How We Created a Content Ecosystem that Grew This Client’s Email List

Repurposing isn’t random. Or, at least, it shouldn’t be. Last week, I shared about a repurposing VIP day client who knew exactly what content she wanted and needed repurposed in order to take time off for the holidays. Today, I want to share about a different client’s experience with the repurposing VIP day. This client booked a VIP day but wasn’t sure what content she actually wanted to have repurposed. So we worked together to determine her goals, and the long-form content she already had that would help lean into those goals. Afterwards, this is what she had to say: Having Amanda repurpose my content gave me the extra time I needed to focus on my clients and my family, which is extremely important to me during this season of life. It was so easy, too, with Amanda helping me choose which long-form pieces to use for this quarter based on the goals I had. Want a full behind the scenes peek behind the curtain? You’re listening to episode 284 of the Chasing Simple Podcast, and I’m your host – Amanda Warfield. This episode was brought to you by the 2026 Chasing Simple Content Planner, and you can grab your own at amandawarfield.com/planner Links and Resources Mentioned in This Episode: Stop into my YouTube channel for videos about all things content marketing. Check out the Playbook for a Complete Marketing Game Plan Learn more about Repurposing VIP Days Tune in to Last Week’s Episode Book Rec: Game Changer by Neil Shusterman Find me on Instagram and tell me what you thought of this episode: @mrsamandawarfield The post Episode 284: How We Chose Content to Repurpose Based on This Client’s Goals appeared first on Amanda Warfield.

She didn’t want to disappear from her audience — but she also didn’t want to burn out over the holidays. Enter: repurposed magic. I took her long-form content (in this case, her podcast episodes) and turned them into emails, short-form video outlines, and captions that she simply needed to take and schedule out. This kept her numbers consistent while she was gone and made getting out of office for the holidays simpler. In fact, this is what she had to say about my Repurposing VIP Day: My favorite part was how easy it was to make this VIP day happen. Other than getting you the long-form content, I didn’t really need to do any other kind of prep, which was a huge perk of how you’ve set this offer up. Want a behind-the-scenes peek at what it looked like for us to work together and exactly how it helped her business? You’re listening to episode 283 of the Chasing Simple Podcast, and I’m your host – Amanda Warfield. This episode was brought to you by the 2026 Chasing Simple Content Planner and you can grab your own at amandawarfield.com/planner Links and Resources Mentioned in This Episode: Stop into my YouTube channel for videos about all things content marketing. Check out the Playbook for a Complete Marketing Game Plan Learn more about Repurposing VIP Days Action Step: Make a plan for your own holidays this year – how will you continue showing up despite taking time off? Book Rec: Bridesmaid for Hire by Meghan Quinn Find me on Instagram and tell me what you thought of this episode: @mrsamandawarfield The post Episode 283: Repurposing Content Allowed Her to Stay Consistent During the Holidays appeared first on Amanda Warfield.

We used a content ecosystem to grow this client’s email list by 78% before her course launch without spending a dime on advertising. That’s right. 78% fully organic growth – all strategically geared towards her course topic. Want to know how we did it? I’m sharing all in this episode. You’re listening to episode 281 of the Chasing Simple Podcast, and I’m your host, Amanda Warfield. This episode was brought to you by the Chasing Simple Content Planner. You can grab your own at https://amandawarfield.com/planner Links and Resources Mentioned in This Episode: Learn more about working with me. Let’s hop on a Discovery Call and chat about how I can help with your marketing. Book yours now. Action Step: Audit your content system and find the disconnect in it. Don’t fix it, just find it. Book Rec: The Handmaid’s Secret by Freida McFadden Find me on Instagram and tell me what you thought of this episode: @mrsamandawarfield The post How We Created a Content Ecosystem that Grew This Client’s Email List appeared first on Amanda Warfield.

