Pamela Bardhi 

Welcome back to Underdog. Today, we’ve got the second part of my amazing interview with Queen Bee Liz Theresa. If you haven’t had a chance to hear Part A Be sure to check it out. And without further ado, here is the second part of my incredible interview with Liz Theresa.

 

Liz Theresa 

So, actually, I started out helping them with their marketing the insurance agency where I was working, it’s called NBA insurance. Amazing. I’m still a licensed insurance agent, believe it or not, because I keep your license, you get a commission. I’m entitled to it. I’m still licensed. Yeah. Um, but it’s not like my number one thing, I just keep the money because it’s nice to have money. And So, yeah, but it’s a great family-owned agency in the south of Boston. And So, they let me like, I was like, let me do your Facebook. And he was like, what are we doing? Um, but he kind of just, he’s great. He tolerates a lot. We have a lot of fun together, Todd, who owns the agency, So, he let me kind of mess with the social media and email and, and then from there I was, I kind of worked a little bit with other businesses in the office building. So, I kind of like went to people that I knew first. And then I started going to networking events. As like, I’m Liz, and I help people do the website thing. And I, there used to be this awesome organization that doesn’t exist anymore. But it was called the Downtown Women’s Club. And it was like professional networking for women in the south shore in the Boston area. And everywhere, it was like Boston Businesswomen except in person. So, it was great. And that’s where I got my first few clients from that. Then I went to a B&I and I got a client there who’s still my client since 2011. I’ve noticed she’s known me that long. She knows me through two marriages, and a baby. A lot.

 

Pamela Bardhi 

Amazing. So, like starting out, and probably the worst economic time you possibly could, you know, what were some of the struggles that you face, like sort of building the brand? Because I know for sure, it’s not easy. First off, you know that was around the time where everything was So, new. So, I don’t think many people knew the value of the Facebook pages and things like that. And websites, I feel like we’re still in transition. Like nowadays, if you don’t have a website, you basically don’t exist, like that’s just what it is. But at that time, I feel like things were still in flux almost in a way. So, how did you get past those struggles? And like, how did you get people to see the value? You know, I know you mentioned insurance sales skills were pretty good, too. But I know there’s a lot of moving parts to that. So, I’m just I’m curious to know, like how you got past those points, because there are so, many entrepreneurs out there first starting out, and they’re like, this is great. And then they’re like, you know, it takes time to build.

 

Liz Theresa 

Yeah, it does. It certainly does. And I think it was first as far as selling the value, I think what business owners were looking for at the time is they were like nothing is working, how can we be found when nothing’s working, and nobody wants to buy anything? And it was like a new way to be found. And So, people were more open to it because they were like I have a website. Does that matter? Like they were like they didn’t see it was important. They might have a website, but they might have made it and like Dreamweaver and uploaded it to the internet. Like it was very casual to make a website then. It wasn’t like, there was stakes weren’t as high. Oh, it’s like with websites like you can be oh my gosh, it’s like painting. It’s like it’s my art. You know, that’s what I do. And So, I think they were like a little open to it. I think with the challenges for new business owners. I think people quit too early. Because I think you have to be willing to know everyone to meet everybody and walk them and say I’m Liz, I make websites and I make them look wicked good. You know, like, and I help people make money because I love making money. Like, these are things I get So, excited about. Right? Yeah. And I love helping people show up on the internet. And like you have to know the things that you say as your business. Those are the things that I say because they come from my heart. And So, what in your heart do you want to be doing? Do that and then just get the money for it. But you have to show up and say it. I mean, I was online, just genuinely last night, I was online, and there was this girl, and she was like oh, my friend is an author of a book, and he’s looking for some help with book publicity and book marketing, and I was like oh I’ve done that. So, I’m commenting on it. And she’s like, how do you know everyone? And I think it’s like, she was a little annoyed. Because I’m like I do, I know a lot. So, I just told her, I go around the block a few times, I don’t know what to tell you. But I know a lot of people that do book marketing. In fact, I’ve done book marketing and some book publicity. So, I was like, I do it. And I go, but I know publicist that like, that’s their whole thing. She’s finally scheduling a call with me because I think she’s tired of me saying, I know everybody because I think she’s like, well, we’ll see. We’ll see who you know. Yeah. It’s funny, though. But it’s because I put myself out there you have to, it’s scary. You know, but you got to do it.

