• 291: The kids will be grown soon
    Jul 8 2025

    In this heartfelt and personal episode, Tina Tower reflects on the journey of building her business while raising her children, now that they're nearing adulthood. She dives deep into the challenges, joys, and deliberate choices that came with balancing family life and entrepreneurship over the years.

    Key Topics Covered:

    • Business & Babies: Tina shares how her kids have never known her without a business, and she often gets asked how she managed both. She emphasizes her gratitude for entrepreneurship, which gave her flexibility that a traditional job couldn’t.

    • Seasons of Parenting & Work: Tina didn’t work at the same intensity when her children were small as she does now. For the first five years, she was the primary parent, even strapping her baby into a sling at work and adjusting her business as their needs evolved.

    • Shifting Roles: At one point, Tina’s husband became the primary parent so she could focus on business growth. She discusses the real feelings—joy, gratitude, and sometimes resentment—that came with these changing roles.

    • Time Together: She highlights the precious family time her business enabled, such as daily breakfasts and dinners, extensive travel, and close relationships built through shared experiences.

    • Flexibility in Crisis: The episode touches on a family medical emergency, during which Tina was able to step back from work completely thanks to the business she’d built.

    • Advice for Parents: For those in the thick of raising young children, Tina stresses that you can achieve remarkable things without sacrificing those fleeting years. Be present for the moments that matter, and understand it’s all about seasons and priorities.

    • Not Doing It All: Tina openly shares her household philosophy—she “has it all, but doesn’t do it all.” Her family splits home and parenting responsibilities realistically, emphasizing teamwork and the importance of letting go of traditional gender roles.

    • Making Kids Part of the Team: Tina encourages including children in business life, helping them understand the “why” behind your work, and celebrating special experiences and memories together.

    • Letting Go: As her children become more independent, Tina reflects on the bittersweet process of letting go, fostering independence, and being proud as they chart their own paths.

    Tina’s journey shows that building a business while raising a family is not about balance, but about seasons, teamwork, and intentional choices. She invites parents to embrace the flexibility entrepreneurship can offer, without guilt or pressure to do it all. Most of all, she reminds us that it’s possible to grow something meaningful—both at home and in business—when we lead with love, purpose, and presence.

    Resources mentioned:

    • Book & Card Deck: Fair Play – For equitable household division of labor.

    Where to find Tina:

    Her Empire Builder: https://www.herempirebuilder.com/

    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tina_tower/

    YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@herempirebuilder

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    26 mins
  • 290: Freedom Focused Success with Amber McCue
    Jul 1 2025
    In this inspiring episode, Tina Tower sits down with the magnetic and passionate Amber McCue—entrepreneur, strategist, and founder of AmberMcCue.com. From becoming a single mom at 18 to scaling multiple multimillion-dollar companies across continents, Amber’s story is a masterclass in designing a business (and life) built around true freedom and flexibility. Key Topics Covered: Designing a Business for Freedom and Flexibility Amber McCue strategically built her businesses to allow for location independence, anticipating her husband's career might take them internationally. This intention shaped everything from systems to delegating tasks. Building Multimillion Dollar Companies from Scratch Amber shared her journey from single motherhood at 18 to owning several companies and running them from anywhere in the world. Her experience demonstrates it’s possible to build scalable, successful companies while prioritizing family and personal time. Embracing the Modern CEO Mindset Amber introduced her “Modern CEO Method”—a framework for running businesses that don’t require the founder to be "always on," making them more sustainable. The shift from solopreneur to CEO is not just about business growth but about cultivating freedom for yourself. Efficient Time Management: The Power of Boundaries Amber works 20–24 hours a week, rarely more, thanks to clear boundaries and prioritization. She emphasized the discipline to stick to time constraints, only focusing on tasks that drive results and align with personal and business goals. Delegation and Letting Go Identifying tasks to delegate or automate—often starting with administrative work—was crucial for Amber. She encouraged other entrepreneurs to calculate what only they can do versus what can be handed off, freeing up time and reducing business bottlenecks. Personal Development and Mindset Shifts The entrepreneurial journey is deeply personal; Amber highlighted the importance of dealing with guilt around working less, managing other people’s judgments, and having the confidence to do things differently from corporate norms. Failing Forward and Scenario Planning Both Amber and Tina discussed the inevitability of failure in business. Amber recommends using visualization and scenario planning to make failure less daunting, so you’re emotionally and strategically prepared for setbacks. The Ripple Effect of Empowered Women Empowering women to own successful businesses has a powerful ripple effect, benefiting families and communities. Both Amber and Tina are passionate about supporting women to step into confident CEO roles and create generational change. Practical Tips for Growth Start delegating small, with tasks that support revenue-generating activities. As the business grows, incrementally add support, and always make sure your investments in help match your capacity. Community, Planning, and Events Amber runs the annual “Plan A Thon” event to help entrepreneurs plan and celebrate their businesses. She highlighted the value of community and planning as pillars of ongoing business success. Amber McCue’s story (and strategies) is a masterclass in intentional business design, prioritizing both growth and freedom. Building a business that fits your life—not the other way around—isn’t just possible, it’s essential. Where to find Tina: Her Empire Builder: https://www.herempirebuilder.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tina_tower/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@herempirebuilder Where to find Amber McCue: Amber McCue: https://ambermccue.com/ Amber McCue's All Ideas Workbook: ambermccue.com/alltheideas Follow Amber on Instagram: @ambermccue
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    46 mins
  • 289: 10 ways to stop procrastinating and get. it. done.
    Jun 24 2025

