Uncomplicate Your Business | Small Business Strategy for Women Entrepreneurs

In the first episode of this brand new series on Building a Life First Business!I wanted to kick things off with my own personal story that has deeply impacted the lens that I see the world through - and is a huge part of why I do the work I do.My mother was 31yo business owner when a car accident left her in a coma for 3 months and in the hospital for another 2 years before returning home to her family. She experienced a Traumatic Brain Injury that would leaver her permanently disabled for the rest of her life.She survived but lost her business... and even more, she missed the early days of my and my sisters childhoods.This episode is deeply personal but if you really want to know why I care so much about building businesses that actually allow you to enjoy your life - my story is a reminder that all we have is today.00:00 Introduction and Series Kickoff01:20 A Personal Story: The Accident That Changed Everything04:10 The Aftermath: Family and Business Struggles08:41 Building a Life-First Business13:33 Adapting to Motherhood and Business24:28 The Importance of Community and Support28:32 Caring for Aging Parents35:30 The Life-First Business Philosophy42:44 Conclusion and Next StepsAttend the upcoming free training with Racheal - Scaling Your Life-First Business

Say YES! to a full year of business mastery inside The CEO Collective.Ready to fully implement and integrate our proven 90 Day CEO Operating System into your business?During this live Open House, Racheal and our incredible mentor team will share an in-depth look at the experience working directly with us inside The CEO Collective and answer your biggest questions about taking the next step with us towards being a fully supported CEO.Watch the video version on-demand.Apply to The CEO Collective.The CEO Collective is a 12-month immersive mentorship meets mastermind experience for women entrepreneurs who are ready to sustainably scale and step into the role of CEO. Applications are currently open for the next cohort until Friday February 23rd, 2024!>>> Click Here to Apply

CEO doesn't mean Chief Everything Officer!When we start our businesses, it's a one-woman show. We are the marketing team, the sales department, and the bookkeeper. We are used to rolling up our sleeves and just figuring it all out!But as the saying goes “What got you here won't get you there!” Continuing to be the Chief Everything Officer will not only make you the bottleneck in your business but will create a ceiling that limits your growth potential.In this live training, we'll share the top mindset shifts and CEO habits that our CEOs embraced as they said yes to building a more sustainable business, 90 days at a time.Watch the video version on-demand.Apply to The CEO Collective.The CEO Collective is a 12-month immersive mentorship meets mastermind experience for women entrepreneurs who are ready to sustainably scale and step into the role of CEO. Applications are currently open for the next cohort until Friday February 23rd, 2024!>>> Click Here to Apply

Entrepreneurs earning 10x more aren't working 10x harder. They are working smarter.Hustle culture has many small business owners convinced that if only they could just do MORE, that their business results would explode.This mindset has trapped many in the weeds of their business, constantly looking for the next silver bullet tip or trick that will explode their growth. After a year or two – they are burned out and stressed out.In this live training, we are walking through our research backed and client proven 90 Day CEO Operating System®️ growth framework for more ease and less stress in your business.Watch the video version on-demand.Apply to The CEO Collective.The CEO Collective is a 12-month immersive mentorship meets mastermind experience for women entrepreneurs who are ready to sustainably scale and step into the role of CEO. Applications are currently open for the next cohort until Friday February 23rd, 2024!>>> Click Here to Apply

For one week only, we are sharing the live 90 Day CEO Sustainable Success Series with you here on the podcast! For small business owners ready to grow – what comes first – growth at all costs or stabilize then scale?It's easy to believe that more revenue solves all business problems. But growth at all costs creates more chaos and leaves the business owner feeling out of control.Research shows that small businesses fail to grow when the business owner feels out of control.In the first live training, we are diving deep into the research behind the sustainable scale stack – a set of proven tools that help business owners regain control over their business.Watch the video version on-demand.Apply to The CEO Collective.The CEO Collective is a 12-month immersive mentorship meets mastermind experience for women entrepreneurs who are ready to sustainably scale and step into the role of CEO. Applications are currently open for the next cohort until Friday February 23rd, 2024!>>> Click Here to Apply

This week, I went live on Instagram to share a little Rach Rant that I knew I needed to share with you on the podcast. I've been hearing from so many small business owners who are looking for real support but when they bring their legitimate business challenges to the so called experts - they are told that the reason they are stuck is mindset.Mindset it important! But there are very real challenges that we all are facing that impact our small businesses. If 2023 was a challenging year, then listen in!On this episode of Promote Yourself to CEO:00:00 Rachel Cook challenges mindset struggles for small businesses.03:09 Challenges faced by women micro business owners.06:56 Limited availability drives up costs for working families.11:35 Global pressures can't be offset by mindset.13:11 Consumer behavior shifts impacting small business owners.18:45 Get proactive with marketing to boost sales.20:19 Be wary of misleading marketing messages on social media.Are you running your business… or is your business running you?It's time to get your business in order so you can step into your role as a confident, in control CEO! Join Racheal Cook for this free 4-part training series February 12th-15th to sustainably scale your business with more ease and less stress.RSVP at http://www.theceocollective.com/successseries

It's one thing to have the right people on your team. But do you have them in the right roles?Assessment tools like StrengthsFinder (now officially called CliftonStrengths®) can help you not just learn more about yourself and your team members but also give you the information you need to help put them in a better position for success. Specifically, StrengthsFinder helps you discover your top talents so you can maximize your personal and professional potential.CEO Collective member La Tondra Murray has over a decade of experience with CliftonStrengths® and uses it as part of her strengths-based leadership coaching to help established entrepreneurs create business results with a lean team. She's helped more than a thousand individuals and over 40 teams (including my own) in assessing their talent, work-life integration, and emerging leadership.In this episode of the Promote Yourself to CEO podcast, you'll learn about how using the CliftonStrengths® assessment tool can help you truly set your team members up for success. La Tondra will teach you how each of the four domains of StrengthsFinder can express itself in your role as leader, and you'll even get a peek into what she discovered about me and members of my business team.On this episode of Promote Yourself to CEO:6:14 - How did La Tondra first start working with strengths-based leadership as a powerful piece of her work?10:32 - La Tondra explains what strengths are (specific to the CliftonStrengths assessment).13:01 - La Tondra reveals what stands out to her the most when looking at others using their leadership strengths.17:04 - What does La Tondra look for when assessing how members of a business team work together?22:37 - La Tondra discusses what StrengthsFinder isn't, the importance of all types of strengths, and pivoting from one domain to another.28:07 - What are the four domains of the CliftonStrengths assessment, and how can they show up in leadership?38:12 - La Tondra talks about her delightful discovery as a CEO Collective member for the last six months.Mentioned in How to Leverage StrengthsFinder to Be a Better Team Leader In Your Business with La Tondra MurrayLa Tondra MurrayWhat's Your CEO Style? QuizStrengthsFinder/CliftonStrengths® Online Talent AssessmentThe CEO CollectiveRacheal on Instagram and TikTokRate and review on Apple Podcasts

You have all kinds of personality assessment tools available to use. You've probably even taken some of the tests like Myers-Briggs, StrengthFinders, or the Enneagram.But what about a tool that can help you assess and build your team in the best way possible? That's where the Kolbe A™ Index comes in! It's a tool that small business owners can use to understand their natural instincts in problem-solving and decision-making.So, how does it work, and how can you implement it for yourself and your team? Kendra Tillman is a former client and founder of StrongHer.Me Coaching & Consulting specializes in using this system so that you understand your natural strengths as well as those of your employees. And she's here to tell you how!A system like this is essential when building a strong company culture. In this continuation of our culture series on the Promote Yourself to CEO podcast, you'll learn how the Kolbe system works and how to use it to build, support, and lead a better business team. On this episode of Promote Yourself to CEO:8:02 - I originally took the Kolbe test in 2005 and still have the printout. How did Kendra first start working with this assessment system?13:01 - Kendra explains what you can use Kolbe for as an entrepreneur who's growing a business and leading a team.16:39 - When you first get your Kolbe report, you see all these numbers, colors, and other information. What does it all mean?21:35 - Kendra discusses how you can use the system to hire people or figure out who on your existing team needs to come in and support you.28:46 - What do you need to pay special attention to when using Kolbe to evaluate potential hires for a spot on your business team?31:53 - Kendra demonstrates how this assessment system can change the dynamics within a team.34:55 - How does following the results of your Kolbe assessment affect the energy you put into your business? Kendra uses my Quick Start strength as an example.About Kendra TillmanKendra Tillman is the founder of StrongHer.Me Coaching & Consulting. Her company's mission empowers rising women leaders to RECLAIM their authentic voice, OWN their leadership potential, and ACTIVATE the courage to live their calling.StrongHer.me‘Activate Your A' Mini SessionMentioned in How the Kolbe A™ Index Helps You Better Support and Lead Your Business Team with Kendra TillmanKolbe A™ IndexThe CEO CollectiveRacheal on Instagram and TikTokRate and review on Apple Podcasts

