Leah McHenry

Author: leahmchenry

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  • #34: Should Creatives Fear AI? | A Hopeful Christian Perspective

    #34: Should Creatives Fear AI? | A Hopeful Christian Perspective

    In this episode, Leah sits down with Kristen Estes — web designer, creative agency owner, product leader, and long-time multi-passionate creative — for a timely and honest conversation about AI, creativity, ethics, and the future of work.

    With so much noise online around artificial intelligence — from fear-driven headlines to overhyped promises — Leah wanted to bring on someone who is actually in the trenches using these tools every day in the creative world. Kristen brings a uniquely grounded perspective: she was an early adopter of AI, has worked closely with it in design and product development, and yet now has stronger boundaries and more caution than when she first started.

    Together, they unpack the tension so many creatives are feeling right now:

    Is AI a threat…

    a tool…

    or both?

    Kristen shares how AI is already disrupting real jobs in tech and design, why it’s becoming dangerous to completely ignore it, and how the people who thrive in this new era will need to think less like task-doers and more like directors — guiding systems, shaping output, and creating value beyond execution alone.

    But this conversation doesn’t stay purely practical.

    Leah and Kristen also go deeper into the spiritual and philosophical side of technology: how humans have always adapted through major shifts like the printing press, why our identity can’t be rooted in work alone, and how Christians can approach AI without fear while still maintaining discernment, ethics, and clear personal boundaries.

    They talk openly about deepfakes, regulation, AI-generated music, the “slop” problem in content, originality vs. iteration, and why in a world flooded with synthetic output, real soul, craftsmanship, and human connection may become more valuable than ever.

    This episode is a must-listen for creatives, entrepreneurs, and business owners who want to understand where AI actually fits — and how to use it wisely without losing what makes your work truly human.

    In this episode, we explore:

    • Why AI has become one of the biggest tensions in the creative world

    • Kristen’s background in web design, publishing, product leadership, and creative work

    • What it looked like to be an early adopter of AI

    • How AI is already disrupting jobs in tech, design, and entry-level creative roles

    • Why the future belongs to people who can think like directors, not just executors

    • The printing press parallel — and what history teaches us about technological disruption

    • How Christians can think about work, purpose, and identity in an AI-driven age

    • Why it may be dangerous to ignore AI completely

    • The importance of setting clear ethical boundaries around how you use these tools

    • Concerns around AI video, deepfakes, privacy, and image misuse

    • Why AI should help with brainstorming and iteration — not replace original thought

    • The difference between borrowing inspiration and losing integrity in the creative process

    • Why “AI slop” may actually increase the value of high-quality human-made work

    • How Kristen uses AI in design workflows without fully depending on it

    • The limits of AI-built websites and why great design still requires human judgment

    • Why digital experiences that lead to offline connection are becoming more valuable

    • AI-generated music, synthetic content, and the growing need for discernment

    • How faith, hope, and adaptability can anchor us in a rapidly changing future

    ⏩ CHAPTERS

    (00:00) AI Fear and Hype

    (00:20) Show Intro and Guest Setup

    (01:20) Kristin’s Creative Career

    (03:25) Early AI Adoption Story

    (05:06) Jobs Disrupted by AI

    (06:58) Thinking Like a Director

    (09:35) Printing Press Parallel

    (10:42) Faith Purpose and Work

    (15:55) Use AI But Set Boundaries

    (22:05) Ethics for Creative Work

    (26:56) Original Work Matters

    (27:15) Borrowing Versus Stealing

    (28:39) Mermaid Candle Backlash

    (31:02) AI as Iteration Tool

    (31:39) Designers Versus Builders

    (33:29) Limits of AI Websites

    (35:53) Building My Own App

    (37:19) Digital Bridge to Offline

    (40:46) AI Music and Deepfakes

    (49:23) Hopeful Faithful Future

    Related Links:

    GET HELP FROM LEAH:
    🟢 The Goldmine membership: https://learn.leahmchenry.com/goldmine
    💌 Get helpful emails from Leah about business, family, and faith: https://learn.leahmchenry.com/newsletter

    ❤️ CONNECT WITH LEAH:
    Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/realleahmchenry/
    Facebook – http://Facebook.com/realleahmchenry
    Join the Facebook group – https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1F41sdD3pP/

    Thanks for tuning in! Be sure to follow and leave a review!

  • How to Guarantee Success: The Crucial Mindset Shift for New Entrepreneurs

    How to Guarantee Success: The Crucial Mindset Shift for New Entrepreneurs

    Why the wrong question reveals everything about your chances of success

    I want to address a question that comes up frequently, especially from people who are new entrepreneurs or new to investing in themselves through programs or coaching. It reveals a massive mindset issue that, when shifted, will help you succeed much faster.

    This is a question that often comes up when a beginner entrepreneur is considering joining a program. It sounds something like this:

    “How many students have signed up for your program – and what’s the success rate? Of the ones who aren’t successful, what are the top reasons they’re not successful, and what have you done to fix those reasons in the program?”

    When I hear questions like this, it’s a red flag to me as a coach that there are some underlying mindset issues. I’ll unpack them in this post because I believe it will be incredibly helpful for you.

    Important note: The mindset shifts we’re about to dig into are 100% required for success—whether you work with me, someone else, or go it alone.

    What’s Really Being Asked

    Let’s dig into the heart of the question about success rates and percentages.

    What someone is asking with the success rate question is actually: “Will this work for ME? Will I be successful?”

    They want to know if they’ll fall into the “successful percentage” if enough other people have succeeded.

    The Fatal Flaw in This Thinking

    Here’s the problem with that question: It contains a dangerous presupposition.

