Denise Duffield-Thomas's Blog, page 3

Re-Release: Jeff Walker on mindset, mistakes & million-dollar launches

EPISODE 229
Re-Release: Jeff Walker on mindset, mistakes & million-dollar launches

 

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What if your next launch didn’t have to be perfect… to be profitable?

In this special Chill & Prosper episode, I sit down with my friend and mentor Jeff Walker (creator of Product Launch Formula) to talk about:

 ✨ How he went from corporate “failure” to multimillion-dollar launches
✨ Why desperation can be a gift in business
✨ The mindset shift that helps you push through imposter syndrome
✨ Launch disasters (including surprise birds, lightning storms, and unexpected visitors!)
✨ Why you don’t need to be the smartest - just the most persistent

If you’ve been holding back from launching your program, book, or offer because you’re waiting to feel “ready,” this episode will show you why it’s time to act now.

xx Denise

Re-Release: Launch tips nobody talks about

EPISODE 228
Re-Release: Launch tips nobody talks about

 

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You’ve probably seen all the traditional launch checklists: emails, sales pages, social media, funnels.

But what about dog poop?
Childcare?
Pharmacy runs and frozen meals?

Yep. This month we’ve been talking about launching and how to remove the stress and overwhelm of the traditional launch model. 

So I wanted to re-release a super popular past episode all about launch prep tips nobody talks about - but absolutely should.

In this episode, I share:
✨ Why you need to prep your meds and your meals
✨ What to do about childcare, barking dogs, and clean laundry
✨ How to make your launch feel real (and manageable)
✨ Boundaries to set with your calendar, your community, and your brain pickers
✨ And why post-launch self-care is non-negotiable

This episode is honest, hilarious, and will help you launch with way less stress.

xx Denise

P.S.Even if you’ve launched before, there’s always more to learn. The details matter - and when you follow a proven system, launching gets simpler, calmer, and more profitable. 

Jeff Walker’s free Launch Masterclass is now open for registration, and I highly recommend it. You’ll learn the exact strategies I use in every launch I do. 👉 Click here to register now and get ready to launch with confidence.

How to stay positive when something in your business flops

EPISODE 227
How to stay positive when something in your business flops

 

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Ever stared at your monthly numbers and thought, “Wait… where did all the money go?”

Or launched something and no one bought?

In this week’s episode of Chill & Prosper, I’m answering your questions about failure, staying positive, and low profit margins.

You’ll hear:

Why one sale can still be a huge success
The mindset shift that helped me stay positive and keep going
How to make peace with your profit margin, even when it fluctuates 
How to hire in a way that matches your strengths and personality 

Every business has quiet moments. Every entrepreneur has flops. It doesn’t mean you’re failing - it means you’re growing.

Why I Use Both Evergreen and Launches (And When to Consider It for Your Business)

If you’ve ever wondered whether you should launch your course a few times a year or make it available all the time, you’re not alone.

I get this question constantly:
“Should I make my course evergreen?”
“Will I lose momentum if I stop launching?”
“How do I decide what’s best?”

The good news?
You don’t have to choose just one. In fact - I use both.

Here’s why, and how to know when shifting to an evergreen model might be the right move for you.

First, What Is Evergreen?

Evergreen simply means your program or course is always available, like an evergreen tree that stays green all year round. You’re not relying on set launch dates. People can buy when they’re ready.

With launches, you have a defined enrollment window. You open the doors, build hype, run a promotion, then close it.

Both models work, but they serve different needs.

My Story: From Full Launch Calendar to Burnout

When I first launched Money Bootcamp, it was a 6-week live program.
We did four launches a year. That meant:

A month of pre-launch content

A week or more of live promo

Onboarding new students

Running two live calls each week (for time zones)

Recovery time… and then back into planning mode

Every trimester, I was launching, delivering, or recovering.
And it was a lot, especially once I had more kids.

At one point, I felt like I was in all stages of pregnancy at once:

 🍼 Gestating a new launch
📣 Giving birth to a promotion
💻 Delivering the program
💤 And desperately trying to rest, all at once

So, I made the shift.

I turned Money Bootcamp into an evergreen program.

People could join anytime.

I swapped weekly live calls for monthly coaching calls, available to all students at any point in the journey.

I focused on clarity, consistency, and community, not pressure.

And it changed everything.

