The Road to Seven

“As long as you’re waiting and relying on external factors to make you feel successful, you are setting yourself up to be a sitting duck.”

- Shelagh Cummins

Despite all that you’ve accomplished in your business, do you find yourself still waiting to actually FEEL like a success? If so, this episode is for you.

Many of us tie feelings of success directly to the results that we are seeing in our businesses. But often, even hitting 7 figures in annual revenue or achieving a 6-figure launch (or any other goal, for that matter) can leave entrepreneurs still feeling as though they still haven’t quite “made it” as successful business owners.

What does it take to finally feel successful?

Here’s a hint: the answer will not come from outside. You have to do some inner work.

Listen now to learn how you can start feeling like a success TODAY… and why benchmarks are not as important as you think they are.

In‌ ‌this‌ ‌episode of the Road to Seven podcast,‌ ‌you’ll discover:‌ ‌

• Why achieving your vision will not change who you are at the core — and why that’s a great thing  
• Why relying on milestones and benchmarks will only lead to fleeting feelings of success 
• A simple exercise that you can do right now to help you tap into your success mindset

Highlights:‌ ‌

01:02  Intro

02:07  Don’t rely on external factors

03:24  Fleeting success

04:04  Success is a choice

04:56  What does it mean to be successful?

06:50  Success exercise

09:03  You are successful today

Links:‌ ‌

To work with me and make your next power move, visit:

https://www.theroadtoseven.com/

   ‌

Stay Connected

Like what you’re hearing? Click here to subscribe in iTunes for more episodes to boost your Road to Seven today! I have more episodes with great tips and conversations with women that are revolutionizing the way we do business - don’t miss it! 

You can also join the Road To Seven Facebook group to meet other like-minded entrepreneurs who want to band together and help each other rise up.

I would be really grateful if you left a review on iTunes so that others can find and boost their business too! Just click here to review, select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” I’d also love to hear what your favourite part of this episode is in the comments below. Thank you!

Follow me!  

Instagram: @shelaghcummins  

Twitter: @shelaghcummins  

https://facebook.com/ShelaghCummins  

https://linkedin.com/in/shelaghcummins  

“Letting go and knowing when something is done… allows fresh energy in and new opportunities to flow in.”

- Esther Vlessing

Sometimes, taking a step back is the smartest thing you can do as an entrepreneur.

Esther Vlessing is the founder and president of Canada Emergency Medical Manufacturers, a network of domestic manufacturers in the furniture, apparel, and automotive industries created to solve Canada’s personal protective equipment shortages. Esther started the company during the pandemic when she realized the urgent need for the timely manufacture and delivery of PPE at a time when international supply chains were being dramatically affected.

CEMM was not Esther’s first company. Originally a fashion manufacturing entrepreneur, Esther made the difficult decision to return to the workforce when her 6-figure company didn’t provide her with the lifestyle she wanted.

Listen now to learn why Esther’s detour from the path of entrepreneurship positioned her as the perfect person to help her country through a deadly pandemic!

In‌ ‌this‌ ‌episode of the Road to Seven podcast,‌ ‌you’ll discover:‌ ‌

• How a politician’s televised announcement led Esther to begin her latest chapter  
• How Esther built valuable connections with (and successfully pitched) government officials during a period of crisis
• What she does differently in her new manufacturing company — and how she keeps up with incredible demand

About Esther Vlessing: Esther Vlessing is the founder and president of Canada Emergency Medical Manufacturers, a network of domestic emergency medical manufacturers that specializes in qualming time-critical local and national catastrophes by establishing clear domestic supply chains to deliver goods to organizations in need.
  

Highlights:‌ ‌

00:53  Intro

03:16  Meet Esther Vlessing

04:30  Pitching the Ontario government

08:14  Founding CMM

9:30  Monetization

13:38  What she does differently now

15:00  First hires

19:15  Ramping up production

21:30  What Esther knows now

22:05  What’s next?

 ‌

Links:‌ ‌

Esther Vlessing

https://www.cemm.ca 

Twitter: @EstherVlessing 

Instagram: @esthervlessing 

To work with me and make your next power move, visit:

https://www.theroadtoseven.com/ 

   ‌

Stay Connected

Click here to subscribe in iTunes for more episodes with great tips and conversations with women that are revolutionizing the way we do business - don’t miss it! 

