Teacher Turned Entrepreneur

If you’re that mom who feels guilty drawing boundaries, Host Dori Stewart’s guest on this episode of Teacher Turned Entrepreneur has a different perspective to share. Embrace limits, create space for your own passion and disregard those negative tapes in your head trying to tell you to do otherwise. Beverly Price, founder of Nastava artisan jewelry, was a single mother navigating corporate conformism when she realized that her world could be more colorful and that her daughters would be better served if she committed to following her bliss. And the world is definitely more beautiful for it – thanks to her intuitive, custom designs!

As a “women’s empowerment cheerleader,” Beverly makes it her business to help others who are walking a road similar to hers, helping them pursue life’s opportunities and gifts. Launching new ventures is challenging on many levels, which is why it’s important to have a system of support. That starts with Beverly, who believes “it’s important that we develop a toolkit not only to help us cope but help us thrive as entrepreneurs, even when things are tough,” she says.

You’ll learn from Beverly about her Top Tips for Aspiring Entrepreneurs as well as practical ideas for tackling some of the stumbling blocks she faced while getting her jewelry designs established in the online marketplace. And as for that elusive work-life balance? Beverly has raised kids, cared for her aging parents and built a supportive community for herself – and she didn’t do it by saying yes to everyone all the time! “You have to be okay with making tough decisions,” she advises, “(Otherwise) I would have been in such a frazzled state that I didn’t have anything to give to my children or my job.” So true. And what better way to celebrate than with one of Beverly’s radiant one-of-a-kind creations?!

Click here to listen to, rate and review this or previous Teacher Turned Entrepreneur episodes.

Here are key takeaways from the conversation:

• Do you have a hobby that speaks to you? That’s a passion – and may be fertile ground for an entrepreneurial venture of some sort!

• Do you ever feel like your light has been dimmed? Are you in an environment that feels conventional even colorless? Statement jewelry can feel like a jolt of creative energy!

• Want to take a risk? The first task is to question old tapes in your head that don’t serve.

• Entrepreneurism can be challenging. That’s why it’s critical to take time for affirmations and build a robust network of support.

Are you ready to find your true calling and walk away from your teaching job once and for all?

It is your time to get a solid grasp on the potential opportunities available to you so you can get started on your entrepreneurial journey and change your life!

Download your copy of this free, valuable PDF resource and access 20 different descriptive business ideas that are perfect for a teacher turning entrepreneur.

The Teacher’s Guide to Finding Your Perfect Business Idea (without going back to college)

What do you do when you’ve got the corporate job of your dreams, but it’s not enough? For Dovile Sinke – a successful professional in Switzerland who nonetheless felt something was missing – it was an invitation to reconsider (and re-order) life priorities. Taking a chance on living her dreams, today Dovile and her family are enjoying travel, freedom and a quality of life that wouldn’t have been possible without that willingness to take the risk!

Dovile didn’t know exactly how her entrepreneurial impulse would take shape, so she started out by doing homework: Assessing the skills she had to offer, searching what niches might work for her in the marketplace and connecting with anyone who able to help her see the path forward. The result? Three online businesses, including coaching other women who want to cut a similarly intentional, independent path. On this episode of Teacher Turned Entrepreneur, you’ll find out how to repackage your skills, differentiate what you have to offer and focus on four key elements for success. “Everything is learnable,” says Dovile. And she’s right!

Are self-limiting beliefs bogging you down? Dovile has thoughts on how to redirect them! It all starts with staying open and cultivating your network. She also reminds us that reaching out with authenticity isn’t spammy or sales-y. It’s planting today seeds that will very likely come to fruition in the future in the form of an engagement, referral or partnership. It’s a step-by-step journey!

Click here to listen to, rate and review this or previous Teacher Turned Entrepreneur episodes.

Here are key takeaways from the conversation:

• If you’ve nailed down the conventional dream job and it feels like something is missing, maybe it’s time to look at what else is whispering to you …

• What are your self-limiting beliefs? You have the power to acknowledge them – and then move towards your dream anyway!

• Identify the skills you have and look for ways to enhance them.

• Everything is learnable – and can be learned incrementally, along the way.

• What you offer needn’t be perfect. It will inevitably evolve and change along your learning curve.

• Business is all about the network you build and connections you make.

• Don’t make marketing your last stop! Active selling is essential. It’s not too “sales-y” to approach and connect with potential clients.

• Invest in people. They are your most critical resource.

• Remember: No one is thinking that much about your situation. So make decisions that are authentic to you and your needs – not some standard you think you have to meet!

Here’s a quick look into the episode:

• Dovile shares a look back at the well-paying corporate career of her dreams and why it wasn’t enough to keep her from making the leap into a more entrepreneurial space.

• Four years ago, with a desire for more freedom and ability to travel, Dovile quit her job to start an online journey that today includes three businesses and consulting.

• Transition Fears: It was only after years of contemplation that Dovile determined that she had to make a big (and risky) change. Her self-limiting thoughts included:

o There’s nothing for me to do online.

o I lack the skills necessary.

o How will anyone trust me enough to buy my service?

o Maybe the venture should wait until after I have kids.

• Dovile’s advice for women looking to re-package their skills:

o Start out by freelancing in whatever realm you have experience.

o Once into the entrepreneurial space, other ideas will emerge.

o Look at the needs of people who are pressed for time. What service can you offer? Content management? Writing? Editing? Administrative?

o Stay open and talk to people about your experience and what you’re doing!

