"What does my story have to do with content?" Well, everything.
Today's guest, Chef Amanda Schonberg, demonstrates what it takes to turn on the mic and share your story. In our conversation, she shared that her journey with creating content on Periscope -- unsure of what she was doing -- was just the starting point for taking her baking skills and sharing them with the world.
As Host of the Baking for Business podcast, Chef Amanda teaches other bakers the lessons she's learned along the way and how they can make money in their business while sharing inspiring stories from her community.
Even if you don't own a home baking business or can't follow a recipe, today's episode has extra special treats -- and some firey advice from our guest. You won't want to miss this delicious conversation!
"What does my story have to do with content?" Well, everything.
Today's guest, Chef Amanda Schonberg, demonstrates what it takes to turn on the mic and share your story. In our conversation, she shared that her journey with creating content on Periscope -- unsure of what she was doing -- was just the starting point for taking her baking skills and sharing them with the world.
As Host of the Baking for Business podcast, Chef Amanda teaches other bakers the lessons she's learned along the way and how they can make money in their business while sharing inspiring stories from her community.
Even if you don't own a home baking business or can't follow a recipe, today's episode has extra special treats -- and some firey advice from our guest. You won't want to miss this delicious conversation!
I don't like getting super braggy about people. But I'm pretty excited about today's guest because Amanda, she has blown me away. She's so incredible. So today's guest is Amanda Schoenberg and Chef Schoenberg. If you want to be a very, very, like, I just, I can't even get over it that I love so much about what Amanda is doing. For bakers in the business, having an online business running an online business. She's shared so much about her story that I didn't know. And I am so grateful that she has the heart to share not only her story, but her tips, her advice, her expertise, and she has this booming community of bakers that are just eating up, they're gobbling up everything that she's creating. And they're asking her for more. This is what all of us dream about. We all love to see other people being just on fire, especially when they're our friends or community members or peers. At least that's how I look at it. And I'm just so proud of all the things that she's done, and the incredible milestones that she has hit along her journey. So enjoy my conversation today. With Amanda, let's get right to it. Welcome to the Proffitt Podcast where we teach you how to start launch and market your content with confidence. I'm your host, Krystal Proffitt, and I'm so excited that you're here. Thanks for hanging out with me today. Because if you've been trying to figure out the world of content creation, this is the show that will help be your time saving shortcut. So let's get right to it, shall we?
Krystal Proffitt:Alright, Proffitt Podcast listeners. We have a superstar in the house today. Look at this is my new nickname for you. I just like she's correct cracking up right now because you just threw that at her. But welcome to the show. Amanda.
Amanda Schonberg:All thank you so much for having me. I'm so excited to be here. Yeah.
Krystal Proffitt:So Amanda and I have exchanged probably 50 Instagram like Voice Memos back and forth just like hey, what do you think about this? Hey, can you help me with that? Okay, here's a great idea. Here's what you could try. So I'm trying to remember when did we first kind of crossed paths? How long ago was that?
Amanda Schonberg:Probably about about eight months ago,
Krystal Proffitt:okay. That's why I didn't think it was a full year yet. I was thinking it was getting close. But I didn't know. Okay, so about eight months ago, and you have just hit the ground running with all of your content. And I'm just I'm so blown away. But before we get there and talk about some of the just incredible things that you've done with your podcast, I want to take a step back and ask you, how did you get into baking and how did you get into teaching other people how to do this? It's so interesting, and I just I can't wait to hear all the things.
Amanda Schonberg:Well, thank you so much. Um, well, I grew up with an aunt who loves to bake, and a mom who was a big pancake person. So she only baked one thing I my aunt, she tried all things. My mom only did one. Around 2010 I decided I wanted a career change. So I went to culinary school. So I went to culinary school for baking and everything was going fine. I was loving the program. I ran for office. I was the college treasurer. I got to go to Maryland and I visited Georgetown cupcakes. And I was like, Oh, wow, okay, so like managing bakeries like that's, that's what I want to do. That's gonna be my thing. And I'm almost about a little bit before I finished, I lost everything. My mom was my neighbor, I had moved her next door to me, I lost my mom, my house, and everything in a fire. So she passed in the fire. And I just I was like, You know what, this woman would have really wanted me to finish school. So regardless of what I was going through, I just kept pushing myself. So I finished I graduated, I ended up managing a bunch of other bakeries, and I was on a job one day and management just was a little off. I actually remember was me and another culinary person there. And I was like, You know what we should apply? We have the experience. Let's go for it. Neither one of us got it. The dude who manage the gas station, got it. And then the big head manager he came in and he said, You know what, it'd be awesome. If you to poured all your knowledge into him, he would be great. And I was like, what? So a lady came in that day? Because both of us had culinary degrees. I'm like, I'm not understanding. A lady came in that day and asked for something and because he didn't fulfill the order he wasn't the inventory was off and stuff like that. I say, man, we have nothing She was like, so no one here could bake a cake. And I said, Walk, you know, make a cake for you. But you know, so she took me up, she was like, I want a cake. And that was my first cake. Lo and behold, I had no idea that she was actually a local city council person. And so I baked the cake for her dropped it off. She told her friends and I started getting calls. And I was like, Well, look, I don't really, you know, do this as a as a thing. You know, I'm a baker. But at that time, I hadn't been a business owner. And then it was like, just overnight, shift Schomburg sweets was born. And so I started my own baking business. It's now an award winning baking business, in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, which is a blessing and everything that I went through. I poured that into my business. Everything from culinary school, everything from overcoming objection, just going through anything. So I always felt nothing was hard for me. I was like, you know, this is nothing. I've lost everything. So I poured my all into this. I started sharing on social media. And then other bakers just started asking, How do you do this? How do you market? Why are you so comfortable with this? And I was like, Well, this is what I went to school for. But if you want me to help you, I will. And then fast forward. Even as I grew my business, I started coaching and helping others. And then that just took off awesome. And I've been doing it ever since.
