Dare to Leap

Bryan Lewis is the Founder of Adminja, a client management platform specifically designed for Virtual Assistants. Everything a VA might need to keep track of client projects, billing, individual tasks, and more is provided in Adminja. Bryan shares a little bit about his software and how it helps VAs as well as shares his predictions for a more virtual future in this week's episode!

Key takeaways:

• Bryan is matching Kathy's tiara-wearing spirit by wearing a wizard hat.
• How has COVID-19 impacted Bryan this year? He's going a bit stir crazy.
• Bryan shares his "dare to leap" story. He had $300 in his pocket when he decided to leave his hometown and move to where the "internet action was at" in the '90s.
• Has Bryan ever been fired?
• Kathy and Bryan share their age discrimination stories they experienced as they have gotten older.
• How does Adminja work?
• Why does Kathy love Adminja so much?
• Kathy is not tech-savvy at all, but she loves working in Adminja because it's so intuitive to understand and she can quickly get the reports she needs. It has such a low-tech learning curve!
• Bryan has a great special for the first 25 Dare to Leap podcast listeners!
• Virtual is here to stay. We will see an uptick in virtual teams when things go "back to normal."
• As things become more automated, will the need for VAs slowly become obsolete?
• What's next for Bryan?
• Bryan is not a fan of the term "gig worker." He explains why.
• Virtual assistant is actually quite a hard keyword to do ads for. The same goes for the acronym VA.
• Are you a VA? Head on over to Adminja and check it out!
• Kathy loves Adminja because it helps you stand out from the rest. Imagine how much time/money gets lost by you not accurately tracking your tasks?

Resources:

Getadminja.com Coupon code: DaretoLeap202

Bryan on LinkedIn

Quotes:

"The world has now seen what virtual is like, and while we're getting a little tired of it, when we go back to normal life, we're going to be virtual a whole lot more than we did before."

"Virtual assistant is the most impossible keyword to do ads for on Google because what comes up is Siri or Cortana."

"It's the admin work that drives you crazy, not the client work. If the admin work is automated? You feel more comfortable taking on more clients."

LaRinda Roper is the CEO of her own Virtual Assistant company. When her husband passed away, she was lost and had to find her "next big thing." It took her a full six months and the guidance of family to finally let go of her JOB. Today, she is able to enjoy a wide range of hobbies like crocheting, baking, and spending more time with her grandchildren than ever before! Learn about LaRinda and her Dare to Leap journey on this week's episode!

Key takeaways:

• LaRinda started a company for the first time after her husband passed away.
• What made LaRinda decide to let go of her job for good?
• Whenever someone tells LaRinda she can't do something, she is on a mission to prove them wrong.
• Last year, LaRinda was wondering if she was truly on the right path. She got a message from God that yes, this was her path.
• What lessons has LaRinda learned over the years?
• How does LaRinda create work/life balance?
• It's hard to say no, but you have to have boundaries.
• What does LaRinda do for clients?
• LaRinda shares a couple of client case studies and how she helps her clients prosper.
• LaRinda loves to bake! But right now one of her major hobbies is crocheting. Trust Kathy when she says she is amazing!
• LaRinda also has a talented singing voice and has sung in church as well as at beauty pageants!

Resources:

Expertvirtualservices.com

LaRinda on LinkedIn

Email: [email protected]

Quotes:

"I wanted the freedom of having my own business so that I could help my family."

"God has always been there with me and I know I can follow his lead. He has not led me astray."

"Don't doubt yourself, you have inner strength that you're not even aware that you have. It's going to rise up when you need it the most."

Lee Richter is an award-winning business innovator and global visionary recognized recently by the San Francisco Business Times as one of their Top 100 Women Business Leaders for the seventh year running. In addition, she has been featured on the list of the Top 100 Fastest Growing Businesses in the San Francisco Bay Area for the past two years. Lee is the CEO of multiple companies and has worked alongside her husband, Dr. Gary Richter, who is a global thought leader in the veterinary industry. Lee shares her story and what has made her successful in business throughout the years and also dives into how you can create longevity in your career.

Key takeaways:

• A little bit about Lee and how she got started on this journey.
• What makes Lee excited for not only the next 10 years, but 20, 30, and 40?
• Your gut biome and your brain are the two most important things you should be taking care of.
• Lee went through a very traumatic car accident in her early 30s. She knew there was a chance she was not going to be walking out of that hospital. She had a 7% chance of living.
• Lee is grateful for her husband, Gary. He was her advocate during this challenging time.
• What is your next 25-year moonshot? What's your next big impact going to be?
• What was Lee's first business about?
• Lee shares what her business partnership with her husband is like.
• What's a sign of a good doctor?
• Lee believes in treating your body like a Tesla. How does she feel after this health journey?
• Lee incorporates fun into work all the time.
• Lee shares what she's doing to look and feel younger right now.
• Lee's husband 10Xs his legacy through all the animal work he has done. It just takes tiny habits every day.
• If you're struggling, really work on your mindset first. There is so much positive energy that you can feed your brain with.

