723: She Quit Her Job in Front of Thousands, Then THIS Happened

0:01Okay, I have been on this ruthless pursuit to purge any clothes that I'm not actually wearing. Like if I haven't reached for it in months, it's got to go. I am trying to be really intentional about what I bring into my closet right now, which means I am only buying pieces that I know I will actually wear and use. Revolve just gets it though. I'm literally wearing my brown Autry sneakers from there right now and my new suede purse. It fits my laptop in it. So it's basically a fancy shoulder bag that works for everything. I love finding pieces like that. Things that look good, but also work hard for my actual life.

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1:15So happy shopping. I want to be a philanthropist. I want to make enough money in this world that I can solve problems without bureaucracy or paperwork, you know, and that is the ultimate goal. And I don't care how I get there. I can get there by selling apple pies. I can get there by selling books. Hey, my name is Jenna Kutcher and I am obsessed with all things business, marketing numbers, and helping you to navigate both the messy and the magical seasons of this thing called life. I'm a small town mama who took a$300 camera, grew a successful photo biz, and now I work from home and run a seven figure online business.

1:50I teach you the tried and true secrets to building a career you adore. Shy away from the real talk? No way. Money, hardship, growth, loss, and marketing are all topics we discuss here. Think of this as your one-stop shop for happy hour with a gal pal mixed with business school. Pull up a seat, make sure you're cozy, and get ready to be challenged and encouraged while you learn. This is the Gold Digger Podcast. Do you need a fresh start? Are you feeling stuck, unfulfilled, confused, or overwhelmed? My guest today has been there. She once rocked the corporate world as a top-selling exec, but boldly left that six-figure job in front of 10 ,000 people when she decided to use her expertise to monetize her passion.

2:30Within a year, she had channeled that expertise into crafting a million-dollar enterprise. And now she is on a mission to show you how to live boldly and rediscover your purpose too. Nicole Walters is also a mom to three adopted kids, newly engaged to a wonderful man, and passionate about sharing her story of starting over. She teaches everyday entrepreneurs how to increase their income and monetize their life. And she finally feels like she's living out her purpose. Get ready to be inspired, empowered, and educated by Nicole's words of wisdom in today's episode. Before you know it, you will be running to purchase her brand new book, Nothing is Missing, A Memoir of Living Boldly.

3:12It is time to welcome Nicole Walters to the Gold Digger Podcast. You know what time it is. Sweater weather, football season, Q4, it's the homestretch, gold diggers, and it's time to close out another year of growth and prep for the next year of revenue. To bring in more business this Q4 and beyond, you need sales software that helps you score. And the top tools are all inside the new HubSpot sales hub. With a customizable prospecting workspace, smart deal management suite, and AI-powered apps, you can take total control of your sales operation and manage your people and pipeline with ease. The AI-powered chat spot speeds up your day-to-day tasks with simple chat solutions, while AI assistant cranks out copy outlines and out-of-the-box ideas.

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4:41You're just waiting for the moment that you get to align. And so today feels very special because my guest today is someone that I have watched, admired, seen, experienced from afar. And all of a sudden we get on today and it's like we've known each other for a decade. Nicole Walters, it is about time you showed up on the Gold Digger podcast. Look, it is about time, but it's the right time. Timing is everything. And I'm just so grateful that we're finally mushed together. It's a good thing. Yes. Oh my gosh. Okay. So for anyone who doesn't know you. You are a founder, you're a CEO, you're a podcaster, you are an author, you are all of these things, but you weren't always these titles.

5:24Can you tell us a little bit about your backstory, how you got to where you are today and where it is that you are? So I know that so many people come on here and they're talking about, here's what I built and here's what I did and all that jazz. But the truth is I'm a very regular person. I've had many a night of crying in a Target parking lot, eating excessive amounts of cheese, you know, and I'd like to say that's where I started. And that is very much where I still am. But in between all of that, you know, I grew up without much, you know, just a poor kid in Washington, DC. And my parents are both immigrants from Ghana, West Africa, who did everything to come to this country and do it the right way and follow the rules and all that.

6:06But we're still poor. And I grew up knowing that there was just a gap, you know, that I wanted to fill. And I did it the right way. You know, I went to corporate, followed the rules, did all that. And eventually, I was like this, you know, I quit my six figure job. And I did it live online in front of 10 ,000 people, and launched my consulting business, which grew to a multimillion dollar company within about a year and change. And in between all of that, I adopted three girls, launched a book, had a TV show on a major cable network, and life has liked. But here I am today doing all the same things.

