How Emani Guy Went From Scrambling to Strategic in Her Service-Based Business

1 00:00:00,320 --> 00:00:02,879 SPEAKER_00: Now, if you've been following along with the Systems 2 00:00:02,879 --> 00:00:06,240 Reset series, you've heard me talk about why being great at 3 00:00:06,240 --> 00:00:10,240 what you do isn't enough, why your onboarding shouldn't be a 4 00:00:10,240 --> 00:00:14,480 guessing game, and how your calendar can either protect you 5 00:00:14,480 --> 00:00:16,160 or drain your capacity. 6 00:00:16,320 --> 00:00:20,399 Now, if you haven't checked out that series, please go back and 7 00:00:20,399 --> 00:00:23,600 listen to all four episodes because it's going to make my 8 00:00:23,600 --> 00:00:26,640 conversation with Amani make even more sense. 9 00:00:26,879 --> 00:00:28,800 Welcome to the Mind Your Time Podcast. 10 00:00:28,879 --> 00:00:31,600 I'm Shannon Baker, your coffee mugging host, business 11 00:00:31,600 --> 00:00:33,359 strategist, and systems expert. 12 00:00:33,520 --> 00:00:36,880 And I guide consultants towards systems that protect their time 13 00:00:36,880 --> 00:00:38,560 and elevate their expertise. 14 00:00:38,880 --> 00:00:41,119 If you're ready to run a business that supports your life 15 00:00:41,119 --> 00:00:43,840 and not the other way around, you're in the right place. 16 00:00:44,079 --> 00:00:47,119 Each episode shares grounded strategies rooted in my power 17 00:00:47,359 --> 00:00:50,560 and motion framework to help you lead your client experience with 18 00:00:50,560 --> 00:00:51,920 clarity and confidence. 19 00:00:52,079 --> 00:00:55,920 So grab a cup of coffee or your favorite beverage and let's dive 20 00:00:55,920 --> 00:00:56,240 in. 21 00:00:56,640 --> 00:01:01,520 Today I want you to hear from someone who has lived through 22 00:01:01,520 --> 00:01:05,599 all of this and came out stronger on the other side. 23 00:01:05,920 --> 00:01:10,640 So, my conversation today is going to be with Imani Y, the 24 00:01:10,640 --> 00:01:13,519 CEO and founder of Made New Marketing. 25 00:01:14,159 --> 00:01:17,519 She's a colleague and someone I've had the opportunity to work 26 00:01:17,519 --> 00:01:21,680 with closely in the past, and we've stayed connected as her 27 00:01:21,680 --> 00:01:23,439 business has continued to grow. 28 00:01:24,560 --> 00:01:29,519 Her story is a powerful example of what happens when you begin 29 00:01:29,519 --> 00:01:32,079 putting the right structure in place behind the scenes. 30 00:01:32,799 --> 00:01:37,200 And it's not that anything was broken in her business, but her 31 00:01:37,280 --> 00:01:40,560 business had reached a point where it needed more support. 32 00:01:41,359 --> 00:01:45,040 So before I turn it over to Imani to share her story, I want 33 00:01:45,040 --> 00:01:48,719 to give you a little context on how we met because it highlights 34 00:01:48,719 --> 00:01:52,959 something important about how these shifts often begin. 35 00:01:53,840 --> 00:01:57,359 So I have a client who's been with me practically since I 36 00:01:57,359 --> 00:01:58,319 started my business. 37 00:01:58,560 --> 00:02:01,840 She's an event producer, and I manage her business and provide 38 00:02:01,840 --> 00:02:05,359 logistical on-site support at the events that she produces. 39 00:02:06,239 --> 00:02:10,400 But in 2023, she produced a conference, and Imani was on 40 00:02:10,400 --> 00:02:11,439 that client's team. 41 00:02:12,159 --> 00:02:18,639 We hit it off immediately, and we've been buddies, having 42 00:02:18,639 --> 00:02:20,240 coffee, co-working. 43 00:02:20,400 --> 00:02:23,680 We've been keeping in touch basically ever since we met. 44 00:02:24,719 --> 00:02:28,000 But a few months after that conference, I was hired by that 45 00:02:28,000 --> 00:02:30,960 client to help them clean up their back office so that they 46 00:02:30,960 --> 00:02:31,919 could grow their team. 47 00:02:32,240 --> 00:02:35,360 And Imani and I got to work together more closely. 48 00:02:35,919 --> 00:02:39,199 So when I launched my membership, she was actually one 49 00:02:39,199 --> 00:02:40,800 of the first people to join. 50 00:02:41,280 --> 00:02:46,560 But at that time, her business wasn't quite ready to fully 51 00:02:46,560 --> 00:02:50,080 benefit from the resources inside the Mind Your Time 52 00:02:50,240 --> 00:02:50,960 Society. 53 00:02:51,280 --> 00:02:53,439 But that would soon change. 54 00:02:54,159 --> 00:02:57,039 So now that you got a little bit of background information, I'm 55 00:02:57,039 --> 00:03:00,879 going to turn it over to Imani to tell us her story, starting 56 00:03:00,879 --> 00:03:04,800 with how she took the leap into becoming an entrepreneur. 57 00:03:05,199 --> 00:03:07,599 SPEAKER_01: First, I want to say thank you, Shannon, for having 58 00:03:07,599 --> 00:03:08,719 me on this podcast. 59 00:03:08,879 --> 00:03:12,639 This is a long time coming with us working together, a long time 60 00:03:12,639 --> 00:03:14,159 coming with me being on here. 61 00:03:14,560 --> 00:03:15,439 But hello everyone. 62 00:03:15,520 --> 00:03:19,439 Like Shannon said, I'm Imani Guy, founder and CEO of Made New 63 00:03:19,599 --> 00:03:20,240 Marketing. 64 00:03:20,319 --> 00:03:24,319 Um, I started my business back in October of 2023. 65 00:03:24,479 --> 00:03:27,759 I was working freelance in the marketing industry with a client 66 00:03:27,759 --> 00:03:29,439 that Shannon and I shared. 67 00:03:29,599 --> 00:03:32,240 Um, and then I was like, hmm, maybe I could be an 68 00:03:32,240 --> 00:03:33,039 entrepreneur. 69 00:03:33,280 --> 00:03:35,599 But I wasn't ready to take that leap of faith. 70 00:03:35,759 --> 00:03:40,560 I was like, hold on, I love the stability of my nine to five. 71 00:03:40,719 --> 00:03:44,560 But in September of 2023, before actually flying out for a 72 00:03:44,560 --> 00:03:48,000 client's conference, um, I got an email saying that I was 73 00:03:48,000 --> 00:03:48,719 losing my job. 74 00:03:48,879 --> 00:03:53,680 And so I faced the decision, would I become an entrepreneur? 75 00:03:53,919 --> 00:03:55,439 Which I was confused about. 76 00:03:55,599 --> 00:03:58,560 Like, hold on, is that really my calling? 77 00:03:58,879 --> 00:04:02,639 Or would I try to look for jobs in the marketing industry? 78 00:04:02,800 --> 00:04:04,240 It was hard to find jobs. 79 00:04:04,400 --> 00:04:07,120 So I just took a leap of faith and started my business. 80 00:04:07,199 --> 00:04:08,159 And now I'm here. 81 00:04:08,400 --> 00:04:12,879 So, you know, just a testament to just taking a leap of faith 82 00:04:12,879 --> 00:04:13,919 and not looking back. 83 00:04:14,080 --> 00:04:15,759 And that's exactly what I did. 84 00:04:16,319 --> 00:04:20,079 SPEAKER_00: I remember that first year, of course, you were 85 00:04:20,079 --> 00:04:21,759 going through all the motions. 86 00:04:22,079 --> 00:04:26,160 You had all the pieces you need to start your business. 87 00:04:26,399 --> 00:04:28,720 While you were really good at your work and you were 88 00:04:28,720 --> 00:04:32,240 developing your skills, but one thing you mentioned was your 89 00:04:32,240 --> 00:04:34,240 lack of systems was holding you back. 90 00:04:34,480 --> 00:04:36,160 Tell me a little bit more about that. 91 00:04:36,639 --> 00:04:39,120 SPEAKER_01: So, yeah, I remember when I first met Shannon. 92 00:04:39,519 --> 00:04:43,680 Actually, I met you when I had lost my job because I lost it 93 00:04:43,680 --> 00:04:45,600 right before we went to the conference. 94 00:04:45,759 --> 00:04:47,600 And so I was frantic. 