The Entrepreneur’s Blueprint for a Super Productive Week

The Entrepreneur’s Blueprint for a Super Productive Week

by | Aug 14, 2024 | Blog

The Entrepreneur’s Blueprint for a Super Productive Week

In the fast-paced world of entrepreneurship, productivity isn’t just a buzzword—it’s a necessity. Whether you’re launching a startup or scaling an established business, the ability to manage your time and tasks effectively can make the difference between success and failure.

 According to a study by The Alternative Board (TAB) – an organisation that serves a global community of business owners and executives, providing localised support and resources through its network of franchisees and offices worldwide, 82% of entrepreneurs work over 40 hours a week, yet many still feel they lack productivity. How can you break this cycle and achieve your most productive week yet?

This article is designed to spark a discussion, offering support, advice, and understanding as we share practical tips and real-life experiences. Let’s explore together how to balance work, personal life, and self-care to maximise your productivity and well-being. Join the conversation and let’s discover how to make every week your best one yet!

 

Izabella Niewiadomska

Izabella Niewiadomska

Linkedin:  http://www.linkedin.com/in/izabellaniewiadomska

 

“Can you share a strategy or tool that has significantly improved your productivity as an entrepreneur? How has it impacted your daily workflow?”

I’m intrigued by the results of a study by The Alternative Board (TAB) and find myself asking: Why is it that 82% of entrepreneurs, despite working over 40 hours a week, still feel they lack productivity? And I’m thinking, there could be many reasons and many solutions; there is no one-size-fits-all answer. Surface details rarely provide enough data to come up with an effective solution. I remember my mentor, Jim Rohn, saying ‘the real problem is usually 3 to 4 questions deep’ and suggesting that getting good at asking questions can help us get to the heart of the problem faster, saving both time and energy.

So, my key strategy in any situation is to first engage my innate curiosity and ask more questions. Otherwise, we may waste time and energy on strategies and tools that may not directly address the heart of the problem. Asking questions leads to self-awareness and getting to know yourself and your body better. How is my energy right now? How can I be more productive? What can I do differently to produce results that bring me closer to my goal?

Now, back to the question. I think that as leaders and entrepreneurs, we often prioritise action and doing, frequently overlooking how our emotional and mental states influence the quality of our productivity and ability to handle pressure. Maintaining a peak Physical, Mental, and Emotional (P.M.E.) state is essential, as it directly impacts our efficiency and decision-making capabilities, particularly in high-stress situations. Therefore, priming my brain and body in the morning for an optimal P.M.E. state has become a foundational practice for me. My Morning Rituals aim to reduce stress and boost my P.M.E. energy. Energy matters. No matter who you are, how skilled and experienced you are, or how great your plan is, when you are tired, it is really hard to give your best. Your brain is ‘energy hungry,’ which is why I have a variety of tools in my ‘Wellness Toolbox’ that allow me to have energy when I need it most.

Often, it’s the little things that make a big difference. I’ve noticed a massive shift in my energy levels and productivity since 22 years ago when I started following a simple exercise of stopping and taking 10 deep breaths three times a day to oxygenate my brain and body and generate more energy on a cellular level. Throughout my journey, I’ve built upon this practice and created proper ‘Brain Breaks’ throughout the day. Creating harmony at work and in personal life and embracing self-care daily is a fascinating topic I have been actively studying and practising since 1987. At the age of 23, relentless stress and pressure from excessive responsibilities led me to experience panic attacks, often accompanied by body paralysis and loss of speech.

Over the last 30 years, I’ve developed many impactful strategies and tools that have significantly improved my productivity, overall health, and well-being, with a recent focus on longevity and extending my healthspan. However, they largely revolve around priming my Physical, Mental, and Emotional (P.M.E.) state, fuelling my P.M.E. energy right from the start of the day and throughout it, supporting my mental clarity, fostering a sense of focus and inner calm, stimulating my thinking and creativity, and keeping me emotionally resilient and grounded while also bringing joy, happiness, and fulfilment.

When my P.M.E. state is primed, I can tackle tasks with greater energy and focus. This approach helps prevent burnout by regularly replenishing my energy reserves. Overall, this balanced strategy enhances my productivity and makes me a more resilient and effective entrepreneur

 

“What challenges have you faced in trying to maintain a productive week, and what steps have you taken to overcome them?”

Just like many other entrepreneurs, I have had my share of challenges, including procrastination, overcommitment, ineffective use of my time, and personal issues impacting my productivity. The good thing about challenges is that they help us grow, evolve, and expand the horizon of our mind. You may be familiar with Jim Rohn’s famous quote:

“Don’t wish for less problems; wish for more skills. Don’t wish for less challenges; wish for more wisdom.”

Challenges will never stop showing up. The minute we understand and embrace that challenges are an integral part of our journey in life—whether in business or our personal endeavours—we can learn to be grateful for them and the lessons they offer. They help shape our character and work for us, not against us. This mindset is crucial for entrepreneurs and with time, we just get better at handling challenges.

One significant challenge for me has been, and occasionally still is, managing my distractions effectively, such as notifications, emails, and unrelated phone calls. Constant interruptions led to losing momentum, wasting time, and draining the valuable energy my brain needed to maintain focus and a peak state. It was frustrating, but I knew that being frustrated wouldn’t change anything—that would be yet another waste of time and energy.

