Teacher Turned Entrepreneur

How satisfying is it for Kay Kirkman to host her popular podcast, The GenX Career Show? Beyond! This dynamic career coach has come full circle after being fired early in her career from a dream job working in radio. The experience dashed her confidence and dead-ended her in a series of meaningless jobs. Have you been there? Once she realized how uniquely equipped she was to empathize with people (especially GenXers) in a similar situation, Kay was on her way to launching the coaching practice and podcast following she delights in today.

On this episode of She Turned Entrepreneur, we hear about how Kay launched her successful practice, including the inevitable bumps along the way. She learned first-hand how challenging it can be to find the right kind of training and support while navigating a business model for herself. In a world rich with internet resources, it’s a huge time-saver (and sanity-saver) to find a mentor, program and/or community that aligns with your entrepreneurial goals and stage of development.

You’ll learn all about Kay’s four-step coaching process, including how she helps clients uncover their core clarity, focus and inspiration – plus actionable tips for first steps to take when making the transition into entrepreneurship. Kay believes that everyone on the planet deserves to find and perform work they enjoy each and every day. When employees are happy at work, stress levels go down while quality of relationships, productivity and overall job satisfaction go up, up, up. Is it time for you to claim your dream?

Kay’s podcast The GenX Career Show is a great way to get to know her warm, practical approach to building the career you desire. Click here to tune in! You can also click here to download her free Dream Job Discovery List or here to schedule a courtesy discovery call.

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

Here are key takeaways from the conversation:

• Been fired or laid off? It could be your invitation to become an entrepreneur!

• If you’re working jobs for which you are over-qualified or about which you don’t care, it’s worth asking yourself whether you’re hiding out rather than risking failure.

• It’s far easier to dial in your ideal client when you are authentically connected with the message you bring and the experience you (and they) share.

• Courses on startup strategy aren’t for everyone, so be sure that the content is relevant for your particular business and stage of development.

• You’re always learning – even when making mistakes and having to backtrack. It’s all valuable knowledge.

• Click here if you’d like to learn more about the Disc Profile behavior assessment that Kay uses in her practice.

• Without a coach or process, it’s easy to bump up against a roadblocks and drift.

• When launching a coaching practice, resist the urge to compare yourself with others!

Here’s a quick look into the episode:

• Kay had no intention of becoming an entrepreneur – until she was fired from her dream job in radio and derailed from her career vision.

• Having her confidence crushed left Kay vulnerable to a cycle of jobs about which she didn’t care, which felt safer than the risk of being fired again from something she loved.

• Kay’s practice is centered on several key questions:

o Are you doing something you care about?

o Do you have a dream job?

o If you’re not where you want to be, what’s holding you back?

o What will it take to find your true path?

• About how Kay evolved her coaching business:

o While she didn’t have entrepreneurial models within her family, she did have parents who had demonstrated what it is to work an independent “side hustle.”

o Without a coach or mentor, Kay stumbled into a variety of paid online courses that didn’t really fit her model or stage of business development.

o Figuring out where to find the right resources and information was a challenge.

• It’s tremendously helpful to start out by finding a mentor or coach who has made a journey similar to the one you want to undertake.

• Kay explains the four-step process she uses to help her clients:

o Step #1: Deploy a Disc Profile behavior assessment to clarify traits and tendencies.

o Step #2: Frame an ideal job scenario. No limits! Dream big! The goal is to get to that thing that lights you up.

o Step #3: Move towards milestones, which usually means bumping up against doubts, fears and other mindset issues that arise outside our comfort zones.

o Step #4: Evaluate what’s working, not working and where to double-down on formulas and tactics that are landing well and advancing goals.

• Beyond her four-step process, Kay offers accountability coaching and detailed medium-term plans on which to execute.

• Kay connects with her clients through her podcast, making guest appearances and networking through public forums.

• Kay’s Top Tips for Aspiring Coaches:

o Find your tribe – whether a mentor or community.

o Be patient with the process.

o Don’t compare yourself with other coaches. Run your own race!

o Study your craft.

o Being knowledgeable about your area of expertise boosts confidence.

About Kay:

Kay Kirkman is a successful podcast host, speaker, trainer life and career coach. She helps professionals get clear on what they want so that they can finally do work that they enjoy and ultimately thrive in their careers and at home.

Sometimes you have to create the thing you want, which in Ryann Dowdy’s case was a community of strong, generous, savvy and like-minded women. As a longtime sales executive, she decided to make a switch to coaching other women in their careers only to find that the most powerful part of her work was in the blossoming connections it yielded. As she explains on this episode of She Turned Entrepreneur, Ryann had commenced one entrepreneurial journey only to uncover her true passion just adjacent. And thus was born, a membership platform that offers aspirational women a safe place to build out their dreams.

Based on “psycho-graphics, not demographics,” Be In The Room members aren’t a good fit because of the college they attended, promotion they received or CV that they’ve polished. It’s instead about mindset and the richness and support prospective members are able to offer one another. Ryann outlines some of the many ways in which women are networking, the priority placed on maintaining the group’s integrity and plans for future forums to support growth.

