The BizChix Podcast: Female Entrepreneurs | Women Small Business

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334: Multiplying to 5 Locations with Emily Countryman Sep 06, 2018

Show notes

How do you move your business from the startup stage to the multiply stage? Emily Countryman, CEO of a chain of wellness centers, joins me on this episode to share her success story at the multiply stage: of scaling up a business with a physical location from one location to a chain of FIVE centers.

Emily shares her struggles with expanding from one center to two, and her advice and key learning points from the experience. Financing the business also becomes a key consideration, and Emily has some insight into how she managed to fund the growth of her business.

Emily and I also discuss teams: from strategies for training new hires and documenting internal processes to part-time vs full-time employees to the importance of communication in building a cohesive team, we dig into the nitty gritty of taking a business to the next stage. At this level, it's really about transitioning from the manager of the business, to stepping into the CEO role and being the leader your business needs.

Get your Free BizChix Entrepreneur Growth Framework Resource Packet Connect With Emily Countryman:

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This episode was first published at BizChix.com/334. Subscribe to our sister podcast, Stacking Your Team, on your podcast app or listen at http://bizchix.com/category/team/.

333: Rapidly Scaling a Product Business with Minna Khounlo-Sithep Aug 30, 2018

Show notes

Product-based businesses can be tough when it comes to dealing with manufacturers, inventory and distribution. But that doesn't mean they're impossible to rapidly grow and scale. Minna Khounlo-Sithep, founder of Lil' Labels, waterproof writable labels for school and for daycare, joins me to share her journey scaling up to a 6-figure business in just one year.

Minna and I dive into the challenges of running a product-based business, vs. a service-based business, and the key takeaways she has gleaned from her experiences as an entrepreneur. Minna also shares how she leveraged her areas of expertise to build her business in such a way that it was able to grow even as she faced a stressful personal crisis.

We talk about the importance of getting really deep into and mastering just one platform before moving on to other areas, how to create visibility and sales beyond your primary platform to build a thriving business, and why we as leaders need to invest in ourselves as much as we invest in our businesses.

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This episode was first published at BizChix.com/333. Subscribe to our sister podcast, Stacking Your Team, on your podcast app or listen at https://bizchix.com/category/team/.

332: [On Air Coaching] How to Get More Time and Control with Deanna Gillingham Aug 23, 2018

Show notes

Letting go of control is something we all as business owners struggle with to varying degrees. When the time comes to scale your business, letting go of control is most difficult and most essential.

Join me as I coach Deanna Gillingham through her struggles with letting go of control and stepping into the role of CEO in her business. Deanna operates in an incredible micro-niche and has built an amazing business serving her very specific avatar - it's a reminder that there is value in finding an unserved niche!

As Deanna moves towards scaling up her business, I help her to see that growing a team and having other people take on more responsibilities means letting go of control, and how she can achieve that step-by-step.

We also dive into what it means to work on your business rather than in your business, and some key functions of being a CEO, such as tracking KPIs, creating visibility for the business and showcasing your expertise as a high-functioning leader. I also share some of my strategies for Deanna to stop working so much, and start enjoying her success and her time with friends and family.

Get your Free BizChix Entrepreneur Growth Framework Resource Packet Connect With Deanna Gillingham:

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Google Calendar

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This episode was first published at BizChix.com/332. Subscribe to our sister podcast, Stacking Your Team, on your podcast app or listen at http://bizchix.com/category/team/.

331: [On Air Coaching] How to Decide Whether to Specialize with Louise Brogan Aug 16, 2018

Show notes

Social media is always top of mind for businesses these days, and social media specialists face a unique challenge in their business - to either specialize on one platform, or specialize in one industry on multiple platforms.

Louise Brogan, social media specialist, joins me on this on air coaching call to discuss her business of helping people figure out how to use social media for their businesses. We dive into how to capitalize on Louise's success creating visibility in her local space, and discuss the feasibility of catering to different avatars with the same messaging.