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What Can Happen if You Gave Up Instagram For Good (And Still Want to Grow Your Business) Can I be honest with you for a second? I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve asked myself, “What would it actually look like to run my business without Instagram?” Not just taking a week off or hiding the app on my phone, but walking away completely. It feels like such a wild thought in the current online space. But for Sarah Erickson? It’s her reality. Sarah is a brand designer who made the bold move to leave Instagram behind in 2021—before it was trendy, before burnout was a buzzword, and before Reels ruled the feed. And yet, she’s built a thriving, sustainable business. No hacks. No hustle. Just a smart, intentional strategy that prioritizes Pinterest, blogging, email marketing, and good old-fashioned word of mouth. And what she shared with me in our conversation wasn’t just about marketing. It was about peace. Time. Sanity. And choosing a business that supports the life you want to live, not the other way around. So if you’ve been quietly wondering, “Am I even allowed to step back from social media?” or “Could my business survive without Instagram?” friend, this post is for you. Links and Resources Mentioned in This Episode: Sarah’s Pinning with Purpose Course: https://amandawarfield–sarahanndesign.thrivecart.com/pinning-with-purpose/ (aff. link) Sarah Uses Tailwind for Scheduling Pinterest Pins: https://www.tailwindapp.com/ I Use Plann (Save $10!): https://www.plannthat.com/register/?fp_ref=cus_LjPEW4WnBLpkNi&name=Amanda (aff. link) Should You Delete Instagram? Podcast Episode: https://amandawarfield.com/268-2 Creative Educator Conference: https://layleeemadi.com/conference Action Step: Ask yourself what you would like to have more time for. Book Rec: Dreyer’s English by Benjamin Dreyer Find me on Instagram and tell me what you thought of this episode: @mrsamandawarfield Why Sarah Gave Up Instagram (Before It Was Cool) By 2021, Instagram had become a time-suck for Sarah. Reels were taking over, the algorithm was a constant frustration, and the platform just didn’t feel worth the emotional and time investment anymore. She realized she was pouring hours into content creation that wasn’t converting—not meaningfully, anyway. Even when her posts got views, they rarely led to inquiries or email sign-ups. But what really tipped the scales? The emotional drain. She put it so clearly: “Even if I was getting a few clients from Instagram, could I get those same clients somewhere else—without the time and emotional cost?” The answer, for her, was yes. What She Chose Instead (And Why It Works) Sarah didn’t just quit Instagram and disappear. She shifted to platforms that could support her marketing long-term: Pinterest: As a visual search engine, it plays beautifully with her brand design work and long-form content. Blogging: Gives her evergreen content that builds authority and supports SEO. Email Marketing: Provides a direct line of communication to her audience—no algorithm needed. Word of Mouth: The power of deep, meaningful relationships can’t be underestimated. This ecosystem works together to bring in dreamy clients without the need for constant social content. Building a Pinterest Marketing Machine (That Runs Without You) Let me pause here and say: Sarah’s Pinterest strategy isn’t just throwing up a few pins and calling it a day. She’s creating volumes of pins per post or opt-in—using Canva templates from her course, Pin with Purpose. We’re talking 100+ pins for a single blog post or freebie. That content then gets scheduled through Tailwind (usually just twice a year!), and it brings in leads passively, every single day. “I’m still getting leads from content I posted in 2021. That just doesn’t happen on Instagram.” And here’s the part I love most: because this system is built on evergreen content, she doesn’t have to constantly be creating new blog posts or new freebies. Her business keeps growing, even when her season of life demands rest or slower rhythms. The Real Gift of Leaving Social: Deeper Time, Deeper Relationships Of course, walking away from Instagram comes with fears—especially around connection and visibility. But Sarah reframed it in a way I can’t stop thinking about: “I wanted fewer relationships, but deeper and richer ones.” Instead of trading double taps and story replies, she now prioritizes email check-ins, snail mail, and real in-person connection at events like the Creative Educator Conference. Without Instagram feeding the illusion of constant connection, conversations have become more meaningful. More curious. More personal. And that’s not a loss. It’s a win. So, What if YOU Gave Up Instagram? Maybe. Maybe not. But you can start by creating a little breathing room. Here’s what Sarah recommends as a first step: Make a list of the things you wish you had more time for. And then, next time you’re tempted to scroll, choose one of those things instead. So simple. So powerful. This isn’t about quitting cold turkey. It’s about building a business that gives you your time back. Your peace back. Your creativity back. And if you are curious about what Pinterest could do for your business? Sarah’s course, Pin with Purpose, is the most straightforward, time-efficient way I’ve found to get started. I binged it in a weekend, created over 100 pins for my own content, and scheduled everything in just a few hours. The templates are gold, and the strategy is built to support you for years, not days. Ready To Try Something Different? If Instagram has been draining you dry, you’re not alone. You can build a thriving, sustainable business without it. You can build deeper relationships outside of social media. You can simplify your marketing and still grow. So here’s your gentle nudge: take one step this week. Create your list of what you’d rather spend your time on. Schedule one blog post to Pinterest. Sign up for Sarah’s course. Or just take a walk and remind yourself why you started this business in the first place. It’s not about quitting. It’s about choosing what stays. P.S. Ready to see what it would look like if you gave up Instagram? If you want help planning content that doesn’t rely on social media, make sure you grab the Chasing Simple Content Planner. It’ll help you plan your 2026 content in a way that actually feels manageable—and gives you space to step away from Instagram, if you choose. Meet Sarah Erickson Sarah Erickson creates intentional brand designs for creative entrepreneurs. As Lead Designer and Creative Director behind Sarah Ann Design, she helps her clients elevate their businesses with powerful and refined brand identities—polished designs supported by thoughtful strategy. Sarah is passionate about equipping creatives to appeal to their ideal clients, elevate their services, and build lasting legacies for their brands. Check Out Pinning with Purpose Grab These Free Social Media Canva Templates The post How She Gave Up Instagram Marketing for Good with Sarah Erickson appeared first on Amanda Warfield.

