Podcasts about kiva slade

Is your brand living up to its promises? Today's customers crave realness. They're ready to spend money on brands that align with their values - and punish those who try to fake it. Join this conversation with entrepreneur Kiva Slade to learn how redefining your brand mission, vision, and values can help you succeed in 2024.

As empaths, business planning can often feel like the last thing that we want to do. It can be hard to be strategic and set KPIs that are in alignment with our mission, vision, and values. If you've been here, today's episode is for you! I'm joined by Kiva Slade, the owner and founder of The 516 Collaborative, specializing in providing comprehensive support to small business owners at the intersection of data and operations. I've known Kiva for a while and it's been so fun to see her transformation as she has expanded her business offerings. Our conversation reminds me of the importance of mission-oriented goals and benchmarks, how the personal affects the professional, and so much more. I know you'll enjoy this episode!  Topics Discussed: Why Kiva decided to shift her service offerings the past couple of years and what this process has looked like for her How Kiva teaches her clients, especially women, to think bigger and have a broader impact without stretching themselves too much  The reminder that so much of what happens in our personal life impacts our professional life and how Kiva strategically puts this into practice  Creating a strategic business plan as an empath that follows your mission, vision, and values  How Kiva helps her clients develop mission-oriented KPIs The importance of enjoying the current season of our business and how it's preparing us for what's to come  Episode Resources: The CaPP Institute  Grab your spot for our next Non-Networking Power Hour with our UNBOUNDED Mastermind Community here Connect with Kiva: Website  Facebook  LinkedIn Visit this episode's full show notes page here. Connect with Catherine: Website LinkedIn Instagram YouTube Sign up to receive my weekly digest on empathic entrepreneurship and hear from voices committed to spreading this message, sent straight to your inbox every Friday since 2016, here.  Work with Catherine: Interested in working 1:1 with Catherine or a certified coach on her team, or joining one of her premium mastermind programs? Schedule a low-pressure call to begin the conversation here. Visit this episode's full show notes page here. -- The Prosperous Empath®  Podcast is produced by Heart Centered Podcasting.

Discover the power of getting ideas out of your head and into action with Kiva Slade's guide to winning the rest of the year. Learn how to clear mental clutter and pave a clear path forward.   Link to listen: https://www.the516collaborative.com/podcast/90

It's time for another Pep Talk Recap! In this episode we revisit pep talks from Zanade, Priscilla Aguila, Jennifer Locke, Kiva Slade, and Shelby St. Claire. It's a great reminder to move forward with purpose.

Learn to use marketing analytics to grow your business. In this episode, host Michelle Thames is joined by Kiva Slade to discuss how businesses can use their marketing analytics to identify room for growth and pivot in the right direction of their business goals. Kiva shares how looking at analytics can help businesses determine the right channels for their marketing efforts, and what marketing managers should keep an eye out for. Kiva Slade is the owner and lead consultant of The 516 Collaborative. As an analytics and operations consultant, she is committed to helping businesses use data and analytics for data-driven decision-making. Kiva collaborates with her clients and gives them the high-level strategy, data, and operational excellence they need to show up as their best selves in their business and personal lives.——Connect with Kiva on LinkedInKiva's websiteCreate your own podcastBook a growth and marketing clarity call with MichelleStart your own Stan StoreVisit My Stan StoreFollow Michelle on InstagramJoin The Marketing Minute - We send weekly marketing and online business tips you can use!Leave a review for Social Media Decoded Support the show

Nobody says, “ I want less freedom,” when they're starting or growing their business. But many entrepreneurs are missing out on key opportunities to build time and decision freedom because they are avoiding the numbers. Yep, understanding your business data can be challenging, but it's crucial for making informed decisions that lead to growth and success. And we're bringing even more solutions to help get you unstuck. In this episode, we're excited to welcome Analytics and Operations Consultant, Kiva Slade, who will help us demystify and address our numbers realistically, bring clarity to Google Analytics 4, and unlock the power of our business data.Kiva Slade is the Owner and Lead Consultant of The 516 Collaborative, and she is committed to helping businesses use data and analytics for data-driven decision-making. Kiva collaborates with her clients and gives them the high-level strategy, data, and operational excellence they need to show up as their best selves in their business and personal lives.She does this while honoring her values of integrity, candor, curiosity, optimism, and fun. Don't let the aversion to numbers hold you back! Tune in to this episode to learn from Kiva and unleash the power of your business data. With her guidance, you'll be able to identify opportunities for growth, avoid common mistakes, and make informed decisions that lead to success. Let's get excited about data and take our creative enterprises to the next level! Highlights from this EpisodeHow Kiva got her start in this arenaHow tracking your numbers can empower you and reserve and direct your energy toward the most impactful endeavors in our businessMarketing and operational data financial data to create business intelligence and wealth creation for women to guide your business forward faster.How data tracking can help simplify decision-making and bring you freedomReleasing shame about the Backend of your businessWhere to start, with tracking and recognizing what you're already doing to make decisions around the numbers without the sense of angstMaking small, informed tweaks to improve the way we connect, and ultimately change the game in our businessSetting realistic expectations so we can harness the energy of going slow at first so that we can ultimately go fast, (and more effectively)in our businessWhat to do when you have the numbers but don't yet know how to effectively extract meaning from themThe nitty gritty about Google analytics 4 and how to migrate over from universal analytics without a whole tech team +Her 10-step migration checklist and/or 48 hour google setup VIP Days to help simplify the transition (see links below)Captivating Quotes from this Episode:5:53 Harnessing all the components to build our Business Intelligence “So looking at people's marketing data, as well as operational data, because to me, they're both really important in a business, there are two components, as well as financial data, which also build together to formulate what's called Business Intelligence, which big businesses use on a regular basis to guide their efforts. And I really think as small business owners, we need to take advantage of that as well. And using that business intelligence, intelligence to guide us forward in what we do. So I love that intersection of data and operations, and how the two inform each other. And really helping business owners harness their data. So that they, as I said earlier, just really make better decisions.”12:07 The data deep dive is where the nuggets are“ I think a lot of times we get caught in, let's fix it quickly. And when we're trying to fix it quickly, we don't do that deep dive. And the deep dive is often where the nuggets are, you know, where

Kiva Slade is the Owner, Founder, Lead Analytics and Operations Consultant of The 516 Collective. Throughout her career, whether crafting legislation in the US House of Representatives or homeschooling her children through high school, Kiva has specialized in taking in massive loads of information, finding connections between people and information, and using the information to encourage others. Here are a few of the topics we'll discuss on this episode of The Consulting Trap: How to move from operations to analytics. How to reposition your clients with a new offering. How to know what data to focus on. Why following the data is so important. The major milestones of data analytics.  The danger of too much data. Resources: The 516 Collaborative Google Analytics Podcast Chef Connecting with Kiva Slade:LinkedInConnecting with the host: Brian Mattocks on LinkedIn Brian Mattocks by email

SHOW NOTES:SUMMARY: In this episode, Kiva Slade and Matt Zaun talk about the importance of having a solid business playbook for your company. KIVA SLADE: Kiva combines strategic planning skills and her detail-oriented nature to manage the operations of 6+ figure online business owners freeing them up to make a bigger impact on the world.For more info, check out Kiva here:https://www.the516collaborative.com/https://www.linkedin.com/in/kivaslade/MATT ZAUN BIO: Matt is an award-winning speaker and storyteller who empowers organizations to attract more clients through the art of strategic storytelling. Matt's past engagements have catalyzed radical sales increases for over 300 organizations that range from financial institutions to the health and wellness industry. Matt shares his expertise in persuasion with executives, sales professionals, and entrepreneurs, who he coaches on the art of influence and how to leverage this for profits and impact. For more info, check out Matt Zaun here:https://youtu.be/pflQtzgP7X0https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattzaun/https://mattzaun.com/ 

Don't you love knowing exactly where to spend your time and resources to get the best ROI.Don't you love saving time knowing instead of guessing or assuming?Don't you love being ahead of your competition and making knowledge based decisions that move that needle in your business?  Our guest today, Kiva Slade is going to share her knowledge and experience and hopefully by the end of this episode, you too will believe Metrics and Analytics are FUN! About our Guest Kiva Slade:Kiva is the Owner and Lead Consultant of The 516 Collaborative. As an Analytics and Operations Consultant, she is committed to helping businesses use data and analytics for data-driven decision-making.  Kiva collaborates with her clients and gives them the high-level strategy, data, and operational excellence they need to show up as their best selves in their business and personal lives. Kiva does this while honoring her values of integrity, candor, curiosity, optimism, and fun. Kiva holds a Master's degree in Public Administration and has over ten years of experience as a product and service-based entrepreneur. Her 20 years of experience run the gamut from Legislative Director for a Congress member to chief encouragement officer for her children. You can find her indulging in gluten-free desserts or a good book in her free time.Contact Info for our Guest:Website:  www.the516collaborative.comLinkedIn:  www.linkedin.com/in/kivasladeEmail:  hello@the516collaborative.comClick HERE for more information about the 7 Figure System Programs. If you enjoy the Real Life Startup Podcast, subscribe here and share with your friends.  

2021 is coming to a close, and I am looking back at the year it was!  2021 was full of milestones for me - birthday, anniversary, college kids, business growth, and more. Life is a great teacher, and I'm still being a student. Turning 50 doesn't mean the party is over. Kids heading off to school doesn't mean parenting is over. All of it is just a means to a new chapter.  During this episode, I talk about: Business takeaways (5:05) Personal takeaways (15:01) Vision boards and checking in with yourself (20:38) Celebrate your success (25:01) Traveling lightly into 2022 (29:32)   Want to get your own SCORE mentor: https://www.score.org/find-mentor   Thanks for tuning in to another episode of Collab with Kiva. Growth stage, brick-and-mortar business owners come to Kiva to document their day-to-day processes and optimize their systems to free up their time and grow their revenue and impact without investing more time in their business. >> Every good team has a playbook. Does yours? Ready to build out your business playbook to not only take things off of your plate but help your business scale? Book a call with Kiva  =>  https://www.the516collaborative.com/schedule-call Let's stay connected! LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kivaslade/  Website: https://www.the516collaborative.com/    Show Transcript: 0:01   Hello and welcome to Collab with Kiva. I'm your host Kiva Slade. From the marbled halls of the US Congress to my racing-themed office chair. I've learned that there is no perfect path to the life of your dreams. My journey over the past 20 years has included being a legislative director for a member of Congress, policy director for a nonprofit, stay-at-home mom, homeschooling mom, jewelry biz owner, and now the owner of a service-based business. Whether your journey has been a straight line or full of zigs and zags. Join me and my guest as we share insights hope in lessons learned from our own entrepreneurship journeys. May the collaborative sharing of our stories be the tide that lifts your boat? Let's dive in. Hello, and welcome to Collab with Kiva. Today is our last episode of 2021. What a year, it has been. So for this episode, I am going to have a look back at the year in review. So I don't know about you. But when I was growing up, I always enjoyed those retrospectives that showed all that happened in a year. And I would just sit in front of the TV pretty mesmerized, especially when I was younger. I always, though, found myself shocked. Because there would be something some event that took place that I just couldn't imagine had happened in the last 12 months, it always seemed like there was something that was either further away from that it happened many years ago, or there was always something that felt like it had just happened recently. So when I take a look back at 2021, and closing out this year, I'm just gonna focus on a few things, I'm gonna focus on things as relates to my business. Also, some personal things as I reflect, and then also kind of a mixture. So let's start off with business. 2021 was a very good year. And it was an interesting good year, I hit two years in business. But in addition to that, there was a lot of purposeful slowing down. And I know that that may sound a bit odd. You had a good year, but you slow down. And actually, yeah, I had a great year. And I slow down. And I think there's something to that, about knowing not only taking the time rather know who you want to work with, how you want to show up how you want to serve others, especially for those that are a service-based business. There's wisdom in purposefully slowing down so that you can focus on those people or those areas, hone those skills, hone in maybe on some operational parts of your business that are in need of additional attention. Whatever it may be, when you purposefully decide to slow down and you are so much more aware of what you are allowing yourself to say yes to what you are allowing yourself to say no to it, it puts you in a different headspace for moving forward with even more clarity, more conviction, and more creative energy. So that ties into another business. Aha for me, which was being still if you've ever met me in real life, you know, I am a dynamo. I'm a mover constantly going, the brains constantly going. So being still is hard. It is so so so hard. But I have actually found solace this year. In being still some of those stillness periods were forced on me. Some were by my own choosing. But there is again wisdom in growth that comes from being still.   5:05   So I encourage you to try it. It's hard but try it. So I started out this year, with like, of this roster full of clients, I was doing a bunch of different things, retainer work project work, kind of a hybrid agency thing going on. I had added another team member at the beginning of the year. Oh, my goodness, can I tell you I ended the year with no one on my team. Yeah, let's pull the curtain back on the hat hiring woes. I started off the year by adding another I had added another person to my team. Like myself, she was also a certified OBM. She wasn't functioning though, like on my team and OBM role. And it was just really interesting. I had her I had my VA, you know, there, there was just a lot going on, I still had a blog writer, you know, there was a whole lot of lift, little moving parts and pieces. In then as the year wore on, just different things took place in my business that I had to once again, purposely slow down and or be still. And it caused me to reexamine some things. I ended some relationships with clients after our year was up in just for clarification, I don't do your contracts, I typically work on a three-month basis. But the one client in particular, we had hit that year mark, and it was just time for her to go in a different direction. And for me to also go in a different direction. So I mean, our parting was totally amicable. And that just really made me think about how things were functioning in my business on my team. And I wound up not making some team changes, basically, you know, and then I did the Kobe B. And you guys know, I'm always talking about the Kolbe. So the eight tells you how you function, the B is like how you envision the role that you are in and how you need to show up for that role. So it looks at your A and your B and kind of like you can look at both of them and see where you might need to do things a little differently. For me, I'm at a high natural quickstart. But in my role, obviously, as CEO, there are times I need to move faster than I am naturally inclined to do. But I also know that I need someone who's a high higher follow-through than I am. And that's that second number. And so when I went to embark on that hiring journey, I was adamant that everyone who was going to be interviewed and as somewhat of a finalist was going to take the Kolbe A so I could see their results. And I had put out an RFP and goodness gracious. I had two people, literally, their Kolbe's were like one number apart. They were the same in the beginning was like 8723 and 8732 looks like oh great. They did not make this easy for me. I went with one, who seemed amazing. Like my husband thought she was going to be great. My coach at the time was like yeah, I think that's the one she was so not the one No, no, I had to let her go. circle back to the second one. That was seemingly going okay. But I'm a very not a very trusting person but I am one of those people that my dad's one of his favorite sayings was, I'll give you enough leash to hang yourself. Yeah, I kind of let you have that free rein I tell you where the boundaries are but I don't like to micromanage I don't like to hate this happen to this happen like that kind of follow-through is not always my best strength. I want to be able to trust that you're doing what you're supposed to do. Needless to say, and discovered, not all of those things were being done unfortunately and just some things that happen to me, made me look bad. And as result, my business look bad, and I've worked too hard for what I have to allow that to happen. So long story short, I ended the team with the end of the year with no one on my team.   9:56   I reevaluated what I am doing as it relates to social media, I took time to look at where I show up, how I show up. I took time to look at my analytics reports, to find out more information about what I, how do people come to my website? How are they finding me? What are the largest referral traffic numbers, and it really was kind of eye-opening, you know, in light of the fact that I was spending quite a bit of time in some places that I didn't really need to be? So long story short, once again, being still purposefully slowing down allows you to see these things and to notice these things. And you have to trust yourself. Sometimes I feel like this year, I spent a lot of time giving other people more of a voice in my business, than I than I should have. And I didn't trust my own boys enough. And as a result of that, I really had to say, and that still getting back to a point of knowing and trusting myself. And I want to encourage others to do that. There's a lot that you already know, there's a lot that you have in your that you've been exposed to that so much has taken place in your life that it's gotten you to the point that you're at, don't discount that. Yes, it is important to receive wise counsel from others. However, don't get to the point where you're so reliant on the wise counsel of others that you don't listen to your own inner voice, that inner voice has led you to where you are. Don't discount it in this process of seeking wise counsel. So with that being said, that is a definite takeaway for me from 2021 that I am taking into 2022. And I'll let you in on a secret that my I don't have a word for 2022. I've do words, trust myself. And so that is going to definitely be my mantra moving into 2022. So the last thing I'm going to share as it relates to business relates to working with ideal clients. As many of you know, I am a service-based provider. So its clients are my business. So it's really important, though, to work with people who are really ideal clients. And the reality is, you don't find out those ideal clients. So you've probably kissed a few frogs, you know, to go Disney on you. But seriously, you have to work with some nutso ideal clients, in many cases to come out to what is an ideal client? What does it look like? How did they find you? How do you find them? What in that relationship works? Well, what does it what could need improvement, there are so many different factors that could go into it. But I know that in this year, I have let go of clients that are no longer ideal. Excuse me, that may have been ideal at some point. But as I evolved, they just were no longer ideal. And I've also been fortunate to have some pretty awesome, you know, clients that I've worked with, and continue to work with, where what each of us brings to the table is so valued and important and respect it. And it has turned out to be some very great client relationships. So take the time to figure out you know, when you look at those people that you've worked with, that you served, or what are the things that are the high points. So what are the things that are low points and crap for yourself, like what kind of person makes up for you that ideal client and know that sometimes he might get it wrong? It's okay. You can always make those corrections as needed.   15:01   But definitely, it's so much more fulfilling when you are working with someone who is an ideal client for you, and the type of work that you do. So, those are some of my business highlights from 2021. So there's purpose. When you take the time to purposely slow down, you can be still and learn how to trust yourself and guess what hiring was working with less than ideal clients are going to happen. It's a part of business. So let's move on to the person No, I turned 50 this year. Yay. All the confetti comes flying. That was huge. I also celebrated my 20th wedding anniversary which led my husband and I to go to Turks and Caicos with my brother and sister in law, my niece and nephew in law and we had like the most amazing time and yeah, we traveled before delta and Omicron came on the scene by personally, you know, like turning 50 That's like so huge. And it was so anti-climatic if I'm honest with you. And it was that way, I think because on my birthday, we literally packed up our car while our truck and a u-haul trailer or to start the adventure of taking our kids to school are both of our kids headed out of the house out of state this year to head off to college. So it was like turning 50 taking your kids to school becoming an empty nester, like all in the same day, was pretty much what it felt like. So our daughter had to be at school on the 11th Yeah, the day after my birthday. So we headed to North Carolina, checked into a hotel, we did have birthday dinner, which was absolutely scrim delicious. But it was still a lot emotionally for me. I was grateful that I had my own business, I was grateful for the clients that I had because I took the month of August like pretty much off. In that was really wonderful to have the time to move my kids in to have the time to like come back home and realize they were really not there. To have the time to like mentally emotionally. Just process everything that was going on. Because it happened rather felt like quickly. So I'm also as I said, now an empty nester. Did I tell you that my husband is retired, did it at the that happened during the pandemic as well. So empty nesting with like a retired husband. Yeah, that itself might be an episode. Because it's definitely interesting. Thankfully, you know, he has his golf and some things but like, seriously, there are days I have to remind him to keep it down like Dude, I'm working. And so it's kind of funny that that's where we find ourselves. But I'm also grateful that obviously, my work is of a nature in which I can do it in many different locations. So that is been a huge blessing. Which leads to another kind of major thing that happened to us doing this year was we purchased a second home in a much warmer climate I currently live in drastically different but I think today the difference is about 20 degrees or so. Yeah, so it's like living a different life. Like that wasn't something that we had planned for from quite honest. But it's just you know, opportunity presented itself in such a way. And then so that took place. So flexibilities super important, obviously in what I do because it impacts my life in my business. All of those things have been wonderful. And I think another thing personally is just really acknowledging the fact that my my parents have always been obviously huge in my life and in the life of my family.   19:47   You know, there's been some health challenges this year, realizing your parents are getting older, in you know what comes with that. And so lifewise I'm just I in this year with such a heart of gratitude and thanksgiving, for good health, for all of us. This by COVID Coming to ruin Christmas in some ways, but really just thankful for the ability to see 50 years of life and to be in good health and celebrate 20 years of marriage and see my kids go off to school and do well this semester. Learn a lot of life lessons mature into, just continue rather to mature into these amazing human beings. And, and that's just such a feeling of joy that just envelops my heart. Because they're, they're just amazing. You know, to have the opportunity to have additional time, like with my, through our empty-nesting to travel and do other things, it's really just been a joy that I really just always can't find, I think all of the words to describe it, but just know that it makes me super happy. And we, including my parents, we all traveled for Thanksgiving to our other house. And the weather was a little chilly though that conference coming through and things but you know, it was wonderful to spend that time there. It was the first time everybody else had seen the house and did spend the time there. And we had a few few nicer days that did pop up. And it was just really wonderful. We actually it's near the beach. So we went to the beach for Thanksgiving. And it was just great. So moving on to the last part, which I felt was kind of like a mixture of some business like business, some business things led to some of these that were also kind of more personal. And I just want to talk like the importance of perseverance. You know, I don't know who out there makes a vision board. I kind of mine's a Canva desktop screen saver, if I'm honest, like computer screen saver, but it's important, I think to have those, whatever your vision board looks like whether it's camera design, whether it's written out on a sticky note, whether it's typed up in a computer document, whether you have gotten poster board and a bunch of magazines, I think it's important to have those, because your visions may not become reality immediately. Some visions take time for things to get aligned in order for them to come to fruition. And if you don't have it, somewhere for you to be reminded of what you're working towards. And even if it's not in that same in kind of gold fashion. It serves as that motivator. And that's what's I think the most important part that leads to perseverance. For me, like two years ago, I literally had worked with had a session with a coach. Huge shout out to Marlena banks, if you're out there. And it was amazing because I shared some things there. And it was really things that she made me dig deep on. And it was really interesting because if you know you you kind of walk away from that, those sessions and you're like, Okay, there's some things that obviously are immediate, Like tangible. Boom, boom, boom, boom, we can check those out. Some things take time.   24:31   And as a result of that, I always I check back in with her just to share, because I find that there was a lot that I shared in that session and a lot that I guess she unearthed that made like when I go back through those notes. I can't begin to tell you what it feels like to see things that I spoke to years ago, getting checked off. And some of them were more personal. In some more business-related, bad when you're in the doing of life, you may not even realize and if you're anything like me, you don't take time to celebrate when those major accomplishments have taken place. And that is a life lesson. Listen closely. Don't gloss over those moments. Don't gloss over your celebrations. Don't skip them and beyond to chasing the next checkmark, stop, celebrate, acknowledge what you have accomplished. And as a mom, I've had to share that lesson this year with my son, who is way too much like his mama. But his grades. He literally was like, down and out. And I'm not going to reveal his grades. I'm just going to tell you the boy did amazingly well. But like seriously a minus or a and like the level of pressure that he kind of put on himself and level of skip over onto next semester. And I was like, no, no, no, no, no, no, what we're not going to do is that we're going to celebrate these. I need you to learn to celebrate your accomplishments. And my daughter, she celebrates her accomplishments. She celebrates everything. And I love that about her. But he definitely was going to skip over that. And I was like, dude can't skip over that. So if anyone else is out there, skipping over things after the next checkmark, I need you to stop. Just put it in pause or write down and acknowledge your accomplishments. And when you have that vision board, or you maybe have shared them with someone else, maybe an accountability partner or a coach or something, share the updates with them. It is a blessing to their soul to hear that the work that they've done with you. Now, mind you, they didn't move you to that point. But what they pull out of you, and then you actually act on, let them know that you've done that. Let them know hey, by the way, that thing we talked about, it actually happened in this is what happened. It is an encouragement to them as well. So make sure you do that. I have ticked off many things. And I'm excited to work on my next vision board. Because like the one I have I literally I had some things on there for two years. And now they have them I've done them I've you know completed them. So I have to go make bigger dreams people. I want you to make bigger dreams. Okay, so saying no, to say yes. This past month, especially December, but really this kind of all started in August when I turned 50 If I'm honest, it's been a slow building process. But I'm definitely learning how to say no to things that allow me to say yes to other things. And sometimes with that, it ties into those visions in those manifestations. And I'm not all woo woo because ya know, I'm much more spiritually grounded in a different way. But I think it's really important that sometimes you have to say no, so that you can say yes to the thing that you do not see all of it worked out. But when you do that the doors start to open to the new opportunities that were waiting there for you to release let go of say no to some stuff that was not allowing you to move forward.   29:32   And so I really want to encourage you to learn how to say no. So you can say yes. I have been listening to Cal Newport's well I listened to Cal Newport's Digital Minimalism. And I have been like a madwoman in my own house just like getting rid of stuff just realizing. I feel like a lot of us have done that especially through the pandemic You're like, oh my gosh, I'm not probably ever going to wear that or use that or something of that sort. And so it's like you sit and you're like, Oh, you just feel weighed down by your stuff. So I've been like literally pulling up to the goodwill. Like they're like, oh gosh, she's back again. I'm like, hey, yeah, bling get out the big man cuz I'm back again. I have cleaned out Christmas decorations. I've gotten rid of so much stuff, especially in the month of December and newsflash, I have a few more days to go to get rid of some more, but literally like lightening our load, in load, whatever that means for you. And becoming a bit more minimalistic. Goes back to that thing. Notice how Yes, as so rewarding. So motivating, so, life-giving. So where you can? What can you get rid of? What can you What do you not need? Where do you not need to be? What do you not need to agree to? What do you fill in the blank? Challenge yourself to say no more, become a bit more minimalistic in some areas. So I want you to lean into your natural gifts, goes back to trusting yourself. Don't sit on those things that you were just amazing at. Don't do it. That's a lesson I've had to learn. And also flexibility, maturity and test importance of mindset. Guys, see you have to have your mind right. I have learned that so many times it feels like this year. And it's like really, really, really sinking in now. And I'm not one for a lot of release. But it's so important that we have our mind and we work on our mindset because from it flows so much more. So I want to encourage you to do that. And for those that are out there, I wanted one other you know what to call it. But I want to give a shout-out. That's what I'll call it to score for those that are in the US SCORE a free program that is sponsored by the Small Business Administration. I have the most amazing score mentor. Like her business acumen is top-notch, her encouragement, her challenging of me her everything means the world to me. We meet once a month and I kid you not those meetings for an hour have been the most amazing meetings. I am grateful for her. And if you are finding yourself in a place where you think you need a coach or you're looking for someone who's more of a seasoned professional, check out the score program. It is absolutely free to you. I'll say that last part again. It is absolutely free to you. And honestly, it is it's amazing. And the volunteers are retired business people who really do want to see you do well. Want to see you excel and the wealth of knowledge that they bring makes with their care   34:07   and concern is top-notch. So I encourage you to check that out. Then a huge shout out to Karen my mentor is the best. So I have talked to you for a long time today with is a year in review. 2021 is been a year. I am looking forward with excitement to 2022 I know there are lots of big things on the horizon. And I am standing wide open with my arms to ready to receive them. I am excited about what you know will continue to happen with my children as they go back to school. I am excited about so much and I hope that you find yourself excited as well. Feel free to send me a message share that excitement with me. I would love to hear what you were looking forward to in 2022. And a share your retrospective on Tony, Tony one. What took place that you were like, Hey, this is what went on. So I wish you the most amazing, New Year's. Happy, happy, happy new year. And I look forward to seeing you in 2022. Thanks for listening and talk soon. Thanks for tuning in to this episode of Collab with Kiva. You know my heart, and it wants you to know that you are uniquely made and that your business path is unique to you. I hope that now you have some clear takeaways from this episode that have left you inspired and motivated to keep pressing forward on your unique path. Make sure you subscribe so you don't miss out on any future episodes. And of course, your reviews on Apple are greatly appreciated. If you are a small business owner and you are ready to build out your business playbook, and you're ready to document and delegate what takes place in your business so it can grow beyond you. Make sure you visit me on my website, the 516 collaborative.com and let's schedule a time to talk. I'll see everyone next time. Bye