    In this solo episode, Tina Tower dives deep into the real-world strategies she uses to conquer procrastination, stay motivated, and take unstoppable action in her business and life. Tina offers 10 actionable techniques that are practical and proven, highlighting that success often comes down to consistent action—even when the feeling isn’t there.

    Whether you’re building a course, growing a digital business, or just trying to stay on track with your goals, this episode is packed with tangible tips to help you get out of your head, stop overthinking, and actually get things DONE.

    Key Topics Covered:
    1. Break Big Tasks Down:
      Tackle overwhelm by breaking large projects into bite-sized, actionable chunks. Use project management tools like Monday.com to list the small steps and work through them one at a time for a confidence boost.

    2. Pomodoro Timer Technique:
      Focus in short, timed sprints for 25 minutes followed by a 5-minute break. This helps train your brain to focus, especially if you struggle with attention or frequently get distracted.

    3. Block Distractions:
      Use apps like Freedom or Opal to block social media, emails, and other time-sapping distractions so you can stay laser-focused on the task at hand.

    4. Stay Organized with Project Management:
      Tools like Monday.com, Asana, ClickUp, and Trello can systemize your workflow, help you brain dump ideas, and prioritize work so you know exactly what to focus on.

    5. Set Clear Work Windows:
      Time block your day and give yourself realistic, defined periods to work. Setting boundaries (like strict start and end times or sprinting to deadlines) builds urgency and momentum.

    6. Just Start—for 10 Minutes:
      Commit to working on tough tasks for just 10 minutes. Action often creates motivation; once you get started, you’re more likely to find your flow and keep going.

    7. Reward Yourself:
      Celebrate milestones, even small ones! Whether it’s a treat, a walk, or a bigger reward after a big project, pairing achievements with positive rewards builds self-trust and motivation.

    8. Done is Better Than Perfect:
      Don’t let perfectionism become procrastination. Aim for excellence, but know when 80-90% is good enough to launch—improvements can come later!

    9. Visualize Success:
      Imagine your project, launch, or event completed successfully. Visualization transforms overwhelm into clarity and gives you an emotional boost to follow through.

    10. Celebrate Your Wins:
      Mark every achievement, no matter the size. Regularly acknowledging your wins (publicly or privately) keeps you energized and builds confidence.

    Tina reminds listeners that procrastination is normal and doesn’t mean you’re lazy or broken—you may just need better systems or clearer motivation. She encourages you to try any (or all!) of these strategies today. Don’t let procrastination hold you back from building your dream business and life. The world needs what you have to offer!

    Links & Resources:

    • Monday.com

    • Pomodoro Timer (free software)

    • Freedom App

    • Opal App

    Where to find Tina:

    Her Empire Builder: https://www.herempirebuilder.com/

    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tina_tower/

    YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@herempirebuilder

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    29 mins
  • 288: How to go from Idea To Income with your online course
    Jun 17 2025

    In this episode, Tina Tower walks you through the journey from having a simple idea to generating income with your first online course. Recognizing that many in her audience are at the very beginning of their course creation journey, Tina focuses on the essential first steps to help you confidently go from brainstorming to launching and selling your online course.

