Running a business can often feel like a rollercoaster. There are ups and downs, and then there are moments where you feel overwhelmed and on the brink of motion sickness. In this episode, I help you build up your resilience so that you can weather the challenging aspects of being an entrepreneur. Tune in as I discuss five strategies that you can implement today!

Running your own business isn’t easy - but what is the biggest barrier stalling our ability to grow? Truth is, it’s you. In this episode, I help you refocus on your mindset, identify seven barriers and how to overcome each one. Tune in to understand what’s keeping you from making power moves and start taking action for better results!

What is your company’s story? On today’s episode of The Road to Seven podcast I’m speaking with Melissa Durrell, the president of Durrell Communications public relations agency. For nearly 20 years she worked as an award-winning journalist before founding her own start-up company. She tells her client’s amazing stories by using insider knowledge to gain local and international exposure. Today we’re talking about the role activism can play when you grow your business and how Melissa has grown from a company of one to a team of eight high-producing PR and communications experts.

Takeaways from this episode

• When you’re talking to the media you have to have a sticky story
• Create a strong story people will remember
• Make sure you’re providing solutions to people’s problems
• Every company has a story
• To find your story ask, “Why should people care about what you’re doing?”
• Hire amazing people—your revenue will jump right away when you do
• Look for people who want to be mentored and have great leadership skills
• Learn how to delegate tasks to your staff

What happens after you reach your big, hairy, audacious goal? On today’s episode of The Road to Seven podcast I’m speaking with Kelsey Ramsden, author of Success Hangover. Described as “the 50 million dollar women” by Forbes magazine, Kelsey is known as a master builder of ideas, companies and sky’s-the-limit futures. Twice named the Canada female entrepreneur, she has founded and scaled businesses in industries as diverse as construction and kids toys. Today we’re talking about what happens after you reach your goal and things we can do to work through the success hangover.

Takeaways from this episode

• Having an MBA doesn’t make you a business person
• It’s important to build alignment with your business and the people who work there
• The goal is not the finish line—there is no finish line in entrepreneurship
• Feedback doesn’t mean you’re not good enough. Allow feedback and input to make you better
• Go for the hard stuff, that’s where all the best stuff is
• Don’t surround yourself with critics, surround yourself with people who have your back and give you the tough feedback
• Receive feedback with care and love but also remember you have your own mind
• Don’t lose your innovation—ask yourself is there a more exciting way to work? Is there something different you can try?

How do you create space to pursue your business goals when you have no time? On today’s episode of The Road to Seven podcast I’m speaking with Susan Pierce Thompson, an expert in the psychology of eating and an adjunct associate professor of brain and cognitive sciences at the University of Rochester. Author of Bright Line Eating, Susan is also the founder of Bright Line Eating solutions—a company dedicated to helping people achieve the health and vibrancy that accompany permanent weight loss. Today we’re taking a look at the key decisions Susan made along the way from writing her book from a place of meditation to launching and growing a seven-figure business.

Takeaways from this episode

• When you’re connected with who you want to be what you have to do and what you’re going to have is going to follow
• Getting into and staying in massive action once you know where you’re going is key
• Sometimes short-term sacrifice is what it takes to get your business to the next level when you don’t have extra time to put in
• Commit to following an expert’s system without deviation when you haven’t been through something before
• How can I develop my organization so that the company can grow and the customers can be served without me overworking?
• Trust your gut always – the answers are inside of you. You’ll hear a lot of conflicting advice and the only way to navigate this path is to stay true to yourself

Do you have a book in you? No more procrastinating! On today’s episode of The Road to Seven podcast I’m speaking with Melanie Votaw, an author, ghost writer, editor and book coach. She has written 10 books under her own name and ghost written 23 non-fiction books. Melanie has developmentally edited more than 50 books that have won 32 awards and her work has appeared on New York Times Best Sellers lists. In her group coaching programs she guides aspiring authors through to the completion of their book or book proposal. Today we’re talking about how to finish your book and the pros and cons of self-publishing versus traditional publishing.

