Chill & Prosper with Denise Duffield-Thomas

Let’s roll up our sleeves and talk about how to finally get your course done. I get so frustrated and annoyed by people who are procrastinating on launching their online course, not because it’s easy, but because it’s something you have to just get it done. It doesn’t have to be perfect and I promise it will be worth it. So listen to today’s podcast episode for my tips and wisdom on getting your course out into the world.

What are you really selling? When people are looking at their budgets or feeling a little more stretched, you need to be crystal clear on what you’re offering and how you can help. If you’re in a service based business like a VA, designer or photographer you might be seeing clients say “I’ll just do it myself” or delaying purchases. So, when times are a little tougher, get clear on the real benefit of your offer. Like a personal trainer, maybe it’s accountability rather than the actual workout routine. Your prospects are likely busy, and there may never be an ideal time for them, but when you know what you offer and can communicate it in their language, you’re more likely to get them off the fence. Listen to today’s podcast episode for more.

Ok, let’s check in - How are you going with your money boundaries? If you’re like me, you may need to regularly check where you’ve got good, bad, or ugly boundaries to find areas that need tightening up. Uncovering these areas of your life and business where there has been boundary creep often reveals some underlying money lessons that you can work on. In today’s podcast, I’ve got a checklist for us to go through and some simple actions you can take to set better boundaries around time and money.

Ooohh! Such a juicy one for you today - Other people's money blocks. As you go through your money journey, you may have started to work on your money mindset and money blocks, but other people's money stuff could be derailing you. Most of your money blocks revolve around made-up stories and old beliefs about what you can be, do, and have. You also have stories about how your income affects your friends, family, and community. If you've been stuck at the same income level for a while, it's worthwhile to see if you're unconsciously holding yourself back for other people in your life.

Today's podcast episode is about what to say when you have nothing to say. I know a lot of people in this space right now. For whatever reason, whether it be the aftermath of the pandemic, the economy, or the state of global politics, it can be hard to know what to say or whether to say anything at all. We're living in a time when it's never been easier to start and grow an online business. Still, it's also impossible to ignore the atrocities and inequity happening every day. When you consider what's happening in the world, it might feel trite to talk about your business or market yourself. This feels like a lot, so it's understandable if you're unsure what to say online. I wish we could solve all of the world's problems. But one thing I know is that not doing your business is probably not going to help. So, if you feel like you have nothing to say or are just tired and overwhelmed, this episode is for you.

I’ve got a juicy new Ask Me Anything podcast episode for you.

Today’s podcast episode is for you if you run, or are interested in running, live events. We’re talking retreats, masterminds, and conferences - all the things involved in hosting your own in-person events. There are so many things I want to share on this - both mistakes I’ve made and that I’ve seen others making, so let’s dive straight in:

I am a CHAMPION procrastinator. Honestly, if there was a Procrastination Olympics I’d win gold. So today’s podcast topic is close to my heart - we’re talking about my secrets and hacks to overcome procrastination.

If you're fairly new to following me, you may not know that my first book was called "Lucky B*tch," and in fact, a lot of people knew me as the "Lucky B**." 😆 When I started my coaching business, I taught manifesting and the Law of Attraction. But what made me different was my Virgo personality and my focus on the practical action steps that make a difference when manifesting money or a big goal. Early in my career, I was known for manifesting free travel, competition wins, bank errors in my favor, and, of course, money. So I've learned from personal experience and helping thousands of people that there are honest, practical steps you can take to make your dreams real. It's not all woo-woo chanting at the moon. You really can manifest what you want, but it takes work, so let's revisit the basics that make the Law of Attraction virtually foolproof! It all starts with a dream, but you have to put yourself in the slipstream of opportunity to have a chance of achieving it.

Today, we’re talking about worthiness - feeling worthy of earning more or deserving of success. I honestly believe this is the crux of what most people need to learn to enjoy more breakthroughs in life and business. You can learn all the business and marketing strategies you want, but unless you’ve done the mindset work to love and accept yourself, you’ll always feel unworthy and sabotage yourself. In many ways, this is one thing you need to master to have the life and business of your dreams. That you are worthy of success, you’re ready and it’s possible for you. This is such an important lesson and episode; listen now.

So you know the story of the tortoise and hare? They challenge each other to a race, and the tortoise plods along, slow and steady, and the hare rushes, runs, and gets distracted. Ultimately the tortoise wins. Well, today, we’re discussing how this “slow and steady wins the race” idea applies to your business. This is important because if you’re one of those methodical people who like to take it a little slower when initiating action or making decisions, you might feel left out in fast-talking entrepreneurial situations. The entrepreneurial world often values speed, ideas, and newness over the tried and tested, so business can feel isolating if you’re always surrounded by hare personalities. If this sounds familiar, listen to today’s podcast to learn about how the “slow and steady” approach can win in today’s online space.

