SoloSavvy Blog for Solo Entrepreneurs

Finding Time to Create Abundance with Gratitude

Paula Eder — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 03:00:14 +0000

Finding time can begin with finding your heart. That might seem counter-intuitive, but think about it. So often, when we are busy, the connection to our heart feels fainter. That, in turn, can start a constriction that leads straight to urgency, frustration and feeling that there’s simply not enough to go around.

When you feel yourself tighten like that, don’t panic. Instead, know that you have found the perfect time to transform your world from the inside out!

Here’s how: BE gratitude.

This dramatic shift in consciousness generates instant fulfillment. It may sound unbelievable, but give it a try. ONLY when you experience how gratitude transforms your approach to life will you truly come to understand. You already possess EVERYTHING that you need in order to live with joy. And that is abundance!

In my last blog entry, I discussed courageous prioritizing. As you simplify your schedule and set aside time to look within, you can tune in to how you feel. Notice how you can make healthy decisions for yourself more easily. When you do this, positive builds on positive, and your circle of appreciation just naturally grows!

You may be familiar with the “3 Gratitudes” Exercise. Try writing down 3 things you are grateful for every night. Pay particular attention to how the time choices you make contribute to these blessings in your life. That’s YOUR power at work!

Moving from “scarcity time” to “abundant time” is a journey. Some rewards are immediate. Others come slowly, with patient, surefooted steps. Nightly rituals like writing down 3 blessings carry a triple benefit (I call them the “3 E’s!”):

Writing your blessings enhances your awareness in the moment.
Validating your time choices encourages you to identify what activities TRULY bring joy to your life. The answers might surprise you!
Reviewing your blessings enables you to trace your progress.

By transitioning from the illusion of scarcity to the reality of inner abundance, you enter a flow.

Multiple rewards from wise time choices will become more common. Your creativity has fertile ground to flower, and you feel freer to experiment. “Mistakes” reveal themselves to be the lessons they always were.

It’s like waking from a spell!

The Big Decision of Which Events to Attend

Bria Simpson — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 01:00:37 +0000

When making a big business decision, I’ve found it helpful to ask myself- What is the financial reward of doing this? The emotional reward? The energetic reward? I write out my answers.

Then I ask myself- What is the financial cost of NOT doing this? What is the emotional cost of NOT doing it? What is the energetic cost of NOT doing it? I write this out.

As an example, if you are pondering which events to attend this year- why not use this technique? Think about which events speak to what you need right now to move forward. Are there networking opportunities? Is it small enough for you to get your questions answered? Are the presenters in a place that you want to be?

How will the program help move you forward financially? Emotionally? Energetically? If you DON”T do it, what are you leaving on the table financially? Emotionally? Energetically?

Test this out with our EXCEL event- for small business owners and entrepreneurs who want outperform in today’s economy http://bit.ly/ccKNE0 and let me know what you think!

What Dell Computer and My 8-Year Old Taught Me About Business

Meredith Liepelt — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 23:00:54 +0000

While I was in Dallas a few weeks ago for the eWomenNetwork International conference, I met two women from Dell Computer. The women were from a new Women Business Owner Initiative and spent a long time talking with me about how they are trying to connect with women business owners to meet their needs.

I told them that they should try to connect on a personal level, as many, many women business owners are small companies operated out of their homes by moms just like me. As Nika Stewart says, we’re Laptop Moms!

I went on to share with them about how my girls like to play “office” on a daily basis and when they do, they staple two pieces of paper together to make laptops. My 8-year old even writes DELL across the top, complete with the slanted “E” in the logo, just like on my laptop!

The women loved that story, so I sent them a video of my daughter talking about her “office” and her “Dell computer.” I thought they’d get a kick out of it. Here it is:

I received an email last week to say that they shared the video with their entire Senior Management Team, and it was a huge hit. They asked if they could get our address to send my daughter a little thank you gift.

Here is a video of Katie opening her “little gift” which arrived via FedEx last week:

I believe that Dell has just created a loyal customer for life!

How many lessons to be learned here?