    The question assumes that success comes from some external environment—that the program, content, or instructor is the sole ingredient that will determine their outcome.

    Now, I’m assuming that anyone asking this question has already done their due diligence going into it. They’ve researched the program and instructor, they know it’s not a scam, and they trust the person they’re learning from. The instructor has already demonstrated their knowledge and results—that’s a given and not part of this equation.

    The presupposition is flawed because it places the responsibility for success outside of yourself, when the reality is quite different.

    Why “Success Rates” Are Not So Easy to Track

    Let me explain why this question is problematic from a practical standpoint:

    The Tracking Challenge

    First, tracking student success is not easy if you have more than 10 people. Why? Because not everybody is reachable.

    Here’s what I’ve discovered over 10+ years: The most successful students are busy doing the work. They’re out there working their business, and they’re quieter about it. If you regularly run testimonial contests or talk to them directly (depending on your type of client access), you will hear from a percentage of people, but most of the time, the ones getting the biggest results are head-down, implementing.

    The Sad Reality

    Here’s something every course creator needs to come to grips with: Most people who sign up for programs do absolutely nothing with it. This is the unfortunate reality.

    We know this, so we deliberately filter people coming in and personally vet every single person who joins my programs. We don’t want tire kickers. Having a program full of people who aren’t doing anything isn’t a win for anyone! So we interview every single person to make sure they’re a fit, that they’ll contribute positively to the group, that we align on core values, and that I believe I can actually help them.

    We turn people away every single week. If I sense red flags, I don’t let them join.

    But even with this filtering process, you can’t completely avoid people who have great intentions but don’t follow through. When you’re working in the beginner space, it’s somewhat statistical—there are people who love the idea of being an entrepreneur but aren’t willing to do what it actually takes when they realize how hard it is.

    The Definition Problem

    The other issue is the question of how many people are successful.

    Wait a minute: Who defines success and failure? What’s my definition versus your definition?

    For some people, getting crystal clear on what they’re doing and having a plan—that’s success. For others, they’re looking for specific revenue amounts. There are too many variables to define success with one metric.

    Different types of success:

    • Revenue goals

    • Personal development goals

    • Health and spiritual goals

    • Hitting quarterly milestones

    • Building systems and processes

    I measure success by setting quarterly goals and hitting those goals or making significant progress toward specific milestones. But success is deeply personal and situational.

    The Real Reasons People Don’t Succeed

    Based on years of coaching, here are the main patterns I see. Almost 99% of it comes down to mindset, emotions, relationships, and dynamics:

    1. Spousal Sabotage

    This is, unfortunately, one of the most destructive patterns I see. Oftentimes, one person is the visionary and business pioneer in the relationship. They have the vision for product development and moving forward, and they know they aren’t ever going to realize their full potential or destiny doing what they have been doing. But their spouse is skeptical, doesn’t share the vision, and isn’t on the same page.

    Even when that person is getting results and making progress, the other spouse doesn’t believe in them, doesn’t support them, doesn’t help them, and doesn’t allow it to become a bonding experience. Instead, it drives a wedge between them.

    I have never seen such destruction between spouses over business issues. The problem isn’t starting a business – it just reveals the character flaws, mindset issues, and unhealed pain that were already present — but business has a way of bringing it all to the surface.

    This is why it’s critical to get on the same page with your spouse and share a vision for the future first. Once you have that shared vision, then you can agree on the course of action to get there.

    2. Partnership Problems

    Similar dynamics happen with business partners—whether family members or others. Issues that arise include sabotage, conflict, misalignment of values, unequal contribution after people agreed to specific roles, and role confusion.

    Partnerships are statistically one of the trickier business models that tend to end in failure or dissolution because people change, priorities shift, and when that happens, the committed founders lose momentum. And once you lose momentum, it’s really hard to gain it back.

    3. Analysis Paralysis

    These are the overthinkers and over-analyzers who fail to execute quickly. They’re just not moving fast enough.

    If you watched my recent Instagram story highlight called “From Scratch,” you’ll see where I went from idea to launching a brand within 30 days of thinking about it. Then, within the next 30 days of launching, we made $31,000 with a brand new audience, a new product, no cross-promotion, new ads, new everything—just starting completely from scratch.

    When I say you need to move quickly, I’m not kidding around. Most people move too slow! Failure to launch is a real thing, and failure to execute quickly kills more businesses than almost anything else.

    4. The Beginner Mindset Challenge

    I love beginners, but they have the steepest climb. It’s like being at the bottom of Mount Everest—when you’re halfway up, you’re in the groove. You understand the pain, you get that it’s a grind, you understand you’re not going to get instant gratification or overnight success.

    But beginners at the bottom aren’t even used to wearing those kinds of shoes. They’re not used to the blisters, the aching back, the discomfort. They don’t know what this feeling is or why it’s so hard.

    The beginner mindset struggles include:

    • Risk aversion – everything is about staying safe or not losing

    • Money mindset blocks—not being okay with profit subconsciously

    • Feeling not good enough or undeserving

    • Not doing the hard personal work to overcome money mindset obstacles

    • Not doing emotional healing or trauma work to feel worthy

    These people get stuck because they can’t move past thinking, “I deserve this, my children deserve this, the future deserves this.” They don’t realize that success isn’t just about personal deservedness—it’s about impact in the world, being able to give, taking care of needs, and making the world better.

    5. Not Following the System

    This is a huge one. The most successful students I’ve coached over 10+ years—the ones who’ve gone to a million dollars plus—have told me the same thing:

    “Leah, I just did exactly what you told me to do. I didn’t skip anything. I didn’t jump around or pick and choose. I didn’t wing it. I followed exactly what you said, put my blinders on, didn’t learn from 13 other coaches. I just did exactly what you said and it worked.”

    I’ve heard this enough times that I can’t skip this. And when I’ve followed other mentors’ programs the same way, I also get excellent results.

    There’s something powerful about focus and trust. When a mentor has designed a curriculum and put things in a certain order, there’s usually a very good reason.

    The way I’ve designed my curriculum is methodical—each lesson and module builds on the previous one. I don’t recommend piecemealing or jumping around because my teaching method is extremely based on principles rather than fads.

    Yes, I get into tactics and specifics, but principles work no matter what year you’re in or how algorithms change. This is how I’ve become successful across all my brands—coaching, e-commerce, physical products, music, Kickstarters. It’s all based on timeless principles.

    Students from eight years ago still tell me, “Leah, your stuff is still timeless. The tactics changed, the platforms changed, but everything you taught me is transferable to all my other businesses.”

    6. Weak Desire and Comfort with Mediocrity

    The words don’t match the actions. These people are far too comfortable—they’re comfortably miserable where they are, but not miserable enough to make radical decisions and act on them day after day.

    When it gets hard, they give up because the desire just isn’t strong enough. They don’t have vision for the future—not for themselves, not for their kids.

    Roles and Responsibilities

    If you’re a course creator or coach, you’ll want to take notes on this part. If you’re a student in a program, this is equally important to properly understand your own expectations, responsibilities, and results.

    The Program and Coach’s Role

    Every program should provide the framework of knowledge and tools needed to execute something specific and get a result.

    When I build curriculum, I write down in my outline: “By the end of this lesson/module, students will be able to _____.” For example, they’ll be able to calculate the cost of goods sold, understand profit margins, or do a specific exercise so they can accomplish something.

    My role as the coach is to provide:

    • The recipe and ingredient list

    • Step-by-step instructions

    • The frameworks and tools

    • Personalized coaching [depending on the program]

    • Community

    • The environment and platform

    Some of those above deliverables completely depend on the specific offer. If you offer a DIY course, you’ll only be providing the curriculum, for example.

    What Coaches & Programs Cannot Do

    If the objective is to bake a cake, and the program is a cookbook, what a coach or program cannot do is make you buy the ingredients or stand in the kitchen and bake the cake. Only you can do that.

    Here’s the other thing people don’t realize: The ingredients you bring to the table matter too. Your product, your audience, the market you’ve chosen, your niche, etc. These are all factors and variables that no instructor can control.

    If the recipe calls for three eggs, cake flour, baking soda, butter, and sugar, but you bring cottage cheese, egg substitute, almond flour, and sugar substitute, then wonder why the cake didn’t turn out the same way—whose responsibility is that?

    A good program will help you judge your ingredients—it’ll teach you the benchmarks for knowing if your “ingredients” are quality. But ultimately, you’re responsible for bringing good ingredients to the table.

    The Student’s Responsibility

    It is 100% the role and responsibility of a student to show up and do the things they’ve invested in and committed to.

    I invest in myself constantly—you’d raise your eyebrows if you knew how much I’ve spent on my own education. I’ve experienced good programs, bad programs, and things where I didn’t get what was promised. I’m very experienced with expectations.

    I solidly believe: If there are live calls, you rearrange your schedule to attend them. You show up, you prioritize. This is how you get your money’s worth. This is how you get your investment back—and then some.

    The student’s role:

    • Show up and participate

    • Do the work consistently

    • Attend live calls (if offered)

    • Submit assignments

    • Engage with the community (don’t be a lone island)

    • Follow the system as designed

    You get out of it what you put into it. We all know this, but few actually live by it.

    The Real Source of Success

    Here’s the main takeaway: Success does not come from an external source.

    It’s not going to come from a program. No coach is going to make you successful. No program is going to make you successful. You will make you successful.

  • #33: Faith, Family & Business | A Legacy Blueprint

    #33: Faith, Family & Business | A Legacy Blueprint

    In this episode, Leah sits down with Judi Robinson — a longtime Etsy creator and mother of five daughters — for a clarity-building strategy session on turning a creative family dream into a cohesive, scalable business. Judi joined Legacy Launchpad because Leah’s focus on faith, family, and legacy resonated deeply. She and her daughters have spent years creating (patterns, kits, handmade projects), but now they’re at a familiar crossroads: they have the heart and the skills… but not a single clear direction that the market can instantly understand. Leah starts by giving Judi the “3-second clarity test” for websites: within seconds, a visitor should know what it is, who it’s for, and how to buy — and Judi’s current site doesn’t yet pass that test. From there, they zoom out to the bigger question: who are you truly serving? As they talk, a powerful niche begins to emerge: multi-generational family connection — helping families get off screens, be present, and create meaningful memories together. Leah walks Judi through a simple but effective market framework: start with the who, identify the pain points, research what’s already working in the market, and then build a flagship offer that meets real demand. They also explore a brand model that can scale: a personal brand flywheel (values-led content and trust) that drives traffic to a product-based Shopify store (kits, activities, conversation starters, and more). Judi shares one of her most impactful traditions: placing “question cards” at family gatherings that intentionally connect generations — a small idea with big potential. This episode is for creators, moms, and faith-driven entrepreneurs who feel stuck in “too many ideas,” fear putting themselves out there, or keep researching instead of executing — and need a clear path forward that honors both family and business. In this episode, we explore:

    • Judi’s journey: 15+ years building a creative business on Etsy

    • Why she joined Legacy Launchpad (faith + family legacy vision)

    • Leah’s 3-second website clarity rule (what is it, who is it for, how do I buy?)