We’re also learning about some of the ingredients key to evolving a nurturing community, whatever your affinity or goal. Ryann has learned that her value-add doesn’t have to be front-and-center at all times because, as she’s discovered, the magic often occurs when members are allowed to step forward and engage directly with one another. It’s all part of creating a safe space where women feel free to be their truest selves, says Ryann.

The Be In The Room platform offers a mix of open access and members-only resources, so spend some time exploring what’s available at this link. Various benefits include a private virtual community, peer-led education and masterclasses, a membership directory for networking and priority access to retreats, conferences and other events.

Eager to get connected? Click here to book an application discovery call with Ryann.

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

Here are key takeaways from the conversation:

• The last two years have transformed what it means to become an entrepreneur.

• A range of affordable online tools available today put startup ventures within reach.

• Connecting with like-minded fellow travelers will ignite your dreams!

• Pause to consider: Do the members of your interest/support groups all look the same?

• It’s extremely energizing to incorporate diverse points of view within your landscape.

• Are you growing a community? Remember that there’s power in backing off and letting others chime in and banter with one another. It strengthens the fabric!

Here’s a quick look into the episode:

• About Ryann’s journey from 15 years of working in advertising sales, working her way up to a national director of sales role and ultimately deciding she needed to make a change.

• Making the Leap: Ryann had launched a sales training program and built a community of 7,000 aspiring women entrepreneurs when the lightbulb went off. There was a need for a safe, empowering community. Be In The Room was born!

• Ryann’s primary passion is for facilitating long-term relationships of the kind she was seeing among women in her training and Facebook forums.

• Be In The Room was conceived as a platform to foster empowerment and community among women through education, events, speakers, Slack and other channels.

• Integrity is central to Be In The Room, which means that personal marketing information isn’t shared and codes of conduct are enforced.

• Ryann anticipates that at some point the larger Be In The Room umbrella will be broken down into smaller groups based on niche affinity groups.

• Membership in Ryann’s group is based on mindset – not occupation or resume. It’s an organization that speaks to women who have felt perhaps out of step or been told they’re “too much” in some way.

• Prior to admitting members, Ryann speaks individually to each and every woman who is interested in engaging with Be In The Room.

• Ryann places a priority on diversity within Be In The Room to ensure myriad points of view based on differing lived experiences.

• Membership options include $3,500 annually or $300 per month.

• Be In The Room resources include:

o Special guests speaker events.

o A podcast.

o Retreats.

o Slack Groups.

• Ryann’s tips for entrepreneurs trying to improve the quality of their communities:

o Be open and flexible.

o Don’t try to control all the moving parts.

o Your value-add function doesn’t have to be constantly center stage.

o Let other members of your community have a face and voice.

o Have fun! That can look like allowing spontaneous exchanges in which relationships develop and community flourishes.

About Ryann:

As an expert in sales, Ryann has created a Facebook community of over 7,000 women looking to follow their dreams of starting a profitable business. Women began joining her first sales training program not only for the incredible knowledge and results they found within the program, but also for the amazing community of empowered women she was on a mission to create. Today, Ryann’s mission is to create a safe space for every woman who has ever been told she's too much, too picky, too loud, too ANYTHING to come together and be fearlessly themselves. Because when women connect, work together and harness power into ONE common mission – they are invincible.

Sandi Wake, franchise owner at CarePatrol, had no interest in running her own business. Or so she thought, until someone introduced to her the concept of a franchise. Once familiar with the CarePatrol model, she felt called to the mission, helping families navigate and transition into the right senior community situation. She might have hesitated to become an overnight entrepreneur – had she not been reassured by the guidance her franchise family would provide.

The beauty of franchise models is their shared resources and best practices. Just exiting a 30-year career in manufacturing, Sandi wasn’t in an entrepreneurial mindset but she was definitely open to learning. Nothing more is required for CarePatrol franchisees, who receive ongoing training, project management and IT resources as well as a robust community. Sandi benefits on a daily basis from the tips and advice shared among 150 franchise owners around the U.S., who meet live at conferences and also via Zoom. They are there to help each other figure out the best ways to establish relationships within local elder communities, how to leverage social media and grow both the business and staff.

Best of all, Sandi has been able to help hundreds of families around Grand Rapids, MI, move through what is often a stressful and scary time. At no charge to her clients, she and her CarePatrol team determine needs, available resources and possible living situations. They are also there to tour and help compare communities (who provide the funding for this free service). Are you someone with a big heart? If so, CarePatrol is an opportunity to give to others, employ others and build a meaningful career for yourself!

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

Here are key takeaways from the conversation:

• Some of CarePatrol’s features: Modest investment, ability to work independently, helping people through a difficult life transition.

• From a personal point of view, there is great reward in CarePatrol’s mission.

• Are you a good fit for a CarePatrol franchise? Do your research and go with your heart!

• Doing well by doing good: CarePatrol supports others while also generating income.

• Families do not pay for the support and services provided by CarePatrol, which is funded through the adjacent elder care community.

Here’s a quick look into the episode:

• After 30 years with a manufacturing organization, Sandi’s job was eliminated in a corporate acquisition. What next?

• A friend introduced the idea of a franchise, which seemed unlikely given that she’d never had any interest in working for herself. CarePatrol, however, piqued Sandi’s interest.

• Working with older folks in transition is incredibly rewarding!

