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- [00:00]
Host (possibly named Billie or similar, based on podcast code BILF)
This woman runs a top five podcast in the entire world. She went from making $17,000 a year to becoming a multimillionaire.
- [00:11]
Tiffany Carter
I was terrified of the thought of having a lot of money because my story is different in the sense of I wasn't raised poor. If I had just played victim my whole life, they would have been like, oh my God, look at your story. I understand, but I didn't want to be that. And who was gonna pay for me? My motivator was I'm not gonna be controlled or trapped by any person, place, thing, job, institution, ever again. And that was the motivator for me to not, like, sit in the victim side of things. You can't have a business and not know how to sell, period. I don't care if you're a practitioner, I don't care if you're an influencer. I don't care if you're an affiliate marketer. I don't care if you do Reiki. You have to know how.
- [01:05]
Sponsor Narrator (Sintra AI advertisement)
Before we jump into today's episode, let me say something that changed the way I work. Burnout usually isn't from working hard. It's from trying to do everything manually. This episode is sponsored by Sintra AI. And what I love about Sintra is every AI helper has a different role. Almost like building your own digital team. For content, I've been using Sochi. This helps generate hooks, captions, ideas and content strategy without spending hours overthinking every single post. Then there's Pen for writing support, Scouty for research, and Cassie helping with customer communication and follow up. So instead of getting stuck in repetitive tasks all day, you can stay focused on growth, creativity and execution. And honestly, that's what smart scaling looks like. Not working 24 7, not doing everything alone, but learning how to leverage tools that help you move faster without sacrificing quality. Because the people winning right now, they're not just working harder, they're working smarter. So if you want to streamline your workflow and operate at a higher level, go to Sintra AI backslash BILF and use code BILF B I L F for 72% off all plans. They also offer a 14 day money back guarantee, so there's no risk at all to testing it again. That's Sintra AI Backslash Bill with Code billf.
- [02:24]
Host (possibly named Billie or similar, based on podcast code BILF)
Now let's get into today's episode foreign. Welcome back to the Billboard where authenticity trumps authority. Well, I am super excited about today's guest. I mean, her story is absolutely incredible and I know that all of you are going to take away so many important nuggets. This woman runs a top five podcast in the entire world. She went from making $17,000 a year. Yeah. Not a month, not a week, a year. To becoming a multi millionaire. So this just goes to show you ladies out there that if you're watching this, she is incredible. For sure. But I can assure you that she is just like all of us. You know, we're faking it till we making it over here with our weave in our hair. Whatever comes in our head comes flowing
- [03:14]
Tiffany Carter
out of our mouth.
- [03:15]
Host (possibly named Billie or similar, based on podcast code BILF)
But welcome to the show, Ms. Tiffany Carter. Welcome, girl.
- [03:21]
Tiffany Carter
That's quite an intro. And it's so. And really well. I like the faking it till you make it because, like, that's what it was all about.
- [03:29]
Host (possibly named Billie or similar, based on podcast code BILF)
That's. I'm the same thing. For me, I cannot wait to dig. Like, just dig in there and go, we're gonna go rogue with this and see where it goes. But I know that you're. You have an incredible backstory, so let's just kind of start there to intro you and a little bit about your backstory and where you started from.
- [03:45]
Tiffany Carter
I always like saying ahead of time. My story is insane. It's like a Lifetime movie. So just like trigger warning ahead of time for people. Okay. But I know you're used to listening to this show, which you guys talk about all the things, so I know I'm in good hands. I was raised by a single mom who is a narcissist, and my mom pimped me out from the ages of 11 to 21 years old to wealthy men, which I'm sure some of this rings a bell with the latest affairs of current events. That's all coming to surface.
- [04:22]
Host (possibly named Billie or similar, based on podcast code BILF)
Wow.
- [04:22]
Tiffany Carter
And I was just a tool for her, and she was an entrepreneur, so the last thing I wanted to be was to have a business. And truly, I was terrified of the thought of having a lot of money. Because my story is different in the sense of I wasn't raised poor. I was actually raised, like, not, like super wealthy, but definitely, like, I guess you could say, like upper class. Yeah. And, you know, with being raised that way and being exposed to. She had clients that were Fortune 500 clients. Okay. So big wig corporate executives, these were the people who were inappropriate with me as a child. Right. So what happened is that obviously I had no self worth, and my worth was only based on how I could serve somebody, how I could, like, service them in every possible way. And I never thought for a second, I mean, I would even say I never want to have a business.
- [05:27]
Host (possibly named Billie or similar, based on podcast code BILF)
Yeah.
- [05:27]
Tiffany Carter
Because I attached having a business to it being dangerous. But what I wanted was someone to hear the truth. I wanted someone to hear me and listen to me. So when I was 13, I don't know, you guys might remember the show. Like, it's still on. Inside Edition with Deborah Norville. And she came and spoke at my middle school, and she arrived in, like, a stretch limo, and she was a vibe. And I'm like. And everyone, like, just was quiet and hung on every word she said and was so respectful. And I'm like, that's what I want to be. I want to be a newscaster. And so that's what I did. I had all focus on becoming a newscaster. I was hired by NBC before I even, like, formally graduated, graduated college. And a lot of people are like, oh, that's so glamorous. And all this. I made no money. You don't make money doing that. You know, it was about me wanting to have a platform where I thought it was all about truth and facts. And of course, as we all know now, that's not how the news business works. But I didn't know any better. And while I was on air, and I think you'll, like, appreciate the insanity of this, I was still being abused. The abuse didn't stop until I was 21. Wow. So the main abuser flew out. I was stationed in Washington flew out. And that was the last time that I was abused, but flew out. And thankfully, my news director, who, of course, I ended up sleeping with. Thank you. Because I was taught all this, right. When someone is helpful and respectful, I was overly sexualized. I thought, that's, like, what you do for somebody. And he's a wonderful person. He helped save my life. And he saw this dynamic of this main perpetrator, who I was taught to call my brother, even though I'm an only child. And he was like, this is not okay. And it snapped me awake. It was like, oh, it's not like. It was so normal to me. And that's when I started really thawing out from everything that had happened to me.
