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

If you've ever looked at one number in your ad dashboard, felt your stomach drop, and turned the whole thing off — this episode might sting a little.  In this solo episode, Claire breaks down what she calls made up funnel math — the sneaky way smart business owners decide their funnel is "dead" or "not profitable" based on vibes, one scary metric, or incomplete tracking. The worst part? It usually kicks off the same cycle: panic, shut it down, buy another training, start from scratch… even when the funnel was already making money or one tweak away from it. Claire walks through the five most common places this shows up, shares real examples from her own ads and client funnels, and explains what to actually look at before you touch that off switch. This Week on the Get Paid Podcast: The "panic metric" that makes people shut off profitable ads — and what to track instead Why judging your funnel by front-end sales alone will mislead you every time The difference between a volume problem and a conversion problem (and why mixing them up changes your entire next move) Why "testing new audiences" is almost always the wrong answer right now Mentioned in this episode: Get Paid Marketing (GPM) — clairepells.com/waitlist Absolute FB Ads  - https://clairepells.com/afa-evg  Instagram: @clairepells - https://www.instagram.com/clairepells  Crime 101 (movie — for the car chase girlies) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f5y-cziwmMw  Now it's time to GET PAID  

Chris Donohoe went from blue-collar Florida to Cornell on a diving scholarship — and then into the world of corporate consulting, where he realized the people making great money weren't superhuman. They just had a profitable skillset and a repeatable way to sell it. Now Chris helps consultants, freelancers, and coaches create real cashflow in their businesses. But when he decided to walk away from corporate revenue and go all-in on a scalable coaching offer, the transition was anything but smooth. In this episode, he shares how he turned a "Frankenfunnel" into a real sales system inside Get Paid Marketing. We talk about his shift from guessing to testing, why he chose free workshops over paid ones (and the long-game math behind that decision), and what it actually looks like to sell with conviction when only 10 people show up to your live sales event This Week on the Get Paid Podcast: What corporate consulting actually is — and the "Wizard of Oz moment" that changed how Chris saw the whole industry Exactly how he he replaced 60% of his income when he walked away The emotional low point that led him to GPM — and what shifted after one conversation How he thinks about lead volume and conversions at the same time (long game + short game) How the GPM structure without rigidity allowed Chris to co-create a killer strategy instead of following a formula About Chris Donohoe: Chris Donohoe is a business coach and consultant who has sold over $2.5 million using word-of-mouth sales and marketing — everything from $19 workshops to $500,000 Fortune 100 consulting projects. Now he teaches consultants, coaches, and advisors to create cashflow in their businesses the simplest way possible so they can have the financial freedom to live life on their own terms. His podcast, Make Money as a Consultant, is where he talks openly about the lessons most coaches won't say out loud. Connect with Chris: Website: chrisdonohoecoaching.com Instagram: @chris_donohoe_ Podcast: Make Money as a Consultant Mentioned in this episode: Get Paid Marketing (GPM) — clairepels.com/waitlist  Go Independent - chrisdonohoecoaching.com/go-independent-337075  Grow Independent - chrisdonohoecoaching.com/grow-independent-795949  Now it's time to GET PAID  

Kathy Cruz is the founder of Savvy Shopkeeper, where she helps brick-and-mortar retail owners grow with stronger systems, clearer decision-making, and real financial confidence. In this episode, Kathy shares what happened when she joined Get Paid Marketing and finally started running ads with a real plan — starting with a time-sensitive planner launch that became her best one yet. We talk about what made the ads work (even when the creative wasn't perfect), why she's willing to break even on a front-end offer, and how one product can quietly become the trust-builder that drives bigger conversions later. This Week on the Get Paid Podcast: The simple ad test that helped Kathy make this her best planner launch yet Why "perfect creative" isn't the goal — and what mattered more How she uses a planner as a trust-builder (not just a product) The membership decision that makes her community feel safe How her framework helps store owners stop making emotional decisions and start using real data About Kathy Cruz: Kathy Cruz is the founder of Savvy Shopkeeper, where she supports independent brick-and-mortar retailers through practical strategy, coaching, and education. She's also the host of the Savvy Shopkeeper Retail Podcast and leads Master Shopkeepers, a mastermind and peer community for store owners who want to grow with stronger systems and smarter planning.   Mentioned in this episode: Get Paid Marketing (GPM) clairepells.com/getpaid   Savvy Shopkeeper (website) https://savvyshopkeeper.com/  Master Shopkeepers  https://savvyshopkeeper.com/master-shopkeepers/  Savvy Shopkeeper Retail Podcast https://savvyshopkeeper.com/podcast/ Now it's time to GET PAID