You've seen and heard about it from the hiring room to the Hollywood screen. For the last few years, every workplace imaginable has been discussing and trying to increase diversity, equity, and inclusion by implementing DEI practices in their company.But Mia Henry, founder and CEO of Freedom Lifted, sees a flaw in the way these concepts often get applied. Her approach involves pioneering innovative work, and she has lots of experience working with those committed to promoting justice and equity.In this episode of the Promote Yourself to CEO podcast, we're continuing our work and business culture series with Mia. You'll learn how to cultivate a sense of belonging within your team by using a more effective way of applying these concepts in your small business. Mia will reveal what shared power looks like, why it's important to have it, and the process she uses to help others begin to do DEI work differently.On this episode of Promote Yourself to CEO:7:03 - Why are diversity, equity, and inclusion so important within the culture of a company? Mia explains from her unique perspective.12:42 - Mia discusses what social power and equity are and how they relate to shared power within team dynamics or management of organizations.20:07 - Many still aren't ready to have this conversation, so what is necessary for people to be ready to do this work? And how does Mia help them start to tackle it?23:12 - Issues still arise when those with marginalized identities gain positional power. Why? And why is privilege not necessarily a bad thing?25:23 - We talk about the two stakeholders I think small businesses really need to consider in this and how too many businesses approach it instead.32:33 - How is this kind of social justice and movement work similar to doing trauma work? Mia also discusses a critical (and sometimes revolutionary) part of her work.38:21 - Mia gives some examples of people she looks up to who are leading from this new paradigm of shared power.41:11 - We share why we have hope for younger generations to make a difference, and how our generation can help.45:08 - Mia has been part of The CEO Collective for a year. What has happened to her business since joining?Mentioned in Build a Business Culture That You and Your Employees Love with Tiffany SlaterFreedom LiftedThe Shared Power Podcast“Redefining Leadership with Deborah Harrington” | The Shared Power PodcastThe CEO Collective“How to Re-Align Your Business With Your Values with Erica Courdae”“Values Matter: Taking a Real Stand In Your Business with Erica Courdae”Racheal on Instagram and TikTokRate and review on Apple Podcasts

Are you a small business owner who is hiring more employees and building a real team? Then it's time to start thinking at an entirely new level about how this will change the game for your company. And you need to have a culture in place that helps you attract and retain the talent you want onboard.In the last few years, we've seen huge changes in the way people work. In fact, the pandemic accelerated changes that were already underway. These changes very much revolve around company culture and how that affects its employees, something that the human resources department of every corporation has a direct hand in.Dr. Tiffany Slater is very much a product of this change. She has over 20 years of experience as an HR professional but had to leave a toxic workplace situation. Now, she specializes in helping other busy entrepreneurs take the lead on their human resource needs. And she's here today to help me kick off a new podcast series on business culture.In this episode of the Promote Yourself to CEO podcast, you'll learn how to get really honest about the type of business you want to have now that it's no longer just about you. Tiffany will teach you how you can start building a more intentional culture for your small business that's enjoyable and effective for you and your employees.On this episode of Promote Yourself to CEO:4:27 - The dichotomy between the old and new way of work management has changed in the last few years. How does it impact small business owners?12:09 - Tiffany explains what being a fractional human resources executive means for small business owners and reveals the tipping point for managing the HR side of a company.15:55 - What does it mean to have a culture in your business? Every organization has one, even if they don't plan for it.17:59 - As a solopreneur, your company's values are your values. But what happens with those values as you build your team?23:23 - When you're not intentionally thinking about your company's culture, it tends to create one by accident. Tiffany describes the challenges she sees in those businesses.27:45 - How is creating a healthy, functional dynamic for your team within your business similar to hosting a party? Tiffany reveals the two things that bring it all together.31:22 - If you want to attract and retain talent in your business, you must build a company culture that does this.Mentioned in Build a Business Culture That You and Your Employees Love with Tiffany SlaterHR TailorMadeFree HR Strategy Session with Tiffany SlaterThe CEO RetreatThe CEO Collective“How to Re-Align Your Business With Your Values with Erica Courdae”“Values Matter: Taking a Real Stand In Your Business with Erica Courdae”The Art of Gathering by Priya ParkerRacheal on Instagram and TikTokRate and review on Apple Podcasts

Do you often have to throw your 90-day business plan out of the window because events come up that throw a wrench in the works?Over the past few years, pandemics, social justice movements, and wars have made the world feel more chaotic than ever. And that impacts you as a small business owner, as do the things just going on in your personal life.So, how do you bridge that gap between your quarterly plans and yearly goals? In this episode of the Promote Yourself to CEO podcast, you'll learn how to take your goals for the next year and turn them into an achievable plan. I'll teach you the difference between process and project goals, the critical systems you need to make it all work, and examples of where you might need to shore up your business.On this episode of Promote Yourself to CEO:5:19 - What type of goals are you setting for your business? There's a difference between process goals and project goals.10:43 - Many small business owners are doing project goals they think will grow their business. Ask yourself these two questions when it comes to your goals.15:00 - Is your business leaking anywhere? Do an audit to see where you need to plug the gaps.22:35 - Make sure you have these three systems dialed in for all your offers so that you (and your team) succeed without burnout.26:50 - What can happen if you don't implement these systems in your business before adding new things?29:54 - Here's an example of a project versus process goal within my business. It enables me to take this next step with The CEO Collective I've been working on behind the scenes.Mentioned in How to Bridge the Gap Between Your 90-Day and 12-Month PlansPlan Your Best Year Ever Challenge90-Day CEO Operating SystemThe CEO CollectiveRacheal on Instagram and TikTokRate and review on Apple Podcasts

Forgetting to market and prioritize making sales consistently? What about letting your schedule get so out of control that you don't give yourself any time off for months on end? Or chasing every next shiny object instead of focusing on what works in your business?What you suffer from, dear entrepreneur, is a lack of plan implementation. In the final part of this year's Best Year Ever challenge, you'll discover how to take all the insight from the previous episodes and turn them into an actionable 12-month profit plan for 2024.On this episode of Promote Yourself to CEO:6:40 - How does my 5-part framework form the foundation for your 12-month plan?11:56 - Here's where I start when I'm mapping out my 12-month big picture profit plan.13:52 - Discover how to plan out what you're going to sell and when you're going to sell it.17:28 - I reveal one thing you need to make sure you're doing throughout the year and another you need to do every month.19:57 - What do you do about any goals that aren't covered by your client growth engine?20:52 - Now that you have your big picture profit plan for the year, what's next?Mentioned in Do You Have a Month-by-Month Profit Plan for 2024?Best Year Ever ChallengeThe CEO CollectiveThe CEO Retreat90-Day CEO Operating SystemRacheal on Instagram and TikTokLeave a review on Apple Podcast

You tell yourself, “This year, I'm gonna do it!” You write down your business goal. You put it where you can see it constantly. You're determined to reach that pinnacle you've set for yourself this time! A few months later... you've forgotten about it or given up on it.We tend to only set goals once a year, and that's one of the reasons why goal setting often doesn't work for most people. On day 4 of this series, I take a different approach to goal setting to help you establish business milestones you'll actually follow through on in 2024.On this episode of Promote Yourself to CEO:4:54 - Many of us have such a love/hate relationship with goal setting. Why does it fail so often?6:17 - As you brainstorm all of your potential goals for the new year, refrain from doing this.8:40 - What is in your client growth engine and in your team engine? 10:50 - I talk about using my five-part framework (Attract, Engage, Nurture, Invite, and Delight) to help you as you create goals.16:12 - Once you've brainstormed, how can you narrow your goals down to five for the year? Think about how you're setting yourself up for success. Mentioned in How to Set Goals You Can Actually Follow Through On?Best Year Ever Challenge90-Day CEO Operating SystemGet Paid CalculatorRacheal on Instagram and TikTokLeave a review on Apple Podcasts

Are you constantly running your business in emergency mode? You might be running your company by default instead of by design, constantly putting out fires and working crazy long hours. But panic as a business strategy isn't a wise recipe for success. In this episode, I talk about how to design a business that works for you and runs like clockwork in 2024.On this episode of Promote Yourself to CEO:3:51 - Why should your business design come after your life design?5:39 - What does personal and professional success mean to you? Here are some things to keep in mind.10:41 - Who are the dream clients you want to focus on attracting and attaining in 2024?11:40 - Time to shift into money mode! But you don't want to pull a revenue goal out of thin air here.16:03 - The final thing you want to look at as you go through this process of (re)creating your business by design.Mentioned in Is Your Business by Default or by Design?Best Year Ever ChallengeGet Paid CalculatorProfit First by Mike MichalowiczRacheal on Instagram and TikTokLeave a review on Apple Podcasts

With our hustle and bustle culture, we're always in danger of burning ourselves out. The last couple of years, however, have made it even worse. It always feels like there's something going wrong in the world--pandemics, war breakouts, etc.--that can have an effect on our business, causing us to worry about its future.No matter what's happening in the world, though, you can still build your dream business. This Best Year Ever series can help you get clarity about what you want to experience right now. In this episode, I dive into the second challenge and it's a powerful one!On this episode of Promote Yourself to CEO:3:52 - Today's the day you jump into your time machine! What do I mean?5:50 - I reveal the best place to start as you go through today's exercises. This is all about getting intentional.7:03 - I give examples of how you can use this exercise to upgrade your life (with a little insight from my own life).9:24 - How can you upgrade your business and have it support the life you want?10:10 - This is when you bring some numbers into play. You need to think about it in two parts.Mentioned in What Does Your Dream 2024 Look Like?Best Year Ever ChallengeGet Paid CalculatorDouble Double by Cameron HeroldRacheal on Instagram and TikTokLeave a review on Apple Podcasts

With the holidays just around the corner, it's not just time to look ahead in your business. This is also a good time to reflect on your progress over the last year. So many entrepreneurs don't reach their goals because they keep running up on the same obstacles over and over.If that's you, let's not do that again. Instead, let's start planning your best year ever! In this episode, I kick off my annual five-part series where I walk you through the same strategic planning process I've used for over 20 years and shared with thousands of women entrepreneurs to help create a solid action plan for 2024.On this episode of Promote Yourself to CEO:2:16 - Do this before you listen to the episode. It'll help you follow along as I dive into the first BYE challenge.5:25 - Doing this helps you determine the best course of action as you shift your business. It's a move professional athletes understand well.7:21 - Need assistance answering the questions for this challenge? Using these tools can help you get really clear on what's gone on in your business.9:33 - As you go through this exercise, you'll start seeing things that bring up the following questions.10:32 - Double down or let go? I share some scenarios where you might want to do either.Mentioned in Ready To Plan Your Best Year Ever?Best Year Ever ChallengeThe CEO PlannerRacheal on Instagram and TikTokLeave a review on Apple Podcasts