• A day in the life of a CarePatrol franchisee:

o No two days are alike.

o Every day tends to be busy!

o You’re wearing a lot of hats, which can include:

 Working with elder communities to get partnerships in place.

 Cultivating referral sources.

 Answering the phone in order always to be available for families.

 Accounting.

 As the franchise grows: HR functions such as hiring and training.

• As her franchise has grown Sandi has migrated more towards an administrative function with a staff of three working with families to come up with the right placements as well as an admin and an individual dedicated to maintaining community contacts/referrals.

• CarePatrol Differentiators:

o The system in place is solid and replicable.

o Substantial ongoing support (including onsite) is provided for new franchises.

o Tools include both organizational databases and marketing collateral.

o An IT department is available to facilitate systems.

• The power of the franchise network: Sandi has derived a lot of satisfaction not only from the practical advice available at conferences, but also the support, insights and friendship she has found over meals and Zoom calls with colleagues.

• CarePatrol has about 150 franchisees around the country and they all have big hearts!

• Developing relationships is at the core of the CarePatrol model, which includes:

o Defining clients’ wants and needs.

o Determining financial requirements and constraints.

o Taking families to tour various communities.

o Acting as a go-between to buffer families from direct marketing by facilities.

o High-touch customer service.

• CarePatrol is a service paid for by the community of providers rather than the families in search of elder care.

To learn more about CarePatrol or other franchise opportunities, click here to set up a call.

Zencastr is an all-in-one podcast production suite that gives you studio quality audio and video without needing all the technical know-how. It records each guest locally, then uploads the crystal clear audio and video right into the suite so you have high-quality raw materials to work with.

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Burnout isn’t an overnight phenomenon. It compounds slowly – often imperceptibly – over time and when it shows up can often be crippling. That’s where Elizabeth Collins – aka “The Burnout Witch” – comes in. On this episode of She Turned Entrepreneur we hear about her journey from an education and early career in western-based health care to an evolving eastern practice that includes acupuncture and tarot cards. It’s a very specific niche that Elizabeth fully owns, and she coaches others in the integrative and functional medicine space to do the same!

Entrepreneurship starts with knowing ourselves, our values and the value we bring to the world, so much of Elizabeth’s practice is devoted to establishing that clear sense of self and boundaries. She uses values exercises (links for which are provided) and also offers key strategies for staving off encroaching burnout. Something as simple as a coffee mug that makes you smile can serve a protective function.

Without intentionality, our bodies and spirits are subject to burnout. So whether we come to entrepreneurialism deliberately or, like Elizabeth, through a somewhat meandering path, it’s critically important that we protect our core beliefs. “It took me a long time to learn who I am in order to know what I need in my business,” she says. Once our mission is clearly defined, we’re freed up to bring our best – and truest – selves to the fore!

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

Here are key takeaways from the conversation:

• Entrepreneurship can be something you land on by chance rather than by design.

• Do you have burnout? There are therapies to help you recover.

• If you’ve tried to meditate without success, it may be your brain is stuck in overwhelm.

• Set intentional boundaries that recognize intrusion and minimize burnout.

• The Power of a Coffee Mug: Creating a safe space helps fend off burnout.

• Answering texts at midnight? It’s perfectly normal to have standard business hours. In fact, your clients will respect you for it.

• Ready to live into your values? Here’s a step-by-step Values Exercise.

• Here’s a social media tip: If creating content exhausts you, consider tagging screen shots of work you endorse and adding your own take on why it’s worthwhile.

• Whatever product, skill or service you offer is uniquely your own – so brand it that way!

Here’s a quick look into the episode:

• Elizabeth’s early experience working within the traditional western health care framework morphed into an interest in alternative integrative techniques for sustained wellness.

• Acupuncturists are de facto entrepreneurs because they constitute a small sector without well-defined platforms.

• About the blend of functional medicine, acupuncture and coaching that Elizabeth offers.

• A closer look at burnout:

o Prevention looks like:

 Modulating diet.

 Integrating exercise.

 Meditation.

 Curating a safe, comfortable environment.

o Treatment looks like:

 Finding ways to undo damage that shuts down brain function.

 Addressing underlying physiological and emotional imbalances.

 Assessing vitamin and mineral levels.

 Putting in place modest, small steps towards meditation.

• How to distinguish the difference between burnout vs. general fatigue vs. depression:

o Depression feels like a weighted blanket, tamping down everything.

o Burnout tends to be more situational and tied to identifiable responses to things like the constant pinging of your email.

• The challenges in jumping from a medical career into an entrepreneurial orientation:

o Acupuncture practices aren’t prevalent so there was no ready template.

o Elizabeth’s studies didn’t include any business training.

o It was all too easy to follow “accepted” business practices that were out of alignment with Elizabeth’s values and interests.

o Boundaries had to be set around things like business hours.

• Elizabeth and Dori talk about the importance of establishing personal core values and parameters around things like networking and social media.

• The more Elizabeth has embraced her very specific niche and mix of east-west orientation, the more successful she has been with her brand.

• Advice for aspiring entrepreneurs and coaches in the wellness space:

o Do a values exercise to establish priorities.

o Get very clear about who you are and the boundaries you want to set.

o Know deeply that what you offer the world is 100% unique.

