740: From Bakery Owner to Blogger - Lessons in Organic Growth and Creative Freedom with Mimi Council

Matt Molen teaches us how to transform email from a dreaded chore into a powerful, money-making, audience-building machine. Matt Molen is the CEO of Email Crush (emailcrush.com) and the creator of Email on Autopilot (emailonautopilot.com), the course that helps creators grow email lists fast, send stuff people actually open, and automate the rest so it runs while you sleep. He’s helped hundreds of bloggers go from “Ugh, I should really send a newsletter…” to “Whoa, email is an awesome traffic driver!” Whether you want to DIY your strategy or hand it off completely, Matt’s your guy. His boutique agency runs email for some of the biggest creators online, the ones whose content you’ve read, bookmarked, or binge-scrolled at 2 a.m. Email can be your strongest growth tool - if you know how to use it. Learn how to send emails with purpose, grow your list with confidence, and see results that truly matter. Key points discussed include: - Why consistency is everything: Learn why sending emails regularly builds trust and long-term traffic. - Send more than you think: Find out why daily or multiple sends a week can actually serve your audience better. - Traffic and branding boost: Discover how email strengthens your positioning while driving clicks to your blog. - Repurpose what works: Learn how to repeat winning emails without overwhelming your subscribers. - Simple growth strategies: Use tools like lead magnets and gated print features to expand your list. - Selling through email: Build trust first, then confidently share your products and offers. - Use data wisely: Evaluate open rates, clicks, and repeat success to refine your system. Connect with Matt Molen Website | Instagram

Discover how starting your day by creating before consuming can shift you from reaction mode to creative flow and completely transform your energy. I know how tempting it is to reach for your phone first thing in the morning. I’ve been there too, scrolling emails and feeds before even checking in with myself. But I’ve learned that when I create first, even in the smallest way, everything feels different. This little shift has the power to change your entire day, and I can’t wait to share how. Action Steps: - Anchor your energy: Create before outside noise influences your mindset. - Strengthen your voice: Trust your own ideas by putting them first each morning. - Build self-trust: Just ten minutes of output can spark momentum for the whole day. - Start small: Journal, sketch, record a memo, or open a draft, keep it simple. - Make it stick: Use rituals, trackers, or accountability partners to stay consistent. More from Megan YouTube | Website |  Instagram Resources Megan’s recommended books and resources

Megan chats with Sarah Seeds from Plant Based Ginger about the surprising power of narrowing your focus to grow a loyal audience, attract brand partnerships, and create lasting impact. Sarah Seeds has been plant-based for over 20 years, and nothing makes her happier than getting people to rethink veggies. For her, food is creativity, connection, and a little bit of kitchen magic. Whether it’s turning zucchini into crispy fries, chickpeas into dreamy hummus, or filling your plate with bold, colorful plants, her goal is simple: to help you fall in love with veggies, one delicious bite at a time.  We dig into why doing less can actually help you grow more. Sarah shares how choosing one clear focus transformed her blog, brought exciting brand collaborations, and kept her creative energy alive. If you’ve been resisting niching down, this episode will give you the clarity and motivation you need to move forward with confidence. Key points discussed include: - Start with what you love: Passion is the best fuel for building a brand that lasts. - Analytics reveal the path: Use data to see what content resonates and double down on it. - Authenticity wins every time: Genuine engagement builds stronger, more loyal communities. - Brands want specialists: Companies notice when you’re known for one thing done well. - Niching down isn’t just content: Photography style, captions, and even music choices matter. - Local and seasonal storytelling: Highlighting fresh, regional ingredients adds depth and uniqueness. - Community beats competition: Collaboration with other creators expands reach and support. - Flexibility drives success: Growth comes when you’re willing to pivot and refine your focus. The Grow Community Cookbook If You Loved This Episode… You’ll love Episode 468: A Hyper-Niche Blog is More Valuable Than You Think (+How to Make an Income From it) with Emily Rhodes Connect with Sarah Seeds Website | Instagram

