When Passion Meets Purpose: 5 Key Lessons from Sue Brown-Moore

Author 
Chipo   0

Updated on August 27, 2024

Entrepreneurship isn't a one-size-fits-all journey — and that's a good thing!

There isn't only one way to build a successful business. Sue Brown Moore's path from romance novel enthusiast to sought-after writing coach proves just that. Her story is a great example of turning personal passions and expertise into a thriving online venture.

In this post, we'll dive into Sue's journey and uncover five key lessons that can benefit entrepreneurs at any stage.

Whether you're just starting out or looking to expand your existing business, Sue's experiences offer valuable insights on aligning your work with your strengths and building a business that resonates with your target audience.


Sue Brown-Moore's journey into online business began with a deep passion, love for romance novels, and her talent for understanding storytelling.

Coupled with a desire to have a career set on her own terms, she managed to turn a hobby into a thriving online business where she helps writers from different walks of life turn their creativity into compelling stories.

Sue's story shows that there is room for passion and personality in business. It works.


"I am an editor and educator, a coach and a consultant for fiction writers, and my goal is to help writers learn how to craft stronger stories and fewer drafts and I am most excited about working with romance writers because that is my passion as a reader. I have read thousands, thousands of romance books and I just love it. So all of that in a nutshell, is I am a book revision and planning specialist" -- Sue Brown-Moore


From taking a bold step to choosing the right tech tools, Sue's journey offers valuable lessons. Whether you're just starting out or looking to revamp your existing business, these lessons could help shape your approach to entrepreneurship.

Simple Steps to Online Business Success: Five Practical Lessons

Sue's key business principles can be broken down into 5 core takeaways. Keep reading to learn how to create a business you love:

1. Sometimes, Your Business Solution Starts With You

In business, comfort zones can be dangerous. They limit your growth and keep you from seizing opportunities. 

Sue started off her journey as a book reviewer, transitioning to a beta reader for authors.

Sue Brown-Moore


"I found out that I had this ability to naturally, developmentally edit a story. And what that means is that I can look at a story and understand what's wrong with it and why, and then I can tell the writer, here's what's wrong, and here are some possibilities for you to fix it. I don't tell you how to fix it. I just tell you what's wrong with it and why that's wrong. So you can follow your gut. And that is what led me into editing.
"


But, when she recognized an opportunity to provide value in a different way – she took a bold step.


“From there, I basically just took a super brave step, went to a writers meeting, was like, 'Hello, I'm a brand new editor. I'm looking for clients.' And I met one of the clients that I'm still very good friends with today who opened up this whole world of referrals to me."

-- Sue Brown-Moore


As a business owner, you'll face moments that require similar boldness. Whether it's pitching to a big client, launching a new product, or pivoting your business model, these leaps can be terrifying. But remember, growth rarely happens within the confines of what's comfortable.

Every successful business owner has had to take bold leaps. Your willingness to do so could be the difference between stagnation and success. The next time an opportunity presents itself, even if it scares you, consider taking that leap. It might just be the catalyst your business needs.

2. Keep Your Tech Stack as Simple as Possible

As a business owner, you've got enough on your plate without wrestling with tech issues. Yet, many of us find ourselves tangled in a web of complicated tools and systems. Sound familiar?

Sue faced this exact problem. She started with a self-hosted WordPress site, a mix of plugins from different developers, and a hosting company that offered no support. The result? Constant tech headaches and wasted time.


“My original tech stack was a self-hosted WordPress site with a hosting company that didn't give any WordPress support. Bad idea. WordPress is finicky, and if you're stacking themes and widgets from different developers, they don't always play nice. WordPress auto-updates and then everything breaks, and you can't even log in. I was like, I cannot spend this much time troubleshooting."

-- Sue Brown-Moore


The solution isn't necessarily more tech - it's smarter tech. Look for integrated systems that handle multiple aspects of your business. They might seem pricier upfront, but consider the time and stress you'll save.

Sue experienced this when she encountered Thrive Themes.


“I knew I needed something, some sort of website tools that could help me do what I needed to do quickly and easily and not be a whole lot of hassle. And that is kind of how I came to find Thrive Themes.

When I found that Thrive Themes has your own dedicated support system, and they are responsive and they are friendly and the"

-- Sue Brown-Moore


And for the last few years, Sue has used Thrive Suite tools to build and grow her online business. Creating landing pages and online courses is a seamless process for her, allowing her to focus on other parts of her business, too.

You deserve to feel this way too.

Remember, every minute you spend battling with tech is a minute you're not spending on your core business. Simplifying your tech stack isn't just about reducing headaches - it's about freeing up your time and energy for what really matters.

So, if you know your current set of plugins aren't delivering the way they should be -- it could be time for a change.


