Books, Business & Big Risks—The Game-Changing Advice You Need!

Summary

The Living Your Legacy Podcast Episode: Books, Business & Big Risks—The Game-Changing Advice You Need! Host: Rudy Mawer Guest: Kira Brinton Release Date: February 4, 2025

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Introduction

In this compelling episode of The Living Your Legacy Podcast, host Rudy Mawer sits down with Kira Brinton, the dynamic founder of J Way Publishing and Mosai Network. As a five-time author, TED speaker, and single mother of five, Kira shares her transformative journey from a near-tragic personal crisis to building a thriving business empire. This episode delves deep into the pivotal moments, challenges, and strategies that enabled Kira to turn her life around and create a lasting legacy.

Personal Journey: From Struggle to Purpose

Kira opens up about her darkest moments, revealing the intense personal struggles that almost led her to suicide.

Kira Brinton [00:00]: "I had a very critical moment in my life where I almost committed suicide. It's a really dark time for me. When I chose to live, I became a new person and I felt this call."

For two decades, Kira worked as a massage therapist, grappling with daily suicidal ideation. Her decision to seek a new path was not just a life-saving choice but the catalyst for her entrepreneurial spirit.

Kira Brinton [00:21]: "I was stuck in a lot of fear. I think this is a place that entrepreneurs get stuck in. We make wild decisions, follow our dreams, and then hit the end of the road. I chose to delete fear out of my body."

The "Burn the Ships" Moment

A defining moment in Kira's life occurred 18 months prior to the episode's release. Facing financial ruin with only $5,000 left and the responsibility of supporting five children and employees after her marriage ended, Kira made a bold decision that would alter her business trajectory.

Kira Brinton [03:21]: "I took a loan from Stripe to pay my employees. I chose to delete fear out of my body. I made $200,000 in a month, $700,000 in six months, and since that day, I've made 1.9 million."

This "burn the ships" approach — a metaphor for eliminating the option to retreat and committing fully to forward progress — was instrumental in Kira's rapid business growth.

Kira Brinton [04:43]: "Burn the ships means you know there's no going back. I decided to take a chance, inject everything into my business, and there was no turning around."

Business Success and Growth

Post the "burn the ships" decision, Kira experienced unprecedented financial success. Her publishing house not only publishes books but also provides comprehensive support to authors, ensuring their continued success beyond the initial launch.

Kira Brinton [11:27]: "Our publishing house doesn't just publish; it's actually author care. They get a full year of support in a mastermind because you can write the best book ever and then tank without proper support."

Kira's Mosai Network, a business school for women, embodies her commitment to empowering female entrepreneurs. Her unique approach, which emphasizes the "feminine way" of building businesses, has enabled numerous women to achieve seven-figure incomes.

Kira Brinton [10:50]: "I want to help as many women in business. If more women understood the feminine way of building businesses, they would achieve greater success."

Vision for Legacy

Kira's ambitions extend beyond financial success. She envisions creating centers to aid those struggling with suicide ideation across every state, integrating psychological support with medical care.

Kira Brinton [08:49]: "I will create centers that help people who struggle with suicide ideation in every state. There's nothing in between psych unit and medicine, and I'm going to fill that gap."

Additionally, Kira aspires to help top leaders articulate their messages through books, emphasizing the enduring power of written words over transient digital platforms.

Kira Brinton [07:15]: "Books are the number one way to have a legacy because everything else could be destroyed. The Bible lasts beyond us."

Overcoming Fear and Taking Action

A recurring theme in Kira's narrative is the paramount importance of taking immediate action to overcome fear. She advocates for a practice she calls "ask, listen, and do."

Kira Brinton [15:01]: "Ask, listen, and do. Take time to ask for inspiration, listen to what you hear, and take action as soon as possible. The space between inspiration and action is where fear takes over."

Kira emphasizes that delaying action creates room for fear and doubt to hinder progress. By acting swiftly on inspiration, individuals can maintain momentum and achieve their goals.

Kira Brinton [15:58]: "Action is the name of the game. I didn't build this empire by watching TV at night; I took immediate steps whenever inspiration struck."