- [07:48]
Host (possibly named Billie or similar, based on podcast code BILF)
Wow, you. I mean, you took my question. I was gonna say, when was that moment that you were finally like, this is not right. And this was the turning point. So now you're at this turn. It's a pivotal moment. I can only imagine. It's like I'm, like, equating it to, like, you. Like, you have an awakening at this moment that, oh, my God. You know, everything that I was taught by somebody that was my mother, you know, and my brother. This is not the way that it's supposed to be. So now you're news. Now you're a newscaster. What happens from there?
- [08:18]
Tiffany Carter
I was thawing out, which, as one can imagine, I didn't have denial as a protection. You know, I didn't have, like, that fake mask where I could pretend it didn't happen. All the memories, all the flashbacks and everything started flooding in, and I was being seen because of all the eyeballs literally watching me. And I felt like I had my skin off. I was so vulnerable. I didn't have that, like, false confidence. Like, the whole fake it till you make it. That's what I developed. I mimicked people. I remember intentionally, consciously, like, as a kid, you know, watching, like, what the confident people looked like. They sat up straight, they raised their hand first in class. Like, they spoke up. They had a certain tone in their voice. But it was all fake. I just didn't know it was fake.
- [09:13]
Host (possibly named Billie or similar, based on podcast code BILF)
Yeah, right.
- [09:14]
Tiffany Carter
And it worked for me until a certain point. And, well, I couldn't fake this. And I was going to have a meltdown on the air. And I. I mean, no one typically quits, like, a TV job, right? Like, especially if you don't have something else lined up. And I was spiraling fast, and I knew if I did not quit, it was not going to be cute.
- [09:36]
Host (possibly named Billie or similar, based on podcast code BILF)
Wow. I mean, what an incredible story. But I just love how authentic you are about it and how real you are. And we were talking, and we'll get more into it, but you took that trauma, and you were saying before we even got on air, how you could have easily. I mean, you could have easily been like, woe is me. I'm done. I'm throwing in the towel. But that's not really what happened.
- [09:56]
Tiffany Carter
Huh?
- [09:56]
Host (possibly named Billie or similar, based on podcast code BILF)
You didn't throw in the towel. You went through struggle, just like everybody does. And you use that and use it as your superpower to turn. To turn your life around and become a multimillionaire. I mean, if that's not an incredible story, I don't know what is. But now. So now, okay, so now you've already spy. Everything's starting to, like, you know, the fogginess is starting to get clarity. Then what happens?
- [10:21]
Tiffany Carter
Where do you go for work? And I'm like, now what? Because I had one focus. It was to be a journalist. And I know it's not like I had a backup plan. And I was a disaster. And I ended up coming back to Los Angeles. Cause I had a lot of friends from college who were there. I wasn't gonna go back to Chicago, which is where I'm from, because I didn't wanna be anywhere near my mom perpetrators, the memories of it. So I went back to la. And those who are familiar with la, I ended up on Ventura Boulevard cleaning up dog piss and shit from being on air because that's the only job I could do for a while, while I was in intensive outpatient care.
- [11:08]
Host (possibly named Billie or similar, based on podcast code BILF)
Wow.
- [11:09]
Tiffany Carter
Wow. It was like. And it's not like I enjoyed the job, but like, I really couldn't. I couldn't have done another job. And I didn't know what I wanted to do because my whole focus was this one thing. And so I did that for. And it's not like I did that for years either. But you're right, people could have easily. And they would have excused me if I had just played victim my whole life. They would have been like, oh my God, look at your story. I understand, but I didn't want to be that. And who was going to pay for me? I didn't have. There is no backup now. Could I have, like, worked a poll and like, gotten a daddy and maybe like, gone that route? But why not?
- [11:55]
Host (possibly named Billie or similar, based on podcast code BILF)
You could have. You could have, why not? Right.
- [11:57]
Tiffany Carter
And I'm not saying there's necessarily anything wrong with that, but then I'd be trapped again.
- [12:02]
Host (possibly named Billie or similar, based on podcast code BILF)
Yes, absolutely.
- [12:03]
Tiffany Carter
My motivator was I'm not going to be controlled or trapped by any person, place, thing, job, institution, ever again. And that was the motivator for me to not like, sit in the victim side of things.
- [12:20]
Host (possibly named Billie or similar, based on podcast code BILF)
Yeah. I mean, listen, I think you have to start somewhere too, you know, even and though those kind of jobs, but the jobs that we think are menial, I think those are the ones that teach us the most about ourselves and who we are and what we're willing to do to get where we need to go. You know, when I started in insure I do insurance, when I started, that's, that's what I call my real job. I, I fell so many times. I. The amount of ego hits I took, the amount of times I cried, the amount of times I'm like, I'm worth more. What am I doing? You know? But all of that kind of, I, I think I boxed it and used it in order to move me ahead to where I wanted to go. And looking back, like, I needed all of that. I needed those, you know, moments of, of humbleness to really put into perspective what I wanted to do and where I wanted to go. And I'm assuming that was kind of the same thing. Yeah. I'm sure you didn't want to clean up piss and shit, but I feel like you kind of need to go through it in order to get, you know, because there's this pivotal moment in everyone's life. So when was that pivotal moment that you're like, I'm not cleaning up piss and shit anymore. I'm going to be. I'm going to turn it around. And I am. Cause that's what happens. I am going to do whatever I need to do to get there. So you manifest it. So when was that pivotal moment?
