In this episode of the Accidental CEO Podcast, host Nata Salvatori welcomes Larisa Makuch, founder of Abundance Academy, to discuss how creative entrepreneurs can transform their mindset from that of a “starving artist” to a thriving CEO. Larisa shares her personal journey of overcoming a poverty mindset and provides strategies to help business owners find clarity, confidence, and conviction in building a life and business of abundance.
From Poverty Mindset to Abundance Queen
Larisa’s path to becoming the “Queen of Abundance” wasn’t a straightforward one. Growing up, she faced abuse and struggled with a poverty mindset. However, through years of learning and self-integration, she began to see abundance in every aspect of her life. Now, she uses her experience to coach high-achieving women who, despite appearing successful on the outside, feel that they want more in life without the accompanying guilt.
“My world was not full of abundance. Actually, in fact, it was full of abundance; I just didn’t see it,” Larisa shares.
Larisa has worn many hats over the years, including working in financial services, touring internationally as a dancer, running a Pilates studio, and exploring the arts through photography. Her diverse experiences have given her a unique perspective on problem-solving and business growth, allowing her to help her clients navigate their entrepreneurial journeys.
The “Starving Artist” Mindset and How to Break Free
The “starving artist” mentality is a common struggle for many creative entrepreneurs. Larissa emphasizes that this mindset is rooted in societal programming and a limiting belief system. She works with clients to shift their perspectives toward abundance, helping them see their value and the importance of charging for their services.
“I think abundance is all about plenty. Abundance is a very large quantity of things,” says Larissa. “The words ‘starving artist’ are societal programming… If you were my client, I’d say, stop saying that.“
Larisa stresses the need for artists to adopt a growth mindset and see themselves as thriving entrepreneurs. Here’s how she helps her clients move from a mindset of scarcity to one of abundance:
- Change Your Words: The language you use about yourself and your business is crucial. Shifting from phrases like “starving artist” to “thriving artist” can change your mindset and open up new possibilities.
- Embrace Long-Term Focus: Many artists focus only on the short term. Larisa teaches her clients to create a long-term vision and understand that it’s a journey, not just a quick outcome.
- Prioritize Profit: Profit is the first order of business. Larisa reminds her clients that if they’re not charging appropriately, they’re not running a business—they’re running a hobby.
- Learn the Business of Art: Just as artists acquire skills in their craft, they can also learn business skills. Marketing, sales, and customer service are all learnable aspects of running a business successfully.
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From Transitioning to Thriving: Larisa’s Journey to Becoming a CEO
Starting a business isn’t always a smooth ride. Larisa recalls her initial hesitation to leave a secure job to pursue her own business full-time. She held onto her previous job for a long time due to fear of letting go, and the transition wasn’t easy.
“Leaving something that was so good was hard,” she reflects. “It took me a couple of years to get over the grief of leaving something that was such a huge part of my life.”
One of the most transformative moments for Larisa was adopting the identity of a CEO. Guided by her mentor’s words, “If you want to earn like a CEO, you have to act like one,” she began to treat her business as a serious endeavor. This shift in mentality was pivotal in growing her coaching business.
The Three C’s: Clarity, Confidence, and Conviction
A core part of Larisa’s coaching involves helping her clients develop the three C’s: clarity, confidence, and conviction. She believes that these are essential in overcoming subconscious blocks and self-sabotage.
Clarity: Having a clear vision of what you want is the first step. Many entrepreneurs lack this clarity and, as a result, struggle to move forward.
Confidence: Confidence is built through competence. Larisa encourages her clients to take small, actionable steps toward their vision to build self-belief.
Conviction: Connecting to a higher purpose or a cause larger than oneself fosters a deep sense of conviction. This inner drive keeps entrepreneurs moving forward, even when challenges arise.
A Client Success Story: From Grief to Growth
Larisa shares an inspiring story of a client who was navigating significant personal grief after her husband was diagnosed with early-onset dementia. She had to rebuild her life and create a new vision for herself. Larisa guided her in taking small steps toward this new vision, starting with something as simple as planting a herb garden. This initial action set off a chain of events, ultimately leading to her client becoming an established authority in her field.
“She didn’t have a business hat, but she decided to put on her business hat,” Larisa explains. By focusing on clarity, confidence, and conviction, her client transformed her life and built a business that has had a significant impact on others.
Overcoming the Most Common Mindset Blocks
According to Larisa, the number one mindset block she encounters in her clients is a lack of belief in themselves and their ability to succeed. This often manifests as a feeling of being stuck in a cycle of self-doubt and self-sabotage.
“They get stuck on a hamster wheel: ‘Why am I not good enough? Why can’t I earn more money?’” Larisa explains. “If they went back to basics—such as allowing clients to pay them—they could begin to overcome this block.“
She emphasizes the importance of addressing these subconscious beliefs and being willing to dig deep to uncover the root causes of self-sabotage. Without this self-awareness, it’s difficult for entrepreneurs to break through their self-imposed ceilings and achieve their potential.
Building a Legacy of Abundance
For Larisa, success goes beyond just building a profitable business. It’s about creating a life of health, wealth, and fulfillment across generations. At her Abundance Academy, she uses strategies that focus on dreaming, doing, and celebrating successes to ensure lasting impact for her clients and their families.
Larisa is passionate about integrating the principles of abundance into everyday life, including in her own family. “This isn’t just stuff I do for work; this is stuff I integrate into my life,” she says. By practicing these principles daily, she aims to create a ripple effect of positive change that extends beyond her immediate circle.
What’s Next for Larisa and Abundance Academy?
Larisa is currently working on several exciting projects, including launching her new book, Stop Procrastinating Your Life Away, and starting a podcast. In the future, she aims to expand her work into the family arena to create more sustainable, positive change for generations to come.
Final Thoughts
Larisa Makuch’s journey from a poverty mindset to becoming the “Queen of Abundance” is a powerful example of what’s possible when you embrace clarity, confidence, and conviction. By challenging societal norms like the “starving artist” mentality and adopting a CEO mindset, creative entrepreneurs can transform their businesses and lives.
To learn more about Larisa’s work and how to connect with her for coaching, visit her website at myabundanceacademy.ca. And don’t forget to check out her free monthly Abundance Activation Masterclass, where she dives deeper into the principles of clarity, confidence, and conviction.
If you’re ready to step into your role as a thriving CEO and break free from limiting beliefs, listen to the full episode of the Accidental CEO Podcast for more insights and inspiration from Larisa Makuch!