• Advice for new entrepreneurs looking to differentiate themselves:

o Remember what business is all about: Building relationships.

o Being authentic is Step #1 when it comes to making those first connections.

o Be unique!

o Put yourself out there fearlessly and let people know what you have to offer!

• Dovile’s Top Four Elements for a Successful Business:

o Identify your niche.

o Having something to offer.

o Marketing that offer.

o Selling the offer.

• If you are genuinely trying to help someone, you are giving genuine value. Even if you don’t make a sale today, that person may become a client or partner down the line.

• Just Do It: Dovile urges would-be entrepreneurs to follow the call!

• Advice for Working Moms:

o Listen to your own heart and go with what’s right for you – not what society or anyone else dictates.

o Define the number of work-plays hours and balance of time that works for you.

o Reach out and ask for help. Support of some kind is essential, whether from a nanny, a partner or co-ops with friends.

o You don’t have to be Supermom. Let go of the pressure and guilt!

Are you ready to find your true calling and walk away from your teaching job once and for all?

It is your time to get a solid grasp on the potential opportunities available to you so you can get started on your entrepreneurial journey and change your life!

Download your copy of this free, valuable PDF resource and access 20 different descriptive business ideas that are perfect for a teacher turning entrepreneur.

The Teacher’s Guide to Finding Your Perfect Business Idea (without going back to college)

We often dream up our businesses based on a passion or an innate talent, only to realize afterward that we’re neck-deep in back-end details for which we’re not prepared. Enter Brittany Dixon, organizer extraordinaire. A productivity coach and host of The Productivity Podcast, she is on a mission to help creative business owners work smarter, not harder! On this episode of Teacher Turned Entrepreneur we are learning how Brittany found her calling and the systems she has put in place to support her own successful business – systems she’s sharing with others through her group and one-to-one coaching, courses, podcast and growing community. The goal is simple: To create support systems that free us up to stay in the “zone of genius.”

You’ll learn from Brittany some concrete tips for identifying process breakdowns, optimizing through automation and outsourcing essential functions as you scale. If your entrepreneurial dreams are being slowed down by common stumbling blocks like digital clutter, difficulty with time management or back-end admin processes then this is the conversation for you! It’s all about quieting the noise so you can focus on what fuels your best ideas and clearest thoughts. With tools like her BCO Method and ROAD to Scalability, Brittany brings actionable frameworks that will resonate with any entrepreneur tempted to say “yes” to everything only to be left scrambling to keep up with all the moving parts that result! Getting organized needn’t be overwhelming, thanks to Brittany’s step-by-step approach. “We’ve got some pretty well-oiled systems in place,” she says, “and once you’ve got those systems in place you don’t need as many people to manage it.”

Want to learn more about Brittany and the tools, templates and accountability she provides? Check out this link for her Productivity Community and much more.

Click here to listen to, rate and review this or previous Teacher Turned Entrepreneur episodes.

Here are key takeaways from the conversation:

• Never discount side hustles – whose momentum often turns them into the main event!

• Have you identified your Superpower? Everyone has one and it’s the natural point of entry for would-be entrepreneurs looking to leverage their innate talents!

• Stay focused on the big picture! It’s easy to get overwhelmed with the day-to-day, so why not let an expert establish systems and expedite your basic back-end processes?

• It’s okay to say no. When it comes to our businesses, every opportunity can be exciting but additional, time-consuming back-end management has to be factored in.

• Calendar everything! That means family/self-care priorities as well as business imperatives and daily routines that keep the whole life-work enterprise afloat.

• Digital Clutter doesn’t develop into a problem overnight – nor can it be magically erased! It takes time and a strategy.

• Less is More: Having a structure for online folders is important, but keep it simple and manageable. An over-engineered system can defeat the purpose and prevent filing.

• Hiring contractors is easier than ever! So consider keeping it simple by outsourcing rather than scaling full-time staff.

• Before considering automation, be sure that your processes are operating smoothly. When you automate broken pieces, you’re creating broken systems.

Here’s a quick look into the episode:

• As so often is the case, Brittany got active as an entrepreneur after she was let go from her 9-to-5 – “best thing that ever happened.” She was working in the catering and event space with young twin girls when she decided to add a side hustle as a home organizer that in the course of a year turned into her full-time gig.

• After reading "Ordinary Superpowers: Unleash the Full Potential of Your Most Natural Talents," Brittany realized that her “little” side hustle had tremendous potential!

• From its inception in 2017, Brittany’s business has grown exponentially based on her ever deeper understanding of the “back end stuff” that was keeping online businesses, consultants, coaches and others from growing their enterprises.

• The kinds of things Brittany helps clients figure out:

o Time management.

o Productivity.

o Email and digital file organization.

o Client onboarding.

o Assembling and running a team.

• Brittany works with her clients via:

o Her Productivity Podcast.

o Her Productivity Pod community.

o Group coaching through her Hustle to Flow program, including materials and group calls.

o One-to-one coaching/consulting that pinpoints and overhauls business pain points.

• The things that tend to be the biggest client stumbling blocks:

o Time management is a consistent baseline issue because of all the moving parts.

o Client processes: Ensuring smooth onboarding, offboarding and overall management of relationships.

o Digital Clutter: Cutting through the avalanche of data coming in and going out.

• Brittany’s Top Tips for Mapping Effective Time Management Systems:

o Lifestyle By Design: What are your goals for family time? Figure out commitments to kids, spouse, self-care, then put then on the calendar!

o Business By Design: You can’t say yes to everything. Beyond the things you want to do are all the ancillary functions that also require time and attention – things like marketing, admin, back-end email management require scheduling.

o Routines By Design: Establishing personal best practices sets you up for flow and rhythm in all realms. So calendar your priorities, then stick to them!

