Oct. 29, 2025

112: Broke, Divorced & a $1,200 Stimulus Check — to Multi‑Million Dollar Business

112: Broke, Divorced & a $1,200 Stimulus Check — to Multi‑Million Dollar Business

What would you do with a $1,200 stimulus check? When Ellie was broke, newly divorced, and raising four kids out of her mom’s house, she made one powerful decision — to invest that stimulus check into herself. Fast forward: she’s now built a multi-million dollar business empire, helped 50,000+ women, and opened a café in Senegal. In this episode, we dive into: How she stretched $1,200 into an LLC, website, and first productThe moment her $15 course made $10K, then $1MBusiness credit vs persona...

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Season 4

What would you do with a $1,200 stimulus check?

When Ellie was broke, newly divorced, and raising four kids out of her mom’s house, she made one powerful decision — to invest that stimulus check into herself. Fast forward: she’s now built a multi-million dollar business empire, helped 50,000+ women, and opened a café in Senegal.

In this episode, we dive into:

  • How she stretched $1,200 into an LLC, website, and first product
  • The moment her $15 course made $10K, then $1M
  • Business credit vs personal credit — and what most people get wrong
  • The power of sweat equity over paid ads
  • Building a café & coworking space in Africa with zero experience

Ellie shares the blueprint, the mindset, and the mistakes to avoid if you’re building a business from the bottom.

Notes from the show:

Join Ellie Diop's Ellievated Academy

Follow Ellie Talks Money on Instagram

Follow Ellie Talks Money on TikTok

Subscribe to Ellie Talks Money on YouTube

Head over to our YouTube channel to catch this episode in full video form.

Apply to be a guest on the show.

You can also email us at: thesugardaddypodcast@gmail.com

Connect with us on Instagram
We’re most active over at @thesugardaddypodcast

Chat with Brandon
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Show us some love, hit subscribe, leave a five star rating, and drop a quick review!

Money, relationships, and the mindset to master both. Hosted by financial advisor Brandon and his wife Jessica, The Sugar Daddy Podcast breaks down how to build wealth, unpack old money beliefs, and have real conversations about love and finances. Our mission? To help couples and individuals grow rich in every sense of the word: emotionally, relationally and financially.

Chapters

00:00 - The $1,200 Startup Blueprint

01:05 - Meet Ellie And Her Mission

04:21 - Early Money Memories And Mindset

10:01 - From DoorDash To Content Strategy

13:01 - Building An Audience With Value

16:15 - Validating Demand And First Sales

20:30 - Integrity Amid Bad Advice Online

24:45 - Bootstrapping Before Buying Ads

27:32 - Business Credit Myths And Truths

32:40 - Funding Paths With Imperfect Credit

39:20 - Teaching To Fish: Fully Funded

42:28 - New Pivot: Cafe And Coworking In Dakar

49:10 - Courage, Iteration, And Next Steps

Transcript
WEBVTT

00:00:00.160 --> 00:00:11.359
So when that$1,200 came, I used a portion of it to upgrade my phone because through watching YouTube videos, I knew if I wanted to be a content creator, I needed to have at least a good phone.

00:00:11.519 --> 00:00:12.960
So some of it went to that.

00:00:13.199 --> 00:00:24.800
I also went to Ross and purchased things like, you know, these really cute backgrounds that you have right now, little flowers, you know, a shelf, just like something that would look nice if I'm recording videos.

00:00:25.039 --> 00:00:30.480
I also bought a Canvas subscription to be able to make my own content.

00:00:30.719 --> 00:00:34.079
And I formed my LLC with that$1,200.

00:00:34.479 --> 00:00:37.200
And the last thing is I bought some domains.

00:00:37.280 --> 00:00:39.039
So for my website, et cetera.

00:00:39.119 --> 00:00:45.679
And then the little bit that was left over, I kept it in case I wanted to run ads, which I've never run ads because I know nothing about it.

00:00:45.840 --> 00:00:48.960
So that's really how I divvied up that$1,200.

00:00:49.359 --> 00:00:52.960
And the rest of it went into just sweat equity.

00:00:53.200 --> 00:00:54.960
Sugar Teddy podcast, yo.

00:00:55.439 --> 00:00:57.679
Learn how to make them pockets grow.

00:00:57.920 --> 00:01:00.079
Five minutes for freedoms where we go.

00:01:00.479 --> 00:01:02.640
Smart investments, money flow.

00:01:04.239 --> 00:01:05.040
Hey, babe.

00:01:05.200 --> 00:01:06.560
What are we talking about today?

00:01:06.799 --> 00:01:15.519
Today we are talking about one of my favorite topics: women and money, and women who have made a huge pivot and have turned their life around.

00:01:15.599 --> 00:01:28.159
Because whatever your story is, wherever you are right now, if you feel stuck, if you feel like, man, you know, I'm 30, I'm 40, I should have, I could have, I, you know, whatever that is, your story is not over.

00:01:28.400 --> 00:01:33.519
And we have a very special guest today, Ellie from Ellie Talks Money.

00:01:33.840 --> 00:01:39.040
And we're gonna get into her pivot story because it is absolutely incredible and inspiring.

00:01:39.120 --> 00:01:41.359
And I'm so honored to have Ellie with us.

00:01:41.519 --> 00:01:43.920
Ellie, welcome to the Sugar Daddy Podcast.

00:01:44.159 --> 00:01:44.640
Yes.

00:01:44.799 --> 00:01:45.840
Thank you all so much.

00:01:46.000 --> 00:01:47.280
I'm so excited to be here.

00:01:47.359 --> 00:01:50.640
I absolutely love the name as well, the Sugar Daddy Podcast.

00:01:50.879 --> 00:01:51.840
Because why not?

00:01:52.000 --> 00:01:54.959
So I'm really excited to spend this time with you all.

00:01:55.200 --> 00:01:55.599
Yes.

00:01:55.760 --> 00:02:00.000
And just in case, Ellie, you didn't know, I'm the Sugar Daddy, just to be very clear.

00:02:01.359 --> 00:02:02.799
Yes, exactly.

00:02:03.040 --> 00:02:03.680
I know.

00:02:04.000 --> 00:02:05.359
I wanted to make sure you knew.

00:02:05.519 --> 00:02:10.800
Let's get into this bio so that everybody knows why we are so excited to chat with you today.

00:02:11.120 --> 00:02:18.879
Ellie Chiop is a business and strategy coach and the founder and CEO of Ellie Talks Money and Elevated Academy.

00:02:19.039 --> 00:02:20.159
I see what you did there.

00:02:20.240 --> 00:02:21.039
That's cute.

00:02:21.840 --> 00:02:22.800
I see it.

00:02:23.120 --> 00:02:34.879
Ellie took her$1,200 stimulus check to start a business that she turned into a multi-million dollar company in under a year before turning 30 years old.

00:02:35.120 --> 00:02:43.520
She has served over 50,000 students and is committed to assisting women to build successful businesses so that they can live the life of their dreams.

00:02:43.759 --> 00:02:51.919
Ellie has built a community of over half a million people and has helped her students secure over$7 million in business funding.

00:02:52.159 --> 00:03:04.080
She has been recognized as one of the uh one of the 25 most influential new voices of money by NextAdvisor and is a top 100 most influential African American by the route.

00:03:04.240 --> 00:03:18.080
She has shared her businesses, success story, and expertise in several media outlets, including Fortune Magazine, Entrepreneur, Newsweek, Fox Business, Business Insider, Next Advisor, and Bloomberg, just to name a few.

00:03:18.319 --> 00:03:20.159
Girl, you are busy.

00:03:21.199 --> 00:03:22.080
I'm like, you know what?

00:03:22.240 --> 00:03:24.159
It's so funny when I do audio like that.

00:03:24.319 --> 00:03:26.479
I'm like, dang, I guess I have gotten a lot done.

00:03:26.560 --> 00:03:26.879
You know?

00:03:27.360 --> 00:03:30.240
And it's so funny because you don't always think like that.

00:03:30.400 --> 00:03:32.400
I know for me, I'm always hard on myself.

00:03:32.479 --> 00:03:34.639
Like, come on, Ellie, you can do more, you can do more.

00:03:34.800 --> 00:03:40.319
But it's really nice to sometimes sit and just take it and like, oh wait, I'm doing, I'm doing a pretty good job.

00:03:40.639 --> 00:03:40.960
Yes.

00:03:41.199 --> 00:03:50.800
And you know, it's so funny because we we always read the guest bio and so many people say exactly what you just said, like, oh my gosh, I guess I really have done this, right?

00:03:50.879 --> 00:03:52.719
Wow, I really have been working hard.

00:03:52.960 --> 00:03:57.599
But I think you guys are just so hardworking that you're always on to the next thing.

00:03:57.759 --> 00:04:04.400
So I want you to also, I'm gonna encourage you today to pause and celebrate everything you've built and your successes.

00:04:04.560 --> 00:04:08.000
And I know we're gonna get into it, but I mean, just applause to you.

00:04:08.319 --> 00:04:08.800
Thank you.

00:04:08.879 --> 00:04:10.080
That means so much.

00:04:10.400 --> 00:04:11.280
Oh, I'm so glad.

00:04:11.520 --> 00:04:21.519
Okay, we have to get into your first money memory, and then we will get into this community you've built, the business you've built, and how you're just crushing it at life.