You can also join the Road To Seven Facebook group to meet other like-minded entrepreneurs who want to band together and help each other rise up.

I would be really grateful if you left a review on iTunes so that others can find and boost their business too! Just click here to review, select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review.” I’d love to hear what your favourite part of this episode is in the comments below. Thank you!

Follow me!  

Instagram: @shelaghcummins  

Twitter: @shelaghcummins  

https://facebo

“Profit is one of your most powerful entities in your company, because it is the gateway to opportunity for you.”

- Shelagh Cummins

This episode is the final piece of a three-part series exploring the three core elements every single business needs to have in order to be sustainable and profitable. No matter your industry or niche, a strong, intentional foundation based on these elements is absolutely essential if you want to scale effectively.

This episode is all about profit.

The idea of “profit” is often a challenge for women entrepreneurs. Women often deal with money mindset issues that stem from biases, misconceptions, and stereotypes regarding their ability to deal with money, whether saving, spending, or earning.

But in reality, women are just as capable of driving profit and building wealth as men are.

Profit is important, because it creates opportunities for you to not only build wealth, but to re-invest in your business in order to move the needle forward.

If you haven’t listened to the first two parts of this series, I strongly recommend that you do so — these three elements work together, and each has a role to play in helping you grow and scale with more ease!

In‌ ‌this‌ ‌episode of the Road to Seven podcast,‌ ‌you’ll discover:‌ ‌

• What you absolutely MUST consider when setting your pricing 
• How to hit your money management sweet spot and balance your spending and conserving 
• How to uncover the new revenue possibilities around you

Highlights:‌ ‌

00:01  Intro

01:34  Three-part approach

02:40  Profit

04:18  Pricing

07:14  Money management

10:18  New revenue opportunities

13:02  Vitamin & SaaS case studies

14:45  Scale Program

Links:‌

Scale Program

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1vXw0_Bw-kIJaisyB8l21xcu6rAKpmojYD0yzGP_tzBM/edit

Planning Your POWERFUL Profit in 2022: https://www.buzzsprout.com/349118/9873601

https://www.theroadtoseven.com/theroadtosevenpodcast/how-to-build-a-saas-and-secure-funding-successfully-with-catherine-graham  

To work with me and make your next power move, visit:

https://www.theroadtoseven.com/

Stay Connected

Like what you’re hearing? Click here to subscribe in iTunes for more episodes to boost your Road to Seven today! I have more episodes with great tips and conversations with women that are revolutionizing the way we do business - don’t miss it! 

You can also join the Road To Seven Facebook group to meet other like-minded entrepreneurs who want to band together and help each other rise up.

I would be really grateful if you left a review on iTunes so that others can find and boost their business too! Just click here to review, select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” I’d also love to hear what your favourite part of this episode is in the comments below. Thank you!

Follow me!  

Instagram: @shelaghcummins  

Twitter: @shelaghcummins  

https://facebook.com/ShelaghCummins  

“Your way is not the only way to get things done — and it’s possible that someone else’s way is going to get better results”

- Shelagh Cummins

This episode is the second of a three-part series taking an in-depth look at the three core elements of every business. If you want to scale with more ease and confidence (whether that means a team of 4 or a team of 400), building a strong, intentional foundation based on these elements is absolutely critical!

In this episode, I want to teach you how to get out of your own way in your business… and stop being the bottleneck to your success.

That’s why this week’s episode is all about processes.

We all use processes and systems in our businesses. There is always a “method to our madness” — but, often, we don’t actually consciously know what that is! This is very common for solopreneurs, who build their processes organically through the course of their work and never really have to think about them.

But if we can’t articulate our processes to ourselves, then we won’t be able to explain them to our teams.

In order to create space for you to work in your zone of genius, avoid burnout, and take the occasional week off to recharge, you need clear and effective processes in place that not only make your operations more efficient, but make it easier for your team to step in and take things off your plate.