Takeaways from this episode

• There’s a difference between a writer and an author
• Figuring out your book’s structure is the hardest thing for people who have never done it before
• The three main pain points with finishing a book are isolation, lack of motivation and self-doubt
• Writing a book without an outline is like trying to build a house without a foundation
• In order to focus your book’s topic, ask questions like: What do I want my readers to learn from my book? What do I want them to know?
• Your idea has to be hooky; it has to be interesting to potential readers
• If you’ve never written a book find someone to guide you—your book needs to represent you and your brand well
• Get the guidance you need to get your book out into the market so you can up-level what you’re doing

Are you wondering how to best use your time in order to grow your business? On today’s episode of The Road to Seven podcast I’m speaking with Rona Birenbaum from Caring for Clients. Rona has worked for over 25 years in financial services within the credit union, full-service brokerage and independent financial planning industries. Over the years she has developed a strong team of seven financial professionals offering outstanding value to their diverse clientele. Today we’re talking about the importance of charting your own course when it comes to your business.

Takeaways

• If you don’t have clients your focus needs to be on getting clients
• Don’t get distracted by things that make you feel like you’re being productive but are not actually creating growth or sustainability
• To get in front of a client is one thing—to have them see you are the person who can help them is another
• People can learn anything if their purpose is aligned, they work hard and they’re bright
• Making sound decisions quickly and efficiently and then adapting as you see those decision play out is more important than making perfect decisions
• Focus on your physical fitness, diet, and sleep because energy is key to making something meaningful happen

Is it time to pause and align your business with what matters to you? On today’s episode of The Road to Seven podcast I’m speaking with Rachael O’Meara, a transformational leadership and executive coach who supports others as they seek to fulfil their potential. She’s a sales executive at Google and author of Pause: Harnessing the Life-Changing Power of Giving Yourself a Break. Rachael says a pause is an intentional shift in behaviour that helps you lead a more meaningful and satisfying life.

Takeaways

• We often operate our business from a position of survival or burnout but our peak performance is sitting on the other side of the road
• The only way we can get into a place of peak performance is through renewal
• Five signs you know you need a pause: you used to love what you do now you loathe it, your boss tells you it’s not working out, you need a technology intervention, there is a challenge, there is an opportunity
• Not knowing what to do next in your business? It might be time to pause
• Pausing is in service to the doing

What can I do today to serve my clients? What can I do today to serve my team? On today’s episode of The Road to Seven podcast I’m speaking with Shelley True, the president of TRUEdotDESIGN. Shelley and her award-winning agency provide strategic marketing, design, branding and social media for companies within the architectural, engineering, property development and construction sectors. A trail-blazer in Ottawa’s business community, Shelley took the bold step of acquiring the award-winning Ottawa-based firm Avenue Design and has successfully merged the two companies under the TRUEdotDESIGN brand, building on two decades of experience while seamlessly integrating the culture, approach, mission and values of both firms. Shelley is known as a natural connector and believes that mentorship and encouragement is the role of all business leaders.

Takeaways

• The first five years of business is the most crucial—get through that and then look at the next 10
• When you’re just starting out stay focused on your one initial target market until you’ve mastered that
• What’s changing? Incorporate that and keep bringing it to your clients
• Anything you accomplish gives you the guts to go and do something bigger
• Remain positive—keep your positive self-talk up
• Try not to look back, keep looking forward
• Buckle up and don’t forget to wear your helmet

Work hard and love what you do and the money will come. On today’s episode of The Road to Seven podcast I’m speaking with Jody Steinhauer, the president and CBO—Chief Bargains Officer—of The Bargains Group. Jody has mobilized her award-winning discount wholesale and promotional products company to revolutionize the business landscape. Jody uses her network of resources and leveraged buying power to aid every company and not-for-profit agency that she touches to maximize their buying dollar.

Takeaways from this episode

• Giving back makes great business sense. It’s important and people will do business with you because of it
• Find incredible mentors and ask for help
• Filter every decision through the questions, “Is it right? and “Is there any kind of downside to my personal brand or reputation or my company’s reputation?” The deal has to pass the test
• Communication and getting back to people is key when you’re just getting started
• Be conscious of growth strategies—you can do a lot without spending money
• If you want to get anywhere keep every cent in your business. Pay yourself what you need to actually live and write off everything you can
• Don’t focus on the dollar figure; focus on what you are accomplishing. Are you making an impact? Are you making a difference?