- [13:42]
Tiffany Carter
Exactly. Exactly. I think what happened when I was in the outpatient, if I'm, you know, remembering it correctly, but I'm going to remember it how I remember it. You know, there were. There were people in there that, oof, you think my story's rough. I mean, stuff that I didn't know existed. And I was like, you know what? There's a lot of people out there that have gone through a lot of shit, and most people don't have it in them, and I'm not blaming them. To be able to talk about it publicly or to be able to open up conversations about this stuff that no one wants to talk about. And I knew I had a gift for doing that. I was trained to do it, but I had a gift from being a journalist, and I had that, like, almost like a teenage. Like, fuck you. Like, that's. I mean, I was voted. I was voted most likely to be seen on Cops in high school. Okay. So that's like, that I have that grit side of my personality, which I see in you. Cause like. Like attracts like.
- [14:52]
Host (possibly named Billie or similar, based on podcast code BILF)
Yeah.
- [14:53]
Tiffany Carter
And I was like, you know what? These motherfuckers. No, I'm going to expose this stuff and I'm going to show people like, hey, like, you can still, like, make it. This doesn't need to be your identity. It's something that's happened. It's messed up, but we can, like, we can use this and rise. And I think that's what did it, because I watched what most people do, and they became just like a shell of themselves. And I didn't want to be that.
- [15:23]
Host (possibly named Billie or similar, based on podcast code BILF)
No. And I mean, I absolutely resonate with everything that you're saying because the more people doubted and the more people said I couldn't or I can't exact. That's it. I love. I actually love it. I embrace it. I love the haters. I love it. And I love, you know, all of the negativity because all that does. Is ignite my fire to where I am. Like, fuck you. I'm going to do it no matter what. So now.
- [15:45]
Tiffany Carter
Yeah, I mean, how many, how many people, when you say you have a podcast, I bet to this day are like, that's nice.
- [15:51]
Host (possibly named Billie or similar, based on podcast code BILF)
I mean, I. Yeah, I mean, I think they're like, can you do something better with your time? You know, but. But when your purpose is greater than who you are, I don't really. And at this point in my life, I feel like I'm. See, like I always say I'm seasoned. I don't really give a. What other people think. To be honest with you. If I cared what other people thought, I'd never be where I'm at today. And sometimes you have to just kind of ignore the naysayers because it just really doesn't matter, honestly. So now and then you get into sales, right? You. You got into sales.
- [16:23]
Tiffany Carter
And I love, like, yeah, I got into pharmaceutical sales.
- [16:26]
Host (possibly named Billie or similar, based on podcast code BILF)
Who doesn't love pharma?
- [16:28]
Tiffany Carter
I mean, listen, but I gotta tell you, makes sense why I got into it.
- [16:32]
Host (possibly named Billie or similar, based on podcast code BILF)
Yeah.
- [16:33]
Tiffany Carter
Because I was a glorified prostitute at that time. And pharma sales, they hire. I mean, they still hire attractive people, but like, there was different. It was very loosey goosey. Like I had Vegas as a territory. I'm blowing on dice, baby. I am going to the Spearmint Rhino. I mean, that's how this shiz was.
- [16:57]
Host (possibly named Billie or similar, based on podcast code BILF)
Yeah.
- [16:57]
Tiffany Carter
And so that felt familiar to me to be in that environment where, I mean, when people talk about, oh, I've got to go to hr, and oh my God, this happened. I'm like, hr.
- [17:09]
Host (possibly named Billie or similar, based on podcast code BILF)
I am hr. First of all.
- [17:11]
Tiffany Carter
Yeah, exactly. First of all, never go to hr. Me. Like, I mean. Yeah, exactly. And the whole thing was inappropriate, but I didn't notice things like that back then because it was just so familiar to me. But like you said, with insurance, like I got told, no, you've got high pressure to make your number. You don't make your number, you're out. You know, and that kind of pressure and showing up when you don't feel like it. You got to make sales calls whether you feel like it or not, whether you're PMSing or not, whether. And then you're sick.
- [17:49]
Host (possibly named Billie or similar, based on podcast code BILF)
Amen.
- [17:50]
Tiffany Carter
Right? And it's like, so that's what that taught me. It taught me how to show up even at my worst, and to show up consistently whether I felt like it or not. And you get the reward for that in sales.
- [18:05]
Host (possibly named Billie or similar, based on podcast code BILF)
You Absolutely.
- [18:06]
Tiffany Carter
I liked that.
- [18:07]
Host (possibly named Billie or similar, based on podcast code BILF)
Yeah. I mean, that. That's exactly what happened? Same exact trajectory. I, I got into sales and I realized that people liked me. But if you want like the school of hard knocks for anybody, go to sales because sales will teach you everything that you need to know. It'll teach you about people, it'll teach you about ethnicity, it'll teach you about how people think, how people move. You can tell body language. I mean, I would suggest if anybody really wants a real education about life, go into sales. And you're right, the risk, the risk is there, but the reward is so much better. And if you're competitive and you know, you're goal oriented, the sales aspect and, and I know you talk about this as well. You don't have to be sleazy to sell. You don't have to be at first. I mean, listen, I, I was faking it till I was making it at first. You know, I was doing whatever I could, had big boobs. I, you know, I played it up. But then finally you realize that you know people. First of all, it's sales. So you'll count the no's. You'll, you will get a yes. You know, it's a numbers game. But beyond that, you can be a legitimate salesperson with, and be genuine and do very, very well in sales. It does work.
