Page 15 of The Funnel to You

Ashley: I found the cutest art print at the farmers market with my parents last week! {image attached}

Me: Okay, that is so pretty!! Did you get the artist’s info? Because I kind of want that on a notebook!

Ashley: Right? Let me see if I can find it.

Matt: Already taken care of.

Me: What does that mean?

Ashley: My brother likes to show off sometimes.

Matt: I’ll get it to you at our next meeting Sasha.

Me: Get me what?

Matt: The notebook. It should be at my house tomorrow.

Ashley: See? Show off.

Matt: I found this coffee recipe when I was researching some coffee themed makeup and skincare items for you. Let me know if you try it out. {link attached}

Me: This looks absolutely incredible. And I should be able to make it at home.

Matt: That’s what I thought too. Nothing too fancy, but it seems like something you would like.

Me: I can’t wait to try it out. Thank you.

Mondays I work from nine until six and then meet with Ashley afterwards to work on content, go over projects, and try new products out together. Tuesdays I meet with Matt at the coffee shop or via Zoom, depending on the day. Wednesday and Thursdays are regular work days for me and we have our family dinners on those days. Friday mornings are our content times - at my apartment, at Ashley’s house, or out and about depending on what we are working on. And the weekend is my catch up and rest time. It’s been working and my channel is steadily growing.

It is the last week of June when I get a new email in my inbox that makes me literally do a double take and then scream. One of my favorite start up makeup brands is interested in working with me for their new product line releasing in August. Me? What? I don’t remember reaching out to them, but I do use their products pretty frequently and tag them in everything. I am so excited.

I email Matt to check in and make sure this is a good opportunity to say yes to. After he gives me the green light, I email in my acceptance. I am so excited!

Literally ten minutes later, I get an email notification from the city. It’s a newsletter showcasing the farmers market and the artisan vendors that are there. They are expanding into some other vendors too and have some openings for artists, performers, and influencers. I have never heard of a farmers market having influencers, but hey…it’s local and will be fun to check it out.

I text Ashley to see if she would want to do a small section with me – maybe doing some mini eyeshadow tutorials and connecting with some local shops. It might be a good chance to set up an event in the fall. She’s down to give it a try so I submit my application. It’s definitely not something I would ever think to do on my own, but having Ashley with me gives me the courage to hit the submit button.

It’s Tuesday, so I will be meeting Matt at the coffee shop in about an hour so I have time to finish checking my notifications before it’s time to go. Hopefully, I will hear back about the market tomorrow so I can go get some things printed and ready for Saturday if we get approved that quickly. I pull out my phone to start making a list of ideas and things we may need before I go get changed and head out.

It’s another cut off denim shorts and cute floral top day for me today. Why is it so hot? I love dressing cute for summer but I really hate this heat. At least I can get an iced chai at the coffee shop. I’m trying to cut back on how much coffee I drink after 4 PM. I’m not cutting back any earlier than that, but this is a start and I need to work on going to bed at a decent time.

I get to the coffee shop and order my chai, dirty and spicy. I never said I was cutting back on caffeine, just the coffee. Then I go to our regular table by the front windows where Matt is already waiting for me. He is sipping on an iced tea of some sort today and is wearing his signature khaki pants and dark tee. It’s a dark grey today and the color seriously does beautiful things with his eyes. I wonder if he would be down to let me play with some color correcting makeup on him…maybe another time.

I set my things down on the table and start getting ready for our weekly catch up meeting. We usually go over things about Ashley first and then switch to things for me. This professional relationship has been easy to get used to and whatever magic he is working on the back end with my website and marketing, it’s working.

“Did you get a signed contract back from that beauty brand yet or are they going to send it after they figure out how many influencers are working with them?” He asks me as he finishes getting his things out as well. He sets his phone on top of mine for a minute while he gets things set and then mutters an apology about not paying attention before he moves it away.

“I think I should have it back by the end of the week. They are wanting to send out packages by the beginning of next week so we have time to play with the product, do a full review, get back to them with any concerns, and then start working on content for their channels and our own. The pay seemed really good for what is included and their last several launches have sold out pretty quickly, so I am hoping this will be good visibility on both sides of things.”

I grab my phone to pull up the info about the farmers market and show it to him. “This is new. Any ideas on what Ashley and I should focus on if we are able to get in this week? I won’t have a lot of time to get things together for this so I want to make sure I go in prepared.”

He looks at the email and then hands me back my phone before taking out his notebook again. I have learned this is his process. He has to map it out on paper to make sure he knows how things make sense together before he throws something at me. I appreciate how thorough he is. No wasted time on my part and no wasted energy on his. I tend to want to jump right in and get things done, but he makes me slow down a bit. I don’t hate it.

Over the next hour we map out resources to create, handouts, a new page for my site, a few video ideas for the market, and which businesses to connect with that should be there. During that time, he also gets done a few more things on his end and I get my graphics site pulled up on my laptop to start designing the printed resources. I will need to get them printed tomorrow – even if I don’t get chosen for this week. I want to start pursuing this with a few local businesses. Maybe we can even do some networking events with local influencers and content creators to collaborate together. Matt is working on a list of other local creators that would connect well with my content and things I am working on.

“Okay, I think I need to be done tonight. My creativity level is completely shot and I need to go to bed. I have work at six tomorrow morning and a meeting with one of my contractors early to help him finish his current job. Thanks again for all of this and I will keep you updated on the brand proposal and the farmers market.” I tell Matt as I pack up my things. He looks up at me and I can tell he wants to ask me something, but he isn’t sure how to. “Do you need anything else from me this week?” I ask him – trying to give him the opportunity. I’ve learned that Matt is definitely on the quieter side and doesn’t initiate conversations unless he has to. I’m happy to give him an out here.

“Nope. Just want to make sure you are still taking care of you with all of this. I know it’s a lot right now, but I am hoping it settles soon for you so you aren’t running around so much. Do we need to cut back on this a bit?” He seems obviously concerned here. He’s already looking at his calendar again and making notes about what might be able to go on pause for a little bit. I shake my head at his concern and then respond.

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