00:04:21.920 --> 00:04:22.959
Oh my goodness.

00:04:23.120 --> 00:04:27.279
So my first money memory, okay, so this could even be like in childhood.

00:04:27.600 --> 00:04:28.240
Yeah.

00:04:28.800 --> 00:04:45.600
Okay, so uh my first money memory, and I think when I really understood what it meant to have money or not have money, I went to a private all-girls school from, you know, fourth grade all the way up to when I graduated.

00:04:45.920 --> 00:04:49.199
And I it was a predominantly white school.

00:04:49.360 --> 00:04:53.439
I was one of just a handful of, you know, little black girls.

00:04:53.680 --> 00:05:00.160
And I remember, you know, it was maybe in class at one point, we were all talking about what our parents did for work.

00:05:00.480 --> 00:05:05.439
And I was mostly listening because I knew that at the time my mom was a substitute teacher.

00:05:05.680 --> 00:05:09.199
And so I was listening to these parents, I mean, to these kids talking about their parents.

00:05:09.279 --> 00:05:15.680
And I remember one girl was like, Yeah, you know, my dad is a lawyer, and somehow it got to the topic of how much they make.

00:05:15.920 --> 00:05:22.800
She was like, Yeah, my dad makes$250 an hour, which I don't know, he doesn't think it's a lot, but it seems like a lot to me.

00:05:22.959 --> 00:05:30.639
And I remember in that moment, like pulling out my calculator and calculating like a 24-hour day times$250.

00:05:31.120 --> 00:05:34.079
And my mind was just blown.

00:05:34.160 --> 00:05:42.000
And I remember telling myself, like, if my mom made that kind of money, like she could pay for this without a problem, she could do this, she wouldn't be stressed.

00:05:42.160 --> 00:05:46.399
Like it really has sat with me all that time, all this time.

00:05:46.959 --> 00:05:51.839
And, you know, it made me realize there are levels to this life.

00:05:52.000 --> 00:06:00.160
You know, you can certainly earn one amount and, you know, struggle, or you can do whatever it takes to get to that next amount.

00:06:00.240 --> 00:06:08.879
And I think it was at that moment that I decided I'm gonna figure out how I can make$250 an hour or more at some point in my life, you know?

00:06:09.040 --> 00:06:11.360
Um, and thank God I found a way to do that.

00:06:11.680 --> 00:06:12.560
Oh my gosh.

00:06:12.879 --> 00:06:20.319
What a powerful story in like fourth grade to be, you know, calculating that or even to be having that conversation.

00:06:20.399 --> 00:06:27.199
Because I know our kids are seven and five, and we talk to them about money all the time, but they still don't have a concept, right?

00:06:27.360 --> 00:06:27.519
Yeah.

00:06:27.680 --> 00:06:34.720
So even for the other child to say, my dad makes$250 an hour and he doesn't think it's a lot, but I think it's a lot.

00:06:34.879 --> 00:06:35.120
Right.

00:06:35.920 --> 00:06:37.040
That's like what?

00:06:37.439 --> 00:06:42.480
That's also like also the fact that she knew how much her dad made in fourth grade and understood.

00:06:44.079 --> 00:06:44.399
Exactly.

00:06:44.800 --> 00:06:55.439
But if you're talking about money and you're always trying to level up, then you're hopefully, you know, we know that in the white communities and the Asian communities, like people are talking about money.

00:06:55.519 --> 00:06:57.120
Like this is what money.

00:06:57.360 --> 00:07:01.759
This is what you're doing at the country club and on the golf course and while playing tennis.

00:07:02.000 --> 00:07:05.920
So the kids are absorbing, you know, we think they're not listening, but they hear us.

00:07:06.160 --> 00:07:14.800
I mean, like growing up, I had an idea I didn't never knew it was like until I got older how much my mom was making, but I had an idea that we were doing fine in comparison to like my peers.

00:07:15.040 --> 00:07:15.680
Yeah.

00:07:15.839 --> 00:07:16.160
Yeah.

00:07:16.399 --> 00:07:18.720
That's I think that's really interesting.

00:07:18.800 --> 00:07:23.279
And, you know, now myself as a mom of five, I think back to that a lot.

00:07:23.439 --> 00:07:30.079
And, you know, I don't tell my kids how much we make, but I'm really intentional about taking the taboo away from money.

00:07:30.399 --> 00:07:32.480
Because I know my mom never talked to me about money.

00:07:32.639 --> 00:07:40.560
I just knew a concept of we can't afford it, or, you know, if you go to the store, don't ask for anything because you're not gonna get it.

00:07:40.639 --> 00:07:41.279
You know what I mean?

00:07:41.519 --> 00:07:53.920
So I understood that money was something that you could use to get things that you wanted or needed, but there was never any conversation of budgeting or finances or, you know, saving or investing.

00:07:54.319 --> 00:08:01.839
And I remember, you know, also at that same school, one day, you know, uh one of the students were talking about this new company, Apple.

00:08:02.160 --> 00:08:02.319
Oh.

00:08:02.639 --> 00:08:07.839
And how her dad was talking about getting investments in Apple.

00:08:08.079 --> 00:08:12.560
And, you know, I mean, y'all, this is let's see, I was uh eight or nine at the time.

00:08:12.800 --> 00:08:14.800
So that's like 20 something years ago.

00:08:14.959 --> 00:08:19.839
I mean, so this would have been at the debut of Apple, like when the first, before the first iPhone came out.

00:08:20.000 --> 00:08:23.360
And so I can only imagine if her dad actually did make that investment.

00:08:23.519 --> 00:08:24.800
You know, I mean, come on.

00:08:25.040 --> 00:08:28.319
We're not gonna try right here, right now.

00:08:28.480 --> 00:08:28.800
Okay.

00:08:29.439 --> 00:08:30.560
But we all wish we would have.

00:08:30.879 --> 00:08:37.360
I have a fun story because um my mom was a retired college professor, and in education, they actually used a lot of like Apple computers.

00:08:37.440 --> 00:08:43.279
So like my mom had the first Apple laptop when it came out, but never invested in Apple at that time.

00:08:43.360 --> 00:08:48.559
So, like, literally growing up, all I used was Apple computers back when they were called Macintosh.

00:08:48.639 --> 00:08:51.279
Yeah, and never she never invested in it at that time.

00:08:51.600 --> 00:08:52.240
What a miss.

00:08:52.320 --> 00:08:53.120
What a season.

00:08:54.159 --> 00:08:54.480
I know.

00:08:54.879 --> 00:08:55.360
I mean, granted.

00:08:56.000 --> 00:09:01.600
Hindsight's 2020, and my mom has done very well for herself, and money's not an issue, but I'm still like mom, like, how did you just do that?

00:09:01.759 --> 00:09:03.360
But it could have been better with that Apple Apple.

00:09:03.840 --> 00:09:05.519
Oh man, with that Apple girl.

00:09:05.840 --> 00:09:06.960
We had all done it.

00:09:07.120 --> 00:09:13.039
Oh, you know, just even that, the fact that their children at the you know, at the time were overhearing those conversations.

00:09:13.200 --> 00:09:15.039
That's probably dinner table conversation.

00:09:15.200 --> 00:09:30.080
So we have to, and I know it's been my mission as a mom to make those kind of conversations dinner table conversations too, so that it doesn't feel like when they do get older, they're just, you know, deer in the headlights in the real world about money and you know how to make it.

00:09:30.720 --> 00:09:33.200
Oh, we definitely tell our kids, especially how much things cost.

00:09:33.440 --> 00:09:33.600
Yeah.

00:09:33.840 --> 00:09:35.840
Because they still think like$100 is a lot of money.

00:09:35.919 --> 00:09:38.879
I'm like, uh, not anymore.

00:09:39.039 --> 00:09:39.200
Yeah.

00:09:39.519 --> 00:09:40.080
Oh girl.

00:09:40.240 --> 00:09:41.919
We can run through$100 quick.

00:09:42.000 --> 00:09:42.399
Look at that.

00:09:42.480 --> 00:09:44.879
And I used to remember to be like, just buying berries.

00:09:45.120 --> 00:09:45.679
Yes.

00:09:45.919 --> 00:09:50.480
$20 used to get you, you know, movies, a a meal.

00:09:51.039 --> 00:09:53.600
Okay, maybe also something at the gas station.

00:09:53.759 --> 00:09:55.759
And you might have some change left over.

00:09:56.080 --> 00:09:56.240
Yeah.

00:09:56.799 --> 00:09:57.679
Those days are gone.

00:09:57.919 --> 00:09:59.279
$20 long gone.

00:09:59.519 --> 00:09:59.919
Yeah.

00:10:01.039 --> 00:10:12.559
Ellie, let's go into your kind of origin story of the$1,200 stimulus check that you turned into a multimillion dollar business.

00:10:12.799 --> 00:10:14.639
Because walk us through that.

00:10:14.799 --> 00:10:16.799
How does one take$1,200?

00:10:17.120 --> 00:10:29.600
And, you know, talking about$20, what it used to be,$100, what it used to be,$1,200, you know, is a lot of money, but most people don't see that as a life-changing amount.

00:10:29.759 --> 00:10:33.519
And you really turned it into a life changer.