• For Digital Clutter, which is a scourge familiar to all entrepreneurs, Brittany deploys her BCO Framework to manage files, time blocking, strategy and other functions:

o Business Development: How you’re growing the business.

o Client Services: Everything you’re providing your customer base.

o Operations: All the admin that supports the whole enterprise.

• Strategies for cleaning up BCO backlogs and data:

o Set up a folder structure and start dragging files where they need to be.

o Sort different functions into categories that make the big picture clearer.

o Beware: Don’t overwhelm yourself with too many sub-file folders!

• How Brittany runs her own business:

o She has only contractors; not FTEs and no plans to onboard any.

o An online business manager keeps Brittany on track with strategy and processes.

o A podcast manager takes care of her production and support.

o A bookkeeper takes care of accounting.

o A booker promotes Brittany’s appearances as a podcast guest.

• About Brittany’s ROAD to Scalability:

o Recognize: Evaluate what’s working and what isn’t.

o Optimize: Ensure that systems offer ROI, are standardized and streamlined.

o Automation: Are the tasks you do on a routine basis integrated into systems?

o Documentation: Keep roadmaps for back-end processes that anyone who joins the team can easily follow or replicate.

• Brittany’s Recommended Reading:

"Ordinary Superpowers: Unleash the Full Potential of Your Most Natural Talents," by Mark Henson.

o "The 5 Second Rule: Transform Your Life, Work, and Confidence with Everyday Courage," by Mel Robbins.

Are you ready to find your true calling and walk away from your teaching job once and for all?

It is your time to get a solid grasp on the potential opportunities available to you so you can get started on your entrepreneurial journey and change your life!

Download your copy of this free, valuable PDF resource and access 20 different descriptive business ideas that are perfect for a teacher turning entrepreneur.

The Teacher’s Guide to Finding Your Perfect Business Idea (without going back to college)

Soul wisdom isn’t something we’re taught in school. To the contrary! A lot of us are schooled from earliest days to silo our talents and passions, disconnecting what we love from how we live. On this episode of Teacher Turned Entrepreneur we are learning from Regyna Curtis that our life purpose needn’t be divorced from our life force. An author and mentor who has herself navigated a route to blending different talents, she is here to offer us actionable tips for locating the source of our burnout and ways to foster that elusive work-life balance we all seek.

Regyna believes that our strengths marry best with our most authentic selves. That’s when we’re dialed into how we receive information, how we express engagement and how we support our most creative selves. It’s a process that Regyna has cultivate in her practice, named for the combination of two Sanskrit words: Ātman (ɑ tmən) which can be translated as inner self, spirit or soul, and Maitrī (m ah ee tree), which can be translated to mean things like benevolence, good will and loving kindness.

Regyna had to journey through a corporate career in education and travel before ultimately circling back to meld her most intrinsic talents (art, spirituality and sacred practice) with her entrepreneurial bent. Today she is actively supporting and empowering individuals seeking deeper exploration into who they are and how they can most authentically show up in the world. It’s a unique knowing available to all of us – if we’re willing to pause, reflect and commit to aligning our actions with confidence and clarity.

Click here to learn more about Regyna’s practice offerings or to book a discovery call. You might also enjoy checking out her “intuitive artwork” at this link for her Etsy store.

Please click here to listen to, rate and review this or previous Teacher Turned Entrepreneur episodes.

Here are key takeaways from the conversation:

· If entrepreneurism is beckoning, look for ways to incorporate it into other things that you love to do. Education, the arts, travel, sports or you-name-it.

· Most of us are trained to silo our interests and talents. Are there ways that you can bring all the unique elements of who you are into synergy?

· Remember the concept of homeostasis from biology? It’s applicable in life as well, defined as a tendency towards a thriving life – which is what we find when we bring all parts of ourselves into what we do in life.

· Struggling with work-life balance? Try looking from the inside-out. Where you locate your deepest drivers, you will likely find the most soulful and fulfilling outlets.

· Trying to figure something/anything out? Bring awareness. And here’s a great tip for getting started: Set an alarm to remind you daily to take a moment, pause, think.

· What kind of learner are you? It’s important to communicate with ourselves through means that connect with our intuitive natures.

· Things that made us happy as kids can resonate powerfully, reconnecting us with ourselves. Did you like coloring? Color! Was nature magical? Take a moment outdoors.

· If you’re going to serve your community well, you have to be happy!

Here’s a quick look into the episode:

· Regyna’s entrepreneurial flair emerged early, starting with dominating as “the boss” anytime she and her sister played Office (complete with matching desks). Her inner businesswoman went underground for a while, however, while Regyna pursued arts and education — which were also very important to her.

· Working in a highly corporate environment eventually prompted Regyna to seek outlets for her individuality, which included becoming a Reiki master and adding spiritual practices and art into the mix.

· The Covid shutdown (which froze the education-travel space in which she worked) became an invitation for Regyna to go all-in with her current venture.

· Regyna’s focus is on helping her clients create a sustainable eco-system for life and business, including strategies to combat burnout and investigate (potentially profitable) practices that are compelling on a spiritual or creative level.

· Inside-out questions that Regyna examines with her clients:

o What are your ways of knowing? How do you receive information?

o What are your ways of being? How do you express that information?

o How do you process and integrate new information?

o How do we set up systems and structures to support you in shining your light and doing what you do best?

