Michelle Faust

Michelle Faust is the founder of Lemonade Legend, a company offering both print and media exposure through her anthology series, digital magazine, a publishing house, podcast and virtual stages and an upcoming TV show. Her ideal client is women who have lemonade stories to share and need a platform that shines the spotlight on them. The inception of The Lemonade Stand started with her own self-realization that she had a story herself of learning how to acquire a fearless attitude due to having a severe hearing loss which had impacted her own self-worth and created limiting beliefs. Her story is full of vulnerability, courage, and learning how to cope in a world which values perfection by developing her alternative strengths. After 20 years in the pharmaceutical industry she elected to leap into the entrepreneurial world and follow her heart, which ultimately led to the creation of Lemonade Legend. Her book anthology, The Lemonade Stand, is her passion project that not only provides a powerful resource for women struggling with their own lemonade challenges but is also emerging into a community of like-minded women who want to share, support, and lift up their sisters.

Her mission is to create the largest storytelling distribution network in the world, to give people a voice, share their stories, and elevate them above the conventional noise. She connects people with their stories and their stories with the world. There is power in storytelling, and her platforms celebrate the voice of entrepreneurs and small business owners who have tackled lemons and created amazing versions of lemonade opportunities.

Her network features individuals who have a powerful vision that is stronger than their fear. She provides extensive media exposure to brand their strength and courage.

Lemonade Legend will be releasing 2 new television shows, Lemonade Life and Legendary Leaders in the Fall of 2020, and The 2nd in the anthology series The Lemonade Stand will be published in January 2021.

Where did the idea for Lemonade Legend come from?

From my first book The Lemonade Stand. It clearly was a concept that generated a lot of excitement, so I set out to create a business all around women sharing their stories. The Lemonade Stand domain was taken so I chose legend because I worked with Legendary women.

What does your typical day look like and how do you make it productive?

I am not a morning person so I enjoy coffee, prayer, meditation, etc. until 10:00 and work solidly until 6 or 7 pm. Of late, it’s a lot of virtual networking and zoom events and staying on top of my many projects.

How do you bring ideas to life?

My brain is far more on the creative side than the logical. Ideas come at me all the time. To make them come to life I depend on my coach, mentors and VA.

What’s one trend that excites you?

The trend towards working virtually has been a big bonus. I am so much more productive. I have connected with more amazing people in the last 4-6 months than I have in the last 2 years.

What is one habit of yours that makes you more productive as an entrepreneur?

I treat every day as a workday. Lately, that includes weekends. But if I am going to take any down time I schedule it as though I was a 9 to 5 worker. I have been more consistent with taking Sunday afternoon for self care.

What advice would you give your younger self?

Keep your dreams alive, even if it’s not the right time to take the leap keep your eye on the goal. Whatever your passion is, keep feeding it, learning about it making connections. That way when you are ready you jump in with so much more prepared.

Tell us something that’s true that almost nobody agrees with you on.

I keep hearing people say their past does not define them. I disagree, your past does not define you like a label, but it defines you because it shapes who you are and what you’ve become. It’s where your value system, beliefs, characteristics, morals, and habits come from.

As an entrepreneur, what is the one thing you do over and over and recommend everyone else do?

Pray, and if that is not in your belief system, meditate. Learn to listen quietly and trust your gut, go for what your intuition is telling you to do.

What is one strategy that has helped you grow your business?

Because I have multiple platforms to give women exposure to share their stories, it’s like running 5 small businesses. I worked with a lot of internal chaos and stress until I started dedicating one day of the week to one project/platform. I have to be flexible to accommodate urgent business and client needs, but on Wednesday I know when I wake up I am going to focus solely on my publishing business. It helps keep my mindset focus on one area of business at a time.

What is one failure you had as an entrepreneur, and how did you overcome it?

Chasing too many shiny objects. I’m the idea girls, everything excites me. It’s caused me to spend far too much money without a return. I’ve learned to have a vision for my business and what it looks like 3 -5- 10 years from now. If an idea doesn’t fit into that vision I need set it aside.

What is one business idea that you’re willing to give away to our readers?

A dating service that matches up potential couples not only by likes and dislikes but social causes as well. All matches can select to attend a volunteer event of their choice to contribute to a social cause and to meet others in a group setting working towards a common goal. No awkward dating when they first meet and in a group they see who they engage with most easily. And an opportunity to give back to the community.

What is the best $100 you recently spent? What and why?

I bought a gift for one of my contract workers. I can’t afford to pay her what she is worth so when I feel a little flush I reward her, so she knows how much I appreciate her.

What is one piece of software or a web service that helps you be productive?

That’s not really my area of expertise but my VA insisted I start using an online appointment scheduler. Best advice I’ve ever gotten. I can manage my crazy calendar so much easier now.

What is the one book that you recommend our community should read and why?

Besides my own, The Lemonade Stand, I recommend Cashflow Quadrant by Robert Kiyosaki. It’s conceptual on the principals of making money. It’s meant to change your way of thinking in order to build wealth.

What is your favorite quote?

“Vulnerability is not winning or losing; it’s having the courage to show up and be seen when we have no control over the outcome. Vulnerability is not weakness; it’s our greatest measure of courage.” “People who wade into discomfort and vulnerability and tell the truth about their stories are the real badasses.” Apr 16, 2018 – Brene Brown