00:10:34.000 --> 00:10:34.559
Girl.

00:10:34.799 --> 00:10:37.919
So let me take you back to where I was at that time.

00:10:38.240 --> 00:10:44.639
So uh when I was thinking about starting a business, I had just gotten a divorce.

00:10:44.799 --> 00:10:49.759
Um, I was living back at my mom's house with my four children at the time.

00:10:49.919 --> 00:10:55.279
My twins were only, I think, nine months, six months, something like that.

00:10:55.360 --> 00:11:01.039
It was very, very, very fresh because I had just had them in April and we separated in like September.

00:11:01.120 --> 00:11:02.720
So they were very, very small.

00:11:02.879 --> 00:11:08.000
Um, and then, you know, shortly after the pandemic hit, so here we are in 2020.

00:11:08.080 --> 00:11:10.320
Now I'm at home with all four kids.

00:11:10.480 --> 00:11:11.519
I don't have a job.

00:11:11.679 --> 00:11:18.320
I'm doing DoorDash and Postmates, and you know, it was really uh up at that time because of the fact that no one was pulling out.

00:11:18.480 --> 00:11:20.960
So I'm, you know, got my kids in the backseat.

00:11:21.120 --> 00:11:27.120
We're driving all around LA, delivering people's chipotle, delivering pancakes, just like, girl.

00:11:27.440 --> 00:11:36.080
And so when I knew that those stimulus checks were coming, I started to think, okay, I feel like this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

00:11:36.240 --> 00:11:38.159
What am I going to do with this money?

00:11:38.320 --> 00:11:43.840
Now, of course, being a mom, my children got their own little stipend, but that just went into a savings account for them.

00:11:44.000 --> 00:11:47.360
I had to think, what am I gonna do with this$1,200 that's going to come?

00:11:47.600 --> 00:11:51.759
So I actually got mine later than almost everyone else in the country.

00:11:51.919 --> 00:11:57.840
So I think that that was an advantage because I saw people taking their stimulus check and going to the Louis Vuitton store.

00:11:58.000 --> 00:12:00.240
I saw people lining up at the grove.

00:12:00.399 --> 00:12:02.240
I saw it and I said, you know what?

00:12:02.399 --> 00:12:03.679
I'm not gonna do that.

00:12:03.840 --> 00:12:07.440
I'm not gonna take this money and go and buy a bag.

00:12:07.600 --> 00:12:08.960
Like, I'm not gonna do that.

00:12:09.120 --> 00:12:14.879
So when I got mine around May or June, I knew I was gonna put it towards something.

00:12:15.039 --> 00:12:16.399
I just didn't know what.

00:12:16.720 --> 00:12:22.960
So uh really at that time, I had already thought about maybe I should start a consulting company.

00:12:23.120 --> 00:12:29.279
Because prior to starting my business, I worked for a startup in the financial services.

00:12:29.519 --> 00:12:32.080
And so I was director of sales at that startup.

00:12:32.159 --> 00:12:38.720
So I had a lot of experience with sales, I had a lot of experience with, you know, marketing, managing a team.

00:12:38.879 --> 00:12:41.679
Um, and I loved financial services, you know.

00:12:41.840 --> 00:12:45.039
So I knew that that was my world and my gift.

00:12:45.279 --> 00:12:51.200
But now that I wasn't getting hired for a job, how could I take those skills and actually put it towards something?

00:12:51.440 --> 00:12:57.120
So I had started to create content on LinkedIn, you know, I was like, all right, maybe people will hire me as a consultant.

00:12:57.360 --> 00:12:59.600
Nothing was popping off.

00:12:59.759 --> 00:13:10.879
So when that$1,200 came, I used a portion of it to upgrade my phone because through watching YouTube videos, I knew if I wanted to be a content creator, I needed to have at least a good phone.

00:13:11.120 --> 00:13:12.559
So some of it went to that.

00:13:12.720 --> 00:13:24.399
I also went to Ross and purchased things like, you know, these really cute backgrounds that you have right now, little flowers, you know, a shelf, just like something that would look nice if I'm recording videos.

00:13:24.639 --> 00:13:30.080
I also bought a Canvas subscription to be able to make my own content.

00:13:30.320 --> 00:13:33.679
And I formed my LLC with that$1,200.

00:13:34.080 --> 00:13:36.720
And the last thing is I bought some domains.

00:13:36.879 --> 00:13:38.559
So for my website, et cetera.

00:13:38.639 --> 00:13:45.279
And then the little bit that was left over, I kept it in case I wanted to run ads, which I've never run ads because I know nothing about it.

00:13:45.440 --> 00:13:48.480
So that's really how I divvied up that$1,200.

00:13:48.879 --> 00:13:52.720
And the rest of it went into just sweat equity.

00:13:52.960 --> 00:13:58.399
I committed to posting four times a day, every single day.

00:13:58.720 --> 00:13:59.679
That's a full-time job.

00:14:00.559 --> 00:14:01.200
Full-time job.

00:14:01.279 --> 00:14:02.080
I'm like, you know what?

00:14:02.159 --> 00:14:05.200
If no company is hiring me, I'm going to hire myself.

00:14:05.360 --> 00:14:10.559
And I'm going to show up for myself the way that I would show up for a job if I had one.

00:14:10.720 --> 00:14:13.679
And so I made content creation my job.

00:14:13.759 --> 00:14:16.799
And I was just talking about finances.

00:14:16.960 --> 00:14:23.440
If you're a business owner, here's what you can do to make more sales, you know, things that I had experience with at the job that I had.

00:14:23.759 --> 00:14:31.519
And it really wasn't until I started talking about business financing and business credit that everything took off.

00:14:31.759 --> 00:14:36.240
So uh, long story short, my first ever product that I sold was$15.

00:14:36.879 --> 00:14:39.279
It was called a business credit master class.

00:14:39.519 --> 00:14:44.639
And I was educating entrepreneurs how they can build their business credit and become fundable.

00:14:45.360 --> 00:14:56.639
And uh that product made me my first$10,000, my first$100,000, and then I created a second version that made me my first million dollars off of a$50 product.

00:14:57.840 --> 00:14:59.600
That is so incredible.

00:14:59.759 --> 00:15:02.879
I love you you said so many things.

00:15:03.120 --> 00:15:04.240
Were you gonna say something?

00:15:04.559 --> 00:15:06.639
No, I was I'm I'm taking it all in.

00:15:06.799 --> 00:15:13.679
And for those people out there that don't realize how much time goes into making social media posts, you may see a 30-second reel.

00:15:13.840 --> 00:15:18.080
Trust me, it takes probably at least 30 to 30 minutes to an hour to probably create.

00:15:18.240 --> 00:15:20.399
Oh, yeah, at least and sometimes longer.

00:15:20.720 --> 00:15:20.960
Yeah.

00:15:21.200 --> 00:15:21.679
Oh my gosh.

00:15:22.799 --> 00:15:25.679
It is an investment of time for sure.

00:15:26.080 --> 00:15:26.559
100%.

00:15:27.120 --> 00:15:31.200
I love that you observed what other people were doing, right?

00:15:31.360 --> 00:15:35.279
Because everybody was like, I got my STIMI, and they were out in the streets.

00:15:35.440 --> 00:15:35.600
Yeah.

00:15:35.840 --> 00:15:37.600
And you were like, I'm not gonna do that.

00:15:37.759 --> 00:15:42.559
And I think, I think so many people did exactly what you just described.

00:15:42.639 --> 00:15:49.039
They were like, oh, it's free money, and I'm gonna do whatever I want, or you know, do so, I'm gonna treat myself.

00:15:49.200 --> 00:15:53.039
And you were like, I got these kids, I'm up in my mama's house.

00:15:53.360 --> 00:15:54.320
This is not for me.

00:15:54.639 --> 00:15:55.840
You know what's funny to me too?

00:15:56.080 --> 00:15:56.159
Yeah.

00:15:56.320 --> 00:15:58.000
People always think it's free money as if like the government.

00:15:58.159 --> 00:15:58.399
Oh, right.

00:15:58.480 --> 00:15:58.639
That's it.

00:15:59.200 --> 00:16:02.080
Like we didn't give the government this money to turn out and give it back to us.

00:16:02.559 --> 00:16:03.200
Right.

00:16:03.600 --> 00:16:23.279
But you you went and and did something so responsible and you had a plan, and you, I mean, even just the way you talked about how you divvied up your money, you got your domains, you knew you are going to take this money and invest in yourself and show up with something that is very specific, right?

00:16:23.360 --> 00:16:24.480
You have your niche.

00:16:24.639 --> 00:16:24.960
Yeah.

00:16:25.279 --> 00:16:31.600
And it's so important because even regular credit for people, people don't know how to build credit.

00:16:31.679 --> 00:16:36.000
People don't know what makes up credit, people don't know why their score goes up and down.

00:16:36.080 --> 00:16:36.240
Yeah.

00:16:36.399 --> 00:16:42.639
And even if they have a lot of money but they don't have credit, business credit is completely different.

00:16:42.879 --> 00:16:43.039
Yeah.

00:16:43.200 --> 00:16:47.120
And so the fact that you realize that that is a market and you tapped into it.

00:16:47.200 --> 00:16:52.399
And I mean, you, aside from your courses, you offer so much free content.