· Regyna shares case studies of two women she has worked with – one of whom needed practices to help her find her voice through dreams and words and another who sought to explore her connection with nature and maximize the power of seasons in new and satisfying ways.

· Actionable tips for those struggling with work-life balance:

o #1 Bring awareness into your current environment, without focusing solely on the negative.

o #2 Tune in to what you are experiencing in your day-to-day external environment.

o #3 Look for patterns without judgment. It’s important to bring a deep sense of compassion in holding up a mirror to our lives.

· Regyna was liberated by realizing that being boxed into a corporate mold did not serve her higher purpose in life. She flourished after honoring her need to express herself, with warmth and creativity.

· When we are giving, giving, giving on all fronts (at work and at home) burnout is inevitable, as well as disconnection from our life force. Engagement, says Regyna, is the way to restore all the pieces to our life puzzles.

Transcript: Welcome back to another episode of the She Turned Entrepreneur Podcast. Today, I have some exciting announcements to make, so you should stick around for it. My first announcement is that this is officially the 100th episode of the She Turned Entrepreneur podcast! First, thank you for sticking around and being a part of this community. Knowing that you are listening on the other end keeps me motivated to do this job, and I'm so happy that you chose to make me a part of your day and a part of your life.

This milestone has pushed me to do a lot of reflection on the past episodes of this podcast. Not only have I had the exciting opportunity to interview 100 amazing women entrepreneurs, but I have also developed new relationships with some of the best people out there. It is truly amazing how speaking into a microphone has given me more than just a platform but also a network and community of people with shared interests and good intentions. I feel humbled to have you as a listener, to continue having amazing guests on this show, and to be a part of the podcast community.

As you can imagine, I have learned a lot from interviewing 100 entrepreneurs. The value of knowledge that these women have brought to us is invaluable, and if you are just listening for the first time, you should definitely go check out our previous episodes. But, to give some of that goodness away, there are 5 pieces of advice that came up repeatedly throughout my interviews, and I want to share them with you today.

1. The best time to start your business is now. You will never be ready. You just have to start. The perfect time does not exist, so don't let it get in the way of chasing your dreams!

2. Believe in yourself and your ability to figure it out. You have to take a chance on yourself even if nobody else does. Be your biggest supporter and trust that you have the capacity to make things work.

3. Failure is just part of the process, and the thing that you are fearful of is the thing that you should really be doing. Face your fears head-on, and when you fail, take it as a learning opportunity and use the lessons learned to nail your next attempt.

4. Don't compare yourself to others. Keep the blinders on and pave your own way. Own your own journey. Comparison is truly the thief of joy. Remember that we are all unique with our own unique journeys, so don't be afraid to own your authenticity.

5. Finally, if you can dream it, you can make it a reality. Go for it. And, of course, I'll be cheering you along the whole way!

My second exciting announcement for today is that this podcast is officially rebranding its name from She Turned Entrepreneur to Teacher Turned Entrepreneur. Before you freak out, the podcast's purpose will not change, which is to encourage women to achieve their goals of entrepreneurship by sharing the stories of women entrepreneurs. However, the title of the podcast will become Teacher Turned Entrepreneur, and this title is fundamental to my passion.

As you know, I love showcasing women from various backgrounds and industries to inspire you on the many possibilities in entrepreneurship. As a business coach to teachers, this rebrand will bring more focus to my audience of former teachers who are launching and growing an online business.

I am passionate about helping women, especially teachers, become entrepreneurs because I am a Teacher Turned Entrepreneur myself. This shift in my career has had the biggest impact on my life. I went from high school engineering teacher for 11 years to building a multi-million-dollar brand. If I had stayed in my teaching job, I never would have been able to reach over a million students. More than anything, I understand that making such a big change in your career can be daunting, and teachers might even feel limited in their business options. But the truth is that there are so many options for teachers to start a business, and that is because teachers make natural entrepreneurs. Here are a few reasons why:

1. They are natural and are used to sharing knowledge and skills with others.

Entrepreneurship is all about the exchange of a product or service for money. In this case, your knowledge and skill are the product. Now, it becomes my job to teach you the nuances of marketing this product to a larger audience.

2. They are trained, problem solvers.

You have likely heard someone say that a good business solves a problem. Teachers are trained to be problem solvers; whatever specific entrepreneurial path you choose, this ability will be crucial to its success.

3. They are passionate and love learning.

Nobody knows everything about something, and you must be open to learning to be a good entrepreneur. Teachers spend their entire time learning and teaching others to learn. Bringing that skill into entrepreneurship means that not only will they be open to adopting the best strategy for their business, but they will be invested in creating content that is targeted at helping their customers learn.

4. Like entrepreneurs, teachers are skilled at serving others.

Being able to keep your customers happy is an important part of entrepreneurship; luckily, teachers are very good at serving people. They serve their students, their students' families, the school administration, and their community. They know how to meet the set standard and keep people satisfied, so transitioning into entrepreneurship is like stepping into another familiar territory.

I believe everyone has a passion that can become a business, and I have dedicated my life to helping new and aspiring entrepreneurs launch and grow their businesses. To some teachers, starting a new business is a path out of the classroom; to others, it is just a side hustle. I have been in your shoes; I taught in a classroom for eleven years before setting out on my own, and that makes me your qualified guide to entrepreneurship. Whether through my one-on-one coaching, VIP days, or Membership program for entrepreneurs called the A+ Entrepreneurs, I am always here to help.