Krystal Proffitt:Oh my gosh, this is just it's so incredible. I did not know that about your story. And I just think that it's so serendipitous when you go back and you like connect the dots of like these pivotal moments, like you said, like who knew who this random person was coming into your store to ask for something, but you were willing to get in there. And this is like one of the things I really want to highlight highlight about you, Amanda is I feel like you are someone that you kind of get a little bit of a direction or a clue of what your next move should be. And you just go for it. Like that's how I feel like podcasting has been. And I just like I'm just so blown away by how you're like, oh, okay, so do this. Alright, I did that now what like, this is how our conversations have gone back and forth. It's like, Okay, Krystal, I did that. Now what what's my next step? What's my next clue? And I have to say, like your dream students. Like it just I'm so proud of you just you take things and you just go like you put it into action, whether it's the perfect version that you wanted it to be, or it's like, you know what, this is good enough for now. And we're just going to see how this, you know, goes forward into the future. And I just think I'm so impressed by what you've been able to do. But I want to take a step back because you have the trifecta. So not only are you a podcaster. But to have a blog, you have a YouTube channel. And there's so many people listening to this right now saying, I want what Amanda has plus you have a really large social following. So what was the very first piece of content that you started putting out there? Oh,
Amanda Schonberg:gosh, so the first first piece of content I did I actually remember, it started with Periscope. Oh, yes. Periscope. Yeah. So I, um, I had my own Instagram page, but I would personally share on Periscope and then when I would be in other periscopes. And I would watch bakers do stuff. I would say, hey, we'll try this. Try that. And I would always give tips. So people always knew me as the person who was coming in the room, but I had never went live. Yeah. And then I took this young lady's class and then she had recommended me she said, You know what, you should go live like you're always just telling tips and sharing stuff. And I'm like, well, because in our industry with with bakers, and they're not just bakers, some of them are creatives, you know, they make like cake toppers, they make other things. So there's some sort of a craft and creative element in the background. Most of the time they get into it because it was a hobby. Or maybe there was someone who they didn't even want to pay. So they said okay, well I can do this on my own. But with baking, I had got into it because I already had a background from it. Like as a chef. So for me, I never really found things too hard. And when the person recommended that I was like, Well, what am I gonna go live and do? And she was like, just start talking like you have a voice and I was like, Okay, so the next day I went live, no one was on him but her it was only one person on my life. Her name was Sabrina Monroe. I tell this to people a million times and she just encouraged me and she said you know what, you have a gift. And I think you know and and looking back then I had no idea how much cake would change my life and I've been blessed to be featured on TV. I've been hired by a brand such as Facebook. Think if ik but it just all started that was my first piece of content that one live phone on Periscope and from someone else telling me hey, I think you should do this. So just like She said I was like, okay, so I didn't ask questions. I just did it. And no one showed an entire live. And I was just talking. But she was there. And that was more than enough. And I just kept at it ever since.
Krystal Proffitt:Oh my gosh. And for those of you listening, that's like, well, what the heck is Periscope? What is Amanda's talking about? Well, this is what it was before you had Facebook Live. And I mean, there were so your tech is so much simpler and 2022 than it was. So that would have been, what what year was that? Probably 2016 2015. Maybe?
Amanda Schonberg:Yeah, now, that was a while that was in
Krystal Proffitt:2015, or something. I mean, so just, it was so clunky, everything was and then your periscopes would go away, you had to figure out a way to save them. Like there was all these other like, it was like a Frankenstein software that you had to put together just to save what you were creating. So I mean, I've just I applaud you for doing that. And I love that you. You remember that visceral feeling when you hit live? And you're like, here we go. What went through your mind like right before you hit live?