I also help Louise to see the value of what she is doing, and suggest a time-study for her to measure her activities and financial payoff for that work she does. This chat is also a reminder to Louise that it's okay not to know where to specialize when starting out, but for social media, particularly in dealing with larger organizations, finding and honing in on that specialization is key to becoming the expert in that field.

Get your Free BizChix Entrepreneur Growth Framework Resource Packet Connect With Louise Brogan:

Books or Tools or Events Mentioned:

Zoom
Skype

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#LinkedInLocal

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This episode was first published at BizChix.com/331. Subscribe to our sister podcast, Stacking Your Team, on your podcast app or listen at http://bizchix.com/category/team/.

330: [On Air Coaching] When to Hire in a Rapidly Growing Business with Marcella De Laurentiis Aug 09, 2018

Show notes

What's the next step for an entrepreneur who has built and rapidly scaled her service-based business to multi-six figures? Marcella De Laurentiis, founder and solopreneur of HelpWithApps.com, joins me on this On Air Coaching call to discuss her next steps.

Since Marcella launched her business about a year ago, she has grown and scaled it rapidly. Now, she's ready for the next step: creating more passive income streams. We explore the idea of creating a mid-tier offering and the possibility of an online course to free up more of Marcella's time. I also talk Marcella through the importance of creating an email list, and share some tips for upselling to clients.

Marcella also uses a unique platform to capture clients, Reddit, and we discuss some strategies for leveraging Reddit by creating and demonstrating value to prospects without giving everything away. Group coaching programs for various client groups in different stages is another strategy that could be good for Marcella's business, but at the end of the day, it all comes down answering the question: Should she hire and start building a team?

Get your Free BizChix Entrepreneur Growth Framework Resource Packet Connect With Marcella:

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Ask Reddit

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This episode was first published at BizChix.com/330. Subscribe to our sister podcast, Stacking Your Team, on your podcast app or listen at http://bizchix.com/category/team/.

329: [On Air Coaching] How to Pick a Niche with Anne Torrez Aug 02, 2018

Show notes

Anne Torrez joins me on this on air coaching call as we continue this series on the stages of entrepreneurship. As you move from the startup stage to the validate stage, you need to define your niche, and this is exactly what Anne and I pick apart in this episode.

As a triathlon coach who is also certified as a running and cycling coach, Anne's biggest struggle is confidently choosing between a few potential avatars (aka target markets), and then figuring out how to articulate her niche. We discuss the importance of knowing who your ideal client is, and then using the right language to them to draw them to you and trying increase your visibility to them.

I also share my expertise to answer Anne's question of what content to produce and what medium to use to share that content as her business grows. Anne and I brainstorm on how she should build community among her ideal clients, add value and establish herself as the thought leader in the group, and come up with some great ideas.

Get your Free BizChix Entrepreneur Growth Framework Resource Packet Connect With Anne Torrez:

Other Links Mentioned:

Speaking Your Brand with Carol Cox

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Work With Natalie:

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This episode was first published at BizChix.com/329. Subscribe to our sister podcast, Stacking Your Team, on your podcast app or listen at http://bizchix.com/category/team/.

328: [On Air Coaching] How to Choose Between Opportunities with Casey Gromer Jul 26, 2018

Show notes

We continue this series on the stages of entrepreneurship with an on air coaching call with Casey Gromer, who is moving from the startup to validate phase in her business. Casey and I dive into the challenges Casey faces on where to focus her efforts and how to connect with the type of clients she is most gifted at serving.

Join Casey and me as we discuss defining her service offerings based on her specialized skill set, while diversifying to cater to different clients. If you, like Casey, are in this stage of your business, it is crucial for you to figure out where you wants to grow and put you efforts - it's okay to work with a lot of different people, because knowing your ideal client is not just about who you want to work for, but who you don't want to work for as well.