How are you always closing on the next steps? As female entrepreneurs, often solopreneurs, sales are a huge part of our businesses. However, sales and the art of selling don't always come naturally to many of us. Today's guest, Amy Looper, shares her selling tips and how being an entrepreneur pulled her out of a seven-year postpartum depression. Listen in as we talk sales, entrepreneurship, and maternal health and wellness. In 2020, Amy Looper exited her award-winning software sales career and founded her first company, Relativity Sells. The journey through entrepreneurism led to a breakthrough in personal life, overcoming a 7 year period of postpartum depression and anxiety after having two kids and losing a close family member to suicide.  Amy attributes her successful breakthrough to becoming an entrepreneur, giving herself the space to heal, create, help others, and have the flexibility to be present with her kids.  Amy is now the founder of two coaching companies, Relativity Sells which is focused on coaching tech founders in sales best practices and supporting growth-stage startups with sales enablement.  In November 2021, Amy launched Postpartum Coaching With Heart designed to help other women break through the darkness of postpartum depression and provide corporations maternal mental wellness awareness training. During this episode, we talk about: Importance of creation energy (2:54) Thinking like a founder (4:26) Sales, Service, and Authenticity (8:28) Postpartum depression and maternal health (14:24) Free postpartum resources (23:35)   Visit Amy: Websites: https://www.amyleighlooper.com/ and https://www.relativitysells.com/   LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amylooper1/  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amyleighlooper/    Amy's special gift to Collab with Kiva listeners: Submit a contact form at www.amyleighlooper.com and mention the phrase STRESS LESS ACHIEVE MORE to receive 1 free complimentary coaching session.   Founder Sales Accelerator starting January 5th. Visit https://www.relativitysells.com/founder-sales-accelerator/ to receive 2 free bonus advisory sessions if you sign up before 12/31!   Thanks for tuning in to another episode of Collab with Kiva. Growth stage, brick-and-mortar business owners come to Kiva to document their day-to-day processes and optimize their systems to free up their time and grow their revenue and impact without investing more time in their business. >> Every good team has a playbook. Does yours? Ready to build out your business playbook to not only take things off of your plate but help your business scale? Book a call with Kiva  =>  https://www.the516collaborative.com/schedule-call Let's stay connected! LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kivaslade/  Website: https://www.the516collaborative.com/    Show Transcript:   Kiva Slade  0:01   Hello and welcome to Collab with Kiva. I'm your host Kiva, Slade. From the marbled halls of the US Congress to my racing-themed office chair. I've learned that there is no perfect path to the life of your dreams. My journey over the past 20 years has included being a legislative director for a member of Congress, policy director for a nonprofit, stay-at-home mom, homeschooling mom, jewelry biz owner, and now the owner of a service-based business. Whether your journey has been a straight line, or full of zigs and zags. Join me and my guest as we share insights hope in lessons learned from our email entrepreneurship journeys. May the collaborative sharing of our stories be the tide that lifts your boat? Let's dive in. Hello, and welcome to another episode of Collab with Kiba. I'm your host Kiva Slade, and today I am excited to welcome Amy Looper to the show. Amy is a founder and purpose-led entrepreneur so I personally love that title. And a little bit more about Amy in 2020, she exited her award-winning software sales career and founded her first company, relativity, relativity cells. The journey through entrepreneurialism has led her to a breakthrough in not only her personal life, because she overcame a seven-year period of postpartum depression and anxiety. After having two kids and losing a close family member to suicide. Amy attributes her successful breakthrough to becoming an entrepreneur, giving herself the space to heal, create, help others and have the flexibility to be present with her kids. And that is such a huge bonus so I can totally relate to that. Amy though know is also the founder of two coaching companies - Relativity Sells, which is focused on coaching tech founders and sales best practices and supporting growth-stage startups. Its sales enablement, enablement. And in November of this year, Amy launched Postpartum Coaching with Heart designed to help other women break through the darkness of postpartum depression, and provide corporations with maternal mental wellness, and awareness training. And those are so valuable as a mom myself. So welcome to Collab with Kiva. Amy, it's so wonderful to have you.   Amy Looper  2:27   Thank you Kiva, for having me today. Yes,   Kiva Slade  2:30   there's so many things that I feel like we can definitely touch base on. Some of them, we could dive deep into rather personal level, I personally lost my brother to suicide, so I can totally relate to you as it relates to that as well. So we're gonna start off though, with more of a business focus. And let's just talk about how did becoming an entrepreneur actually changed your life?    Amy Looper  2:54   Yeah, I think, you know, becoming an entrepreneur, you you cannot, you can't hide behind any mask anymore, right? You don't have a team to hide behind or leverage that you just have to get out there and be raw, and, and create. And oftentimes, I think in that creation energy, we find, you really kind of redefine ourselves again. And that's certainly happened for me, you know, and it came in a good point where my kids were starting to get out of the baby phases. And I said, you know, what, I'm at that point in motherhood, where I need to, like, go create and kind of find myself again. So it was a perfect journey to go through.   Kiva Slade  3:32   Yeah, absolutely love that. I mean, I think that that, you know, it's like the motherhood part of us. We're like, yes, we're here for the kids. And we love all of that. But there is still such a yearning inside of us to, as you said, create something, or to build something. And to utilize those skills that we have in out of that I've seen a lot of businesses birthed by women because of that creative nature that we do innately possess. So let's talk about something that is somewhat difficult for founders of businesses. And that really comes around finding what is your best market? Or who is your best market? So if you're in an early stage founder, how do you recommend that they can validate their ideas quickly, especially when it comes time to, you know, kind of blocking out some of the noise that's out there that might have them going in many different directions at once?   Amy Looper  4:26   Yeah, a couple of things. So first of all, I think as a founder, you need to really like dive in deep to reading what you want to do, not what you think in your head like you have to do as a business. But trying to reconnect your heart and your mind together to really read like where do I really want to take this thing? Because only you yourself know the skills you know that you innately have and you know the people that you want to work with, but more tact more more tactical recommendation would also be to You know, interview your top friends, your family members, interview people maybe that you've worked with people that are in your kind of your trusted circle, and ask them like, Where? Where do they see your expertise? Like, what is the value that they turn to you for? And because oftentimes that feedback, you may not even realize you're helping someone or you're providing influence on someone on something that you didn't even recognize yourself. And it may take your business and you know, a little bit of a different direction, or help you niche down into specializing in one certain area.   Kiva Slade  5:34   Yeah, I think we have a lot of blind spots, you know, something that comes easy for us, we don't think of it as necessarily a skill set that someone would pay for. Because to us, it's like, oh, goodness, I can do that in my sleep. But because we can do it in our sleep, oftentimes, most other people cannot do it in their sleep. And that's the I love that getting feedback from others. And that outside kind of, you know, validation, and a lot of cases is so helpful as we begin to move forward. So let's talk fails, because that's a tricky one, I feel for a lot of solo based entrepreneurs in particular, they get they freak out over sales calls, but they know they need to have sales calls in order to grow their business. So you have a sales career, how do you feel that was preparation for your life as an entrepreneur,   Amy Looper  6:27   you know, it's funny, I sold my whole career and then becoming a solo entrepreneur, it is totally a different game, it is totally different game, you have to sell yourself. And that is instead of somebody else's product, right? That has been like marketed and all the things. But, but really, what it comes down to is really being authentic and creating authentic relationships, you know, and not thinking about thinking about as, like, I have to make 50 calls today, or I have to do this thing called sales, when really I think of it as a four letter word, like just thinking about, like, I created this business, because I want to make X amount of impact, but in the world. And so if I can act with people and build authentic relationships, and connect with them with value, I'm going to be able to then a validate my business, but be, you know, get closer to creating the impact that I want to. And I think we, you know, get out of that mode of like, I have to make a certain number of dials out to make a certain amount of money, I have to do all the numbers, things that are logical side tells us to do, you can then just make it a lot more fun and just a lot easier process.   Yeah, I think approaching it from that standpoint of, you know, I'm trying to help someone solve a problem, you know, and that's what I know that I can do. And, you know, if they're a fit, that's great, but I think there's something with understanding that not every call is going to end in a sale. And when you can close that part of your brain that doesn't really have that anxiety, maybe that's building up. Gotta close this, you know, that it's it's a bit more freeing to have an actual conversation with someone to understand their pain points to understand what they're going through and whether or not you can you are the best solution for that problem, you know, that they have sometimes we're not the best solution. And we got to give ourselves that grace, but I can't solve I'm not here for everybody.   Yes, yes. And then I think you'll find that your enrollment is so much easier, right? People are going to then realize that you don't have a guard up and you in you are coming across with like a real true passion to help them and figure out their problem and partner with them. And I think it's just received in a whole different way. So the client experience that you're providing is just so much better.   Kiva Slade  8:51   Yeah. So related to that, do you feel there is a line? Because I hear this often where people feel that they might over give during a sales call? Is there such a thing as over giving? And if so, how do we stop ourselves?   Amy Looper  9:08   Ah, you know, you know, the old me would have said, Oh, kind of right. But I think I think now that I've been doing this for about a year and a half? I'll say no, there's really not because you know, and then this is the this is the greatest benefit. I think of being an entrepreneur, you control what you're selling, right? So if you want to give away whatever you think that client needs, and you want to package it and certain things or you want to just give them enough information and knowledge on your initial sales calls, you're helping them so that is a win. And guess what people do business with people that they like and trust and you're building that trust with them. So to answer your question, I don't think I don't think you can overcomeit.    Kiva Slade  9:54   I love it. I mean I love the contrast like the old me what I've said give you this much. Okay, that's enough. So when given any goal or like, yeah, or but, yeah, it's definitely a fine line. But like you said, if we're coming from that authentic place and wanting to help people, you know, with their problems, then you're right there isn't in a place where we over give. And I think being able to have that conversation with ourselves that we then are not kicking ourselves at the end of a call, you know, that kind of ties back to, oh, I didn't close it right then or something of that sort? Oh, maybe I, you know, it's like all of the self doubt that comes out afterwards. And it's like, you know, what, serve that person, and I was able to help them, let's go ahead and walk away with that part of it and not focus on the other part that we're thinking about may not have gone the way that we were hoping so. Yeah. So another just, you know, sales related question is, do you have a recommendation between maybe like old Amy and new Amy and how you approach things? At the end of a call? You know, are you looking to close a sale at the end? Is there a follow up call maybe where you're more? So looking to close the sale? Or what do you have a recommendation?   Amy Looper  11:14   Yeah, you should always be closing on next steps, right? And always be qualifying to like, is this a relationship, either from a partnership standpoint, or a client relationship standpoint? That would, you know, be beneficial? Is it mutually beneficial, if so, then, you know, let's schedule next steps and go into further relationship there, if it's something where you're just literally serving and creating, like community based relationships and things like that, you know, obviously, you're not, you don't need to do any, like hard closing, or selling or enrollment in those types of things. But, um, you know, I think always understanding what your next processes like leading your prospects to the expectation of, Okay, wonderful, you can expect to have this experience with me moving forward, or, you know, this is the next step in our relationship, whether you invite them to an event, or whether you, you know, have some sort of assessment for them, or, you know, whatever it is that you're selling, you need to really understand your sales process so that it can become repeatable as well. Because the scalability of your business is huge. I   Kiva Slade  12:19   love that always closing on next steps. And that's, that's going to be my kind of new, I'm huge on my sticky notes, to be written down and say, because it's about a process and understanding that, yeah, everybody may not end up as a client. But what are some of those next steps that you can still have with that particular individual? So I appreciate that. So that's really helpful. So I had Are you okay if we touch on some of the postpartum work that you've done?   Amy Looper  12:50   Yeah, I'm very, very open about it. Cuz I just wait awareness for other moms.   Kiva Slade  12:57   I think that's lovely. Because I do think that's something that we don't obviously talk about enough in this country. And it's very real. And it's, it manifests itself, I think, in different ways for different people. And for I think some of us, like my oldest child, she had health challenges, you know, like, I had a difficult pregnancy. And then we found out that she, you know, three and a half months, she had a rare liver disease and needed a liver transplant list, like, you go through all the things and you're, you know, you're having to show up as obviously, that, you know, cognitive parent is like a hair test, taking this information and figure out next steps, and there still hasn't been the processing of wow, I just welcome this, like new life into the world. And now we have these health challenges and so many other things that come with that. And you know, you don't there's not always those support systems in place as to you know, hey, I'm going to nurse Oh, I can't nurse her now. Okay, do Is there someone I can talk to you about that? Because maybe now as a mom, I'm feeling a certain kind of way. So when you're had your journey that began, obviously, you know, for a seven-year period, what were some of the signs that you've knew that you were actually going through or experiencing postpartum depression?   Amy Looper  14:24   Yeah, and my experiences were different, you know, you see a super different, but both times they presented completely different ways. So the first way, but my first starter, I was on bed rest for many months before having her. And so you know, and I had just gotten a promotion at work. I got into sales leadership, and so my mindset looking back, I was like, oh, man, I put so much pressure on myself to try to keep all the balls in the air when really, I had a child that I was trying to keep in my stomach for as long as I did. And then however, and then you know, navigate accordingly. but it really started to present irritability with that particular one. And, you know, there are a couple of episodes of just really like, you know, anger or frustration. Both of my kids had tongue ties, so the breastfeeding thing never went smoothly. And, you know, when you I think, at least for me, you know, I'm kind of that type A personality or I can be, you know, and so when you're really ambitious, you just want everything to be perfect, right? And you want to be that Vanity Fair. You know, marketing cover at all times. And guess what motherhood isn't that way, but you get this in your, in your head. And I think our society kind of, certainly enables us to believe these things as well, you know, they enforce kind of the idea that we can just do it all. And sometimes you just need a break, and you need to slow down and give yourself some grace. Yeah. Yeah, the second time around was more of a traumatic birthing experience, where I had a failed epidural and had a forceps delivery. So it caused a tremendous amount of physical pain. So for like, several years, I had PTSD over that, because of just that experience in the hospital and in different things that had happened there, which I talked about in my, in my ebook called Miss motherhood. And that presented than just a lot of anxiety in fight or flight mode for a long, long time, you know, of trying to overcome some reoccurring nightmares, the visions that you get from, from having that PTSD is really a real thing, which I didn't realize, you know, until actually going through it.   Kiva Slade  16:40   Right, definitely. Do you it looking back now, what would you have liked to seen in place?   Amy Looper  16:49   To be, you know, yeah, the gaps that I talk about in my, in my book, and certainly, you know, they're very common, is, you know, when, when people working moms go out on maternity leave, obviously, our maternity leaves in the US are not near long enough, right? Right. I mean, let alone being paid fully for 12 weeks, if you look at 12 weeks of your baby's life, you're just getting your first swing down, right. So the fact that we have 12 weeks is just crazy, you know, and you look at the spectrum of where we are against the world, and we're actually the lowest level of maternity leave in the whole entire world. And I thought, okay, but putting that aside, I think employers, you know, can really start to train their leaders and how to support working moms and start to understand that anxiety can pop up, depression can pop up. So returning from maternity leave, you know, getting the proper training of maternal, you know, mental health is so important, because it's not that moms don't want to return to the workplace, or they want to leave, you know, shortly after coming back from maternity leave, so many do, because the pressures are oftentimes not taken off their plate. And And oftentimes, if you're in a high performance role, like I was in sales for an example, you know, your territory may have even shifted or your whole book of business. So when you get back, not only have you had a baby, and you have this astronomical amount of responsibility of having a baby, but you're coming back to having to rebuild a whole business at the same time. So or your income may have been affected just because you had a baby, these things are real. And so you know, I just want to create awareness out there. And hopefully, over time, we can change this, the way that you know what working moms are treated, because a lot of times things are taken from them when it's just not needed. And I don't know that that would happen in another scenario, you know,   no, no, I totally agree. And even during pregnancy, depending on who your teammates are, and who you're working with, things are starting to be taken from you then or, I know, one experience I had. It was difficult for a colleague who just had different thoughts about you know, having a family and it was just like, you know, well, why can't you do this and why can't you do it? You know, and you're like, I'm like you I had a period of bed rest like, it like doctor's note at all, and it still wasn't like enough and you're feeling like, Okay, you're it's a constant almost feeling of failure for those of us who are like a we're just like, Okay, I've gotten all this going and I'm still not hitting that mark. And what does that look like and in the fact that we know our body internalizes that stress, you know, and those impacts health wise, so Yeah, we have a long way to go. Because, well, weeks you're like, I'm finally able to like bathe the baby bathe myself, like, you know be able to accomplish like a nice little rock in the rocking chair. So it is a very short timeframe and more supports are needed on I feel like a lot of different levels in order to just get us to a place where it health-wise, there's a lot that can happen with a mom when she goes out to have a baby. But then that on that return that both of those supports are in place. So that it's just a much easier transition before it because you have pretty much a it's a same employee coming back, there is a change, like you have literally, you know, birth this new human into the world, and, like you said, like amazing and enormous responsibility. So it's just definitely something I feel that we all need to continue to work towards. And it's for the betterment of every company. It's for the betterment, I think of our society as a whole, that we have those supports in place to support moms around this particular, you know, around childhood and in maternity and pregnancy and all of the things that come with that. So I am grateful for the work that you are doing. And let's just keep that ball going.    Because, yeah, yeah, definitely. I mean, there's just a lot of education with our spouses that need to happen, as well as our own health care providers, you know, even OBGYN, they're given less than an hour, right of education through their whole period of giving, they're getting their physicians, either doctrine that you know, it's just not enough. They're not trained in perinatal mental health unless they go back in and specialize in it later. And oftentimes, you're given an assessment, where anybody can lie on the assessment, I totally lied on the assessment a couple of times, like, you know, and so there's just better ways, and there's a lot of great people out there trying to make better ways in healthcare too. So it's a good time, it's positive, positive signs are out there that are trying to support moms. But to your point, a lot of work ahead.    Kiva Slade  22:24   Yeah, definitely, I think, a lot of work ahead and just even parity on maternal health. And I know for women of color, like having a baby, it's just downright dangerous. You know, rates are very scary in terms of what can happen after pregnancy. So I think, yeah, we have a lot of work to do. So definitely keep supporting each other, and others who are doing that good work out there in the world. So I am so grateful, though, for you, Amy. And for you being able to share not only obviously about sales, which is super important to us as entrepreneurs, but then also as women, you know what that looks like as well to balance motherhood and, you know, being a business owner, and also at many times going through things related to postpartum depression after we've given birth. So I appreciate you sharing on both of those fronts today. And for those that are listening, who would love to learn more, and they want to be able to say, Hey, I like her. How can I learn more? And how can I work with her? What do you have available for audience?    Amy Looper  23:35   Yeah, so, I have some really great resources at Amy Leigh is A M Y L E I G H Looper .com, my website, you can download a bunch of resources to help you navigate, you know where you're at, in your postpartum journey. Maybe you're just having a stressful day and you want to like meditate and unwind, you can certainly go there and download some things there too. But if you do want a session that I'm giving everybody that's listening to this podcast, a free one-hour session with me. So if you fill out the contact form on there and just type in the code stressless achieve more than you will be able to get a one-hour session for us. So for free, because I just want to make sure that everyone is okay during this crazy time that we're all still in this country.   Kiva Slade  24:23   Yes, thank you so much for that generous offer. And again, those details will be in the show notes, but that code is stress less and achieve more. I love that. So that's how we're going to end today. I appreciate you Amy for sharing. For those that are interested in additional information, make sure you check out Amy on her website, Amy L E IG H looper.com. We will also include that in the show notes as well. Thanks for tuning in to this episode of Collab with Kiva. You know my heart and it wants you to know that you are uniquely made in that your business path is unique to you. I hope that now you have some clear takeaways from this episode that have left you inspired and motivated to keep pressing forward on your unique path. Make sure you subscribe so you don't miss out on any future episodes. And of course, your reviews on Apple are greatly appreciated. If you are a small business owner and you are ready to build out your business playbook, and you're ready to document and delegate what takes place in your business so it can grow beyond you. Make sure you visit me on my website, the 516 collaborative.com and let's schedule a time to talk. I'll see everyone next time. Bye

