Dare to Leap

Eva Harster is a Virtual Assistant that helps eCommerce entrepreneurs take their business to the next level. Eva is a passionate shopper and understands what the consumer wants from retail. She helps businesses take their boutique stores online to get more reach. Find out more about Eva and how she helps businesses get their products online in this week's episode!

Key takeaways:

• Eva shares how she left the corporate world to start her own business.
• When Eva found herself unexpectedly fired, she had to figure out really quickly what was next for her.
• Eva has had several pivots in her life. She really got her start in real estate, but when 2008 happened, she found herself needing a job.
• Eva knew she had to make something work for her, but she was her own worst enemy for six months.
• Eva sees so many boutique shops that have so much to offer, but they're not online! Then, COVID-19 hit, and Eva's business skyrocketed from there.
• Seventy-four percent of small businesses don't have a website with a "buy" button.
• Introducing e-commerce to small, medium businesses is the way to go.
• Why are ads so good and show you exactly what you're looking for?
• Predictions say that by 2024, worldwide retail ecommerce sales will hit 6.4 trillion.
• How does Eva help her clients? Eva helps small businesses promote their business online by having their own website, online store, and social media presence.
• Retailers don't realize the sales that they're missing out on by not having an online store.
• People love the comfort of shopping online and receiving their orders at their doorsteps.
• Kathy loves the idea of never stepping into a store again.
• An online store doesn't have to be expensive!
• Eva didn't know what WordPress was until a couple of years ago. Everyone has to start somewhere.
• Eva doesn't just help you with your online store, she also helps you market your products too so that you can focus more on attracting more customers!
• Because of COVID-19, her husband lost his job. That's when Eva really had to get creative and go all-in with her business.
• Eva's cat makes a quick appearance!
• When was the last time you took a look at the maintenance of your computer and made sure everything was up-to-date?
• You got into business because you are an expert in A, B, and C. Unfortunately as a business owner, you have to focus on ABCDEFG and it pulls you away from your expertise.
• Eva helps you take more things off of your plate!

Resources:

Moretimetoprofit.com

Eva on LinkedIn

Email Eva: [email protected]

Quotes:

"74% of small business websites don't have any kind of ecommerce. That's just a missed opportunity."

"Your biggest challenge is not gonna be getting clients, but your biggest challenge is having so many clients."

"Be the zebra! Jump through the fire. Do the [scary] thing anyway."

Jadah Sellner is a best-selling author, business mentor, host of the Lead with Love® Podcast, and sought-after international keynote and TEDx speaker. Jadah helps founders grow their businesses to the next level without sacrificing what matters most. Jadah has seen a lot of success throughout her career, but it didn't always start that way. Her first business was a complete failure, but she never gave up. Jadah shares her dare to leap story and how she was able to prevail against all odds.

Key takeaways:

• A little bit about Jadah and how she built her company.
• In 2008, during the financial crash, no one was hiring. Jadah had to become her own boss out of necessity.
• Jadah admits that she and her husband had no business starting a business!
• Unfortunately, starting a business with Jadah's husband really hurt their relationship and their marriage. There was so much financial stress happening.
• Jadah had to move back to California and stay with her husband's in-laws. There were 10 people living under one roof.
• When Jadah reached out and asked for help, that's when things changed for her, but it can be hard for women to ask for help.
• Be proactive in your own success!
• When we hit a wall and when we hit failure, we can completely give up or keep pushing through.
• Reach out to your network or new groups and never take no for an answer!
• How did Jadah get started with her green smoothie business?
• In 2012, Jadah grew her company's Instagram followers by 30K people! Things were really blowing up.
• How did Jadah keep focus while her company was growing?
• Jadah has a policy of "no comment" left behind. Which means she responds to everyone! It's tiring but so worth it because everyone gets seen.
• Education doesn't make or break you. Jadah does not have a college degree; she didn't go to school for this and was still able to come out successful.
• Women have a lot of added pressure to provide for their families while also balancing their health and wellness.
• We need to be surrounded by other visionaries that are pulling us up and keeping us grounded on what really matters.

