The Get Paid Podcast: The Stark Reality of Entrepreneurship and Being Your Own Boss

What happens when an Egyptologist with a PhD decides to stop relying on YouTube and test ads for the first time? In this episode, Melinda Nelson Hurst shares how she spent $1,565 on Facebook ads during a chaotic Q4 launch (while moving houses) and brought in 1,812 new leads at 86 cents each. She made four sales of her $2,500 program—covering her ad spend and then some—while adding nearly 900 confirmed subscribers to her list. And she did it all with recycled image ads and zero videos. This Week on the Get Paid Podcast: How Melinda went from 3,100 subscribers to 4,000 in one launch using basic image ads Why she skipped the video ads entirely (and still got 86-cent leads) Exactly how she duplicated her previous campaign to save time during a move What happened when she turned off double opt-in and let Facebook do its thing How a "C-minus launch" still generated profitable results and fresh subscribers who actually want to learn hieroglyphs About Melinda Nelson Hurst: Melinda Nelson Hurst is an Egyptologist with a PhD who fell in love with ancient Egypt as a child. After nearly becoming an accountant (yes, really), she made her way back to her first passion and now teaches people how to read hieroglyphs for themselves—without having to go back to college to do it. She runs two programs: Scribal School (a year-long course for $587) and Master Scribes (a six-month mastermind for $2,500). After years of relying on YouTube for organic growth, Melinda decided to test Facebook ads—and discovered she could scale her audience without creating more content. Mentioned in this episode: Melinda Nelson Hurst Scribal School Voices of Ancient Egypt (YouTube channel) Half-Hour Hieroglyphs (Free Guide) Absolute FB Ads Now it's time to GET PAID. Thanks for tuning into the Get Paid Podcast! If you enjoyed today's episode, head over to Apple Podcasts to subscribe, rate, and leave your honest review. Connect with me on Facebook, YouTube, and Instagram. Visit my website at clairepells.com for more strategies, and be sure to share your favorite episodes. Now, it's time to go get yourself paid.  

What happens when you take a webinar that's already working… and put real traffic behind it? In this episode, Gina Knox shares the moment she realized she didn't have a launch problem at all. She had a leads problem. And fixing that one bottleneck is what helped her rebuild momentum, grow her list to over 10,000 subscribers, and cross the million-dollar mark in cash collected this year. This Week on the Get Paid Podcast: The simple decision that brought in thousands of new leads she wasn't getting organically Why running one webinar a week changed her entire sales rhythm What surprised her when one creative started outperforming everything else Exactly how a ~$2,000 ad spend turned into ~$17,500 in revenue with her first Absolute FB Ads campaign What she's learned about consistency vs. complexity now that she's hit seven figures About Gina Knox: Gina Knox is a financial strategist for small business owners with inconsistent income. A former QuickBooks researcher turned coach, she's helped clients save over $9 million and build 6 and 7-figure wealth portfolios. Gina is the creator of Small Business Money School and the 7 Figure Wealth Mastermind, where she teaches entrepreneurs how to stop panicking about cash flow and start growing lasting wealth. Her approach blends design thinking, financial strategy, and behavioral coaching, rejecting outdated advice like "just budget" in favor of money systems that actually work for business owners. Mentioned in this episode: Gina Knox Small Business Money School Absolute FB Ads Meta Ads Library Now it's time to GET PAID. Thanks for tuning into the Get Paid Podcast! If you enjoyed today's episode, head over to Apple Podcasts to subscribe, rate, and leave your honest review. Connect with me on Facebook, YouTube, and Instagram. Visit my website at clairepells.com for more strategies, and be sure to share your favorite episodes. Now, it's time to go get yourself paid.  

Phew! That's a wrap. I just finished leading the live class 1,000 New Leads: Explode Your Audience with Easy Button Ads, and wow this one had more questions than any workshop I've ever taught. Here are a few of my favorites: What's the minimum amount of "validation" you need before running ads to your offer? My business has basically stalled this year. I know I need more visibility, but the risk feels high. What should I do? Why is my brain an asshole? (No one actually asked that one. I said it myself. And yes, I explained exactly what I meant.) If you missed the class or want to revisit anything, you can watch the full replay here: https://clairepells.com/enroll Inside the training, I walk you through the Easy Button Ad strategy that reliably brings new people into your world every single day without relying on the content hamster wheel or hoping the algorithm feels generous. This is the strategy I want you to use as you head into 2026. Join Absolute FB Ads Before December 16th If the class resonated with you, now is the time to join Absolute FB Ads. I updated the entire course this weekend, and when you enroll before December 16th, you'll also get access to a $1,000 bonus: A Done-With-You Ads Session you can use any time in 2026. I explain exactly how it works inside the replay. Get the replay and join here: https://clairepells.com/enroll Have Questions? You can reach me directly: • Send me a DM on Instagram • Or email my team at hey@clairepells.com