Brand Loyalty – Both from my perspective and my daughter’s. And you can’t forget the grandparents!
Brand Recognition – My daughter has already told her teacher who has already asked to share the experience with the entire school.
Social Media Buzz – I’ve talked about this on twitter, facebook and linked in. And now on my blog. I have also uploaded the videos to You Tube. Think we can make it go viral?
Positive PR – As a marketing strategist, this is a story I will tell for years about brand experience and the power of who you can meet at a well-attended conference
Dell just easily spread joy in the world. To see my daughter get this excited is 100% priceless.

The list goes on and on.

Just wanted to share a fun story with you!

Create Your Opportunities

Loren Fogelman — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 21:00:21 +0000

Creating my own business put everything in a different light. Suddenly things I had avoided because they were out of my comfort zone changed perspective. Those activities were now challenges to overcome. To strive toward my goals I had to become comfortable with being uncomfortable.

Joining a high-level mastermind group gave me the impetus to step out of my comfort zone and expand my belief of what is possible. Connecting with my mastermind buddies provides support as I take each next leap of faith.

Well this week was no different. My business coach offered me and several other members in the mastermind group the opportunity to spend a day with her. It would have been easy to make the excuse that I could not go because of the time and expense to just meet with her for one day. Instead, I grabbed the opportunity.

The fact that I was traveling from Oregon to New York for a one-day meeting was irrelevant. That was a detail. In fact, if I said “no” then I would have been wondering what I missed, possibly even resentful that she would expect me to fly cross country to meet with her for just one day. But that was not my perspective.

Instead I saw this as one more step to help me reach my bigger goal. I was happy to be having one more day with her than originally planned. There was excitement to see what I would come away with from this meeting. How was this event going to impact my plan toward my BIG goal?

I am thrilled I said “yes” to this opportunity instead of making excuses about why it was not feasible. Spending an entire day focusing on my vision helped bring my future into the present. Visualizing myself having reached my goal is powerful. Stepping into my vision was expansive.

The best part is being able to pass it forward. What I learn from working with my coach is passed onto my clients. They gain because I freely share what I have learned with them. This is a win-win-win relationship. It brings me so much joy to be present and supportive for my clients, just as my coach does for me.

Article Marketing Should Be Part of Your Overall Strategy

Marnie Pehrson — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 19:00:34 +0000

Is article marketing not working for you? If it’s not, then ask yourself whether it’s really part of your overall strategy? Have you set a clear intention for your article marketing? Is it an extension of your expertise? Does it lead fluidly to your web site? This video is the 2nd in the series I put together on article marketing and explores why article marketing might not be working for you and how to remedy that.

Your Customers Know When Yes Is Really No

Sue Painter — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 16:00:32 +0000

As a small business coach and entrepreneur, I love to read customer service answers to questions that a business’s customers actually ask. Here’s one that came to my inbox this morning.
Question: Do you take orders over the phone?
Answer: We can take orders over the phone, but we go through the same account creation process that you would go through yourself over the Internet. If you want to phone in your order, we will be happy to help you, but you can do it all from the comfort of your own PC as well!

I don’t know about you, but as a customer I’d rather have a “hell, no!” than two “yes, buts” in one answer. It’s obvious from the answer that the business REALLY wants their customers to go order by themselves on the Internet, right? But some unwise person in the customer service department tried to wiggle around the answer and ends up sounding off-putting and weaselly. This answer also comes off sounding like the business doesn’t REALLY want to be bothered taking your order over the phone. Do you feel welcome to call in an order after you read their answer? I doubt it!

As solo-preneurs, we must be mindful of how we say things to customers. Here are two ways to handle this question that would build customer loyalty and sound a lot more welcoming to the customer.

We offer full-service ordering right from your home computer that is easy to use and available 24/7, even when we’re home in bed. We love talking to our customers by phone, we just don’t want you to have to wait if our phone lines are all busy. To talk to us directly, call XXX-XXX-XXXX. To place a “never-have-to-wait” order online, go to www.xxxxxxxxx.com.
We’ve stopped taking orders by phone and gone to a full-service online ordering system for two reasons. First, you never have to wait to place an order, day or night. And secondly, we decided to eliminate our phone order takers so that we could keep our prices steady. Still, if you ever have a problem with ordering, you can reach customer service online at customerservice@email.com OR call us at XXX-XXX-XXXX. You might have a wait getting someone live on the phone, but we’ll help you quickly once you reach us.

