Too Legitimate to Quit anniepreneur

Are self-care and productivity opposing forces? Must you choose one or the other? Absolutely not! This episode seeks to prove that self-advocacy and self-preservation are among the most efficient, effective choices you can make - if only you allow yourselves the space, and learn to work with your fears.

This week, Annie is joined by the incomparable Sacred Walker - therapist, minister, and force for good. Together, they unpack the complex role fear and doubt play in business growth, deep dive into self-awareness, self-validation, and ultimately self-fulfillment and share their personal practices for creating sacred space within. Then, they pull inspiration from one of the greatest divas of all time, Whitney Houston.

Resources:
- Connect with Sacred through her website, Instagram, and LinkedIn.
- Don't forget to listen to her own podcast, Self Love Letters for Everyday Superheroes!
- Annie's award-winning sales course, Sales for Empaths, is now available as a Pay What Feels Right! Grab your seat at http://www.anniepruggles.com/NSSA

What's Inside:
• Self-care IS productive (3:13)
• Recovering from negativity (16:23)
• The Everyday Epiphany (18:55)
• Bobby Brown on Your Shoulder (30:41)
• Cultivating Sacred Space Within (37:21)
• Reimagining Personal Stories (51:23)

Wanna binge? Check out these related episodes:
5: On Video Marketing, Fear & Green Lantern (feat. Nick Bonitatibus)
45: On Shame, Magnetism & The Rocky Horror Picture Show (feat. Michelle Clarke)
62: On Traction, Patience & Ted Lasso (feat. Sara Dean)
74: On Productivity, Reliability & Moneyball (feat. Kris Ward)
80: On Expertise, Unlearning & The OC (feat. Rachel Kurzyp)

If you're feeling frustrated and overwhelmed because your current website design is not attracting diverse customers or fostering a sense of connection, then you are not alone! Perhaps you've been relying on generic templates and stock images, failing to capture the unique experiences of your target audience. Instead of cultivating empathy and inclusivity, your website may be leaving potential customers feeling unseen and excluded. What's a heart-centered small business owner to do?

Thankfully, Iris Goldfeder is here to break down the essentials of accessibility, inclusion, and empathic design. (And by here, I mean literally on the floor of FAN EXPO Chicago with Annie!) It's a must-listen for nerds, empaths, and technology haters alike. Then, Iris and Annie share lessons learned from The Mandalorian, and go searching FAN EXPO for Grogu (aka Baby Yoda aka The Child). Trust us, this is the way (to fix your website)!

Resources:
- Connect with Iris through the GasStoveCreative website and her Linkedin.
- Don't forget to check out her podcast, GasStoveCreative presents The Cookbook.

FAN EXPO Acknowledgement and Gallery:
This episode was made possible by the generosity and support of FAN EXPO Chicago's media and PR team. THANK YOU!

To see a gallery of Iris and Annie's favorite Mandalorian finds, visit http://www.anniepruggles.com/grogu

Special thanks to The Legging Lass, Whirl & Twirl, EWAcats, DisParody, The CroChic Shop, Tristan Young, The Pink Yodette, and Drew Blank (who was also featured in last year's episode!) for allowing me to include and share your art with this episode. Again, the link to the gallery is http://www.anniepruggles.com/grogu

ABOUT FAN EXPO HQ:
FAN EXPO HQ is the largest comic con producer in the world. Collectively it hosts more than one million fans annually at FAN EXPO Canada™, MEGACON Orlando, FAN EXPO Dallas™, FAN EXPO Boston™, FAN EXPO Denver, FAN EXPO San Francisco, Calgary Comics & Entertainment Expo, FAN EXPO Vancouver™, Toronto Comicon, Dallas FAN FESTIVAL and Edmonton Comics & Entertainment Expo. In 2022, FAN EXPO HQ presents six new shows previously organized by Wizard World: FAN EXPO Chicago, FAN EXPO Philadelphia, FAN EXPO St. Louis, FAN EXPO Portland, FAN EXPO New Orleans, and FAN EXPO Cleveland. The latest schedule of events is available here, along with up-to-date ticket information. Discover. Celebrate. Belong.