When I learned about studies showing that it takes anywhere from 9.5 to 30 minutes for the brain to regain focus after a distraction, I decided to take control of my distractions. I embarked on a journey to find what worked best for me, aiming to preserve my energy and manage distractions effectively. I even signed up for a six-month programme with Eckhart Tolle to become more mindful and teach presence.

First, I switched off notifications and sound alerts on my phone. Many entrepreneurs do this, and while it was effective to a certain extent, it wasn’t enough to completely eliminate distractions.

To take it a step further, during periods of focused work, I placed my phone in another room. This way, I wasn’t distracted by the sound or vibration of incoming calls and messages. This simple yet powerful step worked brilliantly and protected my energy and helped me use laser focus on my tasks.

Lastly, I deliberately choose not to look at my phone or emails immediately after waking up. This habit is based on a conscious decision to be in charge of my morning mindset, to set a positive tone for the day, and to reduce the likelihood of getting overwhelmed by notifications first thing in the morning. Additionally, by not checking my phone or emails immediately, I train my brain not to be in a reactive mode. This way, I’m better prepared to respond to any situation more effectively and maintain my P.M.E. balance.

 

“Can you describe a particularly productive week you’ve had? What habits or routines did you implement that made it successful?”

A few years ago, I woke up with an idea to organise a Contribution Conference, an event that would bring together amputees, legendary Heroes and Entrepreneurs who would deliver a blend of business and inspirational topics. This initiative aimed to benefit many, from injured veterans and amputees to business owners and individuals looking to start a business or contribute to a great cause. The proceeds from the tickets would be donated to BLESMA, The Limbless Veterans Charity.

Normally, it takes at least six months to organise such an event. However, I managed to do it in three months—a testament to one of the most productive periods of my business. During those twelve weeks, I found speakers, volunteers, and sponsors, secured a venue and negotiated its prices, developed marketing strategies, set up a website, and even recorded a promotional video with a professional film director. Every speaker and member of the Conference Advisory Board provided their services for free.

Reflecting on what contributed to such productivity, I would say it was several factors. I was deeply inspired by the idea and had a strong emotional reason why I wanted to organise the Contribution Conference. My enthusiasm and passion were infectious, creating a magnetic pull that made people eager to help and be a part of the event. Any challenges, such as a sponsor pulling out at the last minute, were resolved with a “No Problem” attitude, often turning into blessings in disguise that worked in our favour. I was in a state of constant appreciation, gratitude and awe for the help I was receiving from so many different people and organisations. I followed my intuition and gut feeling, ensuring that I nourished my body and brain effectively to maintain high performance and replenish myself while working.

To ensure my days were well-structured, I planned each night before bed with a clear vision of the desired outcome in mind and ended my days with gratitude and peace in my heart. This nightly preparation allowed me to set clear intentions for how I wanted my day to flow, helping me focus my energy on what truly mattered. I was focusing on starting each day at my pace, priming my Physical, Mental, and Emotional state (P.M.E.) with my Morning Rituals.

As I moved through my day, I incorporated intentional “Brain Breaks” to keep my P.M.E. energy replenished.  They were crucial for maintaining my productivity and ensuring that i stay sharp, focused and didn’t burn out. I also deliberately took my mind for a walk with nature.  This refreshes my mind, fuels my creativity, and enhances mental clarity.

Implementing these habits and rituals made each day structured yet flexible enough to handle any unexpected tasks that came my way. They helped maintain flow and ease throughout the day.  If I worked on weekends,  I made sure the following day was dedicated to rest and recovery, allowing me to recharge fully.

 

 

Chad Norgard

Chad Norgard

Website:  www.norgardinsurancegroup.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NorgardInsGrp/

 

“Can you share a strategy or tool that has significantly improved your productivity as an entrepreneur? How has it impacted your daily workflow?”

I have two that have paid dividends for me over the years.

1) Know Your Value.  There are so many tasks involved with starting or even growing a business.  You have to know what your value is, or what your worth is; if not, you’ll leave yourself open to being taken advantage of and that is not fair to yourself or your family.  This also means you have to know when to turn over certain tasks to someone else, so that you can continue to grow your business.  We can all go to work and get caught up in non-productive activity instead of income producing activity.

There will come a time, that it’s more beneficial to you and your time, to get an assistant or outsource some tasks.  For example, if you can make $200 an hour, but it takes you an hour to maintain your lawn.  Why not outsource that to the local lawn company who charges $40 / week or $160 / month and use that hour in a more productive way, like with your family or on a hobby / sport you like.  There is a lot more to unpack in this one, but this should be enough to give you the idea.

2) Time Blocking.  If you’re like me, you can be easily distracted by all of the tasks that need your attention throughout the course of a day or week to keep the business running.  I’ve learned that time blocking allows me to stay on task and keep focused on things that are essential and keeps me on track.  Whether it’s a weekly staff meeting, or family time on a Sunday afternoon, this is uninterrupted time that I have dedicated to the priorities of my business and personal life.

