Even among those who attend my events, are paying members of my masterminds, or who pay me (fairly) large sums of money, I am not universally loved. =) So, it should come as no surprise that the words that swirl around my name outside of these immediate circles of influence aren’t always pretty.
I’ve been accused of being a “dream killer” after sharing harsh realities with my clients or audiences. I’m criticized for my open and unapologetic focus on bottom line profit for myself and my clients. As a female, I’m portrayed as less “spiritual” than my contemporaries. And less, well… “balanced.” As a wife, mother, woman… many find it offensive that I don’t “preach” balance, or fun, or sexy or sane.
No, I leave all of that alone. I teach profit. A one trick pony, I admit I am.
This is why I watch with dropped jaw as I see the CEO of Overstock.com confidently giving business advice on Fox News. (You know, since he’s YET to figure out how to create one dime of profit in his business.)
This is why I shake my head observing the changing message of gurus — whom I know personally — now selling strategies for calm, balance and sanity in business. When their businesses are ANYTHING but.
This is why I find it laughable to see big name “internet gurus” teaching INTERNET MARKETING (and claiming to make X number of dollars ONLINE) selling their programs LIVE in a conference room they paid for — handsomely — having begged, borrowed and stolen to fill the room. What I DO NOT find laughable is the number of people who will see the same thing — or read that last sentence — and not immediately see the irony.
Please note that I waste no time pondering the integrity of the aforementioned creators of bull poo poo. Frankly, that’s none of my concern.
What IS important to me is keeping MY clients very grounded about profit. THIS is the top thing that separates me from my contemporaries: My dogged, relentless focus on profit. The importance of profit. The nobility of profit. The paths to profit. The pre-requisites of profit.
And the trends that threaten our ability to profit. Of which, unfortunately, there are many. And, like gremlins, they are multiplying at an alarming rate. There are SAVVY economists predicting a bust happening THIS year — in 2014. I think this is over-zealous pessimism, and I pray I’m right.
But, come 2016, I believe the independent small business owner will see some scary days — if they don’t 1) embrace harsh truths and 2) as a direct result… employ savvy, stream-lined, profit-seeking strategies, and 3) remain agile enough to dodge threat and capture opportunity.
If you do even a surface level study of American economics pre-Depression through today… you may initially think we’re doomed. DON’T! Remember, EVERY coin has two sides. Every challenge carries with it an opportunity — to profit, of course. =)
