Krystal Proffitt is Founder and Host of The Proffitt Podcast, (Apple Podcasts | Spotify) a show that teaches entrepreneurs how to confidently start, launch, and market their own podcasts.
Krystal began her career in corporate accounting. She excelled in her job, but found herself feeling chronically unhappy and unfilled.
After spending close to four years in her role, Krystal left to become a full-time, stay-at-home mom to her three young boys. At the time, she assumed that she would eventually return to some form of traditional employment. However, once she had settled into the world of motherhood, Krystal found herself in search of something fulfilling to do from home. After many trials and missteps, Krystal discovered podcasting — and it clicked.
For Krystal, podcasting has been the secret weapon that has enabled her to find fulfillment in both her personal and professional life. With over 100 episodes of The Proffitt Podcast under her belt and clients lining up for her podcast coaching service, Krystal is well on her way to becoming a podcasting powerhouse.
And with no further ado, here’s our Ossa Podcaster Interview with Krystal Proffitt!
Let’s start with the basics.
Name: Krystal Proffit
Podcast Name: The Proffitt Podcast
Tell us what your podcast is about: I teach entrepreneurs how to confidently start, launch, and market their podcasts.
Current hometown: Tomball, Texas
Originally from: Athens, Texas (Home of the Hamburger)
Now, for a Quickfire Question warm-up round! 🔥
What’s a quote or piece of advice that you try to live by?
“Keep it up. We all have to start somewhere!”
Superpower:
Ideation – aka the creation of ideas!
One thing on your bucket list:
Visiting New York City. I’ve been telling my hubs I want to go for 10 years now!
Personal Anthem:
“Girl on Fire” by Alicia Keys
Last text message you sent:
Miss you.
What was your first job?
When I was 15, I worked at a bridal shop where my dad did the plumbing. It was awesome! She paid cash and I got a free prom dress! Win-Win!
Any unusual hobbies?
I love adult coloring books. They are very relaxing! And dance parties in the kitchen with my fam.
Biggest Pet Peeve:
People interrupting each other during a conversation.
Alright, time to get into it! 🔥🔥
What inspired you to start The Proffitt Podcast?
I wanted to share my stories, mistakes, and mishaps in hopes that they would help someone else. And the real truth behind it all is that I love to talk. I process thoughts better when I speak them out loud.
Could you tell us more about your work/life outside of your podcast?
When I was in the corporate world, I worked for a large general contractor as a project accountant. The environment was toxic and not fun after 3.5 years. I was being told, “You’re so good at what you do” even though I hated my job.
I quit with every intention of finding another job, but here I am today. I’ve been a stay-at-home mom for the last 5 years. And I’ve literally tried everything to find something fulfilling I could do from home.
Wrote a book. Started writing poetry. Learned all of The Pioneer Woman recipes. Organized the playroom 1,000 times. Put a few poorly produced videos on YouTube. Started a blog no one read. All the things.
But everything I’ve tried has led me to where I am today.
Here I am today, a wife & mama to 3 boys who gets to show up each day doing something that fulfills me. I love podcasting and I love being able to teach it to other entrepreneurs.
What is The Proffitt Podcast‘s USP?
I don’t do a lot of editing. And I relish in this. I show up as myself. I tell my audience that I record my podcast in my closet, surrounded by piles of laundry. And I teach podcasting. The reason why is because it’s who I am. I don’t show up as someone I’m not. I’m just my Texas girl self. 😉
What is one of the greatest challenges you have personally faced with your podcast? (Or if you’re willing, share a story of a time you screwed up & how you recovered!)
I totally botched my very first interview! I had all of my equipment plugged in, ready to go way in advance of our scheduled time to record. Because that’s just who I am.
Then, the doorbell rang. It was the delivery guys ready to move in the replacement desk. (A drawer was broken on the one we’d received a week earlier, so this was the replacement.)
I removed all of my electronics so we could swap out desks quickly, set them all back up in record time, and proceeded to do my very first podcast interview.
It was such an amazing conversation. The energy was there. The vibes were flowing. And it was everything I’d hoped for my very first interview.
It wasn’t until later that evening that I went back to listen to the recording that I realized my mic hadn’t been plugged in. Not even a little bit. Not even at all.
Luckily, my guest’s audio was fantastic! So since I knew how our conversation went and I’d written out my questions prior to the interview, I went back in and recorded my audio trying to sound as natural as possible.
No one ever knew the difference.
Number One Takeaway: ALWAYS CHECK YOUR EQUIPMENT!
Editor’s Note: Number Two Takeaway: Sh-t happens! Successful entrepreneurs don’t let unexpected obstacles throw them off course. They make it work and keep it movin’!
Here I am today, a wife & mama to 3 boys who gets to show up each day doing something that fulfills me. I love podcasting and I love being able to teach it to other entrepreneurs.
– Krystal Proffitt, The Proffitt Podcast
What was one of your favorite episodes you’ve ever done? Why does it stand out?
“The Ultimate Podcast Checklist“. It’s literally THE episode I wish I would have had when I first started. And, it’s my Episode 99. I must say, it’s a pretty fantastic way to close out the double-digits of my podcast!
Let’s look in the rear-view mirror for a sec. What is one thing you have accomplished with your podcast thus far that you are most proud of?
[I’m proud of] networking with some of the most amazing people. I would’ve never met ANY of the people I’ve met in this wonderful community had it not been for my podcast. It makes me sad to think of all the relationships I’d be missing out on right now if I never would’ve started!