I also have some tips for Casey on getting the language right on her website to attract her ideal clients and the right avatar, and how she can leverage complementary service providers to build up her client base.

Get your Free BizChix Entrepreneur Growth Framework Resource Packet Connect With Casey Gromer:

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BizChix on Instagram

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This episode was first published at BizChix.com/328. Subscribe to our sister podcast, Stacking Your Team, on your podcast app or listen at http://bizchix.com/category/team/.

327: [On Air Coaching] How to Get Paid with Michelle Allen Jul 19, 2018

Show notes

We continue this series on the stages of entrepreneurship with an on air coaching call with start up entrepreneur, Michelle Allen. This is the most challenging stage, with so many options and moving parts, things to learn, and things to distract you.

Michelle and I talk through her new business idea, including answering the key question "Are you solving a big enough problem?", figuring out her target audience or avatar, and some strategies to expand beyond her neighborhood.

We also explore new avenues for creating visibility and awareness of what she has to offer, as well as the opportunities to create a high end offer. I help Michelle see how Facebook Live can be a great resource, and why building a community may benefit her business. Listen till the end for my advice to Michelle and those of you in the start up stage.

Get your Free BizChix Entrepreneur Growth Framework Resource Packet Connect With Michelle Allen:

Books or Tools or Events Mentioned:

Zoom

Other Links Mentioned:

Speaking Your Brand Podcast by Carol Cox

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Work With Natalie:

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This episode was first published at BizChix.com/327. Subscribe to our sister podcast, Stacking Your Team, on your podcast app or listen at http://bizchix.com/category/team/.

326: The Stages of Small Business - the BizChix Entrepreneur Growth Framework Jul 12, 2018

Show notes

Did you know that 25% of new businesses do not reach the 5th year in business? I have watched businesses come and go, and at BizChix, we want to help you build you grow a profitable business that supports your lifestyle goals.

This episode is all about the BizChix Entrepreneur Growth Framework, something I developed and first presented at BizChix Live 2017. The framework helps us have a common language to share about our businesses.

No matter whether you're at the Startup, Validate, Scale or Multiply stage of your business, there are common issues that you have to deal with, as well as struggles and obstacles specific to the different phases. I talk you through my recommendations for each stage, and also key questions you need to ask yourself in order to build and grow a successful business.

Get your Free BizChix Entrepreneur Growth Framework Books or Tools or Events Mentioned:

Blue Ocean Strategy, by W. Chan Kim and Renee Mauborgne

BizChix Episodes Mentioned:

Stacking Your Team (SYT) Episodes Mentioned:

SYT 19: Leading a Large Virtual Team with Kate Ahl

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This episode was first published at BizChix.com/326. Subscribe to our sister podcast, Stacking Your Team, on your podcast app or listen at http://bizchix.com/category/team/.

324: Do You Need a Bookkeeper, CPA or CFO? with Hannah Smolinski Jun 28, 2018

Show notes

This is a must listen! CEO's know their numbers and know who to turn to to get them. Most of my clients share that they don't know which numbers they should be tracking, how to decipher the financial reports they receive and what support they need on their team and when. So, I invited BizChix community member, Hannah Smolinski, CPA, who provides virtual CFO services through her firm BrightenUp Financial to educate us.

Hannah shares what the difference is between a bookkeeper, a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and a Chief Financial Officer (CFO). Also, when do you need them in your business?

We dig into questions to ask before hiring a bookkeeper, CPA or CFO, some key indicators that point to the need for a CFO in your business, and overcoming the mental block that says you need to have your numbers in order before hiring a financial professional.

Join the BizChix Community Connect With Hannah Smolinski:

BrightenUp Financial - Resources for BizChix
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Facebook

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320: Everyone's A Mess

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This episode was first published at BizChix.com/324. Subscribe to our sister podcast, Stacking Your Team, on your podcast app or listen at http://bizchix.com/category/team/.

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