Why Evergreen Worked for Me

Moving to evergreen gave me:

Freedom to rest and plan at my own pace

Consistent income instead of huge spikes

More sustainable energy to show up for students

Less stress around “what if this launch doesn’t work?”

Plus, some people simply don’t want to wait.

 They’ll read a blog post, finish my book, or hear me on a podcast and think,
"I want to join RIGHT NOW."

Evergreen gives them that option.

Why I Still Launch

That said… not everyone buys on impulse.

Some people need a reason to act.

They need urgency, deadlines, bonuses, and the feeling of starting together in a group.

That’s why I still run a live launch at the start of each year - with extended payment plans, special bonuses, and more community energy.

It gives people structure.
It gives me a clear promotional window.
And it helps reset momentum for the whole year.

How I Use Both in My Business

Here’s how I blend evergreen and live launching:

Evergreen:



Money Bootcamp is open year-round

People can join anytime through denisedt.com/bootcamp

Monthly live calls help students feel supported and connected

Periodic promotions (e.g. “join before the next live call”) add gentle urgency



Live Launches:



Usually once per year

Extended payment plans

Bonus incentives

Strategic ad spend + higher visibility

Stronger group momentum and conversion

By doing both, I’ve created a calm, profitable, and sustainable business model.

When to Consider Moving to Evergreen

You might want to explore evergreen if:

✅ You’re burnt out from launching
✅ You have a program that delivers value year-round
✅ People keep asking, “Can I join now?”
✅ You want to generate income consistently—not just in bursts
✅ You want to create more space and sustainability in your business

But keep in mind…

You’ll need to:

Simplify your program structure (people will join at different stages)

Set boundaries in your community or Facebook group

Create incentives to encourage people to take action

Things like:

Bonus bundles for a limited time

Local currency payment options

Deadline-based live calls

Onboarding experiences for new members

These keep the energy fresh, even when the doors are always open.

Final Thoughts

You don’t have to choose one forever.

Your business can evolve.
Your needs can change.
And your delivery model can adapt to fit you, not the other way around.

Evergreen gives you breathing room.

Launching gives you momentum.

Together, they give you freedom.

xx Denise

P.S. Want to learn how to launch (without burning out)?

My mentor Jeff Walker is hosting a free Launch Masterclass soon, and I’ll be sharing behind-the-scenes tips on how we integrate his system into our evergreen model.

👉 Join the waitlist here to get early access.

Can you be wealthy without creating an online course?

EPISODE 226
Can you be wealthy without creating an online course?

 

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Everywhere you look, someone’s saying, “Create a course! Scale your time! Passive income!”

But what if that’s not your path?

In this week’s Chill & Prosper, I’m answering the question: Can you be wealthy without creating an online course?

Spoiler alert: YES.

You’ll learn:

Other business models that can build wealth (without teaching)
How to stop feeling like you're “behind” in the course world
The money mindset shift that sets you free
Why your Money Archetype might be craving something different
And how to give yourself full permission to do it your way

If you’ve ever felt like you don’t fit the online mold - don’t stress. You have so many options to make money online, but it’s time to get started.

xx Denise

P.S. If this episode has sparked some ideas and you’re excited to launch something new, I’ve got an amazing opportunity to help you get started. 

This month you can learn the launch process I use for my courses, books and events, directly from my mentor, Jeff Walker. 

Click here to join the waitlist and find out more.

What to do after a failed launch

Let’s talk about something that happens to every entrepreneur at some point:

You launch something… and it flops.

Crickets.
No sales.
Or maybe one or two buyers, but not nearly what you hoped for.

And suddenly, you’re questioning everything.

“Do people even want this?”

“Maybe I’m not cut out for this.”

“Was it the branding? The logo? The price?”

I’ve been there too. 

And today I want to lovingly reframe the way you think about launches that don’t go to plan, because they’re not always what they seem.

First: Let’s Talk Numbers

Here’s the truth no one tells you when you’re just starting out:

If you send people to a sales page with no personal follow-up or phone calls, 1–2% of people will buy. That’s a normal, healthy conversion rate in the online world.

It was the same in the days of newspaper ads and direct mail. It's still true today.

So if 100 people see your sales page and only 2 buy…
That’s not a failure. That’s data.

If your goal is 20 sales, you’ll need at least 1,000 people to see your offer.

This is the kind of practical, grounded knowledge that can completely change the way you experience your launches.

Because when you understand how conversions work, you stop making it personal.
You stop thinking, “Nobody wants my thing,” and start thinking, “I just need more people to see it.”