Resources:

Jadahsellner.com

Quotes:

"Something happens where we fail or we get rejected, we go into, 'I will never put myself in that situation again.' But for me, I just had to keep going."

"Don't take no as a rejection. It's just no for right now!"

"There's extra societal pressure on us as women building meaningful businesses but also still having the energy and presence to have meaningful lives."

Pat Taylor is the Owner of Accomplish More Together and Taylor Virtual Group. She is a Certified Virtual Expert for business owners who want to accelerate their business growth. Prior to this, she worked in corporate America for 30 years but after quitting, she has been able to build her dream business by helping others have more time to focus on what they're good at. In this week's episode, Pat shares how she helps her clients, why she loves what she does, and so much more!

Key takeaways:

• A little bit about Pat and her expertise. She had to make the shift to her own business because her work hours were reduced and her husband had some health challenges.
• Pat is so happy she's working for herself now! She can take a break, go on vacation, and she and her husband have a much better quality of life together!
• What did Pat do for 35 years at her company? And how does she take those skills into her new virtual business?
• Pat shares her top five values that represent her and her business.
• What was Pat's lucky break in this business?
• The great thing about working with Pat and her team is that she comes fully trained!
• Pat shares her process and how she helps her clients in her business.
• Pat is now a coach for Kathy's team. What's that experience been like?
• How much is your time worth for your business?
• Pat offers advice on how to get started as a VA!
• Pat is the best boss she's ever had!
• When is it a good time to hire a VA?

Resources:

Accomplishmoretogether.com

Quotes:

"I'm never going to put my life, my fortune, and my future into somebody else's hands. I'm going to dare to leap!"

"Working for myself has been the perfect way to end 35 years of being at somebody else's beck and call."

"If you stop learning, you start dying."

Tamara Zantell is a Brand Strategist and Visionary. For the past 25 years, she has been lifting others into their greatness. Licensed as a Mortuary Scientist, Tamara has had to make a couple of big leaps throughout her career. She helped turn her daughter's skincare line into a multimillion-dollar international brand and in this week's episode, she shares some of the successes and learning points her family had to learn along the way.

Key takeaways:

• How did Tamara become a mortuary scientist?
• Tamara's daughter, at nine, wanted to learn how to make lip balms. Tamara decided to help her and guide her through this journey.
• Little did Tamara know, this little idea sparked into a big thing!
• 10 years later, her daughter's product is now in over 700 Target stores.
• People build major brands just off of their authenticity.
• The process of starting a business is lonely, but when you're just nine or 10 years old, it's even more lonely.
• Tamara created Raising a Mogul to build a community full of kids who owned their own businesses.
• In the beginning, Tamara felt a bit too prideful for asking for help. However, she's glad she got her ego in check because it was only holding the family back.
• "I can figure it out on my own." Yes, maybe, but how many mistakes will you be making along the way?
• No matter where you are, you will hit a certain level and you'll realize you're not sure how to get higher.
• If you're the COO of a company, you can't be in the weeds with everyone, or else nothing will get done.
• Tamara wants to build a legacy for her family.
• How should someone begin to create a family legacy?
• If you only have one day a week to create something, then be honest about that.

Resources:

Tamarazantell.com

Zandrabeauty.com

Raising a Mogul on Facebook

Quotes:

"People build major brands just on their authenticity and sharing their 'behind the scenes.' What the real 'real' is like. That's what we're missing online today."

"I knew everything. I had an ego, but I had to get it in check. It was holding us back."

"The more money we can make, the more people we can help. We're here to make an impact."