95 00:04:47,759 --> 00:04:51,040 I used to always tell Shannon in the beginning of months of 96 00:04:51,040 --> 00:04:53,839 getting to know her, you know, you look up how to start a 97 00:04:53,839 --> 00:04:57,279 business and they're like, give your EIN, LLC, business baking. 98 00:04:57,439 --> 00:05:00,000 They may give you some systems, but they don't really show you 99 00:05:00,000 --> 00:05:04,639 how to structure it, um, not to fit what works best for you, but 100 00:05:04,639 --> 00:05:05,439 your clients. 101 00:05:05,600 --> 00:05:07,839 And so that's what I dealt with a lot. 102 00:05:08,079 --> 00:05:11,680 I had the skills, I had the talents, the gift, all the 103 00:05:11,680 --> 00:05:15,920 things, but I didn't really know how to structure a business that 104 00:05:15,920 --> 00:05:16,879 was scalable. 105 00:05:17,040 --> 00:05:20,639 And I know we'll get into this later, but also the boundaries 106 00:05:20,639 --> 00:05:23,600 and systems, I say, were the biggest piece in the beginning 107 00:05:23,600 --> 00:05:27,519 of my business that caused burnout, all of the things I was 108 00:05:27,519 --> 00:05:28,560 really struggling. 109 00:05:28,879 --> 00:05:30,319 Like I barely slept. 110 00:05:30,399 --> 00:05:33,360 So I mean, answering calls 10, 11 p.m. 111 00:05:33,759 --> 00:05:37,439 and really not building a system or foundation for my business. 112 00:05:37,600 --> 00:05:41,040 And it showed later down the line. 113 00:05:41,360 --> 00:05:43,759 SPEAKER_00: And one of the things I remember really that 114 00:05:43,759 --> 00:05:47,839 first year is because you were so overwhelmed, you started 115 00:05:47,839 --> 00:05:49,680 experiencing some health challenges. 116 00:05:49,920 --> 00:05:52,879 You remember what I told you at that time was going on? 117 00:05:52,959 --> 00:05:54,639 Because they couldn't figure out what was going on with you. 118 00:05:54,720 --> 00:05:54,879 Yeah. 119 00:05:55,040 --> 00:05:56,319 But I knew what it was. 120 00:05:56,720 --> 00:06:01,120 SPEAKER_01: You would tell me stress, but also burnout, I 121 00:06:01,120 --> 00:06:01,439 believe. 122 00:06:01,519 --> 00:06:05,199 Like I was experiencing extreme, extreme burnout. 123 00:06:05,439 --> 00:06:08,240 I think that speaks to also what you do in your business, the 124 00:06:08,240 --> 00:06:10,720 importance of yes, you run a business, you're an 125 00:06:10,720 --> 00:06:13,360 entrepreneur, this is how you make your money and everything, 126 00:06:13,600 --> 00:06:15,680 but you have to make sure that you're okay. 127 00:06:15,759 --> 00:06:18,399 Because if you're not okay, then your business is gonna suffer. 128 00:06:18,560 --> 00:06:22,160 And when that happened, I was even still trying to work, make 129 00:06:22,160 --> 00:06:24,959 meetings on the way to doctor's appointment, and what was going 130 00:06:24,959 --> 00:06:28,000 on was it was like inflammation in my chest. 131 00:06:28,160 --> 00:06:28,959 I was in pain. 132 00:06:29,040 --> 00:06:30,560 Like I used to try to work from the bed. 133 00:06:30,639 --> 00:06:33,600 I don't know, like you guys see in movies, how the people like 134 00:06:33,680 --> 00:06:35,759 they get into the hospital because they have strokes and 135 00:06:35,759 --> 00:06:37,519 all these things, and they're still trying to work. 136 00:06:37,759 --> 00:06:40,160 And that was that was me, unfortunately. 137 00:06:40,319 --> 00:06:45,120 And I was only, I think I was like 24 at that time. 138 00:06:45,360 --> 00:06:46,639 24, 25. 139 00:06:46,800 --> 00:06:51,759 So I'm 24, 25, and out in and out of doctor's appointments for 140 00:06:51,759 --> 00:06:55,519 three weeks because of stress, because they couldn't really 141 00:06:55,519 --> 00:06:58,399 determine inflammation in the chest can be caused from so many 142 00:06:58,399 --> 00:06:59,360 different factors. 143 00:06:59,600 --> 00:07:01,680 And so I'm in and out of the hospital. 144 00:07:01,759 --> 00:07:06,399 I'm going to the cardio doctor, a PC, like all of these things 145 00:07:06,399 --> 00:07:07,279 to get tests. 146 00:07:07,680 --> 00:07:10,800 Because, but it also me came down to I was stressed because I 147 00:07:10,800 --> 00:07:12,959 haven't had that pain since I never had that pain. 148 00:07:13,040 --> 00:07:16,800 But when I look back at that time period, it was a lot going 149 00:07:16,800 --> 00:07:17,040 on. 150 00:07:17,120 --> 00:07:21,279 And it, I feel like it just all comes to having boundaries as an 151 00:07:21,279 --> 00:07:23,600 entrepreneur because we struggle to do that a lot. 152 00:07:23,759 --> 00:07:27,040 Like we think if we say no, a client's gonna walk away. 153 00:07:27,120 --> 00:07:30,480 And if they choose to walk away, then that's on them because we 154 00:07:30,480 --> 00:07:32,399 have to make sure that our health is important. 155 00:07:32,480 --> 00:07:35,040 Because if something ever happens to us, they're just 156 00:07:35,040 --> 00:07:36,399 gonna find somebody else anyway. 157 00:07:36,560 --> 00:07:38,800 You see the same thing in corporate America. 158 00:07:38,959 --> 00:07:41,839 They oh, they say, okay, you can take this sick time, but at the 159 00:07:41,839 --> 00:07:44,560 end of the day, they're gonna find somebody to replace you. 160 00:07:44,639 --> 00:07:46,240 So you need to make sure you take care of your health. 161 00:07:46,480 --> 00:07:48,240 And that's from experience. 162 00:07:48,399 --> 00:07:51,439 That time I remember calling Shannon, like, I don't know, but 163 00:07:51,439 --> 00:07:52,399 things need to get done. 164 00:07:52,480 --> 00:07:55,600 It's like, no, take a pause, focus on your health. 165 00:07:55,759 --> 00:07:59,360 If they don't understand, then you actually should not be 166 00:07:59,360 --> 00:08:00,480 working with them, you know? 167 00:08:00,720 --> 00:08:04,160 So that was a very, very tough time. 168 00:08:04,399 --> 00:08:07,759 And I probably didn't even start implementing Shannon's advice 169 00:08:07,759 --> 00:08:11,680 until early this year when I was like, oh, in December and 170 00:08:11,839 --> 00:08:14,079 January this year, and I was like, I can't, I can't do this 171 00:08:14,079 --> 00:08:14,319 no more. 172 00:08:14,399 --> 00:08:16,560 I'm I'm burnt out. 173 00:08:17,199 --> 00:08:18,319 So yeah. 174 00:08:19,360 --> 00:08:22,800 SPEAKER_00: Now I also remember another shift that you had to 175 00:08:22,800 --> 00:08:26,720 make was with your messaging and your services because you were 176 00:08:26,959 --> 00:08:33,600 very clear on what you did, who you served, and how you would 177 00:08:33,600 --> 00:08:34,240 deliver. 178 00:08:34,559 --> 00:08:38,720 Once you got that clarity, how did things change in your 179 00:08:38,720 --> 00:08:39,200 business? 180 00:08:39,919 --> 00:08:40,720 SPEAKER_01: Tremendously. 181 00:08:40,879 --> 00:08:44,399 I remember when we first started working together, I want to say 182 00:08:44,399 --> 00:08:45,519 this was in March. 183 00:08:45,919 --> 00:08:50,080 Yes, it was in the beginning of March, and we sat down and you 184 00:08:50,080 --> 00:08:52,960 were like, what's your vision? 185 00:08:53,039 --> 00:08:53,840 What's your mission? 186 00:08:54,000 --> 00:08:56,399 And I think at the time, because when I started, when I look back 187 00:08:56,480 --> 00:08:59,360 when I started my business, I'm like, I just have to get 188 00:08:59,360 --> 00:08:59,759 clients. 189 00:08:59,919 --> 00:09:02,000 Like I lost a significant amount of income. 