If you've ever thought "I'd love to run ads, but I just don't have the budget," this episode will help you see things differently. I break down a simple, practical way to plan for ads in 2026, especially if consistent visibility has been on your mind but feels out of reach financially. This episode is all about shifting ads from something you hope to afford…into something your business is designed to support. This Week on the Get Paid Podcast: Why $5/day is the most realistic and effective place to start How to treat ad spend like any other normal monthly business expense The long-term payoff of visibility ads (even when ROI isn't immediate) What budgeting for ads actually looks like inside a real business Mentioned in this episode: Register for the Dec 8 live class: 1,000 New Leads: Explode Your Audience with Easy Button Ads Absolute FB Ads enrollment (Dec 8–16) Get Paid Podcast Episode 326: Steph Crowder: How to Create Money Safety with a Spreadsheet Now it's time to GET PAID. Thanks for tuning into the Get Paid Podcast! If you enjoyed today's episode, head over to Apple Podcasts to subscribe, rate, and leave your honest review. Connect with me on Facebook, YouTube, and Instagram, visit my website for even more detailed strategies, and be sure to share your favorite episodes on social media. Now, it's time to go get yourself paid.  

If you've wondered whether ads would actually work for your business, today's episode gives you a clear answer. Claire breaks down the six business models that consistently do well with Facebook and Instagram ads — and why they tend to see strong results even at low daily spend. This Week on the Get Paid Podcast: The 6 business models that typically thrive with ads Local businesses 1:1 service providers 1:1 coaches Retreat hosts Digital product businesses Group programs, masterminds & memberships Why these models benefit from steady visibility When ads help… and when they don't How to tell if now is the right time for you Mentioned in this episode: Absolute FB Ads (opens Dec 8–16) Done-with-you Ads Session bonus + January Boot Camp AFA Waitlist – clairepells.com/waitlist Now it's time to GET PAID. Thanks for tuning into the Get Paid Podcast! If you enjoyed today's episode, head over to Apple Podcasts to subscribe, rate, and leave your honest review. Connect with me on Facebook, YouTube, and Instagram, visit my website for even more detailed strategies, and be sure to share your favorite episodes on social media. Now, it's time to go get yourself paid.  

This is the episode you might not want to hear… but absolutely need. Launches aren't getting easier. Warm audiences aren't magically appearing. And the businesses growing in 2026 will be the ones that implement certain strategies now. In this episode, I'm sharing the truth about what launches actually require these days, and how to set yourself up long before cart open. This Week on the Get Paid Podcast: Why your next launch starts months before you think What's really changed in online marketing (and why it matters) Why "being everywhere" matters more now… without doing more How ads quietly warm up your audience long before launch week Mentioned in this episode: Absolute FB Ads 1,000 New Leads: Explode Your Audience with Easy Button Ads (Live Class – Dec 8) January Q&A Call + January Boot Camp (for AFA clients) Now it's time to GET PAID. Thanks for tuning into the Get Paid Podcast! If you enjoyed today's episode, head over to Apple Podcasts to subscribe, rate, and leave your honest review. Connect with me on Facebook, YouTube, and Instagram, visit my website for even more detailed strategies, and be sure to share your favorite episodes on social media. Now, it's time to go get yourself paid.  

If ads feel confusing, overwhelming, or like everyone else "gets it" but you… I promise, it's simpler than it looks. In today's episode, I'm breaking down the exact ways ads fit into an online business marketing strategy. I promise, it's way simpler than you think! This is the episode I wish I could put in every beginner's hands. This Week on the Get Paid Podcast: The three places ads belong in your business (no more guessing) Why most people start in the wrong place How to think about ads in a calm, grounded way The first ad I wish more entrepreneurs would run Mentioned in this episode: Absolute FB Ads 1,000 New Leads: Explode Your Audience with Easy Button Ads (Live Class – Dec 8) Now it's time to GET PAID. Thanks for tuning into the Get Paid Podcast! If you enjoyed today's episode, head over to Apple Podcasts to subscribe, rate, and leave your honest review. Connect with me on Facebook, YouTube, and Instagram, visit my website for even more detailed strategies, and be sure to share your favorite episodes on social media. Now, it's time to go get yourself paid.  

