Podcast Summary: The Influencer Podcast - Behind the Scenes of a Thriving Membership with Entreprenista’s Stephanie Cartin
Introduction In the episode titled "Behind the Scenes of a Thriving Membership with Entreprenista’s Stephanie Cartin," hosted by Julie Solomon, listeners are treated to an in-depth conversation with Stephanie Cartin from Entrepreneurista. This episode delves into the evolution of Entrepreneurista from a social media marketing agency to a robust membership community, offering valuable insights for coaches, service providers, and online educators aiming to elevate their messaging, visibility, and authority.
Origins of Entrepreneurista Stephanie Cartin begins by tracing the roots of Entrepreneurista back to its inception alongside her business partner Courtney. Initially, they launched Social Fly, a full-service social media marketing and influencer agency, while juggling full-time corporate jobs. Their dedication paid off as they organically grew the agency, securing top Google rankings and winning industry awards.
"We decided to launch our podcast as really a solve for this problem. So our podcast, Entrepreneurista, is how Entrepreneurista started." – Stephanie Cartin [03:16]
The overwhelming demand for guidance from other women founders led them to recognize the need for a scalable solution, culminating in the creation of the Entrepreneurista podcast and subsequently, the Entrepreneurista League—a comprehensive media company and membership community dedicated to supporting women entrepreneurs at all stages.
Building a Sustainable Membership Community Julie Solomon emphasizes the importance of understanding that memberships are a long-term endeavor, often requiring 1.5 to 3 years to see substantial growth. Stephanie concurs, highlighting the necessity of genuine investment and involvement in the community.
"If you are already building a community or community-based business, or you are thinking about building a community as your business, you have to be someone who wants to be invested and involved in the community and you have to genuinely care and like people." – Stephanie Cartin [13:08]
Stephanie shares that launching the community was a learning adventure. They invested time in understanding the dynamics of online communities, sought guidance from coaches, and adapted based on member feedback. This approach enabled them to transition from managing an agency to nurturing a thriving membership platform.
Community Building and Relationships A significant portion of the discussion centers on the pivotal role of relationships within the Entrepreneurista community. Stephanie underscores that business success is inherently tied to the relationships entrepreneurs build.
"The key to success in business, and I would also argue in life, is your relationships and the people that you surround yourself with." – Stephanie Cartin [23:37]
Entrepreneurista fosters these relationships through monthly virtual meetups, networking events, and local in-person gatherings. This structure not only enhances member engagement but also facilitates meaningful collaborations, as exemplified by the story of Gwen Whiting, a member who successfully launched a new business with support from the community.
Membership Growth and Scaling Strategies Stephanie elaborates on their unique membership model, which differs from traditional yearly renewals. Instead, they offer a lifetime initiation with additional optional programs, allowing members to select resources tailored to their current business needs. This "choose your own adventure" approach enhances user experience and encourages sustained engagement.
"Our membership model is different than a typical membership model... we have a platform where we have this like, like lifetime initiation where you get into the community for this base level membership." – Stephanie Cartin [18:45]
She also highlights the importance of the right technology and member experience. Moving to platforms like Circle has streamlined their community management, ensuring a seamless and engaging environment for members.
Challenges and Lessons Learned Stephanie candidly discusses the challenges faced in creating and maintaining a membership community. From managing multiple roles during the initial podcast phase to ensuring continuous value delivery, the journey required resilience and adaptability. A key takeaway is the necessity of being genuinely invested in the community, as superficial efforts do not foster long-term retention.
"Communities function based on community and the people in it, and they can't run by themselves." – Stephanie Cartin [12:17]
Future Plans and Upcoming Initiatives Looking ahead, Entrepreneurista has several exciting initiatives planned for 2025 and beyond. These include:
- Power Group Programs: Specialized groups focusing on areas like marketing and business development, led by industry experts.
- Founders Weekend Wealth and Wellness Retreat: An exclusive event for members to network and rejuvenate.
- Entrepreneurista 100 Awards: An annual program recognizing outstanding women-founded businesses, providing them with valuable recognition and opportunities.
"We've been able to build all of these additional products and solutions for our members that they can choose to then join or buy these additional programs inside the community." – Stephanie Cartin [20:12]
Conclusion Stephanie Cartin's journey with Entrepreneurista offers a compelling blueprint for building and sustaining a vibrant membership community. Her emphasis on genuine relationships, continuous value addition, and adaptability serves as an invaluable guide for entrepreneurs seeking to create impactful and enduring communities.
Notable Quotes
- "Memberships are a long game. You know, they're not a quick win. And you really have to be excited and intentional about really understanding that." – Julie Solomon [00:00]
- "You have to like people and like, you have to genuinely like people." – Stephanie Cartin [13:08]
- "The key to success in business, and I would also argue in life, is your relationships and the people that you surround yourself with." – Stephanie Cartin [23:37]
- "Communities function based on community and the people in it, and they can't run by themselves." – Stephanie Cartin [12:17]
Join the Entrepreneurista League For listeners inspired by Stephanie’s insights and eager to join a supportive community of over 2,500 founders, Entrepreneurista offers membership opportunities. To learn more and take advantage of special offers, visit the show notes for exclusive links and discount codes.
Connect with Stephanie Cartin Stephanie encourages listeners to reach out via Instagram (@staffjillcarton) and join the Entrepreneurista League through the provided links in the show notes. Additionally, a special discount code is available for new members joining the community.
Final Thoughts This episode of The Influencer Podcast not only highlights the strategic growth and operational nuances of building a membership community but also underscores the profound impact such communities can have on individual entrepreneurs' journeys. Stephanie Cartin's expertise and passion shine through, making this episode a must-listen for anyone looking to foster a thriving entrepreneurial network.