Amanda Schonberg:I was like, Well, I'm just I've always been a take advice type of person. Like my mom was like, 14 when she had me. So I always grew up around older people. And one thing I've learned is that there why? So if they tell you something, you listen, you know, I grew up in the South, somebody tell you somebody listen, so I've always had that mentality, but I didn't think much of it. I was like, well, she's older she acts so I just listen. You know, but um, it was definitely a little scary, you know, and you feel weird. But it's it's kind of like making love the more you do it, the better you get.
Krystal Proffitt:This is great. She could have said making cakes. But she said making love I love that. That's this is fantastic. I was we're going in a whole nother direction. It's getting spicy in here. Now today. This is great.
Amanda Schonberg:Yeah, I'm I'm grateful though it turned out amazing.
Krystal Proffitt:Yes. Well I look at and like it makes so much more sense now and looking at all of your journey that you didn't just wake up one day in 2022. And say, I think I want to start a podcast like you've been at this, like you've been testing and trying different types of platforms. So what was the next thing that you added into your content toolkit did you start doing blogs after that are Where did your Periscope days kind of lead you?
Amanda Schonberg:So my parents scope days. It's crazy, because I've been doing this for years. But I honestly feel like I'm just getting started. Because my Periscope days were amazing. But what would happen is that eventually I started sharing business tips, you know, like Chef tips, stuff like that, that I knew about marketing. And there was this other young lady who was share marketing tips, too. And sometimes we would go on at the same time. So we used to call it scope spec, you know, because as we're building followers, we knew we had the same followers. And I was like, Look, we keep going on at the same time. We don't want to make people choose. So we actually decided to get together and form a partnership. That's great. And that was about five, about four and a half four years ago. Yeah. And so that was the next step. And I didn't even enter it thinking, you know, like, I have products for bakers and stuff like that. So we formed a partnership, we formed a membership. And we started taking everything just to a higher level and teaching bakers. I did that for about four years. Eventually Periscope went away. So obviously, Instagram was the next step for us. So she had Instagram page, I had an Instagram page, I started going that. But in 20 We're going on this is 2220 21 I decided to end my partnership. And so then it was like starting all over. And so I kept the platforms that I have, which is Instagram. And then I just started to go a little further I was like, well I want to blog and I know about SEO and the benefits of that and I believe in repurposing you know, I tell people all the time, like why just make something once and you know, just just not do anything else with it. So when it came in terms of repurposing, I looked, and I really studied my analytics. And I said, you know, YouTube might not bring in the followers like Instagram does. But I said but people do convert, and it's evergreen. So I started being really intentional with just trying to repurpose stuff to YouTube just little by little, little by little, but I always keep the aspect of have a primary platform and then have secondary places that you nurture. So as far as content in the beginning for me, that's how it looks like Periscope Instagram blog because I wanted my own for SEO, and then YouTube Facebook, I'm on there but it's not necessarily something that I focus to. And once I started growing, you know, fast forward and I do speaking gigs now and appearances and working with people, I said, Okay, I want something that's my own. So then everyone was like, You should podcast. I was like, Oh, well, that's the next step. Let's do it. You know, you know me, I'm just forever listening to people. So I was like, Alright, cool. Let's do it. Yeah. So yeah, one week of doing that, looking into podcasts and tips and stuff like that I had ran across you on YouTube. And I'm not one of those. And to anybody listening, please don't be this person. Because I get it because people do it on my podcast. Please don't think that you can sit here and listen to all these podcasts and then think, Oh, why don't need to buy Krystal's course because I just listen to the podcast. No. In life, we pay for things two ways we pay for things with our time and with our money. So sometimes when people are new, they think why would I buy that? Why would I invest in that? Well, number one, because of the support, like you said, Krystal, you know, because of the community, I can ask the question number two, you're saving time. And so after watching about three of your videos, I was like, hey, this still don't give me all the answers. I was like, So what what's the next step? I said, I liked this chick. You know, she's fun. She's to the point. Sounds like I'm ready to buy like, because I don't have time to watch all these videos. So I went on the site, and I found your program. And I was like, yes, let's do it. Like that's, I need to hurry up. So yeah, that was the next step for me.
Krystal Proffitt:So awesome. What a great testimonial. Like, thank you so much. I love I just love hearing. Again, it goes back to getting into action, you know that your time is precious. And for those of you listening that are just starting out, like I mean, I did the same thing. I was like, Okay, I'm like consuming, consuming, consuming. And then I hit a point where I'm just like, I don't have 17 lifetimes to watch everything that's on YouTube and listen to every single podcast like I just need to go I actually just purchased well as like, as we're recording this. I just bought a copywriting program because I'm like, I want to get better at copy. Like this is my this is my next step. So I'm continuously investing in myself investing in my business, and I love to hear that you're all like looking for opportunities to get better. Because you know that that is going to bring so much more value to your audience. I feel like you do such a good job like ever since you came into my orbit like I love and I will share Amanda's oh my gosh, what was it? It was the it was the sweet potato cookies like this is the thing. I was like, Y'all My mouth was watering. I was watching or Instagram reels, you'll have to go follow Amanda. Oh my gosh, because it was so good. But I want to kind of connect these dots together because this is where I would love to hear. Baking is such a visual thing, right? You're doing instructions, you're following recipes, you're putting ingredients and mixing them together. So how did that translate to podcasting for you? Was that ever kind of a stumbling block for you to get over saying, I've been doing Periscope, I've been doing YouTube? How is this gonna work for a podcast?