As a small business owner, you're always on the go. Between marketing your products and taking care of your team, it's easy to feel overwhelmed and overworked. It's no secret that outsourcing tasks for your business can save you valuable time. It also helps save money. How do you know when your business is ready for a Virtual Assistant? How do you become a better CEO? And what is "Digital Colonialism"? Join Jennifer Crawford, owner of Sparent LLC, a virtual assistant agency as we tackle these topics.  Jennifer started her first business at age nineteen with just $75. Once she learned to delegate, Jennifer built that business into a seven-figure company that she eventually sold. That experience left her hooked on entrepreneurship as a path to freedom and financial independence, especially for women. She is now a delegation expert and the co-founder of Sparent, LLC, a virtual assistant agency staffed entirely by a talent pool of stay-at-home-moms. Sparent, LLC was born from two wishes: 1. To help all women delegate more and build businesses that support them financially and align with their values. 2. To provide moms who were displaced, disenchanted, marginalized or discriminated against in the workforce with flexible, rewarding, remote work opportunities in a mom-friendly, inclusive culture.  During this episode, we talk about: Overcoming social rustiness (4:15) Building a 7 figure business from $75 (5:09) Importance of Standard Operating Procedures (13:06) Living wages and digital colonialism (16:14) CEO tasks (29:55) Importance of community as women business owners (36:58) Ways to work with Jennifer (43:32)   Visit Jennifer: Website: https://sparent.co/  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenrunsbusiness/ or https://www.linkedin.com/company/sparent/   Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sparentco/   SOPeasy:   https://growth.sparent.co/SOPeasy  CEO Training Days:  https://growth.sparent.co/ceodayshome        Thanks for tuning in to another episode of Collab with Kiva. Growth stage, brick-and-mortar business owners come to Kiva to document their day-to-day processes and optimize their systems to free up their time and grow their revenue and impact without investing more time in their business. >> Every good team has a playbook. Does yours? Ready to build out your business playbook to not only take things off of your plate but help your business scale? Book a call with Kiva  =>  https://www.the516collaborative.com/schedule-call Let's stay connected! LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kivaslade/  Website: https://www.the516collaborative.com/    Episode Transcript Kiva Slade  0:01   Hello and welcome to collab with Kiva. I'm your host Kiva, Slade. From the marbled halls of the US Congress to my racing themed office chair. I've learned that there is no perfect path to the life of your dreams. My journey over the past 20 years has included being the legislative director for a member of Congress, policy director for a nonprofit, stay at home mom, homeschooling mom, jewelry biz owner, and now the owner of a service based business. Whether your journey has been a straight line, or full of zigs and zags. Join me and my guest as we share insights hope in lessons learned from our female entrepreneurship journeys. Made the collaborative sharing of our stories be the tide that lifts your boat. Let's dive in. Hello, everyone, and welcome to another episode of collab with Kiva. I am so excited today to share with you a local business woman to me, and her name is Jennifer Crawford. She's the co founder of spirit. And I'm gonna give me a little bio on Jen. Before I introduce her, okay, she started her first business at the age of 19, with just $75. Yes, I'm gonna let that set there for a minute for everyone. She learned though, how to delegate. And she built that business into a seven figure company that she eventually sold. That experience left her hooked on entrepreneurship as a path to freedom and financial independence. expecially for women, she is now a delegation expert. And as I shared the co founder of Sparent, LLC, a virtual assistant agency, staffed entirely by a talent pool of stay at home moms, and you guys know that is super close to my heart. So Sparent LLC was born from two wishes, one to help all women delegate more and build businesses that support them financially, and align with their values and to to provide moms who were displaced, disenchanted, marginalized or discriminated against in the workforce with flexible, rewarding remote work opportunities, and a mom friendly, inclusive culture. Welcome to collab with Kiva. Jennifer, I'm so happy you are here.   Jennifer Crawford  2:28   I am super excited. This is like the best thing of the week for me to be here with you. Because we speak the same language, we walk the walk, we danced in the same music, whatever. So I just love talking to you whenever we connect. So I know this is gonna be fun.   Kiva Slade  2:47   Yes, this is super exciting, because we obviously have that same passion. But entrepreneurship is definitely a vehicle for women. And it's one that I don't know, if we tap into enough. And I know like, this year, I think just most recently, we finally celebrated Latina women's Equal Pay Day, you know, and it was like the last one on the calendar. And it takes us so much longer to make that same $1 that others do. So for us to talk about this to have that financial independence. And then obviously having been a stay at home mom, the fact that you create these amazing opportunities for you know, moms, basically, that fit their life instead of them trying to force their life into their work is such a helpful thing. So I'm super excited. We first connected on LinkedIn. But we have the privilege of being local to each other. So I'm excited now all these restrictions are lifted. I'm looking forward to a face to face meeting.   Jennifer Crawford  3:43   I would love that. Although I am socially very rusty and I need new pants.   Kiva Slade  3:52   I love that. Goodness. I'm with you on that. I went somewhere the other day. And I was like, I don't feel like I know how to dress anymore. I've been like super, super comfy. And now it's like to go out again. I was like yeah, I mean, you just shop. I just saw me with you. So maybe that's it. We'll go to pants shopping together and then we'll go have chats.   Jennifer Crawford  4:15   You know it the social rustiness is real. We we had the pleasure my husband I had going out with some friends for brunch for the first time since before the pandemic. And at one point, we just kind of stared at each other and I realized, Oh, we're not used to like making conversation and they're like, and they laughed and we're like, oh, exactly. We're like out of practice with like, you know, nurturing along the conversational topics and things and we you know, we got unrest do and and re acquainted with that but it was funny because we were we were kind of stalled for a second we realized why. So everything. It definitely   Kiva Slade  4:54   is that and in meeting new pants so so let's Be here $75 to seven figures, obviously, it's quite impressive. Um, tell us more about this first business that you had.   Jennifer Crawford  5:09   Yeah, I know, just the soundbite. The clip sounds really impressive. But I can tell you it was not very glamorous journey. In fact, and I have no problem telling the story, my first business transaction was a bank overdraft, because when I pranced into that bank to, to open up my first business account with my $75, which was all. At the time I was broke, basically, um, and I opened up the account, and they're like, Well, you need to choose your checks. I was like, Oh, well, this is fun. And they showed me the options. And one of the options was this big binder with ginormous checks. And I was like, Well, that looks like business. Like, I don't want the tiny checks as a business, it's gonna be big. I want a big check. So I ordered the binder. And I was so naive. I thought it was just free. I don't know why I thought that but nobody brought up the fact that the binder was 7999. So that came out of my account with $75 in it. So my that was that was the start of the business. And I remember thinking, What have I done, I know so little about business and life. And here I go prance again, like, you know, I've got the tiger by the tail, and the tiger is going to eat me. So that was a bumpy start. And it was several years of me, I was very fortunate and that the business grew very quickly. But it was me doing everything. And before I knew it, I was working 12 hour days, 14 hour days, 16 hour days, seven days a week, no days off, no sick days, no vacation days, I dealt with every client, I took every call. Yeah, we talked on the phone back then. I was essentially running myself ragged. I was working when I was sick, I was working when I was exhausted I was I missed the entire 90s I don't don't ask me about pop culture, because I worked the 90s That's all I did. And at one point, it just occurred to me that I had really boxed myself into a very bad position and that I couldn't take any more business I was tapped out, you know, I, I did need a few hours every night to sleep, I was exhausted. And I had created this just a terrible job with a horrible boss that never gave you days off. So that was me, I was the worst boss. And my whole reason for starting the business was to do something I loved. But also I wanted to build a legacy. I wanted to be financially dependent. I wanted to circumvent sexism and discrimination against women in the workplace. I wanted to you know, be in charge of my own destiny. And that was not happening. So it was a big wake up call. And I realized I had to stop servicing every client, I had to get off the phone, I had to start hiring people and coming up with processes and systems and procedures. And it didn't happen overnight. Because it can't. But eventually it did. And I went from like barely cracking six figures, to you know, unlimited income potential working. When I wanted, I was working part time I was paying, you know, got to pay myself through the company, a full time salary. And, you know, manager, you know, I had to manage a bunch of employees, but I actually hired managers to so I really, I just kept firing myself from every day to day operation until I was really just making the big decisions, right, like, you know, strategic partnerships, financial decisions, you know, if we were changing a procedure or a policy, I would come in and and make those decisions, but I never got on the phone again. I never did a client job. I didn't do any client work. In fact, by the time I sold the company, most of our clients didn't even know I existed. I was so in the background, and it was a process and you know, and you probably experienced this to Kiva, that that's a really hard process for a lot of business owners starting out who start out as solopreneurs. But being a solopreneur is not sustainable. If you don't have a team you just you cannot go it alone. I promise you solopreneur if you don't bring on a team, you're going to do exactly what I did which which is create a very bad job that actually when you break down the hours, pays horribly, horribly. Even at six figures I was making minimum wage when you factored in my the my hours and my my time commitment to the business. And I'll never get that time back. I can always make more money, but that time gone forever.   Kiva Slade  9:52   Absolutely. No, that is such a very key important point. And I think that when especially thinking about solopreneurs there that dilemma that they have kind of an internal conflict. But when do I delegate? And what is that look like to delegate? So based on your experience, you know, obviously not only as that person who was in that space, but then also as the co founder of spirit. What do you tell CEOs? Like? How do you tell them, hey, you know what it's time for you to delegate, what makes you go through that process with them.   Jennifer Crawford  10:25   I think that the first thing I look at is resources, right? When you first start your your business, your financial resources are typically pretty low and your time resources is high. But at some point, your time resource decreases and your revenue resource increases. And there's a, you know, a delicate little intersection there. And that is when you really need to start delegating. And luckily, we didn't have virtual assistants back in the days of my first business, in fact, we didn't even have the internet was just kind of fruition, I didn't have a website I didn't have, there was no email, everything was very manual and paper. So, you know, we didn't have GPS, I mean, none of these things. I mean, we had dinosaurs walking the streets, you get the idea. But But now, you know, business owners have so many more options in terms of easing into getting help, you don't have to commit to an employee, once you need help, you can look at a virtual assistant or a virtual service provider. And and make that look however you want it to look. So maybe it's you start with five hours a week, and you get used to delegating, and you start getting your SOPs in place and, and you get some of those critical tasks off your plate, get comfortable with that, and then add another five hours a week, I mean, it can be very transitional. And it probably should be because delegating takes a lot of time in itself. And you have to do some pre work involved with delegating well, and you don't want to, you know, commit to you know, you can Oh commit to too much delegating and then end up being a poor leader having high turnover because the relationship fails because of that, that lack of good leadership and, and good delegating. I answer your question.   Kiva Slade  12:15   Yes. Because it's so important, though, I think for people to realize that as the CEO, you can't continue to hold everything in your head and back to grow and scale your business in a way that doesn't burn you out, or, you know, send you to those long fall 16 hour days where there really isn't a break and you do hate your boss and that boss is yourself. You know. So when it comes though to that delegating what three mistakes maybe would you say you find that CEOs make when it comes to hey, I've got this virtual assistant now I'm ready for them to take on tasks. I've been kind of transitional maybe in that process, but I want to see more things happen. What are the mistakes that you encounter?   Jennifer Crawford  13:06   I mean, I sound like a broken record. But a business owner that sleeps on standard operating procedures otherwise known as SOPs, is a business owner that is essentially tying one hand behind their back. They're making everything so much more difficult, including, you know, especially delegating, but also the growth and scale of their business. You know, not documenting your systems, a system is simply a repeatable procedure, right, something that is done repetitively. And I always say repeatable is scalable. So you want as many repeatable, replicable systems in your business as possible. And you want to document them, you can not only like discover inefficiencies, but then you can delegate them, right you have this living document this living resource for your first team member, your second team member, your third team member to to pull from so you know, lowers your training time and improves the whole operation of your business. So not having SOPs is making delegation 10 times harder if you don't have them. Delegating too late, you know, when you're in a state of chaos and overwhelm, it's really hard at that point to slow down so that you can speed up. And what happens is, when you're in that sort of chaos, in that state of overwhelm, you tend to expect people to read your mind because you do not have time to get things out of your head and document them. So you expect your virtual assistant or your team member to meet a lot, you know, to just sort of by osmosis figure out what they're supposed to do, and you're really just throwing them to the wolves. They have no idea. And we'll see the third mistake there. So I know. I'm not not vetting your team member carefully because again, a lot of times when people business owners are bringing on their first team member, they've already waited typically too late. So, you know, they're short on time that that time resource, so they hire somebody quickly. And that person might not be the right fit either. And I'm talking about soft skills fit, because I feel like hard skills can be trained. But again, if they need to be trained and you don't have time to train them, then that quick hire is not going to work out. If they don't have the soft skills that complement or mesh with your culture, your personality, your work cadence, then it's not going to work out. And how many times have I heard business owners say, Well, I've been through three virtual assistants, none of them worked out. But then when you dig further, you're like, Well, of course, it didn't work out because you were the virtual assistants problem. And I'll throw a wild card in there, too, is not paying well, right, like low pay and high expectations is going to take any delegation relationship, whether it's a VA, an employee, a con, any other contractor service provider. So yes, can you get a $2? An hour VA? Absolutely. Is it ethically against everything I stand for? Absolutely.   Kiva Slade  16:13   We have in that.   Jennifer Crawford  16:14   Yeah. And I don't care what you hear on the internet. $2 an hour is not a living wage, in any place on the planet. Okay, I've done my research, I dug deep on this. It's not a living wage for anybody on the planet. And then my industry, which I of course feel, you know, our industry, which we feel, you know, such a deep love for, it's, it's heavily dominated by women, women that do this work, you know, women with families and children that were underpaying you know, we're, you know, there are plenty of entrepreneurs out there getting rich on the backs of marginalized labor, it's digital colonialism, I'm sorry, I'm going off on a tangent, I'm supposed   Kiva Slade  16:55   to preach on that term digital colonialism, because that's really, it's what it boils down to. It's,   Jennifer Crawford  17:02   nobody's talking about it, I mean, very few people are talking about it. And you know, we're just a small agency, you know, with a small voice, but we're willing to put it out there, it's, you know, something we feel very strongly about, if we can change the industry in any small way, if we can pay, you know, somebody, you know, a living wage in a country that normally doesn't get that type of wage, then we can feel feel good about about our business, and we're okay being less profitable in order to accomplish that. I mean, how profitable do you need to be where you have to dollar an hour of labor?   Kiva Slade  17:37   Absolutely. And didn't brag about the fact that you depend on the backs of people who you were paying to $3 an hour, it really does. And that's something that gets me going. Because it's, I don't think it's a tangent, I really do think that for a lot of us, like you said, as women, you know, we're looking basically at our sisters, and they may not be in this particular country that we are in in terms of the United States, but they are women with the same life struggles that each of us are facing, in trying to provide for a family and take care of children, you know, maybe even take care of parents or something of that sort. And yet, trying to do it in a way that, Hey, um, a traditional nine to five, you know, isn't working for me for whatever reasons, maybe my kids and the daycare, or my parents or my husband or whatever the situation is. And so we're saying, hey, yeah, you know, what, we totally need you, we need your skill set. And I want you to have the most up to date technology and software. And oh, yeah, no, $5 Yep, that's as high as I can go. And it's just like, there's a disconnect there, people.   Jennifer Crawford  18:48   There's so much disconnect. And there's so much not only is there disconnect, there's so much justification for underpaying people from developing nations, right? So, oh, well, they're happy to get $2 $3 $4 $5 Well, I always say, Well, if you're starving, and somebody offers you a cookie, you're going to take it, but what you really need is three nutritious meals a day. Right? So So don't tell me that oh, just because they're willing to work for that, that. That it's okay, that that makes it okay. And yeah, it's so, so sickening. And then the other justification is, oh, they're only doing admin work? Well, you can't have it both ways. You can't say, oh, you know, I'm growing my amazing business using vas, but then diminish their value by saying it's only admin work. And by the way, admin work today is pretty darn complex. And most of the work that our VA talent does, I can't do absolutely. I mean, they have really sophisticated skills. So you know, navigating these online platforms and tools. I mean, they're they're pretty complex by nature, and and not just anybody can can roll up and, and hold up a business, you know, single handedly, not to mention and give the argument is like, particularly with, you know, the Philippines as a is a common resource for a bunch of work virtual talent. And we have people in the states using, you know, Barry and I hate the word cheap labor, but that's, you know, that's the term to run their businesses and expecting them to work on us time. So,   Kiva Slade  20:27   yes, right. And there's a 12 hour time differential, you know, but you don't know, if you don't know, like, right now, when Jen and I are recording this, it's 2:37pm. But there are people expecting their VA, who is in the Philippines at 2:37am. Tomorrow there in the future, okay, they're expecting them to be up and responding and doing these different tests. Think about that, in terms of their family life and their interaction, they have literally flipped their lives around in order to serve as a labor pool for many US based entrepreneurs and businesses. And that, you know, their kids are going to school during their daytime, which really, they're half the time going to be sleep for, or struggling to make it through because they're working through their night time in order to accommodate us. And it's, it's, it's disturbing on a lot of different levels. Because when you started talking to people who are Filipino, it's, they're working 60 hours a week, in order to try to make ends meet with a lot of these low level wages that are being paid to them. And as you said, the tools, Ville no multiple platforms inside and out, only to still be able to garner maybe eight or nine or $10 an hour. And in thinking about the impact that we can have, and the legacy that we want to leave as a business owner, we I mean, just understanding impact alone, trying to how would you like if we were in their shoes in our lives, where this is now our daytime, but we're really on somebody else's night time, basically, and we're trying to live and function and have whole lives and show up as our best selves, it makes it very hard and complicated. And we oftentimes don't take the time to learn about cultural norms, or, you know, paying for the 13th month there, you know, and giving this, Hey, here's a whole month of salary, you know, because this is a cultural norm there. But you know, there's so many it's just one of those things I can we, I think, can talk about this topic alone, for an entire episode, because I know that we both feel so super strongly about it is really doing right by the people that help us grow our businesses. And I think we see a lot of that even here in after this pin Well, during this pandemic, where people are leaving places of employment that, hey, I'm not feeling valued. I'm not feeling that, like I've already known I wasn't going to get paid what I, you know, probably should be getting paid. But when I'm looking at all the other aspects of my position, you know, what, it's just not even, it's not even serving me at this point. And people are leaving positions, or you'll see the job that's have a master's degree in 15 years experience for, you know, $20 or something and our entry level level pay, you know, so it's, there's so many I think dynamic shifts that are occurring in the employment space as a whole, that really, I think will force a lot of entrepreneurs and solopreneurs. And those that run businesses that might rely on virtual talent to really understand that shifts have to occur in order to attract the type of people that you want to attract that align with your values that will actually serve your your business in its growth phase.   Jennifer Crawford  24:17   And I hope that's true. You were speaking truth. And and I will, and I will back that truth up with some anecdotal evidence. And so my last few, a handful of discovery calls at spirit. I have been asked by each of the clients what we pay our VAs. It's on our website, we're very transparent. So one of our core values but you know, they didn't see it. And that was important to them. So they weren't looking for they purposely did not want an underpaid, overworked VA. They wanted to feel good about the company they were working for. They have their own values that translated and how they spent their money. Could they've gotten a $5, $6, $7 dollar VA? Yes, but We charge $45 an hour, and they did not have a price resistance to that, because it was backed by ethical wages and ethical company. And that was more important than maximizing their profit. And so there is it, of course, these were all women. But there is a change happening. And it is seismic, it is a seismic change. And for all of the those business owners or CEOs, they're out there just for profit without, you know, thought to morality and ethics, you're gonna be very poor soon, because your your businesses are going to ultimately crumble. I mean, you got to play the long game and business right, overnight, but, but it will happen. And I think the businesses that are going to sustain themselves and be able to be around for decades to come are going to be those that operate ethically,   Kiva Slade  25:52   after it. Yeah, absolutely. And I think you've touched on something that I, I always drive home with clients is values, you know, what are the values of this business? Why, you know, why do these values exist? And are you sharing those values, because I tell people who are also looking for work, ask what the values are of that company to see if there's an alignment. Because if you find that something in their values doesn't feel aligned with you, then it's very likely that as you get into that work, and you're doing things, there are things that are going to happen that are going to come up that you're just like, this does not feel good. For me, this is not a place that I'm feeling very comfortable. And I think that as business owners and CEOs, like really taking time to dig deep into what are our values, what are those things that we want to stand on, and that we want to stand behind as it relates to how we do business. And I think that that's really critically important because it's no longer enough, as you said, to be profit driven. It's also just not enough to not have something be the bedrock of bedrock of what it is that you're doing and why that you're doing it. So I love that you focused on values, and you share those and that you are transparent. On your website, how much your moms are paid that that work for you. And let's talk a little bit about that. Because do you find that? Um, let's do let's just even I won't even ask that question. I'm saying more so about when it comes to moms, how do they find you? How do they know that you   Jennifer Crawford  27:32   exist? Well, it's really been primarily our current Sparents, they have been enjoying working with us. And so they have been posting in their mom's Facebook groups. And I can always tell because our, our website stats, like actually just happened yesterday, like, all of a sudden, we had, like, you know, 120 hits, like on our website, and they all came from Facebook. And then I looked at like, what page they were on, it was like all like it was there, you know, the FB parents page, and then we started getting the applications in. So that's tip, like going abroad scope, that's how they hear about us. And then we often get introduced to other Sparents, like a personal introduction by our current group twos, where we now have about 30 Sparent vas. So I think we're, we're at the point where that's really working for us that, you know, we have a strong enough community, and enough numbers that, you know, it's sort of generating more and more of that sort of personal referral, which we love, because, you know, you sort of have that little built in reference coming to the table, you know, a personal connection, somebody that can, you know, vouch for them. And we always do reference checks anyway. But it's always nice when it comes from somebody you already trust. So   Kiva Slade  28:49   I love that it's word of mouth, that's exciting to me. Like I said, it has been hit haven't been a stay at home, mom, you know, those opportunities to actually I don't want to say just even feel like you're adding a contribution to the household, because you're already doing that normally, as a stay at home mom not to diminish those roles at all. But you have a personal fulfillment that you're like, you know, there's like, hey, and it's for a lot of women, you know, we used to have some other career. And it's like that ability now to still, I don't know, just satisfy our creative juices, and doing things that actually help others grow their businesses, as well as super helpful. So yeah, I want to do a slight shift, though, because we've talked a lot about CEOs and film some of the things that they can do. And I know that we share a similar passion around CEO days and things that and how CEOs need to show up. So talk to me as to what you would define as a CEO task in a business because you said you fired yourself and only got yourself to that point where you were doing those CEO tasks.   Jennifer Crawford  29:55   What are those tasks look like? Yeah, I'm a true CEO task is really the things in your business that only you can do that nobody else can do that cannot be delegated any way, shape or form. So those are the true SEO tasks, it doesn't mean that you as a CEO are not going to be doing other tasks. Like, right now, for instance, I'm doing all of our onboarding with new clients, well, I that's not scalable, right, at some point, I'm not going to be able to do all the onboarding. So we have systems in place, so that that can eventually be delegated, at some point to somebody else. So it's a CEO test today, but it's not a true CEO test. So a true CEO tasks are making financial decisions for your company. Finding and seeking out strategic partnerships, developing new revenue streams, you know, creating new products or services, or improving upon the ones that you have, creating and defining your culture and your core values. Those are all SEO tasks. And by the way, very important, your mission statement, all of that. I mean, everything starts with your core values, it really is the bedrock, like keep aside, like, it drives all of our business decisions, we always refer back to our core values, like when we're trying to make a big business decision without them, you know, we would just be you know, kind of aimless. And so those are the types of things that you know, writing a book, speaking, obviously, only you as a CEO can can do that. Those are the types of CEO tasks that I'm talking about. It's it's, you know, business development, you know, where is your your business going, you know, and actually thinking and planning ahead towards towards that growth. And really only you, as a CEO can do, can do those things. So you need to free up your time, otherwise, your business is going to stagnate to some degree, it's never, it's never going to see its full potential if you don't make the space to work on those things.   Kiva Slade  31:43   Absolutely. So that would lead into the CEO day. So I'm curious because I love to schedule them in my, in my life. So why is it important for a business owner to have a CEO day?   Jennifer Crawford  31:58   Well, because most business owners spend way too much time working in their business handling the day to day operations, just you know, and those are all important. I mean, without them, your business doesn't happen, right? You need to, you need those daily operations to exist, they're not going away. But most business owners are very involved in daily operations. And so they tend to, you know, suck up the majority of their time, leaving, leaving them not a lot of time to work on their business. And even when they attempt to work on their business, they're easily distracted by the other demands of day to day operations. So my co founder, business partner, Meredith and I, we started way back started having SEO days. And you know, switches when we call them and it was our time to meet over zoom and work on our business like, and do those, those big pick that big picture, make those big picture decisions and planning. And the proof is in the pudding, we were very vocal about this from between 2020 and 2021, our revenue grew over 400% 408% so much that our accountants actually called us not wanting paperwork from from us for once, but to congratulate us on the growth because it was it was, you know, it was significant growth. And we continue to grow every month and hit our revenue goals. And we're not the important part here. And, you know, it is a little bit of a brag, but I think women should brag about themselves, you know, we should put our accomplishments and our achievements out there because we tend to not, so I'm bragging, but I'm also pointing out that even though our business grew 408% In one year, my hours did not grow, my stress did not grow, my overwhelm did not grow. Because the business is structured to scale and we delegate and we try to be as involved with daily operations as little as possible. If we are, we're always planning on firing ourselves from that, you know, we're putting systems in place, we're documenting SOPs, so that when the time is right, we can delegate.   Kiva Slade  34:01   I love that. I love that 408% That is amazing. And congratulations to you and   Jennifer Crawford  34:09   to you. And it's so it's so rewarding to us on a number of levels. One, like, you know, we're practicing what we're preaching, and then we actually can show that it works. So that's really, really important. I really believe you don't need an MBA, to have a successful business. You really just need to get out of your own way. And then the other thing is when we first started our first year, we it was rocky it was we were getting to know our business. We made some mistakes. We didn't have a lot of revenue, and our biggest expense was our accountants, women women owned company, by the way in Rockville, and they saw that they were our biggest expense. So they suspended billing. They did they they provided services without fees until our revenue was enough that they felt like we could handle the expenditure, but they believed in us and They believed in what we were doing. And they felt like it was an investment for them. Well, now we, you know, we can easily pay them not a problem whatsoever. But as a woman and as a business owner, and you know, to have somebody in your early days, like believe in you and back you up and have that, like, I mean, it's huge, like, who does that? Right? Like, I mean, it's such a heart centered way to conduct business. And so for them to then call a couple years later and congratulate us on the growth and we're like, Oh, my God, like, they believed in us. And like, we actually were worth believing in like it all. Like, it was such a moment. It was such a moment for us, and it meant so much, you know, because of that.   Kiva Slade  35:44   I love that, though. And it's that really kind of nicely goes into what I had as another question for you. Because I think we hear the terms collaboration over competition, often, you know, they're mentioned in networking groups, and so many circles, especially as women entrepreneurs, and women, business owners, I love the what this firm did, and actually walk the walk and the talk in terms of how they run things, and very heart centered. And I'm curious, because I don't see sometimes the collaboration between people, and you have a business partner, I see people try to coordinate or some level of collaboration around, hey, let's do something together, like, hey, let's do a podcast together something like, what is it like to have a business partner and have that level of collaboration? And what challenges have you faced? Or what tips would you share with anyone else? Who might be thinking of that? Because I see a lot of people who have the I want to say capacity, I think where their businesses would have a nice connection point where they could literally offer different services that would very, very complimentary, though, so I'm curious as to what it's like to have a business partner.   Jennifer Crawford  36:58   Yeah, well, I, I have to say, I love it so much. And I'm only mad at myself for not considering it sooner. Like I've always been very much a lone ranger, right. And I was like, I was a perfect personality type for a solopreneur like, I could do it all, I'll do it all, I don't need your help. Thank you very much. I'm like, I do my way or the highway, very stubborn, you know, and so, but the business partnership has been amazing. I will say that, legally speaking, we're married, you know, like, we're very, you know, we had a, you know, a contract and, you know, spend time getting things in writing, like, what happens if something happens to your business partner, what happens if you, you know, come to an impasse and can't agree on something, what percent ownership Do you have? What are your responsibilities, like, we have all of that worked out and documented, which I think is very important. The other thing is, um, in our case, that worked out that, you know, I have strengths and I have weaknesses, and she has strengths and weaknesses, and they happen to complement each other. So she's strong, where I'm weak, I feel like I'm strong where, where she might be weaker, or interested in doing parts of the business that she's not interested in vice versa. So I really love the sales and the, in the vetting, and hiring and like building our, our talent pool, she's really good with the systems and, you know, delegating to technology and making sure that everything is streamlined on the back end of the business. And it's not very glamorous, because she you know, I tend to be more out front for the business, but it's what she loves, it's what she's good at. And I have no interest in that piece of it whatsoever. i She handles paperwork, and spreadsheets and workflows and all of that brilliantly. Where I can't do that. So you know, complementary skill sets for sure. Legal, you know, get it in, talk to a lawyer, get your paperwork in, you know, in your, your contract together, very as detailed as possible. Like, even though some things will probably never happen. Life is unpredictable. So get it down, get it down and writing it's been really rewarding. I mean, we don't always agree. I think this is the biggest challenge and it's not even that much of a challenge because Meredith is usually right but you know, you know we we have different approaches sometimes the business it but we we talk it out we've never fought we've never argued ever raised voices to each other. And we're both pretty mild mannered people. But we both respect each other that enough that we listen to each other. It's like It's like Excellent. Well learn, it's always right. Because I respect her mind and her prowess as an entrepreneur so much and I have such confidence that a lot of times I just am like she must be right because she you know, she's brilliant. And so it's nice to have that much confidence in your in your partner and you know, you split the money, but that's okay. Because I feel like we can make more money as a partnership than we could on our own.   Kiva Slade  39:51   Right, absolutely love that invest the fact that you've also taken the time to do the inner work to know where your own strengths and weaknesses lie and what you know. really lights you up in terms of the functions of a business? And what really is like, oh, not necessarily your jam. It's like to have someone who's like, you don't like that? Oh my gosh, that's my most favorite thing, you know, and that you guys have that, you know, balance already worked out. And like you said, having it written down, okay, let's think through the scenarios of all the what ifs and the possibilities so that we have this document that we both agreed upon, and we're able to move forward. So that's exciting. All right. So yeah, no, I think I find it fascinating. And I think that there are some of us who, you know, may not necessarily like the sales part, or being that forward facing one, but are so super amazingly talented, and to be able to partner up with someone who has that, that strength that is really a weakness for ourselves. Not that we couldn't stretch ourselves to get better at it. Oh, no, because we always want to do that. But really realizing it's not, it's not our best thing. And we have other things that we are much better at. So I, I find it fascinating. And I think that it's something to dig deeper into, you know, it's like not enough to kind of have it as a slogan, collaboration or competition, but really look to see where are there some strategic partnerships that could be formed, that might literally be a partnership of not just like, hey, we're, we're we do things that are similar, you can be a referral partner for me, and vice versa into Hey, is there something that we can explore deeper here where we actually have a business, but you're bringing in your assets, I'm bringing in my assets, whether those, you know, businesses or skills or knowledge, whatever, and we actually put that together, and it forms a really nice puzzle that were slightly to do that. So I, I don't know, I'm intrigued by it. So   Jennifer Crawford  41:56   I can see you partnering up if smartly with with somebody Kiva. Yeah, and, you know, and I can't underestimate the the power of just having someone to bounce ideas off of and brainstorm and, and, you know, with regard to like, new products and services, like, you know, being able to hash all of that out, you know, all those years as a, you know, a single business owner, a sole business owner, all of those decisions were made, you know, in a silo right? It was me, I had to make those final decisions. So now I can I have somebody else that I banter with, before any final decisions are made. And there's such a value in that, you know, having two heads come together, you know,   Kiva Slade  42:34   often approaches to things like you said, like, you know, so you see things through different vantage points, you know, but there's, there's a beauty in that because of those different vantage points, you're able to say, hey, actually, you know what, this is pretty good for us. And hey, this can be tweaked just this way. And it's even better for us because those two heads have come together. And you both have vested interests, you know, and it's obvious with the 408% growth, and that that vested interest, and that collaborationis working out so nicely. So all right, we've talked about CEO days, we've talked about the importance of SOPs, and documenting processes. And we've also talked about the fact that, hey, stay at home moms, there are amazing virtual opportunities for you to connect with spirit. So I understand though that you do two specific things about SOPs being easy and see Oh, training days. So how can people find out more about those offers that you have?    Jennifer Crawford  43:32   Yeah, absolutely. You can find out more on our website @sparent.co or you can email me Jennifer at sparent dot co but also on on our social media channels sparent.co. But there are two programs. One is two hours each time the CEO days or two hours of working on your business, it's it's guided, we have a mini presentation, and we have a focus. And then we actually do do the work because, you know, it's why I hire a personal trainer because I need to, I'm accountable through that payment to him that I worked out. Otherwise, if I'm left to my own devices, something else always becomes a bigger priority. And that that's true was working on your business too. It's just a different kind of workout. So we're going to work out your SEO muscle and we're going to carve out that time but but also working that muscle so that you know how to conduct your own SEO days, get them on the calendar and you know what to do because we were talking about our SEO days before we had the SEO training days of the program. And people are like, Well, I I carved out time for my SEO day. But then I got there and I was like, Well, what am I supposed to do with it? We're like, oh, well, we can help you with that. And then so Peasy is our master class for creating your SOPs. Again, people are like they get really hung up on what their SOP should look like what should be included how to write an SOP. So this is both a training but also work doing the work. I don't like any all of our programs, we always do the work Because I think that's so important that we're not just going to talk and share, share our lofty wisdom, we actually got to get stuff done. So, you know, you'll leave with at least one complete SOP ready to delegate after we figure out what critical SOPs you need. So because you're not gonna write all your SOPs in one day, but they're probably we tried to narrow down to three that you really need to have right away in order to delegate those critical tasks. So   Kiva Slade  45:27   that's that I love it and so peasy. Okay.   Jennifer Crawford  45:33   I know it's a weird, yeah, I'm a, I get a little too creative with the names. And so nobody knows how to say it. So who knows what's gonna keep that day but it's so hey,   Kiva Slade  45:45   I get it. I think the training days are super helpful, because like you said, you can wind it with the time on your calendar, but not know exactly how to best utilize that time. So Oh, my goodness, Jennifer, I'm so excited that we have this time together. And that you were able to share just truly that those insights we've touched on in all people. So if you want to talk to us further, especially about digital colonialism, or any of those topics, so you can definitely find out more, I will include all of Jen's links in the show notes. But you can definitely find her on LinkedIn, which is are we connected, but she's elsewhere as well in terms of Instagram, and Facebook, and will also share the details for SOP Z and CEO training days so that you have time on your calendar to not only think about what you might want to do in your business, but actually have accountability with someone else to say, Hey, this is what I've gotten done during this time on how to move my business forward. So if you're looking for more details on those, definitely again, check out the show notes. And again, Jennifer, I am so appreciative of you and all that you were doing not only to spur other women forward to achieve not only financial goals, but additional goals in their own lives and make valuable contributions not only to their families and you know, to businesses as well. So and I love the fact that hey, values are important, everybody. Make sure that you know what yours are spend some time getting really comfortable and clear with yourself about what those values are, that are important to you and for your business. So, Jen, you're amazing. I look forward to just continuing to learn from you I feel at this particular point, and welcoming all of you into the world. That is Jennifer Crawford in spirit lol   Jennifer Crawford  47:45   Oh my gosh. You're such a great interviewer and conversationalist you were born. You were born for this.   Kiva Slade  47:51   Thank you very much. So make sure you tune in to the next episode. And make sure to check out the notes to learn more about Jennifer and how you can work with spirit. Take care. Thanks for tuning in to this episode of Collab with Kiva. You know my heart and it wants you to know that you are uniquely made and that your business path is unique to you. I hope that now you have some clear takeaways from this episode that have left you inspired and motivated to keep pressing forward on your unique path. Make sure you subscribe so you don't miss out on any future episodes. And of course, your reviews on Apple are greatly appreciated. If you are a small business owner and you are ready to build out your business playbook, and you're ready to document and delegate what takes place in your business so it can grow beyond you. Make sure you visit me on my website, the 516 collaborative.com and let's schedule a time to talk. I'll see everyone next time. Bye

