• Are you doing it for the money? When you first start your business you have to be a bit scrappy (or at least I was). I took on every client and project. I said a whole lot of 'YES!' and I don't regret that one bit. (Read: It was never coming from a place of desperation! It was living out my dream of starting my own business.) And then a shift happens in your business... You begin to be selective about the work you do, who you do it with, and how you do it. You guard your time more. The work has a refreshed, simplified look and feel. You begin to own that you in fact are a CEO. An entrepreneur. You're no longer doing EVERYTHING in order to bring in revenue. It's not (nor was it ever) only about the money. It's about the impact, legacy, purpose, freedom, lifestyle, friendships....(insert your word). A consistent theme with our clients is: It's more than the money. They deeply desire TIME and feeling SUPPORTED. It's a beautiful reminder +++ it's inspiring to witness their business transform. This past week we had a client take a last minute, completely unplanned 5 day vacation with her husband and another client announce 4.5 day work weeks. Tag someone below who needs to hear this message.
    00
    Are you doing it for the money? When you first start your business you have to be a bit scrappy (or at least I was). I took on every client and project. I said a whole lot of 'YES!' and I don't regret that one bit. (Read: It was never coming from a place of desperation! It was living out my dream of starting my own business.) And then a shift happens in your business... You begin to be selective about the work you do, who you do it with, and how you do it. You guard your time more. The work has a refreshed, simplified look and feel. You begin to own that you in fact are a CEO. An entrepreneur. You're no longer doing EVERYTHING in order to bring in revenue. It's not (nor was it ever) only about the money. It's about the impact, legacy, purpose, freedom, lifestyle, friendships....(insert your word). A consistent theme with our clients is: It's more than the money. They deeply desire TIME and feeling SUPPORTED. It's a beautiful reminder +++ it's inspiring to witness their business transform. This past week we had a client take a last minute, completely unplanned 5 day vacation with her husband and another client announce 4.5 day work weeks. Tag someone below who needs to hear this message.
  • Let’s talk OUTSOURCING today. It’s something that just feels, well… intimidating. Especially at first. I get it because I’ve been there! I knew I was at the limit of my time and energy bandwidth, and I knew the next step was bringing in support. But the chasm between knowing I needed support and actually FINDING & HIRING that support felt… ummm… massive. And I had a million questions. ▫️What kind of role do I need? ▫️What is the appropriate amount of money to spend? ▫️How do I find great support? And where?! ▫️Contractor vs. employee? ▫️How to actually delegate? What to actually delegate? ▫️How to manage and lead a team? Let’s break it down so that it’s less intimidating and way more functional. ▪️Get SUPER clear on the vision // direction of your business. ▪️Understand your FINANCIALS. A team is an investment. ▪️Be clear on what kind of LEADER you are. (Management isn't for everyone.) ▪️Take your TIME. Building a team doesn't happen overnight. Give yourself grace. ▪️Hire for a CULTURE fit and then SKILLSET. Your team should FEEL good to you! And above all else, don't feel pressured to hire too soon BUT also...you may never feel ready. Trust yourself! In order for your business to grow and for you to do what you do best, you likely will need a team. You started a business so I have faith you can build and cultivate a killer team! Hiring or leadership questions? - Go ahead and drop them below!
    00
    Let’s talk OUTSOURCING today. It’s something that just feels, well… intimidating. Especially at first. I get it because I’ve been there! I knew I was at the limit of my time and energy bandwidth, and I knew the next step was bringing in support. But the chasm between knowing I needed support and actually FINDING & HIRING that support felt… ummm… massive. And I had a million questions. ▫️What kind of role do I need? ▫️What is the appropriate amount of money to spend? ▫️How do I find great support? And where?! ▫️Contractor vs. employee? ▫️How to actually delegate? What to actually delegate? ▫️How to manage and lead a team? Let’s break it down so that it’s less intimidating and way more functional. ▪️Get SUPER clear on the vision // direction of your business. ▪️Understand your FINANCIALS. A team is an investment. ▪️Be clear on what kind of LEADER you are. (Management isn't for everyone.) ▪️Take your TIME. Building a team doesn't happen overnight. Give yourself grace. ▪️Hire for a CULTURE fit and then SKILLSET. Your team should FEEL good to you! And above all else, don't feel pressured to hire too soon BUT also...you may never feel ready. Trust yourself! In order for your business to grow and for you to do what you do best, you likely will need a team. You started a business so I have faith you can build and cultivate a killer team! Hiring or leadership questions? - Go ahead and drop them below!