Have you ever said this… 🥰 “I don’t care about the money; I just want to help people” or 🤗 “People over profits,” or even 👩‍❤️‍👩 “It’s not possible to both make a lot of money and help people.” I’ve heard this from a lot of people. I get it - of course, people are more important than profits, and we should all care about our clients, but business isn’t a zero-sum game, and we can’t use this as an excuse. So, on today’s podcast, I share how you can help a lot of people and make a lot of money - they’re not mutually exclusive.

Let’s shift focus. Today we’re not talking about your money personality, but your customers. It’s time to look at the type of customers you are and should be attracting and how this might affect your business. Once you understand more about your customer’s Money Archetypes you can create more impactful marketing and more valuable support and products. Why do you need to know this? Well, marketing is all about motivation and sales is understanding who your customers are and what drives them. When you try to market to everyone, you won’t get great results and it’s hard to stand out when there’s a lot of noise. So the more you understand your customers and talk their language, the more effective your marketing message will be. These insights are so valuable to help you achieve more sales, and get better at serving and helping your audience.

Today, we’re talking about a topic close to my heart - overcoming workaholism and hustle culture. This episode is aimed at my fellow Ruler Money Archetypes, who want to build an empire without burning out. Even if you’re not a Ruler, today’s episode will give you some great insights into your friends, partner, or clients and help you understand the motivation of Rulers.

Are you easily distracted by too many new ideas or the draw of shiny objects? Me too! As an entrepreneur, how can you work out which of your many ideas and passions are the right ones to pursue? And which ones can actually make you money? I'm gearing up for my annual Money Personality business coaching program (which I'd love to see you in), so today, I've got a bonus podcast episode all about dealing with shiny object syndrome.

Are you a risk-taker? Do you wish you could embrace the “big risk, big reward” mentality? Maybe you love taking risks in search of new, exciting adventures. This might sound familiar if you have a Maverick, Alchemist, or Ruler personality, and it will terrify the Accumulators out there. But today, we’re talking about how to take risks in business without sabotage, wrecking your business, or burning out.

Today on the podcast we have a fun “Ask Me Anything” episode that is packed with nuggets of wisdom. I answer your questions about: Managing work while taking extended travel or time-off Balancing your ambition and work ethic if your partner has a different personality Tips to start manifesting more money Overcoming anxiety when starting your business When to outsource or hire when scaling your business

You might not want to hear this, but there are key numbers in your business that you need to track and have a plan to grow. It’s possible to both love your people and want to grow your numbers quickly. Don’t be afraid to look at these numbers. The success of your offers, launches, and, in fact, your whole business is directly linked to the size of your audience. The truth is that the more people see your stuff, the more money you’ll make - it’s a numbers game, so it’s essential to get clear on where you’re at and have a target you want to grow to. On today’s podcast episode, I’m sharing how I grow my list and following.

We have such a joyful podcast episode today! It's all about failing businesses and tricky economic times. Urgh. But if you've been in scarcity, feeling fearful, or worried about failure, you'll feel better after listening. The feeling of uncertainty and concerns about the cost of living are real for a lot of us at the moment, so it's normal if you're feeling stressed. It's also normal if you've noticed these feelings starting to have a knock-on effect on your business, but this doesn't have to be disastrous. If you've made a mistake or your anxiety is peaking (I've been there), then today's episode will help you.

Last year, I took my family to Europe for four months - hubby, three children, and my mom - and it was intense and magical in lots of ways. We were so lucky to spend time in the UK, seeing Mark’s family and traveling to places like Paris, Barcelona, and Lapland - I hope it was an unforgettable trip for the kids. I tried not to work much on the trip, but so many experiences stood out while we were overseas I just knew I had to share them in a podcast episode. So today, I’m diving into the business, marketing, and mindset lessons I got from my Europe trip.

Let’s talk about finding your people - the communities, coaches and business besties you need to thrive. This is one of my favorite topics because I love talking about my business besties and sharing their work. Which inevitably leads to questions like “How do I find more besties?” or “Which community should I join for XYZ?” Having friends who understand your business and have similar experiences is so important. It will play a vital role in your success as an entrepreneur for four main reasons: Support from someone with a shared experience who can offer empathy, compassion, and advice on overcoming business challenges. Ideas and feedback on improving parts of your business or marketing. Contacts and recommendations of great systems, contractors, or staff you’ll need along the way. Opportunities to uplevel and network by opening doors to new audiences, stages, or events. More than someone to vent or cry with, a business best friend can be invaluable for masterminding, partnering, and cheerleading. On today’s podcast, I share my tips on finding new business besties and the right coach to help you grow this year.

