Episode #569: The Pivot: Why I Refuse to Put Creatives in a Box (And What an Iconic Founder-Led Brand Actually Looks Like)

Have you built a successful business but feel like it's trapped you in a box? If you're a creative entrepreneur feeling bored, resentful, or ready for something more, this episode is your permission slip to evolve.I'm pulling back the curtain on my biggest business pivot yet: from the Art of Reinvention to Iconic. This isn't just about rebranding. It's about refusing to put creatives in boxes and building founder-led brands that evolve with you, not against you.In this episode, I'm sharing why the "pick one thing forever" advice is dangerous for multi-passionate entrepreneurs, how I'm launching Desire AI as a standalone app this month, and the four pillars (Vision, Voice, Visibility, Vibration) that create truly iconic brands.In this episode, you’ll learn:[02:03] Why I've never been more excited about a new year since starting Flourish & Thrive Academy[05:00] The evolution of Desire AI and why we're launching it as a standalone app this month[09:21] Why I refuse to put creatives in a box just because it's more predictable on a spreadsheet[18:29] How multi-passionate creatives actually work and why "pick one thing" advice is killing your business[22:26] The truth about consistency vs expansion (and why you don't have to choose)[29:30] The four pillars that create an iconic founder-led brand (Vision, Voice, Visibility, Vibration)[38:21] Shirley's breakthrough story: From stuck with a dream to landing a retail store in South Africa's most prestigious safari lodge in 9 monthsHere are the resources mentioned in the show:Join The Breakthrough 21-Day ActivationLearn about Desire AIJoin the January Jumpstart (for Jewelry Designers)Are you enjoying the podcast? We’d be so grateful if you gave us a rating and review! Your 5 star ratings help us reach more businesses like yours and allows us to continue to deliver valuable content every single week. Click here to review the show on Apple podcast or your favorite platformSelect “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review”Share your favorite insights and inspirationsIf you haven’t done so yet, make sure that you subscribe to the show wherever you listen to podcasts and on Apple Podcast for special bonus content you won’t get elsewhere.xo, Tracy MatthewsFollow on Social:Follow @Flourish_Thrive on InstagramFollow @iamtracymatthews  InstagramFollow Flourish & Thrive Facebook

Feeling burnt out and wondering why another planner or goal list isn't fixing it? That's because more strategy won't help if you're still dragging the old version of you into the new year.In this episode, I'm breaking down why resolutions fail (they're behavior-based, not identity-based) and sharing the exact prompts I use to help creatives step into a higher capacity version of themselves.In this episode, you'll discover:[01:30] Why more planners and strategy won't help if your identity doesn't shift first[05:00] The real reason resolutions die by February (and what to do instead)[07:19] How to set intentions that come from desire, not lack (with a personal example)[08:39] The powerful question: What are you no longer available for in 2026?[10:00] How to choose your rooms and step into greater visibility[12:56] The exercise that helps you leave old versions of yourself behind[15:00] Vision prompts for radical honesty that will change everythingIf you're ready to stop playing small with your vision and actually embody the person who can hold your biggest dreams, this episode is your New Year's reset.Here are the resources mentioned in the show:The Breakthrough 21-Day Activation (Starting January 5th)Vision to Reality Jewelry Business PlannerJanuary Jumpstart ChallengeDesire AI Marketing ToolAre you enjoying the podcast? We’d be so grateful if you gave us a rating and review! Your 5 star ratings help us reach more businesses like yours and allows us to continue to deliver valuable content every single week. Click here to review the show on Apple podcast or your favorite platformSelect “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review”Share your favorite insights and inspirationsIf you haven’t done so yet, make sure that you subscribe to the show wherever you listen to podcasts and on Apple Podcast for special bonus content you won’t get elsewhere.xo, Tracy MatthewsFollow on Social:Follow @Flourish_Thrive on InstagramFollow @iamtracymatthews  InstagramFollow Flourish & Thrive Facebook

