because business success is more strategy than secret

My world’s been a BIT topsy turvy lately, and I’ve had cause to think about “issues” and “stuff” that had previously — thankfully — not been a part of my “thought repertoire.” All of my “mess” led me to this blog post, about ADDICTION…. to social media. I’ve heard facebook referred to as “face-crack” and other jokes regarding how “addictive” these social media outlets are…. and I see countless hours (and dollars) spent on this “business-owner addiction of choice.” But here’s the deal.  The addiction isn’t to social media. Steve Chandler says it best, The real addiction is not to social media or the Internet, or to tweets and texts and emails. The real addiction is to getting other people to LIKE me, and to approve of me. Now, I’m a fan of social... Read More →

Below you’ll find a quick picture of a piece of paper I came across today, while following Amy Volk’s advice on dealing with my little “paper pile problem.”  This letter is almost two years old, and I have no idea how it has been saved for so long.  It was written at the tail end of my kid’s school year and at the tail end of a travel schedule that I was none too sad to see come to an end.  While this has some personal “stuff” in it, it shows my heart.. which is why I’m sharing it. The heart of a woman, wife, mother and entrepreneur wrestling with conflicting demands.  The heart of a business owner being run by their own business, vs RUNNING their own business. The heart of a woman who refuses to settle.  The heart of a woman determined to CARVE her own path, according to her own preferences, and according to her own rules. When I wrote... Read More →

The business world — every networking event, blog, speaking gig, and sales page — seems to be brimming with optimism…   And there’s a lot to be optimistic about. The economy — frankly — isn’t changing MUCH.. but CONSUMERS are, which means good things for us as self-bossers.  My clients are making more money, more consistently than I ever remember in the past. And so am I. We also have our freedom… to take off for the day, to work outside with the sun on our face or to spend the day on the beach and work at night. BECAUSE of this freedom, I’m what I refer to as woefully unemployable. In many ways, our chosen endeavors as business owners are enviable. But not in every way. I know that my success is intimately entangled with my willingness to be REAL with you… not to candy coat my own struggles, failures or near misses in an ego-driven... Read More →

REady for Your Own Field Guide To Financial Success?? ESPECIALLY if you’re a Coach / Expert Who’s Tried it All? My new book is just for you. Here’s more: This practical Field Guide To Profit provides straight talk on packaging, pricing, promoting and selling your services — far beyond the 1 to 1 coaching services that keeps so many of our colleagues tied to the phone and making far less than they want. This book does not focus on issues of social good or grandiose ideas. I’m leaving out academic theory that’s largely untested and including only strategies that work today. It’s a step-by-step manual with a singular focus: helping you carve more cash out of your coaching practice. It’s as crass as that. We’re going an inch wide and a mile deep. Because that’s where the gold is. So if PROFIT is what you’re after (the CHA-CHING rather than the ATT-A-GIRL/... Read More →

Recently, I got the following “report” from a long time client who — after creating success in her “industry of origin” has made a very profitable transition into the role of consulting. Here’s what she said, “….Everything you have been telling me for months just clicked.   I felt that moment of confidence, of standing on my own, of knowing clearly what I want, what I will create for myself and my business, and the only road I have to travel is the one I’ve been called to and I can do it my way not how others percieve it to be done.  It’s kind of like that moment that all the noise fades away and you feel the sunrise within you.”  Now, this report is infinitely better than one that says, “I can’t move forward another day because I’m so paralyzed with fear and insecurity.”  lol…. But... Read More →

I’m blessed and grateful to serve and interact with some of the most generous — and brilliant — business owners on the planet.  Just this week, a woman whom I met years ago asked me a question that prompted this blog post. After reading MY personal reflection to the following question, I invite (and implore) you to answer the same. SHARE it here — below as a comment! What are the three things that changed / moved  your business?  First of all… Thank you Carole DeLaOsa for the question.  The reason I’m asking EVERYONE to answer it for themselves is because there’s strategy in this… When we reflect on WHAT has had the MOST (top three) IMPACT on our business, we’re uncovering gems that we can dust off and use again and again.  When you post below, we can all learn from each other! Here’s my TOP THREE business changers: 1) I decided... Read More →