190 00:09:02,080 --> 00:09:06,399 I have to build up that income to be able to, you know, it's 191 00:09:06,399 --> 00:09:07,840 expensive in the DMV. 192 00:09:08,000 --> 00:09:10,000 So I had to build that income back up. 193 00:09:10,240 --> 00:09:13,360 So when I look back when I started my business, I my goal 194 00:09:13,360 --> 00:09:15,679 was okay, you need marketing, you need this, you need that. 195 00:09:15,840 --> 00:09:16,320 Okay, cool. 196 00:09:16,399 --> 00:09:17,120 Like I can do it. 197 00:09:17,200 --> 00:09:20,159 And not really realizing one that's not sustainable because 198 00:09:20,159 --> 00:09:22,080 you should not be able to work with everybody. 199 00:09:22,159 --> 00:09:24,879 Like everybody does not fit your target and your goal. 200 00:09:25,039 --> 00:09:29,759 So sitting down with you in March, I was like, okay, I have 201 00:09:29,759 --> 00:09:30,480 some work to do. 202 00:09:30,639 --> 00:09:35,120 And even when I was just prepping for today, I sat back 203 00:09:35,120 --> 00:09:39,360 and looked and I was like, I never really in the first couple 204 00:09:39,440 --> 00:09:42,000 years or year and a half of the business, sat back and like, 205 00:09:42,080 --> 00:09:43,120 what do I see this being? 206 00:09:43,279 --> 00:09:46,879 Not now, but in the future, you know, like when we were talking 207 00:09:46,879 --> 00:09:49,039 about the vision, what do I see it being in the future? 208 00:09:49,200 --> 00:09:51,919 And I was like, hmm, this is it really got me thinking. 209 00:09:52,080 --> 00:09:54,799 And I think that's and when we started talking, when I look 210 00:09:54,879 --> 00:09:58,159 back, just prepping, that was when I started to pivot. 211 00:09:58,399 --> 00:10:02,320 When I really sat down and was like, okay, what is my business 212 00:10:02,320 --> 00:10:02,960 supposed to be? 213 00:10:03,120 --> 00:10:05,360 Like I know I'm supposed to be doing so much more than what I'm 214 00:10:05,360 --> 00:10:05,600 doing. 215 00:10:05,679 --> 00:10:07,279 I'm not supposed to be feeling burnt out. 216 00:10:07,360 --> 00:10:09,360 Like I'm not, I'm an entrepreneur. 217 00:10:09,519 --> 00:10:10,720 I can back my old schedule. 218 00:10:10,799 --> 00:10:12,159 Why am I feeling burnt out? 219 00:10:12,240 --> 00:10:16,000 You know, and that pivot, you know, these last couple months 220 00:10:16,000 --> 00:10:19,600 have been hard, but it really shifted everything in my 221 00:10:19,600 --> 00:10:23,840 business because I sat down, you know, just like prayed and 222 00:10:23,840 --> 00:10:25,919 really like, what does my business look like next? 223 00:10:26,000 --> 00:10:28,399 Like, what do I want it to be in the future? 224 00:10:28,720 --> 00:10:34,000 And that really transformed my thinking, transformed that, 225 00:10:34,080 --> 00:10:37,200 okay, I really have to be serious about my back office. 226 00:10:37,279 --> 00:10:39,039 I have to be serious about my systems. 227 00:10:39,200 --> 00:10:43,600 Like, if this is the vision for five years, I can't have no back 228 00:10:43,600 --> 00:10:43,919 office. 229 00:10:44,080 --> 00:10:46,960 I can't not have an onboarding and all of these things. 230 00:10:47,039 --> 00:10:51,200 Like, I have to get my systems and foundation in order. 231 00:10:51,360 --> 00:10:53,120 And that comes with vision. 232 00:10:53,200 --> 00:10:55,679 I remember you saying, how do you not know if you don't know 233 00:10:55,679 --> 00:10:59,840 what you want to do, then how can you even build that 234 00:10:59,840 --> 00:11:01,039 structure for your business? 235 00:11:01,279 --> 00:11:05,919 So yeah, it was it's been a journey since March, but that 236 00:11:05,919 --> 00:11:10,080 conversation was was the start to me actually pivoting and 237 00:11:10,080 --> 00:11:13,759 really figuring out, okay, what does this look like next? 238 00:11:14,399 --> 00:11:16,879 SPEAKER_00: Okay, so now we're at that clarity point. 239 00:11:17,600 --> 00:11:20,320 What do you do in mate new marketing? 240 00:11:21,200 --> 00:11:21,679 SPEAKER_01: Yes. 241 00:11:22,000 --> 00:11:26,879 So it has changed a little bit since we last spoke, but um, so 242 00:11:27,039 --> 00:11:31,519 our goal basically is to help entrepreneurs shine their light. 243 00:11:31,679 --> 00:11:35,600 Entrepreneurs, we work with churches, ministries, um, and we 244 00:11:35,600 --> 00:11:39,440 used um our foundation, which is faith, to do that. 245 00:11:39,679 --> 00:11:45,039 And so we work in social media management, event marketing, not 246 00:11:45,039 --> 00:11:48,159 full events, but event marketing, and of course, 247 00:11:48,399 --> 00:11:49,279 storytelling. 248 00:11:49,519 --> 00:11:52,639 One of the things recently that I haven't shared with you yet, 249 00:11:52,879 --> 00:11:57,200 but working with you has showed me how people often also lack 250 00:11:57,200 --> 00:12:00,960 structure in their marketing and how it's important for them to 251 00:12:00,960 --> 00:12:04,080 build a foundation in every area of your business. 252 00:12:04,320 --> 00:12:06,960 But working with you and building that foundation in my 253 00:12:06,960 --> 00:12:11,120 entire business made me realize that you need that in every 254 00:12:11,120 --> 00:12:14,960 area, but the entire business is a start to building out your 255 00:12:14,960 --> 00:12:17,759 operations and every department of your business. 256 00:12:18,000 --> 00:12:21,200 And so I don't know, just working with you has shown me 257 00:12:21,279 --> 00:12:23,440 like, wow, people really don't have structure in their 258 00:12:23,440 --> 00:12:23,840 marketing. 259 00:12:24,000 --> 00:12:25,519 They don't have the strategy. 260 00:12:25,679 --> 00:12:27,840 And then, of course, the storytelling part with the 261 00:12:27,840 --> 00:12:30,159 social media or event marketing support. 262 00:12:30,399 --> 00:12:33,039 So it was really just interesting how this six months, 263 00:12:33,279 --> 00:12:35,200 how everything is just like full circle. 264 00:12:35,360 --> 00:12:37,919 Like we knew when we first started it was gonna be the 265 00:12:37,919 --> 00:12:38,799 community piece. 266 00:12:38,960 --> 00:12:42,240 We knew it was gonna be some faith incorporated, but I just 267 00:12:42,240 --> 00:12:43,840 didn't know in March would it be now. 268 00:12:44,080 --> 00:12:47,600 But that comes back to getting clarity and also even if you're 269 00:12:47,600 --> 00:12:51,200 pivoting your business, like keep going because it's gonna 270 00:12:51,279 --> 00:12:52,799 like you're gonna, it's like blurry. 271 00:12:52,879 --> 00:12:53,840 It was blurry in March. 272 00:12:53,919 --> 00:12:55,360 I'm like, okay, people see it. 273 00:12:55,519 --> 00:12:56,480 I don't see nothing. 274 00:12:56,559 --> 00:12:59,360 I probably need like bifocals or something. 275 00:12:59,679 --> 00:13:03,039 And then I was like, okay, it's starting to make sense as I'm 276 00:13:03,039 --> 00:13:04,000 taking these steps. 277 00:13:04,080 --> 00:13:06,559 It's starting to make sense, it's starting to get clear, like 278 00:13:06,639 --> 00:13:11,120 it's starting to, I'm starting to see the actual vision that we 279 00:13:11,120 --> 00:13:14,799 said back in March because I just was like, I'm gonna just 280 00:13:14,799 --> 00:13:18,639 keep taking these steps, and I guess wherever it land, you 281 00:13:18,639 --> 00:13:20,399 know, that's what it's that's what it's gonna be. 282 00:13:20,559 --> 00:13:24,080 So yeah, that's how I was able to really get clear and really 283 00:13:24,080 --> 00:13:28,080 just hone in on who are who I'm like I'm called to serve, like 284 00:13:28,159 --> 00:13:29,759 and help through my business. 285 00:13:30,080 --> 00:13:32,639 SPEAKER_00: If you're new to the podcast, I always talk about the 286 00:13:32,639 --> 00:13:36,000 six core systems that every business owner needs. 