Amanda Schonberg:Not at all. Because I mean, there's multiple ways that people can work it, whether it's you're sharing the stories of other bakers, sharing the journeys of those who operate baking businesses. And then mine is more so sharing what bakers go through as we build a business. So for me, I always, even when I was on Periscope, for me, it's always been the business portion. I do bake you know, I love to bake, I love to share recipes. I share recipes on YouTube and stuff, but hence the business name baking for business. I'm all about the business aspects. So you know, I help bakers and sugar artists in order to generate six figure bacon businesses from home. So for me, it's generally it's just marketing. Yeah. You know, and I tell people all the time, it doesn't matter if you're selling wow, I don't want to give my example. My examples are I'm not for the kids. I'm definitely not kid friendly. I should have actually before I have encouraged yet, so I'm doing good. But I tell people you know, it doesn't matter if you're selling cakes, caskets or cookies, you know and I'm not talking about the Oreo type businesses business you know, there was a difference between Julia Roberts you know, I'm pretty woman she was an escort but hey, she was high class. Yeah, she had a referral system you know, that's different from someone that you just see walking on the streets downtown all willy nilly. So it doesn't matter what your marketing it just has to be a plan and so for me that's what I take people through on the bacon for business podcast is you know what, what's your plan? How can we increase your sales? What are your stuff? emmalin blocks, what are all the things that you go through? Not just when you're making the cookie, but when it's time to sell the cookie, when it's time to market the cookie, when it's time to present the cookie, or cake, or strawberry or whatever it
Krystal Proffitt:may be? Yeah, this is so awesome. And I mean, I am just a marketing nerd, like, you know this about me. Look, I could just talk about marketing forever and ever. So if you're looking at all of your content, and I know it's not all created equal, because like you said, like you have a priority piece of content. But when you're looking at it, do you find that it gets easier because people look at a blog, a podcast, a website, SEO YouTube, like Instagram? Like, it's very overwhelming. And I understand that from a personal standpoint, I felt that too. But when you look at all the different platforms that you have, is there something that really ties everything together for you? Like, are you imagining different audiences on the different platforms? Or how do you kind of see all of your platforms together?
Amanda Schonberg:I see. That's a great question. So I see. Tip talk more. So well, well, let's start in order of importance is number one, what I would recommend anyone is you definitely want to be where your people are. So you know, I have no desire to be on all the things like I don't have a Snapchat I don't do you know, WhatsApp, or any of that? I'm where my customers are. And so number one, that's mainly Instagram. So that's why Instagram is my jam, and then YouTube, because when you think about it, where do we all go? When we want to know the answer to something, we go to Google, which is going to pull us up YouTube. So as a business owner as an authority in your field, you definitely want to be where people are searching for answers. That's why YouTube is so important. I see Instagram, as a tool to allow me to use my voice and to build authority. I see YouTube as lead generation, especially when you have systems on the back end. So I make sure with every piece of content you know, I'm linking to my lead magnet like I'm throwing in ways for you to contact me. I see Tik Tok, specifically as lead generation only have however, with Instagram, although it is visibility when it comes to sales, majority of those would come from Instagram, or so I thought because now I see sales from the podcast. So that's how I look at each platform kind of has a different act. You know, even like for Pinterest for me, Pinterest is more lead generation, you know, it gets new leads. And once I get them on grateful, you know, then it's my job to convert them, which I do once I build a relationship. So I see Instagram for sales, YouTube, Tik Tok Pinterest for lead generation.
Krystal Proffitt:Okay, so you mentioned the podcast for sales as well. So when you're saying that because I know people are like But wait a second, she just said she's only been doing it for a month. What is she talking about sales? How does that work? Are you talking about you have shown us that you're using are you using your episode descriptions? Like how are you positioning your podcast and your overall business strategy?