Brian Basilico is an award-winning, internationally recognized author and speaker (and a self-professed geek). He's the founder and president of B2B Interactive Marketing Inc., a marketing consulting and production company. B2B was founded in 2001 and helps companies and nonprofits market their products and services through the effective use of online tools including websites, blogs, email, social networking, Google, S.E.O., YouTube, and more. Brian shares why he's known as the "bacon man," what made him dare to leap, and how he was able to help his clients during the pandemic!

Key takeaways:

• How did Brian get into bacon?
• When Brian found himself in the hospital, he was so thankful he had his business running on autopilot.
• Brian has had a very extensive career and has been his own boss for at least the last 20 years.
• What has helped Brian throughout his career?
• Brian shares how he helps his clients save money.
• SEO is critical for any business, but it has its caveats that you have to be aware of.
• Brian recognizes he's good at some things, but he needs Kathy's awareness and sharp business expertise to help him see the bigger picture.
• Brian has been running his caption contest for over 10 years. The other day, he posted one and got no engagement. What happened?
• Facebook's algorithm has gotten harder.
• Business does not happen over social media.
• What's the difference between B2C and B2B?
• What's the difference between the marketing and sales arms of your business?
• Have a B2B business that needs a bit of optimizing? Reach out to Brian!

Resources:

Brianbasilico.com

Brian on LinkedIn

It's Not About You, It's About Bacon: Relationship Marketing in a Social Media World, by Brian Basilico

Quotes:

"I started the year saying, don't panic, pivot. And everybody hated the word pivot by the third month."

"I wear it like a badge of honor. I make mistakes. It's okay."

"Progress, not perfection."

Liza Baker is a full-time health coach and nonprofit consultant, self-published author, blogger, podcaster, and woefully underpaid COO of a busy family of four spread across the globe. She knows what it's like to be under-appreciated and overworked, and it's her mission to help mission-driven women regain control of their lives and feel good! In this week's episode, Liza shares how to break your bad food habits, start to love your kitchen again, and what to do when you're having insane food cravings that just won't quit!

Key takeaways:

• Liza has had a diverse background throughout her life. She started her career teaching Chinese!
• Cooking at home is such a lost art! People feel like it takes so much time.
• It really comes down to the relationship you have with food, not the food itself.
• Women often fall into chronic caregiving. People need stuff done at work, and then when we come home, our little humans need help too. There is no break!
• Women love support roles. More so than men. Out of the 300 people Kathy has trained, she has trained five men.
• There's nothing wrong with being in a support role unless you're getting taken advantage of. And more often than not, women are getting taken advantage of!
• Kathy and her husband have switched roles in the household. It's great! It really works well in their relationship.
• Kathy felt like she woke up one day and was like, why am I trying to kill myself with food?
• Some of Liza's favorite cooking tips are "plan overs."
• Don't know how to cook? Start small. Learn the basics first.
• Why is it we want the best stuff, but refuse to pay for good quality food?
• What should you do with cravings or when you really want a treat?
• The emotions this year have been off the charts. It makes sense why we're so stressed out and need comfort food.
• Are you waiting to "go back to normal"? Why? Normal didn't work for a lot of people.
• A good and strong habit starts in layers.
• What's the difference between self-care vs. soul care?
• It's so important to shift your energy to a more positive and optimistic one. It will completely change the way you manage stress, how you show up at work or life, and your relationship with food.
• How would things look if this was EASY?

Resources:

Simply-healthcoaching.com

Liza on LinkedIn

Jamesclear.com/habits

The Power of Habit: Why We Do What We Do in Life and Business, by Charles Duhigg

Quotes:

"Let's talk about the food you're putting in your mouth, but let's talk about why you're putting it in there, too. It's very often your relationship with food that's the issue rather than the food itself."

"We're very used to thinking about food is food is food and somehow we've fallen into this idea; we want the best car, the best insurance policy, the best house, but our food should cost 99 cents."

"Normal didn't work for a lot of people. Normal has not worked for women, people of color. It has not worked. Let's not go back to that."

