Herbusiness - Insights For Women In Business

You have a product or a service that you KNOW people need. But, you're not getting as many sales, and you know you want. You're settling for fewer clients than you could have. What's happening? And, what can you do that will turn the tide and give you a flow of new clients coming your way? I recently interviewed hundreds of women business owners who were experiencing low sales and noticed seven things they were doing that kept them from reaching their full income potential. I'll share these insights with you in this episode. One of these is a TOTAL game-changer. And the antidote I'll give you works even if you've found yourself backing away from asking for the sale in the past, and you won't need to buy any high-cost technology or training. When you can overcome these reasons, you give yourself 7 ways to get new clients without feeling salesy… So, if some days you feel like you're settling for fewer sales than you're meant to have in your business, then what I'm about to share is for you. Take a listen. I’ll

When I work with women to help them grow their businesses and build strong connection networks, Speaking Up is an essential key move I help them to master. Until we can get some mastery over our ability to speak up, we can fail to meet our true potential in sales, fame, the impact we have and our ultimate success. It takes speaking up to reach more people, to make more of an impact, and to get more results. If you want to make a dent in the world, you need to be willing to be seen AND HEARD. But that can be tough. Speaking up can make us feel vulnerable. We worry that someone won’t like us. Or that we’ll get criticised. This reluctance to speak impacts most people, but in particular women. Even hugely successful women. And that’s because a couple of things can happen when we decide to speak up in a more significant way than before. Say you’re now you wan to do Facebook Lives, or speak on stages, or create a podcast, or run an online challenge and you’re looking to go from where you are NOW to play a BIGGER GA

We know we need more clients and we need clients coming back and referring us when they've used our services, or visited our eCommerce store, or come into our retail outlet. Getting new clients starts with Showing Up. But, SHOWING UP isn't always easy, even for the most outgoing women. SHOWING UP in a consistent way can be tricky when we have so many competing demands on our time. But I know from personal experience that to get new clients, reach more people, make connections, and create an audience ready for our offers, it takes showing up. That's when we are rewarded with more clients, more leads and a network of people who know, like and trust us and refer business to us. Showing up even if... You're an introvert You're not sure about how to talk about your business without rambling or feeling like you're boring people You don't like your appearance. You don't know that anyone really needs or wants your product or service. Had a really tough time last year and you're still reeling from the experience of l

If you’ve been trying to get something done for a while and every time you think about it your eyes roll to the back of your head… If you can’t seem to sit your butt down long enough to make progress on that project you’ve been meaning to get done… It’s likely that there is something about the tasks is triggering you emotionally The magnitude of the project has you feeling overwhelmed and bringing up all your issues about not having enough time. It’s something you hate doing (but maybe there’s nobody else to do it, or at least that’s the way it feels). You lack and experience and competence. (Maybe it’s the first time you’re doing this.) Your lack the knowledge and feel a bit stupid because you don’t really know HOW to do a lot of aspects of the project. You don’t know where to start and the right order or things. Or, what to focus on. Often we have our butt on the chair doing, doing, doing, but we are not specifically focused on the tasks and projects that make the most difference to our business. We’re ti

Every day I see women in the HerBusiness Network making big leaps in their business. They’re changing their revenue model. Launching a new product or service. Going from being an offline business to an online business. Or, they’re transitioning from being a solopreneur to growing a team. Others are bringing on more senior staff and moving out of the day-to-day running of their business. Some are reaching for a much higher income or revenue than they’ve EVER done before. Many are growing a big audience on social media or getting their message out there in a big way. AND, I LOVE SEEING THEIR BIG DREAMS. I love thinking big and seeing others think big. When it comes to these big undertakings though - these big leaps, it can feel like we have to take such big steps to get there. But here’s what I’ve noticed in my own business. The big leaps come from consistently taking small steps. Running a half-marathon is a series of small strides, less than a metre each, over and over, to get to the finish line. And it’s the