Amanda Schonberg:So it wasn't me altogether. It just it happened as the podcast took off. More people was like, like how I was yeah, this is great. What you got I want to buy Yeah, so I didn't know it was gonna be like that. The crazy thing is, is that the podcast has given me it's given me so many, so much more one on ones which I had no idea because it which is crazy, because let me share my one on one for one hours. 125 Wow, my monthly membership is $25 only. I assumed that when I started podcasting, like okay, well this is great. More people will know about me and maybe they'll want to join the membership. The crazy thing is is that I'm constantly telling people I'm like, you know, I have a membership where you get like one coaching call per month, people just wanted to book the one on one. So when I get them on a one on one, I convert them but none of that wasn't even my plan. So I just went on there thinking that it was going to do this. So how they how they come on is honestly, I barely I don't even really sell in the show notes. I just started using the pre roll feature like where I can add a little you know, text before the jingle comes on. Like it's actually on right now. I have a fall baking class. And I was like, Oh, this is cool. So So you know, but that's the crazy thing. I mean, I don't want to sound cocky or anything like that. Or I'm extremely grateful and humble. But I didn't know So I never did, I didn't type anything in the show notes like, hey, go here. In fact, it wasn't until three months ago that I started adding my lead magnet to the show notes. I forgot to do that. I was just like, Look, if you want more information, follow me on Instagram, and people were following. But I would literally tell people, I would say, I want to hear from you open your mouth, like I'm a real person. And people will start DMing and following that, and then they were like, I can't believe you answer like, is this you? I'm like, Well, who else is gonna be? You know, so. But that that was where that was just where it started was just publicly putting it out there. Like, if you have a question, you have a recommendation, what would you like to hear? Just let's be friends on Instagram, and let's continue to grow there. So I thought the podcast was going to be a lead generation more, so I didn't think it was going to end up being what it was.
Krystal Proffitt:Oh my gosh, okay, so where we're transitioning now from this was, uh, this was just an interview to now y'all are listening to a coaching session, okay, because I'm gonna, I'm gonna tell Amanda, if we were sitting in a coaching session, what I would say to you is, this is incredible, because people are hearing what you're saying. And they are listening to your podcast. And they're like, it's your stories. It's what you're sharing, like, they are coming to you so much more pre qualified to work with you than someone that's just scrolling Instagram, looking at reels like this is the power of podcasting, where they're listening to you. They're loving your free content. They're like, Yeah, that's great that you have something super affordable, I really appreciate that. But I want you, I want one on one time with you. Because I love what you're teaching, I really think that you can help me either get results or increase my confidence in my own business. Like, I mean, I could go on and on. But I really truly believe that that's the power of podcasting. And I'm so like, I love hearing this, like, I mean, I just cannot do it on you like just the rest of the I'm so proud of all the things that you've been able to do. Because it's hard, like, let's just be real, like, Amanda didn't just start her podcast this year and say, okay, you know, now I have 1000s of followers on Instagram, and YouTube and all the places like you've been working hard at this, like you've been doing this for a while. And I just love that things are paying off. So I'm just I'm just smiling so big right now. So
Amanda Schonberg:Oh, thank you so much. I appreciate it is awesome. That's your help. It's only because of your help. So yeah,
Krystal Proffitt:no, that's that's this is you though, this is all I did was give you the manual, I just handed you the instruction book and said, Here, go do it. You're the one that put it into action. But I just I truly think that, you know, when when people come to me, and they ask about content, and then they say that all looks really great, but it's so hard. And I don't know, can you speak to that? Have you had any moments where you're just like, I don't know, if this is worth it, I don't want to record a video today, or I don't want to do this, like has that hasn't happened to you and your journey?
Amanda Schonberg:Sure, there's tons of days where I don't want to record and I know you're probably gonna get on me my recording style is a lot different. I know people listening to this, they're always like, you know, I have to have all the t's and dot all the i's, and I batch my content. And sometimes, and so I'm actually opposite from all of that. I just there are times where I record my podcast the day of if, if I don't feel like you know, batching it, then I just I don't we all have those days, no matter what happens, I just remind myself to just be consistent, though, you know, to be consistent, I signed up for it, I said I was going to do it. So I do try to see it through and my listeners that they never know, they just know every Wednesday they get a podcast. And I think sometimes that's another thing too. I think society and things around us, they put so much pressure on us. So there are some people listening out there that can be great in their business, if maybe they showed up three or four times a week. But because they feel like well, I have to show up seven times a week, and I have to post seven rules. If I don't do this, then I won't grow. Well, when you put that much pressure on you and then you don't show up, then sometimes you go down this rabbit hole, where you know, now you could have been consistent maybe three, four or five days a week, but you weren't. And that's actually my formula for all platforms. I only usually post Monday through Friday. I don't post on a weekend. I don't schedule posts, and it's like, I know I can do it. And I know that it's great and it will help but I pull away when I need to. So if I don't feel like doing something, I don't do it. You know, and if I want to do it, then I do it. But when I do it I show up and I do it wholeheartedly, you know, and I try to do it the best that I can. And I tell myself if only one person is listening to this and that's one person Whose life I can change, you know, one person whose business I can help. So even on days, when I don't feel like doing it, I show up for that one person, I keep what's called a blessing bank. And I think it's something that I recommend to every creative entrepreneur, anyone who's listening, in the review you've received, anytime somebody leaves you a common word, take that screenshot and put it in a folder. And on days, when you don't feel like doing it, go through that folder and look at all the blessings. Those are all people who interacted with your business that came across your path, that have left the common word and said, Hey, you bless me. And so on days, when I don't feel like it, I go to that blessing bank, and I'm blessed. My blessing bank is literally over 400. And I go through those screenshots of people saying, You changed my life, you helped me you did this, you did that. I make six figures now because of you. And then I told myself, I can't not show up. So when I'm on my cycle, and have cramps, you know, hey, so be it. If I have to come on this podcast, eat and chocolate until you have feel, then I'll do that, but I'll show up. When it's time.
