Some people think I help people find their calling. But I’ll be the first to tell you that’s not what I do. It’s just not my thing. The idea that there is only one purpose I was put on this Earth to do is paralyzing. I actually believe there are many things I could do that would get me excited about going to work on a Monday morning. And I think the same is probably true for you.
Related: Why You Shouldn’t Worry About Finding Your Calling
That’s why I don’t deal with callings. Instead, I help people discover something they’re really good at and enjoy doing, so they can turn it into a business they love. I love this because when people know what they’re passionate about, they begin to live intentionally in their purpose.
They become more thoughtful and action-oriented because now they know exactly what to go after. Rather than just reacting to whatever life throws at them, they set goals and carefully evaluate the steps needed to get there.
This is important because when you decide to live on purpose in your purpose, you’ll experience more fulfillment and success. Why? Because nothing will push you to work harder than whatever it is that fires you up.
So let me ask you: Is this the kind of life you’re living today? I know it can be hard to feel sure, which is why I have three clues you can look for to figure this out.
I believe God made you 100% unique. There’s no one else on this Earth who has your combination of voice, style, perspective, experience and interests.
Understanding and utilizing the gifts God has given you in your business is critical to your success. Like I said earlier: When you’re not working in your strengths, you not only won’t enjoy your work, but you’ll also lack the motivation to push through the rough patches. And let me tell you, there are a lot of those in business.
If you could use more encouragement around using your God-given gifts in business, download my free 7-Day Devotional in the Resources section below.
Just like your strengths and your gifts, God also created you with unique interests, values and passions.
I love dancing, but I hate details. I get really excited about adventure and being outside, but I’m not a fan of math, history or science. I’m passionate about people and relationships, but I’m not crazy about politics. But you know what’s so fascinating? There are lots of people out there who do get excited about the things I don’t like.
So what gets you excited? What makes you light up and come alive? What gives you energy and joy? Take your time thinking and praying over these questions. It will help you identify whether you’re actually passionate about what you’re doing.
Related: How to Find Your Passion and Grow a Business You Love
God didn’t create any of us to be an island—off on our own unconcerned about the rest of the world. In fact, I believe He created us to live and work in community. It means He gave us our unique strengths, gifts and passions for the purpose of blessing other people.
When you focus on the needs of the people you’re helping and serving, you’re making a difference. You’re impacting someone’s life, and that’s a clear indicator that you’re exactly where you need to be.
This week, I want to challenge you to look for specific examples of each clue in your life. Are you living in your strengths? Are you passionate about what you’re doing? Are you making a difference in some way?
The list you compile should tell you one of two things:
Related: How to Push Past Your Comfort Zone and Try Something New
My guest today has built her life around intentional living, and she’s experienced a lot of success because of it. Lara Casey is the CEO of Cultivate What Matters, author of the books Cultivate and Make It Happen, creator of PowerSheets and the host of the podcast Cultivate Your Life. Lara is passionate about creating tools to help women live out their purpose right where they are. Clearly, she’s doing it in so many different ways!
Her story is filled with many turns and detours. Too often, we don’t understand the winding path we’ve been on. But Lara encourages us to embrace our journey anyway because God can use all of it.
I love how Lara puts it: “Sometimes we look back at our paths to where we are now and some of the pieces can feel very disconnected. But I’m so grateful to look back and see how deeply connected each one of my pieces is.”
On today’s episode, we talk about:
Long before I created Business Boutique—before there was a book, a podcast, a live event and an Academy—I spent many months on the phone doing the not-so-glamorous work of gathering research. I wanted to learn everything I could about people with side businesses.
Related: Market Research: How to Know What Your Customers Want
I had a list of questions I asked each and every person I interviewed. One question was: “How do you feel about selling?” Every single person responded the same way. They all had negative things to say about sales.
And I totally get it! Selling is uncomfortable and intimidating, even if you’ve been in business for a while.
But you know what surprised me the most? After the question about selling, I would always ask, “Why do you love this business?” Y’all, I would literally hear an audible shift in the tone of their voice as each one told me the story behind their business.
I remember one photographer telling me, “I love capturing these moments and memories that matter.” Another woman who sewed dresses for little girls said, “I love seeing little girls in the church lobby on Sunday morning twirling around in a dress that I sewed them.” As they shared their hearts with me, I immediately wanted to buy from them right then and there. Why? Because that kind of passion is attractive and draws you in.
That is the power of story. You don’t have to feel slimy or be pushy or get on people’s nerves to sell your product or service. Instead, I want to encourage you to simply share your story. Share your why with your potential customer. When you do that, the sale will naturally follow.
On today’s #AskChristyWright segment, we talk about the pros and cons of selling your products on Etsy versus launching your own website. We also talk about standing out from the competition on Etsy and how to leverage your current and past customers.
I love hearing directly from you. If you have a question for me, give me a call on my toll-free line at 844.944.1074. You might hear your question on a future episode!
1:19 Intentional Living: Three Clues You're Living in Your Purpose
11:49 How to Cultivate a Life of Purpose with Lara Casey
37:55 #AskChristyWright
42:45 Challenge: Share Your "Why" with Your Customers
Get Christy’s 7-Day Devotional by filling out the form here!
The Business Boutique Academy is OPEN!
I’m so excited to announce that enrollment to the Business Boutique Academy is open! The Academy is the only place where I get in your business with you.
Stop getting stuck wondering what to do next. I’ll teach you what to focus on every week and give you the resources to help you win. You’ll also get monthly training sessions with me and access to an incredible community of like-minded women in business—because you weren’t made to do this alone.
It’s only open for a few days, so get in before it’s too late. And you know I’ve got a special treat for you, my podcast listeners. When you sign up for the Academy using the promo code ACADEMYBONUS, you’ll get a free audio lesson: 3 Ninja Tricks I Use to Maximize Social Media. I’ll see you there!
Check out our friends at DesignCrowd. If you’re looking for design work for your business, anything from a logo – to business cards – to your website, DesignCrowd is offering you, my Business Boutique listeners, a special offer to save up to $100 when you start your next project. Simply enter the discount code “BB” when posting a project on DesignCrowd. Or visit DesignCrowd.com/BB.
If you have a success story you would like to share with the Business Boutique community, email me at podcast@businessboutique.com.
New podcast episodes are available every other week.
It’s hard to believe that nearly five years ago, Business Boutique was just a dream in my heart. Wow. That’s hard to grasp on so many levels, but especially because Business Boutique is such a huge part of my life now. But, y’all, talk about humble beginnings. All we really knew is that we wanted to create a place where women could get the support and training they need to make money doing what they love. That’s it.
So we went straight to the source: women who knew they were made for more. We talked to a lot of them and asked what felt like millions of questions. And we noticed something interesting.
All of these women seemed to describe their pursuit of “more” in different ways. Some called it a side business. Others referred to it as a side hustle. Some even called themselves mompreneurs. Suddenly, we knew coming up with a name for our project that perfectly encompasses what all of these women do—and one that clearly communicates exactly how we can help them—was absolutely crucial to our success.
No pressure, right?
In all our meetings and brainstorming sessions, my leader Dave Ramsey kept referring to a small side business as a boutique business. But that name didn’t feel quite right. Would people immediately think we only help people start boutiques? I mean, we were going to help them grow a lot of different things.
We continued to run into this wall until I decided to pray about it. I know, it should have been the first thing I did. But unfortunately, it was my last resort.
My prayer that day was this: Lord, what are we going to call this? We can’t call it Boutique Business because we’re not helping people start boutiques. We’re helping them grow a lot of different things. How do we describe this market when these women describe themselves in so many different ways?
He answered me that very day.
I heard God say: Flip it. It’s not Boutique Business. It’s the Business Boutique. And you’re not describing what all of them do. You’re describing what YOU do. You are the place where women come to get help with their business—any type of business.
Y’all, I knew in the moment that Business Boutique was it. I immediately sent a text to the team telling them we were supposed to flip the name. It was like this lightbulb had finally come on. And everyone agreed.
Of course they did! Because it was God’s idea.
And you know what? God is full of really good ideas. That’s why I invite my faith into my business every single day. Seeing God’s fingerprints all over Business Boutique takes the pressure off me and reminds me of who’s really in control.
Have you invited God into your business yet? I’m here to tell you it’s never too late.
Too often, we keep our personal lives and our business lives separate. We are so faith-filled in our personal lives but, for some reason, we get all practical and non-spiritual in our business. It’s as if we believe God doesn’t have any part to play—as if He can’t provide for our business, doesn’t understand the industry, or can’t help us scale it. The truth is faith and business go hand in hand.
Guess who gave you the gifts and skills you use in your business?
Guess who gave you the finances needed to start your business?
Guess who gave you the courage to finally do it even though you were scared?
That’s all God. The business you own is actually God’s business. Do you see a pattern here?
God is already in your business because God is in you—and you are in your business.
I want to challenge you to start thinking about your business as a place where you can invite God to partner with you. Our business problems are not outside of God’s control. He wants to be immersed in every aspect of our lives, so don’t leave Him out of this part.
I created this 7-Day Devotional to help you do just that. I pray this devotional will help remind you that God cares not only about you, but He also cares about your dreams and your business, too. He loves to come through for you—not just on Sunday, but during the week.
Is your business thriving right now? Have you praised God for that?
Is your business struggling right now? Have you prayed for wisdom and help yet?
Is something holding you back from starting? You can pray for courage, too!
I also want to challenge you to start a new habit this week. Set aside time every day to pray over your business, your team members and your customers—and the way they will be impacted by your product or service.
God wants to build your business with you. Invite Him in!
My guest today knows all about bringing faith into your business. Heather MacFadyen is the founder of Don’t Mom Alone and the host of the Don’t Mom Alone Podcast.
After blogging for three years, Heather thought she was on track to write a book. But God had a different plan for her—podcasting. Organically, her show began to center around three themes: mentorship, friendship and discipleship. And, amazingly, those topics all reinforced the same thing: Don’t Mom Alone..
In this episode, we talk about:
Too often, my mind is being pulled in a thousand directions. Can you relate? The problem is that it’s not always the right direction or the truth direction. Guess what? This is an area where the enemy can really get a foothold and paralyze you.
It can start with something as small as one mean comment on your blog post or one bad review about your product. The enemy takes that tiny seed and waters it so it grows and begins to spiral out of control. All of a sudden, what started out as an insignificant comment compounds into a giant insecurity.
2 Corinthians 10:5 tells us to take our thoughts captive and make them obedient to Christ. If we don’t do that, our thoughts will shape our beliefs and our beliefs will shape our behavior.
If you’re not careful, these negative thoughts can change your actions. You’ll no longer try as hard. You won’t go for opportunities that scare you because your courage is shot. You might even give up. And it can all be traced back to that one tiny thought.
I want to tell you what I do when that starts to happen to me. I stop and ask myself: Is this true? Is this what God says about me? Those simple questions immediately cut through the lies and bring me back to reality.
No, I’m not a bad mom.
Yes, I was made for business.
Of course, I CAN do this.
I want to encourage you to make a list of everything you believe about your business. Don’t edit it. Write down all the thoughts that go through your head during the day and hold them against that litmus test. Is this true about me? Is this true about my business? Is this what God says about me? Is this what the Bible says about me?
Just wait and see how God changes the way you think about yourself. You were created on purpose, for a purpose. Don’t let the enemy take that from you.
On today’s #AskChristyWright segment, we talk about:
If you have a question, give me a call on my toll-free line at 844.944.1074. You might hear your question on a future episode!
1:23 Inviting God Into Your Business
14:25 Discovering Your God Assignments With Heather MacFadyen
37:16 #AskChristyWright
40:37 Encouragement: Take Your Thoughts Captive
Get your own Fear or Wisdom Filter by filling out the form here!
It will be open for only a few days, and I’m telling you now because I want you to plan for it. The cost is $489 for the entire year to have me as your business coach and a tribe of women by your side every step of the way. Budget for it, mark your calendar, join the waitlist, and get in the Academy on March 18!
Text the code ACADEMYWAITLIST to 33444 to sign up for the Business Boutique Academy Waitlist to be notified the moment enrollment opens!
Check out our friends at DesignCrowd. If you’re looking for design work for your business, anything from a logo - to business cards - to your website, DesignCrowd is offering you, my Business Boutique listeners, a special offer to save up to $100 when you start your next project. Simply enter the discount code “BB” when posting a project on DesignCrowd. Or visit DesignCrowd.com/BB.
If you have a success story you would like to share with the Business Boutique community, email me at podcast@businessboutique.com.
New podcast episodes are available every other week.
A few months ago, I read a very interesting article in The Washington Post about a researcher who studied 400,000 knitters. She was learning about my favorite topic: how these women turned their hobby of knitting into a business. She discovered an interesting phenomenon that I’ve actually witnessed for years now through Business Boutique.
Before I launched Business Boutique, I conducted my own research on women with businesses. I noticed an interesting theme: When it comes to turning your hobby into a business, a sense of community plays a key role in women doing it scared. When we have camaraderie and support, when we can lock arms with other women and do it together, we’re more likely to launch the business we’ve been dreaming about.
Related: How to Face Your Fears and Do It Scared
This woman’s research reiterated that reality. From the 403,168 individual knitters she studied from 2007 to 2014, the ones who joined a group to craft socially were 25% more likely to start a business.(1) When asked what it was that transformed these women from pattern makers to pattern sellers, the most common answer was that someone they knew had encouraged them to sell their work: Many had already been modifying patterns and designing their own yarn gnomes and cat costumes, but until they heard from others, they lacked the confidence to step out on their own.(2)
I was blown away by this. Not because I had never heard of this phenomenon before (my own research proved it), but because this principle of needing community is still true in a specific industry like knitting and on a massive scale like a study of 400,000 people. There’s no doubt that entrepreneurship can be intimidating and lonely.
But that’s where the power of building community comes in.
I see this every single year at our Business Boutique events. When you bring 3,000 women together from all over the country who work in all types of industries and are in different stages of business, there is a special bond created. Here’s what happens: These women walk into the room with all kinds of feelings, fears and questions about their businesses, and they think they’re the only ones who feel that way.
But once they hear the speakers on stage and connect with other women struggling with the same things, they realize, I’m not so crazy after all. Community opens our eyes to the truth, gives us the confidence and support we need to take the next step, and cultivates a place to belong. It’s everything we need to stop letting fear hold us back from making our dreams a reality.
Related: How to Push Past Your Comfort Zone and Try Something New
No matter what stage of business you’re in, if you don’t have a community around you, I want you to make building one or getting into one a top priority this month. You should be a part of three different types of communities:
This means people walking in the same shoes as you are or those in the same type of industry or business you’re in. When you come together, you feel a unique connection that you wouldn’t feel with someone in a completely different business. This will be your network of people who understand exactly what it’s like to do what you do.
When you get together to knowledge-share with this group, you exchange very specific advice on things like:
This is a group of people who have different perspectives from you because they work in different industries. It is so beneficial to have this community, because oftentimes, we get too close to our business. We can get so deep in the weeds that we truly can’t see the forest for the trees.
But when you seek support from those completely outside your business, they bring in a fresh pair of eyes and diverse ideas. It’s hard to get out of the mindset that the way you’ve been doing things is the only way to do them. When you bring in an outsider, they’re able to step in without the blinders or boundaries that typically constrain you. They help get you off the ground to get a wider and higher view of your business.
