The Road to Seven

“I truly believe, after doing this for almost ten years, that the right people will come into your program at the right time.”

- Shelagh Cummins

Have you been considering creating or launching your own group program? Then this episode was created for you!

Launching a group program can be so powerful for your business. Group programs are a beautiful way for you to shift from a 1:1 business delivery model to a 1:many, but they’re not without their fair share of challenges.

I want to take you behind the scenes of what it’s really like to develop and launch a group program — the good, the bad, and the tricky. From chasing the wrong metrics to finding the right timing, launching a group program successfully takes patience, resilience, and strategy!

Press play now to learn why you need to tap into what your audience is telling you, the importance of checking in on your own time and energy, and what it means to “show up for the kale.”

Let’s get started!

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

• The 3 potential results that you need to be ready for once you’ve hit the ‘GO’ button on your launch  
• Why pushing to reach vanity metrics can actually harm your chances of hitting the numbers that you want — and even damage the cohesiveness of your group
• How the pandemic burden has affected the audience for groups, programs, and subscriptions

Highlights:‌ ‌

00:01  Intro

04:50  3 potential results

05:50  Danger of chasing vanity metrics

07:52  The pandemic burden

08:58  Check your own timing

10:29  Creating space, time & energy

11:30  My own group program story

16:41  My 2022

17:25  Beyond group programs

 ‌

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 

“What drove me is to help others, to have a transformative impact on their lives… For-profits and non-profits: these are just two different ways to get to the same goal.”

- Audra Renyi

When your entrepreneurial success stems from your passion, there is no limit to the change you can make in the world!

Audra Renyi runs two thriving companies, one a non-profit and the other for-profit. As the executive director of World Wide Hearing and the founder of EarAccess Inc., Audra is on a mission to increase the accessibility and affordability of hearing care in areas of great need, and create lasting, impactful change in those communities.

Audra is the first guest on the Road to Seven to have been named a Heroine of Health at the WHO World Health Assembly and have won the 2017 Governor-General’s Innovation Award!

Press play to learn how Audra brings a little business into her non-profit, and infuses her for-profit business with a social mission.

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

• The biggest challenge Audra has faced as a disruptor in her sector
• What Audra considers when choosing new markets to move into
• The critical, under-served period during which children should be screened for hearing loss

About Audra Renyi: Audra Renyi is the executive director of World Wide Hearing and the founder of EarAccess Inc. She has worked as an investment banker on Wall Street and with Doctors Without Borders in Chad and Rwanda. She was a business consultant in microfinance in Kenya, served as the CFO of the One Acre Fund, and was a Director of Development for Canada World Youth.

Highlights:‌ ‌

00:01  Intro

02:18  Meet Audra Renyi

05:28  Audra’s journey

06:48  Bringing business into non-profit

08:26  Bringing social responsibility into for-profit

11:05  Government collaborations

11:39  Microfinancing

14:05  Biggest challenges 

16:16  SheEO & digital shift

17:47  Choosing markets

20:01  Balancing two companies

21:13  What she knows now

22:16  What’s next?

 ‌

Links:‌

Audra Renyi

https://www.wwhearing.org 

https://earaccess.com

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 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’dlove 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 get clear that profit is powerful for you — and when you allocate and can see where it goes — that is very, very often a massive driver to increasing your revenue and your business success.”

- Shelagh Cummins

If you’re a regular listener of the Road to Seven, chances are you’ve already set a revenue goal for your business this year — but do you have a solid plan for your profit?

Every smart entrepreneur knows the importance of having a revenue goal. Once you’ve settled on a number, you can calculate how many programs, products, or services you need to sell on a weekly, monthly, or quarterly basis to hit that goal. A strategic revenue goal should be high enough to cover your operational expenses, salary, payroll, and taxes… and leave enough for profit.

While profit is one of the most exciting parts of entrepreneurship, I see many business owners freeze up when it comes to figuring out what to do with it! Profit is POWERFUL — it can be a massive driver to increasing your revenue and your overall business success. It can raise your confidence and lead to new opportunities.

But you need to know how to allocate it.

If you want to be strategic in growing your business, you can’t just keep all of the profit for yourself. This episode reveals multiple ways to handle your profit — and get it to really start working for you and your business!