Mimi Council talks about her journey from running a bakery for over a decade to building a flourishing food blog rooted in organic, approachable recipes. Mimi Council founded one of the first organic bakeries in the country and ran it for over a decade before selling it. During that time she wrote 3 cookbooks. Now she’s a recipe developer, photographer, and food blogger. She also focuses on recipes for your dog in addition to bakery-style desserts.  This episode offers practical insight for anyone moving from brick-and-mortar food business into blogging. You’ll learn how to translate in-person experience into online success, avoid common pitfalls, and embrace the freedom and creativity that blogging allows. Key points discussed include: - Leverage existing audiences: Carry over loyal customers and social media followers to jump-start blog growth. - Invest in photography skills: Strong visuals build credibility and make recipes irresistible. - Keyword research is the new costing: Just like bakery pricing, keyword strategy determines profitability. - Balance creation with strategy: More recipes alone won’t bring success without thoughtful planning. - Embrace imperfection: Show real bakes rather than striving for flawless results. - Use trends wisely: Translate seasonal bakery bestsellers into timely blog content. - Protect your freedom: Blogging lets you enjoy flexible hours and creativity without the grind of long bakery shifts. Connect with Mimi Council Website | Instagram

Even when life is good, it’s easy to resist joy out of fear or discomfort. This episode reveals why we sabotage our own happiness and how to finally soften, stay present, and let joy all the way in. Have you ever felt like life is good, maybe even great, yet something inside you won’t let you fully enjoy it? I’ve noticed this pattern in myself and realized that often we subtly shut out joy out of fear, discomfort, or self-protection. In this episode, I share honest reflections and practical steps to stop sabotaging your happiness so you can experience more peace, presence, and connection. Action Plan: - Name the resistance: Acknowledge out loud when you feel yourself pulling away from joy. - Stay in the moment longer: Allow hugs, laughter, or silence to linger without rushing to distraction. - Start a joy journal: Record times when joy knocked but you resisted, and explore why. - Practice receiving: Accept compliments and gifts without deflection to expand your capacity for joy. - Repeat joy affirmations: Use affirmations like “It is safe to feel this good” to retrain your nervous system. More from Megan YouTube | Website |  Instagram

Apply for the 2026 Eat Blog Talk Mastermind Megan brings us behind the scenes of her high-level Mastermind group, where current members share the real challenges, breakthroughs and unexpected wins that shaped their year. If you’ve ever wondered what it’s really like inside a high-level Mastermind, this episode offers a candid look from the members themselves. You’ll hear their doubts before joining, the value they’ve gained, and the surprising ways the group has impacted both their businesses and their lives. Key points discussed include: - Accountability that sticks: Weekly check-ins and shared wins create real momentum and progress. - ROI beyond numbers: The value isn’t only financial, it’s in mindset shifts, clarity and connection. - Planning ahead with confidence: Members doubled output and learned to map content months in advance. - Feedback that matters: Honest insights from peers helped refine projects, ebooks and big launches. - Community over isolation: Deep connections replaced the loneliness of blogging alone. - Retreat magic: In-person time jumpstarted trust, collaboration and breakthrough conversations. - Unexpected growth: Members discovered they didn’t need to start over, just refine what was already working. - The ripple effect: New perspectives inspired long-term vision and a true CEO mindset. Mastermind Members' Blogs Joyfully Mad by Madison The Mindful Mocktail by Natalie Bakes By Brown Sugar by Cheryl Pumpkin 'n Spice by Gayle Our Gabled Home by Anya

Jessica Randhawa from The Forked Spoon teaches us how to turn life’s hardest moments into fuel for growth, and what it takes to build a food blog that truly lasts. Jessica is the head photographer and recipe developer behind The Forked Spoon, where she has shared over 1,200 approachable, family-friendly recipes over the past 14 years. With a background in molecular biology and a passion for travel-inspired cooking, she helps everyday cooks build confidence and creativity in the kitchen. Jessica’s story is proof that resilience and adaptability are the real secret ingredients behind a successful blog. She shares how a health crisis changed her perspective, why consistency matters more than flashy trends, and how to keep moving forward even when the industry feels uncertain. Key points discussed include: - Adapt when things shift: Staying flexible keeps your blog alive through big changes. - Lay a strong foundation: Choosing the right platform opens the door to growth. - Be consistent: Showing up regularly builds trust and traffic over time. - Keep recipes approachable: Simple, family-friendly food connects with more readers. - Let challenges teach you: Hard moments can spark clarity and drive. - Keep learning: Curiosity helps you stay ahead of changes in the blogging world. - Focus on the long game: Build a blog that supports your life, not just today’s trends. Connect with Jessica Randhawa Website | Instagram