• Recommended Reading:

o "The Bouncebackability Factor: End Burnout, Gain Resilience, and Change the World," by Caitlyn Donovan. And click here for a link for her free downloadable values exercise.

o "Atlas of the Heart: Mapping Meaningful Connection and the Language of Human Experience," by Brene Brown. And here’s a link for her two-part values exercise.

About Elizabeth:

Elizabeth was a full time Emergency Medical Technician prior to obtaining her Master’s degree from the Finger Lakes School of Acupuncture and Oriental medicine in Seneca Falls, New York. She is trained in both Chinese and Japanese styles of acupuncture. She completed an internship at the world renowned Zhejiang Provincial Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine in Hangzhou, P.R. China, and has comprehensive training in Zheng Gu Tui Na bodywork from Tom Bisio, L.Ac. in New York City. Additionally, she studied the treatment of acute and chronic pain at the EASTMedicine Seminar Series at the University of Westminster, London, UK. With experience in both Western and Eastern spheres, she is committed to bringing a well-rounded, holistic approach to each patient encounter.

Zencastr is an all-in-one podcast production suite that gives you studio quality audio and video without needing all the technical know-how. It records each guest locally, then uploads the crystal clear audio and video right into the suite so you have high-quality raw materials to work with.

Visit https://zen.ai/sheturnedentrepreneur and use Promo Code: sheturnedentrepreneur to receive 30% off a Zencastr Professional account.

It makes sense that from early on Nicole Laino aspired to become an actor. She was born curious about human behavior and how identities work. Lucky for us, she is sharing her journey on this episode of She Turned Entrepreneur, from pursuing entertainment to Wall Street project management to ultimately integrating her many talents to found Peak-Performance Coaching.

Nicole helps ambitious women dig deep and break free from long-standing, embedded patterns that do not serve. “Your subconscious finds cunning and creative ways that seem very productive and plausible for you to stay right where you are,” she says. It’s all too easy to fall into this addictive trap, in which all manner of “legitimate” excuses keep us from uncovering our truest desire, sense of purpose and agency.

Tapping into her own entrepreneurial experience founding a software startup, Nicole understands exactly where talented women can tend to bog down. She’s sharing actionable tips for breaking that cycle as well as tools for finding flow. What does that mean? It’s about getting quiet and digging deep in order to “open the floodgates” of creativity and productivity. You may want to change your business in some way, but this kind of coaching also changes lives. Nicole is inviting us to let ourselves be exceptional!

Interested in learning more about Nicole’s Human Design Chart? Click here. And you can find her Limitless Entrepreneur Podcast here.

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

Here are key takeaways from the conversation:

• Don’t think your passion can pay? Yes, it can! You just need to figure it out.

• Do you tend to separate your right- and left-brain talents? Integrating different creative energies and aptitudes yields powerful entrepreneurial results.

• Have you invited your creative side out to play? Drop the filter and say “yes”!

• Feeling stuck? Consider the possibility that you’re energetically blocked. There’s help!

• Want something more than a horoscope or Myers-Brigg result? Try Human Design!

• Feeling gridlocked? Slow down and allow some mental white space.

• Investigate with curiosity whatever feelings you’re harboring. Why are they there?

• Remember: We’re often more comfortable sticking with the known, even when it’s counter-productive.

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

• Putting other people’s needs above your own? Ask why! (Coaching can really help …)

• What’s Next for Nicole?

o Doing more of what she loves, which is coaching women.

o A book is starting to take shape!

o Her podcast provides strategy and practical tools for building a business + the energetic and mindset elements that are a big piece of the puzzle.

Here’s a quick look into the episode:

• Nicole shares her journey from aspiring actor to Wall Street project manager, the bumps along the way and ultimately her surrender to an intuition that was there all along.

• By welcoming in her creative side, Nicole got clues to the future she could make.

• Nicole’s Clients: Entrepreneurs, service providers, creative people who have the strategy and structure but are energetically blocked.

• We’ve convinced ourselves that we need to be more, but Nicole is all about helping her clients see that they are enough right now.

• Two reasons women often have difficulty accepting their truest essence:

o They strive to do so much that they override their own innate value and contributions to teams.

o Their central nervous systems shut down, locked in disempowering narratives.

• Feeling stuck? Here are some actionable tips to help you get back in the flow:

o Slow down and allow your feelings as well as some psychic space!

o Use Human Design to figure out who you are and how to operate.

o Really look at your feelings and be intentional about opening emotional flow.

o Refrain from self-criticism, which can be an addictive response to feeling.

• The familiar feels safe, but that in no way means its healthy or serves your purpose.

• About the “Safe Zone,” that place our subconscious uses to keep us comfortable. Growth beyond our protective boundaries is where true comfort lies.

• Self-sabotage is tricky and often elusive. Coaching can really help uncover covert patterns and defaults.

About Nicole:

Nicole Laino is a startup Founder, Business Strategist & Peak Performance Coach. She's also a Rapid Relief Technique & NLP Practitioner, the host of the Limitless Entrepreneur Podcast, and a self-proclaimed "Type-A Hippie". She helps ambitious women harness their feminine energy and break free from subconscious patterns of perfectionism and over-analyzing so they can sell and serve at their highest level - without burning out.