You can visit my website at teacherturnedentrepreneur.com to download my free guide on how teachers can use their knowledge and experience to create a profitable side hustle or business to help you out of the classroom and into the financial freedom you've been looking for.

Self-care as a concept is everywhere. But what does it really mean? Is it about taking a day off to go to the spa? Devoting yourself to yoga, meditation and bubble baths? Kristi Sullivan, an author and specialist in Human Design, believes that self-care is found in the small daily pause, the moments of mindfulness and self-awareness that we sprinkle throughout the day. Being in alignment with our truest natures prepares the way for growth and opportunity. “We know that doing the right kind of work with the right people at the right time is important to helping us feel vibrant,” says Kristi. “We become like a magnet and that magnet – when it’s vibrant – starts to attract other opportunities.”

Kristi’s focus on Human Design grew out of her passion for wellness and personal development. It’s a system rooted in ancient traditions that honor the unique personality types defined by a range of factors (including birthdate, lived experience and energy centers). Understanding our individual Human Designs provides us with valuable insights that reveal our essential natures and turn innate gifts into superpowers. You’ll learn about the five personality types as well as the importance of doing the work to heal wounds that do not serve us in our present life pursuits. Entrepreneurial vision requires more than hard work and grit, says Kristi. There are psycho-spiritual elements that, if left untended, can block opportunity and ultimately lead to burnout. Does your business plan include self-care as a priority? If not, maybe it should!

Click here to find Kristi’s new book, “Stop Overworking and Start Overflowing: 25 Ways to Transform Your Life Using Human Design.” You might also be interested in downloading her free 7 Steps to Create Your Personalized Self-Care Plan at this link.

Click here to listen to, rate and review this or previous She Turned Entrepreneur episodes.

Here are key takeaways from the conversation:

• What is Human Design? It’s a theory that melds different philosophical tools and traditions to help us align our personalities with our innate energies.

• We may look relatively similar as humans, but “under the hood” each of has a different combination of elements that make up our individual operating systems.

• Depending on your energy type, you may be someone who requires breaks in the day in order to recharge and perform at your best.

• It’s critical to stay open and say “yes,” but to the right things! Keep a calendar that reflects discernment and choices that align with your most authentic Self.

• Purposeful moments lead us down the path of self-care. Sprinkle pauses, even those of only a few minutes, throughout the day. It will bring clarity and prevent burnout.

• When we take care of ourselves, we experience flow. Think of cars, for which regular oil changes are non-negotiable. Honoring moments of mindfulness keeps us tip-top.

Here’s a quick look into the episode:

• Kristi’s background in marketing for small businesses as well as a passion for health and wellness evolved in 2020 into a full-time entrepreneurial leap.

• The Human Design System developed as a practice to help individuals uncover their own unique blueprint, which in turn enables us to build businesses in bespoke ways.

• Our unique blueprints are based on multiple factors:

o Our birthdate.

o Teachings from Kabbalah, I Ching, Vedic and Astrological philosophies.

• Kristi’s process with clients:

o Identify energy type: There are five types, each of which may be impacted by conditioning and upbringing.

o The five types include:

 Manifestors

 Generators

 Manifesting Generators

 Projectors

 Reflectors

• Generators and Manifesting Generators constitute 70% of people. They are fueled by tasks and goals – if the work is a good fit!

• Human Design is not so much a prescription as an operating manual to help us understand how we run energetically. Once we’re dialed into what’s magnetic for us, we’re at our most vibrant and able to attract positivity.

• More about Types:

o Generators: The Sacral Energy chakra is a central driver and energizer.

o Manifestors: Theirs is a Non-Sacral Energy that doesn’t derive life force from work. They often require more downtime to recharge throughout the day.

• How saying “yes” to opportunity opened Kristi up to what ultimately became a book and speaking engagements.

• Focusing on self-care and integrating mindfulness practices into her clients’ priorities is central to Kristi’s practice.

• Kristi’s Actionable Tips for Integrating Self-Care:

o Honor yourself and the fact that you are unique in what you need to feel optimal.

o Weave pauses and breaks into every day.

o In those quiet moments, take note of what feels nourishing throughout the day.

o Giving constantly to others will inevitably lead to burnout, so make yourself a priority in whatever ways – large or small – that work for you.

• Self-care doesn’t have to mean an entire spa day. Kristi believes just the act of regularly pausing for a few moments at a time – without fail – reinforces our connection to Self.

• Deep interior work, including healing of old wounds, is a key element of self-care. By clearing old energy that does not serve we step into our fullest power and prosperity.

Small businesses need to establish their profile and build community good will. That’s where Susan Liberatore, owner of Visions2Images, comes in. On this episode, we learn about the full-service marketing magic she uses to raise visibility through social media channels, email campaigns, website content and so much more. Established franchisors may have big umbrella branding, but independently owned businesses need that personal touch. Customization based on location and target audience is key. Susie has created signature systems and processes that generate and convert leads and bring to life the stories that make every franchise unique.

In addition to working with franchisees, Susie is increasingly bringing her dynamic, creative approach to franchisors, who are invested in giving their teams the tools necessary to develop roots, an identity and local presence. In the end, it’s all about really getting integrated into the neighborhood. Advises Susie: “Get involved in everything you can, as often as you can.” That can look like volunteer efforts, an affiliation with the Chamber of Commerce or sponsoring a local event of some type. Then get going with the social media posts that will amplify what your franchise is about and why your core mission and goals are compelling. You don’t have to shine on every single platform. TikTok isn’t for everyone! Just choose a couple that feel like a natural fit for your target market and let your own unique, authentic personality shine!

