Consider the Wildflowers
Consider the Wildflowers
093. Akua Konadu: Thriving Together — The Power of Community for Entrepreneurs
Akua Konadu is a storytelling strategist, educator, and multi-passionate entrepreneur. As the host of the Independent Business podcast by HoneyBook, Akua is on a mission to inspire and educate business owners to pursue their dreams, overcome obstacles, and build successful independent businesses.
In this episode, Akua opens up about her winding journey from pageants to entrepreneurship, the power of community in launching her business, and how money mindset has shaped her offers.
WILDFLOWER SHOWNOTES : https://shannaskidmore.com/akua-konadu/
📌 RESOURCES MENTIONED:
No More Campaign - Join the movement to end domestic violence
Independent Business Podcast by HoneyBook
What’s Your Storytelling Style? Take the quiz!
Shay Cochrane: The 16 Hour CEO
Shanna (00:00:00):
Calling all mamas in business, more time with the family. That was the goal, right? But when running a business and raising a family, it feels like trying to fit an ocean in a teacup. I'm here to show you another way how to strike the perfect harmony when it comes to work and life. Join me live September 12th for a brand new free workshop titled Part-Time, CEO. How to build a business that feels like Magic and Pays the Bills without missing the beautiful Moments at home. A business class for moms who want it all. Let's talk about creating a Life and a living Register for free@shanaskidmore.com slash magic.
Akua (00:00:33):
Just their generosity in people who want to support me is truly like what I carry with me today as a business owner. January was four years that I've been in business, and now I always think of people who were just starting out. How can I be of service to them just like how these group of people were to me? And they helped me launch my business, which was incredible because I just wanted to invest and pour into other people just like how they poured into me. And then I ended up becoming the co-leader of Rising Tide and obviously just becoming more immersed in that community along with HoneyBook. But fast forwarding now to how HoneyBook has played such a role in my business from the jump to not having a business to today where I'm the host of the Independent Business podcast as Wild.
Lauren (00:01:12):
Hey, wild Flour, Lauren from Team Skidmore here, and you're listening to Consider the Wildflowers the podcast, episode 93. What's the journey that led you to entrepreneurship? Whether your path stem from childhood dreams, unexpected opportunities, or maybe even lemon squeezed into lemonade. Learning how to authentically share your story makes all the difference in reaching your target audience. Candu is a storytelling strategist, educator, and multi-passionate entrepreneur. As a host of the Independent Business podcast by HoneyBook, ACUA is on a mission to inspire and educate business owners to pursue their dreams, overcome obstacles, and build successful independent businesses. In this episode, ACUA opens up about her winding journey from pageants to entrepreneurship, the power of community, and launching her business and how money mindset has shaped her offers. Let's dive in.
Shanna (00:02:04):
Hey, it's Shanna, and this is Consider the Wildflowers, the podcast. For the past 15 plus years, I've had the honor to hear thousands of stories from entrepreneurs around the world. As a former Fortune 100 financial advisor turned business consultant, I have a unique opportunity to see the reel behind the highlight reel. I'm talking profit and loss statements, unpaid taxes, moments of burnout, and those of utter victory. Or as my husband says, the content everyone is wondering, but not many are talking about. And now I'm bringing these private conversations to you. Hear the untold stories of how industry leaders, founders, and up and coming entrepreneurs got their start, the experiences that shaped them, and the journey to building the brands they have today. Stories that will inspire and reignite encourage to redefine success and build a life and business on your own terms. Welcome, wildflower. I'm so glad you're here. Okay. Akua, hello. Your voice is such a podcasting voice.
Akua (00:02:59):
You are not the first person to tell me that. A lot of people do. And fun fact, I now do voiceover ads.
Shanna (00:03:05):
That is amazing. Wait, what's a voiceover ad?
Akua (00:03:08):
So I do it for a specific podcast player, so people will hire them to do ads for them. So I've been hired by Apple, I've been hired by Zola. I've been hired by this brand called Rocket, and I will just read ads for them, and then the ads will play on this podcast player, so people get to
Shanna (00:03:29):
Hear it. I'm obsessed. How did this even come to, okay, whoa. How did this even happen where you just podcasting one day and people started reaching out to you or what?
Akua (00:03:39):
No, actually, it's so funny. So I have a podcast on acast. I think a lot of us use acast, and they had sent a email to all of their podcasters that use the platform and essentially was like, Hey, is anybody interested in doing voiceover ads? If so, please send a sample of your voice. And I had to read a script, so I just thought, oh, this could be kind of fun. Did not think anything of it. Submitted it, didn't hear back for quite a while. And then I got an email saying that I was accepted, and I was like, all right, cool. And months went by and I never heard again, but I just knew I was on this specific list. And then all of a sudden I randomly got an email to do an ad through the college board, and I did it. I did one, and they really, really liked it. And then I just kept getting hired for more. So I've done quite a bit so far, which has been just a really fun and new and interesting thing to do as a business owner. So that's been really, really cool.
Shanna (00:04:40):
Really fun and unexpected revenue stream.
Akua (00:04:43):
Yes, it has literally turned into an unexpected revenue stream. It absolutely has. And it is been really fun working with the individual that oversees it all and does all the ads. So he said over maybe I think about 200 had submitted, and then eight got accepted, so there was only eight of us. So I was like, oh my gosh, that's so funny. That's Look at you with
Shanna (00:05:00):
Your voice.
Akua (00:05:01):
I know. So when you said that, I was like, you're not the first person to tell me that. So it's been fun to do these ads because sometimes I have to talk in different pitches and what the vibe is. Some of them have to be a little bit more sultry. Some of them are really upbeat and fun. And so it's been a really cool challenge just to kind of lean into something different.
Shanna (00:05:20):
Okay. Look to you. Well, the balloon lady at Kroger told me that I should be a Disney character voice. Clearly, I don't sound that way today, but oh my gosh. I'm like, that would be so fun to so fun. Do that. And look, you're living the dream of voiceovers. Yeah. Also, I need to know, because I think you were Miss Minnesota or something.
