Ep 66 The IT Factor with Keri Murphy

Since she was 11 years old, Keri Murphy dreamed of being on television. Proof that dreams come true, she has appeared on MTV, E!, FOX and NBC, to name a few. 

Keri is the CEO and founder of Inspired Living, a successful seven-figure brand that is committed to empowering people all over the world to “Dream it, Live it, Be it.” 

Keri’s also a wife, mom, coach, international speaker, media expert, and business mentor who has honed her expertise in the entrepreneurial field for over 20 years and on-camera for over 3 decades. Her company specializes in teaching entrepreneurs how to clarify their message, authentically show up on-camera and leverage video in order to build an influential brand. 

The company’s signature “IT Factor” training is the most sought out on-camera training for entrepreneurs in the US and has been featured on CNN, ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC, and many more.

“Authenticity is how you show up.” ~Keri Murphy

CONNECT WITH KERI MURPHY

• https://inspiredliving.tv/keri/
• Insta: https://www.instagram.com/keri.murphy/

CONNECT WITH MANDY:

• mandysawyer.com
• insta @mandycreativevision 
• facebook @mandyscreativevision
• Mandy's Vision Gig fb group

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Transcript

Mandy:

Hey friends, I am super excited to introduce you to my guest today. Her name is Keri Murphy Murphy and she's the CEO and founder of inspired living. She is committed to empowering people all over the world to dream it, live it, and be it, which is a really good thing because that's how I feel really aligned with her. So she's also an international speaker, video marketing expert, and business mentor who honed her expertise in the entrepreneurial field for more than 22 years and on-camera for over three decades. Her company specializes in teaching entrepreneurs how to stand out online, authentically show up on camera and become an industry leader in their space. Keri is a veteran of television with appearances on MTV, Fox, and NBC just to name a few. Keri brings her entrepreneurial knowledge and on-camera expertise to her clients through public speaking, coaching programs, and her inspired living TV web series and podcast, helping entrepreneurs stay inspired and enlightened on what it takes to build a seven-figure brand. Welcome Keri, thank you so much for being here.

Keri:

You're so welcome. Thank you for having me excited to be here today.

Mandy:

Yes. Is there anything that you'd like to add to your list of creds there?

Keri:

It's just so funny because I've heard that bio a couple of times. And every time I hear 30 years on camera, I'm like, dang, it's been a long time. It's been a long time. But yes, I started. I will say I started when I was young, I started when I was 11. But it's been such an amazing journey of how that desire as a little girl to be on camera, I really wanted to be an entertainment reporter for EA or Entertainment Tonight. And you know, as I kind of made my way through life, it's just so interesting that I'm doing what I do now. And it brings me so much joy helping entrepreneurs, like sharing their message and getting over their fear and understanding how to use video. So they can make the impact and income that you know, so they so greatly desire and deserve. So yes, it's been quite the journey. And, I just love it. I think it's Steve Jobs who said, you can't connect the dots in front of you. You can only connect them behind you. And so, you know, being an entrepreneur for the last 23 years and being on camera for as long as I have. It's just what I do now is just such a great combination I feel of all the gifts that you know, I've been blessed with. So super fun.

Mandy:

Awesome, awesome. Awesome. So how did inspiring living come about? How did that start?

Keri:

Yeah, that's a really great question. So I moved out to LA. I was 33. I just closed my modeling and talent agency, I was completely devastated. It was right after the 2008 recession. And I was young and starry-eyed and had no mentors. No coaches had no idea we were going into a recession. And so I really found myself, you know, maybe how someone feels right now after the pandemic like I feel like I've just lost everything. And I was forced to really go back and figure out who I was because I feel like the agency, my identity was really wrapped up in that business. And so when I lost it, I have to say I lost myself for quite some time. And I, it's again, I look back and go, How did that happen? But I got immersed in personal development. I went through some sort of landmark training, and I found a spiritual mentor. And I was actually a trainer for a neurolinguistics company, much like the Tony Robbins of the world. He was huge in the UK. I traveled a year as an international speaker teaching NLP and quantum physics and platform and presentation skills in Hong Kong. And so how did inspire me came to be sorry,

Mandy:

you're teaching quantum physics? 

Keri:

Yes. Kind of, 

Mandy:

Okay, wow.

Keri:

I would never pay me to do those things. Now. It was a time in my life where I got thrown into something and I'm like, Sure, I can do that. You know, the Kobe assessment. I'm such a quick start. Like I can just be like a sponge, take everything and try to regurgitate it. But I will say after that stint, like traveling the world and I, all of a sudden I had clients all over the world, because they asked me if I coached and I was like, Sure I do, or why not? Why not? So inspired living really started off more as like personal development. And then I found myself really ending up in more like a therapist space and I'm like, What am I doing here? What am I doing here? And so, there was this moment that I was watching someone in the coaching industry on camera. She's very well known in our space. But I was just like, ooh, like, that's not authentic like super, super over smiley and cheesy and kind of like really salesy and I was just like, oh, I can teach that. So inspired living started off as the thing I tell my entrepreneurs never to do. It was all things to all people. That's really relationships and health and fitness. Because inspired living is very holistic. But when I narrowed our niche into teaching entrepreneurs how to be visible, how to grow their business, how to show up authentically on camera, like everything changed, we grew so quickly. And it was, again, like I said earlier, it was such a divine combination of all that I am and all that I had been up to that point to get me to where I am now. So if you're in a place where you're like, oh, my gosh, like the rug has been pulled out from underneath me, or I lost my job, or I've always wanted to be an entrepreneur, I'd say like, just trust, trust God trust the universe trust timing, because I don't really think there are any accidents. And even though there are times that we go through that can seem so hard and so challenging. They're usually leading us to something much greater. Yeah,

Mandy:
it's, it's interesting how, what you know, what you think could be the most horrible thing that could happen to you in the world. And looking to see what other opportunities open up for you. And because some people are so stuck in their jobs right now, it's because I was so stuck in their jobs. And like, that's the only thing they know. And that's the only thing that they think that they can ever do. But if they were to lose that job, then all of a sudden, they would figure it out, right? Yeah, start seeking out, you know, if you need to learn new things, or whatever, figuring out new skills, or just and then I am still capable.

