She Talks Business

This week's episode on She Talks Business is a thought-provoking and insightful conversation with Debbie Lu, where you'll hear about the evolving landscape of business, the impact of AI on marketing, the significance of public relations, and the power of strategic relationships.

Driven by a passion for media, Debbie immigrated to Canada from China to pursue journalism. Despite facing a language barrier, she hustled throughout her twenties, building a network through internships and mentors. This relentless drive led her from Ottawa to Toronto's PR scene, proving hard work and a "never-give-up" attitude can open doors.

The Power of Public Relations

Public relations is about managing a brand's reputation through the media. PR specialists like Debbie handle negative press and craft positive stories to get media coverage, like interviews with CEOs or experts. Unlike marketing, which focuses on sales, PR builds consumer credibility and trust. For small businesses, a PR professional can package your expertise into stories for relevant media outlets, positioning you as a regional business expert.

Traditional vs. Modern Marketing Strategies

Marketing has exploded online, with social media replacing traditional channels. Influencer marketing is especially huge, allowing brands to partner with trusted online personalities to reach their target audiences. Small businesses can leverage this by directly contacting influencers or collaborating with local micro-influencers with engaged followers. The key is building relationships and understanding what resonates with that influencer's audience. Follower count isn't everything—look for influencers who can connect with potential customers and drive sales.

Revolutionizing Marketing and Making it Accessible

While traditional media fades, accessible online tools like AI are putting the power of marketing directly in businesses' hands. This translates to potentially lower costs, with some companies managing marketing in-house. However, the efficiency and expertise agencies bring are still a draw, especially for larger corporations.

By automating tasks and streamlining workflows, AI has the potential to reduce marketing costs significantly. Agencies can complete their tasks faster, allowing them to charge lower retainer fees. This democratization of marketing, fueled by AI, could make sophisticated strategies more accessible to businesses of all sizes.

Don't miss out on this inspiring episode of She Talks Business! Learn from Debbie's journey and gain valuable insights on navigating the future of media and marketing for your own business. Head to your favorite streaming platform and subscribe to She Talks Business for more thought leadership discussions.

• Harnessing the power of influencer marketing

• The rise of AI in marketing

• Navigating public relations for small businesses

• Embracing the art of selling

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Something new is starting for She Talks Business this week, and I'm excited to share it with you. I recently did a season with my niece, Mackenzie, and I had so much fun answering her questions about owning and running a business. So, I called out on Facebook and asked if anyone else would be interested in sitting in the host seat, picking my brain, and asking me anything.

Today's guest, Ali Marks, is the first to volunteer. Let me tell you a little bit about her. She is a vibrant force in Sarasota, Florida's real estate scene.

Ali is a dedicated realtor and a passionate small business owner of Loyd Robbins Co., a boutique brokerage specializing in residential, commercial, and business brokerage. Her work is deeply rooted in a rich tradition of honesty, integrity, dedication, loyalty, and customer service.

Business Results over Vanity Metrics

Social media engagement metrics, including likes, comments, and shares, can be easily inflated. The true measure of success is if your business is actually generating outcomes.

Focusing on vanity metrics like engagement can be misleading. The ultimate goal is growth; the most important indicator is whether your customers find your business through social media channels.

Companies should prioritize real-world outcomes over chasing social media engagement metrics.

Change in Entrepreneurship

"Pivoting" in business is nothing new. As an entrepreneur, you should understand it as a continuous process of growth and adaptation. The key is embracing change and experimentation and constantly seeking new and improved operating methods.

Don't be afraid to let go of things that no longer serve you, even your successful ventures, to avoid stagnation and maintain your creative spark.

Make responsible decisions, though, by considering the financial impact and potential consequences before making any drastic changes. Calculated pivots and calculated risks are critical for long-term success.

Encouragement for Young Entrepreneurs

The foundation of any successful business is generating profit. Your profit is what fuels your personal income, reinvestment, and growth.

The big mistake many entrepreneurs make is overspending, causing them financial stress and the pressure to constantly sell just to make ends meet.