    • How to choose a core offer when you have too many creative directions

    • A simple niche framework: who → pain points → market gaps → best-fit offer

    • The intersection idea: multi-generational family connection + creative activities

    • Why iteration and feedback are essential in product development

    • Subscription kits, holiday gathering kits, and scalable upsells (family size, age groups)

    • Building trust with a personal brand, then selling through a product store

    • Fear-based procrastination vs. action-based growth

    • Why clarity cuts through noise in content and marketing

    • A practical exercise: listing “don’t wants” vs. “wants” to shape product strategy

    • Conversation starters + place cards that intentionally create connection

    • Creating anticipation with snail mail and pre-event experiences

    • Brain-dump meetings → narrowing down to a flagship offer

    • Why your “WHY” must stay visible to fuel execution and momentum

    ⏩ CHAPTERS
    (00:00) Gut Check Moment
    (00:19) Legacy Launchpad Intro
    (00:31) Meet Judi Robinson
    (01:44) Why She Joined
    (03:27) Website Clarity Test
    (04:28) Choosing A Core Offer
    (06:13) Niche Research Framework
    (11:00) Family Kits And Iteration
    (13:06) Personal Brand Flywheel
    (18:51) Fear To Action
    (21:03) Clarity Cuts Noise
    (21:34) List Symptoms and Wants
    (22:40) Phones and Disconnection
    (23:34) From Pain to Desire
    (24:31) Conversation Starters Idea
    (25:48) Place Cards That Connect
    (27:07) Anticipation and Snail Mail
    (28:13) Brain Dump to Flagship Offer
    (30:53) Website and Brand Structure
    (32:19) Why Drives Implementation

    Related Links:

    GET HELP FROM LEAH:
    🟢 The Goldmine membership: https://learn.leahmchenry.com/goldmine
    💌 Get helpful emails from Leah about business, family, and faith: https://learn.leahmchenry.com/newsletter

    ❤️ CONNECT WITH LEAH:
    Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/realleahmchenry/
    Facebook – http://Facebook.com/realleahmchenry
    Join the Facebook group – https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1F41sdD3pP/

    Thanks for tuning in! Be sure to follow and leave a review!

  • Why I Don’t Recommend Marketing Agencies for Small Businesses (And What to Do Instead)

    Why I Don’t Recommend Marketing Agencies for Small Businesses (And What to Do Instead)

    I’m about to share something that might ruffle some feathers in the business world.

    After 10 years of building multiple eight-figure companies and hiring (then firing) over 10 marketing agencies, I’ve learned a hard truth:

    If your business is making less than $80,000 per month, hiring a marketing agency is probably the worst business decision you can make.

    I know that sounds harsh. And I know it goes against everything you’ve been told about “scaling” and “delegation.”

    But hear me out.

    The Agency Sales Pitch (And Why It’s Always the Same)

    Let me paint you a picture that might sound familiar:

    You’re struggling to grow past a certain revenue threshold. You’re overwhelmed, working 60+ hour weeks, and feeling like you’re doing everything yourself.

    Then a shiny marketing agency reaches out.

    They tell you they see “incredible potential” in your business. They show you case studies of clients who went from struggling to six or seven figures. They promise to “scale your business to the moon” if you just let them work their magic.

    Sound familiar?

    Here’s what I want you to know: They ALL say this.

    It doesn’t matter which agency you talk to. The song and dance is always the same.

    I’m not saying they’re scamming people. But this is standard operating procedure. They will “salivate” at your potential. They’ll tell you how much they believe in what you’re doing. They’ll show you those case studies.

    What they won’t tell you? Those case studies are complete outliers. Or they’re from business owners who are so disconnected from their actual profit margins that they’re essentially running expensive charities.

    The Real Problem: You’re Still in Validation Mode

    Here’s the truth bomb nobody wants to hear:

    If your business hasn’t hit a million dollars yet, you’re still in validation mode.

    And if you’ve been in business for years but never crossed the half-million mark? That reveals fundamental issues that no agency can fix.

    Think about it logically:

    • If you can’t get past $10,000/month, you haven’t demonstrated the core skills needed to grow a business

    • You don’t have the profit margins to afford quality help

    • You haven’t mastered the fundamentals that actually drive growth

    An agency can’t fix foundational problems. They can only amplify what’s already working.

    The Three Fatal Flaws of Agency Partnerships

    1. The Attention Myth

    Agencies manage multiple clients simultaneously. Despite what they promise, their brains and skills are spread across dozens of businesses.

    They’re not lying awake at night thinking about how to maximize YOUR business. They’re not obsessing over your customer journey or brainstorming innovative solutions to your specific challenges.

    They’re there to apply their cookie-cutter approach, collect their fees, and move on to the next client.

    Even the “boutique” agencies that “cap” their client load do this. Even the ones I genuinely like as people fall into this trap.

    2. The Cookie-Cutter Problem

    Every agency has their “proven system.” Facebook ads. Funnels. Email sequences. Whatever their specialty is.

    But here’s what they miss: Your business is unique. Your audience is unique. Your challenges are unique.

    What worked for Client A in the health niche might bomb spectacularly for Client B in business coaching.

    Yet agencies apply the same frameworks, the same ad creatives, the same messaging strategies across wildly different businesses.

    3. The Misaligned Incentives

    Agencies get paid whether your business grows or not.

    Sure, they want you to succeed (happy clients refer more clients). But their primary motivation is keeping you as a paying customer, not maximizing your profit.

    They’ll focus on vanity metrics that look impressive in reports. More traffic! Higher engagement! Increased reach!

    But are you actually making more money? Are your profit margins improving? Are you building a sustainable business?

    Often, the answer is no.