- [19:12]
Tiffany Carter
That's when it all changed. Truly is when I wasn't like, acting like what I thought a salesperson was supposed to act like. And I took a different approach to it. And I agree with you. That's why I teach sales to people. Now. You can't have a business and not know how to sell.
- [19:30]
Host (possibly named Billie or similar, based on podcast code BILF)
Yes.
- [19:31]
Tiffany Carter
Like, period. I don't care if you're a practitioner. I don't care if you're an influencer. I don't care if you're affiliate marketer. I don't care if you do Reiki. You have to know how to sell.
- [19:40]
Host (possibly named Billie or similar, based on podcast code BILF)
Yeah.
- [19:41]
Tiffany Carter
And that doesn't mean you have, that doesn't mean manipulation. But I understand why a lot of people think that. That's what it means. What it means is you psychologically study people and understand them. Well, who's better at doing that than a trauma survivor?
- [19:57]
Host (possibly named Billie or similar, based on podcast code BILF)
Yeah. Yes. I mean, it's.
- [20:00]
Tiffany Carter
Right.
- [20:00]
Host (possibly named Billie or similar, based on podcast code BILF)
Yeah. It's absolutely true. And in life, you need that skill. You have to have that skill. Skill in order to be successful. And it's not manipulation. It's knowing. It's reading the room and understanding. And when you're in sales, you know, you're the expert. So, you know, nobody wants to feel like they've gotten sold Nobody wants to feel like that at all. So when you're talking to people, it becomes more of, it's like a dance. I always say sales is like a dance. You know, if they move left, you're moving left. If they're moving right, they're moving right. So it's a whole art in itself. But sales in itself. You know, you don't have to be. I like cars, so please excuse me, but you don't have to be the car salesperson. You don't have to. You can absolutely do that. And I know that was, that's a big part of, of what you do and what you coach. So let's talk about your coaching business a little bit.
- [20:49]
Tiffany Carter
So what I, yeah, what I transitioned to, you know, I had, I kept hitting a glass ceiling in pharma. They usually don't want to move people up who are their top salespeople because now you're not selling, you know, and I get it now, but I didn't get it then. And I kept getting passed up for promotions and it didn't matter. I was number one. Didn't matter. I was making them hundreds of millions of dollars. I'm thankful that happened because it made me so mad and made me so frustrated that it forced me to go, oh no, I'm gonna have to start a business. Remember what I said earlier, I didn't want to be an entrepreneur because that looked icky to me based on my childhood. But thankfully, my best friend from high school, she's self made real estate, real estate agent. She's a broker now. Bish Cold called, like that's how she started. And she's like been top, top, top 1%, like making more money than the people on these TV shows by far. And she was like, I figured. And I was like, she was the only person that I could go to. And I was like, I'm terrified to do this because it looks so scary, you know, can, you know, do you think I can do this? And when she gave me, like I needed someone to give me the stamp, not approval, but like I didn't have someone who believed in me. Yeah, exactly. And like that's what you do for people now. That's what I do. And I'll also be honest with someone too. Yeah.
- [22:21]
Host (possibly named Billie or similar, based on podcast code BILF)
If they'll say it too. Me too. That's important. That's important, Important to say because not everybody got it. Not every. You talked about grit. Not everybody. And that's okay. That's absolutely okay. But yeah, the honesty. I, I agree.
- [22:33]
Tiffany Carter
Not everyone has it And I don't believe that it can necessarily be taught. I can teach you something.
- [22:40]
Host (possibly named Billie or similar, based on podcast code BILF)
This is all. I feel like I'm talking to myself. I don't think you can teach it. You can. It's called chutzpah. You either have it.
- [22:47]
Tiffany Carter
Exactly. Wait, are you. Wait, are you a Jew? I'm obsessed. Okay. I was like, I talk about my beloved Jews on my podcast all the time. I was raised with all. I was raised with all of that. And I use that term all the time. That's so funny. You say that like. You know, some people say like, oh, you've got to have balls. I don't love that term. But you gotta, like, kind of have that bde you do. And listen. I don't.
- [23:13]
Host (possibly named Billie or similar, based on podcast code BILF)
It's.
- [23:13]
Tiffany Carter
I had. I didn't have, like, still the most amazing self worth when I started it. It's not like I felt ready. It's not like I felt super confident. I was terrified.
- [23:24]
Host (possibly named Billie or similar, based on podcast code BILF)
There you go.
- [23:24]
Tiffany Carter
But you want to know what? Like, what the hell was I gonna do?
- [23:28]
Host (possibly named Billie or similar, based on podcast code BILF)
Nothing.
- [23:29]
Tiffany Carter
Keep staying at working for someone else and keep getting passed up like, that sounds insane to me. I might as well do something else. That's insane.
- [23:36]
Host (possibly named Billie or similar, based on podcast code BILF)
Yeah, I agree. I mean, we spend so much time getting ready to get ready. But, you know, in the real world, you got to have the chutzpah. Those are the people that make it. And I don't know that you can teach that to somebody. And. And that's absolutely fake. Fine. But it's knowing you know your place in life. It doesn't mean you won't be successful. But you got to have chutzpah in order to get it, you know, and get it moving in the right direction. So now you do. You do coaching. But your podcast. How about your podcast? It's in the top all. I mean, you're topping your category. Literally top five. So now in conjunction now, did you use the podcast came after.