Do you feel like you have a hard time staying on top of everything? You're not alone. In today's fast-paced world, it can be difficult to stay organized and get things done. But it doesn't have to be. With ClickUp, you can build a second brain for yourself! It's the simplest way to stay productive while working on all your different projects.  Today, we welcome Meagan Beltekoglu. Meagan is a Certified Director of Operations and Vetted ClickUp Consultant who helps women-owned small businesses and agencies with the back end of their businesses so that they can spend more time making a difference in the world. She thinks tweaking the settings of tech tools is fun and loves breaking big visions down into focused, manageable projects and tasks using her favorite productivity tool - ClickUp! She applies her love for strategy, planning, and project management to every aspect of her life from her children's homeschooling to her basement remodeling to her client work. She's a New Jersey-born obsessive researcher, infovore, birdwatcher, and homeschooling mother of 3 living in Pennsylvania.  During this episode, we talk about: What is ClickUp? (3:46) Importance of having a second brain (7:12) Project management and beyond (14:09) Using ClickUp for automation and sending emails (18:14) Creating a plan for automation (25:05)   Visit Meagan: Website: https://www.newleafdigital.net/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/newleafdigital/  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/newleafdigital  Twitter: https://twitter.com/newleafdigital   Learn about Meagan's new offer to build your business ecosystem with ClickUp - https://www.newleafdigital.net/business-ecosystem-clickup-setup/    Thanks for tuning in to another episode of Collab with Kiva. Growth stage, brick-and-mortar business owners come to Kiva to document their operating systems to grow their revenue and impact without investing more time in their business. >> Every good team has a playbook. Does yours? Ready to build out your business playbook to not only take things off of your plate but help your business scale? Book a call with Kiva  =>  https://www.the516collaborative.com/schedule-call Let's stay connected! LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kivaslade/  Website: https://www.the516collaborative.com/    Episode Transcript   Kiva Slade  0:02   Hello and welcome to Collab with Kiva. I'm your host Kiva, Slade. From the marbled halls of the US Congress to my racing-themed office chair. I've learned that there is no perfect path to the life of your dreams. My journey over the past 20 years has included being a legislative director for a member of Congress, policy director for a nonprofit, stay-at-home mom, homeschooling mom, jewelry biz owner, and now the owner of a service-based business. Whether your journey has been a straight line, or follow zigs and zags. Join me and my guest as we share insights, hope, and lessons learned from our female entrepreneurship journeys. May the collaborative sharing of our stories be the tide that lifts your boat? Let's dive in. Hello, and welcome to another episode of Collab with Kiva. I am super excited today to bring you, my next guest. I have the pleasure of having attended a program with her together in addition to that, just we're both homeschooling mamas. So I am super excited to introduce you to Megan Beltekoglu and who is the owner, operator founder of New Leaf digital Excuse me. And so I'm super excited Megan to welcome you today to collab with Kiva. How are you?   Meagan Beltekoglu  1:26   Thank you for having me. Kiva. I'm super excited to be here. And yeah, we did two programs together.    Kiva Slade  1:31   We did. We did group coaching. Really, it's still out in this online space. I felt like I've known you longer. Like I think back it was literally last June that we pretty much may that we really met but I definitely feel like I've known making way longer than that. But I know. It hasn't been that it's almost a year and a half-ish. So I guess in internet time, that's super a lot. So we'll go with so let me get let me tell you guys a little bit about Megan. So she's a certified Director of Operations and a certified ClickUp consultant who helps women-owned small businesses and agencies with the back end of their businesses so that they can spend more time making a difference in the world. She thinks tweaking the settings of tech tools is fun. And she loves breaking big visions down into focused manageable projects and tasks using her favorite productivity tool. ClickUp she has converted me I will just say and she'll probably convert you by the end of this episode. She applies her love for strategy, planning, and project management to every aspect of her life from her children's homeschooling to her Basement Remodeling to her client work. We are both Jersey-born gals and she's an obsessive researcher info for birdwatcher and homeschooling mother of three living in Pennsylvania. You can find out more about her and her business and her business at New Leaf digital debt net. And the secret catch tell is that is you will not find Megan all over social media. So I love that about her because she really has made how she runs her business unique to her. So let's dive in. Because ClickUp is it's everywhere. It feels like now I kid you not like one of my most popular blog posts, I did like a comparison of tools. And when I look at search terms, people find me for looking up, ClickUp, because that was one of the tools that I talked about. So tell us a little bit more. What is ClickUp? How does it help with productivity? And how do you use it for homeschooling Basement Remodeling and client work?   Meagan Beltekoglu  3:46   Yeah, those are great questions, Kiva. So what ClickUp is, is it's a work and project management tool. But what actually what their goal is, is to be one app to replace them all. So not only is ClickUp something like Asana, or like the Reminders app in your phone, where you can have, you know, your regular to do is you know, buy milk, you know, call the electrician but you can also have you use ClickUp to replace Google Docs because they have docs. You can replace Survey Monkey or type form because they have forms. They also have dashboards so it's really like a comprehensive place to manage all of your work and yes, even your homeschooling and your Basement Remodeling so as you know homeschooling has a lot of moving pieces. One kids doing this one kids doing that. You have trips, you have books, you have all these kinds of things to keep track of. So I have a template actually that I use and I also have it on my website. People can Download the free version to, to their ClickUp. And you can just use it to keep track of all those different things from, you know, paperwork you have to submit to your school district portfolio at the end of the year, if that's what your state requires. And all the different things you're you come across and think, Oh, that looks cool. I want to do that in my home school, right? There's so many of these things too many actually. So it's really good to have a place to store them. And you know, it's also at its heart, a project management tool and remodeling your basement is a significant project with tons of moving pieces. And so I needed to have a place that wasn't a notebook that I would lose so that I could put in dates, I could put in links, I could put in information about the plumber, the electrician, the tile, the you know, paint colors, and have links to my Pinterest boards and everything all in just one place.   Kiva Slade  6:00   Oh, my goodness, I love that. Like, I know that I shared your homeschooling template, you know, homeschooling group, and people were like, eyes glazed over feeling like, oh, my gosh, is this like the most amazing thing whatsoever? Because there are a ton of moving pieces, like you said, in each of those, whether it's homeschooling, whether it's a Basement Remodeling, or client work and keeping track of all of those things. And having a tool that either a has its own native integrations, in terms of documents. I personally love that, like, I can add a quick photo to something that's in, you know, ClickUp. And it's, it's there for me to see which sometimes I need is that what does that task again? Oh, yeah, that's right. It's about such and such. So I love the functionality of that. And the fact that, like you said, it's almost like a hub for all of that information that we've been collecting. In some cases, it's a lot of information. So that kind of leads me to my next question, and we were talking about that earlier, is a second brain. And some people might be wondering what that is, but you have a feeling that businesses need a second brain. So let's talk through that and what that looks like.   Meagan Beltekoglu  7:12   Yeah, so a second brain is another location, obviously, outside of your actual brain, where you keep stuff. And so that can be all kinds of different stuff. You can have personal things there. But we'll focus on the business side of the second brain. I heard from so many women I've worked with that. They spent so much time searching for things. They're looking there, they want to be visible. They want to get on podcasts, right? But to be applied to be on somebody's podcast, what do you have to do, you have to submit your bio, you have to submit your headshot, you have to submit your freebie links, you have to submit you know this and that. And they spend or their VA spent all this time just looking for all of that stuff. So a business second brain is not only a place to keep track of all your important fundamental business related documents, but also the other things that you know, aren't so fun, like your W nine, right? Sometimes people ask for that. Where the heck did I put that thing? You know which folder? Did I save it in? Is it in my Google Drive? Just having one place? Where did that stays saves you time even if it's a few seconds? Every time you're searching for something that adds up? It's a great place to keep you know your hex codes you your branding photos, and also your team directory who's on your team? What's their email address? What timezone are they in? What's their anniversary date? So these are all the kinds of different things we build into. Second, your second brain, it's, it's basically like, you know, the fundamental pieces of your business, what are they? And how can we keep them in one nice, organized area, alongside other pieces of information that may be useful to you in the future. This can be swipe files, or programs you want to do or conferences you want to attend. It's really designed to be something that's really comprehensive, with the goal of trying to make the business owner more relaxed, more present, more focused on what they're really good at, and letting the tech in the background handle. that heavy lifting of holding things and finding things for you. Just like our actual brains do. Our actual brains are overloaded. They were tasking them with way too much and we need to get that stuff out and stored somewhere external so that we can be make use of the innovative powers that our brain tap.   Kiva Slade  10:05   Yeah, I love that. Because I know for me, I am. And I was thinking about this earlier, affiliate links. I knew I have them. And it's like, it's in the brain. Yeah, yeah, that's like literally something that I've had to start categorizing because otherwise, like you said, it's time spent looking for them. Or it's time spent, like, where did I put that? Is it in slot? Was it in Google? Was it in my GMAT like, I don't even remember sometimes where it is. So I've literally made a spot in my ClickUp for them, where it's like affiliate links, so that I know exactly where they are. And they're so much easier, and so much more easy, accessible now. And then also, I'm on my shortened links, you know, like that I have for redirects for my website, and things like that. It's like, people are gonna constantly like, schedule a call with me, oh, wait, you don't need this here, boom, I can just give you this quick link. But you're right. If we don't get it out of our heads and into a spot, it does take time to where we're constantly looking for it in that time does definitely add up. So I love that I can imagine your clients are like, Megan is a godsend. Because she comes in and it's like getting all of that out of our brains. Like you said, it's our brains are tired. I feel like at times, it's like we're so overloaded. You can't sleep at night. It's rest is disruptive. Because some other thought, I mean, I have a notepad in the shower, just because like the showers in place. I feel like I get thoughts. And I'm like, they, they they just dissipate if I don't write them down. But it's like, maybe it's the water. I'm not sure what it is. But it's like actual place where thoughts come and it's like, I need something to write them down. Oh, look, Amazon actually has a waterproof tablet, I mean, for the wall. So obviously, I must not be the only one who thinks in the shower. But it is so helpful to be able to know that that idea that you had was like sometimes just a fleeting thought. And it has like now found a resting place. So that is super helpful.   Meagan Beltekoglu  12:07   Yeah, and not only like having a place for having a resting place for those things, but also having some filters to kind of pull things through. Because we come in contact with information from when we wake up until when we go to sleep. And some of us are even waking up in the middle of the night, and on our phones and that and we really need to create some some kind of filter for for the information that we're actively processing and actively storing in our brain or in our second brain. So thinking a little bit on that has been a really valuable experience for me and asking myself like, is this content? Is this something that's inspirational? Is this something that that's useful? Useful to me personally useful to my business? Is it something like a novel and then surprising, or, you know, what, what kind of benefits? Can I get from this now? Or if I save it in the future?   Kiva Slade  13:10   Absolutely. I love that. Thank you so much for sharing, I feel like offline, we're gonna talk more about the secondary. I'm gonna pop into your message. So tell us how ClickUp can be more than just a project management tool? Because I feel like it does. It does so many different things. And I know for myself, I'm just starting to tap into the automations that it does, which to me have been pretty eye opening and mind blowing. I felt like at the same time. So there are days where I don't know about listeners, but I feel like I'm just totally under utilizing ClickUp. And then there are days when I'm like, Oh yeah, I'm rocking today. It's being amazing and doing so much great stuff. So when we think of a project management tool, I think, you know, general terms are like, okay, we're keeping track of this project, and this task needs to be done and by whom? But how do you view ClickUp? And how do or how can we use it then more than just project management?   Meagan Beltekoglu  14:09   Yeah, that's a great question. So it's more than it's definitely more than just a project management tool. I mean, and a lot of, I would say maybe 90% of the women who I work with, they're kind of just scratching the surface, they, they, they have ClickUp, and they're using it as mainly just a really long to do list. That what's great about ClickUp is that not only is it a place to store all of your tasks related to your projects, but it lets you organize all those tasks in different ways. So you can the one of the biggest mistakes that I see people doing is not making use of the custom fields. And so with the custom fields and ClickUp you can track any kind of data that you want, you know, going back to the homeschooling example I can track which kid does which lesson, I can track subjects. You know, for business, you can track track your your department, you can track your team members, you can track, you know, a checkmark was something done or not done for your leads, you can track industry. Really, the possibilities are entirely endless, of what you can track in, ClickUp. And generally people aren't doing that. So that's one thing. The other thing is, then once you're tracking those those different pieces of data in in ClickUp, you can then create these customized views so that you can see only the information you want to see. And you can hide all the rest. So that might mean like if you're the CEO, that might mean you only want like the big picture of what's going on, you don't need to see like, Okay, someone, you know, created a social media post, they added the graphics, you might just want to see like, project is done and ready for review. Right? You don't need to see all those little tiny steps that go into getting that project done. ClickUp has a variety of different views that not only let you see what you want to see and not see what you don't want to see but also takes into consideration the different learning styles and how people prefer things visually. That's also endlessly customizable. In addition, there are forms, you know, I have one client, I helped her set up a pretty automated hiring process inside of ClickUp, where she's using. And she was doing this before in Excel, where she's now using a ClickUp form, the click of a form comes into a list. They're all different pre pre set up views. So she can see all the applicants in one place all the shortlisted candidates in one place, all the people she has selected as finalists in one place. And a lot of this is happening automatically or just with one or two clicks. Then once you hire somebody, an automation fires moves up person down to the onboarding list, and they go through her onboarding process. It's all very smooth and automated. The point here is that ClickUp is so much more than just a project management tool more than just a to do list more than just the Reminders app in your phone. It's really can be a system for managing at least 75% of your business.   Kiva Slade  17:46   Wow, that was just mind blowing for me, because I was literally like kind of walking through that process with you have, because I personally have hired and it's like, here's the Google Form that they've completed that has led to obviously the Google spreadsheet where we've like, you know, gone through and made that shortlist of then those who were interviewed. But it was a very, I'm gonna say it was a manual process, in essence of you know, you Hi, I   Meagan Beltekoglu  18:14   didn't even mention, I didn't even mention the automated emails we had sending out. So we had this automated email going out from inside of ClickUp, where if she changed the status of one of the candidates to rejected, it was sending out this nice automated email even right to their name saying Dear so and so. We're sorry, we didn't pick you. You know, blah, blah, blah. Okay,   Kiva Slade  18:39   wait, wait, wait, wait, wait. Wait a minute, Megan, that was like a whole Mic drop. Wait a minute. You're telling me that was in ClickUp? We can send out automated emails late. Yes,   Meagan Beltekoglu  18:53   yes. So you can send automated emails and there are tons of triggers. So you could send an email. So like when the due date arrives, send an email. When the custom field changes, send an email, when the status changes, send an email and a lot of what you're pulling into the email in the automation. You can use the Smart variables so you can reference things in the email, you can reference the task name and it will pull in what the task name is. You can reference the due date and it will put in like the actual due date.   Kiva Slade  19:31   Okay, I don't know about everybody else, but now I'm just sitting here like, okay, yes, this is a definite confirmation that I'm under utilizing my ClickUp.   Meagan Beltekoglu  19:41   I mean, most people are you're not you're certainly not alone. Oh, you're certainly not alone. And that's why I like to really make it clear to people. You know, when I'm working with them, I show them my ClickUp I show them my personal ClickUp I show them my demo workspace. And I always open their eyes to the possibilities that that are out there. Like we didn't even really talk about dashboards. Like yesterday, I showed one of my clients my lead tracking dashboard, and she was just like, just is a marketer's dream. Because I'm tracking the industry, I'm checking the source where they find me. I'm tracking what service they buy, I'm tracking why they don't buy, what's the reason why they don't buy. And I'm using all of these things to make database decisions. So you mentioned like, I don't do a lot of social media. And that one of the reasons is because I don't need to, because most of my clients are referrals.   Kiva Slade  20:43   Love it. So there's no, yeah. And I have the data that show, right. Yeah, absolutely. And I think that that's so key and important. And just such as a fact to stress is that, you know, for some businesses, they may not be tracking data, you know, but it is so necessary and vital to inform the decisions that you're making for your business. Because obviously, you're yours is showing you like, you don't need to have this heavy presence on fill in the blank platform, you know, that you can literally because of referrals, your client list is the way that it is and you're able to see, hey, it's the referrals that are coming in, that's what's generating these leads, it's not, you know, the latest, I don't know tic tac video, I've made retired talking about ClickUp, that has actually led to where leads are coming from. So I think that's very, very helpful in these dashboards are you you creating those in ClickUp with basic information that you're pulling, I'm assuming from different places?   Meagan Beltekoglu  21:45   Yeah, I'm creating them in in ClickUp. And so the the main thing is that in order to have a nice dashboard and ClickUp that's providing you with valuable data as you need to have that data in ClickUp. So either that data is being entered manually, or it's being pulled in from another source. So for example, I have a zap setup so that when somebody fills out my contact form, all that data is being sent into a ClickUp task. And so that's, that's automated, I don't, I don't need to do anything aside from going there and put in some notes after our call. Other times, I have to add things like I have a drop down field for industry. So I have to pick, you know, are they a coach? Are they a bookkeeper? And I just have to, you know, select that custom field there. Once I have all that data, I can pull that data into the dashboard. And that's what I use to review, I review monthly and I make my decisions about what are my future plans for my business based on that data?   Kiva Slade  22:50   Oh, I love that. So I touched on the automation, you've touched on automation that occurs pretty much within ClickUp. You know, so for someone who might be listening who is like a solopreneur. It sounds that with some good foundational setup of ClickUp, they could literally have a lot of processes in their business that are automated and not necessarily requiring them to hire out yet. Would you be in agreement with that or not?   Meagan Beltekoglu  23:19   I mean, yes, I know there are there are there are a lot of things that ClickUp can help you do as a solopreneur. They even have a personal mode. So it turns off a lot of the features if you don't have a team. Can I mean can it replace, like the work that, you know, for example, my VA does for me? Not really, because that's more hands on kind of things that my VA does. But there are ways that you could automate things, or use different ClickUp features, like we talked about, like the forms, like instead of having, you know, that process where you have the Google the Google Form the Google Sheet, you're manipulating the data in the Google Sheet, you're copying and pasting the rows, that could all just be and you're sending out the emails to the candidates come for an interview, you're rejected. That process could all be automated, that you could do on your own with very minimal, very minimal manual actions.   Kiva Slade  24:27   Love that. So when it comes to automation, though, it does seem like we need to have some vision about it and and probably some wisdom because obviously not everything can be automated. And there are some things that require still a human touch. But when you're working with clients and talk to me about like automating their businesses, what does that look like? And what does it mean? Because I think for some, there's a perception that they can pretty much automate their entire business, you know, or there's a tool or something that's going to automate everything or maybe they'll have a gazillion and a half saps. For those things that, you know, when it comes to beginning to set up automation, what   Meagan Beltekoglu  25:05   do you need to think about? Um, when it when somebody is ready to set up an automation, like who is ready to set up an automation. So that's something you should think about. First, you need to have your processes already documented. You need to already have those processes in place. Otherwise you're you're not really going to know what you're going to be automating. You're just going to go into Zapier or integrate. We are Integra master clicking around and trying things with no clear goal in mind, you have to have a goal of what you're going to automate and do some thinking on why you want to automate it. Does it take a lot of time? Is it just this totally boring, repetitive manual tasks that you can't stand? You know why there there has to be some some thought into it, you shouldn't just go off and just, you know, start connecting your apps and setting up things, you're just going to waste your time. So really, I encourage people to think first, you know, what is my process? Is my process optimized? Are there other parts of my process, I can streamline first before I automate it, and automating automation comes comes later. It's it's not something that I encourage people to to jump right into, but more to reflect on on what they're doing, how they're doing it, who is doing it, what's the goal for doing it. And then look at those kind of annoying parts that you hate, or that take up a lot of time and look to automate those. Can you automate your business 100%? I don't think so. But there are a lot of cool tools out there that make a lot of things really, really smooth and easy for you. You know, something like, in my other business, we have a Facebook group. So we use a tool, we get a lot of our leads through the Facebook group, we use a tool that manages the Facebook group. And so when somebody joins, and they put their email address that's going right into a Google sheet, we have that Google Sheet connected with integrate Lee into our funnel software. So when somebody goes and joins our Facebook group, and they leave their email address in the questions, they're going right into our funnel, as well. So that is a process that probably take would have taken a VA, you know, 10 minutes per person to admit them, copy their info, save it somewhere, add them into the funnel, tag them into the funnel, so they go into the race sequence. But that's all happening automatically. And then we're not paying somebody to do it either. So I really caution people like when you're going to looking to automate things to just pause, like, pause, reflect, think through it, and and then go forward.   Kiva Slade  28:05   Yeah, I love that. And I love the fact that you said, like, document, you know, it's so hard to optimize what you already don't even you can't say what you're doing, you know, so you don't really know what needs to be optimized, can it actually be optimized? And taking that time to reflect on what the actual process is? What's the goal in the process? And where are we going with that? What's our end goal of what we're trying to achieve is so just vitally important as we move forward in our businesses and our business to start to grow. So you mentioned super quick into your greatly. I know, I mentioned Zapier, and you said Integromat, do you utilize a combination of all three of those tools? Or do you have a preference or tool as it relates to making connections there for automation?   Meagan Beltekoglu  28:52   I mean, it's from my side as somebody who does a lot of work in these tools. There are a few different things I look for ease of use, availability of apps to connect and great customer service. Those are, you know, my top three so um, and affordability. That's a big one as well. So for example, integrate li i have a lifetime deal. So I don't pay for it. I already paid and you know, it's awesome. They have great customer service they they offer to go on. They we did we did a call on Google meet when I had a trouble with one trouble with one of my automations we went on Google meet to solve the issue. It was very, very helpful. But integrate Lee does not have all the apps that Zapier has like dubsado for example, a lot of my clients use dubsado. Their dubsado is only on Zapier. So if you want to integrate saw one ClickUp, you have to do it in Zapier, you can't use integrately. If you're looking at something that's a little more complex and more filtering, that's when I go to Integra mat.   Kiva Slade  30:13   Okay, I appreciate that. Because I think sometimes we hear these kind of tools being batted around and understanding what we should look for, even with those and understanding that kind of like any tool, there's never a one size fits all. Because obviously, they may not have some of the same integrations or they may not work with some of the tools that you're using. So really, just being diligent and doing your research being open to pay, I might have to use more than one of these to get the job done after I've already paused, reflected, documented and optimize my process. So I think that's super helpful. So all right, uh, you have shared some wisdom upon wisdom gems, mic drop moments, everything, how can people work with you? Is there anything you have coming down the pipe that they might just want to say, Run down, run the doors down, we're gonna get to Megan's so   Meagan Beltekoglu  31:05   I, so I have kind of two different paths that people can take. So one is for people who are already active ClickUp users, and they need help with optimizing their ClickUp. This is, you know, they have a lot of questions they need answered. And they're just not finding the answers on YouTube or in Facebook groups, you know, shouting into the void. So I have a like consulting session where I just I answer all your questions, right? In that time. It's super fun for me, because I love problem solving. And it's really valuable for my clients. I also have a service where I restructure and reorganize, ClickUps that kind of got a little out of control, a lot of people come to me and you know, they've done this setup on their own, which is, which is fine, I'm not gonna say don't do the setup on your own. But sometimes that kind of just grows to a point where it becomes not productive. And so what I do then is I come in, we have a strategy session, we talk about, you know, what you want to see in your ClickUp, what you use it for, what kind of data you want to track, and then in one day, I just, you know, do my magic and package it all nicely up for you and give it back to you. And it's a no all shiny and nice and beautiful, and ready to go for your team. The other side is a brand new service that I recently launched, and that is the strategic business ecosystem, which is related to that that business second brain that we were talking about before. So that is a service where we really look closely at at your, at your business at your mission, your vision and your your values and where you're going in your business. And we we look at some priorities in a, you know, a short strategy session, and then I set up your ClickUp based on that. And that set up not for where your business is now. But it's it's growth oriented. So it's, it's about where you're going. So it's it's different than how other people set up, ClickUp. Because it's really focused strategically on what you're doing and where you want to be. It's it's not for it's not a stagnant system. It's really, it's really unique in that way. And then I teach you how to use it, of course, so I want you to be active in using it. Yeah, so that that's my new service that I launched a few months ago. And it's just been really rewarding to be able to help people create that space outside of their, their brain, outside of all their files on their computer just to be more organized in that way.   Kiva Slade  34:16   Oh, absolutely love that a strategic business ecosystem. I love it. Awesome. So everyone, there will be additional links in the show notes of how you can definitely reach out and connect with Megan, you can obviously found her. She is on Twitter at New Leaf digital and she's on LinkedIn. You can find her on Facebook as well there. But we'll make sure that all of those links are in the show notes so that you can reach out because if you're like me, and I've had a strategy session with Megan, I might be one of those who's ClickUp. I don't think it's out of control, but maybe it's grown a few thorns. I need some, some pruning and some cleaning up or something of that sort in order to Make sure it's bright and shiny and new again. So with that kind of new car smell, so I am so grateful to just have you here, obviously on the podcast to share with everyone because, as we've talked about, you know, our brains are taking in a ton of information that, uh, you know, 20 years ago was not even a thought that we were going to have some of these input areas that we currently do have. So I'm so grateful to just know that you exist and you are helping us obviously solve a lot of these different problems. So I am curious, though, when Megan was young and growing up, what did me want to be when she grew up?   Meagan Beltekoglu  35:43   I wanted to be a meteorologist.   Kiva Slade  35:46   Already, everyone. I love that though. You wanted to be a meteorologist. And your journey though is led you hear that i i see you creating some stars and some moons that we're kind of talking about, if maybe some other weather patterns that might start to shift with that business system. This is ecosystem that you're creating. So I don't know, I think some way or another, we can all tie that all together. So thank you again, Megan, for being here. Make sure you check out the show notes to reach out to Megan, if you want to optimize the ClickUp that you already have sought out or if you're saying I have never heard of ClickUp but I know that I need it and I want it and I need to have it set up in a way that works for me. Definitely reach out and connect with her also follow her newsletter which is always chock full of really great detailed information on how we can all do life better. So thanks again Megan for being here.   Meagan Beltekoglu  36:47   Thanks so much, Kiva.   Kiva Slade  36:49   Alright everyone, tune into the next episode. Talk to you later. Bye. Thanks for tuning in to this episode of Collab with Kiva I hope you were feeling inspired and motivated to keep being your amazing self. Make sure to subscribe so you don't miss out on any future episodes. Also, your reviews on Apple are greatly appreciated. They will help other women knows that their path is unique to them. If you're interested in being or finding a partner for this journey that you can collab with, join us in The Collab a community of female business owners on Facebook. See you next time.

Giving thanks is easy on Thanksgiving. However, expressing gratitude all through the year in all circumstances can prove more challenging.  Here's to being intentional throughout the year in giving thanks.  Thanks for tuning in to another episode of Collab with Kiva.  Growth stage, service-based, brick and mortar business owners come to me to document their operating systems to delegate more efficiently, onboard and retain talent more effectively, and grow their revenue and impact without investing more time in their business. >> Every good team has a playbook. Does yours? Ready to build out your business playbook to not only take things off of your plate but help your business scale? Book a call with Kiva  =>  https://www.the516collaborative.com/schedule-call Let's stay connected! Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kivaslade/  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kivaslade/  Website: https://www.the516collaborative.com/  Show Transcript: Happy Thanksgiving, and welcome to this Thanksgiving episode of Collab with Kiva. I'm your host, Kiva Slade, and I want to extend a huge happy thanksgiving greeting to all of those in the US who are celebrating Thanksgiving. I am so blessed today to have been able to spend the last few days and a few more days coming up with my husband, our kids, my mom and dad. And it has just been a joy and a treat. And I'm so grateful. I'm seeing our kids again, my parents haven't seen them since August when they left for school. It's just been really wonderful Thanksgiving, just such a blessing. We were able to walk on the beach yesterday, and pick up shells and walk the boardwalk, and just all of those things as a family, Uno games and western movies. So it's just been a really wonderful time. And I know at this time, we spend a lot of time feeling like an extra day to be more intentional with our thinks giving or giving up things. And one of the things that I've realized is that, for me, it's had to be a more intentional act every day. Every day, I look to give things to give thanks continually. In all life circumstances. This year has been an interesting year for me, it's not over yet. But it's definitely been an interesting year, started out the year really going strong in a lot of different areas. And then you know, summer came in, preparing for kids to head off to school, and what those life changes look like turning 50. And what those life changes continue to look like my dad had some health issues and went through radiation treatments. And what that looks like clients, relationships, so many different things that literally caused a pause for a lot of things in my life. And I'm grateful for those pauses, which I was allowed to slow down and focus on the things that needed my attention. Focus on helping my kids transition to college, focus on being a support to my dad, just focus on changes in life in the seasons that come with that. And so as I sit on this Thanksgiving, I truly do find myself giving thanks. In all circumstances, everything in life is not going to be a bed of roses. There are thorns, you know, and as beautiful as roses are, they do come with thorns. And that's a part of their beauty. And whether you journal, whether you write down every single day in your planner, the top three things that you are grateful for, whether you just verbalize those things at the moment, whether you do a combination of all three of those, find ways that work for you. For you to intentionally practice giving thanks. Not only on Thanksgiving but every single day in all of life circumstances. And trust me, there will be some life circumstances that absolutely suck. They will feel horrible. And we have to unpeel the layers back to find the good in it. To find something in it to give things. I've had my share of those throughout my life. And I'm sure each of you has as well. But as I said today, I'm reminded that togetherness is wonderful. The family is great. Being able to have amazing people that in some cases, I've never met in person. But they have enriched my life in ways that I would have never suspected That's amazing. To have clients that I've worked with that are truly Jim's kind, giving folks to have my real-life friends, I'll say real life, who so many of us have been so much more intentional and gathering together and seeing each other and communicating more regularly. COVID did slow some things down for a lot of us. But I think that even in it, there's a lot we can give things for. For many of us, we might have realized we don't need as much staff, I realized the importance of relationships, the importance of a hug, the importance of being connected. We're not meant to live this life alone. We're not on an island. We have such an interconnectedness, whether we are here, whether we are in Australia, whether we are in Africa, whether we are in Europe, our world is so interconnected. And I give thanks even for that, give thanks for technology, I've been able to meet some amazing people that I wouldn't have been able to meet. So I could wax and wane for hours of all that I'm thankful for. But I won't, because I want you to make sure you're enjoying time with your family. And that I am doing the same with mine. So on this Thanksgiving 2021, I want to give things through you. Because two years ago, this was a dream for me to have a podcast. And now I do and I appreciate each and every one of your listens to each and every one of your messages to me of something that resonated with you. Each and every review. Each and every Hey girl, good job. Because each and every one of them means the world to me. So happy Thanksgiving for me and mine to you and yours. See you next time.    