Resources:

Goasklee.com

Lee on LinkedIn

Moonshot: The Flight Of Apollo 11, by Brian Floca

Willpower Doesn't Work, by Benjamin Hardy

Quotes:

"You never know when it's your time to be a mentor."

"Easy, Lucrative, Fun, put it through that. Everything I do, is it Easy, Lucrative, and Fun? If it is, then I continue to do it."

"It's been me, my marketing, my husband, and his passion, and putting it together. It's an idea that started 30 years ago. It's doing tiny habits every day."

Kathryn Ely is a former lawyer turned licensed counselor. After going through a career rut, Kathryn didn't think it was possible to go back to school at 46 years old. And boy, she is glad she did. Through pursuing higher education, Kathryn discovered more things about herself, her mental roadblocks, and her limiting beliefs; things that had held her back for years. Today, she helps her clients shortcut the process so that they find out what their values are, unstick themselves, and live a life full of imperfect thriving.

Key takeaways:

• How did Kathryn go from attorney to licensed counselor?
• Kathryn didn't think she could go back to school again at 46 years old!
• Going back to school to study mental health was the greatest thing Kathryn could have done. She discovered stuff about her she didn't know she had.
• Why did Kathryn want to be an attorney since she was in 6th grade? What sparked that thought?
• Kathryn's biggest fear was speaking in front of people.
• Let's take a deeper look at anxiety and what it means.
• Kathryn had 48 years of missed opportunity. Not anymore. It's time to run towards the fear.
• And yes, it's not like Kathryn has conquered this either. It's still hard to face her fears, but the important distinction is that you do it anyway.
• Get in touch with what's most important to you. Find your values.
• What limiting beliefs do you have about yourself and the world around you?
• What should you be looking for when trying to hire a coach?
• Kathryn shares how her form of coaching is different from a life coach.
• Through Kathryn's perfectionistic tendencies, she was so self-limiting and controlling of herself and others.
• How can people get started on their self-discovery journey?
• We put ourselves in our own self-made cage. We put limits on ourselves.
• Don't think Kathryn can help you? Try her. Give her a call or shoot her an email.

Resources:

Imperfectthriving.com

[email protected]

Quotes:

"It was one heck of a journey. It didn't take long to get some positive reinforcements. It was the greatest thing I've ever done."

"First of all, anxiety is pointing you to things that are important to you. You don't get nervous about things that don't matter."

"For me to feel good about who I am and for me to have self-esteem and self-value that is necessary in the world, I have to do hard things."

Shannon Mattern almost gave up her entrepreneurial dream because she was getting burned out from her side hustle clients. She had set very poor boundaries with her clients and it was impacting her day job. However, through hiring a business coach, changing her mindset, and believing in herself, she was about to fully quit her job three years later. This slow growth might not seem like much, but Shannon knew it was a blessing in disguise because she was able to learn so much and take risks without worrying about her financial future. Find out more about Shannon's entrepreneurial journey on this week's episode!

Key takeaways:

• Shannon followed a very traditional path but at 34 years old she found herself incredibly unhappy in an office with no windows.
• When Shannon first started freelancing. She had no boundaries in place and she was charging way too little for her work.
• Shannon worked at her day job while building her company for three years before she finally quit.
• Shannon had to change her mindset about her day job. She wished she did this sooner because her energy was being drained so badly from the negative energy.
• When Shannon worked with a business coach, she learned how to be grateful for her day job.
• Why did Shannon get a business coach? And how did she find one?
• When Shannon finally quit her job, she was so scared about money that she let her coach go.
• You don't know what your own blocks are. This is why you need a coach!
• Shannon had no idea she could tell her clients how she wanted to work. The early days were very stressful. She just said yes to everything and had the clients define the rules.
• When Shannon shifted her prices from hour to value, it changed everything for her business.
• The biggest scam in entrepreneurial communities is when they tell you how much money they've made but do not mention how much money they spent!
• Shannon is tempted to take her foot off the gas, but it's hard to stop when you see the results of your labor.
• Shannon is out of the fear phrase, but she completely understands if someone is getting ready to quit their job, how scared they must feel.
• Shannon has gone all-in on digital projects and she has stopped taking on one-on-one clients.
• What's your actual money target? Do you really need to make six figures before you quit your job?
• You have to make the time for your side business. It's not just going to magically happen.
• Shannon would have made this life happen faster if she just listened to her coach.
• Who is Shannon's ideal client? If you need a website, reach out to Shannon!