6:40And I'm really grateful. Okay, we can't graze over the fact that you quit your job live on the internet. This was the Periscope days, right? It was. Yes. And so how did you land to that decision that one, you were going to quit, but two, you were going to live stream it. We have to talk about this because so many people are like, wait, what? Okay, walk us through that? So what's nuts about it was honestly, it wasn't because live streaming was new. It wasn't like it was like a marketing thing that I think a lot of people think of. The best thing about my marketing is the fact that it really is me using social media to be social.

7:18I've never varied away from the authentic use of social. And that's what it was. I'd been documenting before I decided to my journey into entrepreneurship, but I was doing it via live, very organically. Like, hey, y 'all, I am standing in my bathtub with a bed sheet taped to the back of my bathtub and my phone taped to a broom because I don't have a tripod to film the opening sequence to my course. You know what I mean? It was really bootstrapping and showing people how I was starting with what I had where I was. And in showing that journey, people were like, this is amazing, but you're making money.

7:59You've had huge launches. Why are you still incorporating? I was like, you know what? You're right. I'm going to quit. And then everyone was like, well, you've been sharing your journey. Share that too. So I called my boss up, quit my job. And I haven't looked back. That was over a decade ago now. Okay. So I remember writing my two weeks notice letter and I had my mom proofread it because I mean, of course, as an adult, you still need your mom to read things like that. So the fact that you had the gumption to do it and do it live, I feel like people really did feel super invested in your journey.

8:31So talk to me about that pivot out of corporate and into entrepreneurship. What did it look like? What was your plan? Did you have a plan? Like, how did that all kind of pan out? Well, one of the things that's great about that pivot to begin with was that I was, I am still just doing the job that I was doing in corporate. So I think for a lot of people, they may be, you know, as they start building a business around whatever their gifting is, they're stepping into something that can feel totally new. But I scaled businesses from 2 million to 200 million. I worked in fortune 500. I was a consultant.

9:05So for me to just switch my demographic from being large scale, you know, entrepreneurs, you know, which is essentially what a corporation is, you know, to working with everyday entrepreneurs, it wasn't that much of a leap in terms of the knowledge part. Oh, but girl, the feels, the feels. Okay. I'm telling you for me, it was all about making sure I was going to be the best boss I ever had. So that meant I needed to prepare a place for me to go. So I made sure I had money in the bank. I made sure that I had a product that I knew was effective. All the things I would do for a corporation I did for myself.

9:40And I made sure that from day one, I would always be able to cut myself an appropriate paycheck and never have to work for free. And I'm really grateful to say that, you know, as a testament to my business that started debt free without loans,$24 in the bank, that I built a business debt free and have always paid myself. And that is probably one of my biggest pride points, you know, as I was able to do that. I love that. Oh my gosh. So one thing that I love about you is that you tell the story behind the story, right? Because it would be easy to wrap this conversation up right here and be like, and it all worked out and we all lived happily after.

10:17In conclusion. Yeah, right. And it's not, it's not like you have had so many things happen in the middle. Share your story about the girls and how they came into your life and what that looked like, because you experienced so many shifts and things. When people talk about like overnight success, we, I like to look at the decade, right? And in this last decade, you have had so many transitions and pivots and turns and twists and good and bad and highs and lows. Talk to me about the girls because this part of the story, I think is just something we have to hit on. Yes, thanks. So I know so many people will look at my story or hear it and say, Oh, yeah, you know, she must be 25 with no responsibilities, never has to wear Spanx, perfect skin, you know, and I will tell you the skin parts true, but I do have to wear Spanx like I am human, you know.

11:06So realistically, what happened was, part of why I had to quit my job was I had just adopted three girls. And they came into my life when I was driving down the street in Baltimore, where I lived at the time. And I saw their mother panhandling on the side of the street. And she was with a, at the time, just turned three-year-old girl. And, you know, I pulled over to see what they need to get them some food, you know, do all those things. And she told me she had two more at home. And, you know, I met these three incredible girls ages 3, 11, and 14. And I wanted to be there to support them. I wanted to be there to help the way that I help people now in business.

11:43What can I do? So I was mentoring, I was helping with school, I was providing meals. But then after a month's time, their mother said that she was going to be incarcerated for substance issues. And so I obviously, I think any mom listening now, anyone with the mommy chip, even the aunties are like, what happened to the girls? And that was what I said. And she said, well, I don't want the state to take them. And, you know, maybe they could stay with my boyfriend. And I was like, ah, you know what? I can help still, you know, let me, let me see what I can do. So I was 28. I took custody of these three girls and, you know, realized very quickly that I was going to have one in kindergarten in three years, two in college within four years.