I was appalled when I read this Q&A in an actual, real e-zine I received this morning. While it wasn’t my question (I’m definitely an online order person, LOL!) I pretty much know that the woman asking the question won’t feel any warm fuzzies toward this business. This kind of “yes-but-really-no” answer is called defensive posturing. Defensive posturing NEVER helps build customer relationships. I see small business owners and solo professionals fall into defensive posturing often, but I just know you are a smart entrepreneur and would never, ever do this. Right?

Are You Selling Hope?

Sandra Martini — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 14:00:47 +0000

If you follow me on Facebook or Twitter, chances are you know my beloved BlackBerry died last week — I love my “scroll wheel” and have had a similiar model for over 10 years (I know you iphone peeps are cringing).

They no longer make scroll wheels. Now it’s all touchpads and touchscreens.

As I tested the Droid and Droid2 (on the Verizon platform where I’ve been), I quickly realized that it wasn’t what I wanted. Luckily, BlackBerry came out with it’s new Torch and the ATT store was right next door.

15 minutes into “playing”, this is what I wanted.

Back next door to Verizon to see if they have anything comparable.

“Nope, but we’ll be getting new BlackBerries sometime before Christmas. Can you wait till then?” said the Verizon rep.

While considering it (after all, I love the Verizon platform and haven’t had any issues in my tiny town of Lakeville), I went back to ATT to play with the Torch some more.

Joe, the extremely helpful and patient salesman, asked which way I was leaning and I told him what the Verizon rep said about new BlackBerries before Christmas.

And that’s when Joe said it — “They’re trying to sell you hope.”

WHOOSH! Immediate flashback to a conversation I had with a colleague a couple of years ago — we were discussing how she’d just filled one of her programs and mine wasn’t filling as quickly despite being more results-focused.

And that’s when she said it – “I’m selling hope and you’re selling realistic results. . .hope will win every time as no one wants reality.”

Over the years I’ve seen hundreds of examples of people buying hope and then coming to me for results after they’ve spent tons of money and are frustrated with themselves and the person who sold them the hope because they’re no further along in their business than they were before.

Personally, I’d rather be in the results business. How about you?

PS…I’m now the proud owner of a BlackBerry Torch from ATT and LOVE IT!

Does Your Coach Know the Strategy Behind What They are Teaching?

Shannon Cherry — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 12:00:25 +0000

Yesterday, I read a post from Sandra Martini on why ‘blueprints’ don’t work. Of course, I HAD to leave a comment. I’m one of the people coaches and consultants come to for business mentoring after they’ve invested thousands and thousands on a blueprint, and still don’t see results.

Some of my business mentoring clients say that the ‘guru’ who sold them this blueprint throws it back to the customer, using language like:

“You’re not trying hard enough.”

“You have some blocks keeping you from figuring this out.”

“You’re not investing enough time in this”

“You’ve got to be patient… it will happen when you have everything else in order.”

“You need more help… I can do that for an extra $$$”

Did you notice the blame is put directly on the customer?

It’s wrong to blame the customer/client for it – after all, they paid the ‘guru’ to help them. That’s what the ‘guru’ should do: help, not blame.

But when you hear something like that from a ‘guru’, it shows the person is hiding from the real truth: They don’t have a clue about the strategy BEHIND the blueprint.

You see, most blueprints are a few strategies (which most learn from others) combined together that may (or even may not) have worked for them.

The ‘guru’ understands how to describe and package the blueprint, but really doesn’t understand the ‘why it works.’

It’s like how Newton described what gravity does, but it took Einstein to explain why gravity works. If you, or your ‘guru’, doesn’t understand the theory behind the rules, they won’t know how to adapt the rules to your unique situation.

As I said in my comment on Sandy’s post, I feel a shift happening in the infomarketing world online… one that expects more real strategies that help on an individualized level.