Zencastr is an all-in-one podcast production suite that gives you studio quality audio and video without needing all the technical know-how. It records each guest locally, then uploads the crystal clear audio and video right into the suite so you have high-quality raw materials to work with.

Visit https://zen.ai/sheturnedentrepreneur and use Promo Code: sheturnedentrepreneur to receive 30% off a Zencastr Professional account.

As the pandemic proved, whatever trends come and go, basic home services are as perennial as the change of seasons. Which is why demand is constant for Mr. Sparky electricians! Franchise Development Manager Shae Ananda shares the many reasons women in particular should consider becoming owners.

You needn’t have any electrical certification to put together a thriving business (or net the huge revenue Mr. Sparky franchisees report). That’s where the Authority Brands family and amazing systems for supporting home services come in. New owners receive tons of onsite and online training, including a 206-point checklist and an award-winning portal with 250 modules about everything from the latest technologies to customer relations to employee training and retention.

What Mr.Sparky franchise owners need? A passion for building businesses and working with people. Because of the detail-oriented nature of the work and the fact that electrical work requires more brains than brawn, this is a realm in which women can excel. In fact, Mr. Sparky’s leadership believes this so much so that they are offering a discount on initial franchise fees for interested female entrepreneurs. Does this “spark” your interest? Time to check it out!

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

Here are key takeaways from the conversation:

• Have a successful home service? Maybe you should join the Authority Brands family!

• Being part of a brand family provides access to a robust referral network.

• Mr. Sparky franchisees can grow their territories or broaden their portfolio of services.

• Franchises by their nature shift and grow, which is why it’s important to have ongoing one-to-one coaching support to anticipate the road ahead.

• Mr. Sparky offers a special franchise fee discount for women owners!

Here’s a quick look into the episode:

• Shae shares the origin story for Mr. Sparky, which was initially founded in 1996 and grew to become the largest electrical service provider in the entire U.S. The company went on to join the Authority Brands family, which offers 12 different home services franchises.

• Shared resources is part of the power of Authority Brands, which is fueled by hundreds and hundreds of franchises and benefits from economies of scale when it comes to marketing and sales.

• Mr. Sparky Differentiators:

o Being a member of the Authority Brands family.

o Gross revenue: An average of $3.3 million per franchise owner in 2021!

o A single franchise owner (with multiple territories) grossed $49+ million in 2021.

o The business model is very scalable.

o Frequent referrals among complementary Authority Brands services.

o Cross-business among home services enables potential empire building.

o Mr. Sparky’s model emphasizes service, professionalism and transparency.

o All electricians are background checked and drug tested.

o On-time service and satisfaction guaranteed.

• You do not need to be a licensed electrician. Mr. Sparky’s has the tools and resources necessary to get anyone started building their business.

• Ideal Mr. Sparky franchisees are:

o Passionate about and excited by the idea of growing a business.

o Eager for an opportunity to show appreciation for tradespeople.

o Engaged with and able to encourage as well as manage teams.

o Intuitive in sales and how to present solutions as services (rather than upsales).

o Ready to follow the formula and work within the system.

o Open-minded and excited to embrace new technology and opportunities.

• Women make tremendous Mr. Sparky owners! Why? The work is:

o Detail-oriented.

o More about brains than brawn.

o Collaborative.

o Strategic and outward facing.

• About training and support for franchise owners:

o Onboarding includes a 206 point checklist that is rolled out over 90 days.

o Ongoing hands-on support and mentoring.

o One-week boot camp in Phoenix for face-time with leadership.

o An online training platform called “Success Academy” that has more than 250 modules to guide both electrical training as well as aspects of the business such as recruiting, retention, new technologies and systems.

o One-on-one training with business coaches as the business evolves and grows.

• The Mr. Sparky franchise fee is $33,000 for a territory of 200,000 people. There is a discount for women owners! Initial overall investments are generally between $81,000 and $191,000. It depends on what equipment is already on hand, marketing allocations and local leasing, real estate and other overhead costs.

• Final Thoughts About Mr. Sparky:

o Home services franchises are a reliable evergreen investment.

o With only 43 owners thus far, it’s a tight and very supportive network.

o Top leadership is 100% accessible and invested in its people.

To learn more about Mr. Sparky or other franchise opportunities, click here to set up a call.

Zencastr is an all-in-one podcast production suite that gives you studio quality audio and video without needing all the technical know-how. It records each guest locally, then uploads the crystal clear audio and video right into the suite so you have high-quality raw materials to work with.

Visit https://zen.ai/sheturnedentrepreneur and use Promo Code: sheturnedentrepreneur to receive 30% off a Zencastr Professional account.

This episode of She Turned Entrepreneur features a young woman who has figured out how to do creative, rewarding, remunerative work – all while on the road exploring at large. An intrepid traveler since her teens, Samantha Burmeister founded Nomad Copy Agency to leverage her writing and marketing skills while at the same time enjoying her freedom.

Nomad writers are pros when it comes to generating all the copy that we often find so hard to come up with for ourselves. The conversational tone and engaging phrases that will sell us best sometimes need to come from someone other than, well, ourselves. That’s where Samantha and her team can step in and lighten your load. They’ll work with you to bring your business’s personality to life with bright, compelling content for websites, ad campaigns, email sales blasts or other marketing collateral.

