230: Your Million-Dollar Course Idea Is Already in You (and How to Find It)

Ever wondered if online courses are still worth it in 2025? With AI, free content everywhere and a crowded market, you might be questioning whether your audience would really pay for one.In today’s episode, I chat with Sara Vezensek, who went from private chef on luxury superyachts to building her freedom-based business online. We dive into the realities of online courses, what makes them succeed (or flop), and why YOU already have a million-dollar course idea inside you.Here’s what we cover:Sara’s story from “golden cage” yachting life to online coaching freedomWhy online courses are still thriving in 2025 (if done right)How to figure out your course idea when you feel “not expert enough”The biggest reason most online courses fail (and how to avoid it)Pricing and mindset tips to sell with confidenceListen in to get inspired and finally take action on that course idea you’ve been sitting on!ABOUT SARA VEZENSEK:Sara Vezensek grew up in Slovenia, a place where the luxury yacht world wasn’t even something people believed was real outside of movies. But by her early 20s, she was living it: working as a private chef on superyachts, flying private, managing million-dollar deals, and earning $10K/month. From the outside, it looked like a dream. But on the inside, she felt trapped, constantly on call, and completely disconnected from her own freedom and purpose. Now, she’s an online business coach and mentor who helps ambitious women turn their lived experience into profitable, freedom-based businesses. Sara is known for helping her clients package their brilliance into high-impact offers, shift their money mindset, and finally stop trading time for money. She’s bold, real, and passionate about showing women how to build a business that actually supports the life they want.CONNECT WITH SARA:Website: www.saravezcoach.comFREE offers: https://sara-vezensek.mykajabi.com/freedownloadshereInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/saravezensek/Intro 0:00Interview 1:18Wrap Up 42:08Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/R5dHVO7fRnkRead on the Blog: http://whitedeer.com.au/ep230/WORK WITH JACQUI:// DIY Design My Biz: The best course for business owners DIYing their own brand and graphics in Canva. Learn more: https://whitedeer.com.au/diy-dmb// The Co+Creation Design Club: Design WITH the help of a professional designer in this high-touch coaching space: https://whitedeer.com.au/designclub// Design Studio: If you’re after fully done-for-you design services my studio team can help! https://whitedeer.com.au/designstudio

If your Canva feels like chaos and your feed feels like a guessing game, no matter how hard you try, nothing just falls together...you’re not alone. That’s exactly what today’s episode is all about. In the first four episodes, we covered your Foundations (B), Aesthetic (U), Identity Toolkit (I), and Logo (L). Now we top the pyramid with D, Design Suite. It’s what brings your brand together, makes your graphics cohesive, and saves you HOURS of time and overwhelm in Canva.Key Takeaways:Fonts, colours, elements create cohesionBuild an at‑a‑glance brand style guide or “mini style guide” as a referenceTemplates ≠ random pretty thingsCanva Pro’s Brand Kit is your bestieA properly built design suite can slash your design time from an hour to five‑ten minutes per post.Want help building your own Design Suite? Get your free ticket to the Design Masterclass 👉 www.whitedeer.com.au/designmasterclassIntro 0:00Recapping the Build Brand Method 1:13Design Suite 2:49Graphics Examples 4:21Questions to ask 7:56PSA 11:19Wrapping up 12:18Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/u7lJiYnVGrERead on the Blog: https://whitedeer.com.au/ep229/WORK WITH JACQUI:// DIY Design My Biz: The best course for business owners DIYing their own brand and graphics in Canva. Learn more: https://whitedeer.com.au/diy-dmb// The Co+Creation Design Club: Design WITH the help of a professional designer in this high-touch coaching space: https://whitedeer.com.au/designclub// Design Studio: If you’re after fully done-for-you design services my studio team can help! https://whitedeer.com.au/designstudio