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

• How to create positive impact in your community through your profits 
• What the power of profit can do for your business success and your mindset
• How one business owner turned $40,000 into $140,000 overnight

Highlights:‌ ‌

01:07  Intro

02:23  What profit looks like

03:59  What to do with profit

04:44  Establishing bonuses

06:11  Donating to causes

07:38  Investing in other businesses

10:21  Holding onto profit

11:41  The power of profit

 ‌

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  

“By 2030, there is an expectation of $8.5 trillion revenue loss in global economies because of talent shortage.” -Anu Bidani

Are your kids armed with the skills they need to thrive in a future workforce?

My guest Anu Bidani is passionate about empowering the next generation through instilling a love of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.

During her 20 years at Scotiabank, she worked with brilliant tech-minded interns, but realized that these sought-after skills were not the norm when it came to the younger generation — including her own children.

In 2015, she left finance and devoted herself to fixing this disconnect, founding STEM MINDS and Inno-Hive, companies with the mission to make 21st century skill-building accessible and enjoyable!

While there are initiatives supporting STEM learning in University settings, they aren’t aimed at the right group. “The problem does not lie in adulthood. It lies in childhood,” Anu says. “If you don’t expose your children at the right age with the right skills and opportunities, they will never make those choices when they’re in high school.”

With the goal of motivating her own children to embrace STEM learning, Anu went all-in — and achieved incredible success by bringing her inspirational vision to life!

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

• The mindset that allows Anu to work through her fear and make bold, brave shifts 
• The biggest challenges she faced in getting loans, securing a lease, and launching
• How she dealt with the risk of hiring staff BEFORE earning any revenue!

Anu Bidani is the founder and CEO of STEM MINDS, a social enterprise that empowers youth to develop a love of learning through STEM, and Inno-Hive, an innovative learning community.
  

Highlights:‌ ‌

00:01  Intro

02:00  Meet Anu Bidani

03:17  Anu’s journey

07:51  Mindset & fear

09:33  First iteration

12:33  Biggest challenges

17:35  Not giving up

21:59  Hiring & investing

26:43  What she knows now

28:34  Validating ideas

30:12  What’s next?

 ‌

Links:‌

Anu Bidani

https://www.stemminds.com

[email protected]

https://www.facebook.com/stemminds

https://www.linkedin.com/in/anubidani

Twitter: @stem_minds 

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 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! Just click here to review, select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review.” I’d love to hear your favourite part of this episode in the comments below!

Follow me!  

Instagram: @shelaghcummins

Twitter: @shelaghcummins

https://facebook.com/ShelaghCummins

https://linkedin.com/in/shelaghcummin

“Coaching isn’t just signing up to work with someone and then not doing any of the work. Coaching is getting the insight into yourself that you need to be able to take courageous action.”

- Shelagh Cummins

Why is it so hard to achieve the business goals you set in January?

The answer is a little complicated, but it involves two parts mindset, two parts measurement, and one part momentum!

So often, entrepreneurs start the year full of lofty goals… only to run out of steam halfway through with little to show for their efforts.  I don’t want you to give up on your 2022 goals. I absolutely believe that you can achieve them — you just have to be a little strategic! 

In this week’s episode of the Road to Seven, I share 5 crucial strategies and tactics that every entrepreneur needs to implement in order to successfully bring their goals to reality.

Imagine the impact on your business and your life if you were to hit every single goal that you set for this new year, from revenue to lead gen to work/life balance…

It’s all within your reach — listen now and remember to subscribe!

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

• How to gain clarity around your goals and intentions — and figure out exactly what success would look like
• What effective coaching looks like (and why even other coaches benefit from it)
• How to turn knowledge and insight into courageous action that really pushes the needle in your business 

Highlights:‌ ‌

01:15  Intro

02:29  Believe that it’s possible

04:44  Gain clarity

06:16  Make it measurable!

07:09  Benefit from coaching

09:06  Put your knowledge into action

11:14  Be accountable

13:39  Recap

14:41  Work with the Road to Seven!

 ‌

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

“I don’t have to micro-niche. I just have to be able to explain what I do and who it serves…. It’s the way that I work with them that is my niche.”

