Summary of The Kristen Boss Podcast Episode 228: "A Good Funeral"

Release Date: December 31, 2024

Introduction

In Episode 228, titled "A Good Funeral," host Kristen Boss reflects deeply on the culmination of a significant chapter in her entrepreneurial journey. As the CEO and creator of The Social Selling Academy, Kristen delves into the emotional and strategic considerations behind sunsetting her flagship program. This episode serves as both a retrospective look at her accomplishments and a contemplative piece on the future direction of her endeavors.

Sunsetting The Social Selling Academy

Kristen begins by announcing the final enrollment period for The Social Selling Academy (SSA), which concludes on January 2, 2025. She emphasizes the comprehensive nature of SSA, highlighting over 300 coaching videos, 72 training sessions, and access to a supportive Facebook community. Kristen underscores the value of the program, stating:

“You have about a year to get through all of that material and implement and get the training.” (15:30)

This move marks a significant transition, signaling the closure of a multi-million-dollar enterprise that has empowered thousands of social sellers over the past five years.

Understanding the Emotional Toll of Goal Setting

A substantial portion of the episode is dedicated to exploring the emotional challenges entrepreneurs face, particularly the disappointment that arises from unmet goals. Kristen shares insights from a coaching session where a student expressed exhaustion from not achieving her 2024 goals. Kristen observes:

“Nobody likes that emotion. Nobody's like, sign me up for, for, you know, an hour of wallowing on my couch, feeling severe disappointment and feeling let down.” (12:45)

She references Brené Brown's perspective, noting that unmet expectations often lead to future resentment and disappointment. Kristen highlights a common defense mechanism where individuals abandon goal-setting altogether to avoid the pain of failure:

“What they're saying is like, what I don't want is to deal with the heartache of things not happening in the timeline I thought they would...” (17:10)

The Limitation of Tools Without Empowerment

Kristen critically examines the plethora of tools and resources available to entrepreneurs, questioning their effectiveness without the proper mindset and empowerment. She explains that while tools like content calendars, sales scripts, and recruitment strategies are valuable, they are rendered ineffective if the individual lacks confidence and resilience. As Kristen puts it:

“The tools are completely useless when a person does not feel empowered to use them...” (21:50)

She emphasizes the importance of mental grit and the ability to navigate the emotional landscapes of entrepreneurship, asserting that true success stems from inner strength rather than external resources alone.

Embracing the Concept of a "Good Funeral"

Central to the episode is Kristen's exploration of what it means to properly close a chapter in business. Inspired by a conversation with her therapist, she introduces the idea of a "good funeral" for ending a business phase. This metaphor encourages celebrating the journey and honoring the process rather than experiencing abrupt or sorrowful endings. Kristen reflects:

“What defines a good funeral? It's the celebration of the journey, the celebration of the process...” (28:15)

She draws parallels to Harry Potter’s “I open at the close” snitch, symbolizing that clarity and new beginnings often emerge from the closure of old chapters:

“I was like, could it be that my next will be revealed to me? Well, I will get the clarity I need when I have the courage to face the close.” (33:40)

Taking a Season of Introspection

Kristen announces her decision to take a hiatus from active content creation until spring, embracing a period of introspection and healing. She candidly shares her fear of disappearing and becoming irrelevant, a common anxiety among entrepreneurs:

“Nothing scares me more than disappearing for a time. Because the story I tell myself is that if I'm not visible, then I am invisible...” (36:05)

Inspired by Taylor Swift’s strategic breaks, Kristen believes that stepping back can lead to greater impact when one returns. She asserts:

“It's a season of quiet and resilience... maybe it's just different. Maybe it's just softer. Maybe it's just more peaceful.” (40:20)

Gratitude and Closing Thoughts

In her heartfelt conclusion, Kristen extends profound gratitude to her listeners, acknowledging the community's role in her success. She emphasizes the transient nature of audience loyalty, advocating for serving with an open heart rather than ownership:

“You don't own your audience, you don't own your followers, you don't own anybody... but you have the privilege and the responsibility and the honor to serve them...” (45:50)

Kristen reassures her audience that while the current chapter is closing, her mission to serve and impact lives continues in a different form. She leaves listeners with an inspiring message about adaptability and the enduring essence of purpose-driven entrepreneurship.

Key Takeaways

1. Emotional Resilience is Crucial: Success in entrepreneurship is as much about managing emotional challenges as it is about strategic planning and tool utilization.

2. Purposeful Transitions: Closing a significant business chapter with intention and celebration can pave the way for meaningful new beginnings.

3. Mindset Over Tools: Empowerment and a strong mindset are foundational to effectively leveraging business tools and achieving sustained success.

4. Gratitude and Service: Acknowledging and appreciating one's audience fosters genuine connections, emphasizing service over ownership.

5. Introspection Leads to Growth: Taking time for reflection and healing can enhance future impact and align endeavors with personal fulfillment.

Conclusion

Episode 228 of The Kristen Boss Podcast serves as a poignant reflection on closing a pivotal chapter in Kristen Boss’s entrepreneurial journey. Through candid discussions on emotional resilience, the limitations of tools without empowerment, and the importance of honoring one’s journey, Kristen offers valuable insights for entrepreneurs navigating similar transitions. Her decision to embrace a period of introspection underscores the significance of aligning business endeavors with personal well-being, ultimately advocating for a balanced and purposeful approach to entrepreneurship.

Notable Quotes

• “You have about a year to get through all of that material and implement and get the training.” (15:30)
• “Nobody's like, sign me up for, for, you know, an hour of wallowing on my couch, feeling severe disappointment and feeling let down.” (12:45)
• “What they're saying is like, what I don't want is to deal with the heartache of things not happening in the timeline I thought they would...” (17:10)
• “The tools are completely useless when a person does not feel empowered to use them...” (21:50)
• “What defines a good funeral? It's the celebration of the journey, the celebration of the process...” (28:15)
• “I will get the clarity I need when I have the courage to face the close.” (33:40)
• “Nothing scares me more than disappearing for a time. Because the story I tell myself is that if I'm not visible, then I am invisible...” (36:05)
• “You don't own your audience, you don't own your followers, you don't own anybody... but you have the privilege and the responsibility and the honor to serve them...” (45:50)

Final Thoughts

Kristen Boss’s heartfelt and introspective episode offers a deep dive into the emotional and strategic aspects of entrepreneurship. By sharing her personal journey and the lessons learned from sunsetting a major program, Kristen provides a relatable and inspiring narrative for entrepreneurs seeking to lead with purpose, authenticity, and resilience.