She Turned Entrepreneur

We've all scrolled through social media in search of gurus when in fact – as Dori Stewart's guest on this episode of Teacher Turned Entrepreneur reminds us – a deep knowing and wisdom actually reside within us. It's just a matter of nurturing it along! Amanda Parker is a speaker, writer and transformational business coach whose heart-centered approach builds leadership vision rooted in her clients' most authentic selves. She explains how she came to uncover her coaching model and offers tips for anyone looking to cultivate more self-confidence. It starts with trusting our own instincts and uncovering that inner voice! You'll come away from this episode with actionable steps you can take to start bolstering self-confidence, including an invitation to do the inner work to identify – then weed out – the people and things that are draining rather than life-giving. And if you're in a New Year's mood for some goal-setting, then you'll want to take note of Amanda's best practices! “It's not always about setting and hitting a goal, although that can be very attractive and enticing,” she says. “It's often about how you want to be showing up in the world and factors that will help you get to that place.” Stay tuned for Amanda's upcoming Master Mind course, featuring inspiration from changemakers doing deep work in the world, by visiting this link. If you enjoyed this episode of Teacher Turned Entrepreneur, click here to hear past shows and leave comments! Here are key takeaways from the conversation:· If you're passionate about something but feeling disconnected, it might be time to explore and figure out.· A certain measure of naivete can be helpful when you're swinging for the bleachers with a new entrepreneurial dream!· Career impact starts with uncovering and celebrating your most organic, authentic gifts!· Heart-centered leadership is about learning to look within for inspiration and internally generated self-confidence.· Compare and despair! Stay focused on and trust your own unique inner wisdom.· Self-help gurus and education are great, but over-subscribing can be a signal that you're getting too far away from your instincts and true north.· New Year's Inventory: Take a moment to visualize who you want to be in the 12 months ahead and really identifying the things that make you feel healthy and grounded in life. Here's a quick look into the episode:· Not a Straight Path: Amanda's pause and decision to hop off the advertising track to go all in on her love of animals and wildlife conservation. · Feeling passionate about her work but stuck and disengaged, Amanda set about identifying what drives people to do good work – and love it. · Amanda's entrepreneurship journey started in the leadership space, where she worked with a coach to build programs to support leadership excellence. · The Courage Factory grew out of a deep passion for humanizing the workplace and has grown into helping people connect with their dreams and the path to get there.· Amanda has more recently shifted away from leadership development to the deeper inner work that enable us to bring our gifts to the world.· Tips for Entrepreneurs in Search of Confidence:o Do that deep inner work! Get to know who you are apart from external measures. o Embrace the values and goals that define you and your entrepreneurial drive.o Follow what gives you energy – the things that light you up – and drop what's draining.o Trust yourself and listen to that inner voice. o Make the mistakes and move forward!· Why it's important to distinguish between self-improvement and using outside resources to distract from what else might be going on or in need of attention.· Goal-Setting for the New Year: It's all about transformation and giving yourself the space to think about who you've become over the past 12 months – and who you wish to be going forward!

Putting your family's Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) in place may be a little painful at the outset, but the benefits you'll reap over the long run are undeniable. Productivity Coach Heather Steinker has figured out through trial and error a reliable, replicable roadmap for organizing every aspect of our lives. And with that knowledge comes power! If you can predict it, you can control it. But not without a reliable and comprehensive system, which is where Heather's online Chaos Control System binder and companion boot camp come into play. As this mompreneur has experienced firsthand as a single mother of three, breaking down all the components of life administration can seem pretty overwhelming. But that's where Heather's Chaos ‘n Cookies system flexes its muscle, breaking down things like financial planning, household maintenance, children's needs and even gift-giving history into bite-sized SOPs. The overview brings clarity and peace of mind in knowing that – no matter what curve balls life throws your way – you'll have a system that's both nimble and resilient. “It might take some investment in the beginning,” says Heather, “but your mindset and momentum will be much better and more positive (in the long run) if you know everything is in place.”

Sammy Handler is living the dream! She has transformed her passion for art (which started with painting doodles on friends' shoes in high school) into a growing commercial enterprise. As she explains to Host Dori Stewart on this episode of Teacher Turned Entrepreneur, this 26-year-old dynamo has taken her colorful vision and packaged it in a huge array of ways that have caught the eye of everyone from new moms (who love her bibs and baby blankets) to kids (who devour her personalized accessories) to college students (who are decking out their dorms) to corporate marketers (ever on the prowl for cool new promotional items). Sammy has straightforward advice to offer that will embolden people of all ages to figure out what they love and then work out how to make it “blow up” the way her KicksBySammy custom designs have done. When it comes to scaling her business, we're learning how this young entrepreneur has gone about identifying collaborators who align with her values and integrated a meaningful charitable element into the model. Sammy has some especially helpful advice for young aspiring entrepreneurs about taking advantage of university resources and building that all-important network! Most of all, you'll come away inspired to check out Sammy's art, which is visible not only all over social media but also on eye-catching public murals in Miami and Chicago. Click here if you want a peek at her one-of-a-kind feast for the senses! If you enjoyed this episode of Teacher Turned Entrepreneur, click here to hear past shows and leave comments! KEY TAKEAWAYS:· How Sammy turned her passion for art into a business, from painting shoes for high school friends to blowing up on social media to providing promotional products for large corporations.· Expect the Unexpected: Groundbreaking businesses are often built on ideas that no one has ever tried – or thought possible. So go ahead. Explore!· The old saying proves true once again: Find something you love doing, then figure out how to make money doing it. The formula works!· How did Sammy turn her side hustle into a full-blown enterprise? She got practical about ways to scale her product to connect with the masses.· Analysis Paralysis: It's easy to get bogged down in market research, production systems and planning. Meanwhile, a competitor might be poised to overtake you!· Don't overthink! Your market is always going to evolve and change over time. · Sammy's Biggest Challenge: Juggling the many moving parts involved in running a business from the ground up. She's the driver behind:o Social mediao Design o Financeo PR· It's your baby! Sammy is learning (and asking other entrepreneurs about) how to entrust responsibility to others – a necessary next step in her company's growth. · Look for clients and collaborators who: o Understand and embrace your work.o Share your mission and align with your values.o Have a following that meshes well with your own.· How Sammy has gone about identifying her collaborators:o Networking with others in the art world.o Getting her artwork noticed (including public installations).· Some of Sammy's Top-Selling Products are Baby-Centered:o Blanketso Towelso Burp clotheso Bibso Pillows· Kids and adults alike love the personalization that Sammy offers, which is why she's constantly researching and open to new ideas for creating bespoke content.· The Charitable Element: In tribute to her grandmother, who died of pancreatic cancer, Sammy donates a portion of sales proceeds each year to the Lustgarten Foundation. She also offers a buy-a-gift and give-a-gift campaign that supports holiday toy drives and DIY painting activities live on Instagram.· Advice for Young Aspiring Entrepreneurs:o Start networking early. It's so important!o Your college has an entrepreneurial center (probably at their business school) so check it out while you can!o Start asap to enter contests, pursue grants and get feedback.o Leverage resources and knowledge banks. You don't know it all!o After graduation, keep extending your circle of collaborators and mentors.o Don't be shy. Reach out via social media, LinkedIn or any other way you can think of. People are willing to talk to you – if you ask!

Finding your authentic voice is important for any entrepreneur, but especially so when it comes to creating content. And that's why Nicole Kepic, a popular copywriter who helps coaches and course creators elevate their sales pages, has been able to separate herself from the pack. As a seasoned pro who for years worked in the corporate sector, helping market some of the biggest household brands, she was able to seamlessly convert her side hustle as a freelance content provider into a full-time business. It starts, she tells Host Dori Stewart on this episode of Teacher Turned Entrepreneur, with knowing your client's goals and defining the message in a catchy, relatable style. “You just have to know your own personality and skill set,” says Nicole, who encourages new writers or those of us with writer's block to keep it natural. She also recommends ditching the self-judgment and limiting beliefs. You'll learn some great tips for identifying the audience you want to serve and brainstorming the kind of compelling copy that attracts eyeballs and closes deals – without ever coming off as a hard sell. Is it magic? Nope. Says Nicole: “You can be really friendly and conversational and still be professional and trusted.” Your writing roadmap starts here! If you enjoyed this episode of Teacher Turned Entrepreneur, click here to hear past shows and leave comments! KEY TAKEAWAYS:· That's just what you did: How Nicole started out as a 9-to-5 copywriter on a traditional corporate path … until what started as a modest side hustle became much more!· What if the clients don't come? How Nicole overcame the initial fears and self-doubt that entrepreneurs commonly experience when first starting out. · Defining and differentiating herself has been key to Nicole's success. · Word of Advice: Don't try to be all things to all people. Scaling down and focusing your offerings will make your portfolio sharper and business easier to manage.· The importance of narrowing your offerings, enabling repeatable processes that are time- and sanity-savers.· Advice for Entrepreneurs with Writer's Block:o Go easy on yourself. You're probably better than you think!o Keep it natural and write the way you speak.o Try to be relatable and conversational with your message.· Is writing your superpower? Nicole has tips for wordsmiths looking to start a business:o Keep it clean, crisp and clear.o Don't let flowery or clever writing interfere with getting your point across.· Getting ready to work with a copywriter? Here's how to prep:o Get clear on your audience, who you're serving and the service you wish to provide.o Define the message you want to communicate so it doesn't get watered down or lost in translation.· How she stands out: Nicole's long experience with well-known brands is a big asset, but it's her friendly, approachable writing style that truly distinguishes her from the pack. · Want to retain clients? Make the user experience seamless and enjoyable!· Are You An Introvert? Nicole is, and she has surprised herself with a writing style that is light, fun and low-key – but still gets serious sales results!

Jocelyn Kelly Reid's coaching methodology brings together abundance and intuitive healing around money – in a unique combo platter that has transformed her clients' lives! Combining energetics and a deeply feminine sensibility, Dori Stewart's guest on this episode of Teacher Turned Entrepreneur is sharing the framework she offers women who are ready to allow themselves to receive and grow financially. It all starts, says Jocelyn, with understanding our unique histories and the stories we tell ourselves based on our individual families, financial histories and traumas. Whether your background is one of wealth, poverty or somewhere in-between, Jocelyn is all about working with women who want to transcend life circumstances to make big impact and big money. You'll come away from this episode with a new perspective on the interplay between growth and openness and the ways in which the universe delivers when we practice healthy – and abundant – patterns of thought. Jocelyn shares insights on money's four energetic areas (and how to work with them) as well as advice for any would-be entrepreneurs who want to be well-prepared before making the leap. Hint: It starts with getting the right support in place! “If you're not enjoying the process,” says Jocelyn, “you're not enjoying your life.” So true. Are you ready to step into being Queen? Here's an invitation to expand your emotional repertoire and invite abundance on every level!

If necessity is the mother of invention, then chaos might just be a very close cousin. In the midst of raising three young children, juggling home schooling, household priorities and a freelance career Leah Stine decided, “Why not?” and started her own company. If you've ever noticed that being super-busy tends to make you more and more efficient, that was definitely the case here! Host Dori Stewart explores the path that Leah took in carving out her niche as a writer specializing in collateral for podcasts and how all the daily juggling and craziness of busy family life somehow always works out. You'll enjoy hearing about this unique entrepreneur's journey and just in case home school teacher, mom, spouse, community member and business owner weren't enough, Leah has recently added author to her resume with the release of her charming children's book, "A Boy and His Butterfly." Enjoy this fun conversation. It'll inspire you to follow your passion and think about the many ways that you can repurpose content to market your brand via social media and other channels. For anyone toying with the idea of starting a blog, Leah advises: “Don't overthink it!' There's no better time to start than now! If you enjoyed this episode of Teacher Turned Entrepreneur, click here to hear past shows and leave comments! Here are key takeaways from the conversation:· Not getting the work promised or the conditions advertised? Maybe it's time to start building your own business on the side!· Launching a business in the midst of panic and chaos can be done. Sometimes you just have to dive in!· Feeling bored or stagnant? It might be time to refocus and relaunch!· If you go to the effort of writing a blog post, remember it can be repackaged in myriad ways for all kinds of social media channels. Don't leave valuable content on the table!· Have you noticed that sometimes the busier you are the more organized you are? It's a focus thing! Here's a quick look into the episode:· Moving from a business degree to the rigors of home schooling, Leah branched out on her own when the marketing work she was doing fell short.· How Leah transitioned away from the real estate clients she was serving with social media posts, blogging and newsletters into a focus on her passion for writing.· How and why creating her own business has worked better for Leah.· Niching Down to Podcasts: The self-development journey Leah took in defining her marketplace and brand.· Advice for Podcasters Interested in Creating Blogs:o If you want to write a blog, just do it!o Make an outline with main bullet points.o Don't overthink it!· Ways to Repurpose Blogs:o Email marketing.o Social media posts.o Audiograms, videograms.o Infographics.o Pull quotes.· Every Day is Different: Leah reflects on juggling her business and home schooling, household and other priorities. She embraces her scrambled schedule. It works!

Need an understanding financial advisor for your business but need help finding someone fit? Our guest for today's episode, Tammy Trenta, noticed the lack of entrepreneur-focussed financial planners long ago; that's why, stepping on to what would be a 27-plus-year-long financial career, she made business owners her niche client base. Now, as the founder and CEO of Family Financial, she empowers business owners to keep more of what they earn by helping them smartly spend on taxes and adopt continual wealth generation practices. Having founded a retail business after careful thought years ago, Tammy understands the passion behind business ventures. Also, as someone who grew up in the 70s and 80s to entrepreneur-teacher parents who'd filed for bankruptcy, she feels what money could mean to families. She swears by the lessons from her journey to understand her clients! Through her personal stories of trials, errors, and successes, you'll learn powerful advice to make wins in yours. As someone who set foot into business building single-handedly while most of her peers worked full-time jobs, Tammy also expresses why a mentor would've made her journey much easier. Learning from someone with experience traveling your path makes the journey a whole lot easier, doesn't it? Tammy is doing her best to fill this gap for others by offering her best advice to people who need it. For more about her mentorship availability, hit her up on LinkedIn. And stay tuned for advice you've never heard before on filing taxes as a sole proprietor in the nascent stages of your business – these won't just help you grow but grow sustainably!Are you ready to find your true calling and walk away from your teaching job once and for all?It is your time to get a solid grasp on the potential opportunities available to you so you can get started on your entrepreneurial journey and change your life!Download your copy of this free, valuable PDF resource and access 20 different descriptive business ideas that are perfect for a teacher turning entrepreneur.The Teacher's Guide to Finding Your Perfect Business Idea (without going back to college)

Have a kind eye for the situations behind people's unhealthy, irrational, or erratic behaviors? On this episode of the Teacher Turned Entrepreneur Podcast, meet Heather Kent, a fellow teacher who turned her ability to see through the traumatic experiences and complex stories behind her students' behavior into actual psychological help for youth and adults navigating trauma. It all began after she got a sense of the dramatic number of student funerals she had to attend over her years as a teacher. Trauma breeds awfulness. She saw children from socioeconomically challenged communities come to schools with ongoing personal struggles all over their heads – “come to school, check all that at the door, sit down and be ready to learn” – and be judged for their abnormal behaviors! Would you call that remotely rational? In her experience working with human rights clubs and going on international humanitarian trips with her students, Heather witnessed the transformative power of hope. The experiences helped them discover what they wanted to do in their lives and walk in hope. Over time, the desire to reinvent young adult minds lost in lamenting loops made her dedicate herself to trauma-based work. It's been a long journey – from pursuing a Master's in Psychology to working with youth mental agencies to starting a private practice, but in the end, she's living her purpose! You'll learn about Heather's work with individuals, groups, and organizations to create safe spaces for people to become aware of their blind spots, be trauma-informed, and get the help of therapy to thrive. She shares the lessons from her teaching journey that have helped her become a good therapist and advises fellow teachers to choose a professional journey of their interest. Remember, Heather's journey had nothing to do with entrepreneurship when it began. She gradually unearthed it. So, fret not if you're not there yet; just make sure to connect with your purpose!Are you ready to find your true calling and walk away from your teaching job once and for all?It is your time to get a solid grasp on the potential opportunities available to you so you can get started on your entrepreneurial journey and change your life!Download your copy of this free, valuable PDF resource and access 20 different descriptive business ideas that are perfect for a teacher turning entrepreneur.The Teacher's Guide to Finding Your Perfect Business Idea (without going back to college)