Akua (00:05:49):
Oh my gosh, yes. Way back in the day, not way, way back in the day, back in 2015, I was Miss Minnesota International, which was really, really fun. An amazing experience, which is essentially what led me into becoming an entrepreneur, which I never ever thought that pageantry would. It was back in about 2014. I was a junior in college. I have a degree, a major in biology, minor in chemistry. I've always wanted to be a dentist since I was nine years old. That was the plan. And just my family immigrated to the US from Ghana. I was born here, but I think a lot of people whose parents did not grow up in the US can relate to this piece where my mom and was like, I came to this country to give you a better life. You are going to accomplish a lot, and you will have some type of status.
(00:06:40):
So you're either going to be a doctor, a lawyer, an engineer. Those are always the three that you kind of feel like the trifecta. The trifecta that you feel like you just didn't have a choice. And so I was in my junior year of college, I just knew that it wasn't for me. I knew that I did not want to be a dentist. And then I also looked into nurse anesthetist, and I knew that wasn't for me either, and I just realized that the healthcare field was not for me. And so I'm in my junior year and I'm like, oh my gosh, what am I going to do? I was really unhappy. My mom's just consistently pressuring me. And so I got a letter in the mail randomly for Miss Minnesota USA actually, which is a different pageant system to compete. It was an invitation to compete in the pageant.
(00:07:19):
And I was like, you know what? I would really like some joy in my life. I want to try something different. I am kind of hating life right now, so why don't I just try this and let's just see how it goes. And so I'm the type of personality, if I'm going to try anything new, I'm going to research as much as I can and just learn. And so I eventually found a pageant co. And then I trained for nine months to get ready for this pageant, had to learn with interview skills, walking in heels, which I already could walk in heels I already can naturally, but having a pageant, a specific type of walk, like a mis congeniality moment. Yeah, absolutely. Right. And then learning how to do makeup. A lot of these things that I just did not prioritize in my life became a priority.
(00:08:03):
And also too, I had to stop saying, so now, it's so funny when I go back and hear some of my interviews, not back in pageantry, but now where I say all the time, it stings a little bit, but I'm like, well, I'm free, so I can just say whatever I want. But yeah, so I trained for nine months and then compete in Miss Minnesota USA, and that was the one that you see on TV a lot where everybody wins their state title and then they go compete at nationals. That was the one that you see on TV a lot. That's one that Donald Trump owned. And so I made top 15 that year, which was great. It was my first time, a lot of fun, and I wanted to compete again, but I had aged out by three days. That pageant specifically, it was kind of a bummer, but I was like, all right. And then my pageant coach was like, I think you should try a different system. And I was like, okay, let's just give it a shot. So I did Miss Minnesota International, and that was three months later, and that one I won. And that whole really changed the trajectory of my life essentially and what I wanted to do. Did
Shanna (00:08:59):
You feel like for the first time the creative side came out, or what was it about that experience? And also, I mean, are you okay to talk about how did that go over with your family?
Akua (00:09:11):
Yeah, so the pageantry kind of thing, my family did not take it serious. I remember my mom and my sister went, they went to the first one and they loved it, but they were like, all right, she's doing this again. They're like, oh my gosh, this is going to be a thing. And so my sister and my mom went to the second one, and when I won, they laughed.
Shanna (00:09:32):
They're like, good job, get back to work.
Akua (00:09:34):
It's like they looked at each other and busted out laughing, and I was like, oh my gosh. Again, because in their mind they're like, this is, it's just different. It's different. And so they laughed, but they were supportive, but they just thought it was so funny. They were like, I cannot believe you won this. And I was like, all right, here we go. We're just going to dive into it. But at that time, I was still in school, but it was through that whole process where I learned a lot about branding, like branding yourself. I learned that was where I had a lot of speaking opportunities where I've spoken to audiences. I mean, some people still might be small, but over 300 people. And I just had to go up there and share my story and share my life experience. And it was through that because in pageantry, just backtracking a little bit, each person, each contestant has a platform.
(00:10:22):
So it's something a cause that you are very passionate about. And for me that was domestic violence was the no more campaign, which was really popular during that time. The NFL had created it, which aims to end domestic violence and sexual assault against women and children. So that was my platform. And so I just leaned into my own story. And so that's what I spoke about throughout the whole year. And that was kind of where I learned a lot about strategic storytelling because my topic was more on the heavier side compared to other contestants. Some people had just as heavy as mine, but some people didn't. You know what I mean? And so when you're now going and speaking out to people about this platform that you really care about, you have to be very strategic in the way that you share it. So because it is a very traumatic thing, but you don't want to make other people feel uncomfortable.
(00:11:12):
You want people to feel inspired, to feel empowered to do what you want them to do. And so that was my purpose for the year of speaking for different charities and stuff like that, to get people to raise money. And like I said, different causes. So that's where I learned a lot about strategic storytelling heavily was because having to refine my own story in a way that was digestible, inspiration, inspirational. Inspirational to my audience, that's where I learned that. And then also too, just leaning more into marketing, how to really brand yourself. And so after that year was done, that was where I was ready to give up my title. I was sitting in a coffee shop, it's 2015. I was like, all right. I knew from that moment on that I was not going to be a dentist. I was going to get my degree and finish for my mother's sake, but I was not going to pursue this degree any further.
(00:12:02):
And I had no clue what I was going to do. So I'm in a coffee shop, I'm Googling stuff randomly, I don't even remember the keywords. Anything you're interested in. Yes, anything I'm interested in. And then I came across a blog post of she's talking about Instagram and strategy and marketing, and I was like, oh my gosh, this is actually really cool and I think I want to do this. And I looked at her website. It was very beachy vibes. She had these loose curls. It looked like she was living her best life. And I was like, I want to do what she does. And I'm thinking, this girl's out on the west coast, living in California, just enjoying her business. Vibing. Yes, vibing. And I decided to email her and come to find out, we literally grew up in the same town 20 minutes away.
(00:12:42):
She literally lived in the same state and the same city, very close to the same city that I grew up in, which was wild. And so then she kind of took me on as a client and just kind of helped me. And then even after that, I still wasn't even really sure what I wanted to do, but she helped guide me honestly. And then eventually told me about a group of entrepreneurs that meet on the second Tuesdays of every month, and I had decided to move back home from college. And I said, okay, great. And I waited a month. I was so excited. I waited a full month to join this meetup, and then she couldn't make it because she was sick. And I was like, okay, I'm going to go to this by myself. I've been waiting. I've been so excited. So I went, and this is in Minnesota, summer Lake Harriet, everybody's out because we have been hibernating for nine months. Exactly. So everybody's out at Lake Harriet and I went over to this place and it's packed. There was no markings, anything. So I'm walking through, and I don't know what it was about this specific table, but I just saw a group of people at this table, and I just walked up to them and I said, Hey, is this the group of entrepreneurs that meet once a month? And they were like, yep, that's us. And I was like, oh, great.