Interested in some of Susie’s favorite resources? This link will introduce you to a variety! And you can find out more about her branding and design offerings here.

Click here to listen to, rate and review this or previous She Turned Entrepreneur episodes.

Here are key takeaways from the conversation:

• Going down the wrong path? It’s all information – and more than okay to change lanes!

• The best career choices are the ones that resonate with who we truly are.

• Franchises may be under a corporate umbrella, but they are in actuality small local businesses – run by folks in our own neighborhoods!

• Franchisees may have certain franchisor guidelines to follow, but that shouldn’t discourage anyone from launching a bespoke local marketing campaign. It’s not hard.

• Want to raise your profile locally? Start finding and cultivating your tribe! Get involved with local civic, volunteer, athletic or other events.

• The more people you meet the better – and don’t forget always to link to new friends and colleagues via social media!

• Just because you’re working under a corporate umbrella doesn’t mean you can’t have your own voice.

• Not all social media platforms are a fit! Don’t be afraid to identify those that work with your brand and voice, then focus on being consistent and creative.

Here’s a quick look into the episode:

• Photographer. Dancer. Susie knew early that she had a creative bent, which is probably why pursuing college and a teaching credential turned into a brief detour on the way to uncovering her passion for graphic design – and all its related marketing facets.

• A stint in a corporate environment opened Susie’s eyes to a gap that she could fill by creating a niche marketing agency that evolved into its focus on helping franchisees.

• About the services that Visions2Images provides:

o Brand creation.

o Graphic design.

o Website design.

o Social media content.

o Email campaigns.

o Lead generation and conversion.

• Even if franchisor approval is required for local marketing campaigns, the process doesn’t have to be complicated or onerous. Not at all!

• Advice for franchisees seeking to raise their profile:

o Get involved with everything you can!

o Participate in the Chamber of Commerce.

o Join volunteer activities.

o Update social media regularly to link with your new local contacts!

• It’s key to develop your personality and create posts that reflect your unique brand and community ties.

• Susie is partnering increasingly with new and emerging franchisors, who are in a position to support their local franchisees as they get established.

• Best practices for leveraging social media:

o Be authentic.

o Share core values, mission and other facets that distinguish your business.

o Build out a story about the business’s history, purpose and engagement.

o You don’t have to be on every social media platform! Find the ones that work best for you and double down! Focus on where your audience is located.

• Balancing it all as a single mom, Susie’s best advice is:

o Take some deep breaths, meditate and otherwise give your mind a break.

o Be intentional in prioritizing time with kids.

o Outsource tasks where necessary to make it all work.

• Susie’s biggest motivators: Sales and growth, her son and providing for her contractors.

• What Comes Next? Susie has no definite plans but she anticipates:

o A continued trend towards partnering with more franchisors to help them create scalable marketing plans.

o Building out a software product.

o Staying open to opportunities!

About Susie:

After more than a decade in the creative field, Susie realized that corporations were missing out on creativity, so she developed signature systems and processes that work and convert for franchises. Franchise owners come to Visions2images for full-service marketing because they feel that they are missing out on local marketing opportunities. Her firm helps local franchise businesses get visible and generate leads in a variety of ways.

Looking to hit the open road? That was the case for Jacqui Money and her husband, who have moved into a Tiny House and are loving the adventure! You’ll learn on this episode of She Turned Entrepreneur how this enterprising native of South Africa developed a niche practice providing automated back-office solutions for small businesses. Leveraging a range of platforms, Jacqui helps clients develop systems that can do on their own what a decade ago required the assembly of an entire team. Entrepreneurs — especially solopreneurs and most especially introverts — are loving this one-stop approach to putting processes in place to manage all manner of customer management, marketing, scheduling and other functions, both streamlining tasks and minimizing costs.

Jacqui shares exactly what services she provides and her approach to bringing clients along. She has learned in building out her own business a lesson that is applicable for all business owners: Invite feedback. She took her own onboarding process from clunky and ineffective to a series of seamless steps that her clients fully embrace and enjoy. How? By making adjustments based on input and observations she solicited all along the way!

The episode wraps with Three Top Tips that will smooth the path for any entrepreneur looking to optimize and automate systems as well as some compelling reading recommendations you’ll want to check out. Finally, Jacqui is reminding: Don’t delay. Go for it. Launch your entrepreneurial journey! It won’t be perfect, but there will be abundant opportunities to refine and improve all along the way!

Click here to listen to, rate and review this or previous She Turned Entrepreneur episodes.

Here are key takeaways from the conversation:

· Are you an introvert? Automation may be your new best friend. With systems in place, there’s no need to build a team or manage people!

· Attention Solopreneurs: Clear your plate through outsourcing tasks and systems.

· Engaging a solutions architect puts your business on the fast track to automation.

· Is there an area where you’re consistently hitting a stumbling block? Consult your clients. Their feedback will identify the genesis and potential solutions.

· Don’t let the perfect be the enemy of the good. Get started and incorporate updates and changes as needed along the way.

Here’s a quick look into the episode:

· About Jacqui’s background and current adventure: A native of South Africa who, along with her husband, several years ago moved off the grid into a Tiny House (they are loving it!). To do so meant figuring out an income that was location independent.

· Jacqui’s practice is focused on designing custom solutions for back-end problems, automating systems so solopreneurs don’t have to hire a team.

