Meet Rachel Marie Martin

Rachel Marie Martin

Hi Rachel, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I know it might sound self-serving, but the intro to The Today Show created for my appearance is wonderful. If you have one minute, I think it’s a great overview: https://www.today.com/video/how-1-mother-found-success-after-financial-hardship-1366107715797!

If not, you should know my story is about fighting for my children and myself. No one plans to end up in a poverty situation or an unhealthy  marriage. But that’s where I found myself one day afraid of collectors at my door and the red “final notice” stamped on letters.

Despite spending years trying very hard to keep food on the table for my seven kids, it took a friend telling me that my life was not “normal” for me to realize I needed to take action and change things for us. That’s when I put a stake in the ground and told myself I would never return to a life without action, hope, and forward momentum.

I had no recent work experience, but I did like to write. So I wrote. I started my blog – Finding Joy, which turned into selling an e-book, which led to sponsorships, publishing books, hosting podcasts, creating products, speaking worldwide, and growing a 7-figure business.

It’s not the poverty or divorce that is the subject of my story, however. Everyone has unexpected circumstances to deal with, we all have ups and downs and challenges – I write to let others know they are not alone and that their story matters no matter what. The real story, the one that I’m proud to share, is how I found my spark again. I found that fire burning inside me since I was a little girl, and instead of running from it,  listened to it, nurtured it, and share about it. In fact, my next book, “Get Your Spark Back”, coming out this August is exactly that – a guide to finding happiness and reigniting your life.

I took back my life. I gave a life to my kids. And now I I’m unbelievably grateful to be an advocate and a catalyst for others to do this as well.

Getting to the point of starting a business is where I overcame many of the big hurdles and challenges I’ve had to face. But the business itself comes with its speed bumps and hurdles.

Our business, Audience Industries – that I own with my husband Dan R Morris,  thrives when we can bust through algorithms that Google, Facebook, and Amazon put in our way. And while those can be considered our obstacles, they’re just our daily reality. It also means being grateful for the obstacles because they push us to adapt, overcome, and be creative.

Just like other entrepreneurs, one of our biggest obstacles is staying fresh and relevant for our audiences. We have to develop new products, excursions, and experiences for them that help our audience achieve their dreams and goals.

On top of that, we also have to be conscious of how this career path ends. Without the opportunity of retirement, we must blaze a path that creates long-term income. We also need to balance work and home life, especially as entrepreneurs where the work-day might not ever end. We are conscious about creating pockets of joy, rest, and chill within our week.

Every day, we wake with a smile, knowing we get this chance to create a difference in the world.

Audience Industries combines both of our talents. We write FindingJoy.net, a blog for women  and manage our social media accounts with over a million followers. I also write books, speak at events, and am a guest on podcasts.

Every June and October, we sell a one-time-only, limited-time product that teaches people how to build a full-time career online, as we have. We call it BC Stack. This is our tenth year.

Twice a year for ten people, we run a six-month mentorship where we walk you by the hand in turning your business idea into a full-time income.

And finally, we produce a monthly 20th Century History podcast called Tracing The Path.

What matters most to you? Why?
After my family, which means the world to me, being a person who brings hope to this world matters greatly to me. I know what it’s like to live hopelessly and remember when a speaker ignited within me the flame of hope.

I also want to inspire others to take time to pursue their dreams, to fuel their heart, and to do the hard things. In my own life, running is my go-to stress-relieving, take-care-of-my heart outlet. I’ve used my running lessons to inspire others to find their “thing” too.

I believe we all have a beautiful life story to write, and my career is spent with the mission of being a catalyst for dreams, courage, and hope.