Like I always say, if I’m paying you $10,000 + to coach me or mastermind with me, you better clean up after my kids too. OK, I know I’m being a bit snarky with that, but what I’m really saying is that at that level of investment, I expect you to know what you’re talking about and be able to really help me succeed. (How many of you’ve invested in that kind of program, only to drop out because you were being blamed for ‘not listening’ when you weren’t getting the results you were promised? It’s ok. You can raise your hand… I promise nobody’s looking.)

Expect more. Demand more… and if you feel you’re being blamed… move on to someone who will really help you!

And if you are someone selling help (and hope), know that the bar is officially raised!

Teaching, Via Video, the Secret Link Between Women, Debt and Self-Esteem

Kendall Summerhawk — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 08:00:27 +0000

Teaching via video, from my home office, the secret link between women, debt and self-esteem. This F.R.E.E. info has caused a big buzz on my blog. If you missed it, click here to get in on this awesome no-cost content. To be fair, I must warn you that this no-cost video series will only be live for a few more days.

Sharing this info with thousands of women feels like a dream come true. I had NO idea ten years ago, when I started my business, that I would be a mentor for so many on the topic of marketing AND money. What I love MOST is seeing the breakthroughs that happen for women in their biz once they heal their relationship with money. It’s like putting into place that final piece of the puzzle that’s been holding you back.

I’d love for you to get this info totally FREE as my gift to you, before we pull the videos. There’s no selling – just a refreshing boatload of awesome, all new content I created for you.

I consider this info a MUST if you’re serious about taking your business to the next level. Let me help you make the ONE shift that is likely holding you back from the good fortune that awaits you…no matter where you are in your business right now. This may be the most important video series you’ve ever seen, and it’s yours, totally FREE for just a few more days before it disappears.

Click here to get this complimentary, all-content video series while you can (it will only be up for a few more days).

This Week’s Money, Marketing and Soul Article:

“Need Help Filling Your Next Event? Try This…”

If you’re planning a live event then it’s likely that at some point prior to your big day, you’ll have what I call the “crisis of faith” moment. That’s the moment when it seems like your event will never fill and you’ll be facing a nearly empty room, wanting to shrink to the size of a pea in embarrassment.

It may surprise you to know that even though each of my live events has sold out, I’ve experienced that same crisis of faith moment. And not just once but every time!

Find out how to keep the faith AND get your event filled in today’s article I’ve written just for you. And be sure to post a comment on my blog and tell me what you think, okay? Enjoy!

Staying Positive as a Solo-entrepreneur

Stacy Karacostas — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 06:00:49 +0000

When you run a business—especially by yourself—day in and day out it can be hard to stay positive. Especially when things aren’t going exactly as you’d planned (and hey, that happens to all of us).

While I have a whole list of things I do regularly to keep my spirits up like exercising, making time for myself, and laughing as much as possible sometimes it isn’t enough.
That’s why I try to start every day by focusing on being thankful for at least five things in my life—no matter how small. Because I’ve learned you have to celebrate even the smallest good things in life since the big ones don’t roll around often enough.

And life is so good right now I decided I just had to share!

Hopefully reading my list will be uplifting and inspiring for you too…

1) Barring a foggy morning marine layer, summer sun has finally arrived in Seattle…

2) I’m lovin’ my first summer in our new house with views of the mountains and dinners on the deck…

3) My hubby is home from his trade show in Europe (Yipppee!)…

4) The Unchained Entrepreneur is quickly developing a devoted following, making me feel quite honored
(fan me on Facebook at www.facebook.com/unchainedentrepreneur)…

5) My Marketing Catapult program is going great, and spots are already filling for my upcoming Website Sales Catapult program (Woohoo! I LOVE teaching and helping others grow their businesses more easily!!)…

6) I’ve been doing something active—mountain biking, bike commuting, whitewater kayaking, taking dance classes, hiking or going out ballroom dancing—almost every day…

7) I feel amazing physically, mentally and emotionally!!

Just writing these down and sharing them with you makes me feel even better about my life and business. What a terrific mindset booster!

Whether you’re feeling good or bad, why not write your own list. Five to ten things is plenty. Keep in mind these don’t have to be big things or even business-related. Most of mine aren’t.

Okay, time for me to get back at it if I want to go kayaking with my hubby and friends this evening. It’s supposed to be almost 80 and sunny by then, so I can’t wait!!