Strategically playing with your numbers can clarify your pricing and financial goals. If you underestimate your costs and pricing solely, that hinders your profitability. Don't be afraid to use aggressive pricing strategies, like tripling your costs, to establish a healthy profit margin so that you have room for negotiation.

When Things Aren't Going How You Expect

You're going to have unexpected challenges as an entrepreneur. When this happens, try to step back and diagnose the situation, analyzing what's causing the issue.

Then, practice gratitude, focusing on the positive aspects and resources you possess. This helps to counter the negative self-talk that can amplify your problems.

Finally, invest in yourself through attending events, connecting with like-minded individuals, and building your professional network. This network is a valuable support system.

The fear of starting a business is universal, regardless of your age.

• Focus on Actual Business Results

• Permission to Pursue Opportunities

• Financial Viability and Pricing for Profit

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This week on She Talks Business, we have a new guest, Ashley Gundlach, president of British Swim School, a North American Learn to Swim franchise.

Unsure if you should build your business from scratch or use the support of a franchise? This episode will help you discover the pros and cons of owning a franchise, the flexibility and limitations, and understand the dynamic between franchisors and individual owners. This information is crucial for aspiring business owners, whether you crave the freedom of building something new or the fast track offered by a proven franchise model.

There is a popular principle called the Pareto principle, which is about understanding what 20% is driving the other 80%. When you focus on this in your business, you can see what is being done differently by that 20%. As certain businesses grow and scale in a franchise, the company must also develop and scale its processes as well. The support and processes helps to build a runway for all the franchisees that will grow after them.

When you have 150+ entrepreneurs with every personality type, it's a unique working relationship between the franchise and franchisees. By being transparent, franchises can have honest conversations about where their limitations are when it comes to supporting them. Whether it's a legal or structural limitation, there's always a way to compromise because the franchise doesn't succeed if its franchisees don't.

Any good franchise brand will follow a diligent process to educate a potential franchise owner about their brand. The process should be risk-free for anybody interested in exploring franchise brands. Throughout the process, you'll get a sense of what it will be like to be a franchisee of that brand and be exposed to the business's operations. If you're exploring a franchise process that doesn't feel like this, take it as a warning sign.

1. Connecting with others. If you have difficulty empathizing with others, you'll most likely have a challenging time inspiring your team and connecting with your customers.

2. Continuous learning. You must be open to learning from other owners and the brand to run a profitable business.

3. Grit and resiliency. Every entrepreneur knows you must be resilient when owning a business. A franchise is no different. Problems are going to come up that you will have to solve.

Pros

• You're not starting from scratch.

• You have a support team and mentorship.

• You have access to marketing professionals.

• You have a network of peers, so you're not in it alone.

Cons

• Franchises have proven processes, so you can't do whatever you want overnight; it has to be a collaboration.

• There is a lot of legal involvement to protect both sides, which can slow some things down.

If you are considering franchise ownership, talk with people who are doing it, whether they are people who love what they're doing or feel dissatisfied. By speaking with them, you get to see the complete picture of what it's like and whether you can see yourself in those individuals. This gives you further validation of how to move forward after seeing both sides and multiple personalities.

• The Guardrails of Franchise Ownership

• Traits of Successful Franchise Owners

• Benefits of Franchise Ownership

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A Valuable Resource for All Business Owners

This week on She Talks Business, you'll hear a new type of episode called My Take. These episodes are my opinion on things I am reading and find interesting. You'll listen to what I liked about what I was reading, and then I'll give you my take on it. This first episode is fascinating because it features Noah Kagan's new book, Million Dollar Weekend.

I was pleasantly surprised by this book. I went into reading it with curiosity and walked away feeling excited. In this episode, I discuss my take on 14 different things from the book, and the topics below are the top ones.

Frequent Excuses

At the beginning of this book, I liked that Noah shared a list of frequently made-up excuses. When you read this list of excuses, you'll see at least one in yourself, if not multiple. What Noah does, however, is he lays out a clear path for you on how to overcome those excuses. This was an intelligent way to start this book because he then links the excuse to where he would overcome it later, giving you the specific chapter where he would do that.