    What I Recommend Instead: The Strategic Hiring Approach

    Instead of hiring an agency, here’s what actually works for businesses under $80K/month:

    Master the Fundamentals First

    Before you hire anyone, you need to nail these core areas:

    • Product-market fit: Do you have something people actually want to buy?

    • Offer development: Can you craft compelling offers that convert?

    • Rapid market testing: Can you validate ideas quickly before investing heavily?

    • Audience building: Do you know exactly who your ideal customer is?

    • Lead acquisition: Can you consistently attract potential customers?

    • Customer acquisition: Do you have a repeatable sales process?

    • Retention systems: Are customers buying from you again?

    These aren’t sexy. They’re basic. But they’re what get you to that million-dollar run rate.

    If you can’t validate a product idea in a weekend, create an offer that converts, or test market demand before building, no agency in the world can fix that for you.

    Make Strategic In-House Hires

    When you’re ready to hire help, hire YOUR OWN team. Not an agency.

    Your first hire should be an executive assistant who becomes your “everything person.” This isn’t someone who just schedules meetings – they shadow you in everything you do and become a true generalist.

    In the early stages, everyone (including you) needs to wear multiple hats. Your EA might handle customer service in the morning, help with content creation after lunch, and jump on a strategy call with you in the evening.

    This is exactly how it should be. You need generalists first, not specialists.

    The key? Rigorous interviewing and onboarding processes. This person works for YOU, not 20 other clients.

    Increase Your Own Skills

    This might be the most important point:

    You need to become dangerous in multiple areas of your business.

    Not an expert in everything, but competent enough to:

    • Hire the right people

    • Evaluate their work

    • Make strategic decisions

    • Course-correct when needed

    The $80K Rule (And Why It Matters)

    Why do I specifically say $80,000/month as the threshold?

    Because that’s when you have:

    1. Proven fundamentals: You’ve demonstrated you can acquire and retain customers profitably

    2. Sufficient profit margins: You can afford quality help without destroying your bottom line

    3. Complexity that requires specialists: Your business has grown beyond what a small team can handle effectively

    At this level, agencies can amplify your success rather than trying to create it from scratch.

    The Uncomfortable Truth About “Scaling”

    Everyone wants to talk about scaling. Delegation. Working “on” your business instead of “in” it.

    But here’s what they don’t tell you:

    Premature delegation kills more businesses than lack of delegation ever will.

    If you don’t understand your marketing well enough to evaluate an agency’s work, you’ll get taken for a ride.

    If you haven’t mastered your sales process, an agency will optimize the wrong things.

    If you don’t know your numbers inside and out, you won’t realize when they’re burning through your budget without generating profit.

    What This Means for You

    If you’re currently considering hiring a marketing agency, ask yourself these questions:

    1. Am I consistently hitting $10K+ months?

    2. Do I understand my customer acquisition cost and lifetime value?

    3. Can I clearly articulate what’s working and what isn’t in my current marketing?

    4. Do I have the profit margins to sustain agency fees PLUS their ad spend recommendations?

    If you answered “no” to any of these, focus on fundamentals first.

    The Alternative Path

    Instead of looking for a silver bullet solution, commit to building a real business:

    • Invest in your own education: Learn marketing, sales, and operations fundamentals

    • Hire strategically: One person at a time, with clear expectations and measurable outcomes

    • Focus on profit: Not revenue, not vanity metrics, but actual money in your pocket

    • Master one channel: Before diversifying, become excellent at one customer acquisition method

    It’s not as sexy as “hiring an agency to scale to seven figures.”

    But it’s what actually works.

    The Bottom Line

    I’m not anti-agency. I’m anti-premature-delegation.

    There’s a time and place for agencies. But for most small businesses, that time isn’t now.

    And when that time does come? I’d never hire a “general” agency to handle all aspects of marketing like some kind of one-stop shop. Instead, I’d only hire specialists for very specific areas of my business that aren’t easily hired in-house.

    Focus on building a business that’s profitable, scalable, and sustainable. Master the fundamentals. Hire strategically.

    And when you’re consistently hitting $80K+ months with strong profit margins?

    Then we can talk about agencies.

    Until then, the work is internal. The growth comes from you.

    Choose your hard: The hard work of building foundational skills, or the hard consequences of premature delegation.

    What path will you choose?

    Ready to master the fundamentals? My Legacy Launchpad program focuses on the core systems that actually drive business growth – audience building, customer acquisition, and repeatable sales processes. No fluff, no shortcuts, just proven frameworks that work. Send me a quick DM on Instagram and I’ll send you the info.

  • #32: Turning Your Music into an Empire

    #32: Turning Your Music into an Empire

    In this episode, Leah sits down with composer, performer, and educator Gabriel Santiago for a real-time strategy session on what it actually takes to build a sustainable music career online — especially in a world where streaming doesn’t pay, attention is fractured, and AI is changing everything.

    Leah kicks off by sharing the origin story behind her own online music journey: how she built an audience from home as a young mom (without touring), learned the psychology of sales and marketing through trying to sell music, and eventually turned a small group of super fans into a real business — which later became Savvy Musician Academy.

    Gabriel’s story mirrors that evolution in a powerful way.

    Originally from Brazil, Gabriel has built a full-time career across multiple lanes: performing, composing, teaching at universities, private instruction, and his online mentorship program, the Brazilian Guitar Institute. But now he’s at a familiar crossroads that most multi-talented musicians hit: Do you keep everything under one personal brand…

    or separate the “artist brand” from the “education platform” so it can scale?