You know that moment when you sit down to plan your content… and suddenly feel like your brain is running in five different directions? You’ve got the Google Doc open. The planner pulled out. A blank Trello board waiting for inspiration to strike. Maybe you even printed off a calendar page thinking, This time it’ll stick. I’ve been there too. In fact, when I first started my business, I tried every content planning system I could get my hands on. I loved the idea of being organized and having a plan—but no matter what tool I used, I always felt like I was doing too much… and still not getting anywhere. Because here’s the thing: I had a plan, but I didn’t have a strategy. And friend, that changes everything. In today’s episode, I’m walking you through the exact tool I use (and created!) to bridge that gap, my absolute favorite content planning tool — the Chasing Simple Content Planner. I’ll share how it’s different from anything else out there, why it’s built with strategy at the core, and how it helps you align your content with your business goals without burning out or spinning your wheels. So if you’ve ever found yourself stuck in the cycle of “I’m doing all the things but seeing no results,” this episode is your invitation to shift gears and start planning with purpose. Links and Resources Mentioned in This Episode: Stop into my YouTube channel for weekly videos about all things content marketing Snag the 2026 Chasing Simple Content Planner Learn More about My KPIs & Marketing Workshop Action Step: Book Rec: Better Than the Movies by Lynn Painter Want your own live coaching session? Apply here Find me on Instagram and tell me what you thought of this episode: @mrsamandawarfield Why Content Planning Without Strategy Doesn’t Work This is the trap I see so many online business owners fall into—and I lived there for way too long myself. We think if we can just find the right tool or the perfect planner, our content will finally start working. But even the prettiest planner in the world can’t move the needle if it’s not grounded in strategy. Think of it like building a house. The planner? That’s the decor.But strategy? That’s the studs and structure. The foundation that holds the entire thing up. I was spending all my time decorating a house that hadn’t been built yet. No wonder it kept collapsing. What a Content Planning Strategy Actually Looks Like When I realized I was skipping the foundational piece—strategy—it changed everything about how I approached my content. I stopped asking: What should I post this week? How do I fill in this blank calendar? What do I feel like talking about? And started asking: What are my goals this month? What action do I want my audience to take? How can my content help them get there—and help me get there, too? This is the shift that led me to create the Chasing Simple Content Planner—a content planning tool designed not just to help you plan content, but to help you build and stick to your strategy. Inside the Chasing Simple Content Planner: Strategy First, Always Most planners give you a monthly calendar and call it a day. But the Chasing Simple Content Planner walks you through strategic steps before you ever fill in a single post idea. Here’s what makes it different: 1. Monthly Goal Mapping Each month starts with space to reflect and realign your goals. You walk down from your yearly goals, to your quarterly focus, to your monthly objectives, and finally your weekly intentions. Because if your content isn’t rooted in your business goals, it’s just noise. 2. Message Mapping You’ll get a dedicated spot to refine your core message for the month—so you’re not reinventing the wheel every week or veering off course. You can repeat your message in fresh ways, keeping it consistent but never boring. 3. Built-In Repurposing Every month includes a repurposing section so you can actually use the content you’ve already created. You don’t need to start from scratch every time—this section helps you identify what to reuse, remix, or revisit based on your current goals. Planning Week-by-Week with Intention Once your monthly strategy is set, the weekly pages help you break things down even further. You’ll plan your content by: Platform Category Topic Hook Call to Action But here’s the part I really love: There’s a spot each week to write down your marketing goal, your sales goal, and the KPIs (Key Performance Indicators) you’re tracking. This simple step—keeping your goals visible and actionable—keeps your content from drifting aimlessly. You’ll actually create content that sells, because you’re planning with your sales in mind. Why This Works (Even If You’re Tired, Busy, or Discouraged) When you’re running a business, creating content can feel like just another chore on the never-ending to-do list. But with a content planning strategy in place? You sit down to write, and you already know what you’re talking about, why it matters, and how it’s going to support your goals.You stop second-guessing and start creating with clarity. This is how we simplify content marketing—not by doing more, but by being more focused. Ready to Simplify Your Content Strategy with My Favorite Content Planning Tool? The 2026 version of the Chasing Simple Content Planner is here! And if you haven’t grabbed the 2025 version yet, you can snag it for 50% off when you order the 2026 edition. There’s still plenty of time to use it this year, and I promise you’ll feel the difference when you plan from a place of intention instead of overwhelm. Grab your planner here Let’s ditch the spaghetti-throwing and start creating content that moves the needle—on purpose. The post My Number One Content Planning Tool appeared first on Amanda Warfield.