00:16:52.559 --> 00:17:02.000
I mean, if you if anybody, when of course we'll link all of your socials, you are constantly dropping this grant, this opportunity, you know, apply here.

00:17:02.159 --> 00:17:04.960
The deadline's coming up for free, you know, free money.

00:17:05.039 --> 00:17:06.720
You just have to go after it.

00:17:06.960 --> 00:17:08.880
I mean, you're providing so much knowledge.

00:17:08.960 --> 00:17:10.480
It's just absolutely incredible.

00:17:10.640 --> 00:17:11.759
So kudos to you.

00:17:12.000 --> 00:17:12.559
Oh my gosh.

00:17:12.880 --> 00:17:20.079
Well, I really appreciate that because, you know, I've been told that, oh, you give too much away for free, you know.

00:17:20.160 --> 00:17:26.160
And this is usually from other people who are in the community or in this uh maybe content creator world.

00:17:26.319 --> 00:17:27.920
And I'm like, but you know what?

00:17:28.640 --> 00:17:29.839
We need more of that.

00:17:29.920 --> 00:17:38.559
You know, I want people to feel like, wow, if I could learn this information from her without paying, imagine what I'll learn when I do pay.

00:17:38.720 --> 00:17:45.519
And that's always the experience people have is they get, you know, some free gems, like I like to say, off of my content.

00:17:45.680 --> 00:17:49.920
And then they come to a class or they enroll in a product and their mind is just blown.

00:17:50.000 --> 00:18:02.720
And I feel like, you know, in terms of just a giving principle, I feel the more that you give, the more that you'll receive, you know, and that's how I operate my business.

00:18:02.880 --> 00:18:09.359
So, yes, I might give a lot away for free, but it has never rendered me broke.

00:18:09.599 --> 00:18:10.240
You know what I mean?

00:18:10.319 --> 00:18:12.640
It has never not worked out in my favor.

00:18:12.720 --> 00:18:21.440
And so I will continue to do that because I think also in this social media world that we're in, and now there's a lot of people creating content, people talking about business credit.

00:18:21.519 --> 00:18:22.880
I mean, you see it too.

00:18:23.599 --> 00:18:25.359
People need someone that they can trust.

00:18:25.519 --> 00:18:32.880
And I think that when you can just extend a hand and say, hey, whether you sign up for something or not, here's the information.

00:18:33.119 --> 00:18:40.559
I think that that helps, you know, let people's guard down so they can say, you know what, maybe I'll go with her, or maybe I'll enroll in her class.

00:18:40.640 --> 00:18:43.119
Because up front, she didn't ask me for anything.

00:18:43.279 --> 00:18:45.279
She just simply wanted to see me win.

00:18:45.359 --> 00:18:50.319
Um, and so that's one of our core principles at our business and with our team.

00:18:50.480 --> 00:18:55.039
Like we truly want to see people win, whether they enroll or not, that's the start of it.

00:18:55.279 --> 00:18:56.559
And they typically enroll.

00:18:56.640 --> 00:18:57.839
So that's a good thing.

00:18:58.640 --> 00:19:06.319
And I can I consistently see, you know, individuals who are successful and doing great things that they are consistently giving out so much free stuff.

00:19:06.400 --> 00:19:06.480
Yeah.

00:19:06.640 --> 00:19:12.559
And like, just like you said, it doesn't hurt your business because it, like you said, it's a lower entry point for a lot of people.

00:19:12.799 --> 00:19:20.720
And especially when it comes to like the business credit stuff, like I see so much wrong information on business credit, it's insane.

00:19:20.960 --> 00:19:24.559
Like, I'm like, yeah, you are telling people to commit fraud, is what you are doing currently.

00:19:25.119 --> 00:19:27.359
It is so crazy now.

00:19:27.519 --> 00:19:33.440
And sometimes I think like, because when I started talking about business credit, I was really the only voice in the black community.

00:19:33.599 --> 00:19:35.119
Um, and I was really the only woman.

00:19:35.200 --> 00:19:43.039
And so, you know, sometimes I wonder, like, gosh, did I create this wave of people just really excited about business credit and funding?

00:19:43.200 --> 00:19:48.720
Um, I don't know, but what I see happening is there's a lot of lack of integrity, you know.

00:19:48.799 --> 00:19:50.559
Why are you telling people to do this?

00:19:50.720 --> 00:19:53.920
And you, I know you know that this is illegal.

00:19:54.160 --> 00:19:56.480
Like, I know you know that this doesn't work.

00:19:56.640 --> 00:19:58.480
Like it doesn't work like this, you know.

00:19:58.640 --> 00:20:00.319
Um, it's so dangerous.

00:20:00.480 --> 00:20:03.039
And, you know, I can only do so much.

00:20:03.200 --> 00:20:06.079
Like I can only create so much content.

00:20:06.400 --> 00:20:12.240
I cannot, um, and I don't want to denounce people, you know, I don't want to get messy in that way.

00:20:12.480 --> 00:20:19.279
But now a lot of our content and, you know, a lot of my emails that we send out has really been telling people be careful.

00:20:19.519 --> 00:20:26.079
If you see a video that has 50,000 likes and it seems like everyone's like, oh, this is so cool, ask me.

00:20:26.400 --> 00:20:34.160
Check now, you can check Google, like double check these things because people just want to get the clicks, get the sale.

00:20:34.480 --> 00:20:39.440
They may not actually care if you end up getting caught by the feds.

00:20:39.680 --> 00:20:40.000
Okay.

00:20:40.559 --> 00:20:42.319
So let's not do that, you know?

00:20:42.480 --> 00:20:44.160
Um, yeah, girl.

00:20:44.480 --> 00:20:54.640
That that's the bittersweet side of you know, content is that you can have those who really are doing it for the right reasons, and then you can have those who are like, hey, I just want to make quick money.

00:20:54.799 --> 00:20:59.759
And you can make money with content, but there's where the integrity comes in, you know.

00:21:00.400 --> 00:21:05.119
Yeah, it's great that there's so much access to information now, but then there's also information overload.

00:21:05.519 --> 00:21:11.920
And as far as people have a hard time deciphering between what's true, what's false, and then also even out of the true stuff, what's applicable to their situation.

00:21:12.000 --> 00:21:24.079
And I feel the same way that you do, especially, you know, with the financial services industry, that like I see so much stuff out there, and only time I ever comment on somebody else's post that I don't know is when you're just giving factual, incorrect information.

00:21:24.240 --> 00:21:25.839
Like it's in it's not my opinion.

00:21:25.920 --> 00:21:28.319
There's a definitive answer, and that's not this.

00:21:28.960 --> 00:21:30.000
Yeah, yeah.

00:21:30.240 --> 00:21:31.759
Yeah, I know that's so true.

00:21:32.400 --> 00:21:40.079
Ellie, talk to us about the early course and you know, did you have a bunch of naysayers?

00:21:40.160 --> 00:21:43.440
Did you have a great great community of people saying, This is amazing?

00:21:43.519 --> 00:21:59.279
Yes, there's a need, keep going, or you know, would love to know what you were kind of up against because content creation, you know, we are in it every day now, but it's still fairly new, especially when it comes to monetizing it and then getting a course up and running.

00:21:59.359 --> 00:22:03.039
I mean, walk us through a a little bit of all of that.

00:22:03.359 --> 00:22:05.279
Yeah, you know, that's such a great question.

00:22:05.440 --> 00:22:11.839
I mean, when I first started to create the content, I was living at my mom's house.

00:22:12.000 --> 00:22:15.279
So, you know, she didn't understand what I was doing.

00:22:15.519 --> 00:22:15.839
Okay.

00:22:16.240 --> 00:22:18.720
She just thought I was on my phone all day.

00:22:18.880 --> 00:22:25.279
I remember one day her really yelling at me, like, I'm taking care of these kids, and you're just on that damn phone.

00:22:25.519 --> 00:22:27.920
And I'm like, just you don't understand what's going on.

00:22:28.000 --> 00:22:29.039
Just bear with me.

00:22:29.440 --> 00:22:36.240
You know, but when I started to take this content journey, I honestly was silent about it.

00:22:36.480 --> 00:22:39.200
It was just me, myself, and I in my room.

00:22:39.359 --> 00:22:45.119
A lot of the time, if I was going out and doing DoorDash, I was making content on the road.

00:22:45.359 --> 00:22:55.599
And I think the reason that I intentionally kind of chose to not get a lot of people's advice, friends and family, is because I didn't want anyone to deter me from at least trying.

00:22:55.839 --> 00:23:04.079
And sometimes us as entrepreneurs or aspiring entrepreneurs, we have a vision that's clear to us, but it's not going to make sense to anyone else.

00:23:04.240 --> 00:23:12.960
Like I knew if I told my mom, hey, so I want to try my hand at posting 30-second videos four times a day and see how much money I could make.

00:23:13.200 --> 00:23:15.440
She would have been like, go get a job.

00:23:15.599 --> 00:23:16.640
You know what I mean?

00:23:16.880 --> 00:23:18.480
And so I said, you know what?

00:23:18.720 --> 00:23:20.480
I have to protect this idea.

00:23:20.720 --> 00:23:25.200
I have to protect my own courage because we can have the courage when it's just us.

