Using the launch your dream method
I started a creative business that earned $45K in revenue in under 9 months while supporting my writing and film career sustainably.
Since then, I’ve helped dozens of people launch their dreams, too.
mini course
Launch Your Dream Method
The 5-day course to launch your project or business, so you can stop dreaming and start living the life you want today.
question for you...
What if you could launch your creative project or business with a step-by-step guide that teaches you how?
Launch Your Dream is a a 5-day course to launch your project or business, so you can stop dreaming and start living the life you want today—WITHOUT waiting for your big break or a major grant, spending endless hours online trying to figure it out yourself, or trying to become (or hire?) a marketing or fundraising expert.
But if you had to launch your dream tomorrow, would you know...
- where to start
- how to break your vision down into action steps
- how to use comps to chart your project or business plan
- how to monetize your creativity or business idea
- or what your internal blocks are that can limit your success
If you don’t have answers to these questions, then stop what you’re doing right now.
You know things need to change...
Stop selling yourself short, thinking that full-time creative professionals have more—more skills, education, money, ideas, or connections—than you do.
Stop spending hours scrolling through artists’ and entrepreneurs’ social media pages with envy, wishing you could have their life, when you could be spending that same time transforming your dream into a reality.
Stop waiting for your big break, hoping to be discovered without ever really putting yourself out there.
Stop waiting for a grant or investor to greenlight your dream when you haven’t greenlit yourself.
Stop letting fear keep you investing more time, effort, and energy into other people’s projects than your own.
Just stop.
It’s time to take action
Tell me if this is you...
- An artist or creative entrepreneur wanting to launch a project or business?
- Feeling stuck in your day job, though you know if you could get your idea out there, it would be a huge success?
- Always second guessing whether you’re living your true purpose?
- Struggling to monetize your skills or business idea?
- Terrified of failing if you go for it?
Maybe you’re waiting for a big break to launch the dream you’ve been thinking about for years.
You could be working a day job while working your art project or business on the side (or not at all), hoping for the courage to take a chance on yourself.
But here’s what happens: you wait. And wait. And wait. You keep working your day job (if you’re lucky, in these quarantine times), and never make the time to focus on your passion. Maybe you think you’re not ready—not enough money, time, or help—to go for it. You keep waiting for the perfect set of conditions to get started. And you watch tons of other people with less ability and more gumption go after their dreams.
it doesn't have to be that way.
Imagine how it would feel to...
Finally pursue a project you’ve been passionate about
Get fully funded for your creative idea
Have a team of people who support and back your project
I have been there.
After graduating from film school, I was thousands of dollars in debt and applied for tons of grants and fellowships that I didn’t win.
I attended festivals, read the industry trades, joined tons of film and media groups on Facebook trying to soak in as much as I could.
Despite all that busy work, deep down I wasn’t sure which direction my life was heading in.
Though I had an education, training, passion, and a built-in network of film school alumni, I kept believing that the people who “make it” had more than I do.
I would spend time on their Instagram profiles, imagining what my life would be like if I just got my big break and could be doing what I love full-time, not on the side. Meanwhile, my feature scripts were getting dusty and so many opportunities were passing me by.
Well, one day, I got tired of complaining and took my future into my own hands.
How did things change?
Finally, I had a breakthrough.
I remembered back to what I’d been through in film school, when none of my classmates signed up to work on one of my films. Facing disaster, I had launched a fundraising campaign that raised $15K in 4 weeks to hire an entire crew. Launching that campaign was one of the highlights of my life, one of those times when I stopped doubting myself, rolled up my sleeves, and took control of my future— rather than waiting for someone else to do the work for me.
maybe you can relate?
You don't create the life you want by waiting for someone else to give you an opportunity; you do it by setting a goal, getting prepared, making an action plan, and creating your own opportunities.
You might have heard the old phrase that luck is when opportunity meets preparation; but the truth is, luck is when opportunity meets preparation PLUS action.
The REAL reason why I was stuck at my day job and doing my passion on the side was because I wasn’t taking action to create a different life for myself, nor creating any new opportunities. Instead, I was waiting for lightning to strike, to be recognized for years of flying below the radar as an undiscovered writer/director in an industry oversaturated with talent.
I was settling for a life I didn’t want, attracting more of the same, year after year.
1
I was thinking about my creative process as defined by a moody muse, though it bears a lot in common with the process every artist or entrepreneur goes through.
2
I had defined success as winning things—when it’s truly about how well you recover from losses, which are common in any new endeavor.
3
I had fallen prey to the myth of the struggling artist, as well as the idea that I’d eventually be rewarded (by whom?) based on the merit of my work without ever taking a risk.