 

Pamela Bardhi 

Especially in the first three to five years of business. I feel like it’s your most pivotal, especially those first three years is like where I feel like you get through those past those three to five years, and you’re over like the hump after you get over the hump. It’s like you hit the ground running. But getting past that hump was the hardest part like, for you, how did you get past those initial years? Because I know, I mean, it’s just it’s never easy. And the same thing with any successful entrepreneur that I know, they’re like, yeah, Pam, for three to five years, we’re a little you know, you’re just figuring things out.

 

Liz Theresa 

You work a lot harder too. I mean, I worked like odd hours, in the first few years, like I would be up like, all of a sudden, I’d be up till I mean, back then I was up to like, one or two o’clock in the morning, learning things on the internet, about the internet, learning things about website development, like I can make, what’s great is I know how to do everything I sell, this is an important thing, I think nothing you have to know how to make a house. As for me, it’s like, it’s nice to at least understand conceptually how everything goes together. And So, I was up, I remember, I was working all the time, and also, had a long-distance boyfriend and helps to not be distracted by honestly by a boyfriend. Boyfriends are very distracting. So, make him far away for a while and then let them come to you. But I had a long-distance relationship at the time So, I wasn’t always going out on Fridays and Saturday nights, I would just be like working and doing things in my business. Because I’d be like, well, what can I do to be better? How do I make it better? And it was always How do I raise the bar? That was always what I was like, not that it wasn’t good enough, but I always wanted better. And So, that’s what I would do. I would be like at on the weekend nights in the beginning. And then I would say like, once it was like the third year and I wasn’t doing that anymore because I was known enough. Like as I was getting to the third year, that’s 2014. I was living in Mississippi or I was on the Cape and about to move to Mississippi. I was married to my first husband. And I think, I needed my business. Panned around that 30-year mark, I had just got married and I remember he had lost his job and I had to pay for the wedding venue. Like 20,000. No, it was actually not 20,000. It was 13,900. It was some odd amount of money. And I was like how I am going to grow this much money. He lost his job. He was saying we should postpone the wedding. Now we’re divorced. And I’m like, God, maybe he was trying to tell me something. I looked back at the straight red flags because I organize them together now. But I remember I was like, well, I’ll just have to make the money myself and pay for it myself because obviously, wicked embarrassing to postpone a wedding because like you don’t I mean, in that time, it wasn’t because of pandemics it was people would assume we don’t love each other, which would be terrifying to me. So, I was like, oh, I’ll just make the money. So, I ran a sale I sold to my existing network and I grossed $22,000 in like 10 days because I had to. And ever since then I’ve never worried about money. I don’t worry about money. Because I’ve always proven to myself that it’s there. And it’s about just going to get it when I needed some.

 

Pamela Bardhi 

That’s the abundance mindset right there. Like, that’s great. That’s crazy. So, you must have manifested that somehow. Like, how did you make that up? And in 10 days, that’s unreal.

 

Liz Theresa 

I sold it. I just wrote up a sales flyer because I’m a designer. So, I designed a sales flyer. And at the time I sold hourly packages, I don’t even remember what the prices were. They were cheap. I was So, So, cheap than because I was So, young, and I didn’t know anything. And I remember I was like okay, it’s a buy more, save more. So, if you buy five packs of 10 to buy 50 hours, you’ll get 20% off or something ridiculous, right? And So, by doing this very aggressive sale, I was able to get more yeses. And So, and also, I put a deadline on the sale like you have to tell me by today at XX o’clock, whatever time it was, or by Friday at two. And then that way on Friday too, I’m like did you even see this? Did you see this? Like I could follow up it would entitle me to do that. And I followed up on that until I got a yes or no, I close the loop with every single person I emailed. And it really did equal $22,000, which was a lot more than I needed at the time. They helped me pay for our honeymoon, it helped me pay for all kinds of things.

 

Pamela Bardhi 

That’s amazing. Oh, my God. And then now you’ve grown this Theresa to this amazing brand. And not only that, but you started your podcast, which is Liz on Biz, which needs to know about because it’s super, super awesome. So, tell us how you sort of segwayed into that? I think I mean, it feels like it almost flowed naturally to you, because you love people and you love business. So, it’s like, why not talk about it?

