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Surpassing a Corporate Salary and Self-Funding TWO Maternity Leaves. Sarah’s Story.
Many entrepreneurs I work with shutter in their fur-lined, work-from-home slippers at the mention of their business finances. If you fall in team creative entrepreneur, you’ve likely said something along the lines of “I’m just not a numbers person” at some point in your journey. While money is likely not the reason you went into […]
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Many entrepreneurs I work with shutter in their fur-lined, work-from-home slippers at the mention of their business finances. If you fall in team creative entrepreneur, you’ve likely said something along the lines of “I’m just not a numbers person” at some point in your journey. While money is likely not the reason you went into business, it will be what keeps you in business. Understanding your numbers, setting attainable goals, & allowing your business to meet your financial and lifestyle needs… That is where true freedom is found in entrepreneurship. Today, I’m so excited to shine a light on one of our recent Blueprint Model students Sarah Klongerbo, a brilliant copywriter and founder of Quotable Copy.
Sarah knew the weak link in her business was understanding the numbers. Sound familiar? *wink, wink* From pricing her services to setting specific goals, the finance side of her business felt like tax season when you haven’t logged into quickbooks all year. Daunting.
Meet The Blueprint Model 🤝
After taking my signature course, Sarah was able to find clarity and confidence in her numbers as she rebranded her company to Quotable Copy. In the midst of growing her second baby and self-funding a maternity leave, Sarah somehow found herself as a self-proclaimed “Google Sheets gal.” Every week she’s digging into her spreadsheets, tracking her money plan and looking at her numbers head on. Since taking The Blueprint Model she’s hit EVERY financial goal she’s set 🥂 And that’s to setting attainable goals!
I am excited to have her on the blog to share her story. Without further ado, Meet Sarah!
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Let’s start with some fun stuff! Lightning Round, here we go:
Tell us what you do:
I’m a conversion copywriter for creative businesses that want to stand out, sound good, and sell more online.
Vice/Guilty Pleasure :
Near-daily trips to a coffee shop. I’m convinced it helps me work better!
Favorite Snack :
Probably popcorn… I’ve been known to take it from the movie theater to go. 🍿
Something you’re proud of:
Trusting my gut, taking my copywriting business full-time during the pandemic, and surpassing my previous salary ever since (including self-funding two maternity leaves).
What you’re currently working on:
Growing my business… and a baby! My husband and I are expecting our second child in early June, so I’m trying to get all my ducks in a row before then.
We probably wouldn’t guess…
That, just like Ross Gellar, I skipped the fourth grade. (Also like him, I’m a total nerd. Although you probably *could* guess that!)
Best advice ever received?
My dad always advised me to marry someone with a “teachable spirit,” which is a concept I love. It’s not only helped me seek relationships that are dynamic and deep, but also reminded me to remain teachable myself — something I believe has served me well in both business and life.
Currently Reading/ Listening to/ Watching:
Watching: Full Swing on Netflix with my husband (we don’t watch a lot of TV, but when we do, it tends to be golf, a documentary, or — in this case — both)
Listening to: Whatever playlist reminds me of the project I’m working on (I’m all about setting the right “writing mood”!)
Reading: Lady Tan’s Circle of Women, by Lisa See (my book club’s current pick)
Can’t live without…
Sugar. I did Whole30 once and almost died.
Secret Fantasy Job:
My sister once told me there was a woman who got paid to travel the world and use the inspiration to name the nail polishes at OPI. Still no idea if that’s a real job, but I’d take it!
What do you want everyone to know reading this?
That confidence is the key to success. If you’re comfortable in your own skin, you’ve already won.
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Let’s talk turkey, I mean, Business!
How did you hear about Shanna?
I’ve heard Shanna’s name tossed around by creative entrepreneurs for years. She’s a business legend!
In what ways have we worked together so far?!
Why did you decide to work with Shanna?
I always knew the weakest point in my business was my understanding of finances. I struggled with pricing my services, setting specific goals, and sticking to them in a predictable way. I’d heard of The Blueprint Model and almost joined a few times, but — as a frugal solopreneur — I let the price tag scare me off.
Then last fall, when I got an email from Nancy Ray talking up her friend Shanna and her incredible Blueprint Model course, I decided I was finally ready to commit. Somewhat on a whim, I signed up — and quickly learned it was one of the best business decisions I’ve ever made!
Tell me about the big ‘aha’ moments you had during The Blueprint Model!
Shanna’s pricing formulas and overall money plan helped me get a handle on my finances like never before.
As creatives, we tend to think numbers are boring or even stifling. But just like staring at a blank screen without a plan is a recipe for writer’s block, running a business without a plan is a recipe for burnout (or worse).
By outlining my three main offers and pricing them for profitability, I learned just how many projects I’d need to book in order to hit my annual revenue goals. And, somewhat counterintuitively, that opened up a whole new level of freedom in my business.
Tell me about one change or success you’ve experienced since working together!
I’m apparently a Google Sheets gal now! 🤓 I reference my Sales Tracking and Money Plan spreadsheets weekly, if not daily, to review my progress toward my goals. I’ve implemented Shanna’s Monthly Money Date concept and even hired a bookkeeper to help me stay on top of my taxes and reporting. Oh, and I’ve hit every financial goal I’ve set so far!
Okay, real talk— What would you tell someone considering buying a course or working with Shanna?
Shanna is everything you’d want in a business mentor: kind, honest, helpful, and wise. She knows her stuff but never talks down to you. She shows up to meetings just as she is and inspires you to do the same. She screen- shares her OWN systems to walk you through each process, answer any questions you have, and encourage you wherever you are in your business journey. Plus, she understands the creative industry better than any financial coach I’ve found.
If you want to get a better grasp on your business finances — and your life in general! — I can’t recommend working with Shanna enough.
Any final thoughts?
I enrolled in The Blueprint Model at a pivotal point in my business, when I was rebranding from Sarah Klongerbo to Quotable Copy. It was *perfect* timing. I felt so much more confident in my offerings and outlook as I launched my new brand into the world.
My copywriting studio has already grown and evolved — and TBM has too! I know a few spreadsheets have recently been updated, and Shanna has offered even more coaching calls. I love her relentless heart for serving her clients.
Since TBM offers lifetime access, I’m excited to continue reviewing and refreshing my goals every year alongside Shanna and this fabulous community of creatives she has cultivated. Here’s to pursuing our dreams together!
“As creatives, we tend to think numbers are boring or even stifling. But just like staring at a blank screen without a plan is a recipe for writer’s block, running a business without a plan is a recipe for burnout (or worse).”
— Sarah Klongerbo
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Sarah, thank you so much for sharing more of your story and experience working together. Truly such an honor to have amazing students like you! And loved getting to know you better through this spotlight!
Want more inspiration? Plenty more stories that are sure to inspire you, Click Here for more Student Success Stories! If you’re ready to feel empowered in your personal and/or business finances, I’d love to work together through my signature program, The Blueprint Model!
xo.
Shanna
RESOURCES MENTIONED :
Sarah’s Business – Quotable copy
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Sarah Klongerbo
Sarah Klongerbo is the founder and editor in chief of Quotable Copy, a copywriting studio for creative entrepreneurs who want copy so good, it’ll get you quoted.
With a decade of digital marketing experience and dozens of hand-crafted websites under her belt, Sarah knows just what it takes to convert your clients online.
Aside from being a brand and website copywriter, Sarah is a wife, mom, and dog mom who loves traveling the world just as much as staying at home (which is in South Dakota, BTW). Reach out for a custom copywriting quote today!
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May 21, 2024
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