Dear Michelle at 29 Years Old,
We have to talk and don’t have time to mince words. You’ve replaced your income, and while that’s a great place for a business to start…. don’t forget that this was a STARTER goal, not an end goal. If you’re not careful, deliberate, bold… you’ll stay stuck in this comfy land of the mediocre too long.
I have the knowledge only living in the 10-years-from-now can bring. So listen up, butter cup.
Let’s start with your “BIG TALK” about your business. You are talking more than you’re acting… and you know better. Not only that, you have no excuse. You’ve got an incredible drive, unshakeable confidence, need little sleep and have no fear. These are huge assets. RUN with them.
Never hesitate to ask. Remember your motto, which will later inspire many women,
“They can tell me ‘NO,’ as often as they want,
but damn if I’ll tell myself ‘NO’ without asking.”
Business is business. Measure early and often. Do not get roped into false measurements, which will soon pepper (and betray) the business landscape. Views are fun. Engagement is encouraging. But, it’s dollars in the bank, and hours spent working, that are the backbone of a real business.
So, sell something. Everyday.
Only when your market buys can you REALLY help them.
This is true for everyone, and every business, by the way. Not just you… so encourage all the women you’ll soon work with to sell, sell, sell. Remind them — and yourself — how HONORABLE it is to offer something you believe into a prospect who needs it.
SALES are the backbone of your business. But, don’t shy away from the heart of a business. Speak to the heart. It is the heart of a woman that propels her way beyond her comfort zone… and the heart of a woman that sometimes holds her back… FEARS, beliefs, habits, anxieties… all of these impact a business as they impact its owner.
A business will NEVER outperform or outgrow its owner.
So, grow the owner in YOU… and in others. Stretch WAY outside your comfort zone. Slay the FEARS that threaten to hold you back… and do it publicly. Call out the fears and lies that hold other business owners back…. and do it with reckless abandon.
Put your blinders on and run your race. You’ll soon have to make decisions which will determine the path and the destination of your own business. CHOOSE YOU. Don’t deviate, and remain ruthlessly authentic. You’ll make the right decision when that time comes. You’ll think it is agonizing… but you’ll bet on yourself, and you’ll win big. You go, girl!
A few final thoughts… from me — at 39 to you/me… at 29.
Hustle. Hard.
Stay faithful to your values.
Forgive easily.
Apologize first.
Stay curious about people and human behavior, as this is where sales are created. Person to Person.
Challenge your thoughts. About yourself. About others. About your business. Can you be sure they’re true?
Love completely.
Sell out to YOUR vision. Hold nothing back. Ever.
Show up often. And show up strong.
Your role is to bridge the PROFIT gap found in too many businesses. Keep focused on profit and sales and marketing. This is YOUR lane. Claim it.
Stay the course.
Serve generously.
And, carve out time for you. Time moves quickly. The kids will soon be grown. So, take care of YOU, unapologetically and often.
you got this…. YOU and everyone reading this.
NOTE FROM ME TODAY… to anyone reading this:
Business owners like us are COURAGEOUS job creators…. willing to walk away from a steady paycheck to create something of their own… something unpredictable, scary, wild, and so full of potential. Having left the safety of the shore for distant lands yet unknown, we are BOLDLY creating the future.
So, here’s to us… whether you’re reading this at 19, 39, 59 or 79…. let’s ROCK our business…. just because we can!