Keri:
We're so yeah, and it's funny, because one of my coaches on my team, she's our social media coach, and she runs her own company. But she talks about how she had this job on Wall Street, and she was a contractor, she was making great money. But one day, they literally sent her an email and said, We don't need you anymore. But what was so funny about Mandy was that she had said, forever, I want to be an entrepreneur, I wish I had my own business. And I'm like, we're manifesting things all the time. We're bringing things into our universe, whether we think the timing is right, or no, but when you're saying I hate my job, or I want to do something different. And yet you're scared to leave it sometimes like it will just happen for you.

Mandy:

Yeah, here you go. This happens for you. So okay, you talk about the IT factor? How do you spot that factor in your clients and students?

Keri:

You know, I feel like one of the greatest gifts that I have is seeing and developing talent in people. I think that's why I loved having my talent agency. And even as a little girl, I would find the quietest person in the classroom, and befriend him or her and like, try to get them out of their shell. And so it's again, so funny that I'm doing what I'm doing now. But I will say that I really think we all have this it factor, if you remember the show X Factor with Simon Cowell, right, and you would get people on stage, and they would look a certain way. But then they would open their mouths. And you were like, Oh my gosh, I didn't expect that. Like they just lit up the stage. And what I love so much about that is that the people that I work with are primarily women over 40. They're so worried about what they look like. And they think the IT factor is something external. And in the last decade of literally teaching 1000s of people from all around the world, the IT factor is internal. And we all I think we all have it, I think a lot of us walk around with it on the dimmer switch, you know, society, life relationships have said, Who are you to be this person? Or why would you try to do that, or you're not good enough? You're not. You're not smart enough. You're too old. You're too young, you're too thin, you're too fat, like all the things, all the excuses? Yeah, all the things. And so the IT factor is within all of us. And that's again, what brings me so much joy with the work that I do is that I can spot that and nurture that and bring that out of people. And I mean, I will literally see people break down into tears, because they know it's there too. But too often life has confined us and made us feel a certain way. Again, religion, relationships, parents, all the things, right, the human condition. And so, you know, so much of what I do is outward, but it's really all inner inward. Like you know what I mean? The work that we do is so internal, because once you understand your message, and why you're the one that needs to deliver it, and the impact you can make and the abundance you can live in, right, it really changes everything. So I'm telling people all the time, like video is not about you. Video is not about what we stopped making about us, even though I'm here going like okay, I could have had a better hair day today. Like, like, kind of add this, that it's just human beings, right? We're all going to feel that way. We're all going to look at ourselves and go, Oh my God, I look like a little judge here a little. But at the end of the day, your message has nothing to do with what you look like. And I always go back to Oprah. You know, Oprah was told for many years she didn't have a face for TV. Like, imagine if she listened, right? Yeah, yeah.

Mandy:

Yeah, that's crazy. Yeah. So yeah, talk about the events that you host These Yeah, sounds really amazing to me.

Keri:

They are something you should watch, the brilliant event is coming up. So it's funny because there's a lot of different events, I remember early on I was emceeing events. I've hosted events like I just love events, and of course, 2020. Like all those in-person events, I love to host, we took them virtually. And what I loved about this is I've talked forever about the power of video. But what I also loved was that I transcended our live events to a virtual event, and they were just as successful. I mean, I didn't feel as fulfilled because I don't think there's anything like a hug, you know, and getting in a room together. Yeah, but it was still that we generated great income, we impacted a lot of lives. So events, you know, really have changed as we head into 2021 and 2022 of what that looks like, but I am doing an in-person event in September like I did not care come hell or high water, I am bringing women together. So that's taking place here in Southern California. And we also have virtual tickets, but it's really for those women who feel this calling on their hearts to do something big with their legs. And, I'm not saying that it's about money, because even though I talk so much about seven and eight figures, I get so pissed off that so few women generate over 50,000 in their business, and most of the wealth in the world is with men. And so I just my, my passion for creating wealth is so women can sit at the table, they can be a part of the conversations they can give back to causes, they can change families and communities, right when we're empowered with finances. So I am very passionate about that. But I've never started a business or grown a business. Because I wanted to make seven figures like the buzzword right now. I think that when you are specialists with what you do, you understand why you are building out a platform, all of those things. So that's why I created Brilliant because I was having all these amazing conversations with my girlfriends that were running 789 figure businesses. And I'm like, I want to know that like I want to know, the behind-the-scenes nitty-gritty. I don't know if you remember two Hollywood stories, do remember those on a little bit. Yeah. Okay. So they were like all the behind-the-scenes stories of the celebrities, right? I don't know, I love those stories. Yeah, I like that kind of stuff. Why do I love doing what I do with inspired living TV because what we see is such a small piece of the big pie that person has the journey that they've gone through to be that person? So that's brilliant, really, for women that that want to build a brand, that feels on their heart that they want to make a big impact on the planet, even if they don't know how, but they just, they want to come to learn, they want to learn from other women that are doing it that are at the 2%. And be like, This is what I've learned. This is how you can do it. And so that's, that's amazing. That's like Christmas. For me. It's one of my favorite things. And then today on-camera training. I've run for over 10 years. And it's a very small intimate event six to seven people in a production studio, where and my head media coach Kelly day, really work with our clients on their on-camera presence on their messaging, we shoot their positioning video for the website, we bring in celebrity hair and makeup we bring in my celebrity photographer, like the women like leave and men come to but I will say there's a cloud that they leave on. Yeah. And they're so transformed because the two days really broke through some of those limiting beliefs and ideas that they had about who they were and who they could be. So that's a magical two-day event we run. Well. It used to be about every other month. Now it's about once a quarter. But yeah, those are two of the events that we hold, and we're getting ready to do more. And we're gonna do a big virtual event next year for people. So yeah, you know what I just I'm so excited about helping more people really share their genius with the world. You know, we're all online. And I feel like so many of us stay small because we don't really believe that we can be big. And, you know, we can not be born with the success gene, your abilities are just as much as mine. Yeah, you know, and so I really love cultivating, you know, the brands and businesses out there for people that have a heart to really serve.

