Power Your Platform

Over the years, I’ve stepped into many other roles where I felt out of my element, at least at first. And each time, when I voiced my uncertainty aloud, someone would inevitably say, “Don’t worry about it, Kerry – just fake it till you make it.”

All this was well before the authenticity movement and Brene Brown, of course. And over the past few years, I’ve noticed that every time someone tells me to “fake it till I make it”, it doesn’t sit well with me. Because first of all, I hate being fake. I like to be myself. I actually think I’m pretty awesome – and I hope you think YOU’RE pretty awesome too! Because you are.

So rather than buying into the “fake it till you make it” message these days, I’ve adopted a new internal message. And that message is “Be it till you see it.”

So here’s a simple, 3-step process to put the “Be It Till You See It” approach into motion starting today:

First, define the main goal. In other words, what do you want to “see” in the end? Is it business growth? A positive testimonial? A certain income level achieved? Or maybe it’s a question of personal growth and development. As you set your goal, determine a milestone that you can actually measure and track and make a note of what that would actually look like.

And be specific. If your goal is to earn a higher income, then define what that level is. That way you can actually measure or “see” it. If you’re looking to attract new clients, how many clients? If you want to move to a new location, what would that location ideally look like?

Some of you may have heard of SMART goals before. SMART goals are goals that are Specific Measurable Attainable Relevant and Time-Sensitive. When you approach your goal setting in this way, you can actually see what the end result should look like. And that makes the process of moving towards that goal so much clearer.

The second step is to determine who you need to be to reach your goal. Will this next level require you to be someone who’s on task? Deadline-focused? Creative? Detail oriented? For instance, if you are aiming to attract 5 new clients this month, who do you need to be to do it? Chances are, you’ll need to be hardworking, diligent, persistent, innovative and confident.

And once you identify those key traits or qualities, ask yourself: which of those elements do I already have and which ones am I missing? When we do this step, we often realize we actually possess several if not all of the characteristics that are needed to take us to the next level in life or business – we just need to kick it up a notch.

And here’s the good news: we don’t need to fake it. We don’t need to be anyone we aren’t. We just need to pay more attention to certain aspects of our identify in order to work on the pieces that need polishing.

The third step is to practice. If you need to be someone who’s more attentive, for instance, then practice your listening skills throughout your daily conversations. If you need to be someone who is better at managing money, then we can put into practice the financial responsibility lessons of experts like Dave Ramsey or Denise Duffield-Thomas. If you want to be a better leader, then listen in to Ted Talks by Sheryl Sandberg or Arianna Huffington. These are only a few tips to start, of course, but they do show that’s possible.

Because it’s not just about knowing who we need to be to meet our goal – it’s about practicing it regularly.

And when we put all three of these steps together, we’re able to grow into our dreams without compromising our authenticity. And that goes a long way to feeling good about ourselves and more confident in who we are and what we’re able to do. Because we’re not pretending to know more than we know or to be something other than who we actually are.

EPISODE LINK:

https://www.powerherplatform.com/ 

Today I'm sitting down with a woman who’s created a counter-culture movement – and she’s making no apologies for it.   

As a self-described serial entrepreneur, Dionne Baker has been the driving force behind several successful brands over the past decade.  From the launch of her first eCommerce store that went on to become an internationally recognized brand, to the projects she’s undertaken to help train and uplift other business owners on their own eCommerce journeys – Dionne’s passion for business, marketing, and everything in between has led to a storied career spanning multiple industries across North America.  

 Currently splitting her time between her apparel brand - Misfit Culture & her digital training and marketing brand ShopBoss Secrets - Dionne will be the first to tell you that her personal story is at the center of every brand she creates.  So stay tuned, because there is so much ahead today that’s going to make you stop in your tracks and think again.  

Here are my Top 10 takeaways from today’s conversation with Dionne:   

1. Make no apologies for who you are. Just be yourself and the magic will unfold.  

 2. Only when we accept our own story are we able to accept the stories of others. 

  3. We need to look for points of intersection in the stories of those around us, rather than finding points of division   

4. Our own pain gives us the power to be truly empathetic towards others and their hard stories.  

 5. Sharing our story allows others to feel seen and heard.  

 6. Fear is the only thing stopping you right now from sharing the gift only you can share with the world in the way only you can share it.   

