There is one phrase that tells me everything I need to know about a flatlining business.   Slow day.   “We had a slow day today.”   “Business is slower than usual.”   “We really can’t afford more slow days like this one.”   This phrase is a clear indication that a business owner is taking a reactive approach. They’re not building, they’re not pursuing, they’re not seizing every opportunity to get where they want to be.   Instead, they... Read more

Remember when you had to let someone else set the priorities for your work days?   When you had a boss who got the final word on the best use of your time, talents, and energy?   That sucked, right?   A lot of us are driven towards entrepreneurship because we want control over our time.    We want to be able to give our ideas the effort they deserve.   We trust our own vision and believe in our own dreams.   And that’s why it’s particularly disappointing to discover that even once we... Read more

If you’ve been working on your marketing, you’ve probably been working on your branding.   You’ve debated voice and tone with your team. You’ve selected the logo and colors that bring the kind of energy that reflects the spirit of your brand. You’ve discussed mission and values, whether you want your brand to feel youthful or experienced, polished or fun.   And if you’re like a lot of business owners, you might find yourself slipping into the self-presentation trap.   That is to say, yo... Read more

  A lot of business owners consider themselves open to differing points of view.    But I can tell you from experience, we don’t really know how open we actually are until we’re leading a team and trying to sustain the business that feeds our families.   The stakes are suddenly very high. We’re also more vulnerable, positioning ourselves as leaders and feeling the pressure to always appear confident.   Suddenly, we find ourselves slamming doors on opinions that don’t align with our own b... Read more

  Business owners love to talk about how hard they’re working. Relentless, grueling work earns you a badge of honor in the entrepreneurial realm.    But on a societal level, there’s a new shift towards lifestyle balance. More and more frequently, you hear thought leaders and influencers talking about the importance of rest and having a personal life.   I believe both of these philosophies hold merit, but they both neglect the real issue.   If you want to grow your business to a point where you can t... Read more

No one wants to crush a loved one’s dream.   And yet, many aspiring business owners have had people in their lives who have encouraged them to reconsider an ambition.   It could be the parent who warns them that they’re unlikely to succeed. Or the friend who thinks the journey will be miserable. Maybe it’s the spouse who’s worried about losing financial security or quality time together.   There are many reasons people close to you might discourage you from building the business you want to build.... Read more