Running a successful business takes energy. A ton of energy. So, how do we create more and more of the energy that makes things happen? The energy that has you feeling GOOD as you do what you do each day. The energy that puts you a great mood and builds your confidence. Loving what you do. Doing what you love. Feeling like there’s a good exchange of “give and take” of energy with others around you. There are some specific things that you can do to bring up your energy and to fill you with life force. Right now, there are things that you’re doing OR not doing that are likely impacting the enthusiasm and energy that you bring to your business every day. There are things that you are doing that GIVE you life force and things that DIMINISH life force — energy. In this episode, I give you the six things you can do right now to create an abundance of the energy you need to make things happen in your business and your life. Listen to discover: How to reclaim your energy when you feel depleted and ‘wiped out’ Why el

You've likely heard the phrase: Proceed with caution. If you've been in business for any time at all, you've likely made mistakes that have you be more cautious as you think about your next steps. Maybe you tried to reach a revenue figure in 2020 and missed it by a mile. Or, you hired that person that you were counting on to get you out of the day to day and then they left. Or, you created a new online course and put it to market and then… crickets. Now, you're not as bold about jumping into another big investment (in time and money) Imagine moving into this year with a different attitude. Imagine moving into your 2021 with abandon. How might that change your results this year? We don't know how the year will pan out and what adventures might come our way. But, we see members of the HerBusiness Network putting in place their 2021 plans - working on their marketing, creating lead magnets, and launching memberships this year. They are going from being solopreneurs to micropreneurs. That is, they are actively gr

Do you find yourself asking for feedback? Maybe you’ve had a graphic designer work up a new logo for you.  You have the choice down to a couple of options and you’re not sure which way to go. So, you reach out and ask for feedback. Or, you’re not sure what to name your new product or service. So you post into a random Facebook group and ask for feedback. Perhaps you want a set of eyes over your marketing plan to know that you’re on track. And, so, you ask a friend to take a look at it and give you feedback. Here’s the problem with asking for feedback. Feedback is often too vague to be helpful. So, what do you ask for instead? That’s what we are looking at in today’s episode. Listen to discover: Why asking for feedback can lead to confusion and overwhelm, and what to ask for instead Who ask for advice when you need help in your business The role that experience plays is providing useful input into your business challenges Why more opinions is not better (and what is) Here are some popular recent episodes: T

When I look back on the year 2020 I count my blessings that I live in a country that has been barely impacted by COVID compared to other countries. I live in a country where the political system has been pretty stable. I live in a city where I have been lucky enough to be able to get outdoors and do things I love, like going for a run while my friend and clients in other cities were in lockdown. And thankful for a business that has allowed me to keep doing what I love every single day. Maybe you had some setbacks in your Business. We’ve seen trainers and facilitators who do all their work in-house in corporations left with no work.  We’ve had members whose clients are schools have their businesses totally stop. Their schedules cleared. We’ve had therapists with practices, stylists who take people shopping, personal trainers... who have had to stop doing their work. No income.  And no online income to fall back on. Inside of the HerBusiness Network, we have supported women to pivot. To finally get an online el

What if working longer hours does not mean working more productively? What if doing more marketing, more promotions doesn’t lead to more dollars in your bank account at the end of the month? What if you could do a whole lot LESS and get MORE results? Morten Hanson is a management professor at the prestigious University of California, Berkeley, and an author of several books.  In his book, Great at Work, he argues that you can get more out of doing less, something you will be glad to hear if you have ever felt a twinge of guilt or anxiety about not working seven days a week to grow your business. Or, doing ALL the things. Being on all the social platforms. Trying all the latest marketing tactics. Professor Hansen coined the mantra ‘do less, then obsess’, which suggests that by focusing more on fewer tasks, we achieve better results. What this can translate to for us as business owners are that focusing on fewer things - products and services, times a year that we do promotions, social media platforms that we a