Building a Lasting Impact

When asked how she wishes to be remembered, Kira shares a deeply personal aspect of her legacy.

Kira Brinton [14:11]: "The number one thing people say after working with me is that they hear God. It's not because I'm perfect, but my deep faith enables me to help others profoundly."

Kira's legacy is not just in the businesses she has built but in the lives she has touched and the support systems she plans to establish for those in need.

Conclusion and Takeaways

Kira Brinton's journey is a testament to the transformative power of resilience, strategic risk-taking, and unwavering faith. Her story serves as an inspiration for aspiring entrepreneurs and individuals facing personal struggles, illustrating that with decisive action and a clear vision, it's possible to overcome adversity and build a meaningful legacy.

Key Takeaways:

• Commitment Over Fear: Embrace the "burn the ships" mentality to eliminate fear and commit fully to your goals.

  Kira Brinton [04:28]: "Fear had no place inside of me. That moment, burning the ships changed my whole business."

• Support Systems: Building strong support structures, whether in business or personal life, is crucial for sustained success.

• Immediate Action: Act swiftly on inspirations to prevent fear from stalling progress.

  Kira Brinton [15:01]: "The space between inspiration and action is where fear takes over."

• Legacy Through Impact: True legacy is measured by the positive impact you have on others and the lasting change you create.

• Faith and Purpose: Deep-seated beliefs and a sense of purpose can guide and sustain you through challenging times.

Listeners are encouraged to connect with Kira Brinton through her website or Instagram for more insights and to engage with her transformative programs.

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Notable Quotes:

• Kira Brinton [00:00]: "I had a very critical moment in my life where I almost committed suicide. When I chose to live, I became a new person and I felt this call."

• Kira Brinton [04:28]: "Fear had no place inside of me. That moment, burning the ships changed my whole business."

• Kira Brinton [15:01]: "Ask, listen, and do. Take action as soon as possible to avoid becoming a slave to fear."

• Kira Brinton [14:11]: "If people say I helped them hear God, that's the legacy I want to leave."

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This episode of The Living Your Legacy Podcast offers a profound exploration of personal transformation, strategic risk-taking, and the pursuit of a meaningful legacy. Kira Brinton's insights provide valuable lessons for anyone looking to overcome fear, take decisive action, and make a lasting impact.

Transcript

[A]

I had a very critical moment in my life where I almost committed suicide. It's a really dark time for me. When I chose to live, I became a new person and I felt this call.

[B]

Founder of Joa Publishing, Mosai Network.

[A]

A five time author passionate about helping people share their stories and change the.

[B]

World with their message. Kira Brinton.

[A]

I was stuck. I was stuck in a lot of fear. And I think this is a place that entrepreneurs get stuck in. Right. It's like we make all these wild decisions and we follow our dreams and then it's like the end of the road. And I chose to delete fear out of my body. Like fear had no place inside of me. I made $200,000 in a month. I made $700,000 in six months. And then since that day, I've made 1.9 million. And that moment, burning the ships changed my whole business. For 20 years I struggled with almost daily suicide ideation. And I'm alive. And not only am I alive, but I'm living my best life ever.

[B]

If someone's listening and they think they're never going to get to a stage where they can impact people at a grand level and leave a legacy and they can't make that much of an impact and maybe they don't believe in themselves just yet, what would you say to them?

[A]

Well, I'd say.

[B]

Hello and welcome back to another episode of Legacy Makers Podcast. Today we have one of our amazing cast members and a seasoned host. Kira, welcome to the show.

[A]

Hello.

[B]

So excited to have you here and dive into your legacy. Let's just kick off. For anyone that doesn't know who you are, tell us a little about you.

[A]

Yeah. So my name is Kira Brinton and I'm the founder of J Way Publishing, the founder of the Mosai Network, which is a business school for women. I'm a five time author, I have a TED talk, but I'm a single mom of five kids and I love helping people write their most important books, building the businesses that are going to go out and change the world with their message.