Samantha shares some terrific tips for getting unstuck as well as advice for entrepreneurs DIYing their own copy. It can be done! Start by trying to separate yourself from your company’s entity. Have fun! Finding your brand’s voice means uncovering the heart of whatever service or product you’re trying to sell. Remember, as Samantha says, “practice makes progress.” So don’t get discouraged. And if you aspire to write professionally yourself, this episode also offers helpful suggestions to get you started on that journey.

On a tight deadline? Click here to book a discovery call with Samantha to explore her “Done in a Day” option.

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

Here are key takeaways from the conversation:

• Too much on your plate? Having a business manager can be a real game-changer.

• For creatives, finding a way to work on the road is a hugely liberating gift!

• It’s hard to write copy selling ourselves. Why struggle with it when you can outsource?

• You and your company do not have the same persona. Have fun defining your business’s brand and voice as separate from your own.

• Persuasive writing takes a conversational tone, which is far more lively and compelling.

• Having a tough day? Fix your gaze on the bright future you’re trying to build!

Here’s a quick look into the episode:

• After a traditional academic and career start, Samantha was eventually in a position to pursue the entrepreneurial life she had first discovered through reading "The 4-Hour Work Week," by Tim Ferriss.

• Combining Dreams: Samantha’s goal was to figure out a way to make a living while still enjoying the life of travel and adventure that she desired.

• Creative professions are especially well-suited to a lifestyle on the road. Samantha can invite inspiration to strike at whatever time and in whichever time zone.

• About the Nomad Copy Agency model:

o Focuses primarily on professional services (accountants, consultants, business coaches).

o Provides colorful, persuasive web, email and other marketing content so that company principles can focus on what they do best.

o Works hand-in-hand to help automate sales and marketing processes.

• Tips for entrepreneurs struggling to generate copy:

o Discover your brand voice before you start writing.

o Discriminate between your and your company’s personas. They are distinct.

o What would your company say about itself (versus what would you say about your company)?

o Step outside yourself and speak to your target audience in a conversational way.

• For aspiring copy writers:

o Practice makes progress.

o Virtual Assistant and Online Business Manager jobs offer a great arena to sharpen writing skills.

o Samantha is not a big fan of Upwork and Fiverr as a place to get started.

o Consider offering your services for free while getting established.

o Put the intention out there!

• What keeps Samantha going on the tough days:

o She gets a lot pleasure bringing copy to life.

o The team effort is energizing.

o Keeping an eye on big-picture future goal helps!

• Recommended Reading (Samantha tries to devour at least one a week!):

o "Will," by Will Smith and Mark Manson.

o "Shantaram," by Gregory David Roberts.

About Samantha:

Samantha founded Nomad Copy Agency as a sales and conversion-focused copywriting agency. Her team works with established businesses to help them amplify their messaging online to boost their bottom line.

Zencastr is an all-in-one podcast production suite that gives you studio quality audio and video without needing all the technical know-how. It records each guest locally, then uploads the crystal clear audio and video right into the suite so you have high-quality raw materials to work with.

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Sometimes in life we’re called upon to bet on ourselves (even against all odds), which is exactly what Yassin Hall did 17 years ago when she rose up from her lowest ebb to open her own Amazon online store. It changed the trajectory of her whole life! The best-selling author and self-made millionaire shares her triumphant story on this episode of She Turned Entrepreneur.

Reeling from a divorce and the demands of four children with learning differences and other needs, Yassin had her back to the wall. Rather than collapse, she got busy advocating – for her family and for herself. She took a gamble by signing on to become one of the earliest sellers on the Amazon platform (where Black women still only constitute 1% of store owners). Not only did she figure out the pitfalls and strategies to guarantee her store’s success, she also devised a method to break through to her autistic daughter, who now runs a million-dollar business of her own. Yassin up-leveled her life and has gone on to teach thousands of women – a majority of them single mothers – how they can do the same.

Her B.O.S.S. (Build on Self-Motivated Success) Class teaches students how to launch, build and grow wealth by opening an Amazon store. The online giant only approves individuals to open a single store per lifetime, which means it’s crucial to get the recipe right. Yassin and her team (all women and all graduates of Yassin’s program) provide comprehensive tools and ongoing support to keep new entrepreneurs on course. They also equip sellers interested in creating a presence on eBay and Walmart.

As Yassin likes to say, she’s changing lives one Amazon seller at a time. The goal is to get one million women online and financially independent. It’s a program based in Yassin’s deep empathy and the hard-won practical know-how she has acquired over nearly two decades of making money and making positive change!

You can click here to learn more about The B.O.S.S. Class or check out all Yassin’s best-selling books 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:

• When your back is against the wall, do what’s in front of you.

• Sometimes you have to take a leap, in spite of fear and the unknown.

• If someone says you’re unable to do something, you don’t have to listen.

• What special skill do you have to share or teach? Create a platform!

• Even the best systems break down. Prepare mentally for glitches.

• When you’re forced to take downtime in your business, don’t get frustrated. Redirect and make the most of it by doing other relevant tasks!

• Believing in a power higher than yourself sustains through inevitable downturns.