What's Inside:
00:03:14 - ADA Compliance and Small Business Owners,
00:05:15 - Future Trends in Website Accessibility,
00:08:40 - Empathy and Inclusivity,
00:11:47 - Websites as Virtual Brick and Mortar,
00:18:11 - Tips for Ensuring Inclusivity and Compliance, 
00:26:56 - The Power of Inclusive Marketing,
00:29:52 - Rejecting Irresponsible Marketing,
00:32:28 - Importance of Accountability,
00:34:02 - Small Mistakes Reflect on Big Ones,
00:40:45 - Entrepreneurship and Choice,
00:46:30 - Creating a Community,
00:47:40 - The Path of the Jedi,
00:50:31 - Intentionality and Choices,
00:53:07 - Babysitting Grogu,
00:55:40 - Hmk: Audit Your Homepage,


Wanna binge? Check out these related episodes:
42: On Impact, Inclusion & Pitch Perfect (feat. Melissa Marcelissen)
43: On Storytelling, Problem-Solving & Star Wars (feat. Seth Erickson)
57: On Intentionality, Instinct & Rogue Agents (feat. Andrea Freeman)
79: On Self-Promotion, Belonging & Pee-wee's Playhouse (feat. Deanna Seymour)
83: The Business of Fandom: Live from FAN EXPO Chicago 2022

How can businesses build trust, foster human connection, and align with shared values in the age of AI and technology? And why on Earth does Facebook feel the need to change its advertising platform every four seconds? (Ok, we can't answer the second question there. Ask Zuckerberg.) But in this episode, we wholeheartedly tackle the first.

Jenn Neal of Formula Done joins Annie P. to candidly share her best tips on leveraging Facebook’s functionality amidst recent policy changes, and strategies for overarching marketing success with and without AI.

Then, Jenn dives into her lifelong passion for different racing disciplines, including Formula 1. You'll be amazed how much it has to do with social media! Tune in for an insightful discussion filled with thrilling anecdotes, thought-provoking questions, a drag race romance, and plenty of laughs along the way.

Resources:
- Connect with Jenn through her website, Instagram, and https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennneal.
- Grab her free ultimate guide to content repurposing at https://contentrepurposing.tools/
- Annie's award-winning sales course, Sales for Empaths, is now available as a Pay What Feels Right! Grab your seat at http://www.anniepruggles.com/NSSA

What's Inside:
[00:01:14] With algorithms, you'd be surprised how much having fun matters
[00:05:23] Productivity, Dance Videos, and Visibility
[00:12:18] Leveraging the Facebook behemoth
[00:15:12] Visibility mini-masterclass
[00:19:35] Easy, cheap Facebook boosting for more visibility.
[00:21:53] How to liberate your content
[00:26:57] A Drag Race romance
[00:30:40] Elevating the ordinary to the excellent
[00:33:09] Ethics and your best behavior (but in a joyful way)

Wanna binge? Check out these related episodes:
40: On Kindness, Differentiation & Revenge of the Nerds (feat. Mike Michalowicz)
62: On Traction, Patience & Ted Lasso (feat. Sara Dean)
71: On Shiny Objects, Trends & Westworld (feat. Mariana Padilla)
106: On Launches, Social Listening & Iron Man (feat. Jennifer Tamborski)
109: On Webinars, Credibility & Pleasantville (feat. Tom Poland)

If your email marketing was a love story, would the couple get together in the end or would one run away, screaming in disgust? While that second scenario isn't all that likely, entrepreneurs are faced with a very real pain all too often: crickets. We put the best of our brains out there, only to be met with silence and a smattering of lackluster likes. What's a heart-centered service provider to do, to really truly connect?

Allea Grummert joins Annie P." in the studio" this week to demystify the email outreach campaigns that just might matter most - the nurture sequence. It's a masterclass in authenticity and conversion copywriting wrapped in a zany, Jane Austen-obsessed bow. Who would be the better marketer - Mr. Bingley or Mr. Collins? How could Darcy have gotten Lizzie to buy in sooner? And what's the perfect balance between pride and passion in your work correspondence? 

Resources:
- Connect with Allea through her Instagram.
- Grab her free guide to welcome sequences and more at duett.co/TLTQ
- Hey, are y'all on THREADS yet? If so, be sure to connect with Annie @annieprenenur

What's Inside:
[00:06:42] Your story matters; let's share it.
[00:10:53]  The questions that build rapport
[00:13:43] How to ethically engage anxiety, frustration, and confusion
[00:16:09] Experiences shape our preferences and create engagement.
[00:21:31] Sometimes choices are correct, but maybe smelly.
[00:25:15] "Don't let others dictate your content."
[00:26:33] Goldilocks and lead magnets
[00:31:00] Email strategies: insults, flattery, and constant marketing
[00:35:36] Love letters to your customers bring clarity and reflection
[00:46:50] Miscommunication and secrets in classic literature analyzed
[00:53:21] Homework: Consider the tone and persona of your email marketing.

