She's Off Script

Are you ready to turn your corporate expertise into a consulting or coaching business? Over the past two years, I have built a consulting business based on the skill and strategies I learned in the corporate world.

One of the questions I get asked most frequently is how I got my first clients. Well, I'm answering this question as a part of our back to business basics podcast series. In this episode, I'm sharing 3 ways you can land your initial consulting clients.

As a reminder, this series of episodes are recorded during our weekly Instagram live so from time to time, you may hear me responding to comments from the audience, or hear the voice of someone I’ve invited to come on live with me.

Here's the cliff notes version of what I share in the episode:

Table stakes:

* Be willing to market yourself

* Clearly articulate what you offer and who you’re offering it to. This is your elevator speech. For example, “I’m Serwaa Adjei-Pelle and I help CEOs use proven corporate strategies to launch, pivot, and scale their businesses. “

Email your network and share what you’re working on

* They know your work and your reputation

* Send them a personal invitation rather than an email blast asking for them to recommend you to their network

* Don’t assume that sharing on social media will work. First of all, your profile is probably private. Second, the algorithms have a mind of their own. People may never see your posts.

Share your expertise

* Articulate major problems you can solve as a consultant

* Create a consistent flow of information via Instagram or Facebook live sessions; weekly newsletters, podcasts, or LinkedIn posts that showcase your expertise.

* Provide sharable content that can give your audience quick wins

* Share your credentials and results

Partner with existing businesses with compatible services

* Copywriting specialist >>> Web developer

* Sales and marketing >>> Course builders

* Operations or Automation >>> Established business coaches

* Strategy >>> Private Equity firms

Listen on Apple Podcasts

You’ll learn about:

* 3 Ways you can land your initial consulting clients.

Mentioned in this episode:

* Instagram: @shesoffscript

* Website: serwaaadjeipelle.com/the-podcast

In today’s episode, we meet the woman behind the MESS, Kalilah Wright. Kalilah is founder and CEO of apparel company, Mess in a Bottle.

She went from working as an Architect for Under Armor to launching a brand that has been worn by the likes of Serena Williams, Lena Waithe and Bozoma Saint John.

During our conversation Kalilah shares the first 5 things she would do if she were starting an apparel company today. She talks about the challenges she’s has faced, the team she has hired, her new flagship store and so much more.

Please subscribe, rate, and review our show on iTunes. This will help spread the word about our podcast so the amazing stories we share can continue to inspire women looking to launch their own Off Script journeys.

Listen on Apple Podcasts

You’ll learn about:

* Launching on a small budget

* Overcoming hardship

* Challenges to expect while running a t-shirt company

* Building a team as you grow

Mentioned in this episode:

* Instagram: @messinabottle

* Website: messinabottle.com

Just because the year isn't unfolding like we expected doesn't mean 2020 is canceled. In this episode, we talk about 5 tools and tips you can use to get your 2020 business goals back on track.

Some of you may have thrown your goals out the window altogether because you don’t see HOW you can still accomplish them.

After the coronavirus hit, many of us had to hit the pause button and PIVOT.

If you’re still stuck at trying to figure out HOW to pivot, feel free to set up a free coffee chat with me and we can talk through it. https://serwaaadjeipelle.com/pivot/

But for those of you that have pivoted but have historically been terrible at meeting your targets and accomplishing your goals, listen up.

As we walk through these 5 points, my assumption is that you’ve gone through a strategic planning process and have created S.M.A.R.T goals

Specific

Measurable

Attainable

Relevant

Timely

Before we dive into the episode, please subscribe, rate, and review our show on iTunes. This will help spread the word about our podcast so the amazing stories we share can continue to inspire women looking to launch their own Off Script journeys.

Listen on Apple Podcasts

You’ll learn about:

* 5 tools and tips you can use to get your 2020 business goals back on track

Mentioned in this episode:

* Instagram: @shesoffscript

* Website: serwaaadjeipelle.com/the-podcast

In today’s episode, we meet Retail Strategist and Boutique Owner, Jasmene Bowdry. Jasmene has been in the retail industry as a buyer, stylist or boutique owner for over 15 years. She started her career at the likes of Tiffany & Co and Saks 5th Avenue. Today, Jasmene teaches people how to launch and scale successful online boutiques.

These days it seems like everyone is launching an Instagram boutique. While launching may be easy, doing so successfully is another story.

