She Talks Business

Turning What You Know Into a Best-Seller 

In this episode of She Talks Business, Rob Fitzpatick joins us to discuss his best-seller, Write Useful Books.

Have you always wanted to write a book, but have no idea what you would even write about? This is a common experience for entrepreneurs and business owners, and it was Rob’s experience too.

What he realized was that the best things he could write about were the things he knew how to do best, and the skills he was learning from scratch.

In episode 67, learn how a “how-to book” on sales changed the path of Rob’s career and brought him to write his very first book. 

Rob now has $600k in royalties and so much rich insight—you don’t want to miss this episode. Let’s dive in!

What’s in This Episode

1. Tips for taking negative feedback 

2. Writing for reader empathy 

3. The recommendation loop 

4. Beta reader communities 

5. Habits of people who write good books

What To Do Next

Visit lisalarter.com/e67 for all resources from this episode.

The balance of spontaneity and structure

Have you ever found yourself stuck, when trying to imagine what you want the future to be? You can’t quite see beyond where you currently are. What did you do about it? This was a thought Tanya Dalton experienced that led her to writing her best-selling book, On Purpose. 

When you think of the days where you feel the most empowered and creative, what did those days look like? What did and didn’t you get done? We have all been guilty of thinking that the only way we will reach our goals is by packing our days full of the steps we need to take to get to the finish line. Tanya Dalton joined me this week to break that myth. 

Each day, Tanya will sit and decide what she wants to do that day, what tasks she wants to get done, and any milestones she wants to reach, but what helps her decide what needs to get done? The way she feels that day. Ready to take back your day and start to feel the power of spontaneity? Grab a seat, get out your task list, and let’s learn about the power of balancing flexibility with your commitments. 

What’s in This Episode

1. Mapping your thoughts 

2. Your backpack of ideas and how to unpack it 

3. Finding the courage to say no 

4. Time blocking that works 

5. How she wrote her book

What To Do Next

Visit lisalarter.com/e66 for all resources from this episode.

How to become a creative troublemaker 

Today we are kicking off another season of Summer of Reading! We are going to go through some of the best books I have read this year, and there is no better way to start this season than with Josh Linkner and his fantastic book, Big Little Breakthroughs.

As an entrepreneur, you are always looking for more ways to be innovative and stand out from the crowd. But where do you start? We often become so obsessed with where everyone else is that we stop focusing on where we are going. 

It’s time to stop following the leader. You need to break it to fix it in your way! Get out your notepad and headphones; this episode will teach you how to become a creative troublemaker and discover a mindset that will push you to your best. Let’s get started! 

What’s in This Episode

1. Obsession of everyday innovators 

2. How two minutes a day can change your mindset

3. Idea jamming vs. brainstorming 

4. A test kitchen for your ideas 

5. Judo flipping

6. How to use language to make ideas memorable to readers

7. How to train your creativity

What To Do Next

Visit lisalarter.com/e65 for all resources from this episode.

Scaling Without Failing, Million Dollar Advice 

Can you believe we are wrapping up another season? I am so fortunate to have this opportunity to connect with so many inspirational women and to conclude this chapter, I have brought back into the studio our very own “Future Lisa Larter” –  Cass Bald! In this episode we asked our viewers to submit questions that they had and Cass turned  the mic on me to share just what those questions were (no pressure, right??).

Do you ever look at a successful business and think, “Of course they achieved so much, they have ____”? The truth is, there are a lot of wins and losses that occur before you see the finished product. One of the biggest hurdles entrepreneurs face is the internal discussions we have with ourselves to determine what we should or shouldn’t do and what our limitations actually are. Speaking from experience, it’s not all sunshine and rainbows; it was a lot of work.  

It’s bittersweet to wrap up this season, but I am so excited for what’s to come. Let’s dive into the last conversation of Million Dollar Mindshare with the lovely Cass Bald by pressing that play button!

What’s in This Episode

1. You don’t need to be “good at math”  to learn your numbers 

2. Understanding your factory capacity 

3. Becoming comfortable with charging what you’re worth 

4. “Investing in where you are” versus “where you want to be”

5. Scaling and maintaining a million dollar business 

6. The importance of understanding “root causes” when problem solving

What To Do Next

Visit lisalarter.com/e64 for all resources from this episode.