7. Don’t compare your beginning to someone else’s middle. Give yourself permission to ramp up.   

8. Critics often project their own feelings of insecurity and inadequacy on others – remember, it’s not about you!   

9. Accept the fact that you can’t do it all. And don’t be afraid to ask for help.   

10. Surrounding yourself with a community that shares a common set of values is a great source of energy and motivation.   

EPISODE LINKS:   

Power Your Platform Facebook Group - https://www.facebook.com/groups/569102257443807   

PowerHER Platform web site - https://www.powerherplatform.com/   Subscribe to our Story Fuel Newsletter - https://www.powerherplatform.com/subscribe   

Misfit Culture - https://misfitculture.com/   

Misfit Culture on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/shopmisfitculture/

In today’s episode, I’m sharing 5 reasons why I script my podcast episodes:

#1 – Ensuring Accessibility

The bonus of scripting my podcasts is that it allows me to capture the most important points very quickly and save them as a my podcast transcript. This allows my non-hearing clients to also benefit from my podcast. As podcasters, it’s really easy to forget about the importance of accessibility. But when we take the time to make our resources available to everyone, it benefits us all.

#2 – Repurposing Podcast Scripts as Blog Posts

It’s easy to repurpose podcast transcripts and create blog post -- all you need to do is cut and paste your podcast summary! Again, this is not only accessible for those who are a part of the Deaf community but it also is the way some people prefer to access the content. So once again it expands my reach and my ability to get my message across to even more people than those who are listening to my podcast each week.

#3 – Scripting Keeps My Thoughts on Track

I’m a fan of frameworks and action items and processes that help explain to my listeners how they can move from point A to point B or overcome some kind of obstacle using a formula or approach that’s worked for me. So when I use a script, it helps me keep my ideas on track. When I’m going off on a tangent or I feel a rant coming on, I ask myself: is this on topic or is a topic for another podcast? And very often, it’s actually a separate podcast topic that I need to be creating at another time. The cool is that this means there is NEVER any shortage of podcast topics.

#4 – Scripting Works Best with My Personal Style

I’m a writer, so I think in sentences and paragraphs and not necessarily in free flow ideas which I know some other creators do. I’m someone who mulls over a topic for days sometimes before it becomes a podcast episode. So scripting is something that definitely come smore naturally to me than just winging it, and again that’s largely due to my own personality and preferences.

#5 – Scripting Makes It Easier to Work with an Audio Editor or Co-Host

Even if you’re a solo podcaster, you might share your audio files with an editor from time to time, and when you do, having the script to send a long makes it a lot easier for the other person to understand what needs to be added in or taken out, because the road map is there.

If you’re producing a podcast that’s co-hosted with someone else, then knowing who’s going to be saying what helps avoid repetition and interruptions.

So what are the downsides of scripting? First, it can be tempting to read in a monotone voice straight from the script. Second, it can seem to take a lot of time (though that’s time you’ll save in the long run).

In the end, do what works for YOU! And if you’d like to learn more, reach out to me today at one of the links below.

EPSODE LINKS:

Power Your Platform Facebook Group - https://www.facebook.com/groups/569102257443807

PowerHER Platform web site - https://www.powerherplatform.com/

Subscribe to our Story Fuel Newsletter - https://www.powerherplatform.com/subscribe 

Have you ever thought about the fact that ideas don’t come from inside our brains? They actually come from outside of us, usually from our experiences and our social interactions with those around us.

So let me ask you this: where do YOUR aha moments come from?

Give me a nod or a high five if you find your best ideas come:

1. While you’re in the bath or shower.

2. While you’re taking a walk.

3. While you’re speaking with a friend or colleague.

If so, you’re not alone. There’s a reason why great ideas come to us in these three scenarios, so let’s take a look at all three and discover why that is.

