E32 Transcript
Borrow My Diploma
Here’s a little secret about me - I love Learning. Seriously, I can’t get enough of it. I’m the person who’ll sign up for all kinds of webinars and workshops, just to see what someone else is doing in their business—even if I’ve already taken their course before. I’ll sign up just to watch how others are doing it, learn from their strategies, look for what’s changed, and see if I can apply some little tidbit to my own business. I guess I’m just endlessly curious about how others make it work.
Now I do know that this is a deep part of my personality, and one of my strengths, but it’s also a skill that can be cultivated and honed. If you want to be an entrepreneur yourself, it’s helpful – maybe even necessary – to study other entrepreneurs and businesses
Here’s what I want you to really hear: there’s so much power in learning from others, so that you’re not always reinventing the wheel. You don’t have to figure it all out by yourself—there’s a concept I’ve been thinking about a lot lately, and it’s one that I’ve heard from Jon Acuff. He calls it “borrowing the diploma.” It’s about leveraging the experiences, successes, and even failures of others to fast-track your own journey.
It’s been a game-changer for me. Instead of slogging through mistakes I don’t need to make, I’m learning from those who have already paved the way. It’s not about copying—far from it—but taking bits and pieces from what’s already been done and applying some of those tiny segments in my own creative and business context.
So today, I’m going to share how you can borrow my diploma in your creative business, skip some of the guesswork, and fast-track your growth. Stick with me, because what you’ll hear might just change the way you think about your own creative and business learning journey…and – inspire the snoop in you!
So, what is this weird idea of “Borrowing a diploma” anyway?
First, I’m not talking about going to school for years or getting another degree.
I’m also not talking about faking it, lying, or pretending to have some sort of qualification that you don’t have. No fake certifications or alphabet soup behind your name. NOPE!
What I’m talking about is learning from those who’ve already achieved what you want to achieve – at multiple levels. It’s about leveraging the wisdom and experience of others, so you don’t have to reinvent the wheel or make the same mistakes they’ve already made. The best part? You don’t have to pay thousands in tuition to get this knowledge—it’s available to you right now! All you need to spend is a little intentional time and pay a little attention, and possibly take some notes.
Now, here's where it gets even more interesting. There are a few groups of people I’ve learned from:
Those who are light years ahead of me—and I mean light years – like millions and millions of dollars ahead of me. There is VALUE there. These people inspire me, they show me what’s possible, and they remind me to shoot for the stars. Even if I have no desire to build a business that big – EVER- there is still tons of value in listening to how they speak, what they say, how they operate in the world, what are their philosophies – all you need is a tiny snippet to plant and grow.
Then there are those who are slightly to well ahead of me—these folks are like a beacon that lights up the next few rungs of the ladder, showing me the next step I need to take. Their position is something I could see myself aspiring to, these are the one to five year plan people…so to speak. They have something I’d like to have, and they’re doing it – they’re actually doing it – so if they can, why not me? Wonder what I have to do differently to get where they are? It’s a great question to ask.
Next, I pay close attention to the peers who are on the same journey as me—those are the people who keep me grounded. We’re all experiencing the same things at the same time, so we can really learn from each other’s struggles and breakthroughs. We can share ideas in real time of what happened, what worked, what we did about it, and what’s next.
And then, there’s the magic of learning from those behind you. It’s humbling, really. When you see how far you’ve come and how much you’ve learned, it can be a great motivator to keep pushing forward. And here’s why – I remember the beginning stages. I got through it and can look back and see how far I’ve come, what I’ve learned and accomplished.Now I am being an inspiration to others. I am the next rung on the ladder for some and it is humbling and a privilege to share what I know so that their journey might be a bit easier for them.
For me, “borrowing the diploma” comes in many forms. I listen to podcasts, watch online summits, and read books that help me stay on track and think outside the box. One thing I do a lot is signing up for product launches, even when I’ve already taken courses or read the material. Why? Because every launch gives me new insights. I pick up on market shifts, learn different ways of talking about growth, and even discover artsy new ways to present things—whether it’s on a website or Instagram, there’s always something to be learned. It’s like getting a live Instagram or Pinterest board experience where I can take mental notes on how people display their creative work.
The key is that by watching others, you can glean a ton of ideas and strategies that you can apply to your own creative business, without having to reinvent everything yourself. And that’s how you fast-track your growth. You’re learning from those ahead of you, gaining insights from your peers, and helping those behind you while continuing to push forward yourself.
Now that we’ve defined what it means to “borrow the diploma,” let’s get practical. How can you actually start learning from others to move your creative business forward? The first step is to identify those people or businesses that you admire—those who are doing what you want to do, or even doing things you didn’t think were possible. The goal is to learn from their successes, challenges, and mistakes so you can apply their knowledge to your own journey.
So, who are these people? Maybe it’s the big names in your industry—like a business owner or influencer whose work you follow. Maybe it’s the small, local businesses that are quietly doing big things. Maybe it’s an entrepreneur who’s always trying something new, launching products, or shaking up the way things are done. Once you’ve identified who inspires you, start “borrowing” knowledge from them. Listen to their podcasts, read their books, follow their social media accounts, or sign up for workshops or free webinars. Get on their email list. You can also observe their product launches, study their marketing strategies, and take mental notes on what you like about what they do and what you don’t. They’re already paving the way for you, and there’s no harm in learning from their path.