Do you ever feel stuck, trying to make a decision but feeling unsure what you should do next? Maybe you find yourself asking: Should I start a membership? Should I be on instagram? Should I do an online course? Should I update my website? I don’t have a lead magnet. I don’t know what to do to get leads. I don’t know what to focus on. It can be crazy-making. Not only for you but also for those around you to hear you going back and forth, overwhelmed and in a state of indecision. That overthinking and spinning your wheels takes up a lot of your energy but it also impacts others around you. So, what do I do now when I’m stuck in indecision? Anytime I am stuck not sure what to do about a situation I ask this one question. It’s the best question to ask when you don’t know what to do next. And I’m talking about it in today’s podcast episode. If you can relate, this episode is for you. Listen to discover: What to ask yourself when you don’t know what to do next Who to ask for support when you need it Why indecision

You’ve been in business for a while.  A few years. Or maybe a LOT of years. And yet. there are still areas of business that you still haven’t figured out. Maybe you’re still not making a profit. Or your marketing is still ad hoc. Or, maybe you haven’t managed to keep team members motivated or following procedures and getting their job done just the way you need them to. Or, while you have some systems, they’re not watertight and so mistakes continue to creep in. It can be frustrating. For sure. And, as we are on the horizon of a new year, and we put our plans in place, these small failings, or areas of non-achievement can have us thinking… “Oh no. I can’t believe I still don’t have it together. I’ve been doing this for SO long.” If you can relate, this episode is for you. Listen to discover: The 4-part Finally Figuring Things Out system How to stop repeating the same unproductive patterns of behaviour Why accountability is the secret source to making things work in your business How making decision empowers

Do you tend to get close to burnout, no matter how organised you try and be around how you spend your time? Maybe you don’t even realise it and that exhaustion gets you by surprise throughout the year. And, maybe you want to have a year that has a little more ease about it in the new year. You want to do lots of interesting projects, but you don’t want to feel the burnout that can come with doing more. If any of that sounds like you, you are in the right place. In this episode, I give you a strategy that has worked well for me and will work even better for me in the new year. And, that is the Clear Week. What is Clear Week? Like it sounds it is a week that I clear in my schedule. It’s not a vacation week. And it’s not me doing ‘nothing’. It is a week clear of the noise of busywork. And, I plan for this week at very specific times of the year. Firstly, right AFTER a big promotion. And, also a few weeks before you dive headlong into a busy period in your business. Listen to discover: The one strategy that will

What to do with your communication when things get tough? That’s what this episode is about. And, we’re doing something a little different. This episode includes highlights from an episode of my other show, Content Sells which I copresent with Marketing Expert Michelle Falzon. This has been a really popular episode and I wanted to share it with you, our HerBusiness podcast listener. Because it doesn’t have to be a global pandemic, like what we’re seeing now for times to get tough… all of us at one point or another are going to experience those difficult times. Whether it’s a downturn in our industry, the loss of a big client that creates cash flow issues, a personal health crisis or issues with your team. Really, the list is endless of what CAN go wrong! In this episode, Michelle and I answer the question “How do you get going and keep going when a crisis hits or a big challenge forces you to change the way you are operating?” Especially seeing as the tendency can be to isolate and shutdown… but this is the V

Think of something that really matters to you, something that you’re truly passionate about. Are you doing it? Are you living your passion, or do you keep pushing it aside? What if I told you that by embracing your passion, you could positively impact the way you think, the way you feel, the actions that you take and the impact you have on others. Claiming your passion and doing more of what you love will help you live life on your terms and fulfill your dreams - like growing a profitable business. But it does so much more than that. You can turn your passion into purpose, do more good in the world and genuinely make a difference in the lives of other people. In today’s episode, I interview Amy McLaren, author of soon to be published book - Passion to Purpose. Listen to this episode to hear AMY talk about: How LIVING YOUR PASSION makes you the best version of yourself What stops us from doing what we WANT to do The role VISION plays in achieving our BUSINESS DREAMS How to keep your MOMENTUM even when you fee