The Simple Start

The second thing I liked about this book is that Noah shares "The Simple Start." This is when you 1. Find a problem, 2. Solve the problem, and 3. Validate your idea without spending any money. Why I liked this so much... Because people usually think about an idea that they believe will make them money rather than thinking about their buyer and the problem that they can solve. I've also seen people spend thousands on an idea, perfecting something before they even know if they have a buyer. If you can validate your idea, meaning someone will buy it, you know whether it is viable for a business. Noah helps you put this into action by giving you shortcuts to sell through emails, messages, and simple ways to get your idea out there and get someone to spend money without you needing to.

You don't have a business if you don't have a customer.

The One Minute Business Plan

Noah does this thing called "The One Minute Business Plan," where you can determine if your idea is a million-dollar opportunity. He gets you to look at Google Trends, market size, product cost, and total value and gives you the formula to calculate whether it is a million-dollar idea. Then, he gets you to calculate $1,000,000 by your profit per unit sold so that you know how many customers you need. When you simplify your pricing, you know exactly what you need from a sales and profit perspective.

I Made It, and I Still Feel Like Shit.

Anyone who has reached feeling like they've "made it" has probably experienced this. You started your business to have more freedom and ended up creating a job for yourself; you've put yourself in a box. That will kill your spirit. Make a list of what you want for every aspect of your life and put it somewhere you can see to keep sight of what will make you happy. There is no point in growing a successful business if it isn't bringing you joy.

That's my take, folks! I highly recommend reading Million Dollar Weekend. If you enjoyed this episode, let me know. If you purchase this book, tag me and Noah to share that you bought it because you heard me talk about it.

• Retaining existing customers and gaining referrals is crucial for business growth.
• Asking for help and embracing generosity in business relationships to foster success.
• Aligning your life goals and using visual reminders for personal and professional growth.

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This episode of She Talks Business is with the respected Colonel Chris Kolenda, a retired army colonel with an extensive background in leadership and advisory roles. Throughout this, you'll learn about Chris' background, experiences, and transition to a leadership consulting business aimed at making a meaningful impact.

Establishing Boundaries and Priorities in Leadership

When discussing setting boundaries, Chris shares an impactful story that underscored a vital truth: respecting individuals' time and priorities isn't simply polite; it's a cornerstone of effective leadership. Establishing clear boundaries creates a balanced and productive environment where everyone flourishes.

Aligning with Your Natural Strengths

Tapping into your natural strengths and talents isn't just burnout prevention; it's motivation for engagement and success. Aligning with your inherent gifts fosters a fulfilling and impactful leadership journey.

Clarity and Engagement in Leadership

Leadership extends beyond personal boundaries and strengths. Operationalizing your company values and co-creating priorities with your teams is critical. His insightful "x so that y" formula delivers the clarity needed for disciplined execution, a crucial element for individuals and organizations striving to reach their full potential.

Upgrade Your Leadership Skills

Self-awareness is a central theme throughout this episode. Understanding your emotional triggers, acknowledging your strengths and weaknesses, and surrounding yourself with supportive individuals are all vital in sharpening your leadership skills and fostering a positive and productive work environment.

Whether you're a budding entrepreneur or a seasoned executive, this episode offers plenty of leadership wisdom. Becoming a great leader isn't about reaching a fixed destination but embracing continuous growth, resilience, and the passion to inspire others.

• The importance of establishing boundaries and priorities in leadership, emphasizing the significance of clarity and self-awareness.

• Strategies for aligning team members with their natural strengths, thus preventing burnout and enhancing engagement.

• The significance of surrounding oneself with the right people and the impact of mentors and support networks on personal growth and leadership development.

• Insights into managing emotional triggers, the impact of miscommunication in the workplace, and strategies for engaging and retaining team members.

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Feeling the familiar tug of work draining your energy? Buckle up because, in this episode of She Talks Business, the limitations that you have in your mind are about to shatter. This episode's special guest, Makhosi, is a 7-figure entrepreneur, leader, and spiritual high-performance coach.

After listening to this episode, you'll feel empowered and equipped with unconventional wisdom to align your energy with your business ventures.