You need community for your personal and professional development. Well, the same is true for your customers. If you want them to feel connected with each other and with you, build a community where they can do so.
A few years ago, we started a Business Boutique Facebook group. And with almost no effort from me—I don’t post content or do any Facebook lives there—it blew up. We continue to get hundreds of new members, because women want to feel surrounded by other women with a similar mission. They want a place to ask for advice, share their elevator pitch, and simply feel heard. I don’t even have to maintain this Facebook group, because the power of community is in the community.
We have another Facebook community for the Business Boutique Academy. I jump in that group a lot for Facebook live videos and coaching sessions. It has created a different level of community because these women, as members of the Academy, are on the same track. They’re learning the same curriculum, working on the same homework, and receiving training on the same days. They’re able to take all of that to the next level by showing off their work and getting feedback from one another.
I do want to warn you about something that will come up when you create a community for your customers. You will likely experience some fear that, by creating it and connecting them with each other, there won’t be a need for you anymore. While this is a normal thought, it is simply not true. That’s the scarcity mentality that is so detrimental to business.
You are the initiator that introduced them to one another—the glue that keeps them together—so they will be that much more grateful to you for creating a place for their new community to thrive. Do what’s best for your customers. When you stop treating your customers only as individual transactions or one-on-one relationships, you create a movement. And a movement is what creates momentum, loyal customers and a community of people who rally around something.
Related: Market Research: How to Know What Your Customers Want
Building a community is one of my favorite topics to talk about, because I truly believe it’s the difference between winning in business and giving up too soon. This is why we created the Business Boutique Academy, my online business training group where I get in your business with you. In the Academy, I teach on a new topic weekly, host a live coaching session monthly, and connect you with other like-minded women who are winning in business.
Natalie Franke started a wedding photography business when she was in college. While it quickly became successful in her local market, she felt lonely in the world of entrepreneurship. She was craving a sense of community. But when she sought it out, she couldn’t find one that fit her values of camaraderie and support. So, she took matters into her own hands and set out to create a place for creative entrepreneurs to gather.
Natalie now leads the Rising Tide Society. She started this community by gathering creatives in her hometown of Annapolis, Maryland. Within months, the groups were spreading like wildfire around the country. Today, Rising Tide meetups happen across 400 cities around the world!
It’s no wonder these groups have become so popular. Community is desperately needed in our world of business. Humans find fulfillment and thrive the most in relationships, and it’s no different in business. Entrepreneurship is a team sport.
In this episode, Natalie and I talk about:
Several years ago, when I was first named a personality for Ramsey Solutions, I had a consultation with a professional stylist. She was there to teach me how to look good on stage and on video. I’ll never forget the pictures she showed me on her phone. They were images of women she thought should be my inspiration. Every single photo was of a stiff, rigid, news anchor-looking woman with a bob and a navy suit. She kept telling me, “This is so you!” While I kept thinking, You’re so wrong.
She wanted me to dress and look like a woman who was nothing like me. In that moment, I had to make a decision: Either I was going to lean into what this professional stylist thought I should look like, or I was going to lean into what I thought I should look like.
Related: How to Be More Confident
Friends, you have to make the same decision when others invade your life to tell you “the right way” of doing things. You have to teach yourself to lean into what makes you you. That decision is up to you, but I want you to know there is no one in the world like you. No one can do what you can do the way you do it.
I want to encourage you to love and embrace your unique qualities, because that is what God is going to use in you. So what are the things that make you you? I dare you to lean into them. Let your weird flag fly.
On today’s segment, we talk about:
If you have a question, give me a call on my toll-free line at 844.944.1074. You might hear your question on a future episode!
1:23 How to Build Community With Your Business
14:46 Building a Community From the Ground Up With Natalie Franke
35:30 #AskChristyWright
45:19 Encouragement: Don’t Be Anyone Else But You
It will be open for only a few days, and I’m telling you now because I want you to plan for it. The cost is $489 for the entire year to have me as your business coach and a tribe of women by your side every step of the way. Budget for it, mark your calendar, join the waitlist, and get in the Academy on March 18!
Text the code ACADEMYWAITLIST to 33444 to sign up for the Business Boutique Academy Waitlist to be notified the moment enrollment opens!
Check out our friends at Volusion. You can set up your online store and start selling your products within minutes. It’s that easy. Sign up for your FREE 14 day trial at Volusion.com/BB.
If you have a success story you would like to share with the Business Boutique community, email me at podcast@businessboutique.com.
New podcast episodes are available every other week.
When I was pregnant with my first child, we were so excited to find out the gender. When we learned we were having a boy, we immediately started brainstorming cute boy names and colors and themes for his nursery. We even bought outfits. There were so many things we could plan, build and create because of that one piece of information.
Believe it or not, this same scenario is true for business too. There is one piece of information that can and does dictate every other decision you make: the problem you solve.
Related: The One Thing All Businesses Must Have
While knowing the problem you solve is crucial to success, too many companies operate for years before they ever figure it out. Many of you started your business from a hobby. It’s a great strategy. But when it’s a hobby, it only serves you. Once you turn your hobby into a business, it needs to solve a problem for someone else.
Before I go any further, please don’t get intimidated by the word problem. Just because you create hair bows or paint canvases doesn’t mean you’re not solving a real issue. Too many people think that because they’re not doing something people need, they’re not solving an actual problem. Here’s the truth: No matter what you do, your product does solve an issue. You might just have to dig a little deeper to find the problem your business can solve.
Related: How Jessica Turned Her Problem Into $70K
For example, if you make hair bows, you’re solving a problem for parents who want their daughter’s hair accessories to match their outfits. You’re also solving a problem for the countless little girls who don’t grow hair until they’re toddlers. Their parents no longer need to clarify whether their baby is a boy or a girl because she’s wearing an adorable bow on her head. I know my mother was grateful for hair bows when I was a bald baby! That’s a real problem you solve!
Or, in the other example, you create custom paintings. You’re solving a problem for people who don’t want to purchase art for their home from a big-box store. There are those who want a one-of-a-kind piece of art with a personal story behind it. And guess what? That’s what you offer.
When you identify the problem you solve in your business, you learn so many other important pieces of information as well.
Your target market is the group of people who have the problem you solve. You can’t identify that group if you don’t know their pain points, what they struggle with, and what they’re looking for. When you identify the problem you solve, you know exactly who to market your product or service to. You no longer waste time and money trying to sell to people who aren’t interested in what you have to offer!
Identifying the problem also gives you your basis for figuring out how much your product or service is worth. This is the foundation and justification for how much to charge. Why does your product or service cost that specific amount? Well, it’s because you solve this specific problem.
Oh, and by the way, the problem you solve is the only thing your market cares about. The only reason they will pay you is because you solve a problem for them.
Your customers’ pain points should be exactly what you talk about in all of your messaging. Whether you’re writing marketing copy for your website, creating brochures for a trade show, or making connections at a networking event, the problem you solve should be the main thing you talk about because that’s all your customers care about.
Related: The Basics of Building Your First Website
If you’ve been running your business for a while, don’t think this exercise doesn’t apply to you. No matter how long you’ve been in business, I want you to take all of your marketing messaging and run it through this filter: Does this answer the question of what problem I solve?
Take time this week to think about that question and I bet you’ll be amazed at how it can completely change and improve the trajectory of your business.
Laura Berens is proof of what happens when you first identify a problem and then build a business to solve it. Laura is the host of the Time To Be You Podcast and founder of Love and Fit, a line of activewear for pregnant and postpartum moms.
When you land on her company’s website, you read “Activewear for Moms” alongside a photo of two moms nursing their babies in really cute activewear. It’s pretty clear what problem her company solves.
When she was three months postpartum, Laura remembers trying to work out in the living room while her newborn napped. Too often her baby would wake up in the middle of her exercise routine. Her problem was that exercising in a nursing bra didn’t provide enough support, but working out in a sports bra made it difficult to stop and nurse her baby.
After researching the market, she couldn’t find anything that was both supportive and moisture wicking. She couldn’t believe someone hadn’t thought of a product that would do both.
Related: Market Research: How to Know What Your Customers Want
Without any background in fashion or sewing, she hit the ground running. She had designs created and prototypes manufactured, and she would hand them out to her mom friends (her target market!) for feedback. By identifying a problem and coming up with a solution, Laura has been able to successfully market her products directly to the people who need them.
In this episode, we talk about:
Growing up, I remember my mother always taking me to this amazing restaurant that was just down the street from her cake shop. They had the best sandwiches—one that I still attempt to recreate to this day. You know what’s sad? They closed up shop years ago, and I hate that I’ll never get to enjoy their sandwiches again.
Have you ever thought about your business from the perspective of your customer? When you solve a problem for someone, do you see the deep level of responsibility you have as a business owner? It’s not just about you anymore.
You have a responsibility to manage your money well, to earn a profit, and to steward your time, etc., in order to stay in business. Why? Because you don’t just a run a business. You’re solving a problem for people, and they need you to continue doing so. They need you to stay in business.
Think about all your favorite places that have gone out of business over the years. Think about how disappointed your customers would be if you closed your company. Friends, you have the responsibility to stay in business because we need you to.
This is why I’m so excited to share that we’re getting ready to open enrollment for the Academy! If you’re ready to gain the knowledge and skill set you need to stay in business, put the enrollment fee on your March budget and join the waitlist to get alerted when it opens. Academy membership is $489 for the entire year, and enrollment will only be open for four days starting March 18. You owe it to yourself to build this business you’ve been dreaming about.
On today’s #AskChristyWright segment, we talk about how to market your business on Instagram and Pinterest and how to make your brand stand out from competition.
If you have a question, give me a call on my toll-free line at 844.944.1074. You might hear your question on a future episode!
1:23 How to Identify the Problem Your Business Solves
14:46 How to Build a Business Around Solving a Problem With Laura Berens
35:30 #AskChristyWright
45:19 Encouragement to Stay in Business
Text the code ACADEMYWAITLIST to 33444 or fill out the form here to sign up for the Business Boutique Academy Waitlist to be notified the moment enrollment opens!
Check out our friends at Volusion. You can set up your online store and start selling your products within minutes. It’s that easy. Sign up for your FREE 14 day trial at Volusion.com/BB.
If you have a success story you would like to share with the Business Boutique community, email me at podcast@businessboutique.com.
New podcast episodes are available every other week.
Passion is so important in everything you do. When you’re passionate about something, you perform a million times better. This is true whether you’re working at your day job, cooking dinner for your family, or launching a side hustle.
That’s why, today, we’re talking about how to find your passion. There’s no better time of year to discover this. A new year means a new you! You know that I’m passionate about helping women step into their God-given gifts and make money doing what they love. But before you start making money doing what you love, you have to discover what you love. So how do you do that?
It’s not as scary as it seems. I actually have three different strategies you can walk through to help you find your passion. Here’s what’s great about a strategy: It isn’t a formula or a fancy equation to make a passion magically appear. It’s none of that. It’s simply an approach—and it’s a flexible one. Maybe one strategy works for you or maybe you’ll use a combination of all three. Dig deep into these strategies, and I bet you’ll discover something amazing.
Related: How to Find Your Business Idea
This strategy takes a look inside—you guessed it—you! Now, this isn’t about self-centeredness. But it is about taking a good inventory of your past to discover what you’ve been uniquely created to contribute to the world. That inventory is usually a combination of your past, education and experiences.
This is actually how Business Boutique was born. Before Business Boutique, I was a speaker at Ramsey Solutions. The company wanted to transition me into an official Ramsey Personality role, but before we could do that, we had to figure out what my focus should be. So, I sat in a boardroom with Dave Ramsey, my husband, and a ton of other leaders in the company. We spent hours going over my background to see how I could best serve the marketplace. In other words, what should my focus, market and message be?
We looked in a few different places. First, we looked at my story growing up with a mother who was scrappy and built a successful business from scratch (a unique experience). Then we looked at my education: I studied business and marketing, and I’m a Certified Business Coach. We also looked at some of my other unique experiences, like how I started a couple of side businesses to help make ends meet. Finally, we looked at my strengths: My natural strengths are in speaking, teaching, writing and coaching people as they step into their God-given dreams.
Can you spot the patterns? Business was all over my background, and when we looked at the marketplace at the time, we saw businesses launching at a crazy rate. The problem was that so many entrepreneurs didn’t actually know how to run a business. They just had great ideas. When we put that all together, here’s what we came up with: There’s a lot of people who need help with business. I am a really good teacher, and I have a background in business. So Business Boutique was born.
Related: Recognizing Your Gifts
Now we have a podcast, a book and an online business training academy. We’ve even created an amazing goal planner, a sold-out event and two courses. But it all started with an idea on what I uniquely brought to the table.
If you take a deep look at your past, experiences and education, I have no doubt you can find something you’re passionate about.
Here are some questions you can ask yourself to get started:
Look for the intersection where your story, your strengths, and what you get excited about meet.
I believe most of your passions come from within you. But I also believe you can be passionate about just about anything if you choose to be. That’s right! It’s a choice. After all, the difference between something you have to do and something you get to do is just your attitude.
For example, let’s say you have an idea for a business that you’re not sure you’re particularly passionate about. Say your business idea is refinishing furniture, but you wonder how you can be passionate about a table or a chair. Before you quit the idea to find something else, I want you to dig a little deeper. Why? Because I’m willing to bet you can find something within that idea you’re passionate about.
It’s usually the people.
On the other side of every business transaction is a person you’re serving. You’ve improved their life because of your business—yes, because of the table you refinished. When you focus on the person on the other side, the business is no longer about upcycling old furniture, but about helping people make memories with their families. When you look at your business through the lens of the impact you’re making, you can see that your passion is ignited by the people you get to serve.
Related: Excuses Stopping You From Using Your Gifts
Focus on the people. That’s why we go into business in the first place—to make a difference in people’s lives.
I know this might sound crazy but stay with me here! It doesn’t happen for everyone this way, but for some of us, finding our passion looks like praying about it—asking God or listening to hear what God is trying to tell you. I’ve heard thousands of stories of women who, on the surface, lacked the education, skills or experience to start a business, but they clearly heard God tell them to do it. So they did.
It sounds crazy, but it’s also just the kind of thing God does.
I love Christine Cain’s story of how she started A21. She was walking through an airport when she saw all these posters of women who were missing, likely abducted and forced into human trafficking. She recalls thinking to herself, Someone should do something about this. She quickly realized that someone was her. She was obedient to the voice she heard, and now thousands of women are being saved from human trafficking across the globe.
Related: Use Your Gifts to Make a Difference
God can use any of these three strategies to lead you to find your passion. But whichever strategy you use, I want you to know that God created you on purpose for a purpose, and I can’t wait to watch you step into that.
Amber Lilyestrom is a speaker, author, branding strategist, business coach and host of The Amber Lilyestrom Show. She is passionate about helping female entrepreneurs get clarity about who they are and then build businesses to support that message.
Amber spent 10 years working in marketing at the University of New Hampshire. She loved that job and learned a ton, but after conquering one of the most difficult times in her life, she knew there was more to her story. A near-death experience helped her realize there was something missing from her life, which led her to start her own business. This new adventure ignited a fire in her to help other women realize their potential as well.
In this episode, we talk about:
Whatever you’re balancing right now, whether you’re working full-time in your business or working your side hustle with a full-time job, don’t be discouraged by bad experiences. I encounter at least one a week. Don’t we all? But here’s the thing: We don’t have to let them overcome us. Instead, I want to challenge you to take those bad experiences and turn them into great ideas.
