by Kelli | Nov 27, 2016 | Entrepreneurial Lifestyle
Top 5 Advantages to Being a #Mompreneur
The outdated idea that women can’t have both a career and a family is thankfully starting to become obsolete. More and more mothers are striving to balance their businesses and family lives, proving that the two can be done simultaneously–and done well, at that. Many women find the term “mompreneur” to be insulting. They cringe when they see it as a hashtag. But I say – why not own it? Why not be proud of the fact that we are capable enough to juggle two challenging jobs? I would argue that many of the strengths that make a good mother help build the traits needed to be an amazing entrepreneur, such as:
Patience. Just as your baby will one day sleep through the night and your toddler will eventually get the hang of potty training, so, too, will your business hit the major milestones you’re chasing. Being a mother cultivates enormous reserves of patience, which is a huge asset to have when it comes to building a business. The next time you are frustrated about the lack of perceived progress with your work, remember to treat your project like you would your child–with love, care, time and attention. It will be standing on two feet before you know it!
Building support systems. Becoming a mother has a way of forcing you into building a solid support system. Just as you call on your network of fellow mom friends and family, you can cultivate the same sort of support system in your business, whether it’s a VA, a coach, a mastermind or just a few fellow entrepreneurs that you trust. They say it takes a village to raise a child, and the same can be said of nurturing a fledgling venture. Putting yourself out there and building a team of people to be in your corner benefits both you and your fellow entrepreneurs.
Negotiating effectively. Nothing teaches good negotiation skills like having to reason with a child (or meanager) having a tantrum! The tactics you learn in your daily interactions with children (such as compromising, reasoning and communicating calmly in emotional situations) can help a surprising amount when it comes to dealing with all kinds of people in the business world (and vice versa).
Working under pressure. When you have kids, you are constantly thinking on your feet–taking care of injuries, fielding off-the-wall questions (But WHY) and navigating all kinds of unexpected twists and turns. Being able to manage many pressures at once is a huge advantage when you’re running your own business.
Nurturing. As a mother, you’re naturally sensitive to your child’s feelings and instinctively know what they need in order to excel. You know what it takes to love something unconditionally and how to gently push it in the right direction. Once you get to know the flow of your business, you will soon develop the same kind of intuition for what is needed for your venture to succeed.
These incredible crossover skills can hugely benefit you and your business, so wear that #mompreneur badge proudly! You earned it!
by Kelli | Nov 22, 2016 | Business Strategy, Entrepreneurial Lifestyle
It’s hard to believe that 2016 is almost over. For most people, these last few weeks of the year are filled (for better or for worse) with holiday preparations and family relations. As a business owner, though, it’s also time to prepare your 2017 strategic plan. Don’t worry; it doesn’t have to be as stressful as the holidays themselves, especially if you include joining a mastermind group as part of your plan.
A mastermind group is a form of peer-to-peer mentoring where group members share their particular knowledge and advice to other group members who would like some help. Its benefits are many, but here are a few of the best:
- Experienced Mentors. Mastermind groups let you meet up with entrepreneurs who have been exactly where you are now. They faced the same problems you face now and successfully overcame them and will have tips and advice to help you do the same.
- An Exclusive Community. Great mastermind groups limit their size number so they can better focus on everyone getting the help they need. Made up of diverse-minded people, they are a great resource to tap into without getting overwhelmed or simply annoyed.
- Collaboration. Moving your business forward often includes strategic collaborations. A mastermind group helps you easily find those fellow entrepreneurs that will be mutually beneficial to work with.
- Girl Power! Female business owners have their own (awesome) business sense that really sets them apart. Get a group of them working together and the creative power is unstoppable.
- Personal Development. Not just a source of great advice, mastermind groups also help you learn new skills to grow as an individual. Many groups also have opportunities for outside training.
- Resources. When you need to seek outside resources (i.e. a graphic designer), mastermind groups save you time and trouble. In other words, instead of starting from scratch and searching on your own, you can safely rely on recommendations from your trusted colleagues.
2017 will be here soon, but you don’t have to face it alone. Facing it as part of a mastermind group is not just great strategic planning, but a fabulous way to grow your business as well as your personal self.
I have teamed up with Jamie Palmer of Outlier Marketing Group and we have created a Mentorship Mastermind called Modern Female Entrepreneurs. It is a six month Mentorship program. In addition to the benefits of a traditional Mastermind Group, MFE will offer the following:
- Two-hour content creation calls each month (in addition to the weekly calls)
- Monthly training webinars with highly profile women business owners already killing it in their area of expertise.
