The goal of Hardly Hustle is to provide inspiration, drive and motivation in a 10 minute read or less. What you see is what you get. This is hot off the press without an editing team.
Abi Levine is up.
Who are you and what do you do?
I’m Abi Levine, a money mindset coach, and I help heart-centered dreamers align with who they’re meant to be and what they’re meant to have in their lives. I was raised in foster care and the depths of poverty, I’ve been homeless as a single mom four times, and have built a really beautiful life for myself and my daughter. My clients have made over $1 Billion during the pandemic, many in industries that were shut down, most of them starting at less than $5K a month.
What did it take to get your first handful of customers?
Oh man. HUS-TLE. I did a Groupon for 3 sessions for $75 (and made $12.50) per session. I gave out hundreds of gift certificates for free sessions and a couple of people used them and continued to work with me. I went to networking events and helped anyone who asked for help.
Have you had to pivot the business to get to where you are today?
So many times! There was a time, after I quit my jobs about 3 years in, when I was booked out months in advance and still had people calling me for sessions, some of whom were suicidal. I knew I needed to create a group forum so I had some way of helping them ASAP. When Covid hit, my emphasis became on online because there were way more people who needed my help than I had the capacity to help.
What drives / motivates you on a daily basis?
Transformation. That I have the tools to help people make actual and profound shifts in their lives lights me up like nothing else.
When will you know that you've "made" it as an entrepreneur?
Oh I’ve already made it. My goal was to be like Granny Wendy in that scene in Hook, where she has a room full of people who’s lives she had profoundly changed. A couple of years ago I imagined my ballroom, and it was PACKED to the rafters, with people streaming out the door and down the street. My focus has shifted beyond that, to how many people can I help with the years I have left. I just need enough money to do that AND all the things on my bucket list.
What has been the hardest part of your business journey?
The first few years. I was a single mom, fighting for custody of my daughter, working a full time job, going to school at night and running trying to build a business in the in-between spaces. It was really “crunchy” as far as time and energy availability.
Who or what has helped you the most in your journey so far?
I’ve had many angels along the way, but Scott Oldford profoundly changed my experience in and relationship with business. He showed me it was okay to be me in business, and that changed EVERYTHING. Also, one of my coaches Dani taught me what love was, and showed me I was capable of loving myself.
What are a few resources that you'd recommend?
Must must MUST reads are: The Surrender Experiment, Big Magic The Big Leap, The Alchemist, Great By Choice, The Millionaire Next Door, Say Yes Pussy (for women), Women Who Run With The Wolves, Total Money Makeover (If you come from poverty), Journey of Souls (if you are spiritual), Codependent No More (Melanie Beattie).
The STATS
List the founders
Abigail CARUTHERS (dat’s me).
How many hours a week do you work on this hustle?
20 ish, although recently it’s tucked up to about 30.
# of Employees?
1 - me
When did you start?
2013
How much did it cost to launch?
About $70. $12 for my domain, and $50 a month for events. A little money for photocopies of my gift certificates.
What were your funding methods and ballpark amount raised?
I stopped eating out at all, and used that money to fund my start up.
Annual revenue?
$250k - $500k
Projected revenue?
$1 million +
Any call to action?
I’m looking to get in front of audiences! If you have a heart-centered audience I would love to teach live or give them some free resources to ensure they have more success!
Social:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/abi.caruthers/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/abilevinecht/ Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@abilevine3 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4w1pBiQq2EavnCjqO2xyvA