Mandy:

Yes, that's awesome. I totally can relate. Because it's even when you realize, oh, yeah, I do have some dreams. And I do have some goals that I want to achieve. And I'm going to do it and I'm, and I'm taking the steps to do it. There are still little milestones along the way that will still make you go whoa, wait a minute. I'm not sure about this, you know, but then you have to just keep learning and keep going and keep just keep saying yes to the things

Keri:

the next. The next thing might just say yes to the next thing that feels right. Yeah. And you're going to make mistakes. And you're really not an entrepreneur, if you don't fail all the time, you know, and I was listening to an interview with Sara Blakely who started Spanx. I just love her story so much but when she got home from school, and they were all talking around the dinner table, her dad would ask her, How did you fail today? That's right. I haven't heard that story. Yeah. And I'm like, That's interesting. I need to ask my daughter because we're always like, what do you do? Honey? How are you doing today? Did you do well? You know, we condition people who, so they don't ever want to fail, right? But I'm telling you failing is the only way you really succeed. You know, we so much fail forward every day. And as an entrepreneur, if you're not failing, you're not growing, you're not testing, you're not tweaking, you're not experiencing all the things, there is no straight road to success. And that's what I really need someone to hear today that your journey is uniquely your own. And it's going to be paved with potholes. But you know, it's all part of just, I think, here's the thing, too, and I'm kind of on a tangent today. But okay, go ahead. I think we have this idea of, I'm going to start a business, I'm going to build a site, I'm going to launch a course, I'm going to do a video, and all of a sudden, all of our dreams show up Bada bing, bada boom. And we wait for the result. Like as soon as I get to six figures, as soon as I get to seven figures, as soon as I get to eight figures. And what happens is, we lose the joy of the daily experience of what it takes to get there anyway. And then when you get there, and you're like, that's it like, I wanted to make seven figures so bad. And now I'm here and I'm like, I have more money, more problems, right? 14 more things more this. And so I really want to encourage, you know, the person listening right now to enjoy the day, enjoy the journey, enjoy the little teeny steps, the celebrations, maybe you did your first live, maybe you just are like, You know what? I'm going to be on camera, and I'm just going to do it. Like, celebrate that. Yes. Because it's those little things that lead to the big thing. And then you get to the big thing. And you're like, oh, I want the next big thing, or what about this over here? And so that's just, I don't know, maybe I'm just talking to myself.

Mandy:
But you're Yeah, I mean, yes. It's so yes.

Keri:

You know, as a mom, and just as someone who's juggling so many things, I'll tell you, my husband and I will lay down sometimes at night and be like another day, like another day just flew by. And so we'll be living in gratitude and understanding that you know what, none of us know what tomorrow brings. Good Lord, right? Did we learn that in 2020? No one knows what tomorrow will bring. And so to really find time to enjoy the moments of today. As cliche as that sounds. That's all we got. That's all been promised. And stop. Stop waiting, I guess is what I'm saying. Like, stop waiting to reach the big milestone, because you'll get there. And you'll forget about all the things that you accomplished along the way. Yeah,

Mandy:

yeah. And the whole Yeah, being present in the moment. I'm really trying to be more mindful of that. lately. Yeah. And in fact, I did it. The other day when I was at my grandmother's house and my grandmother was there. My grandmother's 20 No, not 20. She's like, wow, Chaser, and we switch her. Her age is around. We said you were just 39 really? 93 But anyway, I  picked up my phone while I was sitting there, cuz I'm always taking pictures. Because you know, she's 93? I don't know. Yeah, she's gonna be here. Yeah. So I'm always taking pictures with her and stuff like that. But then I picked up my phone and started scrolling or whatever. I'm like, nana nana nana noon, and I get home and put it down.

Mandy:

Yeah, it's easy to get sucked into it. It is so addictive. It's so addictive. And they know that right. So I think it's also a great kind of segway. When it comes to video, you know, we're looking at what everyone else is doing. And then we compare like, oh my god, I can't do a really like that, or I don't look like that. Or oh my god, their video is so much better than mine. And, you know, they all started with poor videos, they all started, you know, with one person they didn't build, you know, a million-dollar, a million dollar a million-person following and most of those aren't real followers anyway, right? You know, just one day, you know, it doesn't happen overnight. It happens over time building a business is a marathon and is not a sprint, even though sometimes it feels like a sprint. It's really a long-term game. So you really your heart has to be in it. And your videos, you have to care so much about what you're sharing and who you're sharing it with, and why you're doing it. Or else, it's just another thing to do and you won't do it. You know, you're not going to do it. If it doesn't matter to you. If it doesn't matter to the person watching. Then it's just a talking head and you're doing something that you feel you have to do instead of cash, I get to show up. I don't have to audition. No one has to validate my worth. I can go live at any moment. Like I grew up with people telling me I'm no, no, no, no, you know, you're, you're too light or too dark. You're too thin. You're too fat. Like it's just, you know, and so to be in this amazing place right now, where there are zero barriers to entry. Like it's good and bad, right? Like everything's online. And there's a lot of noise and there's a lot of crap out there. But there are also people that are building huge businesses. Yeah. And it doesn't cost them a lot because they have This ability to show up think of all the people that are found and discovered on YouTube. You know, it's just amazing to me actually my first national hosting job ever with the Golf Channel. They found me on YouTube. Not so true.