First, let’s talk about showers and bathtubs. Here’s a fun fact: cognitive scientists like Scott Barry Kaufman tell us that 72% of people get creative ideas while in the bath or shower. Seriously! That’s nearly 3 out of every 4 people. And you thought it was just you!

In a multinational study conducted by Kaufman and his team, he found that we consider showers and baths to be a safe space where we’re transported into a dopamine high. And not only that, our brains also tend to be more relaxed when we’re bathing and that leads to a distracted state of mind. And those three ingredients are key for idea generation. Safety, relaxation and distraction.

So that’s the first reason why 72% of the world’s population experiences idea generation inside the shower or bath -- and that’s because we feel safe, distracted and relaxed.

The second popular place where people find new ideas is while they’re out for a walk. Science tells us that walking gives our brains a boost since it naturally releases important, idea-generating chemicals: one is a protein that nourishes and energizes our neurons and the other is a hormone that helps produce a sense of calm and well-being. And as we’ve already discussed, our best ideas tend to come to us when we’re relaxed and the creativity is able to flow more freely.

On a related note, in 2014, Stanford University released a study that showed that our creative output as humans increases an average of 60% when we take a 30-minute walk. That’s right – we’re 60% more creative when we’re moving!

That probably explains why so many big companies like Apple and Porsche encourage walking meetings, rather than conducting sit-down meetings with their employees. And the reason is that we come up with more innovative solutions when we’re on the move. And by the way, the same experts tell us that a morning walk is more productive than walking at any other time of the day. So why not give it a try?

Finally, another great place to find the best ideas is through conversations with friends and colleagues. So here’s something you may not have thought about before. And that is that when we’re sharing our ideas with others, we’re hearing ourselves say them out loud! Sometimes for the first time. And that in itself can spark clarity and creativity within our brains.

So be sure to start building a tribe today if you don’t already have one -- and stay connected to others who can help collaborate with you when it come your new ideas or ventures. And keep in mind that conversations with others are a great source of idea generation.

EPISODE LINKS:

Power Your Platform Facebook Group - https://www.facebook.com/groups/569102257443807

PowerHER Platform web site - https://www.powerherplatform.com/

Subscribe to our Story Fuel Newsletter - https://www.powerherplatform.com/subscribe

In today’s episode, I’m sitting down with an Indigenous woman entrepreneur, leader and mentor who’s making a powerful impact in the business world and beyond. 

Shyra Barberstock is an Anishinaabe woman and a member of Kebaowek First Nation in Kipawa, Quebec. She’s also the President and CEO of Okwaho Equal Source, an Indigenous-owned social network based in Tyendinaga, Ontario. 

With extensive knowledge of Indigenous entrepreneurship, economic development, and business relations, she’s passionate about serving Indigenous communities and working with organizations who value and appreciate the Indigenous experience. 

In today’s interview, Shyra and I talk about her work with Indigenous women writer and entrepreneurs and why this is a great time to start a business, even with all of the crazy ups and downs. We also explore the idea of storytelling and its role within Indigenous culture. 

Here are my Top 10 Takeaways from my conversation with Shyra: 

1. Where there’s challenge, there’s always opportunity. So be sure to look for it. 

2. There’s a time for talking and a time for doing. Make sure you know the difference. 

3. Business is all about solving problems – and that includes social and environmental issues. 

4. Never apologize for having a different definition for success than someone else; your own definition is what will propel you forward. 

5. The biggest obstacle we face when taking on a new challenge is our own limiting beliefs; but if we manage our mindset, we can do anything. 

6. Find someone in your network to help coach you through your challenges; a coach can not only help you build confidence, but also a clearer pathway for the future. 

7. Storytelling is a powerful tool of creativity, empowerment and world-building. 

8. A sacred circle of friends and community members are vital for keeping you motivated and accountable. 

9. If you’re considering whether or not to tell your own story, go for it – be fearless! And if you’re scared, do it anyway. 