Embrace Unconventional Learning

Challenge yourself to reimagine learning beyond the traditional education that you may have experienced. Makoshi carved her path in her learning, prioritizing self-discovery over the traditional college route. She even broke the norms for her son with the decision to homeschool when she noticed he thrived from a learning style different from hers. This challenge created a path of exploration and growth for her and her business.

Owning Your Worth

Let's talk about self-worth and pricing. Do you ever feel the insidious connection between the two holding you back from charging what you're truly worth? This is a common yet harmful mindset. In this conversation, you'll learn to uncouple your value from the price tag and embrace a mindset shift that empowers you to charge confidently based on the impact you deliver.

Energy Alignment

Ignore the generic "one-size-fits-all" success formulas and the comparison trap. There's power in aligning your business with your energy. With practical strategies like energy audits and human design—tools that help you tap into your unique flow and navigate business with intention.

The journey toward a business that aligns with you starts with tuning in now. Dive into the full episode of She Talks Business with Makhosi, and you'll discover the untapped power within you.

• Strategies to align your work with your well-being and create a business that energizes, not drains you.

• Inspire to explore alternative learning paths and discover approaches that resonate with your unique nature.

• Empowerment to define success on your terms, breaking free from limitations, and embracing your authentic vision.

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In this episode of She Talks Business, you'll learn about the dynamics of retail and business innovation with Liza Amlani, the principal and co-founder of Retail Strategy Group. Explore retail, technology, and consumer behavior, and gain valuable advice.

Building Relationships in Marketing

Liza Amlani, with her background in teaching fashion marketing at FIT, shares how important it is to build relationships in marketing. Her approach includes discussions on daily retail headlines and the encouragement of networking, providing a holistic understanding of the industry. Adapting to social media and influencer marketing to enhance customer engagement is a critical consideration in the constant change of retail.

Navigating the Retail Industry

The in-store customer experience for retail has changed because of the impact of technology and social media. Effectively managing your inventory and strategic merchandising are pivotal for success in retail businesses. Adapting to the evolving demands of retail and understanding the role of customer engagement strategies are crucial.

Empowering Entrepreneurs and Small Business Owners

For small retail business owners, leveraging data and utilizing affordable cloud-based tools for your sales and inventory management is a vital consideration. When disciplined, you can take bold steps toward success, push boundaries, and think big in your business endeavors.

This episode is packed with a wealth of wisdom. If you embrace change, innovate, and stay true to your beliefs in your business endeavors, you'll be able to stay determined and push toward success.

• Impact of social media and influencer marketing on customer engagement

• Importance of managing inventory effectively

• Importance of not thinking small as a small retail business owner

• The significance of planning, leveraging data, and affordable cloud-based tools for small businesses

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Welcome to another episode of She Talks Business. In this episode, my special guest, Mackenzie St. Laurent, a menstrual wellness counselor and young entrepreneur, joins in to share how she helps women understand and manage their menstrual health from a holistic perspective.

Shifting the Narrative

Historically, there has been a lack of options when addressing menstrual issues. In our world today, having a holistic approach and an alternative view allows you to have a deeper understanding of the menstrual cycle as an integral part of your overall health.

Understanding the Cycle and Symptom Management

There are different mechanics of the menstrual cycle, which has four distinct phases. These four phases are the menstrual, follicular, ovulation, and luteal phase. You may have heard of a practice called "cycle syncing" that informs your self-care, movement, and nutrition choices. This gives you signs to indicate your need for cycle support and management. Severe cramping, emotional disruption, and changes in your bleeding patterns will be some of those signs.

Self-Care and Emotional Well-Being

There's so much significance in balancing, reflecting, and fully understanding your body. Unpack your feelings and explore them. Regulating your emotions is a huge part of the holistic approach to menstrual wellness.

Seeking Support and Advocacy

If you've ever been diagnosed with menstrual cycle issues, you know the challenges that you face in getting that diagnosis. It takes an average of seven medical practitioners and a decade to receive that diagnosis.

Practitioners who remain curious, willing to listen, and advocate for their patients and their menstrual health and overall well-being can significantly impact someone's life.