Episode 6 Legal matters impact our lives every day. As business owners, how much attention should we give to legal matters? Today, we welcome Nicole Cheri Oden. Nicole is an attorney licensed in the State of California for almost 10 years. After 4 1/2 years at a big firm, she became a mama. She knew that if she wanted to be present while her daughter grew up, she had to make some big changes. So she started her own law firm and spent the next 2 years learning how to actively create a work-life balance while teaching other women to do the same thing. After receiving countless questions from other online entrepreneurs who were just so overwhelmed with legalities, she pivoted in her coaching to offer legal templates to take the expense and overwhelm out of the process for them. Because while you don't have to devote all your time, energy, and money to addressing legal issues, as an entrepreneur you do have to become familiar with the law. Nicole also works one-on-one with California based business owners for custom contracts and policies and US-based business for trademarks.   During this episode, we talk about: Legal responsibilities of solopreneur business owners (2:41) Legal is self-care for your business (5:00) Importance of contracts in your business (11:05) Data privacy (14:25) Trademarks (20:49)   Visit Nicole: Template Shop: https://nicolecherioden.com/legal-shop/ Mini-Course: https://nicolecherioden.com/legal-basics/ Law Office: https://nicolecheriodenlaw.com/      You can also connect with Nicole on: Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/nicolecheriodenlaw/  LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicole-cheri-oden/      Thanks for tuning in to another episode of Collab with Kiva. Kiva creates business operating systems for owners who want to grow their revenue and impact without investing more time in their business. >> Every good team has a playbook. Does yours? Ready to build out your business playbook to not only take things off of your plate but help your business scale? Book a call with Kiva  =>  https://www.the516collaborative.com/schedule-call Let's stay connected! Join The Collab: A Community for Female Business Owners on FB: https://www.facebook.com/groups/collabcommunity  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kivaslade/  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kivaslade/  Website: https://www.the516collaborative.com/    Kiva Slade  0:02   Hello and welcome to Collab with Kiva. I'm your host, Kiva, Slade. From the marbled halls of the US Congress to my racing-themed office chair. I've learned that there is no perfect path to the life of your dreams. Over the past 20 years, my journey has included being a legislative director for a member of Congress, policy director for a nonprofit, stay-at-home mom, homeschooling mom, jewelry biz owner, and now the owner of a service-based business. Whether your journey has been straight or follows zigs and zags, join my guest and me as we share insights, hopes, and lessons from our female entrepreneurship journeys. May the collaborative sharing of our stories be the tide that lifts your boat? Let's dive in. Hello, everyone, and welcome to another episode of Collab with Kiva. Today. I am so excited because I have a dear friend of mine with me, and we will talk about some juicy stuff in the field of legal. So today's guest is Nicole Sherry Odin, and she's an attorney licensed in California for the last ten years. After four and a half years at a big firm, she became a mama to the most adorable little girl; I will say, she knew that if she wanted to be present while her daughter grew up, she had made some significant changes. She started her law firm and spent the next two years learning to actively create a work-life balance while teaching other women to do the same thing. So after receiving countless questions from other online entrepreneurs, probably myself included, who are just so overwhelmed with legal, she pivoted into coaching to offer legal templates to take the expense and overwhelm out of the process for them. Now, I know we don't want to devote all of our time, energy, and money to addressing legal issues. But as an entrepreneur, it is essential that we are familiar with the legal requirements that come with being a business owner. And that's why I love talking with Nicole. So Nicole also works one on one with California-based business owners for custom contracts and policies. And she also deals with trademarks so which is a whole other conversation that we can have. So welcome to the show, Nicole.   Nicole Oden  2:18   I am so excited to be here. I'm so excited about your launch. I mean, this is amazing.   Kiva Slade  2:22   Yeah. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you so much. So tell us a little bit more about when it comes to business owners and legal and especially for some people who are like, I'm a solopreneur. It's just me and my business. What kind of legal responsibilities do I have? Let's shed some light on that. Should we?   Nicole Oden  2:41   Yeah, I mean, I think it's amazing that the barrier to entry as a business owner is really low these days, because of the online space. I mean, it's so easy to go buy a domain from GoDaddy, put up a website, put up a WooCommerce store, or even go with like a Shopify or Kartra, store and have everything all included. And call yourself a business owner. That's wonderful. You're making money. But you're not thinking about kind of those basic legal foundations that you need in place to protect your business to protect your income, and really to protect your boundaries and long term if, especially if you're working with clients. But also in terms of if you're selling products. I mean, if you have somebody asking for a refund, what are those boundaries? Do you have a refund policy? There are just certain things that I find newer business owners aren't fully thinking through. And they're operating more on the kind of a wait and pray legal approach, which is I'm going to wait and nothing happens. And then when finally, you know, finally something does, then I'm going to deal with it, which is actually not a very smart strategy because it becomes so much more expensive to clean the mess up and then get protections in place after the fact than it would be if you had taken the time and made the investment early on to kind of just get the, you know the basics in place. Now, of course, as your business grows and expands, maybe you start hiring employees, your legal needs do shift. But you have to start, I'm of the firm opinion that you have to start from day one, making sure that there are just some basic things in place.   Kiva Slade  4:09   I absolutely love that. Because there are, you're like, what's the refund policy? I don't know. We make it up on the day. You know, it's what it feels like sometimes when you're the person who's the chief bottle washer, you're the CEO, you're the accountant and you're the bookkeeper. You're your own marketing team. It does really feel like oh, we'll just wait for something to break. In this case, the same thing with the legal and then we'll worry about it in that's just it's just so not prudent. But one of the things I've heard you say is that legal is self-care for your business. And I know we talk a lot about self-care in terms of our spas or massages or you know taking time for ourselves. But when we're thinking about our business and what were you say three things that somebody really needs to think about when it comes to starting a business and keeping themselves legally protected.   Nicole Oden  5:00   Okay, so there are two, two kinds of points I want to address. Okay, so the first being, yeah, I am a firm believer that legal is self-care for your business. And I like to phrase it that way, because I think so many creative service-based business owners come from a place of their hearts. And a lot of them will say legally is just, it's too much for them. You know, it's too, legally, it's too scary, and especially for their clients, it would be overwhelming. But if you flip that script, and really stand true to the fact that you're establishing boundaries, that's what's key. That's what legal is doing. Because legal be a written contract or policies for your website, it really is a two-way street. I mean, it's protecting you, and it's protecting your client and establishing those boundaries. So it's just something that you want to make sure that you, you're taking care of yourself, at the end of the day, and you're taking care of your business.   Kiva Slade  5:54   So taking care of yourself and your business. So let's talk about contracts. Yes. I know that you've seen just like I've seen in certain Facebook groups, other online communities, people are operating their businesses, without contracts in some cases. And sometimes these contracts are not written. There are verbal agreements that might be taking place, and then there are sometimes hurt feelings because one side or both sides are not having their expectations met. Yeah. Why are contracts important in business?    Nicole Oden  6:31   Yeah. so you know, it's important to understand that contracts can be both oral and, and written, and both can be enforceable. But I am a firm proponent, that every single relationship in your business needs a written contract. When you have an oral agreement, it really does come down to He Said, She Said, and you're trying to piece together, you know, Facebook message conversations and email exchanges, telephone call recollections, you know, looking at receipts that were paid, and it just becomes a mess, in terms of trying to piece together what the true expectations were, and trying to show there was a meeting of the minds versus when you have a written contract that you can reference back to see, you know, what were the terms? What was the timeline? What were my expectations? In terms of if I wanted to get out of the contract? Could I? If we do have a dispute, what's the process that we're handling the dispute through? Are we going to court? Are we you know, potentially going to arbitration? And if that doesn't fail, you know, does it become binding? You know, it's there's so many kinds of, what-if scenarios that may not be fun to piece together at the beginning, but are so necessary? So I'm just a firm proponent that that written contract is key.   Kiva Slade  8:00   Definitely, because I, for example, sometimes have a subcontractor, you know, or an independent contractor, I have a contract with them. Okay, I also have contracts with my clients. Um, let's see here contracts with vendors, for example, I know one of the areas that I've kind of talked to you about was brand photography because I was looking to do some updated pictures and things of that sort, and really felt that some of the contracts felt more personal than they did, covering me as an entity or as a corporation and business. And I'm worth looking at that, you know, is it wise may be feasible? Not even sure which word I want to use there for us to have an ongoing relationship with someone who is an attorney? What would you recommend for business owners that have maybe multiple contracts, or contracts scenarios in place?   Nicole Oden  9:00   So I always recommend that business owners meet with an attorney early on in their business to really just sit down and have a strategy session. Here's my business, here's where I anticipate it going, you know, what are the types of contracts I might need? What other types of legal protections should I explore? Maybe that's transitioning from an LLC to a corporation because now we have grown on employees and we need different tax structures. You know, maybe I do need to explore copyright registration so that I can enter into a licensing agreement or obtain a, you know, trademark registration. Because you know, my brand's blowing up in the online space and I want to be able to send a letter to an infringer that has teeth in it. So there are so many kinds of moving pieces, especially in the online business world that are nuanced, even just from small business law. Having that kind of clear outline early on is helpful. And then I always recommend actually do a check-in annually with your contracts and with your relationships because relationships do change. agreements change. And you want to make sure that what you have in writing really mirrors, you know, everybody's expectations. And just having that continual relationship is something that a lot of attorneys offer. You know, I offer legal strategy sessions, I know that there are other attorneys who practice law in the online business space who do the same. And I think just having kind of that ability to send an email to an attorney and ask a quick question too, you know, is this something that I need to sit down and talk with you about? Or is this something that we can revisit down the line? It's so beneficial.   Kiva Slade  10:34   I love that. Thanks so much. Now, here's a question I think that some people might have. Some of us have working relationships, where we might be based in the US and those that we interact with are based elsewhere. So even if we have a contract, what happens if something were to happen? Just what should we think about? Is there a level of, hey, we have this contract, but I'm not really pursuing this? Or what are our options?   Nicole Oden  11:05   Yeah. So I think this reverts back to the conversation about why having a written contract is so key. Because so if you don't have a contract, and let's say something goes wrong, there's a wrongdoer. And let's, let's say it's the person that you're working with. And they live in a different country from the United States. Guess where you're having to chase them down to file suit, it's not in the United States, it's where you know that that wrongdoing happens. So then you're having to pursue local counsel, they're potentially working with local counsel here in the US to get, you know, conversations going and kind of looking at what happened to piece together, you know, which contract law prevails, versus if you had the written contract from the beginning and hand-laid out in your dispute resolution provision, that if we have a disagreement, the state of you know, let's say, for example, California's laws are going to be what we pursue, and we're going to actually have arbitration in the state of California, in the county of Los Angeles, and this is how it's going to go. And you can be as detailed as you want to be in that dispute resolution provision to make sure it's something that you're not having to haul your cookies across.   Kiva Slade  12:16   Yeah, cuz no one wants to do that. Right. But I think there is a level of, you know, what the wrongdoer, whoever it was, did XY and Z, it Do you find that there's a high level of people who are like, You know what, even with a contract, you know, I'm just not even going to pursue it, I'll just eat the loss and keep moving forward.   Nicole Oden  12:37   Yeah, and I think that there is some cost-benefit analysis that comes into your consideration as a business owner. And this is where I like to refocus kind of the conversation with clients. Because at the end of the day, you can have all the legal protections in place, it's what you choose to do with them. You know, and that can even be something so much as you have a no refund policy. In your contracts, you have somebody who asked for a refund, and you just decide, based on maybe what they're communicating with you that you're going to give them the refund for just that kind of good faith continued relationship after for some reason, and you decide to go against the provision, and you have the ability to do that. But you don't have to. And so it's just something to keep in mind. It's that cost-benefit, you really have to look at the whole picture, it doesn't make sense to file a lawsuit and go after somebody for like $1,000 Probably not because of the headache and the stress that comes along with filing in small claims court and trying to get everything together and whether you're going to do it yourself or find an attorney and it's probably not worth it. Alright, but you know, if you have somebody who's breached, maybe a year-long contract, and they owe you $50,000, you know, the cost-benefit analysis might weigh in going forward with a lawsuit, it really is just a situational decision.   Kiva Slade  13:55   Right. I love that though that. So now let's talk about something that I'll just say, I think I've been negligent in this area. I'll just come clean before I even ask the question. So for those of us with websites, what's the stuff about privacy policies and being illegal, and how much warning do they really need? Is that Squarespace-like template acceptable? Fill us in Nicole.   Nicole Oden  14:25   Okay, so data privacy legislation has been kind of on the uptick the last 10 years, people were getting savvy to the very smarmy online marketing tactics that people were using in terms of gathering a lot of what we call personally identifiable information or personal information about people on their websites and about people that they were interacting on their email list with and, you know, cold calling, cold subscribing people to their lists. And so back in 2004, California actually became the first state to issue legislation that required businesses who do business online with California residents to have a privacy policy on their website, and it couldn't be something that was just hidden, that couldn't be found, it really has to be something that's accessible and noticeable and clearly lays out the information that's being collected. And what you're doing with it that really at the end of the day, is what a privacy policy is. Flash forward to 2018. and the European Union took it a step further, and issued the general data protection regulation, which has very far-reaching implications, not only just for European Union, the EU, but really globally because we have become a global economy. And so GDPR actually requires you to have a privacy policy. Again, if you deal with people in the EU, or E residents, which, you know, an EU resident could be in the US, they could be in Canada. And so, hence the broadening of the scope of this legislation. And it gave a lot of power back to the consumers in terms of, you know, can they ask for you to delete their information? Can they ask for you to correct it? Can they ask for you to port it to another third party on their behalf? So there's a lot of kind of expectations that are laid out in that legislation, and people get very scared about it. But if you just kind of come back to that concept of the privacy policy tells people what information you're collecting, and what you're doing with it, that that kind of refocuses. There is a lot of legal languages that needs to be in a privacy policy. And so that kind of generic outlines on-website providers, the WooCommerce, or kartra, or Shopify or Squarespace, or whatever it is that you're using is an outline. But it doesn't contain all of the information. Because if you take that a step further, we've now had further legislation come out in California, that, you know, basically mirrors GDPR, but in different ways. You know, cookies are a big thing in the online space. And so I'm sure we've all seen those lovely cookie bars that pop up visit websites, because now you have to make sure that you're receiving an affirmative consent to process personal information, basically, meaning somebody has to click a button that says, Yes, I agree, you can collect law. And personal information can be pretty expensive. It's you know, names, email addresses. It's the IP address that your Google Analytics collects. So pretty much if you have a website, you're collecting personal information, and you can't run and hide from this legislation, not scare people, but   Kiva Slade  17:45   hey, but like, we have to put the facts out there as they are, you know, because there are we all are familiar with the cookies that pop up and say like, Hey, are you okay with this, or view how we're using which cookies and you can deselect or select those things that you do want to include, don't want to include? So I think that this is so valuable, and especially since it feels like in the online space, it's like you said earlier, like, Oops, I've decided on my name, I have a website, you know, and I am now collecting money, or I'm engaging in commerce activities, look somebody over a service or a product. And it's like, yeah, that privacy policy is probably something really Spock like, Hey, there's this and you're like, and in some cases, we probably haven't even read it, if it's just like the kind of comes with the website, kind of package, so to speak.   Nicole Oden  18:39   And it's funny that you say that, because I can't even tell you the number of times that I've kind of reviewed clients privacy policies, and they'll have something up and it literally has like the brackets, it says, insert your company name here, insert what you do with this information here. And I'm like, oh, let's go back to the drawing board.   Kiva Slade  18:59   Absolutely. And I love though, that it's, it's something that we have to pay attention to, you know, because there literally are laws and the laws of broadening and increasing and because as consumers when we put ourselves in that other hat, but we wear as you know, that consumer going to a site, we actually do want some level of protection and privacy with our information. And I've been known to hit the No, I don't consent, but and I still want to look at certain things on your website. So it's one of those things that stepping outside of my business owner role that if I do you know my consumer role, yeah, actually, that's important to me. And I think it's like making sure that when we're in our business owner role that we're thinking of those who do come in wanting to engage with us, what is the best thing for them and like you said, you know, that self-care it's like what's protects us but also protects that particular or potential customer in this case? So I love that you share that there and I still need to possibly go look at my privacy policy. So that's a takeaway for everybody. So, um, I do want to touch on though businesses and trademarks because I feel like there's maybe it's me, but maybe there are some misconceptions about what can be trademarked or what can't be trademarked. And what exactly is a trademark? And how does it help someone? Because I've heard different things. Oh, you trademark after you're in business, people like that you can trademark something before you even use it like, and let's not get into the fact that sometimes we put little teams after things that we possibly just haven't even trademarked. It's like the ADT sign that's outside the house that doesn't have an alarm. So I'm just wondering, what's your take on those?   Nicole Oden  20:49   So many things to unpack. I think okay, so let's start from the beginning about what a trademark is. So a trademark really is a name, a word, a symbol, a graphic, something that ties to the source of products or services in commerce. So if you think to your business name, your podcast name, you know, the tagline for your business, the actual logo for your business, those things are trademarks. And from the time that you start using them, they're a trademark, and the registration process is basically additional protection for your business. That gives you the statutory right meaning the actual, legal, right, by legislation to actually pursue somebody for attorneys fees and damages if they infringe on your protected trademark rights. And so I, you know, I'm a big proponent of actually doing a trademark search before you even launch and in whether or not you decide to pursue an intent to use trademark application. And I'll talk about the difference between that and an end-use application in seconds or not, you really want to do your due diligence to make sure you are not infringing on somebody's trademark rights. Because then you're opening yourself up to a potential cease and desist letter and inexpensive rebrand. And nobody wants to spend the money, putting together their websites, and all their social media branding, and being out there doing their PR circuit, and then all of a sudden, they find out that that business name is not going to fly because it actually is already in use. So I think that that is a very smart investment. And that can be with even you know, digital products, your course name. You know, if you have a smart kind of podcasting that you want to make sure that you're protecting because you want to build, you know, a little empire on the podcast, those types of things, it makes sense to do that initial groundwork. And so I've referenced intent to use versus India's application. So there are two ways that you can register a trademark application in the United States. And one way is an intent to use the application. So that basically indicates to the United States Patent and Trademark Office that you have an idea, a trademark concept that you are going to put into action and actually be using in commerce. Shortly, you have to have this what they call a bonafide good intention to use, meaning you can't just walk on a name, because you know, somebody else is developing business. And you want to, you know, be able to sell them the mark, or whatever it may be, that's not going to fly, you're gonna end up in litigation. But let's say you're coming out with a course, and it's going to be a big thing, and you've got this catchy name, and you've done your groundwork, and you see that nobody's using it. And you want to, you know, snag it before you even launch, you can file outpatients and I intend to use it. And it does require some extra steps to get to the registration process. But you know, you kind of have a leg up, because you already have claimed the name. And now if somebody tries to come in about afterward, you've got that first-person line filing deadline or dates. So that's an intent to use in-use applications when you're actually already using the trademark. So you know, the name of your business, your tagline your logo, whatever it is, you're already using it, you're selling goods or conducting services. And you're ready to get that registration in place. So there are two different paths.    Kiva Slade  24:07   Two different paths, but definitely paths that we should be mindful of, okay. Because I love like you said, just like even doing that research on the front end, because I've seen people who've had to do rebrands because of the fact that what they were looking to use was already in use. And I think we have this misconception, it's like, well, if we change it 10% Or we do something else, that it's like this whole new thing, and it's like, well, I don't really think that's the way the law works, but okay.   Nicole Oden  24:38   Yeah, there are certain concepts that you cannot trademark I mean, you cannot trademark a generic name. You just can't do it because they don't want to prohibit people from using something that is so common and using descriptive names may not be trademark cool in terms of getting a registration doesn't mean it prevents you from using it. It just means you may not be able to actually get the registration, adding the ER and or an S to the end of a word or flipping words, probably not going to fly. Because when you submit the registration application, and examinees attorney is the sign to your application, and they do a very thorough search of all the marks that have already been registered. And you're probably going to get an office action that comes back and says, yeah, sorry, dude, we're not going to register this because there is a likelihood of confusion with another registered mark.   Kiva Slade  25:35   So, yeah, so what's not coming to America, McDonald's? It's like, How did that even happen? That's because it's a movie, everybody, don't go out there and try to do that yourself.   Nicole Oden  25:51   That's why it's so important to work with an attorney, right? Who has experience knowing what's different and unique versus what's too close that there could be an issue? I mean, if you think about Dove soap, and dove chocolate, which is a classic example, here, two completely different products with the same name, and that's fine. But you can't, you know, you can't then next, go and create a new company that, you know, don't chocolates or something like you're it's just not gonna fly,   Kiva Slade  26:20   right? It's not gonna happen. Oh, goodness. Well, I'm so thankful, though, Nicole, that you always are able to just break down these kinds of what most of us might feel are kind of complicated legal terms, and really make us understand how they are applicable to our businesses and essential in our business toolkit. As we continue to move forward, you know, even if we're thinking that, oh, we're kind of small, we don't have this, that or this going on, we still need to be mindful of those kinds of legal implications that really just come from how we're doing business in the space that we are doing business. So for those that might be interested in whether it's a template or a privacy policy for their website, they actually, fill out the part that's filled into the brackets. I'm in search of your company here. Do you have something for those that aren't in California? How can they continue to either purchase a template or find out more about you? Yes, so   Nicole Oden  27:17   I actually have a legal shop at NicoleCheriOdin.com That is my LLC, my online business baby. And you can snag a template for your website policy is to apply an agreement if you're a coach, a nondisclosure agreement, if you are, you know, contemplating hiring a contractor to come in and you want to kind of maybe have a discussion about what your business entails before you actually, you know, offer them the spots. All those good things are there in the legal shop so you can snag them.    Kiva Slade  27:17   We can also snag a podcast guest release. I may know something about that. Because let's be honest, there if it wasn't for Nicole seriously. And I'm Susanne Mariga, because I was on Susanne's podcast, she was the first person and she was not the first podcast I was on. She sent me this podcast guest release and I was like, Whoa, what is this new fancy stuff here. And it was like, wait a minute, and then I went to your site. And I was like, Nicole has a template. Oh, so this is like a part of the process. And it's something that like I said, I've been on multiple podcasts. And it wasn't something that I signed. Um, so it's so once again, it's just another kind of thing as your business grows, or as you start to implement new services, there might be something that you're overlooking, that you might actually want to have some self-care for yourself as a relates to that one, Bingham podcast gets released. So I'm sorry for cutting you off because you forgot to share how can we connect with you for other legal matters? I   Nicole Oden  28:51   was gonna say, I guess that kind of ties back into that comment. You know, sometimes people do have questions, and will this template work for me, and you know what, I'm completely honest. Sometimes you need a custom contract for whatever the situation is, or I just don't have something I don't have every contract under the sun because businesses are so unique. So if somebody has a question, and they want to reach out, and I can definitely point them towards a resource, or perhaps an attorney in their state, they can reach out at Nicole at NicoleCheriOdinlaw.com. Or they can contact me through NicoleCheriOden.com to as well, which has the template shop. And I'm always happy to do that because I would rather see people making sure they're getting the correct legal protections in place than just completely ignoring it.   Kiva Slade  29:34   Yes. And she has a vast network. I have tapped into it a few times. And she has great referrals. So all of those details will definitely be in the show notes. So I want to say thank you again, Nicole, for sharing with us your wealth of knowledge as it relates to protecting ourselves and our business and really our potential customers in what we do and keeping ourselves legally protected as well. So thank you so much for sharing with us and me any last parting words?   Nicole Oden  30:04   No, I guess just thank you she to you. I mean, this is amazing I think the process and you're so conversational. So it was like just hopping on and chatting with a friend. Again.   Kiva Slade  30:13   I love that. Well, yeah, then I have to make my way to California though so we can really chit-chat. So awesome. So make sure you guys check out the show notes for more on how you can contact Nicole at her law firm and or her template shop because hey, those contracts are definitely important and we want your privacy policies up to date. So make sure you check out the show notes for that and we'll see you next time. Bye. Thanks for tuning in to this episode of Collab with Kiva. I hope you are feeling inspired and motivated to keep being your amazing self. Make sure to subscribe so you don't miss out on any future episodes. Also, the reviews on Apple are greatly appreciated. They will help other women knows that their path is unique to them. If you're interested in being or finding a partner for this journey that you can collab with. Join us in The Collab, a community of female business owners on Facebook. See you next time.

Do you often feel like there aren't enough hours in the day to finish your to-do list? Even when you aren't technically “working” do you feel distracted by work? Have you been wanting to scale but immediately think “I don't have enough time to train a new hire”? There's one simple (albeit time consuming) solution to your problem that will give you more time and peace back in your day. It's not sexy but it works.  Kiva Slade, the Founder of 516 Collaborative, is a change agent, a Certified Director of Operations and an Online Business Mentor committed to providing small business CEOs with top-notch strategic growth through the high-level strategy, business planning, team leadership and operational excellence that they need to show up as their best selves, in their business and personal lives.  In Episode 46 of The Lean Out Your Business Podcast, Kiva and Host, Crista Grasso, discuss: 2:40 the five critical pieces of business foundations 5:14 the bonus side-effects of knowing your numbers 9:36 the signs you might not being paid enough 13:13 why scaling isn't really about money (and what it IS about) 14:57 the thought process that will keep you trapped as an employee of your company rather than CEO 19:56 the common misconceptions of putting systems in place within your business 20:27 how you know if something is off with an existing system 25:04 three benefits of putting systems in place within in your business 27:13 tips around hiring and building a solid team 32:32 unicorns aren't real and what that means for your business If you're looking to hire and want to know 101 things you can ask a Virtual Assistant to help with, download Kiva's free guide at 516collaborative.com Join Kiva's Facebook Group “The Collab - A Community for Female Business Owners.” Connect on LinkedIn  Work with Kiva to gain clarity in your business. If you loved this episode then you won't want to miss the opportunity to join like minded, high achieving women at the Lean Out, Level Up Retreat. Reserve your spot today! Want to start your strategic planning? Order your 90 Day Planner to help you create and execute your plan, remembering to plan "just in time." If you have a plan but are struggling to execute, are not getting your desired results or are wondering if your vision needs some fine tuning, your book your 1:1 business intensive session with Crista and start getting the outcomes you knew you could.  Love this podcast? Then you want to join the Lean Out Method community on Facebook for weekly mini trainings with Crista.