I’ll never forget the panic I felt the first time I learned that you legally needed a physical mailing address in the footer of every marketing email you send. At the time, I was working from home, and the thought of putting my personal address out there for anyone to see? Hard pass. But I didn’t realize I had options. And worse—I didn’t know the fine for not including one could be $46,000 per subscriber. So yep, I scrambled. Set up a PO box. Updated every footer. And learned that when it comes to legal marketing mistakes, ignorance is not bliss—it’s expensive. And that’s exactly why I brought lawyer and legal fairy godmother Maria Spears Ollis (aka The Lunar Lawyer) onto the Chasing Simple Podcast. Because while we’re all out here trying to build our brands and serve our people, we can’t afford to leave the legal side of marketing as an afterthought. In our conversation, Maria broke down the five most common legal mistakes she sees business owners make when marketing their offers—and how to fix each one with confidence and clarity. Let’s dig into her advice, so you can shore up your marketing foundations and protect your peace. Links and Resources Mentioned in This Episode: Stop into my YouTube channel for weekly videos about all things content marketing Checkout Maria’s Ad Lib Contract Templates: The Legal Apothecary Legal Services Generate a FREE Refund Policy for your course or membership offerings with Maria’s Refund Policy Oracle Action Step: Get an address and put it in your email footer, PO box or virtual mailbox like Anytime Mailbox work great Book Rec: Abundant Ever After: Tools for Creating a Life of Prosperity and Ease by Cathy Heller Want your own live coaching session? Apply here Find me on Instagram and tell me what you thought of this episode: @mrsamandawarfield 1. Overlooking Legal Requirements in Email Marketing We both know email marketing is one of the most powerful tools in your business. But did you know there are specific legal requirements that apply to every email you send? Here’s what your emails must include: A real, valid mailing address in the footer (can be a PO box or virtual mailbox like Anytime Mailbox) A non-misleading subject line (no “Re:” tricks if there wasn’t actually a reply) Clear and easy-to-find unsubscribe links that work The fine for noncompliance? $46,000 per email recipient. This one is so simple to fix, but easy to overlook. Double-check your ESP settings today and make sure you’re covered. Need a content planner that aligns your content with your business goals? Check out the Chasing Simple Content Planner to plan your email content with clarity and intention. 2. Sharing Testimonials Without Permission If you’ve ever taken a glowing Google review and pasted it on your website or sales page, you might have unknowingly stepped into murky legal waters. And I can’t lie; this is one of the easiest legal marketing mistakes to make. Even though public platforms feel fair game, you still need explicit permission to repurpose a testimonial elsewhere. Here’s Maria’s quick fix: Create a testimonial form or SOP as part of your offboarding process Include checkboxes to get permission to share their words, name, photo, and link Always document permission (DMs count—just screenshot and save) What About Case Studies? Same rules apply. Whether you’re spotlighting client wins in a blog post or sales funnel, get their permission first. You can build this into your client agreement or request it separately. 3. Forgetting to Add Proper Disclaimers Not all disclaimers are created equal, and if you’re sharing: Income or revenue claims Time-based promises (“I launched my course in 7 days!”) Advice in regulated industries (legal, financial, medical) … you need to include specific disclaimers—and they can’t be buried at the bottom of your website. Legal tip: If you have a testimonial that includes an income claim, the disclaimer needs to be next to the testimonial or above the purchase button, not hidden in your footer. This is especially relevant for course creators and educators using social proof to market launches. A simple line like: “Results not typical. Individual results will vary based on effort, experience, and other factors.” …can go a long way toward protecting you legally. 4. Neglecting Legal Details in Opt-Ins and Freebies It’s tempting to think your lead magnet is “just a freebie,” but if you’re collecting emails, you’re collecting personal data. What you must do with opt-ins: Clearly state they’re being added to your email list Include a link to your privacy policy Consider double opt-in (especially if you’re marketing internationally) Maria recommends including a short line of text under your opt-in form, like: “By signing up, you’re joining my email list. You can unsubscribe anytime. See my Privacy Policy.” Simple, clear, and effective. Bonus points if your platform allows checkboxes to confirm consent, especially for EU-based subscribers. Want a real-world example? Check out Maria’s free Refund Policy Generator—her opt-in page is a gold star example of how to do this right. And while you’re there go ahead and sign up to receive your free refund policy. 