- [24:10]
Tiffany Carter
Right.
- [24:11]
Host (possibly named Billie or similar, based on podcast code BILF)
The coaching?
- [24:12]
Tiffany Carter
No, I did everything backwards. I started the podcast before I even had any traction on social media. So it's not like, like no one, literally no one knew who I was. And I wanted to have a podcast because I could control the narrative and swear all the things I couldn't do as a journalist, I like to do. Right. But I also still had the story, which I know a lot of people listening have. It's so. It makes me laugh now. I started at like the end of 2018. What did I say to myself? It's so saturated. Look at all these people who have a podcast. It wasn't saturated at all back then. Right.
- [24:55]
Host (possibly named Billie or similar, based on podcast code BILF)
In fact, it was so brilliant.
- [24:58]
Tiffany Carter
And I was like, people. I had so many people tell me people I respected who now want to be on my show. Thank you. That's very satisfying too. Who told me, you'll never make money doing that. Oh, that's cute. That sounds like a fun hobby. You know, all sorts of stuff. Who cares? I still did it. And what I said to myself is, I will give myself a year of like, full ass effort. And if after a year, I'll check in with myself and go, is it worth it? Because obviously it's not free to put out a show. It takes time, energy. It doesn't take a ton of money, but it does take money. Yeah.
- [25:34]
Host (possibly named Billie or similar, based on podcast code BILF)
It takes money to get it going.
- [25:36]
Tiffany Carter
Yeah. And I was like, and if it, if it doesn't, you know, if there's not traction, I wasn't saying what I see a lot of people saying online, which irritates the hell out of me. Like, I better make $10,000 a month in 30 days. Like, well, what? That's putting like a contingency on your dream and on the universe. Like, I had a slow burn. I was not hot out of the gate. I had no audience leverage to parlay it into.
- [26:02]
Host (possibly named Billie or similar, based on podcast code BILF)
Agreed.
- [26:03]
Tiffany Carter
I had no one to shout me out. It's not like I have like a celebrity cousin or something. And it's great. I wish I was a Nepo baby, but I'm not.
- [26:10]
Host (possibly named Billie or similar, based on podcast code BILF)
Yeah.
- [26:11]
Tiffany Carter
And good for people who are leverage. What you got? What I got is this ability to share how I'm sharing here from my heart and in a way that people know, like, it's. She's legit, you know, she's not doing like a shim sham. That's. That's my gift that I give this world. But that is a result of my trauma and all of the healing I had to do in order to get here. So my show, yes, I got five figure sponsors. Yes, I was getting sales.
- [26:45]
Host (possibly named Billie or similar, based on podcast code BILF)
Right.
- [26:46]
Tiffany Carter
Because I. I use my show to promote my own products and services. So, yeah, it was making me money. But, like, my show didn't pop off. 20, 23. Big pop off.
- [26:59]
Host (possibly named Billie or similar, based on podcast code BILF)
Yeah. It takes time. I mean, I started mine. Yeah, I started mine a year ago. And like anything else, I like instant gratification. But the reality is, is if you don't, you know, for people that are listening, people started asking me, you know, my show is finally. It's moving. You know, it's moving. They ask me all the time, you know, like, what are you trying to do with it. At first it started as a hobby and then I realized like, oh, like I really like that. Like I like people. The connection is really good. I figured that same thing. I can leverage my pod. So if in the future I wanted to do something other than insurance, at least you know, I could brand myself as well as the podcast, have somewhere to go. But you know, there is a lot that comes with it. It's not like you sit down at a mic and you just start talking. You have to treat it like a business. Yeah, people need to know that too if they're going to podcast. You got to treat it like a business as well. And when I started treating anything, yeah,
- [27:51]
Tiffany Carter
anything, like even our bodies, like you want to snatch it up, honey, you can't do it as like an option and like I call it toe dip it and you can't toe dip on it. I mean, you have a choice, you can. But to expect that it's going to work and you're only putting in half ass effort and you want full ass results, it's insane. It's not going to happen. But I also understand where it comes from because the manipulative salespeople that are out in the world and online will do what I call as fantasy marketing. They'll tell you what you want to hear to get you to buy. And it made me so angry. That's what eventually made me start the podcast and stop waiting to feel ready because I was one of those people is that I saw so many people who actually weren't entrepreneurs giving business advice and making people feel like, oh yeah, you just post like when you feel like it and make money while you're traveling. And then people would go and try it and it wouldn't work and then they would think something was wrong with them. It's like, no, this person manipulated is manipulating to get you to buy the thing.
- [29:00]
Host (possibly named Billie or similar, based on podcast code BILF)
Yeah, yeah. I mean there's so many, you know, it's sad. I, I don't like saying I'm an influencer because that's not, I am too old to be an influencer. I like thought leader much better. So I see all these thought leaders, you know, people that are out there preaching sales and sales coaching and meanwhile, if you check their background, they've done nothing where they've built anything like, of substance and they're out there calling them, you know, certified sales coaching. And they are literally manipulating and building cult like followings. And in reality they've never done what they're telling people to do because that's not whatever they're telling.
- [29:37]
Tiffany Carter
That's not.
- [29:38]
Host (possibly named Billie or similar, based on podcast code BILF)
They need to be real honest about how it starts first. It starts, you know, you're, you're scared, number one. Number two, you can post as much as you want, but that takes a lot, a lot of time than figuring out the algorithms. I mean, there's a lot that goes into it. Then you have to study your KPIs. You know, nobody tells the background of it. You know, nobody says, nobody is telling the real truth about what it's like to start something that you want to, that you want leverage with. It's not as easy as just posting three times a day when you're, you know, you're getting on a plane or in your fancy car. It doesn't work like that.