Starting and building a sustainable business is a little like art in the making. It's about trying new things, and seeing if they work. And, if they don't, making corrections and continuing on your journey. Artists go through this process time after time — it's how they create art that resonates with us. When we're attracted to a piece of art, it's because it's unique and interesting and says something about the artist and who they are.  This idea applies to your business as well. Here’s what I mean. Your ideal clients will resonate with your unique take on your ART, your message, and what YOU bring to the business that is uniquely YOU. So, Is your business a true expression of yourself and your creativity? How can thinking of your business as a work of art help you achieve more success? In this episode of the HerBusiness Podcast, I interview Nicholas Wilton. Nicholas is a renowned artist, entrepreneur and the founder of Art2Life, an online platform that strives to build, empower, and inspire the creative com

Even if you’re surrounded by people who love and care about you, there can still be times when it feels like there’s no-one to turn to. Friends just don’t get it. Your partner, your family, other important people in your life — they may mean well but they can sometimes keep you down by trying to keep you safe. And you can begin to second guess yourself — questioning whether you’re even on the right path. But if you’re lucky enough, you meet others along the way who understand. People who see you and celebrate you. People who speak your language and know the journey you’re on because they’re making it themselves. They’re trusting their ideas. They’re making a difference. These are the people you can go to for much-needed advice or to share a win. To laugh. To be inspired. To get that nudge, you need to step up and step out. This is your COMMUNITY. And it’s your community that will keep you going through good times and bad. It will help you keep the spark alive and build your momentum. And it’s your community t

There are things we know how to do well in our business. We had skills before we started our business. And, then we have skills that we've developed over years of practice. The moment we decide to try something new, we are like a beginner. A child learning to play a new instrument. We start to practise - to study, to rehearse our skills. We experiment with new areas of expertise that we want to develop. We have staff and so we practise managing and leading. We run an online marketing campaign so we learn landing pages, copy, calls to action, eCommerce. Often we do MANY campaigns before we see any level of greatness in our results. We want to create a new product or service and so we learn all about offers - and the nuances of designing, pricing, packaging an offer. And then we practise putting our offers out there into the world (yikes)! When we are learning a new instrument, it makes sense that we don't learn just by playing. We learn by practising. And practising some more. And that makes our playing so muc

In this episode, we introduce you to our weekly Facebook show Women, Words + Wine. A weekly event created primarily for women business owners to get together with other like-minded women online, to discuss business and life over a glass of wine. Each week your host, Suzi Dafnis, we’ll feature guest(s) who will bring their expertise and sense of wonder to the show, and help answer your business questions. The discussion isn’t always strictly business, but it is about life as a business owner. Suzi’s special guest is Janine Barr of Genratec Janine is a creator, artist and business owner. Collaborator, innovator and devoted mother. She is passionate about design, people and the future. Listen to hear: Practical tips for inspiring your creativity Stationery we love (and blasts from the past) How micro-challenges are a great way to stay accountable AND get things done The power of accountability to, and support from, a group of peers What ‘saying yes’ opens up for you How to be alone, without being lonely Why mak

Sometimes in business, we see our competitor doing something really cool. So, we decide we probably ought to do that thing too. Or, we get some feedback that we really should be doing this, or that, because it’s an opportunity that might lead to great prosperity for our business. Or, we say we’ll do something. Go off the idea. But then feel compelled to follow our original thought so as to stay consistent and not be flaky. All these scenarios can take us off our BIGGER course. Here is how we know if it is not for us. We get the ‘I don’t want to’ feeling. When you think about doing a new thing Hiring that new person Creating that lead magnet Doing that Facebook live Starting that membership Running that promotion We find ourselves digging our heels in - metaphorically - and pushing away from the very thing that we say we want. It can be exhausting. Pushing uphill. Going against our grain. Depleting our life-force particles. It can be easy to get into a way of thinking that is full of “SHOULDS”. What we SHOUL