 

Liz Theresa 

I was a little worried. I was like, who is going to listen to me? I mean, that’s going to be awful. But at the time, I had some coaching clients, I didn’t have a ton of coaching clients, I was kind of like, in the doldrums of business where you get comfortable. Was that myself? Was that my Seven Year Itch? No, it was 2016. So, my business was five, then, wow, I’ve had with podcasts a long time. And So, back then it was very cool to have a podcast and I had seen other people do it. And I was like, and we were kind of though. So, I said to my web developer, Zach, who’s one of my closest friends. And I was like, I feel like I was like, I kind of feel like we should have a podcast because like, we got nothing to do right now. We know how to make one. We have no technical limitation. I know how to talk. Like, why don’t we just do it? So, I recorded the intro. Like an outro. Within like, 10 minutes. I did that though. So, I wrote them and recorded them. And it was over like the same intro and outro you hear now is like I just wrote it out or recorded it. And I was like, that’s great. And that’s it. And then the name came to my developer Zach thought of the name like in the shower or something weird, and then text me and was like, Liz on Biz. That’s what this is. It’s going to be Liz on biz because it’s you and it’s business and it rhymes. And it’s funny. And it’s you. So, that’s it.  Liz on biz. And So, then it’s been like that. Yeah, for a while, weekly, every Monday, everywhere you podcast.

 

Pamela Bardhi 

That’s awesome. And it’s been featured in Forbes and I’m pretty sure Jimmy Fallon follows you.

 

Liz Theresa 

Yes, he does. Jimmy Fallon does. I have the email. I print it out of where it’s like Twitter was saying Jimmy Fallon now follows you. It’s because I used to tweet Jimmy Fallon live during his show and respond to things he was saying because I was a weirdo. And then my mom was like, I think he’s married. And I was like, Oh, I don’t know. I wasn’t like flirty, but like, I guess maybe it’s my mom was like, you shouldn’t be doing that. And then he followed me anyway. And I was like, oh, clearly, he’s listening and thinks I’m funny.

 

Pamela Bardhi 

Oh, my God.

 

Liz Theresa 

Then maybe my life. Yeah,

 

Pamela Bardhi 

That’s So, cool. Because it’s like something you just started out of nowhere. And then like, it’s just kind of blown up to be huge for you, which is super exciting. Super exciting. So, like, now these days, like what is the Liz’ recent brand doing, sort of like what is your main focus now and the different things that you’re sort of passionate about and different offerings?  And I’ll let everybody know this often when you go to PamelaBardhi.com that was designed by Liz, such a great job.

 

Liz Theresa 

It really is. It’s one of my favorites.

 

Pamela Bardhi 

And the logos and everything. It’s just like the bomb.com. So, obviously, Liz is a master at what she does, but like, sort of where is literally sat down as a brand, and where is it sort of heading in the future?

 

Liz Theresa 

This is such a good question. And I recently went to a brand workshop where they had us write our mission statement, but aspirational. And I realized that I had never really been aspirational when writing it. So, it forced me to really think about how I want to fit into other people’s world, and I wish I had been halfway there. So, I like to say, Listen, he says the number one solution for entrepreneurs wanting to rise and be the stars of their industry. And here are the ways that we do it, and then I say website design, business, mentorship, copywriting, and then it goes branding, and there’s all this stuff that we do. And that’s what I like to say to people. And I do want to be number one, and I consider myself already number one. It’s just that matter of communicating it to people So, they know that because in websites, and in online marketing, there are So, many hacks, idiots that don’t really know what this stuff is when I tell you this is my life’s work. I love websites, I love business. My heart like goes on fire when I talk about this stuff, because it’s So, empowering and it’s such important work. And So, as far as what I want to keep doing, I love launching group coaching programs. That’s probably my favorite thing. I have the visibility accelerator coming out. Yes, it’s So, cool because I’m all about accelerating people into the stardom that they deserve because famous something that we can create and it’s something that we can claim for ourselves. It’s not being discovered. That’s not what marketing is. It’s about discovering yourself and then showing up that way. That’s what the visibility accelerator is all about. It’s for business owners and entrepreneurs that want to just boost their startup through digital marketing and PR, and it’s very cool. It’s starting in August. So, very excited about it.