10. When we spend time in each other’s company, we inspire each other with our own example of what’s possible. 

Thanks so much for listening in to today’s episode. If you enjoyed today’s conversation with Shyra, feel free to take a screen shot and share it with your social media followers. And when you do, be sure to tag Power Your Platform. We’d love to share your key takeaways with our own followers. Until next time, keep owning your story, following your purpose and raising your voice – because the world is waiting to hear your story! 

EPISODE LINKS: 

Power Your Platform Facebook Group - https://www.facebook.com/groups/569102257443807

PowerHER Platform web site - https://www.powerherplatform.com/

Subscribe to our Story Fuel Newsletter - https://www.powerherplatform.com/subscribe

Okwaho Equal Source - https://okwaho.com/

Kwe-Biz Program for Indigenous Women Entrepreneurs - https://kwebiz.ca/

Indigenous Climate Hub - https://indigenousclimatehub.ca/

In today’s bonus episode, I’m sharing a recent workshop I delivered for the Small Business Centre in the Bay of Quinte region on "How to Build a Business Podcast from Scratch". So thanks to Brianna and her team for the invitation to speak at this recent event.

If you’ve been thinking about creating a podcast to support your business, then this episode for you. In this recorded workshop, I talk about why podcasts make excellent business building platforms, how podcasts help grow business leads as well as tips for creating a successful business podcast.

So I hope you find it helpful! And if you’re a woman speaker, leader or entrepreneur who’s looking to launch her own podcast in 2022, then be sure to reach out to me if you’re looking for someone to coach you along the journey.

If you'd like to see the full video version of today's workshop (including slides) then head over to our free Power Your Platform Facebook group. That’s where I’ll be posting the entire video version of today’s podcast. 

Thanks for listening to this bonus episode. I hope you learned a little bit more about how a podcast can help boost your business. And don’t forget, if you’re interested in launching your own business podcast, reach out to me and I’d be happy to help coach you through it. Because only 26% of the world’s podcasts are produced by women and we NEED to hear more women’s voices in the podcasting space, don’t you agree?

EPISODE LINKS:

Power Your Platform Facebook Group 

PowerHER Platform web site 

Subscribe to our Story Fuel Newsletter 

As many of you know, I’ve been sending out a weekly writing prompt for several months now to the subscribers of our Story Fuel Newsletter. And it’s been so great to see so many of you stretching your creative muscle and getting out of your writing rut.

So today I thought I’d highlight 5 of our past writing prompts and hopefully help inspire YOU to get into the routine of writing, editing and thinking creatively about words and their impact.

1. Write a letter to a fictional future customer. In the letter, tell them you remember when they first came to you with their problem (specific the problem). Explain how you worked on the problem, the solutions you provided and what the final outcome was for the client. Not only does this writing exercise help you get clear on what you do and why you do it, it also helps you articulate your message for your audience.

2. The One-Syllable Word Challenge. One-syllable words are powerful. And one reason they’re so powerful is that they’re simple to say and to remember. And there are waaay more one-syllable words out there than we realize. So your challenge is to write a page in your journal at the end of the day capturing the highlights of what you did using only one-syllable words. And trust me, it’s not as easy as you think!

3. Use alliteration. Alliteration is the grouping of similar words or phrases that share a common beginning sound or letter like Krispy Kreme, Coca Cola or Best Buy. It’s effective since it’s easy on the ears and it gets our audience’s attention. So your writing prompt today is to rewrite your grocery list this week and add in adjectives that starts with the same letter of each item on your list.

For instance, this week my grocery list includes:

- Bucolic Bananas

- Flinching Facewipes

- Ostracizing Olive Oil

- Pluralistic Popcorn

- Transformative Toilet Paper

And here’s a hint – always start with the grocery list item, NOT the adjective. And for goodness sake, have FUN with it!

4. Create your own word and use it in everyday conversation. There are a lot of words people make up – whether it’s as company names or product names – and the ability to think outside of your regular vocabulary can go a long way to helping you achieve something that’s one-of-a—kind. Consider the following brand name which are all completely made up words: Kodak, Jeep, Velcro, Pringles, Pepsi, Spanx and of course, Google!