Brands hold a special place in our hearts. At an early age, brand imagery evokes emotion and recognition.  As business owners, we have brand imagery that we are hoping evokes emotion and recognition as well.  Today, we welcome Lindsay Williams of Lindsay Williams Design. Lindsay Williams is an intuitive brand strategist and visual problem solver. She elevates women-owned brands in a way that beautifully reflects and authentically connects them to their customers. She has a BFA and MFA in visual communications and absolutely loves her job. She's a military spouse and mama to the best tiny human and a circus of animals.   During this episode, we talk about: Brand design process and balancing creativity and being clever (4:43) Using your brand to educate your potential customers (12:24) Importance of community for women business owners (21:48) Being an artist and business owner (28:12) Design Like a Pro in Canva course (34:36)   Visit Lindsay's Site - https://www.lindsaywilliamsdesign.com/   Are you ready to Design Like a Pro in Canva? Join the waitlist for Lindsay's course - https://www.lindsaywilliamsdesign.com/courses   You can also connect with Lindsay on: Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/lindsaywilliamsdesign/ Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/lindsaywilliamsdesign     Thanks for tuning in to another episode of Collab with Kiva. Kiva is a certified Director of Operations and Online Business Manager who creates business operating systems for owners who want to grow their revenue and impact without investing more time in their business. >> Every good team has a playbook. Does yours? Ready to build out your business playbook to not only take things off of your plate but help your business scale? Book a call with Kiva  =>  https://www.the516collaborative.com/schedule-call Let's stay connected! Join The Collab: A Community for Female Business Owners on FB: https://www.facebook.com/groups/collabcommunity  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kivaslade/  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kivaslade/  Website: https://www.the516collaborative.com/    Podcast Transcript: Kiva Slade  0:02   Hello and welcome to collab with Kiva. I'm your host Kiva, Slade. From the marbled halls of the US Congress to my racing-themed office chair. I've learned that there is no perfect path to the life of your dreams. My journey over the past 20 years has included being a legislative director for a member of Congress, policy director for a nonprofit, stay-at-home mom, homeschooling mom, jewelry biz owner, and now the owner of a service-based business. Whether your journey has been a straight line, or follow zigs and zags. Join me and my guest as we share insights Pope's and lessons learned from our female entrepreneurship journeys. May the collaborative sharing of our stories be the tide that lifts your boat? Let's dive in. Alright, so hello, everyone, and welcome to this episode of Collab with Kiva. I'm your host, Kiva Slade, and today I am super excited to share with you my guest, Lindsey Williams. Lindsey is an intuitive brand strategist and visual problem solver. She elevates women on brands in a way that beautifully reflects in authentically connects them to their customers. She has a BFA and MFA in Visual Communications and absolutely loves her job. She's a military spouse and Mama to the best tiny human and a circus of animals. Welcome to Collab with Kiva. Lindsey, how are you?   Lindsay Williams  1:33   I am so good. I'm so excited to be here. Thank you so much for having me on the podcast.    Kiva Slade  1:39   Yes, I am super excited. And just so everyone knows. Lindsay and I have worked together before. She's my brand designer and I cannot say enough things about her working with her the quality of her work the product that she produces, like literally I can girl crush on her all day, every day. So I will tell you that ahead of time. So Lindsay, let's talk about that alphabet soup for a minute and BFA MFA, talk to us about this background that you obviously have in this field of visual communications.   Lindsay Williams  2:13   Yeah, no problem. So I went to undergrad and I got my Bachelor's of Fine Arts in visual communications as a graphic design program. But I also really thought I was going to be a medical illustrator. So I did a double major in the biology department. And then the military happened, I met my husband. And we got married, like two weeks after I graduated and moved directly to Alaska. So I never really got to explore the medical illustration side of things. But I landed a great job with an amazing designer in Alaska, which I never thought I was super panicked when I was like, I will have no job opportunities whatsoever. And so luckily, I found an amazing designer, she was actually out of DC and had gone to Alaska to volunteer with sled dog races, and fell in love and just stayed. So we had a great, we had a great time together. So one of my favorite jobs, and she's an amazing human it's to sprinkle is in Fairbanks, Alaska, but she's just awesome. So yeah, I get that. Yeah. And then during one of the deployments that my husband did, I just went back and got my Masters of Fine Arts, which was really nice. It went through a lot more of what I go through with my clients like doing your ideal client avatars and kind of like coming up with personas. And just going through that process. Like it helps solidify my process now with my clients. So that was really helpful. I really enjoyed that.   Kiva Slade  3:45   Oh my gosh, I love that. Because who would have thought like, Hey, I'm going to Alaska. Wait, there's an amazing designer and actually get to do what I love to do here and live in this beautiful, amazing place that is Alaska. So I absolutely love that. Alright, so this is great. Talking about your process, because obviously I've gone through it and I still am. I think I sit in shock and awe it many times where I'm like, how did you get that out of that that I gave you because what I felt like as a client that I presented you with was like an absolute mess. And you were able to pull out of that something with so much clarity that formed the brand that I was like I'm in love with and that people constantly say, oh my goodness, that looks exactly like you, you know, feels like you, it looks like you all the different things. So talk to us about your process. And then what are some of the pitfalls that you see happen with clients?   Lindsay Williams  4:43   I can definitely do that. Um, so my writing process is not all designers branding process. So I just recommend if you're working with a designer, you have like tough on a discovery call with them. Ask them about their process because it may or may not be a good fit. I'm a designer that I like as much information as I can think of it as a funnel to get to your final brand design. So I like all the information I can possibly find. And I think the thing was branding that can get a little bit confusing is that you're holding space to like, honor your own, because they work with service providers. So that tends to be a little bit more of a personal business. So you're holding space to honor your own services, your own business, your own like values. But then you're also holding space for your ideal client, which they might not be the same as you as far as their design aesthetics, or what they're looking at or what they want. And so you're kind of trying to come to a balance of honoring yourself, obviously, but then making sure that you're attracting your ideal clients. So I go through a process of asking my clients to tell me what their mission vision and values are. And that's actually a pitfall that I see too if you haven't spent time in your own business, figuring out what your mission, vision, and values are, what your ideal client is. And I'm not saying you have to have that entirely nailed down. Because I think especially when you're starting out, you're not even going to know that. So you get 1015 20 clients under your belt. And I've actually worked with some horrible people, like you kind of need to have those experiences to figure out where you want to be. But I think if you can constantly be assessing that part of your business is only going to help your brand designer, whoever you choose, be able to like hone in on something that's going to be good for you. So I take people through a pretty extensive questionnaire at this point. And they tell me all the things about their business, and then they tell me all the things that they know about their potential clients. And so I just kind of visually, I mean, I'm doing like weird internet research and found like rabbit holes of like, the speaker went to this both went to this thing. And so I'm looking at all the things that their ideal client kind of use in the world to make sure that whatever I do for them, makes them feel like they're in this space that their ideal client is looking at. So the ideal client feels welcome but still sets them apart from whatever their competitors are doing. So it's like a tricky balancing act. And so I like to have as much information as possible going forward. So I see problems, like I said, when people are not spending time, like almost jumping the gun, I'm doing brand design. Firstly, I honestly just like to use the font you just administer to get you started if you need to. Just something super simple and take the time to work on that part of your business before you invest in branding, I think that that's a better way to do it, it's really easy to feel like, I have like this signing pretty awesome brand. It's super easy, I get it. I'm a small business owner to like I got it. Because you want to look good when you're presenting yourself to your clients. But I think taking the time to work on those hard questions for yourself is gonna set you up better when you finally make an investment in a brand. So I actually think your brand shouldn't come first, like your visuals shouldn't come first, like necessarily. Another thing is, I think that people can also get really attached to their ideal client avatar, like, they know where they shop, they know what books they read, they know what podcasts they listen to, they know how old they are, they've got a name. And that's great because the entire point of having this ideal client avatar is to kind of remove yourself from making personal decisions for your brand. If you can say, I like the color purple, but Suzy really loves the colors feel like that's a better way to be making decisions if you can kind of put yourself in the headspace of your ideal clients, and honor that. So that's great. But you can get really hung up on that and spend a lot of time focusing on that, that you don't need to be doing. And then you can also start getting really clever, and clever can get you into trouble. Like, for example, like I've done some people, like work for some people, were not naming any names. This was not meant to, hurt anybody. But they are just not really invested in the team of their business. But it took on, like, it got to the point where it was almost like when they were talking about their business, it was like I was going to a travel agency instead of to, like their business where they were like helping people manage other, like manage their own business. Like they're doing, like OBM work, I think. And so, like, you don't want to get so clever that someone's going to show up on your site and be like, Well, what actual business is this? Or what do you actually do? Like, please tell people what you do and how they can work with you. Like, don't get so clever that you forget to tell them those things because that you know, kind of the whole point.   Lindsay Williams  9:46   So yeah, those are some major issues I see and then also just being so cluttered, like pick one thing that you want people to do, and just highlight that, like just choose one message Each thing that you put out, and remember that you, especially with visuals, I think on like Instagram and things like that, I feel like people try to cram all the text into the picture. Remember, you have like captions to support you remember, you can send people to like a link on your website to get some more information that they're interested like, just remember, you don't have to do it all in one shot in like, an eight-point font that runs to the edge of everything and take the ball. Like,   Kiva Slade  10:30   for the most part, I'm so pulled out, we need to keep it simple. We are really trying to overcomplicate so many aspects of the business process, as well as our design process. And it's like I love what you shared, you're like, Okay, look, you cannot fit all of that into one graphic, you need to stop, and let's be real, eight-point font, most of us aren't going to be able to read it. So we're not going to capture all of like, we're not gonna even retain what you've put in there. But also not putting our branding, like, a lot of people do feel like, Oh, you started with Do you have a logo? You're like what you know. And it's like that, that feeling that we need to rush to do this branding. And you're actually saying, Hey, it's okay, have a font and a signature. And let's move forward with really some more of the business basics that are more so solidified before you go to that investment, um, branding. And I love that because that's not I feel like it's typical to what we're pretty much thought to do, or what we should do in this kind of, you know, space that we inhabit. It's like, logo branding, what are your colors? So you know, and you're like, I don't even know what my colors are, you know. And so being able to keep it simple, solidify the work that you're going to do. Keep it simple with tell people how to work with you. Like, honestly, tell them what you do. Like that is something that totally can get glossed over in this. I have this pretty logo and these pretty colors and all of this stuff, but oh, wait, I've never told anyone how they can actually contact me to actually pay me to do whatever it is that I do. Because oh, by the way, I haven't shared that either. Alright, if you guys take nothing else away, keep it simple. Okay.   Lindsay Williams  12:24   Oh my gosh, well, and so I like even. I'm a military spouse. So this happens in the military world to like, keep it even simpler than you think you need to like, if you're using an acronym, please explain what the acronym is like you're in your world. And so you know what those things mean? But like, your audience or your ideal client might not have a clue. Or you might be trying to educate like, okay, maybe you're not even looking for work right now. Maybe you're just trying to educate someone, like, I didn't know until I started working with a couple of them what OBM are like, mission vision values as NBv like, you know, like, once you started, like being in this space, you start knowing these things. But you can't assume that everybody knows those things. Or like, they might mean different things like in the army, it means one thing in the Marine Corps, it means another thing I just made of I have no idea what any of them. I go, but But yeah, as I think keeping it even, like more simple like you kind of have to like, take a step back and think through what someone who might not know anything is looking for it. Just remember what it was like when you're first starting your business. Or if you're first starting your business, just remember how long you can feel out there like Googling, like, what do I need? What am I doing? Like? Like what app is better for like me, and gosh, like I spent last week searching through like different, like email service providers, because I'm gonna start an email list. Like, seriously don't understand what the difference between half of them is, or like why I would pick one or the other. So again, maybe you should just like explain to people what makes you really good at the thing that you're doing that would be helpful. Yeah,   Kiva Slade  14:02   I love that though. And yeah, let's not talk about email service providers, currently was looking to make a change. And I went to one of their one perspective companies website. I could not understand the pricing, like, Oh, I really felt like I was like, so you have a master's degree and you kind of smart some days, but like literally, I stared at the computer screen for so long. And I was really trying to decipher what I was seeing and reading. And so then it said to like, I think it's a book a demo call. Some like, Okay, I did that.    Kiva Slade  14:43   And you have heard of and I did. But the funny thing about it was my interpretation and this goes back to what you were saying about like keeping it simple. When I hit the book of demo call, I was expecting a virtual conversation with someone that was going to be a demonstration, which I thought was the demo was short for. And I was going to get a lay of the land of the software. Yeah, I was wrong, sadly was mistaken. It was an actual phone call with a person from the company to ask me additional questions and basically guide me through the pricing matrix that I could not understand. And then if I wanted to have an actual demonstration call, not even gonna call it a demo. I was going to have to take another step. And at that point, I was just like, oh, is what I felt because even the rep on the phone, she was hilarious, cuz she's like, Yeah, I don't know why the pricing is so complicated. I'm like, Honey, you weren't there your shows me that this is like, not too hard to decipher. She's like, No, it's really complicated. And so basically, a and I've literally like, this is hilarious. So book a demo call. Just so we're all clear. Does that mean the same thing on? Just my record, okay. Like, it does not mean what you're probably thinking it means if you go certain places? It seems like it would be just intuitive. Like, that's what it would be? No, that's not what it is. And you know, but it's like that branding, was there, the nice button in there nice brand colors, and I clicked expecting something that I did not get. So I think it's just like, make it like that that pricing matrix could be so much simpler, like literally glare. That and let's not talk about airline travel, because they, you know, look bad. And yeah, so it's like price this, but oh, if you want to pick your seat, but this if you having two bags, that's I'm like people, I just need one, my number.   Lindsay Williams  17:06   So maybe that's even like a good takeaway at like a don't make it like I tell people that all the time. But like, don't make it hard to get cute. Like if I want to hop on a call, make it easy. Or if I want to email you because sometimes I have a toddler running around in the background who may or may not be happy about the day like, maybe I just want to email you, like, make it so simple for me to just talk to you. Because honestly, it's taking me more than five minutes to figure out what's going on in your website. I've either need to talk to you about it. Or I'm done. I didn't answer that. And so I think that people that are successful, or like people that I found to be successful, like they may not have the prettiest system, they honestly might not have the prettiest grant. There are some people I mean like just look at some of the successful people out there. They're doing amazing things. I really think their brand work is hideous, like or it's like really old, but their back end their services, their customer experience, whatever that is, is all like, that's what they've got nailed down to like, you can do great things with. Sorry about that. I don't even know what happened. But yeah, so you can do great things with like, minimal effort. As far as your brand goes. Like I said, just pick a color, pick a font, hopefully, that'll work. But like, pick something, stick with it. Move forward with that until you're ready to do something until you're ready to bring in a professional, I guess.   Kiva Slade  18:34   Yeah, pretty much. That's it. Like literally everyone buttoned up all the other parts of your business and do those so amazingly well so that when that brand design work comes forward, you're like, it's like added. It's the sprinkles, it's the whipped cream, it's all that good stuff that we'd like to put on top. And it's but it's all supported by a solid business foundation, instead of trying to have your brand support your business, which is kind of flaky and flimsy and proudly moving around like a piece of floss. And that's pretty much like I love how you've shared that. So I want to switch gears a little bit because you and I have conversations quite often via Voxer about a whole myriad of things. But let's talk about finding other like-minded women entrepreneurs or women in business to connect with why is community important or why do you feel the community is important in this process?   Lindsay Williams  19:33   Oh my gosh, so I was like remote working before remote working was cool.   Kiva Slade  19:40   You we're in Alaska just so we are all clear.   Lindsay Williams  19:46   We move around frequently. I've had a bunch of different jobs. And then I just got sick of trying to find a new job at every location. And the conversations are interesting because like technically It's actually illegal for you to ask me as someone who might employ me like how long I'm going to be around as a military spouse or any of that. But the conversation happens. And it's usually like, you can tell by where I've been or my resume, and I'm in a military town, he can tell words, and that I'm probably military spouse. And that's usually like, oh, we were just looking for someone with, you know, who's going to be able to invest in the company for longer, or, Oh, we were looking for someone who had a little more experience, because like, technically, I've only had like entry-level jobs, and like a couple random, you know, like, that kind of thing. So I started working online. And it's kind of lonely to be sitting behind your computer. And like, I'm talking to real people, but it can get really lonely. And so I realized that I kind of needed community. And it can be really difficult to find, just in the spaces that I'm in, in my everyday life to find other people who are doing business things, but also stay at home and maybe have a kid and have a husband that they support. And so it's kind of a weird space that I don't just run into people on a regular basis are like, oh, yeah, like, I'm building my business. I'm doing these things. And so I luckily, through different jobs that we had together, and got to know my business coach, Melissa Froelich, and I joined her free community, a free Facebook group. And through there, I just kind of started. He was there, I actually, I don't know if you know this, but I saw your stuff long before we ever connected. And I was like, I want to work with this girl like   Kiva Slade  21:43   She's like that girl need help.   Lindsay Williams  21:48   So I just started participating, I think it'd be great like, the Facebook communities because I'm hit or miss on Facebook, honestly. But finding like a Facebook group, Facebook community with like, people who are remote working in building our business is probably whatever that community ends up being. Because I think he would then end up making connections within that group like I can make connections with you, we work together, I've talked to you every time I'm making dinners. Apparently, it's like a panic moment. When I think disaster, people still having you I've made other friends through that community, that community, in particular, has just been really where I've spent a lot of time and effort making those connections. But even though the people that I've met in that community are expanded to friends of friends who are like, Oh, you could connect with this person, you might be able to connect with this person. And I recently like, gosh, I think it was last weekend, we just did a retreat, Melissa just hosted a retreat. And that in person, like just the ability to be in a room with other women was so amazing, this group was so willing to be vulnerable with each other and share with each other. And that's, I think the special place of finding other like-minded individuals is that you realize you're not the only one having this particular business struggle, or even a particular like workplace struggle, or this particular toddler struggle. And I didn't realize until I became a mom how much I needed, specifically other moms in my life, like I didn't have the hugest network of mom friends. And that has been life-giving since, like really investing in those relationships, and really focusing on working with other moms too, because they feel like it's just a different dynamic, especially with COVID, as my kid may or may not be at school, she may or may not be running around in the background, she may or not be upset that Daniel Tiger has just like in the middle of one of my meetings, and she needs that taken care of immediately. So that's just yeah, that's made the hugest difference for me. And I think, I don't know if you feel the same way. But there are some times where I need other people to believe in my business when I can't. And that from that community is done for me. Because there are times like sometimes it's just hard and you're not seeing any results. And you're kind of slogging through stuff. And I'm not gonna lie. There are times where like, I'm probably doing all the things I shouldn't be doing except for the one thing that I need to do, and I just need a little like, Hey, you, I thought you're gonna do this thing that you said you were gonna do, like six months ago. accountability from people. So that has been really huge for me. I don't know how you feel. But that's been really important in my journey, I think.   Kiva Slade  24:38   Yeah, no, definitely. I think it's that accountability. It's accountability. It's the vulnerability, you know, like being able to actually experience I think a level of vulnerability with people that you haven't in some cases met physically. Yeah, it's like, we've not actually been in the same space. with one another, but because of so many different, like, common shared interest in common share conversations and things of that sort that we actually feel comfortable to say, like even on boxer like, yeah, today I was about to burn it all down to the ground. Any thoughts are like any thoughts or words of wisdom before I like this match, you know, and it's like someone who's like, so Kiva, seriously, you're not going to do that. And this is why you're not going to do that. Because you've done this, this and this, you know, and you're like, oh, okay, great. Yeah, let me go put the matches away. You know, but it's that level of connectedness that I think we, as humans, we, I think we always have strived for. But I think over the last, I think the combination maybe of remote work, plus, hey, everybody's locked in their own houses. The combination was a weird combination of you, like, I need really, I need more friends anymore. I talk to you about everything. Because it's like you couldn't do some of the things that you would normally do. And then like you shared, your I don't want to say your regular friends. But typically your circle, if there aren't people who are trying to balance an entrepreneurial oil kind of lifestyle, it can be complicated, because there's always like that, you know, my mother even said to me, so do you like what you do? And I'm like, yeah, why? You know, because I think you always think in the back of their heads, they're like, you could just go work for somebody and not have issues, you know? Like, they're in there doing it to be helpful, like, there's so not any shade, there's no, like, we don't believe in you. It's just like, wow, this seems really hard. And there are some days that you seem a little   Lindsay Williams  26:56   more adult, and what you're doing Yeah,   Kiva Slade  27:00   or why you're doing it and you feel it does, it feels like sometimes your nose is so far down to the ground that you don't take stock of the growth that you've had in your business, the progression that you've made. And some of it might be seemingly small in the sense that it's not like business revenue, it's just straight mindset shifts that you've had, oh, my God, you know, that you're like, wait a minute, I'm showing up differently for myself. And that is huge in that trajectory, that is your business journey. But we don't always give ourselves credit for it. So I think having a community is a space to have people who are like reminding you that, please, you are doing amazing. Look at this, this and this, and you're like, oh, yeah, that's right. So they're kind of like your, your cheerleaders, your accountability partners, your whip you back into shape when you're actually trying to fall off the ledge, like all of those things wrapped into one. And so then to couple that with that opportunity to meet them, like in live living color is like   Lindsay Williams  28:12   a plague either, okay. It's a little funny to share it, but like, so, I, I love yoga, that's like, I used to dance for my whole life. And I feel like yoga was like my adult, like, I can't, I felt like I couldn't dance as an adult. Like if I did ballet, like, or it was really hard to find adult ballet classes. And so just be somewhere where you're going. So I chose yoga. And that has been really good for me, and really good for me mentally as well. Like, I just need to move my body and get out of my head sometimes. And that's super helpful. But there's that I feel like at the end of a really good yoga class is just like that peaceful and that, that sound that like, like, everybody's just like, that was really good. And that was this retreat from you like that sound of like women together that are supporting each other and being vulnerable with each other and sharing and kind of like, offering their special strengths and services to support each other. That was what this experience was. And I didn't know it was honestly logistically a nightmare to make it happen. So glad that I did. Because it was what I needed to kind of kick like kicked me into gear for what I need to be doing going into the next year. And so it's something that I'm hoping now that I've kind of like, realized that about myself, because I don't know about you, sometimes I can get going kind of like head down work mode, like in my little office space, do my own thing. And like I'm doing great, this is awesome. And then stuff like that kind of gets me out of my comfort zone and interacting with new people. And it's like, oh, like I kind of needed that. Like, like you need to open the windows and just kind of like air things out and get a little bit of fresh air in there. And so I'm hoping now too, incorporate that more into my life. I wish I had done it sooner, like I feel like, especially as an artist, I feel like it maybe has changed. I really hope it's changed. But this is just speaking from me going to college years ago at this point. But no one really likes, supported us in any way with an understanding of like, as an artist, or essentially like an independent contractor or business, like that's what you are, right? Like, as a thing, like you're either selling your work personally or showing it in galleries, or you're contracting for like, maybe you're working for a design firm, but you're probably doing freelance gigs, a lot, like that's what you are. And I had no foundation in business in my undergrad school, so I felt like I was spinning my wheels for the longest time. And I couldn't get ahead and I kind of just like, didn't know what the right thing to do. So luckily, I had it like I knew Melissa. And I was working as a contractor for a particular client that I just needed out of. And the timing was perfect because they were doing event management. And they're like I needed out or like things have kind of come to a head at that job. I'm not a super confrontational person, but it was just, it was not a good fit. And then they were just not respectful of my time or my boundaries now that I had a kid because like I had kind of had a kid well, we have been working together. And so I contact Melissa. Because I think that's the other thing about finding your people like for me, Melissa is not like maybe the next step ahead. She's like a few steps ahead of me. But each other before we had kids, like we've both had kids, like a few months apart, like I can see her progression and what she's able to do also like her kid clothes. And so I knew, seeing that, but I was like Oh, like this will be possible when my kids go to school more often. Or they, you know, as I could kind of like take a step back and have perspective on that. But I wish I hadn't worked with a business coach sooner I wish someone had told me that sooner. That really helped me   Kiva Slade  32:03   start you, I think it helps move you like you're going to move from point A to point B, it just moves you faster, like you know, like at the airport, like do you want to take the little Walker, you know, like that's motorized next year, you know, and you're like, you're both going in the same direction. But let's be honest, the people on the little motorized a little escalator, like thing, are gonna get there faster, even if your speed walking on that other side. It's just not the same, you know, the and so I think that's like what happens when you work with a coach, it's like you go from A to B, but you just get there faster than you would have if you just did it on your own. So   Lindsay Williams  32:45   distracted along the way, you're not going into like the little kiosk, you're not like you're on the little, you can't get   Kiva Slade  32:51   off, your wheel on your luggage isn't showing up, and you're having to stop and fix it like literally everything is moving right along. So I think that's the part that really it just accelerates, it accelerates that, and like you said, it lessens the distractions that are sometimes just like our own distractions, you know, like you're walking, it's like, oh, gosh, I'm getting so hot. And now I gotta step I gotta take off my jacket, you know, like, wherever I was just on the other side, you know, I wouldn't have to do all of those things. So it lessens our distractions and accelerates, I feel like our progress and how we move forward. So I love that though because I think that just in general is, you know, community. And you know, I always talk about collaboration, like, there's really enough space for every single one of us to shine so brightly to do all of the things that are, you know, our heart's content. But I do think that finding those people and finding those cheerleaders for you is super important. Because there are days when you're going to feel like burning it out to the ground, I mean, you're not going to see your progress, and you're not going to feel like anything is moving forward. Because you don't realize all the seeds, basically, you've planted and you don't see what's taking place under the dirt. And like it's about to start sprouting, but you're at the point of throwing the pot away, you know, and it's like, I don't know, don't throw the pot away. That's why you have to say, don't throw the pot away. Trust me, it's coming. You know, and it's right there and normally right around the corner. But we don't see that. So as we get ready to wrap up. Yeah, I think that you have something to share because I understand horse or something coming up. Tell us more about that.   Lindsay Williams  34:36   I totally forgot about that actually. So I am in the process of recording and by in the process. I mean, I really need to get myself in here and record this thing. I have it all mapped out. That's my preferred black Friday or December. Yeah, work in progress, is I'm putting together a course on how to use Canva like a pro basically. So I want To get you to please stop buying and just want you to stop wasting money actually, like stop buying all the templates, you don't need all the templates, stop buying all the stock photography subscriptions, you don't need all of those if you have Canva. So it's actually like the one thing weirdly, and I have a love-hate relationship with Candace, don't get me wrong, but I don't see how, as a small business owner, like an owner, without a graphic designer on hand, like I don't see how you're going to get by without using Canva for your social media. Or if you have like a small team, like a social media manager that's like contracting with you or something, I just, I don't see how you can do it these days very easily. And if you have the canvas pro subscription, you're paying, you're paying for it already, you're paying for templates, you're paying for photography, you're paying for elements, you're paying for videos, you're paying for all this stuff. So I'm putting together a course to teach you how to set up Canva with a workflow like a designer because realistically, the camera can get messy like there's a bunch of folders and situations that happen. So I'm going to teach you how to set up your brand kits like all your branding, I'm going to show you where to go. If you need to start from scratch like I'm just going to give you some tips and tricks that I like to do with clients. I'm going to show you how to set up all your folders for like design workflows that I think make sense at least. And then I'm going to show you how to take any template that you already have in Canva, or how to search for them. And then customize it so that it'll look like it's on-brand for you without looking like all the other people's templates that use the same template on Canva. And that's not to say anything bad about anyone. Because it's like, once you see it, you can't unsee it, everybody's there in Canva everybody's using the things the only reason you know that someone needs a Canva template is that you're using it too. So you wouldn't know otherwise. But I would really love to do that. Because I think and like until you understand how much system and for my system minded people like is a system like, and that's the magic of grading, like your logo, like your colors, your fonts, like it's all a system. And if you're able to see that it's the system and use that consistently, you're not going to have to spend money on templates, because you're going to be able to customize anything that you have and be able to change it up. So I'm just going to show you some tips and tricks on that. And I have the whole workflow set up. And then I'm going to show you how to export anything that you need. And I'll give you some extra resources if you need them. But that's my goal because I want you to stop wasting money and use the assets that you have, especially as a small business owner, like when your assets are limited, like let's just, you know, get the biggest bang for your buck out of any of these things. But it also is good, I was just thinking this other day, like if you're a VA and wanting to kind of level up your skills like if you're working for multiple clients like this might be a good way to just, you know like you would now have the skills to go in and set up a client's account and manage that with like a better design workflow or like minutes or templates. So whoever needs to just stop wasting money, and you just can't.   Kiva Slade  38:02   That is literally the whole point of having systems is so that we are not out there spending more money than we actually need to. And you're right, we're already paying for Canva Pro. So why do we need to have all of these extras bought or like so not necessary that we're also spending money on and let's not talk about, oh, goodness, all the template bundles that are just sitting in our inbox? Some of us might have gone a step further and uploaded them to Canva. But let's be realistic, we're still not utilizing them. So I love this. And I love this idea. And I know this course is going to be amazing because we all need this. And we need to utilize what we're already using in a much better way. And you're absolutely right. I had to laugh when you're like once you see it, you can't unsee it you're like Yeah, exactly. You're like you really do know when it's like because you're like, oh wait, I've used that template too. Even though there might have been some color changes, you're like, I yeah, I might have used that same exact one just the other day. Thank you kindly. I love that, Lindsey. So super awesome. And where can we find out more about this course?   Lindsay Williams  39:19   Oh, you can find out more about this course on my website is Lindsey Williams design comm or you can follow me on Instagram at Wendy Williams design or I'm on Facebook, I think at Lindsay Williams design. I hope that that's correct. Like apparently I'm all over the place. But if you can find me at Lindsay Williams design, then you're doing well. And so, you know feel free to like yummy or whatever. But yeah, I'm really excited because I want you to stop. I also just want to take away the overwhelm of creating visuals. Like I get you can just sit there and spend three hours and then just be annoyed by what you did. And some of that is just like taking a step back and taking in The brass and like going, I don't know for a walk or something and coming back to it. Because it's probably not as bad as you think you never know, it really isn't, you just need a minute like, go do something, go eat some food, stop being hangry, you'll be fine. They just want to like take away the overwhelm and give you some techniques to like just, you know, change those things. Change that and you're like 80% of the way there. And then you can fiddle with the rest. But   Kiva Slade  40:25   yeah, I love it. Awesome. So thank you so much, Lindsay, for being here today I so appreciate it. So remember everyone keep it simple, and in some cases even more simple than you thought it needed to be. Because you are doing a level of educating when it comes to sharing about your business and people may not know some of the terms you use or what those actually mean. And they can actually mean different things in different industries. Keep it simple solidify your business first before you go spending all the big bucks on making everything pretty. And also find your people find your tribe, your community, but connect with others because this journey can definitely be a lonely one. And it doesn't have to be so you want to find those people who will hold you accountable. Be your cheerleader, also just like commiserate with you on those days when that's just all that's needed. In our case actually share what are you cooking for dinner. Okay, so I'm gonna go make this so you never know what those friendships might lead to. But definitely make the time to invest in making those friendships. So if you want to learn more about Lindsay you will visit her at Lindsay Williams design COMM And I want to thank you again Lindsay for an awesome episode where you have totally shed a lot of light on branding and design.   Lindsay Williams  41:51   Thank you so much for inviting me. I'm so excited about this podcast for you because I love when you tell me things so I can't wait to see what this does.   Kiva Slade  42:00   Awesome. So everyone tune in next time and check the show notes for all the details on Lindsay's course coming up for Black Friday. See you next time. Thanks for tuning in to this episode of Collab with Kiva. I hope you were feeling inspired and motivated to keep being your amazing self. Make sure to subscribe so you don't miss out on any future episodes. Also, your reviews on Apple are greatly appreciated. They will help other women knows that their path is unique to them. If you're interested in being or finding a partner for this journey that you can collab with. Join us in The Collab a community of female business owners on Facebook. See you next time.

