because business success is more strategy than secret

GRAND OPENING! Or a grand RE-opening…. let’s celebrate together this week! Today — Monday, June 17th kicks off a special week for us as self-bossers:  National Small Business Week.   MORE than HALF of all Americans either own or work for a small business.  Two out of every three jobs are created by US each year. Congratulations, thank you and you’re welcome, to ALL of us… Whether our business created “just” a job for ourselves, or also provides — part time or full time — for others… we’re doing a GREAT service to our country.   Business is a NOBLE pursuit.  I’m honored to be among you. ONE.  ONE is the number you need to keep in mind to ACHIEVE the business success you started out to create.  ONE.  There’s only one person ultimately responsible for your success — or lack of success. It’s you.... Read More →

Think back to January of this year. You were setting goals…. thinking big…. crunching numbers… And — you had every confidence that 2013 would be YOUR year. And for good reason, by the way.  THIS is the “you” you need to listen to ALL YEAR ROUND — that big, bold and audacious YOU. But, somewhere along the line, time passes… weeks turn into months… and here we sit in June, at Half Time.     Half way through 2013.  MORE OFTEN THAN NOT, business owners talking to me in June are starting to “back pedal” on their goals.  It’s half time and — frankly —  they’re “wiser” now.  After all, in January, when these goals were set, they had no idea what 2013 would bring. In June, however, half the year is already over.  2013 is WELL underway and your year has already “taken shape.” Here’s... Read More →

Beach Body Results and Business Success First, I’ll answer your immediate suspicion.  No, I’m not selling Beach Body products.  And no, this is not a sponsored post.  (I promise to always be up front with you in that regard.)  Yes, I do use Beach Body products and workout videos. (That’s the gal I buy from to the left.  You can click on her picture and go to her website.) And yes, I love what they sell. But you know what I love MOST?  It’s their philosophy — of hustle.  Here’s a line directly from one of their informercials, which admittedly isn’t word for word, but it’ll give you the gist of it: “We know that there are those of you out there willing to work for the body you want, that are willing to sweat for it…”  Of course, they’re poking fun at the other infomercials promising a model’s physique in 8... Read More →

I still remember when only “OLD” people talked about how quickly time was passing… and yet here we are — UNBELIEVABLY — at almost the half way mark in 2013. It’s hard to believe! Back in January, I’m sure you set some business goals. Whether you called them resolutions or not, you set them.  Business goals, INCOME goals, sales goals… My question is this:  The year is halfway over — so…… are you HALF way towards meeting your goals? And if not, what — exactly —  are you going to do about it?   Well ALL month, RIGHT HERE, you’ll find actionable blog posts walking you through what I used to sell — back in 2008 — as my “Half Time Strategy Report!”   To be SURE you don’t miss a post, either sign up for our newsletter — by clicking the link below — or put your email... Read More →

My clients come to me because they want to make more money in their business. Some come when they’re “busy and broke.”  This means they’re doing all they know to do, but it’s “just not working” for them.  Others come when they’re ready for some leverage.  This means they want to make money even when they don’t physically “show up.” Either way, they come when they want more money. My business is as crass as that.  My expertise is as limited as that.  As a result, my focus is laser-sharp, which brings me to Key #1 to Increased Income: 1) Be a specialist. Be a (real) specialist.  Do you know what a “charlatan” is?   It’s best defined as a FRAUD who makes showy pretenses to knowledge or ability.  You don’t want to be THAT. But, be a specialist.  What do you KNOW better than anyone else? What do... Read More →

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 →