Nisha Srikanth

From Freedom Finisher to Hall of Fame  - From Zero to 8.5 Lakhs in 9 months‍

Embarking on the journey of teaching doll making was not just a professional pursuit; it became a transformative journey that touched the very core of my existence. As I reflect upon the evolution from a passionate doll maker to an educator, I realize how this transition has intricately woven threads of personal growth, community building, and a profound sense of purpose in my life.

The story begins with an undying passion for doll making that consumed my creative spirit. I found relief and joy in making delicate figures from fabric which was one of the oldest and dying forms of doll making. However, the turning point arrived when I recognized the inherent desire to share this artistry with others, igniting the spark of teaching within me.

But I had my doubts, “Your doll business has just started growing… and now you want to invest in teaching business? Will you get a return on investment? Do you think there are so many people like you outside who are crazy like you in doll making? Who would be interested in learning doll making? Who would be interested in buying your doll making courses?”

When I decided to join the Diamond Membership program, I didn't have answers to any of these questions. It was March 31, 2023, when I attended the call without knowing exactly what I was getting into. After my first interaction with ILH & Sidz, I was certain that this was the path I needed to take to help people like me who are struggling to enter this industry.

I didn't want anyone to experience the same struggles I faced when I left my well-paying IT job to start a doll-making business. There was no one to teach me the art of professional doll making or selling.

The ILH journey was completely new to me, and all the terms felt like a foreign language at the beginning. The term "Hackathon" scared me the most. I was put in a group called "emperor." Weekly connections and homeworks  made me so stressed because I couldn't understand or follow the concepts.

I couldn't share how I was feeling with anyone at home because joining ILH was completely my decision. I even doubted my decision to join. The modules in ILH felt like they were designed for people with a technical background. I was clueless about how to implement them for my doll-making coaching program.

I had a few sleepless nights until I realized that the Niche Clarity Blueprint is so well thought out and designed to cover all aspects of coaching industries. I went through the module specific for "Art and Craft" multiple times. That was a breakthrough for me. I realized that I just had to go through the courses and blindly follow the path. I was so happy that I already had a niche, while others in the group were struggling to decide on one.

The next scariest part was creating a website.

I consider myself incredibly lucky because I had the best team, leaders, and mentors who supported me continuously, especially considering my lack of technical knowledge in creating a website. Surprisingly, creating a website turned out to be easier than making a doll. The platform was readily available, and I just had to plug and play. It was an incredible feeling when my website went live.

The highlight of the entire Hackathon experience was developing the Learning Modules. I studied the “curriculum design blueprint” multiple times and was able to create a program suitable for my students. Designing the Silver, Gold, and Diamond Membership programs and the corresponding outputs made me feel incredibly fulfilled.

Now, I needed a platform to host the tutorials. The mentors shared some options, and it was up to me to decide which platform to use. Funding, once again, was a challenge, but as the saying goes, "when your intention is good, the entire universe will conspire to help you achieve." My husband noticed all the struggles I had been going through for the past few months, day and night. He asked me how much money I needed for the Website and LMS.

I launched my website on 17th May, one of the most beautiful days of my life. The next milestone was finding a good learning platform, which I achieved on 23rd May. Now, it was time for me to climb the ladder, as the foundation was set.

Then came the pinnacle of fear: Webinar Selling.

Sell doll making courses through Zoom to unknown people? Can I talk confidently? Will people register after seeing my posts on social media? Should I invest in paid ads? Will I even have the funds for paid ads? I remembered Sidz's words, "Don't go for paid ads in the initial stages. Go for paid ads once you have the complete setup ready."

Despite the uncertainties, I decided to conduct my first webinar on 17th June 2023. Being part of multiple social media groups, I created posters about the free webinar and shared them in all the groups. I hoped and prayed for at least 15 people to register.

As the fateful day arrived and the clock ticked closer to the webinar's start time, my stress peaked. The familiar flutter of butterflies in my stomach intensified. But in those tense moments, I drew strength from my preparation. I watched the Webinar Selling Formula modules one last time, reminding myself that this was an opportunity to share my passion for doll making with a wider audience.

The response exceeded my expectations. 131 people registered, 92 attended. 3 purchased Diamond memberships, and 7 purchased Silver memberships. I made Rs.1,09,990. I recalled the question: "What will be your ROI?" Here is the answer...

Beyond the tangible outcomes of beautiful dolls and skilled artisans, the impact on the lives of my students became the true measure of success. Knowing that I played a part in kindling the creative flame within others, empowering them to explore their artistic potential, filled my life with a sense of fulfillment that surpassed any personal achievement. What more is required for a trainer than receiving feedback/comments from students? I am proud and happy about the impact that I was able to create in my students, beyond helping them make money.

Teaching, I soon realized, was a journey of continual learning and adaptation. The challenges that presented themselves, whether in the form of a student grappling with a particular technique or the logistical intricacies of organizing a class, became crucibles of personal growth. Each obstacle was an opportunity to refine my teaching methods, cultivate patience, and develop a resilience that would prove invaluable both in and out of the studio.

I started enjoying the journey in ILH and every step and goal seemed to be an interesting fragment of my life. Completing the Hackathon and achieving the Freedom Finisher became cake walks for me as we just had to follow the path diligently.

The next milestone was achieving the Hall of Fame by earning 3 Lakhs in 3 months, which sounded unrealistic at first. Despite the response, “Because you earned 1 Lakh in the first webinar doesn’t mean you'll get the same every time,” my subconscious mind gave me the answer: “When I have the ILH Platform, HOF is not going to be difficult”' I proved this by consistently following the path shared by Sidz and believing in the same.

From the solitary artist immersed in the act of creation to the educator fostering a community of like-minded individuals, the journey has been one of evolution, empowerment, and purpose.

In the tapestry of my life, teaching doll making has woven threads of joy, community, resilience, and purpose. What started as a simple desire to share my passion transformed into a rich and intricate narrative of personal and communal metamorphosis. The classroom became not just a space for learning but a sanctuary for the cultivation of dreams, proving that the act of teaching can be as transformative as the art itself.

The dolls created in those classes are not just crafted figures; they are tangible symbols of the power of art and the enduring legacy of a teacher’s impact. As I continue to guide others in the enchanting dance of doll making, I am reminded that the true magic lies not just in the creation of dolls but in the profound changes that occur within the hearts and minds of those who embark on this artistic journey which was possible by believing and following the path created by ILH Community.

As I share the intimate chapters of my journey from a passionate doll maker to an educator, I invite you to embark on your own transformative odyssey through the world of doll making. Teaching this art has not only enriched the lives of my students but has become a profound source of personal growth, community building, and purpose.

From initially trembling through webinars to confidently tutoring online... attributing my success to SIDZ and the ILH Community.

Follow your passion and success will follow you.

‍