What if one tiny, consistent action completely changed how your business grows next year? In today's episode, I'm sharing how a quiet $5/day ad can do more for your 2026 visibility, confidence, and momentum than any "perfect" piece of organic content. No pressure or overwhelm; just something small that compounds in a big way. This Week on the Get Paid Podcast: Why small, steady ads build more momentum than big, stressful campaigns How ads keep growing your audience even on the days you can't What low-cost ads quietly reveal about your offer long before launch The subtle way ads expand your visibility without burning you out Mentioned in this episode: Absolute FB Ads 1,000 New Leads: Explode Your Audience with Easy Button Ads (Live Class – Dec 8) Now it's time to GET PAID. Thanks for tuning into the Get Paid Podcast! If you enjoyed today's episode, head over to Apple Podcasts to subscribe, rate, and leave your honest review. Connect with me on Facebook, YouTube, and Instagram, visit my website for even more detailed strategies, and be sure to share your favorite episodes on social media. Now, it's time to go get yourself paid.  

Everyone talks about lead generation like it's just a sales tool — grow your list, sell your offer, repeat. But what if it's actually the secret to being seen? This week, I'm sharing what really happens when you commit to consistent lead gen — how it quietly builds your reputation, expands your reach, and gets your name showing up in rooms you didn't even know existed. This Week on the Get Paid Podcast: The invisible ripple effect of consistent lead gen How visibility opens doors long before you pitch yourself The moment my own ads led to an unexpected full-circle moment Why "being seen" is often what gets you paid next Mentioned in this episode: Laura Roeder lauraroeder.com Precious Little Sleep (book by Alexis Dubief) https://a.co/d/0q4nJEx  Absolute FB Ads (join the waitlist at clairepells.com/absolute) Now, it's time to go get yourself paid Thanks for tuning into the Get Paid Podcast! If you enjoyed today's episode, head over to Apple Podcasts to subscribe, rate, and leave your honest review. Connect with me on Facebook, YouTube, and Instagram, visit my website for even more detailed strategies, and be sure to share your favorite episodes on social media. Now, it's time to go get yourself paid.  

Ever wonder why your launches start strong… then flatline? I just wrapped up our latest Get Paid Marketing launch, and the biggest lesson I learned hit harder than any number could. This Week on the Get Paid Podcast: The real reason great offers still miss the mark What most business owners forget between launches How to keep your "jelly bean jar" full all year long Three fresh, low-effort ways to get leads in 2026 Mentioned in this episode: Get Paid Marketing - https://clairepells.com/waitlist  Absolute FB Ads - https://clairepells.com/afa  Meta Ad Library (search "Claire Pelletreau") - https://www.facebook.com/ads/library/?id=2532806153780605  Now, it's time to go get yourself paid Thanks for tuning into the Get Paid Podcast! If you enjoyed today's episode, head over to Apple Podcasts to subscribe, rate, and leave your honest review. Connect with me on Facebook, YouTube, and Instagram, visit my website for even more detailed strategies, and be sure to share your favorite episodes on social media. Now, it's time to go get yourself paid.  

This month, we're sharing a private training pulled straight from our Get Paid Marketing program. Follow along with Part 4 of our 4-episode mindset series. This Week on the Get Paid Podcast: How to choose a specific, measurable result for your offer What to do when you're afraid to promise results The mindset shift that changes how you build and deliver your program Mentioned in this episode: Dielle Charon – Sales and mindset coach - https://forthe23percent.com/ Dorothy Johnson – The Breakup Coach - https://dorothyabjohnson.com/ Adrienne Dorison - Run Like Clockwork – Business operations program https://www.runlikeclockwork.com/  Want more? Join the Get Paid Marketing waitlist: https://clairepells.com/waitlist Now, it's time to go get yourself paid Thanks for tuning into the Get Paid Podcast! If you enjoyed today's episode, head over to Apple Podcasts to subscribe, rate, and leave your honest review. Connect with me on Facebook, YouTube, and Instagram, visit my website for even more detailed strategies, and be sure to share your favorite episodes on social media. Now, it's time to go get yourself paid.  

This month, we're sharing a private training pulled straight from our Get Paid Marketing program. Follow along with Part 3 of our 4-episode mindset series. This Week on the Get Paid Podcast: How to stop letting other people's opinions rock your confidence A mindset shift that helps you stay grounded when feedback hurts Why compassion beats people-pleasing every time Mentioned in this episode: Brooke Castillo – The Life Coach School https://www.thelifecoachschool.com/theweekly Want more? Join the Get Paid Marketing waitlist: https://clairepells.com/waitlist Now, it's time to go get yourself paid Thanks for tuning into the Get Paid Podcast! If you enjoyed today's episode, head over to Apple Podcasts to subscribe, rate, and leave your honest review. Connect with me on Facebook, YouTube, and Instagram, visit my website for even more detailed strategies, and be sure to share your favorite episodes on social media. Now, it's time to go get yourself paid.  