 

Pamela Bardhi

That’s So, awesome. I love the passion in your voice when you talk about it. And that, that shows So, much about how much you love what you do genuinely, in a genuine way. And that’s obviously what’s propelled you to like, keep everything going. Now, like, if you would say, what has been like, what was your most memorable moment in business that you were like Yeah, you like that, like, fired you up to just like, keep rocking.

 

Liz Theresa 

The $22,000 is hard to beat. When I made that much money, I mean, that was a So, cool. And I kind of that was like, the first moment that I proved to myself I can manifest the things that I want in my life. And So, that was really cool. But like some of my best CEO moments, like, I mean, the muffin story is really good. Do you know the muffin story?

 

Pamela Bardhi 

I don’t.

 

Liz Theresa 

Okay, the muffin story is that there was this one day that I had, like all these calls booked very concurrently, like one after another, after another. And I got to be So, hungry because I went, I like talked right through lunch. And then I had another call at three o’clock. And I was like, Well, she’s not going to Mind if I just eat this muffin, right? Like, it’ll be five minutes, five minutes. So, then I emailed her, and I go, Hi, I’m So, like, I’m So, sorry, I just need five minutes. I’m So, hungry, and I need to eat this muffin. And then she was like, I want to refund. You’re not committed to this project. Like, I’m So, tired of you putting this off. And I was like, all right. I go, and So, I was like, Hi, please take your money. I’ve sent it to you. And I was like, I’m So, glad you showed me. Basically, I said, I’m So, glad you showed me who you are now. Because I mean, like, for the love of God, just eat the muffin for everybody listening. If people aren’t going to let you eat a muffin, then they shouldn’t be in your life or business. And that was kind of it. And So, I’m So, proud of that moment. Because I was like, Oh, fine. Here’s your money. Get away from me. You bad karma person. Yeah, the muffin story.

 

Pamela Bardhi

Wow, that’s powerful to do. Because sometimes, you know, in business, I mean, you want to capture all the business you possibly can. Right? But only you know, letting go of the toxicity of some clients, you know, is another thing. So, that’s an awesome example. Because I know that there’s entrepreneurs out there that struggle with that, too, you know, and it’s like, honestly, you’re better off because this person is going to drive you insane.

 

Liz Theresa 

I think it’s bad. Now all I did was eating a muffin. I’m like, imagine if she had a real problem.

 

Pamela Bardhi

Geez. Oh, yeah.

 

Liz Theresa 

She’s a real nut to crack. I see her on the internet, and I shake my head. She’s about liked financial empowerment. I’m like, all okay.

 

Pamela Bardhi 

But I can’t eat a muffin.

 

Liz Theresa 

Like you resent you’re probably hungry. She’s probably wanted one of that muffin. You give those a muffin?

 

Pamela Bardhi 

Every time I see a muffin, I’m going to think of you, Liz. People tell me that after the muffin story.

 

Liz Theresa 

It’s a good story.

 

Pamela Bardhi 

Absolutely. Now, another question for you. What would your older self tell your younger self based on what you know now?

 

Liz Theresa 

Oh, don’t marry the first guy. I’d probably say, right, I probably have me raise my prices sooner. That’s something that he won’t do. I mean, I remember trying to be competitive, and I was worried about price. But what’s So, fascinating is the moment that you learn, the price doesn’t really matter. Like the difference between fives and twos and whatever. That’s not really like where the decision making happens in the mind of the buyer. They see a price and all they think is do everybody? It’s like they probably do, right. And it’s just about making your place and your place of business and your product or service, like important enough to buy. So, it’s about how well you sell.  Really, I mean, you could sell anything for any amount of money as long as you made it seem really important. And that has to do with like raising the stakes increasing urgency, and then there’s like, that’s like a whole there’s So, many layers and how that can be really fun and exhilarating for you. But yeah, that’s completely that was a huge thing. Because I was always like, well, I want to be competitive. And I always and I still am competitive. I mean, people charge $20,000 for websites, people are crazy. But then again, they get paid. So, maybe they’ve just accepted it, that they can charge that. I think it’s a little bit of that too.