Take the time I tried to get a photo of my son with Santa at the mall. What was supposed to be a sweet memory turned into a nightmare that ended with me losing the photo I’d waited hours to get. Instead of allowing that experience to deter me from ever getting a photo with Santa again, I turned it into the now-annual “Shindig With Santa” at our house. I pay a little more to have Santa come to my house where I can invite all my friends and family over to bake cookies and take as many pictures with Santa as they desire.
What bad experience can you turn into a great idea?
On today’s #AskChristyWright segment, we talk about identifying a market for your new business and regaining momentum in your business after maternity leave.
If you have a question, give me a call on my toll-free line at 844.944.1074. You might hear your question on a future episode!
1:18 The Three Strategies to Find Your Passion
19:04 Building a Business You Love With Amber Lilyestrom
57:00 #AskChristyWright
66:49 Challenge to Turn Your Bad Experiences Into Good Ideas
Use the code BOOTCAMP when you purchase Business Idea Bootcamp and get the Business Boutique audiobook completely free! Go to BusinessBoutique.com/Bootcamp.
Our friends at Infusionsoft help you manage your customers and your business all in one place. If you’re ready to organize your contacts, automate your emails, generate leads and turn those leads into sales, Infusionsoft can help you! Get started now with a free trial by visiting InfusionsoftNow.com/ChristyFree.
Check out our friends at Volusion. You can set up your online store and start selling your products within minutes. It’s that easy. Sign up for your FREE 14 day trial at Volusion.com/BB.
If you have a success story you would like to share with the Business Boutique community, email me at podcast@businessboutique.com.
New podcast episodes are available every other week.
Here’s the truth about money: The more you have, the more impact you can make. So why wouldn’t you want to make a million dollars in your business?
Well, for many of you, it boils down to what you believe.
So much of what I teach you is to believe. Believe in yourself, believe that you can do the thing, and believe that God put that dream in your heart for a reason.
Remember when you were a kid and you believed? Maybe you believed in Santa, the tooth fairy, the Easter Bunny, even flying reindeer. You believed you could be anything you wanted to be. You believed anything was possible. Maybe you even believed you would be a millionaire when you grew up.
But something has changed since then. Something happened as we grew up and became more reasonable and more logical—we stopped believing.
At some point in your journey, whether you realized it or not, you stopped believing and you settled. You probably thought, Well, I’m not going to dream too big because I don’t want to end up disappointed.
If you don’t believe something is possible, you’re never going to try.
When you set goals for your business, you also create a plan to achieve them. It’s the same with being a millionaire. If you set a goal of becoming a millionaire, you have to create a plan to make it happen. It’s as easy as that.
You have to be careful of the words you tell yourself. When you hear those negative thoughts in your head saying, I’m not enough, you just need to have a positive thought prepared to tell yourself, I am enough. I got this.
Related: Ep. 58 — Perseverance in Your Business: How to Keep Going When You Want to Give Up
We all have perceptions of what we think it takes to be wealthy. We even have perceptions of what we think it means to be wealthy.
Should I feel guilty for having money? No! Is it even okay to have wealth? Yes! Yes, it is okay to have wealth! Listen, when God blesses you with His resources, it is up to you to steward these resources well, and He will bless you with more. Imagine the impact you could make if you had an abundance of resources.
The bottom line is that you need to be a good and faithful servant of God’s resources. Imagine being able to give like never before and change your family tree. Now that right there is what it’s all about.
Building wealth in a smart way, slow and steady, for the right reasons is the way to go, and you can do this. Don’t get me wrong: It’s okay to enjoy nice things. There is nothing wrong with that. But the true joy in building your wealth comes from being able to give generously and leave a legacy for your family.
Related: How to Set Prices
Chris Hogan is the national best-selling author of Retire Inspired, host of The Chris Hogan Show, fellow team member here at Ramsey Solutions and last but not least, my good friend.
So, before we get started, let me tell you a little about Chris. You know those people that walk in the room and just own it? The people that have everyone’s attention because you just feel their presence? That’s Chris Hogan. It’s more than his booming voice that commands attention. It’s his contagious passion to help people understand how to build wealth and live the life they’ve always wanted. To say he gets people fired up is a huge understatement.
So, in this episode, Chris Hogan and I are going to get you to believe again. Because you may not realize it, but you already have exactly what you need to make a million dollars in your business.
Steve Jobs once said, “I’m convinced that about half of what separates the successful entrepreneurs from the non-successful ones is pure perseverance.”(1) But don’t just take Steve Jobs’ word for it—the research backs it up.
In the largest study ever done on millionaires, Chris Hogan and his team found that 93% of millionaires say they got there from hard work.
Millionaires have learned that hard work matters more than the size of your paycheck, where (or if!) you went to college and what kind of family you were born into. Y’all, this is exciting stuff. I can’t wait for you to hear exactly how to become a millionaire. You’re going to be blown away at just how attainable this really is!
Remember, it doesn’t matter where you came from. It matters where you’re going. Regardless of the situation you were born into, regardless of the job you have, you can make the decision today to become a millionaire. If you’d like to get a quick look at where you stand today and what it will take for you to become a millionaire, check out Chris’s free net worth calculator.
Chris Hogan is going to give you so much great information in this episode, and you can find out even more in his brand-new book Everyday Millionaires: How Ordinary People Built Wealth—and How You Can Too.
In this episode, Chris Hogan and I will discuss:
And y’all, as business owners, you’re already ahead of the curve on this. 96% of millionaires say they enjoyed what they did as their career. Look at that! There really is something to this whole “make money doing what you love” thing.
As an entrepreneur, there is really no limit to your earning potential, because you get to decide—with your efforts and your actions—how much you make!
Chris Hogan is sticking around for our Q&A segment. He’ll answer questions about how to get your spouse on board with your business and how to get on the same financial page as your spouse to make a plan for your future.
This man is full of wisdom and laughs, so you don’t want to miss it. By the end of this episode, you will be confident in your ability to make a million dollars with your business.
Give me a call on my toll-free line at 844.944.1074. You might hear your question on a future episode!
1:22 Working Through All the Feelings About Wealth
14:42 How to Make a Million Dollars in Your Business with Chris Hogan
39:35 #AskChristyWright
51:25 Encouragement to Dream Big
Chris Hogan's new book, Everyday Millionaires: How Ordinary People Built Wealth—and How You Can Too is available now! Use the code BBWEALTH at checkout to receive a bonus Business Boutique podcast episode with Chris Hogan where we talk about 7 Mistakes That Could Keep You From Becoming a Millionaire. Order Everyday Millionaires at ChrisHogan360.com.
Our friends at Infusionsoft help you manage your customers and your business all in one place. If you’re ready to organize your contacts, automate your emails, generate leads and turn those leads into sales, Infusionsoft can help you! Get started now with a free trial by visiting InfusionsoftNow.com/ChristyFree.
Check out our friends at Volusion. You can set up your online store and start selling your products within minutes. It’s that easy. Sign up for your FREE 14 day trial at Volusion.com/BB.
If you have a success story you would like to share with the Business Boutique community, email me at podcast@businessboutique.com.
New podcast episodes are available every other week.
Happy New Year, y’all! Let’s kick the year off right with this special episode!
January is the time of year when you get a fresh start and a clean slate. And it’s the perfect time to set goals! Goal setting is not only important for your business; it’s also important for every other area of your life, like personal finances. Getting on a budget and getting out of debt are especially important!
In this episode, I share my story about how I got fed up with debt and worked hard to pay it off. Doing this had a huge impact on my life and my family’s life, which is why I want to help you find the same financial freedom and hope that I found.
You’ll also hear from Dave Ramsey, America’s trusted voice on money. Dave has helped millions of people take control of their money and change their family tree. And I can’t wait for you to hear a full lesson from Financial Peace University, his proven plan to winning with money!
Imagine the impact you could make on your family, in your community, or even in your business if you didn’t have to worry about debt.
I hope you enjoy this special episode. This information is so valuable and I’m excited to share it with you. 2019 is going to be the year you take control of your money, your life, and your business. You’ve got this!
Ready to get started? Click here to order today and get a free audiobook download of The Total Money Makeover, Dave’s #1 best-selling book.
It’s exciting to plan for the future, set fun goals, and dream big for your business, but you also need to figure out how you’ll reach those goals. If you don’t know where you are, it’s hard to know how to get to where you want to be. Today, I want to talk about how you can assess and evaluate where your business is right now so you can see the path to where you want to be in 2019. Make sense? Great! Let’s get started.
Organizing and evaluating the major projects you did in 2018 is a great first step toward planning for 2019. Start by creating four columns and sorting projects into these four categories: right, wrong, missing and confused.
RIGHT
What worked well? What was a huge success or helped you gain momentum? These are things that you want to maximize, amplify, and do more of next year.
WRONG
What didn’t work? Did you have a setback or a challenge? Did some of your results disappoint you? If so, it’s okay! Making mistakes shows you are taking risks and pushing the limits. The important thing is that you learn from your experiences and stop spending time on these things.
MISSING
What opportunities were overlooked? Was there something you should have done, but didn’t? Maybe it was something you didn’t know you should do at the time, but you know now. These are things you are going to add.
CONFUSED
What needs a little more explanation or better processes? Was there something you had to help customers or your team understand multiple times? These are the things you should clarify.
This is a great exercise for your business as a whole, but I’d also recommend you do this for the main areas of your business: sales, marketing, operations, money, team and time management. Evaluating your business’s strengths and weaknesses will help you finish the year strong and start the new year even better that last year.
Related: Ep 61: Learning From Failure: How to Dust Yourself Off and Move Forward
John Felkins is one of our very own Entreleadership Executive Coaches here at Ramsey Solutions. John is on a mission to help business leaders reach their maximum potential. He guides leaders and small-business owners to cut through white noise and helps them make real progress on their journey to becoming the best, most accomplished version of themselves.
John Felkins started his professional life as a project management engineer and realized his passion was actually coaching and consulting. After creating a consulting firm, he went to an Entreleadership event, fell in love with the principles, then quickly joined the Entreleadership team to help launch the highly successful Entreleadership coaching program.
In this episode, John Felkins and I discuss how to work in your sweet spot and how to wrap up the year and finish strong. We talk about:
Related: How to Stay Focused and Eliminate Distractions in Your Business
We all know the holidays are a crazy busy time of year. Before you know it, it’s January, and you aren’t sure how to start tackling all those New Year’s goals you set for your business. You still have a few days to get your plans in place, so figure out where you want to be and break down what you need to do to reach that goal. Don’t wait—get started now!
One of my favorite parts of this podcast is hearing directly from you. Give me a call on my toll-free line at 844.944.1074. You might hear your question on a future episode!
Life happens. There’s no avoiding it. Medical bills come unexpectedly, your schedule fills up, and tasks become overwhelming. We’ve all felt the pain of balancing our passion for our business with our daily responsibilities. Even though we know it’s crazy, sometimes guilt creeps in.
What is the pain point here? Is it that you have some debt to pay off and you feel guilty about quitting your full-time job to start your business? If you can make enough money to take care of your family, be available for them, and do work that allows you to use your gifts, that’s winning. Guilt be gone.
Related: The Truth About Work-Life Balance
When leads come to us, we need to follow up with them in a timely manner, but doing this manually is exhausting. Finding a platform you trust to automate and manage your leads is crucial for you to grow and scale your business.
Whether it’s email leads signing up for a free resource or a form where people are wanting to give you their information because they need your service, every lead deserves attention and managing those leads is critical. I can’t say it enough. We recommend Infusionsoft because we know them, we use them, and we trust them.
No matter what customer relationship management platform you choose, make sure it is easy to understand and easy to use. You don’t need more headaches; you need help. Make customer relationship management a part of your 2019 planning.
1:23 End of Year Business Review
19:17 How to Wrap Up the Year and Finish Strong with John Felkins
52:51 #AskChristyWright
66:12 Challenge to Choose Your Focus Daily During the Holiday Season
Get Christy's Year-End Review Worksheet by filling out the form here!
Order the new 2019 Business Boutique Goal Planner with the code BBPLANNER at BusinessBoutique.com/Planner and receive Christy’s Setting Goals video that you can watch right now!
Our friends at Infusionsoft help you manage your customers and your business all in one place. If you’re ready to organize your contacts, automate your emails, generate leads and turn those leads into sales, Infusionsoft can help you! Get started now with a free trial by visiting InfusionsoftNow.com/ChristyFree.
Check out our friends at Volusion. You can set up your online store and start selling your products within minutes. It’s that easy. Sign up for your FREE 14 day trial at Volusion.com/BB.
If you have a success story you would like to share with the Business Boutique community, email me at podcast@businessboutique.com.
New podcast episodes are available every other week.
Alright y’all. Let’s face it: Distractions are a fact of life.
You’re going to face them in every area of your life and your business, and the honest truth is that if we don’t face them, they’re going to keep us from getting things done. I want you to reach your goals and achieve everything you want in the coming year.
So let’s talk about how to stay focused and eliminate distractions.
All human beings are wired to be curious. We naturally gravitate toward the new, even if that keeps us from doing the things we need to do.
But not all distractions are created equal.
Let’s think of distractions in the form of a stop light.
STOP.
Red Distractions: The distractions that you should ignore. STOP.
Proceed with caution.
Yellow Distractions: The distractions that cause you to slow down and think about.
GO!
Green Distractions: The distractions that demand your attention.
Squirrels
These types of distractions, like a squirrel zooming in front of you on a walk, divert you from your main task at hand. They might be new ideas, shiny objects, something more fun, or simply something that is going to help you procrastinate.
For me, this is a normal occurrence. They steal my attention away from what I’m really supposed to be doing. I am working on one idea or objective, something new pops up, and I focus on that instead.
It’s easy to get derailed by these types of distractions. But honestly, they are just squirrels. These go in the Red Distractions category because they are the types of distractions that you need to stop letting steal your focus.
Technology
You knew I was going to go here. I can’t talk about distractions without calling out the main culprit and source of distraction for so many of us.
Technology notifications distract us all day long. It’s a text when you’re in the middle of a project or a quick browse on Facebook when you really should be writing marketing copy.
Most types of technology distractions are examples of those that you can and should ignore. Those notifications come in 24/7, and they’re still going to be there when you get done with your task at hand.
Red Distractions are the easiest distractions to avoid. You shut it out, put on blinders, and force yourself to focus. This is a matter of will and discipline.
If you want to get anything done, set yourself up for success. You need to eliminate any possible chance for these distractions to come at you. Put on noise-canceling headphones, go to a room or coffee shop by yourself, close all the tabs on your computer, hide your phone, and get to work.
Force yourself to focus, and you’ll finally start finishing.
There are no hard and fast rules for ignoring these distractions. Proceed with caution, like you would at a stoplight. Stop and think before you let them steal your focus.
You’re going to encounter all kinds of people who have the potential to distract you—customers, team members, vendors, friends or family. When you have people in your life distracting you, you must stop and think before allowing them to steal your focus. Do their needs demand your attention, or can you set up a boundary until you have the space and time to address them?
Related: How to Say No And Stand Your Ground
Yes, kids are people, but we all know they present a different level of distraction than the other people in your life. Nothing can derail your plans like your kids. (Can I get an “Amen!”?)
Let’s be honest. When your kids need you, it’s because they need one of two things: They want to play or they need help.