It’s Not Always the Price

I hear this all the time:
“People said they couldn’t afford it - so I need to discount it next time.”

But here’s what I’ve learned:

People say “I can’t afford it” no matter what the price is.

Whether your offer is $5 or $5,000, someone will say it’s too expensive.
Others will say, “Wow, that’s cheap!”

Pricing is not a reflection of your worth or your value - it’s a reflection of your audience’s money mindset.

So no, you don’t necessarily need to discount it.

In fact, I’ve raised prices before because people assumed a lower price meant less value.

Price is just one piece of the puzzle. It’s rarely the problem.

The Pain of the One-Person Launch

I’ve seen people get one sale… and refund it out of embarrassment.

Please don’t do that.

That one sale is proof that someone believes in what you’re doing.

That one person could be the seed of a million-dollar program.

You don’t need 100 people in your first round. In fact, it's better if you don’t.

That small group will help you test your systems, refine your messaging, and find the kinks before your big breakthrough.

Don’t Throw It All Away

After a disappointing launch, the temptation is to:

Scrap your offer

Redo all your branding

Change platforms

Or quit entirely

But here’s my advice: don’t.

Most of the time, it’s not your offer that needs fixing. It’s just that not enough people saw it.

Or they weren’t quite ready. Or the timing wasn’t right.

And that’s okay.

You can launch the same thing again, in the exact same way—and reach people who are ready next time.

Launching Gets Easier Every Time

The first launch is always the hardest - because you’re building everything from scratch.

But each time you launch, you’ll have:

More assets ready to go

More confidence

More insights from your audience

More bandwidth to try new things (like personal outreach or live webinars)

In one of our launches, I had the capacity to send over 500 personalized video messages to potential students. That was only possible because I wasn’t stuck rewriting every email or rebuilding the sales page.

Relaunching means less busy work, and more impactful work.

Final Thoughts

A failed launch doesn’t mean you failed.
It means you tried something—and that’s worth celebrating.

You learned, you grew, you showed up.
And now you have information to make your next launch even better.

Keep going.

There are people out there who need what you’re offering.
Maybe not today. Maybe not this week.
But when the time is right—and you’re still showing up—they’ll be ready.

xx Denise

For more, listen to this podcast episode on learning from failed launched.

P.S. If launching is on your mind and you want to stay calm, strategic, and on top of what’s working now, I’m sharing behind-the-scenes insights and free training from my launch mentor Jeff Walker very soon.

👉 Join the waitlist here to get early access.

How I Stay Chill During a Launch

Balancing the woo and the practical in business

I’ve always said I sit somewhere between the woo and the practical in how I run my business.

You could blame it on being a Virgo ♍. I love systems, structure, and spreadsheets, but I’m also deep into mindset work, energy clearing, and trusting the Universe.

And when it comes to launching?
That balance is everything.

Because here’s what I know for sure: a lot of launch stress comes from unrealistic expectations.

We expect:

Everyone to love our offer

Zero unsubscribes when we send sales emails

People to buy immediately, with no hesitation

And when that doesn’t happen?

We start second-guessing everything:
“Is my offer wrong? Is my pricing off? Is something wrong with ME?”

Here’s the truth I’ve learned after years of launching:

Some people will unsubscribe.

Some people will say no.

And some people will buy.



Understanding the Numbers Changes Everything

There’s something incredibly grounding about knowing your launch numbers.
If I send out an email, I expect a certain percentage of unsubscribes.
If I launch a product, I expect a certain conversion rate.

So when those things happen, they don’t rattle me anymore.
They’re just data. Normal. Predictable.
Part of the flow.

And honestly? That mindset shift alone has saved me from so many emotional spirals.

When you trust the process and trust that launching is a mix of strategy, energy, and numbers, you stop taking every little thing so personally.

This Applies to Pricing Too

I see this come up all the time with pricing anxiety.

You set a price… and someone tells you it’s too expensive.
Then someone else says, “Wow, that’s cheap!”
And someone else says, “That’s exactly what I expected.”

So which one is it?

The answer is: all of them.
There is no perfect price that makes everyone happy.
If you accept that, pricing gets a whole lot easier—and way less emotional.

Launching with Grace and Chill

I still do my mindset work.
I still journal, clear blocks, visualize, and say my affirmations.
But I also trust the math. I trust the timeline. I trust the process.

