Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Amy Jo Ellis, Founder of Court of Atonement LLC., located in Spokane, WA, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
The Court of Atonement is a spiritual modality that resolves conflicts and problems at the Soul level. My customers are mostly energy healers and those with conflicts and health issues that have not been easy to clear.
Tell us about yourself
I didn't start out to have a spiritual business. I was a professional singer/songwriter performing in waterfront restaurants and enjoying my life. I became interested in mediumship and channeling and soon channeled a simple modality that resolves conflicts at the Soul level. I realized that I could teach this simple process, so I wrote a short booklet, and on a lark, I put it up for sale on a marketing network. I was thrilled when someone paid $5. I watched with mild interest while it went on to sell a whopping 18 booklets in a couple of months.
One night my husband called telling me that our bank account was in overdraft and asking if I had any money I could add to the account. I found that I had $80 in the ebook account and added it to our bank, but it was nowhere near what we needed. In disgust, I said to the Universe. "If you want me to put my focus on helping the world instead of singing, right now would be a good time to show me that I can make money this way." The next morning when I woke up, there was still $80 showing in the ebook account. It took a minute to dawn on me that this was a new $80, and I had already moved the other money.
All day I watched in amazement as I sold $250 worth of ebooks. A woman I had never met had read the booklet and used the process. She had gotten such miraculous results from the process that she decided to share it on a social media site. She posted a phone conversation with her daughter. Daughter, "Mom, are you using energy healing work on me?" Jackie, "Yes, I used the Court of Atonement. Why?" Daughter, "My first boyfriend from high school just called me and apologized for the way he treated me back in high school. That conversation was followed by my biggest F#*C!ng sale ever!" Jackie. "Yee, doggies, it works!!" This post gained the attention of 50 people who purchased the booklet, began to see results and started posting it and sharing it with other groups.
I later met the woman who shared the original post-Jackie Rioux, an energy healer living in Canada. When I told her about telling the Universe that I needed proof that I could make money from the booklet, she asked, "What time did you do that?" I said, "10 pm PDT," She said, "Oh my gosh, I had already gone to bed and couldn't fall asleep because I kept thinking. "I should share that message with my group. So I got out of bed and put up the post at 10 pm."
Hearing her say that was a big lesson for me. This was the second successful business that I created with almost no money and a big desire to do it. Both times I had spoken the request out loud... I just said what I wanted, and it showed up.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
The booklet has gone on to sell thousands of copies and has been sold in 148 countries and translated into four languages. Also, I'm now having hundreds of people attending my live classes.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
Keeping up with the taxes in all the countries. Even though it might seem overwhelming, I had to keep holding the thought that I could do this. I found out that there are wonderful websites out there that help with taxes. Taxjar and Quaderno are two services that are very helpful with keeping your sales tax figured out. I also hired a wonderful and reasonable accountant.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Love what you are doing. If it isn't a passion, it probably isn't worth doing.
- Visualize the business being successful. Make it a practice to think and speak about your business with a positive attitude and hold a successful vision of it in your mind.
- Know the reasons you want a successful business. Spend time thinking about all the benefits you will receive and especially the benefits you will give to others with your success. Knowing the reasons "Why others would benefit" will boost your commitment to seeing it through.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://www.courtofatonement.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/courtofatonement
Website: www.courtofatonement.com
If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solo or small business entrepreneur that you'd like to share, then please answer these interview questions. We'd love to feature your journey on these pages.
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