In‌ ‌this‌ ‌episode of the Road to Seven podcast,‌ ‌you’ll discover:‌ ‌

• How to assemble a team that delivers the results you need — and helps you build out the processes that they use to do it
• The importance of giving up the role of Chief “Everything” Officer
• The key processes you need to have in place for your business

Highlights:‌ ‌

01:27  Intro

03:15  Last episode recap

03:46  Processes

05:17  Standard operating procedures

07:13  Hiring & mindset

09:16  Finances

11:43  Fulfillment

14:37  Dealflow

 ‌

Links:‌ ‌

Burnout Vortex

https://studio5.ksl.com/beat-burnout-vortex 

To work with me and make your next power move, visit:

https://www.theroadtoseven.com/

Stay Connected

Like what you’re hearing? Click here to subscribe in iTunes for more episodes to boost your Road to Seven today! I have more episodes with great tips and conversations with women that are revolutionizing the way we do business - don’t miss it! 

You can also join the Road To Seven Facebook group to meet other like-minded entrepreneurs who want to band together and help each other rise up.

I would be really grateful if you left a review on iTunes so that others can find and boost their business too! Just click here to review, select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” I’d also love to hear what your favourite part of this episode is in the comments below. Thank you!

Follow me!  

Instagram: @shelaghcummins  

Twitter: @shelaghcummins  

https://facebook.com/ShelaghCummins  

https://linkedin.com/in/shelaghcummins

“When you’re feeling like your business isn’t really serving you or fitting you anymore, then let’s look at what your role is, and what you want to do, and where you thrive.”

- Shelagh Cummins

This episode is the first of a three-part series that takes an in-depth look at the three essential elements of every single business. No matter your industry or niche, building a strong, intentional foundation based on these elements will help you grow and scale with more ease and confidence!

The first element: people.

The people you sell to. The people you work with. And, of course the leader of your business: you. It’s so important that each of these groups is completely in alignment with who you are, what you’re building, your values, and your vision. 

Tune in to learn how to identify the people that you should be hiring for and serving in your business… and what to do when things just aren’t feeling like the right fit.

In‌ ‌this‌ ‌episode of the Road to Seven podcast,‌ ‌you’ll discover:‌ ‌

• How to identify when you’re falling out of alignment with your business — and the auditing process that will help you pinpoint the areas you need to rework
• What you should look for when hiring an online business manager or virtual assistant
• How to recognize when you’re selling to the wrong people (and how to clone your best-fit clients!)

Highlights:‌ ‌

00:01  Intro

01:19  Survive or thrive

05:24  People

06:41  You

09:13  Your team

11:34  Are YOU the problem with your team?

13:37  Your clients

15:55  Seeing red flags & cloning right fits 

17:34  Scale program

 ‌

Links:‌ ‌

To work with me and make your next power move, visit:

https://www.theroadtoseven.com/

   ‌

Stay Connected

Like what you’re hearing? Click here to subscribe in iTunes for more episodes to boost your Road to Seven today! I have more episodes with great tips and conversations with women that are revolutionizing the way we do business - don’t miss it! 

You can also join the Road To Seven Facebook group to meet other like-minded entrepreneurs who want to band together and help each other rise up.

I would be really grateful if you left a review on iTunes so that others can find and boost their business too! Just click here to review, select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” I’d also love to hear what your favourite part of this episode is in the comments below. Thank you!

Follow me!  

Instagram: @shelaghcummins  

Twitter: @shelaghcummins  

https://facebook.com/ShelaghCummins  

https://linkedin.com/in/shelaghcummins

“Be available to be flexible, and be available to be agile.”

- Megan Huber

My co-host for this episode is the one and only Megan Huber, known as the Business Acceleration Mentor (BAM!). This episode will appear on both the Road to Seven and on Megan’s podcast, Built to Last.

Like me, Megan Huber helps transform hustling women entrepreneurs into successful leaders and CEOs through her programs, masterminds, and private coaching — and she’s found great success in inspiring and empowering women to shine as leaders, increase their impact, and build more fulfilling lives.

In this conversation, we discuss overcoming our challenges, following our passions, and finding real balance… in other words, we deliver a full, honest, behind-the-scenes look at what it’s like to run our businesses: the good, the bad, and everything in between!