Again, think about what is most important in that moment. Are you up against a deadline and you need to tell your kid you’ll play with them later? Or are you in a place where you can be present and seize a moment with them?
Related: Look For Distractions
Let’s go ahead and call something else out too: Your child will be disappointed.
How can I stay focused on my work at home and not disappoint my child? You can’t. I disappoint my boys in some way every day.
They want cake for breakfast, and I say no. Disappointment.
They want to drill their brother in the head with a plastic power drill, and I stop them. Disappointment.
They want to play outside barefoot in 20-degree weather, and I make them wear shoes. Disappointment.
As mothers, we are not strangers to disappointing our kids. This just feels harder because it feels optional. I get it. You’re often choosing between two things you love.
If your work is important to you, it’s okay to focus on that sometimes. In fact, it’s healthy for your kids to see you excited about and focused on something other than them once in a while.
You’re doing a good job with them, and sometimes, it’s okay to get back to work.
This one is easy. Green means go. These types of distractions are the ones that require you to stop what you’re doing and deal with it. These trump whatever task you’re working on.
These may start as a distraction but become a priority.
These are urgent and important things, like a crisis, emergencies, anything that is the absolute most important thing.
These categories are going to give you some guidelines and direction. They’ll help you determine whether you need to stay focused or pay attention to the distractions.
Curt Steinhorst is the best-selling author of the book, Can I Have Your Attention?: Inspiring Better Work Habits, Focusing Your Team, and Getting Stuff Done in the Constantly Connected Workplace.
Curt Steinhorst is no stranger to being distracted and was even diagnosed with ADD as a child. After spending years studying human behavior, Curt is on a mission to rescue us from our distracted selves. He founded Focuswise, where he coaches and equips organizations to overcome the challenges of being in a constantly connected workplace. His unique insight has helped executives, TV personalities and even well-known professional athletes effectively communicate and create focus while speaking, leading, and facing customers.
In this episode, Curt Steinhorst and I discuss how to stay focused and eliminate distractions in your business. We cover:
Related: Stop Doing Everything Yourself
We are in the thick of the Christmas season. I’ll be honest: It’s my favorite time of year, but it can also be the most stressful time of year.
It’s busy. It’s crazy. It’s fun. It’s all the things.
Instead of getting to December 26 and wondering where your time went, I have a simple challenge to help you focus on what is most important every day this season!
Here’s my challenge: Choose to do one thing every day that would make you really proud.
Sounds simple enough, but let’s talk about what that means.
One day, it might look like getting caught up on emails.
The next, you might get a manicure.
And the next, maybe it’s snuggling with your kids and watching a Christmas movie.
This gives you permission to change your mind and priorities every single day. You can balance productivity and rest. You can get things done in your business and enjoy yourself in the process.
It’s your season, and you don’t want to miss these moments with the ones you love most.
What would make you proudest today?
One of my favorite parts of this podcast is hearing directly from you. Give me a call on my toll-free line at 844.944.1074. You might hear your question on a future episode!
1:26 Identifying the Three Categories of Distractions
20:08 Staying Focused and Eliminating Distractions with Curt Steinhorst
51:12 #AskChristyWright
59:50 Challenge to Choose Your Focus Daily During the Holiday Season
Get Christy's 25 Ways to Protect Your Time by filling out the form here!
Order the new 2019 Business Boutique Goal Planner with the code BBPLANNER at BusinessBoutique.com/Planner and receive Christy’s Setting Goals video that you can watch right now!
Our friends at Infusionsoft help you manage your customers and your business all in one place. If you’re ready to organize your contacts, automate your emails, generate leads and turn those leads into sales, Infusionsoft can help you! Get started now with a free trial by visiting InfusionsoftNow.com/ChristyFree.
Check out our friends at Volusion. You can set up your online store and start selling your products within minutes. It’s that easy. Sign up for your FREE 14 day trial at Volusion.com/BB.
If you have a success story you would like to share with the Business Boutique community, email me at podcast@businessboutique.com.
New podcast episodes are available every other week.
It’s time to talk about learning from failure.
I know. Learning from failure is no one’s favorite subject. No one gets excited about failure, but y’all, failure is a reality in life and business! We might as well just learn from it!
I have had a lot of failures in my life . . . and in Business Boutique . . . and in speaking.
So I’ve gotten a lot of practice. And today, I’m going to help you answer the question, “How do I learn from my failure?”
When it’s possible, adjust on the fly.
A few years ago I was booked to speak at Catalyst, talking to women about life balance. Everything I wrote was directed at women and what we struggle with when it comes to life balance. I used stories that were relatable to women and I even pulled stories from the Bible, citing Scripture about women.
On the day of the event, I stood at the back of the room and watched the room fill up with people, who were all men.
Do you see the problem?
I could have gone ahead and given the talk as if I were presenting to women. That would have been the safe route. Or I knew I could adjust on the fly to the failure.
That’s what I did. I had notes from a previous talk and just scrapped the slides!
It was exactly the talk I was supposed to give, and they only heard it because I was willing to think on my feet.
The lesson? Don’t be afraid to think on your feet and make it up on the fly to save a misstep from becoming a complete failure!
Related: How to Be More Confident
If you make a mistake, drop the ball, or just fall flat on your face, deal with it.
Back when I worked as the aquatic director at the YMCA, in the middle of a chaotic day, I made a big mistake. On the day of our mandatory annual aquatics safety training, my director called me to ask why my lifeguards were not in attendance. Luckily there were two options for sessions: 9 a.m. or 2 p.m. But I’d not only forgotten, I also hadn’t told a single person they needed to be there.
You know what I did?
I dealt with it.
I went speed walking down the hall to the executive director’s office and opened the door.
I looked her in the face and said, “I am sorry to bother you, but I need you to know that I have dropped a huge ball. I am taking care of it, but I just want you to know that I am aware of it and I am really sorry.”
I explained what I’d forgotten and gave her my plan to fix it.
Thankfully, I got almost 100% of my staff to the 2 p.m. training.
I failed but I did three things to face my failure head on.
It’s in our nature to hide, cover up, make excuses, and place blame. By owning it, you are doing the opposite of what most people choose, while demonstrating maturity, integrity and self-awareness. In the process, you’re also building trust.
Apologizing shows you’re coachable. It demonstrates humility instead of defensiveness, which makes others want to work with you more.
Doing your best to fix a mistake is proactive. People will respect your ability to try to repair a mishap when one happens.
There’s no magic lesson with this one. But here’s the truth: You’re going to have experiences you would never want to relive. There are going to be times you fail so badly it stays with you for a while.
Many years ago I had a speaking engagement that I try to forget, and it haunts me to the this day.
But you know what? It hasn’t kept me from doing the thing I’m meant to do.
I kept going.
And you can too.
Y’all, it’s totally possible to learn from failure with these three strategies.
If you can adjust on the fly, you might avoid it all together.
If you can’t avoid it, then deal with it.
If you can’t deal with it, just dust yourself off and keep going.
Kristen Hadeed is the CEO and founder of Student Maid, a cleaning company that has employed thousands of students in the last decade. Kristen also helps organizations all over the world make a lasting and meaningful impact on people by creating environments in which they thrive. In addition to all of this, Kristen Hadeed is the author of the book, Permission to Screw Up: How I Learned to Lead by Doing (Almost) Everything.
Kristen wants other leaders to know that their most challenging moments can become their biggest leadership lessons.
In this episode, with topics like:
I know it’s a crazy, busy season. But aren’t they all?
Here’s a quick challenge to help you prioritize during this season!
First of all, know that not all priorities are created equal.
But when you have tons of responsibilities, you need to have priorities and determine what’s most important to you. You need to know what comes first and second and third—and fifteenth.
That way, when two things compete for your attention, you can make a decision based on your priorities.
When you know what your priorities are, decision-making becomes so much easier.
So, determine what’s most important to you. It’s your life. You want to spend it on what’s most important to you!
They’re your priorities, and it’s your time. You get to decide.
One of my favorite parts of this podcast is hearing directly from you. Give me a call on my toll-free line at 844.944.1074. You might hear your question on a future episode!
1:16 Three Ways to Learn From Failure
17:18 How to Learn From Failure with Kristen Hadeeed
41:20 #AskChristyWright
51:05 Challenge to Prioritize Your Time
Get Christy's Shame Off You download by filling out the form here!
Order the new 2019 Business Boutique Goal Planner with the code BBPLANNER at BusinessBoutique.com/Planner and receive Christy’s Setting Goals video that you can watch right now!
Our friends at Infusionsoft are giving you their free ebook, Your Strategic Game Plan! Text the word STRATEGY to 480-428-4150.
Check out our friends at Volusion. You can set up your online store and start selling your products within minutes. It’s that easy. Sign up for your FREE 14 day trial at Volusion.com/BB.
If you have a success story you would like to share with the Business Boutique community, email me at podcast@businessboutique.com.
New podcast episodes are available every other week.
If you’ve been in business for any amount of time—heck, if you’ve been living for any amount of time—you’ve encountered fear. We always think of fear as a bad sign. But in truth, fear is not a sign that we’re doing something bad; it’s a sign we’re doing something bold.
So many times in life fear can hold us back from doing the thing we’re really meant to do.
Just because you’re good at something doesn’t mean you don’t get scared.
I was 10 years old the first time I realized I was a good runner—at the skate center of all places.
It gave me incredible confidence as a 10-year-old to discover something I was naturally good at. It was this realization that led me to join the track team in middle and high school.
Despite my natural running ability and the fact that I loved running, the strangest thing happened before every race.
I got scared.
I’m not talking about the normal “prerace butterflies.” I mean, I was terrified.
Being scared made me doubt my ability and made me want to quit.
I would beg my coach to take me out of the race, and every time he made me go to the starting line. I love that about him. He made me do it anyway.
You’d think that after running multiple events for multiple track meets over multiple years, I wouldn’t have gotten scared anymore. But I always did.
Then my coach did something that helped me change my focus and interrupt my thought pattern.
At one of the track meets, I was begging him to take me out of the race, he looked me in the eyes, exasperated, and said, “Christy, will you just tell me one thing you like about yourself?”
Confused, I answered him: “My blue eyes.”
“Great,” he said. “Focus on that. I don’t want you to think about the race, the other runners, or your time. Just focus on your blue eyes.”
Changing my focus from what I was scared about to what I was confident in was just enough to distract the fear out of me.
Related: The Fear or Wisdom Filter
Whether you choose to think about what you’re scared of or what you’re proud of, what you focus on will become magnified in your life.
Focusing on what you’re good at and what you’re proud of will encourage you to get better.
Focusing on fear causes you to stay back, give up, or play small.
I was a good runner, but fear made me doubt my training, my track record and my natural ability.
It doesn’t matter how many accomplishments you’ve earned. The fear can get so loud in your head that it makes you doubt yourself.
But here’s the good news: You get to choose what you focus on.
The thoughts you allow to enter your mind will change your entire experience.
My friend Melissa says, “Your mind is multimillion dollar real estate. Be very selective about what you allow to reside there.”
Related: Ep. 31 — Is It Fear or Wisdom?
Walking to any starting line is scary, and it makes you vulnerable.
But before you let fear steal your opportunities and rob you of your potential, ask yourself a few questions.
And then, focus on those answers instead.
It may just be enough to distract the fear right out of you and make you want to go for it.
Jessica Honegger is the founder and co-CEO of the socially conscious fashion brand, the Noonday Collection; author of the book, Imperfect Courage; and host of The Going Scared Podcast. As if that’s not impressive enough, she’s also the mom of three little ones. Jessica is passionate about encouraging others to leave their comfort zone, move forward even when you’re scared, and step into a life of impact.
The path to success doesn’t always seem clear, but when you focus on what you are confident in—instead of what you are fearful of—moving forward doesn’t seem so overwhelming. Why fuel your fear when you can focus on what you’re uniquely positioned to do with your gifts?
Jessica Honegger is incredibly successful, but she’s no stranger to feeling scared.
While researching adoption and visiting East Africa, she was presented with an opportunity to help sell beautiful goods made by local artisans. Jessica was facing mounting debt, and she saw this as an opportunity to not only help her family adopt a child, but to also help vulnerable communities prosper. Facing lots of uncertainty and fear, the Noonday Collection was born as a fair-trade accessories brand created to provide meaningful job opportunities for people around the world.
There is never a time you’ll feel you have the perfect resources, education or knowledge. You just go with your gut and go at it scared. You just do it!
In this episode, Jessica Honegger and I discuss how to “face your fears and do it scared.”
Related: When It All Just Seems Too Big
I know that we’re already in holiday craziness. Y’all, let’s be honest: Christmastime can get crazy with or without a business.
I know that I can often enter this season with high expectations for rest and relationships and, instead, be met with the harsh reality of being run ragged. If we’re not careful, we’ll have fulfilled orders, but we’ll miss out on celebrating this season with the ones we love.
With that in mind, I’ve got three steps to help you not miss out on Christmas and still run your business!
I know that Christmas is when many of you make most of your money. But that doesn’t mean you can’t have a life.
You get to decide. Make a plan today to set boundaries around work hours, orders, response time, cut off dates, and pricing.
If you don’t think this through, you’ll be up at midnight on Christmas Eve rushing orders.
You get to define what it looks like. I hope you make a plan that allows you to have a thriving business over the next six weeks while also enjoying the holiday—and having a life!
And of course, one of my favorite parts of this podcast is hearing directly from you. Give me a call on my new toll-free line at 844.944.1074. You might hear your question on a future episode!
1:25 How to Face Your Fears and Do It Scared
10:32 Overcoming Your Fears with Jessica Honegger
48:28 #AskChristyWright
59:42 Encouragement: Overcoming the Fear of Missing Out This Christmas Season
Get Christy's Fear or Wisdom Filter by filling out the form here!
Order the new 2019 Business Boutique Goal Planner with the code BBPLANNER at BusinessBoutique.com/Planner and receive Christy’s Setting Goals video that you can watch right now!
Our friends at Infusionsoft are giving you their free ebook, Your Strategic Game Plan! Text the word STRATEGY to 480-428-4150.
Check out our friends at Volusion. You can set up your online store and start selling your products within minutes. It’s that easy. Sign up for your FREE 14 day trial at Volusion.com/BB.
If you have a success story you would like to share with the Business Boutique community, email me at podcast@businessboutique.com.
New podcast episodes are available every other week.
This episode is just like having coffee with some of Business Boutique’s best friends! Get to know host of the Marketing Your Business podcast, Stu McLeran; creator of The Magic Brush and host of The Jennifer Allwood Show, Co-Founder and Co-CEO of EVEREVE, Megan Tamte; Founder & CEO of Simplified, Emily Ley; and speaker and author of Remember God, Annie F. Downs.
They’ll answer your questions, and more!
5:18 What is the best strategy for social media marketing?
7:34 How do I get social media followers to convert into sales?
12:36 How do I get people excited enough about my product to buy?
20:48 What are some of the challenges to watch for and common mistakes people make in the growth process?
24:17 How do I stop feeling guilty charging for my services, and even more importantly, help my staff feel more comfortable talking about money with clients?
This podcast was recorded during our Business Boutique 2018 VIP Lunch in Nashville, TN.
If you have a success story you would like to share with the Business Boutique community, email me at podcast@businessboutique.com.
New podcast episodes are available every other week.
It’s time to talk about working smarter, not harder in order to increase your productivity.