It sounds mad to give away all your hard-earned expertise in one go … especially at a time when every business owner is opting for a subscription model! But operating in this manner is marketing of its own kind: especially if you're a teacher whose job for years has been helping students “learn” and “apply”. As teacher-entrepreneur Adalina East joins host Dori on this episode of Teacher Turned Entrepreneur, you'll get a chance to hear about a unique business model around transformational healing services that involve “teaching” the exact methodologies that retrain our brains to create profound change. During her brief multi-country stint with the UN, offering teaching help to different communities, Adalina developed a passion for understanding people's needs. Desiring to serve from a better position, she got multiple master's degrees in counseling, therapy, and neuroscience, and after her return to the US, decided to fuse her psychology and neuro health knowledge with her teaching expertise to help people learn the time-tested ways to help themselves mentally, and process and manage any trauma they're dealing with. Stay tuned for a variety of tips on self-therapy from trauma, prioritizing self-care and holistic well-being and find out how Adalina can help you. She has programs for anyone seeking help – utilize her free social media therapy posts, one-on-one coaching, or group mentorship programs, whatever works for you! If you're a teacher hoping to turn entrepreneur, wait for the end moments of the conversation where Adalina shares practical advice from her journey doing the same!Are you ready to find your true calling and walk away from your teaching job once and for all?It is your time to get a solid grasp on the potential opportunities available to you so you can get started on your entrepreneurial journey and change your life!Download your copy of this free, valuable PDF resource and access 20 different descriptive business ideas that are perfect for a teacher turning entrepreneur.The Teacher's Guide to Finding Your Perfect Business Idea (without going back to college)

What do you do once you've unlocked the key to your freedom from an all-consuming job and are loving the newfound flexibility and contentment? You find a way to help your fellow women entrepreneurs too! After Tina decided to opt out of the stress of her 12-hour-long nurse job to get more time at home with her child, she stepped into entrepreneurship and formed her own staffing company for nurses. The interesting part? She was just 25! A young entrepreneur, Tina Rains saw explosive growth for her business, which expanded to eight offices across the country and reaped multi-million dollars in profits. But that was until she decided to sell it and pivot to non-profit work. Tina became an advocate for women and children trapped in human trafficking and abuse and has been actively involved in the cause for the last 6 years. She's also led an international movement of women, raising funds and awareness for the same. The new chapter of Tina's life also made her a teacher through the John Maxwell program, and she decided to utilize her tools and learning to help other women build successful businesses through her coaching business, Masterpiece Women! What made her entrepreneurial journey such a massive success at just 25 years old? What tools and resources did she use to get there? What led her to turn to entrepreneurship eventually? She reveals it all in her conversation with Dori on this episode of the Teacher Turned Entrepreneur podcast. Through her Masterpiece Women Podcast, Events and Membership Community, Tina provides women with the tools, resources, and continuous support to thrive as leaders, entrepreneurs, and world changers. The community has Live and members-only Live Q & A Calls with Tina and other Masterpiece Women Leaders and a whole bunch of connection, collaboration, and communication resources for entrepreneurial success. The entrepreneurial journey can be a lonely ride, and communities like these keep you away from that feeling by empowering you at every step of your journey!Are you ready to find your true calling and walk away from your teaching job once and for all?It is your time to get a solid grasp on the potential opportunities available to you so you can get started on your entrepreneurial journey and change your life!Download your copy of this free, valuable PDF resource and access 20 different descriptive business ideas that are perfect for a teacher turning entrepreneur.The Teacher's Guide to Finding Your Perfect Business Idea (without going back to college)

What do you do when you realize that fifteen years of your prosperous and inspiring career as a doctor doesn't seem to rid you of your itch for fulfillment? You go on a purpose hunt and discover what your life was designed to create! A decade and a half into medical practice, Dr. Alexandra Stockwell thought she'd feel content in life, since she'd now paid off her student loans and was in a financially sound place. But it wasn't until her career exploration over the years led her to become an intimate marriage expert that she finally found her forte! Ever felt the desire to drop everything else and make a living off helping people? That was where Alexandra was mentally when she'd finally figured out what to do with her career. She was motivated in the way a teacher would be and wanted to use her talents to grow and become more skillful in serving others. The result is the coaching practice that she established in 2013 and grew gradually into a business in 2017! Offering everything from audios and short courses to 5-figure exclusive private one-on-one sessions, Alexandra has resources for anyone struggling with their marriage! But her journey, like anyone else's, wasn't easy. You know when you feel like someone else has the solutions to your problems, and you can't seem to know anything at all? She was there too. She fought the feeling and realized that all others had was information and inspiration. That your journey is always yours. It isn't anyone else's to dictate! You'll learn to trust yourself for your business decisions as much as your life decisions and remove shame out of the equation from the journey to your dream career. Alexandra also has tips for tuning your time and mindset toward your business goals while managing your home and children!Are you ready to find your true calling and walk away from your teaching job once and for all?It is your time to get a solid grasp on the potential opportunities available to you so you can get started on your entrepreneurial journey and change your life!Download your copy of this free, valuable PDF resource and access 20 different descriptive business ideas that are perfect for a teacher turning entrepreneur.The Teacher's Guide to Finding Your Perfect Business Idea (without going back to college)

Who knew that “a total lovely mistake” would wind up leading Lindsay Rando to co-found what is today a thriving boutique franchise? How did she find her way to co-founding Bobbles & Lace? By connecting the dots between things she has loved forever: People, fashion, unique expressions of personality and fun! All those ingredients together equal a marriage of affordability, high fashion and a truly unique shopping experience. It only made sense to take this “recipe for success,” which includes eight locations and counting in hot-spots around the Northeast, and offer it more broadly as a franchising opportunity. It's a great model for entrepreneurs like Lindsay, a busy mom with her eye on multiple balls, to scale a successful business with minimal up-front costs and a strong local anchor to manage new locations. The best part of Lindsay's franchise vision is the way it embraces individuality – the hallmark of any memorable retail experience. Owners are encouraged to bring their own personalities and let their individual fashion sensibilities fly, but they've also got the benefit of support: A step-by-step playbook to help get a thriving boutique up and running. Lindsay has made the mistakes, so you don't have to! And when you do have to navigate the inevitable missteps or when one of those balls drop? Forget being perfect, advises this 25-year veteran business dynamo. “You have to learn to be very forgiving of yourself,” says Lindsay, “and be okay with being okay.” Here are key takeaways from the conversation:· Sometimes finding your passion project – the business of your dreams – means connecting the dots (and they may be dots that go all the way back to childhood)!· Franchising offers a great model for relatively low-cost, low-stress scalability.· Customer experience is everything when it comes to attracting and retaining patrons.· If you've got a solid, enthusiastic team in your home office, you're putting your best foot forward when it comes to introducing franchise opportunities.· Feel like you're dropping balls? You might try being okay with not being okay in all ways for all things at all times!· Getting no's and making mistakes? Guess what? Be forgiving of yourself and then just keep on going! Are you ready to find your true calling and walk away from your teaching job once and for all?It is your time to get a solid grasp on the potential opportunities available to you so you can get started on your entrepreneurial journey and change your life!Download your copy of this free, valuable PDF resource and access 20 different descriptive business ideas that are perfect for a teacher turning entrepreneur.The Teacher's Guide to Finding Your Perfect Business Idea (without going back to college)

Big, wild dreams are the stuff of entrepreneurial home runs but – as our guest on this episode of Teacher Turned Entrepreneur explains – dreams alone are not enough. Heather Smith, an interactive storytelling pioneer, could never have gotten her transformational video platform off the ground without a clear focus on exactly the need she was filling and the tenacity to make her idea a reality. Based on her experience curating immersive storytelling exhibits, Heather deeply understood the power of multidimensional interviews to capture the historic experience of Holocaust survivors. Convinced that in fact everyone has a worthwhile story to tell and share, she got to work on StoryFile, a cutting-edge technology that enables us to record our personal histories via custom formats in a cloud-based environment that makes memories accessible to friends, family and colleagues now and in perpetuity. Heather walks Host Dori Stewart through her evolution into the role of tech entrepreneur, a journey she is not sugar-coating. Purpose, passion, financial resources and lots of emotional support were essential when it came to taking this long, iterative odyssey. Says Heather: Innovation take times, patience, stamina – and a team to keep you motivated and moving forward even on the toughest days. StoryFile's technology wasn't an obvious slam-dunk out of the gate, but Heather never lost sight of the mission. As a result, we now have a platform that removes the boundaries of time and space, leveraging video as a gateway to all kinds of conversations with all kinds of individuals, whenever and wherever we want. Heather has literally brought a vision to life! If you enjoyed this episode of Teacher Turned Entrepreneur, click here to hear past shows and leave comments! Here are key takeaways from the conversation:· From “wild idea” to thriving business: People sometimes need time to catch up with your creative vision. Build that expectation into your timeline! · It's okay to iterate! You don't have to wait for perfection to launch your platform. · Never underestimate the importance of having a supportive team in it with you for the long haul!· Excitement and a “wow” idea will take you only so far. Does what you have to offer fill an actual need?· Launching a big thing: It's stressful and tiring – but so exhilarating! Prepare yourself for a crazy, but deeply gratifying, ride!Are you ready to find your true calling and walk away from your teaching job once and for all?It is your time to get a solid grasp on the potential opportunities available to you so you can get started on your entrepreneurial journey and change your life!Download your copy of this free, valuable PDF resource and access 20 different descriptive business ideas that are perfect for a teacher turning entrepreneur.The Teacher's Guide to Finding Your Perfect Business Idea (without going back to college)

Stuck in sales avoidance? Here's your ticket out! On this episode of Teacher Turned Entrepreneur we're hearing from someone who knows how to turn the least sales-y of people into pitching powerhouses! Annie Ruggles, Founder & Dean of the Non-Sleazy Sales Academy, shares with Host Dori Roberts, the stumbling blocks that all too frequently stall our businesses: o Underpricing.o Over-babbling.o Never asking.o Assuming marketing will get you over the finish line. If you're someone for whom marketing is the comfort zone (or a safe place to hide!), this is your invitation to look at sales in an entirely new way. It's about customer service and, above all, just being YOU. Annie shares valuable tips to make what you're selling more accessible to whomever is buying – whether through pricing transparency or just learning to be quiet and give them the space they need to consider what you've got to offer! At the end of the day, says Annie, we can buff up our images and tinker with our websites all we want. But if we don't find a way to connect authentically with would-be clients, it's hard to get out of first gear. “Marketing is a pathway to more,” she says, “but if you don't ask you don't get! So ask!” Loving what Annie has to say? Head on over to her podcast, Too Legitimate to Quit, or check out her fabulous Master Class! Here are key takeaways from the conversation:· Is your solo venture thriving because of a superpower that you've figured out? You may be well-positioned to coach and teach others how to deploy savvy skill!· Sales is an ethics and values game. If you're bringing on people who don't share that, your brand is going to start to evolve past you – and not necessarily in the right way.· You can care for people and charge for that service simultaneously. It's to be expected!· Think sales is all about being pushy? Shift that mindset. It's about customer service!· If you don't feel comfortable with sales, look for a different guru, tactic or school of thought. There are all kinds of approaches to suit every style.· Marketing may seem comparably shiny and fun, but sales has to be a major leg of your business's stool.· Your job on a sales call is to listen – not to talk! How else can you know what the customer really needs?· Your venture is about who you are – so bring that authentic self into the sales process!· Stop trying to be affordable and focus instead on being accessible. · Are you dodging discomfort by waiting on customers? That's sales avoidance!· Put your prices out there! If you leave it to your customers' imagination, they very likely will just click through to someone else's website offering.· Anyone who is teaching you to sell from their own vantage point is not teaching you how to sell successfully by leveraging your true self.Are you ready to find your true calling and walk away from your teaching job once and for all?It is your time to get a solid grasp on the potential opportunities available to you so you can get started on your entrepreneurial journey and change your life!Download your copy of this free, valuable PDF resource and access 20 different descriptive business ideas that are perfect for a teacher turning entrepreneur.The Teacher's Guide to Finding Your Perfect Business Idea (without going back to college)

Amber Gray, Founder & CEO of Trusty Oak, has positioned herself brilliantly at the intersection of all things Virtual Assistant. This episode of Teacher Turned Entrepreneur highlights how the right pairing can be a game-changer for entrepreneur and VA alike! These collaborations offer a win-win, giving both parties the flexibility to optimize and shine. If you've got organizational, marketing or development skills to showcase, then you may be perfectly situated to work with Amber, whose agency trains VAs to industry standard, facilitates placement with clients and provides a community of support while navigating the job. And if, on the other side, you're a small business owner longing for help, Trusty Oak is the perfect route to securing an assistant who will be accountable, reliable and up-to-speed on best practices. You'll learn in this conversation with Host Dori Stewart about how Amber came to carve out this niche seven years ago, what lies ahead for VAs in the face of a rocky economy (a relatively sunny forecast!) and what you can do as an entrepreneur to maximize your VA experience. “It's all about all of us getting more efficient with our work,” she says. If you've got practical tools that you've picked up as a teacher, office worker, store manager or in some other life capacity, you may be perfectly suited to lighten the load for a busy independent business. And if you're busily growing a new enterprise, then Amber knows exactly how to identify the best resource to lighten your load and move your dream into overdrive! Here are key takeaways from the conversation:· Feeling stymied or like you're in a dead-end at work? That may be your invitation to explore something bigger or entirely new!· A huge Trusty Oak value-add is the pre-vetting it does to ensure contractors are up to industry standards.· Do you have the skill set to be a VA? You'd be surprised at the range of jobs that prepare you well for exactly this kind of project management-oriented work!· Freelancing requires an investment of time out of the gate, so remove whatever stressors you can (such as personal debt) to give yourself a good runway.· Virtual Assistants are somewhat recession-proof as a cost-effective substitute when entrepreneurs need to downsize full-time staff.· If you're pretty sure you could use help from a VA, try time tracking for a week or two to really identify the specific tasks you'd like to offload.· Nimble entrepreneurs are able to adapt to changing economic times, so don't be afraid to assess and evolve as your business requirements change! Are you ready to find your true calling and walk away from your teaching job once and for all?It is your time to get a solid grasp on the potential opportunities available to you so you can get started on your entrepreneurial journey and change your life!Download your copy of this free, valuable PDF resource and access 20 different descriptive business ideas that are perfect for a teacher turning entrepreneur.The Teacher's Guide to Finding Your Perfect Business Idea (without going back to college)

What are you waiting for to start building your purpose-driven life? The best time to start is now. You cannot afford not to start; when you know you're being guided, every minute you wait you're delaying a breakthrough. Staci Wallace is a business strategist, 8x author, online growth& optimization specialist, keynote speaker, and the CEO and Co-Founder of the Fueled by Fire Mastery Program and Elite Masterminds. She helps CEOs, thought leaders, and entrepreneurs build purpose-driven, highly profitable lives and businesses they love.Staci narrates her entrepreneurial journey that she started at age 16 and how her family and a childhood disease influenced her. She talks about her failures, successes, and learnings, and how she now helps women connect with their purposes and build purpose-driven lives. Listen in to learn how to build a value and principle-driven life that's unshakable by storms and failures. Here are the top takeaways from the conversation:· How Staci turned her pain and trauma into a purpose-driven life. · How to achieve abundance by allowing yourself to make a monumental shift in your life. · The power of shifting and starting now to achieve a breakthrough even at the risk of failure.· How she allowed God to work on her ego and started helping women connect with their purpose.· How to have a principle-driven life/business that is unshakable by storms and failures. · Learn how to conquer the negative voices inside your head and achieve your best life. · Tap into an otherworldly abundance experience by giving space to pause and listen. Connect with Staci:Instagram |LinkedIn | Facebook I Website Are you ready to find your true calling and walk away from your teaching job once and for all?It is your time to get a solid grasp on the potential opportunities available to you so you can get started on your entrepreneurial journey and change your life!Download your copy of this free, valuable PDF resource and access 20 different descriptive business ideas that are perfect for a teacher turning entrepreneur.The Teacher's Guide to Finding Your Perfect Business Idea (without going back to college)