Krystal Proffitt:Yeah. Oh, my gosh, I think that there were just so many blessings that you wrapped up about a blessing bank about doing it when it works for you. Because I mean, what you said really hits home for a lot of people listening because I am the type of personality that I like, the structure. I like the calendar. I like the project plan. I love Asana, like, you know, all the things. And I like it, like it works for me, because as my personality, that's who I am. It's who I've always been. And I think that it's really important that you like you just said, we're all different. We're all so different. And the way that I create in the way that Amanda creates can be, you know, night and day. But at the end of the day, we're still moving forward at a pace and a cadence that works for us. And I love that you have a blessing bank, and that you just keep this highlight reel of like, why am I even doing this? Why am I showing up and continuing to show up? Because I think that that's a beautiful thing. Oh, that just, it's like my heart just like swelled up a little bit more like, like I was the Grinch. And now my heart's gotten a little bit bigger, because that's so beautiful. I love hearing that.
Amanda Schonberg:I appreciate it. I have to two other things that really helped me is I have a vision board also. Yeah, that I keep in my in my room. And I love that, you know if there's anything I want to be or do. I have a little picture of that saying. And then another thing is I wrote a letter to myself, I wrote a letter to myself years ago. And it's kind of like half letter, half affirmation. But the very first start of it, the very first sentence says you are the leading bakery business coach in the world. And so I was speaking that over me before I even became one of the top because fast forward today. I I'm pretty sure I'm one of the top I am but you know, I read that letter to myself every single day. And so when when you just put these little things into effect that help you like you said, everybody has a different schedule. And I think sometimes we need to be okay with that. I'm very, you know, free spirit willy nilly. And that's, that's just me. But like we said, we're both moving forward. And that's all I even asked my students is to do the best you can with what you have just what a mindset of moving forward.
Krystal Proffitt:Yeah, yeah, I think that's great advice for anybody that's listening right now, if you're just getting started, you know, like we've we've been doing this for several years. We have multiple platforms, we're repurposing, we're looking at things in a different way. If you're just getting started, like just taking one step at a time, you know, and maybe your step today was listening to this show and hearing that there's no one right way to do it. Like at the end of the day, it's just about showing up and taking that next step and taking that next step, which actually segues beautifully into the next question I had for you. Because I'm wondering, like, what is the next step for your podcast? Because you've said, okay, you've tried some audio clips at the beginning, and you're trying like some of the different features like, is there anything that you're dreaming about for the next part of your podcasting lifecycle?
Amanda Schonberg:I think the only thing I'm dreaming about is sharing more people's stories. That's something that really excites me. I never liked even my membership. I never liked something to be all about me. I feel we can learn from others. And so I'm happy when I get to put other people on when I get to let other people share what they've been through, you know, everyone in life has gone through something. But if we allow our tests to become our testimony, then that testimony is what changes someone else's lives. You know, sometimes people say, Oh, my market is so saturated. No, the market is not saturated, because the market is missing you. You're not telling my students all the time. So there's three things that separate you from other people. The first thing is your story. You know, we all connect to people through their story. The second is your self identity. You know, I can teach podcasts and just like you can teach podcasting, but someone may identify with you more than they, you know, identify with me. And then lastly is your successes. And not to be narcissistic or anything, but the things that we've accomplished, sometimes those things help us to stand out. So using just just using all of those is great for me, but I'm looking forward to hearing other people's story. You know, I want to give other people a platform that I wish, what I had when I first started, but something that was just open to all people. And I'm not one of those people where like, you have to have 100,000 followers to be on my show. Like, I don't care if you have one life lesson that can help and that can change somebody and you're willing to open your voice and share it, then I want you on my podcast. And I know that might not be what my students want, because they're always like, solo episodes. But, but that's the future of how of how I see it growing.
Krystal Proffitt:No, I want to get into the nitty gritty of your show now that you've shared so much about kind of your vision. So that's where you're headed. But where you are today. Is it a mixture of solo interview? Like what's the length? Like? What's the typical episode of the baking for business podcast, you're about to go listen to? Because what is the regular cadence of the show? Or how's that format.
