257. This Mistake Cost Me $500,000 from Financial Feminist

257. This Mistake Cost Me $500,000

21 minutes Posted Oct 14, 2025 at 9:00 am.

— The mistake that cost me $500,000

— What it means to sign with an agency or network (and why it’s risky)

— Losing transparency and control in my own business

— When credibility costs more than it’s worth

— The moment I realized I’d given away 40% of my revenue

— The danger of doing things just because “that’s how it’s done”

— What running everything in-house has taught me

— The deeper lesson: self-trust, transparency, and ownership

— How to support independent creators and shows like this one

— Learning from mistakes without shame

— The challenge: where can you trust yourself more?

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Show notes

It took me three years — and more than half a million dollars — to learn this lesson.

In today’s episode, I’m breaking down the biggest business mistake I’ve ever made: ignoring my gut, following “expert” advice, and paying the price. We’re diving into what happens when you give away your power for credibility, why trusting yourself is the best business strategy, and how to rebuild self-trust after a big mistake.

If you’ve ever been told, “That’s just how it’s done,” this episode will remind you that sometimes the best thing you can do is trust your instincts — even when it goes against the norm.

You’ll learn:

Why “industry standard” doesn’t always mean right for you

The true cost of outsourcing your power

How to rebuild self-trust in your money and business decisions

In this episode:

Want more resources from this episode, like our FREE money quiz, tools, or challenges? Head to https://www.herfirst100k.com/ffpod

Check us out on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/herfirst100k

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