What a shame that the power of relationship building isn't taught in business school. It's a learn-as-you-go type of thing that keeps many entrepreneurs up a night trying to figure out the million-dollar question, "How do I get more clients and more sales." Laura Meyer has been in the business world for over 20 years, and she's seen it all. From franchising her portrait studio concept to owning dozens of studios in her area, her marketing expertise expands far beyond the reach of a textbook. She has lived and breathed marketing for more than two decades. So what is the secret to Laura's success? If you guessed relationship marketing, then you are correct. "I have experienced so much struggle in my entrepreneurship experience, the highest highs and lowest of lows. If I can make [another entrepreneur's] path easier or flatten the learning curve, I find that very rewarding" -Laura Meyer Laura is now a business coach and consultant, and she's on a mission to help others build the relationships they need to succeed in business. Laura also certifies sales and marketing professionals and provides them with the tools they need to turn their expertise into a high-ticket consulting offer. Laura opens up her vault of business knowledge to Dori Stewart in this episode of the Teacher Turned Entrepreneur Podcast and discusses how building relationships is the key to success in business. Some of the treasures you will take away from this discussion are how Laura pivoted her entrepreneurship journey into thriving coaching and consulting firm, the importance of relationship marketing, and how you can apply what Laura has learned in your own business. Here are key takeaways from the conversation: ● Professionals with sales and marketing backgrounds, such as teachers, can pivot their knowledge into a high-ticket consulting offer.● Entrepreneurs set sail into their ventures, thinking the trip would be smooth sailing. Unfortunately, this is not the case; Laura explains how her methodology takes the entrepreneurship journey and breaks it down into a step-by-step process to success.● Have you ever considered a career as a consultant? Laura provides an overview of her methodology and certification program for sales and marketing professionals. ● Are you tossing and turning at night, wondering how to get more clients or how to turn a conversation into a sale? Laura Meyer has the answer for you, relationship marketing. ● The heart and soul of your marketing strategy shouldn't focus on increasing your bottom line but on providing value.● Do you think relationship-building can't be done successfully online? Tune in as Laura dispels this myth with a real-world example that you could implement into your business today. Here's a quick look into the episode: ● Through 20 years of entrepreneurship, Laura Meyer turned her expertise in sales and marketing into a high-ticket consulting business. Now she teaches others how to do the same. ● An explanation of the four types of marketing available to entrepreneurs and small business owners and the pros and cons of each. ● How Relationship Marketing is different from other types of marketing and the importance of social capital in your business.● Entrepreneurship is anything but linear. How do you manage the ups and downs? Laura Meyer has some advice she wants to share with you.● What makes Laura's social media marketing strategy so irresistible that potential clients reach out to her! Laura gives us an inside look at how she can get in front of her ideal clients using relationship marketing.● Have you underestimated the power of Relationship Marketing? Tune in to discover why so many entrepreneurs don't realize the importance of this lost art.● What is the difference between paid media and earned media? Paid media is advertising through various platforms, such as TV, radio, or print. Earned media is when you get free publicity for your business from outlets such as news stories, blog posts, social media, and referrals through relationships.Paid media is a great way to get in front of your target audience, but it can be expensive. Earned media is a more cost-effective way to reach your target audience, but it can be more difficult to obtain. ● Are you interested in becoming a natural relationship builder? Pre-order Laura's new book Win-Win. In Win-Win, you'll learn how to use relationships to enhance your business. This book is ideal for you if you're an entrepreneur just starting out or more experienced in the field. Win-Win will take you through the process of: Establishing credibility in your industryStrategies for increasing your visibility in the marketplace and then finallyDeveloping a community of collaborators, audience members, and clients who become part of your ecosystem Are you ready to find your true calling and walk away from your teaching job once and for all?It is your time to get a solid grasp on the potential opportunities available to you so you can get started on your entrepreneurial journey and change your life!Download your copy of this free, valuable PDF resource and access 20 different descriptive business ideas that are perfect for a teacher turning entrepreneur.The Teacher's Guide to Finding Your Perfect Business Idea (without going back to college)

How are you breaking through the noise and getting your message out there? Did you know you can do PR for your business on your own? To get your PR right, you have to first make your business findable with organic content. Lee Caraher is the founder and CEO of Double Forte, a successful national public relations, content marketing, and social media firm. Double Forte works with beloved consumer, technology, and wine brands. She is a highly sought-after communications expert known for her business acumen and insights. She narrates how she started her business out of need and how she has sustained it for 20 years through downturns and business model changes. She explains how to improve communication as a leader by being specific and sharing appreciation feedback with employees. Listen in to learn the best PR practices to take to improve your business visibility both online and offline. Here are the top takeaways from the conversation:· The downturns and business model change that Lee has faced in her business of 20 years. · How to sustain a business for a long time by staying innovative and relevant in the market. · Strategies to help you master the process of hiring right and keeping people for longer. · The difference between millennials and GenXers and how it shows up at the workplace. · How to be more efficient by being specific and appreciative in your communication as a leader. · The right PR steps to take to improve your business visibility online and offline. · LinkedIn best practices to keep you engaged and your business visible to your audience. Are you ready to find your true calling and walk away from your teaching job once and for all?It is your time to get a solid grasp on the potential opportunities available to you so you can get started on your entrepreneurial journey and change your life!Download your copy of this free, valuable PDF resource and access 20 different descriptive business ideas that are perfect for a teacher turning entrepreneur.The Teacher's Guide to Finding Your Perfect Business Idea (without going back to college)

Do you want to scale your side hustle into a full-time business? To become a successful full-time business owner, you have to shift from an employee to a CEO mindset and continue to strengthen that mindset. Richelle Jessey is a business and mindset coach for coaches. She helps corporate women turn their service-based side hustles into full-time online businesses. Richelle describes her journey to becoming a certified coach and how she pivoted from a leadership coaching business to helping women start and scale their side hustles. She also explains how she helps her clients identify their why and create their future selves to keep them motivated. Listen in to learn the importance of getting specific with your marketing messaging to attract the audience you want to serve. Here are the top takeaways from the conversation:· How trusting the journey allowed Richelle to pivot into a coaching business.· How to shift from an employee to a CEO mindset where you're the strategic leader for your business. · The inner work to help you build a stronger mindset that can overcome business challenges.· How to identify your why and create your future self to achieve that why. · The advantages of going through coaching training and certification to become a coach. · Find what you're passionate about to establish your coaching business around. · The qualities and qualifications to look for in a coach before hiring one.· How to get specific with your marketing to better target the audience you want to serve. Are you ready to find your true calling and walk away from your teaching job once and for all?It is your time to get a solid grasp on the potential opportunities available to you so you can get started on your entrepreneurial journey and change your life!Download your copy of this free, valuable PDF resource and access 20 different descriptive business ideas that are perfect for a teacher turning entrepreneur.The Teacher's Guide to Finding Your Perfect Business Idea (without going back to college)

What do you do when you're a triple-threat entrepreneur? You develop a three-pronged business model that showcases all your talents, which is exactly what Mandi Graziano has done. As she explains to Host Dori Stewart on this episode of Teacher Turned Entrepreneur, with a little time management it has been possible to juggle a thriving sales coaching practice with a buying role at a major hospitality sourcing platform and speaking engagements to highlight her bestselling book, "Sales Tales: The Hustle, Humor, and Lessons from a Life in Sales." It's a lot, but Mandi was bitten early by the entrepreneurial bug and has never looked back! On this episode you'll learn about the biggest challenges Mandi's coaching clients face and how any sales process can be tweaked to create the optimal Business Bedside Manner™. It's all about build deeper relationships with your customers, vendors and community. Mandi also reminds us about the importance of scheduling breaks into our busy days in order to refresh and cultivate clarity – something she does on her backyard swing. “There's so much noise that we let in our brains all the time,” she says. “But if you just give yourself 10 minutes of silence, it's an explosion of ideas!” Here are key takeaways from the conversation:· Time management is an art! If you have difficulty switching between creative and admin. tasks, try using the "time bucket" methodology.· Scheduling breaks is a critical part of effective time management if you want to make the most of your mind power. · Need help daydreaming? Consider spending some time on a swing set!· We experience noise constantly. Give your brain a break. Silence – even for just a few minutes – is a powerful creative tool.· Books like Mandi's "Sales Tales: The Hustle, Humor, and Lessons from a Life in Sales" have something to teach all of us, since selling of one kind or another is part of life!· Want to support women's enterprises? Check out The W Marketplace, a fantastic resource for women-owned products and services! Are you ready to find your true calling and walk away from your teaching job once and for all?It is your time to get a solid grasp on the potential opportunities available to you so you can get started on your entrepreneurial journey and change your life!Download your copy of this free, valuable PDF resource and access 20 different descriptive business ideas that are perfect for a teacher turning entrepreneur.The Teacher's Guide to Finding Your Perfect Business Idea (without going back to college)

Host Dori Stewart's guest on this episode of Teacher Turned Entrepreneur has succeeded in a man's world by embracing her feminine power. After years of trying to compete in a male-dominated landscaping industry, Monique Allen redefined her brand by leaning into her uniquely feminine perspective. As CEO & Creative Director at The Garden Continuum, she has grown a seven-figure business based on a culture that was authentic to her and aligned with her values. When she first put her hands in the soil nearly four decades ago, Monique just knew: “I felt alive ... It was just primal. That was the spark.” The daughter of entrepreneurial immigrant parents, starting her own business was a natural progression for Monique, who was determined to turn her passion into a “legitimate” enterprise. She did exactly that and much more by developing an entire methodology beautifully expressed in her book, “Stop Landscaping, Start Life-Scaping.” Monique shares tips for creating space, overcoming friction and staying relevant in a man's world while embracing a feminine perspective. And she makes no apologies! Here are key takeaways from the conversation:· If you regard it as a “real job” but others do not, you can create legitimacy by putting an entrepreneurial structure around the venture – whatever it might be!· Passion is a key ingredient – the spark that starts a business – but on its own is not enough to sustain and grow that business. For that, look to your differentiators and create a method. · You have to start out with a “big, fluffy” dream! But that vision must then be honed and defined by a roadmap and actions steps to follow.· Growing a business is a regenerative process, much like cultivating a garden. It requires a constant infusion of life and adaptation to changing conditions.· Don't apologize! You have earned the right to be confident, so don't be shy about leaning in and claiming exactly what you want and need.· Are you a brand ambassador? Every business venture needs one, but the mantle has to fit and be authentic to who you really are.· Are you in a male-dominated sector, trying to compete by being one of the guys? It may be time to embrace the feminine and give that valuable perspective a voice at the table.· If you're running into friction, try this mindset shift: Embrace the people who are bugging you the most. It opens a path to resolution through compassion rather than resentment. Are you ready to find your true calling and walk away from your teaching job once and for all?It is your time to get a solid grasp on the potential opportunities available to you so you can get started on your entrepreneurial journey and change your life!Download your copy of this free, valuable PDF resource and access 20 different descriptive business ideas that are perfect for a teacher turning entrepreneur.The Teacher's Guide to Finding Your Perfect Business Idea (without going back to college)

Community is the most powerful of renewable resources – especially for women entrepreneurs, for whom “hive mind” is a source of inspiration, ideas and bravery. With that in mind, Fabienne Fredrickson, author, TedX speaker and founder of Boldheart, developed a unique platform that offers women who want to level up an online route to clarity, replicable systems and a peer support network like none other. As she explains to Host Dori Stewart on this episode of Teacher Turned Entrepreneur, it's a recipe that includes a multi-faceted roadmap for female-led businesses looking to grow and scale. Fabienne shares her story and the ideas that formed the foundation for her proprietary Boldheart Business Program, which is built on predictability and connection. “There is this deep level of self-belief that happens that you don't get when you're working at home in isolation, by yourself,” says Fabienne. If you've ever felt self-conscious about your “black sheep” tendency not to fit into a cooker-cutter mold, this conversation will shine a whole new light. In fact, coloring outside the lines is encouraged in the Boldheart community. Fabienne explains why having a village of support is crucial when it comes to striding boldly forward. Is it time for you to connect with an intentional community of generous women – peers traveling the same entrepreneurial road you are and ready to help you realize your dreams? Here are key takeaways from the conversation:· If you're spending so much time away from family that they never see you, it's time to make a change of systems so that you can work smarter, not harder.· Data indicate that women entrepreneurs do better in a community. Do you have that network of support?· We all need a culture of care, especially if we have a sense of being “black sheep” for questioning received wisdom.· Accidental communities (think school potlucks or office happy hours) are not the same as intentional communities based on commonly held personal interests and goals.· Isolation breeds self-doubt, especially among women!· How can we have it all? It starts with locating your values and then finding the right cultural, professional and practical fit. Your business your way, your life your way!· What is it to have a BoldHeart? To search yourself honestly, and act bravely. Are you ready to find your true calling and walk away from your teaching job once and for all?It is your time to get a solid grasp on the potential opportunities available to you so you can get started on your entrepreneurial journey and change your life!Download your copy of this free, valuable PDF resource and access 20 different descriptive business ideas that are perfect for a teacher turning entrepreneur.The Teacher's Guide to Finding Your Perfect Business Idea (without going back to college)

See if you can follow this: Toni Bache's successful business coaching platform derives from … her personal success building a coaching business. She left her corporate career not after years of creating spreadsheets, generating sophisticated marketing materials and executing a phased launch – no! “Just do it” was her mantra, and it definitely panned out. As she explains on this episode of Teacher Turned Entrepreneur, Toni launched her company fully understanding that it would be an iterative process. Her initial clients – who today are her biggest fans – eagerly partnered to help this Australian dynamo develop a membership model that today offers two tiers service based on well-defined client need and a sustained revenue stream. “With a membership you launch once and then they just keep paying you month after month after month,” says Toni. “There's no drop dead where you get all the money one month and then nothing the next.” Toni shares her tips for aspiring entrepreneurs (especially those interested in establishing a membership model) and highlights mistakes to avoid. She also shares the story of how putting together an essay for Medium (which you can read here) was a total gamechanger, bringing her exposure and a jumping off point for becoming a successful online business by sharing with others the methods that have made hers such a success. It's a great formula – one that any of us can replicate and tailor to our own particular offering or brand. Forget about perfect. Flops and stumbles are part of the process, says Toni. And if you're feeling stuck? She's got some the tools and support to get you moving forward! Here are key takeaways from the conversation:· Have something to say? Publish it on Medium or some other forum! It's a great way to attract clients and build your brand. · You've hit on your big idea and are ready to go into business. Don't get stuck in the weeds with planning and perfecting. Just launch! You can do it cheaply and simply, then augment and adjust as time goes along. · The membership model locks in recurring and predictable revenue, which is incredibly stabilizing for entrepreneurs.· Memberships also offer incredible flexibility and freedom to tailor your service offerings to your own strengths as well as the needs of your target audience. · It's okay to tweak things as you go and be transparent with clients when some component of your program isn't quite working – either for them or for you.· Don't let fear of failure become greater than your drive to success.· Those clients who are willing to work with you during a soft launch – even through the adjustments and occasional misses – will likely become your most loyal members and ardent advocates!· It's got to be about more than the money. Make sure what you're offering lights you up! Are you ready to find your true calling and walk away from your teaching job once and for all?It is your time to get a solid grasp on the potential opportunities available to you so you can get started on your entrepreneurial journey and change your life!Download your copy of this free, valuable PDF resource and access 20 different descriptive business ideas that are perfect for a teacher turning entrepreneur.The Teacher's Guide to Finding Your Perfect Business Idea (without going back to college)