Once I implemented this, my business no longer seemed to control my life and my time away from the office was much more enjoyable.  I was no longer worrying about missing an email, whether I got XYZ done or not, or feeling guilty for allowing myself to get caught up on a phone call and now I am running late to a child’s event  or family get together.

 

“What challenges have you faced in trying to maintain a productive week, and what steps have you taken to overcome them?”

I took back control of my calendar through time blocking.  My clients still have the ability to schedule a meeting or call with me, but they know if it’s not available on the calendar then I’m otherwise occupied.  It took a bit for them to get used to, but I also built a deeper relationship with my clients when I mentioned why I was doing this; since I had lost sight of my priorities and often put clients before my family, thinking I was doing the right thing and providing for them, when really, I missed a lot of the little moments and chances to make lifelong memories with them.

 

“Can you describe a particularly productive week you’ve had? What habits or routines did you implement that made it successful?”

The 4th quarter of every year is always tough one for us, where we do 85% of our annual revenue. Over the years I’ve worked on efficiency and this past year I was able to leverage technology to the point that I was able to automate a few things, without losing the 1on1 contact and personal touch my clients have come to expect. By embracing technology, I was able to grow our business by 127% over the past two years. Also, once I took back control of my calendar and got Time Blocking under control I was able to give my clients my direct calendar link again. This allows me to save time in going back and forth on a meeting time with them, and let them schedule it directly. These two things have actually allowed my weeks to get better and better each week. Not only does our income increase, but the amount of time I spend working on the businesses has gone down; which has allowed me several hours a week to work on non-profits and mentoring instead.

 

Sue Ritchie

Sian Young

Website: https://www.sustainableaction.net/

Linkedin:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/sianyoung/

 

“Can you share a strategy or tool that has significantly improved your productivity as an entrepreneur? How has it impacted your daily workflow?”

My key strategy is…. Get enough sleep. I need 7.5 hours and then nothing can stop me. Sleep deprivation can lead to decreased work efficiency and productivity by as much as 50%. (Harvard Medical School 2007) ‘Brain fog and a decline in cognitive performance thus making mistakes comes hand-in-hand with sleep deprivation’. But when I have my magic spot of 7.5 hours I am able to achieve all my goals for the day.

 

“What challenges have you faced in trying to maintain a productive week, and what steps have you taken to overcome them?” 

My main challenge is childcare.. as a female business owner I am at the mercy of childcare, child sickness and dare I say it… school holidays! Travelling the world with my business is an art form as a mother. Being a mumpreneur is not your normal life, if you’re bootstrapping you have to get so creative with childcare as a child’s safety is the utmost priority. I have, throughout my life, honoured relationships with people who have been there for me and believed in me, this means I have people in my corner who I trust with my child… so I support them and they support me. 

Then also a productivity hack is I get up at 4 am before my child wakes up and I have done 3 hours of work before she is up. Then I fill her cup with joy, play and food then I can manage to balance another 2 hours. 

So I have to plan a week in advance for tasks, that take most uninterrupted focus, to happen in the early morning, with my sunlamp on, and flexi tasks that can happen when she is awake. I also use child free time to strategically plan the moves I will make the following week. And also, I surrender a lot, as sometimes it just does not happen and that’s ok, drink the love up in my life as tomorrow (if we are blessed enough) will always be there.

 

“Can you describe a particularly productive week you’ve had? What habits or routines did you implement that made it successful?”

Strategies I use to be constantly showing up for my business in a productive way, apart from sleep, are saying ‘No’ when it does not align with my business objectives, and staying aligned to our business strategy means we have a compass. 

One other thing I would say is living my purpose makes me on fire for my business and the impact it makes and this can be the super fuel you need to get the job done and enjoy week after week of productivity. — Recently we took our business to #InnoVEX and #Comutex in Taiwan we were on point and showed up every day for 5 days, pitching, sharing our SDG Assessment app and Center for Sustainable Action. We came away with partnerships that have now propelled our business to the point where our door is being knocked daily with opportunity. 

By sticking to my sleeping sweet spot as a norm I am able to turn it up when I need to. This does mean I go to bed early and get up early though!

 

 

Sue Ritchie

Elizabeth Bachman

Website: www.elizabethbachman.com

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elizabethbachman/

 

“Can you share a strategy or tool that has significantly improved your productivity as an entrepreneur? How has it impacted your daily workflow?”

I am very easily distracted. What saves me is to have accountability partners for:-

  1. Daily goals (including a 3:30 PM check-in to see how many I have accomplished.) 
  2. Yesterday’s Wins. 
  3. Weekly work on procrastination projects. 
  4. Weekly check-ins about my podcast, social media & bookkeeping 
  5. reminders to breathe and centre myself.

 

“What challenges have you faced in trying to maintain a productive week, and what steps have you taken to overcome them?”

My To-Do list stretches to the moon!  I focus on just 3 crucial things each day.  If I get 80% of them done, it is a good day.

 

“Can you describe a particularly productive week you’ve had? What habits or routines did you implement that made it successful?”

My best weeks are when I’m working with business partners.  We keep each other accountable and share the work.  Most importantly, we remind each other to take breaks.