Resources:

Shannonmattern.com

PUSH: 30 Days to Turbocharged Habits, a Bangin' Body, and the Life You Deserve!, by Chalene Johnson

Quotes:

"I felt very guilty for hating my day job. I should be grateful for what I have. I make good money, I have benefits. To walk away from this, would be crazy."

"Going it alone is so hard, so why not learn from someone who has already been there and made all the mistakes?"

"I wasn't growing because I wasn't willing to invest in anything. Let me just keep everything that comes in; and then I realized I needed help."

Stephanie McLarty is an award-winning entrepreneur and champion of sustainable business. She is the Owner of Refficient, a marketplace for telecom companies to recycle their old equipment. She is also the Owner of Wealth of Family, an educational website helping aspiring mom entrepreneurs develop a business they love. Stephanie shares how you can blend your values, your bigger vision, and sustainability into your business, what it means to take the leap into entrepreneurship, and so much more!

Key takeaways:

• How did Stephanie get into entrepreneurship?
• When Stephanie became a mom, she was inspired to create another business centered around mom entrepreneurs.
• Sometimes we can't see what our own strengths are, but other people can easily spot them.
• How does Stephanie manage her team and workers? She runs a multimillion-dollar business with a staff of five!
• Stephanie only works 12–15 hours a week!
• How do you set your business up for success?
• Why is Stephanie so passionate about sustainability and how can other business owners follow suit?
• Really sit down and think about your own values and how you want to transfer that into your business.
• Stephanie explains what a B Corp is.
• Before, Stephanie and her team were in the office; how has Stephanie been managing her company remotely now?
• What's the purpose of a daily huddle?
• What are Stephanie's values?
• You can be nervous and take action. It's okay.
• What does it really mean to be "a failure"?

Resources:

Wealthoffamily.com

Refficient.com

Stephanie on LinkedIn

Business Model Canvas

Bcorporation.net

Mastering the Rockefeller Habits, by Verne Harnish

Quotes:

"We're at a time in history where we need to change the world. We need transformative solutions for the future of our kids."

"As you're looking to add to your team, will they treat this like it's their own? Ultimate that's what you want. People that you can, that will deliver, and that will do the right thing when no one is watching."

"We all struggle with that dare of leaping, and of being afraid. The magic happens outside of your comfort zone."

Sharon Hartwick is a LinkedIn marketing expert and runs an agency. She has over 20 years of sales and customer service experience and shares her journey of how she made the leap from an inflexible job to being able to build work around her life and family. She now makes more money while working fewer hours, something she never thought was possible.

Key takeaways:

• Why did Sharon decide to start her business?
• Sharon doesn't miss the hours she spent commuting! It was exhausting trying to manage everything and she would cry on her way to work and back home.
• Sharon was tired of being penalized for being a mom in a company that was supposed to be family-friendly.
• Sharon saw Kathy's webinar and knew she had to take a chance and do it. However, she didn't have the money to pay for her services. So, she prayed to God to help her find the extra money.
• Sharon was able to get her first payment within 30 days of signing up for Kathy's course.
• Sharon's resources were so thin and she also didn't have a lot of space in her house that she used the bathroom as a meeting room… and no one knew!
• If you need food, you're going to find a way to find food. We are all resourceful.
• Sharon put her head down and just did the work. She did everything she was told to do.
• How did Sharon's life change when she started her own business?
• Where will you be six months from now? Sharon refuses to think about it.
• When work called Sharon back six months later, she was working fewer hours for more money. It was empowering.
• What is it like working with Sharon as a coach?
• Sharon shares what the dragon symbolizes to her and why it's such an important guiding light for her.
• Mindset plays a huge part in achieving your goals. When you have your mind right, everything else comes easy.

Resources:

Hartwickgroup.com

Sharon on LinkedIn

Quotes:

"Everyone is resourceful. The vast majority of people are going to figure out how to come up with the money they need for the things they need or want."

"I am able to build a business around life instead of organizing life around work. That's all I ever wanted."

"When we're not getting the result we want, we really have to look at ourselves."

Romy Newman is the co-founder of Fairygodboss, a free, anonymous employer review site for women by women. Romy was the Head of Digital Advertising for The Wall Street Journal before she became an entrepreneur. Romy shares her tips on how to make the leap into becoming an entrepreneur, sell yourself without being icky, and making conscious networking efforts even if you've been out of the workforce for 20-plus years!

