Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Katy Ursta. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Katy , thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Looking back, what’s an important lesson you learned at a prior job?

Before I started a career in direct sales, I was a seventh grade teacher. Part of my passion as a classroom teacher was connecting reluctant readers to stories. I remember teaching a novel, And Then There Were None, by Agatha Christie to my students. At first the students hated the book- it felt outdated, there was a discomfort with some of the archaic language, and students were easily intimidated by the vocabulary.

However, this book helped turn even the most reluctant readers into lovers of story. They began to see themselves in the role of the characters. They began to think about how they would resolve problems. Often, near the end of the unit, I would “catch them reading ahead” trying to figure out the mystery before the rest of the class.

My seven graders taught me the power of story- a lesson I teach to thousands of direct sellers and network marketers who are building a brand.

When people feel connected to your story, they begin to see themselves as the hero of your words, and you become their guide.

My years as a middle school reading teacher helped me understand the importance of storytelling. Even the most reluctant “buyers”. (in those days it was middle school students who didn’t want to read) will make decisions if they feel moved by a story.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I am the Co- CEO of Chic Influencer, a company that supports direct sellers and network marketers scale 6 and 7 figure businesses through their unique business model through courses, a community, and masterminds.

As the co-ceo, I specialize in helping our clients create a unique brand message using what we call the B.E.S Strategy. The strategy encompasses brand awareness, engagement, and sales content to generate more conversation and drive more conversion. Unlike other industry expects-my goal is not to help clients create viral content. My goal is to help my clients deliver memorable content that moves people into action.

I am also the best-selling author of Direct Sales Done Right: A Proven Path to Stop Wasting Time & Start Making Meaningful Money, the co-creator of Direct Sales Done Right Planner and Time Blocker.

My goal is to help my clients create stories that move people to take action through strategic content. I am proud to lead a movement of ambitious women replacing the “hustle harder” mentality with a “intentional CEO” lifestyle.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

In 2014 I was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer when my sons were only 3 and 3 months old. At the time, I was on an unpaid maternity leave without insurance. At the time, I was just starting my own direct sales business with a health and wellness company.

I remember saying to a friend- “Who in the world would want me as a health coach? I am going to be sick and bald?”

She looked at me and said, “Everyone is going to want you as a coach.”

From that day forward, I started sharing my experience as a health coach while battling stage 4 cancer. I talked about sweating for something bigger, and it became a movement that raised over $70,000 for cancer research.

During that cancer fight, my business grew over 300%. That’s the power of sharing a story.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

In my line of work as a direct seller, I came into the business with a “At any cost.” During the early days of building my direct sales business, I worked many hours in addition to my “day job” as a teacher. I gave up sleep. I gave up time with my family. I said “no” to things that mattered a lot to me. I remember rushing my kids to bed so that I could spend more time in the office.

I was the epitome of “hustle mode on.”

I burned out. I sacrificed my health. I became obsessed with the goals. I was gaining the world, and I was losing myself in the process.

It took a lot of unlearning and redefining success for myself. (In fact it’s an entire section of my book, Direct Sales Done Right) to finally create peace through the process of achieving the goals.

Here’s the deal. There are things that “matter” and there are things that MATTER. Never let the things that matter most be replaced by the things that matter only for a moment. Today every goal I set is aligned first to the values. I make decisions in the best interest of our family. I make sure that I calculate my decisions based on priorities.

My life has changed because I started seeing my worth outside the wins.

Contact Info:

• Website: katyursta.com
• Instagram: instagram.com/katywritescontent
• Facebook: fb.com/onefitfighter
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katyursta
• Other: www.chicinfluencer.com

Image Credits
all images can be credited to Amanda Brisco