Whether you are a solopreneur or the CEO of a multinational corporation, you can do good and make money. As business owners, we have a unique role to play in making the world a better place.  Today, I am chatting with Bessi Graham of Benefit Capital. Bessi is a Strategist, Impact Investor, and Award-Winning Entrepreneur with over 20 years of experience with Business Owners, Executives & Government designing business models that can Do Good AND Make Money without compromising on either.    During this episode, we talk about: Businesses being solutions to societal issues (3:03) Bringing your whole self to work (6:55) Making money AND doing good (9:58) Advice for the solopreneur (14:48) Your team is an investment (18:38) Society is looking to businesses (23:05) Coaching program for Executives and Entrepreneurs (26:40)   Visit Bessi's Site - https://benefit.capital/ Are you an Entrepreneur or Executive looking to integrate your values and purpose into your business in ways that allow you to do good and make money? Email info@benefit.capital to join the waitlist for their new program.    Thanks for tuning in to another episode of Collab with Kiva. Kiva is a certified Director of Operations and Online Business Manager who helps business owners show up as the owners in their business instead of being owned by their business. She helps document their systems so they can delegate, optimize, and scale their businesses with ease and flow. >> Every good team has a playbook. Does yours? Ready to build out your business playbook to not only take things off of your plate but help your business scale? Book a call with Kiva  =>  https://www.the516collaborative.com/schedule-call Let's stay connected! Join The Collab: A Community for Female Business Owners on FB: https://www.facebook.com/groups/collabcommunity  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kivaslade/  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kivaslade/  Website: https://www.the516collaborative.com/  Podcast Transcript Kiva Slade  0:02   Hello and welcome to Collab with Kiva. I'm your host Kiva Slade. From the marbled halls of the US Congress to my racing-themed office chair. I've learned that there is no perfect path to the life of your dreams. My journey over the past 20 years has included being a legislative director for a member of Congress, policy director for a nonprofit, stay-at-home mom, homeschooling mom, jewelry biz owner, and now the owner of a service-based business. Whether your journey has been a straight line, or follow zigs and zags. Join me and my guest as we share insights, hopes, and lessons learned from our female entrepreneurship journeys. May the collaborative sharing of our stories be the tide that lifts your boat? Let's dive in. Welcome to this episode of the collab with Kiva. Today. I am super excited to talk with Bessie Graham Bessie and I have gotten to know each other through a networking referral group that we're in called The Advance. And I've always just been enamored with her and her story. So today I get to share that with each of you. Bessie is a strategist impact investor and award-winning entrepreneur with over 20 years of experience with business owners, executives, and government designing business models that can do good and make money without compromising on either. So today, we are going to learn exactly that how we can do good in our businesses at the same time that we are making money because we know that's what businesses exist for. So welcome to collab with Kiba Vesey. I'm so excited that you are here.   Bessi Graham  1:48   Thanks, Kiva. Me too. It's lovely to see you again and have this chat.   Kiva Slade  1:52   Yes, definitely. So let's get started. I know that we're going to talk about business. But I also have a question, because some of my listeners might be wondering, hmm, I think I detected an accent. So you tell us where are you from?   Bessi Graham  2:11   Yes, just a slightly different accent to you. I'm based in Melbourne in Australia. And so I grew up here and have lived here. My whole life. I've traveled all over the world, but very much Australian, hence the accent.   Kiva Slade  2:26   Thank you so much. And for everyone who knows I have a thing for accents. So I always love speaking with those who have them. Even if I don't have one, my daughter does a pretty good English one. It's, it's rather spot on. And we're kind of always surprised by it. So absolutely excited about that. I don't engage in that, though. So don't worry. So now let's just dig a little bit deeper. Tell us a bit though about your company Benefit Capital, what is it that you do? And how do you help businesses do good and make money?   Bessi Graham  3:03   Yeah, so the real focus for us is that we see an important role for businesses to actually be not just in a system and causing some of the problems that we see in society, but actually being a solution to those things. And in order for that to happen, there are really two different things that have to occur. And our business focuses on both those areas. So one is around actually just creating those broader systems and support structures. So that particularly smaller and medium-sized businesses can really flourish and have the capacity building capability development, that they require the access to investment and all of those things that are needed for them to grow and contribute within local communities and more broadly in the economy. So that's at one end in terms of just what needs to exist for us as business owners to be able to flourish. Then there's the work directly with entrepreneurs, so down at the level of actually building out those businesses. And so for benefit capital, we focus at both ends. And I think that makes us quite unique. Because people who tend to work with government, or big philanthropic funders around designing those systems interventions are often more academic. They're not actually entrepreneurs themselves. They're not practitioners. And so they design solutions that any of us who have run a business would say, oh, that wouldn't work. That's not That's not our actual problem. And so there are often these big systems being designed by those who don't actually know how it operates at the ground, at the ground level down where you're getting your hands dirty. So we as practitioners like to keep our finger on the pulse working with entrepreneurs like us and being really clear on the challenges and problems that people are facing as they I try to build out a business that can have a really positive impact in the world but also do that in a way that makes money and is financially sustainable. And by understanding both of those places, we feel we can actually serve those two groups better. So we designed better structures and supports at a systems level. And we're able to really get in at the level of an individual business and help someone think about how could I run this business better in a way that integrates my own values and the mission I have of what I want to contribute to in the world. But also does that in a way where I'm unapologetic about the fact that it is going to make money. And that will be just as important as the impact it's having.   Kiva Slade  5:50   I love that. So when we talk about businesses and their role, basically in society, because I think for some, there's like this figure that government is the one who's going to come in and pretty much maybe fix or, you know, deal with a lot of the social ills that we kind of see. But for you, though, you see actually businesses having a role in making the world a better place as well. So when is tell me about the hurdle? Do you find hurdles where business owners may not exactly see how they can make the world a better place? Or how do they figure out and I'm assuming this is part of what your business says, it's helping them see where they can actually step in to help with some of the social ills and make the world a better place? So is there a hurdle that a lot of times entrepreneurs or CEOs have to kind of jump over in order to get to that point? Or do you find that many of them automatically have it, maybe more of an optimistic view of things, and they automatically see their businesses filling these holes?   Bessi Graham  6:55   I think that I mean, there are multiple responses to that. Because there's a lot of different layers to that question. If we think about the fact that for most of us, I would say almost all of us, there is a sense that we would prefer to in our work, feel like we were contributing, we were making a positive impact in the world, that our work, reflected who we are, as people, when we're at home with our family with, you know, we don't want to go off to work and be this hard-nosed horrible person who's treading all over people to succeed in the world, and then come home and be a loving mother. That's, that's not how most of us are wired, we actually want to be, you know, bringing our whole self to work, feel that there is that sense of integrity or authenticity in how we operate. So I think that is fundamental and is something that you can tap into with business owners, entrepreneurs, CEOs, as you said, and help them realize that that is possible to bring those things back together. And for me, that's the exciting piece, about this overarching idea of doing good and making money. It's saying, Actually, those two pieces that often have felt like they couldn't coexist, can not only coexist, but they can end up being mutually reinforcing, they can help support each other. So I think that's one fundamental thing is to say, I believe that there is within us as humans that desire to operate like that. I would make a distinction, though, between that, and the sort of ultra wisdom or desire to give back because as we, if we start to think about our business and go, How can I help or contribute, then I think we start to move into one of the two main barriers, that would be my response to your question of like, what are those barriers that CEOs or business owners come up against? And I would say that the two biggest things that we see in terms of a pattern are that there is an aspect we have to overcome around mindset. And that piece really comes down to that we have had it drilled into us throughout our life, that we really do have to make a choice. Are you going down the road of working in government or a charity or, you know, out there, and you've made a decision that I'm going to do good in the world, I'm going to contribute or be a philanthropist? Or have you decided to run a business? And if you're running a business, then the business of business is making money, you know that that type of distinction has been made. And that pattern really sets in us this either conscious or unconscious belief that we're doing one or the other. So we see people as they run their business. Even though that fundamental desire to be a whole person and to reflect their values.   Bessi Graham  9:58   They can fall into that trap have when they're in business mode thinking, Okay, well, I just need to make as much money as I can. And then I'll make a donation to my local charity that I love, and I'll support them. Or once I get to this amount of revenue, then I'm going to start at the foundation. And I'll give away a percentage of our profits. So these types of things are a mindset shift that has to occur, that isn't saying, The Giving away or philanthropy or doing good, shouldn't be on your radar. But it's saying, let's bring it back in to not be something we do one day, or with a small percentage of our profits are our time, let's really examine all of the opportunities that we had to do good. And so that's the first barrier I would focus on. It's a mindset. So the shift back to say, I'm not going to accept that I have to pick one doing good or making money, I'm going to actually do the work to figure out in my business, what does it look like to do both of those things together. So that's barrier one, the mindset, the second piece that I would highlight comes down to really how we think about capital. So too often in businesses, I hear people saying, are the biggest issue I have is access to capital, in order for us to grow, I need X amount of millions of dollars to build a scale. And the focus tends to assume that the answer to almost all our problems is just to give me more money. If I have the money, I could fix the problem. And money isn't the solution to all things. And often if you don't have and you would know this better than anyone Kiva with the work you do. If those foundational elements of your business are not functioning well, if you put more money in when you're already bleeding, you will now hemorrhage, you'll just lose more money quicker. The Money does not solve those underlying issues in your business. And so the second barrier is that limiting the idea of what capital is and thinking that capital is just cash. So the area that we work with entrepreneurs and business owners in that space is to say, how do we flesh out all of those things that you may not currently be thinking of as assets that you have available to you? And think more broadly about capital? So how do you look at the social capital that you have? Are you operating in a setting? So lots of the work we do in a developing context? In countries where there's a lot of aid and development funding coming in? You can look at what's cultural capital here? How do we tap into a community? And what are the relationships that exist here, that are actually a real benefit that we could use to increase the chance of this business succeeding? So thinking more broadly, about what you have access to, and how you could use that in ways that I become some of the issues you're having in the business, rather than just thinking, getting some cash in the door, we'll fix that. They would be the two main barriers that I would highlight.   Kiva Slade  13:13   Oh, my goodness, I love that mindset shift that we and I know that we're like US and Australia. But I feel like it is pretty universal, that if you choose the route of government or nonprofit, you already know that you're not going to make a lot of money. And your family's probably like you spent all this on your education now. He's doing Yeah, what are you doing? You have debt, you can't just go work for a nonprofit, even though it feels really great, wonderful for you. So I mean, I absolutely love that there's that mindset shift that we can do both and that it's not an either-or, which is what we really have been conditioned to believe in so many instances. And then I love that you said just there are different types of capital. Capital is not always simply money, social capital, cultural capital, there are so many other forms of capital that we can absolutely utilize in ways that are helpful to our society around us. And so I greatly appreciate you breaking that down. So let's talk about a small business owner in small being I don't know, let's say under $250,000 in revenue, or maybe even go smaller than that may be less than $100,000. How can they in light of this mindset shift that they can actually make money and do get at the same time? What are some ways so that they can implement that kind of thought process in their business?   Bessi Graham  14:48   So at that sort of level, of revenue, my guess is that people would be best focusing on looking at the customers that they serve. They're working with or looking at some other components around how they're actually in that back end of their business, being able to deliver to customers so that maybe that they have some a small number of part-time or casual employees, or that they're outsourcing some of that work to contractors, but thinking about the people, or the support structures that are in place to help them actually deliver the business. So that would be two areas that I would start to focus on. If, for example, the day say, okay, if I'm looking for, where am I having to spend the most time and money in my business, so where are those percentages, focused, the time factor at that level, it's going to be heavily you your time working directly with or supporting the customers that you serve. And so thinking about a way to bring those back together is to say, if you can create a better experience for that customer, so if you are passionately driven to say, I love this service that I'm offering, and how it changes the lives of, of the customers, I work with, then that passion and excitement being channeled into ensuring that they get the best possible experience working with you. And that, so if for example, your work is around, supporting or doing counseling with parents who have children that have autism, for example, then you could say, if I can get in there and really help take away some of those stresses, give them the tools, and the knowledge that they need to better support their children, and support their own mental health and sustainability in that, then you will create this win-win because they will have this better experience of your service, they will go out and tell others that you are the person that everyone should come to. So there becomes this flow-on effect of referrals as they need help in the future, you will be the first person I think of because they had such a wonderful experience, and they will come back to you. All of those things are increasing the positive impact that you're having in their life on the area or topic that your business is focused on and is passionate about. But it's doing it in a way that isn't saying because that's important, I'll do it for free. It's saying no, this is of value to that customer. And they will pay for that, which in turn drives revenue back into your business. So this combination of a focus on that customer, giving them the best possible experience actually increases that positive impact you're having in the world increases the relationships that that family can experience in terms of the changes that you're helping create in the world. And it also increases revenue in your business. So that's a way for at that small business level with that lower revenue to just be thinking about Ah, okay, actually, my passion is helping families function better and cope with the stresses that occur related to this issue. So in doing that, and framing that as the good, I no longer have to be apologetic that I'm charging for that. Because that is valuable that to that family. And I can do it in a way that actually increases the profitability and the sustainability of my organization on the financial side as well.   Bessi Graham  18:38   If we flip over to the fact that in that smaller revenue level, we tend to, you know, we're not going to have a large team yet or full-time employees. But we might have either virtually we might be having an assistant or we might have some components where we bring in contractors for key pieces of work to just do a discrete piece of work, thinking about the levels of their experience. So are we paying people properly? Are we creating that environment for employees, that allows them to also flourish because again, if we go back to that underlying sense of as a business owner or a CEO wanting to feel aligned, and that we have integrity in the work we're doing, it's not just important that we feel fulfilled in our work, it's important that those we work with feel fulfilled as well? And the different changes we're seeing in society, this is where that shift is occurring that no longer is the power or with the employee. You know, there are options. People can go elsewhere. They don't have to work with you. And it is an expectation that people will be treated well that they will be paid properly and that they will be taken into account. and their experience is taken into account. So the more you don't just then see them as an expense, like, oh, gosh, I've got to spend $15,000 paying this person. But you also think about that in terms of choosing wisely, who you work with, and thinking, wow, there's actually this great local business that I could support that adds to that sense of, I am about my community. So when you're, you're in that small level, it might be that geographically, that becomes a way for people to say, I'm going to work with Kiva because actually, she's a central part of our community. And she's engaging the local graphic designer, and she's in it. So what are those ways you think about? That whole story of what your business is contributing to? And each decision of where you spend time or money? You be very intentional about, Oh, is there a better way I could do this, that gets me the outcome, but also starts to have a richer sense of contribution and leaving the world in a better place than I found it.    Kiva Slade  21:06   Wow, that right there, I'm just gonna like take that and sit for a moment. Oh, I love Bessie. I really, there was so many things in there that I would love to pull out and talk about so much more. I think a key point though, and I know that both of us have read who not how by Dan Sullivan and Benjamin Hardy was you said not looking at your team as an expense. And that really hit home for me, because I know in the book they talk about, it being an investment. And when we make that what's another mindset shift, basically, that we have to make as business owners that those that are there to support us in our business are not an expense, they are truly an investment. And what you're saying, though, is not only being purposeful in that investment, but even other ways that we have to spend our money for our business that we look to either utilize local resources, or I know here in the United States, there's a whole community of military spouses, because these spouses have to in many cases, they're women, and there has no control over where their husband is going to be stationed. And it's so hard to find a job that every single time you're going to move, and hey, I may only be here for a year, I might be here for two years, I don't know yet. So it's like there's a whole community of military spouses, and supporting them in the work that they do allows them to contribute to their households, and also be able to work in many cases virtually because of their, you know, no control really over where they're going to be stationed. And so being intentional about who we decide to partner with, also helps extend that social good that we have at our disposal as business owners and CEOs.   Bessi Graham  23:05   And it's being, as you said, intentional about that. So it's going to look different for each business owner, each CEO, because there will be different things they are conscious of or that they care about or that they have experienced. And so if your area is that, that aspect of military spouses, then really integrate that into how you're thinking and you know, your own story as a business. And then think through all of the ways that could play out. So it's just starting to be more conscious that you are making decisions as a business owner, and you are responsible for those. So when we start to see these shifts, and you mentioned before that aspect of the responsibility that business has and what that looks like. And if we look at something like the Edelman Trust Barometer, they found that 68% of people so your customers out there in the world, are expecting now that CEOs will play a role when the government does not address these big societal problems. So right down to that level of if you're having dinner with friends, and your inner community, as someone that is running a business, it is not any more seen as just that responsibility of the church or a charitable organization or government to solve issues. You will be asked Well what's your position? Or how are you supporting? You know, whatever the topic of the day is, whether that becomes an environmental angle, it can be as simple as Have you ever thought about the paper you're using in your photocopier Have you thought about the so these different pieces, you are spending money you are making decisions and how do you demonstrate in the smallest of things so even if your revenue is at that 100,000 level, right down to if you send a gift to a customer after an interaction, is there a bit of a story behind where you bought that card or where you bought that, that gift, think about those things because even the smallest aspects start to build up. And we all know that as you grow, and your business becomes more successful, you don't suddenly become a different person. And you'll suddenly start thinking about those things. Or you'll suddenly start being generous, you will just increase and expand what you're already doing. So begin now with something as simple as where you buy the Thank You card, and then work your way up to some more significant in terms of dollar value. decisions that have been made over time.   Kiva Slade  25:42   Yes, absolutely. The money is not going to make you into a different person, it's just going to magnify what's already. The first. Oh, my goodness, I absolutely love that so much. So tell us then, just briefly, what it is that or how it is rather, I think it is you have a program a 12-month program. Can we talk a little bit more about that?    Bessi Graham  26:09   Yeah, so what we found with these two groups that we tend to work with, so at the bigger end with intrapreneurs, so those working within government departments, or large international agencies or big corporates, there's a, you know, large size project that we do in that space, then when we come down to the consulting work that we are doing with individual entrepreneurs within their business, they still tend to be very big projects that   Bessi Graham  26:40   quite reliant on us physically being with those organizations and getting into the nuts and bolts of what they're doing and, and designing different business models. And what we've found is that there is a whole range of executives, entrepreneurs, people that are running businesses wanting to figure out what does this looks like for me? And how do I do that, that can actually afford the level of consulting services and in different locations. And if COVID has taught us anything, it's that we have to figure out how to be able to provide that support around the shifting of the mindset and the broadening of a sense of what capital is, and walk with people on that journey in a way that is online and at a cheaper price point. And so those pieces are part of what that 12-month program is focused on. So it is about working through, there's sort of five key areas that we go through with the organizations that come into that program. And the first is the mindset piece. So it's looking at how do we really think about what we call blended value. So it is this piece about not compromising on either side of that scale that saying, we want to be having a positive social or environmental impact in the world. But we want to also be having that financial return. And those things are equally important. So that mindset piece begins there. And then also goes into some of the critical aspects that are part of running these businesses well, so things around personal mastery, the mental models that we have how we look at the world, because again, for mindsets to shift, there is all of this unconscious pieces that we've taken on from the world that we need to start be more to be more aware of, and figure out, Oh, I'm reacting in this way because I have this belief that I hadn't actually even really processed. So that piece is the first kind of aspect because, from our experience, everything begins with that mindset shift of really understanding what is possible and how to think differently. Then we go into the critical work that we've been talking about today of figuring out what does doing good actually looks like for your organization. So if we're going to create this integration of our business model that brings back together doing good, and making money, how, how do we do that? As I said, each organization will be different. So helping people with those strategies and tools to think about and pull apart their own business and go, Ah, I'm going to start here, because it can be overwhelming if we think we've got to crack everything immediately. But so digging into what does doing good and making money look like for your business is that sort of the second piece. The third bit which I could talk to you about for hours, but I'll try and you know, be quick is around values. Because really, if we don't be very clear on what our values are in ways that actually are connected to our behavior, so how do I and behave as a result of those values. And we use Patrick Lencioni, his work here around values. And so there are these distinctions between core values, aspirational values permission to play, I won't go into all of it. But the distinction between those and being clear on what those core values are and how they drive your behavior. But very importantly, identifying if we've had this mindset shift, if we've started to understand what doing good and making money looks like in our business, how do we then identify those aspirational values where we say, for us to actually build that business, and to bring that to life in a way that has integrity, we are going to have to change some things. And there are some aspirational values we have that we know need to become core values over time. But we have to have a plan on how to actually create that shift, whether that's in our own personal life without the culture of our team, whatever that looks like. So values is that third, really important piece of the puzzle. And the fourth and fifth, just briefly, more in the practicalities around if we then have identified some of the components that are in the doing good space, how do we actually really take seriously and hold ourselves accountable for what we're contributing to in the world in that space. Because for me, as an impact investor, I'm very focused on the fact that having good intentions isn't good enough, you have to be able to say, if you're making a claim that you are helping with the reductions of plastics in the ocean, through the way you've done your packaging will, how do I know that it's not good enough to make that statement, you need to in the combination of the data you're collecting as an organization, what you're putting out publicly, all of those things need to be in place. So those final two areas are really into the drilling into the accountability and the measurement pieces of how we then actually close out that loop and do this well because again, you don't want to turn into being someone who's just presenting this beautiful picture to the world of your organization. But actually, if you've looked behind the curtain, there's nothing different in the way you're operating. So they're the five kinds of areas. And the idea is that none of this happens quickly. You know, it's not a, let's do a five-day program and you'll be sorted, you will need a bit of the hand holding and tweaking as you go and that sounding board to be supported as you work through that process. So that's sort of the exciting new pace that we're working with that at this point is a matter of being in touch with us to go on on the waiting list for that with some more information. But my sense is that that will be a much more achievable entry point for people to start to bring, bring that back together and have a sense of I don't exactly know what this looks like or what this will mean for my business. But something that stirs in me that this resonates that there is more to this, and I would like to explore and that is the program level that would be appropriate.   Kiva Slade  33:27   Wow. And yes, you know that you and I could talk about values forever, as well as a measurement. I love that. It's a part of it because it's kind of like one thing to like you said, talk about all these other parts, but then actual measurement of their effectiveness and how we are moving forward. So wow, that sounds like an amazing program. And I think there's probably there's the hand-holding, but at times, I would think there's probably even some pushing because just encouraging people to think even broader maybe than what they had anticipated in the beginning. So   Bessi Graham  34:05   all of the things we've talked about together are that broadening out, whether it's the mindset, or the capital, or the values, it's saying, how do you become more open to aware of and understand that nuance and difference between these things? And there is an unraveling that happens, you know, gradually and that has some uncomfortable aspects to it, doesn't it? I mean, all of us know as business owners, this is not a cruise ride of everything being straightforward and simple. But that doesn't mean that it's not worthwhile. And the benefits that come through actually doing that work unlock a whole bunch of things that as you said, you probably can't even imagine at this point.   Kiva Slade  34:47   Yes, exactly. So for everyone who has heard about the program, we are definitely it is weightless right now. So we will include the information in the show notes but you can also email info at benefit capital in order to get on the waitlist and get some additional information in the program sounds amazing and totally transformative in just how we conduct ourselves as entrepreneurs as well as executives. So, all right, Bessie, this has been mind-blowing for me, and I'm sure for our listeners. So if there was something that you've had over 20 years of experience and so many amazing experiences during that time, looking back, what would you tell your younger self? Who was just fresh out of universities thinking? What's next for me? What would you tell them looking back?   Bessi Graham  35:45   I think I would say that. Then, one of the challenges is if you're curious, if you have, like a very open mind and love learning, which I do, and I suspect you are the same Kiva, there can be a temptation to feel like, you need to learn more, or the next thing and my, what I would say to myself at that point is put into practice what you already know like you will learn things as you keep going. But you will never know enough, or have all the answers. And so feeling like you are hesitating until you understand that next piece or you get that next qualification or you hit the next level of revenue is not the way to operate. So for me, the advice would be, you already know a bunch of things, just put those into practice. And the rest will kind of come as you actually learn and grow. So if you think of that journey from novice to mastery, you need to be actually putting it into practice, you need to do the work.   Kiva Slade  36:49   Absolutely. I love that advice. I think I still need that advice. Now forget my younger self. You know, so that was amazing. So again, I want to thank you so much, Bessie, for everything that you've shared, and really just to encourage us in this process. And in this journey that we can do good. And we can make money. And there is a role for businesses to play that is beyond just that may be manufacturing a product providing service, there are so many different ways that we can have an impact on our society, as well as be more of a positive impact for those that we interact with. So I appreciate the work that you're doing and how you are actually getting us all to think in a broader way about how we run our businesses and how we conduct ourselves as entrepreneurs. So thank you everyone for tuning into this episode of Collab with Kiva. We have had the pleasure today of listening to Bessie Graham of benefit capital, and she has helped us think broader about how we can do good and make money. Make sure to check out the show notes for additional information on benefit capital as well as their upcoming 12-month program that's going to help entrepreneurs and executives do just that. So we look forward to seeing you on the next episode. Thanks. Bye. Thanks for tuning in to this episode of Collab with Kiva. I hope you are feeling inspired and motivated to keep being your amazing self. Make sure to subscribe so you don't miss out on any future episodes. Also, the reviews on Apple are greatly appreciated. They will help other women knows that their path is unique to them. If you're interested in being or finding a partner for this journey that you can collab with. Join us in the collab a community of female business owners on Facebook. See you next time.

What happens to a dream deferred? The poet, Langston Hughes, spoke about deferred dreams in his poem Harlem. In today's episode, I share some of my deferred dreams, including the launch of this podcast.  I also challenge you to be more intentional about your dreams, the importance of recording your dreams and checking in with yourself on your dreams.  As the owner of The 516 Collaborative, I help business owners show up as owners instead of being owned by their businesses. >> Every good team has a playbook. Does yours? Ready to build out your business playbook to not only take things off of your plate but help your business scale? Book a call with Kiva  =>  https://www.the516collaborative.com/schedule-call Let's stay connected! Join The Collab: A Community for Female Business Owners on FB: https://www.facebook.com/groups/collabcommunity  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kivaslade/  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kivaslade/  Website: https://www.the516collaborative.com/    Podcast transcript:  0:02   Hello and welcome to collab with Kiva. I'm your host Kiva, Slade. From the marbled halls of the US Congress to my racing-themed office chair. I've learned that there is no perfect path to the life of your dreams. My journey over the past 20 years has included being a legislative director for a member of Congress, policy director for a nonprofit, stay-at-home mom, homeschooling mom, jewelry biz owner, and now the owner of a service-based business. Whether your journey has been a straight line, or follow zigs and zags. Join me and my guest as we share insights, hopes, and lessons learned from our female entrepreneurship journeys. May the collaborative sharing of our stories be the tide that lifts your boat? Let's dive in.    Kiva Slade  0:55   Hello, and welcome back to Collab with Kiva. Today, I want to talk about dreams. Whether they're deferred or not. We all have dreams. One of my favorite movies is Pretty Woman. I love Julia Roberts. In the movie. One of the actors says, What's your dream? Everybody comes here. This is Hollywood, a land of dreams. Some dreams come true. Some don't. But keep on dreaming. This is Hollywood. You know, and he says that, and he's just kind of walking down the street. And it's true. We all have dreams.    1:39   What are some of your dreams? And then what happens when dreams are deferred? You know, those dreams that they don't come to reality when you have them or not too soon after? It takes a while. And when we think about deferred dreams, obviously there was the poet, Langston Hughes who says, what happens to a dream deferred? Does it dry up like A Raisin in the Sun? Or fester like a sore and then run? Does it stink like rotten meat? Or crust and sugar over like a syrupy sweet? Maybe it just sags like a heavy load? Or does it explode? What happens to our deferred dreams?    2:31   I've shared before that this podcast is one of my deferred dreams. It did not happen in the timeline or timeframe that I thought it would. It has taken two years. What has happened to it? Well, I know that it didn't dry up like A Raisin in the Sun. It didn't fester. It doesn't stink. And it really I won't say it crested and kind of sugared over. But it does at one point explode. And that's what happened for me, it exploded to the point where I was like, it's time to do this. The time is now in each of us has those kinds of dreams. I shared this dream with a coach two years ago. This wasn't the only dream though, that I shared with this business coach. I shared other dreams. Okay, I shared a dream of having someone come in to clean my house. It may seem trivial to some. But that was like my husband loves a clean house. And our definitions probably of cleanliness are not always the same. But with kids when they were younger. And then as kids grow older, it just always feels like for a lot of women like it falls on you to be that one to have the house clean. And I said I would love to be able to make enough money in my business. I can have someone come in and clean the house. And let's be real, that feeling of a clean house. Just makes everybody feel better. It took a year for that dream to happen. It took a year. I am grateful for that year, because I really worked hard in my business to make those things happen. But it took a year. It was definitely a deferred dream.    4:23   Okay, the podcast has taken two years. Another dream I shared with her was for new car. Um you know, I've been that minivan mama. And I knew that at this point. You know, I was approaching that point where my kids were driving themselves and I didn't want to continue to drive a minivan. Like when you don't have kids or they go off to school or they're driving themselves, like who wants to drive still the minivan like who are you shuttling around like what's all the things that are happening in this van, that's expansive. And it's just you. And so I shared about a new car. And when I say I shared, I shared it with her, I put it on a vision board, that is my computer screen, I did all of these things. And if all goes well, in December two years later, that's gonna happen.    5:27   And I share this today, because sometimes we have dreams, and we don't write them down. We don't write down our dreams, whether they're big dreams or small dreams. And I want to encourage you to write down your dreams. Write them down, I want you to post them somewhere, or be intentional or rather, and, and be intentional about reviewing them. Your dreams are powerful. I'll say that, again, your dreams are powerful. And I know that some will say you need to have a plan to accomplish those dreams. I know that you're already doing all of those things. I know that you're showing up for yourself, I know that you are working hard. I know that you're constantly learning, I know that you are investing in yourself. So I'm not even going to focus on those things. I'm going to focus on just the dream.    6:28   The dreams that I have of wanting to have some different investments set aside for my kids that they actually have a different financial future. Okay, being able to financially contribute to our household. For me, like, I was a stay-at-home mom for 18 years. I didn't have to contribute to our household, which was a blessing. But I want to be able to do that. I want to be able to contribute to our household. And I'm already starting to do that. There's the house cleaner, who does come twice a month? My husband and I have purchased a second house and I'm paying for the cable there. Yes, I am. And I don't say that to make light of it. I mean, it's, I don't know, $57 a month. But that's something that we need there. And I'm able to take care of that. And that feels really good. It does. And sometimes our dreams might be bigger things than that. Or they could be small things. Or they could just be things that hey, they just make us feel good. Okay, and it makes me feel good when the house is clean, it makes me feel good that I am taking care of that cable bill, you know, at our second house, and that I am a I take care of all of our groceries, you know, those are things that could my husband take care of? Definitely. But does he not have to? Nope, because those are things that I've said I want to do.    8:15   So write down your dreams, celebrate those dreams when they are fulfilled. Okay, and you can't celebrate them if you don't write them down, because then you won't even know that you've hit them that you've met them, that they're fulfilled at this point in time. Okay, I celebrate. I am so grateful. When the house is clean. I'm so grateful for the launch of this podcast. I am so grateful for being able to pick up the tab when we you know, go out to dinner. I am grateful for those things that may not be huge to some people, but they're huge to me. And I want you to update your dream list. When you start seeing that those dreams are happening. I want you to dream bigger. Challenge yourself to dream bigger, whatever bigger is for you. Okay. That's so important. Our dreams really do help propel us forward. And they help us keep going when there's times that we might feel like we want to quit. At least they do for me. And I think they do for you as well. And like I said, I know that you're doing all those other things to move your business forward. And as you do those things, you are getting so much closer to that next dream and that dream after that. And for those dreams that are so pressing on you that feel like they're going to explode, move them up on your list.   10:05   There's something there that's trying to be birth that's trying to come forth. And you are the one that needs to bring it forth. Allow yourself to be that vessel to move that dream forward. Can it be scary? Most definitely. Will it feel frightening at times? Absolutely. However, it's necessary. It's needed, you're necessary, you're needed to be that vessel to bring it forward. You never know who's watching. Who's inspired, who's encouraged who your motivation for. And I don't share these things to brag. Because there's trust me, not an ounce of braggadocious in there. But I do share them to really just that inspire encourage someone else. That, hey, I sat on this thing for two years. Okay, two years. And I didn't let it go. I didn't let it go. I knew it wasn't going to be immediate. I knew it was going to take time. In that's okay. Not every dream has to be fulfilled immediately. Some, you still need some work to happen, whether it's added insights, whether it's additional motivation, confidence, whatever it might be. Sometimes there's still something going on that you aren't ready yet for it to happen. Not yet time for you to be that vessel. But when it is, move forward with confidence, move forward with quickness in doing the things that need to be done.    12:09   So my challenge to you is just that right out your dreams, whether they feel big, whether they feel small. And you might even say Kiva, no one cares about this dream that I have that's so seemingly insignificant. Yes, you care about it. And I care about it for you. So write them out. Check-in with yourself. Intentionally check in with yourself about where you are with that dream. You might find that you're so much closer than you had thought. And that you gave yourself credit for. I want you to celebrate those dreams when you fulfill them. And I want you to update your dream list. Because your deferred dreams, we're not letting them dry up like raisins in the sun. Nor do we want them stinking like meat that's rotten. We don't want them crusted over. Even though crusted sugar-crusted over on a pie crust is very tasty. We don't want that. Okay, we don't want it to die either. We want that dream to come forth. And to come forth with such a passion that we know beyond a shadow of a doubt that it was ours and that we made that thing happen. So write down your dreams. Be intentional about checking in with them, celebrate them when they are fulfilled, and continue to update your dream list. Until next time.    14:01   Thanks for tuning in to this episode of Collab with Kiva. I hope you were feeling inspired and motivated to keep being your amazing self. Make sure to subscribe so you don't miss out on any future episodes. Also, your reviews on Apple are greatly appreciated. They will help other women knows that their path is unique to them. If you're interested in being or finding a partner for this journey that you can collab with. Join us in the collab a community of female business owners on Facebook. See you next time.

Welcome to the first episode of Collab with Kiva.  My journey here hasn't been a straight line and I'm okay with that.  Naivete led me to leave politics and launched me on an amazing journey of marriage, motherhood, homeschooling, and searching for the ever-elusive balance. I began to find balance as a jewelry maker on Etsy and as my kids grew older, I found it helping business owners build solid foundations through my work as a Certified Director of Operations and Online Business Manager.  As the owner of The 516 Collaborative, I help business owners show up as owners instead of being owned by their businesses. During this episode, I talk about: Lime green interview suits (3:10) Working on Capitol Hill (5:53) Life coming full circle (6:47) Believing in yourself (9:50) Don't lose the little girl inside (11:36)   >> Every good team has a playbook. Does yours? Ready to build out your business playbook to not only take things off of your plate but help your business scale? Book a call with Kiva  =>  https://www.the516collaborative.com/schedule-call Let's stay connected! Join The Collab: A Community for Female Business Owners on FB: https://www.facebook.com/groups/collabcommunity  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kivaslade/  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kivaslade/  Website: https://www.the516collaborative.com/    Podcast Transcript: 00:02 Hello and welcome to Collab with Kiva. I'm your host Kiva, Slade. From the marbled halls of the US Congress to my racing-themed office chair. I've learned that there is no perfect path to the life of your dreams. My journey over the past 20 years has included being a legislative director for a member of Congress, policy director for a nonprofit, stay-at-home mom, homeschooling mom, jewelry biz owner, and now the owner of a service-based business. Whether your journey has been a straight line, or follow zigs and zags. Join me and my guest as we share insights Pope's and lessons learned from our female entrepreneurship journeys. May the collaborative sharing of our stories be the tide that lifts your boat? Let's dive in.    00:55 Hello, and welcome to the first episode of Collab with Kiva. I am your host, Kiva Slade, and I'm excited. I'm excited that this podcast baby of mine is being launched into the world today. I'm excited that I am seeing the manifestation of a two-year-old dream come to fruition. It is surreal right now. And I am grateful. I am thankful. I am over the moon. And so I'll try to tamp down my excitement just a bit for this episode. But I do want to welcome you as a woman, as a wife as a mom. Yes, my why for this is huge. I've seen life shifts. I recently turned 50. My kids have gone off to college. I am an empty nester. In the midst of that though, I've started on this entrepreneurial journey that has goodness gracious been a journey. Okay. There's a 10-year stint as a product-based business on Etsy and an almost two-year stint as a service-based entrepreneur. And really, sometimes it's hard to be something that you don't see. And I want to share stories not only my own, but those of others, to help inspire and encourage other women to see that there are options. There are people out there who you may resonate with, that you may not actually come across. And I want you to see that and see what's possible for you for your life, for the trajectory that you have placed for yourself in your life.    02:46 Also, let's be honest, there are a lot of people in different spaces that say a lot of different things that make some of us feel like there are the shoulds and there should not there's like a list of them. And you wonder where this treasure trove list is actually hidden. I want you to know that you can feel confident in choosing your own path, whatever that path is.    03:10 So let's talk a bit about me. And how I got here. I can go back to grad school. Okay, I remember it very vividly. It was a very exciting time in my life. I have a Master's in Public Administration. I had some amazing internship opportunities. I worked with people who encouraged me, they pushed me to think bigger than what I was thinking. I was able to do things that quite honestly they said other interns hadn't done. And I was a go-getter. Probably to the point of maybe even ruthless at some points it felt like but we'll have that conversation for another day. After grad school though. I remember my first job interview was with our local government and I was going for a budget management analyst position. I showed up in a lime green interview suit. To this day, I still love that suit. It was this dress with a jacket. And yeah, it was lime green. So I'm that gal, the lime green interview gal. Okay, and one of the ladies who I later worked with said to me just like I could not believe you came to an interview in a lime green suit. And I was just like, but why not? I wanted to stand out and I stood out. And that job was great until there was another new hire. And he was a male. He was a white male. And he received $1,000 more.    04:56 And I know some of you are saying, Kiva $1,000 is not a lot of money. It's not, especially when Uncle Sam takes its share of it. But it was more about the principal, I had more experience. And I asked our deputy director at the time, why? Because you know, when you can wear a lime green suit, you can go ask people the question of why. And he said, Well, he asked for more money. He did? But that's really kind of how I felt. And I said, that was such a game-changing moment for me, not only from the standpoint of Hey, dude, dudette. We need to ask for the things that we want. But also from the standpoint that if you don't ask, people just give you what they think you'll take. And I was like, Oh, my goodness, that's not going to be me.     05:53 So needless to say, I started making connections. And I was considered to be aggressive, assertive, and a ladder climber by my superiors. And I left and went to Capitol Hill. And I worked as a legislative director for a Democratic member of Congress from California. I loved my time on the Hill. But when you start to see behind the curtains and see how the sausage is really made, it really messed with my idealistic mind, I'll be honest, I was naive. I was very naive. And it was a very eye-opening experience for me. And I knew that that was something that I couldn't continue to do.    06:47 Long story short, fast forward, I met a guy, we got married, like within six months of knowing each other. That's a whole episode in and of itself. I'm pregnant. And our daughter had some health challenges. And it's so interesting to me how life can sometimes come full circle because one of my internships in graduate school was with the office, the Governor's Office of Children, Youth, and Families. And that was when brain research and really exploded for zero to three and zero to five-year-olds. And I was like, Oh, my goodness, I want to be a stay-at-home mom until my child is five. At that point, I didn't even have a boyfriend. So it was just a thought. But honestly, when our daughter was sick, and I was like, Okay, I'm literally, I'm home, I'm gonna be home. And it was gonna be home till she was five, because hey, that was what the brain research said.     07:40 Needless to say, that didn't happen. I wound up homeschooling both of our children, our son who came later, all the way to high school, and then they graduated high school. So, you know, as a mom, though, you're always doing all the things to support the kids to support your family. So there were co-ops, there was speech and debate. I was a state representative, like all of the things because there was always that level of involvement in I'm a constant learner. So I was always figuring out ways to help I was the most techie. So it's like, Hey, you're in here and the tabulation room to calculate all the things and fix the things that don't go right.    08:20 And along that journey, though, I really felt that I was missing something. Something was just not right. I didn't feel like I had a balance. And I took a jewelry-making course from a local Etsy shop owner, and it was her and her mom. And I took a course and we, we melted silver, and we hammered things and playing with flames and tools was so exciting. And that's what started my jewelry business. It was always still secondary though, to my life as a wife and a mom. But it was fulfilling that need for me for something that just really felt like I needed a bit more balance.     09:02 So I share all that to say that your journey doesn't have to be a straight path. I know the shortest distance between two points is a straight line. However, your line may look a little different. Like mine, it may have some zigs, some zags, it might stop moving, it feels like at some point, like the pencil is just at a pause point. You know, and then it starts to move again. The big thing here that I want you to know is that it's your line. It's your line to draw as you choose. It may have loops, it may have circles, it may have squiggly lines. It may have points where the pencils just digging into the paper, almost to the point of tearing a hole.   09:50 Whatever it is, I want you to know it's yours. And you can choose how it is drawn, how it continues, you can take a point and look back and see what it looks like. And if you want to continue that way or a different way, you know, as someone who's always been a big thinker, my parents have always inspired me to say, hey, like, there's nothing you can't do. Now, let's be honest, there are some things that I probably cannot do. I don't know what they are yet. I remember one time, my dad knew how to sew, like my mom could sew too. But my dad was like this amazing sew. And I was like, oh, I need a dress to wear to my cousin's wedding. I can sew this, I literally did not use a pattern. I used a slip that I had from Victoria's Secrets because I like the shape of it. And I made my own pattern for this dress. The point I'm neglecting to tell you is that I had this idea on a Saturday morning. The wedding was Saturday afternoon. So I went to Cloth World grew up in New Jersey, there was a big Cloth World long before Joanne's. I picked out the fabric and got everything. I had this whole dress made except for the zipper. It's like, dad, I need help with a zipper. And, like literally, I wore the dress to the wedding received a ton of compliments. And that's what happens. Sometimes it's women who were big thinkers. You know, like, hey, let's do a dress in the morning. Why not? You know, why not? becomes that question that we should always ask ourselves, why not?    11:36 Don't lose the little girl who was inside of you. She was a big dreamer. She was probably a bold thinker. She wears lime green suits to interviews, okay. It's not too late to pursue those dreams, to go after them with a fervent passion that can only come from the wisdom that you have now gained. And why not? So when you tune in to this podcast, there'll be times that you hear guests. And the goal is always to inspire you, to encourage you to have yourself ask but why not? Why not? Why not?    12:23 So as you go forward in your day, and you come to those points where you feel like, I don't know if I can do that. I want you to ask yourself, why not? Because I know that you can. And I think that the little girl inside of you, she knows that you can as well. Thanks for tuning in. I look forward to sharing more with you as we journey together on Collab with Kiva.    12:51 Thanks for tuning in to this episode of Collab with Kiva. I hope you were feeling inspired and motivated to keep being your amazing self. Make sure to subscribe so you don't miss out on any future episodes. Also, your reviews on Apple are greatly appreciated. They will help other women know that their path is unique to them. If you're interested in being or finding a partner for this journey that you can collab with, join us in The Collab a community of female business owners on Facebook. See you next time.