(00:13:50):
I don't even know what, I just was pulled. So you were drawn to them. I was just drawn to them. And so that was through the Rising Tide Society, and that was great, how I learned about Rising Tide and HoneyBook, and essentially that's what started my entrepreneurial journey. So it was really cool just to hear a lot about their businesses, their experience. It was people from all variety of different industries, and I still don't have a business at then. I still wasn't sure what I wanted to do, but I just decided that this was great and I wanted to invest more in this group. So I just kept showing up every month. I didn't have a business, I just kept showing up, and I would just soak in everything like a sponge. I just loved the conversation that was being had because it was something that I just didn't know anything about.
(00:14:25):
And then I finally was like, all right, I think I want to lean into my business, which I first started out as Instagram strategy. I was like, okay, I do think now I feel confident enough to lean into it. And they all rallied around me, people in that community to help me build my business where they were. Somebody did my headshot, somebody did my website. I knew, okay, contracts who can help me with contracts. That was just their generosity in people who wanted to support me is truly what I carry with me today as a business owner. And last month was January, sorry, we're in March now, but January was four years that I've been in business. And now I always think of people who were just starting out, how can I be of service to them, just how these group of people were to me.
(00:15:07):
And they helped me launch my business, which was incredible. And so then I ended up becoming the co-leader as well as years. I just wanted to invest and pour into other people just like how they poured into me. And then I ended up becoming the co-leader of Rising Tide, and obviously just becoming more immersed in that community along with HoneyBook and which was great. So that's kind of the short end version. But fast forwarding now to how HoneyBook has played such a role in my business, from the jump to not having a business to today where I'm the host of the Independent Business podcast is Wild.
Shanna (00:15:42):
I know. I love it. And it's only been four years.
Akua (00:15:45):
It's only been four years. I
Shanna (00:15:45):
Just think it's amazing to hear that collaborative spirit. I started my business officially 20 12, 20 13 officially, and it felt very different then. That was kind of early days Instagram, but I don't know. It was very collaborative. And so it's really sweet to hear that it can still be like that, and people share openly and help others get on their feet. So between the time you graduated and starting your business, what were you doing? What were you thinking you were going to do or were you just like, I'm going to figure this out?
Akua (00:16:22):
I was simply like, I'm going to figure it out. I was working as a server doing fine dining, and that is I'm still making money. So me, I'm a hustler. So
Shanna (00:16:31):
Yeah, listen,
Akua (00:16:32):
I'm going to figure out how to get my coins, period. So I was working as a server in fine dining and I was making great money. Anybody that works in fine dining knows there's great money within that. And so I was still making money doing that, but I think I wanted a little bit more stability just because the hours were kind of crazy. So then I ended up being a manager of a group home. So I kind of went towards the medical field because that was more comfort, what I know, and trying to really figure it out. And I had a passion and I still do working with people with disabilities, and it was really fun, really. You learn a lot working in those settings just about life. And you in general, you learn a new level of patience. You learn just to how to support others and love on others and meet people where they're at.
(00:17:19):
And that was something I did all the time to, even throughout high school and college. My mom's an rn. She worked in nursing homes, hospitals, so I would even younger, she would bring us along sometimes and we would just go hang out with patients and people. So that's what I did. But it was a lot of work and it was very, very exhausting. It's definitely industry that I think people deserve more recognition, especially in terms of dollars. Oh my goodness, yes, yes. But that's what I did, but I was managing at that time. So that's where I learned how to essentially lead a team and learn those basic, just the basic parts of leading a team. That's where I learned that was in managing a group home, because you have many different personalities. Got to manage shifts, fill shifts, and get people excited to come into work. How can we work well as a team? Because again, we're serving these people who are trying to better their lives and gain independence because their families are entrusting us to do that. So that's what I did in between them. Nobody's ever really asked me that. That is so funny.
Shanna (00:18:18):
Me got to have the storyline. Then you're like, I'm starting this business. Did you go all in? How did you figure out your pricing? How much money did you have to make? I just want to know early days, how were you like, this is what I'm going to do, and how did it go?
Akua (00:18:36):
Yeah, so that was really hard. I did not go all the way in. I think a lot of it was fear, self-doubt, feeling like could I actually do this? So it definitely still was a side hustle in between, but I found myself even in the side hustle eventually, which I also, a lot of people don't know. This is part of my story either. Oh my gosh, you're so good at this. Thank you, darling. As a fellow storytelling strategist, shout out to you, girl.
Shanna (00:18:59):
My curiosity wins
Akua (00:19:01):
Again. Yeah, I still did the group home and then eventually, I'm still doing this as a side hustle, but in my mind, I felt like my business, I wasn't ready to go. I was fearful. I'm like, all right, I got to find another job. I actually was applying for jobs corporate. I wasn't getting them. And then this story, and I've never shared this story, which is so, so funny. I'm so excited, excited. So I ended up working as a communications director in a church, and that is essentially, that whole experience is what finally propelled me into launching my business full. And so I was applying for jobs and I wasn't getting it, and I was struggling. I was like, I know I'm supposed to be doing something different and I don't know what it is. And my sister was a senior in college at the time, so I would always tag along with her on her campus to go get work done, business work by side hustle, but I'm struggling.
(00:20:01):
And she's like, Hey, do you want me to pray for you? And I was like, you know what? Just go ahead. I was like, just lay it on me. So she's praying for me and my phone is going off, and I'm like, whatever, I'll just answer it after. So my sister's been praying and I call, it's one of my friends, the friend who I met through Googling that friend specifically, and she hits me up and she's like, Hey, do you have a minute? I said, yeah, what's up? And she's like, how's the job search going? I'm like, it's trash. My sister just prayed for me. What's up? And she goes, I just met a woman at the pool who just randomly came up to me and told me that they are hiring for a communications director, and the way that she's describing the job, I feel like God is telling me that this job is for you.