    Key Topics Covered:

    • Start Before You’re Ready: Don’t let indecision stall your progress. Choose one idea and get started — it’s better to begin than to wait for the “perfect” inspiration.

    • Find Your Winning Idea: The best course topics sit at the intersection of what you love, what you're great at, what people want, and what they’re willing to pay for.

    • Validate Before You Build: Instead of working in isolation, validate your idea by offering a live, short course (like 6-8 weeks) to a small group before creating polished course content.

    • Launch Small, Learn Fast: Your first sales are likely to come from people you know. Make a list of potential buyers in your network, and focus on serving them well.

    • Start Simple: Don’t get bogged down in complex business models. Begin with one straightforward offering and let your audience’s needs guide your evolution.

    • Embrace Vulnerability: Selling a course is personal. Be prepared for vulnerability and judgment, but also for the massive rewards and personal growth that come from showing up authentically.

    • Stay Focused on Your 'Why': Course creation is challenging, but keeping your end goal and impact in mind will help push you through the tougher moments.

    By focusing on clarity, simplicity, and connection, your first online course can be the foundation of a thriving business. Trust yourself, start where you are, and remember — progress is far more powerful than perfection.

    Resources Mentioned:

    3 Day Idea To Income Challenge: https://www.herempirebuilder.com/income for your free guide on How to Start Your Online Course Business.

    Where to find Tina:

    Her Empire Builder: https://www.herempirebuilder.com/

    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tina_tower/

    YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@herempirebuilder

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    22 mins
  • 287: Ask Me Anything
    Jun 10 2025

    In this special “Ask Me Anything” episode, Tina Tower dives into a variety of questions submitted by her audience, covering everything from how to turn an idea into a successful business offer, to starting out with limited funds, building trust in business, social media strategies, and health transformations. Tina shares behind-the-scenes stories about her own entrepreneurial journey—including both the wins and the struggles—and offers actionable advice for anyone navigating the world of online business.

    Key Topics Covered:

    • Developing and Testing Business Ideas

      • How Tina decides which projects to pursue

      • The three crucial ingredients for a winning offer

      • Tina’s experimental approach when starting out

    • Launching a Business with Little to No Money

      • Honest stories about overcoming financial hardship

      • First steps to building an online business from scratch

      • Resources Tina recommends for beginners (including her course, “Idea to Launch”)

    • Trusting People in Business, Especially Around Money

      • Setting up clear boundaries and contracts

      • Why self-responsibility is crucial with finances

      • Tips for collaborating with partners and friends

    • Fastest Ways to Make Money When Starting Out

      • The power of one-to-one consulting and done-for-you services

      • How to gradually move from one-to-one to scalable one-to-many offers

    • Approaching Social Media as a New Business Owner

      • Why it’s tougher (but also more accessible) than ever

      • The importance of multi-format content and consistency

      • When and why to consider low-cost lead generation ads

    • Biggest Challenges Tina Sees with Clients

      • Overcoming the fear of failure and perfectionism

      • The truth about making mistakes and learning from them

      • Embracing personal development as an entrepreneur

    • Tina’s Personal Health Journey

      • Why she’s cautious about giving health advice

      • The effort and experimentation that’s gone into her transformation

    Whether you're just starting out or scaling to new heights, this episode is packed with honest insights and practical tips to help you move forward with confidence. Tune in to get inspired, feel supported, and take your next step in business with clarity and courage.

    Resources Mentioned:

    Idea to Launch - herempirebuilder.com/start

    275: How to go from $0 to $100K in your online course business

    A Thousand True Fans by Kevin Kelly

    Where to find Tina:

    Her Empire Builder: https://www.herempirebuilder.com/

    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tina_tower/

    YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@herempirebuilder

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    27 mins
  • 286: Creating Without Burnout with Michelle Falzon
    Jun 3 2025

    In this episode, Tina Tower welcomes entrepreneur, strategist, and storyteller Michelle Falzon to discuss how you can unlock your best creative work without getting burnt out. With over 20 years’ experience catalyzing ideas into sustainable, soul-aligned success, Michelle shares insights from her signature “Creation Loop” framework—designed to help passionate business owners and creators strike a balance between serving their clients, delivering quality work, and sustaining their own wellbeing.