- Two-day LIVE retreat in Boston, Ma (travel and hotel not included)
Fast Action Bonuses
First 10 registrants receive:
- 10 Hours of technical support (website creation, sales pages, course creation) (Value: $1,000)
- 90 – minute 1:1 private coaching session ($500)
Sound awesome? It is!
Click below to learn more.
by Kelli | Nov 20, 2016 | Entrepreneurial Lifestyle
Elections are always an emotionally draining experience, and this election may have been the most difficult that any of us can remember. The entire election was filled with negativity and campaigns aimed to take down the opponent at any cost. Tempers flared, arguments abounded on social media, and people even found themselves in heated battles with friends and family over political issues. No matter which candidate you supported, we can all agree that it is time to leave the hostility behind and move forward in a positive manner.
I belong to several Facebook groups that are communities of female entrepreneurs. One post the other day actually surprised me. The person basically posted asking people how they were doing post election and the emotions they were feeling. What really surprised me was the number of my fellow boss ladies that were saying that they were devastated and couldn’t focus on their business. Some were considering shutting down. Wait..what? No..no…no…we can’t have that. I honestly started to feel like many of these women probably shouldn’t run their own companies. I’m not saying this to be harsh, but I want people to snap out of it and move forward. You need to be fierce and present in your business if you want to succeed. Sure, it’s good for the soul sometimes to take a short break to regroup and refocus. But, please, don’t get sucked into a hole of wallowing and despair. It doesn’t look good and I’m sure doesn’t feel good.
In times like this I use my sister, Kimberley Ring, as an example. She runs a successful PR and Marketing firm here in Boston. When we got the call that Dad had stopped chemo treatments and didn’t have much time left, we flew down to be with him and help our mother take care of him. It was hard..like really fucking hard. For all of us. Mom hadn’t slept in months. I had my 3 year old son there and that had it’s own challenges. But my sister never skipped a beat. She was taking client calls and sending press releases in between taking care of our dying father. It was awe inspiring. She’s extremely dedicated to all that she does. She’s all in, 100 percent. And I’m telling you this straight. If you want to run a successful business, if you want to continue to move the needle, you need to be ALL IN. If you are going to let an election result completely derail your business, then you might want to rethink being an entrepreneur. As Lori Greiner says, “Entrepreneurs are willing to work 80 hours a week to avoid working 40 hours a week”. You have to have the fire and hustle deep in your DNA to keep charging forward.
Look, I get that life can hit us where it counts. And we are all feeling some election fatigue. So here are a few tips on how to get back on track:
Remember your WHY
I keep a picture of my son walking down the boardwalk of our beach where I can always see it. It reminds me that I left the corporate grind because it no longer fit my life. I wanted to get back to creating growth strategies for women-owned business but I also wanted to be able to take my son for a walk on the beach whenever I want. I wanted to own my time. Your why is what keeps your entrepreneurial fire burning. Revisit it. Write it down. Maybe it’s changed. Just remind yourself of what keeps you chasing after your dreams.
Rewire your brain with meditation
Sometimes it’s really hard to pull yourself out of that funk. A good friend and fellow IIN grad, Cindy Suarez, reminded me recently of the benefits of meditation. I have found a consistent meditation practice helps to refocus and rewire the brain.
Meditation has many benefits–beating the blues is one of them. The process affects your brain and the rest of your body in many ways. Meditation boosts endorphins, giving you more energy and boosting positive emotions. It also increases GABA (a mood-stabilizing neurotransmitter) and DHEA (a hormone that reduces depression and improves memory and immunity). You probably haven’t been getting a good night’s sleep with all the negative election vibes–meditation also helps with that problem, as it increases melatonin.
Focus on the positive
It’s really easy to get caught up in negativity. There are certainly a lot of worries after an election–a new president means change and that is tough for many of us. Fear of the unknown makes it easy to focus on the negative things that might happen. It’s incredibly important during times like this to focus on the positive aspects of life. Look around and remember how much the little things matter–the weather is beautiful, you have a wonderful family, you’re healthy, you are successful, you have friends that make you laugh, you have the cutest dog on the planet–whatever it is that always brings a smile to your face, that’s what you need to focus on.
