Get All Access for $5/mo

How to Expand Your Comfort Zone and Create a Life You Really Love Kristen Butler once had panic attacks that were so severe, she couldn't get out of bed. Today, she's the founder of Power of Positivity and has more than 56 million followers across social media. She sat down with Jessica Abo to talk about her new book The Comfort Zone.

By Jessica Abo

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

When Kristen Butler was a kid, she says she felt a sense of responsibility to succeed because her family was on welfare and struggling financially. The oldest of four kids, she was an ambitious seven-year-old who often took on leadership roles, whether that meant taking care of her siblings or selling jewelry to make money. "When I was little, I told myself I didn't want to be poor."

Her passion for writing emerged at an early age, and she aspired to write a book. When she was in third grade, her teacher told her she would never accomplish that goal, which motivated Butler even more. Years later, a supportive journalism teacher in high school helped to ignite her passion for writing and that encouraged her to pursue a degree in journalism.

Despite her initial success in college, Butler eventually experienced burnout and decided to drop out. Rather than give up, she used her passion for writing and her entrepreneurial spirit to start her own business out of her apartment. Her first venture was an eBay shop, which she built through hard work and determination.

One day she realized the key to feeling good was having a positive mindset and she started her company, Power of Positivity. 14 years and more than 30,000 pieces of content later, Butler has a following of more than 56 million people across her social channels and her 3 Minute Positivity Journal sold 100,000 copies.

Over the years, Butler says she's learned that success is not about stepping outside of your comfort zone, but rather about being true to yourself and pursuing your passions and that inspired her to write her first book The Comfort Zone: Create a Life You Really Love with Less Stress and More Flow. Through her journey, Butler has learned that success is not about conforming to the expectations of others, but rather about following one's own path and pursuing one's passions with determination and dedication.

She sat down with Jessica Abo to talk about her new book, how you can realize your own potential, and shared the steps you can take to expand your comfort zone.

Jessica Abo

Entrepreneur Leadership Network® Contributor

Media Trainer, Keynote Speaker, and Author

Jessica Abo is a sought-after media trainer, award-winning journalist and best-selling author. Her client roster includes medical and legal experts, entrepreneurs, small business owners, startup founders, C-Suite executives, coaches, celebrities and philanthropists. Visit www.jessicaabo.com.

Want to be an Entrepreneur Leadership Network contributor? Apply now to join.

More from Jessica Abo

These Dads Are Trying to Make Brain Nutrition Accessible to All

How to Find Balance When You're a Startup Founder

How This Company is Trying to Help Mainstream Users Navigate the Web3 Economy

How to Maintain Your Integrity While Keeping Up With a Rapidly Changing Environment

Business News

Amazon Pulls Merch Celebrating Alleged UnitedHealthcare CEO Killer Luigi Mangione

Apparel and home goods featuring the phrase "deny, defend, depose" have been pulled from Amazon.

Franchise

McDonald's Announces the Return of the Snack Wrap in 2025 — Here's What to Expect From Its Comeback

The decision comes after years of persistent customer demand for the portable snack, which debuted nearly two decades ago.

Leadership

She Turned Her Pandemic Hobby Into a Full-Time Business. Now Her Heritage-Inspired Candles Are Sold in Retailers Like Nordstrom and Barnes & Noble.

Melissa Gallardo creates premium home fragrances in candle form, all inspired by her Latin heritage. As she continues to build and grow her business, these are the lessons she wants to share with other founders.

Growing a Business

This Chef Went From Dreaming of Michelin Stars to Building an Audience as a YouTube Star

Chef Sohla El-Waylly never set out to be a food content creator, but a series of events led her to her current career.

Business News

Who Is Luigi Mangione? UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson Murder Suspect Arrested, Faces Several Charges

Mangione, 26, has been charged in connection with the killing of Thompson.

Business News

'Carefully Crafted Charade': Rupert Murdoch, 93, Loses Legal Battle to Change Family Trust

A Nevada commissioner ruled that Murdoch and his chosen successor had acted in bad faith.