287 00:13:36,240 --> 00:13:39,919 But the first three, just so you know, I was so proud of Imani, 288 00:13:40,159 --> 00:13:44,240 she already had her digital file structure in place, but she was 289 00:13:44,240 --> 00:13:48,240 missing two, and one of them is really huge, which was her 290 00:13:48,240 --> 00:13:52,720 client onboarding and then having control of her schedule 291 00:13:52,720 --> 00:13:56,080 or her calendar management because she didn't have all the 292 00:13:56,080 --> 00:13:57,919 boundaries in place that she needed. 293 00:13:58,080 --> 00:14:01,360 But one of the biggest ones that I knew she needed to make a 294 00:14:01,360 --> 00:14:04,799 priority was her onboarding because her complaint was as a 295 00:14:04,799 --> 00:14:08,879 content creator and manager, the clients weren't getting her what 296 00:14:08,879 --> 00:14:12,320 she needed to be able to do her job. 297 00:14:12,639 --> 00:14:19,519 So we tested it out together, created a um a basin airtable 298 00:14:19,519 --> 00:14:21,440 that she can recreate with every client. 299 00:14:21,600 --> 00:14:22,799 So it's a template. 300 00:14:23,120 --> 00:14:27,039 So, how has building out your onboarding process over the 301 00:14:27,039 --> 00:14:30,159 past, I would say, three to four months, what difference had it 302 00:14:30,240 --> 00:14:33,200 has it made as you start to work with new clients? 303 00:14:33,840 --> 00:14:39,840 SPEAKER_01: When I tell you they love Airtable, like love it. 304 00:14:40,000 --> 00:14:43,120 They go on the platform, they're like, I think I just had one or 305 00:14:43,120 --> 00:14:46,480 two clients who I had to go over with, but everybody was like, 306 00:14:46,559 --> 00:14:47,919 it's it's fairly easy. 307 00:14:48,080 --> 00:14:52,559 They're actually excited that everything's in one platform as 308 00:14:52,559 --> 00:14:55,759 opposed to you know Google Drive and then having to go to a 309 00:14:55,759 --> 00:14:59,759 Google folder and then having to, you know, the the cells, the 310 00:14:59,759 --> 00:15:01,919 columns are too big or too long. 311 00:15:02,159 --> 00:15:06,080 So they really love Airtable, and it has been very easy to 312 00:15:06,080 --> 00:15:10,399 just also it's an app, so just upload from the phone and ping 313 00:15:10,399 --> 00:15:13,679 them when it's ready, they're able to edit it and different 314 00:15:13,679 --> 00:15:14,000 things. 315 00:15:14,159 --> 00:15:17,519 So when we talk about systems, like that was one of the big 316 00:15:17,519 --> 00:15:23,919 keys to be efficient with like clients being able to review 317 00:15:23,919 --> 00:15:28,159 content because if they can't review it in a timely manner, 318 00:15:28,320 --> 00:15:32,399 you know, things fall, or even if I have to go into Google 319 00:15:32,399 --> 00:15:36,799 Drive and add a link and then add all these extra things, 320 00:15:37,360 --> 00:15:38,159 things fall. 321 00:15:38,320 --> 00:15:41,279 So and and then when you think about things falling, then that 322 00:15:41,279 --> 00:15:45,360 messes up your client retention, that messes up clients that are 323 00:15:45,360 --> 00:15:46,639 like, hold on, what's going on? 324 00:15:46,799 --> 00:15:49,840 So you have to like air table is very important, but the 325 00:15:49,840 --> 00:15:56,320 onboarding was very important as well because I think before I I 326 00:15:56,320 --> 00:16:00,639 had calls with my clients, but it wasn't a true extensive 327 00:16:00,639 --> 00:16:04,480 onboarding package to say here's your like I think at the end we 328 00:16:04,480 --> 00:16:05,279 put a checklist. 329 00:16:05,440 --> 00:16:07,759 This is what I need to in order to be able to start. 330 00:16:07,919 --> 00:16:11,840 If I don't get these things, then it prolongs or pushes back 331 00:16:11,840 --> 00:16:13,200 our actual start date. 332 00:16:13,360 --> 00:16:17,200 And so being able to do that was really helpful for me. 333 00:16:17,440 --> 00:16:23,039 And I don't have to before y'all, I used to do too much 334 00:16:23,200 --> 00:16:26,320 proposals for every client or potential client, and then to 335 00:16:26,320 --> 00:16:30,080 maybe not get some, and this making stuff everything so 336 00:16:30,080 --> 00:16:33,679 specific to each client, but with the onboarding package, all 337 00:16:33,679 --> 00:16:37,120 I have to do is maybe change it out a little bit depending on 338 00:16:37,120 --> 00:16:39,120 the package they got and their name. 339 00:16:39,440 --> 00:16:42,639 But I don't have to change everything because I need all 340 00:16:42,639 --> 00:16:44,879 the credentials, the login credentials. 341 00:16:45,039 --> 00:16:47,759 Before I used to do everything on my Canva account, now I'm 342 00:16:47,759 --> 00:16:48,720 like, do you have one? 343 00:16:48,799 --> 00:16:50,399 Can you add me to your team? 344 00:16:50,559 --> 00:16:55,679 Just to make sure that things are separate, but also that 345 00:16:55,679 --> 00:16:59,120 they're able to see everything is just streamlined better, 346 00:16:59,200 --> 00:17:02,240 especially when you think about you may not work with clients 347 00:17:02,240 --> 00:17:04,400 all the time, like the same client for years. 348 00:17:04,480 --> 00:17:07,519 So instead of having to transfer, remember I had to do 349 00:17:07,519 --> 00:17:10,400 all that, and it's hard to transfer on Canva. 350 00:17:10,720 --> 00:17:16,319 So just those little things adding to my onboarding has made 351 00:17:16,319 --> 00:17:18,480 it so, so much easier. 352 00:17:18,640 --> 00:17:21,920 I had a new client onboarding last week, and he was like, wow, 353 00:17:22,000 --> 00:17:23,599 this is very, you know, thorough. 354 00:17:23,680 --> 00:17:25,759 I'm like, shout out to Shadow. 355 00:17:26,000 --> 00:17:29,440 Because I sent the onboarding package and it literally had 356 00:17:29,440 --> 00:17:29,759 everything. 357 00:17:29,839 --> 00:17:33,200 And I I recently updated too based on just pivoting in the 358 00:17:33,200 --> 00:17:36,640 company, the things that I see maybe I actually do need, and 359 00:17:36,640 --> 00:17:40,400 it's very helpful for your for your client because also just 360 00:17:40,400 --> 00:17:43,599 what I learned working with you is that it could be easy for you 361 00:17:43,599 --> 00:17:47,279 to do because like you're on the back end of the business, but 362 00:17:47,279 --> 00:17:50,799 it's not about if it's easier for you, like it's about your 363 00:17:50,799 --> 00:17:51,200 client. 364 00:17:51,279 --> 00:17:53,519 If they're struggling to keep up with what you're doing and 365 00:17:53,519 --> 00:17:56,559 they're they're not really understanding, then I don't want 366 00:17:56,559 --> 00:17:59,599 to say you're failing, but you're you're missing a piece. 367 00:17:59,680 --> 00:18:02,720 And when you think about even like getting clients back, it's 368 00:18:02,720 --> 00:18:06,240 hard because they're like, hmm, she she was good at her work, 369 00:18:06,480 --> 00:18:09,279 but I couldn't really keep up because it was too much going 370 00:18:09,279 --> 00:18:09,440 on. 371 00:18:09,680 --> 00:18:12,079 I think that's what I struggled with in the beginning, but now 372 00:18:12,240 --> 00:18:14,720 and I'm like, you're gonna know in the beginning what's going 373 00:18:14,720 --> 00:18:14,880 on. 374 00:18:15,039 --> 00:18:17,839 You're gonna have these systems that I know have work, have 375 00:18:17,839 --> 00:18:21,039 proven to work, and I'm not even creating the will again. 376 00:18:21,119 --> 00:18:24,160 I'm just duplicating and maybe even changing some of the 377 00:18:24,160 --> 00:18:28,240 columns to be specific to the client, but I'm making a process 378 00:18:28,240 --> 00:18:30,480 easier for them rather than easier for me. 379 00:18:30,559 --> 00:18:32,319 I feel like that's how I operated in the beginning. 