If you're out of alignment with your business and want to realign yourself, it starts with your vision. But it doesn't end there. You've got to get your values on board as well.In this episode of the Promote Yourself to CEO podcast, Erica Courdae is back to help me dive into how you can realign your business with your values. You'll learn how being out of alignment affects everyone in your company, the one band-aid you want to avoid using when you're feeling stuck in your business, and what might be behind that resentfulness you feel towards your business.On this episode of Promote Yourself to CEO:3:02 - Why have this conversation now? Erica and I talk about why doing more isn't the answer to fixing the problem.6:12 - You're not the only one affected in your business when you're out of alignment. We reveal an inflection point for many small businesses.13:52 - Why do values not exist in action in a lot of businesses (both large and small)? We discuss what it takes to realign your values.21:17 - Here's how the 90-Day CEO Operating System and Erica's workshop help get you back to alignment.25:49 - Do you resent everything about your business, including your clients and team? This might be a reason why.30:48 - I share why we lead with “life before business” as our #1 value at The CEO Collective.36:42 - Beware the consequences of going it alone and not allowing your team to contribute (on some level) to solidifying your company's values.41:46 - What's the difference between joining and belonging? People often conflate the two.Mentioned in How to Re-Align Your Business With Your Values with Erica CourdaeFrom Implicit to Explicit Values WorkshopThe CEO Date Checklist90-Day CEO Operating SystemThe CEO PlannerThe CEO RetreatThe CEO CollectiveFair Play book and deck by Eve Rodsky“The Vulnerable Side of Visibility with Erica Courdae”“Values Matter: Taking a Real Stand In Your Business with Erica Courdae”Pause on the Play on InstagramRacheal on Instagram and TikTokRate and review on Apple Podcasts

Are you at the point where you dread showing up to your business each day? Do you feel stressed at the thought of working in your business and would rather do anything else?If so, that's a sign that you've fallen out of love with your business. But how did it happen, and what can you do to rekindle the relationship?Today, we're starting a new mini-series. And in this episode of the Promote Yourself to CEO podcast, you'll learn about the two parts to re-aligning your business vision and how your definition for success provides the foundation. I'll reveal the likely cause of your misalignment and give you a few suggestions to help you clarify your new business vision.On this episode of Promote Yourself to CEO:3:05 - Why do you get out of alignment with your business vision?6:01 - When you hire others, what's in it for them? There are two parts to re-creating your business vision.7:36 - I talk about owner's intent and how I define success in several areas of my life outside my business.15:32 - Cultivating this has been one of the biggest things that has really shifted my feeling of alignment with my definition of success.20:05 - Looking toward the future, what do you want your business to do for you? I've documented my owner's intent and share a bit of it here.27:03 - Things tend to get a little messy when entrepreneurs start to grow their team. What does your vision need to look like for them to get excited about being on board?30:53 - Here are a few things you might want to consider when you create your business vision.35:40 - I recap what can help you re-calibrate a new vision for your business, as well as the next step to take once you have it.Mentioned in How to Re-Align Your Vision and Fall Back In Love With Your Business"Is Your Business Aligned With YOU?"The CEO Date Checklist90-Day CEO Operating SystemVivid Vision and Double Double by Cameron HeroldRacheal on Instagram and TikTokRate and review on Apple Podcasts

“You won't make any real money doing that!” Has someone said something like that to you when you revealed you want to pursue a creative career in something like art or music? So many people stop chasing their dreams because they're afraid they won't be able to make it work.Today, I chat with one of the founding members of The CEO Collective, Jennet Ingle, who took her talent as a musician and turned it into a sustainable business. If you're a creative person, you'll love our conversation in this episode!2:36 – You'd be surprised to know this about me. That's why it always makes me happy to see others in musical careers.6:29 – Traditional paths for musical majors are few and heavily guarded. Jennet reveals how she's forged her own path.10:20 – What was Jennet doing when she first came into my world and joined The CEO Collective? It's such a niche thing that snowballed.16:05 – Jennet reveals the surprising audience receptive to her programs and how the pandemic actually made it easier to reach and teach them.21:05 – What's happened for Jennet since she initially got serious about turning her passion into a business?25:26 – Jennet offers wisdom for those who feel they can't have a career or business as a musician/creative person due to their fear of financial insecurity.28:27 – Jennet discusses what she learned from The CEO Collective that helped her solidify her business's direction. With such a niche business, she found it indispensable!33:45 – How do Jennet's musician friends feel about what she's created? She reveals what's most unfamiliar to them about what she does.35:02 – I ask Jennet a couple of questions about her CEO Collective experience. She talks about habits she's kept and the biggest challenge she overcame.Mentioned in How the Happiest Musician Built A Predictably Profitable Business with Jennet IngleJennet IngleThe CEO RetreatThe CEO CollectiveRacheal on Instagram and TikTokRate and review on Apple Podcasts

What's the antidote to inconsistent cash flow and clients in your business? Having a solid plan certainly helps, but too many entrepreneurs are just winging it in hopes of finding success. In this episode, I deliver a little tough love and talk about how to figure out the kind of plan you need in place for your business to grow.1:25 – What do most entrepreneurs do first when wanting to create the freedom and flexibility they desire? I explain why it's a backward approach and a short-term solution.5:08 – You find true freedom with a certain level of control in your business. I clarify what I mean by control here, because a lot of people might have mixed feelings on it.7:39 – What do you need to have in place to get consistent cash flow and clients? I reveal the first of several different components necessary.10:28 – The second component is one where a lot of people trip up. There's a common trap entrepreneurs can fall into here as well, and I discuss how to avoid it.14:23 – Having these two things in your business makes predictable profits so much easier to obtain. I explain how.18:44 – How can you ensure that your team helps you create sustainable revenue, freedom, and flexibility? Without a plan here, things can become chaotic very quickly.25:36 – I talk about another key thing to keep in mind as you're working with your team to grow your business.Mentioned in Winging It Isn't a Business Growth StrategyThe CEO CollectiveThe E-Myth Revisited: Why Most Businesses Don't Work and What to Do About It by Michael E. GerberRacheal on Instagram and TikTokLeave a review on iTunes

You have money buried in your business somewhere. It doesn't require you to gain more followers, run more ads, or hustle further to get your hands on it, either. It just involves taking advantage of the lowest-hanging fruit in your business.Today wraps up this series on ending hustle culture, burnout, and entrepreneurial poverty. In this episode of the Promote Yourself to CEO podcast, I reveal the third and final strategy to grow your business sustainably. I can't wait for you to unlock this one!On this episode of Promote Yourself to CEO:4:13 – I share a quick story and reveal the final secret to sustainable growth for your business. 7:51 – I expose the huge problem not being discussed in the business world right now. What could be the culprit?9:36 – You need to nail these things to form the foundation for finding hidden money in your business. I see too many people ignore the last one.14:33 – What simple offers can you provide your clients behind the scenes? I reveal one way to ensure your 1-on-1 clients fit perfectly for you.19:02 – If you have past clients, what should you do next? Here are some other ways to discover hidden income opportunities. 22:55 – I sum up all of the main strategies I've highlighted in this episode series.Mentioned in Avoid Hustle & Burnout With The Hidden Money In Your Business“Why Hustle Culture Creates Entrepreneurial Poverty”The CEO CollectiveRacheal on Instagram and TikTokRate and review on Apple Podcasts

Are you on this entrepreneurial journey with someone else?Business owners often ask whether or not I can help them with their specific type of business. Perhaps they're a business selling a product instead of a service, or they're in a very unique niche. And while most of the small businesses I work with are solopreneurs, sometimes I see two people who've come together as business partners.Co-CEOs need support, strategies, and systems specifically designed to help them too, because a partnership can open up new communication and work challenges. That's why today I've invited Carmen Reed-Gilkison and Deirdre Harter, the co-CEOs of Encore Empire, to share their perspective on how two people can efficiently work together.In this episode of the Promote Yourself to CEO podcast, you'll hear how they've streamlined and upleveled how they communicate in their business. They'll discuss how they ensure they're not stepping on the other's toes or accidentally re-doing the other's work... and avoid overworking themselves in the process. On this episode of Promote Yourself to CEO:6:06 - Where did the idea come from to form a business partnership and launch Encore Empire? Deirdre and Carmen discuss how they came together.10:07 - Deirdre and Carmen love working with midlife women looking to launch something new. Why do they focus on this specific group?16:25 - Where was Encore Empire a year ago when Deirdre and Carmen first joined The CEO Collective? They talk about the changes they've made in their business since.25:19 - Deirdre and Carmen share the biggest takeaway they've implemented (and recommend) as business partners from attending the CEO retreats and working within the Collective.30:30 - What are Deirdre and Carmen most proud of accomplishing in the last year? What's really made a difference for their business?Mentioned in Better Communication Between You and Your Business Partner With Encore Empire90-Day CEO Operating SystemEncore EmpireEncore Empire on Facebook and LinkedInEmpire of Unstoppable Women FB GroupThe Marketing Methodology WorkshopThe CEO RetreatThe CEO CollectiveRacheal on Instagram and TikTokRate and review on Apple Podcasts

What do you think you need to gain in order for your business to change and grow? Too often entrepreneurs get hyped up to chase vanity metrics like huge numbers of Instagram followers or email subscribers. Ultimately though, gaining five or 10 new clients is all you need to have a massive impact on your business.The simplest, easiest way for getting those clients isn't something sexy or glamorous. It involves using a real strategy to invite people in, actually connect with them, and let them know how you can help. Continuing on with this series to avoid hustle and burnout, today I talk about the second strategy you need to adopt to grow a truly sustainable business.On this episode of Promote Yourself to CEO:3:27 - I rant (again) about an issue in the business world that sets so many people up for failure.5:18 - What is a predictable profit plan? It's key to how I help entrepreneurs break out of the feast or famine cycle, so I walk you through how to put one together.10:00 - I reveal the most important but least discussed part of a profit plan. If you don't have this, it'll break your business.10:45 - People get so focused on marketing and sales that they forget about this piece of the puzzle and end up with a lot of unhappy clients.15:00 - What will be your strategies for marketing, sales, and delivery? I use The CEO Collective as an example.17:13 - Consider this if you have no idea when you should promote your signature offer. I give more examples from my business.20:14 - Full upfront payment is awesome! But you'll love extending payment plans to clients for this incredibly powerful reason.25:04 - How can you ensure that you don't experience a revenue gap?Mentioned in Your Profit Road Map for More Sustainable SalesThe CEO RetreatThe CEO CollectiveRacheal on Instagram and TikTokRate and review on Apple Podcasts

