Episode Transcript
[00:00:00] Speaker A: Foreign.
[00:00:05] Speaker B: Hello and welcome to the solopreneur Sisterhood Podcast. A podcast designed to help heart centered service providers like you build a purposeful, profitable and sustainable business that supports what.
[00:00:16] Speaker A: Matters most to you.
[00:00:18] Speaker B: I'm your host, Becky McCleary and I am so grateful that you are here.
[00:00:23] Speaker A: Hello beautiful soul and welcome. I'm your host, Becky McCleary and I am so grateful and excited that you are here. So today we are doing something a little bit different. Now, I have been hearing from quite a few women lately who are just feeling discouraged in their business for one reason or another. And my first inclination was to schedule a special workshop to help people to kind of regroup, reprioritize and adjust their plans for upcoming months.
However, after a little bit of thought, I realized we are all so busy and taking time for an intensive workshop might not be the most practical option right now.
So instead I have decided to break down what I would share in a workshop into five shorter podcast episodes. We're doing a short series of solopreneur Sisterhood strategy sessions. So my hope is that no matter where you are, no matter what is going on in your business right now, you'll find some ideas in this series that resonate with you and that will help you to figure out those next steps in building a business you love that works for you.
Today as we start out, I want to talk about something that I know resonates with so many of us. This feeling that somehow we're doing this all wrong or that we are the only ones who are struggling to make our business work. I know that in the online space especially, we see a lot of success stories. We see a lot of women who are just thriving and their business is taking off and they're hitting these outrageous numbers. And it can be really easy to slip in that comparison mode and to start feeling bad about ourselves and our business and where we are and to really slip into that self doubt.
But here's the truth. You are not alone.
I think one of the gifts that I have received in the work that I do is that I have seen behind the scenes of so many businesses and I've had the opportunity to talk with and learn from so many women at different stages of business.
So all of these doubts, all of these fears, all of these frustrations and challenges and obstacles, we're all going through it at one point or another. And every woman I know has built a successful business, has gone through that period of self doubt, that period of trying to figure things out. And the other thing I will say Which I will say is not always so inspiring as you're growing your business is that each new level you reach in your business, you're going to face new obstacles, new challenges, new doubts, new fears, and it's all normal. The thing is, we're not talking about it enough in the online space. And so my hope with this series is that you will realize you're not alone. You're going to feel more encouraged and you're going to walk away with some practical ideas that you can take action on right now to help you figure out what's missing, what might be out of alignment, and to help you figure out those next steps. So this series is for you. If you are a heart centered service provider who is passionate about making a difference through and beyond your work, you absolutely love the work you do. You love your clients. You just wish that it was easier to find clients when you have an opening and then it didn't feel so hard to figure out where your next client is coming from. You are grateful for the income that you have made, you've gotten some success in your business, but at the same time, you feel like you're still kind of stuck in that feast or famine cycle where some months are amazing and some months you're not sure where your next client is coming from or where your income is coming from. You really love the work you do when you get to do that work. But the truth is, in being a solopreneur, everything is on you. And so you find that as you're growing your business, you're spending more and more time doing all these tasks you have to do to keep your business running and you're getting less time to do the work that really lights you up. And so if you can relate to any of this, this series is for you. I want you to know that if you're feeling these things, you're definitely not alone. And the great news is there is a better way and we can make this easier for you to build a business you love that works for you. And if you stick with me throughout this series, I'm going to give you as much support as I can to help you focus on what really matters, what will move the needle forward, and what will help to make business more enjoyable.
So I want to get real for a moment before we dive in here because I think there are a lot of myths in the online space or sometimes kind of flat out lies.
So this journey isn't for everyone. I will be the first to tell you that in order for your business to Work, you're going to have to do work. And at times it's going to feel hard.
So if you are looking for a magic solution, a magic wand that will suddenly fix everything, or if you are someone who will dismiss every idea and say, that won't work for me, this isn't for you, and that's okay. But if you are ready to take aligned action, if you are ready to build meaningful momentum, if you are ready to create a sustainable business that actually supports what matters most to you, then you're in exactly the right place. In my years of working with different business owners, working with solopreneurs, working behind the scenes and operations, building my own business, I have come to believe that building a sustainable business that works for you, it requires three essential elements. And we'll break this down more in coming episodes, but for now, we'll just dive into those elements.
So you don't need these in a specific order, but there are three elements, three things you need. So the first one I'm going to talk about is simplified strategy. So it's not about doing more, it's about focusing on what matters.