Lights! Camera! Action! On this episode of Teacher Turned Entrepreneur we're getting a sneak peek into what it means to produce a big, screen-worthy life. It starts with vision and surrounding ourselves with positive energy, says Lillian Victoria – who is herself the definition of positive energy! She shares the story of her emergence from false beliefs, childhood phantoms and a career in entertainment that wasn't the right fit to claim her authentic voice. Today, as a mindset mentor for entrepreneurs, her dreams and coaching practice are devoted to helping others do the same. She's all-in on launching solo ventures as a way to live the life we want. And isn't that the goal? “No one can take away your story, your brand, your experience,” she says, “and no one can create your vision better than you yourself!” This lively conversation covers the elements of Lillian's approach to building a successful life – by acting as our own writers, producers, directors and headlining stars. It all starts with mindset and actively seeking out people who bring light and big ideas, an abundant approach to life that mirrors our own values and deepest beliefs. It might be hard, says Lillian, but that sometimes means parting ways with people who are toxic because “it's easier to work on yourself than to change the whole world!” Your journey starts with owning your story, staying accountable and keeping mentally and physically healthy so you can weather those inevitable bumps in the road. “You've got to be your own best friend and trust yourself that you're figuring it out,” urges Lillian. “Every idea or intuition that flashes through your mind, write it down. It's there for a reason!”Here are key takeaways from the conversation:· When you're self-made, no one can take that away from you. It's 100% yours to grow, nurture and shape to your own standards.· No matter where we're heading, we can't lead unless we've done the work to grow. Our experiences – good or bad – are what give rise to understanding and insights.· Accountability – even in the face of naysayers – is a critical component of success.· Ever wondered why entrepreneurs are so high energy? It's probably because of the daily thrill they enjoy in executing on their vision!· Sometimes stepping into your own gift sometimes requires stepping into your own, even at the risk of losing relationships that are counter-productive.· Fear can actually be a powerful driver when harnessed and leveraged in healthy ways.· Be Prepared: Entrepreneurialism can be a very lonely road. It's okay. You'll get there.· Ready to claim your story? You're the maker of the big-screen feature that is your life!· Everyone has their own definition of success, but the common thread is simple: Living life on our own terms.· Remember self-care because when we're not mentally and physically healthy, it trickles down and impacts everyone around us!Are you ready to find your true calling and walk away from your teaching job once and for all?It is your time to get a solid grasp on the potential opportunities available to you so you can get started on your entrepreneurial journey and change your life!Download your copy of this free, valuable PDF resource and access 20 different descriptive business ideas that are perfect for a teacher turning entrepreneur.The Teacher's Guide to Finding Your Perfect Business Idea (without going back to college)

Renée Dineen describes her previous self as “almost gluttonous” about devouring the next thing in front of her. Sitting in those quiet, in-between spaces? Definitely not for her! As she shares with Host Dori Stewart on this episode of Teacher Turned Entrepreneur, a high-powered corporate job that had become her identity was fueling an addiction to action that served neither her nor her family. The scenario felt familiar and comfortable since, as the daughter of an entrepreneurial mom, being driven and mono-focused was something she understood intrinsically. But was it what Renée wanted her two kids to remember about growing up? This soul-searching question not only inspired a total change of pace, it has developed into an entire practice providing busy professional women with a platform to pause and bring intention to their lives. As a coach and author, Renée's passion is unmistakable. She offers a full menu of thought leadership, thought-provoking content, online and live corporate workshops as well as transformational retreats in Costa Rica.You'll learn on this episode about the fears Renée had to conquer before making the leap into entrepreneurship as well as about the introspective journey she took from million-dollar biotech exec to self-sustaining business owner (and evangelist for sitting in the quiet places). She shares tips on how to make what she calls a “lifestyle career move” and what you can do to get started creating a landscape that reflects your core values, ambitions and dreams.Here are key takeaways from the conversation:· Don't see the job for you? Create the job your company or organization doesn't yet know it needs – then fill it!· It's impossible to overestimate the pull of our identities, which at a deep level we reflexively cling to – even when it's time to embrace transformational change.· Something to Consider: If you're an entrepreneurial mom, that's great. But bring mindfulness to the time it takes from family and whether they still felt seen by you.· Following the Call: Here are Four Things to Consider Before Making a Lifestyle Career Move.Are you ready to find your true calling and walk away from your teaching job once and for all?It is your time to get a solid grasp on the potential opportunities available to you so you can get started on your entrepreneurial journey and change your life!Download your copy of this free, valuable PDF resource and access 20 different descriptive business ideas that are perfect for a teacher turning entrepreneur.The Teacher's Guide to Finding Your Perfect Business Idea (without going back to college)

Could there be a more powerful combo than an entrepreneurial spirit, vision and a woman's determination? In the case of Ashleigh Wilson, CEO & Founder of the first-ever elevator auditing and management software, the answer is an unequivocal: No! As she explains on this episode of Teacher Turned Entrepreneur, this dynamo has developed an innovative, industry-changing software-as-a-service platform – and she made it happen without any technology experience whatsoever. How did she do it? She walks Host Dori Stewart through the process, starting with a gut instinct that something was wrong with the elevator service industry in which she had worked since right out of college. Instead of rising through the ranks of a sector she thought could do and be much better, Ashleigh used her native problem-solving skills to look for a solution to empower customers and vendors alike. And AuditMate was born! You'll get a fascinating peak into the elevator and escalator industry and find out why creating a data-driven auditing capability has been transformational in terms of leveling the playing field – which is a core value for Ashleigh. She is all about daring to speak up and joining with other women (especially entrepreneurs!) to be brave and make change. “Women walk the world in a different way. We're problem-solvers and we go about it quietly,” says Ashleigh. “But, look, if you're having a problem, someone else is likely having that problem. If you're frustrated with something, someone else is likely frustrated with it as well.” There's power in remembering that!Here are key takeaways from the conversation:· Is your body communicating something? Is your moral compass telling you something isn't right? You may want to heed the feeling and zoom in for a closer look.· Burnout is real. If it's at all possible, consider taking time off just to sit on the couch and ponder your life, health and priorities.· Any long-term contract (could be with phone service, insurance carrier or servicing your car) can be vulnerable to mismanagement. Regular audits can be money-savers!· If you see something that isn't right or can be done better, be the changemaker! You can elevate standards if you make it a mission!· In need of some industry or business credibility? Reach out to your network and ask for a public endorsement or vote of confidence. Women are eager to support other women!· Here's how you manifest: By finding someone who believes in your dream – even if it's “only” you – and then waving your banner continually until you've made it so!· Need to fall in love with your business again? Try taking a deep dive into different departments and finding new ways of looking at the venture.Are you ready to find your true calling and walk away from your teaching job once and for all?It is your time to get a solid grasp on the potential opportunities available to you so you can get started on your entrepreneurial journey and change your life!Download your copy of this free, valuable PDF resource and access 20 different descriptive business ideas that are perfect for a teacher turning entrepreneur.The Teacher's Guide to Finding Your Perfect Business Idea (without going back to college)

If you are obsessed with your Instagram “likes” and posting constantly because you've heard that's what your business requires, think again. Host Dori Stewart's guest on this episode of Teacher Turned Entrepreneur is busting some of the biggest social media marketing myths out there. Anjum Bhandari, founder of Business and Beyond, has developed a hugely effective methodology for converting content into actual revenue. She spills secrets about what works and doesn't work, why “vanity metrics” are a waste of time and how even the most introverted among us (including Anjum herself!) can become masters of video content and presentation. You'll learn the most important things to bear in mind when it comes to creating your Instagram marketing campaigns and common mistakes that are easy to avoid. Anjum also walks us through exactly how she honed the expertise that makes her coaching practice so unique and effective for business owners. And if you're looking for some practical tools and actionable tips for managing social media, this is the interview you've been waiting for – and your first step towards generating content that will leave a powerful impression out in the digital world!Here are key takeaways from the conversation:· Not happy where you are? You can brainstorm your way to an entrepreneurial alternative that offers the freedom to design a situation that truly works for you.· If you feel that you're ready to launch your coaching business, consider starting one-to-one initially. · Before you start creating your online course, ask yourself: Do I have the confidence and experience? Or should I perhaps practice my craft and learn more through experience before launching a paid program?· Evergreen Content is King! Trends come and go quickly, so when it comes to generating social media, focus on topics and information that will remain relevant regardless.· Do we have to post daily on social media channels? No! Consistency and quality are far more influential than quantity (especially of the irrelevant variety).· Memorization is key! Whatever the length of your video or livestream, having a script (or at least clear talking points) will bring you peace of mind and confidence.· Remember: Every time you put yourself out front, you become just a little more comfortable with it – and smoother, as well!Are you ready to find your true calling and walk away from your teaching job once and for all?It is your time to get a solid grasp on the potential opportunities available to you so you can get started on your entrepreneurial journey and change your life!Download your copy of this free, valuable PDF resource and access 20 different descriptive business ideas that are perfect for a teacher turning entrepreneur.The Teacher's Guide to Finding Your Perfect Business Idea (without going back to college)

It took a minute but Ciara Stockeland quickly figured out that what she did as a franchisor for boutique owners set the stage for what she does now: Advising entrepreneurs. On this episode of Teacher Turned Entrepreneur we learn how Ciara – a lifelong business owner (going all the way back to her teens!) – has used the skills she acquired through developing her various ventures as a springboard to help anyone selling anything to anyone anywhere. Host Dori Stewart invites this dynamic coach and mentor to share top tips for getting unstuck, defying the fear of trying something new and building out the resources necessary to launch a successful next chapter. You'll get a front-row seat on Ciara's journey from starting a single boutique selling discounted designer clothing to developing a full-blown franchise with stores across the Midwest – and how every hard-won lesson has culminated in tools to help other create and sustain their own business models from the bottom floor up. Not just systems but systems designed specifically to support the unique needs of small enterprises. Whether you're struggling with inventory management or trying to figure out why – despite your best marketing efforts – the numbers still aren't adding up, this episode offers actionable tips and valuable perspectives that will help you take your business to that next level.Here are key takeaways from the conversation:· Did you know that entrepreneurism is something you can actually study in college today? It is!· Feeling lost and marooned on the couch? It's time to put your researcher cap on!· If you're interested in the coaching space, consider what you've learned in the school of hard knocks that you wish you would have known back when you got started.· Very often in entrepreneurship we start out with one thing in mind and then, in listening to our customers, move towards a very different place then originally envisioned.· Starting over is a lot easier when we build in resiliency, so always be building that network, cultivating curiosity and looking for resources to support your development.· Don't let a bird in the hand deter you! Whatever you're doing, consider whether it's time to close up shop and move on to something that might be different – and better!· Don't be afraid to launch a B- product. Try it, test it and pivot towards A+.· It's not necessarily the marketing! Whatever your social media presence, if your numbers don't add up your inventory-based business can't thrive.Are you ready to find your true calling and walk away from your teaching job once and for all?It is your time to get a solid grasp on the potential opportunities available to you so you can get started on your entrepreneurial journey and change your life!Download your copy of this free, valuable PDF resource and access 20 different descriptive business ideas that are perfect for a teacher turning entrepreneur.The Teacher's Guide to Finding Your Perfect Business Idea (without going back to college)

Ready to launch but still stuck in “what if's”? On this episode of Teacher Turned Teacher we're hearing from Caley Adams, founder and creative director of the NYC-based design and branding firm Wildes District. She has tips to share for anyone feeling ready to go but … not quite there! Once she realized that the market needed a design business geared specifically toward emerging women's and e-commerce brands, Caley went about identifying her niche and establishing her individual style. Caley shares with us a few of the tools that were important to getting her business fully off the ground, including letting others know she was taking the plunge (great for accountability) and accepting that there would be bumps along the way (which requires grace). You'll enjoy hearing about the latest trends in design, the ways in which post-pandemic branding reflects a more playful, bold esthetic and why it's so important to claim your own voice – no matter what anybody else in your space is projecting. A new mom, Caley reflects on some of the accommodations she has made as well as the reasons running Wildes District has been such a gamechanger, even on those days when being an entrepreneur feels hard. And if you start to feel worn down? There are resources to tap, say Caley, so go ahead and reach out. You're not alone! “There are always these little ledges and challenges you have to scale, but once you do it,” says Caley, “it doesn't feel like anything dramatically different. It's just the thought of it that can really get in your head!”If you enjoyed this episode of Teacher Turned Entrepreneur, click here to hear past shows and leave comments!Here are key takeaways from the conversation:· When you look around the table, are you the only woman? You may be looking at a potential specialty gap that your entrepreneurial service could fill! · The e-commerce marketplace is so crowded and noisy. Claim your own distinct voice. Put your message out there boldly – even if it's different from everyone else's!· Have fun! The trend is towards more color and pizazz coming out of a long couple of years that have been uncertain and monochromatic in many ways.· Feeling stuck, isolated or challenged by a particular circumstance? Don't forget to reach out and connect with other women who have been there. Support is there, if you look!· Accountability is important, so let others know when you strike out on your venture.Are you ready to find your true calling and walk away from your teaching job once and for all?It is your time to get a solid grasp on the potential opportunities available to you so you can get started on your entrepreneurial journey and change your life!Download your copy of this free, valuable PDF resource and access 20 different descriptive business ideas that are perfect for a teacher turning entrepreneur.The Teacher's Guide to Finding Your Perfect Business Idea (without going back to college)

On this episode of Teacher Turned Entrepreneur we're visiting with a Leadership and Mentoring rock star – with European flair. For more than two decades, Mahima Klinge has worked with thousands of people globally to develop what she calls “The Mahima Mindset.” And what is that exactly? It's a game-changing framework for clarifying and putting purpose behind your vision, the product of her own extensive travels, introspection and learnings from others.Among the tactical advice Mahima shares with Host Dori Stewart are some great tips for setting the right priorities and learning to say no. She's also teaching how to effectively manage our workload by overcoming exhaustion, distraction and lack of confidence. An international best-selling author and mindset trainer, Mahima pinches herself every day not only because she is living her best life but because she is giving others the tools to do the same. Enjoy her advice and insights, your first steps towards getting unstuck!Ready to get started on the journey to your most authentic life? Click here to access the special free membership that Mahima is offering Teacher Turned Entrepreneur listeners, including her 21-Day Challenge, Reprogram Your Mind in 7 Days and a free copy of "A Rebel's Guide to Inner Peace."Here are key takeaways from the conversation:· Feeling spiritually or emotionally stuck? Take a pause and find your reawakening!· It's possible to rewire our brains through self-awareness, questioning and introspection about our values, from the inside out. · Here's a thought: Very often when we make a clear decision, the universe hears the call and responds accordingly.· At the end of the day, meditation is simply about self-love.· Nothing will change on the outside until you're in touch with what's not working on the inside – and have resolved to do something about it.· Change starts with the decision that your thoughts, feelings and experience matters.· Anything that someone else can do, you can do too. It's only your mindset that separates you from your passion!Are you ready to find your true calling and walk away from your teaching job once and for all?It is your time to get a solid grasp on the potential opportunities available to you so you can get started on your entrepreneurial journey and change your life!Download your copy of this free, valuable PDF resource and access 20 different descriptive business ideas that are perfect for a teacher turning entrepreneur.The Teacher's Guide to Finding Your Perfect Business Idea (without going back to college)

When it comes to that elusive dream – having it all – Sharita Humphrey is a walking example of how it can be done! Through grit and the determination to educate herself, she went from homeless, broke, single mother to financial coach and mentor working on behalf of the federal government. She is sharing with us on this episode of Teacher Turned Entrepreneur the step-by-step approach she took to battle her way out of financial illiteracy and into the driver's seat not only as a businesswoman but as an evangelist bringing knowledge to others in her community and beyond. “I'm a trailblazer and I'm going to teach people what I know,” she told her mother when she opted out of a stable government job to pursue her entrepreneurial dream. Sharita shares with Host Dori Stewart her passionate call to action: However much you're struggling with debt or other money-related stress, you can learn to do better. It's just a matter of taking that first step. You'll learn on this episode how Sharita went about educating herself and the role her Dream 100 List played in getting there, as well as how she is spreading her knowledge by working with the U.S. Department of State as a Speaking Expert for Entrepreneurs on Financial Literacy. Want to hear more about all that Sharita has learned? You can find all sorts of great insights at StartUp Nation, where she is a regular contributor! If you enjoyed this episode of Teacher Turned Entrepreneur, click here to hear past shows and leave comments! Here are key takeaways from the conversation:· When it comes to finances, is your head buried in the sand? You can take command of your money and thrive, one step at a time – starting with education.· You can change the trajectory of your life! It's about looking for opportunity in even the most dire setback and grasping for growth wherever it can be found.· Have you written up your Dream 100 List? Come up with the dream team of influencers, mentors and other potential partners with whom you want to connect.· Common Denominator: The most consistent thing among entrepreneurs is that they were all willing to take a chance!· Getting financially healthy is about more than you. Your kids are watching – and learning!· Just getting started and tight on money? Think about what skills you have to offer and see about bartering with people who have something you need in exchange. Are you ready to find your true calling and walk away from your teaching job once and for all?It is your time to get a solid grasp on the potential opportunities available to you so you can get started on your entrepreneurial journey and change your life!Download your copy of this free, valuable PDF resource and access 20 different descriptive business ideas that are perfect for a teacher turning entrepreneur.The Teacher's Guide to Finding Your Perfect Business Idea (without going back to college)