[B]

Good. So, you know, I know your backstory. You've come from a lot, done a lot, doing a lot. Right. And I think, you know, maybe just for people listening in, it sounds like you're very established and you're doing all these amazing things, but maybe it wasn't always that way. Right. Which they'll find out in the full episode. So can you give people a minute summary of your journey and story to get here?

[A]

Yeah, it's not been an easy Journey. Right. It's been filled with a lot of risk, a lot of fear, and a lot of miracles. So I would just say I was a massage therapist for 20 years, and I had a very critical moment in my life where I almost committed suicide. It's a really dark time for me. When I chose to live, I became a new person, and I felt this call. And the call led me to build a publishing house and to write books, and then it soon led me to helping authors write their books and now build their businesses.

[B]

Great. And let's explore that a little, because I know there's a key part of the episode where you explain, you know, 18 months ago or a couple of years ago, life didn't always look this way. Can you. Can you just summarize that moment?

[A]

Yeah. So 18 months ago, I was running an event in Arizona, and I had $5,000 left in my bank account. It was only a few months after my marriage had ended. It's the first time I'd ever had to financially provide for five kids, plus an employee. Like, all these employees. And I was stuck. I was stuck in a lot of fear. And I think this is a place that entrepreneurs get stuck in. Right. Is like, we make all these wild decisions, and we follow our dreams, and then it's like, the end of the road. And this was my burn the ships moment. And I don't have family that has money. It's not like I was like, well, I'll just call Aunt Sue. Like, nobody was coming to save me. And that moment made me burn the ships. And so I took a loan from Stripe.

[B]

Okay.

[A]

And that was to pay my employees. And I chose to delete fear out of my body. And that decision, like, fear had no place inside of me. I made $200,000 in a month, and I made $700,000 in six months. And then since that day, I've made 1.9 million.

[B]

Wow.

[A]

And that moment, burning the ships changed my whole business.

[B]

So what does this burn, burn a ship moment mean? Right? I mean, I love the concept. I know what it is. But if people are listening and they don't, let's break it down.

[A]

So burn the ships is There is. I don't even know what the story is, but I think somebody said it was Columbus, and they moved to find the new land, and he burned all the ships so no one could ever go back. Right. And so the burn the ship moment for me is like, I knew right then because it was this moment, because I was a massage therapist for 20 years, where I Was like, do I just give up all of my businesses and go back to being a massage therapist? Like, I'm sure I could pay the rent and buy food, or do I take a chance, like, two feet in with everything that I've spent years building, I'm going to take this loan and I'm going to run like hell. And that was it. Like, I burned the ships. Like, there was no going back. There was never. The door had been sealed. Well.

[B]

And I think, you know, it's such a great concept because for entrepreneurship, it's a defining moment, and pretty much every entrepreneur has gone through it. And I think it's actually so important for building a legacy, too, because I always teach, you can't have anything extreme in life, like a high achiever, like winning a gold medal or starting a charitable organization that changes the world or a business that changes the world if you haven't risked it all many times. And there's many stories of ultra successful. Elon Musk invested all his money from exiting PayPal or whatever into the next venture and then the next venture, and now he's literally doing it all to try and get to Mars. Like, you know, he could lose everything in the process. And. And Richard Branson, the same. So I think every entrepreneur that's trying to build a legacy, they have these burn the ship moments. And. And that was maybe one of your first ones, and I'm sure you'll have many more as you get bigger and bigger. So I love that. So, you know, when we talk about, you know, actually the legacy side, right. Like, 18 months ago, it was more the survival side. Right. It was like, you know, a pivoting and an adjustment, and you've done so well in those less than two years, growing to millions. But now you've kind of got that foundation. You can breathe a little, right?

[A]

And it's that thing. Yeah, we breathe a little.

[B]

Yeah, maybe, maybe. But, you know, you've got the traction, right? You've got the audience, you've got the personality, you've got the great product, which is the hardest part.

[A]

It is. Yeah.

[B]

But. And so I do think you can. When you've got that, at least personally, it's like, now I can start to shift on the bigger things, Right. The things that can build a legacy. So what are some of those things for you?

[A]

Oh, yeah. I actually. I do feel this. I feel like it's like the car is moving. Yeah, right. Like, it felt like for so long, I was like, how do I get the tires to move?