Mandy:

So there you go. Yeah, that's awesome. So okay, so we're talking about showing up. Let's kind of talk about authenticity, because that is a word that gets thrown around all it's a buzzword. It's totally a buzzword, what's authentic? What's not? And what's the difference between being authentic and then being completely transparent?

Keri:

Mm hmm. Such a good question. So to me, authenticity is how you show up. And there are many times and I'm sure you or someone listening right now has maybe seen someone in person. Maybe they were bigger than life and super amazing. And then you met them behind the scenes. No sane person. Yeah. And so to me, authenticity is that there really is no difference between how I see you around the corner, how I see you at my kid’s school, versus how I see you online. Now you might be a little more judged, you might be a little more polished. But you are you, you know, and a great example of that every time I hear Brene Brown or every time I hear Glennon Doyle or I hear Gary Vee, like, there are people that they're just so authentically, so they're so who they are, they don't try to be anything they're not. And they've built huge brands because of that, you know, because, you know, Gary will say, I'm a lot for people. And if I'm not right for you, that's cool. I'm totally fine. But don't tell me not to cuss because I'm going to and if you don't like it, then don't follow me. And it's that sort of just like taking a stand for who you are. That is authenticity, talk, how you talk, use your language, use your expressions, like be all of you like that is authentic to me. Yeah, how I see you is who you are. Transparency, to me, is how much you share. And there's a difference. Like you can be super authentic and not be transparent. You can be super transparent, but not be authentic. So for me, I think the brands that really grow the massive audiences are this beautiful combination of both. You feel like you know them, you've built a level of trust with them. You feel a kindred-like connection, like, oh my gosh, I love her. I love him, or I get it. They’re talking to me like the biggest compliment. But there's also this level of transparency. That's like, look, my life is not rainbows and lollipops. Right? I go through struggles, too. And this is how I get through them. And I think that when we look at the brands that really make it over time, there is a level of transparency and authenticity that that brand really encapsulates and brings to the marketplace.

Mandy:

Right. So meshing, both of those are super important. Yeah. And I also think,

Keri:

you know, there's a fine line between, I don't need to know all your stuff. Yeah, I don't you don't, you don't need to rant on me. Like, you don't need to tell me all your dirty laundry like, but I think it's equally as important that you do share real-life things, I think it is important that you share your struggles and your wins. Because I think a good brand, like you, 're the guide, you're the guide, not the hero of your story. So show me the journey. Show me the ups and the downs and what you go through to get where, where I can go, right, I want to see myself in our story.

Mandy:

Right. Exactly. To connect into. Yeah, to be relatable. Yeah, super important. So what is the best way for entrepreneurs to leverage media to help build their brand?

Keri:

Well, I really think, you know, when I started my first business, which was interior design, back in my 20s, early 20s, I was the local interior design expert on our morning show, I was doing commercial work. When I owned my talent agency, I became a fashion expert, I would go to New York Fashion Week, and I would host local fashion events. I always use video and media to grow my business even before I knew it was a thing. Like I didn't know it wasn't a thing. It's just something that I love to do and am good at. So it always was something that I incorporated right. Now, again, we have these amazing billion-dollar platforms at our fingertips. And we also do teach our entrepreneurs how to go get, you know, more traditional media coverage as well. Because when you have that when you really leverage media, in your business, you automatically become the go-to expert, whether you are or not, like there's a level of trust when I see you on, you know, the news or I see you on a morning show or I see you on the Today Show, or I see you on Facebook every single week or I see you on LinkedIn. And here's the great thing, like when you can create your own show, people wait to be discovered. They wait for someone to give them a chance. They're like, I just want my own show. I'm like dude, go create it. There are 5 billion views a day. You know, I mean, go out there and create it. It's just amazing to me how simple it is. And yet it can be so overwhelming. Yeah, but I will say just start, start somewhere Pick, pick one day a week. At the same time, the same place, whatever platform you choose, and just do life, build an audience, because when you have an audience, here's the beautiful thing, Mandy, when you have an audience, you can actually sell stuff. Yeah, but the problem is, people spend all their time writing their books, starting their membership, and building their online courses.

And they don't have anybody, you know.

Keri:

They're like, Oh, my God, I just built this book, or I just, you know, I just bought the Amazon bestseller thing or whatever. And I'm like, but you don't have an email list. You don't have followers, you know. So to leverage media, I mean, gives you an opportunity to reach people all over the world. I mean, it truly is a global economy. And when you really think of who do I want to serve? How am I serving them? And how am I showing up so they know about me? It's like putting the puzzle pieces together. And the media is just a huge piece of that puzzle. Is it the only piece? No, you know, but I will say it's like, Hey, I'm amazing. But no one knows about me like the media is what allows you to get your message out. Right? Media is the megaphone.

Mandy:

Right? Media is the megaphone. I like the microphones really well. So what is magical about being authentic on camera?

Keri:

I think what's so magical is that people start, like literally crawling out of the woodwork. You know, sometimes, even though I've been doing this for 10,12 years, there are still times I'm like, does anyone watch? Does anyone care? Right? I'm doing all this work creating all this content. And I'm like, does anybody watch it? And you just said, you listen to my podcast, I appreciate that. But here's the great thing, I will get an email, I will get a DM, I will get people reaching out to me, like I did, actually, right before this podcast, this woman who's been following me for quite some time, she wants to come to brilliant, she's had to death in her family. She's a single mom, she's like, You have no idea how much your content has helped me. Like we don't know who we're serving and helping every day because they don't comment on everything. And they don't like everything. And I always say people will stalk you way before they like your way before they decide to buy from you. And so the magical thing about being authentic is that you're building relationships, even when you don't know it. That's true. And when you build relationships, you're building trust, and when you build trust people will buy from you. So I think that's what's so amazing. And I want to say like I get asked almost every week to be a part of someone's event or to speak on someone's stage or to be a guest on someone's podcast because I've authentically put out my message for years now that there's a level of trust that they have invited me to what they're doing.