- [30:11]
Tiffany Carter
That's where I saw was the hole in the market for me.
- [30:14]
Host (possibly named Billie or similar, based on podcast code BILF)
Yeah.
- [30:16]
Tiffany Carter
Because no one, and I shouldn't say no one, there might have been someone, but no one was like keeping it real, but also like telling people like, this is what you need to do. Yeah, you might not like what I have to say, but I'm sure this is how you are when people ask you about like succeeding, you know, in the insurance world. It's like, I'm going to tell you what you have to do, what to focus on, what not to. But you might not like my answer. And then you're going to go buy from a fantasy marketer because that sounds easier, but now it's not going to work.
- [30:43]
Host (possibly named Billie or similar, based on podcast code BILF)
Yeah, no, it's, it's so true. I do, I do recruiting calls and you know, I have like masses of people on these recruiting calls and it's funny because I've watched other ones where they're telling, you're going to make all this money and you're going to do, no, you're not going to make all this money. This is not the truth. You are going to grind. You're going to work 50 to 60 hours. You're going to work eight to eight every day. This, but this is what it is. This is hard work. You know, this is a career. It's not a part time job or a hobby. And you're absolutely right. People don't want to hear the truth. But, but when it comes down to coaching and being real with the audience, it is important to put it all out there. And that's where authenticity comes into play.
- [31:21]
Tiffany Carter
That's why once people come to me, like 91% of people buy from me on repeat. It's like I wanted to be the breath of fresh air in the industry. Where it's like, oh my God, I wish I found you sooner. Wow. Like, thank you. I do feel people appreciate at the end of the day, once they've been through enough, they appreciate someone serving it to them straight, you know, and you can do it with compassion. I want my mentors and my friends. Don't enable me be like, don't be a dick to me. But, like, if I'm sabotaging myself, like, tell me what's up.
- [31:58]
Host (possibly named Billie or similar, based on podcast code BILF)
Yeah, I agree. If you want to say you to me, say it to my face. Like, say with yourself. At least say it to my email. Just say it. I'm okay with it. I'm absolutely okay with constructive criticism. And if you have something to say, just keep it real. The majority of your clients, what, what type of people would come to you for coaching?
- [32:16]
Tiffany Carter
There's two categories. A lot of people come to me who also want to leave corporate. They're in the golden handcuffs. They're sick of it. They want out. They've wanted out for a long time. They've had an idea. We're waiting to be ready, but the idea. They've had it for like two, three years and they finally get to a point of discomfort where it's like, okay, I can't buy into the lie that I'm going to like figure it out on my own anymore. Yeah, I'm not following through. I need accountability. I need a direction. So we have those people and then we have people who already have established businesses but it's plateaued. They ain't selling. It's not coming. And you know what it is? They've never been taught the skill. It's a skill. It's not their fault. They've never been taught the skill of how to sell in a way that feels good to you and to your ideal client, how to actually properly market your business and post on social media and emails so it converts into money. You can't just like post some cutesy thing or even some very interesting educational stuff and people are going to buy. If you just posted a whole bunch of top tier insurance content. That would not be enough.
- [33:33]
Host (possibly named Billie or similar, based on podcast code BILF)
No, because it's boring. It's boring.
- [33:37]
Tiffany Carter
And people would just save your stuff and say it's interesting and you'd have content vampires. You have to compel people to take action for themselves. And that's why you're a leader in your industry. That's why I'm a leader. We compel people, not convince them. Like you said, no one wants to be convinced. Yeah, I like being sold to Though I don't know about you, when someone's
- [33:59]
Host (possibly named Billie or similar, based on podcast code BILF)
good, I'm like, but I'm an easy sale. That's the problem. I do like a good salesperson. Like, if I. If I'm like, all right, I see you. Over. Okay, all right, I see you. I do. I do like a good sale. I absolutely do. Or like, when you're in a restaurant and somebody's, like, trying to upsell you. I do like that.
- [34:17]
Tiffany Carter
I do. I'm like, okay, I'll get that damn truffle that I don't even like.
- [34:21]
Host (possibly named Billie or similar, based on podcast code BILF)
Yeah, me too. I'm definitely a slut for it. Love it. I love a good salesperson. Doesn't. Doesn't matter. But if they. If they have, like, a catchy phrase or, like, a cute personality or just have the chutzpah that you like, that you were like, you want your salespeople to have, I'm like, all right, I love it. Easy, done. Yeah, I agree with you on it.
- [34:40]
Tiffany Carter
And that's the, like, no trust factor. Like, you need to be likable, and you need to. And you're not going to. People aren't going to trust you if they don't have a likeness to you. If they don't feel like you get them. People can sense if you have an agenda. And I'm going to be straight up, okay? Last year wasn't cute. Last year I quantum jumped. Last year I went through. I had an ego death, okay? Like, it was. I have two businesses, and it was. I had to work harder than I've ever worked for, making the same amount of money, all right? And there was a lot of people in that spot last year, and I got into a spot, and here I teach this stuff that I was like, I need. Oh, I need to hit this number. I need the people to buy. I. Da, da, da, da, da. That was the narrative. Well, what do you think that did? Do you think that compelled people to buy?
- [35:34]
Host (possibly named Billie or similar, based on podcast code BILF)
They smell it right away. They. And then you start.
