when I finally promoted myself, oh, surprise, surprise.

Yeah, you reached out.

I love that.

And you know what I just like noticed, kind of tying back to the end of our conversation, not once did you say, yeah, for that, for those 2 months I posted super polarizing content, you know? And it's like, for 2 months I just like got everyone's panties in a wad and like said what was wrong with everything, you know? Yeah. I think it's just such a beautiful reminder to come back to the basics, you know? Oh yeah. I think like sometimes we have to take our nose out of like everything else that's going on and like come back to like our community and our audience and say, what is it that they need to hear today? You know, like, yeah, what, what did they— what are they really interested in? You know, like, what are they— yeah, what is the question that they're asking themselves today that I can help them answer?

Yeah, I love that. Yeah, yeah. And in the first couple months, like, I preach a lot about intuitive sales, but like, um, so this is where that connects. But at the beginning, I really just shared what I thought would be helpful for them. That was it for like— and I did that every day for like 2 years. Like, wow, I love that. And that's what gets people interested in you is when they start liking your, your style and you have actually helped them. My content became innovative as I went on, I think, but like the basics worked. It got me high ticket sales. So you don't have to be like groundbreaking all the time. Yeah.

And it's like, what if this is the basic and the like helpful is the innovative now, you know?

Yeah, for sure.

Yeah. So hard to stand out. You're really just blending in with everyone else, you know?

Like, yeah, yeah.

I love it. Coming back to the simple and like, just, this is what you need to hear today. Like, that is the innovative sometimes, you know?

Yeah, for sure. I love, um, what you said about basics. Like, I think a lot of us, as we grow, we forget about basics. And we need to go back to them often in order to, to, um, like stay consistent with our efforts and like grow and things like that. Like the basics work, they're the basics for a reason.

They really, really work. Oh my gosh. Yeah.

Yep. Yeah.

Oh, we could like go on a whole tangent here about fueling emotional needs through business. And that's why we change our minds so much. And then that's why we get away from the basics. So like, Oh my gosh. Okay. So Jessica, where can our community find you if they want to come creep you, stalk you, see what you have to offer? How can they come be in your energy?

In your space? Yeah. Um, Instagram's the best place for me. So, um, it's jessica.sealey, S-E-A-L-E-Y. Remember the E.

So good. Well, thank you so much, Jessica. This has been really, really good. I know that our listeners will take so much away from this. I mean, even myself, like, I just think it's so good to talk about these things with another human. I love the podcast, really. Like, it's so easy to make these episodes because I get to like speak with like really cool like business owners who like know what they're doing. And like, it's just fun, you know?

Yeah, it is.

Yeah. So thank you for coming on today. I have enjoyed it. And yeah, y'all come tell us what your best takeaway was. Feel free to screenshot and like tag us and then like say, hey, like this is what I'm listening to. This is what I'm taking away. Like I love that validation. Like shameless.

I love you. The hair play.

Hair flip. That's how great we are. Oh my gosh.

But all right.

Well, thank you, Jessica, for coming on and we will see you all in the next episode. Thank you. Hey gang, it's Lindsey. If you enjoyed today's show, it would mean so much for you to take 1 to 2 minutes and leave us a review right here on your podcast platform. You can click directly on the link to our podcast page, scroll to where it says reviews, and leave us a 1 to 5 star review, 5 star preferably, to really be the gold star student. You can share share with us what episode or what episodes you've enjoyed most and what you'd want to hear more of. I personally read every single review, and I would love to be able to share your review on one of our next episodes. So thank you so much for listening, and I will see you in the next episode.