5. Leaving Your Website Legally Vulnerable Your website isn’t just your digital storefront—it’s a legal document. And there are a few key things you need to make sure are in place: Legal Essentials for Your Website: Privacy Policy (required if you collect any data) Terms of Use (covers refunds, content rights, disclaimers) Copyright Notice (at the bottom of your site + in PDFs/workbooks) TM Symbol next to your brand name if it’s a trademark (even if not registered) Cookie Notice (especially if using tracking pixels or analytics tools) If you’re selling digital products or courses directly from your site, your refund policy must be visible before checkout. Not just hidden in an FAQ. And no, stock photos from Pinterest don’t count. Stick to reputable sources only, please. Protect Your Peace (Before You Need To) Here’s the truth: legal stuff isn’t sexy. But neither is scrambling to fix a situation you could’ve easily prevented. Do your due diligence to avoid the legal marketing mistakes we discussed today. As Maria put it, legal protection is about supporting your nervous system. When you’ve got your policies, permissions, and protections in place, you’re able to show up with more confidence and less chaos. So if you’re ready to take action, start here: Quick Action Step: Go check your email footer right now. Make sure your mailing address is there, and it’s valid. Bonus Action: If you’re a course or membership creator, download Maria’s free Refund Policy Generator and get your terms in place this week. It’s fast, it’s free, and it’s worth its weight in peace of mind. Guest Bio Maria is a lawyer, ex-opera singer, wannabe homesteader and boy mom x3. She is all about nervous system-friendly, proactive legal protection: helping coaches, healers, online educators, and cool companies by protecting their branding, creative content, contractual relationships, and doing business online legally. Maria deep-dives on trademarks, always reads the fine print, and offers smart, plug-and-play contracts through her mad libs-style contract library, The Legal Apothecary, Guest Links Website- The Legal Apothecary Maria’s FREE refund generator – The Refund Policy Oracle Instagram – @thelunarlawyer The post Avoid These Legal Marketing Mistakes with Maria Spears Ollis appeared first on Amanda Warfield.

When Hustle Isn’t the Answer: Lessons from a Season of Exhaustion I kept telling myself it was the move. We were smack in the middle of a cross-country relocation—my husband in South Carolina, me in Washington, juggling two homes and two time zones and what felt like a million logistics. There was always one more box to unpack, one more utility to set up, one more task to cross off the never-ending to-do list. So when the exhaustion crept in, I chalked it up to life. The kind of tired that no amount of sleep or rest seemed to fix? I blamed stress. Or overwhelm. Or maybe just “being in a busy season.” But months went by. Then a year. And no matter how much I rested, the heaviness didn’t lift. What I didn’t know at the time was that I wasn’t just tired. I wasn’t burnt out from business or trying to do too much. I was struggling with undiagnosed sleep apnea—and for nearly two years, I had no idea. It wasn’t until a friend gently nudged me to look deeper that everything finally started to click. And while this post isn’t really about sleep apnea, the truth is: the lessons I learned during that season? They’ve forever changed how I approach business, life, and especially burnout. So, let’s talk about those. Links and Resources Mentioned in This Episode: Stop into my YouTube channel for weekly videos about all things content marketing Check out the book Chasing Simple Marketing for a crash course in content marketing. Last Weeks Episode(Sustainable Boundaries to Help Break Up with Hustle Culture w/ Christi Johson) – a great resource for those struggling with business burnout with one of the best in the biz. Drop Christi Johnson a follow for more on business burnout – Christi’s Instagram Action Step: Create a Content Bank for yourself or beef yours Up Book Rec: She’s Not Sorry by Mary Kubica Want your own live coaching session? Apply here Find me on Instagram and tell me what you thought of this episode: @mrsamandawarfield Don’t Dismiss Your Struggles It’s so easy to explain things away. I told myself over and over, “This is just a tough season. Once I’m settled, I’ll bounce back.” I thought I needed to simplify, hustle harder, or tweak my systems. But I was avoiding the real question: What’s actually going on here? We do this a lot as entrepreneurs. We downplay what we’re feeling. We assume the problem is surface-level, when really, the root issue is so much deeper. Burnout doesn’t always look like burnout. Exhaustion doesn’t always mean you’re working too much. And overwhelm isn’t always solved by better time-blocking. Sometimes, it’s a medical issue. Sometimes, it’s mental health. Sometimes, it’s trauma you haven’t processed yet. If