J Journal: Buying A Fixer Upper
3/23/2020
Iâve been blogging since 2006 about life, business, and everything in between. >>I like to think of my blogs as glorified journal entries of this crazy life I live, and all of the ebbs and flows along the way.<< Iâve hit the publish button over 2,500 times, and THIS blog is about as personal as it gets! Hereâs the CRAZY news: we bought a fixer upper. No, we werenât planning to buy a different house, but life works in mysterious ways. Long story short, hereâs the whirlwind thatâs been happening over the last few months:
>>In a matter of a few weeks, our lives were spent packing, ordering take-out, running a business, and dancing with a newborn.<< LIFE. IS. CRAZY. ![]() Because our new house is in need of some major Chip and Joanna Gaines magic *OMG I wish they did renos in CA!*, we moved into an apartment so we didnât have to live amidst a construction zone. Last week, we said goodbye to our previous home. My emotions were bubbling over the surface like champagne. Before we left, we said a prayer and blessed the house for the next owner (whom we love and know will cherish it). >>Our home gave birth to our greatest dreams, squelched our deepest fears, and ushered the sweetest memories.<< We hosted dinners, read books barefoot on the grass sipping wine, and brought our daughter into the world in this home. Dearest home sweet home, thank you for the memories, and thank you for teaching me how to dream. Itâs hard to say goodbye, so instead Iâll say hello to the new owner and hello to a bright future. *Oh yeah, and we just so happened to be working with the best realtor in the world who helped us pack and insisted we take photos as our last goodbye to our home. Thank you sooooo much, Kacey Taormina!* OK, so that short story turned into a novel. Saying that this journey has been a bit chaotic would be an understatementâ¦but we are rolling with whatever life throws our way. Through it all, I am so happy to be doing it with my business partner and best friend for life, JD. *And Luna Sol and Polo have both been CHAMPS during this transition!* ![]() How is my heart? AMAZING. How is my head? ALL OVER THE PLACE. Something I keep reminding myself (and something I talked about in a recent podcast episode) is that overwhelm is a CHOICE. >>I can choose to get stressed about this entire situation, or I can choose to look at everything that Iâm going through right now as preparation for the thing that I had asked for.<< I never dreamed my life would look this way, but itâs exactly what I wished and prayed for. I hope you enjoyed this not-so-short behind-the-scenes look at my life! Stay tuned for more house updates to come! Weâve got a long road ahead of us, but Iâm so glad youâre here on this journey, boo.
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Building An Organic Audience
3/20/2020
In a recent Live Q+A, someone asked me how to build a tribe on social media without paid ads. *I instantly felt my palms get sweaty when I read this question.* Because when it comes to building an organic audience, I don’t have an easy answer. *But nothing worth having ever comes easy, right Buttercup?!* Instead, I have a tried-and-true method that is anything BUT easy. For over a decade, I’ve been creating LOTS of content for LOTS of platforms. In that timeframe, I’ve been able to grow my following with very little help from paid ads.
About 98 percent of what I do to build an audience is through organic means. Like I said, I don’t have an easy answer, nor can I give you a magical formula that will help you reach celebrity status in the blink of an eye. I can only tell you what’s worked for me… >>Over time, you can grow your audience IF you’re willing to be consistent.<< ![]() Consistency teaches your audience three things:
>>Building an organic following takes years and years of consistency when it feels like nobody is paying attention.<< *Rome wasn’t built in a day, boo boo, and neither will your social media following!* There will be many times when the temptation to throw in the towel will creep in. And that’s what a lot of people do. People quit when other people aren’t paying attention. That’s the easy way out. Don’t give in to that temptation. The only way you can get attention is by not quitting. >>Every professional was once an amateur. The only difference is that they didn’t give up.<< Don’t you dare quit, hustler. Just keep being consistent. Offer value. Show the benefits. Tell people how you can help them. Come rain or shine, positivity or negativity, good times or bad, you must show up again and again and again.