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

How do I just get the car to move. Like, oh, the car's moving now.

[B]

You can go for a ride and see scenery in the beach. Right. That's the difference.

[A]

Now where do we want to go?

[B]

Yeah, yeah.

[A]

I have big visions, obviously. I have huge visions of helping the top leaders in the world receive their books the way that I do it, because I know if I can find somebody like you or somebody who's got this huge following, and I teach you the method that I help people write their books. The most important messages come through. That's how we reach more people. And books are the number one way to have a legacy, because everything else could be destroyed. YouTube could die, Instagram could die, our websites could die. But books last beyond us was the Bible. It is, right?

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

So it's like I have this vision of, like, the top leaders. I help them receive these books so that we really make a difference. But also I. I have these centers I'm going to create that are going to help people who struggle with suicide ideation. I want them in every state I want. There's no medium. There's nothing. There's nothing in between either psych unit and medicine. And so I've been given visions. I will create these. They will move throughout the world. I have visions of taking every woman who joins Mosaic, my business school, to reach seven figures and help as many women hit $1 million as possible.

[B]

Yeah, Well, I think that's like, that's when you're moving into that legacy thing, because the business side is a vehicle. Right. And then that vehicle is to help people in whatever way. Right. So writing a book is a vehicle to help people spread their message and all that sort of stuff. But then the profits from the business eventually can lead into the clinics. Right. And. And I know again from your episode and you've shared with us that the suicide stuff is close to your heart. Can you explain why?

[A]

Yeah. For 20 years, I struggled with almost daily suicide ideation. And I'm alive. And not only am I alive, but I'm living my best life ever. And so I feel like that is my legacy. This is like a chronic illness that very few people talk about. We have more people. We're losing them to suicide every day, and there's just really nothing. And I will say for me that I believe those who struggle with suicide ideation are the brightest lights. They struggle with the deepest darkness and they just don't know it. And there is a way to help them, and I'm going to create it. So that's just A part of the legacy I'm going to build.

[B]

Yeah. And I think it's great. You know, I have some of the business friends where similar story, but with alcohol. Right. Struggle with alcohol. Nearly lost their life to it. Alcoholic. And then created, you know, centers and clinics and built $100 million company and helped thousands of people. So.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

And I think that's what business and entrepreneurship is at its core. I think most people see it as someone in a Lamborghini or a Jet or whatever, but it's like most of the time, it's helping, you know, solve a problem that you struggled with at some point in your life. And then obviously, if you do a good job of it, you get paid and rewarded for that. Right. And you make money, which is great. But. And most entrepreneurs reinvest that money into helping and growing and expanding. So what's next for you on the the business side? With the current business?

[A]

Yeah. So with the current business, I'm really growing. I'm growing in Mosaic. I want to help as many women in business. I think that this being a single mom of five kids and being able to do what I've done, I've learned some things that aren't just mainstream. It's like how I built business, the feminine way, in a way that I feel like if more women understood this, they would build more success. A huge vision of doing that. But then, as always, my publishing house is just such a center of my heart. I see expanding it, reaching more and more authors, helping them, because my publishing house doesn't just publish, it's actually author care.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

So they get a full year of, like, support in a mastermind, because you can write the best book ever and you launch it. And I have friends who are like a New York Times bestsellers. And after they write a book, they tank.

[B]

Yeah, yeah.

[A]

It's like this. Yeah. Like, they just tank. And so I've created a publishing house that not only do we publish well, but we take care of our authors. And I just want to expand that and reach more.

[B]

I love it. So a few questions around legacy now, and obviously that's the theme of the show and the podcast. So first question. What. What does a legacy mean to you?

[A]

Well, legacy means to me that whatever I create now lives way beyond me, that it reaches and impacts humanity well beyond my years.

[B]

I like it. And a lot of people watching this or listening or looking at the show and the episodes might be starting out and they might go, oh, building a legacy. I'm just trying to pay the bills, like you were 18 months ago. Right. But you're living proof that life can change quickly. You can go from trying to survive and pay the bills to now, like, thinking about legacy and thinking about helping thousands of people with suicidal thoughts. Right. So if someone's listening and they think they're never going to get to a stage where they can impact people at a grand level and leave a legacy and they can't make that much of an impact, and maybe they don't believe in themselves just yet, what would you say to them?