For the gifted storyteller featured on this episode of Teacher Turned Entrepreneur, the doors to autonomy and empowerment opened with the launch of her Open Book Company. Part of the pandemic-inspired Great Registration, Kim Marsh had had enough of applying for (and not getting) writing jobs. So she created her own, launching a freelance business that showcases her communications skills and the broad base of knowledge she accumulated working in the nonprofit education and corporate sector. She has found the perfect niche: “So many people are so busy doing their thing and having amazing impact that they don't necessarily have the time to write about it and tell others.” That's where Kim comes in! Both as an author and a coach, she's open to every kind of writing assignment, from memoirs to blog posts to corporate bios. In addition to ghostwriting, Kim also hosts writing circles and offers one-to-one coaching for aspiring authors and entrepreneurs. Wedding vows. Podcast scripts. Social media snippets. It doesn't matter. Kim creates space, accountability and encouragement – no matter what you're working on. Running her own show wasn't born of an entrepreneurial dream so much as Kim's decision to embrace what the universe was offering – an invitation to freedom! All the rejections from would-be employers were overwhelming and disheartening at the time, but today Kim clearly sees that she would never have uncovered a calling or started the independent business she loves had she not run into obstacles and dead ends. What “no” is out there, waiting for YOU to come up with a way to say, “Yes”?! Here are key takeaways from the conversation:· Do you love telling stories? Communications might be your thing and in the Age of Information there's lots of need for content!· Applying for jobs. Lack of control. The rejections. Waiting for the gold star. An independent business can mean saying goodbye to all of the above!· Living our dreams doesn't always start with … a dream. Sometimes the thing we don't even know we want is born of necessity and the obstacles that shape our path.· Have a book inside you but can't seem to get started? Writing circles are a great way to find a supportive community to help motivate you and prioritize your project. · Accountability can be a powerful motivator. It's a tool to help you show up for yourself and progress (while also showing up for others).· If you've got negative voices in your head, don't let them discourage you. All writers experience self-doubt. It's normal! Just keep on going!· When it comes to satisfaction and success (in business and in life), there's a very strong correlation with authenticity and listening to your own instincts!Are you ready to find your true calling and walk away from your teaching job once and for all?It is your time to get a solid grasp on the potential opportunities available to you so you can get started on your entrepreneurial journey and change your life!Download your copy of this free, valuable PDF resource and access 20 different descriptive business ideas that are perfect for a teacher turning entrepreneur.The Teacher's Guide to Finding Your Perfect Business Idea (without going back to college)

Do you know your own mind? That's a literal question this guest. Saskia Seeling left her native Germany in search of her truest self and found along the way inspiring meditation tools for transformation, especially when it comes to taming overwhelm. Today she brings to the women she coaches a whole new approach to mindset, vision and action. By nurturing the “self” through radical self-love, Saskia invites the fullest expression of feminine power – the most powerful of entrepreneurial fuel! You'll learn on this episode about the way in which Saskia supports her clients and techniques we can all use to unlock empowerment. It starts with quieting the noise – no small feat in a world of online chatter, constant deadlines, family obligation and social expectation. For Saskia the journey started with finally understanding (and embracing) a basic fact: She's not perfect. She'll never be perfect. And that's perfectly okay! So if you're feeling overwhelmed, consider carving out space for a female-oriented business mentor with a plan. Saskia's actionable tips and deep knowledge of meditation will steady and energize you, whatever the journey ahead! Here are key takeaways from the conversation:· Many (maybe most!) entrepreneurs do not follow a straight trajectory. It's a process of self-discovery and clarity. · Unknowns are okay! Stay tuned into yourself and signs will emerge and point the way!· Are you listening for feedback? Other people can help you figure out what you need to know and what opportunities await!· It's okay to start small. You needn't uncover your life's purpose in one go!· Check in with your nervous system. Is it in survival mode? Fight or Flight! Meditation is a great way to bring your body back into alignment.· Hearing lots of chatter in your head? That's okay. Acknowledge it and then get quiet inside your body.· Taking action is the first step towards identifying purpose. Even when you're not sure where the next step will lead!Are you ready to find your true calling and walk away from your teaching job once and for all?It is your time to get a solid grasp on the potential opportunities available to you so you can get started on your entrepreneurial journey and change your life!Download your copy of this free, valuable PDF resource and access 20 different descriptive business ideas that are perfect for a teacher turning entrepreneur.The Teacher's Guide to Finding Your Perfect Business Idea (without going back to college)

Burned out, her marriage in tatters, Sophia LePage had to decide: Was she going to commit to her soul or continue to follow society's lead? It took courage but ultimately it felt like there was no choice but for Sophia to definitively break with what had been an inauthentic life path. Departing London to study yoga, shamanism and Feminine Embodiment, Sophia uncovered her truest nature and a calling that had been there all along. Today she is dedicated to helping other women – especially those who, like her, have perfectionistic tendencies – to realign with their truest selves. Sophia reflects on common stumbling blocks faced by highly competent women as well as the techniques she deploys to help clients reconnect with their bodies and stay centered in their hearts. She also offers advice to women on the brink of change. Whether you're feeling the tug to travel to a foreign land or simply to get quiet in the comfort of your own home, Sophia urges all of us to be brave, claim our innate femininity and embrace our unique perspectives. Your entrepreneurial – and personal – journey starts with a simple question, says Sophia: “What's the best, most aligned way to get right with – and truly live for – yourself?” If you enjoyed this episode of Teacher Turned Entrepreneur, click here to hear past shows and leave comments! Here are key takeaways from the conversation:· Living your truth means pausing to ask: What does my soul truly want for me?· For many, travel offers clarity and opportunity when we've lost our way.· When it feels like your life doesn't make sense, try connecting the dots. You may have picked up valuable skills and insights along the way without fully realizing it!· Are you perfectionistic? An overachiever? Ask yourself: Are you doing it for someone else or yourself? · Entrepreneurial growth occurs when we break the “shoulds” and stop chasing validation.· Your menstrual cycle is real. Ignoring the body's rhythm and need for rest at certain times of the month can impede productivity and pleasure overall.· Change is a gradual process. Step #2 will become clear after you've taken step #1. Are you ready to find your true calling and walk away from your teaching job once and for all?It is your time to get a solid grasp on the potential opportunities available to you so you can get started on your entrepreneurial journey and change your life!Download your copy of this free, valuable PDF resource and access 20 different descriptive business ideas that are perfect for a teacher turning entrepreneur.The Teacher's Guide to Finding Your Perfect Business Idea (without going back to college)

For businesses seeking operational efficiency and clarity, there's probably no better resource than KrystalClear Virtual – the brainchild of a young mom who wanted to take control of her schedule by working online. Together with her team, Krystal Booker brings overwhelmed business owners order out of chaos – virtually! Her agency offers a range of practical support to help offload tasks as simple as answering phones or as complex as designing ongoing social media strategy and implementation. The result? Increased productivity, scalability and – most of all – the peace of mind that allows even the busiest of entrepreneurs to focus on what they do best.How did Krystal get started? Well, there was no master plan. As she explains on this episode of Teacher Turned Entrepreneur, she simply sat down and considered the skills she had acquired as a dental assistant, a mom and elsewhere through the course of her life. She looked for opportunities to educate herself and was willing to start small. Most of all, she wasn't shy about looking for help. “There's power in your network. There's power in the ask,” says this creative, busy Mompreneur. “Go out there and make yourself known. Show up in ways that you feel confident in showing up and you're going to find the clients that are meant to work with you!” And if you've already launched your venture and feel swamped? Consider this: A virtual assistant can automate systems, save you time and prevent costly mistakes!If you enjoyed this episode of Teacher Turned Entrepreneur, click here to hear past shows and leave comments!Here are key takeaways from the conversation:· Want control of your life and schedule? Entrepreneurialism is mom-friendly! · CEOs often don't really know what's missing or in what areas they could most use help. · Get to the Root: If you want to save time and money, dig deep to find the bottlenecks. · In order to get to your big picture, consider getting help from someone able to detach. · Consult with an automation expert sooner than later. It minimizes human error and unnecessary expense in the long run. · You are time. You are money. Operations support frees you to focus on your core mission. · Interested in becoming a VA? Sit down and list out your skill sets as a start! · Wondering how to generate client interest? Leads are as close as your own contact list. But you have to be willing to put the word out there and ask for help! Are you ready to find your true calling and walk away from your teaching job once and for all? It is your time to get a solid grasp on the potential opportunities available to you so you can get started on your entrepreneurial journey and change your life!Download your copy of this free, valuable PDF resource and access 20 different descriptive business ideas that are perfect for a teacher turning entrepreneur. The Teacher's Guide to Finding Your Perfect Business Idea (without going back to college)

Coaching has exploded in popularity over recent years, but what is it that makes the best of them stand out from the pack? This guest eloquently cuts to the core mission at the heart of the most effective coaching: Holding space. “It's not something you do,” says Taryn Watts, a life coach whose training methodology is inspiring a generation of coaches. “It's something you become.” Her Mind Rebel™ Academy offers a framework to unlock self-awareness and establish the clarity required to minimize projections and other coaching pitfalls. One of many things that sets Mind Rebel™ apart is its seal of approval from the International Coaching Federation. Taryn has brought an entrepreneurial skill set to the very interior, sacred work of helping her students dig deep – so that they can go on to coach others who wish to do the same. “As a coach you're only as willing to go in deep with another as you are willing to go in deep with yourself,” says Taryn. One small step after another, she has built a thriving platform in service of others – which has always been her primary calling. Learn about Taryn's unique training program methodology as well as some common misconceptions about what it means to be a life coach. At its heart, says this mom of two, the work is about opening up room for clients to uncover what resides within us all: Inner wisdom and compassion. If you enjoyed this episode of Teacher Turned Entrepreneur, click here to hear past shows and leave comments! Here are key takeaways from the conversation:· Going from 9-to-5 doesn't have to happen overnight. Remember: Baby steps work!· Do you need a plan? Clarity usually starts with an “aha” about your passion or priorities. · Focus like a laser on each opportunity to serve and the momentum (additional clients, more $$) will follow!· If there is a drumbeat in your life – something people are asking for because of a skill you possess – maybe it's time to figure out whether it's your calling.· The magic of coaching? It creates dedicated spaces that enables people to unpack issues and look within for answers.· The truest, most integrity-filled joy comes from a quiet place deep within that we have to uncover for ourselves (And of course support from a coach always helps!).· One of the gifts of becoming a coach is a commitment to living the examined life. It's not always easy, but it's incredibly rewarding.· Want to distinguish yourself? Keep your eyes in your own lane! It doesn't matter who else is out there or where you stand. Just focus on your individual passion and practice.· Accreditation Matters: Coaching has exploded and isn't currently regulated, which is why it's good to look for people with credentials from bodies like the International Coaching Federation (ICF).· You don't have to figure it all out. Entrepreneurial journeys start with that first step. Then another! Are you ready to find your true calling and walk away from your teaching job once and for all?It is your time to get a solid grasp on the potential opportunities available to you so you can get started on your entrepreneurial journey and change your life!Download your copy of this free, valuable PDF resource and access 20 different descriptive business ideas that are perfect for a teacher turning entrepreneur.The Teacher's Guide to Finding Your Perfect Business Idea (without going back to college)

We've all had them – those days when it seems like we're running in circles, trying to drive business while doing endless tasks again and again. On this episode of Teacher Turned Entrepreneur you'll learn about the powerful ways in which an online manager and other support systems can optimize your world. Arijana Ilibasic, founder of Scale & Simplify, is giving us all kinds of tips for identifying tasks we're doing repeatedly and automating them with systems you might have no idea exists. She shares important advice for harried entrepreneurs trying to figure out whether they need to delegate and, if so, to what kind of assistant or other resource. We're most able to scale efficiently when we've got processes and support systems in place but, warns Arijana, it's all about ensuring the right fit. She's got a list of important elements to consider before choosing a partner and she urges us to take our time! This is about finding the right fit based on a clear understanding of our strengths, skills and what we enjoy. From there the goal is to outsource things that are labor-intensive and time-consuming. You'll enjoy hearing the excitement Arijana feels about having found this niche and all the great tools available for entrepreneurs. Want to free yourself up to focus on clients and revenue generation? Here's a great place to start! Ready for the Arijana's free Ultimate Delegation Cheatsheet? You can find out what to outsource and to whom by downloading this and other handy resources here. If you enjoyed this episode of Teacher Turned Entrepreneur, click here to hear past shows and leave comments! Here are key takeaways from the conversation:· It's not where you start out but the clues you uncover along the way. You're not alone if you didn't have a dream job growing up or even right out of school. Trial and error works!· Are you a coach (or independent business owner of some other kind) juggling too many things? There's a reason that online and virtual managers have flourished, especially since pandemic.· Time trackers like Clockify and Toggl are a great tool for figuring out what tasks are most time-consuming and labor-intensive.· Check out an app like Zapier (which you can get started with for free) to automate things like spreadsheets, documents, surveys and marketing/communications apps. · Before hiring an online assistant or other outsourced team member, take stock of the traits and abilities that will make a good match. You're looking for a partner – not a pal!Are you ready to find your true calling and walk away from your teaching job once and for all?It is your time to get a solid grasp on the potential opportunities available to you so you can get started on your entrepreneurial journey and change your life!Download your copy of this free, valuable PDF resource and access 20 different descriptive business ideas that are perfect for a teacher turning entrepreneur.The Teacher's Guide to Finding Your Perfect Business Idea (without going back to college)

Do you feel overwhelmed and like too many things are stacked up against you? That was certainly the case for Serita Valmond. Happily, as she shares on this episode of Teacher Turned Entrepreneur, this certified life coach and healer found a way to turn it all around. Struck by a drunk driver, reeling with the sudden loss of her mother, bogged down in a relationship that wasn't good for her and struggling to be the caretaker she wanted to be for her kids – Serita fought back against hardship by advocating for herself. She's here to share with us the transformational alternative therapies that got her to the other side of pain. Having had enough of conventional medical doctors who let her down, dismissed her pain and dosed her with medications that didn't work, Serita set about exploring modalities that in just a few months' time radically shifted her mental, physical and emotional health. She treated herself through self-education and the help of empathetic, skilled healers. Her holistic approach included nutrition, stress management techniques, physical exercise. It amounted to a wholesale life change – and there has been no looking back! Since emerging from pain and frustration, Serita has earned certifications as a life coach, pain management and reiki healer. Through her energy and commitment she is inspiring others to battle challenges with tools for self-care and optimal wellness. There is light ahead, if – as Serita points out – we believe! If you enjoyed this episode of Teacher Turned Entrepreneur, click here to hear past shows and leave comments! Here are key takeaways from the conversation:· If a doctor's opinion doesn't sit well with you, remember that it's your prerogative to go elsewhere and seek out other options.· When the experts fall short, take things into your own hands. You can be your own chief investigator in charge of health, well-being and any other aspect of your life.· Have you suffered a huge life challenge, and learned as a result? Your hard-won experience can be harnessed to serve others as a specialized life coach. · The demographic most likely to suffer chronic pain includes women and people of color – who are also chronically underserved when it comes to accessing alternative healing.· Practitioners of alternative healing methods make it a priority to understand holistically what's going on (rather than checking the box as often happens in conventional medicine practices).· Want to bring down the stress? Breath work and meditation are two great starting points. Check out free online resources or look for coaches that can provide the foundation. · Did you know that stress erodes nutrition? Take a moment to breathe so your body can actually absorb and put to work that healthy food you're eating!· Trust what your body tells you. No one else knows what it feels like to be living your experience. · Keep the faith. Healing is not an overnight process! Are you ready to find your true calling and walk away from your teaching job once and for all?It is your time to get a solid grasp on the potential opportunities available to you so you can get started on your entrepreneurial journey and change your life!Download your copy of this free, valuable PDF resource and access 20 different descriptive business ideas that are perfect for a teacher turning entrepreneur.The Teacher's Guide to Finding Your Perfect Business Idea (without going back to college)

