There is weariness is in the air
The Grind edition: 005 - Prompts to help you get unstuck (and make more sales as a Christian entrepreneur), why we are THIRSTY for more real-life, and how to get more freebie sign-ups!
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Today I’m sharing about weariness as a Christian Business Owner (it’s in the air lately), Broc Shot, March Company Retreat, my book (!!!!!), and the final few hours to get a free coffee and win 32% off on the Percolator!
Last week, so many of you shared that you found my little weekly schedule helpful! That makes me SO very pleased!!!
This week, I’ve noticed a general sense of weariness and dread in the air.
A deep discouragement that seems to be weighing many down with overwhelm, overthinking, and a general feeling of yuck.
The reason? It seems mostly related to the frustration that the work you love so freaking much isn’t going how you thought. And/or because you’re balancing too much and none of it is getting done well, and ALL of it feels overwhelming.
Can I just say - I understand. Big time. Like BIG time. And can I also say something that may be hard to hear?
If you want to grow as a business owner, you need two things:
A thick skin
To treat everything as DATA
(okay, 3 things) A willingness to experiment
I’m not saying you can’t give yourself space to have a little cry and be sad about it. It’s tough! Like, really, truly tough. There are high highs as an entrepreneur and low lows. So, not for one second do I EVER want to belittle you or tell you your discouragement is silly.
It’s not silly. It’s VERY valid.
BUT / AND
You can’t stay in discouragement. You can’t. I know it’s easy to get lost in it. I know it’s tempting to give up - but you simply cannot.
Why? Because we NEED you. We NEED the work you offer and your efforts. THEY MATTER. Like a whole freaking lot.
Does that mean you stay in business? I don’t know. But I do know it means you can’t stay still.
Here are a few questions you can ask yourself, pray about, or journal about to help you uncover what might need to shift for you to start gaining momentum again:
Where have I been trying to muscle my way through this instead of partnering with God in the work He’s actually asked me to do?
What part of my business (or life) feels the heaviest right now—and what might that heaviness be trying to tell me?
If I looked at my discouragement as data instead of defeat, what could I learn from it?
Where might God be inviting me to loosen my grip and redefine what “success” looks like in this season?
What’s one small, faithful step I can take this week to rebuild momentum—without striving, just obedience?
By and large, the BIGGEST reason my clients have been feeling discouraged is low sales + engagement in general - and I’m actually working on a bunch of content to support you in this and have been for a few weeks! And you’ll get it first since you’re in my email community.
But for further thought/prayer/consideration: Get curious about why you bought the last few things you’ve bought. Everything from the milk brand you chose to the haircut (SPEAKING OF - did you see my new haircut???)
People HAVE money, people ARE buying things - and if you want them to buy YOUR things, you need to get curious!!!!! More on that soon!
(Also, here’s a post on selling as a Christian entrepreneur if it’s helpful - parts 2 has become a full-on blog post, so more coming soon!)
1. WHAT’S BREWING
A lil’ recap of what I’m working on at home and at work!
001. Early applications for the March 2026 Company Retreat are OPEN!!!! And I need your help.
Where deep rest meets strategic renewal: a five-day retreat and year-long sisterhood for kingdom-minded leaders ready to build what God has placed on their hearts.
So this isn’t JUST a retreat - it’s ALSO a year-long coaching community!!!!!! Which is just wild and so exciting.
Can you fill out this brief form to help me shape the retreat?? I would be so very grateful!
QUICK SURVEY HERE
See all the Company Retreat details + apply today!!!
002. There are only TWO spots left in the Percolator!
(With one of those two unofficially taken) - Applications close on November 1st, so now’s the time to apply if this has been on your heart!
And listen - if investment is an issue, don’t let that hold you back. Talk to me. I’m here to help!
The Pecolator is a group mentorship and mastermind for the Christian business owner who is ready for strategic foundations, live consulting, and a deeper level of accountability.
AND AND AND
I have the guest experts nearly complete! I can’t wait to share - it’s a bonkers good line-up!
003. The Action Planner gets its own sales page!!!
A TIP: Start treating your freebies like paid-for offerings, and people will use them more!