Mandy:

That's awesome. Are you having to turn any of those down now? Just because yeah, sure

Keri:

I ever. Yeah, yeah. And what I'm finding in this particular place in my life is just and I've always known time was my greatest commodity, but even more so like, really, we're just hiring, we're building the team, my time just becomes more limited and more valuable, especially, you know, being a mom with a baby at home. So yes, I'm having to turn down more I'm trying, I have to be more discerning, which I don't like. I still do podcasts for people that don't have a big list or don't have a big following. Because I don't think it's all about the list size. I think it's about the heart and what they want to accomplish. And I still want to support those people. But unfortunately, there's just so much time in your day. And we are really busy at inspired living, producing our own events and putting out our own content. So it just becomes a matter of, you know, space and time. Yeah.

Mandy:

How many people do you have on your team working with you?

Keri:

Well, let's see here. I probably have about seven or eight employees now. And then we have a few contractors that support us as well. I will say one of the huge shifts I've made in the last couple of years is moving from contractor-based business to employees, which has been huge. It's been big in a lot of ways. Of course, now I'm personally responsible for lives and families, right, you know, that I employ for sure, no pressure on no pressure at all. But I will also say that I've never had such an amazing team because of the level of buy-in and commitment and like we are in this together, how can I support you? How can I mean it is the most amazing thing to see how they support one another because they're all in it for the greater vision of what we want to do and inspired living like it's so not the Kerry Murphy game. It's so much bigger than what I could ever do on my own. And I could not be here with you if I have an event in two weeks if I didn't have my team working on the behalf of the vision and what we're doing. So, you know, it can be really scary. I think one of the conversations I have so often with our clients is you know, they come to me as kind of a solopreneur and I'm like, Okay, look. If you want to make multiple six and seven figures, you cannot do it by yourself. You cannot like what's your best and highest use. By the way, video is one of the ways to leverage your greatness. So if you're not spending time doing the things that only you can do, then you are spending time doing things that bog you down that don't bring in revenue that is really the cog in that wheel, you know. And so I'm so grateful for my team, but it has been a huge shift because I had VAs and contractors working for me for quite some time. And it certainly got me to a certain level. But now I'm like, I want to die. I want all in. Yeah, yeah,

Mandy:

Absolutely. So maybe I'm looking, I'm thinking ahead now like, yeah, at some point in my life, that will be my story to. Okay, in your experience, what are the biggest challenges that women entrepreneurs face, and I think you've touched on it a little bit, but I'd like to just, I did definitely touch on it a little

Keri:

A bit. You know, we make videos all about us. We're so concerned with what we look like, we forget who we are like, I forget who we are. And that, you know, I grew up in the entertainment industry, my grandmother, I could not look like Marilyn Monroe. And God bless her like she was a really amazing woman. But I will say that I felt like she loved us, there are three girls in my family who really were dependent upon how beautiful she felt we were or, you know, like how thin we were or how well put together she grew up in a very different time, a different era. And so a lot of our life, we felt like our self-worth was really tied up in what we look like. And I will say that growing up, there's nothing that is part of me, I love to be a little glam. You know, I grew up I did pageants I ran, you know, Miss Portland, I got people to Miss America. Like, I do love feeling a certain way. But I now am more concerned about how I am sharing the message? Who am I reaching? And I think that as women, the thing that gets in our way is ourselves 1,000,000%. So you know, we feel like we have to look like Kim Kardashian. Which by the way, she doesn't even look like that. Like there's so much to get her to look like that. Like, let's just be real, like there's so much smoke and mirrors. And again, she's beautiful. And it's what she's built. So no shame to the Kardashians, but I'm just saying, That's not real, right? So we're aspiring to be this unattainable image. That who says that's beauty anyway. And by the way, people aren't buying from you. Like the latest skin care regimen. Do you know what I mean? It's like, yeah, and maybe they are so I hope you have good skin. But I'm just saying that, like, you have to think about what's my lane, who am I reaching? Yeah, why is what I'm sharing important for them to get out. And I will say one of the greatest mistakes I see is that when she finally gets the courage to show up, she doesn't know who she's talking to. And so there's a feeling of deflation because I'm not getting anything. I'm like, I've been doing a video for a month. And I'm like, Okay, that's great. Do it for three years and come back to me, right? Like, they're like, Hey, everyone, I'm so glad you're with me today. I'm Keri and I've had such a great day. Let me tell you about my coffee. It was so good this morning. My coffee was so great. I have this coconut creamer. Like, like no one cares. No one. Like they might care if you're like a lifestyle influencer. But other than that, like if you're a business owner like they don't really care about you. Like they want to know you. And they love that you share some of your behind-the-scenes. But everyone's time is precious. So just cut to it. Like, hey, you know what, I can help you get this result. Let's talk about it. Let's talk about that. Let's do this. Let's, you know, start your videos with what's in it for me instead of talking all about you. Because three to eight seconds, three to eight seconds to keep it can't get

Keri:

So when you go into this whole, like monologue about yourself and your life and how amazing or how hard or whatever, if I don't see myself in whatever it is that you're talking about, like if I don't see how it's pertinent to me. I'm off to something else. Like we're so selfish. We're also not in a bad way. We just, you know what I mean? It's like, what's in it for me? If there's nothing in it for me, then I'm not spending my time here.

Mandy:
Right. Yeah, exactly. Yeah. Man, that ad? I really wonder if all social media has been created to respond. I think so. I think it has to. I think it isn't me. Yeah.