Just like a savings account, parents who invest in personal health see long-term dividends that will pay off for their children. That's why Nicola Mercer has devoted her coaching practice to providing the tools we all need to establish optimal lifestyle choices. She has taken her passion and translated it into a platform to help women honor the Five Pillars – Movement, Nutrition, Sleep, Stress and Mindset – that shape our quality of life. You'll come away from this episode of Teacher Turned Entrepreneur with actionable insights from a professional who took an unexpected mid-career layoff as an opportunity to reinvent her life. It didn't take long for Nicola to realize that the constraints, politics and lack of control she'd adapted to over 20+ years in the corporate workplace weren't what she wanted for the next chapter of her life. With actionable tips to help us locate the commitment necessary to build new habits into our lives, Nicola helps us get clarity on what our hearts desire and create realistic, achievable goals. Even if we're only taking small steps, we're all capable of getting there! Here are key takeaways from the conversation:· Layoffs are scary – especially when they're completely out of the blue and you're an older woman and breadwinner. Take a deep breath. You'll find your way!· Once we get past the insecurity, setbacks can be looked at as an invitation to venture into new territory where very often hidden treasure is buried!· Fitness is about a lot more than diet and weight management. A holistic approach also incorporates mindset, sleep and stress levels. · Do diet and fitness goals feel overwhelming? To establish new habits, identify the “why” and break down the “ask” into bite-sized pieces.· Piggybacking is a powerful strategy. Reinforce one small thing that you're doing right by expanding it slightly and making it a conscious habit.· Do you know clearly what you want to do? No rush. But your entrepreneurial vision is critical – and will uplift you on the most trying days (and there will be those days …).Are you ready to find your true calling and walk away from your teaching job once and for all?It is your time to get a solid grasp on the potential opportunities available to you so you can get started on your entrepreneurial journey and change your life!Download your copy of this free, valuable PDF resource and access 20 different descriptive business ideas that are perfect for a teacher turning entrepreneur.The Teacher's Guide to Finding Your Perfect Business Idea (without going back to college)

Many of Barb Garrison's clients show up initially with their “pants on fire,” but her 16 years of coaching women through transitional times of life have made her an expert at taking those flames, taming them and then turning them into fuel for a next adventure. With her emphasis on career and money breakthroughs, she helps her clients uncover dreams and set the stage for an entrepreneurial launch – without blowing up the paying day job prematurely! You'll learn on this episode of Teacher Turned Entrepreneur a number of actionable tips to get you from career burnout to a brand new vision and thoughts about branding and marketing tools to get you there. Barb's passion for her coaching work is unmistakable, as is her commitment to drilling down on the emotions, self-limiting beliefs and false assumptions so personal to each of us. It takes patience and commitment to create clarity, but expert guidance from a seasoned, intuitive coach like Barb will get you there – with surprises along the way! “To watch people grow and change?” she says, “The distance they've covered in the time we've known each other is remarkable and very inspiring!” If you'd like more of Barb's wisdom, click here for her free weekly email Monday Morning Leap, which offers short audio and video tools, tips and advice. You can also take her Internal Burnout Quiz for a closer look at your life and career. Click here to listen to, rate and review this or previous Teacher Turned Entrepreneur episodes. Here are key takeaways from the conversation:· Are you wrestling with a physical ailment of some kind? Consider that mind-body connection and the possibility that chronic stress is a contributor.· Are you looking for positive reinforcement that your workplace isn't ever going to provide? It's important to do a clear-eyed assessment.· Starting your venture without any other source of income is stressful. Consider making it work where you are temporarily, while putting the longer-term foundation for your business in place.· Are you trapped by how well you do your paying job? You may be getting praise and rewards, but is there something else that would be more meaningful?· Be careful about buying into false assumptions and ill-founded fears. Do a systematic inventory with an open mind. What we believe by default isn't always true! Are you ready to find your true calling and walk away from your teaching job once and for all?It is your time to get a solid grasp on the potential opportunities available to you so you can get started on your entrepreneurial journey and change your life!Download your copy of this free, valuable PDF resource and access 20 different descriptive business ideas that are perfect for a teacher turning entrepreneur.The Teacher's Guide to Finding Your Perfect Business Idea (without going back to college)

If you're that mom who feels guilty drawing boundaries, Host Dori Stewart's guest on this episode of Teacher Turned Entrepreneur has a different perspective to share. Embrace limits, create space for your own passion and disregard those negative tapes in your head trying to tell you to do otherwise. Beverly Price, founder of Nastava artisan jewelry, was a single mother navigating corporate conformism when she realized that her world could be more colorful and that her daughters would be better served if she committed to following her bliss. And the world is definitely more beautiful for it – thanks to her intuitive, custom designs! As a “women's empowerment cheerleader,” Beverly makes it her business to help others who are walking a road similar to hers, helping them pursue life's opportunities and gifts. Launching new ventures is challenging on many levels, which is why it's important to have a system of support. That starts with Beverly, who believes “it's important that we develop a toolkit not only to help us cope but help us thrive as entrepreneurs, even when things are tough,” she says. You'll learn from Beverly about her Top Tips for Aspiring Entrepreneurs as well as practical ideas for tackling some of the stumbling blocks she faced while getting her jewelry designs established in the online marketplace. And as for that elusive work-life balance? Beverly has raised kids, cared for her aging parents and built a supportive community for herself – and she didn't do it by saying yes to everyone all the time! “You have to be okay with making tough decisions,” she advises, “(Otherwise) I would have been in such a frazzled state that I didn't have anything to give to my children or my job.” So true. And what better way to celebrate than with one of Beverly's radiant one-of-a-kind creations?! Click here to listen to, rate and review this or previous Teacher Turned Entrepreneur episodes. Here are key takeaways from the conversation:· Do you have a hobby that speaks to you? That's a passion – and may be fertile ground for an entrepreneurial venture of some sort!· Do you ever feel like your light has been dimmed? Are you in an environment that feels conventional even colorless? Statement jewelry can feel like a jolt of creative energy!· Want to take a risk? The first task is to question old tapes in your head that don't serve.· Entrepreneurism can be challenging. That's why it's critical to take time for affirmations and build a robust network of support. Are you ready to find your true calling and walk away from your teaching job once and for all?It is your time to get a solid grasp on the potential opportunities available to you so you can get started on your entrepreneurial journey and change your life!Download your copy of this free, valuable PDF resource and access 20 different descriptive business ideas that are perfect for a teacher turning entrepreneur.The Teacher's Guide to Finding Your Perfect Business Idea (without going back to college)

What do you do when you've got the corporate job of your dreams, but it's not enough? For Dovile Sinke – a successful professional in Switzerland who nonetheless felt something was missing – it was an invitation to reconsider (and re-order) life priorities. Taking a chance on living her dreams, today Dovile and her family are enjoying travel, freedom and a quality of life that wouldn't have been possible without that willingness to take the risk! Dovile didn't know exactly how her entrepreneurial impulse would take shape, so she started out by doing homework: Assessing the skills she had to offer, searching what niches might work for her in the marketplace and connecting with anyone who able to help her see the path forward. The result? Three online businesses, including coaching other women who want to cut a similarly intentional, independent path. On this episode of Teacher Turned Entrepreneur, you'll find out how to repackage your skills, differentiate what you have to offer and focus on four key elements for success. “Everything is learnable,” says Dovile. And she's right! Are self-limiting beliefs bogging you down? Dovile has thoughts on how to redirect them! It all starts with staying open and cultivating your network. She also reminds us that reaching out with authenticity isn't spammy or sales-y. It's planting today seeds that will very likely come to fruition in the future in the form of an engagement, referral or partnership. It's a step-by-step journey!Click here to listen to, rate and review this or previous Teacher Turned Entrepreneur episodes.Here are key takeaways from the conversation:· If you've nailed down the conventional dream job and it feels like something is missing, maybe it's time to look at what else is whispering to you …· What are your self-limiting beliefs? You have the power to acknowledge them – and then move towards your dream anyway!· Identify the skills you have and look for ways to enhance them.· Everything is learnable – and can be learned incrementally, along the way.· What you offer needn't be perfect. It will inevitably evolve and change along your learning curve.· Business is all about the network you build and connections you make.· Don't make marketing your last stop! Active selling is essential. It's not too “sales-y” to approach and connect with potential clients.· Invest in people. They are your most critical resource.· Remember: No one is thinking that much about your situation. So make decisions that are authentic to you and your needs – not some standard you think you have to meet! Here's a quick look into the episode:· Dovile shares a look back at the well-paying corporate career of her dreams and why it wasn't enough to keep her from making the leap into a more entrepreneurial space.· Four years ago, with a desire for more freedom and ability to travel, Dovile quit her job to start an online journey that today includes three businesses and consulting.· Transition Fears: It was only after years of contemplation that Dovile determined that she had to make a big (and risky) change. Her self-limiting thoughts included:o There's nothing for me to do online.o I lack the skills necessary.o How will anyone trust me enough to buy my service?o Maybe the venture should wait until after I have kids.· Dovile's advice for women looking to re-package their skills:o Start out by freelancing in whatever realm you have experience.o Once into the entrepreneurial space, other ideas will emerge.o Look at the needs of people who are pressed for time. What service can you offer? Content management? Writing? Editing? Administrative?o Stay open and talk to people about your experience and what you're doing!· Advice for new entrepreneurs looking to differentiate themselves:o Remember what business is all about: Building relationships.o Being authentic is Step #1 when it comes to making those first connections.o Be unique!o Put yourself out there fearlessly and let people know what you have to offer!· Dovile's Top Four Elements for a Successful Business:o Identify your niche.o Having something to offer.o Marketing that offer.o Selling the offer.· If you are genuinely trying to help someone, you are giving genuine value. Even if you don't make a sale today, that person may become a client or partner down the line.· Just Do It: Dovile urges would-be entrepreneurs to follow the call!· Advice for Working Moms:o Listen to your own heart and go with what's right for you – not what society or anyone else dictates.o Define the number of work-plays hours and balance of time that works for you.o Reach out and ask for help. Support of some kind is essential, whether from a nanny, a partner or co-ops with friends.o You don't have to be Supermom. Let go of the pressure and guilt! Are you ready to find your true calling and walk away from your teaching job once and for all?It is your time to get a solid grasp on the potential opportunities available to you so you can get started on your entrepreneurial journey and change your life!Download your copy of this free, valuable PDF resource and access 20 different descriptive business ideas that are perfect for a teacher turning entrepreneur.The Teacher's Guide to Finding Your Perfect Business Idea (without going back to college)

We often dream up our businesses based on a passion or an innate talent, only to realize afterward that we're neck-deep in back-end details for which we're not prepared. Enter Brittany Dixon, organizer extraordinaire. A productivity coach and host of The Productivity Podcast, she is on a mission to help creative business owners work smarter, not harder! On this episode of Teacher Turned Entrepreneur we are learning how Brittany found her calling and the systems she has put in place to support her own successful business – systems she's sharing with others through her group and one-to-one coaching, courses, podcast and growing community. The goal is simple: To create support systems that free us up to stay in the “zone of genius.” You'll learn from Brittany some concrete tips for identifying process breakdowns, optimizing through automation and outsourcing essential functions as you scale. If your entrepreneurial dreams are being slowed down by common stumbling blocks like digital clutter, difficulty with time management or back-end admin processes then this is the conversation for you! It's all about quieting the noise so you can focus on what fuels your best ideas and clearest thoughts. With tools like her BCO Method and ROAD to Scalability, Brittany brings actionable frameworks that will resonate with any entrepreneur tempted to say “yes” to everything only to be left scrambling to keep up with all the moving parts that result! Getting organized needn't be overwhelming, thanks to Brittany's step-by-step approach. “We've got some pretty well-oiled systems in place,” she says, “and once you've got those systems in place you don't need as many people to manage it.” Want to learn more about Brittany and the tools, templates and accountability she provides? Check out this link for her Productivity Community and much more. Click here to listen to, rate and review this or previous Teacher Turned Entrepreneur episodes. Here are key takeaways from the conversation:· Never discount side hustles – whose momentum often turns them into the main event!· Have you identified your Superpower? Everyone has one and it's the natural point of entry for would-be entrepreneurs looking to leverage their innate talents!· Stay focused on the big picture! It's easy to get overwhelmed with the day-to-day, so why not let an expert establish systems and expedite your basic back-end processes?· It's okay to say no. When it comes to our businesses, every opportunity can be exciting but additional, time-consuming back-end management has to be factored in.· Calendar everything! That means family/self-care priorities as well as business imperatives and daily routines that keep the whole life-work enterprise afloat.· Digital Clutter doesn't develop into a problem overnight – nor can it be magically erased! It takes time and a strategy.· Less is More: Having a structure for online folders is important, but keep it simple and manageable. An over-engineered system can defeat the purpose and prevent filing.· Hiring contractors is easier than ever! So consider keeping it simple by outsourcing rather than scaling full-time staff.· Before considering automation, be sure that your processes are operating smoothly. When you automate broken pieces, you're creating broken systems. Here's a quick look into the episode:· As so often is the case, Brittany got active as an entrepreneur after she was let go from her 9-to-5 – “best thing that ever happened.” She was working in the catering and event space with young twin girls when she decided to add a side hustle as a home organizer that in the course of a year turned into her full-time gig.· After reading "Ordinary Superpowers: Unleash the Full Potential of Your Most Natural Talents," Brittany realized that her “little” side hustle had tremendous potential!· From its inception in 2017, Brittany's business has grown exponentially based on her ever deeper understanding of the “back end stuff” that was keeping online businesses, consultants, coaches and others from growing their enterprises.· The kinds of things Brittany helps clients figure out:o Time management.o Productivity.o Email and digital file organization.o Client onboarding.o Assembling and running a team.· Brittany works with her clients via:o Her Productivity Podcast.o Her Productivity Pod community.o Group coaching through her Hustle to Flow program, including materials and group calls.o One-to-one coaching/consulting that pinpoints and overhauls business pain points.· The things that tend to be the biggest client stumbling blocks:o Time management is a consistent baseline issue because of all the moving parts.o Client processes: Ensuring smooth onboarding, offboarding and overall management of relationships. o Digital Clutter: Cutting through the avalanche of data coming in and going out.· Brittany's Top Tips for Mapping Effective Time Management Systems:o Lifestyle By Design: What are your goals for family time? Figure out commitments to kids, spouse, self-care, then put then on the calendar!o Business By Design: You can't say yes to everything. Beyond the things you want to do are all the ancillary functions that also require time and attention – things like marketing, admin, back-end email management require scheduling.o Routines By Design: Establishing personal best practices sets you up for flow and rhythm in all realms. So calendar your priorities, then stick to them!· For Digital Clutter, which is a scourge familiar to all entrepreneurs, Brittany deploys her BCO Framework to manage files, time blocking, strategy and other functions:o Business Development: How you're growing the business.o Client Services: Everything you're providing your customer base.o Operations: All the admin that supports the whole enterprise.· Strategies for cleaning up BCO backlogs and data:o Set up a folder structure and start dragging files where they need to be.o Sort different functions into categories that make the big picture clearer.o Beware: Don't overwhelm yourself with too many sub-file folders!· How Brittany runs her own business:o She has only contractors; not FTEs and no plans to onboard any.o An online business manager keeps Brittany on track with strategy and processes.o A podcast manager takes care of her production and support.o A bookkeeper takes care of accounting.o A booker promotes Brittany's appearances as a podcast guest.· About Brittany's ROAD to Scalability:o Recognize: Evaluate what's working and what isn't.o Optimize: Ensure that systems offer ROI, are standardized and streamlined.o Automation: Are the tasks you do on a routine basis integrated into systems?o Documentation: Keep roadmaps for back-end processes that anyone who joins the team can easily follow or replicate.· Brittany's Recommended Reading:"Ordinary Superpowers: Unleash the Full Potential of Your Most Natural Talents," by Mark Henson.o "The 5 Second Rule: Transform Your Life, Work, and Confidence with Everyday Courage," by Mel Robbins. Are you ready to find your true calling and walk away from your teaching job once and for all?It is your time to get a solid grasp on the potential opportunities available to you so you can get started on your entrepreneurial journey and change your life!Download your copy of this free, valuable PDF resource and access 20 different descriptive business ideas that are perfect for a teacher turning entrepreneur.The Teacher's Guide to Finding Your Perfect Business Idea (without going back to college)