 

Pamela Bardhi 

Yeah, I think it’s about like creating value too. I think what you know what you bring to the table is like you bring up awesome energy and you’re just like, alright, let’s rock it out in XYZ. I remember when you helped me with my website, I was like, you’re like alright Pam’s what do you envision? Because I have a whole idea. But you know, what is the vision? Yeah, it’s like super cool because you literally want to help the entrepreneur become the superstar of their business and It’s So, genuinely clear. And like, I love that, you know, So, my website, I’m obsessed with it, and I show it to everyone. And they’re like…

 

Liz Theresa 

So badass.

 

Pamela Bardhi

It’s so, cool, awesome. So, it’s like, you know, I love that about you that you helped me that you genuinely want to help the entrepreneur that you’re helping, like, you basically just want them to be the superstar of their business. So, you’re passionate about business and everything. And I love that So, much.

 

Liz Theresa

Thank you.

 

Pamela Bardhi

So, and that’s, and I think that’s what’s propelled you next level. And I mean, now there’s just expansion, and I see you grow So, much, and it’s absolutely fascinating. So, one last question for you would be, you know, what advice would you give to entrepreneurs out there who are just starting out, or someone who has a dream to start something or any piece of advice that you would give.

 

Liz Theresa 

I would say I have like, it’s like to part, surround yourself with people that are going to lift you higher. Businesses, people, my entire business has grown because of like talking to people and introducing myself a certain way. If you’re at the stage where like, you’re in the early beginnings, I actually think it’s not such a bad idea to hire a coach sooner. It’s scarier when you’re in the beginning, it would have gone faster for me. And that’s a way of when you hire a coach or a mentor. And it doesn’t have to be me, although I’m a great place to give money to. If you want it to get one, it really helps you see what’s important more quickly. So, you’re not like spinning your wheels in unnecessary places. Because I think right now, a problem that I see happening is like there’s because online marketing is such a big thing, there are now fads, and like trends of like, Oh, I don’t have a business yet, per se but I’m going to just go make a funnel of a course because that’s what everybody’s doing. And it’s like, that doesn’t mean it’s right for you one. I mean, everybody used to smoke cigarettes, and now they say you shouldn’t. No, I’m just kidding. It’s not that bad for you. But it just means it’s not. It’s not actually where you would ever start in a business. Like I find it shocking that people are starting there. So, just be careful of trends and try to find people that are going to take you to the next level and educate you.

 

Pamela Bardhi 

Absolutely, absolutely. And now, what’s next for you, girl?

 

Liz Theresa 

Oh, I mean, I think continuing to be a really good Mama, because I’m grateful that my business gives me the freedom to be that. My work-life balance is really great. I mean, I have very few nights where I’m up working last night, I was up working because I have a really important project I’m working on, or it’s important to me, So, I was taking the time to do it last night. So, it was when you’re struck with inspiration, you got to run with it. So, but yeah, I mean, I’m really grateful for that. And he’s awesome. He’s one, as you know.

 

Pamela Bardhi 

Little Leo.

 

Liz Theresa 

He’s amazing. And he’s So, strong for a one-year-old baby. Oh, he’s crazy. And I brought him to a restaurant. It was really stressful. But we’ll get there. I’ve just reteach him restaurants.

 

Pamela Bardhi 

He’s So, cute. So, cute. And Liz like how can everyone find you guys know?

 

Liz Theresa 

Yeah, I should tell you stuff. So, liztheresa.com. It’s liztheresa.com at the top of the page, you’ll see a ribbon that takes you to the visibility accelerator or you can go toliztheresa.com/15,  the number 15 if you want to schedule a free 15-minute call with me because I’m a friendly human. You want to talk business, or you can follow me at Liz Theresa anywhere on the internet.

 

Pamela Bardhi 

Awesome and tell him about your podcast to listen to find your podcast.

 

Liz Theresa 

lizonbiz.com and lizonbusinessstreaming, with weekly episodes, delivered fresh every Monday, wherever you podcast, iTunes, Spotify, Pandora, and all the places.

 

Pamela Bardhi 

Yeah, Liz. Thank you So, So, much for being here today. Greatly appreciate you got So, much love for you. I can’t wait to see what happens next in the future, but I know always be connected. Yes.

 

Liz Theresa 

Thank you.

 

Pamela Bardhi 

Thank you.