What that time I walked off a film set and quit can teach you about scaling your business to six and seven figures - without burning out or wanting to burn it all to the ground.
When I was still acting in LA, the power dynamics were a bit f*cked (maybe they still are, but I’d like to believe some things have shifted recently).
I was taught I was “lucky” if you booked a role because you knew there was a never ending line of people who would happily take your spot and part if you didn’t want it - which meant, producers and directors held the strings and cards.
I’m sure you can see some of the parallels to business and the online space.
I booked an indie film early on in my career and got to set only to find it was a bait and switch. I had a larger role and was mostly left alone and respected, but I watched as the script was re-written on the spot to include graphic nude scenes that didn’t previously exist.
Personally, I think there’s nothing wrong with nudity, there are lots of times it adds to the art and story for someone to bare more skin, and at the end of the day, it’s a human body, and everyone gets to decide what’s right for them to show and watch.
That being said, I DO think it’s wrong in ANY industry to change the scope of someone’s work on the spot in a way that asks someone to do something they might not have agreed to before being hired but feel they have to say ‘yes’ to so they don’t jeopardize their role, income, reputation, and career.
I watched this go down and some other questionable actions that kicked up every ‘hell no’ cell in my body, and I decided I wanted no part in the film, got up, said as much, and walked out.
I called my manager at the time, who’s biggest concern was that I’d be black listed and miss out on my chance with this director.
There are multiple layers here, but a few lessons from this day I’ve carried over to my business that’s supported me in growing and scaling a sustainable 1:1 practice that’s been booked out for over 4.5 years and has made over a million revenue in the last four and $700k in the last two are:
how you make your money matters and sometimes the best money you’ll ever make is the money you’re willing to walk away from or leave on the table
trust yourself and back your own decisions and boundaries
hire support and a team that does the same (to that point: I fired that manager later)
I didn’t get ‘black listed”. I did get an apology call from both the producer and director, and ironically an offer for a part in another film (I declined). Later on, I ended up working with that producer on another project and had a blast.
My takeaway for you that I’ve seen continue to be true after coaching clients to collective multi-millions for over seven years now: just because you have an opportunity that can or could make you money, doesn’t always mean you should or it’s for you.
In fact, being willing to leave money on the table and walk away from opportunities is often what allows you to scale and do so without burning out or wanting to burn it all down.
This might not always look like walking away from a deal that doesn’t sit right with your gut or values, but it might.
When you say ‘no’ to ways to make money that aren’t aligned, mis-fit clients, or boundary crosses, you not only back yourself and strengthen your own self-trust, you open up space and energy to allow for ways to make even more money in a way that actually feels good to receive, have, and hold - which, I promise you, leads to sustainability and scalability.
Sometimes walking away, saying no, and leaving what’s not yours to pick up on the table IS having an abundant mindset and the very shortcut to scaling and getting what you want.
Wishing you your version of success.
P.S. Ready for the kind of 1:1 support that’s there to both help you grow to six and seven figures and help you know what money to leave on the table so you can scale in a way that leaves you feeling great about your work and the cash you’re making?
Know you want the kind of partnership that not only knows how to help you get clear on the simple strategy (messaging, marketing, sales, team, and leadership) and action plan that works for you to get booked out, fill waitlists, and sell out launches but is also there to help you make big decisions and back yourself?
Let’s talk! I’m currently meeting with potential clients to discuss fit and how I can best support you in upcoming 1:1 opportunities opening up.
If you’re all-in and committed to your business success, are here to play the long game, aren’t looking for quick-fix answers, and most importantly, you’re coachable, you’re my people and who I do the best work with!
Sound like you, and interested in learning more about what it would look like to partner together to help you show up, stand out, build momentum, and set yourself up with sustainable and recurring revenue?
Book a free coaching consultation here.