I think one of the biggest things that holds us back in business is that we're trying to do too much.
There are so many ideas and there are so many people online saying, you have to do this, you have to do that. Your business won't succeed if you're not doing this and it becomes too much. And it's very easy for us to find ourselves being really busy in our business, but not actually moving forward. And so if you are feeling overwhelmed with everything on your list, if you are feeling like you're doing everything and it's just not working, if you are feeling like you are on the verge of burnout, if you are feeling like you can't keep up, like you're hustling all the time, and you know this, this is not sustainable, then a simplified strategy is probably what we need to look at in order to focus on what matters most. So when I work with clients, whether it's one on one or in the solopreneur sisterhood society, we're going to look at what are your goals and what do we need to help you reach those goals. And we're going to get really focused on just doing those things to move the needle forward in your business. So we're letting go of a lot of things. I do not ever say that we have to follow one specific system. We create a system that works for you, but when we create that system, we're keeping it simple, we're keeping it streamlined. We're focused on those things that really support your priorities and we're letting go of everything else. So you can kind of think of this as decluttering your business where there might be like you would declutter a room in your house where there are things that might have served you in the past that aren't a good fit right now, so we're going to take those out, or there might be things that, you know, you thought you wanted, but it's not really serving your top priorities. So we might tuck those aside for right now. So the strategy can change over time, but overall you want a simplified strategy to support you, so that way you can use your time and focus on what matters most without the overwhelm. So the second essential element is sustainable systems.
So these are the behind the scenes processes that will keep your business running smoothly, allowing you to focus on what you do best. I know that I, I am a systems person, so systems seem to come naturally to me. And I have been surprised over the years to talk with people who don't like the idea of systems because they don't like feeling restricted. And so when I work with clients, we do work with your style and what works for you. We work to set up systems that will support you and still allow for flexibility. And so if you are having any kind of aversion to the idea of systems, I want to encourage you to think of what we can do to support you in making things easier without feeling stifled. And so again, if we work together one on one or we work together in the solopreneur Sisterhood society, I work with clients to figure out where are the systems that are kind of a bottleneck in your business and what can we do to make that easier for you. So it could be as simple as I've worked with clients in the past where they're starting out and they don't have a calendar set up, so someone wants to book a call with them and they're going back and forth trying to find the time. There are so many different tools out there that can support you in having a calendar. There are some that are free, there are some that are like a one time lifetime payment, many different options out there that would just make that more smooth. And so you can set up a simple system like that so that someone is interested, they can book a call, you have it connected with your calendar, so they're booking at a time that works for you. You can have it set up so it sends them any information that they need to join you for the call, you can have it set up so that you have questions for them. So that way you come into the call prepared. So little things like that, which can just help make things run more smoothly and support you in spending more of your time doing the work that you love.
So the third essential element, and this is crucial, is that we need solid support. Because here's the truth. Even though you are incredible, you are also human. And you don't just need any support. You need the right support for your business and where you are right now. And so when we talk about support, that could be a coach, that could be a mastermind, that could be a class that you need to learn something. It could mean having a contractor in your business. Maybe you have a virtual assistant who supports you, or maybe you are ready to bring on subcontractors for the work that you do. Support can take place in so many different forms, but this one, I think is crucial because where I see a lot of business owners struggling is they are spending money as they're making money, and so they're not really moving forward in their business because money comes in and then they're investing in something right away. And the problem with that is it's not just about the money. It's that a lot of times we have buyer's remorse because we're not intentionally thinking about the support we need right now. We're kind of throwing money at potential problems and hoping that it's like the magic solution. And so when I work with clients, we get really clear on what are the things only you can do in your business, what are your top goals, what support do you need to get there, and what are the things that a program or a coach or a contractor could help you to reach those goals with greater ease. The three essential elements for building your sustainable business that works for you. We talked about simplified strategy, sustainable systems, and solid support.
And while all three of these are necessary, there's another element that I don't think we talk about enough that really flows in everything that we do, and that is mindset. And I'm not just talking about positive thinking here.
I'm talking about really supporting yourself through all of the challenges that come your way.