380 00:18:32,400 --> 00:18:33,359 Oh, this is easy for me. 381 00:18:33,440 --> 00:18:34,480 I know what I'm doing. 382 00:18:34,640 --> 00:18:37,920 But then the client's like, can you clarify this every day? 383 00:18:38,000 --> 00:18:42,000 And I'm like, okay, now this is easy, but it was because I was 384 00:18:42,000 --> 00:18:46,000 working to for it to be easier for me and not, you know, for 385 00:18:46,000 --> 00:18:46,319 them. 386 00:18:46,640 --> 00:18:50,559 SPEAKER_00: Yes, and that point right there really emphasizes 387 00:18:50,559 --> 00:18:55,119 how when you create processes or systems that are client-focused, 388 00:18:55,359 --> 00:18:56,799 it needs to be all about them. 389 00:18:57,039 --> 00:18:59,759 Because if they have a bad experience, as you mentioned, it 390 00:18:59,759 --> 00:19:02,559 doesn't matter how good you are at your job, all they're gonna 391 00:19:02,559 --> 00:19:05,119 remember is the bad experience that they have with you. 392 00:19:05,359 --> 00:19:09,279 And that's gonna one block them from referring anyone to you 393 00:19:09,440 --> 00:19:11,599 because they don't want anyone else to experience that. 394 00:19:12,079 --> 00:19:15,839 But then two, you know, if you while your clients and they're 395 00:19:15,839 --> 00:19:18,880 happy with you, you can raise your prices, you can change your 396 00:19:18,880 --> 00:19:21,759 services, they will stay with you and they will sing praises 397 00:19:21,920 --> 00:19:25,759 and bring more people, but it comes to your client experience. 398 00:19:26,000 --> 00:19:30,400 Now, one thing we also talked about several times, which is 399 00:19:30,400 --> 00:19:33,920 part of the client experience, is boundaries. 400 00:19:34,240 --> 00:19:38,160 Because before you did not have boundaries in place, especially 401 00:19:38,160 --> 00:19:40,319 around your calendar. 402 00:19:40,880 --> 00:19:42,640 How is it different now? 403 00:19:44,160 --> 00:19:45,200 SPEAKER_01: I'm gonna just say this. 404 00:19:45,359 --> 00:19:47,599 Y'all need to work with Shannon because she is going to get 405 00:19:47,599 --> 00:19:51,519 y'all together unfiltered, but it's going to be beneficial in 406 00:19:51,519 --> 00:19:52,240 the long run. 407 00:19:52,480 --> 00:19:56,880 When it came to the boundaries with the calendar, I used to 408 00:19:56,880 --> 00:20:02,079 take meetings every day of the business week, Monday through 409 00:20:02,079 --> 00:20:06,880 Friday, nine to five, or at least three. 410 00:20:07,440 --> 00:20:12,640 Um, and what that did was I did not have opportunity to work on 411 00:20:12,640 --> 00:20:13,920 the back end of my business. 412 00:20:14,079 --> 00:20:18,720 That's why it was starting to quickly crumble because I'm so 413 00:20:18,720 --> 00:20:21,839 focused on what's on the front end, but I'm missing the back 414 00:20:21,839 --> 00:20:26,160 end and not even having at least one day where I'm able to focus 415 00:20:26,160 --> 00:20:27,200 on my admin. 416 00:20:27,680 --> 00:20:31,279 So I would take calls even outside of the nine to five, 417 00:20:31,839 --> 00:20:35,279 because of course I didn't have a separate work phone, so it was 418 00:20:35,279 --> 00:20:37,519 already, if I see it, I'm just gonna respond. 419 00:20:37,599 --> 00:20:40,960 But I realize that's not the best option because then people 420 00:20:40,960 --> 00:20:44,960 become accustomed to you answering at nine, 10 o'clock at 421 00:20:44,960 --> 00:20:46,720 night trying to get things done. 422 00:20:46,880 --> 00:20:50,960 And I also realized that everything is not urgent, you 423 00:20:50,960 --> 00:20:51,119 know? 424 00:20:51,279 --> 00:20:56,000 Like if there's a big event coming up or a deadline, but 425 00:20:56,000 --> 00:20:59,200 it's not that urgent at nine o'clock at night, especially if 426 00:20:59,200 --> 00:21:00,319 it's Monday through Thursday. 427 00:21:00,400 --> 00:21:02,480 Now, if it's a Friday and they need something before Monday, 428 00:21:02,559 --> 00:21:03,680 that could be understandable. 429 00:21:03,839 --> 00:21:06,079 But if it's Monday through Thursday, it can literally wait 430 00:21:06,079 --> 00:21:07,200 till the next morning. 431 00:21:07,440 --> 00:21:09,599 So setting those boundaries on my calendar. 432 00:21:09,680 --> 00:21:13,759 Now I only take meetings Mondays and Wednesdays full, like nine 433 00:21:13,759 --> 00:21:15,200 to five on both days. 434 00:21:15,440 --> 00:21:17,359 Thursdays 11 to 2. 435 00:21:17,519 --> 00:21:20,720 Other than that, Tuesdays are my admin day and working on 436 00:21:20,720 --> 00:21:23,519 anything internal and Friday is my rest day. 437 00:21:23,759 --> 00:21:26,000 Yes, I have a rest day. 438 00:21:26,319 --> 00:21:30,799 And I'm popping, but you can't see us because I would take 439 00:21:30,799 --> 00:21:31,599 meetings. 440 00:21:32,079 --> 00:21:34,319 Shannon would be like, oh no, I'm not available. 441 00:21:34,400 --> 00:21:34,880 It's me. 442 00:21:35,039 --> 00:21:39,119 I'm available because I just felt like if I wasn't available, 443 00:21:39,200 --> 00:21:41,440 oh, the client's gonna feel like I'm not serious. 444 00:21:41,680 --> 00:21:44,640 But I want to say this also like you don't have to prove yourself 445 00:21:44,640 --> 00:21:46,559 to your client, like you're already working with them. 446 00:21:46,720 --> 00:21:49,839 They clearly see that you're capable to do the job, so you 447 00:21:49,839 --> 00:21:51,839 don't have to like overextend yourself. 448 00:21:51,920 --> 00:21:53,119 And that's what I did. 449 00:21:53,359 --> 00:21:59,519 And so once me and Shan probably can't even count on my hands how 450 00:21:59,519 --> 00:21:59,680 many. 451 00:22:00,160 --> 00:22:02,480 Many times we have had this conversation. 452 00:22:02,720 --> 00:22:06,079 But once I started to implement it, I started to see less 453 00:22:06,079 --> 00:22:08,799 stress, time free up. 454 00:22:08,960 --> 00:22:12,720 My back end wasn't failing because one of my excuses, well, 455 00:22:12,799 --> 00:22:15,279 I would say it was an excuse, and I can say it's an excuse now 456 00:22:15,359 --> 00:22:18,720 because we overcame it, but was I didn't have time to focus on 457 00:22:18,720 --> 00:22:19,279 my back end. 458 00:22:19,359 --> 00:22:22,000 Like that was crazy that I even would say, like, I didn't have 459 00:22:22,000 --> 00:22:22,160 time. 460 00:22:22,240 --> 00:22:25,839 And you were like, okay, okay, you know? 461 00:22:26,079 --> 00:22:28,720 But setting those boundaries has cleared up so much time. 462 00:22:28,880 --> 00:22:30,960 I'm able to go in person more for clients. 463 00:22:31,039 --> 00:22:35,519 I'm able to just do more without feeling like even if I'm out of 464 00:22:35,519 --> 00:22:38,480 office for a day, like sometimes Thursdays, I may have to go in 465 00:22:38,480 --> 00:22:39,839 person for a content day. 466 00:22:40,000 --> 00:22:43,119 I can do that without feeling like my business is falling 467 00:22:43,119 --> 00:22:43,359 apart. 468 00:22:43,519 --> 00:22:46,880 Because if you leave your office for three hours and you feel 469 00:22:46,880 --> 00:22:49,279 like your business is falling apart, then you have bigger 470 00:22:49,279 --> 00:22:49,680 problems. 471 00:22:49,759 --> 00:22:50,559 And that was me. 472 00:22:50,720 --> 00:22:53,920 Like, I remember when we first started doing our coffee days, I 473 00:22:53,920 --> 00:22:56,559 would feel like, oh my gosh, like how can I be out doing 474 00:22:56,559 --> 00:22:56,720 this? 475 00:22:56,799 --> 00:22:58,400 And then I was like, relax. 