Continue to nourish yourself with proper nutrition
This may seem like a silly one but stick with me here as I put on my health coach hat. Proper nutrition is much more important than many people think. Remember that food is fuel, and that old saying “you are what you eat”. Stuffing down tons of starchy carbs laden with all sorts of funky preservatives and additives simply isn’t going to end well. It might be tempting to drown your sorrows in a big bowl of bright orange Cheetos or a three-scoop ice cream sundae swimming in hot fudge, but that kind of food is going to leave you feeling worse than ever. Sticking to a balanced diet every day will help your overall mood–omega-3 fatty acids, fiber, protein, whole grains, and lots of fruits and veggies will help you ward off the blues.
Get involved
If you are feeling upset about the outcome of the election, or even the chosen candidates, there are ways you can get involved and have more influence over the next presidential election. Change begins at the local level–get to know your local and state representatives. Even if you have no political experience, you can still help shape the future. The next time you think of getting on your soapbox on social media, think instead about how you can better affect change. Don’t confuse activism with narcissism.
Find a cause you care about
You might have a cause about which you’ve always been passionate, or maybe the election brought some important issues to light that you’ve never really thought about before. Either way, now is the time to put that passion to work. There are many great causes out there, and it takes a lot of hard work to reach the goals that will benefit these causes. Round up your friends and family members who share the same passion, and get to know other community members who are fighting for that cause. I personally work with and donate 5% of my income to a non-profit that creates inclusion opportunities for young adults with disabilities, You’re With Us!
This presidential election has been difficult for many of us. In addition to the negativity surrounding the election, transitioning to a new president is a big change. Many people are afraid of changes that may affect them and some are just downright angry. The anger, worry, and negativity has left many of us with the blues, but it is time to move on. Embrace the positive, take good care of your mind and body, and get involved in your community. Remember that you can make a change. Together we can all make a difference.
by Kelli | Aug 8, 2016 | Entrepreneurial Lifestyle
Coping with Entrepreneurial Stress
Although stress is a big problem in our modern American working culture, women are especially vulnerable to the havoc it can cause in your life and body. Women become stressed by the uniquely female problem of trying to “have it all,” constantly juggling the equally demanding roles of women in their careers and families. It’s even worse for those with perfectionist tendencies because they often find themselves filled with self-recrimination for failing to perform up to their own impossible standards.
Among all entrepreneur lifestyle topics, how to deal with stress is one of the most pivotal. Stress affects all of differently, but no matter how stress affects each of us, the one thing we all have in common is how our stress is created.
And even if most folks don’t want to admit it, here’s the plain truth:
You are creating your own stress.
I can just hear readers saying, “but you don’t have any idea of what I go through…” and you would be right—I don’t. But hear me out.
We all have events in our life, events that can make us worry, and fret and yes, stress. Remember that these are events, just events, and we assign an emotional charge to them by our interpretation of them. So the first step to solving the stress problem is recognizing that much of the daily stress we encounter is self-inflicted. Until you accept responsibility for the role you play in creating or maintaining your stress, it will always remain outside your control!
Tracking your stress
One way to monitor your attitudes and habits is by keeping a daily stress diary. (And yes, I hear your silent protest of “the last thing I need is another daily task.”) But a written record of events that cause stress and your reactions to those events will be eye-opening AND cathartic. The best thing is that you don’t have to spend a lot time to keep a stress journal–just make an entry every time you feel stressed.
When you’re recording your impressions, be sure to include these details:
- The event that caused the stress
- How the event made you feel both physically and emotionally
- How you responded
- What you did, if anything, to make yourself feel better
Even with the most minimal effort in tracking the details, you’ll begin to notice patterns—patterns that you can disrupt by changing your habits or reactions to the events in your life.
Slaying the stress dragon
In addition to the journal–which will help you learn to observe yourself more objectively– try the following healthy behaviors as way to handle things when stress rears its ugly head.
Get regular exercise
You’ve heard this before and you’ll hear it again for a very good reason–exercise works. Exercise releases endorphins and endorphins make us feel better. Activities that feature rhythmic and repetitive motions, such as aerobics, walking running and cycling, are best. If you feel like you don’t have time to workout, just go for a quick walk to clear your mind. Your business will be better for it.
Communicate
Nothing calms your nervous system better than confiding to a friend or loved one. Just make sure that it’s someone who makes you feel understood while providing a detached and objective perspective of the situation. Join groups that include other entrepreneurs. Most likely they have experienced the same challenges and make a solution. And sometimes it just feels good to vent to people that “get you”.
Just say no
Be sure to avoid things, people or situations that cause you stress. If you hate traffic, take a longer but less traveled route. If the news makes you feel overwhelmed or nervous, turn off the TV and do something else. If you have a client or colleague that consistently asks for favors outside of your scope of work, politely remind them of your agreement. Know your limits and learn to say no.