    Leah walks Gabriel through the core question that changes everything: owner’s intent — are you building a lifestyle brand, a legacy brand, or a platform that could become a sellable business someday? From there, they unpack how musicians can expand beyond “just gigs,” use team support and AI tools to repurpose content, and build a more predictable revenue engine through ads, list-building, and even micro transactions that create higher-quality buyers.

    This conversation is a must-listen for musicians, composers, and educators who want to scale without burning out — and who are ready to build something bigger than a stream count.

    In this episode, we explore:

    • Leah’s original path: building a music career online without touring

    • The “1,000 Super Fans” concept — and why it still matters

    • How Savvy Musician Academy was born from an ebook flop and course experimentation

    • Gabriel’s journey from Brazil to the U.S. and building a full-time music career

    • Balancing multiple income streams: teaching, commissions, performing, and online mentorship

    • Should you separate your personal brand from your platform brand? (and when)

    • The “owner’s intent” question that determines your entire strategy

    • Why building a platform “like you’re going to sell it” creates a stronger business

    • Using AI tools to find soundbites, repurpose content, and speed up content creation

    • Team building, delegation, and what only the founder should keep doing

    • Ads and funnels for creatives: building predictable revenue beyond launches

    • The shift from free lead magnets to micro transactions (and why it changes list quality)

    • Navigating the noisy AI landscape and why trust + personal brand will win

    • Gabriel’s vision: retreats, camps, and expanding into a broader music platform

    ⏩ CHAPTERS
    (00:00) Introduction to Legacy Launchpad
    (00:31) Liam McHenry’s Musical Journey
    (01:46) Building a Music Career Online
    (03:14) Creating Super Fans and Savvy Musician Academy
    (05:31) Introducing Gabriel Santiago
    (06:12) Gabriel’s Musical and Teaching Career
    (08:32) Balancing Personal and Professional Brands
    (10:38) Expanding the Personal Brand
    (19:19) Expanding the Music Platform
    (19:46) Building a Sellable Business
    (20:35) Personal Branding for Musicians
    (22:00) Leveraging AI in Content Creation
    (22:40) Team Building and Delegation
    (23:35) Repurposing Content for Growth
    (25:56) Advertising Strategies
    (27:13) Future Plans and Vision
    (29:10) Micro Transactions and List Building

    Related Links:

    GET HELP FROM LEAH:
    🟢 The Goldmine membership: https://learn.leahmchenry.com/goldmine
    💌 Get helpful emails from Leah about business, family, and faith: https://learn.leahmchenry.com/newsletter

    ❤️ CONNECT WITH LEAH:
    Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/realleahmchenry/
    Facebook – http://Facebook.com/realleahmchenry
    Join the Facebook group – https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1F41sdD3pP/

    Thanks for tuning in! Be sure to follow and leave a review!

  • #31: How Artists, Authors, and Musicians Can Build a Thriving Business Online | Katherine Leckie

    #31: How Artists, Authors, and Musicians Can Build a Thriving Business Online | Katherine Leckie

    In this episode, Leah sits down with Katherine Leckie, a talented painter and creative entrepreneur, for a real-time coaching session on scaling as an artist — without getting trapped in “either/or” thinking.

    Katherine shares her journey of building her business over the last year and a half: selling original paintings, commissions, and prints… then taking a bold step into digital by creating and launching art tutorials. But after a launch that didn’t take off the way she hoped, she found herself stuck at a crossroads:

    Do you double down and keep relaunching the tutorials?

    Or pivot into something new — like a high-end stationery brand built around her artwork?

    Leah walks Katherine through a powerful reframe that applies to every creative entrepreneur: you’re not “just” a painter, musician, or author… you’re a personal brand. And under that umbrella, you can explore multiple streams — original art, prints, physical products, digital offers, experiences — until you discover the 20% that produces 80% of your results.

    Then the conversation goes deeper.

    Katherine opens up about her hesitation to be “seen,” her introverted nature, and the real tension between leaning into slow living versus leaning fully into what truly drives her work: faith, transcendence, and the classical Christian values of goodness, truth, and beauty.

    This episode is a must-listen for any artist or creative who feels paralyzed after a “flop,” unsure what to focus on next, or afraid of wasting time and money… especially if you’re being called to build something deeper than a product line — a brand with meaning.

    In this episode, we explore:

    • Katherine’s journey from selling a few paintings to pursuing a scalable creative business

    • What to do after a “flopped” launch — and how to turn it into useful data

    • Why creatives get stuck in “either this or that” thinking (and how to break out of it)

    • Treating yourself like a personal brand — not just a person who makes art

    • Multiple streams under one umbrella: originals, prints, merch, tutorials, and physical products

    • Why the culture you’re building matters more than the product you’re selling

    • The difference between vague branding (“slow living”) and quantifiable markets (faith-based)

    • Standing out by clearly defining what you stand for — and what you stand against

    • Building a brand around goodness, truth, and beauty (and why it resonates right now)

    • Practical “rebranding” without drama: letting people hop on or off the bus

    • Why the breakthrough might be closer than you think — and the danger of quitting too early

    ⏩ CHAPTERS
    (00:00) Introduction to Scaling and Personal Branding
    (00:17) Welcome to Legacy Launchpad
    (00:31) Coaching Session with Katherine Luckey
    (01:54) Katherine’s Artistic Journey
    (03:34) Exploring Business Avenues
    (05:52) Building a Personal Brand
    (13:02) Faith-Based Branding Strategy
    (17:53) Clarifying Your Brand Vision
    (18:17) The Importance of Standing Out
    (18:57) Embracing Your Unique Values
    (20:00) The Power of Beauty in Art
    (22:12) Exploring New Avenues
    (25:50) Building a Personal Brand
    (26:55) Reaffirming Your Values
    (30:35) Final Thoughts and Encouragement

    Related Links:

    GET HELP FROM LEAH:
    🟢 The Goldmine membership: https://learn.leahmchenry.com/goldmine
    💌 Get helpful emails from Leah about business, family, and faith: https://learn.leahmchenry.com/newsletter

    ❤️ CONNECT WITH LEAH:
    Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/realleahmchenry/
    Facebook – http://Facebook.com/realleahmchenry
    Join the Facebook group – https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1F41sdD3pP/

    Thanks for tuning in! Be sure to follow and leave a review!