476 00:22:58,559 --> 00:23:02,240 Like, nothing can happen in three hours. 477 00:23:02,480 --> 00:23:05,440 Um, and also you need to set aside time. 478 00:23:05,519 --> 00:23:07,839 If you know you're gonna be outside of office, how can you 479 00:23:07,839 --> 00:23:10,640 maybe potentially rearrange your schedule and have those 480 00:23:10,640 --> 00:23:11,119 boundaries? 481 00:23:11,200 --> 00:23:14,640 So when I'm out of office, when I'm at these events, when I'm 482 00:23:14,640 --> 00:23:18,640 doing things in person or in the field, I can be present where I 483 00:23:18,640 --> 00:23:18,799 am. 484 00:23:18,880 --> 00:23:21,519 And I did not do that the first year and a half of my business. 485 00:23:21,599 --> 00:23:24,559 I would, oh my bad, I have to take this call or do this. 486 00:23:24,720 --> 00:23:27,759 And you know, when I did start setting boundaries in my 487 00:23:27,759 --> 00:23:32,000 business, clients, some clients didn't like that simply because 488 00:23:32,319 --> 00:23:36,799 I basically just let them walk all over me in short terms. 489 00:23:36,960 --> 00:23:39,119 And so when you set those boundaries and you haven't 490 00:23:39,200 --> 00:23:41,920 before, people do they get confused. 491 00:23:42,000 --> 00:23:44,559 They're like, okay, she's switching up, but really it's 492 00:23:44,799 --> 00:23:48,480 you were taking advantage of me not having boundaries. 493 00:23:48,640 --> 00:23:53,119 And so setting those boundaries, it that even shifted my 494 00:23:53,119 --> 00:23:53,359 business. 495 00:23:53,440 --> 00:23:56,640 Like it was a lot of shifts happening at one time, the 496 00:23:56,640 --> 00:23:57,200 messaging. 497 00:23:57,279 --> 00:23:59,680 I was focused on the back office, I was setting 498 00:23:59,680 --> 00:24:05,200 boundaries, and people were some, it just people had to take 499 00:24:05,200 --> 00:24:08,799 time to receive it or even not receive it because of who I 500 00:24:08,799 --> 00:24:11,200 showed up as, but that wasn't even me. 501 00:24:11,440 --> 00:24:13,599 Like I was overextending myself. 502 00:24:13,839 --> 00:24:17,039 And now I don't be burnt out. 503 00:24:17,119 --> 00:24:20,880 I mean, even though this last six months has been hard, I hey, 504 00:24:21,039 --> 00:24:22,720 you on, I'll see you Monday. 505 00:24:22,799 --> 00:24:24,240 I say this to my work stuff. 506 00:24:24,319 --> 00:24:25,279 I'll see you Monday. 507 00:24:25,359 --> 00:24:29,039 I'm taking the weekend, I'm taking Friday, I'm prioritizing 508 00:24:29,039 --> 00:24:32,720 myself because if I can't be my best self, then things are gonna 509 00:24:32,720 --> 00:24:35,200 fall through, especially as a solopreneur, like things are 510 00:24:35,200 --> 00:24:36,000 gonna fall through. 511 00:24:36,240 --> 00:24:38,240 So boundaries, boundaries. 512 00:24:38,319 --> 00:24:40,799 If you don't learn anything else, boundaries, that's it. 513 00:24:43,519 --> 00:24:46,640 SPEAKER_00: No, one thing you mentioned, actually, our last 514 00:24:46,640 --> 00:24:51,039 coffee co-working session was that you repeat something I told 515 00:24:51,039 --> 00:24:53,920 you about working hours and office hours. 516 00:24:54,319 --> 00:24:56,319 How has that made a difference for you? 517 00:24:57,039 --> 00:25:03,279 SPEAKER_01: It has helped me to be able to have days where I'm 518 00:25:03,279 --> 00:25:07,200 focused on client work or my own work. 519 00:25:07,440 --> 00:25:11,359 Because before, if I'm working, one thing we had this 520 00:25:11,359 --> 00:25:16,640 conversation, I think before, I would be in the zone for like 521 00:25:16,640 --> 00:25:20,000 two hours, and then I get a ping, you have a meeting at 1 522 00:25:20,000 --> 00:25:20,400 p.m. 523 00:25:20,799 --> 00:25:25,680 Now I'm out of that creativity space that, you know, working on 524 00:25:25,680 --> 00:25:28,160 client work, I could be typing something out. 525 00:25:28,319 --> 00:25:29,920 I'm out of that space now. 526 00:25:30,160 --> 00:25:34,319 I have to step aside, put my put another hat on, you know, for my 527 00:25:34,319 --> 00:25:39,039 sessions, for my um checking calls, and then I have to be in 528 00:25:39,039 --> 00:25:40,000 that meeting, right? 529 00:25:40,160 --> 00:25:42,160 And then now I'm out of that meeting. 530 00:25:42,400 --> 00:25:47,200 I've probably lost what I was working on before because I had 531 00:25:47,200 --> 00:25:48,559 to stop in that moment. 532 00:25:48,720 --> 00:25:51,599 Like for what, even for what you do, for what I do, when you're 533 00:25:51,599 --> 00:25:55,279 in that zone, you gotta I've done stayed up to 3 a.m. 534 00:25:55,519 --> 00:25:58,559 Cause I was in that zone, just like working here and there. 535 00:25:58,640 --> 00:26:00,480 When you're in that zone, you have to stay in that zone 536 00:26:00,559 --> 00:26:02,720 because once you get out, now I'm hungry. 537 00:26:02,880 --> 00:26:04,640 Now I gotta walk my dog. 538 00:26:05,039 --> 00:26:08,480 Now I gotta go to now life starts to happen. 539 00:26:08,640 --> 00:26:12,720 So setting those hours, I'm like, okay, so Tuesdays, I can 540 00:26:12,720 --> 00:26:16,480 get me a good workout in before work, I can come back. 541 00:26:16,880 --> 00:26:20,000 I I enjoy breakfast now, not even breakfast working. 542 00:26:20,240 --> 00:26:22,240 I enjoy breakfast, you know. 543 00:26:22,400 --> 00:26:23,440 Breakfast. 544 00:26:23,680 --> 00:26:24,799 I enjoy lunch. 545 00:26:24,960 --> 00:26:27,519 I used to work through, I used to work basically through every 546 00:26:27,519 --> 00:26:27,839 meal. 547 00:26:28,000 --> 00:26:31,599 And that's not long term, that's really truly not sustainable. 548 00:26:31,759 --> 00:26:36,640 So having working days and admin days separated when I can 549 00:26:36,640 --> 00:26:40,319 actually focus on client work, no calls. 550 00:26:40,559 --> 00:26:44,000 It's just like a random call that's like okay, like on the 551 00:26:44,000 --> 00:26:48,960 phone, but having to set up a Zoom and get on camera when I 552 00:26:48,960 --> 00:26:51,759 want to be in my scarf and my PJs and get work done. 553 00:26:51,920 --> 00:26:55,279 So it's like having those days are very crucial in your 554 00:26:55,279 --> 00:26:55,680 business. 555 00:26:55,839 --> 00:26:57,519 Like you can't go without them. 556 00:26:57,680 --> 00:26:59,200 You really truly cannot. 557 00:26:59,279 --> 00:27:02,000 I had a friend who started a business and I was like, wait, 558 00:27:02,079 --> 00:27:03,279 you got you got meetings. 559 00:27:03,440 --> 00:27:07,680 No, you need to have business at work work days and admin days 560 00:27:07,920 --> 00:27:11,440 because as your business grows, you have to you have to have 561 00:27:11,440 --> 00:27:12,160 that established. 562 00:27:12,240 --> 00:27:15,279 There's no reason you should be taking meetings five days out 563 00:27:15,279 --> 00:27:15,839 the week. 564 00:27:16,079 --> 00:27:16,640 No reason. 565 00:27:16,799 --> 00:27:21,279 Just I I'd rather stack them than like scatter them. 566 00:27:21,440 --> 00:27:22,559 Oh, that was good. 567 00:27:26,319 --> 00:27:29,039 SPEAKER_00: I am proud of you because this time last year we 568 00:27:29,039 --> 00:27:30,079 were not at this point. 569 00:27:30,400 --> 00:27:33,440 SPEAKER_01: I don't even think we were close because this was 570 00:27:33,839 --> 00:27:35,839 no, we were not at all. 571 00:27:36,240 --> 00:27:36,880 SPEAKER_00: At all. 572 00:27:38,319 --> 00:27:44,079 Now, if someone listening in on this episode feels stuck the way 573 00:27:44,079 --> 00:27:47,759 that you used to, what's the first thing you would tell them 574 00:27:47,759 --> 00:27:50,160 to do to start making changes? 