 

 

Terry Chase

Terry Chase

Website:  https://drterrychase.com/

 

“Can you share a strategy or tool that has significantly improved your productivity as an entrepreneur? How has it impacted your daily workflow?”

Time affluence:- 

I set a timer for 10-30 minutes to work on a project or task.  

I keep the mindset that I have enough time vs no time to complete work.

This has helped me so much and adds to my productivity.

 

“What challenges have you faced in trying to maintain a productive week, and what steps have you taken to overcome them?”

Distraction. Keep my focus on the items in front of me. Taking regular breaks and getting exercise to begin the day helps.

 

“Can you describe a particularly productive week you’ve had? What habits or routines did you implement that made it successful?”

Exercise is cool morning air. Set up projects to complete. Use the timer to keep me honest. Cross off to-do list. Turn off computer at 5pm  

It hasn’t always been easy, but entrepreneurship has been worth every minute. 

 

Final Thoughts

 

It seems distractions, and maintaining focus on tasks in hand, are key challenges to being productive. The range of solutions given here are truly inspiring, so if one speaks to you, give it a go, you have nothing to lose and everything to gain.

At the end of the day you need to find a way that works for you. The important thing is that you focus on what you want to achieve, have a go at a variety of suggestions, until you find one that suits you for helping you be your most productive. Don’t be afraid to review it and have a go with something else, you can always revert back if it doesn’t work.

Maybe you have found other ideas that work for you, please do let us know what they are so they can be added to a repertoire to choose from, should a new one be necessary to be implemented.

 

 

 

How To Leverage Webinars for Getting Clients and How To Make Them Work

How To Leverage Webinars for Getting Clients and How To Make Them Work

by | Jul 25, 2024 | Blog

Leveraging Webinars for Client Acquisition in 2024: Strategies for Success

In the ever-evolving landscape of digital marketing, webinars remain a powerful tool for client acquisition, despite some claims to the contrary. Those who declare webinars obsolete are often the ones who have failed to conduct them effectively. In reality, webinars continue to be the highest converting strategy for acquiring clients online. The secret lies in understanding why webinars work and how to optimize them for today’s audience.

 

The Enduring Power of Webinars

Webinars excel because they command the most valuable currency: time. Before spending money, potential clients invest their time. A well-executed webinar, lasting anywhere from 30 minutes to 2 hours, allows prospects to engage deeply with your content, understand your expertise, and build a relationship with you. This level of engagement and trust is challenging to achieve through the fleeting interactions typical of social media.

Imagine the effort required to consume an equivalent amount of content through social media posts—it would take months of brief interactions. Webinars, by contrast, concentrate this engagement into a single session, making them the highest converting tool available.

 

Adapting to the Current Webinar Landscape

Today’s webinar landscape has shifted. Audiences are inundated with subpar webinars, creating skepticism. This saturation is both a challenge and an opportunity. The poor quality of many webinars means that delivering a high-quality experience can make your webinar stand out significantly.

Key Strategies for High-Converting Webinars

  1. Leverage Testimonials and Case Studies: Instead of merely promoting what attendees will learn, let your satisfied clients speak for you. Share testimonials and case studies to build credibility and trust. This approach reassures potential attendees that your webinar is worth their time.                                                                
  2. Invest in Presentation and Delivery: With the bar set low by mediocre webinars, a well-structured and engaging presentation will shine. Focus on delivering a memorable experience. Make your content compelling and ensure your communication skills are top-notch. An engaging presentation will keep attendees hooked and demonstrate that their time is well spent.                                          
  3. Strategic Partnerships for Lead Generation: The source of your webinar leads is crucial. Cold advertising can be costly and often results in low attendance rates because the audience lacks a prior connection to you. Instead, form strategic partnerships with individuals or organizations that already have a trusted relationship with their audience. When these partners promote your webinar, their endorsement lends you credibility, increasing the likelihood that their audience will register, attend, and ultimately buy from you.

 

Implementing the GTEX Method

At GTEX, we specialize in transforming experts into authorities through high-converting webinars. Our approach combines excellent presentation skills with strategic partnerships to maximize attendance and conversion rates.

 

Steps to Success

  1. Create an Exceptional Presentation: Focus on delivering value and ensuring that attendees feel their time is well invested. Your goal is to elicit a response of, “This was time well spent,” which translates into, “This will be money well spent.”
  2. Develop Strategic Partnerships: Identify and collaborate with partners who can introduce you to their audience. Their endorsement will help build trust and increase the likelihood of attendance and engagement.
  3. Repeat and Refine: Continuously improve your webinars based on feedback and performance. The more you refine your process, the more effective your webinars will become.

 

Conclusion

Webinars are far from dead; they remain a vital tool for client acquisition when executed correctly. By leveraging testimonials, investing in high-quality presentations, and forming strategic partnerships, you can create webinars that not only attract but also convert clients effectively.

Embrace these strategies, and you’ll find that webinars can be a cornerstone of your digital marketing efforts in 2024 and beyond. For more insights and to learn about our 30-day mentoring program, visit GTEX and discover how we can help you turn your webinars into a powerful client acquisition tool.

Remember, together we grow exponentially.