00:23:25.440 --> 00:23:31.119
As soon as we start telling other people and someone says that's not gonna work, we're deflated, just like that.

00:23:31.440 --> 00:23:40.000
So uh really no one knew what I was doing or how it was going until maybe I crossed the 10,000 follower mark.

00:23:40.240 --> 00:23:45.119
Then it was like, oh, you know, I remember my neighbor was like, hey girl, I saw your post today.

00:23:45.279 --> 00:23:46.160
What you doing?

00:23:46.400 --> 00:23:48.319
I'm like, oh, nothing.

00:23:49.599 --> 00:23:58.720
You know, so that's once I had my confidence up and once I proved to myself that it was working, then I started to let people in.

00:23:58.880 --> 00:24:06.880
Because even when my mom had, you know, her negative opinion, um, and shout out to mom, you know, love her, but she just was saying what she knew.

00:24:07.119 --> 00:24:08.000
It's a different generation.

00:24:08.079 --> 00:24:08.640
They don't understand.

00:24:08.880 --> 00:24:10.640
It's a different generation, exactly, you know.

00:24:10.880 --> 00:24:15.359
So even when she had that negative opinion, by then I already had proof of concept.

00:24:15.519 --> 00:24:16.559
So it was like, you know what?

00:24:16.720 --> 00:24:20.960
I understand that's where you're coming from, but I'm going to keep going because I'm seeing traction.

00:24:21.119 --> 00:24:22.480
This is going to work.

00:24:22.720 --> 00:24:36.960
Um, and so, you know, to the other point that you asked in terms of how did I get myself up to create the course or what was I up against, it's actually really interesting because I didn't think that I was going to make a course about business credit.

00:24:37.039 --> 00:24:41.200
I thought my first product would be about sales, since that's what I was in.

00:24:41.440 --> 00:24:50.640
But when I made a post on Instagram about business credit, because, you know, working at my startup, we obviously I was working with my CEO a lot.

00:24:50.720 --> 00:24:52.720
I understood that he was always taking loans.

00:24:52.799 --> 00:24:56.400
I understood that we had to produce documents that showed how viable the business was.

00:24:56.559 --> 00:24:59.519
You know, so I understood what it meant to get funding as a business.

00:24:59.599 --> 00:25:01.599
And so I was talking about that on the post.

00:25:01.759 --> 00:25:05.279
And, you know, it got at the time, 500 likes was a lot for me.

00:25:05.440 --> 00:25:08.240
It got 500 likes, like, you know, 85 comments.

00:25:08.319 --> 00:25:10.960
I'm like, oh my gosh, I think I'm onto something.

00:25:11.200 --> 00:25:17.599
And so that day I told the people who commented, I said, hey, I'm gonna put a business credit course out.

00:25:17.680 --> 00:25:19.599
It's$15 on pre-order.

00:25:19.759 --> 00:25:21.119
Go to the link in my bio.

00:25:21.359 --> 00:25:25.440
10 people purchased on pre-order for$15 right in that moment.

00:25:25.599 --> 00:25:26.960
And I said, okay.

00:25:27.359 --> 00:25:29.279
Did you have the course ready at that time?

00:25:29.759 --> 00:25:30.240
I did not.

00:25:30.960 --> 00:25:31.680
I love it.

00:25:31.839 --> 00:25:32.240
I love it.

00:25:32.480 --> 00:25:34.079
You're like, I gotta get it ready now.

00:25:35.599 --> 00:25:37.680
I have heard about people, a lot of people doing that.

00:25:37.839 --> 00:25:39.599
We're like, that's their test of concept.

00:25:39.680 --> 00:25:41.200
It's like, it's are people interested?

00:25:41.599 --> 00:25:42.720
Then I'll go ahead and make it.

00:25:42.880 --> 00:25:43.039
Yeah.

00:25:43.279 --> 00:25:43.680
Exactly.

00:25:43.759 --> 00:25:45.119
It's the test of concept.

00:25:45.279 --> 00:25:52.079
So as soon as those 10 people purchased for$15, I said, Oh, let me, I made the course the next day.

00:25:52.400 --> 00:25:54.240
And, you know, it wasn't perfect.

00:25:54.319 --> 00:25:55.759
I made it on Canva.

00:25:56.160 --> 00:26:09.839
I sat on a Zoom like this and recorded myself teaching through this presentation like a PowerPoint for one hour, uploaded that recording to a platform called Gum Road, and we were off to the races.

00:26:10.079 --> 00:26:14.319
And so I think, you know, for those that are listening, get out of your own way.

00:26:14.480 --> 00:26:15.519
It's so important.

00:26:15.680 --> 00:26:17.119
It doesn't have to be perfect.

00:26:17.279 --> 00:26:20.319
You don't need the fancy cameras, the fancy background.

00:26:20.480 --> 00:26:24.880
I recorded that course in my bedroom at my mom's house.

00:26:25.759 --> 00:26:33.519
And that is what went on to making my first 10,000, then my first 100,000, and it paved the way for my first million dollars.

00:26:33.759 --> 00:26:35.920
So you really have to pay attention to the signs.

00:26:36.079 --> 00:26:41.759
As soon as you see that you have even a group of people interested in something, go out and do it.

00:26:41.920 --> 00:26:43.039
Make it right away.

00:26:43.200 --> 00:26:47.519
Make that prototype right away and allow the people to give you feedback.

00:26:47.759 --> 00:26:55.599
Once those first people purchased the$15 course, then they started saying, Well, hey, I was able to get this score in business credit.

00:26:55.680 --> 00:26:56.640
Now I want to do this.

00:26:56.799 --> 00:26:57.599
Can you help me?

00:26:57.759 --> 00:27:02.720
That's what made the way for part two, part three, and you know, here we are now.

00:27:02.880 --> 00:27:05.519
So it's so important to just do it.

00:27:05.759 --> 00:27:12.400
Don't think about how it looks, just do it because that is what is going to lead to the next renditions of everything.

00:27:13.519 --> 00:27:21.680
The biggest thing I took from that was you initially had an idea of what you were going to do, but then you listened to your audience of what they wanted, and then you pivoted.

00:27:22.319 --> 00:27:22.559
Yes.

00:27:22.799 --> 00:27:23.039
Yeah.

00:27:23.200 --> 00:27:23.440
Yeah.

00:27:23.599 --> 00:27:26.559
Well, yeah, because I mean sales is obviously such a powerful topic.

00:27:26.720 --> 00:27:28.000
Everybody's selling something.

00:27:28.160 --> 00:27:28.319
Yeah.

00:27:28.480 --> 00:27:36.799
So I mean, there's obviously a market, but the fact that you were I think that's an important thing too, is you were looking at what was happening on social media.

00:27:36.960 --> 00:27:38.079
Where were you getting the likes?

00:27:38.240 --> 00:27:39.680
Where were you getting the comments?

00:27:40.000 --> 00:27:46.160
And, you know, social media gives you a lot of powerful data if you take the time to look at it.

00:27:46.240 --> 00:27:52.240
And so that's something else that we've had a couple of other content creators on, and they're like, you have to look at the data.

00:27:52.400 --> 00:27:57.279
You can't just willy-nilly post, you know, and think, oh, people are gonna love this.

00:27:57.440 --> 00:28:04.240
You have to look at the analytics because otherwise you're gonna be missing a potential, you know, gold mine, which you landed on.

00:28:04.799 --> 00:28:06.880
And I think that's such a great point as well.

00:28:07.039 --> 00:28:14.799
And something that I often remind myself of, even now, five years in, is, you know, it's not about me.

00:28:15.039 --> 00:28:18.000
The content that I create is not for me, right?

00:28:18.160 --> 00:28:23.039
I I know these things, it's for the people who are going to consume this content.

00:28:23.119 --> 00:28:27.680
And, you know, that connects to the larger purpose of being a business owner.

00:28:27.839 --> 00:28:30.240
You're here to provide a solution.

00:28:30.480 --> 00:28:32.000
Someone needs that solution.

00:28:32.160 --> 00:28:38.640
So I could have stayed stubborn and said, well, I want to teach sales and I want to create a course on sales.

00:28:38.799 --> 00:28:41.039
And so, like it or not, that's what I'm gonna do.

00:28:41.200 --> 00:28:43.759
But that's not what creates successful businesses.

00:28:43.920 --> 00:28:48.400
I have to listen to my audience and realize, hmm, they don't really care about sales.

00:28:48.559 --> 00:28:51.920
They want to know how they can position themselves for funding success.

00:28:52.160 --> 00:28:55.599
So let me lean in and give the people what they need.

00:28:55.759 --> 00:29:06.720
And I think, you know, now for those who are growing businesses, who are content creators, you have to recognize that there's a big element of servitude in running a good business, right?

00:29:06.880 --> 00:29:10.400
Yes, you are running this business and your life is getting better.

00:29:10.480 --> 00:29:22.319
But if you're doing it for the right reasons, you're also in it to help other people's lives get better, whether it's just them watching a 30-second video or actually enrolling in, you know, a three-hour-long course.

00:29:22.559 --> 00:29:24.079
That has to be a big part of it.

00:29:24.160 --> 00:29:35.440
And so I realized early on, my job now is to be the best business credit coach, business funding coach, you know, uh business grant coach on the market.

