Have you ever made a business decision from a place of panic and thought, “Well, that was a disaster”

Same.

Except mine somehow turned into a $56 million course.

This is how one tiny ask, and one bold teammate, turned near-disaster into everything I’d worked for.

You’ve probably heard of the butterfly effect. It’s the idea that one small move can set off a chain reaction that changes everything.

It didn’t feel big at the time. But looking back? It changed everything.

This was mine.

In 2012, I was fresh off my first almost-million-dollar year.

(Ok, ok… technically $950K, but we’re friends, so let’s round up.)

I joined a peer mastermind and met a guy who was killing it with ads. I, on the other hand, was not. Not even close.

So one day, I got the nerve to ask him to help me with my ads. I thought he would say no, so I offered him a cut of the profits to sweeten the deal.

That was the first flutter of wings. 🦋

He didn’t say yes.
But he didn’t say no.

Instead, he asked if he could become my business partner.

And here’s where the butterfly starts to flutter those wings. 🦋

After just one sleep, I said yes.

I gave him 50% of my business. No lawyer. No negotiation. Just a scared woman who didn’t trust herself to run the show alone. 🤷🏻‍♀️

We had some good years. I created Courses That Convert and Webinars That Convert.

On paper, everything looked shiny.

But behind the scenes, I felt like his employee. He ran the show. I shrank. It all came crashing down.

By 2016, lawyers were involved. The business froze. I was terrified it was all over.

However, the universe had a different plan.

Eventually, we reached a mediation agreement. I bought him out. The business was mine again. 

But now I owed him a lot of money, and I didn’t have it.

I panicked. Then I flew my entire team to Canada to brainstorm a membership with my friend Stu McLaren. The goal? Make money fast.

Then… another butterfly moment. 🦋

At the table, a teammate said, “What if we combined your two courses into one offer?”

I snapped. “You have no idea how hard that would be!” The work, the risk, the restructuring. No way.

The old courses were safe.

This new one? It would be $2,000… double what I’d ever charged. I was terrified.

But the idea nagged at me. I knew she was right.

Six (really tough) months later, Digital Course Academy was born.

We made $9 million with this new program in that first year.
Since then? $56 million in revenue. Over 26,145 students.

All because I asked one question in a mastermind.
All because I said yes to the wrong person.
All because one team member dared to suggest something bolder.

So now it’s your turn:

What’s your butterfly moment 🦋 waiting to happen?

What small ask, bold pivot, or “wild” idea are you avoiding?

This is your sign.
Take the step.
Start the ripple.

Your Brain Candy for Business Growth 🍭

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I’m always looking for ways to make business easier and more profitable. You too? Here are two articles you missed last week that are worth your time.

#1: AI Wins from Businesses Like Yours
This quick read shares three next-level case studies showing exactly how AI is helping small teams do big things. Super doable, super smart, definitely worth a click.

#2: New Instagram Update = Reels Just Got Way Easier to Record
Instagram just dropped a teleprompter-style video editor inside the app, which means no more memorizing your script or fumbling through takes! If Reels stress you out, this update is about to be your new best friend. Here's what it does (and how to use it to show up more confidently on camera).

BTS: Yep, I’m Testing Everything (So You Don’t Have To)

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Here’s something this numbers-challenged gal never thought she’d say: I’m obsessed with data. OBSESSED.

I’m tracking every part of this newsletter like a lab rat. Open rates, send times, subject lines… you name it. And since I only teach what I test, I’m taking you behind the scenes.

Here’s what we’ve tried:

🕓 Send Time Wins
We tested 24 send times. The winners? 5 PM, 7 PM, and 11 AM. Early mornings flopped, mid-afternoons snoozed, and 11 PM was unsubscribe city.

📝 The Name Game
We sent an email with just your first name as the subject line. It got a 3% higher open rate than our usual punchy ones. Not something we’ll do weekly (it’s kind of spammy), but dang, it worked.

🍹 You Rebel, You
When I casually mentioned I love Cann drinks (yep, the ones with a little 🌿), that link got the most clicks. I was scared you’d judge me. Instead, you proved you like a little fun with your funnels, too.

Bottom line? I’m testing, learning, and reporting back. So if you stick with me, you’ll always have fresh ideas to steal as your own.

Use The “B+ Strategy” to Reset Your Goals in 2025

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Here’s something I wish someone had told me earlier: your idea doesn’t have to be perfect.

It doesn’t even have to be an ‘A’ worthy idea. Sometimes, a solid B+ idea, executed consistently, is the thing that changes everything.

Think about it.

While you’re busy waiting for the “perfect” name, the “perfect” offer, or the “perfect” plan… someone else is out there running with their B+ idea and racking up sales. 💰

The key? They got it out the door. They tested it. They listened. They tweaked. And now it’s making money while yours is still sitting in a Google Doc.

So this is your reminder: You don’t need a genius idea to grow. You need momentum.

Your next B+ idea might just become your A+ success story.

Choose the thing. Launch the thing. Let it be a little messy. Just get it out there.

You've got this.

What I’m Reading, Watching, and Using on the Daily

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🛒 Something I’m using daily: Higher Dose Red Light Hat (It’s pricey, but hair health is an obsession of mine, second to skincare of course.)

🤓 Something I’m reading: If you love Atomic Habits, you’ll love this new book by my friend, Pat Flynn. Lean Learning: How to Achieve More by Learning Less. This book will help you navigate the chaos of information overload (you’re feeling it too, right?!) and make you more efficient. The goal of the book?  Help you win while learning less.

🍿 Something On My Watchlist: Call Her Alex on Hulu. It’s a documentary that gives an intimate look into the life of Alex Cooper, the powerhouse behind the Call Her Daddy podcast and media mogul. I love going behind the scenes to witness the gritty, messy stuff that leads to real success. But I haven’t watched it yet, have you?

Good chat. Let’s do it again.

Until then, make the scary ask, test a weird subject line, and get a little messy with your B+ work.

Amy

P.S. Ever wondered if the way you work is actually your greatest strength… not a flaw to fix? This week’s episode might just change how you see yourself (and your team) forever. It sure did for me. Click here now to see what I mean. 🎧