This month, we're sharing a private training pulled straight from our Get Paid Marketing program. Follow along with Part 2 of our 4-episode mindset series. This Week on the Get Paid Podcast How to create beliefs that move your business forward The 20-minute practice that builds evidence for any thought Why "healthy delusion" can help you sell with confidence How to use bridge thoughts when belief feels out of reach Mentioned in this episode Brooke Castillo — The Life Coach School https://www.thelifecoachschool.com/theweekly Want more? Join the Get Paid Marketing waitlist: https://clairepells.com/waitlist  Now, it's time to go get yourself paid Thanks for tuning into the Get Paid Podcast! If you enjoyed today's episode, head over to Apple Podcasts to subscribe, rate, and leave your honest review. Connect with me on Facebook, YouTube, and Instagram, visit my website for even more detailed strategies, and be sure to share your favorite episodes on social media. Now, it's time to go get yourself paid.  

This month, we're sharing a private training pulled straight from our Get Paid Marketing program. Follow along with Part 1 of our 4-episode mindset series. This Week on the Get Paid Podcast A simple practice to reveal what's really driving your results How to map what you think to what you do—without overthinking A subtle shift that helps you get moving again Want more? Join the Get Paid Marketing waitlist: https://clairepells.com/waitlist  Now, it's time to go get yourself paid Thanks for tuning into the Get Paid Podcast! If you enjoyed today's episode, head over to Apple Podcasts to subscribe, rate, and leave your honest review. Connect with me on Facebook, YouTube, and Instagram, visit my website for even more detailed strategies, and be sure to share your favorite episodes on social media. Now, it's time to go get yourself paid.  

Tess Masters thought she was wasting her investment in Get Paid Marketing. She couldn't run ads for an entire year, barely made our middle-of-the-night calls from Australia, and called herself our "worst client." Then she renewed anyway—and everything changed. Not because she attended more calls, but because of one conversation that gave her permission to believe something that transformed her selling. This Week on the Get Paid Podcast: Why watching other people get coached transformed her business The controversial positioning she was terrified to try (and what happened when she did) How "permission" became more valuable than any marketing strategy About Tess Masters: Tess Masters is a health coach, podcaster, and author of The Blender Girl, The Blender Girl Smoothies, and The Perfect Blend published by Penguin Random House. Through the Skinny60® health programs, she and her team of dietitians have helped thousands of people get healthy using science-based food and lifestyle strategies and personalized nutrition solutions. Connect with Tess: Website: https://tessmasters.com/ Health Programs: https://www.skinny60.com/ Recipes: https://www.theblendergirl.com/ Podcast: https://ithastobeme.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theblendergirl/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theblendergirl/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/theblendergirl Mentioned in this episode: Get Paid Marketing: clairepells.com/waitlist  Now it's time to GET PAID Thanks for tuning into the Get Paid Podcast! If you enjoyed today's episode, head over to Apple Podcasts to subscribe, rate, and leave your honest review. Connect with me on Facebook, YouTube, and Instagram, visit my website for even more detailed strategies, and be sure to share your favorite episodes on social media. Now, it's time to go get yourself paid.

What happens when your meditation podcast suddenly explodes overnight? Kelly Smith found out during the pandemic—and the aftermath wasn't what she expected. Kelly shares her journey from opening a yoga studio in a "one-bar, one-Walmart town" in Missouri to creating location-independent teacher training while raising two young kids. We dig into the money mindset blocks that plague the spiritual community, why she believes you shouldn't be afraid to be someone's "goat cheese," and how she handled the backlash when she started monetizing her free content. This Week on the Get Paid Podcast: Why the most expensive investment in her business gave her "heart palpitations" (and why she did it twice) The goat cheese philosophy that changed how she handles criticism What happened when her podcast exploded during the pandemic How she structures her business to work minimal hours with maximum impact Mentioned in this episode: www.yogaforyouonline.com Instagram: @yogaforyouonline  Mindful in Minutes Podcast Apple  Mindful in Minutes Podcast Spotify 5 day nervous system reset (to help those stressed out biz owners!) Get Paid Marketing waitlist: clairepells.com/waitlist    Thanks for tuning into the Get Paid Podcast! If you enjoyed today's episode, head over to Apple Podcasts to subscribe, rate, and leave your honest review. Connect with me on Facebook, YouTube, and Instagram, visit my website for even more detailed strategies, and be sure to share your favorite episodes on social media. Now, it's time to go get yourself paid.  