00:29:35.519 --> 00:29:38.720
So I can ensure the people are getting what they need.

00:29:38.880 --> 00:29:40.799
And a nice byproduct is as well.

00:29:41.039 --> 00:29:44.960
My life is financially changing too, you know, for the right reasons.

00:29:46.160 --> 00:29:59.839
I think the fact that you lead with such integrity is why your business has been successful because there's a lot of noise on social media, and you have to use, you know, some critical thinking and some discernment.

00:30:00.319 --> 00:30:02.000
To kind of weed through that noise.

00:30:02.240 --> 00:30:09.359
And you have shown up genuine and transparent and honest from the very big very beginning.

00:30:09.519 --> 00:30:18.559
And I think that resonates, especially when, you know, it's like everybody's pushing a product, everybody's pushing a course, everybody's got an affiliate to this, to that.

00:30:18.799 --> 00:30:23.599
And so you have to really find the people who are very clearly in it for the right reasons.

00:30:23.680 --> 00:30:28.000
And just from this conversation, you can tell like you are there to serve the people, you know.

00:30:28.720 --> 00:30:29.279
For the people.

00:30:29.599 --> 00:30:30.079
For the people.

00:30:30.960 --> 00:30:31.440
Yes.

00:30:31.680 --> 00:30:33.359
And you also walk the talk.

00:30:33.680 --> 00:30:38.640
Because to start a to start with twelve hundred dollars, especially during the pandemic.

00:30:38.799 --> 00:30:39.039
Yeah.

00:30:39.200 --> 00:30:41.440
And then to build it to what you have today.

00:30:41.759 --> 00:30:46.559
And and we you built a good portion of it in less than a year, like that's insane.

00:30:46.799 --> 00:30:47.359
That's insane.

00:30:48.000 --> 00:30:53.680
And you know, it's it just shows that for my other people that maybe have been doubting themselves that like there is a route.

00:30:53.759 --> 00:30:54.640
There's a way to do it.

00:30:55.359 --> 00:30:58.400
You don't need thousands upon thousands of dollars to start your business.

00:30:58.480 --> 00:31:02.400
Now, obviously, depending on what your business is, but you know, there's a way.

00:31:02.960 --> 00:31:07.680
There is a way, you know, like they always say, if there is a will, there is a way.

00:31:07.920 --> 00:31:13.359
And, you know, even when I'm coaching clients, there, you know, some people are like, I just want to run ads.

00:31:13.440 --> 00:31:15.759
I get I want funding so I can run ads.

00:31:15.839 --> 00:31:22.240
And there's nothing wrong with ads, but I have not run any ads in my business and I've been able to build it to what it is now.

00:31:22.319 --> 00:31:30.480
So I often tell them, hey, I know it feels like just throwing money at ads and throwing money at the business is the solution.

00:31:30.640 --> 00:31:46.480
But if you don't have data like we discussed, if you also don't know what your audience wants, and if you don't already try to build it yourself without money, you're not gonna really appreciate the results that may or may not come with ads anyway.

00:31:46.559 --> 00:31:50.079
You know, it's really important to first start bootstrap.

00:31:50.240 --> 00:31:52.079
You really have to bootstrap the business.

00:31:52.240 --> 00:32:05.599
I think that in order to truly see if the business is viable, if you even really like the business that you're doing, you have to bootstrap it and approach it with, okay, I have zero dollars.

00:32:05.759 --> 00:32:08.319
How am I gonna get this off the ground with nothing?

00:32:08.559 --> 00:32:23.839
If you can get it off the ground with nothing and get some traction, so whether that's getting views, now you're starting to get follows, you know, or you're actually pushing a physical product, if you can get it off the ground with nothing, now ads or money is just fuel to the fire.

00:32:24.079 --> 00:32:25.920
You've already got the fire going.

00:32:26.079 --> 00:32:27.920
Now you're just throwing gasoline on it.

00:32:28.000 --> 00:32:30.319
That is how you're going to be able to scale that business.

00:32:30.480 --> 00:32:39.039
But if you have no proof of concept and you just think money or$100,000 in funding is gonna make the business come to life, I'm sorry to tell you.

00:32:39.359 --> 00:32:42.400
You're gonna be in debt and you're gonna be stressed out, you know.

00:32:42.559 --> 00:32:53.359
So doing it with nothing, I think then creates the foundation to then be able to really do it long term with more money and with funding.

00:32:54.079 --> 00:32:55.119
That's such a good call out.

00:32:55.839 --> 00:33:01.200
So I do want to kind of pivot to a little bit more of the focus on building the business credit.

00:33:02.000 --> 00:33:07.920
What is one of the biggest misconceptions that you think people have when it comes to building business credit?

00:33:08.880 --> 00:33:09.359
Wow.

00:33:09.839 --> 00:33:10.880
I've heard a lot.

00:33:11.039 --> 00:33:11.920
Let's see.

00:33:13.359 --> 00:33:28.319
I would say gosh, I would say the biggest misconception that people have is that you uh you can only build business credit with personal credit.

00:33:28.480 --> 00:33:29.920
I think that is a misconception.

00:33:30.079 --> 00:33:32.799
People think that they go like this, they're hand in hand.

00:33:32.960 --> 00:33:34.319
And that it's not the case.

00:33:34.559 --> 00:33:43.680
Now, when you are first growing your business and you don't have a business credit score, having your personal credit will help you get that business credit card.

00:33:43.759 --> 00:33:53.599
For example, you cannot walk up to American Express, and I used to work there, so I know you cannot walk up to American Express and want the business platinum card, and your business has only been in existence for three months.

00:33:53.680 --> 00:33:54.400
It's not gonna work.

00:33:54.640 --> 00:33:56.000
You have no history.

00:33:56.160 --> 00:34:05.599
But if you have a 700 credit score and you say, you know what, I want the business platinum card, and here's my personal credit to help me get in the door, yes, you can get the business credit card.

00:34:05.759 --> 00:34:15.519
And the great thing about business credit is that when you are issued a business credit card or a loan in your business name, it will only report to your business credit.

00:34:15.679 --> 00:34:22.400
So you will not see an American Express platinum card on your personal credit for your business.

00:34:22.559 --> 00:34:26.719
Like if it is a business platinum card, it will not report to your personal credit score.

00:34:26.880 --> 00:34:28.800
It will only report to business credit.

00:34:28.960 --> 00:34:30.320
So I think that's the biggest thing.

00:34:30.480 --> 00:34:41.440
People think that when you're building business credit, it doesn't really matter what you do with your uh data or what you do with your trade lines, as long as you have great personal credit.

00:34:41.519 --> 00:34:45.840
No, you need to have both because your entity is separate from you.

00:34:46.000 --> 00:35:02.800
So, me as an individual, I can have great personal credit, but you also need to make sure that your business, which is its own entity out in the world, has great business credit because that is what is going to get you into doors that your personal credit cannot always get you into.

00:35:03.119 --> 00:35:04.079
You know what I mean?

00:35:04.719 --> 00:35:06.880
So I think that that is really, really key.

00:35:07.119 --> 00:35:14.960
Um I would say probably the second biggest misconception is that you don't have to do anything to build your business credit.

00:35:15.199 --> 00:35:22.159
People think that it will just grow on its own just simply by having an LLC for five years, but that's not the case.

00:35:22.400 --> 00:35:31.360
You do want to make sure that you add trade lines, you know, some can be as simple as Net30 accounts with places like Uline and Quill.

00:35:31.760 --> 00:35:34.159
Those will boost your business credit score.

00:35:34.400 --> 00:35:41.199
Other trade lines are, you know, vendor accounts or um gas cards will build your business credit.

00:35:41.280 --> 00:36:00.639
You know, there are ways to intentionally boost that score so that when you do approach a lender, they can see, hey, this business has not only been around for two years and I have their business bank statements, but they also have a consistent payment history on their business credit profile that shows me they pay things on time.

00:36:00.880 --> 00:36:05.519
That is really, really important because now more than ever, lenders are looking at that.

00:36:05.760 --> 00:36:06.559
They really are.

00:36:07.920 --> 00:36:19.679
So for a listener out there who maybe does not have that 700 credit score to help from a personal standpoint to initially get their business credit started, what are maybe some steps that someone like that should take?

00:36:20.000 --> 00:36:21.760
Ooh, that's a really great question.

00:36:21.920 --> 00:36:32.800
So if you are someone listening and you do not have good personal credit, but you do want to start building business credit or accessing business credit cards, there's a few places you can go.

00:36:32.960 --> 00:36:50.719
So number one, Capital on Tap is a great business credit card provider that does a soft inquiry on your personal credit and will typically approve you for as low as$2,500 on a business credit card to as high as$50,000 on a business credit card.

00:36:50.880 --> 00:36:54.159
That is a great place to start building up business credit history.

00:36:54.320 --> 00:37:00.079
It's an actual credit card that you can use and it's only going to report to your business credit.

00:37:00.239 --> 00:37:11.280
Another thing that you can do in order to start accessing business credit, even if you don't have the best personal credit, is start to build up that score with those trade lines.

00:37:11.440 --> 00:37:21.280
So I know it's not exciting, but Amazon has a net 30 pay by invoice opportunity that allows you to access business credit.