- Claudia Aronowitz

Personal development and relationship coach Claudia Aronowitz never aspired to be an entrepreneur. 

She earned her coaching certification in order to help others, but soon found that she needed to learn how to become a business owner as well.

The journey wasn’t easy — but Claudia learned many valuable lessons along the way!

“People come out of coaching school and don’t understand that being an entrepreneur means that you have to start at the beginning with you doing all of it, and later on hopefully getting other people to do the parts that you really are not so good at,” Claudia says. “What made the biggest difference was starting to see the results that I gave.”

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

• How Claudia develops aligned programming that attracts her ideal customers and fits her niche — without limiting her scope
• How she broke through her analysis paralysis and need for perfection so that she could take real action
• The #1 mindset shift that Claudia made — and how it helped her make peace with hearing “No”

About Claudia Aronowitz: Claudia Aronowitz is a personal development and relationship coach who will help you clarify your path, connect with yourself, and create harmonious relationships. Compassionate and insightful, Claudia is a straightforward communicator with the ability to clarify complex situations, and help her clients gain new perspectives and improve their communication skills to better connect with the people who matter most.
  

Highlights:‌ ‌

00:01  Intro

02:11  Meet Claudia Aronowitz

04:25  Creating programming

06:00  Becoming an entrepreneur

07:54  Breaking through analysis paralysis

09:05  Dealing with No

11:32  Service rollercoaster

14:06  Being & stopping

15:51  Momentum calendar

16:21  Validation & inside work

18:39  What she knows now

20:34 What’s next?

Links:‌

Claudia Aronowitz

https://claudiaaro.com 

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 come up with a million and one reasons of why things are impossible… all of these reasons that literally are not rooted in fact. They’re all story that you’re using and leveraging to keep yourself safe.”

- Shelagh Cummins

Many women entrepreneurs have difficulty articulating what it is they really want — and even struggle with questions such as “What is your goal for 2022?”

And there are a multitude of reasons for this.

Some of them feel that their goals aren’t possible. Some of them feel that they’re not worthy or deserving of reaching them. Some of them don’t think that anyone would pay for their services if they raised their pricing. Some of them feel that they’re not ready to reach that next stage in their business — even though it’s what they’ve been dreaming about. 

Even if these reasons aren’t rooted in fact, these stories still prevent many women from taking steps toward reaching their goals — or even saying them aloud!

Why do we tell ourselves these stories? To keep ourselves safe.

But when we internalize these stories, we chip away at the possibility mindset that helps us step out of our comfort zones and grow our businesses!

In the episode, I’m going to help you push back against these limiting stories through playing a little game of What If. No one will hear your answers but you, so there’s no pressure... and no reason not to be completely honest!

Let’s get started!

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

• How to fully step into a possibility mindset
• The two numbers that you should calculate when figuring out your pricing
• How to set bridge goals that are fully aligned with your overarching goals — AND feel achievable

Highlights:‌ ‌

01:08  Why is this question so challenging? 

01:59  Possibility mindset

03:23  What if you could charge what you’re worth?

04:38  What if we removed the disbelief?

06:17  Bridge goals

07:08  When to play What If?

08:40  2 big questions

 ‌

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 

“It’s not about you. It’s about the impact and ripple effect of your work on the people whose problems you solve.”

- Shelagh Cummins

If you’re planning on hitting it out of the ballpark in 2022 when it comes to reaching your revenue goals and scaling your business, then you’ll want to press play!

Because in this episode, I dig into the nitty-gritty that no one else talks about — the five things that you absolutely must do in your business in order to blow 2022 out of the water (or any other year, for that matter)!

This is the same tried-and-tested process that we use to help clients in each of our programs zero in on their goals and create strategic action plans.

Creating an intentional, informed, and strategic path to achieving your goals will remove reactivity and uncertainty from the process, keep you from falling victim to shiny-object syndrome, and ensure that you remain aligned with your purpose and values.