So this is going to be the questions that you're asking yourself when you're feeling stuck. This is going to be how you support yourself when you're feeling disappointed. This is going to be what habits you have in place to support you as you get overwhelmed in your business. Because What I have discovered, and you likely have too, is that having your own business is going to challenge you in ways that you've probably never experienced before. And a big part of that is mindset. What I have really come to believe is that the main difference between those who succeed in business and those who don't is those who succeed are never questioning if something is going to work. It's just a matter of how or when. So if they put out an offer and no one buys, they don't slip into that self doubt of, I can't do this, what am I thinking? I'm just not cut out for this. No one wants to work with me, I need to come up with something else. They're thinking, okay, well that didn't work, so what else can I try? And so maybe it's adapting the offer, maybe it's adapting the messaging or the marketing. Maybe they realize it's a numbers game and they need to get in front of more people. There are so many different things they can test out, but that's the key difference, and that comes down to mindset, is that they're going to support themselves in moving forward. It doesn't mean that you're never going to feel disappointed or frustrated. It doesn't mean that you're never again going to have a day where you question, what on earth was I thinking? And starting a business, you are likely going to still have those feelings, but you have that mindset, you have those skills, you have those habits to support yourself through all of those feelings so you can keep moving forward. Because here's what I really believe. If you are a heart centered service provider, your business is not about you. And what I found from my own experience was I would slip into that self doubt and I would quit my business. When I started out as a coach, I had many times where I would start up. I would put something out there, it would not be as successful as I had imagined it would be. And I would slip into that self doubt of feeling like, well, I'm just not cut out for this, something is wrong with me, other people can do it, I just can't. And I would pull back and I would focus on my family.
And every single day in the back of my mind were those what ifs? What if I tried this? What if I did that? What if I could help someone with this? And deep down I could not let go of that dream of wanting to do work that helped other people. And so eventually that would lead me to start up again. And eventually I was really Fortunate in that I became the accidental virtual assistant friend asked if I would help in her business. I did, and it took off from there. So, from my experience and from working with other business owners, what I really come to believe is that if you have this dream or your business that you just cannot let go of, it's for a reason. And I really believe it's because there are people in our world who need you, who need the work you do in the way that only you can do it. And so we need you to bring your business to those people who need it. We need your work in this world. And so if you're feeling stuck, if you're feeling frustrated, that's okay, and let's work together to figure out how to make this happen and to make it easier and more enjoyable along the way. And so we can do a lot of that through strategy and through systems and through having support. But working on your mindset is going to be an essential element as well in being able to work through those challenges and find your way forward so you can keep going and keep showing up to serve those who need you.
So I want to bring up two side notes here. Most of the time, I am the biggest cheerleader for other women in business, and I love helping them figure out how to bring their ideas to life. And there are two circumstances where I actually give a different recommendation to women who are struggling with their business.
So the first one is, whenever I talk with someone who is stuck in this idea of it's so hard, nothing I do works or I suggest ideas, and their response is, well, that won't work for me, because if there is an excuse for everything, if you are stuck in the mindset that it's always going to be hard, unfortunately, I don't think your business is going to work out because there are always going to be obstacles. Whether you believe in yourself or not, there are always going to be obstacles. There are always going to be challenges. That's part of business, that's part of life. And so what I have found is that unfortunately for those women who are always in that mindset of this won't work. I just can't do it. That won't work for me, that won't work, because if there's always an excuse, it's just not going to come together for you. And so, fortunately, those have been rare circumstances. But I have encountered some women who their business isn't working. And when you talk with them, there's always an excuse. And there's never that commitment to figuring things Out. And so I think that if you. It's just a time when we have to be really honest with ourselves, we're all going to have days where we get frustrated, where we get discouraged, and that's normal. And I will say, you know, I will allow myself to have a day where I. Where I feel off about everything or a shorter period of time. But if you're stuck in that for months, for years, it's most likely just not going to happen. And so in that case, if that's you and you're being honest with yourself, that is a case where I would say let your business go.
So the other situation, I'm not saying to let your business go, but I am saying make things easier on yourself and get a job temporarily if you are really struggling financially to the point where you realize, hey, in a couple months, I'm not sure I can pay for a place to live. I don't know if I'll have food for my family or for myself. If you're in a real serious financial position like that, my recommendation is to go and get a job, even if it's temporary. I've known a number of women who have done this, so I know in the online space, if you have your own business and then you go get a job, it can feel like you are failing. But I would like to challenge that idea with you're really doing whatever you need to do to care for yourself, care for your family, and support your business in growing. So putting lots of pressure on ourselves to bring in a lot of income really quickly. I don't find that that's helpful for most of us. For a lot of us, that's unnecessary stress. And there is always that uncertainty if what you're doing is going to work or not. And so I really, you know, if you're in that type financial position, there are plenty of women I have known who have gotten a job, temporarily, built their business around their job, and then some of them actually ended up staying with the job that was good for them and they enjoyed it. And I've known others where after a time they were able to just fully transition into their business. So I don't believe there's a right way, but I do believe, you know, if you're really in that type position and you're in all kinds of financial stress, be gentle with yourself, allow yourself to go and get that job so that you have that financial security, and then you're going to have more freedom around building your business without the pressure. So as we wrap up Here today.