With a little time, hard work, and consistency *and maybe some blood, sweat, and tears*, you’ll be able to reap the benefits that the quitters never will. You. Can. Do. It. The post Building An Organic Audience appeared first on Jasmine Star. via RSSMix.com Mix ID 8230553 https://ift.tt/2xX2Hgz If you’re looking to create inkjet prints of your black and white photos, these tips will help you get great, correctly toned results. When it comes to printing black and white photos using inkjet printers, there are a few things to keep in mind to make sure you get great results. In a quick introduction […] The post What Makes Correctly Toned Black and White Photos for Prints appeared first on Resource. via RSSMix.com Mix ID 8230553 https://ift.tt/2xNzDYF Take your black and white photography a notch higher with the help of Street Photography International co-founder, Alan Schaller. Think you could use some tips to take your black and white photography to the next level? We’ve already shared loads of tips and tricks for photographers of all levels, but since we’re always looking for […] The post 7 Black and White Photography Tips to Really Improve Your Work appeared first on Resource. via RSSMix.com Mix ID 8230553 https://ift.tt/33zSVN1 I didn’t learn to read until I was 11 years old. I was a slow learner, but my angel of a mother never gave up on me. She homeschooled me in a special way to cater to my needs. We’d check out library books and she’d spend hours reading to me. My dad would follow suit, too. He picked up where my mom left off and would read to me each night. I’m happy to report that all of those hours paid off. I fell in love with reading, and I was determined to do it on my own. *I got my reading skills AND my persistence (or should I say stubbornness) from my parents!* Once I finally learned to read *thanks mom and dad!*, I couldn’t stop. I may have been slow to pick up reading, but I was quick to make up for lost time! I read as often as I possibly can now, and my ongoing goal is to read two books each month. ![]() I could go on and on about the countless books I’ve read and countless lessons I’ve learned, but if I had to narrow it down, these would be my top ten favorite business books (in alphabetical order): 1. Ask by Ryan Levesque 2. #AskGaryVee by Gary Vaynerchuk 3. Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert 4. Essentialism by Greg McKeown 5. Profit First by Mike Michalowicz 6. The Big Leap by Hendricks Gay 7. The E Myth by Michael Gerber 8. The Inner Game of Tennis by Timothy Gallway 9. The School of Greatness by Lewis Howes 10. The War of Art by Steven Pressfield But wait, there’s more! This is only a list of my all-time business favorites, but if you’re like me and want to immerse yourself in great page-turning reads 24/7, check out my full list >>HERE!<< Although I’ve got a stack of books on my shelf waiting for me to get my eyes on them, I’m always on the lookout for more books to add to my library. What other book recommendations do you have? Send me a message on Instagram and let me know, boo! *Disclosure: The links provided in this blog are affiliate links, meaning I get a small commission if you so choose to make a purchase. Keep in mind that I ONLY include links to products I’ve personally used and believe in!* The post 10 Business Books That Should be on EVERY Entrepreneur’s Bookshelf appeared first on Jasmine Star. via RSSMix.com Mix ID 8230553 https://ift.tt/3b7bHOp A Little Rough Around The Edges
3/16/2020
A woman recently told me that my coaching style is a little rough around the edges. She said I should be more empathetic and that not everyone wants to be pushed in that way. To be honest, her words made me take a step back. This has ALWAYS been a sore subject for me… I wish my style was LESS strong, LESS in-your-face, LESS focused on the brevity of life. >>But try as I might, I can only ever be me.<< I honestly think my business would be bigger if I was soft, accepting, and tolerant. I am, however, fully embracing of who I am.
But this woman’s words really made me reflect on my technique and approach. Her words made me question my level of empathy. >>Just because I come in hard with a plan doesn’t mean that I don’t give time or space to the fact that life doesn’t always work out the way that we expect.<< I understand that there are moms that can’t show up in their business like they want to because they have a sick child, or dads that are weekend warriors so they can support their family, or full-time students with a full-time job AND a side gig just to make ends meet. I am WILDLY empathetic to that hustle. I’m only dealing it to you straight because that’s how I want it. Why would I take up 50 minutes of your time sharing something that could be said in 5 minutes? ![]() >>If I’m coming in hot or coming off a little strong, it’s only because I care about you.<< My rough-around-the-edges coaching style is all about leaning in and valuing your time.
But that won’t stop me from showing up and serving people who just GET me. Boo boo, this isn’t just about me. This is about YOU, too.
…and that’s okay! >>Your focus should be listening to your customers and being open to their feedback, all while remaining true to yourself.<< I’m choosing to look at this woman’s words as a learning experience as a business owner. I heard her, loud and clear! Do you agree with her?
I need to listen to what my customers are saying…regardless of how I feel about it. I’d love to know your thoughts on this. Send me a DM on Instagram telling me how you feel about my coaching style! I’m open to any feedback! The post A Little Rough Around The Edges appeared first on Jasmine Star. via RSSMix.com Mix ID 8230553 https://ift.tt/3d5mwCb From Zero To Successful In 6 Steps
3/13/2020
I made so many mistakes building my business. Looking back, however, they were the BEST lessons. I’m stronger, wiser, and better for persevering…and I want my lessons to not only save you time, but prevent you from making the same mistakes I did! Buttercup, can I please save you time, energy, and frustration? >>If I lost everything and had to start over, I wouldn’t be sad. I’d be HIGH ON DETERMINATION.<< If I had to start over from scratch tomorrow, here are the six steps I’d take to get from zero to successful…again: 1. Feel ItRather than numbing myself as a defense mechanism *been there, done that*, I’d allow myself to feel the misery of the dream chase. I now know that it was in my deepest, darkest moments that a fire was ignited in my soul that helped me determine my next steps. That flame was what kept me pushing forward. 2. Find a Job>>You can’t create the business of your dreams if you’re also worried about how you’re going to pay rent or where you’re going to sleep at night.<< *#keepingitreal, am I right?!* Get a job now so you can do what you love later. 3. Find Your PassionPut aside the fear of whether or not you’re going to make money and then identify what you’re truly passionate about. >>Figure out what makes your heart sing, and pursue that with every ounce of your being.<< Ignore the insecurities, the what-ifs, and the fears. Know that you can do anything if you’re fully committed. ![]() 4. ResearchSpend as much time as possible *without getting stuck in analysis paralysis!* researching people that are doing what you want to do. You don’t need to reinvent the wheel, my friend. Find out what’s working for other people who are ahead of you and make it your own. Put your own spin on a proven method. 5. ShareGet out there, tell your story, and engage with people.