575 00:27:51,440 --> 00:27:54,400 SPEAKER_01: I would say take a step back because I thought I 576 00:27:54,480 --> 00:27:54,960 had to do that. 577 00:27:55,039 --> 00:28:01,839 I had to take a step back and really assess what do I want my 578 00:28:01,839 --> 00:28:02,400 business to be. 579 00:28:02,480 --> 00:28:05,039 I think when you ask that question, that really was when 580 00:28:05,039 --> 00:28:07,839 my mind started to really go. 581 00:28:08,240 --> 00:28:11,920 Because a lot of businesses don't make it past a certain 582 00:28:11,920 --> 00:28:16,559 amount of years because either vision or you know, financial 583 00:28:16,559 --> 00:28:19,039 peace, we're not gonna get to all that, or just other things. 584 00:28:19,200 --> 00:28:22,319 But I would say take a step back, realign. 585 00:28:22,880 --> 00:28:25,599 Even if you have to let your clients know, hey, I need a 586 00:28:25,599 --> 00:28:29,119 second, um, and just pray. 587 00:28:29,279 --> 00:28:31,200 And I said, Oh, get a realign. 588 00:28:31,759 --> 00:28:35,039 And and also when I was feeling stuck, it was because it was 589 00:28:35,039 --> 00:28:36,400 time for me to pivot as well. 590 00:28:36,640 --> 00:28:39,279 So being okay with that pivot, even though I was early in 591 00:28:39,279 --> 00:28:43,039 business, I used to say, wait, why am I pivoting so early? 592 00:28:43,200 --> 00:28:45,599 Like I feel like I'm just getting started. 593 00:28:46,000 --> 00:28:49,839 But you may have to pivot more than you think in business. 594 00:28:49,920 --> 00:28:52,319 And a lot of people think sometimes with pivoting, that 595 00:28:52,319 --> 00:28:54,640 means that you're unsuccessful in business. 596 00:28:54,799 --> 00:28:57,839 Actually, and I remember talking to you, you said that's actually 597 00:28:57,839 --> 00:29:00,079 really good because that means you've gotten to a level where 598 00:29:00,079 --> 00:29:02,240 it's time for you to go to the next level. 599 00:29:02,480 --> 00:29:03,839 There's more that you need to do. 600 00:29:04,000 --> 00:29:07,839 And so I think that was the hardest piece that I had to like 601 00:29:07,839 --> 00:29:10,960 come to terms with when I was stuck that something's not 602 00:29:10,960 --> 00:29:12,559 working, you're stuck for a reason. 603 00:29:12,640 --> 00:29:15,759 Once I got the systems in order and I still felt stuck, I was 604 00:29:15,759 --> 00:29:19,039 like, okay, I think it's something else in the business 605 00:29:19,039 --> 00:29:20,880 that I need to pivot in. 606 00:29:20,960 --> 00:29:24,559 And it was the messaging, it was the targeted, target um 607 00:29:24,559 --> 00:29:29,599 audience, it was just honing in on just the overall vision for 608 00:29:29,680 --> 00:29:31,200 you know my company. 609 00:29:31,519 --> 00:29:35,440 But I would definitely say evaluate why you're stuck, where 610 00:29:35,440 --> 00:29:39,759 you're stuck, and then assess what are the next steps for 611 00:29:39,920 --> 00:29:42,960 getting unstuck and be okay if it don't have it doesn't happen 612 00:29:42,960 --> 00:29:43,519 in a month. 613 00:29:43,680 --> 00:29:47,839 Because I finally, after like March was six months ago, I 614 00:29:47,839 --> 00:29:48,000 think. 615 00:29:48,160 --> 00:29:52,480 I finally feel like I'm I'm out the quicksand. 616 00:29:52,799 --> 00:29:58,640 I'm finally getting back to Imani, just like working in my 617 00:29:58,640 --> 00:30:02,559 industry, my business, being even being confident in pivoting 618 00:30:02,559 --> 00:30:05,680 in the business, you know, because you have to rebuild that 619 00:30:05,680 --> 00:30:06,160 confidence. 620 00:30:06,319 --> 00:30:09,440 You were, I've been doing what I did in the past in the business 621 00:30:09,440 --> 00:30:10,400 for a year and a half. 622 00:30:10,559 --> 00:30:11,839 I had to work in the beginning. 623 00:30:11,920 --> 00:30:14,559 You remember when I first met you, I was not confident at all. 624 00:30:14,640 --> 00:30:17,519 I didn't even know how to pitch my business, what to say. 625 00:30:17,759 --> 00:30:20,160 And so now you talk about pivoting, now you have to be 626 00:30:20,160 --> 00:30:21,279 confident in that. 627 00:30:21,440 --> 00:30:26,000 So that took me time, but now I feel truly ready to really just 628 00:30:26,000 --> 00:30:28,480 step out on what this pivot looks like. 629 00:30:28,720 --> 00:30:32,480 And knowing that it's for a reason, even if, again, like I 630 00:30:32,480 --> 00:30:34,880 can't see, like I said earlier, even if the picture is very 631 00:30:34,880 --> 00:30:39,200 blurry, just keep stepping and like you'll get I'm stuck 632 00:30:39,279 --> 00:30:40,240 eventually. 633 00:30:40,559 --> 00:30:40,720 unknown: Okay. 634 00:30:41,519 --> 00:30:44,400 SPEAKER_00: Now, question that we didn't talk about ahead of 635 00:30:44,400 --> 00:30:48,799 time was now while a lot of the assistance that you got was us 636 00:30:48,799 --> 00:30:54,160 working one-on-one, how did the resources inside of the My Your 637 00:30:54,240 --> 00:30:59,519 Time Society help you with creating or documenting some of 638 00:30:59,519 --> 00:31:02,319 your processes and other things with the progress that you've 639 00:31:02,319 --> 00:31:02,720 made? 640 00:31:03,039 --> 00:31:03,440 SPEAKER_01: Yeah. 641 00:31:03,680 --> 00:31:10,559 So being in a membership, there are so many resources which that 642 00:31:10,559 --> 00:31:13,839 I think are very useful no matter the stage of your 643 00:31:13,839 --> 00:31:14,400 business. 644 00:31:14,559 --> 00:31:18,000 Because even when you talk about resetting your systems or 645 00:31:18,000 --> 00:31:21,279 pivoting or getting unstuck, every document you have is 646 00:31:21,279 --> 00:31:25,440 broken down by areas in your business, boundaries, burnout, 647 00:31:25,599 --> 00:31:29,279 all of the things that we as business owners deal with. 648 00:31:29,359 --> 00:31:32,640 And sometimes we don't have the resources. 649 00:31:32,799 --> 00:31:38,000 And I think for me, how I learn, I'm able to have those calls 650 00:31:38,000 --> 00:31:38,400 with you. 651 00:31:38,559 --> 00:31:42,640 I'm able to be in the membership and have the larger calls with 652 00:31:42,640 --> 00:31:43,599 the other members. 653 00:31:43,839 --> 00:31:47,839 But then I'm able to go into the membership, pull documents. 654 00:31:48,000 --> 00:31:51,359 Okay, I can say I'm, I need to let let me make sure my systems 655 00:31:51,359 --> 00:31:51,680 are good. 656 00:31:51,759 --> 00:31:55,279 Let me make sure I didn't, you know, get all over the place or 657 00:31:55,279 --> 00:31:56,799 off track and I'm able to realign. 658 00:31:57,039 --> 00:31:59,759 It's always about realigning in your business. 659 00:31:59,839 --> 00:32:03,200 And something good that I love is um when we have the calls and 660 00:32:03,200 --> 00:32:04,480 you say, What are your goals? 661 00:32:04,640 --> 00:32:06,480 Like, what's one goal you can focus on? 662 00:32:06,640 --> 00:32:09,759 Because oftentimes we focus on 20 different goals. 663 00:32:09,920 --> 00:32:13,440 You can't accomplish 20 goals in three months. 664 00:32:13,599 --> 00:32:16,160 I mean, you can, but realistically to do it 665 00:32:16,160 --> 00:32:19,039 efficiently, what's the one thing that you need? 666 00:32:19,200 --> 00:32:24,079 Even with the um the recent sheet you sent, the boundaries 667 00:32:24,240 --> 00:32:25,839 was it the boundaries worksheet? 668 00:32:26,240 --> 00:32:27,599 The boundaries worksheet. 