12:23I needed to make sure I, we nailed potty training, filled all developmental steps, handled prom, driver's license. And I had about five years to get it all done. Plus I needed a bigger house stat, you know, and I just didn't have the hours or the time to commit to corporate anymore. I knew that I needed my time back and I needed to make more money. And that meant working for myself. So that was the why behind the what. Okay, I can't as a mom, I can't even imagine jumping into such different stages of life for females and like what we all experience. that is like the gamut. Like you like got put through the ringer in a beautiful way because there's so many different needs and desires and emotions and hormones and all of these things.

13:10So I just can only imagine it's like literally a crash course in parenting at every developmental stage possible. Yes. And also, I mean, I'm raising myself, you know, I think that it's so easy, you know, as I'm approaching my forties to look back and be like, gosh, I was so young, you know like and it's weird because when you feel when you're like 28 26 you feel grown like you really do because the world is calling you to act like an adult and show up like an adult in a way that's unfamiliar but the reality is you know I don't even know if at 40 I'm an adult you know what I mean like I still am confused the kids look at me like what's for dinner and I'm like I don't know like and then I remember I'm the one who's responsible you know so it's like you know like so I get it you know but I guess that's also one of the beautiful things about that stage is that's the time to be bold.

13:55That's a time to take risks. That's the time to see what happens because you've got recovery time in your thirties. And, you know, I try to do the next right thing with my girls. That was what it was all about. And they've been more of a blessing to my life. You know, now they are 12, 21 and 24, you know, and I'm not even 40 yet. And I've been able to raise these girls through these stages. And it's just the greatest, greatest gift, you know, so I'm thankful. I'm really thankful. It's funny. I love how you talk about how you feel so grown up. I feel that all the time. And then all of a sudden I'll look behind me and I'm like, there's car seats.

14:32There's a stroller. Who's responsible for these children? Sometimes I look at my kids and I'm like, you really think I'm supposed to keep you alive. You have no idea. I barely give myself life. I can't keep a plant alive. And here you are looking at me, trusting me to have food in the fridge every day. Like, and then you remember like, oh, that naivete is really important for you to like live and do things, you know? So like do take those risks while you're young and stupid, like quitting your job live online and burning all the bridges behind you, you know, because you'll recover and you won't know any better.

15:06Amen. I know my sister came over the other night and we do like brain quest while we eat meals. And I was packing a lunch and she's like oh you are a mom right now and i was like yeah yeah i get it yes no i was gonna say it's so interesting with siblings because they are such a reflection you know back to you because like with the two of you you're always sort of that youthful sibling dynamic yes but then they'll be like why do you have cheetos in your bag and i'm like it's a snack for the child you know what i mean and they're just like oh right you know it's this weird dynamic, you know? Yes.

15:41One saying that I've adopted, especially after writing a book, which we're going to talk about for you is here's what I know so far. And I think that this guides us into a beautiful part of the conversation, because as we said, you're naive. You think, you know, it all, you start to do these things and writing a book can feel so intimidating because you are writing down, here's what I know so far. And I think that at this stage of our games, we have both realized like we don't know it all and we're going to change and evolve. And that's beautiful. But talk to me a little bit about the process, the feelings, everything behind nothing is missing your memoir of living boldly.

16:19Talk to me about that. So I think that the first part is, you know, obviously both of us have shared online pretty transparently that a lot happens behind the scenes. And I think that's what makes us so similar and also so different from others is that we do share that glimpse of our life. And I don't begrudge people who don't want to openly share their families or don't want to openly share if they're going on a health journey or whatever else, because we all have our own comfort levels. Right. But there is something to be said, you know, for demystifying the actual lifestyle of entrepreneurship.

16:52And I think that's the part that people are missing. You know, if you have access and a glimpse into the lifestyle and not just the outcome, it really can help you on that journey. And that's what happened with nothing is missing. I, you know, over those years also had to deal with my 17 year old at the time being diagnosed with stage four cancer. And, you know, she's fine now, but we went through that journey. My eldest one ran into her own substance abuse issues and now she's a year sober, you know, but like I had to manage all of that while managing a business and trying to manage my own health, you know?