Keri:

So isn't it funny, though, if you watch your behavior, how long you'll actually watch something before you move on. That's what stories are like: how they're so addicting. So you can just click click, move, move, move, you know, and we don't even take the time to like, we have to read the captions before we put the sound on, you know, it's just, you know what I'm saying? So that's why I just think it's so important that you're consistent with your message you show up because here's the thing on Sundays, I'm going to tap tap, tap, tap, and on other days, I'm going to listen, and I'm going to hold and what I feel like so many women and men Feels like Oh, I already shared that message I already I did alive last month or whatever

Mandy:

it's like, Okay, listen, everybody's forgotten about that by now,

Keri:

It is a different time, a different day, a different audience. That's the amazing thing about social media, you could say the same thing every 15 minutes and literally get a different audience. So it's about consistent messaging over time. Hands down, like consistent messaging over time, over, over, over, over. So when you think you've set it at nauseum, keep saying it, keep showing up, keep doing it, because it's that one person that's still waiting to hear from you, you know, and there are different ways to say what you do and how you help. And, you know, when people struggle with topics, I said, Listen, write a list of all the questions people ask you about the greatest challenges your client has or what's possible for them, once they get the results they're looking for. What did they try that hasn't worked? Work? What's their objection with working with you or doing this again, that you could have 20 to 30 topics in a hot second? If you just take a minute to think about what's in it for me? What's in it for the person who's watching?

Mandy:

Yeah, yeah, absolutely. So okay, man, you okay, you mentioned your, your baby, how old is your baby?

Keri:

19 months?

Mandy:

Oh, my gosh, yeah,

Keri:

I had, um, February of 2020. Before this, all shut down. And I will say, you know, it was actually the greatest blessing. My husband's a professional musician who tours. So we were both home and, and my business almost doubled. Which is so amazing. Yeah. Because we, when everyone else was like, we're just gonna wait till this goes away. We double down, we double down on advertising. We doubled down on events, we held a masterclass every eight weeks, like we showed up. And because we showed up, we got rewarded for that. And so for all of you who are thinking, You know what, it's too noisy, there's not a space for me, there is so much room for you. And it's only noisy when you're not clear with your message. Like when you're uncertain. I'm uncertain that you're talking to me. But when you're clear with your message, you know exactly when you press record that one person you're trying to reach on the other side of the lens. That's the magic. That really is. That's the magic of authenticity. When you show up, and someone is messaging you, stop talking to me, like how did you know that this is what I was going through? Because you know your person, so Wow. You know, that's

Mandy:

magic. Yeah. So being a mom. Yeah. Well, thankfully, you were able to be home, no problem, and work this business because you were already doing it anyway. And it was like not nine years. And

Keri:

At that point, yeah, I had a team. I mean, there's no doubt about it. I could not have done what I did last year if it was not for my right. No way. Yeah, yeah.

Mandy:

Yeah. So okay, so then let's just kind of veering off here a little bit. But for moms that aren't that established, they're wanting to maybe even just do a side hustle for now, or whatever. I mean, what would you say to them? Even though, you know, I'm sure they're gonna give you all the excuses, but it's too much. I'm a single mom, I got four kids, I can't, you know, I don't have what I

Keri:

I think you make time for anything that's important to you. Yeah. And when I had Lauren, my daughter, who's now six, I was a single mom for three years, I had no family. I just decided to have her on my own, and one of the greatest blessings of my entire life. So we can all tell ourselves stories of why we can and cannot do something. I remember that I would have had a nanny, even when I didn't think I could afford it. Like, how can I build my business? If I'm home with my daughter, I can't, you know, and she's this beautiful spirit. It's smart. You know, she's like, I want to have my own. I want to have my own job like Mommy, you know, and it's cool. And I was present with her. I spent a lot of time with her. It was just the two of us. But you know, from 10 to five, I worked my business, and then I would be with her. I'd put her to bed and I'd work my business at night. Like, is it a hustle? It is but I think that when you loved I loved it. I still love it. You know, there's this, it drove me nuts the other way around. And I think that when you start anything, it's truly like eating an elephant. I think starting a business in the first 1 to 3 1 to 5 years, tests, everything. Yeah, it tests your vision, it tests your resilience, it tests here, you’re why, like all of it. And if you can make it through the first three to five years, you're pretty good. But the problem is that we expect so much in the first 1 to 3 that we often give up. And that's why most businesses fail, right? They're underfunded, you don't realize how much money you need. And it's funny because I've never had a corporate job. But a lot of our clients have moved or they have a corporate job and they're doing the hustle on the side. You know, I always was that person that just jumped. I didn't know if it was at the bottom. I was just hoping and praying. But I did. I just have this risk factor in me that I'm like, Alright, what's the worst that can happen? I fell on my face. All right. But I know for a lot of people that's so scary to do that. And so I think that you have to just trust yourself. I think that it's really important to listen to your own intuition and If you don't believe in yourself, how do you ask anyone else to? So I think that it's really important that you just look at yourself in the mirror and say, you know, what, today's the day, what am I doing today to move me closer to my dream. And, you know, and like we talked about earlier, it's just taking the next step, don't worry about the five steps ahead of you, they're going to change anyway, you're going to take some steps and go, Oh, crap, I need to go over here now. So. And I will say, this has nothing to do with inspired living, whether you decide to work with us or not. It really is when I look back at what was a catalyst for the success I have in this company. And again, this is my third business. From the very beginning, I invested in a coach Ali Brown, I went through her online program. And what's so amazing is that I was scared to death because I had no money. When I signed up for her original, it was an online program. And then she just wanted all over the ground and started over. But then seven years later, I'm sitting at the table, in her premier group of other seven and eight-figure women in business. Awesome. I did not know how I was going to pay for her monthly membership. And then I'm sitting at the table with her. It just blows my mind. I'm taking that leap of faith that brought me to this place. And so it really is this kind of like a juxtaposition of trusting where you're at, but also taking a risk, you know, and you have to invest in yourself. You can't get somewhere you've never been. So like, go find a mentor, invest in coaching. It is best when you have a good coach. It's the best investment you'll ever have. Yeah, and I didn't even know what that was 10 years ago, I didn't know like, what's the coaching industry? You know, I went from interior design to owning a talent agency. I didn't know anything about this. But here I am today. And what's funny, though, I've always been a coach. I was a cheerleader coach, I was a coach. I was always coaching. I just didn't know who I was at the time. So yeah,