Are you running your business on a wing and a prayer? Meaning, you don't have a plan for what to do next in your business?Andrea Bentschneider has been a leading expert genealogist in Germany for almost 20 years. She's been featured on international TV shows and is a sought-after guest on German media.But when she first joined The CEO Collective, her business and marketing strategy was winging it. She didn't have consistent demand for her services, so she would have to hire and let go staff as demand went up and down, respectively. And she ended up in the feast and famine cycle because of it.Things have turned around for Andrea now, but how? Today on the Promote Yourself to CEO podcast, we continue our entrepreneurial poverty and hustle culture series. In this episode, Andrea will share how being clear on how you're going to market your business, and being consistent with it, is a complete game changer. You'll shift from reacting all the time to knowing what the right next steps are so you can move your business forward.On this episode of Promote Yourself to CEO:1:19 - What are some signs that you're winging it instead of being proactive in your business?6:05 - Andrea talks about how long she's been in business and what it looked like prior to joining The CEO Collective.10:53 - Andrea explains what she found inside the membership that she couldn't find elsewhere.15:03 - What's the one gap that still exists in Andrea's marketing? She also reveals the answer to a question I answered that finalized her decision to join.17:40 - Andrea has had some major media coverage as she's gotten more proactive this year. She discusses some big visibility opportunities that started showing up for her.21:00 - What were some of the little things Andrea did to help her land marketing opportunities?27:35 - Here's the one question Andrea asks herself whenever she's hesitating about doing something. She also shares what she'd say to anyone considering joining.Mentioned in Going From Reactive to Proactive In Your Business with Andrea BentschneiderBeyond HistoryThe CEO RetreatThe CEO CollectiveRacheal on Instagram and TikTokRate and review on Apple Podcasts

We women entrepreneurs keep underpricing ourselves when offering the same service or product as our male counterparts. On average, we price up to 20% less. When I first heard that, I was blown away!Pricing is one of the quickest and most powerful ways to adjust your business trajectory and make it more sustainable. I've seen it in my business and those of my clients. So in this episode of the Promote Yourself to CEO podcast, you'll learn why properly pricing your offers is the first step to designing a successfully sustainable business and how to figure out the math in your pricing.On this episode of Promote Yourself to CEO:4:49 - What is the feast or famine zone, and does your business fall into it? 13:43 - Discover the two biggest reasons why businesses in this zone struggle to compete. 16:54 - I demonstrate how underpricing can easily lead to overworking by using the example of a wedding photographer.20:07 - Taking the wedding photographer example further, this simple step is an easy way to improve your profitability and ease burnout.25:07 - What if you want to double your rates? You need to take a deeper look at these factors in your business.30:27 - Pricing impacts other aspects of your business. Michalowicz's Profit First percentages can help you figure out the math to meet your revenue goal.33:46 - I push back against the hype of online gurus who have a certain mindset about pricing and the need for a large audience to get enough clients and customers.38:27 - What if you're not used to selling at a higher price or booking multiple sessions at a time per client?45:51 - Keep these questions in mind as you crunch your numbers.Mentioned in Why Underpricing (and Overdelivering) Is Creating Business BurnoutProfit First by Mike MichalowiczThe Get Paid CalculatorThe CEO CollectiveRacheal on Instagram and TikTokRate and review on Apple Podcasts

Do you dread looking at the numbers in your business?So many people say they aren't good with numbers or don't understand what's happening with the money in their business. They make financial decisions without knowing where the money's going and just hope they're making the right choice or that it'll magically pay off.But you need to understand what's coming in, what's going out, and make very discerning decisions about where you're spending the money. It's key to halting the cycle of cash flow problems so many small business owners go through.Wealth & Worth Within CFO Carla Titus joins us today in this continuation of our series on ending entrepreneurial poverty and hustle culture. She has over 15 years of financial planning, analysis strategy, and business consulting experience and has helped her clients have more cash to pay themselves and begin building more personal wealth.And today, on the Promote Yourself to CEO podcast, she joins me for a no-nonsense discussion about where you really need to be paying attention to your money. You'll learn the cash flow mistakes that most entrepreneurs make and the internal shift it takes to move from employee mode to boss mode (and amazing salary that can come with it).On this episode of Promote Yourself to CEO:6:06 - How did Carla get started with her business? She introduces herself.10:15 - Carla reveals her non-negotiables before she took the leap to become the sole breadwinner for her family.13:44 - Eighty-two percent of small businesses struggle with cash flow. What common cashflow mistakes does Carla see small business owners make?21:17 - There's a shift in the mind that needs to happen when you replace your job salary with an incredible business income.26:10 - What's it like inside The CEO Collective if you're curious and thinking of getting more business support? Carla shares her thoughts.Wealth & Worth WithinThe CEO RetreatThe CEO Planner and 90-Day Operating SystemThe CEO CollectiveRacheal on Instagram and TikTokRate and review on Apple Podcasts

When you think of entrepreneurial poverty, you probably think of money, right?Entrepreneurial poverty isn't just a financial concept, though. And while I've talked about this concept in lots of interviews over the last year, I've never done it in-depth on this show... until now.Today begins a new series on getting yourself out of the entrepreneurial poverty that comes with hustle culture. In this episode of the Promote Yourself to CEO podcast, you'll learn how hustle hype has directly led to women entrepreneurs bearing the brunt of this situation and the three kinds of entrepreneurial poverty you can experience in your business. On this episode of Promote Yourself to CEO:3:47 - What does poverty of time look like for women entrepreneurs? It's not (just) about literally working around the clock.8:53 - I share the big mindset shift that helped me realize the necessity of avoiding the poverty of time struggle when I started my business.11:52 - Energy poverty is HUGE right now for entrepreneurial women, and the conversation around it has changed in the last few years. Why?17:54 - The feast or famine cycle epitomizes entrepreneurial poverty of money. I discuss what it looks like and how it compounds the other two problems.25:55 - Influencers love peddling the hustle hype. But who are these celebrity entrepreneurs actually targeting, and how do they lead people astray?30:34 - Here's how succumbing to the culture of FOMO (fear of missing out) contributes to the entrepreneurial poverty cycle.35:14 - How can you build a solid sustainable business without the entrepreneurial poverty that hustle hype creates? I give a little preview of the rest of this series.Mentioned in Why Hustle Culture Creates Entrepreneurial PovertyThe CEO CollectiveBusiness Growth ChecklistRacheal on Instagram and TikTokRate and review on Apple Podcasts

When it comes to visibility for your business, you can't ignore one of the most prolific ways of marketing online for the last few years: social media.And so many influencers make it seem like they have it all figured out. It's like they live on the platforms, posting 24/7 about the things they do and the things they buy. The shopping excursions, the vacation photos, the lifestyle tutorials--all of it designed to sell to a mass audience and make them think they too can have this kind of life if they do (and buy) what the influencer recommends.Being a CEO is completely different than being a social media influencer, though, so you don't have to document your life on social media just to have business visibility there successfully. But how can you make the shift from trying to get a mass audience to trying to get the right audience?If you're tired of being told that you need to show up more on social media and do all the things the influencers do, then you're in for a treat with my conversation with Andréa Jones as we continue this series on visibility.In this episode of the Promote Yourself to CEO podcast, you'll learn valuable (and updated) insights from a social media agency owner about how to get real results from your social media without being on it all the time. She'll teach you what social media algorithms are really looking for, why creating more content isn't the answer, how to share without oversharing, how top-of-funnel differs from conversion content, ways to sell beyond the bio, how businesses can take advantage of the next evolution in social media marketing, and more!On this episode of Promote Yourself to CEO:3:39 - Recently, Andréa changed her messaging around social media. What was the change, and why did she make it?7:02 - What is the purpose of social media algorithms, and how do you communicate with them so that your content gets out there?9:36 - You also still have to produce content for your audience to meet your business goals. We discuss the content that works (and that doesn't anymore).11:45 - Andréa talks about what you need to do to avoid acting like an influencer on social media.14:23 - What's the distinction between content meant to get people into your funnel and content meant to convert them into clients?16:37 - Marketers on social media default to asking for people to click their bio link to make the sale. Andréa discusses how to sell on these platforms beyond the bio.20:29 - Algorithms always change, and platforms like Facebook roll out new features. What is the next thing you need to know about in social media marketing?23:37 - What is Andréa's prediction for how artificial intelligence will change social media marketing for small business CEOs?OnlineDreaAndréa on Instagram and TikTokSavvy Social PodcastAndréa's “Social Media Starter Kit Free Mini Course”“Bro, do you even AI?” by Forest Linden | Clarity LabThe CEO CollectiveRacheal on Instagram and TikTokRate and review on Apple Podcasts

