7 Lessons Learned in February

Welcome to the monthly letter where I share a behind-the-scenes of my current business-building journey. 

A lot of new people joined this space in February (welcome!) so here’s a quick recap of why I choose to end each month with these letters. 

I started my first business 12 years ago in very different times. SEO was different. The online world was different. Intent was different. The entire context of running an online business was different. 

Since then, the Internet has changed but not before consumer behaviors have changed. We, as people, navigate our world in a vastly different way than we did a decade ago, which has made entrepreneurship a fun ride to keep up with. 

I shuttered the doors to that business, went into online coaching for a while, and then recently stopped to see if I could prove that everything I was teaching was still working. It felt like the best way to stay in integrity with how I show up online. These weekly newsletters and monthly reflections offer you a glimpse into how I’ve started over, what’s working, and what lessons I’m learning along the way.

You’re Invited to a Free Virtual Mixer!

As you may know, I’m one of the cohosts of the RV Entrepreneur podcast. The team and I have decided to hold a fun virtual mixer next Wednesday, March 6 at Noon Pacific/3 pm Eastern. We’d love to see you there! Register for the free RV Entrepreneur Virtual Mixer here!

Business is a wild journey of ups and downs. Some days, you’re riding high on the thrill of media exposure or sales. Other days, you’re bogged down with naysayers and fear. Throughout it all, there are lessons to be learned. Here’s what’s come up for me this month that may be helpful to you on your journey. 

Overnight successes are myths. You never see the hours, days, weeks, and months before the success where all the grit and guidance were cultivated. 

When I chose to lean in hard to Cruisin’ + Campfires and launch my own product line a few months ago (the new business endeavor I referenced above), I knew I needed the patience to get the word out there. 

Throughout this process, I’ve realized a few things about patience too:

Through that patience I continue to get closer and closer to the goal, which is a great feeling. Still, my pace isn’t as breakneck as some make it look online, and that’s okay. Progress is progress. 

I was stopped multiple times this month by people who said, “I saw you wrote a book!” or “I’m so impressed with how you’re doing on Instagram!” 

None of these people have liked, shared, or commented on my stuff. Yet, here they were, in a face-to-face impromptu moment, remembering to share their enthusiasm for what I’m putting out there. 

In a world filled with likes, shares, and other vanity metrics, it’s essential to realize that we’re doing much better than we think by showing up. 

Keep going.

I don’t like this one very much. That’s because everything I learned 12 years ago when I started my business is out the window. Today’s world isn’t about creating bulk content. It’s about weaving a story into your content with some keywords attached and appearing in the right search engines. 

Yes, search engines. Plural.

The way people search online is shifting along with the algorithms where they’re searching, and that’s a lot for business owners to keep up with. 

We, as consumers, are shifting our go-to places to find information about what we need, and that means we, as business owners, have to change alongside that. 

Hit reply and let me know if you’d like me to create a whole post out of this because the topic is DENSE. Too dense for a lessons-learned monthly summary.  

My good friend and fellow coauthor Kristin Gudenkauf sent me this video, and it’s worth 10 minutes of your time to watch. 

In it, Dino Ambrosi shares a powerful visual of just how little time we have here on earth. When we spend it doom scrolling Facebook or Instagram, we’re not making a lot of progress. 

If you’re feeling stuck, uninspired, or lacking confidence, put the phone down and get outside. Chances are, you’ll find a faster road to inspiration and joy through that practice of truly living life. As the last line of this TED Talk says, “Do not get to the end of your life and realize that while you were trying to avoid FOMO, you actually missed out on living." 

Powerful. 

Have you ever stopped and thought, “What am I really doing?” 

This month, I’ve asked myself that question quite often. I’ve found myself LOVING showing up on Instagram (come say hi!). I’ve also found myself LOVING writing this newsletter to you each week. Still, I admittedly have no plans or ideas for how this will lead into some big sale, and for once, I’m so glad about that.

The online world tells you to build funnels and guide people along a customer journey towards purchasing from you. While I have courses for sale and merch that lets you sport your Roadpreneur status (I’m wearing the top sweatshirt here while writing this newsletter), I am not taking the traditional approach. I’ve given myself permission to show up fully as ME, warts and all, and that’s been the best feeling in the world. 

So what am I actually doing here in your inbox?

I’m sharing my lifestyle with you. Not just the business side, but also the personal side, and that feels wonderful. Welcome to my digital diary where we can come together and feel less alone in this crazy travel entrepreneur world. 

Speaking of personal sides, I’ll end with two lessons learned from my personal life. 

The first is this — cinnamon isn’t just a fall flavor. 

Last week, we hit the road to a cabin in Northern Arizona (the RV wouldn’t get us to the ski slopes this trip). I made these delicious protein balls for the road; they’re the best flavor I’ve ever made. You have to try them on your next trip! 

Mix it all together. Make little tiny protein balls. Enjoy!

I adapted this recipe from the 1st Phorm recipe book, which you can get here. So yummy!

1st Phorm is also the app I’m using to track my macros and fitness. Here’s my referral link if you want the same guidance and support. It’s phenomenal! 

Recently I shared that I bought this planner after tabling my idea to create my own planner for at least another year. 

If you’re looking for a planner or paper product from Paper & Plan Co, use the code KIMBERLY to get free shipping here!

So far, I’m loving it! The pages are beautiful, and I love the ability to put pen to paper.

That analog mode is the same approach I’m bringing to Cruisin’ + Campfires. It’s so nice not to have to stare at a screen all the time. My notes app might feel slightly lonelier these days, but it’ll be okay. I’m saving my eyes, remembering more by putting pen to paper, and feeling more committed to doing the big work.

Follow the clues about what you love, and you’ll be guided to what to create, how to create it, and how to share it. More on that in the coming weeks. 

If you learned anything powerful or beautiful this month, hit reply and share with me! I love hearing your stories. 

~ Kimberly