So what kind of word could you create this week? And don’t forget to use it in conversation!

5. Create your own mnemonic. A mnemonic is a pattern of letters, ideas, or associations that assists in remembering something. For instance, when learning music, you may have learned the names of the Treble clef lines and spaces using the mnemonic “Every Good Boy Deserves Fudge” and FACE. So my challenge for you this week is to find a mnemonic that works for your business, to help your clients or customers remember what it is you do or a specific way you do it. Think of a process you used that could be more simply explained with a mnemonic or a set of values. The key is to make something easier to understand. 

Happy writing!

EPISODE LINKS:

Power Your Platform Facebook Group 

PowerHER Platform web site 

Subscribe to our Story Fuel Newsletter 

In today’s episode we’re talking about how to spark interest and engagement by using curiosity marketing. And if you do it right, it can make a huge difference in the effectiveness of your online storytelling.

So here are four tips for using curiosity in your next marketing campaign:

Add a little mystery. You can actually tease out a big announcement by using tactics like mystery clues or even partially hidden photographs. Have you ever seen those images that are extreme close-ups of an object and you try to guess what it is? It’s a fun way to get people engaged and guessing about what’s coming next.

Another idea is to mix up a key word or phrase leading up to a big reveal, and challenge your audience to unscramble it. You can also drop hints about who an upcoming guest is going to be, or a new project you’re working on. Have fun with it!

Use the right script. Pay attention to the words you use when you’re teasing out a new announcement in your marketing. Experiment with your own catchphrases until you find one that works for you and of course, the one that resonates with your audience. Because words matter. So that’s my second tip which is to use the right script.

Remember that timing is key. When you start to tease out a big announcement, you don’t want to do it too far in advance or your audience is going to get bored and tune out. Between 5 and 7 days is ample time to add a little mystery and build up to a big reveal. The longer the lead time you give people, the more likely they’re going to get distracted and wander off to another bright, shiny object, causing them to forget entirely about your big reveal.

Create an Easter Egg Hunt. "Easter eggs" are what we call an inside joke or a hidden feature of a post, a podcast, a YouTube video or even a music album. The idea first came about in video gaming actually when programmers would hide little memes inside the games that only the best players would understand. Easter Eggs can bring a community together, for one thing, because they get people talking. If your audience feels like they’re in on a secret, they’ll take great delight in sharing that secret with someone else. It makes them feel like a bit of a VIP because they’re the one who’s on the inside track of the group. As well, Easter Eggs can create increased audience engagement and interest around your content as people watch for the Easter Eggs inside your content. And ultimately, Easter Eggs help you create a slightly more impressive brand since they take some planning and a really good understanding of your audience. But when they work, they work brilliantly, because they help us build more memorable brands.

EPISODE LINKS:

Power Your Platform Facebook Group 

PowerHER Platform web site 

Subscribe to our Story Fuel Newsletter 

In today’s episode, I’m interviewing a gifted designer who has combined her passion for fashion with her love of the planet. 

Originally from Belleville, Ontario, Heather Case studied fashion design at Fanshawe College in London, Ontario. She went on to intern with Canadian designer Lida Baday and worked with the company Preloved in Toronto before opening her own custom design business in Picton, Ontario.  

After a few years of gaining knowledge of fit techniques, pattern development and a growing attachment to natural textiles Heather eventually launched her own sustainable line of women’s apparel, fittingly named Heather Case Handmade Clothing.  

Today, Heather prides herself on creating fashions are wearable, sustainable and Canadian-made. I’m also proud to say she’s one of my incredible coaching clients.  

In today’s conversation, Heather and I talk about how to curate an eco-friendly closet, as well as how collaboration can be the catalyst for growth and expansion inside your business.  

We also discuss Heather’s own story, as well as side hustles, markets and pop-up events, not to mention the benefits of finding your own business coach. 

Here are my top 10 takeaways from my conversation with Heather:  

1. We only have one planet, and we need to protect it.  

2. Sourcing goods and talent locally can help reduce our business’s carbon footprint, while also boosting the local economy.  