Soul wisdom isn't something we're taught in school. To the contrary! A lot of us are schooled from earliest days to silo our talents and passions, disconnecting what we love from how we live. On this episode of Teacher Turned Entrepreneur we are learning from Regyna Curtis that our life purpose needn't be divorced from our life force. An author and mentor who has herself navigated a route to blending different talents, she is here to offer us actionable tips for locating the source of our burnout and ways to foster that elusive work-life balance we all seek. Regyna believes that our strengths marry best with our most authentic selves. That's when we're dialed into how we receive information, how we express engagement and how we support our most creative selves. It's a process that Regyna has cultivate in her practice, named for the combination of two Sanskrit words: Ātman (ɑ tmən) which can be translated as inner self, spirit or soul, and Maitrī (m ah ee tree), which can be translated to mean things like benevolence, good will and loving kindness. Regyna had to journey through a corporate career in education and travel before ultimately circling back to meld her most intrinsic talents (art, spirituality and sacred practice) with her entrepreneurial bent. Today she is actively supporting and empowering individuals seeking deeper exploration into who they are and how they can most authentically show up in the world. It's a unique knowing available to all of us – if we're willing to pause, reflect and commit to aligning our actions with confidence and clarity. Click here to learn more about Regyna's practice offerings or to book a discovery call. You might also enjoy checking out her “intuitive artwork” at this link for her Etsy store. Please click here to listen to, rate and review this or previous Teacher Turned Entrepreneur episodes. Here are key takeaways from the conversation:· If entrepreneurism is beckoning, look for ways to incorporate it into other things that you love to do. Education, the arts, travel, sports or you-name-it.· Most of us are trained to silo our interests and talents. Are there ways that you can bring all the unique elements of who you are into synergy?· Remember the concept of homeostasis from biology? It's applicable in life as well, defined as a tendency towards a thriving life – which is what we find when we bring all parts of ourselves into what we do in life.· Struggling with work-life balance? Try looking from the inside-out. Where you locate your deepest drivers, you will likely find the most soulful and fulfilling outlets.· Trying to figure something/anything out? Bring awareness. And here's a great tip for getting started: Set an alarm to remind you daily to take a moment, pause, think.· What kind of learner are you? It's important to communicate with ourselves through means that connect with our intuitive natures.· Things that made us happy as kids can resonate powerfully, reconnecting us with ourselves. Did you like coloring? Color! Was nature magical? Take a moment outdoors.· If you're going to serve your community well, you have to be happy! Here's a quick look into the episode:· Regyna's entrepreneurial flair emerged early, starting with dominating as “the boss” anytime she and her sister played Office (complete with matching desks). Her inner businesswoman went underground for a while, however, while Regyna pursued arts and education — which were also very important to her. · Working in a highly corporate environment eventually prompted Regyna to seek outlets for her individuality, which included becoming a Reiki master and adding spiritual practices and art into the mix.· The Covid shutdown (which froze the education-travel space in which she worked) became an invitation for Regyna to go all-in with her current venture.· Regyna's focus is on helping her clients create a sustainable eco-system for life and business, including strategies to combat burnout and investigate (potentially profitable) practices that are compelling on a spiritual or creative level.· Inside-out questions that Regyna examines with her clients:o What are your ways of knowing? How do you receive information?o What are your ways of being? How do you express that information?o How do you process and integrate new information?o How do we set up systems and structures to support you in shining your light and doing what you do best?· Regyna shares case studies of two women she has worked with – one of whom needed practices to help her find her voice through dreams and words and another who sought to explore her connection with nature and maximize the power of seasons in new and satisfying ways.· Actionable tips for those struggling with work-life balance:o #1 Bring awareness into your current environment, without focusing solely on the negative.o #2 Tune in to what you are experiencing in your day-to-day external environment.o #3 Look for patterns without judgment. It's important to bring a deep sense of compassion in holding up a mirror to our lives.· Regyna was liberated by realizing that being boxed into a corporate mold did not serve her higher purpose in life. She flourished after honoring her need to express herself, with warmth and creativity.· When we are giving, giving, giving on all fronts (at work and at home) burnout is inevitable, as well as disconnection from our life force. Engagement, says Regyna, is the way to restore all the pieces to our life puzzles.

Transcript: Welcome back to another episode of the She Turned Entrepreneur Podcast. Today, I have some exciting announcements to make, so you should stick around for it. My first announcement is that this is officially the 100th episode of the She Turned Entrepreneur podcast! First, thank you for sticking around and being a part of this community. Knowing that you are listening on the other end keeps me motivated to do this job, and I'm so happy that you chose to make me a part of your day and a part of your life. This milestone has pushed me to do a lot of reflection on the past episodes of this podcast. Not only have I had the exciting opportunity to interview 100 amazing women entrepreneurs, but I have also developed new relationships with some of the best people out there. It is truly amazing how speaking into a microphone has given me more than just a platform but also a network and community of people with shared interests and good intentions. I feel humbled to have you as a listener, to continue having amazing guests on this show, and to be a part of the podcast community. As you can imagine, I have learned a lot from interviewing 100 entrepreneurs. The value of knowledge that these women have brought to us is invaluable, and if you are just listening for the first time, you should definitely go check out our previous episodes. But, to give some of that goodness away, there are 5 pieces of advice that came up repeatedly throughout my interviews, and I want to share them with you today.The best time to start your business is now. You will never be ready. You just have to start. The perfect time does not exist, so don't let it get in the way of chasing your dreams!2. Believe in yourself and your ability to figure it out. You have to take a chance on yourself even if nobody else does. Be your biggest supporter and trust that you have the capacity to make things work.3. Failure is just part of the process, and the thing that you are fearful of is the thing that you should really be doing. Face your fears head-on, and when you fail, take it as a learning opportunity and use the lessons learned to nail your next attempt.4. Don't compare yourself to others. Keep the blinders on and pave your own way. Own your own journey. Comparison is truly the thief of joy. Remember that we are all unique with our own unique journeys, so don't be afraid to own your authenticity.5. Finally, if you can dream it, you can make it a reality. Go for it. And, of course, I'll be cheering you along the whole way!My second exciting announcement for today is that this podcast is officially rebranding its name from She Turned Entrepreneur to Teacher Turned Entrepreneur. Before you freak out, the podcast's purpose will not change, which is to encourage women to achieve their goals of entrepreneurship by sharing the stories of women entrepreneurs. However, the title of the podcast will become Teacher Turned Entrepreneur, and this title is fundamental to my passion. As you know, I love showcasing women from various backgrounds and industries to inspire you on the many possibilities in entrepreneurship. As a business coach to teachers, this rebrand will bring more focus to my audience of former teachers who are launching and growing an online business. I am passionate about helping women, especially teachers, become entrepreneurs because I am a Teacher Turned Entrepreneur myself. This shift in my career has had the biggest impact on my life. I went from high school engineering teacher for 11 years to building a multi-million-dollar brand. If I had stayed in my teaching job, I never would have been able to reach over a million students. More than anything, I understand that making such a big change in your career can be daunting, and teachers might even feel limited in their business options. But the truth is that there are so many options for teachers to start a business, and that is because teachers make natural entrepreneurs. Here are a few reasons why:They are natural and are used to sharing knowledge and skills with others.Entrepreneurship is all about the exchange of a product or service for money. In this case, your knowledge and skill are the product. Now, it becomes my job to teach you the nuances of marketing this product to a larger audience.2. They are trained, problem solvers.You have likely heard someone say that a good business solves a problem. Teachers are trained to be problem solvers; whatever specific entrepreneurial path you choose, this ability will be crucial to its success.3. They are passionate and love learning.Nobody knows everything about something, and you must be open to learning to be a good entrepreneur. Teachers spend their entire time learning and teaching others to learn. Bringing that skill into entrepreneurship means that not only will they be open to adopting the best strategy for their business, but they will be invested in creating content that is targeted at helping their customers learn.4. Like entrepreneurs, teachers are skilled at serving others. Being able to keep your customers happy is an important part of entrepreneurship; luckily, teachers are very good at serving people. They serve their students, their students' families, the school administration, and their community. They know how to meet the set standard and keep people satisfied, so transitioning into entrepreneurship is like stepping into another familiar territory.I believe everyone has a passion that can become a business, and I have dedicated my life to helping new and aspiring entrepreneurs launch and grow their businesses. To some teachers, starting a new business is a path out of the classroom; to others, it is just a side hustle. I have been in your shoes; I taught in a classroom for eleven years before setting out on my own, and that makes me your qualified guide to entrepreneurship. Whether through my one-on-one coaching, VIP days, or Membership program for entrepreneurs called the A+ Entrepreneurs, I am always here to help.You can visit my website at teacherturnedentrepreneur.com to download my free guide on how teachers can use their knowledge and experience to create a profitable side hustle or business to help you out of the classroom and into the financial freedom you've been looking for.

Self-care as a concept is everywhere. But what does it really mean? Is it about taking a day off to go to the spa? Devoting yourself to yoga, meditation and bubble baths? Kristi Sullivan, an author and specialist in Human Design, believes that self-care is found in the small daily pause, the moments of mindfulness and self-awareness that we sprinkle throughout the day. Being in alignment with our truest natures prepares the way for growth and opportunity. “We know that doing the right kind of work with the right people at the right time is important to helping us feel vibrant,” says Kristi. “We become like a magnet and that magnet – when it's vibrant – starts to attract other opportunities.” Kristi's focus on Human Design grew out of her passion for wellness and personal development. It's a system rooted in ancient traditions that honor the unique personality types defined by a range of factors (including birthdate, lived experience and energy centers). Understanding our individual Human Designs provides us with valuable insights that reveal our essential natures and turn innate gifts into superpowers. You'll learn about the five personality types as well as the importance of doing the work to heal wounds that do not serve us in our present life pursuits. Entrepreneurial vision requires more than hard work and grit, says Kristi. There are psycho-spiritual elements that, if left untended, can block opportunity and ultimately lead to burnout. Does your business plan include self-care as a priority? If not, maybe it should! Click here to find Kristi's new book, “Stop Overworking and Start Overflowing: 25 Ways to Transform Your Life Using Human Design.” You might also be interested in downloading her free 7 Steps to Create Your Personalized Self-Care Plan at this link. Click here to listen to, rate and review this or previous She Turned Entrepreneur episodes. Here are key takeaways from the conversation:· What is Human Design? It's a theory that melds different philosophical tools and traditions to help us align our personalities with our innate energies.· We may look relatively similar as humans, but “under the hood” each of has a different combination of elements that make up our individual operating systems. · Depending on your energy type, you may be someone who requires breaks in the day in order to recharge and perform at your best.· It's critical to stay open and say “yes,” but to the right things! Keep a calendar that reflects discernment and choices that align with your most authentic Self.· Purposeful moments lead us down the path of self-care. Sprinkle pauses, even those of only a few minutes, throughout the day. It will bring clarity and prevent burnout.· When we take care of ourselves, we experience flow. Think of cars, for which regular oil changes are non-negotiable. Honoring moments of mindfulness keeps us tip-top. Here's a quick look into the episode:· Kristi's background in marketing for small businesses as well as a passion for health and wellness evolved in 2020 into a full-time entrepreneurial leap.· The Human Design System developed as a practice to help individuals uncover their own unique blueprint, which in turn enables us to build businesses in bespoke ways.· Our unique blueprints are based on multiple factors:o Our birthdate.o Teachings from Kabbalah, I Ching, Vedic and Astrological philosophies.· Kristi's process with clients:o Identify energy type: There are five types, each of which may be impacted by conditioning and upbringing. o The five types include:§ Manifestors § Generators§ Manifesting Generators§ Projectors§ Reflectors· Generators and Manifesting Generators constitute 70% of people. They are fueled by tasks and goals – if the work is a good fit!· Human Design is not so much a prescription as an operating manual to help us understand how we run energetically. Once we're dialed into what's magnetic for us, we're at our most vibrant and able to attract positivity.· More about Types:o Generators: The Sacral Energy chakra is a central driver and energizer.o Manifestors: Theirs is a Non-Sacral Energy that doesn't derive life force from work. They often require more downtime to recharge throughout the day. · How saying “yes” to opportunity opened Kristi up to what ultimately became a book and speaking engagements.· Focusing on self-care and integrating mindfulness practices into her clients' priorities is central to Kristi's practice.· Kristi's Actionable Tips for Integrating Self-Care:o Honor yourself and the fact that you are unique in what you need to feel optimal.o Weave pauses and breaks into every day.o In those quiet moments, take note of what feels nourishing throughout the day.o Giving constantly to others will inevitably lead to burnout, so make yourself a priority in whatever ways – large or small – that work for you.· Self-care doesn't have to mean an entire spa day. Kristi believes just the act of regularly pausing for a few moments at a time – without fail – reinforces our connection to Self.· Deep interior work, including healing of old wounds, is a key element of self-care. By clearing old energy that does not serve we step into our fullest power and prosperity.

Small businesses need to establish their profile and build community good will. That's where Susan Liberatore, owner of Visions2Images, comes in. On this episode, we learn about the full-service marketing magic she uses to raise visibility through social media channels, email campaigns, website content and so much more. Established franchisors may have big umbrella branding, but independently owned businesses need that personal touch. Customization based on location and target audience is key. Susie has created signature systems and processes that generate and convert leads and bring to life the stories that make every franchise unique. In addition to working with franchisees, Susie is increasingly bringing her dynamic, creative approach to franchisors, who are invested in giving their teams the tools necessary to develop roots, an identity and local presence. In the end, it's all about really getting integrated into the neighborhood. Advises Susie: “Get involved in everything you can, as often as you can.” That can look like volunteer efforts, an affiliation with the Chamber of Commerce or sponsoring a local event of some type. Then get going with the social media posts that will amplify what your franchise is about and why your core mission and goals are compelling. You don't have to shine on every single platform. TikTok isn't for everyone! Just choose a couple that feel like a natural fit for your target market and let your own unique, authentic personality shine! Interested in some of Susie's favorite resources? This link will introduce you to a variety! And you can find out more about her branding and design offerings here. Click here to listen to, rate and review this or previous She Turned Entrepreneur episodes. Here are key takeaways from the conversation:· Going down the wrong path? It's all information – and more than okay to change lanes! · The best career choices are the ones that resonate with who we truly are.· Franchises may be under a corporate umbrella, but they are in actuality small local businesses – run by folks in our own neighborhoods!· Franchisees may have certain franchisor guidelines to follow, but that shouldn't discourage anyone from launching a bespoke local marketing campaign. It's not hard.· Want to raise your profile locally? Start finding and cultivating your tribe! Get involved with local civic, volunteer, athletic or other events. · The more people you meet the better – and don't forget always to link to new friends and colleagues via social media!· Just because you're working under a corporate umbrella doesn't mean you can't have your own voice.· Not all social media platforms are a fit! Don't be afraid to identify those that work with your brand and voice, then focus on being consistent and creative. Here's a quick look into the episode:· Photographer. Dancer. Susie knew early that she had a creative bent, which is probably why pursuing college and a teaching credential turned into a brief detour on the way to uncovering her passion for graphic design – and all its related marketing facets.· A stint in a corporate environment opened Susie's eyes to a gap that she could fill by creating a niche marketing agency that evolved into its focus on helping franchisees. · About the services that Visions2Images provides:o Brand creation.o Graphic design.o Website design.o Social media content.o Email campaigns.o Lead generation and conversion.· Even if franchisor approval is required for local marketing campaigns, the process doesn't have to be complicated or onerous. Not at all!· Advice for franchisees seeking to raise their profile:o Get involved with everything you can!o Participate in the Chamber of Commerce.o Join volunteer activities.o Update social media regularly to link with your new local contacts!· It's key to develop your personality and create posts that reflect your unique brand and community ties.· Susie is partnering increasingly with new and emerging franchisors, who are in a position to support their local franchisees as they get established.· Best practices for leveraging social media:o Be authentic.o Share core values, mission and other facets that distinguish your business.o Build out a story about the business's history, purpose and engagement.o You don't have to be on every social media platform! Find the ones that work best for you and double down! Focus on where your audience is located.· Balancing it all as a single mom, Susie's best advice is: o Take some deep breaths, meditate and otherwise give your mind a break.o Be intentional in prioritizing time with kids. o Outsource tasks where necessary to make it all work.· Susie's biggest motivators: Sales and growth, her son and providing for her contractors.· What Comes Next? Susie has no definite plans but she anticipates:o A continued trend towards partnering with more franchisors to help them create scalable marketing plans.o Building out a software product.o Staying open to opportunities! About Susie:After more than a decade in the creative field, Susie realized that corporations were missing out on creativity, so she developed signature systems and processes that work and convert for franchises. Franchise owners come to Visions2images for full-service marketing because they feel that they are missing out on local marketing opportunities. Her firm helps local franchise businesses get visible and generate leads in a variety of ways.

