Chill & Prosper with Denise Duffield-Thomas

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.

Back then when I first tried my hand at launching an online business, it was a whole different ball game. In 2009, social media was an infant, graphics creation was a nightmare and hosting your own videos? Forget about it unless you were ready to shell out some serious dough. I still remember the days when PowerPoint or Paint were my tool of choice for creating graphics and I continually tweaked HTML struggling to center things on my webpage. Fast forward to today, and things are wildly different. Creating graphics is as simple as a click with platforms like Canva and hosting videos? Platforms like Teachable and Kajabi have made it as easy as pie. But amidst all the convenience, I hear from lots of entrepreneurs that launching has become more challenging. The need to keep up with the ever-evolving social media platforms, the struggle to stand out in an increasingly saturated market - it's enough to make even the most seasoned entrepreneurs want to stop. So, is launching getting harder? I'd say yes and no. Yes, because the demands are higher and the competition is fiercer. But also no, because with the right mindset and strategy, launching can still be really rewarding. It's easy to feel overwhelmed and start doubting yourself when you're about to launch. I've been there, trust me. The online business landscape is constantly changing, and what worked yesterday might not work today. But that's where the thrill lies, in continuously learning and growing. Listen to today’s podcast episode for my take on the challenges and winning strategies I’m seeing online.

As an introvert, the thought of living out of suitcases, constantly on the move with my family was simply overwhelming. But, when Mark and I first starting talking about the idea of taking on some extended travel, there was a determination deep within me to turn this journey into something more than just an extended vacation. It was about breaking free from the daily grind, to create vivid memories that would last a lifetime. In a couple of weeks, my family and I will begin four months travel in Europe, mainly based in the UK but with a few adventures and weeks away on the continent. I’ve never been a very adventurous traveller and I haven’t loved traveling with young kids in the past, so it’s taken some time for me to prepare for this trip. There are a lot of logistics to plan in our business but it’s also taken some mindset work. I bet many of you entrepreneurs and business owners can relate to this, especially if you’re planning to hit the pause button on work for an extended period. So, how am I managing to streamline my operations without breaking our business? Here are three simplified steps I took, which I believe would be beneficial for you as well...

I recently got home from an AMAZING trip to New York, and I was surprised by how many money lessons I picked up! This was an unusual trip because, at least initially, it wasn't work-related. It felt hard to let myself relax and do something purely for fun. As you may know, I love musicals and Broadway (and have invested in a few), so I went to NY for BroadwayCon. The Ruler in me did add two VIP days to pay for the trip, but it was honestly such a chilled, and inspiring trip. So the first lesson straight away was that it's okay for me to do things just for me and just for joy - this is definitely something I want to lean into next year. When did you last do something just for the fun of it?

I don’t want to be a “Debbie Downer,” but I’m going to be real with you. Being in business, particularly working with your significant other, is not always sunshine and rainbows. Today’s podcast episode isn’t a pity party, but I’m giving you an honest look at some of the things I find hardest in my business.

For today’s podcast I’ve got something a little different for you and it’s so fun! And this took some expert editing because recording this ep was a little manic! This episode is a family affair - I’ve got four special guests; my hubby Mark and our three gorgeous kids. Listen to this chat with our family to learn: How we talk about money Our kids ideas about money and future careers What our kids think we both do in our business How we use tapping to release fears or emotions And so much more!

SO JUICY! Ever wondered what it costs to run a multi-million dollar business? In today's podcast, I take you behind the scenes and share the real costs from my company.

If you’re stuck at a plateau or want to move to the next income level, it starts with exploring your unconscious beliefs about why you can’t earn more. Are there unwritten rules about what you are and aren’t allowed to earn? Maybe there are unconscious limits from your parents, industry, or mentors. In today’s podcast episode, I discuss how to acclimate to higher revenue and the steps you can take to be open to expanding beyond what you thought was possible.

This week's episode of Chill & Prosper is an Ask Me Anything, and in addition to talking about getting your partner or potential partner on board, I also dive deep into how you can: Discover powerful techniques to manifest and chase after your biggest dreams. Learn strategies to conquer self-doubt and eliminate limiting beliefs. Uncover the secrets to improving productivity through delegation and automation. Find out how writing a book can be fulfilling and advantageous for your business.

I can't believe how far I've come since those early days when I decided to dive headfirst into entrepreneurship. It feels like a lifetime ago when I was fumbling through writing my first ebook, teaching myself how to build webpages, and trying to navigate the ever-changing online landscape. But there's something magical about being a newbie, filled with boundless energy and the willingness to adapt and experiment. Today I'm answering a question I get asked all the time - what if I had to start again from scratch? What would I focus on? What lessons have I learned along the way that I would apply to starting again?