On this week's episode of the Chill and Prosper podcast I'm talking about how to balance life and business and how you can have both! Now, I'm no expert in this, and it's something that will constantly change as you evaluate your business and your goals. But there are some tried and true tips I've learned along the way that I think you'll love.

Don't freak out. We're going to talk sales, but not in a sleazy or pushy way. If you don't like sales and you're thinking of skipping this episode, don't worry—I've got some chillprenuer tips that actually work. Let's make it as easy as possible for you to close the deal and make more money.

Are you a millionaire? Have you hit $1 million? Or is this a goal for you? For most people who follow me or listen to my podcast, hitting a million dollars or becoming a millionaire is a big, audacious goal. It might not be the money itself, but the lifestyle or ability to help others that you dream of, but I’ve found it helps to have a number to aim for. Yes, we have a few millionaire listeners and many millionaires in my Money Bootcamp course, but most are working towards their first million. Whether this is a goal for you this year or one day in the future, I want to talk about Millionaire Mindset so it can feel more attainable, relatable, and real to you.

I used to have a saying in my business, especially about my brand and photos, that it's always sunny summertime in my world. I love bright, breezy colors and the chill and ease feeling of summer, so I want my brand to embody that. But for a long time, I tried to live that energy too, of always being in summer - constantly growing, blooming, and being active. And it got exhausting. I've realized that there needs to be times of rest and regrowth in the lifecycle of life and my business. My business can look and feel vibrant and sunny, even if I'm personally in an autumn or winter season. A period of shedding, releasing, or hibernation can be valuable to refresh your business and your own energy and well-being. It has taken me (and my Ruler energy) some time to accept that I need some periods of downtime where I'm not always in growth mode. I really need this to imagine and create what's next. So today, we're talking about the lifecycle of your business and honoring where you are and what you need.

Freedom is my number one value and the absolute best thing I’ve bought with my money. But freedom often means different things to different people. It can be so overused in the online marketing industry that it loses meaning or is misunderstood. So today we're talking balancing life and business and what freedom means to you.

Setting and holding boundaries is ongoing work for me and something I know most entrepreneurs must consistently work on. There’s no denying that boundaries can be difficult and often involve awkward conversations, but they are vital. Boundaries do not make you a b*tch. They’re essential for you to be a boss. So, let’s do an inventory of where you’re at right now with boundaries.

Urgh! It doesn't matter how much money you make or how much you love your business, sometimes things SUCK! You might be in this space right now, feeling down or overwhelmed. So, we're going to talk about what to do to get out of a funk and how to give yourself the grace and space you need. I get different variations of this question all the time, so today's episode will help you if you've been asking: What do I do when all the bills are coming in? What should I do when my business stalls? I feel really down and everything sucks; now what? I've been there so many times, and although you might think I have it all together, for me and most people I know in business, it's normal to have regular times when things suck and feel hard. You might have a specific issue to address, like a staff member or client, but you could also be experiencing burnout. I know when I'm overwhelmed and down, I see more problems than wins in my business. If you're like me, you might not like hearing that you could be in burnout, or you'll start looking for the magic quick-fix pill, but your body might be telling you to slow down and re-assess what's next.

Let’s talk about your prices, specifically if you have a habit of discounting. This is a huge topic that I’ve written and talked about a lot because it has so many layers.

When things get busy, it’s sometimes easy to forget that being in business is about making money. So here is your reminder to get into the money-making mentality this week. Because sometimes we forget. Social media is fantastic, and engaging content is important, but we’re here to help people by serving them and making money in the process. Otherwise, we’ve just got a hobby. So, I invite you to look again at your business with fresh eyes: Am I giving people the opportunity to buy from me? Is it easy to buy from me? How can I make my marketing more streamlined and effective? And ultimately, how can I make more money? Yes, the economy is tighter, and you may have more competition or less engagement, but there are still ways to tell more people what you do and make more money. Listen to today’s podcast to learn how your marketing can make a difference in growing your income faster.

I get questions all the time about how to make decisions. How do you decide when to hire or when to leave a business? Should I offer a new product or stop one of my services? Should I quit my job or keep working? There are so many decisions to make in business - especially when money and other people are involved. And here’s the tricky thing. When you work for yourself or have a business, the buck stops with you. It’s you who has to put on the big-girl pants and make a decision. And that can be both empowering and scary. While I can’t tell you what to do, I can share how I make decisions and some of the questions I ask myself when considering different options.