· Jacqui found her niche by herself being an entrepreneur who needed back-end business support but didn’t want to hire a team of people. Once she discovered the benefits of custom build-outs that are a simple, cost-effective substitute for staff, she felt compelled to spread the word!

· About the benefits that Jacqui provides:

o A complete mapping of the client journey, from first contact through off-boarding.

o An assessment of — and plan to optimize — tools already in play.

o Deployment of automated systems to streamline functions and minimize costs/hiring.

· Jacqui’s target audience: Online businesses, solopreneurs, coaches and consultants.

· All about VIP Days: Jacqui’s one-stop, holistic approach to building out systems quickly.

· Onboarding Clients Like a Pro: Inspired by Jacqui’s experience with clients who weren’t getting with the program, she developed a mapping system based on their feedback about the challenges. It was a game-changer! Clients today love her process!

· Jacqui’s three best pieces of advice for entrepreneurs chasing their dreams:

o Put systems in place.

o Write your SOPs now — even if you’re not planning on hiring anyone or employing a huge team.

o Don’t wait for perfection. Just get started and adjust based on feedback.

· Jacqui’s Recommended Reading:

o "The Big Leap: Conquer Your Hidden Fear and Take Life to the Next Level," by Gay Hendricks.

o "Traction: A Startup Guide to Getting Customers," by Gabriel Weinberg and Justin Mares.

o "Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones," by James Clear.

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So, you’re longing to launch your own venture but don’t know how to get started? Health and Business coach Shannon Petteruti has the answers and is sharing them on this episode of She Turned Entrepreneur. Step 1: Locate your passion. Having that vision will make even the toughest tasks and longest days a labor of love. Step 2: Habit. Habit. Habit. Establish foundational practices — then stick to them! It’s all about staying focused, which instills the confidence to take those necessary chances that are key to growth.

This dynamic entrepreneur has done it herself and knows what it takes to launch a successful enterprise. If we’re not taking risks we’re not moving forward, says Shannon, “You have to believe in who you are and then just put those pieces in place.” And when some of those pieces don’t work, that’s just fine too. Do a post-mortem and move on. It’s all part of the process!

Shannon offers advice for aspiring entrepreneurs as well as actionable ideas about habits that will serve any business from inception through development and maturity. The work is endless but the rewards tremendous. “It’s just so fun. I love having your thoughts, your input and your work 20 hours a day all going to your outcome and not someone else you’re working for,” says Shannon, also the author of "IV Vitamin Regulations: Your Guide for USP 797 Pharmacy Compliance." Join us for a lively chat with a coach will inspire you to kick procrastination to the curb! It all starts with the non-negotiable!

Inspired by Shannon’s energy and ideas? You might want to book a discovery call to find out more. Just click here.

Click here to listen to, rate and review this or previous She Turned Entrepreneur episodes.

Here are key takeaways from the conversation:

· Why is going it alone so much fun? All the effort comes back directly to benefit our own venture (and not someone else’s).

· Take each task as it comes and complete it. Keep the focus! You’ll get to the fun stuff eventually and be in a place to really enjoy it because your house is in order!

· Create goals and a checklist. Then institute the habit of consistently checking things off.

· Efforts are going to fail, but that can easily be turned into an opportunity. Do the post mortem, then do better next time!

· There’s nothing like the independence in owning your own business, but you don’t have to go it alone. Seek advice and encouragement from a coach or some other supportive resource.

· Envision who you are, then methodically institute habits to put the pieces in place.

Here’s a quick look into the episode:

· About the journey Shannon has taken from her childhood in New Jersey to a business degree in college to motherhood, which is where her entrepreneurial flair emerged.

· Shannon has just launched two new offshoots:

o Formalizing her business coaching commitment.

o Authoring a book on 797 pharmacy regulations ("IV Vitamin Regulations: Your Guide for USP 797 Pharmacy Compliance") as well as a course that decodes the regulations and requirements for small business owners seeking compliance.

· Shannon’s focus is primarily (but not exclusively) on women with health-related businesses. Many are nurse-practitioners going out on their own.

· Advice for small businesses in their formative stages:

o Keep the focus one week out — and no more.

o Drill down on the most pressing among the million things that need to be done.

o Block non-negotiable time for tasks — and then execute accordingly.

o Kick procrastination to the curb! If it needs to be done sooner or later, make it sooner! Especially if it’s something you don’t want to do. You’ll feel better immediately!

· How Shannon works with clients:

o She coaches exclusively one-to-one.

o The process is enhanced by its interactive and intimate nature.

· Shannon’s Best Advice for Staying Motivated On Those Inevitable Long Days:

o It’s all about habits. Put in place rituals around writing up goals and marching through that to-do list.

o Don’t rely on motivation. It can come and go. Grit is what’s often required on the daily.

· Shannon’s Biggest Lesson Learned: Look at failures in a positive light. They are your friend!

· Advice for rising entrepreneurs:

o Figure out what you’re passionate about so that those 14-hour days (at least mostly) feel like a labor of love.

o Consider starting a side hustle while getting your venture off the ground.

o Seek advice and support through a coach or your network.

· Recommended Reading:

o "Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones," by James Clear.

Grit. That’s what Deborah Smith cultivated while growing up on a farm in Australia. And it turns out to have been just the right grounding for this entrepreneur, who went on to be the first in her family to graduate college and eventually to found a boutique investment bank dedicated to serving women. How did she break through in a highly competitive, male-dominated sector? One step at a time, always putting her very best foot forward. On this episode of She Turned Entrepreneur we’re learning how to prepare for and assume a seat at the table. Advice from this Deborah, who is a trusted advisor on issues of real estate investment and capitalization:

o Always do your homework.

o Project confidence.

o Speak up! (Or you’ll never be heard.)

o Don’t be afraid to push.

o Don’t take no for an answer.