In‌ ‌this‌ ‌episode of the Road to Seven podcast,‌ ‌you’ll discover:‌

• The two iterations through which Megan’s business evolved and how she landed in her zone of genius
• How to recognize when you’re out of alignment with your vision and the needs of your market — and 1 simple, actionable tip to get back on track!
• How to market your business based on your real impact (and not braggadocio!)

About Megan Huber: Megan Huber helps ambitious coaches and leaders grow their business to six and multiple six-figures in 12 months or less. Her methodology incorporates timeless strategic business growth principles and a relationship-based approach.
  

Highlights:‌

01:09  Intro

02:01  Meet Megan Huber

03:36  Meet Shelagh Cummins

07:18  Teaching & entrepreneurship

13:36  Shelagh’s niching down

16:50  Megan’s iterations

23:02  Addressing misalignment

25:21  From 1:1 to group

30:56  Authenticity & results

32:27  Sexy v. impactful marketing

38:27  Introversion

40:21  Family & balance

48:05  Managing finances

 ‌

Links:‌

Megan Huber

https://meganjohnsonhuber.com

https://www.linkedin.com/in/megan-huber-88001418

https://www.facebook.com/groups/tribeoflegendswithmegan

Instagram: @meganjhuber

To work with me and make your next power move, visit:

https://www.theroadtoseven.com/

Stay Connected

Like what you’re hearing? Click here to subscribe in iTunes for more episodes with great tips and conversations with women that are revolutionizing the way we do business - don’t miss it!

You can also join the Road To Seven Facebook group to meet other like-minded entrepreneurs who want to band together and help each other rise up.

I would be grateful if you left a review on iTunes so that others can find and boost their business too! Just click here to review, select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review.” I’d love to hear what your favourite part of this episode is in the comments below. Thank you!

Follow me!

Instagram: @shelaghcummins

Twitter: @shelaghcummins

https://facebook.com/ShelaghCummins

https://linkedin.com/in/shelaghcummins

“Screw it up fast… because until we mess up, until we have that first iteration, we can’t make it better!”

- Ashleigh Wilson

In an industry where customers have long been considered an afterthought, Ashleigh Wilson has proved that putting people first is profitable! 

Ashleigh is the founder and CEO of AuditMate, a company that offers the first and only elevator and escalator auditing and management software and operates with an ethos of respectful simplicity, proactive inclusiveness, and heart-centred courage.

From the end users of AuditMate’s pioneering software to the team that drives its innovation, humans are at the core of Ashleigh’s entrepreneurial mission.

Press play to hear her inspiring journey from non-tech entrepreneur with a groundbreaking idea to the head of a company determined to become a leading agent of change for all industries!

In‌ ‌this‌ ‌episode of the Road to Seven podcast,‌ ‌you’ll discover:‌ ‌

• How a first-time software developer found the funding to bring her never-before-seen concept to reality
• How AuditMate achieved 900% growth in just two years (during a pandemic!)
• The biggest challenges Ashleigh has encountered as a pioneer in her industry — and how she falls back in love with her business every day

About Ashleigh Wilson: Ashleigh Wilson is a San Francisco-based serial entrepreneur and the CEO and founder of AuditMate, which develops innovative auditing software for elevator and escalator contracts. 

Highlights:‌

01:05  Intro

02:29  Meet Ashleigh Wilson

04:12  AuditMate’s software

05:55  How Ashleigh secured funding

09:03  Making the ask

11:33  Biggest challenges

14:00  900% growth & adapting to shifts

15:41  Maintaining motivation

17:44  Team & leadership

19:26  People first

20:13  What she wishes she knew

22:22  What’s next?

23:50  Being a woman in vertical transportation

Links:‌

Ashleigh Wilson

https://auditmate.com

https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashleigh-wilson-she-her-01131285

To work with me and make your next power move, visit:

https://www.theroadtoseven.com/

Stay Connected

Like what you’re hearing? Click here to subscribe in iTunes for more episodes to boost your Road to Seven today! I have more episodes with great tips and conversations with women that are revolutionizing the way we do business - don’t miss it! 

You can also join the Road To Seven Facebook group to meet other like-minded entrepreneurs who want to band together and help each other rise up.