 

 

How to Access Unlimited Audiences of Ideal Clients Without Social Media or Cold Emails

How to Access Unlimited Audiences of Ideal Clients Without Social Media or Cold Emails

by | Jul 18, 2024 | Blog

How to Access Unlimited Audiences of Ideal Clients Without Social Media or Cold Emails

In today’s digital age, the challenge of reaching the right audience without relying heavily on social media or sending cold emails can seem daunting. However, there are effective strategies to achieve this.

My name is Simone Vincenzi, and I specialize in turning experts into authorities through strategic partnerships and webinars. In this article, I’ll share insights on how you can access your ideal clients by leveraging strategic partnerships, thereby bypassing the need for daily social media posts or cold outreach.

 

The Power of Strategic Partnerships

A strategic partnership is a collaboration between two entities that share similar values and serve complementary markets.

This means finding organizations or individuals whose products or services complement yours and who have already built an audience that matches your target demographic.

The advantage here is that these partners have established trust with their audience, which can significantly shorten the conversion time from introduction to purchase.

 

The Steps to Building Effective Strategic Partnerships

Here are the steps to building effective strategic partnerships.

Identify Potential Partners: Look for businesses or influencers that cater to your ideal audience but offer non-competing products or services. Ensure there is an alignment in values and goals.

Due Diligence: Before approaching potential partners, research their reputation, client base, and the quality of their offerings. This helps in building a genuine connection and ensures that your partnership is mutually beneficial.

Offer Value First: Instead of immediately asking for a promotion, offer something valuable that showcases your expertise. This could be a free service, a collaborative project, or a valuable resource.

 

Let me give you an example

One effective strategy is to provide a free service that demonstrates your expertise. For instance, at GTeX, we excel in creating high-converting webinar funnels. When approaching a potential partner, I offer to build a webinar funnel for them at no initial cost. This allows them to experience my skills firsthand and see the potential benefits of a partnership.

 

Here’s a step-by-step breakdown of this approach:

  1. Set Clear Intentions: Inform the potential partner of your ultimate goal—forming a partnership—but clarify that they don’t need to commit immediately.
  2. Deliver Value: Offer support or provide one of your services for free. Ensure it’s something you excel at so they see the best version of your work.
  3. Establish Terms: Explain that if they’re satisfied with the results, you can discuss a formal partnership. This could include promoting the webinar to their audience, with an agreed affiliate commission for any sales generated.

 

And here is why I love this approach.

It allows you to showcases your expertise by delivering high-quality work upfront, you build credibility and trust.

It will also reduce risk for partners because they can experience the benefits of your service without an initial commitment.

It will then accelerate partnership building because you are offering value first. This can turn a months-long process into a few weeks, as your potential partner quickly sees the benefits of collaboration.

 

Here is another example:

I once approached an event organizer bringing Les Brown to London. Instead of asking to be a speaker or host, I offered my expertise in event management.

This led to a deeper involvement and eventually, I was invited to host the event in front of a thousand people. This opportunity arose because I led with value and demonstrated my capabilities upfront.

 

Conclusion

Strategic partnerships offer a powerful alternative to traditional marketing methods. By identifying potential partners and offering value first, you can tap into established audiences and build lasting, mutually beneficial relationships. This approach not only helps in accessing your ideal clients but also positions you as a trusted authority in your field.

If you’re looking to implement high-converting webinars or build strategic partnerships that can elevate your business, watch this free training.

Until next time, remember that offering genuine value is the key to unlocking new opportunities.

Together, we can grow exponentially.

 

Let me know in the comments: What was your biggest takeaway from this strategy?

 

How has being a female entrepreneur impacted other elements of your life?

How has being a female entrepreneur impacted other elements of your life?

by | May 15, 2024 | Blog

How has being a female entrepreneur impacted other elements of your life?

Here in GTeX we have a rich array of female entrepreneurs, from successful seasoned business owners to those just embarking on the journey, in a great variety of businesses.

 

Interestingly, according to an article in ‘Frontiers in Psychology’, female entrepreneurs represent the fastest-growing category of entrepreneurship worldwide, and in an article in ‘Tech Support’ they state that 43% of the total number of entrepreneurs worldwide is made of women.

 

But what isn’t talked about, or known, is the behind-the-scenes journey that these female entrepreneurs have travelled or continue to travel on a daily basis to make their businesses become thriving success. This journey is one of a complex interplay of ambition, resilience, and growth – from relationships and personal well-being to societal expectations and work-life balance.

 

In this article, we invite you to join us as we embark on a journey of exploring the multifaceted impact of being a female entrepreneur on various aspects of life; a journey of discovery, growth, and collective empowerment.

 

So let’s hear from our GTeX members what being a female entrepreneur has meant for them.

 

Feel free to join the conversation and add your thoughts or experiences in the comments.

 

Amanda Murray

 

Marjorie Gutierrez

Website:  www.smartbusinessdesigns.com

Linkedin:  https://linkedin.com/in/marjorie-gutierrez

 

Reflecting on your journey as a female entrepreneur, what have been some unexpected challenges you’ve faced, and how did you overcome them?