I’ve never met someone who doesn’t feel like a fraud or imposter, at least some of the time. Myself included. But the thing about imposter syndrome, especially in business, is that it feels so lonely. It feels real, and we often tell ourselves that no one else feels this way. So on today’s podcast, I’m sharing some times when I’ve felt like a fraud and my tips for overcoming imposter syndrome.

Having a business plan is one of those important prerequisites for starting a business that they teach in business school - Right? But do you really need one? What's the best way to do a business plan? Is there a Chill and Prosper way? As someone who was never really good at assignments, writing a business plan always felt like boring homework. Plus, my ADHD and procrastination meant I never got around to it. Maybe you're like me and don't want to take the time to plan because you're too busy taking action. Please don't procrastinate starting your business because you're waiting for the perfect plan. It's totally fine not to have a business plan, but you do need to have a rough idea of where you're going, so I've got some alternatives for you.

This episode of the Chill & Prosper podcast is all about timing. For this Ask Me Anything episode, I'm answering a bunch of questions on the theme of knowing when it's the right time to make a change in your business.

Hi there, Is there a salary that’s deemed “appropriate” in your industry? Or common beliefs about what you “should” be charging? Does your industry have money blocks that are creating barriers for everyone? In today’s podcast episode, we look at which professions have the biggest money blocks and explore the common blocks that could affect your industry.

On today's podcast, we're talking about juggling business and family. Variations on this theme are the most common questions I've been getting recently; How to juggle business with having kids? How to prepare your business for having kids? What changes in your business when you have kids? How to balance being a CEO and a Mom? But even if you don't have kids, you'll get a lot out of this episode. The strategies I share will help you be a better CEO regardless of your family situation.

In my recent survey, our community told me that hiring was one of the top challenges you face in your businesses. Hiring is such a big pain point for many, and I know you've got a lot of questions about it - how to hire your first assistant, who to hire next, and who's on my team. Who to hire and when is a big decision, so in this podcast episode, I'm explaining how the Money Archetype framework can help you build the dream team you deserve.

I've got a juicy bonus podcast episode today all about how to use the Money Archetypes to understand and identify your ideal client. This is always a big pain point for people in all the business courses and coaching I've done. It's normal to stress about doing this wrong, picking the wrong niche, or worry about excluding people (I see you Nurturers wanting to help everyone 😘).

How did you pick your business model? Why do you run your business the way you do? When you're driving along the road of entrepreneurship and making money, it can be hard to take your foot off the gas for just a second and ask, is this the right road? Too often, we're not even thinking about the destination; we just focus on getting to the next gas station. I've been there too. The current state of your products, services, and systems is probably a result of hundreds of decisions made on the fly over a couple of years. And the result is a business that is generally sound - it helps some clients and makes some money. But under the hood, things might feel cobbled together. Is your business model optimal for YOU? Were you told to do things a certain way? By a coach or mentor? Are you doing things in business because everyone else does, or that's what your industry expects? Perhaps you learned to do business a certain way in a job, so when you went solo and needed to make money, you just kept doing things that way? A better way is to start with your strengths and your personality's unique gifts and design a business model aligned with who you are and how you want to run your business. In today's podcast, we're discussing what business model and ways of working would best suit your Money Archetype.

Today I’ve got a bonus podcast episode for you, which is part 2 of the debrief of my Money Archetypes Launch. In part 1, I shared how I relaunched my SMA business course last year and did something completely different that led to astonishing results. The launch debrief continues in today’s episode and this will be perfect if you want to increase your sales by connecting with specific segments of your market.

After another disappointing launch, I was frustrated and confused. I realized my business course just wasn’t resonating as I had hoped and something had to change. So I decided to do something completely different. I had been a certified Sacred Money Archetypes® coach for years, but it wasn’t until last year that I finally applied the SMA framework to my own launch. I took a deep breath and threw my heart and soul into the launch, creating a campaign that spoke to the eight individual archetypes. I relaunched my SMA business course, but it was more like eight launches in one. It felt like a huge risk, but I believed it was worth it. And it was – the results were astonishing. We had almost ten times the sales compared to my previous launches, all because I finally understood my audience and communicated the message clearly. I learned that to truly connect with people; you have to speak their language and understand their dreams and pain points. This week’s podcast is part one of a tell-all debrief of my most fun and complex launch ever.

