37: How Carol Tice Built, Scaled, and Sold a 1500-Member Paid Community

What if you could build a community that not only changes lives but also becomes the most reliable and empowering income stream in your business?In this conversation, I sat down with the incredible Carol Tice, a longtime journalist turned entrepreneur who built, scaled, and ultimately sold her thriving paid membership community for freelance writers. She shares the behind the scenes truth of what it really takes to grow a community, the pivots she had to make along the way, and the mindset shifts that helped her push through uncertainty, tech hurdles, and the fears that every founder faces.Carol opens up about why community is one of the most powerful and sustainable business models for female founders, how she redesigned her business to create stability for her family, and what she wishes more entrepreneurs understood about building something that lasts. If you’ve ever dreamed of launching a membership, shifting to recurring revenue, or creating a space where people come together to grow, this episode was made for you.WHAT YOU’LL LEARN✨ Why community is one of the most reliable and life giving business models for entrepreneurs✨ How Carol grew her membership from 500 to 1500 members using simple, smart strategy✨ The real reason pre marketing matters and how to bring your audience along for the journey✨ What Carol learned from selling her company and how she now teaches founders to build thriving paid communities of their ownWEEKLY CHALLENGEChoose one offer, idea, or project you’ve been building behind the scenes and share it with your audience in a simple, honest way. Let them into the process. Ask for their input. Invite them to help shape what you’re creating. The clarity and momentum that comes from opening the door is often the exact catalyst you need.RESOURCES✨ Community Growth Academy on SkoolA supportive space where Carol teaches entrepreneurs how to build and grow paid communities with intention, simplicity, and heart.✨ Carol’s Free Case StudyLearn how she built and sold her first paid community, including the exact steps she took and the lessons she learned along the way.✨ Join The Launchpad Society → https://theceobesties.com/launchpad-society Our brand new monthly membership for early stage female founders and entrepreneurs is officially open with Founders Pricing still available. Limited spots are open at this rate, so this is the moment to get in. Inside, you will learn how to create sustainable systems you can actually stick to, build a clear brand message, and grow your audience with confidence. You will get live coaching, weekly accountability, plug and play templates, and a supportive space where you stop trying to build your business alone. This is where you meet your CEO Besties, collaborate with women who get it, and have a community that helps you take action instead of overthinking. If you want clients, consistency, and a real plan you can follow without burning out, this is where that momentum begins.GUEST INFO✨ Website → Community Growth Academy on Skool https://www.skool.com/community-growth-academy/about Linked In https://www.linkedin.com/in/business-book-ghostwriter-community-entrepreneur-carol-tice/ CONNECT WITH ME✨ Instagram → @nataliebernacchi & @lightheruppodcast✨ Website → https://nataliebernacchi.com/✨ Get on The Lit List → https://nataliebernacchi.com/newsletter