- [35:37]
Tiffany Carter
And I knew it. And I knew. I knew it. I went, I. I know what I'm doing. I couldn't get out of it. I could. I was, like, stuck in it. It was like that. Needy. Needy. It's like, needy energy. Law of detachment you've got. Even though. Yes, I get it. Like, you need it to pay your people. You need it to pay your bills. You've got a mind fuck yourself.
- [35:58]
Host (possibly named Billie or similar, based on podcast code BILF)
It's so true. People can smell the commission breath a mile away. I tell this to my sales people, even though they're on the phone, I'm like, when you become needy and you. And you really want people to. They can smell it, they can feel it. You. You sound cringy. That, like my kids would say you sound cringe. Like they know and people can feel it right over the phone. And that's when you start making the mistakes that you generally, you generally wouldn't. So I tell my people, bring it back to basics. Like, bring it back to where we started. Stop cutting corners. Like, stop having the needy voice on. Just stop. And like, let's, you know, let's refocus and retrain and start from, from the beginning.
- [36:34]
Tiffany Carter
But I wouldn't have been able to see it if I didn't have my own mentors and coaches and people. I pay because I was in it. And as self aware as I am, I'm not God. Like, I was so in it, I couldn't see it. It's like when you're standing in the picture, you can't see the whole frame. Right? It's like I couldn't see it. And that's. It would have been so expensive if I didn't have people in place who one, keep me accountable. Because I'm more of a type C entrepreneur. I can get a little lazy straight up. And so I have people getting me to show up and do things and people who I have to pay, not a friend. Because a lot of friends, they love you and they don't want to hurt your feelings or cause bad blood. It's very rare to have that. I have one friend who we do it for each other, and that's highly unusual. But paying people who are like, okay, you're coming across thirsty and you think you're not, but you are. And I was like, this is like my worst nightmare.
- [37:41]
Host (possibly named Billie or similar, based on podcast code BILF)
Yeah, you need an ego check from time to time. I mean, it happened to me too. I was at the peak of my career peak. And all of a sudden I started to crumble. I mean, I was the number two person in my company to eclipse a billion dollars in team sales. Number one, like all, all of the things that you would ever think. And then all of a sudden, I started to plummet and I'm like, it's. It's everybody else. It's not me. It's everybody else can't be me. But the reality was is I did not go back to basics and I forgot why I was there. And it's to help, you know, help and serve. And when you forget what you're supposed to be doing, that's when everything starts to plummet. And it wasn't until I had the reality check where I was sat down and I saw my actual numbers, because what I thought I was doing as opposed to what I was really doing, were not congruent. They were completely out of whack. So it is important I do have a question for you. Why do you think in sales, why are there, at least in my industry, why are women, women that do well, we do very, very well. But how come there aren't more women in sales? Why do you think?
- [38:47]
Tiffany Carter
I think that it is the programming and conditioning that a lot of us have had from society, from the educational system. I mean, hello, like, women couldn't vote before what, like 1950 or something? You know, it's like there's before, right? Like, and when I started my first business, no one would give me a loan like I was. Because I. My first business started doing digital marketing and specifically Facebook ads when they first came out, like, I was a wack, a quackadoo. I had to use a credit card. No. And I had great credit. No one would give me a loan. And I had a luxury townhouse. I collateral. And I still couldn't get a loan.
- [39:29]
Host (possibly named Billie or similar, based on podcast code BILF)
Right.
- [39:30]
Tiffany Carter
I think it's because a lot of us are taught we need to be nice and sweet and not upset anybody and take care of people and, and don't ruffle people's feathers. And we don't talk about money because that's not like classy. And you know, don't, don't do this, don't do that. Be demure, you know, like, be, be a little, like you want to be kind of a little. If you want to really get like the right man, you got to kind of be a little like, submissive and. Yeah, well, fortunately, I was born with a voice that everyone bullies me for. I can't play that part. It's very funny if I try. Like, I can't play the, like, damsel in distress. I can't do it. But I think that's where that comes from. Because in order. Not that you have to be abrasive or jarring in order to sell you. I mean, my father, who's no longer with us, my dad barely spoke, but my dad, top tier import export salesperson because he found the right audience of working with the Asian population that loved that he was a man, a few words, loved it. He was their, like, American go to person. Right? You don't have to be that way. But you gotta ask for the sale. You gotta ask, you Gotta do it. And that's having permission to ask for something that I think a lot of women take it as well. That's like asking for something for myself.
- [41:00]
Host (possibly named Billie or similar, based on podcast code BILF)
Yeah, yeah.
- [41:02]
Tiffany Carter
And God forbid we do that.
- [41:04]
Host (possibly named Billie or similar, based on podcast code BILF)
Yeah. I think it's an absolutely perfect explanation. I think between society and the way that you're brought up, I mean, in my family, sales was, like, very. That was off limits. It was very cliche. Nobody became a salesperson. You were either a lawyer or a doctor. Nothing in between. So I remember coming home and telling my mom, and I was forced into sales. Like, this was never my trajectory. I was supposed to go to law school. And I remember, and I fell into sales really out of desperation. And my mom was like, you know, she's a New York Jew. She was like, oh, there's time for you to go to law school. What are you going to? You know, she was going on and on like, you've never sold anything in your life. Like, what are you doing? Like, who's a salesperson? That's not even a real job, you know, like. And I remember her telling. And I love my mom. She's my greatest. Like, she is the biggest fan. She's my greatest year. Like, she goes to everything. All my sales stuff today. I love her, but it just. I remember her. And it's funny because years later, actually, like, a few. A few years ago, my mom said to me, I'm so proud of you. You did what I couldn't do. And I should have gone into sales. And the only reason why I didn't is because your grandmother told me I needed to go to college and, you know, get into corporate America just the way that you're raised. So there is, you know, and I think a lot of women still today are raised like that. You have to go through college, you have to get married, have a family, take care of your family, you know, and a lot of women shy away from it, people. I get mom shamed all the time. I'm on a plane every eight to 10 days. So, you know, there's so much criticism. And as women, we wear so many hats that you're. You're taking it really from everywhere, every which way. So it is hard. It's definitely difficult for women in sales, and they fail because that is.