Growing up, I never imagined that there would be a day when I could make an income without putting in the usual one-to-one effort, like selling a product or service in person. Everything changed when I stumbled upon the concept of passive income in my early 20s. With the rise of the internet, I realized the traditional way of earning money was evolving. So I started by writing an ebook and selling it online but I felt uneasy about being paid for something I had already created. This is the biggest mindset problem I see with passive income today, and why so many entrepreneurs are skeptical of the idea; For some, passive income doesn’t feel real, and sometimes it doesn’t feel ethical. The idea of creating something once and being paid multiple times goes against the money beliefs many of us have been raised with, so can bring up guilt or feel risky. In today’s podcast episode, I’m dispelling some myths about passive income to motivate you to get started on your next passive income stream.

Last year, I joined the local country women’s association near my farm, and we had a country fair selling scones and cakes. They said, “Denise, you’re young and spry; you should be on the cash register.” And I thought… “No, I can’t; please don’t make me!”... I didn’t want to have to make change and add up numbers with people watching. So I heated up scones instead. Maths was really hard for me as a kid and still is. I use my calculator for everything and get the brain version of “tongue-tied” whenever I have to calculate anything (I suspect I have Dyscalculia, it’s like Dyslexia but with numbers). For a long time, I was scared to hire “numbers” people in my business - I was intimidated by the idea of building a money team around me, like accountants, bookkeepers, or financial advisors because I felt like I would be tested or they’d realize I wasn’t good at maths. But being bad with numbers doesn’t have to mean being bad with money - this is a skill you can outsource. On today’s podcast episode, we’re talking about building your money team so you can grow and protect your money.

Are you considering going into business with your best friend? It's a decision that can be full of excitement and potential, but it's essential to understand the risks and rewards of such a partnership. Going into business with a friend could be a winning idea destined to make you millions, OR it could be one of the biggest mistakes of your life. I've seen it go both ways, so let's dig deeper to see if this could make sense for you. In today's podcast episode, I'm sharing my practical checklist of everything I would consider before going into business with someone else.

One of the questions I get asked all of the time is; “How did you build your following? How can I build my list?” “What tips do you have for people just starting out building an audience?” Now, I’m not famous. But in my little corner of the internet, I’ve been able to rapidly grow an audience. By showing up as myself consistently and with confidence, I’ve now got a global following of Lucky Bees, who I love. Yes, there’s a lot of practical stuff you can do when growing your reach, and I’ve got some good tips to share about newsletters, opt-ins, and calls to action. But more importantly, I’m sharing the mindset you’ll need to consistently grow an audience that will support your business and life goals. Whatever stage you’re at, you’ll get a lot out of today’s podcast episode.

Today I’ve got an Ask Me Anything podcast episode and is PACKED with juicy topics. This is a great chance for us to talk more casually about questions from our community that burning in the background.

I'm celebrating! My Chill & Prosper podcast hit two incredible milestones this week - 100 episodes and over 1 million downloads! I was so surprised and happy to hear the download number - wow (thank you!) So to mark the milestones, in today's episode, I'm taking you behind the scenes of Chill & Prosper to share my process for creating and promoting the podcast and the challenges I've had along the way. So many entrepreneurs have told me they're intimated by the demands of launching a podcast: Not being able to keep up with the constant need to create content Unsure of the tech and how to keep it simple and low-cost Overwhelmed by content creation and staying organized with content Doubtful of whether a podcast is right for their business And so many people have beliefs about imposter syndrome and not being smart enough, ready enough, or cool sounding enough to do podcasts. If you've been feeling this, my latest episode is for you. You'll learn the following: How to create consistent content for podcasts: Learn the behind-the-scenes tactics I use to create and batch my podcast episodes. What makes a good podcast interview: My tips and tricks for getting the most out of podcast interviews. Benefits of being a guest on other people's podcasts: How I leverage appearances on other podcasts to market my business.

get something out of today's podcast episode. I'm talking about the pros and cons of being the breadwinner of your family, and you know I'm going, to be honest about how this works in my own family. I share about the pressure, the power, and the mistakes I've made along the way and provide a glimpse into how Mark and I navigated the expectations and pressures that come with providing for our family. From speaking to thousands of people about this, I know there's a lot of energy and fear around this idea of being the primary income earner. The fears we have about being a breadwinner are often similar to those of growing or making more money or doing something different and going past our perceived limitations. It is important to acknowledge these fears to start moving past them, so let's dive in.

You know I’m an oversharer – but I just LOVE answering your questions about my work and money. In this episode, I answer listener questions about everything!