I would be really grateful if you left a review on iTunes so that others can find and boost their business too! Just click here to review, select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” I’d also love to hear what your favourite part of this episode is in the comments below. Thank you!

Follow me!  

Instagram: @shelaghcummins  

Twitter: @shelaghcummins  

https://facebook.com/ShelaghCummins  

https://linkedin.com/in/shelaghcummins  

“We want to be on the biggest stages and biggest platforms, and have people view our stories and see them for the beauty and importance that they are.”

- Ngardy Conteh George

Forgive me if I’m a little starstruck this episode — my guests are Alison Duke and Ngardy Conteh George, co-founders of OYA Media Group and winners of the 2021 RBC Women of Influence Ones to Watch Award.

Alison and Ngardy founded OYA Media Group to bring an authentic perspective to media through socially relevant, life-changing stories that amplify Black experiences. Their documentary Mr. Jane & Finch, which they co-produced and Ngardy directed, premiered on CBC Docs POV in 2019 and won two Canadian Screen Awards.

“It’s hard for us to keep up with how fast we’re growing,” Ngardy says. “A lot of the time, this industry is about timing — and it is our time. I think the industry is finally ready for our stories.”

Press play for a fascinating look into a successful and uplifting creative partnership!

In‌ ‌this‌ ‌episode of the Road to Seven podcast,‌ ‌you’ll discover:‌ ‌

• How Alison and Ngardy first launched OYA Media Group 
• How they hired the right team
• The work they put into nurturing their creative partnership

About Alison Duke & Ngardy Conteh George:

Alison and Ngardy are award-winning storytellers and co-founders of OYA Media Group. The documentary Mr. Jane & Finch, which the two produced and Ngardy directed, won two Canadian Screen Awards. Ngardy’s feature-length documentary The Flying Stars won Best Documentary at BronzeLens Film Festival in 2015. Alison just concluded Year 3 of the OYA Emerging Filmmakers program, an initiative she kick-started that supports Black youth.

Highlights:‌
00:01  Intro

02:11  Meet Alison Duke & Ngardy Conteh George

05:47  Mr. Jane & Finch

07:45  Diverse storytelling

10:17  Partnership

13:43  Challenges

15:42  Shared vision & hiring

17:30  OYA Emerging Filmmakers & partnerships

22:05  What they know now

24:21  What’s next?

Links:‌

Alison Duke & Ngardy Conteh George

https://www.oyamediagroup.com

https://www.oyablackarts.org

https://www.facebook.com/OYA-Media-Group-657967711330357

Instagram: @oyamediagroup

To work with me and make your next power move, visit:

https://www.theroadtoseven.com/

Click here to subscribe in iTunes for more episodes with great tips and conversations with women who are revolutionizing the way we do business! 

You can also join the Road To Seven Facebook group to meet other like-minded entrepreneurs who want to band together and help each other rise up.

I would be grateful if you left a review on iTunes so that others can find and boost their business too! Just click here to review, select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” I’d also love to hear what your favourite part of this episode is in the comments below. Thank you!

Instagram: @shelaghcummins

Twitter: @shelaghcummins

https://facebook.com/ShelaghCummins

https://linkedin.com/in/shelaghcummins

“Once you’re clear on your reason why.. it makes it a lot easier to make decisions.”

- Julianna Tan

Have you ever had an idea that you just KNEW in your gut was the right move at the right time?

Julianna Tan is the co-founder of The Little Market Box, an online and in-store farmers' market that fosters the success of local producers and serves customers without the time constraints of a traditional farmers’ market.

She’s also a chocolatier who makes the most delicious organic chocolate — yum!

It was as a chocolate vendor at a market that she met Shawnda Blacklock, a beef vendor in a neighbouring booth who became Julianna’s partner and co-founder. They founded The Little Market Box as a way to better support the needs of producers who relied on the market for their livelihood.

The time between coming up with their concept and touring a location? Just one day.

While this episode may not include a recipe for Julianna’s incredible chocolate, it does dive into her bold leap of faith, the strategy behind her business model, and her approach to professional partnerships.