4
I hadn’t realized that my professors’ cautionary tale, that more of us would end up working regular jobs than film jobs, was more about the vagaries of the industry than our individual ability.
When I made the mental shift, suddenly there was nothing standing in my way.
There was nothing standing in my way but me, no limit to how far I could go. If I could conceive it, I could achieve it. All I needed was a creative project or business idea, an action plan for making it happen, and to launch my dream.
Armed with my Launch Your Dream system, I set up my work-from-anywhere creative business in a few months and started taking on clients and revenue. By the time the pandemic hit, I didn’t skip a beat.
And that short film? It was so successful I screened it at festivals around the world and was a semifinalist in the Student Academy Awards.
Now I am on a mission to help you do the same.
INTRODUCING
Launch Your
Dream Method
A 5-day course that will help you launch your creative project or business.
The results have been amazing...
“I’m so grateful for Iquo’s direction and support while I move forward with my design business dreams. Iquo has broadened my vision of my business and what I can do to make it possible. She helps me communicate and find my voice and how to present it to my community. I recommend Iquo to any struggling artist or business owner who has a dream, but does not know the steps to make it a reality.”
Kelly B.M.
interior designer
Ready to change your life & business?
let's dig into the details
Here's what you get with course...
MODULE ONE
Who You Are
Tune in to yourself right now with a series of questions designed to bring you back to the core of who you are and the future state you want to create in your life. Learn the top challenges faced by people starting a new project or business as well as the personal blocks holding you back.
MODULE TWO
What You Want To Create
In this module, you’ll define the big idea you want to create. Learn about your creative practice vs process, and start refining how you generate and evaluate new ideas. You’ll also learn about the internal blocks and external obstacles that can slow you down, plus how to overcome them.
MODULE THREE
Your Comps, Yourself
It’s one thing to have a creative idea, but it’s another to have a roadmap to success. Charting one is all about your comps—for entrepreneurs, it’s the competitors who offer something similar to you, in a similar market; and for artists, it’s comparable creators or projects that are similar to you or what you’re trying to create.
MODULE FOUR
Completion + Launch
It’s one thing to have a great idea, but getting it out in front of the right people is a different ball game altogether. Figuring it out on your own can be a tedious process. No more posting SOS messages in all your FB groups, asking for help and getting a range of (mostly) bad answers. Chart your path and start connecting to the right people and opportunities.
and don't forget about the bonuses
You're also going to get access to:
Personal SWOT Analysis
How do you go about identifying your strengths and weaknesses, and analyzing the opportunities and threats that flow from them? SWOT Analysis—Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats—is an especially powerful tool that helps you uncover opportunities that you would not otherwise have spotted. And by understanding your weaknesses, you can manage and eliminate obstacles that might otherwise hurt you. Understand your unique gifts and improve your ability to succeed at launching your dream.
Business Strategy Worksheet
This worksheet will help you create a framework for developing your business plan. Especially if you’re building a creative business, it may seem like there’s a lot of steps or you need an MBA. Not at all! Identify what direction you’re going in, how you will get there, who you’re targeting, how you will reach them, and what resources are required to achieve your goals with this simple, easy-to-follow worksheet. I only share this with private clients, but I’m going to give it to you so you can hit. the. ground running!
LAUNCH PLAN TEMPLATE
Ready to launch, but not sure exactly what steps to take? No worries, with my guide, you'll have a customizable plan to launch your project or business. You’ll be able to choose from a standard set of activities that make sense for you, and figure out how much time, effort, and money you need to deliver. Cut out all the guesswork and jump ahead to the fun part—when your project or business is out in the world and you’re engaging with clients, customers and a fanbase of patrons that love your work!
Ready to launch, but not sure exactly what steps to take?
What I loved was that it was a lot of material and very well organized, with a wide range of examples—from local businesses to Iquo’s own story—summarized in a way that was relatable, comprehensive, and digestible.
I would definitely recommend this class to anyone from any background. Though the course is geared toward creative people, I’m a technical person, and my goal is to start a think-and-do tank that targets water and sanitation issues for marginalized people. The fundraising, marketing, and social media tips were very applicable to helping me increase the amount of people I have access to.
With my guide, you'll have a customizable plan to launch your project or business.
You’ll be able to choose from a standard set of activities that make sense for you, and figure out how much time, effort, and money you need to deliver. Cut out all the guesswork and jump ahead to the fun part—when your project or business is out in the world and you’re engaging with clients, customers and a fan base of patrons that love your work!
How does the Launch Your Dream method help you launch your project or business into the world, build an audience, and create the life you want?