(00:20:41):
And I was like, no. I was like, no way. But I said, you know what? Sure, let's just apply. So I applied for it, and I found this out after the fact, after I got the job that the person who had gotten my resume, she read it and she was like, that's her. This is the person. They had prayed about it and was like, this is the person that's supposed to get this job. Yeah. So then I applied for the job and I ended up getting it, and then I became a communications director for this church, and that was back in 2019. And then 2020 was when I officially was like, we're going full time. We're going all out. But through that journey as a communications director, that's where I learned even more about communications marketing, and I just want to be clear, everybody, I was not equipped. I did not have the, what is it, the credentials. I have a biology major with a minor in chemistry. So everything that I have done has been self-taught, which has been an amazing journey just putting these situations and you have to figure it out. So yeah,
Shanna (00:21:41):
This story is so incredible. And isn't it amazing how these pieces that sometimes feel like they don't fit together or you can't see how they fit together in the end, it's like, wow, now I see this makes so much sense, but you have to kind of walk into it.
Akua (00:21:59):
Yeah, 1000%.
Shanna (00:22:01):
Okay. So were you taking on clients then this whole time? How were you then maybe figuring out your offers, figuring out what specifically you wanted your business to be? How were you in all of these different jobs you were doing? I love this story because I think sometimes we often feel like we need to go into business. Exactly. Knowing what we need to do. And I share this a lot, but I'm like, for the first year of my unofficial business, I was just throwing spaghetti on the wall. I was trying all the things. I was like, yeah, I'll do your bookkeeping. Yeah, I'll file your taxes. No, I should not have ever done. Yeah, I'll do your branding. Yes, I'll do your website. I didn't know. I just knew that I wanted to serve women entrepreneurs. Clearly I have a gift in finance, but I didn't even know if I wanted to do finance. I have a lot of other things. And so I think that part of the journey isn't often talked about the figuring out the path. So was this just a season of how am I going to serve? And then in 2020, when you went full time, do you feel like it was like, now I know here's my offers, here's my pricing. Because of that time.
Akua (00:23:14):
Yes, and I, and I'm sure a lot of entrepreneurs can also relate to this, because I started off with Instagram strategy. I was like, okay, I'm going to do overall Instagram strategy, helping people do that. And I found myself emulating other people who were doing the same thing, and I was creating offers that just were not aligned with me. And so that was a struggle for me a lot because I would do these offers, and I also too was not pricing it very well. I think to my concept of was not very good. My relationship with money wasn't very great. I think also too, I just wasn't truly aware of the possibilities of how much you can make as a business owner. So I definitely, I think a lot of us can relate where we undercharge ourselves and then I was having these packages that I felt like I just was supposed to have because other people in the same industry were doing the exact same thing.
(00:24:06):
That's so interesting. Yes. It's so interesting. But I think it's funny how as business owners, I always say this for myself, I wanted to start my own business because I wanted to stand out and stand in my gifts. But then it was so funny, when I actually started my business, I found myself trying to be like everybody else, and it just didn't serve me at all. And so I ended up getting clients that just, we were not aligned, and it was very exhausting for me because I was doing things that I just didn't necessarily enjoy a lot about Instagram strategy. And so it was through that piece. Then I honed in and I said, well, cool, why don't you just lean into your story and storytelling? So I said, okay, I'm going to focus now on storytelling on Instagram specifically, because then that's when I realized that there was a gap that nobody was talking about in terms of content storytelling.
(00:24:49):
And so then I felt more aligned within that. But then still trying to create offers was still hard for me. Still hard because again, that mindset of trying to do what everybody else is doing, but it was a lot better than the first round. And I'm not going to act like I was making money. I was not making a lot of money. This is also why I needed these jobs. I not, I really wasn't. I think a lot of it was I did a lot of free work. I did a lot of work at discounted rates, which I think a lot of us have been there as business owners and also too just, but I was learning. I was learning and refining and shifting my offers. And so then eventually when I went full time and leaning more into storytelling, that felt really aligned with me.
(00:25:32):
But the service still, the packages still weren't fully it. It was better, but I still wasn't like, because also too, I have to be transparent. My clients weren't getting the results that I wanted them to get. So that also too, was where I was like, I really need to figure this out because they're not getting the results. And they enjoyed the process. They loved the process of working with me, but I did not feel satisfied. I was like, this is not the results that I want you to have. I'm glad that you still found value in it, but I really want you to be successful in sharing your story and making the impact. So I actually then launched obviously in 2020, and I'm still refining, but then I rebranded two years last year, no, the year before, two years ago. So I rebranded, but that was when I kind of just stripped everything in my business, bare bones and rebuilt my packages and services to where I now today created a service that nobody else offers. It is truly, I built it with my target audience in mind, but also too in a way that's very aligned with me and where it's leaning more into my strengths where I can pull and help people share their stories much more strategically. I just love
Shanna (00:26:42):
That you brought up something, it took time. It took time of figuring it out, trying different things. What's working, what's not working. I have a question here and then this is probably it. Looking back, what if any, was a turning point? Do you see this as a turning point in your business now these past two years, maybe your offers feel more aligned. You're doing this podcast with HoneyBook kind of talk through. Was that a turning point? Have you seen a major difference in the clients you're getting and the money they're willing to pay you? And then I'm going to talk about, we're going to circle back to that money mindset because
Akua (00:27:24):
Yes, yes, yes. Oh, 1000%. I think that was a turning point for me. I think where I really stepped into my own as a business owner of this is what I have to offer and I'm proud of that. I feel confident talking about what it is that I offer and people paid, which was great, which was great, which I was like, alright. And so then I felt more comfortable just showing my skills and my talents to be able to help other people. And I think one thing that I have just found really helpful is just bringing people along within that, just being transparent of I don't know everything, but this is what I know and here's how I can help you. And that I think has been really beneficial for me personally. And am I still refining my offer, but I feel really confident about it?