If your logo is “fine” but doesn’t feel like you, attract the right clients, or work across platforms... it’s probably not doing its job.In this episode, I’m diving into why logos should come after brand foundations, the difference between pretty and purposeful, and how to make your logo work everywhere from websites to socials.What You’ll Learn:Why your logo should be one of the last things you designWhat makes a logo purposeful, not just prettyKey mistakes that make logos clunky or hard to useWhat to include (and exclude!) in a clean logoWhy your logo supports (not defines) your full brandHow to design logos in Canva properlyGet your free ticket to the Design Masterclass 👉 https://www.whitedeer.com.au/designmasterclassIntro 0:00Business Award Story 1:27Tip 1 3:55Tip 2 5:25Tip 3 6:55Tip 4 8:07PSA 10:11Tip 5 10:52Tip 6 11:07Tip 7 11:42Tip 8 11:57Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/LvAdNyigY-gRead on the Blog: https://whitedeer.com.au/ep228/WORK WITH JACQUI:// DIY Design My Biz: The best course for business owners DIYing their own brand and graphics in Canva. Learn more: https://whitedeer.com.au/diy-dmb// The Co+Creation Design Club: Design WITH the help of a professional designer in this high-touch coaching space: https://whitedeer.com.au/designclub// Design Studio: If you’re after fully done-for-you design services my studio team can help! https://whitedeer.com.au/designstudio

Inconsistent fonts. Off-brand colours. Visuals that feel “meh.” Sound familiar? It’s not just a design issue, it’s a TRUST issue.This is part 3 of the Build Brand Method series and we’re diving into your Identity Toolkit...a key design decision that builds INSTANT trust and makes designing in Canva faster, easier, and more professional.Inside this episode, I’ll show you:The 3 design decisions more important than a logoWhy fonts reflect personality (and how to choose the right ones)How colour combos create connection and consistencyThe difference between polished DIY vs Canva clutterThe bonus element that pulls your whole brand togetherGet your free ticket to the Design Masterclass 👉 www.whitedeer.com.au/designmasterclassIntro 0:00Your identity toolkit 1:12Fonts 2:16Colours 4:35Bonus tip 9:21Wrap up 10:21Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/JQTDHvFvn98Read on the Blog: https://whitedeer.com.au/ep227/WORK WITH JACQUI:// DIY Design My Biz: The best course for business owners DIYing their own brand and graphics in Canva. Learn more: https://whitedeer.com.au/diy-dmb// The Co+Creation Design Club: Design WITH the help of a professional designer in this high-touch coaching space: https://whitedeer.com.au/designclub// Design Studio: If you’re after fully done-for-you design services my studio team can help! https://whitedeer.com.au/designstudio

If you’ve ever opened Pinterest for brand inspiration and ended up lost in a rabbit hole of pretty-but-useless pins… you’re not alone.In this episode (Part 2 of my Build Brand Method series), I’m showing you exactly how to use Pinterest strategically to create a mood board that actually helps you design your brand.Whether you’ve never thought of using Pinterest for branding OR you’ve tried but felt overwhelmed, I’ll walk you through:The 3 biggest mistakes people make when pinning for brand inspirationSearch terms that will give you way better resultsHow to spot patterns that will clarify your brand’s colours, fonts, and styleWhy “vibe” images aren’t enough (and what to pin instead)How to use AI tools to spark even more inspirationPLUS, I’m sharing a free masterclass to help you design a brand that actually reflects your expertise and attracts your dream audience.Get your free ticket to the Design Masterclass 👉 www.whitedeer.com.au/designmasterclassIntro 0:00Unlock your aesthetic 1:56Pinterest isn't enough 2:33Mistake 1 4:32Mistake 2 5:34Mistake 3 6:34Let me help you 8:34Bonus tip 9:48Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/VSPF2pYjxhIRead on the Blog: https://whitedeer.com.au/ep226/WORK WITH JACQUI:// DIY Design My Biz: The best course for business owners DIYing their own brand and graphics in Canva. Learn more: https://whitedeer.com.au/diy-dmb// The Co+Creation Design Club: Design WITH the help of a professional designer in this high-touch coaching space: https://whitedeer.com.au/designclub// Design Studio: If you’re after fully done-for-you design services my studio team can help! https://whitedeer.com.au/designstudio