When you think of visibility, you tend to think of the things you can see... literally.You think about the posts, photos, and videos you consume on social media, blogs, and Youtube. But what about introducing yourself to an audience and letting them get to know you using a sense other than sight?Audio has been one of the best ways I've gotten my message out there. But you don't have to be a podcaster like me to use audio in your marketing. And today, in our visibility series, I have an expert who knows all kinds of creative ways to use audio in your business for visibility.Introducing Kim Tradewell of May and James Co! In this episode of the Promote Yourself to CEO podcast, you'll learn how to leverage audio for business visibility purposes and hear a simple framework to make the process work without overcomplicating things. And as you listen in, the ideas Kim and I discuss can even spark new ones that might be perfect for you!On this episode of Promote Yourself to CEO:5:00 - Kim shares a bit about her business and why she does what she does.8:39 - How can you use audio without the long-term commitment of a podcast? Kim reveals one way.12:40 - Using audio in this way for live events will have you looking at them differently.18:45 - You don't have to have a typical podcast to utilize podcasting in your marketing. Kim discusses how.24:10 - Ever thought of using audio in this way behind-the-scenes? And there are some niche-specific avenues to using audio as well.27:29 - How complicated is this to do? Is it very techy? Kim breaks it down in a simple way.31:47 - After you've created your audio content, how can you amplify it? Mentioned in How to Leverage Audio In Your Business for Visibility with Kim TradewellMay and James Co.Women's Meditation NetworkThe CEO CollectiveFired Up and Focused ChallengeCustomer/Client Experience podcast series:“The Key to Boosting Your Business and Creating Clients for Life”“Designing an Excellent Customer Experience In 3 Stages”“7 Ways to Upgrade Your Client or Customer Experience”“How to Include Surprise and Delight for Clients In Your Customer Experience” Racheal on Instagram and TikTokRate and review on Apple Podcasts

Are you staying ahead of the marketing shifts that affect your business?Trends come and go--like Myspace, which was once all the rage, but isn't even in the marketing conversation anymore. What once was effective becomes less so, like you're seeing on certain social media platforms.But if you wait too late to get ahead of the shifts and change your approach, you'll find yourself struggling to get your business back on track. So what can you do now?Getting in front of other people's audiences is one of my favorite ways to create more visibility for myself and my clients. Not through cold pitching, though, but building relationships and creating collaborative partnerships. And today as we continue our conversation on visibility in your business, I have the perfect expert to talk about collabs on the show!In this episode of Promote Yourself to CEO, my friend Jordan Gill is back to talk about how you can leverage collaborations in your business. You'll learn about ways in which you can form these partnerships, how to ensure you make it beneficial for both sides, and what the future of collaborations might look like soon.On this episode of Promote Yourself to CEO:9:53 - What was the thought process behind Jordan's creation of Ready Set Collab?14:41 - I talk about my own experience with collaborations vs. hiring a PR team to pitch for me.17:05 - What are the different kinds of collabs you can engage in as a CEO? Jordan discusses a few.22:17 - Jordan talks about how to sustain your energy over the long haul when doing collaborations for the first time.27:52 - There's one big thing that most people miss when going after collabs. Jordan reveals what it is.29:40 - What is coming next in the world of collaborations, and what should you pay attention to?34:29 - What about using AI tools like ChatGPT for collabs? Jordan shares how she and her Ready Set Collab members use it.Mentioned in How to Use Collaborations to Help Your Business Thrive in Uncertain TimesReady Set Collab waitlistJordan's VIP program, Done In a Day™“How to Profit from VIP Days with Jordan Gill” episodeMistakes That Made Me podcastThe Get Paid podcastThe CEO CollectiveRacheal on Instagram and TikTokRate and review on Apple Podcasts

The world of marketing and sales is shifting. Some of the strategies you've used may not be as effective as they used to be (or work at all anymore).But one thing does remain the same: visibility. One of your biggest jobs as CEO is getting the word out about your offers, products, programs, and services. And giving yourself a little experiment or challenge can help you get more eyeballs on your business.CEO Collective member Megan Gersch is incredible at getting visibility! She ran a challenge for herself on Tik Tok, and what started as a goal of 100 turned into over 262 potential clients, which sparked a lot of momentum for her bold brand and website design company for creatives.In this episode of Promote Yourself to CEO, we kick off a new podcast series about visibility for small businesses. Today, you'll hear Megan describe her experiment and learn about how doing a similar challenge can help you gain visibility and insight into what your potential clients are actively looking for.On this episode of Promote Yourself to CEO:6:28 - What is Megan's approach when helping people create a brand that stands out? She reveals the common mistake too many make with their branding.10:32 - Megan talks about her experiment with doing website design reviews on Tik Tok. What were the two biggest issues she found?15:39 - Megan discusses the impact of her experiment on her business and how she feels about using it as a promotional technique.20:22 - Megan shares how she got visibility through two other avenues and why Tik Tok has been such a great strategy for her business.25:40 - The amount of creative business assets you need can be a challenge. How does Megan's VIP day strategy help you launch in days instead of months?28:55 - What has it been like for Megan inside of The CEO Collective? How has she and her business benefited and changed?Mentioned in How a Visibility Experiment Can Help Jumpstart or Grow Your Business with Megan GerschMegan's website and Tik TokHelp a Reporter Out (HARO)Terkel“How 100 Conversations Can Transform Your Business with Tami Hackbarth”“How 100 Conversations Helped Mado Hesselink Find Her Dream Clients”The CEO CollectiveRacheal on Instagram and TikTokRate and review on Apple Podcasts

You make yourself available to your clients constantly. They can email or text or call you 24/7, and you make it a priority to respond to them as soon as possible. And you might even be making great money in the process!From the client's perspective, this sounds great. But while the constant availability works for them, it means your business isn't really working for you.Today, I talk with CEO Collective member Dr. Libby Wilson whose functional medicine practice looked great on the surface with successful clients and cash flow. But she had to make shifts so that she could truly have freedom in her business to enjoy life. In this episode, she talks about how she turned things around over the last year to ensure that her practice not only works for her clients but also for herself and her family.On this episode of Promote Yourself to CEO:3:25 - Who is Dr. Libby Wilson, how does she help her clients, and where was she struggling in her business before joining the CEO Collective?7:55 - Hustle culture created this health issue for Dr. Libby. She had to fix the root cause and talks about how the 90-Day Planner helped.13:07 - Content creation is a major sticking point for a lot of entrepreneurs. Dr. Libby has a 12-month rinse-and-repeat content calendar, so how does she do it?16:29 - Dr. Libby reveals something she does for her practice and that every entrepreneur needs to apply in their business. We discuss what it is and why it's so important.22:34 - Watching how my business runs behind-the-scenes helped Dr. Libby get away from making herself constantly available to clients. What changes did she make in her practice as a result?30:04 - Dr. Libby discusses how making the adjustments to her business has improved her life and her mindset.36:30 - To wrap the show, Dr. Libby reveals what she'd say to anyone thinking of joining The CEO Collective. She also briefly discusses her new book and how she works with clients.Mentioned in Is Your Business Really Working for You? Best Life Functional MedicineThe Path of Intention: Five Habits to Optimize Your Health and Create a Life You Love by Dr. Libby Wilson90-Day CEO PlannerApply for The CEO CollectiveRacheal on Instagram and TikTok

If you had maternity leave or a health emergency requiring you to be away from your business for a couple of months, could your business handle it? Could it even survive?Let's say, for instance, that you're a chiropractor who injures her wrist and can't work on clients for 12 more weeks. That's where Dr. Lisa Griffith (my chiropractor, client, and friend for the last three years) found herself...and that happened after she'd taken a 12-week maternity leave from her practice the previous year.But not only did her business make it through, it's growing! So how did she do it, especially as an entrepreneur who has to work face-to-face and be hands on (quite literally) with her clients?Today on the show, Dr. Lisa talks about how she transitioned into having her own practice, grew her team, and continued to grow her business despite the maternity leave and the injury necessitating time away.In this episode of the Promote Yourself to CEO podcast, you'll learn many insights into how you can continue to grow your business and keep it running when you need to step away from someone who's done it twice in back-to-back years. You'll also discover how to communicate big changes in your business to your clients in ways that'll get them excited and an example of layering support in your business for when you need time off.On this episode of Promote Yourself to CEO:6:12 - How did Dr. Lisa and I get connected, and what was going on in her practice at the time?10:57 - Dr. Lisa did something smart with her practice that also served as kind of a full circle moment.12:48 - How did Dr. Lisa arrange things for maternity leave in her practice for her second pregnancy?16:20 - Entrepreneurs sometimes fear people won't follow them when they move. Dr. Lisa discusses how she got clients to move along with her brand.20:48 - What is coverage in the health care world, and how did Dr. Lisa utilize it for her business while on her maternity leave?25:10 - Dr. Lisa talks about what she's been able to work on now that she's pulled back on her overall hours.28:16 - What has been Dr. Lisa's experience with The CEO Retreat and the 90-Day plan?Mentioned in Growing Your Business When You Need to Take a Step Back with Dr. Lisa GriffithDr. Lisa Griffith's website and InstagramJane appThe CEO Retreat90-Day CEO Operating SystemRacheal on Instagram and TikTokRate and review on Apple Podcasts

Can you afford to take 30 days away from your business? What would happen if you can't but took the time anyway?Sometimes, things come up. Personal or family illness, the impending birth of a new baby, or just needing a break can spark the need for taking some extended time off.But for a lot of small business owners, taking that time would essentially shut the business down. You'd stop marketing, working with clients, and making sales... unless you have systems in place that keep your business running when you slow down.This past April, I had to step away from my business because of a flare-up of my chronic illness that caused me extreme pain and kept me up at night. But if you listened to the show in April, you'd never know that because I had systems in place that could help me weather that situation.So in this episode of the Promote Yourself to CEO podcast, you'll learn the systems I use to make sure that my business runs smoothly even if I have to step back for a bit. By growing through some of the systems I use in my 5-part framework, I'll teach you how you can keep on serving your clients and generating revenue while you're away.On this episode of Promote Yourself to CEO:5:09 - I talk about the biggest changes I've made for more flexibility in the “delight” stage of my framework.9:18 - What do these changes look like functionally inside of The CEO Collective?18:20 - How do I make sure sales keep coming in even if I have to step away from my business?25:08 - If you think you need to be active in the nurture marketing stage all the time, systems are your friend here. I reveal how.31:29 - Where do I spend the majority of my time, and why should you do the same?39:33 - It took me a long time to follow this final piece of advice.Mentioned in The Systems That Keep Your Business Running When You Slow DownThe CEO CollectiveThe CEO Retreat90-Day CEO Operating SystemThe CEO PlannerMarketing Strategy IntensiveFired Up & Focused ChallengePlan Your Best Year Ever ChallengeMore Business Growth ToolsHelp ScoutUncommonly MoreRacheal on Instagram and TikTokRate and review on Apple Podcasts