If you're the best-kept secret in your world and you know you're meant for a bigger year, this episode is for you.I’m breaking down what actually creates breakthrough years (hint: it's not better goal-setting). I’m sharing real transformation stories from my clients Shirley and Amelie, revealing the manifestation strategy that brought my partner into my life at 45, and challenging you to stop playing small with your vision.Learn how to collapse time between your vision and reality, tap into your creative frequency, and make 2026 the year you finally stop hiding your power.In this episode, you’ll learn:[00:00] Why being the "best-kept secret" is keeping you broke[02:15] The real story of how I manifested my partner Jason[07:45] Shirley's impossible dream that came true faster than expected[12:30] Amelie's conviction while building a business with two young kids[15:47] Why "realistic" goals are killing your breakthrough[18:20] How to tap into your creative frequency[20:15] Creating your audacious, unimaginable visionHere are the resources mentioned in the show:The Breakthrough 21-Day ActivationAre you enjoying the podcast? We’d be so grateful if you gave us a rating and review! Your 5 star ratings help us reach more businesses like yours and allows us to continue to deliver valuable content every single week. Click here to review the show on Apple podcast or your favorite platformSelect “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review”Share your favorite insights and inspirationsIf you haven’t done so yet, make sure that you subscribe to the show wherever you listen to podcasts and on Apple Podcast for special bonus content you won’t get elsewhere.xo, Tracy MatthewsFollow on Social:Follow @Flourish_Thrive on InstagramFollow @iamtracymatthews  InstagramFollow Flourish & Thrive Facebook

What happens when you accidentally build an AI that coaches better than you do?Andrea Crowder wasn't trying to become an AI expert. Six months ago, she'd barely touched ChatGPT. But when she uploaded her coaching content into a custom bot for her $59/month subscription program, something extraordinary happened. Legend AI started transforming lives.People started messaging her: "This replaced my therapist." "I feel like I finally understand myself." "My seven-year-old foster daughter is using Legend to work through her emotions."In this raw, powerful conversation, Andrea shares her journey from being a military wife supporting a partner with severe PTSD to building a seven-figure business that was destroying her nervous system. She talks about the anxiety that had her rocking herself in her bedroom, the healing modalities that actually worked, and how she accidentally created an AI tool that launched itself to $150K in sales.We explore feminine and masculine energy dynamics, why women choosing themselves changes everything, and how AI can help us return home to ourselves at lightning speed. This isn't just another AI episode. It's about transformation, identity shifts, and what becomes possible when we stop trying to hold everything alone.In this episode, you'll learn:[03:21] The hidden cost of a seven-figure business and why success doesn't guarantee happiness[07:54] How Legend AI was created by accident and why it coaches with superhuman emotional intelligence[14:19] The six core business roles Legend AI can assist with (and why she'll never replace human connection)[21:17] How to use AI to analyze your communication and become a stronger leader[29:37] What Andrea's Special Forces father taught her about feminine receptivity (and why it changed everything)[40:09] The difference between coping strategies and clearing strategies in trauma healingHere are the resources mentioned in the show:Follow @love_andreacrowder on InstagramLegend AI Join the Awaken Your Creative & Wealthy Frequency 21-Day Activation Are you enjoying the podcast? We’d be so grateful if you gave us a rating and review! Your 5 star ratings help us reach more businesses like yours and allows us to continue to deliver valuable content every single week. Click here to review the show on Apple podcast or your favorite platformSelect “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review”Share your favorite insights and inspirationsIf you haven’t done so yet, make sure that you subscribe to the show wherever you listen to podcasts and on Apple Podcast for special bonus content you won’t get elsewhere.xo, Tracy MatthewsFollow on Social:Follow @Flourish_Thrive on InstagramFollow @iamtracymatthews  InstagramFollow Flourish & Thrive Facebook