Going through the process of becoming an entrepreneur has been a massive challenge but I realised a year into my coaching that the resistance had to do with past roles, where I managed a company and staff.  The realisation of overcoming the habits taken from working as an employee to a business owner was a massive breakthrough for me.

 

Can you share a pivotal moment or decision in your entrepreneurial journey that significantly impacted other aspects of your life? How did you navigate it?

My company closed in New York, I became unemployed but also resisted the thought of working for another company. I sold my flat in NY, used the funds to support my son and started my journey on becoming self employed. It impacted my lifestyle, the need to seek validation and go through a rough healing process which took a long time but the constant search of who I am became important. I practised meditation to ground myself, I simplified my life and continued to seek the right support to enable me to find myself, my brand and who I would like to work with. Finally, a purpose and motivation driven, makes me excited about my path. Financially still a challenge but consistency and discipline taught me that one break will knock down barriers to get me to where I want to be

 

What advice would you give to anyone who is a caregiver and running a business?

Don’t get caught up in the fear of missing out. I would look at your business, where you’re at, what’s working. How is it structured and if your current processes support your business. Look at your offers. Keep things simple. Work on your niche and audience. The messaging becomes easier when you know who you are speaking to. Seek the right support, it’s not easy to do it alone. Invest in yourself. Be disciplined and consistent. Take breaks. Map out your realistic goals and look at your offers to measure how much you need to sell to get you to your financial goal. You can create your own blueprint, or work with me

 

 

Ragini Hildreth

Nicola Reynolds

Website:  gtexdigitalmedia.co.uk

 

Reflecting on your journey as a female entrepreneur, what have been some unexpected challenges you’ve faced, and how did you overcome them?

My decision to become an entrepreneur was influenced by my newly solo parent status around 10 yrs ago, where I refused to work to pay my entire income on childcare of two very young children. My initial challenge was building up my self-esteem to a place where I was comfortable in my chosen profession. I tried a few different ventures before I found my strengths. Over the years I’ve attempted different MLM’s and businesses that did work for the short term, but I personally didn’t find them fulfilling. I was struggling to identify my passions and my why’s. 

 

I found them by going back to my roots and looking back over my career path and building a role that worked with the strengths I’d developed. Problem solving, training and my ability to work with different software easily has been a huge eye opener for me. 

 

For many years I hadn’t realised how unique my skill set is, but good friends helped me realise this, and it has taken my business to new levels.

 

Can you share a pivotal moment or decision in your entrepreneurial journey that significantly impacted other aspects of your life? How did you navigate it?

My pivotal moment occurred after another life changing hit to my self esteem. This was about 3 years into my entrepreneurial journey. I broke free from a very abusive partner (not the kids dad) and was once again working on rebuilding myself and as part of that process I rebranded my business. 

 

It was at that point I was encouraged to look back at how far I had come. I’ve never been one to dwell much on the past, and those who know me would probably describe me as a forward thinking positive person. 

 

But in that moment it struck me that I was still standing tall and strong, even though all the events thrown at me had at times left me in a spoiled wreck. I know it took courage and resilience to keep going and my kids are my reason for it! 

 

How did I navigate it – I got help – I was going through therapy and counselling at the time this happened, and it was a very profound impact that it had on me. Up to this point I’d never really done much self-reflection or healing. 

This allowed me to accept a lot of things about me that other people around me already knew but I had yet to acknowledge. It might sound strange, but not everyone goes beyond what they see in the mirror and appreciate the person inside and what they’ve been through. I learned to love me, and the journey I’ve been through and the lessons I’ve learnt along the way.

 

What advice or strategies would you offer to fellow female entrepreneurs balancing business ownership and life? Any practical tips for managing time, priorities, or self-care that have been particularly effective for you?

 

I’ve been grateful over the last ten years that I’ve managed to establish an amazing support network. 

When I became a solo parent, help was one of the hardest things I had to learn to accept. It was always there if I was willing to ask for it. 

My support network now extends to my kids dad and his wife, my dog walker/boarding, my parents. I can call on them when I need to work away from home, or just need a break. 

 

One of the biggest benefits for me has been able to be there for my children. I’m home and present, sometimes I am working into the evening but if they need me I can answer. I can collect them from school if they’re unwell or take myself for a massage or to the gym session without having to answer to anyone, (other than my clients of course). 

 

My biggest take away from being an entrepreneur is I know I am working towards fulfilling my own dreams rather than working for someone else’s!

 

 

Sue Ritchie

Veronica King

Linkedin:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/veronicaking2/

 

Reflecting on your journey as a female entrepreneur, what have been some unexpected challenges you’ve faced, and how did you overcome them?

Some of the unexpected challenges I have faced reflecting on my journey: 1.  Difficulty in building a business without (immediate) support i.e. having to do everything in the business; 2. Doing the work attracts getting paid; 3. Getting in the heads and hearts of my target audience;. 4. Having to ditch my original plans sometimes and start all over again; I overcome these challenges by staying focused even when I don’t feel like it.

 

 

Can you share a pivotal moment or decision in your entrepreneurial journey that significantly impacted other aspects of your life? How did you navigate it?

 

I once signed up for a programme to increase my lead generation, and although at the time of the offer I felt some doubts about whether this was really what I needed to increase the number of one-on-one consultations I wanted. I knew that there were risks involved in every business decision, so I went ahead and signed up. 