you’ve been brushing off your struggles, I just want to gently challenge you: what if you stop trying to fix the problem and start trying to understand it? You Can’t Outwork Exhaustion Not with more coffee. Not with better planning. Not even with the best time management system in the world. I tried. Believe me. But when your body or mind is truly depleted, the answer is never more work. The only thing that helps? Real rest—whatever that looks like for you. Sometimes that means medical support. Sometimes it means boundaries. Sometimes it means stepping away from the hustle long enough to hear yourself think again. If you’ve been running on fumes, this is your permission to stop pushing. To stop trying to “get ahead” when all your body is asking for is a nap. Or a slower pace. Or help. And if you suspect burnout might be the culprit? Go back and listen to last week’s episode with Kristi Johnson—she shares incredible insight for neurodivergent entrepreneurs navigating exactly this. Clarity Changes Everything Once I had a diagnosis, I finally understood what had been happening. It was like someone flipped a switch. Suddenly, everything made sense—why I couldn’t focus, why I felt unmotivated, why even feeding the cats felt like too much. The funny thing is, sleep apnea was never on my radar. It wasn’t even something my cardiologist suspected. But thanks to a friend who happened to connect the dots between glaucoma (which I also have) and sleep apnea, I finally saw things clearly. And that clarity? It gave me a path forward. In business and in life, we spin our wheels trying every possible solution. We test strategies. Rework our offers. Tweak our funnels. But if we’re solving the wrong problem? Nothing changes. Clarity is the first step to true progress. Let People In When You’re Struggling Here’s the hard truth: I might not have gotten that clarity if I hadn’t told my friend I was struggling. It’s vulnerable to admit when things aren’t working. To say, “I’m not okay.” Especially when you’re the CEO. The one who’s supposed to have it all together. But the people around you—your community, your team, your friends—they can’t support you if you’re keeping your pain private. Whatever you’re wrestling with, whether it’s something personal or something in your business, let someone in. Say it out loud. Ask for help. They might just be the perspective shift you didn’t know you needed. Build a Beefier Content Bank Okay, switching gears for a minute—this one’s a little more tactical. As I came out of this season of survival mode, one practical lesson stood out loud and clear: I need a deeper, more robust content bank. Because for most of the last year and a half, I didn’t have the mental capacity to create new content. And while I did have a system (hello, batch week!) and a content bank full of ideas, I often found myself thinking: “I don’t just need ideas. I need outlines. I need ready-to-go pieces that I can plug and play.” So here’s what I’m doing moving forward—and I invite you to try it too: During each batch week, I’m spending a little extra time creating outlines for 2–3 future pieces of content. That way, even when I hit a rough month, I’ve got solid foundations ready to go. A good idea is helpful. But an idea with an outline? That’s next-level support for your future self. If you don’t yet have a content bank, let this be your action step:Start one today. If you do have one? Make it better. Add outlines. Flesh out ideas. Think of it as prepping future-you for those months when life hits hard—and it will. Take This With You I don’t share this story because I want sympathy or attention. I share it because I know what it feels like to carry a weight you can’t explain. To feel like you’ve lost your spark. To question whether you’re still cut out for this. And if you’re there right now? Please know you’re not alone. Please know that it gets better. And please know that the answer isn’t always “just work harder.” Whether your struggle is physical, emotional, or something else entirely—there’s a way forward. Just take the next right step. 5 Lessons I Hope You Remember Don’t dismiss your struggles. Get curious instead. You can’t outwork exhaustion. Rest or solving the culprit is the only antidote. Clarity changes everything. Don’t stop searching for it. Let your people in. You don’t have to do this alone. Build a beefier content bank. Support your future self. Your Next Step This week? Create your content bank (or bulk up the one you’ve got).Start simple: jot down 5–10 blog or podcast ideas. Then challenge yourself to outline 2–3 of them. Your future self will thank you—especially on those weeks when life gets loud. P.S. Book Rec of the Week If you’re in the mood for a page-turner, I devoured She’s Not Sorry by Mary Kubica. It’s a psychological thriller in the vein of Shutter Island—perfect for fall reading under a cozy blanket with a hot cup of coffee. 10/10 recommend if you need an escape from real life for a few hours. The post What I learned While Struggling with Sleep Apnea appeared first on Amanda Warfield.