  • A week in the desert was just what was needed. ICYMI: I spent 7 days in Palm Springs with my client and her team. Most entrepreneurs are so close to their business and supporting their team + clients, that their future roadmap gets a little unclear. Hell, even the existing roadmap can be unclear. And I've said it before (*climbs on soapbox*) 👉YOUR STRATEGY MATTERS. Your approach to growing your business in a profitable way is what will make or break you. I've yet to meet a successful entrepreneur who disagrees! For one week we pulled apart every single piece of the business. ▪️The services (existing & new). ▪️The products (existing & new). ▪️The pricing. ▪️The audience. ▪️The clients. ▪️The team. And most importantly, how the CEO wanted to feel in her business. We had to dig into what the ideal state of her company was in her mind. That's where we started. Everything else flowed naturally. We had the most incredible brainstorming sessions. Wrote it all out. Slept on it. Revisited + reworked it the next day. Repeat. Our client walked away with a game plan for the next 12-18 months. We prioritized next steps and outlined things we can execute immediately. We outlined team structure and roles. It not only was fulfilling as a fellow CEO, but it was so inspiring on a personal level. We discussed what it's like being an entrepreneur and the seasons that come and go. The purpose remains the same but the process can change. The mission remains the same but the method can change. I'd give this first business trip since 2019 a 10/10! I'm so incredibly grateful for our clients and the relationships we've built. This work is so damn good. I see many client retreats in our future and I can't wait! Questions on anything re: client retreats or business strategy?! I'll be answering in the comments below! 👇
    00
    A week in the desert was just what was needed. ICYMI: I spent 7 days in Palm Springs with my client and her team. Most entrepreneurs are so close to their business and supporting their team + clients, that their future roadmap gets a little unclear. Hell, even the existing roadmap can be unclear. And I've said it before (*climbs on soapbox*) 👉YOUR STRATEGY MATTERS. Your approach to growing your business in a profitable way is what will make or break you. I've yet to meet a successful entrepreneur who disagrees! For one week we pulled apart every single piece of the business. ▪️The services (existing & new). ▪️The products (existing & new). ▪️The pricing. ▪️The audience. ▪️The clients. ▪️The team. And most importantly, how the CEO wanted to feel in her business. We had to dig into what the ideal state of her company was in her mind. That's where we started. Everything else flowed naturally. We had the most incredible brainstorming sessions. Wrote it all out. Slept on it. Revisited + reworked it the next day. Repeat. Our client walked away with a game plan for the next 12-18 months. We prioritized next steps and outlined things we can execute immediately. We outlined team structure and roles. It not only was fulfilling as a fellow CEO, but it was so inspiring on a personal level. We discussed what it's like being an entrepreneur and the seasons that come and go. The purpose remains the same but the process can change. The mission remains the same but the method can change. I'd give this first business trip since 2019 a 10/10! I'm so incredibly grateful for our clients and the relationships we've built. This work is so damn good. I see many client retreats in our future and I can't wait! Questions on anything re: client retreats or business strategy?! I'll be answering in the comments below! 👇
  • I don’t care about experience. Okay, maybe that’s a bit extreme. I care to an extent (sort of), in that I don’t want someone with ZERO experience supporting me and my business. Like, you can’t just wake up out of the blue one morning with no background or time spent operating & building a business and to decide to be a business consultant. But… more than how much or how in-depth your experience is, I care WAY (way, way) more about results. Of course, experience is necessary to be able to show you can get people great results, but it isn’t something you ever need to lead with. Experience is the quiet indicator that you know your sh*t. You know what you’re doing. Key word = quiet.  “Oh, I have 15 years in X industry or leading this many teams” just doesn’t MATTER. That’s the experience, and it’s fine and dandy, and also kind of boring…  But if you can tell me: I’ve doubled the sales of a dozen businesses. I can streamline your systems so you only spend an hour a week in the weeds of admin work. 90% of my clients have been able to triple their profits AND cut down their weekly working hours. Hell, yes! I am a million percent more inclined to work with you based on those tangible results and output than hearing the running list of your resume. Yawn. Experience helps, but it’s results that will build trust over and over again. Whether you’re selling your own services or considering working with someone else to grow your business, pay attention to this. It’s the results that matter. It might feel tempting or easy to lead with the shiny experience piece, but… it’s not going to convert very well. Or at all. Focus on results. Share results. Pay attention to the results of those you hire—and you’ll keep reaping those results. So tell me! What is a result you're proud of?!