Have you ever wondered how you can be more productive? The solution may be staring you in the face and easier than you think.
Here’s an example straight from my closet.
Every morning I woke up, walked into my closet, flipped on the light, and picked out clothes. And every morning I spent a ton of time just staring at my clothes—well, squinting at my clothes. After months and months, I realized I had a problem.
My problem? My energy-saving light bulb. It took time to warm up and actually illuminate my clothes. And every morning I had to either wait for the lightbulb to heat up or squint.
You know what I finally did? I put in a normal light bulb!
Angels shone down from heaven and I could actually see my clothes when I picked them out.
It’s funny to think about, but we do this in other areas of our lives, don’t we?
We live with problems instead of actually fixing them.
We’ve all been there.
The sink has been leaking for years. And instead of fixing it, you clean up the puddle every time you use it.
We just live with the problem and take extra time every day dealing with the consequences, not the source.
You have one sad phone charger with a wire sticking out, and it’s on its last leg. Instead of getting multiple phone chargers and leaving them several places around the house, you just carry the one with you everywhere. You lose it or risk electrocution multiple times a day.
We live with the broken phone charger instead of taking the time to find a solution.
The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again, but expecting different results.
Our problems are not going to change until we bring solutions.
I get it. We are tired, and solving the root of the problem requires thinking and energy and time. I want to challenge you to use some time and energy to get to the root of some of the problems holding you back. If you want a different result, you have to do something differently.
If we’re going to work smarter, not harder, we’ve got to get rid of some of these problems.
Press pause on your crazy life for a second. Your brain is CONSTANLY in overdrive. It’s going 100 miles an hour all day, every day.
If we’re going to think outside our problems, we have to stop. You can’t identify the root of your problems if there’s no margin in your brain. Stop and create some space to think.
Thinking . . . what’s that like? HA!
Once you’ve stopped long enough to create space to think, you might be surprised what you can identify.
Think through your day from start to finish, and ask yourself this question: What barriers or annoyances do you deal with?
Identify areas that drive you crazy and keep you from getting things done. Things that steal your time but don’t have to. Problems that you accept but don’t have to. Annoyances you live with but don’t have to.
It could be a small thing that is a drain on your mental or physical energy.
Make a list.
Take your list and write out to the side a solution for each of the problems you live with.
Most of the “problems” in our lives have a very easy and obvious solution. We just haven’t come up with the solution, because we’ve never taken time to come up with it.
You might need to get on Amazon and order several phone chargers, get a new light bulb, set out your clothes the night before, or buy yourself a jewelry case.
There are problems you can live with and problems you don’t have to live with.
You probably have some problems that you might have to live with, but I’d be willing to bet that you also have a lot that you don’t.
Stop. Think. Solution.
Stop going 100 miles per hour.
Think about what’s holding you back.
And solution your list.
I want you to get things done. In order to get more things done, you’ve got to solve the problems stopping you from getting things done. You’re not just buying a light bulb; you’re buying time and peace of mind!
You’re making your life easier. Life is hard enough. Don’t live with problems you can solve.
April Perry is an organizational and productivity expert and founder of Learn Do Become, where she and her husband help people architect a life of excellence. She is also the host of the LearnDoBecome Radio Podcast. She is no stranger to the Business Boutique Podcast, and has even spoken at Business Boutique events.
April has helped millions of moms get organized, be productive, simplify, and get rid of the piles. Y’all, she helps people get rid of the piles in their house! April’s incredible program walks you through how to create a “command central” in your home, build structure, and live a thriving life while being able to give generously. These teachings don’t just apply to your personal life; they’re also applicable to your business.
April didn’t set out to start a business. She loved being a mom but wanted a way to be more organized and productive, and that’s where she started. Her journey wasn’t always clear and easy, but she stuck with it, made smart decisions, and has been very successful.
In this episode, April Perry and I discuss how to be more productive and work smarter, not harder.
Related: Why Planners Are More Successful
Working smarter not harder is all about effectively utilizing of your resources and opportunities. I want to challenge you to make the most of your next learning opportunity.
Whether it be a networking event, a seminar, or the Business Boutique 3-Day event, these three tips are going to help you take full advantage of the experience.
When you have open hands you position yourself to learn. You’re open to new ideas, and you’re ready to receive and grow. You put yourself in a posture of learning, gratitude, and humility.
Opening your hands also sets you up to give. Even if you’re not an expert in the space you’re entering, you may still have something valuable to contribute. With open hands, you’re available to give, not just take. You’ll be more likely to share what’s working with you and connect with others, instead of keeping it to yourself.
The marketplace is not a place of scarcity, and walking in with open hands helps you freely receive and generously give out to others.
As someone who has spoken at many events and put on several myself, I can assure you that no event you attend will ever be perfect. You get to choose what you’re going to look for when you attend event. Because here’s the deal: you’ll find what you’re looking for.
If you go in looking for negative, you will find it. The speaker will run long, they won’t cover the topic you wanted, they won’t have good snacks at the vending machine, etc.
Fortunately, the same is true about good things. If you look for the positive, you’ll find it. You’ll meet amazing people, you’ll glean incredible information, you’ll feel like you belong, etc.
Regardless of the type of event or situation, go in looking for the good. It’s on you to look for the right things.
Even if the idea of meeting a stranger scares you to death. Even if you’re an introvert. Even if you attend with your best friends.
Meet new people.
Every opportunity you will ever have in your life will come through meeting people.
If you need a little help with this, check out my podcast, “Getting Outside Your Comfort Zone.”
No man or woman is an island. When you’re in these types of environments, it’s a great opportunity to meet people who are in your exact shoes or even a little farther along.
It’s on you to choose to build relationships.
If you employ these three strategies, I know you’ll get the most of out of whatever learning opportunity comes your way!
And of course, one of my favorite parts of this podcast is hearing directly from you. Give me a call on my new toll-free line at 844.944.1074. You might hear your question on a future episode!
1:25 Three Ways to Work Smarter, Not Harder
13:10 How to Become More Organized and Productive with April Perry
47:44 #AskChristyWright
56:24 Challenge: Make the Most of Your Next Learning Opportunity
Get the "Get the Most Out of Your Conference Notes" worksheet by filling out the form here!
Preorder the new 2019 Business Boutique Goal Planner with the code BBPLANNER at BusinessBoutique.com/Planner and receive Christy’s Setting Goals video that you can watch right now!
Our friends at Infusionsoft are giving you 25 of their email templates for free! Text the word MIGHTY to 480-428-4150.
Check out our friends at Volusion. You can set up your online store and start selling your products within minutes. It's that easy. Sign up for your FREE 14 day trial at Volusion.com/BB.
If you have a success story you would like to share with the Business Boutique community, email me at podcast@businessboutique.com.
New podcast episodes are available every other week.
Let’s talk about perseverance. Perseverance is a quality that will have a huge effect not only on your business, but on your whole life.
Perseverance is persistence. It’s pursuing something with passion. It’s pushing through when things are hard.
I’ll be honest: Perseverance isn’t something I personally struggle with. In fact, I’m so persistent that it’s almost a flaw. Sometimes I just don’t know when to quit!
But that’s why I can tell you that being persistent and persevering in my life has been the number one quality that’s enabled me to achieve everything that I have. Even when it’s hard, even when it’s inconvenient, and even when I have tons of obstacles, I still push through.
Steve Jobs once said, “I’m convinced that about half of what separates the successful entrepreneurs from the non-successful ones is pure perseverance.”1
Half! He believed half of what makes an entrepreneur successful is not money, not fame or a family name, not a business degree or even knowledge. It’s perseverance!
I couldn’t agree more.
And you know, there are so many success stories of women who got their million-dollar business idea right after pushing past the point of wanting to give up. People may have thought they were crazy, but they pushed through anyway.
Look at Kendra Scott, who started her first business at age 19.2 That business was called The Hat Box, but none of us know Kendra Scott as a hat designer, do we? That’s because Kendra didn’t find her successful business idea until almost a decade later. She designed her first jewelry collection with just $500 cash, and today, women all over the world (including me!) can’t get enough of her fun, girly jewelry and accessories.
Related: Ep. 40—Top Traits of Highly Successful Women
Then there’s J.K. Rowling, who wrote Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone as a broke, single mom, fresh off the heels of her mother’s death and a divorce. Her book was rejected by 12 publishers before it was finally picked up by one. She was given an advance of less than $2,000 for her work.3 Of course, we now know her as one of the wealthiest women in the world.
But maybe you don’t want to make a million dollars. Maybe you just want to pay for a trip to Disney World, or be able to quit your day job. On some days, I bet that seems like an impossible dream.
Or maybe your business is stalling and you’re thinking about scrapping the whole thing. Let me encourage you to keep going.
In this episode, I want to help you. I want to help you persevere, and together, we’ll tackle your doubts, like:
I am so excited to introduce you to one of the most talented guys I know, Dave Barnes!
Dave is a singer, a musician and a Grammy-nominated songwriter. Have you heard the song, “God Gave Me You” by Blake Shelton? It’s a huge country hit, and Dave wrote it. I’m a fan and friend of Dave’s—and by the way, he’s hilarious.
In this episode, Dave and I talk about:
And of course, one of my favorite parts of this podcast is hearing directly from you. So this week, I’m answering your business questions about scaling, passive income and quitting your full-time job.
Don’t forget to give me a call on my new toll-free line at 844.944.1074. You might hear your question on a future episode!
Plus, I want to have a heart-to-heart with you before I go. I have a special message that’s been on my heart that I want to share with you. It’s my hope for you that this reminder will make you come alive and bring you joy.
1:17 Perseverance in Your Business.
23:50 Slow and Steady Perseverance with Dave Barnes
50:28 #AskChristyWright
58:45 Encouragement: Do What Makes You Come Alive and Brings You Joy
Get Christy's Goal Setting Tool by filling out the form here!
Preorder the new 2019 Business Boutique Goal Planner at BusinessBoutique.com/Planner and use the code BBPLANNER to receive Christy's Setting Goals video that you can watch right now!
To save $10 on any Business Boutique Nashville ticket, use the code BBWRIGHT.
If you have a success story you would like to share with the Business Boutique community, email me at podcast@businessboutique.com.
New podcast episodes are available every other week.
One of my favorite things about business is marketing, and I’m so excited because this week we’re diving into a marketing concept known as the unique selling proposition.
It is one feature or benefit you want to highlight about your product or service.
This concept dates back to the 1940s and was used to get people to switch from one brand to another. For examples of this, just Google “1940s soap advertisements,” and you’ll see some brands touting “lovelier skin” and others promising to “stop BO!” Don’t most soaps do both? Yes, but each brand chose to highlight a different feature of its soap.
I’ve taught y’all about this before in many places, including my Business Boutique book, where I call it your unique position. It’s the angle you want to take in all of your marketing that lets your customers know why they need to buy from you.
In Reality in Advertising, author Rosser Reeves explains the purpose of your unique selling proposition so well. He says, “Each advertisement must say to each reader: ‘Buy this product, for this specific benefit.’” He also says, “The proposition must be strong enough to move the masses.”
Related: Ep. 52—Market Research: How to Know What Your Customers Want
So focus on just one feature or benefit of your product—something you want to be known for that is strong enough to move the masses—and highlight that in all your marketing, even if that thing seems obvious. In fact, in this episode, I’ll tell you how my college professor taught our class how to sell a toaster by highlighting a feature as basic as its electric cord.
But here’s another example.
FedEx has an advertising campaign right now that grabs my attention every time I see the commercial. In the ad, you see a woman standing in her art studio waiting on a delivery. In another scene, a package is hand-delivered to an elderly man sitting in a nursing home cafeteria. Then there’s a little boy peering with wonder at a FedEx box in his living room.
A voice-over asks, “What’s inside?”
Then you see the artist, the senior and the little boy light up as they open their boxes—and the answer comes: “Possibilities.”
Here FedEx reminds us that receiving a package in the mail is exciting! And if they’ve done their job right, maybe they’ve even convinced you that when you send or receive a parcel via FedEx, anything is possible.
Doesn’t UPS offer a very similar service? Yep. If you use UPS for your shipping and handling, can you send and receive the same things and have it done in the same amount of time? Probably. But FedEx hooked me with their commercial because they chose to highlight the excitement that comes with anticipating a package.
What result can you highlight about your business that will make your potential customers feel something?
In this episode, I’ll challenge you to answer these questions about your business:
If you don’t know the answers to these questions, you’re missing out on sales. You’re missing sales because if you don’t answer these questions in your marketing, your customers sure won’t know the answers, either!
Now, your unique selling proposition doesn’t have to be something unique to only you—in fact, it probably won’t be. My guest this week understands that and has marketed her business brilliantly.
Megan Tamte is the co-founder and co-CEO of Evereve, a retail fashion and styling company and one of my favorite stores. Evereve’s tagline is “Dress like a mom.”
Just think about that for a minute. How many stores and boutiques and online clothing companies sell clothes for women? How many sell for moms, specifically? There are probably thousands or even millions, right?
But Megan chose to claim it.
Her marketing lets people know that her store is the store that dresses moms. And as a result, Megan has grown Evereve into a multimillion-dollar business!
In this episode, Megan and I talk about:
Megan addresses the tension so many of us feel between being present for our kids but also pursuing a business dream. I love her perspective on this:
“One of the best gifts I could give my children was not being a mom who’s lying on the couch at night watching other peoples’ dreams come true but being a mom who was alive and passionate and happy.”
Amen, sister!
Y’all know one of my favorite parts of this podcast is hearing directly from you. So this week, I’m answering your business questions about money and social media.
Don’t forget to give me a call on my new toll-free line at 844.944.1074. You might hear your question on a future episode!
I also challenge you to start every day with gratitude and to focus on your blessings. Your thoughts will direct your actions, and your actions will direct your results. Whatever you focus on increases, so focus on the positive—and expect the best for your life and your business.
1:21 How to Stand Out from Your Competition
22:00 Pursuing Your Dream and Building Your Brand with Megan Tamte
46:21 #AskChristyWright
58:36 Challenge: Start Every Day with Gratitude
Get Christy's SWOT Analysis by filling out the form here!
Sign up for the new 2019 Business Boutique Goal Planner waitlist at BusinessBoutique.com/Planner-Waitlist.
To save $10 on any Business Boutique Nashville ticket, use the code BBWRIGHT.
If you have a success story you would like to share with the Business Boutique community, email me at podcast@businessboutique.com.
New podcast episodes are available every other week.
This week we’re going to talk about being intentional.
Y’all, it’s easier said than done. So many people just go through life without doing things on purpose.
I need to tell you about a time that I was not so intentional. When I graduated from high school, I very excitedly got out of the state of Tennessee where I had grown up and attended the University of Central Florida. I went for the great business school and the beautiful campus, but I didn’t really participate with the school side of things. Let’s just say, I loved the beach more than I did class. And my grades showed it.
I wasn’t intentional with my time or my studying, and at the end of my first semester of my sophomore year, I had a 1.4 GPA.
YIKES!
Y’all, it wasn’t that I wasn’t smart and willing to work hard—I just didn’t focus.
But here comes the good news. When I decided to transfer to the University of Tennessee—to spare my mother the out of state tuition and because I realized I wanted to return to Tennessee after college—something amazing happened! They accepted my credits but didn’t carry my GPA over from UCF.
I got a clean slate. And I ran with it!