Just because it's a slow down season in your personal life doesn't mean your sales have to follow suit.Summer especially is known (and sometimes feared) as a dead time for business revenue. Unless your product or service can specifically cater to what people purchase during the season, you're probably expecting to see a dip in sales.But you can still keep the sales gravy train going... and not just during the summer but anytime you choose to slow down or take a step back from your business. All you need to do is incorporate a couple of high leverage tactics to keep up the momentum.These are simple strategies you can use right away. And the best thing about them is, once you have the pieces in place (assuming you don't already), they run automatically and won't take up more of your time.In this episode of the Promote Yourself to CEO podcast, you'll learn about three tactics to keep generating the sales and revenue you desire (and deserve) when you take time off from your business. I'll also teach you ways to implement each one and ensure that you don't have to suffer through the famine part of the business cycle so many entrepreneurs go through.On this episode of Promote Yourself to CEO:5:21 - What's the first thing you need to do before you can keep the momentum going in your business?7:21 - Make sure you make this part easy for potential clients and customers in order to keep up business momentum.11:34 - I share one of the best ways you can continue sales momentum if you're a service provider.13:15 - Here's a high leverage tactic you can do that often surprises people.17:34 - What should you double down on to keep momentum going? (Most people do the opposite).21:47 - I quickly recap my top three ways to keep business momentum going when you're slowing down or taking a break.Mentioned in 3 High Leverage Ways to Keep Up Business Momentum“Why Your Old Sales Strategy Might Not Be Working”“How Your Client Education Process Leads to More Sales”“How to Gain Clients for Life with Stacey Harris”Fired Up & Focused ChallengePlan Your Best Year Ever ChallengeRacheal on Instagram and TikTok

“What questions do I ask myself in a review? What do I do when I sit down to check my progress? How do I adjust my plan?”We're almost at the midway point of the year which is the perfect time to do a review of your business. But not everybody knows where to start when it comes to doing a review, and these are the types of questions I get when working with clients.What if you're not sure if you're on track with your goals? Don't worry! With my framework, you can figure out whether or not you're still on pace to meet your goals for the year.In this episode of the Promote Yourself to CEO podcast, I walk you through a mid-year review. You'll learn the questions you need to ask yourself to help you determine what is and isn't working in your business and how you can start planning for the second half of the year.On this episode of Promote Yourself to CEO:5:00 - Look at each goal you set at the start of the year and ask yourself these questions. I discuss a couple of mine.10:39 - What goal am I not currently on track to reach? Here's one I've been struggling with lately.14:42 - The next step in the mid-year review process involves digging a little deeper with a month-by-month review. Answer these key questions.25:22 - What has worked so far this year? (And what has flopped? I reveal why something going wrong isn't always because you did something wrong).33:28 - Your leading and lagging metrics are two of the most important things in your business to wrap your head around.36:10 - Is there a gap in your revenue at this mid-way point? If so, here's what you can do.38:17 - Plan for the rest of the year with these four questions to ask about each month remaining.44:22 - So many entrepreneurs struggle because they overcomplicate this! To wrap up, I offer this one final piece of insight.Mentioned in How a Mid-Year Review Can Help You Achieve Your GoalsMid-Year Review WorkbookThe CEO CollectiveThe CEO Retreat90-Day CEO Operating SystemThe CEO PlannerPlan Your Best Year Ever ChallengeRacheal on Instagram and TikTokRate and review on Apple Podcasts

Have things been slowing down in your business? What if you could start each year knowing that you have the majority of the revenue you need locked in?Many entrepreneurs have noticed a recent slowdown in their businesses due to consumer anxiety surrounding the economy. The natural reaction to that is to market to attract new people and bring them into your business to boost revenue. But are you neglecting an easier way?As a podcast producer for service-based businesses, Stacey Harris has noticed the downturn trend and gotten ahead of the curve. She and I have had a conversation about this recently during a retreat. But instead of putting all the attention on the front end, she's helping others get set up for continued success (regardless of what happens with the economy), focusing on gaining clients for life.And now, we're bringing our conversation to you. In this episode of the Promote Yourself to CEO podcast, you'll learn about how you can focus on bringing in more revenue by paying attention to the people who've already paid you. We'll tell you about the small things you can do and shifts you can make to take advantage of this small business gamechanger.7:52 - Some businesses like cable and cell phone companies keep making this mistake.10:16 - What's the difference between a repeating customer and a lifetime client?16:04 - I give examples of how consumer-facing businesses can provide extra value to existing clients in times of economic uncertainty.22:01 - We run a people-over-profit business here at The CEO Collective, which helps us stand out. Here's an example of how.26:12 - How can you make things even a tiny bit easier for your clients? Stacey talks about how she's doing it for podcasters.28:56 - One of the biggest shifts in my business recently came from an unexpected source.31:38 - What's the real linchpin to gaining clients for life? And how have I used it to evolve my business since the beginning?40:01 - You can bring all of your expertise to the table to make money in multiple ways. Stacey discusses a recent example of how she did it.43:04 - Stacey reveals the hardest part about communicating in client relationships.49:07 - What else happens for your business when you retain clients? It makes business growth so much easier.Mentioned in How to Gain Clients for Life with Stacey HarrisThe CEO CollectiveThe CEO RetreatCustomer Experience podcast series: episode 1, 2, 3, and 4Stacey Harris on Instagram and TikTokUncommonly MoreRacheal on Instagram and TikTok

Imagine spending a half hour (or longer) on a sales call with someone. And as you wrap it up, you're hoping they'll say yes to your product, program, or service.But instead, they tell you they're not ready. Or they can't afford it. Or the timing is off, and can they get back to you?This is one of the most frustrating things about sales and the reason why so many entrepreneurs dread getting on a call with a new potential client. If this is something that you're experiencing right now, then you need a strategy that allows you to turn more potential clients into actual clients.Creating a well-crafted pre-client education process will do the trick. Not only does it improve your overall conversion rate, but it also makes sales so much easier!In this episode of the Promote Yourself to CEO podcast, you'll learn how to implement this pre-sale education process for potential clients in your business. I'll talk about why old-school sales strategies don't work anymore, what modern sales strategies do differently, and take you step-by-step through the pre-client education process.On this episode of Promote Yourself to CEO:2:24 - How have sales changed since the 1990s? I explain why there's a disconnect with old-school strategies from 25-30 years ago.7:53 - I reveal how modern sales strategies differ from old-school sales strategies and the importance of pre-sales education.12:23 - What's the first step of the pre-sales education process? You need this regardless of what you sell.18:55 - Here are two options you can add in step two if a potential buyer needs to have a conversation with you.24:10 - How do you use pre-sales emails to sell your product, program, or service? I discuss a great example I share with clients inside The CEO Collective.30:26 - You can add this to your pre-client education content in case potential clients aren't already familiar with you.32:29 - I talk about a couple of other things you might consider including in your pre-sales content.37:13 - How are sales calls different for me since I began implementing this process in my business?39:09 - Give people a window of time to make a decision. What does your enrollment period look like?43:01 - Some people will want to wait for the next round to buy from you, or you might have all spots filled. I share what you can do for those situations.45:50 - What formats do you want to use to send pre-sales education content to your potential clients?The CEO CollectiveThe CEO RetreatThe CEO Planner90 Day CEO Operating SystemMarketing Strategy IntensivePodcast AllyThe 90 CEO Operating System, the latest advanced training for business owners already beyond six figures. This training will be available right here until the end of May, and you'll find the slides at http://www.theceocollective.com/training. Don't miss this, and if you're ready to take it a step further, apply now at https://theceocollective.com/apply/ to join The CEO Collective.

The rumors are true - the world of entrepreneurship and small business is rapidly changing. And what may have worked in 2016 or even 2020 is no longer as effective. Join the mentors of The CEO Collective for this discussion about what we are currently seeing in the world of small business, including:The 'popular' tactics are constantly changing, but we see entrepreneurs getting exhausted trying to constantly keep up. That's why we focus on proven best practices for small businesses!How perfectionism rears it's ugly head especially during more stressful times when we start to doubt ourselves and our core business strategy.Why the mentality of 'set it and forget it' does not work long term when those tactics stop working. Passive income, funnels, and automate everything leaves out the HUMANITY of business.Business grows at the speed of relationships - we all believe that building those relationships are key to the long term success for small businesses.Remember that business is cyclical and trends come and go - there's always an opportunity to ride the wave in popularity but what do small businesses do when those stop working?Why the 'overnight success' myth is really distracting small business owners from the time it really takes to build a successful business.Why we dive deep into nuance and context when considering what will or won't work for small business ownersWant to learn more and apply to the next cohort of The CEO Collective? Get all the details about how you can work with our team at https://theceocollective.com/apply/ The 90 CEO Operating System, the latest advanced training for business owners already beyond six figures. This training will be available right here until the end of May, and you'll find the slides at http://www.theceocollective.com/training. Don't miss this, and if you're ready to take it a step further, apply now at https://theceocollective.com/apply/ to join The CEO Collective.

