Two Weeks Notice

Are you ready to stop working for someone else’s dream and start building your own? The path to becoming your own boss is simpler than you think – and it starts with finding your 'why.'

1. Find Your "Why" and Plan Your Exit

The first step to starting your own business is understanding why you want to leave your current job. Your "why" is the driving force that will keep you motivated when challenges arise. For the author, Amy Porterfield, her "why" became clear when she found herself working on her best friend’s wedding day. That moment of realization pushed her to pursue a life where she could control her time and energy.

Once you’ve identified your "why," it’s time to set a date for your exit. This isn’t about making a rash decision but about creating a clear timeline to transition from your current job to your new venture. Amy suggests choosing a date that the bravest version of yourself would pick. Write it down, put it somewhere visible, and let it serve as a daily reminder of your commitment.

However, leaving your job without preparation isn’t wise. Amy outlines three steps to build your "runway" before you quit: define your starter business idea, create a financial plan to cover your basic needs, and publish one piece of content online to start building your presence. These steps ensure you’re not leaping into the unknown but stepping into a well-thought-out plan.

Examples

• Amy’s "why" was sparked by missing out on personal moments, like her best friend’s wedding.
• She wrote her exit date on a sticky note and placed it on her bathroom mirror for daily motivation.
• Her first piece of content was a simple social media post, which eventually led to her creating digital courses.

2. Start Small with Your 10-Percent Edge

You don’t need a groundbreaking idea to start a business. Instead, focus on your "10-percent edge" – an area where you know just a bit more than the average person. Amy discovered her edge while working for Tony Robbins. She realized her knowledge of online marketing was valuable, even if she wasn’t the top expert in the field.

To find your edge, think about what people often ask you for advice on. Maybe it’s parenting tips, fitness routines, or crafting skills. Your unique perspective and experience can make you stand out, even in a crowded market. The key is to start with what you know and build from there.

Amy recommends brainstorming business ideas for three days without judgment. Once you have a list, narrow it down to three ideas and spend 20 minutes brainstorming how each could become a business. Research existing products in your chosen area to see what’s already working and identify gaps you can fill.

Examples

• Amy’s edge was her knowledge of online marketing, which she turned into digital courses.
• A student of hers used their expertise in dog training to create a coaching business.
• Another entrepreneur turned their passion for vegan cooking into a subscription-based meal plan service.

3. Define Your Ideal Customer

Not everyone will resonate with your business, and that’s okay. Instead of trying to appeal to everyone, focus on your ideal customer. Amy suggests creating a detailed "customer avatar" to guide your decisions. This fictional person represents the type of customer you want to attract.

To create your avatar, think about their age, career, hobbies, struggles, and goals. For Amy, her ideal customer is Dana, a 39-year-old mom of two who dreams of starting her own online business to spend more time with her kids. This clarity helps Amy tailor her content and products to meet Dana’s needs.

Your customer avatar becomes your North Star. Every piece of content, product, or service you create should be designed with them in mind. This approach ensures you’re building a business that truly serves your audience.

Examples

• Amy’s avatar, Dana, is a busy mom who wants to balance work and family life.
• A fitness coach might target young professionals looking for quick, effective workouts.
• A parenting blogger could focus on first-time parents seeking practical advice.

4. Create Valuable Content Consistently

Content is the backbone of any online business. It’s how you attract and engage your audience. Amy emphasizes the importance of creating long-form content, such as blog posts, videos, or podcasts, that provides real value to your audience. This content builds trust and positions you as an authority in your field.

Start by choosing one platform that aligns with your audience’s preferences. For example, if your audience loves visual content, focus on YouTube or Instagram. Once you’ve chosen your platform, commit to a regular schedule. Amy found that releasing her podcast weekly significantly boosted her business.

Don’t worry about giving away too much for free. The more value you provide, the more likely your audience will be to invest in your paid offerings. Repurpose your long-form content into smaller pieces for social media to maximize its reach.