For today’s episode I’ve got a final installment of our throwback series, answering some juicy business questions that you could be pondering right now including… Should you invest in high-end coaching How to build a personal brand How to take time off without losing income Ways to avoid taking out a business loan

I hope you’ve eased into the start of the New Year with some chill and prosperity. I’m in the final week of my four month trip to Europe - I’m excited to get home but also have LOVED England and a wintery Christmas. As I’m travelling, for this week’s episode of Chill and Prosper, I’m repurposing some of my best content and answering some common questions about pricing including, Should you charge a premium rate for rush jobs, How to justify a big price increase When you should speak for free And more!

I'm traveling around Europe and gearing up for the holidays, so the Chill and Prosper podcast will take a short holiday break. For a special bonus episode today, I'm revisiting some of my best content and answering common questions about money blocks. Listen in to learn how to know precisely when you have money blocks, whether they will ever go away, and how money messages you heard as a child could be keeping you broke.

The holiday season is upon us, and along with the joy and festivities, it can also bring up some money blocks and worries. Don't worry - I've got you covered! In today’s podcast ep, I’m sharing some insights on how to overcome any limiting beliefs and fears around money during the holidays. So grab a cup of cocoa and let's dive in!

So your partner or family and friends have a bad money mindset; now what? I know this is so challenging, and I hear it from our Money Bootcamp members all the time. How are you meant to do this essential money mindset work - working on yourself and growing your business - when everyone in your life seems to be against you or stuck in scarcity? What should you do if the money blocks of the people around you are holding you back? And how do you overcome the fears of outgrowing people or feeling isolated while you break cycles and create a new legacy for your family? In so many situations, I’ve seen beautiful transformations when couples or family members unite and transform their collective money mindsets. It’s happened in my own family, and my husband Mark and I even teach a module on this in our Money Bootcamp course. So, on this new episode of the Chill and Prosper podcast, I’ve got my best advice for nurturing your money mindset and supporting your loved ones with their work.

Sometimes, in business, things feel hard. There'll be times when you might not love your business; in fact, you might hate it and want to quit. But before you do anything drastic, let's work through it together. It's not all or nothing; you don't have to break your business completely - some tweaks could make all the difference. Your capacity, energy, and passion for your business will change at different stages of life. And even at different times of your cycle (if you have periods). So be honest with yourself about the season that you're in right now. Farmers need to rotate crops and animals and give land fallow time, and maybe you're in more of a family or health season than a business growth season right now. Wherever you're at, it's okay, and you can set up your business to support rather than drain you.

I’ve struggled with procrastination my whole life, especially in business. I’ve even created courses on beating procrastination, but it’s something that regularly gets in my way. I know this is a big pain point for a lot of entrepreneurs, especially those with ADHD like me, so I’m sharing my tips and tricks on taking action when you least feel like it. Although I might look like a very organized and focused person, the truth is, I’m not. However, I can get a lot done by playing to my strengths and using some of the techniques in today’s podcast.

These words in a recent fortune cookie really got me thinking; "Reading without reflection is like eating without digestion." I can devour a book in an afternoon, but sometimes don't take the time to reflect on what I've just read. I can be a fast eater, too. And I'm fast entrepreneur, constantly juggling multiple projects and quick to action new ideas. The fortune cookie made me reflect on how I can bring more spaciousness into my life. And it sparked some new ideas on how reflection can help you grow your business. Because when you're growing a business or dreaming of a bigger life, everyone's best next step looks so different. Sometimes, it's education or a course. Sometimes, it's going on a retreat like I did recently. Sometimes, it's in the nuances, like giving yourself an extra day of travel so you don't feel rushed or time off between projects.

Whether it’s for your podcast, social post, or videos - being in business means constantly coming up with new content ideas. And I always get asked how I come up with ideas and keep things fresh. So, I’ve put together all my best tips and tricks to inspire you to get into the content-creation groove. As you listen today, grab a pen or the notes app on your phone to capture your ideas for podcasts or emails.

Thankfully, I don’t get a lot of hate mail. Well, actually, I don’t know because my team gate-keeps my emails, but I hope not 🙂 But the inspiration for today’s podcast episode does come from a comment I got online… “Denise, you’re so new money.” I think it was intended as an insult, but I didn’t take it that way because it’s kinda true. I am new to money and have made a few classic new money mistakes since becoming wealthy. So, I’ve got some insight and cautionary tales to help you acclimatize to having more money.