Toni Moore, Esquire. has been helping women build wealth through entrepreneurship for more than 20 years. Trained as a lawyer, she makes sure her clients' creative works and business assets are protected. Growing up in the projects, Toni decided it was her destiny to rise above her socioeconomic class and succeed. She shares her story and the various leaps she had to make to get to where she is today.

Key takeaways:

• A little bit about Toni and how she got started in her career.
• Toni grew up incredibly poor and she and her seven sisters had lived in and out of shelters.
• When did Toni decide to become a lawyer?
• When Toni went to law school, it was her first real-life experience with rich kids. Wow, what an eye-opener!
• No matter what, Toni was not going to go back to the projects despite her failing her classes.
• Toni knew that if she became a lawyer, she could help children like her and help them not suffer the way she did.
• Toni lights up when she is able to talk to young girls in foster care and show them what's possible with their life.
• Destiny has a way of teaching you that you are worthy of living your dream life.
• Because Toni was so passionate about what she was doing, it also meant she got emotional way too easily, which is not a good look in a male-dominated field.
• Toni settled too early in her career. She wasn't picky enough.
• And then something happened, one of Toni's sisters got shot in the stomach.
• Sometimes when we lose hope, we lose our way.
• Toni, believing she had a miscarriage, still knew she had to go to work while it was all happening. She didn't want to even tell her law firm she was pregnant!
• Toni had to be strong and courageous. Despite her going through health challenges, she could not stop going back to the offer to become a partner.
• Toni finally woke up from the prospect that she could have died. And she prayed to God, and asked him to not let her die an "almost woman."
• The next thing Toni knew, she was starting over. She left her corporate career to take care of herself.
• Do not be the damsel in distress. Romeo ain't coming.
• How did Toni get into coaching?
• Have you lost hope? Toni has some words of wisdom for you.
• Give yourself permission to be the hero of your own story!

Resources:

Legallychic360.com

Toni on LinkedIn

Quotes:

"When you dare to leap, sometimes you can end up in a whole pile of mess or you can make it a mess for yourself, but I got through because I had this dream."

"If someone has a dream and you're like, you don't have the time for it, that's literally destiny's whisper of letting you know more is possible."

"You deserve to live beyond your socioeconomic class or a job."

Bonnie Marcus started her corporate career at an entry-level position and worked her way up to the top of a national company by using her savvy promotion and relational skills. Her passion is now to help other women learn to be sensitive to the culture of their organization, embrace the politics, and actively and intentionally move their careers forward with a sound strategic plan. Bonnie is the author of two books, The Politics of Promotion, and her latest book, Not Done Yet!, which she dives into on this week's episode!

Key takeaways:

• A little bit about Bonnie and how she got started in leadership coaching.
• Bonnie took on a job that she was underqualified for, but you know what, say yes and then learn as you go.
• So many women will not apply for a job they don't think they're qualified for. Just apply! What's the worst that can happen?
• You not being an expert in something is actually okay! Someone's got to start somewhere.
• What's the difference between being "too much" vs. having executive presence?
• What made Bonnie want to leave corporate America?
• It's absolutely doable to build your business on the side while working a career.
• How does Bonnie help women with their careers?
• Do your research about the company before you accept the job offer. Do they promote women?
• What are your expectations in terms of support from your employer?
• What's the risk of asking for money? There isn't. Just do it.
• Practice your negotiation skills with a friend or a coach!
• Do you have to quit your job in order to get the respect you need, especially if you were a "lower tier" worker in the very beginning?
• When Kathy had her career, she didn't know how to advocate for herself.
• What's Bonnie's new book all about?
• Bonnie was SHOCKED to discover how so many women wake up worried their employer will find out their age. Ageism in the workplace is happening and women are being punished for their looks.
• Are you too old to get promoted?
• Be your badass self.
• Do women in the workplace have other women they can depend on?
• Kathy was so afraid to join a male-dominated mastermind group (they were all in their 30s), but she is so glad she did. She was embraced by different people from all walks of life that really encouraged her to succeed. It was herself putting judgments about her age onto herself, not them.
• Your limiting beliefs may be holding you back from playing all out.
• So many women think they're "too old" to start over. You're not!!!