If you haven't yet, listen to the episode to learn how to benefit from a holistic approach to your menstrual health. Understanding and managing your menstrual health is crucial to your overall well-being.

• Understanding the menstrual cycle and support

• The significance of balance and allowing others to care for you.

• Practical approach to cycle syncing and education

• Understanding one's body, making informed decisions, and seeking support through coaching programs

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This episode of She Talks Business is anything but ordinary. With Mackenzie St. Laurent, you'll learn about sales strategies, mindsets, and invaluable tips that are highly insightful. Forget stale pitches and forced smiles—you'll learn what it truly means to excel in sales and service-based businesses.

Agility in Sales

Agility became our watchword. There's power in adaptability, meeting your clients where they are, and tailoring your approach to their specific needs. Gone are the days of one-size-fits-all plans. "Underpromise and overdeliver" should be your core mantra. Give your clients realistic expectations so that you can leave them speechless with your results.

Building Trust Through Understanding

Time spent understanding your client's needs is always well-spent; it's the foundation for building trust and lasting relationships. Think of it as a pre-pitch prep session, laying the groundwork for a mutually beneficial collaboration. Speaking of pitches, ditch the pressure of closing deals and embrace "selling as a service." You will then go from a salesperson into a trusted advisor who goes above and beyond to solve problems and exceed expectations. It's a mindset shift that fosters genuine connections and will make your customers happy.

Rejection is a Stepping Stone

Rejection? It's inevitable but not debilitating. Detach yourself from the outcomes and embrace the learning opportunities within each "no." Every interaction, positive or negative, hones your skills and shapes your approach, propelling you forward.

Your Sales Process

This means that you'll need structure. Outline your sales process, creating clear steps that flex with each of your clients. It's about understanding their needs at every turn, ensuring that every interaction moves them closer to their desired outcome.

Asking for the Sale

Ultimately, you'll have to ask for the sale. You've built trust and established expertise to pave the way for confidently closing deals. It's not about pressure but creating a win-win scenario where everyone walks away feeling empowered and satisfied.

This episode isn't just about sales; it's about business, relationships, and the power of understanding and exceeding expectations. So, tune in, share your thoughts, and start making those sales!

- The importance of adaptability and overdelivering

- Handling rejection and building rapport

- Increasing sales conversion rates

- Structuring service offerings for sales

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This week on She Talks Business, I'm joined by Mackenzie St Laurant again to talk about The Beginner Mind Essentials for Business. This episode is all about sharing the secrets to building a thriving business. This episode covers essential aspects such as structuring business activities, goal setting, and sustaining your momentum.

Riding the Wave of New Beginnings

With the new year starting, you have this fresh and energizing energy that you should harness because it can kick-start your business success. There's a transformative power in setting goals and planning meticulously for the upcoming year. Take the time and harness this energy to create structured planning and effective time management to propel your business forward.

Business Goal Setting

For guaranteed success, reverse engineer your business goals. Break down your revenue targets, establish monthly milestones, and consistently evaluate your progress. I can't emphasize enough the importance of setting realistic and achievable goals to lay the groundwork for sustainable growth.

Structuring Business Operations

Structure and organize your business operations for optimal functionality. You'll see positive business interaction by establishing robust business structures, fully understanding your business model, and creating systems to enhance client engagement.

Winning the Customer Game and Sustaining Momentum

Prioritize customer acquisition and steer clear of operational analysis paralysis. In order to acquire and retain clients, nurture your business relationships, and monitor progress toward your sales goals, you must understand the cyclical nature of sales and develop an adaptive mindset needed to overcome challenges.

Marketing and Personal Connections

Allocating time for networking events, leveraging various strategies to maintain business visibility, and articulating your business vision is crucial. There's nothing more significant than networking and building personal connections. However, remember to establish boundaries for yourself to prevent burnout.

With these insights, you can seize the opportunity to implement strategies and pave the way for a year of unprecedented success and fulfillment in your business endeavors. Here's to conquering the world of business with a Beginner Mindset!

• Reverse engineering business goals for the year

• The importance of business structure and understanding the business model

• Prioritizing acquiring customers when starting a business

• Structuring time and regularly attending networking events

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