Amanda Schonberg:So the show comes out every Wednesday, it's usually about 35 to 45 minutes. I like to kind of keep it if it is a solo episode, I like to kind of keep it around 30 minutes. If there was a guest, you know, obviously, I don't cut them off. I let them talk. And it's half and half. So there are some solo episodes. But then there are tons of, of interviews. I've been blessed to interview, I interviewed this amazing person named Lauren, she's actually now a good pal. She generated over a million dollars in revenue from cookies in nine months. Wow. Yeah, I've interviewed a beautiful young lady named Kat who's an Asian Baker, who speaks out against just a lot of the things that are going on in the Asian community. I've interviewed so many great people. And I've been so blessed. Because when I first started, you know, I said, Okay, these people, I mean, I have a great following, like, as a micro influencer, that's what they call it. But these people had 10 to 20 times more followers in mind. So I thought, Alright, they're not going to see, you know, why would they want to, some people are like that, which sucks and asked for them. And other people were like, This is amazing. I want to be a part of it. And it's so crazy, because every time I set my goal Hi. And I think, Gosh, I don't know, Amanda, like, you know, this person. And maybe those are actually the ones that say, Oh, I know about you, let's do it. And so that's generally, every Wednesday about 30 to 45 minutes. If it's not me, then it's me sharing someone else's story. And when I made the podcast is after finishing your class and going through and doing market research, I sat back and I looked at all the podcasts that we had in our industry. And several level were people who that they talk too damn much. They got off topic, maybe teaching one minute, then the next minute, they're talking about their cat. And I'm like, what the and then other people, they have like no, no damn sense of humor. And so I do everything when I approach it, just like I do Instagram. It's just me, I'm just unfiltered. And I said, Okay, how can I take everything that's missing from all because I know what it's like to be on the opposite side. You know, you want to get information, you hook a person in with the title, right? Because as marketers, we all do that. So we're taking forever to come up with the perfect title. But then a person gets into your show, and then you don't deliver because You're stalling or your storytelling is too long. And so when I sat back and looked at all that I said, Okay, scratched it, I don't want to be any of that. I'm going to come off the gate. And the minute I cut this thing on, we're going bam, bam, bam, bam 123123. And I don't want to waste your time. And that was just my approach to the podcast. And I believe that's why it's taken off how it does because you can't not log into an episode and not get the exact thing that I told you. You were gonna do.
Krystal Proffitt:I think you're a genius marketer. I think that's what it really comes down to who just so happens to be a baker and teaches other people how to bake. I think that that's really what your superpower is, you're just not telling everybody because I could ask you 17 more questions about this, but I just want to ask you one more thing, and then we're gonna get into some fun rapid fire questions. Okay. When you look at your different types of content blog, YouTube, your website Instagram podcast, is an I don't want to put words into your mouth, but it sounds like pod Casting is a great networking tool. And I don't know if that compares to the other platforms, like if it's higher in the hierarchy of being the best. But I don't know, like, I would love your thoughts on that, like, as far as networking with others in the industry, whether it's your students or other experts in your field,
Amanda Schonberg:not at all. It's a great, it's a great networking tool. And I find that people, I guess, because they're listening to me, they're having a conversation, you know, and I get on them. And I tell them, I'm like, Look, if you need help, let me know, I even go so far as I tell them, even if I'm not the coach for you, let me know, and I'll send you to someone else. And because of that, I do find it too great network until I find people talk to me way more than they did on any other platform. Yeah,
Krystal Proffitt:that's awesome. That's awesome. Oh, my gosh, I just, we're gonna have to schedule a follow up, because I want to ask you 17 other marketing questions, because you're so good at this. And I just appreciate, I appreciate you sharing your story. Because I want people listening to understand, you don't have to do it the way that I do it. And you can take little nuggets of what you learn, and turn it into something that works for you and your community. And I think that you're doing that in such an amazing way. Amanda, I just, I'm so happy that you found me on YouTube and my SEO hooked you in and I probably made a dumb joke that you're like, Okay, this chick like she's okay. She's a little weird. We gotta go see what she's all about.
Amanda Schonberg:No, I appreciate I love that. I love that I saw you had interviewed Amy Porterfield. And that was enough for me. I was like, Oh, she's fair. Yeah, yeah. So but it was it was fully worth it. And I don't regret it.
Krystal Proffitt:Oh, that's so sweet. That's so sweet. Well, we're gonna get into some rapid fire questions. Okay. Because I love love to hear this. And I feel like you already gave so much really good advice in the episode. But the first question I have is, what piece of advice do you have to a brand new content creator.
Amanda Schonberg:So to a brand new content creator. The best piece of advice I have is to share your story. And show up as much as possible. And I know that's gonna sound so corny. But don't, don't be focused, be laser focused. And don't worry about what's going on around you. I remember I had actually stalled putting the podcast out because another big influencer had just did the same. And I was like, Oh crap, I don't want to do this. You know, people are gonna say I copy this person. Lo and behold, that person doesn't even podcast anymore. And I just came out and I shared my story. I was like, hey, look, I've been planning this. I've been working this. I think all throughout my career, I've never had a problem. You know, just just sharing my story with people because sometimes I feel on social media we, we see the highs of everyone. And that is great. You know what it's called social media, not depressing media. However, you know, Sam, but it is okay to show up and be authentically you. Sometimes I think we tuck things away. And because of that, it's like, we're like, Okay, why don't want to talk about religion? Well, I don't want to talk about politics, or I don't want to talk about sets. You know, I do it all. I tell people all the time, like, hey, if I see one of my students, and we're on a zoom and their husband walks by I'm like, man, who was that Channing Tatum. You know, like, I'm, I'm just me. And so my students love me. And so I realized when you show up and share your story, I think that's what matters most and believing that your story is worth hearing.