I got really serious. I stayed late, I did extra credit, and I went the extra mile. At the end of my sophomore year, my first semester at UT, I got a 4.0. All because I was intentional.
It’s so easy to just get by. It’s so easy to let life happen and just spend our time reacting instead of acting.
I want us to do something different.
I want us to be intentional and do things on purpose.
Things will not happen for you in life; you have to make things happen.
I read this a few weeks ago on Twitter: “If you want what you used to have, you have to do what you used to do.”
What did you used to do in your marriage?
It is so easy for our marriages to become businesses. You and your spouse did not fall in love over the cable bill, or kid’s schedules, or determining who was going to pick up the dry cleaning. Before the busyness of kids and errands and all the to-do lists, you and your spouse probably just had fun together.
In my life, there are things that Matt and I used to love to do. We still do those things, because we schedule time to do them. We put it on the calendar. If you wait for those things to happen, they will never happen, because life will get in the way.
What do you and your spouse love to do together?
Those things don’t have to slip away. Life gets busy, but don’t let your marriage become an afterthought. Be intentional with your marriage and see how it changes things for you, your spouse and even your kids!
Related: Ep. 49 — How to Get Your Husband on Board With Your Business
In any area of our lives, it’s easy to be reactive instead of proactive, but this seems particularly tempting with kids.
Admittedly, I have two kids and they are fairly young, and I’m learning with many of you. But I’ve noticed that we, as moms, spend a lot of time reacting. We react to school and sport schedules. We react to what other parents are doing. We react to handling their behavior. We react to dealing with tough situations.
Trust me, I know parenting is hard. But we’re going to spend the energy regardless, so we might as well spend it on the front end, shaping our kids proactively, rather than always reacting to whatever life throws at us.
Being intentional with what you want your kids to know, feel, do and experience doesn’t have to look like holding yourself to an impossible standard of perfection. Just do things on purpose; it’s amazing how our kids will get it.
Related: Ep. 8 — How to Deal with Mom Guilt
You can’t float by in your business and wonder why you didn’t reach your goals. Success won’t happen if you don’t do things on purpose.
If you don’t start with the end in mind, you’ll cross someone else’s finish line.
In business, like all areas of your life, being intentional means setting goals. It means putting things on paper on purpose.
Decide what you want and what you need to do to get there! Start with the end in mind and then start breaking it down into small, tangible actions to get there.
Be intentional in your business and you will build a business you love.
Related: Ep. 38 — Hitting Big Goals By Winning Small
You get one body. One. That’s it.
Take care of your body by working it out, drinking water, and eating things that are nutritious and give you energy. It’s about finding balance and seeking to be healthy.
Being intentional and doing things on purpose with your body also means loving it.
Not loving it because it’s perfect and you look like a supermodel. No, it’s loving and celebrating your body for the things it does for you. For the fact that it’s already beautiful, strong and amazing!
You get a choice. You can love your body or you can constantly think about what’s wrong with it. You can treat it well or you can neglect it.
You get one body. Love it on purpose.
Related: Ep. 47 — Mom Entrepreneurs: Finding Success in Business and Motherhood
The bad news is that being intentional in all of the above areas take time—which is something I’d be willing to bet you already don’t feel like you have a lot of. But the good news is that you have more time than you think.
You can’t do everything, but you can do the most important things.
Maybe you won’t get to be a part of every club and organization or take on every project that sounds fun. But for me, if I already have an amazing marriage, rock star kids, a thriving business, and a strong body, then I’m fine to say no to some other things.
I don’t want to do everything; I just want to be awesome at a few really important things.
Stephen Covey says, “The main thing is to keep the main thing the main thing.”
These are my main things. Yours might be different, and that’s okay. Figure out what’s most important to you and be intentional with those things.
Related: Ep. 34 — Excuses That Steal Your Time
Dave Ramsey is a New York Times best-selling author, the host of The Dave Ramsey Show, and the CEO of Ramsey Solutions.
Over the last few decades, Dave Ramsey has been incredibly generous in sharing his story to help millions of people find hope. He helps people take control of their personal finances, change their family tree, become better leaders, build their businesses and so much more.
And, as if all that wasn’t enough, Dave is also my leader and my friend. When I think of someone who is a master at how to be intentional, Dave Ramsey is one of the first people that comes to mind.
Dave truly uses his impressively growing platform of over 15 million daily listeners to serve people. He pays attention to where people are hurting and meets them where they are. Dave is present, intentional, and firm in his beliefs, and he never stops learning.
Dave has been one of the driving forces behind the Business Boutique brand from day one, and I am so excited to have him return to the Business Boutique 3-Day Event stage this November! He will be speaking about one of the biggest pain points that business owners have: money!
In this episode, Dave Ramsey shares his wisdom on how to be intentional in your life. You’ll learn:
Related: How to Have More Time
I want to take a quick second to talk about an area of your business that you might not be approaching with intentionality: finances.
It’s so tempting to build your business by taking out debt. Here is what many people don’t see: business debt is YOUR debt.
Someone has to pay the bills at the end of the day, and that person is you, not “the business.” (You ARE the business!)
Instead of trying to accelerate your business by using debt, I want to encourage you to grow slow. Start with what you have and take your time to use your profits from the business to reinvest in the business. I’ll bet you’ll find that you don’t need half of what you think you do.
Don’t handcuff yourself to those payments. Nothing will take the joy out of your business like debt. There are so many people who have been in your shoes and have built thriving business without taking out debt.
You’ve got this!
Don’t forget that I love hearing from you! Give me a call on my new toll-free line at 844.944.1074. You might hear your question on a future episode!
Related: Ep. 24 — Money Pitfalls to Avoid in Your Business
1:21 Five Areas of Your Life to Be Intentional
22:10 How to Be Intentional in Your Business with Dave Ramsey
59:50 #AskChristyWright
67:19 Encouragement: Build Your Business Debt-Free
Get Christy's Goal Setting Tool by filling out the form here!
Sign up for the Business Boutique Academy waitlist at BusinessBoutique.com/Academy.
To save $10 on any Business Boutique Nashville ticket, use the code BBWRIGHT.
If you have a success story you would like to share with the Business Boutique community, email me at podcast@businessboutique.com.
New podcast episodes are available every other week.
It’s time to talk about building a social media strategy that works.
No matter the type or size of your business, having a strong social media strategy is important. You don’t have to be an expert to find success on social media.
I want you to think of your social media profiles like a party! And people can’t come to your party and have a great time if they don’t know about it or show up.
I’m going to break this down into seven ways for you to step up your social media strategy to attract more followers.
If your social media page is a party, think about how you signify to real-life guests where to find your party. You put out balloons and maybe a sign. You want to make it really clear: THIS IS THE PLACE TO BE!
Do the same thing when you post content on your social media page: make it visual whenever possible. This will instantly set your content and posts apart. Can you add a photo or video? Is there a graphic you can create? There are tons of apps and tools to help you create visual content in less than a minute. I’ve got a list of a few of my favorites on my Social Media Cheat Sheet.
The human brain is designed to ignore anything that is familiar. It’s constantly scanning its environment and labeling, categorizing and discarding anything that isn’t necessary for survival. It’s crazy.
It’s the reason that I can say, “If at first you don’t succeed . . . “ and you instantly know how to finish that sentence. Your brain finishes it for you and moves on. But if I say, “If at first you don’t succeed, then skydiving probably isn’t for you,” then that stands out because it’s interesting.
Related: Ep 31: Branding the Look and Tone of Your Busines
When you add variety to your content on your social media strategy, it keeps people coming back for more because you’ve added an element of surprise and delight. It’s the same reason that I could go into T.J. Maxx twice a week but I won’t go into a department store more than twice a year. Department stores don’t have as much variety as T.J. Maxx! The variety is addicting and it draws you in again and again. Mix up the types of post you’re putting out into the world to keep your follower’s attention.
Related: Get the Most Out of Your Content
If you want to grow your impact on social media, you need to increase your engagement.
Engagement indicates how many people acted on your post—they didn’t just view it or scroll past it; they responded in some way. They liked it, shared it, retweeted it, left a comment, etc. Any of these are great things because the more people that engage with your posts, the more “successful” the platform views that post and the more likely they are to show it to even more people. When it comes to your social media strategy, pay attention to what types of your posts get people to do something.
In life and on social media, one-way conversations are not fun. That’s why you should set aside a few minutes each day to respond to comments and feedback you receive. Your customers are more likely to respond to your content (remember: engage!) when you respond to them and engage. Treat others how you want to be treated, right? So if you want more responses, be more responsive.
Related: 3 Ways to Connect With Your Tribe Using Social Media Content
If your social media followers see you four times a day for months, and then you choose to go off the grid, they’ll be confused. You have to show up when you say you’re going to and be consistent! You get to choose what your consistency is, but then stick to it! Your content should have variety, but your frequency should have consistency. Teach people what to expect from you and then follow through. Consistency is so key in building trust with your tribe.
Building a brand is easy when you are just yourself from day one. Then you don’t have to try to put on a show or be someone you’re not, which can be exhausting. Instead, you just put yourself out there—the good, bad and ugly—and let people come for who you are. When you do this, you attract the right people. Be authentic in your social media presence and watch what happens. You’ll gain not just fans, but loyal customers.
Related: Ep. 51— How to Build Trust With Your Social Media Followers
Amy Jo Martin founded Digital Royalty, where she helped corporations, celebrities and sports entities humanize their brands online through social media. Before exiting in 2016, she worked on social media strategies for clients like former Suns player Shaquille O’Neal. Y’all … Shaquille O’Neal!
Amy Jo is the author of New York Times best-seller Renegades Write the Rules, and host of the Why Not Now? podcast.
Before becoming an entrepreneur, Amy Jo began working for the NBA’s Phoenix Suns. Working in male-centric industries, Amy Jo developed a passion for helping women thrive in business leadership. She is currently spending her time researching the relationship between technology and humanity and investing in other female entrepreneurs so they can reach their full potential.
She believes the future of technology is the future of humanity. Her motto is “humans connect with humans, not logos”.
In addition to being an expert in creating social media strategies, Amy Jo has a pretty impressive social media following herself—more than 1 million people—and was named the third most powerful woman on Twitter by Forbes.
I am thrilled that Amy Jo Martin will be a speaker at our Business Boutique 3-Day Event in Nashville this November!
In this episode, Amy Jo Martin and I talk about:
Related: 3 Ways to Connect With Your Tribe Using Social Media
You probably already know this, but as a reminder, everything you put online is permanent. (Even if you delete it.) Since being more in the “public eye,” I’ve created boundaries to be proactive in protecting myself and my family when it comes to posting online. I’ve also set boundaries for my social media posting strategy and consumption.
These are the lines I’ve drawn for myself and my social media strategy and use.
What are yours?
Figure out where your lines are. Define what you post and what you don’t. Define what time you post and when you don’t. It’s your social media and your prerogative. But it’s time to be proactive and intentional.
Related: How to Keep Up With Social Media (and Still Run Your Business)
Don’t forget that I love hearing from you! Give me a call on my new toll-free line at 844.944.1074. You might hear your question on a future episode!
1:25 Seven Ways to Step Up Your Social Media Strategy
18:01 How to Build a Social Media Strategy That Works with Amy Jo Martin
41:27 #AskChristyWright
49:53 Challenge: Determine Your Social Media Boundaries
Get Christy's Social Media Cheat Sheet by filling out the form here!
Sign up for the Business Boutique Academy waitlist at BusinessBoutique.com/Academy.
To save $10 on any Business Boutique Nashville ticket, use the code BBWRIGHT.
If you have a success story you would like to share with the Business Boutique community, email me at podcast@businessboutique.com.
New podcast episodes are available every other week.
This week’s podcast episode is going to help you simply your life and business. The stress of chaotic schedules and spaces keeps us from living effectively. I know for me a few practical tips can make all the difference. Our guest this week has personally helped me simplify my own life through simple, easy-to-do daily changes. One small change got me thinking beyond my personal life to business.
I can’t wait to share a few tips to simplify your business today!
In addition to a laundry mountain, I have mail mountain. It piles up high for weeks or months until I finally address it and sort it into neat stacks.
What if we had permanent stacks?
What if there were permanent places where those things go?
What if we created, like my friend April Perry calls it, a Command Center?
You probably already know the main categories of paperwork you encounter throughout the month in your business.
Just start there.
Do a little bit of work on the front end, and create spaces to sort your paperwork as it comes in! Whether it’s your email inbox, your computer desktop, or a few literal spaces, this strategy is going to help reduce stress in the long run.
When my husband Matt and I were planning our wedding and had a larger invitation list than our budget would allow, our wedding planner provided us with a challenge: cut 10%. We eliminated 10% of our list by eliminating from each category.
The same challenge can be applied to your workspace. What if you cut a percentage of what was there? Let’s say 30%. Go into your work space and choose 30% of the items taking up space to sort, store, or throw away. Junk, clutter, and the seventeen pieces of artwork from your children are overwhelming your space. It’s time to approach your workspace with an elimination mindset.
Imagine creating a workspace you actually want to work in. You’ll enjoy your work more when you've created a space that you love.
Related: How to Have More Time
When it comes to your customers, less is more. In products, design, and content, it’s important to create clarity. If it’s complicated to you, it’s even more complicated to your customers.
You want to make sure you have a clear path for your customers. A million options with a million varieties is not clear for your customers. It’s overwhelming.
Research shows the more options you give people, the less likely they are to buy. People do better with limited options.
Get rid of anything in your product offerings that wastes space, doesn’t sell, you don’t enjoy making, or has a horrible profit margin. You’ll leave more space and fewer options for your customers to actually buy what they want.
Just like with your product offerings, your website needs to be simple and clear for your customers.
My friend Donald Miller says, “People don’t buy the best products and services; they buy those they understand the quickest.” People understand the fastest when you give them a few simple words. Everything needs to have a purpose and a point—every tab, landing page, and product description. If it doesn’t, it doesn’t need to be there.
When I’m writing a talk, I challenge myself to write the “one sentence.” What’s the one thing I want people to know? Then everything I say points back to that one thing.
Your website should be just like that! Your website is a source of communication with your customers. Make it as clear as possible.
What landing page, words, or images are not the most important things you want your customer to know?
What words are confusing? What words are a distraction?
Similar to your workspace, you can approach your schedule with an elimination mindset. Set a goal and take a percentage right off the top.
It’s time to find some margin, and the best way to do that is to be honest with yourself about what you have to do, and what you just think you have to do.
You don’t have to do a lot of what you think you do. That’s how we get burnt out: doing all the things halfway. You made that to-do list. You can cut some of it.
What if you created margin to do the things you wanted to do, and then did them really well?
Related: How to Create Your Perfect Schedule
You can make these changes. You can stop perpetually running ragged. I firmly believe that you can slow down and begin to do less and do those things better.
I’m speaking to myself on all of these things. In order to do the things that matter most to me, I have to create margin.
If you have followed me at all, you know I am always encouraging you to organize and simplify, and that’s why I am thrilled to have Emily Ley as our podcast guest.
Emily Ley is the Founder and Creative Director of Simplified®, a brand of planners and organizational tools for busy women. Emily has authored two books: Grace, Not Perfection: Embracing Simplicity, Celebrating Joy and the national best-seller, A Simplified Life: Tactical Tools for Intentional Living.
Emily grew her business from the ground up while remaining a debt-free company (p.s., YOU GO GIRL!)