You might feel like you already know, after reading a bunch of creativity books or listening to every episode of your favorite business podcast. And yes, you probably know bits and pieces of the process. But there is a BIG difference between knowing and executing it to get the result you want. Meaning, actually DOING IT SUCCESSFULLY and QUICKLY.
LYD Method is all about results
You don’t have to sit through 10,000 hours of mastery, or work through a long business plan to launch your company. Everything is laid out in practical, actionable, bite-sized lessons. You start out with your self inventory, and then define what you want to create, take a deep dive into comparable projects and businesses that have been successful, and then execute your idea and launch it.
Once you implement this method, you will never feel stuck again.
You’ll have a set of actions that can move you forward through any project or business idea from conception through completion.
One simple framework that provides a FAST TRACK to launching your project or business, connecting authentically to an audience, and living your wildest dreams.
let's wrap it all up
Here's what you get when you join.
Instant access to the complete Launch Your Dream program & materials
(value = $397)
Launch Your Dream Master checklist
(value = $27)
Self Inventory exercise
(value = $47)
Monetization worksheet
(value = $47)
Competitors worksheet
(value = $47)
Bonus #1: Personal SWOT Analysis
(value = $47)
Bonus #2: Business Strategy
(value = $97)
Bonus #3: Launch Plan Template
(value = $97)
When you add that all up, it comes out to a value of $806. Normally this would be $149,
but you can enroll today for a special investment of $34.
who is behind the launch your dream method?
Iquo B. Essien
I am Iquo B. Essien, writer, creator and consultant. With a degree from Stanford University, I got my start in global communications and marketing at nonprofits, startups, and Fortune 500 companies. When I enrolled in NYU graduate film school, I never imagined what an uphill battle making movies would be—until I had to raise money to hire a crew for my second year short film. With no mailing list and a (pitifully) small web presence, I launched a crowdfunding, e-mail marketing, and letter-writing campaign that raised $15,000 in four weeks. I was amazed at how friends, family, colleagues, and even an equity investor stepped up to support me.
And since 2012, I’ve helped other artists and creative businesses raise more than $50,000 to fund their projects. Then I packaged it up into a flagship course and effectively monetized my skills into a sustainable career that allows me the flexibility and freedom to pursue my creative dreams.
My Launch Your Dream course gives self-producing artists and creative entrepreneurs a step-by-step guide to transform their dreams into reality. I’m committed to helping you live a life on purpose. Are you ready to follow your dream?
STILL HERE?
Good, because there's something I need to tell you.
Every time I take a private client on, this is where we start. This is the EXACT first step.
It TRULY can’t get better than this.
Important – since this product is so underpriced currently, we will likely raise the price soon. So the only way to get in on this – which is the lowest it will ever be offered at… is to sign up now…while it’s fresh on your mind.
This is a special offer and we’d hate to see you miss this opportunity.
The most important discovery I took away from the masterclass is how key marketing is to funding your dream. I would recommend this class to anyone who has a dream that they want to raise funds for.
susan v.
Circus Artist
have a question?
Frequently Asked Questions
This course is for artists and entrepreneurs who want to launch a creative project or business. It can be useful no matter what phase of development you’re in and can help you to overcome common obstacles to create a launch plan for success.
Yes, as soon as you join, you’ll receive an email with instructions on how to create your login and then you can get started ASAP.
Not at all. Go through the entire course once then sit down and start working through the worksheets and drafting your launch plan. After that, it’s up to you to define your first 3 steps and get started on a daily action plan to launch your dream. I recommend completing 2-3 steps per week, until you pick up momentum and making your dream a reality is all you can think about!
Absolutely. You get a step-by-step guide to launching your dream that you can implement today, tomorrow, next week, or next year. You pay for the course once, and the information is yours forever!
You get four modules with multiple lessons, case studies, and examples inside (videos + slides). You also get three downloads (self inventory, monetization worksheet and comps worksheet). Finally, you also get three bonus guides. Get the Launch Your Dream Method while it’s available for $34! Don’t miss out (normally $149). Take this course and take control of your future, so you can stop waiting for your big break and start creating your own opportunities.
Here’s what you’ll achieve after taking this course:
You’ll have a clear plan and action steps for launching your project or business.
You’ll have a deep understanding of comparable projects or businesses that succeeded and how to follow in their footsteps.
You’ll take ownership of your future and never wait for someone else to give you your big break again.
You are ready for this journey.
You no longer have to put your dream on hold. You no longer need to stay hidden and rob the world of your unique gifts. It’s time to put yourself out there. It’s time to stake your claim. It’s your time.