    00
    I don’t care about experience. Okay, maybe that’s a bit extreme. I care to an extent (sort of), in that I don’t want someone with ZERO experience supporting me and my business. Like, you can’t just wake up out of the blue one morning with no background or time spent operating & building a business and to decide to be a business consultant. But… more than how much or how in-depth your experience is, I care WAY (way, way) more about results. Of course, experience is necessary to be able to show you can get people great results, but it isn’t something you ever need to lead with. Experience is the quiet indicator that you know your sh*t. You know what you’re doing. Key word = quiet.  “Oh, I have 15 years in X industry or leading this many teams” just doesn’t MATTER. That’s the experience, and it’s fine and dandy, and also kind of boring…  But if you can tell me: I’ve doubled the sales of a dozen businesses. I can streamline your systems so you only spend an hour a week in the weeds of admin work. 90% of my clients have been able to triple their profits AND cut down their weekly working hours. Hell, yes! I am a million percent more inclined to work with you based on those tangible results and output than hearing the running list of your resume. Yawn. Experience helps, but it’s results that will build trust over and over again. Whether you’re selling your own services or considering working with someone else to grow your business, pay attention to this. It’s the results that matter. It might feel tempting or easy to lead with the shiny experience piece, but… it’s not going to convert very well. Or at all. Focus on results. Share results. Pay attention to the results of those you hire—and you’ll keep reaping those results. So tell me! What is a result you're proud of?!
  • You think you know... But you have no idea. (What show was that from?) In the past few weeks I've had the same conversation with multiple business owners. From the outside looking in, entrepreneurship is sold as FREEDOM & FLEXIBILITY. I mean, I talk about those two concepts frequently. It's what sold me. But don't get it twisted. Entrepreneurs work A LOT. No one is looking for a pat on the back, but you may only see the glamorous freedom & flexibility side. Side note: I'm going to be making a conscious effort to show and tell you what that means to me. It's not curated photos in nice places - (although that's what makes me happy aesthetically and is a boost of confidence!) Of course being your own boss has its perks, however, I don't believe any business owner would tell you it's EASY. It's non-stop. Turning off your brain and not thinking about your business isn't the easiest. So, if you own a business, I see you. If you're working wild hours or on the weekend, I see you. If you're struggling with team dynamics, I see you. If you're trying to find a better balance, I see you. Tag someone who needs this little reminder! And be prepared to see a little shift over here.
    00
    You think you know... But you have no idea. (What show was that from?) In the past few weeks I've had the same conversation with multiple business owners. From the outside looking in, entrepreneurship is sold as "FREEDOM & FLEXIBILITY." I mean, I talk about those two concepts frequently. It's what sold me. But don't get it twisted. Entrepreneurs work A LOT. No one is looking for a pat on the back, but you may only see the glamorous "freedom & flexibility" side. Side note: I'm going to be making a conscious effort to show and tell you what that means to me. It's not curated photos in nice places - (although that's what makes me happy aesthetically and is a boost of confidence!) Of course being your own boss has its perks, however, I don't believe any business owner would tell you it's EASY. It's non-stop. Turning off your brain and not thinking about your business isn't the easiest. So, if you own a business, I see you. If you're working wild hours or on the weekend, I see you. If you're struggling with team dynamics, I see you. If you're trying to find a better balance, I see you. Tag someone who needs this little reminder! And be prepared to see a little shift over here.
  • I have built these boundaries into my business and they are a total game-changer. Also, I should mention, it's not always perfect. Boundaries don't mean you're lazy. I'd be willing to bet by establishing (and sticking to) boundaries, you actually become more creative and inspired. We're not about glorifying 'busy-ness'. We're about giving ourselves space to grow while still being incredibly efficient. Go ahead and save this post and let me know in the comments which one you'll be implementing first!