How To Get A “Yes” Without Meeting Criteria

I want you to pause for a moment and think back to when you were younger and ask yourself two questions. 1) What did you want to be when you grew up, and 2) Why did you choose that? There is a mindset most of us have that directs us to what we “can” and “can’t” do based on our circumstances.  My guest this week, Jereshia, has done what some people would consider “impossible”. As a woman of colour, she broke barriers by becoming a pipeline engineer and transitioned from there to owning a multi seven figure business!

Have you ever considered accepting or applying for an opportunity only to stop yourself because you felt you weren’t smart enough? Jereshia shares how these insecurities initially held her back, and without even having the experience or credentials to be eligible, still acquired the position! (You read that right! She did the impossible!). Listen in to find out what it was that helped her win in a situation where she didn’t think she could.  

Let’s assume for a moment that you’ve accomplished everything you set out to do. What comes next? Do you feel fulfilled or do you find yourself wondering if there’s something more waiting for you? Achieving success does not mean that you can’t achieve more. Jereshia will be the first to tell you that after she became a well respected engineer she knew that  she wanted more out of life – and then she got it!

If you want more out of life too, then press pause on your day, and press play on this episode!

What’s in This Episode

1. The importance of articulating your value 

2. Overcoming self-made mental barriers

3. Listening to boomerang ideas

4. Recognizing patterns

5. Leaving a corporate position to try something new

6. Charging what you’re worth

7. Discover your calling in life and become brave enough to answer it

8. Unconscious competence

What To Do Next

Visit lisalarter.com/e63 for all resources from this episode.

Do what you’re good at and let other people do the rest 

Have you heard the phrase “Jack of all trades, master of none”? This is a very common mindset that a lot of business owners subconsciously have. You already wear a lot of hats in your company and when you add more than you should, it can actually prevent growth and longevity. That’s where my special guest this week, Mimi Dew, comes in. She and her team help entrepreneurs stay on track with their business and their goals.

One thing that I really admire about Mimi (aside from her Louis Vuitton bag) is how she and her husband built their business together. For a lot of people, assembling anything from Ikea with your spouse can add stress on your relationship. So how do you make a working relationship work on top of a marriage? Mimi and her husband have proved that this is entirely possible by recently celebrating their 30th anniversary! 

Mimi is living proof that you decide your own destiny. Her journey shows that it doesn’t matter where you come from, you control where you’re going. If you are feeling “trapped” or “incapable” of greatness, then all you need to do is press play and discover for yourself what it takes to obtain it.

What’s in This Episode

1. Finding success in business as a first generation immigrant

2. Acquiring the “right people” for the “right job” 

3. Fixed fees versus commissions

4. Growing from poverty to sought-after professional

5. Building a successful business as an entrepreneurial couple 

6. The “Money Story” 

What To Do Next

Visit lisalarter.com/e62 for all resources from this episode.

Become a million dollar business by hiring a mentor

You’ve heard us talk about mentors on the podcast before and the value that they bring, but have you invested in one yourself? Perhaps you think that there are so many resources available that this is an unnecessary expense, but the truth is, what works for one entrepreneur does not necessarily work for another. Your journey is your own, and I share in this episode how my “first pick” mentor turned out to not be the one who helped me get to where I am today. 

I know what you’re thinking, “Lisa, I listen to your podcast and I’m an avid reader. I don’t need a mentor” (Which is fantastic, thank you!).  In this episode I’m going to explain why that isn’t going to work out the way you think it should. The reason for that is because we read books to learn information instead of gaining insights that we can implement.

In this episode I want to help you realize that you’re not alone on your journey, there are many others who are not “there yet” either. You are an inspiration to others, whether you realize it or not. I’m ready to get started, and if you are too, press play and let’s do this!

What’s in This Episode

1. Investing in tactics over strategy 

2. Finding a mentor whose values align with yours

3. Scarcity mindset vs. abundance mindset

4. Change is uncomfortable but necessary for growth

5. Assessing risk before investing big

6. The one thing that is  holding you back in your business

What To Do Next

Visit lisalarter.com/e61 for all resources from this episode.