The simple act of asking boldly can open doors you never imagined. Learn how speaking your desires with clarity creates powerful shifts, aligns opportunities, and reminds you that what you want is waiting for you. Asking can feel scary, whether it’s requesting help, an opportunity, or even just declaring what we want to the universe. I’ve learned firsthand that the simple act of asking boldly creates ripple effects that we can’t always see immediately. This episode is about the courage to speak your desires clearly, the trust to release the “how,” and the magic that unfolds once you do. Action Plan: - Make bold asks daily: Speak or write your desires out loud with clarity and confidence. - Get specific: State exactly what you want, whether it’s a number, opportunity, or connection. - Release the how: Focus on the “what” and let the timing and method work themselves out. - Create a bold ask list: Keep a running list of things you want to request so you’re ready when courage strikes. - Affirm your worthiness: Remind yourself you are already enough to receive what you desire. More from Megan YouTube | Website |  Instagram

Megan chats with Christina Musgrave about the mindset shifts that helped her leave corporate life, grow her blog into a business, and build a sustainable path forward. Christina Musgrave is the creator of Tasting with Tina, a popular food blog focused on simple, elevated weeknight meals for busy home cooks. Her recipes have reached millions, and she’s built a thriving business that includes brand partnerships, food photography, and her upcoming cookbook Tasting Every Day: Weeknight Feasts. Christina’s mission is to help others feel empowered in the kitchen—and in their lives—through beautiful, approachable food. Sometimes the biggest breakthroughs don’t come from another tool or tactic, they come from how you think. This episode digs into the mindset shifts that can help you show up with confidence, stay consistent, and actually enjoy the ride of blogging. Key points discussed include: - Stop waiting for perfect: Taking messy action is what gets you closer to your goals. - Keep things moving forward: Even small steps every day build real momentum. - Pair excitement with persistence: Loving what you do matters, but sticking with it matters more. - Pause to celebrate wins: Recognizing progress gives you fuel to keep going. - Protect your time and energy: Clear boundaries help you stay creative and avoid burnout. - Find your people: Accountability and support make the journey less lonely. - Practice gratitude often: Looking back at how far you’ve come makes challenges easier to handle. - Stay flexible: A “not now” doesn’t have to mean “never.” Connect with Christina Musgrave Website | Instagram

Sarah Franklin from Lulu teaches us how to turn our content into professional-quality books that build our brand and create new revenue streams. Sarah is the Public Relations Manager for Lulu.com, the publishing and print on demand company started in 2002 by Red Hat Founder Bob Young. Her primary role is to educate creators about the benefits of Lulu. With over 16 years experience in the publishing industry, Sarah is passionate about helping authors find ways to connect with their audience. In previous roles, she led author public relations campaigns and coached many more in preparation for their book launches. She lives in Raleigh with her family. Publishing a cookbook does not have to mean chasing a traditional book deal or managing inventory from your garage. Sarah shares how food bloggers can use Lulu’s print-on-demand platform to create beautiful, flexible products without the hassle. From simple PDFs to polished spiral-bound books, this episode will help you see your content in a whole new light. Key points discussed include: - Cookbooks increase your authority: A printed book helps establish your expertise and leaves a lasting impression on your audience. - Print on demand keeps things simple: Skip the upfront investment and sell only when someone places an order. - Customize every detail: Choose your format, binding, paper type, and more to match your brand and audience preferences. - You can start small: A holiday collection, themed mini book, or even a recipe calendar is a great way to begin. - Revenue stays in your hands: You keep the profits instead of splitting them with publishers or distributors. - Publishing is easier than you think: All you need is a PDF of your book and cover, and Lulu provides templates to guide the process. - Marketing starts early: Build momentum before launch with pre-release buzz, giveaways, and local media outreach. - You are qualified right now: You do not need permission or a giant audience to publish something valuable. Connect with Sarah Franklin Website | Instagram