Key takeaways:

• Romy's co-founder found out she was two months pregnant after she got let go from her job. That sparked a search in trying to find the best places to work for working moms.
• Better decisions are made by diverse groups of decision-makers.
• The United States is the only developed country in the world that doesn't have a federally-mandated maternity leave program.
• How did Romy go from being an executive to an entrepreneur?
• When she gave birth to her son, things changed drastically for her. Could she do both?
• Romy felt incredibly guilty, despite her company being completely accommodating to Romy having a child.
• You can do so much more than what you went to school for. At first, Romy didn't think she could!
• It all boils down to your network. Ask them for coffee and be prepared to get rejected. Don't take it personally!
• How do you stop putting limitations on yourself?
• If you were trying to sell your best friend, how would you approach it?
• How does Fairygodboss work?
• What's next for the future of work?

Resources:

Fairygodboss.com

Lean In: Women, Work and the Will to Lead, by Sheryl Sandberg and Neil Scovell

Quotes:

"What you see is large companies do set the standard and raise the bar around paid maternity leave. By positioning more women in leadership roles, it'll hopefully start to influence our country towards more gender-equal policies and programs."

"There is a real benefit, there's a lot your children will benefit from by seeing you work."

"We can all do so much more than we think we can do."

Lynne Maureen Hurdle is a Conflict Resolution Strategist, Facilitator, Speaker, and Coach. She has been in this field for over 40 years and helps business owners leverage their conflict resolution skills to be better leaders. Her skills help bring a new dialogue into the company culture so that it can be a more inclusive and diverse place to work. What's holding you back from leaping into your business? Lynne gives you the push you need to get started.

Key takeaways:

• Lynne was a very young age when she experienced racism, which involved 50+ angry white men.
• This experience had a profound impact on Lynne and her future career choice.
• Lynne shares a bit about her background and how she got started.
• Lynne didn't lack confidence, but she lacked the belief she could get paid what she was truly worth.
• Working with Lynne has changed Kathy's life!
• What advice does Lynne have for someone who doesn't have the courage to leap?
• Can you live with the fact you might have turned down the path you were destined to go on?
• You have to invest in people who have been there. It takes so much pressure off of your back.
• If you don't have funds for the big-bucks coach yet, that's okay. Just look for someone!
• How much should you pay for a coach?
• When Lynne had to financially stretch to pay for her coach, that's when she saw the best results.
• When Lynne realized she didn't have the funds, she wrote to five people asking if they'd invest in her business (with interest).
• Don't wait for something else to tell you to leap. Just do it!
• You have a lot of talent. You're not supposed to waste it!
• What happens if someone in your life is saying "no" to you?
• Sometimes you have to push forward knowing that you have to prove them wrong.
• How does Lynne help her clients?

Resources:

Lynnemaureenhurdle.com

Quotes:

"It's the dare to leap thing. I asked and my clients did it."

"Take the first step. Honestly, if you can't leap, take the step and fall. Because sometimes all it takes is one foot."

"Your talent is what you bring to that specific engagement. So nobody does (insert skill) like you because of that talent that you have."

Liam is the co-founder and CMO of TimeDoctor.com and Staff.com. He consults on outsourcing and process design and is passionate about how to gain insights into the inner workings of how people work. He also runs the world's largest remote work conference, Running Remote. In this week's episode, he discusses how we need to get ready to market ourselves in a completely new way as more companies adopt a remote-first model.

Key takeaways:

• How did Liam get interested in remote work?
• Remote work is here to stay. It isn't going anywhere.
• Shopify has converted into a completely remote company and has shut down its offices permanently.
• Your biggest line item outside of your staff is actually your office.
• Apple's huge ring office that costs $8 billion is currently sitting empty right now.
• Why is remote work bad for the United States? Liam shares his thoughts.
• This is going to be the golden age of location independent jobs.
• Labor opportunities are going to come to a head when U.S. companies realize they can get cheaper and better talent overseas.
• NY and SF are emptying at a speed they've never seen before. People are leaving!
• Any town that has less than 500,000 people in it is going to be the new center for remote workers.
• Where is the future of the internet headed? Elon Musk has an answer.
• Do "secure" jobs exist anymore?
• There are more PhDs graduating out of India than there are university students in the U.S.
• How are you going to compete with people on a global scale?
• The narrower you go, the more money you can make.
• What should people do if they've been a professional employee all their life?
• Build your personal portfolio and get proactive about learning new technologies!
• No one looks at what schools you go to anymore. It's the seventh most important factor when it comes to hiring.
• If you don't have experience, how do you get it?

Resources:

Timedoctor.com

Staff.com

Runningremote.com

Liam on LinkedIn

Remotive.io

Flexjobs.com

Liam on YouTube

Quotes:

"We've gone from 5% of the U.S. workforce working remotely in 2018 to 42% of U.S. workers working full-time remotely."

"Seventy-four percent of people are not going to go back to their previous in-office work agreements."

"The average remote-first company is approximately 34% more efficient than an on-premise company in terms of costing."