Krystal Proffitt:Hmm. Oh, that's so good. That's great. That's great. Okay, the next one I have is a two part question. What is the dream podcast you would love to be on? And who is your dream podcast? Guest
Amanda Schonberg:huh? Wow. Dream podcast I would love to be on we're probably be probably be I'm going to speak it into existence, but I would love to be on Corinne Crabtree's podcasts if I actually at my weight loss go. So I would love to be on her podcast. She's a you know, weight loss. podcaster. And also, yeah, she's one of Amy Porterfield coaches. If I can have anyone on my podcast, it would probably be probably be for someone who's here taller period for someone who's on the other side and maybe Maya Angelou.
Krystal Proffitt:So good. So good. Okay, and my last question is, do you consider yourself a perfectionist? No. You answered that too quickly.
Amanda Schonberg:No, not at all. No, I consider myself a consider myself a thriver. I don't I don't even believe in perfectionism. Sometimes people chase perfectionism, and so they don't do things because they say, Well, I'm a perfectionist, it has to be perfect. Well, how the hell, it's gonna be perfect if you'll never try. If I sit back and wait for things to be perfect, I realize I'll be waiting forever. So I thrive on getting feedback from other people. And I love learning from my mistakes. I'm analytical, you know, because data doesn't lie. So I study analytics, I love analytics. But I would have no analytics to look at if I didn't take the first step. So therefore, I can't be a perfectionist, I got to get it done. Messy action, scrappy action, half assed action, I would rather do B plus work. And then have the opportunity to grade that B plus work than to sit back and try to strive for a, but never turn it in because I spent so much time striving.
Krystal Proffitt:I need a mic drop sound effects. And I could tell I could tell that you've been in Corinne's world because that was some Corinne coach. And right there, like I was just like, oh, so good. You'll have to I'm gonna link to Corinne's podcast, because I mean, she's just She's incredible. You are incredible, Amanda, and I'm so grateful that you came on the show today. I appreciate everything that you've shared with me about your journey, and all the incredible opportunities that have come to you since you started podcasting, since you've really put yourself out there and this amazing way. And I just know that it's going to continue to be an awesome journey for you. So tell everybody where they can find you and connect with you.
Amanda Schonberg:Sure, you can find me on Instagram at baking for business. Or if you know another fellow Baker, or you're just a creative yourself, you can listen to the podcast at baking for just begging for business everywhere. So it's been, I think, right at about six and a half months now. Going on 23,000 downloads. So I'm super grateful.
Krystal Proffitt:It's so awesome. That's so so awesome. And I'm so grateful that you came we're gonna link to everything in the show notes. But I just wanted to say one more time. Thank you so much for being a part of this community and for sharing your beautiful story. And just y'all if you're I know you're not watching on the podcast, but you gotta go check out the clips that we have because her cake stands like you gotta go check out like I told her I was like, I love your fancy cake stands in the background.
Amanda Schonberg:Oh, thank you so much darlin, and thanks for having me.
Outro:She's incredible, right? I told you like you were gonna love her. And the whole conversation just had me beaming with pride because I'm so grateful. Amanda has given so much to this community. And she continues to reach out on the Facebook group and say like, Hey, you know what's up glad y'all are here and just celebrate herself in a really big way that I think all of us can learn to really embrace that part, like the pieces of your journey where even if it's a small win, it doesn't have to be I got 10,000 downloads on my podcast, it could be something really small. But this is one of the things that I've learned about Amanda is that she celebrates not only the big milestones in her journey, but she celebrates others. And I feel like that is contagious. So your action item for today's episode isn't to go and tell everybody how amazing you are. I actually want you to go and pass along what Amanda has continued to do for people in her community to share something on social media and say look at what they're doing. It's amazing. Or go and leave a review on someone else's podcast or go subscribe to someone's YouTube channel, like you know what it looks like to pass on that love. And we would love it if you would go do that. Actually, I would love it as someone who really is just a super fan of Amanda and all the things that she does, go follow her on Instagram, go listen to the baking for business podcast or texted to someone who is a baker and in the cooking industry and say hey, I thought you might like this, I thought you might enjoy it because I know she would appreciate it. And I just love the fact that we have such a giving and supportive community here. But that's all I have for you today. So go check out the show notes for today's episode KrystalProffitt.com/episode377 And I'm gonna have links for all the places that you can connect with Amanda. Again, that's KrystalProffitt.com/episode377 for all the details, but that's all I have for you today. So as always remember, keep it up. We all have to start somewhere.