Lindy Alexander avoided ads for years because they felt "icky"… until she joined Get Paid Marketing and realized her results didn't require more complexity — they required less friction. In this episode, Lindy shares what shifted when she simplified how people bought (including one tiny change that made a bigger difference than she expected), and how GPM is different from any other program she joined. This Week on the Get Paid Podcast: The belief Lindy had about ads that kept her avoiding them (and what changed her mind) The small funnel adjustment that helped increase low-ticket conversions What she did differently inside GPM that led to a $50K+ launch without a live webinar The behind-the-scenes reason she almost didn't join (and what surprised her once she did) Why GPM felt "like an iceberg" after she got inside About Lindy Alexander: Lindy Alexander is a multi-award-winning freelance travel writer who has written for major Australian and international publications including Travel + Leisure, AFAR, The Telegraph, The Guardian, and The Sydney Morning Herald. After 10 years as a social worker, she transitioned into freelance journalism and later specialized in travel writing. She's the founder of The Freelancer's Year, a blog and online writing course hub for aspiring and established freelance writers who want to break into travel writing and land regular commissions. Mentioned in this episode: Get Paid Marketing (GPM): clairepells.com/waitlist  The Freelancer's Year (website): thefreelancersyear.com  Instagram: @thefreelancersyear Instagram: @lindyalexanderwriter Travel Writer Accelerator (TWA): https://thefreelancersyear.com/courses-resources/ttwa-apply/ 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 toApple 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.

It's a very good time to be running Facebook and Instagram ads! And if you'd like to replace one of your launches this year — without losing out on the revenue — this episode is for you. Today, I'm breaking down four ways you can generate launch-level income using ads and evergreen funnels. Some require paid traffic. Some don't. All of them work — if you know what you're doing. This Week on the Get Paid Podcast: Why the current ads algorithm is performing differently than in past years How to replace a $50K launch with a profitable evergreen funnel The simple math behind scaling ads without "risking it all" The overlooked strategy that can increase sales without increasing spend Mentioned in This Episode: Get Paid Marketing (GPM): clairepells.com/waitlist  The $50K 4-Part Funnel: Replace Launches with Ads, Funnels, and Copy that Converts: clairepells.com/replace 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 toApple 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.

Running ads is one thing. Scaling them without freaking out (or breaking what's already working) is another. In this episode, financial coach Gina Knox shares what changed when she stopped dabbling, got serious about her funnel, and used a weekly webinar rhythm to create more consistent revenue—without needing a giant launch every time. This Week on the Get Paid Podcast: What clicked when Gina treated ads like a scaling tool (not "extra lead gen") The surprising part of scaling spend that almost makes people quit too early Why weekly webinars can beat the "big launch" model for the right business How being inside Get Paid Marketing changed what was possible for her funnel 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 podcast: Get Paid Marketing (GPM) Small Business Money School  Gina Knox's free training  Gina Knox: From a $200 Side Hustle to a $324K Launch Gina Knox Hit 7 Figures Thanks to Basic Image Ads Now it's time to GET PAID. Thanks for tuning into the Get Paid Podcast! 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.  

Claire was more than a little skeptical about AI for a long time. Now? She's ON BOARD! And for very specific purposes. In this episode, she's sharing the three underused ways she's now using ChatGPT and Claude—and none of them have to do with writing captions or copy. This Week on the Get Paid Podcast: The use case that helped Claire make a major business decision How she cut her monthly software expenses by hundreds of dollars The new way she's building sales pages (that used to take her ages) Mentioned in This Episode: FG Funnels / Funnel Gorgeous Elise Darma's Offer Vault https://theoffervault.co/  Brittany Long's AI Sales Page Design Workshop  Brittany on IG: (@womenthrivewith.ai) 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.  

It's that time. Claire sat down to look at everything that happened in 2025—the numbers, the team, the launches, the decisions. Some of it was hard to say out loud. 😳 This Week on the Get Paid Podcast: The full breakdown: revenue, expenses, what's left A team change Claire didn't see coming The pattern she finally broke Mentioned in This Episode: Millionaires of Color Conference (Claire is a speaker and sponsor): https://forthe23percent.com/event 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.

Claire has always had a complicated relationship with goal setting, so New Years and all the talk of planning used to make her queasy. But even though she's on board with goal setting now, some advice from her favorite mindset mentor has brought back the wobbles. Listen in to this week's "walk 'n talk" episode with her friend and frequent guest of the podcast, Steph Crowder This Week on the Get Paid Podcast: A reframe that changes how you relate to doubt What's really behind Claire's resistance to one of her goals Why logic can quietly keep you playing smaller "Believe when you don't believe" Mentioned in This Episode: Steph Crowder and the Courage and Clarity Show Brooke Castillo / The Life Coach School Brig Johnson Stacey Boehman 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 an Egyptologist with a PhD decides to stop relying on YouTube and test ads for the first time? In this episode, Egyptologist Melinda Nelson-Hurst shares how she finally tested Facebook ads (after years of relying on YouTube), spent about $1,565, and generated 1,812 webinar registrants at an average of $0.86/lead—even though she reused the same image ads, skipped video entirely, and called the whole thing a "C-minus launch." This Week on the Get Paid Podcast: How Melinda turned recycled image ads into 1,812 webinar registrants (with her first Absolute FB Ads campaign) Why her results were still strong even with a big mistake: accidentally leaving double opt-in on Exactly how duplicating her prior campaign saved her hours (and rescued her from a weird Meta "authentication limbo") What it looks like when ads are truly "set it and forget it" (including when she expanded beyond the U.S.) 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.  

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.