What if 2026 could be your most creative AND most wealthy year yet?In this powerful solo episode, I'm breaking down why the Year of the Horse is inviting creatives everywhere to step into overflow energy, limitless abundance, and a whole new paradigm of what it means to be a wealthy creative.We're leaving behind the Year of the Snake (shedding old patterns) and galloping full speed into the Year of the Horse, where creatives get to RUN towards their visions without holding back.I'll walk you through the three pillars of overflow: Energetic Alignment, Embodied Wealth, and Creative Frequency, and how these unlock a life where you're not hustling harder, but channeling abundance through your creativity itself.In this episode, you’ll discover:[05:18] Year of the Snake vs Year of the Horse: shifting from shedding to sprinting[09:34] The three pillars of overflow: Energetic Alignment, Embodied Wealth, Creative Frequency[24:15] The new paradigm: Creatives who are wealthy, branded, and magnetic[28:56] Introducing the Awaken Your Creative + Wealthy Year 21-Day Activation[32:18] A personal story: When art class was for "stupid people"[37:44] Honoring my first love and the full circle moment that shaped my missionHere are the resources mentioned in the show:Join the Awaken Your Creative + Wealthy Year 21-Day ActivationGet Early Access to Icon Era: DM @iamtracymatthews on InstagramJoin the Jewelry Business Challenge - Creativity to Cash FlowYour Year to ThriveAre you enjoying the podcast? We’d be so grateful if you gave us a rating and review! Your 5 star ratings help us reach more businesses like yours and allows us to continue to deliver valuable content every single week. Click here to review the show on Apple podcast or your favorite platformSelect “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review”Share your favorite insights and inspirationsIf you haven’t done so yet, make sure that you subscribe to the show wherever you listen to podcasts and on Apple Podcast for special bonus content you won’t get elsewhere.xo, Tracy MatthewsFollow on Social:Follow @Flourish_Thrive on InstagramFollow @iamtracymatthews  InstagramFollow Flourish & Thrive Facebook

What if the resistance you're feeling isn't a wall to break through, but a doorway to walk through?In this powerful conversation, leadership coach Heather Chauvin and I get radically honest about resistance, fear, self-trust, and what it really takes to build a business that doesn't break you. Heather built her coaching practice while battling stage 4 cancer, and her story will remind you why you started this journey in the first place.We dive deep into why resistance shows up (and what it's really trying to tell you), the difference between failure and pivoting, how to know when to push through versus when to lean in and wait, and Heather's game-changing "wouldn't it be nice if" journaling technique.This conversation went places I didn't expect. We both cried. We talked about our mothers, our fears, and the moments that shaped who we've become. If you're in a season of uncertainty or feeling stuck, this episode will give you permission to trust yourself again.In this episode, you’ll learn:[9:03] Why resistance is actually your body trying to keep you safe (and how to use it as a growth tool instead of fighting it)[13:07] Heather's powerful story: building her coaching business from her hospital bed while battling stage 4 cancer[25:06] The critical difference between failure and pivoting, and why one keeps you stuck while the other moves you forward[31:07] Tracy's story: intentionally descaling a seven-figure business and sitting in two years of uncertainty before clarity came[43:21] The "wouldn't it be nice if" journaling practice that brings instant clarity when you're stuck or overwhelmed[52:31] Why becoming the adult you needed as a child is the deepest work of entrepreneurship and how it connects to business successHere are the resources mentioned in the show:Follow @heatherchauvin_ on InstagramHeather's Podcast: Emotionally UncomfortableHeather's WebsiteJoin the 21-Day Creativity to Cash Flow Challenge ($1/day for 21 days of actionable sales strategies) Are you enjoying the podcast? We’d be so grateful if you gave us a rating and review! Your 5 star ratings help us reach more businesses like yours and allows us to continue to deliver valuable content every single week. Click here to review the show on Apple podcast or your favorite platformSelect “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review”Share your favorite insights and inspirationsIf you haven’t done so yet, make sure that you subscribe to the show wherever you listen to podcasts and on Apple Podcast for special bonus content you won’t get elsewhere.xo, Tracy MatthewsFollow on Social:Follow @Flourish_Thrive on InstagramFollow @iamtracymatthews  InstagramFollow Flourish & Thrive Facebook