The beauty industry reported global sales of approximately $483 billion in 2020. Digging deeper into those demographics, women of color spend 9x as much as others.  What happens when a 50+ woman decides to break into the beauty industry? Today, I chat with Karen Merritt of Karen's Essentials. Karen is a 55-year-old entrepreneur who has always loved all things beauty-related! She found there was a huge hole in the space for mature women over 50 and there was even less content for mature black women over 50.    During this episode, we talk about: Karen's beauty journey (2:24) Importance of community and sharing (4:34) Karen's tips for newcomers to the industry (10:44) Being authentic (19:01) Overcoming fears and insecurities (23:03) Exercising your faith in the business journey (27:05) Karen's fall/winter body collection (32:21)   Visit Karen's Site - https://www.karensessentials.com/ Fall/Winter Coupon Code - “516Collab” to receive 10% off your first order   Thanks for tuning in to another episode of Collab with Kiva. Kiva is a certified Director of Operations and Online Business Manager who helps business owners show up as the owners in their business instead of being owned by their business. She helps businesses with systems and standard operating procedures (SOPs) >> Every good team has a playbook. Does yours? Ready to build out your business playbook to not only take things off of your plate but help your business scale? Book a call with Kiva  =>  https://www.the516collaborative.com/schedule-call Let's stay connected! Join The Collab: A Community for Female Business Owners on FB: https://www.facebook.com/groups/collabcommunity  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kivaslade/  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kivaslade/  Website: https://www.the516collaborative.com/    Podcast Transcript: Kiva Slade 0:02 Hello and welcome to collab with Kiva. I'm your host Kiva, Slade. From the marbled halls of the US Congress to my racing themed office chair. I've learned that there is no perfect path to the life of your dreams. My journey over the past 20 years has included being a legislative director for a member of Congress, policy director for a nonprofit, stay at home mom, homeschooling mom, jewelry biz owner, and now the owner of a service based business. Whether your journey has been a straight line, or follow zigs and zags. Join me and my guest as we share insights, Pope's and lessons learned from our female entrepreneurship journeys. May the collaborative sharing of our stories be the tide that lifts your boat? Let's dive in. Kiva Slade 0:55 Hello, and welcome to Collab with Kiba I am so excited today for you to meet my guest. Today I'm talking with Karen Merritt, Karen is the owner of Karen's Essential a beauty and skincare line. She is a 55 year old and she says I proudly entrepreneur. She's a wife of 33 years, a mom of three adult children and a Mema to four amazing grandchildren. Most importantly, she is a believer and a child of the King. I am lucky enough to know Karen personally as we are prayer and business accountability partners. And this is going to be a great conversation. So sit down, get comfortable, and listen in. So welcome to the show, Karen. Karen Merritt 1:41 hey, I'm so excited to be here to chat with my girl Kiva. I'm so excited. So excited. Kiva Slade 1:49 I'm so excited that you are here and we are going to talk all things beauty, we're going to talk about what is literally if we look at the numbers, I think they say in terms of African American women in particular, we spend a lot of money on beauty supply products, we we have our hair, we have our nails, we want to smell good, we want our skin to feel good. So and love that this is a space that you've chosen occupy. But when some people may look at the numbers, they made us I feel like this space is scattered. So tell us more as to what made you want to take a deep dive into this beauty and skincare. Karen Merritt 2:24 Well, I've always been a lover of all things beauty hair, makeup skincare for as long as I can remember. But you know, as your wife and a mom, other priorities, other things come up and you kind of lose sight of you. And so I guess around the age 40 ish, maybe a little over 40 I started wearing makeup again, I started doing things that I had always done but kind of backed off of. And I would naturally not permit my hair did the whole thing. And after a while as I started looking at things online in the space, whether it be YouTube videos, blogs, I never saw people that look like me, if they didn't look like me in the beauty space, they were very young. And so it was just important to me. To see people that look like me, they're represented my age that represented my, you know, I as a black woman, and there wasn't a lot of that, you know, someone over 50 That was into beauty or fashion or any of those things, it was like all of the brands seem to kind of focus on the very young, and certainly not women of color. So I started a blog about five years ago to specifically target women of color and women 40 ish, 50 you know, age range, and I got such a great response. And it was just very important for me to kind of as I learn things to share them and we just became a community. And so that really kind of started everything with that me doing blog posts, reviews, just sharing about things about me personally that I had been through or gone through and just life you know, as you when you get to be 50 Plus, you probably live some things and you've probably gone through some things and just to be able to share that habits face to share. And yeah, that's that's how it all started. That's where it started with the blog Kiva Slade 4:34 and love that and that the sense of community that came from that as well because I know that as a follower of your blog and just things that you would share. And it was like oh, okay, so I'm not the only one experiencing high lashes. Oh boy, there's these sheets these. Oh, okay, tell me more like there was always something that was in your blog. I was like, Okay, I may not get that right now but taking that one away or sharing it with someone else. And just even in your comments, a lot of times on your blog posts, you were to see other women supporting each other in the comments. So I love that their sense of community was created, but that you sound really gap, um, you know, in where the industry was, because let's be honest, typically as women age, we're not considered distinguished, like a gentleman would be, you know, exam. It's like Sean Connery. It's like, oh, my gosh, he's amazing, you know, at, but for us, it's like, oh, no, we're not gonna unexcited over any women that are 40 5060 7080 years old. Right? Yeah, that gap that existed in that space. And the fact that as moms, you know, like, Yeah, we actually still want to be cute, we want to be, we want to be whatever the words, right. And so when we started, you know, delving back into things that, you know, makeup into hair, but wanting it to be reflective of where we are now, and obviously a bit more mature, in the look that we're going for is obviously a lot different than maybe even looked at some of the younger beauty influencers would be seeking to have so you sought to fill that space? And how, what were some of the challenges, though, that you were running into, because let's be honest, you're a woman, you're a black woman, you're over 50 doing the business, what are challenges that you have faced along this journey? Karen Merritt 6:35 Um, the one of the main things I think I face is not having camaraderie, like not seeing people, like it's the community is so important to me. And so to not see someone in the space that looked like me, you know, that's a business owner, and that you can go to someone, you can say, hey, this is kind of what I'm going through this town, what I'm facing, especially in this space, so you've may see, like you and I connected, um, as business women, and we could keep each other accountable, we can encourage each other, and then like, Hey, girl, you know, you got to get going, how is your CEO day going, and you just reminded me of just recently, and so before that, I really had no, I have supportive friends. But unless you're a business owner, you can't necessarily relate to what I'm going through, that's that support is great. But so those are the kind of voids that I saw. And so that's one thing. And then in the beauty space, like, with having, um, what is the, I can't think of the word with having people that you can relate to, that they can mentor you, that was the word I'm looking for mentor, um, where there were business owners, but they weren't business owners that understood the beauty community, or understood, you know, why would want to go into this space. So it was just, it's kind of lonely, you know, I'm in that in that space, where there are people my age that are in this, now I see more of that, and trying to connect with people and people always, you know, super encouraging, when I am able to connect with other women, other black women, mature women in the beauty space. And so I would say that was kind of the main challenges and not knowing you know what the next step was, so I'm just finding a community, like the modern soap making community, that community has been huge. Now, there are definitely women of color there. And they're, they're all races they're in there, but it's so inclusive, that I feel right at home. And that has really given me the building blocks to start my business as a beauty as a beauty entrepreneur with my soaps, and skincare and other things that I'm doing so because I had no idea I make so Okay, let's just start the business knew what it took a while to get there. Kiva Slade 9:22 Right and love it. You just said oh, I make so boom, we have a business. No, no, no, no. There are so many more steps. There's so many more levels. In that is like having someone who has gone before you in that journey, being able to, you know, turn around, share backwards, what that journey has been like so maybe it's to avoid missteps. Maybe it's just to provide some words of encouragement, but whatever that is, that sense of community is definitely important. And you just mentioned about like the modern soapmaking community. Let's talk about that because I know that you are making so and her soaps are absolutely divine when I tell you, they are amazing to the point that we joked earlier, but I was using them. And I was like, oh, when you're looking at that, though, in talking about business and finding that community, let's talk through some of that, and what it was like to scale your business, because you were making soaps, but they were on a much smaller scale. So talk us through that process that I know you went through, of not only changing recipes, but understanding what some of those changes bring about in a business. So let's break down your that mentor for seven, of becoming a soapmaker, what are some of those things that you would share with them, I would Karen Merritt 10:44 say, do your research. And, and you know, sometimes you can go on and people will tell you, Oh, you can just go on YouTube, and you can learn it, you don't have to next free. But if this is something that you want to do, you have to be willing to invest in that. And then really being able to put money aside and say, You know what this person has gone before me. And so I want to reverse engineer, I want to see how I can get to that point. And you can't do that, to me trying to piecemeal things, you know, from here and there and, and then think that it will work. So knowing that this was an investment for me to be a part of this, this community, now, it has been such a blessing to be a part of that. And other community, I'm all about education. And if this is something that I'm interested in, if this is something that I want to do, I want to I want people to know that I'm an expert in this field, and that I've gotten, I've gotten the training, I have put the time in and is not just a fly by night, you know, type of thing. And so I would say do your research, and connect with other people that are soapmakers, or whatever it is that you're doing. I think that that's very important and be a part of a community that they can say, You know what, yeah, you know, one Friday, we're going to look at people's social media, we're going to give you feedback. And, and it's great, because people are very honest. And they're encouraging that see that you are doing this and never what I would do I may want to tweak that picture or tweak that photo? Or why is your pricing the way it is? Have you done the research? Not just what you see on Etsy? But do you know that what is gonna cost you for all of your supplies, to pay yourself to make the actual thing that are you paying yourself with your worth? Putting all those things into your pricing, the shipping, the packaging, all of those things that you take for granted? And you see, wow, there's someone on Etsy, they're selling their soul for $5? Like, how do you do that? Well, they can do that. But they have to do so much and make so much soap or make so much product to in order to make some money, you know that they would have to sell hundreds and hundreds of bars of soap. Whereas if you're really scaling it according to your you know, ingredients and all of those things that go into it, then you will see that you just can't pull that out of the air, you have to have all excuse me all of those things in place in order to really pay yourself what you're worth, and put your products out there and not be worried that oh, that's $10 or that's $12, you know, for a borrower so well, if someone thinks it's too much, then that's not your target market. That's not your audience. And that's okay. Everybody is not going to like it. And and we're not, I'm not making product for everybody. I'm making product for that ideal customer. Kiva is my ideal customer. She loves natural things, she loves beauty, she loves the for her skin to feel nice and supple. And she's, you know, she may have a little more disposable income, you know, because of the state she is in like, and so she may not mind that. And so you have to take all those things into place and into into consideration. And I think that what people do, you want to try to, you know, sell to everybody and you end up selling to nobody, because it's so broad and you have to be able to narrow that down. So I know it was a really long answer. But I'm just I'm just really passionate about that, you know, to just make sure that you understand what you're doing. And that's going to help you make much better decisions along the way when you understand what it is that you're doing. What you should be pricing who you should get your training. From and then be willing to invest in yourself. Kiva Slade 15:02 Absolutely no, not a long answer at all. Because we could definitely dig deeper and unpack each of those areas that you mentioned. Because it's so important. And oftentimes places on platforms like Etsy, you can almost feel like a race to the basement in terms of what you are doing to price yourself out just to be competitive. Like you said, though, but when you do that, you not only dilute I think you dilute the marketplace in general as it relates to handcrafted soap making if we just stayed with that. But in addition to that, you don't lose your own brand. Because it's just that feeling of oh, it says $5 bar. So thing, I can get, like, multiples of those $5 bars of soap when I do a search on Etsy, you know, and so when it comes to quality ingredients, when it comes to, you know, things that aren't harmful to the environment and to your skin, you know that you're starting to have that more of a discerning customer who's like, I'm actually reading this labels, I need to understand why this is in here. Or why that's in here are Hey, this doesn't contain any of that. I know I want that. And it smells good. And my skin feels beautiful. And you know I am, we're going to share with you guys later for Fall Winter box. But I chose the expressive theme. And I used to love drinking coffee. And then I had to switch to tea. But I had a laugh one day my husband said is like, it's like, okay, you smell like a whole glass of coffee. And he's like, and I'm just ready to have a drink. I was like I chuckled because without expressive body butter. I hate to have like my feeling of steel having coffee, and I get just literally like, sometimes you see me, I might be like this trying to smell myself because I'm like, I smell good, I smell good. And then if you feel my skin, it's really nice and soft and supple. So I appreciate that. But that's what your products do. You know, and that they evoke such a feeling that it's like, oh, okay, my wife has a tall drink of coffee today. It's like, hey, who doesn't want to hear that? You know, I love that. And just like you said, though, there's so many things that go into being a business owner. And it's, it's important to do that research and to pay yourself and to understand all of the components that go into your pricing. It is not just the talk the number you know, out of a hat and just say, Hey, today, it's going to be this because right what you're feeling, and then you start to be your numbers that month in and you're wondering why you're frustrated with this beautiful product you're putting out and all this stuff that you've done and investment you've made in yourself, and you're like my numbers aren't adding. And it's typically because you're undercharging in some area of that business that something isn't being accounted for. So I love that. I love that. I love that. So let's dig a little deeper into how did you gain that boldness to have these offers as a business owner to put yourself out there on social media because let's be honest, we are both 50 Plus, it's like, this is not necessarily our playground, okay? Your kids playground, but it's not necessarily our space that would like is not natural to us. I'll say that. But you're finding yourself, obviously marketing to a more discerning customer, who wants to also know you as an owner, and what you're like and what you're about in order so that they can know like and trust you? What how do you have to what have you had to shift rather, in your own mindset to be able to show up to put out your offers with confidence and to be able to market yourself? Karen Merritt 19:01 You know, I think that what I found just being a person that loves YouTube for like, natural hair videos and makeup, or just any I mean, you could put anything in YouTube and you can figure out how to do it. Um, so for me, when those people that I saw on YouTube and I followed and then they will share a little bit about themselves, or you will find out things about their family or whatever, there was a connection there. So when that person then years later, whatever came up with a product. I knew that hey, you know, I trust this person. I've trusted them over the years, you know, sharing about different things or products or whatever. And it wasn't just you know, kind of this is what I do, but you don't ever get to see who the person is. So that really um, that really connected with me. It made sense that those things go hand in hand, as a business owner, people don't want to buy your product per se, they're really, they're really supporting you because of you. And people want to feel like they are connected in some way. And I know that for me, and even with my blog, I know that, you know, there's a lot of, oh, gosh, totally went out of my head. There's a lot. I had a lot of reviews and things like that. But then I would just honestly say, like, the Lord would lay something on my heart. And I would be like, No, I don't think I want to do that. I don't think I want to share that. And I would, and because I want it to be obedient, but I'm telling you, each time that I shared something, even something small, or something really big, or really, really personal, and it wasn't to to be exploitive, it really was to be able to connect and be and let the person know, whomever may be reading that, or seeing that post or seeing whatever it is that I shared that you're not alone, that you're not the only one who has been through this or whatever. And so I had to learn very quickly through my blog, um, how to connect with people. And for people to feel like that I'm approachable, even that I definitely feel that I am. But I think sometimes you see things on a blog, or you see things on Pinterest, and it's like, oh, my gosh, they are so perfect. You know, because we've learned that social media is like, the highlight reels, you know, it's really you know, you people aren't going and showing that I had a fight with my husband this morning. My kid left his lunch, and I got to add he missed the bus, you know, people are, it's all the, you know, bells and whistles and all the pretty stuff. But, you know, are you connecting, and I'm not saying that you do it with, you know, without, without really searching to see that's what you should do, or whatever, we're just we're clicks with that, whatever, however you feel lit. I think that that's important. For me, that's how I connect with people on social media. And because of that, I have met friends, or people that never met, but through social, so social media, and, um, it has made a world of difference. And so that's what it is very hard. It's very nerve wracking to get on, especially on camera like, but I'm doing reels, I'm doing different things, or whatever. I've been doing a YouTube channel forever hasn't done. I haven't done it yet. But you know, but it's coming. And I know that that's important. And that's the next step. For businesses. I mean, I think you have to put yourself out there in order to be seen, and in order to gain trust of those people that you're trying to sell to whether it's a product or service or whatever. So I just think that that's important. Kiva Slade 23:03 It really is. And you're like I'm doing real, like, yeah, it's a whole nother set of vocabulary. I think for some of us, it's like, we have to do what? Oh, seriously, Instagram. You're like, okay, here we go. Yeah, anything, like he said is like, we're all nervous about it. And you know, it doesn't matter if you've been doing it in your own camera all the time. Or if you're not like just that vulnerability, basically, yes, seeing yourself out there. You know, I'm gonna do this video. And then of course, we're often our own worst critics. Like we watch it later, like, wow, that hair is completely out of place. Like, that's all we can see. And yeah, for someone else is taken away some massive value, but we're like, there's a hair play, Karen Merritt 23:56 right? Or listen to my voice. I mean, did I really make that face or whatever, those things? Are you just totally inside of your head, you know? So yeah, it can definitely be, you know, a place of vulnerability. And I think for me, like that has always been very, very hard for me. Because I've always play things close to the chest, and I am. I am a trauma survivor. And so that is my that has always been my mode of operation, self preservation, because, you know, that's just that was my go to because that's what I had to do to survival mode. But then, you know, through years of therapy, and just God just changing things and when I felt that I can be comfortable with myself that I can share that I can when it's when it's necessary, or when it's appropriate or whatever, and not fear of what others are going to think and that's still hard for me, not even on a deep level, but just looking like oh my gosh, like I took some photos recently for my fall launch. And so I was looking at them. So I did a photoshoot last year, but my hair was way longer. And so we needed to update, you know what I look like now. And so I was talking to my social media manager, we were talking about the pictures and stuff. And I said, Now, don't get the pictures. Don't use those pictures when my neck looks fat, like don't and she's like, what? I'm like, Yeah, see, I and she was like, so typical, but I was dead serious. I was like, listen, and she's like, nobody is paying. She's, I don't even know what you're talking about. So it's just those type things that we do to ourselves. It's like, No, I don't don't show that or no, you know, so it's just part of it. And this is now I have to laugh at myself. Because it's like, yeah, yes. Is not on what that? Kiva Slade 25:57 Yeah, no, I'm with you and trying to find those right angles, like okay, like, make sure there's no double chin. Right, those are really real things for us. Especially as we start to age in it yet. And let's be realistic. We are not 19 year old influencers, you know, right. However, we have that same level of boldness in heck, we actually are better because we are so much more firmly rooted in who we are, knowing who we are, you know, but there still is that level of just aren't what have we want to feel about our appearance, you know, where it's like, Okay, I gotta make sure you know, like, there's there's a reason why springs makes as much money as it does. Okay. Karen Merritt 26:46 That's right. That's right. Kiva Slade 26:48 I love that. So let's get ready to wrap it up. But I have another question for you. Sure. Because obviously, we both talked a lot. And I know, you know, obviously, we used to go to church together for those who don't know, but how has your faith impacted your business journey? Karen Merritt 27:05 Wow, I'm my faith. Oh, my goodness, it's just, you know, God has been so amazing throughout my life, really. But these last few years, like, and you and I have talked about this, whether it be you know, okay, wow, this thing has come up, that's gonna cost $1,200. Or I need a new computer, or whatever the thing may be. And it's just like, I'm just praying and knowing that God, I know that you're setting me on this path. And I may not know every answer along the way. And that's where the faith comes in. Because it's like, Oh, I'm just gonna stay right here, because I'm too scared to go this word that way. But when you feel that nudging and you and you feel him, you know that he hasn't led you astray one way or the other, he's always had your best interests at heart. And so I'm a journaler. And so when I can look back journals from 20 years ago, whatever, and I can go through those things. And I can see, oh, my gosh, I remember when I was going through that and look out God, you know, look what he did through that, even though he didn't necessarily change a situation. But he changed me, he encouraged me and I saw that I can get through it. And so with business, it's the same exact thing. But almost, I almost have to remind myself regularly that if he's done other in other areas of your life, it's almost like but this business stuff, or that, you know, we talked about making money, you almost feel uncomfortable, you know, which is so crazy. And so it's been a it's been a challenge, but God has challenged me in that I care about every aspect of your life when the smallest things in your life and you can't find your keys and I'm praying, Lord, help me find these keys, or whatever the case may be two huge things regarding my business business decisions, you know, I'm bringing on people to take care of my social media and all nothing, I don't know how I'm gonna do that. It's, you know, it was very expensive, but he has met me where I am every step of the way. And so it's like, you have these conversations. Like last night, I was in the shower. And I was like, Lord, I was praying for our time today. And I'm praying that you know, that we would be able to encourage other people, other women who are starting businesses, who have like, you know, you're in a next chapter of your life, and that, you know, it's okay to start over. And at any age, and so that is all God. And so I can only say that my faith has been increased. I have been challenged. I have been convicted when I'm feeling like, Yeah, but is that going to really happen for me, you know, and so it's just been It's been a whirlwind and but it has so been just sweet, sweet and that time with God as He shows me time and time again, you know. So it is definitely definitely abridged on any any misgivings or any any anxiety that may have about things. I know that God has me no matter what Kiva Slade 30:22 I love and absolutely, it's interesting, you said that about making money and almost feeling guilty. And I was listening to someone and they were talking about the Proverbs 31 woman, and, you know, let's just be real, there's been some love hate relationship with her. Yeah. And how you read that, whether it was something that they said that that was so interesting was that, you know, she surveys a field and she buys it. She can buy that she had a money, right? She surveyed it, and she purchased it. And so that that fear, we have that feeling of dirtiness of like, Oh, I'm making money in my business. And now I can do X, Y, and Z. Girls go out there and purchase your fields. Like wherever you knew that, you know, you've done your research, which was her survey, go out there and purchase those fields because that purchase of those fields, those are the things that as women we can create, I feel just seismic shifts in our world, just the way that we function when we have money in when we're doing things for not ourselves, but you know, really for growth in the glory of God. So survey in purchase your field and you have no money. Okay, love it. Alright, so now let's talk about this fall winter collection because obviously we're in October leaves, they're changing colors. We're all getting all of our warm cozy stuff out feeling like where's the hot cocoa? And I'm talking about the other thing that a lot of people like to drink because no Karen Merritt 32:03 we're not going to talk about that Kiva Slade 32:07 tell us what's in the fall winter collection that's now available tell us more about it. I understand there might be some free shipping. So yeah can expect to find when we visit Karen parents essentials that Karen Merritt 32:21 can so the Fall Winter box is a collection of like it's all things warm and cozy. That's what I wanted to evoke I love the fall absolutely love the season sound to put on sweaters and be cozy and so it's like a lot of warm scents and so that was important to me that the sets were warm and cozy but that they weren't so let you feel like oh my gosh is so overpowering or whatever you know the case may be it's kind of close to you you know that kind of scent sense um is what I wanted to really express through this box. So you get five soaps and there is cashmere which cashmere is kind of floral get a little sweet but also has like some some woodsy kind of note so they're they're all very very have huge depths of I was gonna say depths of flavor they all have depth as far as the scents are not one note and so that was important to me as well and so again cashmere if you'd like the floral sweet kind of warm sent as well but not grandma floral so don't don't get it to us it's not that we have rekindle which has ginger and turmeric and that has been huge like people have been asking when are you going to do something with turmeric and so this one is pretty straightforward. It smells like ginger, but it also has the skin loving ingredients turmeric. So if you love ginger, and it's not a sharp ginger, it's kind of sweet and is real ginger essential oils. I mean it's it's great. I love it. Then we have Frank which is short for frankincense and myrrh. And if you're familiar with that smell again it's very warm. It's kind of woodsy it leans a little masculine but not so much that you feel like you know, oh gosh, I smell like a guy or a smell like my husband. But it is it does. You know it's very, very warm and woodsy then there is I said let's see three so we can though was the other Oh, um, I'm gonna save the blood smiles. We'll do now espresso, which oh my goodness, if I can tell you I've had so much fun making so I'm making soap almost 10 years. And that has been my favorite thus far, not just because of the set, but just because of all of the components that went into it. So there's it's espresso real espresso real espresso, espresso coffee grounds. There are there is coffee oil who knew there was such a thing there was coffee oil like it is just such a depth is not just coffee you smell almond you smell like burnt sugar. And so those are just is that did I say five? Kiva Slade 35:23 Yeah, there's another one that anger. Agar wood. Unknown Speaker 35:27 Yes. Hey, Kiva, Agar wood. That one also warm woodsy leaves a little masculine. I absolutely love that. It is really, really awesome. So you get like birch wood and food and very woodsy, earthy type of sense. But it's again very, very warm. And then you get to choice of body butters. You can either get raw honey self-explanatory Smells like raw money. Then you get or you can get espresso. I'm sorry, it's not espresso. It's the espresso is the body butter and the cafe Noir is the is the soap. And then so you can have that warm vanilla sugar or candied citrus and candy citrus. Is it citrusy is kind of floral, but is also warm. Like you will see that over and over again recurring thing. So and that's Oh, and you get to lip balms more often? No, it's French vanilla, and coconut. And that's what you get. And so and and if you purchase anything $75 or more, you get free shipping, and I also have a cold for key was listeners. And so you get 10% off and that code is 516collab, and you get 10% off on your first order. So yeah, that's that's where we are. Oh, Kiva Slade 36:59 goodness, I'm so excited. And listen, everyone, I am not a huge sense person. I am not a perfumey person at all. But I absolutely vouch for these, these skincare products. The soaps are just enough that I'm like, okay, they lather up amazingly. And so if you're a big person for ladder, I love bubbles in the sea bass, right, these soaps will definitely give you that. But then also, it's literally just enough scent for me where I'm like, Okay, this smells good. But I don't feel like overpower My nose is what I'm wanting to see every like five seconds. So definitely check out parents essentials calm, we will make sure to include not only the website, but also the discount code in the show notes and make sure to visit check it out, you will not be disappointed with any of the products. So I just want to say thank you, Karen, for sharing with our listeners today. Just some of the challenges that we face as women as women over 50 embarking upon these new ventures but really also reminding each and every one of us that it might be hard but hey, it is so definitely worth it to pursue those passions to pursue those dreams and really to make others lives better in the process. So I want to thank you for sharing today with everyone. And once again, check out the show notes. For additional details on how you can connect with Karen. You can also follow her on Instagram, and check out her real so if you're afraid or getting on camera, she can serve as an inspiration to you. So thank you and make sure you tune in for the next episode. Thanks, everyone. Karen Merritt 38:41 Thanks so much for having me. Kiva Slade 38:45 Thanks for tuning in to this episode of Collab with Kiva. I hope you were feeling inspired and motivated to keep being your amazing self. Make sure to subscribe so you don't miss out on any future episodes. Also, your reviews on Apple are greatly appreciated. They will help other women knows that their path is unique to them. If you're interested in being or finding a partner for this journey that you can collab with. Join us in the collab a community of female business owners on Facebook. See you next time.    

Welcome to The Profit Talk! In this show, we're going to help you explore strategies to help you maximize profits in your business while scaling and creating the lifestyle that you want as an entrepreneur. I am your host, Susanne Mariga! I'm a certified Mastery Level Profit First Professional. Let's dive into strategies to maximize profits in your business! In this show I interview Kiva Slade, the CEO and Founder of The 516 Collaborative. Together we discuss how to bridge small business growth with the use of a fractional COO.  Kiva is a Certified Online Business Manager who helps online business owners with day-to-day management, strategic planning, and systems optimization so they can stay in their zone of visionary genius. You may contact Kiva Slade at: https://www.the516collaborative.com Visit my FREE Facebook Group, The Profit First Masterclass, where I'll be sharing additional exclusive trainings to members of the community.  If you're excited about what's next for your business and upcoming episodes, please head to our itunes page and give us a review! Your support will help me to bring in other amazing expert interviews to share their best tips on how to powerfully grow in your business! DISCLAIMER: The information contained within these videos is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute, an accountant-client relationship. While we use reasonable efforts to furnish accurate and up-to-date information, we assume no liability or responsibility for any errors, omissions, or regulatory updates in the content of this video. Any U.S. federal tax advice contained within is not intended to be used for the purpose of avoiding penalties under U.S. federal tax law.

Are you wondering how consulting could fit into your business?   Today I am joined by my good friend, Kiva Slade, and she is going to be talking about how she added consulting into her business model.    She's sharing how she did this without burning down her current business model, what resistances came up for her in the process, and she is giving advice on how to know if consulting is something that you would want to add to your own business.   If you have questions about consulting, this is such a great conversation because Kiva and I are getting into it all.   Kiva is our accountability coach for my new program, the Consulting Framework Accelerator.  The program is now closed, but you can hop on the waitlist HERE to be the first to be notified when it opens again in the fall!   Don't forget to join me in my free Facebook group, The UpLevel Lounge.  This group is full of amazing women who are focused on collaboration over competition and are ready to take their businesses to the next level.  I would love to see you in there!    Full show notes available at www.melissafroehlich.com/24   Where We Can Connect:  www.melissafroehlich.com Join The UpLevel Lounge Facebook Group  Subscribe to the Podcast Connect with Melissa on Instagram Follow Melissa on Facebook