Now, let’s grab our crystal ball and look into the future. What is one major milestone that you would like to accomplish through your podcast in the next year?
I’d love to partner with more amazing guests. And, because I’m feeling frisky today, I’m gonna shoot for the stars. I want Amy Porterfield to be a guest on my podcast next year. (I’ve put it out there…now get to work, Universe!)
Speaking of the future…what is a trend or development in the podcast industry that you foresee happening in the next few years?
I’m really curious to see what Google does with its online podcast editing platform. I’d love to be able to record, edit, and publish all from a smartphone and I think we’re going there. It would lower the barrier to entry for podcasting even more for entrepreneurs and would give everyone the opportunity to share their messages.
I would’ve never met ANY of the people I’ve met in this wonderful community had it not been for my podcast. It makes me sad to think of all the relationships I’d be missing out on right now if I never would’ve started!
– Krystal Proffitt, The Proffitt Podcast
What is one of the best pieces of podcast-related advice you’ve ever received & why?
You’re not trying to speak to everyone. You’re just trying to speak to one person. And when you resonate with that one person, you’re able to affect many people.
Because that one person will become a loyal fan. An avid listener. Someone who shares every single piece of content you create. And over time, that one person will turn into many people that you’re able to impact.
What is one of the worst pieces of podcast-related advice you have ever received & why?
“You need to edit every single mistake out of your audio.”
This is the worst advice I’ve ever heard and it drives me crazy!
If you edit yourself too much, you sound robotic. You don’t sound human anymore. And when you’re robotic, you become unrelatable.
People relate to messy. They relate to mistakes. They relate to kids busting into the room asking for a snack. They relate to dogs barking in the background. They relate to the trash guys knocking around garbage cans. They relate to your neighbor mowing the lawn when you’re working in your office.
Yes, you should be professional with your podcast.
But perfect? That shouldn’t be the goal.
Can you tell us about a time when you took a huge risk/did something you were scared to do, and it totally paid off?
At the beginning of 2019, I invested a lot of money into taking Marie Forleo’s B-School. It was $2,000 I didn’t have. But I felt in my gut that I needed to start taking myself seriously in order for other people to take me seriously.
Investing that money into my myself and my business was super scary!
Since then, I’ve been mentored by not only Marie but Amy Porterfield and Rachel Hollis in ways I never expected. I’ve expanded my network 5x over. I’ve partnered with incredible companies that share the same mission I have. I’ve been asked to speak on stages and at events that I never thought would be possible.
The investment and the mindset shift that it took to get me where I am today is the fork in the road I needed to go from “dabbling with a side hustle” to being a serious entrepreneur.
At the beginning of 2019, I invested a lot of money into taking Marie Forleo’s B-School. It was $2,000 I didn’t have. But I felt in my gut that I needed to start taking myself seriously in order for other people to take me seriously.
– Krystal Proffitt, The Proffitt Podcast
How do you feel you’re making a positive impact and generating change through your podcast?
I really understand each woman in my audience. Someone with a passion to share things she cares deeply about. Someone who wants to have a passion outside of just being a stay-at-home mom. Someone who wants to create something and is willing to be scrappy to figure it out.
I speak to entrepreneurs that are wanting to make a difference. And I’m reminded every day that these are my people. They are the reason I come back every week. I want to add value to their lives so that they can add value to others.
Time for the shout-outs! 🔥🔥🔥
What are some of your favorite women-hosted podcasts (besides your own)?
[FAIR WARNING: I’m a podcast junkie!]
Rise by Rachel Hollis (Apple Podcasts | Spotify)
Online Marketing Made Easy by Amy Porterfield (Apple Podcasts | Spotify)
The Marie Forleo Podcast by Marie Forleo (Apple Podcasts | Spotify)
Office Ladies by Jenna Fischer & Angela Kinsey (Apple Podcasts | Spotify)
Business Boutique by Christy Wright (Apple Podcasts | Spotify)
Why Not Now? With Amy Jo Martin (Apple Podcasts | Spotify)
Don’t Keep Your Day Job by Cathy Heller (Apple Podcasts | Spotify)
DIY Marketing School by Melanie Dyann Howe (Apple Podcasts | Spotify)
Quiet Rebels Podcast by Mai-kee Tsang (Apple Podcasts | Stitcher)
The Jasmine Star Show by Jasmine Star (Apple Podcasts | Spotify)
The Life Coach School by Brooke Castillo (Apple Podcasts | Spotify)
Content 10X by Amy Woods (Apple Podcasts | Spotify)
The Sunny Show by Sunny Lenarduzzi (Apple Podcasts | Spotify)
Do It Scared by Ruth Soukup (Apple Podcasts | Spotify)
The Jennifer Allwood Show by Jennifer Allwood (Apple Podcasts | Spotify)
Are there any great podcast-related resources you love that you would like to share?
There is a FREE 5-Day Podcast Bootcamp that my audience swears by!
But again, my fave thing I’ve created (up to this point in my journey) is the Ultimate Podcast Checklist!
We also have a lot of fun in The Proffitt Podcast Online Community where I do a lot of live trainings and videos.
My YouTube channel is dedicated to teaching podcasting strategies for new and seasoned podcasters.
Is there a charity or cause you care about that you would like to share?
I love what Stu McLaren is doing with his foundation, Village Impact.
For more from Krystal Proffitt —
Website | Facebook | Instagram | YouTube | LinkedIn
Listen to The Proffitt Podcast —