During our conversation, Jasmene shares tips on the startup capital you’ll need to launch your boutique. How to source inventory. How to use social media to drive traffic to your page and so much more. Grab your notebook for this one because Jasmene came ready with the gems.

Please subscribe, rate, and review our show on iTunes. This will help spread the word about our podcast so the amazing stories we share can continue to inspire women looking to launch their own Off Script journeys.

Listen on Apple Podcasts

You’ll learn about:

* Finding your ideal customer

* How and where to source inventory

* Marketing your new boutique

* What kind of social media content to post

Mentioned in this episode:

* Instagram: @jasmenebowdry

* Website: https://theboutiqueteacher.com/ 

* Take Jasmene's quiz to find out if you're ready to launch your boutique: http://bit.ly/BreakoutQuiz

Subscribe

For today's episode, I’m sharing 5 things I would do differently if I were starting my personal brand and business Instagram accounts from scratch.

I'm a great proof that you don't need a large audience to successfully leverage Instagram for business. 

If you’re wondering how to grow an engaged community and get more leads using your Instagram, this will be a great session for you! Share this episode with your business bestie!

Please subscribe, rate, and review our show on iTunes. This will help spread the word about our podcast so the amazing stories we share can continue to inspire women looking to launch their own Off Script journeys.

Listen on Apple Podcasts

You’ll learn about:

* Creating a content funnel

* Doing things that are not scalable in the beginning

* How to use Instagram to advertise your work

* The value of collaborations with your peers

Mentioned in this episode:

* Podcast Instagram: @ShesOffScript

* Website: serwaaadjeipelle.com/the-podcast

In today’s episode, we meet Tiffany Dufu. Tiffany is the author of the book “Drop The Ball: Achieving More by Doing Less.” These days, she is best known as the CEO of THE CRU, a peer coaching service for women looking to accelerate their professional and personal growth.

Tiffany founded the CRU because she realizes that she is the cumulative investment of the people who have mentored her and wanted other women to experience the growth that comes along with a CRU.

During our conversation, Tiffany shares how she went about getting over 4,000 women on the waitlist to Find a CRU. She shares how she assembled her initial team for free, how the fundraising processes is going, and much more.

Please subscribe, rate, and review our show on iTunes. This will help spread the word about our podcast so amazing stories like Tiffany's can continue to inspire women looking to launch their own Off Script journies.

Listen on Apple Podcasts

You'll learn about:

* How to drop the ball to create room for growth

* leveraging your network to launch a business

* How Tiffany navigated the fundraising process

* How to get your early adopters

Mentioned in this episode:

* Business Instagram: @thecru

* Website: thecru.com

* Fundraising Resources:

How to Raise the First $1 Million for Your Startup

All Raise Founder Bootcamp

Gimlet Podcast: The Pitch

Burn The Business Plan: What Great Entrepreneurs Really Do

Venture Deals: Be Smarter Than Your Lawyer and Venture Capitalist

Announcements:

* We want to share YOUR Off Script moments on the podcast and hear where your off script journey has taken you. Whether you’ve changed careers, ended a relationship, started a new business, moved countries, or significantly changed your mindset, we would love to share your story. If you would like to be featured as the Off Script listener of the week, send me your story at [email protected]

* If you’re looking for a community of supportive women who are looking to Go Off Script with their careers, lifestyles and businesses join us here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/ShesOffScriptCommunity

Thank you so much for listening!

Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, join our Facebook community, and follow us on Instagram! If you have any general questions or comments for the show, click here.

For today's episode, we’re talking about 4 Keys you need to scale your business.

A 2019 American Express report highlighted a large revenue gap between Black women-owned businesses who earned an average revenue of $24,000 vs. $142,900 among all women-owned businesses. This is heartbreaking given that over 50% of women-owned businesses are owned by women of color. ⠀

As someone who helps women launch, pivot, and scale their businesses, I am on a mission to help them close this gap.

As I have worked with and mentored business owners, there are 4 recurring themes that seem to hinder their growth.

Let's dive into those 4 themes as we continue with our back to business basics series.

Listen on Apple Podcasts

You'll learn about:

* 4 keys to scaling your business

Announcements:

* We want to share YOUR Off Script moments on the podcast and hear where your off script journey has taken you. Whether you’ve changed careers, ended a relationship, started a new business, moved countries, or significantly changed your mindset, we would love to share your story. If you would like to be featured as the Off Script listener of the week, send me your story at [email protected]

* If you’re looking for a community of supportive women who are looking to Go Off Script with their careers, lifestyles and businesses join us here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/ShesOffScriptCommunity

Thank you so much for listening!

Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, join our Facebook community, and follow us on Instagram! If you have any general questions or comments for the show, click here.

In today’s episode, we meet Kalisha “Fly” Carmichael. Fly is the founder and CEO of Boss Blend Coffee. As an Afro-Latina with Cuban roots, coffee has always been a part of Fly’s story. After years of visiting New York coffee shops, she found herself feeling out of place.

This feeling inspired her to dream of opening her own more inclusive coffee shop. Step 1 for her was creating her own coffee blend.

During our conversation Fly shares why she felt the need to leave corporate American after a 10-year career, how her personal brand sparked the growth of her business, her experience as a solopreneur, and more!

Please subscribe, rate, and review our show on iTunes. This will help spread the word about our podcast so amazing stories like Fly's can continue to inspire women looking to launch their own Off Script journies.

Listen on Apple Podcasts

You'll learn about:

* The importance of having a personal brand

* How she navigated leaving her 9-5

* Building a loyal community

* Launching before your business is perfect

Mentioned in this episode:

* Business Instagram: @bossblendcoffeeco

* Website: bossblendcoffee.com

* Support the BossBlend Truck: Boss Blend Coffee Gofundme page

Announcements:

* We want to share YOUR Off Script moments on the podcast and hear where your off script journey has taken you. Whether you’ve changed careers, ended a relationship, started a new business, moved countries, or significantly changed your mindset, we would love to share your story. If you would like to be featured as the Off Script listener of the week, send me your story at [email protected]

* If you’re looking for a community of supportive women who are looking to Go Off Script with their careers, lifestyles and businesses join us here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/ShesOffScriptCommunity

Thank you so much for listening!

Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, join our Facebook community, and follow us on Instagram! If you have any general questions or comments for the show, click here.

For today’s episode, we’re continuing with our back to business basics series. This is our chance to peel back the layers to check the foundation of our business.

Today, we’re talking about the importance of having a personal brand and 3 steps you can take to start establishing yours today. This goes for both business owners and those of you working a 9-5.

As a reminder, this series of episodes is recorded during our weekly Instagram live so from time to time, you may hear me responding to comments from the audience, or hear the voice of someone I’ve invite to come on live with me.

Listen on Apple Podcasts

You'll learn about:

* How to create personal brand from scratch

Announcements:

* We want to share YOUR Off Script moments on the podcast and hear where your off script journey has taken you. Whether you’ve changed careers, ended a relationship, started a new business, moved countries, or significantly changed your mindset, we would love to share your story. If you would like to be featured as the Off Script listener of the week, send me your story at [email protected]

* If you’re looking for a community of supportive women who are looking to Go Off Script with their careers, lifestyles and businesses join us here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/ShesOffScriptCommunity

Thank you so much for listening!

Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, join our Facebook community, and follow us on Instagram! If you have any general questions or comments for the show, click here.

In today’s episode, we meet Angela Richardson. Angela is the creator and CEO of PUR Home. A natural, safe, and effective household cleaning product line. 6 years ago, Angela started learning the chemistry and science behind creating non-toxic and plant-based products.

Today, she is one of a few black women in this space. On average, she hand makes 100's of gallons of product each week for her wholesale and e-commerce customers.

During our conversation, Angela shares how she went about creating her line of 20 products. She shares why she has decided to bootstrap her company, how she went about finding mentorship and much more

Please subscribe, rate, and review our show on iTunes. This will help spread the word about our podcast so amazing stories like Angela's can continue to inspire women looking to launch their own Off Script journies.

Listen on Apple Podcasts

You'll learn about:

* Resources you can use to research product  formulation

* The importance of branding

* Finding coaching and a peer mastermind group

* How she built a community of raving customers

Mentioned in this episode:

* Business Instagram: @purhomeclean

* Website: pur-home.com

Announcements:

* We want to share YOUR Off Script moments on the podcast and hear where your off script journey has taken you. Whether you’ve changed careers, ended a relationship, started a new business, moved countries, or significantly changed your mindset, we would love to share your story. If you would like to be featured as the Off Script listener of the week, send me your story at [email protected]

* If you’re looking for a community of supportive women who are looking to Go Off Script with their careers, lifestyles and businesses join us here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/ShesOffScriptCommunity

Thank you so much for listening!

Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, join our Facebook community, and follow us on Instagram! If you have any general questions or comments for the show, click here.