00:37:21.519 --> 00:37:23.840
U-Line does, Quill does.

00:37:24.079 --> 00:37:28.000
These are accounts that are going to build up that business credit score.

00:37:28.239 --> 00:37:30.480
Now, that will only take you so far.

00:37:30.719 --> 00:37:43.599
At some point, you are going to need to have at least a 650 personal credit score, especially when you're trying to get that first loan or first large limit business credit score, uh business credit card.

00:37:43.760 --> 00:37:52.559
So what I would say you should do is on the personal side, go ahead and add an account with a company called Ava, A V A.

00:37:52.719 --> 00:37:54.079
And I'm not sponsored by them.

00:37:54.239 --> 00:37:56.000
I just really love this product.

00:37:56.239 --> 00:38:03.280
So Ava is going to approve you for a$2,500 or$4,000 personal credit card.

00:38:03.440 --> 00:38:11.440
And it's only going to allow you to use about$25 or$30 of that limit towards things like subscriptions.

00:38:11.599 --> 00:38:18.079
Now, what's really powerful about this is you're going to get this high limit, but this really small or low utilization.

00:38:18.320 --> 00:38:27.039
And so within that first 30 to 45 days of that personal credit card with Ava reporting, you're going to see a 50-point increase.

00:38:27.199 --> 00:38:31.679
Many of my students have seen a 75-point increase, 35-point increase.

00:38:31.840 --> 00:38:36.000
That is a great way to get that boost in your personal credit that you need.

00:38:36.239 --> 00:38:47.679
And now you can go to the table of these business credit card providers and of these business lenders and say, hey, I've got my business credit together and my personal credit score just went up by 50 points.

00:38:47.920 --> 00:38:54.000
So that is really going to help you be more of a power player when you're trying to get funding for your business.

00:38:54.960 --> 00:38:58.239
Okay, you just gave away a lot of really great information.

00:38:59.519 --> 00:38:59.760
Free.

00:39:00.159 --> 00:39:01.119
Free information.

00:39:01.599 --> 00:39:02.400
$3.99.

00:39:03.440 --> 00:39:08.719
Is this what people can learn like back to back to back in your courses?

00:39:08.880 --> 00:39:10.880
Like how, because here's the thing.

00:39:19.280 --> 00:39:21.039
Is this what people are coming to you for?

00:39:21.199 --> 00:39:24.320
Is like a crash course and like get me started.

00:39:24.719 --> 00:39:25.519
Absolutely.

00:39:25.679 --> 00:39:37.760
And I'm really proud to say that since starting my business in 2021 or 2020 rather, we have now had over 50,000 people enroll in my business credit classes.

00:39:38.000 --> 00:39:43.119
So I've had the pleasure of teaching over 50,000 people how to get funding.

00:39:43.360 --> 00:39:57.039
And I mean, we've I can't even count how many people have gotten approved, but we have a rough number that at least we have helped people secure over$15 million in business credit, business loans, and some grants are sprinkled in there too.

00:39:57.199 --> 00:39:59.360
So I mean, I'm so excited about that.

00:39:59.440 --> 00:40:01.599
You know, I feel like that's really amazing.

00:40:01.760 --> 00:40:03.280
It's gone to their businesses.

00:40:03.519 --> 00:40:07.760
So yes, our signature program for funding is called Fully Funded.

00:40:08.000 --> 00:40:13.199
And it is very in-depth, but that course will empower you on all fronts.

00:40:13.360 --> 00:40:23.199
You'll learn how to build your business credit, you'll understand what some micro lenders you should approach, what a CDFI is, which is a community development financial institution.

00:40:23.360 --> 00:40:27.920
Those are also great places to get funding, even if your score is as low as a$550.

00:40:28.159 --> 00:40:33.679
We touch on, of course, how to build your business credit, how to fix and build your personal credit.

00:40:33.840 --> 00:40:35.760
Because I just want to say something really quick.

00:40:36.000 --> 00:40:46.159
Those of you who are listening, if a company is telling you, oh, give me this money, or a content creator is telling you, pay me XYZ and I'll fix your credit for you, that is illegal.

00:40:46.400 --> 00:40:47.440
Please don't do it.

00:40:47.599 --> 00:40:50.159
And I'm looking directly at you at the camera.

00:40:51.840 --> 00:40:53.360
You it is illegal.

00:40:53.519 --> 00:40:53.760
Okay.

00:40:53.920 --> 00:40:57.599
You should never be paying anyone to fix your credit for you.

00:40:57.760 --> 00:41:02.079
Now, someone like, for example, we give you the template of the dispute letters you need.

00:41:02.159 --> 00:41:05.599
I tell you who to email, who to call, the address.

00:41:05.760 --> 00:41:12.000
You can pay for the information, but don't let anyone make you think pay me and I'll fix it for you.

00:41:12.159 --> 00:41:13.119
Please don't do it.

00:41:13.360 --> 00:41:14.079
Please don't do it.

00:41:14.239 --> 00:41:15.280
It's a great call out.

00:41:15.440 --> 00:41:15.760
Yes.

00:41:16.159 --> 00:41:18.639
If it seems too good to be true, it usually is.

00:41:18.880 --> 00:41:20.159
It usually is.

00:41:20.559 --> 00:41:21.519
It usually is.

00:41:21.760 --> 00:41:25.440
You know, and that's why I'm so big on in my courses.

00:41:25.599 --> 00:41:27.119
We want to teach you how to fish.

00:41:27.280 --> 00:41:33.840
So fully funded is so in-depth in that way because I want you to be able to go out and get that money.

00:41:34.000 --> 00:41:38.159
All those$15 million we've helped people secure, I don't get any kickbacks from that.

00:41:38.239 --> 00:41:39.119
And that's okay.

00:41:39.440 --> 00:41:46.000
I could make my business model, oh, just give me the money and we'll do all the work for you and go get you the funding, right?

00:41:46.159 --> 00:41:47.519
There are people that do that.

00:41:47.679 --> 00:41:56.960
But I genuinely want you to learn how to fish so that you can go out and then keep getting funding over and over and over again as a result of this product.

00:41:57.199 --> 00:42:00.559
So uh yes, fully funded, we're the best.

00:42:01.039 --> 00:42:01.840
I love that.

00:42:02.000 --> 00:42:02.800
That's incredible.

00:42:02.960 --> 00:42:09.119
Also, we need to update your bio because I said 7 million, and now you've more than doubled that for all of the funding.

00:42:09.280 --> 00:42:11.119
That's what we just thank you for that.

00:42:11.199 --> 00:42:12.239
I need to update my bio.

00:42:13.840 --> 00:42:15.360
You can't even keep up with all the money.

00:42:15.519 --> 00:42:17.199
I mean, it's so exciting.

00:42:17.360 --> 00:42:17.840
It's a great.

00:42:18.880 --> 00:42:19.920
Yeah, it's really good.

00:42:20.000 --> 00:42:27.199
Well, let's pivot into your new business because you are in Senegal, which is beautiful.

00:42:27.360 --> 00:42:30.239
I love when you like take your family stroll.

00:42:30.400 --> 00:42:36.800
And let me just say, too, I love that a lot of your content has kind of pivoted into like, look how beautiful Africa is.

00:42:36.880 --> 00:42:38.480
Look how beautiful Senegal is.

00:42:38.719 --> 00:42:45.280
I think, I mean, and obviously there are a lot of parts in various countries in Africa that are impoverished.

00:42:45.440 --> 00:42:47.519
And that is still a truth.

00:42:47.679 --> 00:42:57.519
But there's also wealth and community and uh businesses that are booming and uh real estate that is booming.

00:42:57.760 --> 00:43:02.960
And I I really appreciate that you are showing that side of your new home as well.

00:43:03.119 --> 00:43:07.760
And now you're building this beautiful cafe and co-working space.

00:43:07.920 --> 00:43:15.199
So walk us through this new journey as a business owner of like a storefront, you know, like a brick and mortar.

00:43:15.280 --> 00:43:17.119
I mean, that's a whole new ball game.

00:43:17.440 --> 00:43:19.199
It is such a new world.

00:43:19.360 --> 00:43:28.239
And, you know, it's crazy because I was talking to God the other day, and I'm like, God, why did you give me this idea to open up this cafe?

00:43:28.320 --> 00:43:30.559
Like, I don't know anything about coffee.

00:43:30.800 --> 00:43:35.360
I mean, I drink coffee, but in terms of making it, I've never had a storefront.

00:43:35.440 --> 00:43:40.960
You know, my business has been primarily virtual, but you know, the idea was so clear.

00:43:41.119 --> 00:43:46.000
You know, when you get that loud voice, do this, it's like, okay, I can't ignore it.

00:43:46.239 --> 00:44:02.719
Um, and it's it's truly been one of the chat most challenging things I've ever had to bring to life because it's such a different world, but it has reaffirmed my belief in entrepreneurship and reaffirmed my belief in what we talked about earlier that sometimes you just have to do it.

00:44:02.880 --> 00:44:12.159
Even if it's not perfect, I feel like it's those days where I'm creating that$15 course again, you know, and putting it out there like that's what this time is.

00:44:12.239 --> 00:44:15.119
And it's so exciting because it gets better every day.

00:44:15.360 --> 00:44:22.960
So, you know, we're in um this area of Dakar is called Mamels, and it's really, I would say it's a really artsy area.

