‘TheCheeseGal’ Cortney LaCorte’s Leap from Shop Owner to Social Media Maven
03/06/24 • 48 min
1 Listener
In today's episode, we're diving into Cortney LaCorte’s journey from running a buzzing cheese board business in Nashville to becoming a full-time lifestyle and food influencer.
Cortney talks about the challenges business owners face, like managing a team, motivating employees during difficult times, and the inevitable encounter with impostor syndrome. She shares her experiences in transitioning her business and her strategies for creating authentic content that resonates with her audience.
We also explore the personal side of Cortney's life, including her love for food and travel with her husband, their upcoming trip to Italy, and the role he plays in their content creation. Plus, Cortney will offer insights on social media consumption, setting boundaries, and finding your authentic style.
KEY POINTS:
00:00 Navigating impostor syndrome, travel impact, future expansion.
05:09 Unique journey from local cheese gal to influencer.
09:01 Learn to grow following and land deals.
10:03 Discovering niche, attracting brands, opening brick-and-mortar.
13:54 Struggles with postpartum, business, and career decisions.
18:05 Accepting and embracing different life seasons gracefully.
21:39 Navigating imposter syndrome to create authentic content.
25:45 Testing lifestyle content, advice on content creation.
28:44 Travel's impact on content creation, intentional or natural?
30:24 Sharing travel experiences and personal style evolution.
34:28 Husband's cooking launched her into culinary space.
37:44 Dreaming of a lasting legacy in cooking.
QUOTABLES:
"It's giving yourself the permission to change your mind and know that's not failure. It's really just evolving. You're evolving."
— Cortney LaCorte
I think you just have to take inventory of, like, what is serving me right now, what is bringing me joy, and where do I really want to go in my life? And so when I came to that conclusion, I was like, no, I want to be in the “how to,” I want to show people how to make a cheese board."
— Cortney LaCorte
“When it comes to your content, try to film around what you're already doing versus doing things to film."
— Cortney LaCorte
GUEST RESOURCES:
IG | @cheesegal
RESOURCES:
[FREE] Are you a content creator ready to take your brand collaborations to new heights? Grab the Brand Deal Playbook and unlock the secrets to securing paid partnerships with confidence. You'll gain free access to pitch templates, essential questions, and expert strategies that will propel your content creator journey to new heights, including immediate and lifetime access!
[FREE] Want the step-by-step roadmap to grow your following, monetize your content, and land paid brand deals? Click here to join my brand new free class! This is perfect for you if you want to turn your social media into a profitable & fun career... even if you’re starting from scratch!
[ORDER] my book or Audible, Get What You Want: How to Go From Unseen to Unstoppable so you can leverage the power of your own influence.
Must Haves This Month!
[KAJABI, turn your skills into predictable revenue] Get a free 30-day trial at https://Kajabi.com/influencer
[JUSTWORKS, payroll, benefits, HR, and compliance — all in one place] Start your free month now at justworks.com/influencer
In today's episode, we're diving into Cortney LaCorte’s journey from running a buzzing cheese board business in Nashville to becoming a full-time lifestyle and food influencer.
Cortney talks about the challenges business owners face, like managing a team, motivating employees during difficult times, and the inevitable encounter with impostor syndrome. She shares her experiences in transitioning her business and her strategies for creating authentic content that resonates with her audience.
We also explore the personal side of Cortney's life, including her love for food and travel with her husband, their upcoming trip to Italy, and the role he plays in their content creation. Plus, Cortney will offer insights on social media consumption, setting boundaries, and finding your authentic style.
KEY POINTS:
00:00 Navigating impostor syndrome, travel impact, future expansion.
05:09 Unique journey from local cheese gal to influencer.
09:01 Learn to grow following and land deals.
10:03 Discovering niche, attracting brands, opening brick-and-mortar.
13:54 Struggles with postpartum, business, and career decisions.
18:05 Accepting and embracing different life seasons gracefully.
21:39 Navigating imposter syndrome to create authentic content.
25:45 Testing lifestyle content, advice on content creation.
28:44 Travel's impact on content creation, intentional or natural?
30:24 Sharing travel experiences and personal style evolution.
34:28 Husband's cooking launched her into culinary space.
37:44 Dreaming of a lasting legacy in cooking.
QUOTABLES:
"It's giving yourself the permission to change your mind and know that's not failure. It's really just evolving. You're evolving."
— Cortney LaCorte
I think you just have to take inventory of, like, what is serving me right now, what is bringing me joy, and where do I really want to go in my life? And so when I came to that conclusion, I was like, no, I want to be in the “how to,” I want to show people how to make a cheese board."
— Cortney LaCorte
“When it comes to your content, try to film around what you're already doing versus doing things to film."
— Cortney LaCorte
GUEST RESOURCES:
IG | @cheesegal
RESOURCES:
[FREE] Are you a content creator ready to take your brand collaborations to new heights? Grab the Brand Deal Playbook and unlock the secrets to securing paid partnerships with confidence. You'll gain free access to pitch templates, essential questions, and expert strategies that will propel your content creator journey to new heights, including immediate and lifetime access!
[FREE] Want the step-by-step roadmap to grow your following, monetize your content, and land paid brand deals? Click here to join my brand new free class! This is perfect for you if you want to turn your social media into a profitable & fun career... even if you’re starting from scratch!
[ORDER] my book or Audible, Get What You Want: How to Go From Unseen to Unstoppable so you can leverage the power of your own influence.
Must Haves This Month!