17:26And so I get, you know, this opportunity to write a proposal for a book. And I'm like, obviously, it's a business book, right? Like, let me I know that like the back of my head, you know, right, exactly, right? This should be a piece of cake. Yeah. But then you have this sort of, you sit down, you get started, and you have a reckoning, where you have to really say, if I'm leaving this thing, that's going to be my legacy that my kids are going to look at and say, this is what my mom was about. How honest am I being, you know, with myself and everyone else about what it really takes to show up in this world, you know, as a person who, you know, quote unquote, balances it all, you know, and around that same questioning of myself, I went through a divorce, you know, and it was like right post pandemic.

18:13And I was just getting into this process. And I was like, Oh, boy, you know, I don't want to do anything. I you know, this is unexpected. I didn't, you know, all of this, like, my heart's broken, you know, I've got to manage these babies. That was when I said, it's not even responsible for me to tell people to aspire to the life I have without telling them what it cost me and what I've learned so far. That's what nothing is missing about is recognizing there is an expense to choosing a certain life, but can it be worth it? Can it be fruitful? Can you learn how to treat yourself with grace. Yeah.

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22:01And yet in the writing process, as it unfolds, I feel like God, the universe, everything is aligning to make sure like, are you sure about this lesson? Are you sure? What were some of those things that you learned through the writing process of your memoir? I think the biggest one is granting myself some grace, you know, and it was something that just kept coming up because one of the things that happens when you're writing a memoir versus a business book is it's like you're being called to walk into the rooms of the toughest moments of your life. You know, you get to also experience some of the joyous moments again, but the toughest moments, but you have to not get lost in those moments.

22:37So I can't emotionally go all the way there, but I also have to describe them vividly enough that I can bring other people in with me to understand. And you have to extract the lessons and any applicable tools. So it's really, really difficult. But what I found was in order for me to get through that journey, I had, you know, God, a therapist and friends, you know, but I also had to really give myself grace. I mean, there were so many rooms I walked into from growing up as, you know, the child of immigrants trying to figure it all out in Washington, DC and seeing myself suffer without meals and, you know, struggle with sleeping on a couch until I was 12, you know, all the way to looking at some elements of my divorce and seeing how I was showing up in my marriage and what the outcome was of that, you know, and really saying to myself, I empathize with that girl, you know, or that woman, you know, who was in that moment.

23:31And I realized that I should have been granting myself grace as I went along. So my book is very grace infused so that whenever, wherever people are, they can find a little bit of ease, you know, as they're going through the difficult things. I love Nicole that you're talking about what people don't see right because like you and I we we are open books like literally we are very open books about every facet of our lives somebody literally messaged me today and was like what size bra do you wear and I just messaged back you know oh yeah me too I say the same thing because they're like looking at an outfit like and as a girlfriend we get it you know what I mean it's a thing you know I shall tell you and And there are so many benefits to that because I think people do get to see more of the picture.

24:15But I want to kind of go deeper on what you were talking about, about like what you lose and what is the cost of entrepreneurship and dream chasing and pivoting and trying all these things. What are some things that you think most entrepreneurs that are aspiring entrepreneurs don't even consider when they are starting a business or with this big dream of what their life is going to turn into? I think the number one thing that people don't realize is that you discover for the first time your limit at burnout when you hit burnout. Yes. And as much as everyone can tell you and point out the different signposts and say, hey, you know, ease up, this is that, you know, part of, and I hate to say it, but doing entrepreneurship well the first time around is that you kind of push yourself.

25:03You know, it's, you know, how do I know what my max is? And it's this hardwiring of being excited and driven in this newness and this ambition and this drive. And you don't even realize you're doing it until you get there. You know, and what I've learned is that same knowledge once you have it of, oh, I went too far, you know, start showing up in other places, you know, where you're able to say, oh, you know, this was an event that I shouldn't have missed. You know, this was a friend that I needed to follow up with. That was an opportunity I should have gone to, you know. And if you're smart and you're paying attention to the feeling that you get, it's a similar feeling throughout the journey of life.

25:39And you start learning. That is how you learn to prioritize. You know, so it's like when I knew what burnout felt like within my business, it was easier for me to identify it in my personal life. Like, oh, this marriage is burning me out. You know what I mean? Like this form of parenting is burning me out. You know, and then I was like, I kind of know what I need to do to get back. but that was like probably the biggest thing that I've learned along the way that I wish people knew that it's not something that you can buy or easy hack to figure out your non-burnout systemization and automation whatever like not real life you're gonna burn out but once you know better you got to do better I love that I actually have a part in my book where I talk about I was like at this conference and literally every speaker went up and their story was about how they hit burnout and I had this moment of like, is that a requirement?