If you’ve been feeling like your brand is “fine” but not WOW… chances are, you’re missing this step.Today I’m kicking off my Build Brand Model series by breaking down the very first thing you need to get right if you want a brand that’s magnetic, consistent, and actually works for your business.Before you even open Canva or pick a colour palette, you need this foundation in place...because when you skip it, you end up with visuals that look nice… but don’t convert.In this episode, we cover:The first (and most important) step in building a premium brandWhy starting here will make every design decision easierHow this step helps you attract clients who actually want to pay youThe biggest mistake business owners make when DIYing their brandingWhat’s coming next in the Build Brand ModelGet your free ticket to the Design Masterclass 👉 www.whitedeer.com.au/designmasterclassIntro 0:00Build Brand Method 1:17Wow Model 4:50Things to think about 10:30PSA 12:15Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/ZgZsQ5XSGf0Read on the Blog: https://whitedeer.com.au/ep225/WORK WITH JACQUI:// DIY Design My Biz: The best course for business owners DIYing their own brand and graphics in Canva. Learn more: https://whitedeer.com.au/diy-dmb// The Co+Creation Design Club: Design WITH the help of a professional designer in this high-touch coaching space: https://whitedeer.com.au/designclub// Design Studio: If you’re after fully done-for-you design services my studio team can help! https://whitedeer.com.au/designstudio

Ever wondered if your gorgeous website and emails are missing the mark for millions of people with vision or hearing differences? In this guest podcast episode, Erin Perkins, deafblind accessibility educator and CEO of Mabely Q, joins me to share how small changes can create massive inclusivity in your business and boost trust, engagement & retention.Key TakeawaysAccessibility isn’t just a checkboxSimple, non-overwhelming steps you can start TODAYReal insight into what’s actually working (and what isn’t) for people with vision/hearing lossTools and tips that you can implement right nowABOUT ERIN:Erin Perkins is the CEO of Mabely Q and a deafblind accessibility educator. With limited vision and hearing (she uses a cochlear implant and hearing aid), Erin brings lived experience to her work. After years of collaborating with coaches and creative entrepreneurs, she realized how little most people understood about accessibility—especially digital accessibility. Today, she helps businesses make their content and platforms more inclusive to build trust, increase engagement, and drive retention. Erin believes accessibility isn’t a checkbox—it’s a business growth strategy."CONNECT WITH ERIN:Website: www.mabelyq.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/mabely_qLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/erineperkinsAsk Erin Anything: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1253906150049?aff=oddtdtcreatorWatch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/gcx_vbUdXdsRead on the Blog: https://whitedeer.com.au/ep224/WORK WITH JACQUI:// DIY Design My Biz: The best course for business owners DIYing their own brand and graphics in Canva. Learn more: https://whitedeer.com.au/diy-dmb// The Co+Creation Design Club: Design WITH the help of a professional designer in this high-touch coaching space: https://whitedeer.com.au/designclub// Design Studio: If you’re after fully done-for-you design services my studio team can help! https://whitedeer.com.au/designstudio