[A]

Well, I'd say if you have a calling like you know it in your soul, it's not just, like, some imagination. It's not just some good idea. It was given to you. You know, I always say, like, I never dream about doing heart surgery. Like, I never, like, oh, I wonder how that would be. Because, like, I was not meant to do heart surgery. It's not mine.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

But whatever I've been given, it's because it's mine. And so anyone who's watching is like, if you have a call, it's because that's what you're here to do. Now let's get going. Because the slowness creates fear and doubt. Quickness creates momentum and magic, right?

[B]

Yeah. It's just like pushing a sledge in the gym or a heavy box down the corridor. Once you get that initial push going, it's 10 times easier, even though you're pushing the same weight. And I think that's so important in working on your goals or even if you're not in business. But just working on your goals is the hardest part, is the start. It's the hardest when you start a diet. It's the hardest when you start joining a gym. Right. It's the hardest when you start the business. So that start part, so, so important. So next question, around legacy. What for you is like, you know, when we talk about legacy and you explain your definition. Right. In 100 years, how do you want to like people to remember you and the impact you made?

[A]

Well, if you were to ask every person who works with me, the number one thing they say is after they work with me, they hear God. And it's not because I'm holy, definitely not perfect. But I have such deep faith and I'm able to help people here. And if that is my legacy, if past my life, people say, she helped me hear God. That's what. That's what I came to do.

[B]

I love that. That's pretty great.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

Good. And last couple of questions. If someone's in that Starting phase, Right. They're inspired by your story, your journey. They're 18 months to where you are now battled through. What would you say to them if they're, if they're ready to get going?

[A]

Well, there's a practice I live by which is ask, listen and do. And what that is, is to take time to go in and ask for inspiration. And whatever you hear, you take action as soon as possible. Because the space between action and the space between inspiration and action is where you become a slave to fear. And so every time people get these ideas and they go, my gosh, what am I do? And then they don't take action, they actually become slaves to fear, which means that nothing happens, and then they just get looped into the monotony of life. So, like, if you really want to do something, ask for ideas, hear it, and then it gets done that day. Like, there is no lag time. And the sooner people take action, everything just starts to work. That's the only reason why I've been able to build this. I didn't do this because I was watching TV at night, like raising five kids and building an empire. Like, action is the name of the game.

[B]

Good, good. Okay, and last question. If someone wants to learn more about you, what you do, the books, all the amazing things and reach out to you, where do they find you?

[A]

So, I mean, my website, Kira Brenton, sure, it's going to have everything, but if they just send me a DM, just DM me on Instagram. Kira Brenton. I answer my DMs, I'm always there. I do a bunch of amazing experiences. I don't call them webinars because that's boring. They're not webinars. They are full blown, like alchemy. I do them like every six weeks. So if they just tap into my world, they can come in and we do amazing things over there.

[B]

Good. And one more. Sorry. Give us a few teasers on takeaways and things they'll get from your episode.

[A]

All right, so teasers. I mean, it's, it's intense. I'm intense, my story's intense. But damn it, if they watch this, they will believe something's possible for them. If I have done it, then they can do it. And I've been through hell and back more times than I can count. And they will also learn tips on how to bring their book to life and how to step forward into action and how to really follow the call of their soul.

[B]

Love it. Anything else that they'll get from the episode? Or they can look forward to.

[A]

Well, I think the biggest thing is that they're going to probably find pieces of themselves that they've hidden, that they keep ignoring, like, the call that keeps coming, and they keep being like, oh, when my kids are grown up.

[B]

What the.

[A]

No, not when your kids are growing up. That calling is going to be stagnant and dead and it's going to be old. It's not meant for then. It's meant for now. And I think when they watch my show, that will wake that up for them.

[B]

Love it.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

There you go, guys. You heard it here. Keep building a legacy, and I'll see you soon. Take care.