Here’s a quick look into the episode:

• About Yassin’s winding journey from the Caribbean to the U.S. to stepping away from her IT job in order to support her children, who had learning differences. In the midst of divorce and a series of tremendous lows, she took a risk and bet on herself by taking a business opportunity selling on Amazon.

• The Amazon model for sales proved a lifeline for Yassin when her child care responsibilities required a level of support that made a traditional 9-to-5 job impossible.

• Through teaching her 14-year-old daughter, whose attention span and memory were extremely limited, how to manage Amazon sales Yassin had a realization: She could teach anyone to do it! And the B.O.S.S. Class was born!

• Today Yassin’s daughter with autism, who was dismissed by public schools as a lost cause, is a self-made millionaire thanks to her mastery of Amazon sales.

• Today Yassin is showing other women how to leverage Amazon and make millions on their own! She has graduated some 10,000 women – many of whom are single parents empowered to work for themselves.

• The most common block that holds women back from achieving success? Fear – of both risk and the unknown!

• B.O.S.S. Patience: What it takes to manage through a third-party platform’s limitations and flaws. Mental preparedness and a plan to fill downtime are key.

• Are there people unsuited to working Yassin’s program? Yes! Those who are:

o Close-minded and un-coachable.

o Negative.

o Argumentative.

o Impatient.

o Controlling.

• Yassin’s Top Tip: Consistency is key. Stick with your baby and no turning back!

About Yassin:

As seen on Forbes, Business Insider, CBS, PBS, Bravo TV, FOX, Upscale Magazine and more, Yassin is Chief Executive Officer of B.O.S.S Class. She teaches entrepreneurs how to master Amazon, Walmart, eBay & other e-commerce platforms and build a profitable business.

Zencastr is an all-in-one podcast production suite that gives you studio quality audio and video without needing all the technical know-how. It records each guest locally, then uploads the crystal clear audio and video right into the suite so you have high-quality raw materials to work with.

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Can you imagine how rewarding it would be to see the franchisees you’ve supported and nurtured build transformational, life-changing businesses? That’s been the privilege of Alison Mairet, who shares on this episode of She Turned Entrepreneur her experience as a Regional Developer for JAN-PRO Cleaning Systems Midwest.

Along with her husband, Alison is the owner of a “master franchise” that includes 85 independent cleaning companies. They provide training, marketing, sales expertise and back-office support for fledgling JAN-PRO franchises – and it’s tremendously rewarding on a number of levels. Ready to step off the corporate treadmill after 16 years of an engineering career, Alison did her homework before deciding to throw her lot in with JAN-PRO. What were the differentiators that sold her? The brand’s well-established reputation, the community of quality owner-operators and the recession-proof nature of the cleaning sector. Technology may evolve and situations (like a pandemic!) may arise, but hands-on janitorial services aren’t going anywhere anytime soon.

Learn how Alison and her husband support their franchisees with coaching and consulting in the Kansas City, MO, region. In addition to providing the JAN-PRO playbook, they also help owners learn the ropes from on-the-job cleaning tricks to accounting to customer relations. If you’ve got a strong work ethic, you’ve got what it takes! Alison has enjoyed watching people (often families) from all backgrounds and walks of life launch their JAN-PRO businesses with such success that over time they’re purchasing their first homes and sending their children to college.

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

Here are key takeaways from the conversation:

• Do your research. Once you’re comfortable with a franchise opportunity, you’ll be better positioned to persuade a spouse or partner to join you in taking a risk!

• The Regional Developer’s Role: An intermediary level of management for franchisees.

• Word of mouth is so important – as powerful in its own way as social media.

• Do Your Homework: Research brands, their reputations and leadership carefully before considering a franchise purchase.

• Make inquiries among current franchisees. How they respond can be a telltale indicator!

• Why a franchise instead of going it alone? The systems and coaching save entrepreneurs hours of learning by trial and error.

• In a changing economy, it’s a safe bet to focus on servicing inelastic consumer demands.

Here’s a quick look into the episode:

• Although she’d always felt a tug to do something on her own, Alison spent the first 16 years of her career employed as an engineer before being introduced to the franchising concept and ultimately to the opportunity with JAN-PRO.

• What drew Alison to JAN-PRO:

o The tried-and-true track record.

o Scalable.

o Flexible to suit whatever individual goals.

o Recurring business model.

o Attractive for resale.

o A lot of income potential!

• What it means to be a Regional Developer (a role offered at only 10% of franchise brands):

o Responsible for a defined city or geographical area.

o Provides marketing and sales services for the local franchise base.

o Supported by JAN-PRO corporate.

o Performs some invoicing and collection functions.

o Receives a percentage of franchise sales and pays a percentage of royalties.

• Alison and her husband are currently overseeing 85 unique franchise businesses.

• There is always room to grow and manage additional franchises.

• One of the big deciding factors for Alison when it came to going with JAN-PRO? The responsiveness, kindness and enthusiasm she found when seeking info from current business owners in the brand family.

• JAN-PRO Differentiators:

o The people behind it – respectful, collaborative, integral.

o Excellent initial training on all facets of the business.

o Online portals for ongoing training and support

o Comprehensive field support and step-by-step guidance for setting up the books.

