Courage & Clarity Podcast – Episode 127: 10 Lessons in 10 Years of Online Business
Hosted by Steph Crowder Release Date: April 21, 2025
Introduction
In Episode 127 of Courage & Clarity, host Steph Crowder marks a significant milestone: a decade in the online business arena. Celebrating the 10th anniversary since she transitioned from her role as a Sales Training Director at Groupon to embarking on her entrepreneurial journey with Fizzle Co., Steph shares invaluable lessons gleaned from ten years of building and sustaining an online business. This episode serves as both a reflection and a guide for aspiring female entrepreneurs seeking the courage and clarity to pursue their passions.
1. Stay Open to Secret Doors and Taking the Long Way Around
Timestamp: [00:45]
Steph emphasizes the importance of flexibility and openness to unexpected opportunities. Instead of rigidly sticking to a predetermined path, she advocates for setting clear targets without fixating on the exact methods to achieve them.
“Pick the target, not the how.” – Steph Crowder [00:50]
By committing to her goal of leaving Groupon, Steph remained open to unconventional opportunities, such as joining Fizzle Co., which ultimately became a pivotal step in her entrepreneurial journey. This openness allowed her to navigate unforeseen avenues that aligned with her objectives.
2. Be Driven by Why It Matters
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Understanding and internalizing the deeper reasons behind one’s pursuits is crucial for sustained motivation. For Steph, the desire to balance motherhood with a meaningful career propelled her forward.
“What really puts the wind in my sails is what I want my life to look like, how I want to feel in my day-to-day life.” – Steph Crowder [16:10]
This intrinsic motivation helped her persevere through challenges, ensuring that her business endeavors were not solely profit-driven but also aligned with her personal values and life vision.
3. Be Willing to Play the Long Game
Timestamp: [25:50]
Success rarely happens overnight. Steph underscores the necessity of patience and resilience, illustrating this with her own experience of taking ten years to reach significant milestones like crossing a million dollars in lifetime revenue.
“It took me 10 years. And I'm willing for it to take however long it takes.” – Steph Crowder [26:15]
She advises entrepreneurs to embrace the journey with its ups and downs, understanding that perseverance is key to long-term success.
4. Be Loud About Your Expertise and Humble About Your Results
Timestamp: [34:40]
Confidence in one’s knowledge should be coupled with humility regarding outcomes. Steph encourages sharing expertise boldly while remaining grounded about the results achieved.
“Never be humble and apologetic about sharing your message with the world and getting out there.” – Steph Crowder [35:05]
This balance ensures that while entrepreneurs promote their skills and knowledge, they remain open to learning and adapting based on their experiences and client feedback.
5. Drop Your Entitlement
Timestamp: [39:20]
Steph warns against developing a sense of entitlement from consistent successes. She notes that expecting constant victories can lead to disappointment and burnout when inevitable setbacks occur.
“There will come a time where you miss, where you misjudge, where things don't turn out the way that you pictured.” – Steph Crowder [39:45]
By maintaining humility and recognizing that failures are part of the entrepreneurial journey, one can better navigate challenges without losing motivation.
6. Be a Beginner – Never Stop Being a Beginner
Timestamp: [43:10]
Embracing a beginner’s mindset fosters continuous learning and creativity. Steph highlights the value in staying curious and open to new ideas, much like newcomers who bring fresh perspectives.
“Beginners are master experimenters. Beginners are so curious. Beginners are so willing to try.” – Steph Crowder [43:40]
This approach prevents stagnation and encourages ongoing innovation, essential for adapting in a dynamic business landscape.
7. Be Prepared to Work 10 Times Harder Than You Think
Timestamp: [50:25]
Steph candidly discusses the intense effort required to build and sustain a successful online business. She likens entrepreneurship to achieving something as challenging as obtaining six-pack abs—it demands dedication and hard work.
“If it were easy, everybody would do it.” – Steph Crowder [50:50]
Her honesty serves as a realistic reminder that enduring success entails significant effort and perseverance.
8. The Terror Isn’t Going Away
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Fear and anxiety are constant companions in the entrepreneurial journey. Steph acknowledges that terror is an intrinsic part of taking risks and pushing boundaries.
“Terror is part of your ticket to ride.” – Steph Crowder [55:30]
Instead of attempting to eliminate fear, she advises entrepreneurs to manage it, ensuring it remains a passenger rather than becoming the driver of their decisions.
9. Client Results Over Everything
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Prioritizing client outcomes is paramount. Steph stresses that the true measure of a business’s success lies in the tangible results delivered to clients.
“Client results as my responsibility. It’s my report card.” – Steph Crowder [1:01:15]
By focusing on delivering meaningful and impactful results, entrepreneurs can build trust, enhance their reputation, and ensure sustained business growth.
10. You Will Be Shocked by Who Doesn’t Make It
Timestamp: [1:08:30]
Success stories are often highlighted, but Steph reminds listeners that many ventures fail despite appearances. She cautions against superficial comparisons, emphasizing that visible success may mask underlying struggles.
“Things are not always what they seem.” – Steph Crowder [1:09:00]
Understanding this helps entrepreneurs maintain focus on their unique paths without being discouraged by others' apparent successes or failures.
Conclusion
As Steph Crowder celebrates ten years in online business, her reflections offer a wealth of insights for current and aspiring entrepreneurs. From embracing uncertainty and maintaining humility to prioritizing client success and acknowledging the relentless hard work required, these lessons encapsulate the essence of building a resilient and impactful business. Steph’s journey underscores that entrepreneurship is a marathon, not a sprint, and that sustained passion coupled with strategic clarity can lead to meaningful and lasting success.
“I keep getting this wrong. 2015. And my friends, I am wishing you all of the courage and the clarity that you need to keep going.” – Steph Crowder [1:15:30]
Listeners are left inspired to persevere, adapt, and continuously seek growth as they navigate their own entrepreneurial endeavors.
Stay Connected: For more insights and inspiration from successful female entrepreneurs, subscribe to Courage & Clarity on your preferred podcast platform.