And this Action Planner? It’s a GOOD one - uniquely designed for the inconsistent leader who is ready to take persistent action! It’s like the Goldilocks of planning systems - you’re gonna love it. (At least check out how cute that sales page is!)
2. ESPRESSO SHOT
A quick business development, strategy, or marketing tip. I’ll do my best to keep these short, easy to implement, and 100% energizing!
Speaking of treating everything like data….
Go through your most liked, viewed, and engaged with content. The most opened emails, the most read Substack posts, the blog posts with the highest engagement - and ask yourself WHY.
What about this piece of content resonated with people? How did it serve them? What was the main takeaway? Why do you think they are hungry for THIS kind of content?
My take? We are all THIRSTY for more real-life, less HEAVINESS, and more JOY.
With AI and wars and political…chayos… taking over, we are TIRED of being sold to and lied to and manipulated. We don’t want to be content for someone else - we want CONNECTION.
What’s crazy is that many social media apps are no longer BUILT for true, deep connections like they used to be. (Which is infuriating, I know.)
So I wonder: How can you forge more REAL connections? Can you make tangible, hold-in-your-hand art and share that online? (Love how Jen Wagner is doing that HERE.) Can you print out your art, workbook, or freebie and showcase the REALNESS? Can you do more talking-head videos?
Ask yourself: How can you think outside the box grid and create things that feel more REAL and true to you?
Do me a favor???? Reply to this email and let me know what you come up with!
Here’s what I made! (reply to this email or DM me and show me yours!)
Also, if you need help getting unstuck, I made a free challenge that I think will help you! JOIN ARISE & ALIGN HERE
3. POUR OVER
I’ll do a mini audit! Whether it’s something a client gave me permission to share about, something I see online/out in the wild, or something of my own. Because sometimes it’s best to learn by example!
I’m too tired for this today. (..speaking of realness hahahaha!) And since this is a longer email, I’m just gonna go ahead and skip this.
BUT! I do want to give you another chance to listen in to the Office Hours Session on Voice Memos!
I’ll have a new one up next week!!!
p.s. I’ve gotten a few people asking where the Voice Memos feed went - so, IKYMI - Voice Memos is just as raw, just as real, just as DUSTY - but it’s public now. Which means it has a new feed.
Follow in your favorite podcast platform here: dustyhegge.com/voice-memos
4. HeBREWS
Too tacky? Absolutely. Will I be changing it? Not on your life.
I’ll share something God is teaching me, a devo I find inspiring, a bible verse that’s stretching me, or something online that pointed me back to God.
Okay, listen. I think I know what my book is going to be about.
(And if you haven’t heard about how a literary agent reached out to me, you can catch up HERE on The Christina and Dusty Show!)
Anyway, I could really use prayer about it. I’m feeling nervous at best and like a total fraud at worst - but I REALLY believe in this book and I know I’m the one to write it. Which feels both like an exciting honor and altogether terrifying.
Could you please join me in praying for discernment, holy success, and His guidance? That God would get ALL of the glory and bless me with the words and momentum I need to get moving on this? Because I can’t keep sitting on this idea any longer.
5. WEEKLY SPECIALS
A round-up of fun links! Products, funny things on the internet, content I’ve published recently, or things that are making me happy!
001. WIND BREATH
A monthly Creative Writing workshop rooted in Celtic Daily Prayer.
(For the Christian author who is weary, needs accountability, and is longing for more depth in their writing and relationship with God.)
002. BROC SHOT
Worth the hype. Need I say more?
YOUR GUT (and energy levels) WILL THANK YOU
003. ON VOICE MEMOS:
6. LAST SIPS
Closing thoughts, round up of important links, and a short little IKYMI for the skimmers. (👀 You know who you are.)
LINK ROUND UP:
Percolator Mastermind - Applications close November 1st!!! (Just TWO spots left!)
A Quick Survey I could use your input on!
The Brick - Fight phone addition with me (I didn’t mention this one this time - but YES I’m still obsessed.)
Broc Shot: Try it HERE (referral link)
Chat soon!
– Dusty