    Key Topics Covered:

    • Michelle’s Journey: From supporting multi-million dollar launches behind the scenes to stepping out front with her own ideas.

    • The Creation Loop: Michelle breaks down her five-part framework—Saturate, Percolate, Create, Celebrate, Rejuvenate—that helps creators avoid the cycle of constant output and burnout.

    • Maintaining Creativity in a Busy World: How to protect your signal (your true vision) from the daily “noise” and distractions of business.

    • Boundaries and People Pleasing: Why women especially struggle with saying no, and how working on personal boundaries is an ongoing process.

    • The Power of Self-Compassion: Practical tools, including the RAIN process (Recognize, Allow, Investigate, Nurture) for being kinder to yourself through the ups and downs of business.

    • Sustainable Scheduling: The importance of allowing time to percolate (think and process) between absorbing information and executing, plus how celebration and genuine rest fuel creativity.

    • Perfectionism vs. Progress: Why taking action before everything is “ready” is crucial, especially for women prone to over-preparing.

    • Trusting Intuition: How to build trust in your gut instincts and natural creative rhythms, letting go of what you think you “should” do.

    • Defining Success: Michelle closes by sharing her outlook on true success—freedom, love, relationships, and staying connected to the simple joys of life.

    This conversation is a powerful reminder that your most meaningful creative work doesn’t come from pushing harder, but from aligning deeply with who you are and what matters most. By embracing frameworks like the Creation Loop, you can sustainably grow your business while honoring your wellbeing, intuition, and joy.

    Where to find Tina:

    Her Empire Builder: https://www.herempirebuilder.com/

    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tina_tower/

    YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@herempirebuilder

    Where to find Michelle Falzon:

    Michelle Falzon: www.michellefalzon.com

    Her Business: www.contentsellspodcast.com

    Women’s Business Mastermind in Australia: www.herbusinessmastermind.com

    Free Guide: Create Without Burnout: www.createwithoutburnout.com

    Free Guide: The Ultimate High-Converting Offer Blueprint for Women Business Owners: https://her-business.lpages.co/high-converting-offer-blueprint/

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    41 mins
  • 285: Should you have an evergreen or live launched course?
    May 27 2025

    In this episode, Tina Tower dives into the pros and cons of evergreen vs. live launched courses for online business owners. She shares her personal experience, industry benchmarks, and tips for choosing the best strategy for your course business—along with ideas for hybrid approaches that blend the best of both worlds.

    Key Topics Covered:

    • What is Evergreen vs. Live Launch?
      • Evergreen programs are always available and rely on automated marketing, with the goal of creating consistent, scalable revenue.
      • Live launches are time-bound events with open/close cart periods, featuring high-energy events like webinars or challenges that drive urgency.
    • Pros & Cons of Live Launches
      • Pros:
        • Electric, high-energy atmosphere that boosts conversion.
        • Easier to create urgency (FOMO) and momentum.
        • Great for building community and getting real-time feedback.
        • Higher conversion rates (e.g., 30% for webinars).
        • Ideal for validating new offers.
      • Cons:
        • Time-consuming and emotionally intense.
        • Peaks and valleys in revenue can make forecasting critical.
        • Risk of burnout if launching too often.
        • Requires constant creativity to keep launches fresh.
    • Pros & Cons of Evergreen
      • Pros:
        • Potential for more freedom and consistent, scalable income.
        • Better suited for those who prefer steady, predictable workflows.
        • Excellent for content marketing, SEO, and paid ads.
        • Great once offers are validated and funnels are optimized.
      • Cons:
        • Lower urgency and typically lower conversion rates (often 3–5%).
        • Heavier upfront tech setup and ongoing optimization required.
        • Can feel less connected to your audience without live interaction.
        • Trickier to know exactly where conversions are stalling.
    • Tips & Recommendations
      • Start with live launches to validate offers and really get to know your audience.
      • Move into evergreen after getting a proven program and well-optimized funnel.
      • Consider a hybrid approach: run evergreen all year but add 1–2 live launches or live webinars annually to infuse energy and boost conversions.
      • Know yourself: If you thrive on energy and creativity, live launching may suit you. If you want more consistent, mathematical growth, evergreen could be your path.
    • Tina's Experience & Advice
      • Tina personally prefers a combination—live launches for excitement, validation, and community; evergreen for ongoing sales and freedom.
      • She highlights the importance of revenue forecasting, creative launches, and making sure your system fits your personality and business goals.
      • Encourages early-stage entrepreneurs to embrace frequent live launches for faster growth and refinement.
    • Common Mistakes to Avoid
      • Relying purely on “build it and they will come” for evergreens—marketing is still 80% of the work.
      • Going evergreen before your offer is validated with real students.