What if the thing keeping you stuck isn't your strategy, your team, or your market? What if it's how often you abandon yourself without even realizing it?In this episode, I sit down with Danielle Laura, a human design expert, clairvoyant, and former healthcare executive who completely transformed her life after experiencing what she calls "soul death." Danielle shares her journey from climbing the corporate ladder to losing everything when she finally chose to honor her gifts, and how she built an unshakable sense of self-loyalty in the process.We get into the real signs of self-abandonment that most entrepreneurs miss, why visionaries and creatives often feel like outsiders, and the micro-moment shifts that can change your entire trajectory without burning you out. Danielle also shares her favorite nervous system regulation practices and explains the difference between maintenance seasons and evolution seasons in business.If you've ever felt like you're living someone else's life, or you're so busy taking care of everyone else that you've lost yourself, this conversation will give you the permission and the practical tools to choose yourself first.In this episode, you’ll learn:[04:46] Danielle's journey from healthcare executive to experiencing "soul death"[08:47] How human design and gene keys became the missing link[15:06] Signs you're living in self-abandonment (and don't even know it)[20:40] The "future cost" question that makes hard decisions easier[27:55] Why micro-moment shifts beat massive life overhauls[35:17] Nervous system regulation practices for high achieversHere are the resources mentioned in the show:Follow @_daniellelaura_ on Instagram Listen to H.O.T Talks PodcastDanielle’s WebsiteJoin the 21-Day Creativity to Cashflow ChallengeAre you enjoying the podcast? We’d be so grateful if you gave us a rating and review! Your 5 star ratings help us reach more businesses like yours and allows us to continue to deliver valuable content every single week. Click here to review the show on Apple podcast or your favorite platformSelect “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review”Share your favorite insights and inspirationsIf you haven’t done so yet, make sure that you subscribe to the show wherever you listen to podcasts and on Apple Podcast for special bonus content you won’t get elsewhere.xo, Tracy MatthewsFollow on Social:Follow @Flourish_Thrive on InstagramFollow @iamtracymatthews  InstagramFollow Flourish & Thrive Facebook

Want to start a podcast but terrified your first episodes will be terrible? Good news: they will be. And that's exactly why you should start anyway. Jessica Burgio launched her podcast during COVID with mediocre equipment, zero followers, and a whole lot of fear. Four years later, she's built a thriving business and a ride-or-die community through the power of podcasting.In this episode, Jessica shares her complete roadmap for starting and growing a podcast that builds community and generates revenue. You'll learn why your "awful" first episodes are your greatest teacher, how to batch content so you're not scrambling every week, the marketing strategy Lewis Howes still uses on his massive show, and how to pivot your podcast when it stops feeling aligned. Jessica reveals the raw truth about building her show from 0 to 300+ episodes, including her cringiest moments and biggest wins.If you've been sitting on a podcast idea, this is your sign to start.In this episode, you’ll learn:[02:53] Jessica's journey from hairstylist to business mentor and borrowing belief from mentors[10:00] Starting Beauty Inspires Beauty during COVID and rebranding to Unscripted[27:33] Cringiest podcasting moments: bad audio and wrong guests[30:00] Practical tips for starting your podcast today[35:00] Marketing strategies that work, including Lewis Howes' personal outreach tactic[40:00] Attraction marketing: how to draw your ideal listeners to you[45:00] Advice for creatives stuck in the middle of a pivotHere are the resources mentioned in the show:Follow @jessicaburgio on InstagramFollow @unscriptedthepodcast on InstagramJoin the 21-Day Creativity to Cash Flow Challenge ($1/day for 21 days of actionable sales strategies)Are you enjoying the podcast? We’d be so grateful if you gave us a rating and review! Your 5 star ratings help us reach more businesses like yours and allows us to continue to deliver valuable content every single week. Click here to review the show on Apple podcast or your favorite platformSelect “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review”Share your favorite insights and inspirationsIf you haven’t done so yet, make sure that you subscribe to the show wherever you listen to podcasts and on Apple Podcast for special bonus content you won’t get elsewhere.xo, Tracy MatthewsFollow on Social:Follow @Flourish_Thrive on InstagramFollow @iamtracymatthews  InstagramFollow Flourish & Thrive Facebook