• Buying a franchise versus going it alone: Pre-existing systems and coaching are huge.

• Training for new JAN-PRO franchisees includes:

o At-home training modules.

o In-person after-hours evening classes.

o Monthly check-in meetings for ongoing support.

o Walkthroughs of job sites to help with team cleaning and time-saving tricks.

• The local support a Regional Developer can provide is a uniquely valuable service.

• No longer doing the actual cleaning, Alison’s team includes sales, marketing and back-office support for other franchise owners.

• National brands offer opportunities to bid jobs like centralized billing that wouldn’t be an option for an independent operator.

• The Ideal JAN-PRO Franchisee:

o A hard worker with a strong work ethic.

o Wants to participate hands-on.

o Have some client-facing ability (which Regional Developers can help develop).

o Honesty.

o No cleaning background required.

• The JAN-PRO model work for longtime locals as well as newer arrivals just starting out.

• It’s tremendously gratifying to see franchise owners grow their stake, enabling the purchase of a home or the means to put children through college.

• Technology might enhance cleaning somewhat, but the basic need will remain and the human element isn’t likely to be replaced anytime soon.

• Groupthink and a shared knowledge base is invaluable in starting up and maintaining a business. Franchises offer that framework and resource.

Zencastr is an all-in-one podcast production suite that gives you studio quality audio and video without needing all the technical know-how. It records each guest locally, then uploads the crystal clear audio and video right into the suite so you have high-quality raw materials to work with.

Visit https://zen.ai/sheturnedentrepreneur and use Promo Code: sheturnedentrepreneur to receive 30% off a Zencastr Professional account.

You never know where your passion will take you! On this episode of She Turned Entrepreneur we meet an artist whose designs are wildly popular among those in the dance world, even though she herself is not. Tasha Sattler has developed a unique niche for jewelry designs that are expressions of beauty as well as calling cards of a sort. Her clients are collaborators and her collaborations are providing points of entry into ever larger international markets.

In addition to dazzling dancers with her Rhythm Jewellery designs, Tasha also creates bespoke marketing and commemorative objects for universities, car dealerships and other enterprises. We learn about the path she took to conjuring a creative, thriving business from an idea that started germinating as far back as her after-school job. Tasha provides practical tips for solopreneurs trying to find their footing as well as busy moms dedicated to giving their best on the job and at home.

The episode wraps up with a great reading recommendation and compelling summary of a philosophy that Tasha has embraced from Day 1: Approach every relationship – whether business or personal – with the intention of giving value. “It’s not what you’re going to get out of it,” says Tasha. “Provide value to relationships and by providing value eventually your relationships and business will start to thrive!”

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

Here are key takeaways from the conversation:

• You don’t have to be a specialist to create a niche business tailored to a specialty.

• When establishing a business, look for ways in which to elicit direct feedback from your target market in developing your product or service.

• Finding and sticking with a niche is a tried-and-true business strategy.

• Looking to differentiate? Consider a collaboration, which is both fun and a great promotional tool.

• It’s contagious: When you undervalue your work, it undervalues the work of others in your niche as well. So don’t undersell yourself!

• It’s better to set your price high and adjust downward than to start out too low.

• Giving quality and value to customers results in thousand-fold returns.

Here’s a quick look into the episode:

• How a part-time afterschool job combined with Tasha’s artistic bent inspired a creative journey that took her from living in Asia to goldsmithing school to on-the-job training with custom design, repair and manufacturing and ultimately to her solopreneur venture, Rhythm Jewellery.

• Tasha explains how she came to focus on dancers as her target market.

• Other markets to which Tasha offers bespoke creations:

o Car dealerships

o Universities

• Defining her niche has given Tasha a leg up in terms of marketing and branding identification.

• Tasha’s designs first appeared in Canada but have taken off in markets as far away as Australia and among companies working with huge names in the dance world.

• Tips for turning a passion into a profitable business:

o Don’t be too hard on yourself!

o Don’t compare yourself to others and their progress.

o Don’t undervalue your work!

o Not everyone is going to like what you produce or your price point. It’s okay!

• How Tasha creates a work-life balance:

o She makes a concerted effort to compartmentalize.

o When it’s family time, it’s family time. Ditto work.

o Having a plan and sticking with it helps keep guilt in check.

o When all else fails, a glass of wine also helps!

• Recommended Reading:

o "Go-Givers Sell More," by Bob Burg and John David Mann. Shares a simple business philosophy and orientation that has worked beautifully for Tasha.

About Tasha:

Tasha is a goldsmith by trade and she is finally branching out into her own line of jewelry. Everything she makes is made of high quality gold, copper and sterling silver – nothing is plated. Every piece is one of a kind and created by hand. Most of the jewelry you'll see in Tasha's Collection is different from what she does for jewelry designers and professional jewelers – in that it is a lot funkier with better quality but without the high end price tag.

Zencastr is an all-in-one podcast production suite that gives you studio quality audio and video without needing all the technical know-how. It records each guest locally, then uploads the crystal clear audio and video right into the suite so you have high-quality raw materials to work with.

Visit https://zen.ai/sheturnedentrepreneur and use Promo Code: sheturnedentrepreneur to receive 30% off a Zencastr Professional account.