That’s what allows me to stay calm during launches.
To not overreact when unsubscribes come in or when sales aren’t instant.
To show up consistently, do the work, and support my audience.

Because launching isn’t about being perfect, it’s about being present.

It’s about showing up, offering value, making your case, and letting people decide in their own time.

And when you can do that without spiraling?
That’s when launching becomes sustainable.

Want to launch in a more grounded, repeatable, and calm way?

If you liked this chill take on launching, I’ve got more tips coming soon. Join the waitlist here to get first dibs on a free launch training and behind-the-scenes updates.

Are you too old to follow your dreams?

EPISODE 225
Are you too old to follow your dreams?

 

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Ever felt like you missed your window? Like you're too old, too tired, or too far behind to chase that dream?

This week’s episode of Chill & Prosper is your reminder that you’re not too old - and it’s never too late.

Today we’re covering: 

 ✨ Why imposter syndrome happens at every age
✨ The myth of “perfect timing” in business
✨ How to stop comparing your energy to someone else’s
✨ My favorite affirmations for age and ambition
✨ And why every version of you deserves to be seen and celebrated

Whatever phase of life you’re in, this one will help you reconnect with your power.

 

xx Denise

What’s really behind your money blocks?

Most of us aren’t aware of the money stories we carry - until we try to set our prices, send an invoice, or invest in ourselves.

That’s when the fear, guilt, or shame shows up.

So today I’m walking you through how to uncover your money mindset stories, and why this awareness is the key to earning more with less stress.

Money Mindset = Your Beliefs + Behaviors Around Money

Money mindset is about how you feel about money, how you behave around it, and what you believe you’re allowed to have.

It’s why:

You might freeze when someone asks your rate

You’re afraid to raise your prices

You over-deliver and undercharge

You delay invoicing or hate chasing payments

When it comes to money - you’re not broken. You’re just running on old programming.

It Often Starts in Childhood

In my recent podcast episode on this topic I tell a story bout giving my daughter a coin at the farmer’s market - and how quickly I said “Don’t put that in your mouth, money’s dirty!” 😬

That one moment sparked a shame jolt in her nervous system.

And we all have moments like that - where we learned money = guilt, shame, danger, or scarcity.

I also share the school shoe exercise:

 💡 What were your school shoes like growing up?
Were they too small? Hand-me-downs? Designer brands that made you feel excluded?

These small details often lead to huge mindset patterns:

 “I don’t deserve what fits me.”
“I have to make do with what I’m given.”
“It’s not safe to stand out or have nice things.”

Your Money Patterns Have Consequences

That old story might now show up as:

Refusing to buy the software or support you need

Feeling guilty upgrading from the “cheap” option

Hoarding supplies “just in case”

Overspending to overcompensate for childhood lack

Or refusing to be visible, in case people resent you

The story → becomes a belief → becomes a habit → becomes sabotage.

And unless you get curious, it just keeps running the show.

You’re Allowed to Create New Stories

In this episode, I also talk about:

A moment in a financial advisor’s office where I almost defaulted to “let the men handle the money” 
Mirror work and affirmations that helped me reclaim space 
Why healing your money story helps you charge more, market more, and stop shrinking

Your money beliefs aren’t permanent.

They were taught - and they can be unlearned.

Listen to the full episode at denisedt.com/podcast

The truth about your money blocks (and what to do about them)

EPISODE 225
The truth about your money blocks (and what to do about them)

 

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One comment, one shoe story, one moment - it all adds up.

Your cumulative life experiences, both conscious and unconscious, shape your mindset with money.

But sometimes you might feel resistance around money and not be sure why. 

So, this week on Chill & Prosper, we’re digging into money mindset - specifically the hidden stories that shape how you earn, spend, save, and show up in business.

In this episode, I share:

How money shame starts (often in childhood) 
The unexpected ways past stories influence your business 
Simple questions to help you uncover your hidden money beliefs 
How to stop sabotaging your income through overgiving or undercharging 
And why doing this work will help you make more money, not less

Listen along now for a combined dose of therapy, coaching, and a mindset reset in one.

xx Denise

P.S. To go deeper into your money blocks and work with me as your mindset mentor, come and join us in Money Bootcamp. 

Later this month, I’ll be hosting a special call for our Bootcamp members all about “Money Language”, because how you speak about money is as important as how you think and act with money.

Click here to sign up and join our monthly coaching call.