Belinda Weaver pursued a “safe” career in IT and worked as a computer programmer, but soon discovered that things were much more fun in her company’s marketing department. She got bored in her niche and was looking for a new opportunity when she discovered freelance copywriting. She soon built a business that gave her newfound freedom and the opportunity to quit her job. Now, at Confident Copywriting Membership, Belinda teaches other copywriters how to build…
Matt Tommey has been an artist for his entire life. After several years in the ministry and a career in marketing that was cut short by the Great Recession of 2008, Matt had a dream in which he raised a generation of artists. He acted on it by writing his first book, Unlocking the Heart of the Artist. Soon, he was on the road all the time doing events, and he worried that he had…
Kathy Terrill is a New York City-based actor who has appeared in a number of off-Broadway and regional theater productions, as well as a number of episodes of All My Children. Because her acting work was largely seasonal, she took on a side gig as a product presenter for QVC. However, when her mother fell ill and she needed to stay in Manhattan to be there for her, she found herself decluttering her life on…
When Tracy Henning entered the real estate industry at the age of 21, she found herself up against the extraordinarily stiff competition. The early rejections and harsh criticism showed her how much more effective she could be if she started to think outside the box, and she soon became one of the leading realtors in her market. However, after she adopted her newborn daughter, she knew she wanted to spend more time at home. Now,…
When Karen Cinnamon got engaged, she found herself unable to find anything that spoke to her when it came to planning a modern Jewish wedding. When she couldn’t find anyone providing the inspiration, advice, or guidance she was looking for, she realized that there was a hole in the market and a massive opportunity. She started a blog to showcase innovative Jewish weddings, and it became her full-time job within a year. Now, at Brides…
After 10 years of working as a school counselor, a faith-based counseling course changed Melissa Bezotte’s life forever. She launched her Christian counseling practice 10 years ago, and despite having never done any marketing, she and her team of therapists have always had a full schedule. However, Melissa’s huge waiting list for new clients meant that she was always at capacity and unable to give more of herself to people. After working with a business…
Brandie Bracy always had the entrepreneurial bug, but pursued a career in law to keep her family happy. When she realized it wasn’t the right fit for her, she left to start an all-female cabinet painting company in a male-dominated industry in Nashville. While there, she realized she was an even better marketer than she was a painter, and found her life moving in a new direction yet again. Now, at Salon Business Academy, Brandie…
Laurel Chiten was an independent filmmaker who regularly won highly competitive grants, got distribution deals, and had her work shown on national television. However, when she tried to make a movie about homeopathy and couldn’t get a dollar of grant money, she discovered that she had extraordinary skills as a community builder and fundraiser – and found her life moving in a new direction. Now, at Dinner Mates, Laurel gives lonely people the opportunity to…
During the Great Recession of 2009, Lisa Bedford’s husband’s construction company went from getting 50-60 client calls a day to zero. To distract herself from her fear of going bankrupt, she started building emergency preparation kits. Soon, she started blogging about prepping and survival from a uniquely female perspective, using her background in education to help others feel empowered and in control even during times of crisis. Now, at Survival Mom Sisterhood, she teaches women…
Ali Manning took up bookbinding as a hobby after her daughter was born. By the time her daughter was in elementary school, Ali had started blogging, teaching bookbinding classes, and selling her books in galleries, studios, and on Etsy. However, her business wasn’t scalable, her income wasn’t where she wanted it to be, and her teaching obligations were getting in the way of being able to visit family back in the United Kingdom. Now, at…