After finding success online, Emily Ley’s brand quickly grew to be carried in retail outlets all around the world. Emily’s success didn’t come without learning curves and tough decisions to maintain her company’s values. In fact, she recently had to make the decision to cut down on wholesale to be able to better connect with the customer.
Related: Business Values: What Your Business Should Be About
I am thrilled that Emily Ley will be a speaker at our Business Boutique 3-Day Event in Nashville this November!
In this episode, Emily Ley and I talk about:
I’m going to give you some encouragement for something that I’m not always the best at.
Y’all know me. I am a mover and a shaker. Because I love what I do, there are times that I choose to work even when I don’t have to. If I’m not careful, I can become a workaholic. I can get so driven, focused, and goal-oriented that I forget why I do all this in the first place. I do this to spend time with my family, have fun, have a life, and rest.
We’re really good at setting goals in our business, aren’t we? But I think we neglect setting goals in one major area. Rest should be a goal too. Recuperation, recovery, and rejuvenation are also metrics we should also value.
How do I feel?
How are my husband and I?
When did I last spend time with my friends?
Have I had quality time with my kids today?
I don’t know where you are in this busy season. But I want to remind you that rest and recovery aren’t just things for the summer. It’s something for us to incorporate into every season of our lives.
Related: The Truth About Work-Life Balance
“He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside quiet waters.” Psalm 23:2 (NIV)
I love this verse because of that word makes. God knows that sometimes I won’t lie down unless He makes me.
Don’t push the pedal to the metal so much that you lose track of the things that give you rest and rejuvenate you most.
Don’t forget that I love hearing from you! Give me a call on my new toll-free line at 844.944.1074. You might hear your question on a future episode!
1:30 How to Simplify Your Business
17:11 How to Simplify Your Business with Emily Ley
41:52 #AskChristyWright
46:03 Encouragement to Rest
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To save $10 on any Business Boutique Nashville ticket, use the code BBWRIGHT.
Sign up for the Business Boutique Academy waitlist at BusinessBoutique.com/Academy.
If you have a success story you would like to share with the Business Boutique community, email me at podcast@businessboutique.com.
New podcast episodes are available every other week.
If you want to go anywhere in business or life, you’re going to need to get outside your comfort zone and try something new.
In 2016, when Business Boutique was just starting, my team and I decided to try something new. We knew we wanted another format outside of our event to share the message of Business Boutique. We decided to start a podcast. And to be honest, it wasn’t my first choice. I would have much rather focused my attention and efforts on creating more video content.
There were a few things that factored into our decision to pursue an audio format over video format, but one large factor was that I was pregnant with my second son, Conley. We knew that it would be difficult to record videos and maintain a consistent production schedule through my pregnancy and my maternity leave. So we decided to try something new with this whole podcast thing.
Luckily it’s worked.
But when we first started recording the podcast, the format was hard for me.
It was recorded. It wasn’t live. There was no audience for me to interact with. It was just me. With a giant microphone in my face. Alone in a room with my podcast producer, Chris.
To put it plainly, it was outside my comfort zone.
I’m comfortable speaking to a live audience or on video. I felt limited with the audio format. I didn’t know how to translate my emotions and my facial features over an audio podcast. I was afraid that my energy and excitement wouldn’t translate. It was something I’d never done before.
Despite my hesitation, I trusted my team. And I’m so glad I did. We tried something new and we’ve seen an incredible impact.
We’ve reached over 2 million downloads and recorded 54 episodes.
We’ve heard so many stories from listeners who have taken what they’ve learned and started businesses, grown beyond their wildest dreams, and made money doing what they love. Think of all the people who have been inspired because we chose to communicate information in a way that could be listened to in the car, on a run or while doing the dishes.
It was all possible because we tried something outside my comfort zone.
What does that look like for you?
Related: Ep. 46—Use Your Gifts to Make a Difference
We think of our comfort zone as something scary. But it’s not just that. Pursing something outside your comfort zone doesn’t mean that you always have to do something scary.
It doesn’t have to always be bigger or involve more risk; it might just be something that you’ve never done before—something that you’re not comfortable with. That’s why we call it a comfort zone.
When we choose to live inside our comfort zones, we make statements about ourselves.
I’m not a writer.
I’m not business minded.
I can’t do it.
I don’t have enough time.
We put limitations and labels on ourselves and then we live within them.
But what if God doesn’t agree with your labels?
What if God wants to do something new in you—something outside your comfort zone?
What if He doesn’t have those same limitations for you?
Related: Don’t Let Fear Stop You From Starting
When you choose to step outside your comfort zone, the thing that used to scare you actually becomes a part of your comfort zone. One day you look up and think, I can’t believe I’m doing this. It all happens one baby step at a time as you learn, grow and become your new self. But it only happens outside your comfort zone.
As you become more you can do more, and as you do more you can go after more things!
In this episode I’m going to teach you:
I know that in my own life, every time I’ve stepped outside my comfort zone I’ve been equipped to take on even bigger things. Doing the thing I’m most scared to do often empowers me to take on new things, reach new heights, and achieve things I never thought possible.
The same will be true for you too. It’s time to get outside your comfort zone and try something new!
Y’all, when I say this woman is a powerhouse, I am not EVEN kidding!
Sarah Jakes Roberts is a take-charge businesswoman, writer and media personality who expertly balances career, ministry and family.
In Sarah’s 2014 memoir, Lost and Found: Finding Hope in the Detours of Life, Sarah shared her story in a completely transparent way that people can’t help but to gravitate to her.
Her father, Bishop T.D. Jakes, is a megachurch pastor, bestselling author and film producer, and her mother, Mrs. Serita Jakes, is an author, media personality and business executive. Sarah and her husband, Touré Roberts, pastor a dynamic community of artists and professionals in Hollywood, CA, while also raising their five beautiful children.
I am so excited that Sarah Jakes Roberts is speaking on “Living Out your Purpose” at our Business Boutique 3-Day Event in Nashville this November!
In this episode, Sarah Jakes Roberts and I talk about:
Related: The Fastest Way to Grow in Your Gifts
I also have a challenge for you to stop saying the word "little" when you talk about your business. Lastly, don’t forget that I love hearing from you! Give me a call on my new toll-free line at 844.944.1074. You might hear your question on a future episode!
1:21 How to Push Past Your Comfort Zone and Try Something New
17:11 Interview with Sarah Jakes Roberts
41:52 Challenge to Stop Saying the Word "Little"
46:03 #ASKCHRISTYWRIGHT
Get Christy's Fear or Wisdom Filter by filling out the form here!
To save $10 on any Business Boutique Nashville ticket, use the code BBWRIGHT.
Sign up for the Business Boutique Academy waitlist at BusinessBoutique.com/Academy.
If you have a success story you would like to share with the Business Boutique community, email me at podcast@businessboutique.com.
New podcast episodes are available every other week.
Today we’re talking all about how to know what your customers want.
When it comes to determining what our customers really want, we have the temptation to return to our middle school days of fortune telling. Stay with me here. Do you remember the origami cootie catchers that told us where we would live and who we would marry? Did you ever pick the pedals off flowers, “He loves me, he loves me not, he loves me!” Raise your hand if you’ve ever asked a Magic 8-Ball a question.
Y’all, we love to predict the future. We all want to know how things will turn out, and if we’re honest, we’d all love to read our customer’s minds.
Related: Communicating Clearly with Your Customers
Wouldn’t it be incredible to figure out exactly what our customers want? To determine exactly what they need? To know the words they use, so we can use those words and reach them directly?
We can.
We can know those things—what they think, how they feel, and what they need.
We can learn all that and a whole lot more. And here’s the good news: You don’t need a Magic 8-Ball to tell you.
How do you find out?
You just ask.
The simplest things are the things that are most often overlooked. Instead of doing the most logical and effective thing, we tend to just guess what our customers want. We overlook asking them what they feel, want, need, think.
We can demystify the whole thing by simply asking our customers directly.
We’re all great at asking questions, but many of us have just never thought to apply it to our business.
There’s a fancy term for asking your customers what they want: Market Research.
Related: The Two Things You Need to Know About People
There are two methods of research you can use to ask your customers what they want: quantitative research and qualitative research.
Both methods are going to help you understand your market, learn, and grow. By asking your customers the right questions, you can gain a better understanding of their thoughts, feelings, and needs surrounding your product.
A helpful hint to understand the difference between quantitative research and qualitative research is to remember the root of the word. Quantitative research is all about quantity.
Qualitative research is all about quality.
In quantitative research, you ask questions that can be quantified and produce a metric for you to measure.
You might do this through yes or no questions, multiple choice, ratings, or another method.
Quantitative research is helpful in your business to not only understand your market, but to supplement your marketing, branding and promotions.
Have you seen those commercials that say 9 out of 10 dentists recommend this toothpaste? They did a quantitative market research study to find that number.
Qualitative research can’t be quantified. This type of research takes exponentially more time to sort through results, analyze and identify themes. But that doesn’t mean you should avoid it!
Qualitative research provides open-ended, non-leading questions that will allow your customers to provide answers in their own words. That’s the reason it’s so valuable! You really can understand your customer, their motivation, their mindset, and their language.
Qualitative research can also be used in marketing in the form of marketing copy, testimonials, endorsements, and quotes. Lots of the words that we use in Business Boutique are things you’ve told us. We love to hear what sticks out to you so that we can improve, grow and get better.
I love market research! It is such a simple and direct way to get feedback from your customers.
Related: Ep 20: How to Create Engaging Content for Your Business
In this episode I’ll talk about:
It doesn’t matter how you get the information; it matters that you get the information. If you don’t know what your customers want, you can’t give it to them.
It’s not a mystery—all you have to do is ask.
Jessica Principe has become a dear friend over the last few years since we met at our Business Boutique Event in Nashville. She is the founder of the popular women’s shaving subscription club All Girls Shave Club, a wife, and the mother of two boys.
The idea for Jessica’s business came to her in the shower. She reached for her husband’s razor from his subscription service and thought, Why isn’t there something like this for women? She realized if that service was something she would use, other women probably would too. And just like that, she threw herself into market research, came to the Business Boutique Event, created her plan, and launched her business.
She has taken the chore of shaving and turned it into something where women can feel like they are pampering themselves. Knowing what her customers want—and delivering just that—has helped Jessica continue to grow and create a lucrative business.
Jessica has shared her story multiple times on the Business Boutique event stage to let other women know they can do it too! You can turn your ideas into income and create the life you always dreamed of.
In this episode, Jessica Principe and I talk about:
Related: How Jessica Turned Her Problem Into $70K!
The seasonality of our lives, our family and our business is important. Summer is winding down, and life is about to ramp up for many of us as we approach fall and all that comes with it.
Before it’s time to be all in and game on, I have a little encouragement for you: Don’t let the change of seasons surprise you. You can spend the next couple weeks enjoying your summer, but also setting yourself up for success. The time to do it is not in September when you’re in the thick of it—the time is NOW.
Here are a few ways to prepare yourself for the potentially crazy season ahead:
I know it’s hard to do. But you have a beautiful window of time, and if you use it wisely, you can arrive at the next season set up to win without all the stress.
Lastly, don’t forget that I love hearing from you! Give me a call on my new toll-free line at 844.944.1074. You just might hear your question on a future episode!
1:25 How to Know What Your Customers Want
15:37 Interview with Jessica Principie
37:54 Encouragement for the Fall Season
43:05 #ASKCHRISTYWRIGHT
Get Christy's Persona Template by filling out the form here!
To save $10 on any Business Boutique Nashville ticket, use the code BBWRIGHT.
Sign up for the Business Idea Bootcamp at BusinessBoutique.com/Bootcamp. Use the code BOOTCAMP to receive the Business Boutique audiobook for free!
If you have a success story you would like to share with the Business Boutique community, email me at podcast@businessboutique.com.
New podcast episodes are available every other week.
I recently read that over 50 million businesses use Facebook Pages to connect with their customers.(1)
50 million?!
These business are tapping into something powerful. They understand the value of connecting with their customers directly and using social media followers to build and expand their brand. In essence, they understand the importance of a building a tribe—a group of people who love you, are loyal to your brand, and who trust you.
Your tribe is made up of the people who buy your product when you launch a pre-sale. They are the first people to mention your name (or better yet, give someone your business card) to refer your service. Your tribe is bought into your business because they’re bought into you and what you stand for.
One of the best ways to build a tribe is to provide a place for them to connect and engage with you and your brand. Social media provides you with the space to build a relationship with your customers, make a personal impact, and ultimately make money.
This isn’t strictly a numbers game. My friend Rachel Hollis once said, “5,000 dedicated social media followers are way better than having millions and millions.” It doesn’t matter how many social media followers you have—if they don’t trust you, they aren’t going to buy from you.
People buy from those they know, like and trust. So, it’s pretty important to build trust with your tribe of social media followers.
Related : How to Sell Without Feeling Slimy
But how do we get people to trust our brand or business?
One of my favorite examples of a brand that has built trust is our company, Ramsey Solutions.
Dave Ramsey grew this business and brand over decades through personal connection. About six years ago, he realized he needed to start thinking about the future and the succession of his company. From the very beginning, it had been just him. But he realized that if he wanted to take it to the next level and scale beyond himself, he needed to make a few changes. He knew that the best brands build trust. And the best way to build trust is through people.
Brands don’t change people, people change people. He realized we needed more people who could take more messages into more markets. That’s how the Ramsey Personalities were born!
For more than 25 years, Dave Ramsey has been building trust with his tribe—one person at a time.
The same can be true for you and me. If you want to make an impact, and if you want to make money, you need to build trust.
I personally feel so connected to all of my social media followers. We may have never met, but I pride myself on the fact that I know you trust me. I have read so many comments on my social media posts and met so many people in grocery stores, airports, and book signings who say, “I feel like we’re best friends.”
Y’all, that’s important to me.
I want you to feel like you know me. That you relate with me. That I get you. (Because I do!) Business Boutique has grown as I’ve expanded the number of people in our tribe who genuinely know, like and trust me.
In this episode, I want to help you connect and engage with your social media followers in a way that builds trust.
We’re going to discuss:
Building trust with your social media followers is no different than building trust with any other person in your life. That’s why I’m going to give you five tips to help you build trust that will impact your social media followers and, ultimately, your bottom line!
Jennifer Allwood is a powerhouse business coach for creative business owners and host of The Jennifer Allwood Show Podcast.
She has an infectious enthusiasm for helping like-minded creative women build their social media followers and turn their talents and hobbies into lucrative online businesses.
Jennifer has built an incredible social media following and has a gift for creating relationships and showing up for each and every one of them.
I met Jennifer Allwood at a Business Boutique event and am thrilled that she will be a breakout speaker at our fall 3-Day Business Boutique Event!
In this episode, Jennifer Allwood and I talk about:
Related: Business Values: What Your Business Should Be About
Cathy Heller is a songwriter and host of the Don’t Keep Your Day Job Podcast where she offers tools and insights to help people find a sense of purpose and make a living doing what they love.
She made her mark in the music world by licensing her songs to film, TV and ads. Cathy also started her own licensing company where she pitches other artists.
By mixing her successful licensing career experience with her passion for helping people turn their passions into profits, Cathy created a music licensing course for artists.
In this episode, Cathy Heller and I talk about:
Related: How to Make the Most of Social Media
1:35 Building Trust with Your Tribe on Social Media
22:15 Interview with Jennifer Allwood
47:39 #ASKCHRISTYWRIGHT
54:22 Interview with Cathy Heller
71:29 Homework
Get Christy's Social Media Cheat Sheet by filling out the form here!
To save $10 on any Business Boutique Nashville ticket, use the code BBWRIGHT.
Sign up for the Business Idea Bootcamp at BusinessBoutique.com/Bootcamp. Use the code BOOTCAMP to receive the Business Boutique audiobook for free!
If you have a success story you would like to share with the Business Boutique community, email me at podcast@businessboutique.com.
New podcast episodes are available every other week.
I heard a statistic recently that absolutely shocked me: seven out of every ten Americans say they don’t like their jobs. Um, what?
I don’t know about you, but that number floored me. I mean, let’s think about it. Seventy percent of us show up day in and day out—like for at least eight hours at a time—to a job that we don’t even enjoy? That’s a whole lot of unhappy people, working a whole lot of hours, doing something they hate.
Ya’ll, I don’t get it. That makes no sense to me. None.
But maybe you’re in that place right now. Or maybe you’re wanting to make some extra money. Or maybe you just need a creative outlet.
Regardless of your motivation, I’ve got a great solution.
Have you ever considered starting a side hustle?
Related: 27 Ways to Make Extra Money from Home
What you probably don’t realize is that what you know today as Business Boutique actually started as a side hustle—while I was working a full-time job!
Let’s just say, necessity is truly the mother of invention.
When I was first pursing my passion as a coach, in order to get my coaching credential, I had to fulfill a certain number of hours, well, coaching. I wasn’t a Ramsey Personality yet. In fact, I was only speaking on a part-time basis for our company.
So I thought, why not start a little business on the side coaching others? That way, I could earn my business coach certification and earn some extra income. A win-win, right?
Fast forward a few years and that side business has now evolved into Business Boutique.
So no matter your schedule, obligations, and commitments, it’s possible to start a side hustle and also work full-time. And with enough passion and determination, I know you can do it too.
Related: How to Take Your Side Hustle Full Time
I’m going to be completely honest. Working two jobs at the same time is not easy. You will be doing a lot of juggling.
But side businesses are a great way to help you reach your goals. And finding work you’re passionate about—work that is fulfilling and challenging and exhilarating—is worth every sacrifice along the way.
Work can be fun, y’all! You can do something you love and get paid for it!
Don’t forget that.
In this episode, we’ll talk about:
Related: How to Have More Time
My guest this week is Jake Vehyl, founder of Nashville-based cookie company Jake’s Bakes!
Five years ago, Jake had a full-time job—and a big dream of starting his own business. But like many of you, he didn’t know how to do it or have a lot of money to sink into a new venture.
That’s when Jake made a very smart decision: to start small.
Instead of going into crazy debt purchasing expensive commercial grade baking equipment, he found a restaurant to lease space from during off hours. That decision not only saved a ton of cash, but it allowed Jake to work his day job and then head to the restaurant afterwards to bake until midnight.
Yes, the hours were insanely long—and his social life definitely took a backseat—but Jake is the first to tell you that all of that hard work paid off. In less than two years, Jake’s Bakes expanded from a delivery-only business to their first retail storefront.
And you won’t believe how this story ends! Even Jake didn’t see this coming.
In this episode, Jake and I will talk about:
Related: Ep. 44 How to Know If Your Business Idea Will Work
Our success story this week is Kristin Ostrander, founder of mommyincome.com!
This woman amazes me. She’s a mom of three, a wife, and a total go-getter who isn’t afraid of a challenge. And she has been through it all, y’all.
Her journey has been anything but easy.
In 2003, Kristin began selling her children’s clothing on eBay to supplement her husband’s income and as a way to buy new clothes for her growing family.
As she says, “There was always more month than there was money!”
But that slowly changed over that next five years as Kristin continued to grow her eBay business. A move to selling on Amazon in 2008 proved to be even more profitable, but then tragedy struck her family.
By 2010, Kristin and her family lost their home to foreclosure and had to start over from scratch.
Join us to find out how Kristin overcame even the most insurmountable obstacles—one step at a time—and ended up with a million-dollar Amazon business and a closer relationship with God.
And that’s just the beginning of Kristin’s story. In 2014, she launched mommyincome.com as a way to help others find success on Amazon. I can’t wait for you to get to know her better!
Lastly, don’t forget that I love hearing from you! Remember, you can send me your questions or comments by email or twitter. Or give me a call on my new toll-free line at 844.944.1074. You just might hear your question on a future episode!
1:14 How to Grow a Side Hustle While Working Full-Time
18:11 Interview with Jake Vehyl
40:47 BB Success Story with Kristin Ostrander
49:38 #ASKCHRISTYWRIGHT
57:40 Homework
Get Christy's 25 Ways to Protect Your Time by filling out the form here!
To save $10 on any Business Boutique Nashville ticket, use the code BBWRIGHT.
Sign up for the Business Idea Bootcamp at BusinessBoutique.com/Bootcamp. Use the code BOOTCAMP to receive the Business Boutique audiobook for free!
If you have a success story you would like to share with the Business Boutique community, email me at podcast@businessboutique.com.
New podcast episodes are available every other week.
Over the past three years, one of my most favorite things has been meeting women at Business Boutique events all across the country who are there for one reason: Their husbands bought them a ticket.
Y’all, let’s take a second. How amazing is that?
This crazy, wonderful, exhilarating journey of chasing their dream started because someone—an incredibly supportive husband, in this case—believed in them. That right there is a dream in and of itself. And believe me, I know. I have one of those rock star husbands too.
My husband is my confidant, my teammate, my number one fan—but even he can get overwhelmed by yet another one of my big ideas. Any dreamers out there? Y’all know exactly what I’m talking about.
But you know what I’ve discovered? Usually when that happens, it’s because I simply didn’t give him enough information or enough time to process it all. Or, let’s be honest, maybe in my excitement, I jumped all the way from A to Z and just plain scared him!
The good news is it’s possible to get even the most hesitant husband interested and on board with your business. (Really!)
The best place to start? Take a look at the way you talk to him about your business.
Here’s the deal: A big dream calls for one heck of a powerful communication strategy, whether you’re talking to your customers or your very own spouse.
If you want to get your husband on board with your business, you have to first help him understand the meaning behind your work. And I’ve got three tips to help you do just that.
In this episode, I’ll talk about the importance of:
Related: Ep. 7—How to Build Your Business and Still Have a Life at the Same Time
My guest this week is my very own husband, Matt Wright—also known as my biggest cheerleader. There’s nothing I can’t accomplish with that man by my side. I’m so proud of him, and I’m so proud he’s mine.
I am so excited for you all to get to know him a little better—and I’m excited for Matt to tell you what it’s like being married to a woman who is chasing a big business dream.
So, Matt and I have been married for six years now, and in all that time, he’s never left me speechless—until a few weeks ago.
Now, anyone who knows me or has ever listened to this podcast knows that I’m a talker. I am not what you’d call quiet. Or shy—at all. One could say that I have a lot to say, a lot of the time. Shocking, I know!
I recently asked Matt what he thinks is the best way for a woman to get her husband on board with her business. Y’all, his answer blew me away.
Without hesitation, he explained, “I think husbands should support our wives because that’s our responsibility. If you’re married, it’s your responsibility to support one another.”
What?! He totally called out men to do the right thing. And I love him for it.
I also love that he offered a completely different perspective that had never occurred to me. That’s invaluable.
But let’s be honest: Actions speak louder than words. And sometimes competing responsibilities, other commitments, kids, and everyday life just get in the way.
That’s why I wanted Matt to share his thoughts on specific ways for your spouse to become more interested—more personally invested—in your business.
In this podcast, Matt and I will talk about:
In a perfect world, every single woman chasing a dream would have a supportive husband behind her. Sadly, I know that’s not the reality for everyone. But it’s never too late for your marriage to become a real partnership.
Please believe me when I tell you that. You need to work on changing the dynamic of your relationship to create a new normal around your business.
I know you can do it. And I’m going to share four ways to help you gain your husband’s support.
If you’re as hard driving as I am, some of these may be a struggle for you. But trust me. They are worth your time and your patience.
I have another challenge for you. Have your husband listen to the rest of this episode with you. I’m going to be answering questions from husbands whose wives are pursuing their business dreams just like you.
I think it will be extremely informative and helpful for both of you.
Lastly, don’t forget that I love hearing from you! Send me your questions or comments by email or Twitter. Or give me a call on my new toll-free line at 844.944.1074. You just might hear your question on a future episode!
1:19 5 How to Include Your Husband in Your Business
7:38 Interview with Matt Wright
36:46 Encouragement to Communicate with Your Husband
42:43 #ASKCHRISTYWRIGHT
57:12 Homework
Get Christy's 10 Ways to Take Care of You by filling out the form here!
To save $10 on any Business Boutique Nashville ticket, use the code BBWRIGHT.
Sign up for the Business Idea Bootcamp at BusinessBoutique.com/Bootcamp. Use the code BOOTCAMP to receive the Business Boutique audiobook for free!
If you have a success story you would like to share with the Business Boutique community, email me at podcast@businessboutique.com.
New podcast episodes are available every other week.
I’ve been coaching business leaders for about a decade now, and over the years I’ve noticed an unfortunate theme pop up again and again. It’s something that holds people back in both business and in life:
People want something to change, but they don’t want to make a change.
You know what I’m talking about! You’ve probably been there yourself. Maybe you’ve wanted to lose weight, get out of debt, or make new friends, but you don’t want to eat healthier, spend less money, or leave your house! You want to see different results without actually doing anything differently.
Maybe this applies to your business right now. Maybe your sales have been stalled or your profits have plummeted, and you just feel stuck. Friend, this episode is for you—because I’m going to give you five ways to grow your business.
Related: Assume You Can
But—spoiler alert!—it’s going to take trying some new things. Because if you keep doing what you’ve been doing, you’ll keep getting what you’ve been getting.
But not this summer.
This is going to be the summer you tried something different to get different results!
Everything you want is on the other side of your comfort zone. So if you want to grow your business, it might mean being uncomfortable and doing things that scare you. But that’s okay, because if you know that going in, you can do it anyway.
Rachel Hollis is an author, speaker, and the founder and CEO of Chic Media. She and I are kindred spirits because we are both absolutely on fire for women who want to grow their businesses.
Her new book, Girl, Wash Your Face, addresses the lies Rachel found herself believing throughout her life. You’ve probably heard some of them playing on a loop in your head, too:
“I’m not enough.”
“I’m defined by my weight.”
“I’m not a good mom.”
Wherever these lies stem from—whether it’s society, your mother-in-law, or the devil himself—Rachel realized they define so much about how we live our lives, and she’s made it her goal to confront them head on.
In this episode, Rachel Hollis and I talk about:
This is the episode with my favorite Rachels! Rachel Cruze is a #1 New York Times best-selling author and host of The Rachel Cruze Show. She’s also one of my best friends and I love watching her shine in her gifts—which, in her case, looks like helping women all over the country live their best life on a budget!
Related: Ep. 3—How to Stop Feeling Guilty for Making Money
In this episode, Rachel Cruze and I talk about:
Plus, I’ll answer some of the questions you asked using our brand-new Business Boutique call-in line: 844.944.1074.
1:19 5 Ways to Grow Your Business This Summer
14:55 Interview with Rachel Hollis
39:40 #ASKCHRISTYWRIGHT
48:58 Interview with Rachel Cruze
65:24 Homework
Get Christy's Goal Setting Tool by filling out the form here!
To save $10 on any Business Boutique Nashville ticket, use the code BBWRIGHT.
Sign up for the Business Idea Bootcamp at BusinessBoutique.com/Bootcamp. Use the code BOOTCAMP to receive the Business Boutique audiobook for free!
If you have a success story you would like to share with the Business Boutique community, email me at podcast@businessboutique.com.
New podcast episodes are available every other week.
Today we’re celebrating mom entrepreneurs! Some call us mompreneurs, but basically, we’re talking about moms who run their own businesses.
According to a quick Google search, a mompreneur is: “a woman who sets up and runs her own business in addition to caring for her young child or children.”
Well that’s the basic, glossed-over version, isn’t it?
As moms, we’re responsible for all kinds of things—all the time. There’s grocery shopping, laundry, doctor’s appointments, laundry, after school activities, laundry . . . it’s a full-time job (and a half). And adding a business into the mix makes it feel like we’re working several full-time jobs.
As a business owner, you’re the CEO—but you’re also the bookkeeper, chief marketing officer, receptionist, saleswoman, creative director and the janitor. It’s no wonder that being both a mom and an entrepreneur can feel a tad overwhelming at times.
Back when I was a little girl with a front-row seat to watching my mom chasing her dream and running her business, they hadn’t coined a trendy catchphrase for what she was doing. And what she was doing was hard.
I remember arriving at the cake shop one dark morning at 3 a.m. to shattered glass everywhere. Mom’s shop had been broken into, and we were standing there in fear, wondering if the person who did it was still inside.
I remember getting stuck with Mom in the rain with a flat tire and getting locked out of the house without any money. All of this happened before the age of cell phones, by the way. And as a working mom myself, when I think back on all that, I don’t know how Mom did it. She didn’t have even half of the help that I have! She raised me and made a way for us—all while running a business.
So whether you’re a single mom like mine or just a tired mom, this episode is for you.
Related: How to Deal With Mom Guilt
Now, before you think I’m going to give you life hacks, methods, efficiencies, and ways to get more done, stop right there. That’s not what this episode is about. There are just two things I want you to remember when it comes to your journey in business and in motherhood:
The women who do well in both business and in life know and practice these two things. In this episode, I’ll give you very practical examples from my own life about how I live this day to day. I’ll teach you how to master these mind-sets like a boss—a mom boss! After all, God gave you your family and your business—and He doesn’t make mistakes.
You may already feel like you know my mom from all my stories about the bakery I was practically raised in, but today, it’s time for you to hear from her directly!
She’s the woman I have watched persevere with an absurd level of persistence. I’ve watched her do the right thing, even when it cost her. I’ve seen her go above and beyond for her customers time and time again. I’ve watched how she always paused and talked to homeless people—even in the middle of the night when we were downtown unloading bags of powdered sugar and flour.
In honor of Mother’s Day weekend, it’s my honor to have her as our podcast guest this week.
In this episode, Mom and I talk about:
Like I said before, being both a mom and a business owner is hard work. And as a result, we tend to put ourselves last and everyone else first. After all, our customers and kids need us! But y’all, when we don’t take some time for ourselves, we wind up busy and burned out.
Self-care is more than a pedicure once a month. You need to be someone that you like. So in this episode, I’ll also give you some things to think about when it comes to how well you’re taking care of the most important part of your business: You.
Plus, I’ll answer some of the questions you asked using our brand-new Business Boutique call-in line: 844.944.1074.
1:21 Being a Mom and Running a Business
17:23 Interview with Darlene Therber
48:16 Encouragement: Self Care
52:33 #ASKCHRISTYWRIGHT
59:05 Homework
Get Christy's 10 Ways to Take Care of You by filling out the form here!
To save $10 on any Business Boutique Nashville ticket, use the code BBWRIGHT.
Sign up for the Business Idea Bootcamp at BusinessBoutique.com/Bootcamp. Use the code BOOTCAMP to receive the Business Boutique audiobook for free!
If you have a success story you would like to share with the Business Boutique community, email me at podcast@businessboutique.com.
New podcast episodes are available every other week.