3. Try Different Things to Diversify Your Revenue Streams


“Being your own boss is basically this ever-changing journey of, like, what's working? What's not working? What am I going to do next?” -- Sue Brown-Moore


Sue has tried out different strategies to find new clients, grow her mailing list, and land more sales. And a lot of her testing has to do with finding what works best for her people.

Her conversions and revenue come from different avenues – online courses, one-on-one consultations, live events like summits, group programs, and even a membership program.

Each of these serves a different purpose and attracts different types of clients. It's not just about making more money - it's about creating a business that can weather ups and downs.

But here's the key: Sue didn't launch all these at once. She's been experimenting, seeing what works, and adjusting as she goes. That's the beauty of diversification - you can start small and scale what works.

Look at your current offerings. Is there a new product or service you could add that complements what you already do? Maybe it's turning your expertise into an online course, or offering a VIP day for clients who want intensive help.

4. You'll Appreciate the Work When You're Doing What You Love

Sue's perspective on work has done a complete 180 since her corporate days. Back then, work was just work. Now? It's something she actually looks forward to.


"It's weird that I like working. Because when I worked in corporate, I hated working. And I couldn't wait to be home, I did, I did that. I was a project manager for many years."  -- Sue Brown-Moore


Running her own business means Sue's juggling a lot of different tasks. Marketing, finances, customer service - she's got her hands in everything. But here's the interesting part: she actually enjoys it.

Why? Because all these tasks are in service of something she's passionate about.


"What really happened was I wanted to work for myself. I've always wanted to work for myself. I don't like being told what to do. I don't like being told how to do it. I like full creative freedom, full freedom of schedule. I want to wake up when I want to wake up, you know? You know the drill."  -- Sue Brown-Moore


When you're doing work that matters to you, even the less exciting parts become more bearable. Sue gets to help writers tell stories that will captivate readers. That's the kind of purpose that gets her out of bed in the morning.

And when you're enthusiastic about your work, it shows. Sue's passion for romance writing comes through in everything she does, from her courses to her consultations. That genuine enthusiasm is attractive to clients and keeps them coming back.

Of course, loving your work doesn't mean every day is perfect. There are still challenges and tedious tasks. The difference is, when you're driven by passion, you have more motivation to push through the tough parts.

Think about the aspects of your work that you enjoy the most. How can you incorporate more of these elements into your daily routine? Even small changes can make a big difference in your overall job satisfaction.

5. There's Always Room for Personal Preferences When Running Your Business

Sue's approach to business is a great example of how you can tailor your work to fit your personal style. Take her focus on romance writers, for example. Sure, she could edit any kind of fiction, but she's chosen to specialize in a genre she's passionate about. It's a smart move - her enthusiasm for romance novels shines through in her work, making her more appealing to clients in that niche.

But it's not just about what she does - it's also about how she does it. As an introvert, Sue's found ways to market her business that play to her strengths. Instead of forcing herself to be constantly active on social media, she leans into email marketing and short-form content. It's a strategy that works for her and keeps her from burning out.

This isn't about avoiding challenges or only doing what's comfortable. It's about recognizing your strengths and preferences, then shaping your business around them. When you do this, work becomes more enjoyable and you're likely to be more effective too.

  Pro tip  

Take a look at your business operations. Are there areas where you're trying to fit yourself into a mold that doesn't suit you? Maybe it's your marketing approach, your service offerings, or even your working hours. Identify one aspect you could adjust to better align with your personal preferences, and experiment with changing it over the next month.

Are You Ready to Take the Reins?

Sue loves what she does and a lot of this has to do with the way her online business is built and how it runs. She put in a lot of effort to find the best tech stack for her business and she's happy with what she has now. With Thrive Suite, she's been able to create a lovely website, conversion-focused landing pages, engaging online courses, and so much more.

Sue Brown-Moore


"I've loved Thrive Suite for so long. I'm like a super user here. So I think everyone should use it


This move gave her more than just technical control - it allowed her to truly bring her business to life online.

By finding a platform that clicked with her needs, Sue could focus on what really matters: helping people tap into their creative potential and start writing. Her journey shows us that with the right tools, we can create online spaces that not only work smoothly but also genuinely reflect who we are and what we offer to our clients.

Start Your Journey with Thrive Suite

You can do the same thing, too. Starting with building a website that puts your business in the best light.

Thrive Suite, our premium WordPress plugin bundle, is your key to creating a profitable online business.

Thrive Suite landing page

You’ve waited long enough to bring your new ideas to life. There’s no better time to start like now.

Purchasing this bundle saves you from spending $1000+ on five to six plugins to try to achieve the same results. Giving you more time and resources to implement marketing strategies that lead to more sales for your business.

These plugins are easy to use, offer an expansive library of customizable templates, and are updated regularly – helping you stay ahead of the competition.

What are you waiting for?

Get started with Thrive Suite today.

by Chipo  August 27, 2024

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