  • #30: My Teen Made $200,000 in 5 Months

    #30: My Teen Made $200,000 in 5 Months

    In this episode of Legacy Launchpad, Leah sits down with her eldest son, Ryder, to unpack one of the most unexpected and powerful case studies to ever come out of the family business.

    What started as a “slow season experiment” — launching a second candle brand in just 30 days — quickly turned into a full-scale apprenticeship in entrepreneurship, responsibility, and growth. Within six months, Ryder stepped into the driver’s seat of the brand’s marketing and helped scale it past multiple six figures, including nearly $50,000 in December alone.

    This conversation will inspire you about what happens when a young entrepreneur goes all in, takes ownership, and stops treating business like a side hobby. Leah and Ryder break down how homeschooling, character training, and real responsibility created the foundation for fast growth — and why the real limiting factor in business is almost never the business itself.

    From quitting a job and joining the family venture, to running ads, writing copy, launching campaigns, and making executive decisions, Ryder shares what it’s actually like to be thrown into the deep end — with guidance, accountability, and real stakes.

    This episode is especially powerful for:

    • Parents raising entrepreneurial kids

    • Young adults unsure if they’re “ready” for business

    • Entrepreneurs stuck at the same income ceiling

    • Anyone caught in tire-kicker mode instead of ownership mode

    • It’s honest, practical, and deeply encouraging — without sugarcoating the work it takes to grow.

    In this episode, we explore:

    • How a second candle brand went from idea to launch in 30 days

    • Why Ryder quit his job to join the family business full-time

    • The role of homeschooling in developing ownership and self-direction

    • What it means to treat business as an apprenticeship, not a job

    • Running ads, writing emails, and owning marketing decisions at 19

    • The mindset shift from “I don’t have enough time” to expanded capacity

    • Why December nearly hit $50K — just five months after launch

    • The difference between responsibility and micromanagement

    • Why “realistic goals” often kill momentum

    • How setting uncomfortable targets drives real growth

    • The freedom (and intensity) of entrepreneurship during peak seasons

    • Balancing business, health, creativity, and personal passions

    • Ryder’s YouTube channel and creative work outside the business

    • Why business does not reward tire kickers — and what to do instead

    • This conversation is part case study, part mentorship, and part reality check — especially for anyone who feels stuck, overwhelmed, or unsure if they’re capable of more.

    ⏩ CHAPTERS

    (00:00) Introduction: The Limiting Factor
    (00:18) Welcome to Legacy Launchpad
    (00:30) Interview With My Eldest Son
    (01:46) Launching a New Candle Brand
    (03:59) Joining the Family Business
    (07:06) Homeschooling & Entrepreneurship
    (15:31) Roles and Responsibilities
    (18:50) Lessons Learned in Business
    (22:17) Reflecting on Success and Growth
    (23:27) Taking Directions From Family
    (24:04) Top Skills for Young Entrepreneurs
    (26:57) Setting Ambitious Goals
    (30:47) The Freedom of Entrepreneurship
    (37:42) Balancing Work & Personal Life
    (39:09) Adapting to Business Demands
    (40:18) Passions Beyond Business
    (43:44) Final Thoughts

    Related Links:

    GET HELP FROM LEAH:
    🟢 The Goldmine membership: https://learn.leahmchenry.com/goldmine
    💌 Get helpful emails from Leah about business, family, and faith: https://learn.leahmchenry.com/newsletter

    ❤️ CONNECT WITH LEAH:
    Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/realleahmchenry/
    Facebook – http://Facebook.com/realleahmchenry
    Join the Facebook group – https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1F41sdD3pP/

    Thanks for tuning in! Be sure to follow and leave a review!

  • #29: Pivot, Test, Scale: How One Launch System Generated $24K in 60 Days

    #29: Pivot, Test, Scale: How One Launch System Generated $24K in 60 Days

    In this episode, Leah sits down with author and entrepreneur Tina Koutras, whose journey took one of the wildest turns we’ve seen inside Legacy Launchpad. What started as a plan to build an audience for her upcoming book suddenly flipped into an unexpected “side quest” — launching a niche candle brand that exploded far beyond her expectations. Tina originally joined Leah’s program to fix what past programs couldn’t deliver. This time she wanted clarity, strategy, and a real social presence before releasing her next novel. But while waiting for her manuscript to come back from editing, she decided to test Leah’s launch system on something smaller… a hobby she’d always dabbled in: horror-themed candles. What happened next shocked even her.

    By following the program step-by-step — without skipping the “ingredients” — Tina and her husband launched Horrified Candles, tapped into a passionate 365-day Halloween/horror niche, collected over 120 post-purchase survey responses, and generated $13,000 in the first 45 days and $24,000+ within two months. And then came the plot twist: Shopify terminated their store without warning, shutting down 30+ pending transactions. Instead of quitting, they rebuilt a new site in 24 hours, got reinstated, and kept going.

    This episode is a must-listen for any entrepreneur who feels stuck, overwhelmed, or afraid to pivot — especially creatives and authors who want to build a loyal audience before their big launch.