What if there were one number that could take you from hoping your marketing works to knowing exactly what's going to happen? While everyone else is obsessing over vanity metrics, there's a single piece of data that changes everything about how you scale. Once you know this number, you stop guessing and start making decisions like someone who actually controls their business growth. This Week on the Get Paid Podcast: The metric that matters more than anything else (hint: it's not what most people track) How to stop the "post and pray" cycle and actually predict your results Why my client can now tell you exactly what will happen when she increases her budget The "Hunger Games" method that reveals what your audience really wants in just 24 hours Mentioned in this episode: Get Paid Marketing waitlist: clairepells.com/waitlist  Now, it's time to go get yourself paid Thanks for tuning into the Get Paid Podcast! If you enjoyed today's episode, head over to Apple Podcasts to subscribe, rate, and leave your honest review. Connect with me on Facebook, YouTube, and Instagram, visit my website for even more detailed strategies, and be sure to share your favorite episodes on social media. Now, it's time to go get yourself paid.  

What if your biggest hesitation about creating a bonus is actually the exact reason you should offer it? My Get Paid Marketing client was convinced she couldn't teach something to her students—until I showed her she was already 100 steps ahead of them. We dig into why expertise isn't about being perfect, and I push her toward a bonus idea that made her nervous for all the wrong reasons. This Week on the Get Paid Podcast: The bonus strategy that could change everything (even if you don't think you're "ready") Why your imposter syndrome might be costing you conversions How to know when you're qualified enough to teach something Mentioned in this episode: Get Paid Marketing waitlist: clairepells.com/waitlist  Now, it's time to go get yourself paid Thanks for tuning into the Get Paid Podcast! If you enjoyed today's episode, head over to Apple Podcasts to subscribe, rate, and leave your honest review. Connect with me on Facebook, YouTube, and Instagram, visit my website for even more detailed strategies, and be sure to share your favorite episodes on social media. Now, it's time to go get yourself paid.  

What happens when your dog knocks the same agility bar every single competition? You might think it's a training problem, but Hélène Lawler discovered something completely different – and it changed everything about how she coaches dog sport competitors. After leaving academia with a story you won't believe, Hélène built a thriving business helping dog handlers manage their mental game and their dogs' over-arousal issues. But it wasn't until she joined Get Paid Marketing that everything shifted from unpredictable income swings to consistent, predictable months. This Week on the Get Paid Podcast: Why your nervous system state determines your success (in dog sports AND business) The unexpected sign from the universe that made Hélène leave academia for good What really happens when dogs "freeze up" in competition A simple somatic technique that shifts everything in seconds Mentioned in this episode: Hélène Lawler's website: HeleneLawler.com  FDSA (Fenzi Dog Sport Academy) Get Paid Marketing: https://clairepells.com/waitlist Now, it's time to go get yourself paid Thanks for tuning into the Get Paid Podcast! If you enjoyed today's episode, head over to Apple Podcasts to subscribe, rate, and leave your honest review. Connect with me on Facebook, YouTube, and Instagram, visit my website for even more detailed strategies, and be sure to share your favorite episodes on social media. Now, it's time to go get yourself paid.  

Cindy Wagman helps experienced non-profit fundraisers create a business model to achieve six-figures and enjoy a lot more autonomy. Before joining Get Paid Marketing, Cindy was doing pretty well with her nonprofit consulting programs, but her marketing game was a bit hit-or-miss. She knew her stuff but needed a tighter strategy and clearer messaging to really make her launches pop and consistently reach more people. Her lead generation and sales copy got a major upgrade and her results speak for themselves. This Week on the Get Paid Podcast: Cindy's journey working nonprofits to running a successful nonprofit consulting business What went into turning a $2,007 ad spend into $27,000 in sales Aiming for 10 enrollments but ending up with 18 An inside look at Cindy's key offerings, "Fractional Fundraising" and "Impact and Profit" How she pays her salary + bonuses (including the big pay raise she was able to give herself this year) Cindy's personal evolution and how strategic business decisions post-GPM are paving the way for sustained growth and less stress The emotional and practical upsides of joining GPM, giving us the lowdown on what's worked, what's changed, and where she's headed next Mentioned in this podcast: Cindy Wagman's website: https://cindywagman.com/ Get Paid Marketing: https://clairepells.com/waitlist Now it's time to GET PAID Thanks for tuning into the Get Paid Podcast! If you enjoyed today's episode, head over to Apple Podcasts to subscribe, rate, and leave your honest review. Connect with me on Facebook, YouTube, and Instagram, visit my website for even more detailed strategies, and be sure to share your favorite episodes on social media. Now, it's time to go get yourself paid