Resources:

Bonniemarcusleadership.com

Bonnie on LinkedIn

Not Done Yet!: How Women Over 50 Regain Their Confidence and Claim Workplace Power, by Bonnie Marcus

Quotes:

"When doors open for you, don't say no. It is possible to learn by doing."

"Be your badass self. Connect with who you are, authentically, owning your story, what battles have you fought and won. You're here now, look at all the wisdom you've had."

"We're really making strides and women supporting each other is what's going to help us all get there."

Ally Berthiaume is a professional writer, native Vermonter, practicing feminist, recovering middle child, wannabe superhero, and a mom who's pretty sure she's "winging it." She holds an MFA in creative writing and is also the Lady Boss Owner of The Write Place, Right Time, her virtual boutique of copywriting and ghostwriting services.

Key takeaways:

• How did Ally get started in her entrepreneurial journey?
• Ally was going through a divorce when she found Kathy.
• Ally was miserable in her job. There were a lot of promises made about her job, and they weren't kept.
• Despite how much Ally hated it, she needed to hold on to the stability of it all because her personal life was falling apart.
• How did Ally find Kathy?
• Ally has wanted to be a writer her entire life. Now was the time.
• When Ally started working for herself, she surpassed her salary and was surprised. Why would anyone work a regular job ever again?
• Ally shares some of her favorite clients to work for.
• You need to share your story!
• Ally talks about what it's like working for and writing for Kathy.
• How does Ally conduct her research and write in the same tone of voice as her client?
• You can go crazy with just re-reading your book and editing it, and editing it, and editing it. You need an outside perspective.
• What are some of the disadvantages of self-publishing a book?
• A typo is the bane of every writer's existence.

Resources:

Thewriteplacerighttime.com

Quotes:

"From 2010 to 2018, I was getting to the point where I wasn't satisfied. I was undervalued but overworked and it was just not what I was cut out for. I was meant to do more."

"I'm never going back! I'm never going to go back to working for somebody else."

"It's a superpower, I call it, hearing between the lines. Zeroing in on what it is you're saying even if you don't think you're organized in what you're trying to tell me."

Autumn Witt Boyd graduated in the top 10% of her class from Vanderbilt University Law School before ultimately landing as a senior associate at the premier copyright litigation law firm. Autumn eventually left BigLaw behind to start the AWB Firm in 2015 so she could spend her days helping entrepreneurs build, protect, and scale their businesses the right way. Autumn drops some timeless law wisdom on this week's episode!

Key takeaways:

• How did Autumn get her start as a lawyer?
• What made Autumn decide to start her own law firm?
• Autumn really just wanted to start out small and as an independent lawyer, but she hit a ceiling with the amount of work she could do.
• Autumn really wanted to build a company that was friendly towards women as they were raising children. The corporate lawyer environment is rough and "part-time job" means 40 hours a week. Minimum.
• Be friends with your competitors! It's actually an excellent network to be tapped into.
• How does Autumn do a pretty traditional business all online?
• What can a lawyer do for a business owner?
• Autumn has some fantastic templates for online business owners that you can use! And! They regularly get updated.
• Kathy made so many legal mistakes. Ouch! You save money by paying for a bit of legal counsel.
• Why should you get a trademark? And when should you consider getting a trademark?
• Don't have a contract? Get yourself a contract! It protects both you and the client.
• Don't copy someone else's privacy policy or terms and conditions.

Resources:

Awbfirm.com

Autumn on LinkedIn

Quotes:

"A lot of entrepreneurs don't realize what a big risk employment law is, so we help with that."

"You will save money, save yourself, and save your business by getting that legal advice upfront."

"If you buy a template and nothing else, buy a template for your privacy policy. That is actually required by law."