(00:28:16):
Things change, your target audience changes, we evolve. I evolve people, everybody evolves. So I am always refining certain things, but one thing I love to point out is that I would've never gotten to the point of where I feel so confident in my services if I didn't go back and start somewhere and refine and figure it out because it really does take time. And now I feel really great to where I'm now getting ready to offer other services because my capacity has changed with the HoneyBook podcast. So podcasting is a lot of work. As so my capacity has changed as I'm in this new season of my life. But I feel really good now because I have seen a difference in income. I have seen a difference too, even in the quality of clients. I have really great one-on-one clients that I love to work with, but also too I have ended up gaining, which that has been truly a huge contributing factor in my income as a business owner is retainer clients, getting clients on retainer who want to work with me not only just on storytelling, but also beyond. So I've had the opportunity to have fun. Trying and testing out new skills to where I can also add in those services
Shanna (00:29:23):
Has been fun. I love this whole thing of continue asking the question, how can I show up uniquely and serve? And I love how you pointed out and get my clients the results. I hope for them to get Aku. I want to circle back to, you said something earlier, I got to go back to your relationship with money. Will you talk just a little bit about how would you define your relationship with money? How did you see that display itself with your pricing? And just like how have you learned as a business owner to create offers and serve your clients, but also, well, you got to get paid to do that in order to eat. So how did you figure out just the money side and what are you still figuring
Akua (00:30:12):
Out? Yeah, I think just even sending back to my childhood, I did not have a good relationship with money at all. I think growing up just came from a very scarcity mindset. Like my mom, single parent, she struggled to raise three kids by herself. So growing up it was hard. And she, at the time when I was first born, she was a CNA and then worked her way up to becoming an rn. So she overly admitted this when we were younger as we became adults, she was like, there were days that I did not know what you were going to eat. You know what I mean? And so growing up then with that, again, having that instilled, I need to make a lot of money and the only way to make money was to get a college degree and have a very high paying job that was in my mind, the only way to make money.
(00:31:00):
And so again, as I'm now seeing, okay, I want a life that's different for me, really, I just did not have, I came from a scarcity mindset. I was terrified of, alright, maybe I don't charge too high or don't charge too low, but I naturally was charging myself so low because also too, I wasn't confident in myself and what I had to offer. So I have to be honest with that too. Just that mindset I think is so important as a business owner. I think that's number one above anything else. You can offer everything in the world and you can have these amazing offers and provide amazing strategy, but if you are just truly not right and grounded in your mindset, you're screwed. And so that was truly me. I just really did not feel, I feel like I had to work. I feel like I had to struggle in order to earn money.
(00:31:46):
That's what it was. I feel like because I came from a life of struggle, my mother did too. And so I felt like that's what it was, that I had to struggle in order to earn money, I had to fight in order to earn money. Now we got to work hard. Of course, there's no negating that, but to the point where I'm sacrificing things that I love and things that I value in order to make money, that's what I was doing. And it just doesn't help at all. And so I had to really, I know it sounds so lame, but even just as simple as money mindset. Somebody told me this and was like, I don't chase money. Money chases me whenever I say those things. And times when I get anxious, even looking at business finances because we all have our slow seasons and this and that, and as somebody who just with my background, I get anxious immediately. If I see anything below, whatever my financial goals are, I'm instantly anxious. And so I have to take a deep breath. And I always say all the time, I chase money, money chases me, and I just feel like this huge weight lifted off of my shoulders where I'm able to relax. I'm like, okay, Akua, the money will come. Just keep doing what you need to do. Yeah,
Shanna (00:32:49):
There's such a difference when you show up. Well, let me say first, I think there's something valuable about recognizing being a beginner and I'm still learning and I'm figuring out how I can show best. I don't think, again, that's something that gets talked about enough. When I first started my quote unquote business, it was unofficial. I had already been working in finance for a while. Goodness, I don't even remember seven years. But yet I still mean I got paid with gift cards. I got paid with dinners, I got paid. And there's something valuable about that. If I had just shown up and from the get-go and said, I'm going to price this at a luxury level, I would not have gotten clients and I would've not gotten the experience. So I think there's something valuable. Of course, I teach all my students, we can price from the get go profitably, but we got to learn.
(00:33:48):
And so I love that you brought that up, just this idea of you weren't confident yet, and we all have some learning to do, but mindset is such a huge piece of earning. And being someone who's worked in finance for so many years, I think people still would be shocked to know how much mindset work I have to do coming maybe also from a very similar mindset of you have to struggle to earn money. It is going to be hard work. We did not grow up in my family with much. We always had enough. I think as an adult looking back, you realize, wow, how do my parents do that? But I think there's a lot of mindset work, but I just appreciate you so much. Sharing that and sharing it is difficult for me to be like, money comes to me easily. I'm like, no, it doesn't. Just reframing how have you seen over the last few years is you have gained confidence or whether it's for me, I need to see successes in my students. That gives me a lot of confidence in my work. I keep a lot of testimonials just for myself to read through. How have you gained that confidence? Started pricing? Did you have coaches to help you with pricing? How have you learned the money side of the business now to support, I mean, you're supporting yourself on this.
Akua (00:35:22):
Yeah, absolutely. Definitely other business owners in the industry. I think, again, that community piece, because I will be honest, when I first started out too, I messed up bad with taxes because when I took that leap in 2020, I only had one left to live off of. Okay. So when I finally officially did this thing, I did it. And so I was like, you're hustling. That is your objective is to get clients, is to make money. So at the time, I did not stop and think about putting money away for taxes and all of that stuff. So it bit me in the behind the next year with how much I had to owe and having to actually now get an accountant and a bookkeeper to help me and all of that stuff. But definitely when people, I would ask my friend, specifically the one who essentially just have played such a huge role, in the beginning of my story, she would look at my stuff and she'd be like, it's too low.
(00:36:15):
And I'd be like, what? This is a lot of money to me. And she would be like, no, she was, you know what I mean? So then really just asking myself certain questions where I actually had to sit down. I was like, all right, what are my bills? What are my actual expenses? How much do I need to make in order to survive? And then how much do I need to make to actually enjoy life? You know what I mean? So those kind of two things where I really had to get very clear on that. And also too, just what do I value is what I really had to ask myself. What do I value? How do I want to spend my time? And so that's when I started asking those questions. I felt more sure in my pricing and my packaging because then if somebody questioned me on it, I didn't be like, Ugh. You know what I mean?