669 00:32:27,759 --> 00:32:29,759 I went through that and I'm like, you know, I've been 670 00:32:29,759 --> 00:32:33,359 working with Sheena, I'm good, but never think that you're too 671 00:32:33,359 --> 00:32:35,519 good that you can't work on things in your business. 672 00:32:35,599 --> 00:32:39,759 Because going through that, I realized that I could be better 673 00:32:39,759 --> 00:32:43,599 in certain things when it came to my clients or just refining 674 00:32:43,599 --> 00:32:43,839 things. 675 00:32:43,920 --> 00:32:45,359 Like this is the perfect time. 676 00:32:45,680 --> 00:32:49,440 So, what do I need to do in order to set myself up for the 677 00:32:49,440 --> 00:32:50,240 next year? 678 00:32:50,480 --> 00:32:52,559 That's literally what it helps with. 679 00:32:52,640 --> 00:32:54,240 And it also helps with each quarter. 680 00:32:54,400 --> 00:32:58,000 You should be reassessing each quarter because things change, 681 00:32:58,160 --> 00:33:00,000 times change, clients change. 682 00:33:00,319 --> 00:33:02,880 Um, and so it provides resources for everything. 683 00:33:02,960 --> 00:33:06,720 Even I remember when I first started scheduling systems you 684 00:33:06,720 --> 00:33:10,480 need, communication systems, any type of systems. 685 00:33:10,640 --> 00:33:14,160 I'm telling you, you need to be called Shannon, Shannon, the 686 00:33:14,160 --> 00:33:18,319 systems girl, because she gives you all the systems that you 687 00:33:18,319 --> 00:33:20,000 need, breaks each down. 688 00:33:20,160 --> 00:33:22,799 She doesn't just give you one that she thinks is the best, but 689 00:33:22,799 --> 00:33:23,279 options. 690 00:33:23,359 --> 00:33:26,720 Because again, like we said before, it's not what's best for 691 00:33:26,720 --> 00:33:28,640 you, it's what's best for your clients. 692 00:33:28,720 --> 00:33:33,359 So, really researching, she breaks down everything that you 693 00:33:33,359 --> 00:33:34,640 may need for your business. 694 00:33:34,880 --> 00:33:39,920 And I think it's so helpful to have that in one system, like in 695 00:33:39,920 --> 00:33:45,039 one area, in one membership, as opposed to you got to go to 50 696 00:33:45,039 --> 00:33:49,519 different membership groups or um organizations to get what's 697 00:33:49,519 --> 00:33:52,160 provided, and you need a solid foundation as a business owner. 698 00:33:52,240 --> 00:33:56,160 It's not just about the EIN, LLC, okay, business banking, all 699 00:33:56,160 --> 00:33:57,359 of those things are important. 700 00:33:57,680 --> 00:34:00,000 But after that, what are your systems? 701 00:34:00,160 --> 00:34:01,680 That's like really what it comes down to. 702 00:34:01,759 --> 00:34:02,559 Like, what are your systems? 703 00:34:02,720 --> 00:34:04,000 Like, do you have them in place? 704 00:34:04,240 --> 00:34:08,719 If not, you need to join the membership. 705 00:34:10,159 --> 00:34:10,880 SPEAKER_00: Appreciate that. 706 00:34:11,039 --> 00:34:15,039 And that is not a paid testimonial at all, at all. 707 00:34:16,320 --> 00:34:19,280 But I appreciate the point you made about going back. 708 00:34:19,440 --> 00:34:23,440 Like every quarter, at least, you need to look at things 709 00:34:23,599 --> 00:34:27,280 because what we tend to do, even if we set new boundaries or we 710 00:34:27,280 --> 00:34:30,480 start with a new system or process, whatever the case may 711 00:34:30,480 --> 00:34:35,039 be, after time, we kind of start slipping back into our old 712 00:34:35,039 --> 00:34:35,519 habits. 713 00:34:35,679 --> 00:34:38,960 So we have to double check to make sure that we're still doing 714 00:34:38,960 --> 00:34:43,360 things to move forward, because otherwise, we begin to solve our 715 00:34:43,360 --> 00:34:46,800 own progress that we've made and we don't even realize it. 716 00:34:46,880 --> 00:34:50,320 So if we don't pause and take a look at things, do some 717 00:34:50,320 --> 00:34:53,760 reflecting, which I force you all to do on those monthly 718 00:34:53,760 --> 00:34:57,920 calls, then you'll never know how far you're getting away or 719 00:34:57,920 --> 00:35:01,199 how your focus has shifted from where it really needs to be 720 00:35:01,360 --> 00:35:04,400 until unfortunately it's too late. 721 00:35:04,719 --> 00:35:06,159 Way too late. 722 00:35:06,400 --> 00:35:09,440 I want to thank you for coming on and sharing this experience 723 00:35:09,840 --> 00:35:10,559 with everyone. 724 00:35:10,719 --> 00:35:13,519 I know we've talked about doing this for a while, so this is 725 00:35:13,679 --> 00:35:15,119 perfect timing for it. 726 00:35:15,280 --> 00:35:18,480 And you're definitely more confident in the way you talk 727 00:35:18,480 --> 00:35:20,320 about your business and speak some product. 728 00:35:20,639 --> 00:35:22,960 Because you've done a lot of work, especially over the past 729 00:35:23,119 --> 00:35:27,519 six months, to really get your systems in place and really I 730 00:35:27,519 --> 00:35:31,440 can see your business growing and just how it's changed is how 731 00:35:31,440 --> 00:35:32,480 happy you look. 732 00:35:32,639 --> 00:35:34,079 It's amazing. 733 00:35:34,400 --> 00:35:38,159 So, as you said, if you want to get these kind of results, join 734 00:35:38,159 --> 00:35:39,360 us inside the membership. 735 00:35:39,519 --> 00:35:43,039 We would love to have you and see you on our next call so you 736 00:35:43,039 --> 00:35:44,239 can start this training with us. 737 00:35:44,400 --> 00:35:46,079 Now's a good time for you to do a reset. 738 00:35:46,480 --> 00:35:49,920 So, unless you have anything else you want to add or any, you 739 00:35:49,920 --> 00:35:52,719 know, final tip you want to give everyone, we can go ahead and 740 00:35:52,719 --> 00:35:54,000 wrap up for the day. 741 00:35:54,320 --> 00:35:56,960 SPEAKER_01: You know, I think I said a mouthful, but I just hope 742 00:35:56,960 --> 00:36:01,599 that whoever listens to this or even comes across it, that they 743 00:36:01,760 --> 00:36:05,519 really just even if you have been in business for 10, 15, 20 744 00:36:05,519 --> 00:36:08,800 years, like just take a step back this quarter to really 745 00:36:09,039 --> 00:36:12,719 truly look at every area of your business and see how you can 746 00:36:12,719 --> 00:36:13,119 improve. 747 00:36:13,199 --> 00:36:16,079 No one's perfect, so that means we all have room to grow. 748 00:36:16,159 --> 00:36:19,119 So look to see what you really need, the systems, the 749 00:36:19,119 --> 00:36:22,719 foundation, boundaries that you may even need in your business 750 00:36:22,719 --> 00:36:23,840 before the year ends. 751 00:36:24,079 --> 00:36:25,599 SPEAKER_00: Thank you for tuning in today. 752 00:36:25,760 --> 00:36:28,880 If this episode feels like a breath of fresh air, it's 753 00:36:28,880 --> 00:36:31,199 because you're already craving a business that supports your 754 00:36:31,199 --> 00:36:33,119 life, not one that steals your time. 755 00:36:33,440 --> 00:36:37,119 If you want help spotting what's quietly draining your time and 756 00:36:37,119 --> 00:36:40,719 energy, you can download the Backoffice Power Checklist at 757 00:36:40,719 --> 00:36:44,800 thshannonbaker.com forward slash checklist. 758 00:36:45,119 --> 00:36:48,320 And if this conversation resonated with you, make sure 759 00:36:48,320 --> 00:36:51,840 you're following the podcast on your favorite platform so you 760 00:36:51,840 --> 00:36:53,119 don't miss what's next. 761 00:36:53,280 --> 00:36:56,800 We'll keep breaking this down together one intentional step at 762 00:36:56,800 --> 00:36:57,360 a time. 763 00:36:57,599 --> 00:37:02,320 So until next time, keep calm and streamlined.