Wanna binge? Check out these related episodes:
48: On Clients, Connection & Mean Girls (feat. Breanna Gunn)
70: On Resonance, Experimentation & Ferris Bueller's Day Off (feat. Christy Cegelski)
101: On Bro-Marketing, Manipulation & Andor (feat. Josh Elledge)
105: On Emails, Takeaways & Outlander (feat. Danielle Weil)
109: On Webinars, Credibility & Pleasantville (feat. Tom Poland)

Have you ever wondered what Hogwarts House would churn out the very best business strategists? Or wished you could celebrate Dobby's canonical birthday with your work friends? Or desperately sought to take back the Harry Potter fandom from JK Rowling's toxic, hateful grasp? This is the event for you!

What does bravery have to do with structure and systems?
What does loyalty have to do with websites?
What does braininess have to do with branding?
And what does ambition mean for non-sleazy selling?

Too Legitimate to Quit - your favorite small business/pop culture podcast, is thrilled to host the Hogwarts House Strategy Smackdown - presented initially live on LinkedIn.

* Representing Gryffindor, we have Meredyth Mustafa-Julock, CEO of Coach Jennie. (www.coachjennie.com)
* Representing Hufflepuff, we have Iris Goldfeder, CEO of GasStoveCreative.
(www.isyourwebsiteeffective.com)
* Representing Ravenclaw, we have Caitlin Penny, CEO of Copper Theory Creative.
(https://calendly.com/hello-ctc/30-minute-brand-assessment?month=2023-06)
* And representing Slytherin, we have Annie P. Ruggles, Founder of Quirk Works Consulting and host of Too Legitimate to Quit.

Throughout, we'll be raising funds for the amazing Transgender Law Center. It's Pride Month, after all! (It's not too late to donate - every dollar counts! So please consider joining the cause at https://fundraise.givesmart.com/vf/TLC2021/AnniePRuggles1 or by texting TLC202160 to 71777.

So - don your House Colors, grab your wallet, and join us! Dumbledore will be so proud of you!

Parentpreneur advisory: this episode contains brief periods of profanity

About Transgender Law Center: Transgender Law Center changes laws, policies, and attitudes so that all people can live safely, authentically, and free from discrimination regardless of their gender identity or expression. Since 2002, they have grown to become the largest national trans-led organization advocating for a world in which all people are free to define themselves and their futures. Grounded in legal expertise and committed to racial justice, TLC employs a variety of community-driven strategies to keep transgender and gender-nonconforming people alive, thriving, and fighting for liberation. Learn more and follow their work at TransgenderLawCenter.org

Feeling frustrated and overwhelmed with your current marketing efforts? Exhausted by constantly chasing after the latest trend or tactic without seeing any real results? Or just wondering how and when to let your "freak flag" or "woo badge" fly for maximum effect? You are not alone!

If you've invested in expensive advertising campaigns or poured hours into social media posts, but your audience just isn't engaging or converting, this episode is for you! This week, Annie P. is joined by Stanford-educated lawyer turned Earth Wisdom Ceremonialist and quiz funnel builder extraordinaire, Mellissa Seaman! A true bridge between the worlds of business strategy and intuitive development, Mellissa now guides professional women in midlife on how to clarify their deepest purpose, do business with heart and ease, and step into a new level of leadership. It's a jam-packed, hilarious, and heartfelt episode that begs the question "What the heck does it really mean to be holistic in your marketing?" before diving into the musical romp known as Zoey's Extraordinary Playlist.

Resources:
- Connect with Mellissa through her Instagram.
- Take Mellissa's fabulous quiz, "What is Your Soul Gift?," at SoulGiftQuiz.com
- Don't forget to check out her podcast, Channel Your Genius!

What's Inside:
[00:05:54] Managing creative cycles means prioritizing rest.
[00:12:39] Magnetism must pave the way for success.
[00:16:09] Creativity comes from external inspiration sometimes.
[00:18:43] "Say yes, don't stop the flow"
[00:20:46] Opening to the genius within and embracing uniqueness
[00:24:36] Limitations hinder genius, open up and flow!
[00:28:30] Different types of genius
[00:33:15] The superpower of archetype-based quizzes
[00:36:38] Marketing for compassionate and deep connection
[00:41:47] Listening with heart; tuning into intuition.
[00:44:39] Boundaries, baby! Boundaries.
[00:50:15] Ditching fake professionalism for real authenticity
[00:54:18] Homework: determine (and protect) your zone of genius.


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11: On Intuition, Ambition & Frozen 2 (feat. Ciara Rubin)
25: On Selfishness, Boundaries & Malcolm & Marie (feat. Naketa Ren Thigpen)
45: On Shame, Magnetism & The Rocky Horror Picture Show (feat. Michelle Clarke)
53: On Boundaries, Burnout & So I Married an Axe Murderer (feat. Amber Hawley)
70: On Resonance, Experimentation & Ferris Bueller's Day Off (feat. Christy Cegelski)
106: On Launches, Social Listening & Iron Man (feat. Jennifer Tamborski)