    You don’t have to choose just one strategy—curate the combination of live launches and evergreen funnels that aligns with your goals, capacity, and personality for sustainable course business growth.

    Where to find Tina:

    Her Empire Builder: https://www.herempirebuilder.com/

    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tina_tower/

    YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@herempirebuilder

    Resources Mentioned:

    • Platforms for automating evergreen funnels (Deadline Funnel)
    • Advertising channels: Google, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube
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    19 mins
  • 284: Lessons from my fav coach Barrett Brooks
    May 20 2025
    Tina Tower sits down with her favorite coach, Barrett Brooks, for a deeply personal and transformative conversation about business, personal growth, and the journey of self-discovery. Tina shares how working with Barrett brought unparalleled clarity, contentment, and alignment to her life and business, while Barrett opens up about his transition from the COO of ConvertKit to becoming a world-class coach. Key Topics Covered: The Power of Coaching: Tina describes the enormous value she's received from working with coaches throughout her 20+ year career, and how having Barrett as her coach was particularly life-changing.Why Barrett Left Tech Leadership: Barrett shares the story behind his decision to leave ConvertKit, citing burnout, misaligned values, and the importance of honoring what truly works for him.Reinventing Yourself: Barrett discusses the “progressive surrender” to his authentic self and letting go of other people’s expectations. He emphasizes the courage required to walk away from prestigious roles to pursue work that is deeply aligned with one’s true nature.Internal Work and Self-Awareness: Both Tina and Barrett talk about how internal family systems, therapy, and somatic practices helped them process old beliefs, trauma, and self-imposed pressure, unlocking new levels of happiness and productivity.Burnout and Boundaries: Barrett shares how he intentionally structures his coaching business to avoid burnout, setting clear boundaries and focusing on a select number of clients to maintain excellence and energy.Entrepreneurial Mindset: Insights into why entrepreneurs often feel compelled to do more, the importance of embracing ease, and how to find fulfillment beyond relentless hustling.Masculine & Feminine Energies in Business: Discussion around societal expectations of men and women, provider roles in relationships, and the importance of balancing masculine and feminine energies for healthy organizations and partnerships.Coach vs. Mentor vs. Therapist: Barrett explains the distinct roles of a coach, mentor, and therapist, and how they can complement each other in an entrepreneur’s personal and professional growth.Navigating a Changing World: Barrett talks about setting boundaries with news and technology, his approach to AI, and the importance of focusing on what one can control and contribute, even in times of uncertainty.Defining Success: Both discuss redefining success as loving and being loved, showing up authentically, and embracing the impact of deep personal connection over superficial metrics. This episode is a masterclass in personal and professional transformation. Whether you’re an entrepreneur craving clarity, or a leader seeking deeper purpose and healthier boundaries, you’ll find actionable wisdom and heartfelt encouragement in Tina and Barrett’s conversation. Where to find Tina: Her Empire Builder: https://www.herempirebuilder.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tina_tower/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@herempirebuilder Where to find Barrett Brooks: Website: https://barrettbrooks.com/ The Good Work Show Podcast: https://www.goodworkshow.com/ Subscribe to Little Leadership Lessons Newsletter:https://barrettbrooks.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/barrettabrooks/ Resources mentioned: To Bless the Space Between Us by John O’Donohue (book)Presence-Based Coaching (Barrett's advanced coach training)Opal app (for digital boundaries)Peter Levine's work on Somatic Experiencing
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    1 hr and 12 mins