Examples

• Amy’s weekly podcast helped her triple her profits.
• A nutritionist could create a YouTube series on meal prep tips.
• A career coach might write blog posts on acing job interviews.

5. Choose the Right Revenue Model

There are three main ways to make money online: coaching and consulting, service-based work, and digital courses. Each model has its pros and cons, so choose the one that best fits your skills and audience.

Coaching and consulting involve working directly with clients, either one-on-one or in groups. This model is great for personalized services but can be time-intensive. Service-based work involves delivering a specific service, like graphic design or meal delivery. Digital courses allow you to package your knowledge into a product that can be sold repeatedly.

Amy’s business focuses on digital courses, which provide passive income and scalability. However, she encourages entrepreneurs to start with the model that feels most achievable and evolve as their business grows.

Examples

• A dog trainer offers one-on-one coaching sessions to help owners train their pets.
• A graphic designer creates logos and branding packages for small businesses.
• Amy’s digital courses teach online marketing strategies to aspiring entrepreneurs.

6. Set Your Prices with Confidence

Pricing your product can be intimidating, but it’s essential to get it right. Start by determining your monthly revenue goal. Then, calculate how many products or services you can realistically deliver in a month. Divide your revenue goal by this number to find your price point.

For example, if you need to make $1,500 a month and can deliver five products a week, you’ll need to charge $75 per product. Don’t undervalue your work – remember, your time and expertise are worth paying for.

Amy also advises testing your pricing and adjusting based on customer feedback. It’s better to start with a higher price and offer discounts than to start too low and struggle to raise your rates later.

Examples

• A meal planner charges $75 per custom plan to meet their $1,500 monthly goal.
• A life coach offers a $500 package for four weekly sessions.
• Amy’s digital courses are priced to reflect the value of her expertise.

7. Build a Simple Online Presence

You don’t need a fancy website to start your business. A basic site with a home page, about page, contact page, and content page is enough. Focus on providing clear information and making it easy for customers to connect with you.

Social media can also be a powerful tool for building your presence. Choose platforms that align with your audience and use them to share valuable content and engage with your followers. Scheduling tools can help you stay consistent without feeling overwhelmed.

As your business grows, you can invest in improving your website and expanding your online presence. But in the beginning, simplicity is key.

Examples

• Amy started with a simple website and grew her online presence over time.
• A yoga instructor uses Instagram to share tips and promote their classes.
• A writer creates a Substack newsletter to connect with their audience.

8. Embrace Failure as Part of the Process

Failure is inevitable when starting a business, but it’s also an opportunity to learn and grow. Amy’s first digital course launch was a flop, but she used the experience to refine her approach and eventually build an eight-figure business.

Instead of fearing failure, view it as a stepping stone to success. Analyze what went wrong, make adjustments, and try again. The most successful entrepreneurs are those who persevere through setbacks.

Remember, your "why" should be stronger than your doubts. Let it guide you through the ups and downs of entrepreneurship.

Examples

• Amy’s first course failed, but she used the feedback to improve her next launch.
• A baker experiments with new recipes until they find a bestseller.
• A fitness coach refines their program based on client feedback.

9. Set Boundaries to Protect Your Time

As your own boss, it’s easy to overwork yourself. That’s why setting boundaries is essential. Decide what you’re willing to do – and what you’re not – and stick to it. This might mean limiting your work hours, saying no to certain clients, or delegating tasks.

Boundaries help you maintain a healthy work-life balance and prevent burnout. They also show your clients that you value your time and expertise. Don’t be afraid to enforce them – your business will thrive when you’re at your best.

Examples

• Amy sets clear expectations with her clients to avoid unrealistic demands.
• A freelancer limits their work hours to avoid burnout.
• A coach delegates administrative tasks to focus on their clients.

Takeaways

1. Identify your "why" and set a clear exit date to transition from your current job to your new business.
2. Create valuable, consistent content that speaks directly to your ideal customer and builds trust.
3. Start small with your 10-percent edge, and don’t be afraid to adjust your business model as you grow.