We've just seen a golden age for people wanting to start their own small business. The 10 to 15 year period from the 2008 recession to COVID-19 was a bull market that saw improved and more affordable technology available for small business owners. As a result, small businesses exploded into existence, particularly for women entrepreneurs.But the economy is cyclical, and there comes a time when the bull market slows down. In the last few years, we've seen that lots of businesses had to adapt or get shut down during the pandemic lockdowns. We're watching inflation cause expenses to skyrocket. And your customers and clients are feeling the impact.The economy is uncertain right now, and perhaps your sales are slowing down as a result. People might be telling you that they need a little more time to budget for your signature offer, or they're less willing to commit to a long-term program and higher dollar amounts. So your sales process will have to change.Today kicks off a new series all about how the sales process is changing. In this episode of Promote Yourself to CEO, you'll learn about what to do if your sales strategy is no longer producing the results you want right now. I'll teach you how to prevent your business from slowing down so much that it threatens to shut down.On this episode of Promote Yourself to CEO:9:11 - There's been a big change in B2B vs. consumer-facing sales strategies over the last few years. What is it?13:29 - Adding in a personal touch somewhere to your sales process will improve your overall results. I reveal how I do it.17:14 - Here's another high-touch tactic I do that you can add to your marketing.19:45 - People want to know who they're giving money to, so are you making your company's values explicitly clear?27:40 - How can you make your business relevant to clients and customers right now? It's all about meeting them where they are.34:48 - One last thing to think about that will help you so much as a small business owner.Mentioned in Why Your Old Sales Strategy Might Not Be WorkingThe CEO CollectiveThe CEO RetreatLoom“The Vulnerable Side of Visibility with Erica Courdae” podcast episodeMarketing Strategy IntensiveUncommonly MoreRacheal on Instagram and TikTokRate and review on Apple PodcastsThe 90 CEO Operating System, the latest advanced training for business owners already beyond six figures. This training will be available right here until the end of May, and you'll find the slides at http://www.theceocollective.com/training. Don't miss this, and if you're ready to take it a step further, apply now at https://theceocollective.com/apply/ to join The CEO Collective.

Do you struggle internally with selling because you feel like you're pushing people to buy things they don't need? You want to improve your sales skills and feel like you're advocating your offers out of service, not desperation.You need sales confidence. And my guest today, Leslie Lyons, is a sales and leadership coach with a no BS approach who's all about helping women embrace sales confidence. She just has a way of talking about sales and encouraging people to make more sales that's so refreshing to hear.In this episode of the Promote Yourself to CEO podcast, you'll learn about how to get more confident at selling. You'll also discover how to re-examine your relationship with sales and money so that you can truly step into your purpose and be of service to people you're here to help through your business.On this episode of Promote Yourself to CEO:8:22 - Leslie describes the kind of household she grew up in and reveals why having money is key for women in relationships.12:34 - How are women in the Western world conditioned when it comes to money? And how does white feminism tie into it?17:52 - How did Leslie find out she was good at sales? She reveals her very first sales job and the foundational piece to having sales confidence.26:54 - Leslie discusses how to build up sales confidence so you don't feel so hesitant, uncomfortable, or awkward when advocating for your offer.30:33 - Other than stereotypes about selling, here are a couple of other reasons why women hesitate to do it (and what we make them mean about ourselves as individuals).34:30 - What lesson can Kanye teach you as an entrepreneur in sales situations?38:27 - I learned an important sales lesson as a kid. And it demonstrates why Leslie focuses on sales confidence instead of sales strategy.41:40 - Here's something else that can keep you attached to your business and make it personal.Mentioned in How to Embrace Sales Confidence In Your Business with Leslie LyonsLeslie D. LyonsLeslie's podcast: Pleasurable Profits: Sales & Leadership for Non-Traditional CEOsLeslie on Instagram and LinkedInRacheal on Instagram and TikTokRate and review on Apple PodcastsThe 90 CEO Operating System, the latest advanced training for business owners already beyond six figures. This training will be available right here until the end of May, and you'll find the slides at http://www.theceocollective.com/training. Don't miss this, and if you're ready to take it a step further, apply now at https://theceocollective.com/apply/ to join The CEO Collective.

If you're already crossing that big $100K milestone and looking at $250K, $500K, and beyond, you need different information and advice than the businesses that are brand new, but the more you grow, the less public information you're going to find. If you're ready to break through to your business's next level of success, join me for today's masterclass, The 90-Day CEO Operating System. This system is designed to help you put the infrastructure in place to sustainably scale your business without sacrificing your life, your health, or your family.  Apply Now for The CEO Collective at https://theceocollective.com/apply.

A lot of us entrepreneurs have seen (and heard) from our parents and others that success requires a lot of hard work and long hours. I used to be frustrated with the whole “work smarter, not harder” concept because I saw my entrepreneurial parents embrace the hustle. I thought to gain success, you had to do anything and everything and work 80-100 hour weeks.But you eventually reach a point where you just can't work any harder! So how do you get to that next level of success? Working harder for it clearly isn't the answer. You need to shift the way you think about your relationship with work. So in today's episode, I talk about six lessons that will have you working smarter instead.On this episode of Promote Yourself to CEO:3:48 - When you do this, you get an exponentially higher return on your time and energy. So what's lesson #1 and how have I practiced it in my business?7:12 - What does the E in CEO not stand for? I learned this lesson the hard way!11:46 - You've probably heard this phrase before, and there is some truth to it. I've had to follow this lesson whenever my business crossed another threshold.17:03 - Many entrepreneurs, especially creative ones, find lesson #4 challenging to implement. But not doing so can eventually sabotage you.20:41 - Don't love the idea of going into debt to invest back into your business? Here's what I did early on in my business for lesson #5.25:32 - You can't implement the final lesson through Google. You'll face rites of passage in your business when you want this in your corner instead.Mentioned in 6 Lessons to Work Smarter, Not HarderThe CEO CollectiveRacheal on Instagram and TikTok Rate and review on Apple Podcasts Join us for the Fired Up and Focused 5-day free productivity challenge, where I will walk you through my most important CEO habit.Whether you're dealing with limited time, limited energy, or you just want to balance growing your business and having time for a life, we've got your back. Take the first step and sign up now for this absolutely free challenge at firedupandfocused.com.

People keep asking for your time, energy, and attention. Someone invites you to an impromptu coffee date in the middle of something important or wants to meet up with you about something after business hours. But when it comes to your business, you need to learn to say no when necessary.You want to turn these types of things down but fear it'll have a detrimental affect on your life or business. Maybe you'll miss out on an opportunity or offend a client or potential business partner or friend.But there's always a trade-off and saying yes to everything is really the thing that can hurt your business. The key to not doing that is the CEO's best friend: boundaries. You need to set strong boundaries for yourself and your business and not waver on them.That (especially the not-wavering thing) sounds easier said than done, right? Well, in this episode of the Promote Yourself to CEO podcast, you'll learn about the three different types of boundaries you as a business owner need to think about setting for yourself. You'll also learn how to enforce and stick with your new boundaries.On this episode of Promote Yourself to CEO:8:47 - The first boundary you need to examine is the biggest challenge I hear from women entrepreneurs.12:32 - What is the flow state, and how do you get into it?16:46 - How do you organize your calendar? I walk you through how I do mine as an example.19:13 - I talk about how to manage clients when it comes to your calendar's specificity, including emergency appointments.23:40 - What about appointments for non-business related things (i.e. lunch with a friend or potential business referral)?26:50 - So many of us struggle with constant communication. I discuss setting up your boundaries around this so you don't make yourself seem available 24/7.30:22 - How can you set expectations for your response turnaround time? Here's how we do it through my preferred communication channel.33:27 - I talk about boundaries around your non-preferred methods of business communication.37:48 - How do you respond to questions? You might experience this particular scenario, especially as your business grows and you become known as an expert.43:09 - Having clear, upfront boundaries saves you so much time and energy when dealing with sticky clients situations such as these.48:24 - Feel free to do this with clients when necessary. But make sure it's in your contract/client agreement.52:02 - To wrap up the show, I give a quick recap of the three boundaries.Mentioned in 3 Areas to Think About When Defining Your Boundaries as CEOThe CEO Collective“How a Model Calendar Helps Me Work Just 25 Hours a Week!”Help ScoutRacheal on Instagram and TikTok Rate and review on Apple PodcastsJoin us for our free 5-day Fired up and Focused challenge to discover the most important CEO habits that we have found to help women entrepreneurs to work smarter, not harder. Sign up now for this free challenge at firedupandfocused.com and transform from a stressed-out solopreneur to confident CEO.

What does it mean to be CEO of your business anyway? When you start your business, you're the marketing team, the sales team, the customer service team, the tech support, all of it. But over time, as your business grows and gets more established, you want to take some of this workload off your plate. Traditional CEOs have the people and teams in place to help them so they can focus on higher-value tasks and take their business to the next level. But how do you, as the CEO of a smaller business, build an environment that'll sustainably do the same for you? How do you transition from the role of entrepreneur to the role of CEO? It all starts with getting clear on five elements that'll help you figure out your role as CEO. In this episode of the Promote Yourself to CEO podcast, you'll learn about those elements that make up the job description of a traditional CEO and how to translate that for your small business. I'll teach you the process to help you define your specific CEO role and reveal questions to help you determine your biggest value to your company. On this episode of Promote Yourself to CEO: 4:44 - Transitioning from solopreneur to CEO can be a challenge (and one I've faced multiple times). I explain why. 6:12 - What was Sara Blakely's journey from solopreneur to CEO like? Here's her story. 11:02 - What is the job description of a CEO? I share a process to help you define your role as CEO of your business. 18:58 - I talk about how we live one of my company's key values (“life comes before business”). 22:42 - Creating a strategic plan is part of your traditional CEO role. What does that look like for entrepreneurs running smaller companies? 26:07 - How do you lead your team as CEO of a small business? I use The CEO Collective as an example. 30:47 - The final piece that defines traditional CEOs is one of the hardest things about running your own company. (And you can't crowdsource it, either). 35:44 - I quickly recap the five key elements of a traditional CEO role and how it impacts you as an entrepreneurial business owner. 37:43 - Ask yourself these questions to clarify what you need to be responsible for as a small business owner in your company. 45:57 - What do my essential CEO tasks of content, clients, and connections mean in my business? I share how I apply these to give you some clarity and insight.   Mentioned in 5 Key Elements That'll Help You Define Your Role As CEO   Sara Blakely's Instagram Post 1 and Post 2 90-Day CEO Operating System Fired Up and Focused Challenge The CEO Collective The CEO Retreat Double Double by Cameron Herold National Association of Women Business Owners