Mandy:

Yeah. As a teacher, we do that too. I quit teaching a year ago, after 15 years. Wow. And teaching middle school English. Oh. So it was just time to do something different. And I had to take that leap of faith. And it was. And I think that's one of the things you mentioned earlier, like I said, even to my boss, who's also my friend, I was like, I have to try even if I fall flat on my face, I have to try to do have to try. I have to try. Yeah, so

Keri:

good for you. Well, you keep going,

Mandy:

I'm gonna keep on keep on trucking

Keri:

Keep ongoing.

Mandy:

So tell us about okay, you spend your whole life you know, inspiring everybody else. And so what is it that inspires and motivates you? And how do you recharge?

Keri:

It's a good question, actually. It's funny because as much and this has been carried since I was a little girl, as much as I love to be on. And I love to be on stage, I love to be around people. I also really love to be alone. When I was a little girl, I would go into my bedroom when all my whole family was watching movies. And I would be rearranging my room, I rearranged my room so many times, furniture was broken. There were so many holes in the wall. And what's so funny growing up in Oregon Mandy, my whole room was palm trees and dolphins. So it's funny that I live in Southern California, where I see palm trees, palm trees and dolphin sun. Yeah. So it's just so funny when I look back at that time, but I will say I recharge honestly by trying to be alone, which is almost impossible with children. So you know, I go for walks. I do yoga, I taught group exercise for 20 years. So for me, physical activity is still really important. I try to spend time with friends and my family. Definitely. I will try to get back to Oregon as much as I can. That's where they all are. But I will say those quiet moments actually inspire me more than I want to go out for a girl’s night or I want to go to a big party. Like I actually just I'm kind of homey I like going out. But I like doing small things where I'm intimate with people because I'm always like, on in on all the time. Yeah, yeah. But I also say I get really charged up doing events or being in a room with people seeing people transform in front of my eyes seeing someone start a business they've always dreamt of and seeing it exciting, which Yeah, so I will say what I do also inspires me but it is this really interesting kind of just, you know, on being on but also making sure I have time just to be by myself.

Mandy:

Right? You have that alone time. Yes. Yes, God

Keri:

it's far and few between at the moment. That's why some days I'm like, I just need an hour walk. I just don't get out and just listen to a podcast or go walk around

Mandy:

and just breathe it in. Breathe it while listening to the bird. Yes. Good. All the flowers, things like that. Yeah. I love that. I love it. So what big obstacles have you overcome in your life and how?

Keri:

I think for me, one of the greatest obstacles was losing, you know, the talent agency back in 2008. And, you know, I had been divorced. I was married in my 20s. Great guy just not the Forever guy. And so I think we all have obstacles that we go through adversity that challenges, you know, who we think we are, what we think we're capable of the level of resilience that we have. And I will say when I, when I lost the talent agency, it was such a devastating time in my life, because like I said, that was really who I thought I was, is, you know, big fish, small town. And I didn't have a plan B, and I loved what I did. And so, but I also, I'm a woman of faith. So I just, I always knew there was something greater, I knew this was going to be like the end of me. But I will say the greatest obstacle was overcoming that time in my life where all the material things I had were gone. All the like notoriety, or who I thought I was, was stripped away. I had no family out here, I moved seven times in three years. Wow, I signed with a top agent out here. So I was working for EA and MTV. But it was shallow. Like, I was so used to running my own businesses. At that point, I was 10 years in as an entrepreneur. And here I am just waiting for someone to tell me I'm good enough to do the thing I know I meant to be doing anyway. And so, you know, I think for most of the women I talked to as well. I'm like, Stop waiting for validation. Stop waiting for someone to tell you, you're good enough, just trust that you are just making yourself good enough, go out there, like, we all are just such amazing humans. And yet we wait for someone to say, You know what, Mandy, you should quit your teaching job and go pursue your dream. Like we wait for that validation, because it's our fear, right? That keeps us so bogged down in poor relationships, or a job we don't like, and I'm telling you, like, I just I'm not willing to do that life is too short. So I think looking back on my life, there have been so many obstacles, I don't want to get into all of them. And look at the ones that were really kind of like them, the catalysts of being here now. You know, it was ending, you know, a relationship back in my you know, I was 30 when my marriage ended. And that was really hard. Because, again, you're just so conditioned to grow up, get a job, get married, start a family, and there's this level of failure when that doesn't happen. And I just got married this year, you know, yeah. 46 To the, you know, love of my life. We've had a baby, we've been together for four years. And, you know, it's like, you know what? Society doesn't have to, like, do tell you to dictate. Thank you. Yeah, what is right for you? I think it's really important for you to decide what's right for you. And it's never too late, you know, again, having a baby at 40 Single mom met Michael. We just had a baby together. Like, I just do you? Yes, I'm like, do your life is way too short to do anything else it is.

Mandy:

And that was another thing that I had thought about whenever before I left teaching, like, first of all, I was miserable. Yeah. And I'm like, I can't live the rest of my life. Like, this is ridiculous. Life's too short to intellect. And I was almost 50. So I was like, oh, not doing this anymore. I cannot do this anymore.