 

What I discovered was that although I was ‘leaking’ money from my business account each month paying for this service, I got nothing in return. 

 

Moreover, I was expected to do most of the work myself using one of the most difficult systems I have ever experienced. There were no recommendations as to how to reach my potential clients, only the advice that I must keep trying, even when I expressed doubts that things were not working as promised. 

 

Because I had only just started my business, I did not know how to say NO! It seemed like an easy decision to make, but the question of ‘What if? kept popping up. And of course the person who made the offer knew that I was a new business and took advantage. 

 

I lost thousands of pounds on this one investment, and hours trying to get this system to work. Although this experience is not unique, for many entrepreneurs have had similar experiences, I blamed myself for not following my gut instinct. 

 

After much self-blame/self-recrimination, I plucked up the courage to say NO! I no longer want this service because it simply does not work. I walked away with decreased funds to invest in my business, and totally demoralised, but I felt that I had control over my once more – one of my key reasons for wanting to be an entrepreneur.

 

What advice or strategies would you offer to fellow female entrepreneurs balancing business ownership and life? Any practical tips for managing time, priorities, or self-care that have been particularly effective for you?

When I first started my business I felt that my life was my business and that my business was my life. That means whenever I stepped away from my business to do anything not connected to my business I was showered with guilt for days at a time. 

 

A decade ago balancing life with business was not a thing. I would hold myself to the coal-face 24/7 and neglect to live! Afterall I went into business because I want control over my life and my time. 

 

What I found was my life got left behind as I got lost in the busyness of running a business. It was after I began to suffer from exhaustion that I realised that I had to do things differently. 

 

Having taught time-management as a lecturer in business and management, I realised that I had neglected to utilise this skill for myself. And this is the key factor in balancing business ownership and life. 

 

When I began to schedule all my activities, I found it resulted in my managing my life, and in managing my life I found I managed my time, and most importantly it made it easy to draw up a plan of focused activities. In this plan all the details about every-day (life) activities, like going to gym, going for a walk, meeting with friends, and spending time with the family, were all built into that plan. 

 

I found that I became fit (again), my mind was clearer when I had tasks to complete, and  my self-confidence was boosted.  This exercise can be done by anyone, as you allocate the time to get it done. I would recommend that you try it .

 

 

Sue Ritchie

Ylva Forssén

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ylva-forss

 

Reflecting on your journey as a female entrepreneur, what have been some unexpected challenges you’ve faced, and how did you overcome them?

The journey is more individual. As I have my business at home it is hard to separate work/family.

Also  to find  the courage to speak my voice., not caring what others will think. We do it differently and better To find a way to be proved of that and let the message out without “judging” others.

Gathered more knowledge and trust the process

 

 

Can you share a pivotal moment or decision in your entrepreneurial journey that significantly impacted other aspects of your life? How did you navigate it?

As I know I have a really high quality product I decided to raise the prices to sell less tours with the same turnover. Giving me more time to develop the business in a new direction. With the goal to have more time for family 

 

What advice or strategies would you offer to fellow female entrepreneurs balancing business ownership and life? Any practical tips for managing time, priorities, or self-care that have been particularly effective for you?

Buy the service you don’t like to do. Focus on the things you are good at. I have been spending too many years doing everything as I have knowledge, a little here and there. But you do not have time to keep up with everything. 

 

 

Sue Ritchie

Elizabeth Bachman

Linkedin:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/elizabethbachman/

Website:  www.ElizabethBachman.com

 

Reflecting on your journey as a female entrepreneur, what have been some unexpected challenges you’ve faced, and how did you overcome them?

For me, the challenges were more about being female than about being an entrepreneur.  I have been an entrepreneur for most of my working life, working in the New York theatre scene right out of college, then moving into the opera world. Working my way up through the ranks, I became an international opera stage director at the Metropolitan Opera in NYC, and many other companies. 

As one of the early women, I found myself in the classic trap that many women STILL face:  I could succeed up to a certain point, but when I tried for the big jobs (and the big money), I hit a glass ceiling. Specifically, I wanted to run an opera company.  I knew I’d be good at it, so I applied whenever there was an opening.  Every single time, I was on the short list, and every single time the job went to a man. Often to someone who was less qualified. 

Some of this was unconscious bias against women, but not all.  A large part of the glass ceilings were internal. I now see how I sabotaged myself by following the “rules” that society teaches girls.  Rules such as, “It’s rude to ask for money.”  “Asking for help makes you look weak.”  “Good girls don’t brag.” 

And the big rule: “Stay quiet, do a good job, and you will be rewarded without having to ask for it.” 

Discovering that to be a lie took me YEARS.

This is why I now work with executive women, helping them get past their own glass ceilings. 

 

 

Can you share a pivotal moment or decision in your entrepreneurial journey that significantly impacted other aspects of your life? How did you navigate it?

First big decision:

When nobody would hire me to run an opera company, I started my own summer opera company.  The Tyrolean Opera Program (TOP Opera) ran for 11 years. It gave me an identity and a reason to travel to Europe at least twice a year.   

