Smash The Bottom Line

The only regret Monica Kenton has about starting her business as a coach and shaman is… that she didn't do it sooner.

As a result, she has a knack for helping others overcome the fears and blocks preventing them from getting a venture off the ground or taking it to the next level.

At the core, says Monica, you have to be in a business that speaks to you… doing work you love.

It is possible, and we take a close look at how to make it happen.

We also talk about…

• The daily ritual you must embrace
• What travel can open up inside you
• How to listen to the universe
• Growing a business without stress
• And more

Business leadership advisor Belinda Pruyne calls starting a business the world's most complex personal development program. And the road to success can be rocky.

Belinda says that too many entrepreneurs ignore their instincts and simply follow what others are doing.

But Belinda has refined strategies to make sure you avoid the biggest business pitfalls (and there are many), while always staying true to yourself.

Be sure to stay on until the end when Belinda offers a free tool for building a business based on what's important to you. Note: An incorrect URL is given during the episode. Go here to get your free resource: www.valuescatalyst.com/smashingnumbers

Tune in now to find out…

• How to make friends with your numbers
• 3 things you must do 24/7 to drive success
• Why – and where – you should draw a line in the cement
• Ways to avoid the perils of "business owner isolation"
• And more

Many entrepreneurs think they shouldn't be on LinkedIn, feeling like it's more for corporate decision-makers and executives. Sarah Santacroce says if that's your attitude, you're leaving money on the table.

Sarah, who helps business owners around the world refine their LinkedIn approach, shares tips for "finding your tribe" (i.e. potential clients, customers, and partners) on this business-oriented social network.

If you're not sure how to create a LinkedIn strategy… or even how to set up your profile… Sarah has sound advice. She even offers up a free guide to LinkedIn success.

We talk about…

• Why LinkedIn gives you a shorter sales cycle
• The power of H2H interaction
• Two things you should do now to grow your list of prospects
• How a "corporate" mindset will sabotage your efforts
• And more

It might seem romantic to be a "starving artist." But, says coach Melissa McFarlane, too many creatives take that attitude… and it leads them down a self-destructive path.

They come to value their work over their business. Many don't actually have a sustainable business at all. Can you say "glorified freelancer"?

And even if they are successful financially, they're paying an emotional toll.

It doesn't have to be that way.

Melissa specializes in helping creative professionals thrive in the left-brain world of business. You can pursue your passion and profit at the same time.

We get into how she made the switch herself, and, along the way, discover…

• Why referrals aren't always a good thing
• How to avoid the "dancing monkey" freelance trap
• The Land of Creativity vs. The Land of Business
• When to be patient… and when you must be impatient
• And more…

In her work as a coach, Candace D'Agnolo sees business owners make a lot of mistakes.

The two biggest: they focus too much on their competition and spend too much time (and money) getting new leads.

Candace, founder of consulting company Pet Boss Nation, says entrepreneurs actually have a huge untapped resource right under their noses they're ignoring right now.

She explains how to leverage that resource to tap into previously invisible sales and profits immediately and in the long term.

We also cover…

• The "putting out fires" mindset that leads many businesses to crash and burn
• The #1 driver of retail sales
• The online marketing channel that easily trumps social media
• Why you should think of your business… as a dinner party
• And more

Business coach Carrie Greene knows better than most the benefits of being an entrepreneur.

Her previous career on Wall Street left her overworked, stressed out, and with little time for her kids.

So she struck out on her own and along the way discovered her ideal business that allowed *her* to set the priorities in her life… and make a great living at the same time.

Find out how she made the switch (it wasn't without bumps along the way) and how she evolved her business over time, as well as…

• Why you must have a "living" plan for your business
• The V.A.L.U.E. Formula that boosts confidence and profits
• A strategy to never sell yourself short when it comes to fees
• How to discover the "Why?" behind your business… and change as needed
• And more

As an entrepreneur, you may feel like you're alone… or you're supposed to do it all yourself. No way, says business coach Jesse Johnson.

She says there's no shame in asking for help. Far from it.

Coaching and mentorship allow you to avoid "reinventing the wheel" when it comes to subjects you don't know much about… but are vital to your growth. And coaches bring another huge advantage to the table, says Jesse.

In our conversation, we take a close look at that topic, as well as…

• The biggest myth around self-employment
• Why you should consider missteps and mistakes as a gift
• The 3 steps to accelerated business growth
• The single most important thing you must learn in sales
• And more

As with many things in life, success in business has a lot to do with attitude… probably more so than your skills and expertise in your industry. In her work as a business and life coach, Helen MacMillan helps entrepreneurs and others adopt the right mindset for excelling in their business.

As Helen says, the first step is often getting out of your own way. You also have to look inward to find the #1 principle for success. The end result is joyful and long-lasting personal satisfaction and a sustainable, profitable business.

We discuss…

• The 3 keys to success (without all three, you'll struggle)
• The power of deep self-awareness – and how to achieve it
• A daily ritual that helps you take action in the face of fear
• Why you should always show your true self to the world
• And more

Every business needs customers. But, says Michelle Evans, while many entrepreneurs and professional service providers are good at what they do… they're not so good at marketing themselves.

Michelle, a marketing funnels expert, specializes in helping business owners set up systems that automatically bring in a steady stream of prospective customers, leaving them free to do what they do best – and most enjoy.

She walks us through the strategies she recommends for her clients and also goes over…

• Why failure is a trigger for success
• The feedback you need from an unexpected source to improve
• The #1 obstacle to building a successful business (it's within you now)
• The simple trick to make it more likely you'll achieve key goals

And much more…