Episode 269: “Say Yes and Figure It Out Later” – Michelle’s Story

You know why copywriting is so fun?

Once you understand the foundations, you unlock a superpower you have for the rest of your life. 🦸

Features vs. benefits, clear CTAs, how the audience and medium impact the message: once you understand that, you can wield that superpower on any project with any client.

That’s what CCA student and agency owner Michelle realized. And it unlocked a world of opportunity for her.

We love Michelle’s motto—”say yes and figure it out later.”

You say “yes” not because you know everything.

You say “yes” because you know you have a strong foundation and trust yourself to figure out the remaining 5-10% to get the project done.

As copywriters, we never stop learning.

New social platforms, new clients, new audiences: change is the one constant in our careers.

But if we adopt Michelle’s mentality, then instead of fearing “new” we can see it for all the opportunities that it presents.

Hear her explain this philosophy and the rest of her journey

 

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A Sneak Peek at the Episode

[02:27] I was a pretty strong writer through high school and secondary. My creative writing teacher once grabbed my arm in the hallway, looked me in the eyes, and told me with such intensity that I had what it takes to be a writer… I just thought, you can’t really make money as a writer.

[03:37] After Bible school, I landed my first “adult job” helping build a chiropractic office from the ground up, where I discovered a love for psychology, marketing, and the entrepreneurial spirit. The experience solidified my passion for “entrepreneurs helping entrepreneurs.”

[04:15] I started feeling an entrepreneurial urge brewing within me; as much as I loved my boss, I had this deep-down feeling that I just needed to get out of working for someone else and work for myself.

[05:40] I reached a “midlife crisis” moment in bed one night where I realized I had been denying my own values for years just because I’m a stubborn, committed person who sticks to things once I pick them.

[07:25] I’m a total course junkie, but hands down, this was the most “bang for your buck” investment I’ve ever made because of the long-standing support and the community that actually pays off in multiples.

[10:35] Chipping away at the course was slow and steady; for the first two years, I sacrificed every single evening from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM, working while my kids were winding down for bed.

[14:10] To overcome my “rookie” nerves, I baked the cost of one-on-one coaching into my project fees so a senior copywriter could tear my work apart before the client ever saw it.

[14:40] My entire philosophy throughout this journey has been to ‘say yes and figure it out later’, if someone else has figured out how to do it, I know I can too.

[16:07] I don’t actually want to be a tech expert, so I started hiring help early; I have a virtual assistant and a tech wizard in Kenya, and I love that my business allows me to help other people flourish.

[20:27] As I grow, I’m learning which clients to keep. I want to work with people who trust me when I say they need a strong offer or a fresh photo, rather than those who wait five days to call a lead and wonder why they have no ROI.

[23:47] I prioritize my three retainer clients above everything else, but I still make sure to finish by 4:00 PM so I can close my laptop and be fully available when my kids come home.

[27:58] My strong suit is dreaming; my mom always called me an “egg counter” because I’m always thinking about what’s next, and right now, I’m dreaming of building a copywriting agency where a team of women can flourish doing what they do best.

[30:23] My goal is to delegate more of the technical and content tasks so I can focus on the relationships and creative strategy, ultimately allowing the “rising tide to raise all boats” for the women I work with.

[32:36] I’m a bit embarrassed to admit I don’t even have a website yet, but it hasn’t slowed me down; I’ve landed all my work through social media and by sending PDF portfolios when requested.

[34:48] This journey has taught me to stop being so self-critical and actually enjoy the progress I’ve made, especially while raising my family at the same time.

Must-Hear Takeaways

“In the middle of the night, I literally asked the universe, “What am I going to do?” and the word editing came right into my brain immediately.” – Michelle

“The two hours that I would spend studying and practicing and building became client fulfillment… It felt like a grind, but now it’s all worth it. ’cause now it’s an income stream that is growing and exciting and not as stressful.” – Michelle

“I don’t wanna stay fake until I make it, but I have enough support and resources that I can apply the skills I learned in the course, get a coach to oversee it, and then submit it.” – Michelle

“I landed a massive $12 million revenue landscaping client just by posting a screen recording of my results on Instagram; he saw the leads coming in and told me, “We need you.” – Michelle

Mentioned in the Episode

• Copywriting Resources to Add to Your Tool Box
• Amp Up Your Copywriting Productivity with Ultra Scheduling
• Use an Entrepreneur Mindset to Grow Your Copywriting Income
• How to Set Up Your Schedule When Working from Home

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Last Updated on February 27, 2026