The journey to build Center Cap, which Deborah co-founded 13 years ago, has offered all kinds of growing edges. At every turn she and her partners have responded to challenge methodically — and fearlessly. There has been no Plan B. Just a vision and commitment to making it all work, including the work-life balance. “Nothing good is ever easy,” says Deborah. “There are no short cuts.”

It helps that Center Cap’s workplace culture is dominated by a female ethos: Nurturing, positive, encouraging. It enables women, who can tend to be hesitant, to step into confidence and take risks they might not otherwise take. Explains Deborah: “When you have that kind of support network, I think it fundamentally changes how you are in your daily, and particularly professional, life.” Learn how this pioneer in the female-led investment banking space juggles her high-profile job and family (one task at a time) and avoids overwhelm (by not looking at the whole to do list, but breaking it down into bite sized pieces). “We spend too much time thinking about all the machinations and all the things that can go wrong. The ‘what ifs,’ ” she says. “Just stop! Go with it and trust that you will figure it out.”

Click here to listen to, rate and review this or previous She Turned Entrepreneur episodes.

Here are key takeaways from the conversation:

· Female energy is real! Women offer a different, more collaborative environment — a zone of safety and support that enables top performance.

· Safe, inclusive workplaces correlate with productive risk-taking and growth.

· Entrepreneurial ventures require the flexibility to evolve and adapt as conditions on the ground change.

· Ignorance is not bliss. But it’s part of building a business for the first time and figuring out systems along the way. It takes tenacity!

· Trust yourself and just get started. One by one, you’ll navigate any obstacles.

· What’s the worst thing that can happen? Someone doesn’t like your idea? Okay. Move on! It’s fine.

· Look for opportunities! Do your due diligence and be the most prepped person in the room! It’s the best way to compensate for any shortcomings.

· If you’re not talking, no one is listening!

· Whatever you take on, determine that you will be the best you can possibly be.

· Don’t look at the length of your to do-list. Just focus on the next right thing.

· Do the easiest tasks on your list first — the items for which no one will cut you slack.

Here’s a quick look into the episode:

· Deborah, who grew up on a dairy farm in Australia, was the first in her family to attend college, after which she immediately went into investment banking without really knowing what it was all about. Working for traditional financial services firms, she rather quickly found herself transferred to the U.S., where she has been ever since.

· The three women partners behind the vision for The Center Cap Group, which was founded 13 years ago, come from traditional investment banking backgrounds which they’ve repurposed to fit their unique vision.

· What Deborah believes women bring to the table that sets them apart:

o A different perspective.

o A nurturing, collaborative approach.

o The ability to celebrate each other’s wins and support each other in losses.

o A high level of trust.

· Workplace cultures that provide safety enable women — who can tend to be wary of risk — to push the envelope and extend beyond their comfort zones.

· Center Cap’s early years called upon everyone to wear multiple hats while establishing credibility and trusted advisor status within the wider real estate investment community.

· Deborah believes the reason many small businesses fail to survive is a lack of adaptability and readiness to bring onboard the tools necessary to succeed.

· What tenacity looks like — and why it’s so critical for entrepreneurs!

· Advice for women working in or running businesses in a male-dominated field:

o Merit trumps everything else. If you’re good at your job, you own it.

o Be confident in who you are because, if you’re not, no one else will be.

o Take charge of what you’re doing.

o If you want something, push. Don’t take no for an answer.

o If you have an idea, step up and take the lead!The worst thing that will happen is that someone responds negatively.

o Be forceful. If you hesitate, others will fill the gap.

· How to shine in a meeting? Do your due diligence:

o Understand who is in the room.

o Understand what the topics are.

o Look for the angles where you can contribute.

· One step at a time and do your utmost best at every step along the way!

· Deborah’s trick for keeping it all together? Break everything — including home and family — into bite-size pieces. Don’t look at the length of the list!

· Work-life balance demands exceptional multi-tasking. Manage the low-hanging fruit first! It’s immediate gratification (and people will be harder on you if you drop the easy tasks)!

· An avid reader, Deborah’s Recommended Reading includes:

o "Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance," by Angela Duckworth.

o "Room on the Broom: A Push, Pull and Slide Book," by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler. (A staple of her children’s library)

o "What Confucius Didn't Say," by Tom Pallant.

· Things change: 25 years ago Deborah eschewed anything English-related, but today she’s an avid reader who also generates articles and various other kinds of content.

About Deborah:

Deborah is Co-Founder and CEO of The CenterCap Group, LLC and heads the firm’s Strategic Capital and M&A and Execution efforts. Prior to forming The CenterCap Group, LLC, she was Co-Head of M&A and a Senior Managing Director with CB Richard Ellis Investors. Deborah joined CBREI in July 2007 to co-head the build out of the firm's M&A efforts and led the firm’s negotiation and acquisition of a majority interest in Wood Partners (one of the largest multifamily developers in the United States) in 2008. From 1998-2007, Ms. Smith worked on mergers and acquisitions with Lehman Brothers, Wachovia Securities and Morgan Stanley. Deborah has been involved in more than $100 billion of mergers, acquisitions and restructuring transactions. Ms. Smith has a Bachelor of Economics, with honors, and a Bachelor of Law, with honors, from the University of Sydney.