Hone your time management skills
Plan ahead and make sure you don’t overextend yourself. If you have a plan and a schedule that gives you some room to breathe, you’ll feel less pressured, more in control of things and much calmer. We create stress around unexpected situations. Being able to relax into your schedule goes a long way towards a more peaceful life.
Make time for fun and relaxation
Far too often, modern women feel as if doing something for fun is a waste of time. Nothing could be further from the truth! Balance is not only essential to emotional well-being, it’s the basis of it. Balance provides a stable foundation that you can build upon. Give yourself permission to do something just because you like it, whether or not you accomplish anything.
You come first
Once you’ve recognized that you’re creating your stress, it’s time to put together your own personal stress-relief program. You can start by simply listing some healthy ways to recharge and relax. Remember that you don’t have to do them all or do them immediately. Simply pick one or two things from your stress remedy list and do them each day, even if you’re not feeling particularly stressed.
Prevention can bring you a lot of comfort so be proactive and keep your life as stress-free as possible. If you are looking to find balance in your life, sign up for the waiting list for The Whole Happy Method. We will be launching in September. TWHM is a 3 month program that guides you to your end goal, whatever it is, while nurturing all of the primary areas of your life. Learn more here.
by Kelli | Jul 9, 2016 | Business Strategy, Entrepreneurial Lifestyle
Have you ever asked yourself, “Who am I to be doing this?” or “Is my work good enough?” even when your clients are telling you how awesome you are? You are not alone. What you’re feeling is known as Imposter Syndrome, and it’s much more commonplace than you might think.
The Birth of Imposter Syndrome
The term “Imposter Syndrome” was first used in 1978 by Pauline Rose Clance and Suzanne Imes in their study of 150 highly successful professional women. The study found that despite accolades from their colleagues, and despite having advanced in both rank and salary, many of them felt like imposters, attributing their successes to outside factors such as luck. They weren’t able to attribute their achievements to their talent or skills and understandably felt fearful about performing well in the future.
Since that time many others have studied the phenomenon and have found that it still endures today. Even celebrities who’ve been nominated or have won prestigious awards experience Imposter Syndrome. Michele Pfeiffer, who has a vast body of Award-nominated work, has admitted to feelings of self-doubt and worrying that one day, people will realize that she’s not all that talented. Kate Winslet has also admitted to moments of fear and to feeling as if her talents are “a sham.”
It’s Not a “Woman” Thing
Once thought to be a condition strictly afflicting women, subsequent studies have found that men suffer from Imposter Syndrome as well, although in smaller numbers.Oddly enough, the syndrome affects mainly high-achievers who have found real success in their fields.
How about that? We are high-achieving, go-getting badasses! Naturally, the condition can feel like a challenging and debilitating roadblock to happiness and fulfillment, but here are a few real strategies that can help you learn how to overcome Imposter Syndrome:
Seek Support
Seek support by discussing your feelings with a trusted friend, mentor or colleague. Because Imposter Syndrome is so prevalent, if other high-achieving women surround you, some of them are likely to be feeling the same as you. In fact, every accomplished woman I’ve ever met has felt this way at times. It’s important to remember that you are not alone.
Be Aware
Awareness is the first step to change. Become conscious of your thoughts when you find yourself feeling inadequate or fraudulent. Are there certain triggers that bring on these ideas? Perhaps it’s a client that isn’t the right fit for your business or certain tasks that just make you uncomfortable. Remember that there doesn’t have to be a justification for the way you are feeling.
Simply track the situations, people, and things that make you feel as if you are an imposter. Once you can identify the situations, people, or things that cause you to don the imposter disguise, you’re in the optimal position to change your story about yourself.
Question Your Thoughts
Question those often automatic thoughts and challenge them. Create a mantra for yourself. Remember Stuart Smalley from SNL? His mantra was “I’m good enough. I’m smart enough. And doggone it, people like me.” Create something similar but perhaps not as corny! Something like, “I’m on the path to success with grit and determination. Nothing will stop me, especially not fear.” I’ll share mine. It’s “F*ck fear! Right…in..the..face!” That’s it–and it works for me.
Pat Yourself On The Back
Acknowledge your wins, frequently and often, no matter if they are big or small. This is a big one in putting Imposter Syndrome back in its cage, which is where it belongs. You can do this without becoming arrogant or self-centered. You can do this simply because it’s true. You did reach a particular goal, you did get that promotion, you did receive that atta-gal from your boss. When you win these wins, feel them. Relish them. Exult in them. You’ve earned accolades because they reflect your value to yourself and the work you’ve created. Make sure that you are celebrating yourself.