Keri:

And think about this. Maybe if you were miserable, even though I'm sure you were an amazing teacher. Those kids weren't getting what they needed, either. No, they weren't, you know, and I think sometimes we stay in a relationship or we stay in a job because we feel like Oh, my God, what's going to happen when I leave? Or what will my kids think? Or oh, my God, what? How is my company going to keep moving or whatever? And I'm telling you, if it's not right for you, it's not right for them. Right? You know, something really, and even if a team member decides to leave, you know, as devastated as I am, sometimes I'm like, you know, what, if it's not right for you, it's not right for me. And that's what we have to remember.

Mandy:
Yeah, that's true. Yeah. Cuz I was like, I realized later that, as miserable as I was, I was making other people around me miserable, too. And I didn't mean to do that. But that's how it happened. That's yeah. And so I knew that you know, nobody could make my decision for me. Nobody, as you said earlier is like, there's nobody waiting around just to swoop down and save you from your misery. Right? You've got to do that. You have to take a step, you have to make a decision. And it was a hard one to make. Yeah. And I was and like you said, I was, you know, worried about What about the kid, I don't want to disappoint my students. I don't want to disappoint my co-workers and things like that. But really, they didn't care. I mean, yeah, they're like, Okay, you know, whatever, you know. So yeah, you have to, you just have to take that step. And it's scary. But once you've done it, and or at least once you've made the decision to do it, man and wait, can just lift off of Yeah. Yes. Amazing and amazing feeling. So for sure. So can you tell us about any mistakes that you've ever made or a particular mistake, or about a time that you had no idea what you were doing? And how did it pan out?

Keri:

Well, I mean, how long? How long do you want this interview to go? There have been so many mistakes, but here's what I want to say about those. I'm so grateful for all of them. Yeah, I think that, like I was saying earlier, being an entrepreneur is making mistakes, being willing to make mistakes, I have hired people I knew I should not have hired, I have invested money in programs and things that I knew were an energetic fit for me. I have, like, tried to squeeze myself into a square peg when I am round like, and I will say though, I'm so grateful I did that because now I have a different level of insight. Yeah. And, and just yet expertise and what I will and will not do. I think one of the things that I've learned that has really been incredible in helping me grow, just even as a mom, and as a human, is really spending time breathing, whether you pray or meditate, but just finding your breath, taking five to 10 minutes a day to be still, when you are in a struggle to like stop and breathe, instead of looking for external, like, validation or resources as to what your decision should be, like, really trusting yourself. Because I will tell you, every single time I go against my intuition, I get kicked in the hiney every time, every time. Yeah. And so it's just learning to trust that, you know, whether you're a man or a woman, we all have intuition. We all know, like when something feels right, or doesn't. And I'm telling you, every time I go against that, it's the biggest kick in the butt. So um, so I would say that there have been so many mistakes. I'm grateful for all of them, huge, you know, huge money, mistakes, Team mistakes, partner mistakes, like all the things but Right. Um, but you know what, it's made me who I am. And I'm thankful for that.

Mandy:
Absolutely. Yeah. Always learn from him all I tell you. Yeah, sure. Do. So what is your vision for your life for the next five years?

Keri:

Oh, it's always a hard question. I think because I'm so like Walt Disney, I don't know. It's bright and sparkly. And it's out there, you know, I just really see us reaching more people. It's my heart and my intention for inspired living to be a company that gets known for transforming lives all around the world, but really helps people find their voice and share their message and become a catalyst for good. Inspired living to me isn't just about teaching entrepreneurs, entrepreneurs, how to be on camera. It's about teaching entrepreneurs, how to generate revenue, how to leverage their gifts, how to make a massive impact on the planet. And because of that, they're rewarded in abundance, and they give it back like social entrepreneurship, which for me is something that I'm really passionate about creating. So I don't know, I have no idea. If you asked me that question five years ago, right? I was. I was not with my husband. I did not have a baby. I did not live two blocks from the ocean. I did you know, so I don't know. I just know that I'm committed to what I'm doing. And trust that it's all going to show up the way that it should. That's awesome. Awesome. Awesome. It's funny because I'm not a business plan person. And I know, dear friends who are like, have a business plan, you will not succeed. No, I, I just I've never had one, but I'm sure they're amazing. Share their strategy. Do I have goals? Do we have like, I have a content calendar, we know what we're doing all through 2022? So it's not like I don't have a plan. But I never sat down and like, I'm gonna write my business plan. I'm not saying it's a bad idea. I think it's probably a great idea. I'm just 22 years old, I've never done that. I actually think I did it in college once for a project. But that was it.

Mandy:
Yeah, I have never done one either. In the idea of it just makes me cringe. Yeah. Again, when I do people just want to do,

Keri:
I'm not saying not to have one. So I'm gonna say, do you?

Mandy:
Yeah, exactly. Well, Carrie, what? How can everybody get a hold of you? How can they get in contact with you and reach out to you?

Keri:

Well, I would say come to the home online, which is inspired living.tv There is so much free content, we have this amazing be studio ready guide. Because I always get asked like, What equipment do I need? You know, do I need fancy equipment to get started? How do I set up my home studio? What do I need it to look like? So we give you all those answers in this really beautiful PDF, you can go print it out right now. Awesome, at inspired living tv. And then I would say Instagram is a great place. We're always there. I'm personally on that page all the time. And, and yet, DM me to reach out. I always love to hear from people and if there's a way that we can support you, we would love to do that.

Mandy:

Awesome. Awesome. Awesome. Well, thank you so much for being here, Carrie. I really, really appreciate it. And I've learned so much from you just in this hour’s conversation and I appreciate your being here. So I'm gonna don't go away. I'm gonna just stop the recording here in a second. But, but thank you so much for being here. Appreciate your time.

Keri:

You're welcome.