In‌ ‌this‌ ‌episode,‌ ‌you’ll discover:‌

• How The Little Market Box merged the traditional farmers’ market model with a conventional retail experience
• What Julianna has learned from building a business as part of a partnership
• How undergoing an award application process contributed to growth

Julianna Tan is the co-owner of The Little Market Box, a farmers' market and online hub for local food and small retailers serving Saskatoon. She is also co-founder of Those Girls at the Market, where she sells ethical organic raw chocolate.

Highlights:‌

02:36  Meet Julianna Tan

04:44  Those Girls at the Market

06:02  The Little Market Box

09:46  Strategy & business model

18:13  Award process

21:13  eComm challenges

24:16  What she knows now

26:03  What’s next

Links:‌

Julianna Tan

https://www.thelittlemarketbox.com

https://www.thosegirlsatthemarket.com

 https://ca.linkedin.com/in/julianna-tan-96459170

Instagram: @thelittlemarketbox; @thosegirlsatthemarket

To work with me and make your next power move, visit:

https://www.theroadtoseven.com/

Like what you’re hearing? Click here to subscribe in iTunes for more episodes to boost your Road to Seven today! I have more episodes with great tips and conversations with women that are revolutionizing the way we do business - don’t miss it!

You can also join the Road To Seven Facebook group to meet other like-minded entrepreneurs who want to band together and help each other rise up.

I would be really grateful if you left a review on iTunes so that others can find and boost their business too! Just click here to review, select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” I’d love to hear what your favourite part of this episode is in the comments below. Thank you!

Follow me!

Instagram: @shelaghcummins

Twitter: @shelaghcummins

https://facebook.com/ShelaghCummins

https://linkedin.com/in/shelaghcummins<

“Your journey, the process that it takes to get you to be the diamond that you really want… does not have your time agenda attached to it. It’s all going to depend on your ability to take strategic and continual action, and be okay doing things that may not work.”

- Shelagh Cummins

Do you follow dozens of superstar CEOs and influencer-entrepreneurs on Instagram or LinkedIn? Do you sign up for their programs, tune into their Lives, and join their mailing lists, hungry for the information that they share?

A diamond hunter is forever seeking that optimal, beautiful end product — the result that leaves them shining like all of the diamonds that they follow. 

I want you to give up on diamond hunting… and instead give yourself the opportunity to really become the diamond you want to be!

Diamond hunters are all about information-seeking — gathering new techniques and strategies as if simply having access to that information will help them scale and optimize. 

But simply spending hundreds or thousands of dollars to access information isn’t enough. 

In order to truly benefit from all of those tips and tricks, you must go through the diamond formation process… known in coaching circles as the “messy middle.” This is the period during which many entrepreneurs get frustrated and just give up — but diamonds can’t form without time and energy!

In‌ ‌this‌ ‌episode of the Road to Seven podcast,‌ ‌you’ll discover:‌ ‌

• The messy-middle leap of faith you MUST undertake in order to bring your shiniest, most ambitious diamond goals to reality 
• How to check in and ensure that you’re still working in alignment with your values and purpose — and figure out what you need to do differently
• Why you need to separate your results from your feelings of self worth

Highlights:‌ ‌

00:01  Intro

01:35  Information seeking

02:52  How diamonds are formed

04:04  The messy middle

05:52  My own messy middle

07:03  Check-in time

09:50  Client example

11:25  Be willing to fail

13:27  Three brains

Links:‌

Three Brains - Thinking to Doing to Being

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8l2nvTv9_Xw 

To work with me and make your next power move, visit:

https://www.theroadtoseven.com/

Stay Connected

Like what you’re hearing? Click here to subscribe in iTunes for more episodes to boost your Road to Seven today! I have more episodes with great tips and conversations with women that are revolutionizing the way we do business - don’t miss it! 

You can also join the Road To Seven Facebook group to meet other like-minded entrepreneurs who want to band together and help each other rise up.

I would be really grateful if you left a review on iTunes so that others can find and boost their business too! Just click here to review, select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” I’d also love to hear what your favourite part of this episode is in the comments below. Thank you!

Follow me!

Instagram: @shelaghcummins

Twitter: @shelaghcummins

https://facebook.com/ShelaghCummins

https://linkedin.com/in/shelaghcummins