    In this episode, we explore:

    Tina’s original goal: launching her book the right way after her first attempt fell flat
     Why she chose to “test” Leah’s launch system on a candle brand
    * The power of choosing a hyper-specific niche (horror fans & 365-day Halloween lovers)
    * How she validated demand fast with pre-orders and early email list building
    * The 120+ post-purchase survey insights that shaped her direction
    * Why skipping steps in the process derails most new entrepreneurs
    * Shopify shutting down her store — and how they rebuilt everything in 24 hours
    * The mindset shift needed to push through “sink or swim” moments
    * How this candle brand will now feed her book launch audience
    * Building a 2,200+ person “seed list” before publishing
    * The long-term plan: cross-pollinating readers and buyers, bundles, and loyalty fans
    * Why every failure is “just a data point” — and how to use it as fuel

    This conversation is encouragement, strategy, and real-world resilience all in one.

    ⏩ CHAPTERS
    (00:00) Introduction and Initial Setback
    (00:18) Welcome to Legacy Launchpad
    (00:32) Meet Tina: Pivoting From Book to Candles
    (04:21) Launching Horrified Candles
    (05:21) Overcoming Challenges and Achieving 5-Figure Success
    (12:50) Email Lists, Niche Fans & Future Book Launch Plans
    (18:52) Lessons on Consistency, Research & Messy Action
    (26:49) Conclusion and Where to Find Tina

    Related Links:

    GET HELP FROM LEAH:
    🟢 The Goldmine membership: https://learn.leahmchenry.com/goldmine
    💌 Get helpful emails from Leah about business, family, and faith: https://learn.leahmchenry.com/newsletter

    ❤️ CONNECT WITH LEAH:
    Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/realleahmchenry/
    Facebook – http://Facebook.com/realleahmchenry
    Join the Facebook group – https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1F41sdD3pP/

    Thanks for tuning in! Be sure to follow and leave a review!

  • #28: Simplify to Scale | Turning Catholic Gifts into a Premium Brand

    #28: Simplify to Scale | Turning Catholic Gifts into a Premium Brand

    In this episode, Leah sits down with Katie Ratliff, a Catholic mom of five and founder of a faith-based gift company, for a live, real-time strategy session on simplifying her product line and stepping confidently into the premium market. Together, they unpack what it looks like to move from “Catholic gift shop” to being known for one signature, premium bracelet offer — without losing the heart for ministry, motherhood, or mission.

    Katie shares how she started with Catholic children’s clothing, made all the classic e-commerce mistakes (too many products, unclear niche, trying to be “just Christian” instead of clearly Catholic), and then completely shifted her business after going through Leah’s course. Once she embraced her Catholic audience, did deep-dive market research, and created her petite “saintly stacks” bracelet line, she finally saw validation — complete with Shopify “ding, ding, ding” notifications during her first pre-order launch.

    Now that the bracelets are proven and repeat customers are coming back, Katie is at a crossroads: keep juggling multiple gift categories or fully “hang her hat” on stackable bracelets and take them premium. Leah walks her through how to evaluate her catalog, think in terms of a marquee offer, introduce bundles and starter kits, explore higher-end materials and personalization, and even consider subscription and community-based offers that support long-term growth.

    This conversation is a must-listen for any faith-driven product-based entrepreneur — especially moms — who feel torn between too many product ideas, limited time, and the desire to build a business that truly supports their family, church, and future dreams.

    In this episode, we explore:

    • Katie’s journey from Catholic children’s clothing to a thriving bracelet-focused gift brand

    • Common “don’t do this” mistakes in early e-commerce (too many SKUs, unclear niche, vague faith branding)

    • How clearly owning “Catholic women” as her audience shifted her marketing and growth

    • Validating a new product with pre-orders and watching Shopify “ding” as the saintly stacks took off

    • The difference between a “gift shop” and a signature marquee offer that puts you on the map

    • Using bundles, starter kits, and upsells to raise average order value without overwhelming customers

    • Quarterly product audits: how to decide what stays, what gets cut, and where your profit really comes from

    • Moving into the premium market with better materials, personalization, and higher perceived value

    • Brainstorming renewable and subscription-style offers, from consumables to digital community and discipleship

    • Involving your family in the business, setting faith-filled goals (like a future trip to Italy), and dreaming big again

    • Encouragement for entrepreneurs who feel stuck in the weeds and need clarity on their next 10 feet, not the next 5 years

    ⏩ CHAPTERS

    (00:00) Introduction to Legacy Launchpad
    (00:36) Meet Katie Ratliff: Catholic Mom and Entrepreneur
    (01:20) Katie’s Business Journey: From Clothing to Bracelets
    (03:20) The Power of Niche Marketing and Product Focus
    (04:44) Challenges and Strategies for Business Growth
    (07:57) Optimizing Product Offerings and Customer Experience
    (14:41) Exploring Premium Market Opportunities
    (17:17) Exploring Premium Customer Needs
    (17:39) Complexity as a Market Barrier
    (18:11) Personalization and Premium Market
    (20:19) Revenue Goals and Vision for the New Year
    (21:54) Subscription Products and Business Stability
    (23:37) Building a Community and Movement
    (28:47) Family Involvement and Business Growth
    (30:15) Encouragement and Final Thoughts

    Related Links:

    GET HELP FROM LEAH:
    🟢 The Goldmine membership: https://learn.leahmchenry.com/goldmine
    💌 Get helpful emails from Leah about business, family, and faith: https://learn.leahmchenry.com/newsletter

    ❤️ CONNECT WITH LEAH:
    Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/realleahmchenry/
    Facebook – http://Facebook.com/realleahmchenry
    Join the Facebook group – https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1F41sdD3pP/

    Thanks for tuning in! Be sure to follow and leave a review!