Another great tip is to follow mentors—not just in your industry but beyond. Maybe you’ve got someone who works in a completely different field but has wisdom you can apply to your fabric-based business. The lessons they’ve learned about productivity, leadership, or branding can often be translated into new insights that’ll help you move faster, more efficiently, and more creatively.
So, here’s your action step: pick one entrepreneur, creator, or business that looks interesting and make a goal this week to learn something actionable from them. Whether it’s a new strategy, a helpful mindset shift, or a technical skill that you can apply to your work, make it something you can act on right away. And don’t just let it sit there—take that knowledge, use it, and make it part of your business practice.
Remember, this is all about building your creative toolbox and fast-tracking your growth. By “borrowing the diploma” from those who are a few steps ahead, you’re skipping over some of the trial-and-error steps and moving more confidently and quickly toward your goals.
Now, I want to talk about something that tends to hold a lot of people back when it comes to “borrowing the diploma”—the fear of copying. I get it. The idea of learning from someone else’s success (or failure) and trying to make it work for you can feel a little bit like you’re stealing their thunder. But here’s the thing: borrowing the diploma doesn’t mean copying someone’s business or their exact strategy. It’s about taking what works for them, what resonates with you, and adapting it to fit your own unique style, needs, and personality. You’re not trying to be them. You’re taking the tools and the wisdom they’ve used and shaping them to build your own path.
Let me give you a couple of examples. It’s like looking at landscaping ideas around town to get ideas for your own yard. You will never duplicate that beautiful garden outside your favorite restaurant, but you get a few ideas, buy a few of the same plants, maybe arrange them in a similar fashion, and make your own version by your front door.
The reverse is also true. Let’s say you attend a craft fair because you’re thinking about becoming a vendor there. You have a wonderful time but there was one vendor that was annoyingly “in your face.” Outside their stall, talking over everyone trying to get more eyes on his booth. You see other fair goers swinging to the other side of the aisle just to avoid him. You make mental note that when you set up your space, that is NOT how you want your customers to feel.
You get the idea here?
One of the reasons I recommend watching and learning from businesses in different industries, genres, or creative fields is that the way you apply those lessons will be different. What works in the world of online business strategy might look very different when applied to a fabric-based product business. But that’s the beauty of it—you get to adapt it in a way that makes sense for your goals, your product, and your brand.
Let me share a little personal reflection here: I’ve definitely felt the need to innovate after learning from others. A good example? This very podcast. The concept of “borrowing the diploma” actually comes from Jon Acuff, who talks about this idea in his books – and on his OWN PODCAST. It’s an amazing principle that applies to goal-setting and achievement, and I’ve used it often as I’ve learned from him and other business leaders. But here’s the twist—Jon’s business model is nothing like mine. He focuses on helping people achieve personal and professional goals. I, on the other hand, am working with fabric creatives who want product based business. Even though I borrowed the concept from him, the application is completely different. What I create from this idea is something uniquely mine. So, while I’ve learned from him, my approach and the result are my own.
So, let’s take a look at this in the context of your own business. Are you worried that learning from someone else’s path will make you “just like them”? I assure you—it won’t. Your results will always be unique because you bring your creativity, your personality, and your passion to the table. You’re not copying; you’re evolving. What you create from the inspiration and knowledge you gain from others will be something that’s completely different from what they’ve done—and that’s the magic of borrowing the diploma!
Learning from others—whether it’s their wins or their mistakes—is one of the most powerful tools you can use for business growth. Borrowing the diploma means you don’t have to reinvent the wheel. You can take what works for others, learn from their experiences, and apply that knowledge to your own creative journey. The best part? It doesn’t stop with the successes. The failures and challenges that others have faced can teach us just as much, if not more, than their victories.
When you’re borrowing from others, don’t forget to tune in to what resonates with you and what doesn’t. It’s important to understand what you like about what they’re doing—and what you can leave behind. Watch for what excites and inspires you, but remember, don’t try to copy or be someone else. Authenticity is key. Your audience will connect more with you when they sense that you’re being true to yourself, rather than mimicking someone else's path.
So, here’s your challenge for the week: borrow the diploma. Take the time to learn from at least one source you admire—whether it’s an entrepreneur, a podcast, a book, or a business that inspires you. Dig into their content, their journey, their strategies, and then think about how you can adapt those lessons to your own fabric-based business. What will you learn? How will it shift your perspective?
The obvious place to start is right here with me at Virginia Leigh Studio. Feel free to borrow my diploma anytime you want! I’m an open book. The best way to do that? Join the Maker’s Path Membership. Monthly Q&As with me mean that you can ask me, “How’d you do that? How can I do that? What did you use? Where did you get it? How do I set that up?” Need me to show you how to do X? I’ll put a tutorial in the members area! That’s the easiest way to borrow my diploma!
I’d love to hear from you about what you discover! Share your experiences, your takeaways, and how it’s impacted your business. You can share in my private Facebook group, Dm me on social media, or even send me an email—I’d love to know how you’re putting this into practice.
And if you’re looking for additional resources to help grow your business, don’t forget about my membership or free tools available for you. Whether it’s exclusive content, classes, or a community of like-minded fabric creatives, I’ve got what you need to keep moving forward on your business journey.
So go ahead, borrow that diploma, and take action today. Your creative journey is waiting for you, and now you’ve got the knowledge to help you take it to the next level.
Thanks for tuning in, and I’ll catch you next time!