- [42:42]
Tiffany Carter
But that is the way. I mean, you learn how to sell in a way that feels good to you and other people. That's the money ticket, honey, for whatever you have a podcast, a book. You want to do TikTok shop, you want to do insurance, whatever. It is. You don't know how to, if you don't know how to sell, I mean, you've got to sell yourself first, you know, and if you don't know, if you don't learn how to do it, it's the highest income generating skill that there is to learn. And I think a lot of women resistant because they think that it's kind of like a gross thing to do. It's a very like hyper masculine thing to do, and it doesn't have to be done that way. In fact, the best female salespeople don't operate that way at all.
- [43:30]
Host (possibly named Billie or similar, based on podcast code BILF)
So. True. Yes. And the thing about sales with women is women like to talk to women and men like to talk to women. And people don't know that the most amount of millionaires that are, that were created, that are created come from sales. So why not, you know, there's enough to go around. Why not get, you know, you're making more money than a lawyer or a doctor. So sales is absolutely, I mean, I, I give you so much credit for what you're doing. I wish there was more women like you that were teaching people how to properly sell, but also giving other people confidence to make that move, to sell and understand the skills that they need. So amazing.
- [44:04]
Tiffany Carter
Yeah. And I sometimes get frustrated because, you know, if I sold fantasy marketing, I, I would have, you know, I would have 10 times the net worth. I can't sleep at night doing that. That doesn't feel good to me. But it's hard for me to watch. And I'm sure it's hard for you too. Like when you see people going to, I guess you could say, quote unquote, like a competitor or whatever. You see people buying from someone because someone's telling them what they want to hear. But you know what? I've, I've done it too, just in the health area of my life, you know, like I bought gimmicky workout plans and, you know, supplements. Looking for some, like, cheat code on something too, you know, we have to be honest with ourselves of, you know, where, where are we trying to, like, cheat the system and thinking we're gonna get ahead? You're. You're not. It doesn't, it bites you in the ass.
- [44:57]
Host (possibly named Billie or similar, based on podcast code BILF)
Yeah. I always say I want to weigh 100 pounds, but I can't eat. You know, like I'd like to, I know I'd like to eat cake and ice cream and weigh 100 pounds, but that ain't the real truth, honey. That's not the way it really works. In the real world. But what's next for you? I mean, you have your podcast, which, you know, I hope everybody goes and watch your pot. Let's talk a little bit about your podcast.
- [45:16]
Tiffany Carter
Project Me with Tiffany Carter. So this is. It's not just business and sales stuff. I mean, that would be boring. I am more of a spiritual entrepreneur. I incorporate a lot of manifestation. I've been a practitioner and a student of manifestation for 20 years. So all of that's incorporated in there. And talking about, like, the stuff that we go through every day, that is insane. My brain is. I'm unwell in the mind. Okay. Like, you have to be a little cuckoo to do any of.
- [45:50]
Host (possibly named Billie or similar, based on podcast code BILF)
I'm glad that you admitted it, because I know that I'm cuckoo. I'm definitely. I'm. I'm not cuckoo. I'm cuckoo Cachuku. I'm, like, all over. I know this. But I've come to terms with it. I'm okay with it.
- [46:02]
Tiffany Carter
I mean, you have to be. It's, you know, and it's very vulnerable. It doesn't matter. I have millions stacked. It's still vulnerable to put yourself out there and do new things. And so I talk about all of that stuff. Money, mindset, and everything in between. I do have a book. Only the first five chapters are done because my mom went to sue me for it. And if you guys are interested in hearing my story or if you've experienced narcissistic abuse or raised by a narcissist, you'll appreciate the nuances that I've included. Major trigger warning. But you will appreciate that it'll be very validating, and you'll be able to connect the dots and see how you can be raised by someone, even if it's not a narcissist, but how being a product of the environment you're in, even if you have lovely family and it's done innocently, like generational trauma, how that absolutely seeds in on how you do everything in your life and how you respond.
- [47:05]
Host (possibly named Billie or similar, based on podcast code BILF)
I love that. And where. If people want to find you, where will they find you?
- [47:09]
Tiffany Carter
I would say best place is go to Instagram and TikTok at Project Me with Tiffany. I'll pop right up. If you type in Project Me with Tiffany on any platform or Google Me, the show pops up. All the things pop up.
- [47:21]
Host (possibly named Billie or similar, based on podcast code BILF)
I love that. I hope everybody sees today that, you know, your life circumstances or your childhood does not define you. It's a part of your story, and it's part of a bigger story, and using it as a fire to ignite your fire. So I hope everybody took something valuable from today's podcast, because I know I sure did. You just reinforce. I mean, Tiffany reinforced everything that I knew was true, including that I am a cuckoo. But, you know, owning it. I think the best thing is, you know, do yourself a favor is own who you are. That's when, when you finally know who you are inside and out and you know your self worth. Nobody can tell you anything different. And if you like today's episode, please, like, subscribe. Unlike I don't even just do something, refer a friend. It doesn't matter if you like today's episode, there are more to come. Thank you for joining the Bill pod. It was amazing. I love this talk. This was one of my favorites ever.