Can you believe how much has changed since 2015? TikTok didn’t exist, Canva was new, and the iPhone 6 was “cutting-edge.” Fast forward to now, and branding and business look totally different. In this episode, I unpack the radical shifts in tech, consumer behaviour, content expectations, and brand design, so you can stay ahead of the curve in 2025 and beyond.Marketing today requires more platforms, more content, and more connectionCanva raised the bar, so your design strategy must be sharper than everPeople crave real community and connection with YOU, not a faceless businessConsistency builds brand recognisability and trustYou don’t need to do more, just get smarter with repurposing and designIntro 0:00Looking back 1:12What's changing 5:46Comparing then to now 11:00Tips to take away 15:49Wrapping up 17:11Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/vpJ39Fz--LwRead on the Blog: https://whitedeer.com.au/ep223/WORK WITH JACQUI:// DIY Design My Biz: The best course for business owners DIYing their own brand and graphics in Canva. Learn more: https://whitedeer.com.au/diy-dmb// The Co+Creation Design Club: Design WITH the help of a professional designer in this high-touch coaching space: https://whitedeer.com.au/designclub// Design Studio: If you’re after fully done-for-you design services my studio team can help! https://whitedeer.com.au/designstudio

Running a business that feels good and gives you freedom doesn't just happen by accident. In this behind-the-scenes episode, I chat candidly with my biz bestie Hazal (marketing coach extraordinaire) about how we're using this mid-year moment to reset, reflect, and intentionally map out our next big moves...including our first ever Escape & Expand Retreat!From juggling business with kids to globe-trotting while working part-time, we share what they're letting go of, how they're expanding, and why it's so important to stop, reflect, and dream bigger no matter what season you're in.In this episode:Why doing a mid-year reset can be a game-changer for your businessWhat Jacqui's focusing on right now (and how she's rewriting her signature course)How Hazal is leaning into leadership and audacity in her next business chapterThe real reason success doesn't always mean "more, more, more"All the juicy details on the Escape & Expand Retreat in DaylesfordJoin the Escape & Expand Retreat: https://escapeandexpand.my.canva.site/retreatABOUT GUEST:Hazal is a marketing genius turned powerhouse coachfor brilliant women who feel like they're blending in when they were born to stand out. With over a decade of experience in corporate marketing, including supporting multi-billion-dollar businesses, Hazal founded Hey Hazal and created The Self-Makers Mastermind, the home for talented entrepreneurs who want to own their brilliance, carve out their unique edge, and build a sales system that positions them as the leader they were meant to be.Inside her mastermind, Hazal’s clients aren’t just growing their businesses, they’re booking out offers months in advance, creating offers that sell themselves, 13x’ing their revenue, and building businesses that feel FUN to run. She's also the host of the top-charting Self-Makers Podcast, where she reminds you: You don’t need to change who you are to be seen as the absolute best at what you do.CONNECT WITH GUEST:https://www.instagram.com/hey.hazal/Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/uqyVgJyG74sRead on the Blog: https://whitedeer.com.au/ep222/WORK WITH JACQUI:// DIY Design My Biz: The best course for business owners DIYing their own brand and graphics in Canva. Learn more: https://whitedeer.com.au/diy-dmb// The Co+Creation Design Club: Design WITH the help of a professional designer in this high-touch coaching space: https://whitedeer.com.au/designclub// Design Studio: If you’re after fully done-for-you design services my studio team can help! https://whitedeer.com.au/designstudio

This episode is a little different... in the best way. I went totally off-script and let ChatGPT throw some questions at me that I think YOU would want to ask. Think of it like a friendly, unfiltered chat about all things design, business, Canva, and life.Here’s what I answer:What to do when you hit a creative rut (and why boundaries can spark creativity)My favourite new Canva feature (it’s a game-changer for planning!)Do I think design or messaging is more important?How motherhood made me outsource and grow my bizIs my home aesthetic like my brand? Nope.What I’d do differently if starting my biz againWatch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/SwtSTXXm1p4Read on the Blog: https://whitedeer.com.au/ep221/WORK WITH JACQUI:// DIY Design My Biz: The best course for business owners DIYing their own brand and graphics in Canva. Learn more: https://whitedeer.com.au/diy-dmb// The Co+Creation Design Club: Design WITH the help of a professional designer in this high-touch coaching space: https://whitedeer.com.au/designclub// Design Studio: If you’re after fully done-for-you design services my studio team can help! https://whitedeer.com.au/designstudio