What if the thing you think is helping you close more sales is actually costing you conversions? My guest today, Jillian Murphy, is about to flip everything you know about selling on its head.Jillian went from being unexpectedly let go from her corporate sales job during the pandemic to building a seven-figure coaching business in just two years, all through Instagram DMs. No fancy funnels. No automation. No sales calls. Just authentic conversations that convert. In this episode, Jillian pulls back the curtain on her entire DM selling method, including how she closes clients up to $56K without ever jumping on a call, why making people book a calendar link is costing you sales, and how her content does 99% of the selling for her.If you've ever felt overwhelmed by all the "shoulds" in online business (the webinars, the ads, the complex funnels), this conversation will be a breath of fresh air. Jillian's approach is refreshingly simple, deeply relational, and incredibly effective. Whether you're selling jewelry, coaching, services, or products, this episode will change how you think about sales forever.In this episode, you’ll learn:[2:42] The moment everything changed: How Jillian lost her corporate identity and found her true calling in less than 48 hours[5:14] Why attending a mastermind six weeks before getting fired became the catalyst for a seven-figure business[8:36] The Facebook group strategy that generated $68K in her first launch (and why she still doesn't have a website)[12:00] The Google Doc that replaces fancy sales pages, and why simpler is more profitable[15:58] The "bursting pipe" theory: Why calendar links are killing your conversions and what to do instead[20:11] How to handle ghosting in the DMs without losing your dignity (or the sale)[22:56] The objection-handling framework that closed a $56K deal entirely through Instagram messages[25:10] Why Jillian refuses to automate her DMs, and how she still has time for everythingHere are the resources mentioned in the show:Follow @theJillianMurphy on InstagramJillian’s Free Weekly Webinar: Mastering DM Selling (Every Wednesday)Jillian's Podcast: Scale Your SalesJoin the 21-Day Creativity to Cash Flow Challenge ($1/day for 21 days of actionable sales strategies)Are you enjoying the podcast? We’d be so grateful if you gave us a rating and review! Your 5 star ratings help us reach more businesses like yours and allows us to continue to deliver valuable content every single week. Click here to review the show on Apple podcast or your favorite platformSelect “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review”Share your favorite insights and inspirationsIf you haven’t done so yet, make sure that you subscribe to the show wherever you listen to podcasts and on Apple Podcast for special bonus content you won’t get elsewhere.xo, Tracy MatthewsFollow on Social:Follow @Flourish_Thrive on InstagramFollow @iamtracymatthews  InstagramFollow Flourish & Thrive Facebook

Rising gold prices don't have to mean panic or shrinking profits. In this episode, I'm sharing five powerful strategies to help you navigate this market shift with confidence and turn it into serious cash flow for your jewelry business.You'll learn how to announce price increases without losing customers, audit your pricing to protect margins, refine unused metals for instant revenue, create a customer-winning trade-in program, and use desire-driven storytelling to communicate the true value of your work.This is your moment to lead, elevate your messaging, and step into premium positioning. Gold might be rising, but so are you.In this episode, you’ll learn:[02:15] Why announcing your price increase early (with a grace period) actually builds trust and urgency with your best customers[08:30] The exact pricing audit framework to ensure your margins are protected and your brand is positioned as premium[11:45] How to refine unused gold and silver to generate instant cash flow, and why this is the perfect time to do it[14:22] A creative trade-in program strategy that brings customers back, increases lifetime value, and beats the competition[17:41] The storytelling mistake that's costing you sales (and the desire-driven content framework that fixes it)[21:10] How to shift your messaging from "cost" to "craftsmanship" so customers feel the value instead of the price[24:49] Why daily revenue-generating activities are the antidote to stress, and how to get into the energy of daily salesHere are the resources mentioned in the show:Join the 21-Day Creativity to Cash Flow ChallengeDownload the Jewelry Pricing CalculatorDesire AI DemoThe Jewelry Sales AcceleratorAre you enjoying the podcast? We’d be so grateful if you gave us a rating and review! Your 5 star ratings help us reach more businesses like yours and allows us to continue to deliver valuable content every single week. Click here to review the show on Apple podcast or your favorite platformSelect “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review”Share your favorite insights and inspirationsIf you haven’t done so yet, make sure that you subscribe to the show wherever you listen to podcasts and on Apple Podcast for special bonus content you won’t get elsewhere.xo, Tracy MatthewsFollow on Social:Follow @Flourish_Thrive on InstagramFollow @iamtracymatthews  InstagramFollow Flourish & Thrive Facebook