[KAJABI, turn your skills into predictable revenue] Get a free 30-day trial at https://Kajabi.com/influencer
[JUSTWORKS, payroll, benefits, HR, and compliance — all in one place] Start your free month now at justworks.com/influencer
Previous Episode
Why You Should Use Video to Grow On Instagram + How To Do It
Today's guest is someone that I have long admired. She is such an inspiration to her community and dedicated to helping us all lead healthier lives. Jen Esquire is not like any fitness influencer out there. She found her niche in the fitness world as a doctor of physical therapy and uses her social media platforms to share educational videos on how to maintain mobility, increase strength, and prevent pain throughout the body. She is a former gymnast and Pilates instructor, and her vision is to empower others to move and live a pain free, active lifestyle.
Jen shares with us her personal evolution within the fitness industry, pinpointing how a deeper understanding of her audience's needs led to the birth of her widely acclaimed mobility program. Whether you are an aspiring influencer, an entrepreneur, or simply someone looking to enhance your physical well-being, Jen's expertise and advice will leave you feeling motivated and ready to make intentional choices in your life and work.
KEY POINTS:
– Jen's journey in identifying her niche and creating a mobility program in response to audience engagement and feedback
– The significance of proper breathing techniques and beginner-friendly exercises for stress reduction and improving mobility
– Encouraging a playful and intuitive approach to exercise while being mindful of the body's needs
– Discussing the value of accessibility in fitness and Jen's provision of free and comprehensive content on Instagram
– The impact of authentic collaborations on social media visibility and growth
– Jen's book recommendation for business strategies and her perspective on the true definition of influence
– A peek into the Mobility Method and Optimal Body membership offered by Jen for personalized mobility exercises
– Jen's background in kinesiology, her discovery of physical therapy, and the inspiration drawn from watching patients achieve their potential
QUOTABLES:
"To find success, you must be willing to listen, adapt, and sometimes, re-invent your approach based on what your audience resonates with." – Jen Esquire
"The act of moving your body should bring joy, not be a chore. Listen to your body; it's the best guide you have." – Jen Esquire
GUEST RESOURCES:
IG | @docjenfit
RESOURCES:
[FREE] Are you a content creator ready to take your brand collaborations to new heights? Grab the Brand Deal Playbook and unlock the secrets to securing paid partnerships with confidence. You'll gain free access to pitch templates, essential questions, and expert strategies that will propel your content creator journey to new heights, including immediate and lifetime access!
[FREE] Want the step-by-step roadmap to grow your following, monetize your content, and land paid brand deals? Click here to join my brand new free class! This is perfect for you if you want to turn your social media into a profitable & fun career... even if you’re starting from scratch!
[ORDER] my book or Audible, Get What You Want: How to Go From Unseen to Unstoppable so you can leverage the power of your own influence.
Must Haves This Month!
[KAJABI, turn your skills into predictable revenue] Get a free 30-day trial at https://Kajabi.com/influencer
[JUSTWORKS, payroll, benefits, HR, and compliance — all in one place] Start your free month now at justworks.com/influencer
Next Episode
From 3K Followers to Six Figures: Mayci Neely Breaks Down Brand Deals
In today’s episode, we're joined by the remarkable Mayci Neely to discuss her transformative journey from sharing her life story on a blog to becoming a TikTok sensation with over 930K followers. Mayci breaks down her process for pivoting into the world of content creation, the importance of knowing your worth, and successfully pitching to brands using our program "Pitch It Perfect.”
Together, we'll explore the importance of quality content over follower count, strategies for initiating brand collaborations, and the power of confidence in securing fair compensation. Mayci's personal growth and financial success reveal that understanding and showcasing your value can lead to substantial income, even beyond six figures. Stay tuned as we take a look at how learning the ins and outs of negotiating can turn your social media presence into a lucrative business.
KEY POINTS:
00:00 Monetizing social media content: Mayci’s success story.
05:25 Julie's podcast helped Mayci find her niche.
06:56 Building brand and audience, focusing on quality.
16:07 Fear of charging too much harms business.
16:59 Sourcing rates and time invested for content.
20:19 Use Instagram to connect and collaborate easily.
23:06 "Show expertise, create value, negotiate higher pay."
27:15 Build confidence to execute social media strategy.
30:32 Pitch Perfect community supports confident, successful pitching.
33:48 Macy shares tips for making money easily.
QUOTABLES:
"I was just very confused in the beginning. And then I found you, Julie, and I was listening to your podcast every day, every episode. And I was able to start getting more of a framework of what I wanted to do and how I could do it."
— Mayci Neely
"I have 5000 followers, but they're so loyal. And so I felt like my influence was super strong enough to where a brand should want to work with me."
— Mayci Neely
"So overall, it's been like a huge blessing because I know how to pitch brands, I know my worth, I know how to get what I want, I know how to get paid for my work.”
— Mayci Neely
GUEST RESOURCES:
IG | @maycineeley
RESOURCES:
[FREE] Are you a content creator ready to take your brand collaborations to new heights? Grab the Brand Deal Playbook and unlock the secrets to securing paid partnerships with confidence. You'll gain free access to pitch templates, essential questions, and expert strategies that will propel your content creator journey to new heights, including immediate and lifetime access!
[FREE] Want the step-by-step roadmap to grow your following, monetize your content, and land paid brand deals? Click here to join my brand new free class! This is perfect for you if you want to turn your social media into a profitable & fun career... even if you’re starting from scratch!
[ORDER] my book or Audible, Get What You Want: How to Go From Unseen to Unstoppable so you can leverage the power of your own influence.
Must Haves This Month!
KAJABI: Turn your skills into predictable revenue! Get a free 30-day trial at https://Kajabi.com/influencer
JUSTWORKS: Payroll, benefits, HR, and compliance — all in one place! Start your free month now at justworks.com/influencer
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