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

• How to clarify and solidify your goals for the next year — and then work backwards to uncover those non-negotiable projects and milestones that will help you reach them
• How to create a 12-month timeline with clear goals for each quarter that will guide you to where you want to be by the end of the year
• Why you should be scheduling “be time” on your daily calendar — even if it’s just 15 minutes at a time

Highlights:‌ ‌

00:01  Intro

01:37  Listener shout-out

02:38  Find clarity on your goals

03:51  Work backwards from the outcomes  

04:54  Stay aligned with your purpose & passion

06:19  Create space to “be”

07:56  Deepen your integrity with your value

09:51  Believe in yourself

12:16  Recap

 ‌

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

“Nothing is going to be perfect… You’re always going to be learning and adapting and growing. Just go for it and just do it!”

- Kate Pepler

Kate Pepler turned her passions for ocean sustainability, environmental education, waste reduction, and community into one eco-friendly and thriving business venture!

A Toronto native who moved to Halifax, Kate found it difficult to reduce the amount of waste in her life in her new city. This discovery combined with concern over the health of the planet inspired her to create The Tare Shop, a package-free bulk store and cafe.

Kate is so community-focused that she began building hers before The Tare Shop’s first location even opened, using the brand’s Instagram to share the construction process and gather market research from its followers. Now, The Tare Shop’s customers determine its inventory, as Kate uses their feedback to plan her purchasing!

In this conversation, we discuss Kate’s funding, first hires, biggest lessons, and how she handled the Covid shift.

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

• How Kate dealt with the overwhelm of The Tare Shop’s immediate success (while still working full-time at her former job)!
• What she learned from opening her first location — and what she did differently the second time around
• How she created buzz for The Tare Shop through speaking engagements

About Kate Pepler: Kate Pepler is the founder and owner of The Tare Shop, a package-free bulk store and coffee shop with two locations in Nova Scotia, which she established in 2018. She graduated from Dalhousie University with a BA in sustainability, environmental science, and a minor in marine biology.

Highlights:‌ ‌

00:01  Intro

02:39  Meet Kate Pepler

04:26  Launching The Tare Shop

05:54  Funding 

09:31  Dealing with overwhelm

11:28  First hires

13:43  Creating buzz

16:23  Opening a second shop

17:51  Covid shift

20:55  Biggest lessons

22:34  What she knows now

23:05  What’s next?

Links:‌

Kate Pepler

https://thetareshop.com

https://www.facebook.com/thetareshop

Twitter: @katepepler

Instagram: @thetareshop

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/shelaghcummin

“I realized that I didn’t want to be the only person in my business. I recognized that I wanted my company to be bigger than me.”

- Rachel DiMartino

Solopreneurship can only take you so far. So, how do you build out your unique talent into a successful and profitable agency?

Rachel DiMartino is the founder of Geek Unicorn, a women-led company that helps other female entrepreneurs create more impact and show up more professionally online. 

In this episode, you’ll learn how Rachel grew her brand from a one-woman shop into a thriving agency that creates real, lasting transformations for their clients — from adopting an inclusive, equity-promoting hiring strategy to overcoming mindset issues!

I absolutely loved talking to Rachel about the strategies she used to scale her business and earn the loyalty of her audience. Tune in now for her fabulously geeky insights! 

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

• How Rachel leveraged online entrepreneurs’ groups and became their go-to web consultant
• The mindset challenges that Rachel faced when moving into an agency model
• What sets Rachel’s hiring strategy apart — and why it’s so important

About Rachel DiMartino: Rachel DiMartino is the founder of Geek Unicorn, a women-led company in Canada on a mission to make other women-led businesses stand out online like a Unicorn in a field of horses by upleveling their brand, website, and online presence. When she's not creating magic for other women, you can find Rachel digging for fossils on the beach, chowing down on the best burgers for her burger blog, or snuggled up rewatching her favorite Star Trek episodes.

Highlights:‌ ‌

01:01  Intro

01:59  Meet Rachel DiMartino

03:53  Why Geek Unicorn?

06:03  Rachel’s journey

08:18  The first client

09:07  Leveraging groups

10:56  The first hire

12:39  Why start Geek Unicorn?

14:11  Bro culture & inequity gaps

16:22  Biggest challenges

19:26  Mindset

21:18  Laundry story

22:57  What she wishes she knew

26:16  What’s next?

Links:‌ ‌

Rachel DiMartino

https://geekunicorn.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/geek__unicorn

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