The funniest thing happened this week.
My old teacher friend FaceTimed me during lunch, and before I knew it, his phone was being passed around to a dozen of my former students screaming, “When are you coming back??”. (Yes, the same ones I had to BEG to remove their AirPods last year 😅).
Our conversation went a little like this:
ME: "You know how you graduate high school and move on in life? Well, I graduated from teaching."
HIGH SCHOOLER: "Soooo you hAte Us and don’t want to visit? That's messed up!!"
ME:
And that got me thinking...
You know that feeling when you're building something on the side and aren't 100% in? As if moving forward with your dreams means completely abandoning the stability of your current life?
Here's what I've learned in the last 6 months: Our “old” story just becomes the foundation for our next one.
Those years of teaching taught me how to break down complex ideas, create engaging content, and yes—wrangle a room full of egocentric adolescents. Now? I'm using those same skills to help garden entrepreneurs turn those passion project ideas into real action. Chances are, you got the soft skills and the experience to succeed too.
Because at the end of the day, impact is impact. Whether it's in a classroom, day job, or your own business, it's all about creating an experience that makes the weight of the world a little lighter because we’re gettin’ through it together.
At least, that’s what I think I did for my students.
As we plant seeds for next year (pun intended!), I hope you’re making time and space for your peace and creativity.
Cheers to what happens next!
Cam
01. Fresh Seeds: Binge-Worthy Business Strategy
What do you want to be KNOWN for?
Think of three businesses and the first thing that pops into your head. For me:
- HerFirst100K = financial feminism
- Epic Gardening = simple gardening tips
- Joanna Gaines = making a space feel like a home
Even though each of these people and brands offer a gazillion products or services, they root in one singular purpose.
Before you go through the hassle of starting another product or creating a new offer, get crystal clear on what you do. And serve that up in a signature dish. If you already have multiple offers, make sure each compliment your purpose. Want to humor me? Hit reply and tell me what pops into your head when you think Digital Garden Girl.
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02. The Branding Bench: Quick Branding Tips
Multi-Passionate & need help focusing?
As a multi-passionate human, having too many ideas can feel like it's actually slow down your business growth. That's why in 2025, you're going to double down on your FOCUS Factor. Here's a few examples for what yours can look like.
The FOCUS Factor helps you communicate your unique value clearly:
- F = Foundation (what you do/how you do it)
- O = Others (who you serve)
- C = Context (your unique space)
- U = Understand (why it matters to them)
- S = Season (the era/timing that makes it relevant)
Just fill in this simple sentence: "I'm the only [FOUNDATION] for [OTHERS] in [CONTEXT] who want [UNDERSTAND] in an era of [SEASONS]."
Nailing down your FOCUS Factor stops you from second-guessing your offers, content, and makes sure the right people join your community because you're unapologetically yourself. It's not about limiting your passions, but focusing into a message that makes sense.
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Pinterest Predicts 2025?
Pinterest shared trends they're expecting. Even if you hate the Fisherman Aesthetic or Terra Futura homes, we now top searches. "Chaos gardening" increased +300%? Looks like my people are on Pinterest.
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03. A Garden Glimpse: Cam's Happy Place
A Cozy Corner
🎄No space? No problem. Instead of a tree this year, I opted into Trader Joe's cedar garlands to build my new favorite spot in the house. My compost bin can't wait for it!
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Congratulations, Melisa!
🎁 Melisa J from Flu Baby's Garden is the proud winner of our Digital Garden Girl Holiday Giveaway!
Stay tuned for more garden giveaways in 2025.
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04. Meaningful Marketing: How to Grow Online
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Bye Bye Burnout!
In this week’s new blog post, I dig into the 6 ways to simplify your business growth (especially as we head into the new year).
My favorite tip? How to stop reinventing the wheel with the content you already have!
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05. Community Corner: Inside Digital Garden Girl
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A Special Spotlight
I am SO proud to share that my mentee, Samantha Jones, just launched "ŃSYNC" - a faith-based cycle syncing guide for aligning daily activities with your body's natural rhythms.
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Q: from Danielle
"I’ve created several 'pdf guides'. Ex: guide for drying fresh herbs, guide to growing lettuce in the southern heat” etc. I just have no idea how to get the guides out to the public."
A: from Cam
Great question! Starting to create and sell digital products can feel like balancing a whole new list of garden chores. Here's a roadmap to guide you:
- Clarify your Business Vision - Start with a clear picture of what you want to be known for. What's your FOCUS Factor? This clarity ensures every action moves you closer to your 2025 goals.
- Pick the Right Systems - You need a platform(s) to host your email list, digital offers, and payments. Beacons.ai is a great, affordable all-in-one solution I started with! (I later upgraded to Squarespace + Kit, but that wasn't necessary for early growth.)
- Understand and Grow Your Community - Whether you're trying to whip up a new product or build up your content plan, everything you create needs to solve a real problem. Instead of a just guide for "drying fresh herbs", you're really teaching "10 spices my backyard garden replaced"... solving both what to do with harvests and how to save money.
- Simplify Your Product Offers - Start with one signature offer that aligns with your vision. As you grow, add "side dish" offers based on common questions. When people ask "what should I plant?" that's your cue for your next product!
- Share Proudly and Publicly - Remember, you're at least 5 steps ahead of someone just starting! Focus on how you're making an impact and sales feel less salesy. Don't just stick to social media - invite your community to join your email list so you can help them grow on autopilot.
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With dirt under my nails,