Shanna (00:36:54):
I have no idea why a price this way. I
Akua (00:36:55):
Have no idea. And then if you give people an inch, they'll take a mile. So if they saw a little bit of that, they were like, oh, I can negotiate. And then somebody who's a people pleaser, I mean, it's like that almost work for
Shanna (00:37:07):
Free. That's
Akua (00:37:07):
Fine. And it ended up being free. It was just constantly, I'd be in that cycle, but now I was like, Nope, this is what it is because this is what you get. And really getting clear on communicating the value and why people needed what they need, which was super helpful in terms. But once I had these numbers, I felt more concrete and just more confident within that. Do I still sometimes get anxiety when I have to do money things in my business? But I do it because I'm like, don't want, I just have to keep making sure that I'm staying on track with these things so that I just don't want to be stressed.
Shanna (00:37:39):
I still make mistakes. And I've been in finance now for 16 years. I still have, I've forgotten to charge people. Before that hurt, I had allowed people to do a different payment plan, and then the workflow was all messed up, and so I didn't receive the payment. And it's just like, I think we expect perfection as business owners in every area of business. And it's like nobody's good at everything, but we can all be know enough about it. And I just love Akua that you have challenged yourself. You've asked such the right questions of what do I value? I call your, what's your need number? Put food on the table, and then what's your lifestyle number to live the life you want and the things that you value? And this is so good. Okay, because of time, I'm going to ask you a question. I love asking everyone on the show. What would you say is the best thing that you have learned about money?
Akua (00:38:42):
Oh my gosh. Oh, that's such a great question. I think the best thing that I have learned about money is that, well, there's just a couple things, so maybe I'll just toss it off. One is that, like I said earlier, you don't have to struggle. You don't have to sacrifice pieces of yourself for the things that you value in order to earn money. I think that's the thing. And the fact that money has been able to open up so many possibilities for me as a business owner, the fact that I have more control over the money that I own, that I earn instead of relying on somebody else to pay me, okay, that did not come out. You know what I mean? When you're working full time for somebody, you know what I mean? That's different. Where I just, I am viewing money as it's just energy. It is just free flowing. So just not getting so attached to it, that's something that I've also learned because somebody with my background, I would hold onto money tight. I would not let go. I would not spend it on something even as a treat. You know what I mean? Same
Shanna (00:39:41):
Girl quarters, what we call that.
Akua (00:39:42):
Yeah, that was me. Just so much anxiety, even making a big purchase, a sweater, that was too, I felt so much guilt about that. And now I don't because I'm like, I can earn the money myself. I can do this. Just the business that I've built. I'm confident in what I have built to be able to still give me the money that I want. And so that's something that I've just learned is that you just don't have to sacrifice pieces of yourself in order to earn money. You deserve it. You deserve to earn however much you want to earn. And there's more than enough out there, more. So
Shanna (00:40:21):
That's something I feel like I'm still learning is that money is a renewable resource. That's not how I grew up. It was like there's pieces of the pie, and if you don't eat quick, you're not going to get one. And just that's something even as a late 30 something been a business, this is my 11th year, I am still learning to, money is renewable, and I teach this all the time about creating a spending plan. I don't like the word budget. It feels like a no. Instead of a no, give yourself a yes. So what is your spending plan, spending with intention, spending on what you value? And I just love hearing your journey specifically because of your background with starting growing your business. You're still growing, still shifting. There's so much more we could talk about. But before we go into a quick fire, I would love to hear how have you found, I don't love the word balance, but I do love the word harmony. How have you or are you seeking that harmony between the life you're building, friendships, building your business, doing HoneyBook, podcasting, a lot of different voiceovers? How are you finding a good pace of life and business for you?
Akua (00:41:53):
Yeah, I'm not going to act like I got that all figured out still. And I have also just recently learned about myself, and I've actually just accepted it, that I do not do well with change. I don't do as good as I thought I did. I don't. And so I am, because my life has changed drastically. I mean, a lot of people don't know this. Right? Before I became the host of the Independent Business podcast, I had just moved to Chicago, left to a city where I don't know anybody. People were like, oh, yeah. Is it a job that brought you out? I was like, Nope. I just wanted something new. I wanted something different. And I did not anticipate how crazy that change was going to be for me. And then I think within three to four weeks of me moving into Chicago, I became the host of the show.
(00:42:35):
And so then also just dealing with that change. And so I am still finding my footing and I'm having grace for myself within that. I'm still finding my footing right now of what this new harmony looks like now, because this whole season of life has drastically changed. And I'm trying to navigate that. And I thought there were days that I feel like, especially when you move into a new city and you don't know anybody, there are days I feel like I can conquer the world, and there are days I'm like, what did I do? Why did I make this decision? And then obviously trying to find a community and all those different types of things. So I right now am doing that currently because my whole structure and schedule just changed so much. So trying to find that new rhythm is very difficult, way harder than I thought it was going to be.
(00:43:21):
So I am just holding onto those little moments of peace that I can garner throughout the day and just trying to make sure that I'm at least eating all three meals. That was something I used to be horrible about as a business owner, where I would just have one meal a day because I'm just going, going, so reminding myself to eat, reminding myself just to at least get eight hours a day reminding myself to move. So I walk a mile and a half every day with my puppy just doing those basic things as I try to figure out what gym to go to, just trying to really build that structure. But my life has kind of been chaotic, but in a very beautiful way where it's like, okay, I'm still getting stretched in more ways than I didn't realize, but that's so good for us. I think when you're in a season, you want to be uncomfortable. That's why I moved was because I was like, I'm getting too comfortable. I want to be uncomfortable. And then God was like, well, you're about to get even more uncomfortable with
Shanna (00:44:16):
Jokes
Akua (00:44:16):
On us with everything. You know what I mean? Yes. So just having really a lot of grace for myself, and I'm not going to act like I have it figured out. I'm currently right now trying to figure out this new rhythm in my life.
Shanna (00:44:27):
Thank you for sharing that, because we don't talk a lot about change. It's funny you said that because I used to think I was somebody who loved change, and I'm like, oh yeah, let's adventure. And I'm like, but could I still have all of the comforts that I'm used to? Because in fact, I don't change at all.
Akua (00:44:44):
I don't either. I don't. Yeah, I just accept it. I was like, I really don't like change. And I was like, oh. Because I think, again, in our minds, we think about, yeah, I'm open to change, but it has to be within certain parameters and it's just not possible.
