You want to hear something crazy?
I sold my house to chase a dream.
Yup, you heard that right.
And for a while… I had no clue if it would actually work.
I took a leap of faith, allowed myself to take a risk, and stepped right off the cliff - without having any idea how I was going to keep myself from crashing headfirst into the ground (metaphorically speaking of course).
I’ve always been a storyteller - or at least it’s something I’ve always enjoyed.
I wrote my first book while I was working a typical (soul sucking) 9-5. Oh, and my wife was pregnant with our first child.
Talk about stacking stress!
But there was something deep down inside of me that I couldn’t shake.
I always knew I was wired for something different.
Something bigger.
Something that gave me purpose and meaning.
The only problem…
I couldn’t seem to put my finger on it.
It’s like when someone asks you a question, that you know the answer to, but you can’t seem to find it (you know the feeling).
I had the same mind-numbing job that paid the bills - barley.
You know, the so-called “dream.”
But I also had this tugging feeling in my chest that wouldn't go away.
I was showing up for work… but I wasn’t really present.
After a while, I started to become bitter and resentful.
I was snapping at the smallest things, and it began driving a wedge between me and the people closest to me.
For anyone who knows me, they knew this was very out of character.
I knew I couldn’t keep going down this road.
I sold my house, quit my job, and went all-in on building a business helping authors.
Because I knew what it felt like to write something you're proud of… and feel like no one will ever read it.
I knew what it felt like to pour yourself into a book… and sell 3 copies.
I knew what it felt like to have a dream so real you could taste it—but not know the next step to make it happen.
And I also knew email marketing was the one thing that changed everything for me.
It gave me control.
It helped me build real relationships with readers.
It gave me the freedom I was chasing when I sold that house.
I’ve struggled with doubt, burnout, frustration, and everything under the sun.
I’ve had launches flop.
Ideas fail.
Emails go completely ignored.
I’ve had people send me emails cussing me out, calling me a fraud, and telling me I suck.
The crazy thing is, I’ve got pretty thick skin and it takes a lot to get me unwound.
But it seemed like every little thing during this time of my life was like a dagger being plunged deeper and deeper into my heart.
I’ve juggled business with being a dad, a husband, and just trying to stay sane some (most) days.
My wife has walked with me through every pivot, breakdown, and rebuild.
My kids have seen me work early mornings and late nights to build something that means something.
And through it all, I’ve learned one thing:
The people who make it are the ones who don’t quit!
They figure it out. They ask for help. They build better systems.
If they don’t know something, they study until they nail it.
And most of all, they keep showing up—even when it’s messy.
Not to become an “email guru.”
Or chase some trend.
Or be able to tell my friends that “I work for myself.”
But to help authors like you build something real.
To stop guessing, stop shouting into the void, and finally feel like your writing is connecting—with readers who care.
I wanted to help authors in a way that felt honest, transparent, and actually worked.
I didn’t want to become another “this is the secret to success” online troll.
So, I’ll leave you with this…
Everything I do in my business is built on 3 pillars:
- Authenticity
- Transparency
- Trust
Without these 3 pillars, I wouldn’t be here today.
I truly love what I do.
But more than that, I truly love helping people and getting to see them grow, build, and transform.
I can honestly say from the bottom of my heart, I’m blessed and humbled to be able to do what I do.
Thanks for reading, and I can't wait to help you grow and prosper in your authoring journey!
© 2025 Philip Duncan LLC. All Rights Reserved.