Loral Langemeier In a recent interview, Loral Langemeier encouraged business owners to declare, “I’m the best in the world.” Of course, only if it’s true.  To people who ARE amazing, but refuse to “brag,” she says, “Well, stay poor!”  I love that she doesn’t mince words. Just the other day, I heard myself say, “No one knows this industry better than me.” The thing is, it’s absolutely true. For the “everyday” expert – those without media and fame – intent on leveraged income through events and memberships and more, no one knows this work better than me. No one. Today, I’m asking you to stand up and declare your OWN brilliance! If you’re on my list, your personal invite to do this is on its way.  If you’re not yet on our list, you’re still welcome to come and “BRAG.”... Read More →

Right now, there’s a LOT of promotion out there about 6-figure pay days.  MOST of them are teaching you how to have your  own event and make 6 figures off of it. Speakers, coaches, consultants and other “everyday experts” come to me about this asking, “Can this be done?” Umm… Of course it can be done.  And by YOU.  But there are a few things these people AREN’T telling you, that are — literally — CRITICAL to you being PROFITABLE in the “expert” industry… The first is related MOSTLY to having your own events.  The second is relevant to ALL expert income streams… and all other income streams as well! Before I dive right in, I want to thank you for your questions.  I deeply appreciate my “positioning” as your B.S. meter.  I don’t take this position lightly and will always give it to you straight!... Read More →

Today, and most days, I’m hit with a dozen emails from people who want “help” in their business.  Many of their emails allude to the same thing I work with some — not all — but some, of my clients to overcome. I call it The Happy Accident Syndrome. This is when business is slow — most of the time.  YET, every once in a while — although WAY TOO INFREQUENTLY — you get a great client. Of course, you’re not sure what brought them to you.  And you’re not sure how to make it happen again. And — IF this is you — you’re CONVINCED your business is “so unique” that the regular rules like EVERY ACTION HAS AN EQUAL AND OPPOSITE REACTION don’t apply.  In fact, even the standard universal relationship between CAUSE & EFFECT doesn’t apply.  Not to you, oh special specialized one. =)  lol…... Read More →

It’s amazing to me how much effort is put into making business complicated and scary these days. The truth is, being in business for yourself is as REWARDING as it is HARD.  As FUN as it is FRUSTRATING. But it is NOT complicated. If you’re a speaker, coach or “everyday expert” like me, hang around here over the next week!  I’m going to be revealing in appalling detail how to respond to offers like “PAYING to have access to someone’s TRIBE”… selling seats to someone ELSE’s event… and more “success strategies” that rob you of BOTH time AND — more importantly — influence.  Ultimately, some of the things you’re PITCHED to do ” in order to eventually make money” actually prohibit you from doing so.  Stick around. I just might be able to cut years off of your learning curve here. But,... Read More →

#31. One time in a time long ago past, I won a Beauty Pageant. This one required NO TALENT portion. This fact is NOT a coincidence. =) (At least I know it!) I’ve never blogged according to Twitter’s “Trending Topics,” but this seemed fun. And, reading those obscure, random facts about some of the other bloggers in my social media “sphere” was A GREAT way to waste some valuable time.  =) So, in the event that you’re procrastinating today… and need some reading material, here goes… #30ThingsAboutMe. I was moved “up” from Kindergarten to 1st grade about half-way through the year.  My first grade teacher resented me being in her room, and my Mom always regretted it.  But not me.  Not once. I love coffee in the morning, but am no longer a Starbucks fanatic. (Buying a Keurig for my office helped that little situation.) My husband’s... Read More →

Persistence is often touted as a key skill for entrepreneurs and small business owners to be born with, or to acquire. Not making any money?  Persist! Not making enough money? Persist! Not making money consistently? Persist!  But, here’s the truth: only in our very well-meaning ignorance do we shout, “Keep Going!” when chances are good that someone is heading in the completely wrong direction. Yet…. that’s exactly what happens in business! There’s something in us that wants to believe that if we JUST PERSIST, we’ll “get there.” This probably goes back to that business myth that convinces business owners that we won’t make money in the first 4 years of business.  The truth is this: if you’re not making money in year one, unless you change something, you won’t make money in year two.  If you’re not making money... Read More →