Imagine finally hitting that revenue milestone you dreamed about for years. You’ve scaled, you’ve hired, and you created a calendar so full it looked like success on paper. And yet, instead of feeling elated, you’re struggling to sleep, panicking over inbox pings, and wondering how in the world you’re supposed to keep this going. This is the story of Christi Johnson, and it might be yours, too. When Christi joined me on the Chasing Simple podcast, she shared the incredibly vulnerable journey of building a thriving business—only to crash headfirst into complete burnout. From a $10K month to a total nervous system shutdown, her story is one that far too many entrepreneurs silently relate to. But Christi’s not just sharing her story. She’s leading the charge in helping creative and neurodivergent entrepreneurs build joy-driven businesses through one powerful strategy: sustainable boundaries. Links and Resources Mentioned in This Episode: Stop into my YouTube channel for weekly videos about all things content marketing Checkout Christi’s Burnout Proof Your Business Planner & Boundaries Toolkit Join the Dream Biz Lab for group coaching, private coaching, exclusive trainings and podcasts from Christi Johnson and start setting sustainable boundaries today. Action Step: Get curious next time you feel stressed or anxious. Don’t just acknowledge it, unpack it. Book Rec: The Gifts of Imperfection by Brene Brown Want your own live coaching session? Apply here Find me on Instagram and tell me what you thought of this episode: @mrsamandawarfield Why Hustle Culture Doesn’t Stop Once You’ve “Made It” One of the most profound parts of our conversation was this: hustle culture doesn’t magically disappear once you’ve hit your goals. In fact, it often sneaks in louder and more insistently the more successful you become. For Christi, that looked like: Scaling her team with family members Filling her calendar with back-to-back client work Ignoring early signs of anxiety and sleeplessness Eventually, her body and brain said, “Enough.” Burnout forced her to step away from her business for six months. And what she discovered in that stillness became the foundation for everything she teaches now. What Are Sustainable Boundaries? Sustainable boundaries aren’t just about work hours or blocking off a weekend. They’re boundaries that support your energy, mental health, and how your specific brain operates. They’re not what everyone else says you should be doing—they’re what actually works for you. Christi breaks boundaries into three types: Time Boundaries: When and how often you work (think: no meetings before 11 am, or no-meeting weeks) Work Boundaries: The type of work you will and won’t take on (example: only taking projects that energize you) Communication Boundaries: How people can reach you and what channels you use (example: using one form for all client requests) And the key to finding these? Listening to your body. How to Start Setting Sustainable Boundaries That Work for You If you’re ready to shift from surviving to thriving, here’s how Christi recommends starting: 1. Get Curious About Your Body’s SignalsThat anxious pit in your chest before a certain type of meeting? The dread when you open your calendar? That’s your body talking to you. Instead of pushing through, pause. Ask: What am I feeling? When do I feel this way? What task or situation brings this on? 2. Follow Your Energy Begin noticing: When you feel most productive What types of tasks drain or energize you Patterns tied to your cycle, sleep, or mental load Use this data to adjust your schedule, commitments, and goals. 3. Give Yourself Permission to ExperimentBoundaries aren’t one-size-fits-all. What works for someone else might not work for you—and that’s okay. Try new boundaries. Test them for a few weeks. Adjust. Repeat. The Cost of Ignoring Sustainable Boundaries Christi’s story is a sobering reminder: there’s a real cost to pushing past your limits. Her mental health crisis was a direct result of ignoring her needs for too long. And while her business looked successful, it wasn’t sustainable. It took letting go of clients, releasing her team, and prioritizing healing to begin building something healthier from the ground up. But here’s what’s powerful—her business didn’t disappear. It evolved. And now, through her Burnout Proof Your Business Toolkit and Dream Biz Lab membership, she’s helping others do the same before they hit the wall. You Don’t Need More Willpower. You Need More Sustainable Boundaries. Boundaries are not restrictions. They are invitations to a more aligned, joyful, and sustainable business. They help you: Protect your energy Serve your people better Prevent burnout before it begins Build a life you actually want to wake up to Want Help Creating Your Own Sustainable Boundaries? Christi’s Burnout Proof Your Business Toolkit is the perfect place to start. It includes boundary ideas, journaling prompts, and a recorded workshop to walk you through the process. Grab it here: christyjohnsoncreative.com/boundaries And if you’re craving support and community, check out the Dream Biz Lab—her coaching membership for creative and neurodivergent entrepreneurs: christyjohnsoncreative.com/lab Before You Go… If you take nothing else away from this episode and post, let it be this: Burnout is not a badge of honor. You don’t have to earn your rest. Your body and your business are both worthy of care. It’s time to start listening, start experimenting, and start choosing sustainable boundaries. And if you’re feeling the early signs of burnout creeping in? Don’t wait for a crisis. Give yourself what you need now. If this resonated, send this post to a friend who needs the reminder. Then hit pause, grab your journal, and ask: What boundary is my body asking for today? Guest Bio Christi Johnson is a business strategist and the founder of The Dream Biz® Lab, where she helps creative and neurodivergent entrepreneurs build sustainable, joy-driven businesses that work with their brains, not against them. With a background in photography and operations, Christi combines heart and strategy to help creatives grow profitable businesses without burning out. When she’s not working with clients, you’ll find her playing the piano, planning her next beach trip, or recording episodes for The Dream Biz® Podcast. Guest Links Website- Business Coach for Creative Entrepreneurs Instagram – @christijohnsoncreative The post Sustainable Boundaries to Help Break Up with Hustle Culture with Christi Johnson appeared first on Amanda Warfield.

Story By The Riverbank Let’s picture your cash flow. I want you to imagine cash flowing through your business, like water in a stream—steady, purposeful, visible.  Unfortunately,  most of us? We’re stuck upstream, trying to splish and splash our way through “making money” without thinking about where it goes. That’s how I was for the longest—pouring heart and hustle into my biz, but watching profit slip away like sand through fingertips. Thankfully, that’s going to change for both of us thanks to this interview with Geily Romero, a fractional CFO and all-around Cashflow Queen. She turned my “murky money fears” into a clear path: not just tracking what’s coming in and going out… but actually using cash flow to grow my business with confidence. Links and Resources Mentioned in This Episode: Stop into my YouTube channel for weekly videos about all things content marketing Geily’s membership group, The Profitable Circle Membership (use code “AMANDA” for 30 days free) Grab the Mastering Cash Flow Guide at Geily’s website Relay Bank, recommended by Geily for setting up automatic cash flow into predetermined accounts Geily’s Book recommendation: 10x is Easier than 2x by Dan Sullivan and Dr. Benjamin Hardy Action Step: Set up your bookkeeping or hire a bookkeeper. One of my favorite business finance books, Profit First by Mike Michalowicz, it comes up all the time. Even if you aren’t following everything inside, it is a great resource, and one of my favorites for thinking about my business finance’s. Want your own live coaching session? Apply here Find me on Instagram and tell me what you thought of this episode: @mrsamandawarfield Why Cash Flow Is The Real Game-Changer (Not Just Revenue or a P&L) Geily broke it down in a way that stopped my eyes from glazing over: Revenue is your top line—what’s pouring in. Profit is the bottom line—what’s left after all the noise. Cash flow? Now that’s the movement in between—tracking where every dollar is going so your river doesn’t dry up. Imagine having clarity on WHEN money needs to come in (timing), HOW MUCH needs to come in relative to what goes out (amount), and what system you have to manage it all. That’s what makes cash flow strategic, not just arithmetic. Build Clarity With Systems Over Stress Geily is all about simplicity—and she starts by helping you build a system instead of sweating over the next dollar. Step 1: Clean Up Your Books If you don’t have a bookkeeper—or your books feel like sticky notes and mystery expenses—start there. Without records, clarity is just a dream.  Step 2: Set Up Your Cash Flow Levels She describes four “levels”: You’re still funding the business from your pocket. Business can at least cover operating costs (but not taxes or pay). Business can cover its expenses and taxes. Business fully supports itself—including paying you, having reserves, and covering taxes. Knowing your level helps you stop trying to sprint from chaos—so you can build upward, not spin in overwhelm. Step 3: Use a Modified Profit First System Think four bank accounts, not a dozen: Operating expenses Tax savings Reserves (like a cushion) Owner’s pay As income comes in, it hits each account by percentage—not manually toggling numbers each time. I personally use Navy Federal for my banking, but Geily let us know that Relay Bank, the Profit First–friendly bank, can automate this for you. Step 4: Start Small with Percentages You don’t need 75% for profits on day one. Geily recommends starting with something like 5% profit, 10-15% for taxes, and letting the rest build your pay and operations. Grow it over time. Step 5: Run an Expense Audit Figure out your minimum monthly burn—your true baseline for running the business. Anything over that isn’t “just sitting there”—it belongs in one of those designated accounts. I want you to picture your business not as a trickle or a flood, but as a steady, manageable river—flowing toward your goals, not backwards into overwhelm. Cash flow isn’t boring math—it’s your tool for freedom, sustainability, and yes, paying yourself what you truly deserve. If your finances feel entangled, you’re not alone—and there is clarity on the other side. Let’s not just survive our numbers—let’s make them work for us. Your Action Step This Week This week, take a breath and start one small, clear step:If you don’t have a bookkeeper—or if your records are a hot mess—spend 30 minutes gathering your income and expenses (even if it’s just Excel or your bank statements). Then, figure out how much your business actually costs to run, and then only move from there. That clarity is powerful. This Week’s Book Recommendation Geily recommended a book that shifted her mindset—and mine might be next on the list: “10X Is Easier Than 2X“. It helps you dream bigger (and smarter), by scaling in a way that doesn’t burn you out. Guest Bio Geily Romero is the founder of Cutting Edge Financial Solutions — a Fractional CFO, financial consultant, and all-around cash flow queen. She helps service-based small businesses nearing or making six figures master, manage, and multiply their money so they can scale sustainably and strategically. Whether you’re barely scraping by or just unsure where your profit is going, Geily brings the clarity and tools to help you go from surviving to thriving. Guest Links Website – Cutting Edge Financial Solutions Instagram – @cuttingedgefinancialsolutions The post Mastering Your Cash Flow with Geily Romero appeared first on Amanda Warfield.