Looking to hit the open road? That was the case for Jacqui Money and her husband, who have moved into a Tiny House and are loving the adventure! You'll learn on this episode of She Turned Entrepreneur how this enterprising native of South Africa developed a niche practice providing automated back-office solutions for small businesses. Leveraging a range of platforms, Jacqui helps clients develop systems that can do on their own what a decade ago required the assembly of an entire team. Entrepreneurs — especially solopreneurs and most especially introverts — are loving this one-stop approach to putting processes in place to manage all manner of customer management, marketing, scheduling and other functions, both streamlining tasks and minimizing costs. Jacqui shares exactly what services she provides and her approach to bringing clients along. She has learned in building out her own business a lesson that is applicable for all business owners: Invite feedback. She took her own onboarding process from clunky and ineffective to a series of seamless steps that her clients fully embrace and enjoy. How? By making adjustments based on input and observations she solicited all along the way! The episode wraps with Three Top Tips that will smooth the path for any entrepreneur looking to optimize and automate systems as well as some compelling reading recommendations you'll want to check out. Finally, Jacqui is reminding: Don't delay. Go for it. Launch your entrepreneurial journey! It won't be perfect, but there will be abundant opportunities to refine and improve all along the way! Click here to listen to, rate and review this or previous She Turned Entrepreneur episodes. Here are key takeaways from the conversation:· Are you an introvert? Automation may be your new best friend. With systems in place, there's no need to build a team or manage people!· Attention Solopreneurs: Clear your plate through outsourcing tasks and systems. · Engaging a solutions architect puts your business on the fast track to automation.· Is there an area where you're consistently hitting a stumbling block? Consult your clients. Their feedback will identify the genesis and potential solutions.· Don't let the perfect be the enemy of the good. Get started and incorporate updates and changes as needed along the way. Here's a quick look into the episode:· About Jacqui's background and current adventure: A native of South Africa who, along with her husband, several years ago moved off the grid into a Tiny House (they are loving it!). To do so meant figuring out an income that was location independent. · Jacqui's practice is focused on designing custom solutions for back-end problems, automating systems so solopreneurs don't have to hire a team. · Jacqui found her niche by herself being an entrepreneur who needed back-end business support but didn't want to hire a team of people. Once she discovered the benefits of custom build-outs that are a simple, cost-effective substitute for staff, she felt compelled to spread the word!· About the benefits that Jacqui provides:o A complete mapping of the client journey, from first contact through off-boarding.o An assessment of — and plan to optimize — tools already in play.o Deployment of automated systems to streamline functions and minimize costs/hiring.· Jacqui's target audience: Online businesses, solopreneurs, coaches and consultants. · All about VIP Days: Jacqui's one-stop, holistic approach to building out systems quickly. · Onboarding Clients Like a Pro: Inspired by Jacqui's experience with clients who weren't getting with the program, she developed a mapping system based on their feedback about the challenges. It was a game-changer! Clients today love her process!· Jacqui's three best pieces of advice for entrepreneurs chasing their dreams:o Put systems in place.o Write your SOPs now — even if you're not planning on hiring anyone or employing a huge team.o Don't wait for perfection. Just get started and adjust based on feedback.· Jacqui's Recommended Reading:o "The Big Leap: Conquer Your Hidden Fear and Take Life to the Next Level," by Gay Hendricks.o "Traction: A Startup Guide to Getting Customers," by Gabriel Weinberg and Justin Mares.o "Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones," by James Clear. Meet our Sponsor: Want to use the best income growth strategies from top entrepreneurs and CEOs, including Ellen herself? You can binge listen to past income reports on Cubicle to CEO today PLUS receive free access to “your first $10K month” masterclass and a bonus workbook by going to our special link, https://zen.ai/sheceo

So, you're longing to launch your own venture but don't know how to get started? Health and Business coach Shannon Petteruti has the answers and is sharing them on this episode of She Turned Entrepreneur. Step 1: Locate your passion. Having that vision will make even the toughest tasks and longest days a labor of love. Step 2: Habit. Habit. Habit. Establish foundational practices — then stick to them! It's all about staying focused, which instills the confidence to take those necessary chances that are key to growth. This dynamic entrepreneur has done it herself and knows what it takes to launch a successful enterprise. If we're not taking risks we're not moving forward, says Shannon, “You have to believe in who you are and then just put those pieces in place.” And when some of those pieces don't work, that's just fine too. Do a post-mortem and move on. It's all part of the process! Shannon offers advice for aspiring entrepreneurs as well as actionable ideas about habits that will serve any business from inception through development and maturity. The work is endless but the rewards tremendous. “It's just so fun. I love having your thoughts, your input and your work 20 hours a day all going to your outcome and not someone else you're working for,” says Shannon, also the author of "IV Vitamin Regulations: Your Guide for USP 797 Pharmacy Compliance." Join us for a lively chat with a coach will inspire you to kick procrastination to the curb! It all starts with the non-negotiable! Inspired by Shannon's energy and ideas? You might want to book a discovery call to find out more. Just click here. Click here to listen to, rate and review this or previous She Turned Entrepreneur episodes. Here are key takeaways from the conversation:· Why is going it alone so much fun? All the effort comes back directly to benefit our own venture (and not someone else's).· Take each task as it comes and complete it. Keep the focus! You'll get to the fun stuff eventually and be in a place to really enjoy it because your house is in order! · Create goals and a checklist. Then institute the habit of consistently checking things off. · Efforts are going to fail, but that can easily be turned into an opportunity. Do the post mortem, then do better next time!· There's nothing like the independence in owning your own business, but you don't have to go it alone. Seek advice and encouragement from a coach or some other supportive resource.· Envision who you are, then methodically institute habits to put the pieces in place. Here's a quick look into the episode:· About the journey Shannon has taken from her childhood in New Jersey to a business degree in college to motherhood, which is where her entrepreneurial flair emerged.· Shannon has just launched two new offshoots:o Formalizing her business coaching commitment.o Authoring a book on 797 pharmacy regulations ("IV Vitamin Regulations: Your Guide for USP 797 Pharmacy Compliance") as well as a course that decodes the regulations and requirements for small business owners seeking compliance.· Shannon's focus is primarily (but not exclusively) on women with health-related businesses. Many are nurse-practitioners going out on their own.· Advice for small businesses in their formative stages:o Keep the focus one week out — and no more.o Drill down on the most pressing among the million things that need to be done.o Block non-negotiable time for tasks — and then execute accordingly. o Kick procrastination to the curb! If it needs to be done sooner or later, make it sooner! Especially if it's something you don't want to do. You'll feel better immediately!· How Shannon works with clients:o She coaches exclusively one-to-one.o The process is enhanced by its interactive and intimate nature.· Shannon's Best Advice for Staying Motivated On Those Inevitable Long Days:o It's all about habits. Put in place rituals around writing up goals and marching through that to-do list.o Don't rely on motivation. It can come and go. Grit is what's often required on the daily.· Shannon's Biggest Lesson Learned: Look at failures in a positive light. They are your friend! · Advice for rising entrepreneurs:o Figure out what you're passionate about so that those 14-hour days (at least mostly) feel like a labor of love.o Consider starting a side hustle while getting your venture off the ground.o Seek advice and support through a coach or your network.· Recommended Reading:o "Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones," by James Clear.

Grit. That's what Deborah Smith cultivated while growing up on a farm in Australia. And it turns out to have been just the right grounding for this entrepreneur, who went on to be the first in her family to graduate college and eventually to found a boutique investment bank dedicated to serving women. How did she break through in a highly competitive, male-dominated sector? One step at a time, always putting her very best foot forward. On this episode of She Turned Entrepreneur we're learning how to prepare for and assume a seat at the table. Advice from this Deborah, who is a trusted advisor on issues of real estate investment and capitalization: o Always do your homework.o Project confidence.o Speak up! (Or you'll never be heard.)o Don't be afraid to push. o Don't take no for an answer. The journey to build Center Cap, which Deborah co-founded 13 years ago, has offered all kinds of growing edges. At every turn she and her partners have responded to challenge methodically — and fearlessly. There has been no Plan B. Just a vision and commitment to making it all work, including the work-life balance. “Nothing good is ever easy,” says Deborah. “There are no short cuts.” It helps that Center Cap's workplace culture is dominated by a female ethos: Nurturing, positive, encouraging. It enables women, who can tend to be hesitant, to step into confidence and take risks they might not otherwise take. Explains Deborah: “When you have that kind of support network, I think it fundamentally changes how you are in your daily, and particularly professional, life.” Learn how this pioneer in the female-led investment banking space juggles her high-profile job and family (one task at a time) and avoids overwhelm (by not looking at the whole to do list, but breaking it down into bite sized pieces). “We spend too much time thinking about all the machinations and all the things that can go wrong. The ‘what ifs,' ” she says. “Just stop! Go with it and trust that you will figure it out.” Click here to listen to, rate and review this or previous She Turned Entrepreneur episodes. Here are key takeaways from the conversation:· Female energy is real! Women offer a different, more collaborative environment — a zone of safety and support that enables top performance.· Safe, inclusive workplaces correlate with productive risk-taking and growth.· Entrepreneurial ventures require the flexibility to evolve and adapt as conditions on the ground change. · Ignorance is not bliss. But it's part of building a business for the first time and figuring out systems along the way. It takes tenacity!· Trust yourself and just get started. One by one, you'll navigate any obstacles.· What's the worst thing that can happen? Someone doesn't like your idea? Okay. Move on! It's fine.· Look for opportunities! Do your due diligence and be the most prepped person in the room! It's the best way to compensate for any shortcomings.· If you're not talking, no one is listening!· Whatever you take on, determine that you will be the best you can possibly be.· Don't look at the length of your to do-list. Just focus on the next right thing. · Do the easiest tasks on your list first — the items for which no one will cut you slack. Here's a quick look into the episode:· Deborah, who grew up on a dairy farm in Australia, was the first in her family to attend college, after which she immediately went into investment banking without really knowing what it was all about. Working for traditional financial services firms, she rather quickly found herself transferred to the U.S., where she has been ever since.· The three women partners behind the vision for The Center Cap Group, which was founded 13 years ago, come from traditional investment banking backgrounds which they've repurposed to fit their unique vision.· What Deborah believes women bring to the table that sets them apart:o A different perspective.o A nurturing, collaborative approach.o The ability to celebrate each other's wins and support each other in losses.o A high level of trust.· Workplace cultures that provide safety enable women — who can tend to be wary of risk — to push the envelope and extend beyond their comfort zones.· Center Cap's early years called upon everyone to wear multiple hats while establishing credibility and trusted advisor status within the wider real estate investment community.· Deborah believes the reason many small businesses fail to survive is a lack of adaptability and readiness to bring onboard the tools necessary to succeed.· What tenacity looks like — and why it's so critical for entrepreneurs! · Advice for women working in or running businesses in a male-dominated field:o Merit trumps everything else. If you're good at your job, you own it.o Be confident in who you are because, if you're not, no one else will be.o Take charge of what you're doing. o If you want something, push. Don't take no for an answer.o If you have an idea, step up and take the lead!The worst thing that will happen is that someone responds negatively. o Be forceful. If you hesitate, others will fill the gap. · How to shine in a meeting? Do your due diligence:o Understand who is in the room.o Understand what the topics are.o Look for the angles where you can contribute.· One step at a time and do your utmost best at every step along the way!· Deborah's trick for keeping it all together? Break everything — including home and family — into bite-size pieces. Don't look at the length of the list!· Work-life balance demands exceptional multi-tasking. Manage the low-hanging fruit first! It's immediate gratification (and people will be harder on you if you drop the easy tasks)!· An avid reader, Deborah's Recommended Reading includes: o "Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance," by Angela Duckworth.o "Room on the Broom: A Push, Pull and Slide Book," by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler. (A staple of her children's library)o "What Confucius Didn't Say," by Tom Pallant.· Things change: 25 years ago Deborah eschewed anything English-related, but today she's an avid reader who also generates articles and various other kinds of content. About Deborah:Deborah is Co-Founder and CEO of The CenterCap Group, LLC and heads the firm's Strategic Capital and M&A and Execution efforts. Prior to forming The CenterCap Group, LLC, she was Co-Head of M&A and a Senior Managing Director with CB Richard Ellis Investors. Deborah joined CBREI in July 2007 to co-head the build out of the firm's M&A efforts and led the firm's negotiation and acquisition of a majority interest in Wood Partners (one of the largest multifamily developers in the United States) in 2008. From 1998-2007, Ms. Smith worked on mergers and acquisitions with Lehman Brothers, Wachovia Securities and Morgan Stanley. Deborah has been involved in more than $100 billion of mergers, acquisitions and restructuring transactions. Ms. Smith has a Bachelor of Economics, with honors, and a Bachelor of Law, with honors, from the University of Sydney.

Why is it that so many of us default to “Yes,” even when we're depleted and at wit's end? My guest on this episode of She Turned Entrepreneur is highlighting ways in which stressed-out moms can do a reset to refresh not only their spirits but the lives of those around them. Kelly Bermingham, founder of The Motherhood Mentorship Program, shares insights that improve quality of life with a minimum of muss and fuss – because who has time for that? At the heart of her program is Kelly's belief that we need to stop pretending and throw off societal expectations that are inauthentic. It's okay – unavoidable really – if we can't be all things to all people at all times. We can create a mold for ourselves that matches what truly matters most, if we commit to doing the work of getting honest and defining exactly what those core values are. Kelly, who has been both a mom and a career educator, is on a mission to help women on the run tune into their inner knowing. And, on the practical side, she also helps them create simple, practical life systems so they can stress less and enjoy the journey more. A veteran of 22 years as an educator with a track record as a direct sales entrepreneur, Kelly has traversed midlife and is here to send a message back to women just starting to navigate the insane sprint that life can be when we're juggling jobs, kids, relationships and the daily challenge to keep the domestic machine chugging along on time. She shares how she developed her online course and why the one-to-one coaching element is so fulfilling. The episode wraps with some great recommended reading and a shout-out for the importance of improving and supporting education in our communities and across the nation.Are you a stressed mama? If so, you're not alone. Click here to join The Motherhood and learn more about Kelly and her amazing platform! Click here to listen to, rate and review this or previous She Turned Entrepreneur episodes. Here are key takeaways from the conversation:· Personal losses can serve as an invitation to reconsider – and reset – core priorities.· Don't wait until midlife to confront those midlife crisis questions. Start asking now!· The Power of No: It may not come easily, but women must find ways to set boundaries.· Just starting out? Google research is your friend. There are abundant free resources out there for aspiring entrepreneurs of all kinds.· The online hivemind can be a rich source of support and information. Have a question about growing your business? Put it out to your social media community. Here's a quick look into the episode:· Kelly shares the path she took into a career in technical education and eventually an entrepreneurial venture in direct sales to make some extra $$. · A series of losses within a short timeframe prompted Kelly to reconsider her life and very intentionally prioritize around the things most important to her and her family.· Kelly grew a practice around her observation that women were under intensive – and unrealistic – pressure to do it all and be everything.· Kelly shares some practices that help women in The Motherhood get clarity:o Define your core values to determine what kind of life you want to live.o Identify where your hours are going and how it aligns with your mission.o Come up with simple systems that protect time and improve quality of life.o Develop a self-care practice that integrates quiet moments throughout the day.· The biggest stressors women are facing:o Work.o Maintaining the home.· The single most effective thing women can do to relieve stress? Learn to set boundaries and to say no when necessary.· About how Kelly developed her program:o She networked and asked questions of women who had already established businesses.o She grew her venture organically, through online research and posting on social media channels.o Drawing from her own life, strengths and limits, Kelly developed an online course that busy women could tackle in increments. o She added a one-to-one element to personalize her coaching.o The process of self-reflection – and learning – was and is ongoing.· What's next for Kelly? Finding a way to advocate for kids by helping to improve our troubled educational system, which she had a front-row seat as a teacher.· Recommended Reading:o "Girl, Wash Your Face: Stop Believing the Lies About Who You Are So You Can Become Who You Were Meant To Be," by Rachel Hollis.