Do you like Halloween? Are you dressing up and trick-or-treating? I love it and can’t wait for some fun and candy with the kids. Today, we’ve got a spooky topic on the podcast - scary clients. Whenever I speak to entrepreneurs about their fears, many of them are around having scary conversations with clients or dealing with difficult clients. It’s a rite of passage on your business journey to have a few nightmare clients, so hopefully, today’s advice will make that a little easier when they pop up for you. Or if you’ve had nightmare clients in the past, this is an excellent opportunity to heal and let go of any horror stories

Let’s face it: so many of us are stressed out. The last couple of years have been a lot, and running a business while having a relationship, family, and self-care isn’t straightforward. I’ve seen more of our community sharing their health challenges, and I’ve talked a lot about my ADHD diagnosis and peri-menopause journey. As we get older, things like aging parents, chronic illness, and parenting can cause upheaval. So it’s no wonder we’re feeling overwhelmed - not to mention pending climate change doom, political instability, and inflation! 😅 In today’s podcast episode, I’m sharing how I simplify when I’m feeling overwhelmed, and I hope there are a few tips that can help you chill and prosper.

Whether you're feeling burnt out, lacking motivation, or need inspiration, I'm here to help! One of the things that sets me apart in the online marketing industry is my longevity - I've been running the Money Bootcamp course and community for over a decade, and we have over 9,000 members. So I get asked all the time, how do I stay interested and focused? How do I stay motivated and not break my business? On today's podcast, we're talking about longevity in business.

If you’re a regular listener to my podcast, you’ll know I don’t often have guests on the show. I batch like 12 episodes in a day and the logistics of having guests usually doesn’t work with that. But today I’ve got something special - a chat with my bestie, interior designer, and set designer, Naomi Findlay. Naomi and I have done a LOT of renovation projects together and partnered in a few businesses, so this is a juicy chat all about creativity, money, and friendship.

Does this sound familiar? Have you been constantly told to get over your fear to succeed in your business? But despite trying to bury your fear, you still feel anxious and uncertain, unable to move forward with confidence. I’ve been there too - stuck in that constant struggle between faith and fear, it can be painful and overwhelming. And how can we tell the difference? When should we listen to fears from our intuition, and when should we push through? On today's podcast, we're talking about how to balance fear and faith and how to discern between wishful thinking, fear, and scarcity.

Pricing is such a pain point for many entrepreneurs, so I talk about it a lot. You'll also have to revisit it regularly during your business journey. A price that feels big and scarcy at the start may soon feel normal or too small. So it's essential to continue to review your pricing so it feels like a win-win and a good energetic match. So, if you've been avoiding looking at your prices or need help experimenting with your prices, then today's podcast is for you. I share the pros and cons of different pricing strategies and why they may make sense for your business at various stages as you grow. Plus, we talk about the big mindset piece involved with pricing - feeling okay talking about money and learning that the price is just the price, and it's okay for you to charge (and receive).

If you haven't heard a single rumor about this, you're probably thinking, "Who do you think you are, Denise?" Or you may have heard that it's a goal of mine to retire soon, and you're curious. At a conference I was speaking at back in March, I mentioned that I'm on track to hit my goal of retiring by 45, and maybe it was an overshare, but I had a few people freak out. So, I wanted to record this Chill and Prosper episode to share more about what's happening for me and what I'm manifesting.

Every day, I get questions from entrepreneurs about how to stay positive, stay on top of my mindset, or what to do when the inevitable blocks pop up. I’ve spent the last two decades helping people with their mindset in business because I know how crucial it is to your success and well-being. Working on your mindset is one of the only things in business that you can’t outsource to anyone else, and in my opinion, it is the number one thing we have to master as entrepreneurs. When I talk about mindset work, I mean believing in yourself, nurturing an abundance mindset, and challenging your negative beliefs. It’s not a one-and-done thing, and it’s not one-size-fits-all. You must learn to continually watch your thoughts and feelings to ensure they don’t derail you. Because we all have negative thoughts, and you can’t ever truly get rid of them, but you can learn to dance with them so they don’t undermine the pursuit of your dreams. So, this is the topic we’re diving into on today’s podcast.

After every launch, I’m nagged by the question - why didn’t more people buy? Despite the success of my business, and even when we’ve had 7-figure launches, the question still haunts me. If you’ve ever thought this or had a launch that missed expectations, then today’s podcast episode is for you. We’re talking launch conversion rates and the real reasons why people don’t buy.