It gave me a lot, but my health paid the price. 

Running TOP Opera  while pursuing my main-stage career meant that I worked day and night. For three years in a row, I had serious health challenges during the summer opera season. It became clear that the work was killing me, which led to:

The second big decision: 

For many reasons, it became time to close TOP Opera.  The market had changed, our competitors were offering the same services for less, and we couldn’t find enough customers to pay the bills.  Getting sick every year was extra.

Letting go of a business that I had created was really, really hard. 

The lesson was (and continues to be) that things change when you don’t want them to.  Sometimes you have to swallow your pride and walk away.  Sometimes you have to grieve the loss before you can find something else.  

But you CAN find something else.  I didn’t believe it while I was grieving, but I am in a much better place now.  

That lesson applies to whatever gender you are.

 

What advice or strategies would you offer to fellow female entrepreneurs balancing business ownership and life? Any practical tips for managing time, priorities, or self-care that have been particularly effective for you?

Entrepreneurship gives you freedom, but not always security. Because you don’t have the structure of a M-F job, you have to create your own. Self-care is crucial.  Part of that care is to surround yourself with supportive colleagues who will keep you engaged and give you ideas.  Most especially, surround yourself with colleagues who will hold you accountable.  

It hasn’t always been easy, but entrepreneurship has been worth every minute. 

 

Final Thoughts

 

Thank you ladies, such a wealth of experience and wisdom in these shares, a fraction of what is available to tap into here in the GTeX community, especially when your entrepreneurial journey hits one or two of the variety of challenges and setbacks that can confront you. 

The main point coming through is don’t get disheartened and stop; foster resilience; be willing to reflect, review, let go and adapt; recognise, celebrate and utilise your strengths; take risks, i.e. be in uncertainty, by moving beyond rules, beliefs and habits that hold you back, so allowing you to achieve more – just keep going.

As you read through each account, I am sure you will find inspiration that will help you fully embrace and continue being a female entrepreneur.

 

 

 

How To Get In Front of Your Ideal Clients Without an Audience

How To Get In Front of Your Ideal Clients Without an Audience

by | Nov 8, 2023 | Blog

How do you get the right positioning? How can you position yourself and your services as the perfect choice for your ideal client? 

 

Thinking about positioning is crucial. People need to understand who you are and what you do. 

 

You might be multi-talented, multifaceted and have a lot of ideas and things that you can help people with, BUT if you don’t have a way to communicate and focus then that talent is not utilized or known to your audience.

 

When we had to restructure the positioning of GTeX, we really started focusing on helping our audience get clients through high converting webinars. This was the front end and how we got introduced. This was the first point of contact, so when clients thought about webinars, they associated it with GTeX. 

 

Once the relationship begins between you and your clients, and you’ve already helped them with one specific thing, they are then more receptive to receiving help in other areas because they know you – and that’s where you can offer your other services. 

 

So when you’re thinking about your positioning, think about what’s the strongest, most important, big thing that you can deliver for your clients that they want.

 

Think of something that your clients already come to you for, maybe your best-selling service or the service that gives them the biggest results. 

 

For GTeX, I thought about the things our clients wanted. Clients were always coming to me to create a sales presentation, whether it was in the event space or in a webinar. They wanted more clients, and this was something I was excellent at. So the positioning was very congruent not only with what we can actually deliver, but also with the case studies we already have and can demonstrate to our clients. 

 

Another important component of positioning is to think about something that you actually love doing for your clients. After all, once your positioning starts delivering the right results, you won’t want to be stuck doing something you don’t enjoy! 

 

Bring it all together and there you have it – you’ve found a positioning that helps you grow a business that you actually love! 

 

“What do you do?” How to Respond Effectively

“What do you do?” How to Respond Effectively

by | Nov 5, 2023 | Blog

“What do you do?” How to Respond Effectively when People Ask you This (as a business owner)

 

How do you get people to actually understand what you do in a clear, precise way and buy from you immediately? 

 

You should be able to answer “what do you do?” with one clear sentence. One clear sentence that people can understand straight away without complex words, or long convoluted sentences about how they can work with you. 

 

So, how do you create the clarity of a sentence? I know that your programs, offers or the work that you do will have many different aspects, and many layers, but among all of that you’ll have to identify what is the most relevant information you need to communicate. 

 

Here’s the process I share with my clients to do it: 

 

First, start with your target audience, who are they? What are their problems? 

 

Then, think about the transformation that you’re going to provide. Write down the before and after results of working with you. Who are they before buying your offer and after?

 

Once you have all that information down, streamline it and identify its essence. 

 

Now, make it simple! Really focus on breaking it down to one sentence. 

 

And if there are a couple of different angles that are coming up in the process, why not test them out? Pick only two options and ask your clients or potential clients to let you know which one is the clearest or strongest or the one they can best relate to! 

 

The key for this process is simplicity.

 

If I say “I can help you get 10 to 20 clients a month and increase your revenue consistently”, it’s very clear and if that’s what you want, then you will want to know more. 

 

If you want people to understand and be interested in the process, sell them the result and be clear, specific and concise on how you can qualify and quantify that result for them. 

 

What is the transformation that you’re providing broken down into one sentence?