RYB 843: Learning How To PIVOT In Your Business and Achieve SUCCESS with Jasmine Star

Today I'm excited to have Jasmine Star on the show. She is known as a business strategist and social media guru. During today's episode, you'll discover that if you think being an entrepreneur is a straight path, you're wrong. It takes time, dedication, and consistency to make it happen. I'm so glad to have Jasmine here now let's get right to it!

Jasmine's New Role 

My husband and I just adopted our daughter four months ago, and I am glowing. In a sense, she chose my husband and me, and it was well worth the wait. We actually only had 24 hours notice to get ready for her arrival, and we couldn't be happier. In the gloriousness of it all, that is how we were able to usher her in. 

From a business perspective, the world hasn't been the same since we brought her home, especially during the COVIDD-19 quarantine. It's a mixed blessing because I get to spend an unexpected amount of time with my daughter, and I couldn't be more thankful. It's been a big blessing. 

Jasmine's Origin Story

Where you are right now isn't the same place you'll be in five years. Back in 2005, I was a first-generation immigrant and college student in law school. It was uncharted territory, but it wasn't in alignment with what I wanted to do. 

After my mom relapsed with brain cancer, it forced me to face head-on that I had depression and remembered that life is short. 

We have moments to change the direction and trajectory of our life. Sometimes pivots are thrust upon on, and other times pivots are given to us as a gift. I had to take a step back to see what I needed to learn. 

The pivot away from law school was difficult, and I fought it because everything was uncertain. I realized that it was a gift to reassess what I wanted to do. I wanted to be a photographer, but I didn't have a camera. My husband and I had been married for a month, and he gifted me with my first camera.

Always bee willing and open to go with the flow and let go. Look for new opportunities that you might not have considered before. 

At the time, my husband worked as a sales rep for a startup company, and it was 100% commission-based, and he had just started the process. His checks were far and few between. I worked part-time at a church, and it was difficult to try and stay afloat. Once his experience in the sales world improved, we had more regularity and stability. In the beginning, it was important for me to understand that pursuing a creative passion was a luxury. I didn't want to put pressure on monetizing my passion too early. 

Jasmin's Shift to Teaching Other Photographers 

For me, I prefer to teach what I know. I'm not a mind-reader and never guess a pivot. I diversify based on what people are asking for. If I see an opportunity and think it's strategic based on where the market is going, I'll absolutely jump at the opportunity. 

My first pivot was deciding to be a photographer, then teaching photographers about photography and then teaching them how to create a profitable business—then pivoted to teaching creative business owners how to create a profitable business. 

I've really created a stronghold on empowering small business owners, and that pivot started as diversification. Pay attention to what questions you're being asked the most. It's a test to see if there is a demand for the questions you're being asked and if people will ask follow up questions. Once you've diversified a few times, you're hedging your bets for the pivot, and it'll make you much more confident over time.

Content Is Key 

You speak your dreams into existence. If you believe you've discovered your highest purpose, you do everything you can to make it come true and don't give up. 

Note From Scott: I was podcasting for five years on eCommerce, Amazon, etc. I had to reposition and decided what I really wanted to be known for long term. I wanted to focus more on brand building. It took time and was risky at first. It's tough because you don't know how it might turn out, but it always seems to work out for the best. 

I've failed far more than I've succeeded, but knowing what doesn't work is the only way you succeed. 

The very first time I pivoted to serving small business owners, I didn't know digital marketing and just knew I had a business online. I saw other people hosting online events and thought I needed to do the same thing. If you compare your new journey to someone else's marathon, who's gone around the track 800 times, you're going to sell yourself short because you don't know all the steps that it takes at the beginning. 

What is the point of creating something if you don't know how to bring it into the world? You'll learn the most massive lessons from the scrappy, cheapest, easy, and low hanging fruit where you start, and you can scale as you go along.  

What Social Media Platform To Focus Your Attention On 

I use a very diversified approach to social media. Personally, I'm naturally drawn to Instagram as a creative storyteller. From a business perspective, my ideal customers are on Instagram, but it will be different depending on what products you sell and who your customer is. If I were going B2B or C Suite, I would be pouring buckets and buckets of attention to LinkedIn. Pick a platform where my dream customer is at and spend a significant amount of time building content for that platform. 

Is Email Dead?

Stop thinking that email is dead. If you're doing the work, cultivating your list, and creating content for your readers, it's a game-changer. We have the most success with our email lists, and we get the most engagement and reach, but you have to nurture your list to make it successful. 

Go Live Every Chance You Get 

I go live any chance that I get, especially in an algorithmic nature it's a powerful mechanism. It's not for the faint of heart, but if you're good, it shows. 

You can't depend on editing or redos, and it shows how you handle yourself. People want to see that you're a real person and that you're authentic. If you do it well, you'll be successful.  

I never do live videos for people who actually watch it live. The power is in the reply. Don't undervalue going live. It'll be a life-changer for your business if you're consistent.

Don't spend all your time focusing on selling. Go live be so consistent before you advertise your product, so when you make a call to action, they get what's happening.

Jasmine's Take Action Moment 

I joined a mastermind class, and before, I had no idea that it even existed. I looked at the price tag, and it was more than the price of the car that I was driving at the time. It was a high level of pressure, excitement, and belief to finally say that I was going to be on me and make it happen. I was ready to commit and knew that it would be worth it, and I would earn the money back.

Note From Scott: Some level of accountability or good mentorship is key to success.  

Find people (not testimonials) who have worked with someone else to see what their experience was to make sure you're working with the best people. 

Make Social Media Your Workout Regiment 

Marketing your business is an active discipline. Your actions must map your aspirations. Just know that when you have these big lofty goals, your actions must map that. You have to be fully dedicated to getting the results that you want, and they will be proportional to your effects. 

The only person who can stop you from doing what you want is you. Show up as you and do your best. Your purpose is greater than your fear, and it has a profound effect. 

A belief is a thought that you tell yourself over and over again. Tell yourself that you are going to find a way to make your dreams happen, and you can get there. You have to believe in yourself to make things happen. 

If you'd like to follow along on Jasmine's journey, you can follow her on social media @jasminestar and her website jasminestar.com. 

Final Word From Scott

What an amazing interview! Jasmine is so real, raw, and transparent. Where you're at right now isn't where you're going to end up. You don't need to have all the answers, and everything figured out right now. 

As you climb, you'll see new opportunities and building your skillset as you go along. Everyone always has ups and downs and face unique challenges. You are not alone! She has pivoted often and makes great things happen even though she's experienced many ups and downs. 

As a friendly reminder, our Take Action Morning Crew gets together every morning at 10 am EST to join us. Visit takeactioncrew.com to join! 

Remember, I am always here for you, I believe in you and am rooting for you!

Now it's time for you to TAKE ACTION and go rock your brand! 

Take-Aways From Today's Episode

1. Jasmine's New Role (4:25)
2. Jasmine's Origin Story (8:30)
3. Jasmin's Shift to Teaching Other Photographers (15:01)
4. Content Is Key (18:34)
5. What Social Media Platform To Focus Your Attention On (27:40)
6. Go Live Every Chance You Get (31:40)
7. Jasmine's Take Action Moment (37:42)

3 Quote Options 

We have moments to change the direction and trajectory of our life. Sometimes pivots are thrust upon on, and other times pivots are given to us as a gift.

You speak your dreams into existence. If you believe you've discovered your highest purpose, you do everything you can to make it come true and don't give up. 

If you compare your new journey to someone else's marathon, who's gone around the track 800 times, you're going to sell yourself short because you don't know all the steps that it takes at the beginning.