Going from “Netflix and Chill” to Earning Over a Mill!

Have you heard the expression “Netflix and Chill”? My guest this week, LaJuanna Russell, took this expression to a different level when she began her  journey with only $500 and turned that into an 8-MILLION-dollar business! (Yes, you read that right!) In our discussion she debunks the stigma of needing to be big to get bigger. 

One of my favorite parts of this discussion was when we addressed what credentials you need to pursue any passion. Can you paint if you haven’t gone to art school, or cook if you haven’t trained with a chef? Of course you can! LaJuanna experienced Imposter Syndrome just like everyone else until she realized that she was already qualified to perform without a piece of paper confirming what she already knew.

If you’ve ever considered a business opportunity but talked yourself out of it because it was “too much”, then you’re listening to the right episode because LaJuanna took on Government Contracting and is not only climbing – she is thriving! Anything is possible and she is living proof of what you can obtain if you have the patience and perseverance to get there!

What’s in This Episode

1. Formal training will not remove Imposter Syndrome 

2. Wealth isn’t the requirement for success

3. The challenges of working in government 

4. Recognize the difference between a “pipe dream” and a pipeline”

5. How to properly price bigger projects 

6. The problem with “guiding” instead of “leading” 

What To Do Next

Visit lisalarter.com/e60 for the transcript and all resources from this episode.

Control your triggers and take your power back! 

When you begin your entrepreneurial journey you tell yourself what “success” looks like, but what happens when you get there and you don’t feel the satisfaction you assumed you would experience? That is what my guest Stacy Bahrenfuss realized when she began her venture in real estate. If you meet your goals but feel unfulfilled, it’s never too late to pivot and embrace a new direction

Women in business are generally quite skilled at problem solving, but there is a catch. Those who have this mindset are also addicted to 3 toxic mindsets: (1) something being wrong, (2) unfulfillment, and (3) guilt for the things we weren’t able to accomplish. Stacy shares how she has successfully coached women to break free from this internal pit of despair we create for ourselves and embrace the joy we should be experiencing instead. 

Warning: This episode may “trigger” conversations you’ve avoided having with yourself and help you to finally become reacquainted with the amazing person you’ve forgotten that you are.

Press play and let the journey to self discovery begin!

What’s in This Episode

1. What to do when you’re feeling unfulfilled in spite of success

2. How you are misinterpreting your personal “triggers”   

3. Allow others to step up for you so that you can step back

4. Balancing a personal and work relationship with your team members

5. What revenue is being lost in your resistance?

6. Why a “default mindset” is limiting your options as a business owner

What To Do Next

Visit lisalarter.com/e59 for the transcript and all resources from this episode.

What’s possible when you make a sharp right turn in your business

Have you ever felt “stuck” in your business? Becoming an “expert” can be both a blessing and a curse for any entrepreneur. On one hand, you establish yourself as a trusted company, but on the other, it can derail you from trying something new. 

So, should you accept that you will forever be known as the brand you created years ago, or do you take a chance at disrupting the waters with the intent to become an expert in something else? 

Ali Brown, a friend and mentor, has already achieved great success and conquered the fear of switching lanes in business as a “Category of 1” entrepreneur. In this episode, she shares the difficulties during that transition and what warning signs to be aware of when you find yourself beginning to resent the enterprise you created.

Are you ready for a change? It’s time to break down the barriers of expectation that we have conformed to, discover what your passion truly is, and create a game plan to get you from “here” to “there” on a timeline created just for you.

Grab your demolition hammer and let’s break into another exciting discussion!

What’s in This Episode

1. Recognizing when you’ve fallen into  “Contentment Purgatory” 

2. “Golden Handcuffs” in business 

3. Building yourself into a  “Category of 1” entrepreneur

4. The difference between thought leaders and influencers

5. Layers of fear business owners experience

6. Behind-the-scenes of a Secret Millionaire

What To Do Next

Visit lisalarter.com/e58 for the transcript and all resources from this episode.