Starting a Business: The Naked Truth

I’ve been in the coaching and consulting business for over 10 years now, and I’ve worked with hundreds of people, from the “starting a business” stage to the “multiple seven-figure profits” stage. I’ve seen it all. But more importantly– I’ve done a lot of things during that time to grow my own business too.

Before we go any further, know this: the grind is not always sexy.

I’ve experienced success, but it hasn’t come without embarrassing mistakes and horrendous “failures” on my end. I’m sharing this week’s blog for one key reason:

You’re not the only one.

You’re not the only one who struggles, makes mistakes and wonders if you’re really cut out for this.

You’re not the only one who has ever wondered if you should give it all up and get a J.O.B.

Starting a Business? Learn from My Mistakes.

Although I’ve run my current business for over a decade, there have been many ego-shattering and expensive mistakes along the way:

• I’ve run webinars with less than ten participants.
• I’ve done paid webinars and forgot to press record for the attendees … and had to do it all over again.
• I gave away my power, paid a “famous” copywriter $5,000 to write copy for my sales page (thinking they knew better than I did) and the conversion on that sales page was zero.
• I’ve had people manually process payments for customers that didn’t make it to my bank account because they did it the wrong way, and … I didn’t find out about it until more than a year later in one case.
• I’ve had coaching clients default on payment even though they received the service they asked for. Totally my fault for allowing non-payment to slide…
• I’ve forgotten my keynote – even though I had a full deck of slides – the night before I was to give it to 1000 people. No joke, my mind went completely blank.
• I’ve tried to sell from the stage and failed miserably. As in no sales whatsoever.
• I’ve started more things than I can count and never finished them, many of which are partially completed books, programs and ideas that could really help people.
• I’ve wasted tens of thousands of dollars on coaches who were ineffective and on programs I never started. Yes, I never started … I’ve bought online programs and never even watched ONE video. (*Facepalm*, who does that??)

This is the naked truth about starting a business. No, it’s not pretty. But all of this has happened to me, and I’m sure this kind of thing has or will happen to you too.

Here’s the game-changer:

Since starting a business ten years ago, I’ve seen it grow in revenue every single year. 

I now employ a team of almost 20 people and have a very successful and profitable business that is on track to almost double in size this year.

I don’t say that to toot my own horn. I want you to understand that when I say, “you have what it takes” – I truly mean it. EVEN when you make mistakes, doubt your ability and wonder if you should get a job.

All entrepreneurs face obstacles, but those who keep going – those who look for solutions and learn from their shortcomings, instead of getting paralyzed by them – can do it.

If I can do it – a high school drop-out – then so can you.

Don’t. Give. Up.

Ten years might sound like a long time for you. But when you’re building something that lasts and leaves a legacy, it’s only a blip in time. Don’t let the future or length of time scare you. Focus on progress, year after year. Stay in it for the long term.

The last 10 years taught me a really important lesson: if you put the time in, you will see the payoff eventually.

When it’s hard and you start wondering if you’re cut out for this– know it’s not just you.

It’s hard for everyone in business at some point. It’s the “keep-on-going” that gets you to where you want to be.

5 Action Steps to Keep You Going:

So, you want to last more than ten years? Then you’re going to need some mindset shifts, actionable changes and re-focusing. Here are five steps I suggest:

1. Compare yourself to you only. Stop idolizing gurus. They are the wrong measuring stick for your own progress.
2. Keep an evidence folder of your wins and refer to it regularly to remind yourself of what you’re capable of.
3. Set a goal with a reward so you have something to look forward to for all your hard work.
4. Unsubscribe from everyone except the top 3 people who provide value in your inbox regularly. You don’t need more than three, choose wisely who you follow and listen to.
5. Get the Pilot Project for FREE. You don’t need more courses that cost thousands of dollars. Stop over-investing in programs and start taking more action to move yourself forward!

Tell me below: which one (or multiple) of these action steps will you implement TODAY?