Page 8 of The Funnel to You

Okay, I was not expecting that response. A guy that actually pays attention when his sister talks to him about makeup? That’s new. Maybe this will work out.

“Yeah, that’s fine. It's awesome that your sister likes my content. Tell her I said ‘hello’ when you chat with her next.” I feel myself blushing a bit and continue on quickly. “What questions do you have for me?”

Over the next fifteen minutes, Matt asks me questions about my background, my training, who inspires me, my favorite type of content, my least favorite type of content, what platforms I use, my website, my goals…all of it. I’m surprised at the level of questions, but at the same time, I am feeling more at ease knowing he is really getting to know me and what I do and what I want to do. I’m not just another number to him or a client checkbox. He’s listening. Like, really actually listening.

“So, why now?” He looks at me through the screen. “You’ve been doing this for a while and juggling work and social life and being casual with your content. Why are you now wanting to turn this into income that you can grow and make a full-time thing?” He says it casually, no malice, no judgment, just asking another question.

“I’m ready.” I respond matter of factly. “It was kind of triggered a few days ago when I lost an entire video I had spent hours on and realized I didn’t have the time or mental energy to redo it. I want the space to work this like a business during set hours and then ‘clock out’ so I can enjoy my friends and family and things going on around here in town. I haven’t been able to explore or hike nearly as much as I want to and I missed so much this spring because I just didn’t have the time. Home Depot has been fun, but I’m done trying to juggle both my job and my passion. And I love makeup. So much. And I want to share this passion with others.”

I take another breath and then a sip of my now cold tea then set it back down and wait for him to finish taking his notes and give me his response.

“Okay, I got it. I think I can help you. Can I take the rest of the evening to work up a game plan and then email you in the morning? I don’t want to rush this or you into a decision here, but I definitely think I can make this happen.”

“Just like that?”

“Yep, just like that. Do you have any other questions for me or anything else I need to know?” He asks then waits patiently for my response.

I am honestly caught off guard. I was expecting a hard pitch or an astronomical quote from him after being on Zoom with him for over forty minutes. But no, he is giving me the space I need, even though I didn’t ask him for it. Okay, I really hope his quote isn’t outrageous because I want to work with Matt.

“Nope. I think I have everything I need on my end. I’ll wait for your email tomorrow. Feel free to email or message me if anything else comes up in the meantime that you need from me. I am working on that new color series that should be ready to go in a couple of weeks fully. If you can let me know if we should focus on that first or wait as part of the first thing we work on together that would be great.”

He smirks a bit and I realize I just agreed to work with him without him asking or even seeing a quote. Internal face palm. Oh well, can’t take that back now.

“Sounds good.” He responds. “I know that’s something you are looking forward to since it combines both of the main things you do right now. I appreciate your time tonight. Have a good night, Sasha.” And with that, he ends the call.

I sit back and take a deep breath, cap my pen, and finish my tea.

Now, I wait.

Chapter Five

Sasha

Honey Cinnamon Cold Brew

Social Post: When you aren’t feeling your best, find one thing that you can control to help yourself feel better. Today, that’s comfy socks and a face mask before I shower for me. What about you? #sashaloveslipstick #selfcaretips #comfyday

Image Description: wrapper from my face mask on the bathroom counter along with showing my fuzzy socks on my feet in the background.

Ihead out to the main living area and see that Kylie and Carter aren’t home yet so I grab myself something little for dinner and settle in for a movie while I wait for them. I go over the conversation with Matt in my head. Did I mess up any part of my background story or my short term goals? Did I come across as too apathetic or too eager?

There were so many points in my growing up years when I wanted to dive into something new and I was questioned on it so much that I began to question myself. I wasn’t allowed to just pick a hobby or even something to read without having to answer potentially dozens of questions.

Why that one?

What is your goal with this choice?

Do you have time for that?

Is that really the best use of your time?

What could this lead to later on?

Does that conflict with something else you’ve already done?

You get the idea. I wasn’t able to just make a choice and then move ahead with that decision. I learned to constantly second guess my desires and choices. Now I deal with anxiety over every little choice, and even more so when it affects other people – like a job change or a public outing.

This decision to move forward with my makeup channel is beyond nerve wracking. What if this doesn’t work? What if my parents finally decide to look at my content and then start messaging me all of those questions all over again? What if I quit Home Depot and then have to go in a year from now asking for my job back?

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