Do you feel bogged down in your business? You might be in your email inbox more often than you want to be. Or chasing people who still need to pay that invoice or scheduling people on your calendar all the time. Or perhaps you're stuck on the technical side of things every day, messing around with the code on your website or trying to figure out what happened to that client email that seemed to vanish. Instead of being the CEO of your business, you, my friend, are stuck in employee or manager mode. So how do you shake off those shackles and embody the role you're meant to? In this new series on the Promote Yourself to CEO podcast, you'll learn the difference between the employee, manager, and CEO roles. And I'll teach you how to start firing yourself from those first two modes so you can step into your role as CEO. On this episode of Promote Yourself to CEO: 2:13 - Why do women start their own business? Believe it or not, money isn't at the top of the list of reasons. 9:30 - There's so much glamorization around the entrepreneurship space for women. But you'll see something different, if you take a peek under the hood. 11:19 - I discuss the role of the employee and how it's different from being a manager or CEO. 13:58 - You can start off wearing so many hats as CEO of your business. Then as your company grows, you start bringing in team members in this order. 17:03 - You might find yourself becoming an accidental manager by adding team members. What's the role of a manager? 21:06 - Most entrepreneurs spend their time in the employee or manager mode. How much time do you actually get to spend in CEO mode? 25:29 - Here's how shifting into CEO mode gives you more freedom, flexibility, and control in your business. 30:10 - What does it truly mean to step into the role of CEO? I reveal what happens when you take a bigger picture view of your business. 36:02 - I talk about the importance of having a vision and values for you, your team, and your company. Mentioned in Being the Employee Vs Manager Vs CEO In Your Business 90-Day CEO Operating System Fired Up and Focused Challenge Nichole Forsline's The Solid Bow Racheal on Instagram and TikTok Rate and review on Apple Podcasts  

Want clients for life? Give your client an experience that goes beyond their expectations. Think about booking lodgings for a vacation. It's one thing to book a room for your stay with all the expected accommodations. But you remember the place that goes beyond: the chocolate on the pillow to greet you as a new guest, warm and freshly laundered towels in the bathroom daily, a minifridge already full of goodies you didn't even have to buy, etc. And the next time you're ready for a vacation in the area, you want to stay there again. Now, it's really easy to think that translating that type of experience into your service-based business is as simple as surprising and delighting with little gifts, like that chocolate on the pillow. But there's so much more to it, and today I'm excited to have Amber Kinney back on the podcast to talk about it. In this final episode of our customer experience series on Promote Yourself to CEO, you'll learn about how you can translate surprising and delighting clients into your business as part of your customer experience plan. We'll teach you how to put a little more intention and thoughtfulness into the ways you choose to surprise and delight clients so that they'll trust and connect with you and your company. On this episode of Promote Yourself to CEO: 6:44 - What's one of Amber's favorite ways to surprise and delight clients in her agency? 8:45 - I talk about a recent surprise I received when I started working with someone new. This kind of delight can motivate your clients even more! 13:01 - You can vote with your dollars when delighting your clients, too. Here's how we do it every year. 16:22 - How do you and your team build connection with your clients in ways that will surprise and delight them? 24:25 - I discuss another way I try to delight all the time. This one goes above and beyond, and it can stick for your clients for years! Mentioned In How to Include Surprise and Delight for Clients In Your Customer Experience  The CEO Collective The CEO Retreat Amber Kinney's agency, The AK Collective Maven Made Facial Serum Racheal on Instagram and TikTok Rate and review on Apple Podcasts  

Sustainably scaling your business isn't a solo act. It takes a team to pull it off. Now you've probably had some help in the marketing and sales aspect of your business. Or maybe you've hired help for the technological or administrative side of things. But are you still holding out on hiring a team to help you work directly with clients to deliver your offer? That's the last place we as entrepreneurs tend to hire to help us, but it's necessary if you want a sustainable business. Building a team for a sustainable business ultimately boils down to one thing. And in today's installment of our customer experience series, I've invited my Director of Operations (and right-hand woman) Amber Kinney onto the show to help me cover it. Amber and I have worked together for over a decade. And she's the owner and CEO of her own marketing agency where she works with lots of entrepreneurs behind the scenes. So she knows the dos and don'ts of working with (and within) a business team. In this episode of the Promote Yourself to CEO podcast, you'll learn about all the layers that go into hiring people to join your business and how to do it in a way that works for you, your team members, and your clients. We'll teach you about transfer of trust and why it works so well to set your business up for success. On this episode of Promote Yourself to CEO: 6:49 - Why can scaling your team be one of the biggest challenges you face? Here's the most likely place where you might stumble when hiring help. 12:24 - There's a necessary shift you need to make to get to the point where clients comfortably deal with your team members. 16:40 - How can you start transferring your clients' trust from working with you exclusively to working with your team directly? 20:08 - Amber reveals how to approach bringing on someone new onto your team who you don't have a previous track record with. 23:26 - What if you have no plans or desires to hire anyone (at least right now)? You'll still want to do this to set yourself up for success. 28:14 - I reveal a red flag that's a sign of more than just bad hiring practices to your clients. Mentioned in How Strategically Scaling Your Business Team Sets You Up for Success The CEO Collective Amber Kinney's agency, The AK Collective Racheal on Instagram and TikTok Rate and review on Apple Podcasts  

According to American Express, people will pay 86% more if you give them an impeccable customer experience. That's why providing a great experience after the purchase is one of the best ways to differentiate yourself, your brand, and your business from your competitors. So how can you improve the customer experience of your company? It's all in the delivery of whatever you offer, whether you're selling a product (physical or digital) or a service. Today on the Promote Yourself to CEO podcast, you'll learn about seven ways to upgrade the delivery process of your offer that'll have your clients or customers loving you and your business. On this episode of Promote Yourself to CEO: 4:41 - Clear containers for your offers helps you as well as your clients or customers. How? 8:28 - With so much small business competition, how can you develop relationships with your clients so that they remain loyal to yours? 11:45 - Have a clear vision for your customer experience and create a success path to help buyers get there. 13:20 - Do you follow up after the purchase? I discuss how to create checkpoints and proactively reach out. 17:44 - You'll need to proactively coach your clients or customers on this as well. 21:05 - What can you use to improve your customer experience on an ongoing basis? 24:57 - The last way to upgrade your customer experience is easier said than done, but it must be done for a sustainable business. 29:22 - To wrap the show, I quickly recap the seven ways to upgrade your customer or client experience.   Mentioned in 7 Ways to Upgrade Your Client or Customer Experience The CEO Collective 90-Day CEO Operating System Racheal on Instagram and TikTok Rate and review on Apple Podcasts  

Most people aren't talking about customer experience when they think they are. They're talking about putting out fires, troubleshooting things, solving problems as they arise--all customer service-oriented stuff. While having good customer service is important, it's not a thing that's necessarily going to help your business grow or generate excitement about it from your clients. That's where having an impeccable customer experience comes in! But how do you design one for your business? There are three elements (or stages) to this: the first sets the tone for your relationship with each client, the next creates your path to success, and the last one wraps everything up and sets you (and your client) up for continued success. In this next episode of Promote Yourself to CEO, you'll learn all about those three elements. I take you through every stage one-by-one and include all of the systems, pieces, considerations, and questions you should implement or think about for each to create an excellent experience for your clients. On this episode of Promote Yourself to CEO: 4:11 - I talk about the five systems you need for the first element: client onboarding. 10:50 - How can your clients get the best results? This is all about setting expectations. 12:54 - What's the third area to shore up in your client onboarding process? (And what is the key to making it work)? 16:32 - The final piece of onboarding is incredibly powerful to make sure that everything starts off on the right foot. 19:37 - Your path to success lies in this next element of your customer experience plan. Here are a couple of areas to think about as you map it out. 28:19 - Too often, entrepreneurs wait to do this. So you'll need to be proactive in this next step on your success path. 30:39 - How can you keep your clients committed to the process of going through your entire program? I reveal the final piece to your success path. 33:56 - I discuss four steps to think about as you complete the implementation of your customer experience plan for each client. Mentioned in Designing an Excellent Customer Experience In 3 Stages The 3 Essential Systems to Sustainably Scale Your Business (LINK TBA) The CEO Collective 90-Day CEO Operating System The Coaching Habit by Michael Bungay Stanier Racheal on Instagram and TikTok Rate and review on Apple Podcasts  

Are you confusing customer service with customer experience? Right now, you might be wondering, “Huh? What's the difference?” Customer service is reactive; it's all about handling problems as they arise. But an incredible customer experience is a thoughtfully designed journey through your business that can elevate it and gain you clients for life. So how do you go about designing this experience so that your clients will not only want to stick around but recommend your business to others? Today kicks off a new series of the Promote Yourself to CEO podcast where we discuss something that hasn't really been delved into on the show before. In this episode, you'll learn about why creating an excellent customer experience helps you stand out from the crowd. You'll hear about the coaching experience I heard about that triggered this topic, discover exactly how powerfully a great customer experience design can affect your business, and reveal what your revenue goals aren't telling you. On this episode of Promote Yourself to CEO: 3:08 - Why am I digging into customer experience? I talk about the recent sales call that inspired this series. 8:03 - Customer experience matters and can be such a competitive advantage. Here's why! 11:58 - Everybody loves coming up with revenue goals. But you're missing out on a lot of important information in the process. 17:11 - How does plugging the holes in your customer experience affect your profit? 20:09 - What's coming up next in this series? I give a short preview. Mentioned in The Key to Boosting Your Business and Creating Clients for Life The CEO Collective Racheal on Instagram and TikTok Rate and review on Apple Podcasts