Shanna (00:44:59):
As someone who had come from your background, an achiever driven kind of expectation, maybe background, how have you found your own maybe version of success or kind of guiding star? What are points for you of like, okay, everything else can feel chaotic, but I know to thrive I need these things in place, or this is where I'm moving towards? This is not a very well thought out question, but I'm hoping I get, it's just interesting. I think for, as somebody who was a perfectionist, has always been an achiever, has always been driven and pushed, it's been really good for me to continually in different seasons of life, be like, okay, what? Right now, what's my value right now? Is it family? Is it money? Is it, you see what I'm saying? What for you has kind of kept you grounded? Maybe amidst all of this change, this is where I'm going and this is why I'm doing it.
Akua (00:46:11):
Yeah. Oh, that's a really great question though. I think for me, what has kept, I just keep saying peace. That's number one. So anything that brings me peace in my life right now, that's where I lean into. So if it's just meeting a friend for coffee, I've been doing Bumble BF, that's how I've been trying to meet new friends. And so it has been a really fun experience so far. So just meeting a new friend and just talking about life and all those things, I think that's kind of helped me too, because it's very isolating working for yourself, but also moving to a city where you don't know anybody. So it's like a double whammy. So doing that, traveling, I still just being able to, even if it's just a little getaway, and I haven't done one yet in Chicago, but that's something I do all the time in Minneapolis, just doing really quick getaways with my pup and I, and just to be able to reset, so traveling if any way that I can.
(00:47:05):
So even if it's work related, I still like that's a really fun way just to be able to have just so much joy being around other people who just are cheering each other on and loving on each other and supporting on each other. So I don't know. But I guess those are the main things I just look right now of just, I'm trying to be okay with leaning into the mundane right now, because that's always been very difficult for me as somebody who is a perfectionist, and I always feel like I have to strive to be the best. It's very exhausting to be that way, and I will have to be fully transparent stepping into this new season of life, even being the host. Some of these old triggers have come back for me right now that I'm working through again, but that's life, right?
(00:47:49):
We will trip and we fall and we have to get up and brush our ourself off and keep moving forward. And so even within that, that's when I'm like, okay, Akua, you're more than the results that you produce. You are more than equipped to do the job that has been placed on you and lean into that. You know what I mean? So I have to remind myself that all the time because it's just, again, I'm being pulled and stretched and it's just uncomfortable. So you find yourself, you're in a very vulnerable position. So being very intentional with what I consume, even in this season of my life, because anything I feel like can be like, oh my gosh. So just trying to listen to even to more upbeat music, trying to listen to more uplifting podcasts that just remind me, and being around people that just remind me who I'm in this season of my
Shanna (00:48:40):
Life. I feel like this entire theme of the power of community, and I can see that displayed in your own story so much, which is so cool that you're working with HoneyBook now and the Rising Tide and doing the podcast and seeing those, I'm sure insecurities being the host of the podcast, come back out. I'm impressed with you're leaning into being stretched, and I just want to call that out. That's something not many of us are willing to do. Okay, let's quick fire. What is one thing you would be embarrassed if people knew?
Akua (00:49:14):
Oh my gosh, so many things. I can't swim. Can't swim. So anytime I go out to the pool or people are like, let's go lay, I will just lay. People will be like, oh my God, let's go take a dip. I'm like, dip where I can't swim,
Shanna (00:49:30):
But do you want to know how to swim?
Akua (00:49:32):
I do. I said if I ever had kids, and I'm not sure if I want kids or not, but I said, if I did choose to have children, they will be going in the pool as immediately. It's a lifesaving skills to have. So I said, I would probably do that. I think I'd be more inclined. But then it literally passed literally just a fleeting thought. Maybe I'll do it this summer, actually learn how to swim, take
Shanna (00:49:57):
Another stretching opportunity.
Akua (00:49:58):
Yes, that's what I thought. So I might do it this summer. Just learn how to swim. I always want to do laps for a workout because I love to lift, so I'm like, oh my God. I just see people all the time in the gym doing the laps in the pool, and I'm like, I want to do that, and I don't know how.
Shanna (00:50:14):
Okay, following up, I'm following up. I want to see how it goes.
Akua (00:50:18):
Yes, absolutely. I'll let you know if I do it.
Shanna (00:50:20):
Okay. I have a little toddler. She's so cute. She would just run and jump in the pool and has no idea how to, and so I'm like, you're right. It is a lifesaving skill. So that's on our summer list as well.
Akua (00:50:35):
Yes. A
Shanna (00:50:36):
Toddler learn to swim. Okay. Any regrets or wish you could do over moments?
Akua (00:50:41):
Gosh, yeah. I feel like so many of 'em. I think as a business owner, I think we have regret. I think so many times as a business owner, I just didn't advocate for myself as much as I should have. I think that's my biggest regret because nobody's going to advocate for you except you. And that's something I've learned. We both have had a She cockran on our shows and she said this, nobody's coming to save you. And that's so dang true. Nobody's coming to save you. You have to advocate for yourself. And I think there's been times, even in business and life in general where I just have not been very vocal and I've chosen to just hide or be small, make myself smaller. And I think those moments are what now where I'm like, Nope, I have a voice and I don't care if it's quivering or shaking, I'm going to use it.
Shanna (00:51:30):
I love that this whole conversation with you has reminded me of just how much mindset work we have to do as a business owner, speaking truth over ourself, showing up when we're scared. It's not easy. It is not easy to see all your insecurities and be like, but yeah, please charge. Please pay me a premium rate and I can do that for you. I'm always impressed with people. I had somebody on the show the other day, I can't even remember who it was. She was like, I'm an eight on the Enneagram. I'll figure it out. I'm like, your gumption is amazing. I just want a tiny little vibe of that. So yeah. Thank you for sharing. Okay. Big win or pinch me moment. Oh
Akua (00:52:23):
Yeah. I think just being in the host of the show, I think that's a big pinch me moment of the Independent Business podcast. Definitely did not think that when I first started my business to now that this is what it would be. I think that it was just so caught off guard, you know what I mean? I think just in general, I think we always in our mind have it. We have a clear picture of what we think we're going to be doing and what success looks like. And I've realized the most beautiful moments that have happened in my business was when I fully just let go and I was like, let's just see what happens. And then this is one of those moments just within that where I just don't get attached to things. I'm like, we just let go and let's see what we can create. And I feel like every time that I've leaned into that aspect of my business, it's just led me to really unexpected, beautiful journeys. And I think this is just another one of those things.