I’ve always admired people that wear their accomplishments on their sleeve. They ooze self-confidence and self-assurance. Those qualities are magnetic, drawing people to them. Do you think Bethenny Frankel has self-doubt? Of course, she does, but she also knows that she works hard for what she has accomplished, and she knows her shit.
Do a reality check
It’s important to realize that there is a difference between feelings and reality. Just because you feel inadequate doesn’t mean that you are. The fact that someone has hired you says that there is something that drew them to trusting you and your abilities. Make sure you believe you are that right person for the job and you are the right person to do that job.
Challenges can be difficult, especially when you’re suffering from self-doubt. The important thing to remember is that they are not insurmountable–they can be overcome! Working with a business advisor can help you tackle those fears and put them behind you. Contact me and we can put you on the path to self-confidence and success. Join my 6 Week Course – Launch by Design- to gain the freedom you need to propel your business to the heights you wish to achieve.
by Kelli | Jun 12, 2016 | Entrepreneurial Lifestyle
There are a lot of really wonderful rewards when living the entrepreneurial lifestyle. Freedom from a boss and the ability to design your day are just two of the benefits that the self-employed woman enjoys more frequently than her business contemporary who works in corporate America.
No matter where you work, at times the grass always looks greener when it’s on the other side of the fence. The freedom to work for yourself comes with a lot of unexpected surprises, exposing the real truth of what it’s like to run your own business. Here are five of the top misconceptions about living an entrepreneurial lifestyle.
When you work for yourself, you work fewer hours
Many entrepreneurs do not allow themselves to “turn off,” and instead will work long hours. Because many entrepreneurs work from home, it becomes difficult to draw a line between work activities and home activities. In the beginning of their careers, many women entrepreneurs find themselves sacrificing both their personal and family lives to meet business needs. Working late nights and weekends seems to be the norm. And just like most women, female entrepreneurs struggle to find a functional work-life balance.
You can do it all yourself
Many entrepreneurs make the mistake of trying to do everything themselves. This can lead to both emotional and physical burnout, and possibly the failure of the business. Most self-employed women learn in the beginning to eliminate any process or task that doesn’t add value to their business. Creating a support team is necessary for every successful entrepreneur. Whether that team includes a coach (like me!), an assistant, a house manager, an accountant, or a social media strategist, each businesswoman knows best what she needs to support her in her own personal striving for success. Does Lisa Vanderpump do it all herself? Hell, no!
Entrepreneurs must be young and take huge risks
Let’s face it—as Americans, we all love a real rags-to-riches story. We adore hearing about folks who had nothing or were close to losing it all and then suddenly became enormously successful.
Why do we love this stuff? For one reason, we Americans love an underdog. Another reason is that if someone else can succeed after being pushed down, then success is possible for all of us. We like hearing that too!
However, the true reality is that success doesn’t come out of nowhere and it doesn’t come overnight. Successful entrepreneurs have usually worked late nights and weekends to get their business started, and often while employed in a full-time day job.
Likewise, just because a person is an entrepreneur, it does mean that she is young. According to the Small Business Association, more than 63% of American adults plan to work during retirement. This type of encore entrepreneurship is quickly becoming the new normal.
You’ll have a lot more time
This is one of the biggest myths of all—in fact, free time is a rarity for the new entrepreneur. When starting their business, many self-employed women sacrifice their personal time in the beginning so they can have more personal time down the road. Some folks believe that entrepreneurs do their work from beach chairs or the neighborhood Starbucks. The brutal truth is that most entrepreneurs work out of a basic home office. The working days are long beginning early in the morning and often lasting late into the night. To the beginning entrepreneur, sleep can sometimes be as precious as money.
Entrepreneurs need just one great idea
This one actually hurts to think about. Many small start-ups work extremely hard for several years, existing on miniscule budgets. The entrepreneurs examine the performance of their product and their company, learning from failures and using those lessons to make their end product much better. Consequently they can’t stop at just one product. That product must be refined, changed and adapted to best serve the needs
As you can see, the entrepreneurial lifestyle is not all glamour, glitz, and glitter. There’s a lot of hard work involved and that hard work requires enormous self-discipline. However, when a person’s company is successful because of all the hours spent away from family or home, the solo entrepreneur can feel a great deal of satisfaction because she knows that she–and only she–is responsible for bringing her fledgling but successful company in to the world.
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