    00
    I have built these boundaries into my business and they are a total game-changer. Also, I should mention, it's not always perfect. Boundaries don't mean you're lazy. I'd be willing to bet by establishing (and sticking to) boundaries, you actually become more creative and inspired. We're not about glorifying 'busy-ness'. We're about giving ourselves space to grow while still being incredibly efficient. Go ahead and save this post and let me know in the comments which one you'll be implementing first!
  • It's my 10 year anniversary! This has absolutely nothing to do with business. Ten years ago I had surgery to remove Melanoma. I grew up in the tanning bed era. (GROSS) I used to wear baby oil and tanning oil while laying out. (EW) Melanoma runs in my family. As I sit here in Palm Springs with SPF 50, a wide brim hat, and an umbrella, I'm here to remind you to practice SAFE SUN! You can catch me in a rash guard this summer on the lake. Seriously, I'm a broken record on this topic. Nobody wants leather skin or skin cancer. (Aren't we all trying to age gracefully?!) Anyway, May is Skin Cancer Awareness Month. Get to the dermatologist, please! HOT TIP: Anything less than SPF 30 isn't cutting it and anything over SPF 50 is a marketing gimmick.
    00
    It's my 10 year anniversary! This has absolutely nothing to do with business. Ten years ago I had surgery to remove Melanoma. I grew up in the tanning bed era. (GROSS) I used to wear baby oil and tanning oil while laying out. (EW) Melanoma runs in my family. As I sit here in Palm Springs with SPF 50, a wide brim hat, and an umbrella, I'm here to remind you to practice SAFE SUN! You can catch me in a rash guard this summer on the lake. Seriously, I'm a broken record on this topic. Nobody wants leather skin or skin cancer. (Aren't we all trying to age gracefully?!) Anyway, May is Skin Cancer Awareness Month. Get to the dermatologist, please! HOT TIP: Anything less than SPF 30 isn't cutting it and anything over SPF 50 is a marketing gimmick.
  • As a business owner, it is up to you to understand how healthy your business is. If you're not actively tracking (AND understanding!) the numbers, you're playing with fire. Okay, maybe that's a bit dramatic but, it's not wise. You spend a lot of time in your business, and I bet every dollar that comes is celebrated. However, what about all of the fixed and variable costs that exist in order for you to generate revenue? Trust me, I would have NEVER described myself as someone who loves numbers. In fact, I remember stating in interviews, I'm not a numbers person. (Probably not the best way to land the job.) The numbers used to scare me. I didn't understand them. I didn't want to understand them. I had fears around debt and the only way I knew how to quiet those thoughts were to make more money. HOWEVER - As a business owner, it is our job to know, track, and understand the numbers. It is IMPOSSIBLE (seriously!) to grow a business, i.e hire employees, contractors, invest in marketing, ongoing education, etc. if you don't know the numbers. Psst, this is one of the main reasons 50% of startups fail by the 5th year. (And of course, we still need our accountants and bookkeepers. Always will.) As a CEO, promise me you will no longer use the excuse, I'm not a numbers person. You're incredibly smart! You started a freaking business! You can do anything.
    00
    As a business owner, it is up to you to understand how healthy your business is. If you're not actively tracking (AND understanding!) the numbers, you're playing with fire. Okay, maybe that's a bit dramatic but, it's not wise. You spend a lot of time in your business, and I bet every dollar that comes is celebrated. However, what about all of the fixed and variable costs that exist in order for you to generate revenue? Trust me, I would have NEVER described myself as someone who "loves numbers". In fact, I remember stating in interviews, "I'm not a numbers person." (Probably not the best way to land the job.) The numbers used to scare me. I didn't understand them. I didn't want to understand them. I had fears around debt and the only way I knew how to quiet those thoughts were to make more money. HOWEVER - As a business owner, it is our job to know, track, and understand the numbers. It is IMPOSSIBLE (seriously!) to grow a business, i.e hire employees, contractors, invest in marketing, ongoing education, etc. if you don't know the numbers. Psst, this is one of the main reasons 50% of startups fail by the 5th year. (And of course, we still need our accountants and bookkeepers. Always will.) As a CEO, promise me you will no longer use the excuse, "I'm not a numbers person." You're incredibly smart! You started a freaking business! You can do anything.