Shanna (00:53:17):
I love it. I'm going to plug here only because it's me and I have to, for me, knowing how much I need to make to pay our bills, and of course making it because that's phase two of the plan, make the plan, work the plan. I feel like you are open to more creativity when you're not stressed about money. Yes. And so even if you're not making the money yet, but you know what you need to make, I think allows for more creativity. So I love how you said that. Being open to what comes, and for me personally, I'll say I got to have that plan on the back end teed up so that I know, okay, I can try this new thing.
Akua (00:54:03):
Yeah, just wanted to add to that really fast because I can agree. I feel like that's something I've even, that's also too where I've seen more success in my business is having a plan. I feel like a lot of times when I first started, and I think a lot of us can relate where it's like gut, emotion, instinct, which I think still serves, but I was like, I feel like I can only take you so far. I was like, all right, now I'm making this and I need to keep this. So what's the strategy? How can I make more data-driven decisions? And that's also too what I'm leaning more into, having that balance between the two.
Shanna (00:54:34):
Best advice or just really good advice that you have received?
Akua (00:54:39):
Best advice. Oh my gosh, I've had so many, but I think the biggest piece, and I always say this all the time, so I don't remember where I got it from. It had to have been from somebody who shared a friend who shared it with me. But you have everything that you need. We forget that a lot. You have everything that you need in this season of your life. When we are trying to do something really big, we're dreaming big. We feel like we have to have, well, these things need to be in place, or I can't do it because this isn't figured out. You have everything you need in your season of your life to do whatever it is that you want to do. And I was like, alright. So a lot of the times when I lean into things, I don't have it all figured out. I'm just like, I just remind myself I have everything that I need and I just go forward.
Shanna (00:55:20):
I'm going to have to sit with that for a second. It kind of reminded me of the quote, and I'll have to find who it is, but it said something to the effect of when you're grateful for things, the more grateful for things, the more you have. Whereas kind of when we think about what we lack, the more we lack. Does that make sense? Yes. Yeah. The more we're grateful, it naturally makes us see all the things we have versus if we focus on the lack of, we see more. So I love that. Okay. What are you working on now or one resource you would like to share?
Akua (00:55:58):
Oh my gosh. Can I do both?
Shanna (00:56:01):
You're allowed. Yes.
Akua (00:56:04):
Okay. So one thing I'm working on now, I am officially because I finally asked my audience. I have my intensive, and like I said, my capacity has changed, but I am launching a mini course storytelling mini course, which I'm really excited about.
Shanna (00:56:17):
So
Akua (00:56:17):
Fun. So I'm working on that, which will be great because I know it's going to serve other people, more people, which I'm really excited about. And then I also too, I have my storytelling quiz, what is your storytelling style? And I'm really excited about this one because it is just so personalized and I was so intentional when I had some friends come help me as well. I made it with some amazing people in mind, other storytellers that I've seen, just the impact that they've made. And the thing is we all share our stories so differently, and I'm just excited for this quiz because it's so personalized to everybody's type to where you really will have the confidence and the strategy that you need to be able to strengthen your storytelling skills. Because a lot of people think that storytelling is truly a gift. And no, I didn't know how to share my story when I first started. I had to learn and work it like a muscle. And so that's what this quiz does. And so that's what I'm really excited about.
Shanna (00:57:11):
Okay. I'm excited and we'll share the links to both of those in the show notes. And I love Aku how you said, I talk about this with money. You weren't born being good at math, nobody was. But you can learn it. And especially as a business owner, I think there's a few things we have to know, but it's interesting because storytelling and marketing and copywriting website copy is also something that it's, sales is not something we were born knowing how to do. And so I think so often we beat ourselves up when we're thrown into, we're business owners, we have to sell our product. And it's hard. It's hard to ask people to pay for something, especially that is a gift to you, natural to you, easy to you. And so I just love that you're helping people share more of the story of what they do, of who they are, of what they sell.
(00:58:09):
Because like you said, it is a muscle it and it's not easy. So I love it. Okay. This has been so fun and we need to get together. I don't know when I'll be in Chicago though, but if you're in Tennessee, but let's send it off with going back to day one, and I'm almost tempted one of going to that first rising tide meeting or day one of showing up for the pageant, kind of brushing aside family obligation or family, whatever it is, of kind of pursuing an entrepreneurial path. Going back to day one, what would you tell yourself? Now,
Akua (00:58:56):
I probably sound really cheesy, but just because I think of those moments and I was like, man, I was really powerful. I think just the fact of just reminding myself just how powerful I am, and I think all of us are, we're so powerful and I think we underestimate ourselves a lot as business owners and what we are truly capable of. And I just remember all of those moments. I just said, you know what? I'm going to step into it and let's just see what happens. And like I said, every time I've just done that, it's paid off in more ways than one, and it's just added to a chapter into my own story that has built me for the next season in my life,
Shanna (00:59:32):
Reminding yourself of how brave you were in those moments. I love that so much, Aku, because I can think back in my own life at several moments where I've made big decisions and I wasn't necessarily afraid. Whereas now, I think as a business owner, the longer in your business, you can get kind of in your head about your own decisions and just reminding yourself of how powerful, how brave you are. I love it. Yes. This has been such a joy. Thank you for coming on the show, for sharing your story just for who you are, and it's been so much fun to get to know you.
Akua (01:00:11):
Yes. Thank you so much for having me. This has been, I have loved this conversation. Like I said, shout out to you because you pulled some stuff. I was like, oh, I haven't shared this piece. I don't know if I have. I was thinking about it. I'm like, I don't think I have. So thank you so much for having me. I've loved this conversation. Hey,
Lauren (01:00:27):
Wildflower, you just finished another episode of Consider the Wildflowers the podcast. Head over to consider the wildflowers podcast.com for show notes, resource links, and to learn how you can connect with the KA. One final thought for today from Ralph Waldo Emerson, the only person you are destined to become is the person you decide to be. As always, thanks for listening and we'll see you next time.