Here's what I want to remind you.
Sometimes when things aren't working in our business, I think it's actually a sign that something is just out of alignment. So I know a lot of us tend to take it as there's something wrong with us. That's not the case. If something isn't working with your business, I really believe that it's one or perhaps a handful of different pieces simply not in alignment. And if we can get clarity around that and realign things, everything will start to flow with greater ease. And so, even though it feels counterintuitive, I know a lot of times things aren't working and we try more things and we keep pushing forward.
What I really recommend is that if things aren't working, allow yourself to take a pause and reassess. So this does not have to be a long pause. This could be I'm taking a day to look at things. This could be I'm taking a week to look at things. This could be I'm going to keep doing what I've been doing, but I'm going to take dedicated time to reassess my business and figure out what isn't working. But what I've really found is if we take that step back and we review things and we're honest with ourselves, it's easier to see what's missing, what we need to focus on in order to move forward. And so the next few episodes of the series are going to help walk you through that assessment. And before we wrap up today's episode, I want to extend a special invitation. So I host exclusive quarterly planning retreats, and I would love for you to join us. So this is something that I usually only offer to members of the Solopreneur Sisterhood Society, but for this series, I'm going to open it up to listeners who are ready to take action.
So during this virtual retreat, we will work together to get crystal clear on your vision and your values. We're going to realign with what matters most to you. We're going to map out what true freedom looks like in your business in terms of money, time and impact.
We're also going to help you to set aligned 90 day goals that support your top priorities. And I will work with you to help you create a doable action plan without the hustle, without the burnout. And I think one of the best parts of this virtual retreat is that it's a small group format so you have an opportunity to receive personalized support as you're planning and you get to Connect with other heart centered women in business and support each other in this process of planning out your priorities, creating your 90 day plan and figuring out what to focus on each week. The whole retreat is very much implementation oriented, so we will work together to to create your ideal schedule, plan your essential numbers and set your top goals for the quarter.
So in order to join us for the retreat, if you are not currently a member of the Solopreneur Sisterhood Society, there is an application. The application will allow me to learn a little bit more about you and your business and make sure that the retreat feels like a good fit for where you are and what you need.
I think it will also be beneficial because in answering the questions, you're likely to gain a little more clarity around your business and what to focus on next.
And when you apply for the retreat, you're going to receive four bonuses absolutely free. So I'm going to send you the Business Clarity Blueprint, which includes some of the questions that I ask members of the Solopreneur Sisterhood Society in our initial business assessment. So this blueprint is going to help you to identify gaps and opportunities in your business.
Then you're also going to receive a revenue roadmap spreadsheet which is going to help you to get clear on your financial goals for each month or each quarter.
You're also going to receive the template that I use that includes an invitation post for market research and also the questions that I ask on market research calls. So this is the exact process that I use when I want to learn more about my ideal clients and clarify ideas that I have for my business. So hopefully that will make market research easier for you with that template. And then the last free gift that you get for applying is a template of a lead list and partner database. And so this is designed to help you track and nurture your potential leads and also your potential partners for collaborations in your business. So if you are ready to take action and receive support in creating a solid, solid 90 day plan to bring your priorities to life, you can go to the Solopreneur Sisterhood.com/forward/apply and that will take you to the application for the retreat. After you apply, I will personally review your application and then if I believe that it's a good fit for you, I'll send you an invitation to join us for the retreat. So if you are approved for the retreat, whether you're able to join us live or not, you will also receive copies of the recordings and the templates so that you can use these resources anytime you want to work on planning for your business. So again, if you are interested in joining us for that retreat, go to thesolopreneursisterhood.com apply for that application as we wrap up this episode, I want to remind you that you have your dreams and your ideas for a reason and if you can't stop thinking about your vision for your business, I really believe it's because our world needs you to bring it to life. Thank you so much for being here today. I am cheering you on and I will catch you in the next episode.
[00:26:44] Speaker B: Thank you so much for joining us and listening to the solopreneur Sisterhood podcast. I hope this episode has offered you some encouragement, some insight and some new ideas to support you in building a business that works for you. Remember that our world needs you, your gifts, your vision and your work. And I'm cheering you on as you bring your vision to life and build a purposeful, profitable and sustainable business that supports what matters most to.