3. Collaboration opens your mind, gives you new ideas and helps you reach new audiences.  

4. Finding a supportive community often starts with you speaking up about what matters most to you.  

5. Pop-up events are an effective way to grow your brand and extend your audience reach.  

6. Adopting a “slow grow” approach to the way you do business can help you release unreasonable expectations and position you for steady expansion.  

7. Solopreneurs can often benefit from the insights of a coach since they bring a fresh set of eyes to your brand or business.  

8. When you’re feeling overwhelmed, remember to take it one baby step at a time.  

9. Letting go of being in control can be challenging for small business owners, but it also may be the step you need to take to ensure future growth.  

10. Risk can be scary, but it’s also a necessary part of growing your business.

Thanks so much for listening in today! If you enjoyed this episode, please take a screen shot and share it with your followers on Instagram or Facebook – and be sure to tag us at Power Your Platform! I love to see your big takeaways from each episode and share them with my followers as well.  

EPISODE LINKS:  

Power Your Platform Facebook Group - https://www.facebook.com/groups/569102257443807

PowerHER Platform web site - https://www.powerherplatform.com/ 

Subscribe to our Story Fuel Newsletter - https://www.powerherplatform.com/subscribe

Heather Case Handmade Clothing - https://heathercase.ca/

Side Hustle Market - https://sidehustlemarket.ca/

Today we’re talking about courage and how we can find the strength and the mindset to take the necessary steps to put our dreams into action.

Have you ever seen the movie “We Bought a Zoo?” starring Matt Damon and Scarlet Johansen? It’s a movie that came out a few years ago, and it’s loosely based on the true story of a Benjamin Mee who owns Dartmoor Zoological Park in Devon, England. After Benjamin lost his wife to cancer, he and his kids made the bold move to purchase a defunct zoo and turn it into a booming business.

It’s a great story, but there’s one line in particular in the movie that has always stayed with me. Maybe you remember it too.

In the movie, Benjamin is speaking to his son when he says, “"You know, sometimes all you need is 20 seconds of insane courage. Just, literally, 20 seconds of just embarrassing bravery. And I promise you, something great will come of it."

I love that thought, don’t you?

I’ve spoken to so many women over the years who have told me they had carried an idea or a dream with them for years, and sometimes even decades. And what they found was that all it took was about 20 seconds of courage to send an email or make a phone call or reach out for an opportunity that was right in front of them. And once they did, the journey began and each step became clearer as their story unfolded.

So, knowing that so many of us struggle to take that first step and leave our cozy comfort zone, I’ve created a list of 3 strategies to help you take action starting TODAY!

1. Remember your purpose. Back in episode 6, we talked about the fact that we all need a rebel cry if we’re going to make an impact in the world. And actually one of the books that helped me develop my own rebel cry was The 3-Word Rebellion by Dr. Michelle Mazur. Having a rebel cry is all about knowing and understanding your purpose and then declaring it to the world. Because once you do, you realize that not taking action isn’t an option. Somewhere, someone is waiting to hear your story and your solution as well as the life lessons you’ve learned along the way.

2. Just focus on the NEXT step, rather than the whole journey. If you’re feeling overwhelmed when you imagine where the path might lead, just remember you’re not going to move from zero to 60 in a single day. In fact, it could take several weeks or even months. But if you don’t take the first step today, then you’ll be in exactly the same spot a year from now. And if you were to find yourself in the same circumstances one year from today, would you be OK with that?

3. Surround yourself with other action takers. When we spend time with others who are facing similar challenges, it helps us feel less alone. As well, when we’re collaborating, we’re not competing. We share our resources and cheer each other on. You’ve no doubt heard the saying that “A rising tide lifts all the boats.” Well, that’s just the way community works. I’ve seen it over and over again with my own eyes. And it is truly a beautiful thing. It’s also one of the best reasons I can think of for becoming a part of a community of action takers.

EPISODE LINKS:

Power Your Platform Facebook Group 

PowerHER Platform web site 

Subscribe to our Story Fuel Newsletter 

The 3-Word Rebellion (book)