Category Archives: Business mindset

Posted on

The question you REALLY need to ask to get sales during COVID-19

During a rough patch like the quarantine, you will benefit if you ask your customers this question about your business

It’s way deeper than “How am I gonna make money?”

This virus has thrown us all for a loop. School closings. Transit worries. Town curfews and the quarantines. I won’t run down the list but it’s definitely had an impact. It’s the uncertainty that is challenging.

And for the entrepreneur or small business owner…whew!

Questions about cash flow, taxes, employees, accounts payable. I am a fellow entrepreneur and understand how it feels. It’s hard to make decisions as things keep changing.

However, a few years ago, I discovered a tool that might help in these changing times. I was dealing with a rough patch in my business and started asking this question. It seemed simple at first. Too simple. But it changed everything. I went from struggling to finding a ton of short and long term term clients that were ideal to work with.

Over the years, I realized that many entrepreneurs often don’t ask it. So let’s start here:

Posted on

Laid off and not sure if you should invest in a business coach?

Can you relate to this scenario?  You experience a rough patch with your job. Laid off. Working in a toxic environment. And you realize this is the “do or die” moment.  You NEED to launch your business now.

But you’ve got

  • A TON of ideas
  • NO sense of what to do first
  • And an overwhelming fear that you need to get it right.  The first time.

Couple that with the stress of next month’s bills?  And friends and family who primarily depend on a 9 to grind and can’t understand your entrepreneurial ambitions? Well, you are probably in the middle of the greatest and worst opportunity of your life!!!

I’ve been there.  It’s the most exciting AND terrifying space you can occupy.  But, let me offer you one suggestion that often gets neglected. It’s the hidden nook that could uplevel your future earnings:

Posted on

Do this 1 thing before you stress over your New Year revenue goals

Before you crack open the new fancy schmancy calendar,  review last year’s WINS!!!

Whether you are running a side hustle or a full time enterprise, you wear the C.E.O. hat.  At all times.  You have a responsibility to strategize, plan, and see the big picture for your business.

Even when you are still the chief bottle washer.

But that can be ALOT.  Trust me I get it.  We are pros at checking the list.

But the big picture goal setting.  Whew!  That’s hard.

  • Visualizing the growth opportunities
  • Developing a plan for marketing that includes key metrics
  • Getting out of our comfort zones
  • Understanding how to navigate the gaps and areas of where you didn’t get your goals

So here is a quick story and three easy ways  to get you started:

Posted on

The #1 reason why you must run a Black Friday promo

Even if it freaks you out

Don't worry about just sales for Black Friday. There is a bigger win that you can gain from offering a promotion.I’m betting you have a list of reasons why you aren’t interested in promoting a Black Friday special.

  • I can’t afford to discount my prices drastically.
  • I don’t have a ton of inventory.
  • I wouldn’t know where to start.
  • I don’t have the business model that makes sense to run a Black Friday special.
  • It’s just too much work to my already overloaded calendar

These are all legit concerns.  It IS a heavy lift. You to think and execute a promotion that makes sense to your bottom line.

However, you might want to participate after listening to the audio below.  There are sooooo many benefits besides earning revenue.  Sure, sales is a great thing!  But as a small business owner you want to learn how to connect with your people intimately – and Black Friday specials can help you do just that.

So listen to the audio or read the short list below:

Posted on

Why “I want a mentor” is the wrong question to build your business

I overheard someone asking “Would you be my mentor?”  It’s such a tough question!! You are trying to grow your business and need help. But you know that your chances of getting “yes” are pretty slim.

So how do you do it well?

I participated in a small business mentoring roundtable this year.  Attendees asked one question and the mentors shared advice.  My job – along with the other mentors – was to give amazing on the spot coaching.

Which of course, lead to ongoing mentoring requests as soon as the event concluded.

But, I had the chance to see a few participants nail the request.  I wanted to share how they did it. It might give you some ideas to grow your business by getting expert advice  in your corner.
Posted on

Black Panther – Why this movie could make you a BETTER entrepreneur

If you haven’t heard the buzz about Black Panther, you might be on a serious social media/news fast!  The movie is breaking all types of records and has generated a solid cult following.
 
As an small biz coach who wants to see more small businesses succeed by connecting the dots, I couldn’t resist.  There are some SOLID business principles embedded in this movie.
 
Like you needed an excuse to go back and see it again. LOL
 
So let me dive in.  I’ve got three tools from Black Panther can help you strengthen your entrepreneurial leadership prowess:
Posted on

The group you need to remember when you set business growth goals

Did you ever write this “I am DETERMINED to grow my business” list?

  • I’m gonna make 10k this month
  • I will land 5 new clients
  • I’m going to grow my social media by 1,000 new followers
  • I’m going finish my website relaunch

You might be missing out on a key variable when you set these growth goals.  You have to start first with:

Posted on

The 1 goal that really matters in the New Year

Focus on the life changing goals for your business rather than getting distracted by the out of the ordinary moments.I saw a car on fire during the AM commute.  I hoped that the driver was OK.
But I wasn’t OK with the reaction of other drivers.
–No one got out to help.
–No one helped him flag down help.
 
Instead they stopped, stared, and caused a massive pile up.
 
And it made me wonder. Why do people stare intently on events that don’t matter but are cautious about what they can control? 
 
Be clear.  I am not pointing fingers.  I have my own vices.  Talk to me while I surfing Pinterest for new recipes or natural hair care videos on Youtube. You might hear some choice words.
 
But, if we are going to be successful entrepreneurs, we need to have a way to refocus our attention.  Especially when something occurs that sidetracks our focus.
 
Interested? 
Posted on

It’s so easy to avoid marketing when you have contracts flowing in

Tips for marketing when you are exhausted

I’ve delivered 10 speaking events in 17 days. Yup. I’m brain dead. Mentally and emotionally drained. Even if there is a sense of joy because audiences were transformed.

So, how do you market your business when you are tired?

  • When the stack of business cards is stacked high?
  • When your follow-up list is long?
  • When you are out of ideas that you can post on social media?
  • When there are a ton of articles that you need to read?

And the third cup of coffee ain’t kicking in….

It’s easy to neglect marketing when the contracts and clients are flowing. But, if you ignore it, you’ll look up in a few months and be back in the famine part of the “feast and famine” cash flow crunch.

So I’ll share a few tips that will keep you moving forward when you reach this zone. It’s quite a dangerous place. It’s easy to get comfortable cashing checks and transferring online funds. But if you don’t pay attention, you’ll be scrambling to find clients at “one time only discounted” rates.

So here is how you can get started when you are tired: