Building To Scale

Did you check out the Dallas Cowboy’s game yesterday?

Or, if you are not a Cowboy’s fan, imagine going to a game for your favorite sports team for a minute.

You spent way too much money on your tickets, then walked into the stadium and sat down.

But when you looked around, something was missing.

They took the scoreboard out?!?!?

Imagine sitting through the game without knowing the score and without knowing how much time was left.

Kinda takes away from the game, right?

But now, put yourself in the player’s position.

What would it feel like if you were playing the game without knowing the score or the time?

What if we took that one step further and you did not even know the rules – only the coach knew the rules and just gave you the little bit of information they thought you needed.

Sounds rather ridiculous, right?

Yet this is the way we run our businesses …

In today’s episode, I talk about this idea of doing business as if you were playing a game.

Check it out and let me know your thoughts!

Then, if you have questions after listening to today’s episode, I invite you to join us in the Building to Scale community today.

Jump over to https://www.BuildingToScale.com/group (https://www.BuildingToScale.com/group) and request an invite to the community.

When you go on a vacation (assuming you can remember the last one), are you the type that plans every last minute, or are you the type that just goes without a plan, and what happens happens?

Thomas Edison had a great quote that went like this … “Vision without execution is just a hallucination.”

For the last several weeks, we have been talking about strategy, and I absolutely believe that you must have a strategic plan even as a small business.

At the same time, if you cannot execute that strategy, then it is not worth the paper (real or digital) that it is written on.

In today’s episode, I break down the four stages of execution planning that I work with clients to build once they have their strategy laid out.

Stealing a line from Goldilocks, it is not too hot and not too cold … or in this case, it has just the “right” level of detail to ensure that you and your team know what is ahead, yet not so rigid that you cannot adapt and evaluate new opportunities.

Let’s talk about small business execution planning for a few minutes. Then, if you have questions after listening to today’s episode, I invite you to join us in the Building to Scale community today.

Jump over to https://www.BuildingToScale.com/group (https://www.BuildingToScale.com/group) and request an invite to the community.

When you hear the term “brand,” what comes to mind?

Probably the idea of a logo or a color scheme, right?

In today’s episode, we bring in the “brand boss” with a much deeper approach to branding and the overall messaging strategy when it comes to your business.

In her words, you should be focusing on the identity of your business – not just the logo – and making sure that you know what the identity of your business is and thus how to best communicate and connect with your audience.

Join me in welcoming Rachel Jenks, the “Brand Boss” of The Brand Boss Studio, and the Brand Boss Podcast!

If you have questions after listening to today’s episode, I invite you to join us in the Building to Scale community today.

Jump over to https://www.BuildingToScale.com/group (https://www.BuildingToScale.com/group) and request an invite to the community.

Rachel Jenks is the Founder, Owner, and proclaimed “Brand Boss.”

With more than 22 years of experience working in public communications, including 16+ years in graphic design, Rachel’s passion is empowering business owners to rock YOUR brand like a Boss.

“I’m tired of seeing business owners and entrepreneurs taken advantage of ... or feeling pressured to keep up with every marketing trend out there ... rather than being true to who you are as a company and bringing real solutions to the people you serve. At the end of the day, there’s nothing more powerful. Trust comes before transactions. When you can create that kind of experience for people, you build an unstoppable brand.”

Rachel’s off-the-beaten-path career journey has spanned multiple roles in various countries, four cities, and three states – including professional ballet, management, event production, business strategy, national and international public relations, graphic design, and marketing.

She’s had the opportunity to work with organizations of all sizes and industries to amplify the power of their brands through brand strategy, brand experience consulting, brand development, brand content, brand packaging, UI/UX brand strategy, brand design, multi-media, advertising, marketing, live event production, e-learning, 3D animation, video, photography, and art direction.

Rachel is also the host of The Brand Boss Show podcast and YouTube channel, an author, and an in-demand public speaker.

When not strategizing powerful brand experiences and coaching business owners, Rachel can be found off on an adventure or savoring the moment with those she loves - including her Studio Managers, Podcat and Lady Podcat.

The Brand Boss Studio - https://brandbossstudio.com/ (https://brandbossstudio.com/)

The Brand Boss Show - https://brandbossstudio.com/the-brand-boss-show/ (https://brandbossstudio.com/the-brand-boss-show/)

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/thebrandbossstudio/ (https://www.facebook.com/thebrandbossstudio/)

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/thebrandboss/ (https://www.linkedin.com/in/thebrandboss/)

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/thebrandbossstudio/ (https://www.instagram.com/thebrandbossstudio/)

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvoWYjE3KJqJ9d8qGrsibRA (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvoWYjE3KJqJ9d8qGrsibRA)

We have all seen the stats regarding the “survival” rates of small entrepreneurial businesses.

What is not quite as clear is the number of entrepreneurs – specialists in their field – working long hours day in and day out, with little to show for their efforts.

Technically, you have a business, and you are a business owner in title. The challenge is that you are wearing hats on top of hats … 50 or 60 in the words of a guest in season one.

However, there is one hat that most entrepreneurs forget to put on.

In today’s episode, I talk specifically about some of the challenges a client of mine is facing in turning his small (and I mean small) business into something bigger while trying to stave off burnout.

Hopefully, you have this all figured out and are living your dreams.

If not, and you are struggling to reach your dreams, the good news is that you have lots of company.

The even better news is that we are building a community of people just like you with the sole purpose of being able to help each other out.

So, if you have questions after listening to today’s episode - or you simply need some accountability - I invite you to join us in the Building to Scale community today.

Jump over to https://www.buildingtoscale.com/group (https://www.BuildingToScale.com/group) and request an invite to the community.

Welcome to the re-launch of the Building to Scale podcast!

This is episode 1 of season 2 and I and my team are really excited to be putting a renewed focus on our mission to help entrepreneurial business leaders find clarity in what is really happening in their business today and to guide them through a plan to build a more profitable, scalable, and ultimately saleable business.

You see, it is my belief that as a small business entrepreneur, you will never be able to achieve the life you want or the goals you have for either your business or yourself if you do not systematize your business.

So how do you do that?

In today’s episode, I talk about the idea of a Pinnacle … your overarching goal for the next 10-15 years that gets your team all pulling in the same direction, energizes and excites them, and scares your competitor.

It also serves as a measuring stick as new opportunities and challenges arise in your business.

What makes up a good Pinnacle goal? There are five things, but you will have to listen to today’s episode to find out.

Also, make sure to listen as we outline the Pinnacle for the Building to Scale brand. Then, join us in our new Building to Scale community at https://BuildingToScale.com/Group (https://BuildingToScale.com/Group) and give us your feedback.

Does our Pinnacle meet the five criteria?

I am still not sure how we are wrapping up August and Q3 already …

On the one hand, 2021 has been a long year, and on the other side, it has flown by. And, as if 2020 needed to be topped, this has been a challenging year for many small businesses.

Many face financial trials dealing with the effects of the shutdowns, while others deal with the challenges involved with unplanned growth explosions depending upon the industry and their location.

One of the strategies we work with entrepreneurial business leaders on is having a Pinnacle goal and a roadmap to reach that goal.

Along the way, you have milestones where you stop, assess, and adjust before moving out on the next leg of your climb on the way to your Pinnacle.

When it comes to the Building to Scale brand, this is one of those milestones.

https://youtu.be/zM0Zj13BTcU

Today’s episode marks the end of Season 1 and the announcement of changes coming in Season 2.

Make sure you subscribe to the podcast today in your favorite player to receive notice of season 2.

You can also check out https://buildingtoscale.com/Launch (https://BuildingToScale.com/Launch) to sign up for notifications for the new season and a lot of additional new resources we are rolling out at the same time.

As a retired Air Force officer, Axel Meierhoefer started his first company in 2005, focusing on consulting, employee skill development, and program management. These areas remain in place and have now grown internationally.

As a business owner, Axel had an eye on the long-term picture – specifically his own. He began to investigate ways to apply profits towards retirement, and research indicated that owning tangible assets would be the best way. It was also the path that the government supports the most, which led him to develop a residential real estate portfolio worth about $1.5 Million.

The portfolio is still growing, and the experience has provided many lessons learned that he now teaches, coaches, and mentors other people with.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H4U23uU1pCY

Key Takeaway: Scaling does not mean simply working more hours. Successfully scaling requires making critical strategic decisions in building and developing a business. The overarching strategy and decisions should be made focusing on the long-term picture – the eventual exit and your long-term legacy.

Lessons Learned:

Focus on building a legacy that serves your family and the next generation instead of focusing on the here and now.

Develop a mindset to overcome the nagging fear of dealing with life-changing decisions.

When it comes to property investment – finding, buying, and investing in the right properties – partner with an experienced advisor or coach and do not go it alone.

For More Information:

Ideal Wealth Grower @ http://idealwealthgrower.com/ (http://idealwealthgrower.com/)

LinkedIn @ https://www.linkedin.com/company/ideal-wealth-grower/ (https://www.linkedin.com/company/ideal-wealth-grower/)

Facebook @ https://www.facebook.com/idealwealthgrower/ (https://www.facebook.com/idealwealthgrower/)

Twitter @ https://twitter.com/IdealGrower/ (https://twitter.com/IdealGrower/)

In 2001, Chris launched a start-up in his spare time – a marketing company called Farotech. What started primarily as a web design firm quickly grew into a comprehensive digital marketing agency specializing in helping clients in the healthcare, orthopedics, SaaS, and cybersecurity fields see explosive growth through a proven marketing system.

Today, the Farotech team is proud to be known by the clients they serve— Penn Medicine, Rothman Institute, and Philadelphia Insurance Company, to name a few of their marquee partners.

Now featured as the fastest growing marketing strategy agency in Philadelphia, Chris has created a unique blend of art and science to build visibility for his clients and helping them reach their strategic goals.

https://youtu.be/W2dJug0sRPI

Key Takeaway: If you went into the doctor’s office and without asking any questions or looking at your history, the doctor set you up for open-heart surgery, would you do it? As Chris talks about, this is the approach of too many businesses – we have the solution for whatever your problem might be.

Lessons Learned:

Focus on the Systems, Not the Solutions – Build systems, not solutions, to identify and solve issues for your customers.

Marketing Starts with a Great Story – Develop learned a proven, systematic approach to telling your story that will help you generate leads, nurture leads, convert leads into clients, and convert clients into raving fans who understand your vision, brand, and message.

For More Information:

Farotech : https://farotech.com/ (https://farotech.com/)

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/farotech/ (https://www.linkedin.com/company/farotech/)

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/farotechmarketing/ (https://www.facebook.com/farotechmarketing/)

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Farotech (https://twitter.com/Farotech)

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-carr-84b1a02/ (https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-carr-84b1a02/)

Thought Leaders Magazine: https://thoughtleadermagazine.org/ (https://thoughtleadermagazine.org/)

Courtney Lukitsch is the principal and founder of Gotham PR, founded in 2002, and is a boutique Marketing PR firm based in New York and London, with a roster of high-profile clients in 30 global markets and on every continent in the world.

Courtney started her career working for USAID in development, transitioned to academia abroad, and then to retail technology with Zara in Spain. Back in New York, she joined Rubenstein Public Relations, the country’s first and oldest PR firm, as the VP for business development and strategy.

Just after 9/11, the entrepreneurial bug struck, and she ventured out on her own to start Gotham PR, growing it to a global footprint over the last 20 years.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4BwWh4xogaY

Key Takeaway: As Courtney outlines, the way to building a successful, lasting business is by surrounding yourself with experts – a great lawyer, a great accountant, a great writer, a great coach. While this is not something new, in her experience, most business leaders come to this realization too late.

Lessons Learned:

Deal with Challenging Clients – Offload your more challenging clients sooner rather than later. You can't solve every problem, and the high-demand clients take more than their share of your energy.

Surround Yourself with Experts – Cultivate a network of experts around you that you can turn to when you have questions and work to benefit both sides of the relationship by referring people to your network.

Minimize the Overhead – With the proliferation of co-working spaces and fractional resources, hold off on overhead expenses for as long as possible.

For More Information:

Gotham PR @ http://gothampr.com/ (http://gothampr.com/)

LinkedIn @ https://www.linkedin.com/company/gotham-public-relations-inc-gotham-pr-new-york-gotham-pr-/ (https://www.linkedin.com/company/gotham-public-relations-inc-gotham-pr-new-york-gotham-pr-/)

LinkedIn @ https://www.linkedin.com/in/courtneylukitsch/ (https://www.linkedin.com/in/courtneylukitsch/)