00:44:23.119 --> 00:44:26.880
There's a lot of Americans that live here, a lot of French people.

00:44:27.199 --> 00:44:31.760
Um, it's very modern, I would say, and we're really grateful.

00:44:31.920 --> 00:44:34.400
I'm really grateful that we have a corner location.

00:44:34.559 --> 00:44:39.760
So wherever area you're coming from, you can see us right here, which is so, so cool.

00:44:39.920 --> 00:44:51.440
Um, and you know, I think my favorite part of opening this business has been the jobs that we've been able to create, you know, because I've had the pleasure of building out my own team through my business with Elevated Academy.

00:44:51.679 --> 00:44:55.360
But, you know, these are real people with, you know, real families.

00:44:55.599 --> 00:45:00.960
Senegal and most African countries don't have a stable job market, so there are not a lot of jobs.

00:45:01.199 --> 00:45:06.000
We've been able to hire now 10 people, which is like so cool, major.

00:45:06.159 --> 00:45:08.719
That's 10 households that we get to support.

00:45:08.880 --> 00:45:11.280
Um, so I'm really, really excited about that.

00:45:11.440 --> 00:45:14.079
And we should be opening in another month.

00:45:14.320 --> 00:45:17.920
So I'll save you guys a frappuccino.

00:45:18.239 --> 00:45:19.199
Yes, please.

00:45:19.360 --> 00:45:19.840
Thank you.

00:45:20.000 --> 00:45:20.960
It looks beautiful.

00:45:21.039 --> 00:45:23.119
I love all the drinks that you guys are testing.

00:45:23.199 --> 00:45:25.920
They look amazing on all the fresh fruit.

00:45:26.079 --> 00:45:28.880
And I keep telling Brandon, I'm like, we gotta get out of here.

00:45:28.960 --> 00:45:33.679
This is we got we gotta, I, you know, it might not be Senegal, but like we need to go and visit.

00:45:33.760 --> 00:45:37.519
We need to come, you know, pop up our laptops in your co-working space.

00:45:37.599 --> 00:45:49.440
And you know, come to and I think something that I would add too, just for those who are listening, like, I really want people to understand that this is, again, a completely new business for me.

00:45:49.760 --> 00:45:55.039
And I was very scared to go into a new business that I have no experience in.

00:45:55.360 --> 00:46:04.639
But one thing that those of you listening and just everyone needs to understand, is that if you have the idea, you already are capable of bringing it to life.

00:46:04.800 --> 00:46:15.519
I firmly believe that you would not receive an idea, you wouldn't, your mind would not even go to that place if you already did not have the capabilities to actually make it happen.

00:46:15.840 --> 00:46:19.599
And now, as you mentioned earlier, we are in the information era.

00:46:19.760 --> 00:46:25.280
So although I don't know how to necessarily open a cafe, Google does.

00:46:25.599 --> 00:46:27.119
YouTube, you know what I mean?

00:46:27.280 --> 00:46:28.639
YouTube can tell me some stuff.

00:46:28.800 --> 00:46:32.159
Chat GPT, you know, tell me some stuff.

00:46:32.400 --> 00:46:35.760
And so you kind of just mix that in with your own experience.

00:46:35.920 --> 00:46:38.239
You try, you test, you try, you test.

00:46:38.400 --> 00:46:45.679
And I think that's the really just beautiful thing about entrepreneurship is you can do anything you want to do.

00:46:45.840 --> 00:46:46.559
You know what I mean?

00:46:46.719 --> 00:46:51.360
You can bring any idea to life because you have the ability to test, try again.

00:46:51.519 --> 00:46:53.119
Okay, that didn't work, try again.

00:46:53.199 --> 00:46:53.760
Let me do this.

00:46:54.000 --> 00:46:56.079
Oh, messed up, try again.

00:46:56.320 --> 00:47:04.000
And, you know, I really want to encourage you all listening, try again, you know, just because it didn't work the first time, do it again.

00:47:04.159 --> 00:47:11.679
If you have a question and you don't have, you can't afford mentorship, hash chat GBT, you can at least get some generic information there.

00:47:11.840 --> 00:47:19.039
But I don't want to see people holding back on their idea just because they're not experienced or qualified in that area.

00:47:19.280 --> 00:47:21.199
You don't have to be qualified.

00:47:21.440 --> 00:47:26.480
You just need to know that you have the vision and you go find the people that are qualified.

00:47:26.639 --> 00:47:29.519
You go find the baristas, that's who we found.

00:47:29.599 --> 00:47:32.480
Now you go find the chef who can make an ex-benedict.

00:47:32.559 --> 00:47:34.400
I can't make an ex-benedict.

00:47:35.440 --> 00:47:37.440
But he can, you see.

00:47:37.679 --> 00:47:45.280
And so that, you know, I hope that really frees someone to say, you know what, I'm gonna go after that business because if you have the idea, you can do it.

00:47:45.360 --> 00:47:47.360
It's just a matter of finding the right people.

00:47:47.760 --> 00:47:48.239
Yeah.

00:47:48.480 --> 00:47:53.440
Well, Ellie, we usually ask, you know, what do you want to leave our audience with at the end?

00:47:53.840 --> 00:47:56.960
But that that was that was the perfect wrap-up.

00:47:57.280 --> 00:48:00.880
I mean, this has just been such an inspiring conversation.

00:48:01.039 --> 00:48:11.440
And look, I know that we could talk for several more hours about the highs and lows and the ups and downs and the obstacles, because I'm sure it wasn't always rainbows and butterflies.

00:48:11.519 --> 00:48:11.840
Yeah.

00:48:12.480 --> 00:48:15.599
But in the information era, you can figure it out.

00:48:15.679 --> 00:48:25.599
You can bet on yourself, believe in yourself, hire the people or bring on the people who also believe in your vision, who can fill your gaps, those eggs ex-benedict gaps.

00:48:25.760 --> 00:48:25.920
Right.

00:48:27.599 --> 00:48:28.639
And you can do it.

00:48:28.800 --> 00:48:31.760
And this has been such a wonderful conversation.

00:48:32.000 --> 00:48:35.280
Thank you so much for joining us and dropping so many gems.

00:48:35.440 --> 00:48:38.719
This is yes, it really has been such a wonderful conversation.

00:48:38.800 --> 00:48:40.000
I cannot wait to come back.

00:48:40.079 --> 00:48:42.239
We'll have to do a part two, maybe once we open.

00:48:42.880 --> 00:48:46.960
Um I would love for anyone who's listening to keep in touch.

00:48:47.119 --> 00:48:49.360
Don't hesitate to reach out, send me a DM.

00:48:49.519 --> 00:48:50.400
I always answer.

00:48:50.559 --> 00:48:51.760
My team always answers.

00:48:51.920 --> 00:48:53.119
No robots over here.

00:48:53.280 --> 00:48:54.079
It's really us.

00:48:54.800 --> 00:48:57.760
Um, so we're looking forward to helping you all with your businesses.

00:48:58.079 --> 00:48:59.840
Where can everybody find you, Ellie?

00:49:00.079 --> 00:49:03.519
So you all can find me at Ellie Talks Money.

00:49:03.679 --> 00:49:08.559
Um, you can also connect with my funding agency, which is Fully Funded Co.

00:49:08.800 --> 00:49:10.559
You can find both of those in my bio.

00:49:10.800 --> 00:49:18.639
And if you're a mommy who wants to make more money and build wealth for your babies, then you should definitely follow my brand, Mommy to Millionaire.

00:49:18.800 --> 00:49:21.199
That's everything that we're focused on over there, too.

00:49:21.440 --> 00:49:22.079
Oh my gosh.

00:49:22.239 --> 00:49:24.000
Spoken as a mom of five.

00:49:24.159 --> 00:49:25.280
I don't know how you do it.

00:49:25.519 --> 00:49:26.079
That's crazy.

00:49:28.400 --> 00:49:29.440
Yes, we will.

00:49:29.760 --> 00:49:31.039
Ellie, thank you so much.

00:49:31.199 --> 00:49:32.079
This has been amazing.

00:49:32.880 --> 00:49:38.239
Don't forget, Benjamin Franklin said, an investment in knowledge pays the best interest.

00:49:38.400 --> 00:49:39.679
You just got paid.

00:49:39.920 --> 00:49:40.719
Until next time.

00:49:41.039 --> 00:49:42.639
Sugar Daddy Podcast go.

00:49:43.199 --> 00:49:45.440
Learn how to make the pockets grow.

00:49:45.679 --> 00:49:47.840
Find mental freedom where we grow.

00:49:48.320 --> 00:49:50.159
Our investment, money, flow.

00:49:50.800 --> 00:49:52.719
Thanks for listening to today's episode.

00:49:52.880 --> 00:49:55.760
We are so glad to have you as part of our Sugar Daddy community.

00:49:55.920 --> 00:50:04.000
If you learned something today, please remember to subscribe, rate, review, and share this episode with your friends, family, and extended network.

00:50:04.159 --> 00:50:08.320
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00:50:08.480 --> 00:50:19.519
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00:50:19.840 --> 00:50:22.480
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00:50:22.639 --> 00:50:25.679
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00:50:25.840 --> 00:50:33.840
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