If all else fails, sit on the couch and leave 20-25 direct messages or comments to dream customer accounts each day. 6. Invest Back Into Your BusinessI understand the tempation of wanting to spend your hard earned paycheck on a shiny new purse or a nice vacation. After all, you’ve been hustling and you deserve it! But it’s likely that doing so is going to keep you in the job that you don’t want even longer. >>The faster you can scale your business, the faster you can travel on your own time and live the life of your dreams.<< Reward yourself, but put a majority of what you’re making back into your business so you can continue pursuing your passion and building your dreams, not someone else’s. There you have it, boo boo. These are the six steps you need to take if you want to turn your dreams into a reality. These are the steps I’d make sure to implement if I lost everything and had to start from scratch. If I did it once before, I could do it again…twice as good and in half the time because of what I learned. It’s not to say that there will never be bumps in the road. Let’s face it, bumps are inevitable. Life is messy, but it’s worth it when you’re doing something you love, don’t you agree? The post From Zero To Successful In 6 Steps appeared first on Jasmine Star. via RSSMix.com Mix ID 8230553 https://ift.tt/2wVETsI Just Do The Dang Thing
3/11/2020
Boo boo, below is a list of three very important questions, and I want you to do your best to answer them rapid-fire style for the most authentic response. Got it? Here we go:
I’m guessing that the first two were pretty easy to answer. You’ve probably been asked those questions multiple times before. But I’m willing to bet that the third question threw you for a loop. *Don’t worry, it used to stump me, too.* For almost half of my life, I was too scared to admit what I wanted to do. I worried about what he’d say, what she’d think, and told myself I’d never be good enough to succeed. >>Then my mom was diagnosed with brain cancer…and everything changed.<< It made me realize just how precious life really is. Her cancer diagnosis prompted me to drop out of law school and marry my best friend on the beaches of Hawaii so my mom could be part of the special day. *And in case you’re wondering, my mama is still kickin’ today against all odds because she is a FIGHTER!* ![]() So, when my newlywed husband asked his law school dropout wife, “If you could do one thing for the rest of your life and be happy, what would it be?”, I knew the answer immediately. I wanted to be a photographer. There were a few problems with this answer, starting with the fact that I didn’t have a camera or any photography know-how. But I did the dang thing anyway…because I WANTED to. >>Life is too short not to say what you want, and want what you say.<< With a lot of hard work (and the help of my husband), I went from not even owning a camera to one of the world’s most socially influential photographers in just six years. Now boo, I don’t bring this up to brag. I bring this up as testament and proof that you do not have to be good at what you do. You have to just do the dang thing. >>At the end of the day, life is meant to be lived, so live it in a way that makes you happy.<< So friend, let me ask you one more question: What are you going to do with this one crazy and beautiful life you’ve been given? The post Just Do The Dang Thing appeared first on Jasmine Star. via RSSMix.com Mix ID 8230553 https://ift.tt/2TSuQN0 Smartphones like the LG V60 ThinQ 5G with its 64 Megapixel camera and Sony’s Xperia 1 lineup are putting pressure on dedicated cameras, and camera manufacturers. There’s simply no denying that smartphones and the cameras which they house are altering the photography landscape. Many camera manufacturers have changed their business strategies to deal with the […] The post What Would Make You Ditch Your Camera for Just Your Smartphone? appeared first on Resource. via RSSMix.com Mix ID 8230553 https://ift.tt/3cLkiYB Format has gone through a rebranding in 2020, let’s see what’s new and how you can use it to your advantage. Unlike the other website building platforms, Format holds the photographer at the center of their core values and vision. As the platform has evolved and the company listens more to photographers on the ground, […] The post How to Establish Your Photographic Identity Beyond Instagram with Format appeared first on Resource. via RSSMix.com Mix ID 8230553 https://ift.tt/3cS4jIy |
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