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21. 7 Tips For Sustainable Revenue this Summer · WOC and Allies: Business and Career Realtalk with Elaine Lou Cartas

• 0:00
  SPEAKER_00: Summer is coming in hot and it is here.
• 0:06
  SPEAKER_00: I know last year was all about hot girl summer.
• 0:09
  SPEAKER_00: Thank you, Megan, the stallion.
• 0:11
  SPEAKER_00: But this summer, summer of 2022, with things opening up like travel and the news of a recession coming, it's starting to feel we all want a sustainable summer.
• 0:25
  SPEAKER_00: And here's what I'm defining as a sustainable summer: being able to be present on your vacations, days off, being with loved ones, while still being able to serve your clients and get more ideal clients.
• 0:40
  SPEAKER_00: For example, the day I'm recording this episode, it is Monday, June 13th.
• 0:45
  SPEAKER_00: I'm at my parents' home because I went with my dad to the doctor's because he has two surgeries coming up.
• 0:51
  SPEAKER_00: And I know how privileged I am to be able to be present for my dad, for my family on a weekday while I am running my business.
• 1:03
  SPEAKER_00: So, Legacy Maker.
• 1:06
  SPEAKER_00: How are you supposed to get a sustainable business when you just want to play or be there with loved ones?
• 1:13
  SPEAKER_00: Well, keep listening.
• 1:14
  SPEAKER_00: And right now, we're gonna drop the beat.
• 1:46
  SPEAKER_00: Because our ancestors sacrificed so much so we can have this life of choice.
• 1:51
  SPEAKER_00: Now, grab your coffee, tea, andor boba, and let's call your dreams to create your legacy.
• 2:08
  SPEAKER_00: While at the same time anxious, because when I'm recording this episode, it is June 13th, 2022, and my iPhone just flashed that it is now a bull market.
• 2:21
  SPEAKER_00: And as we've all heard from the news, even in our social media, there's so much talk of a recession coming.
• 2:29
  SPEAKER_00: Well, at the same time, we have to remember as summer just started right now, and just like recessions, they come in seasons.
• 2:38
  SPEAKER_00: Recessions actually happen once a decade.
• 2:42
  SPEAKER_00: So in this episode, my intention is to talk about how you can enjoy your summer, regardless of what is happening around the world, because I do not need to list all the things that have been happening, not just this year, but obviously in the past several years, since 2020, it's been crazy.
• 3:03
  SPEAKER_00: And regardless of what's happening outside of our control, it's focusing on what is working and how to really enjoy summer.
• 3:14
  SPEAKER_00: So, for example, as I'm recording this, I am actually at my parents' house.
• 3:21
  SPEAKER_00: It's a Monday, June 13th, and I decided to go with my dad to the doctor.
• 3:27
  SPEAKER_00: Now he didn't have to ask me to go with him.
• 3:30
  SPEAKER_00: It was his regular checkup.
• 3:32
  SPEAKER_00: But for my fellow first-gen immigrants who have immigrant parents or person of color parents, I just went because our parents are getting older and as stubborn as they get, I wanted to be there for my dad.
• 3:46
  SPEAKER_00: That's like one of many examples of having a sustainable summer where you could do what you want and know your business is still running.
• 3:55
  SPEAKER_00: And people argue summer is a slow time, a slow period.
• 3:58
  SPEAKER_00: I actually have the best month out of the whole year of 2022.
• 4:03
  SPEAKER_00: In fact, the first three days of June, I had the most sales coming in.
• 4:09
  SPEAKER_00: So how can you have this too?
• 4:12
  SPEAKER_00: Well, listen up.
• 4:13
  SPEAKER_00: I will be sharing seven actionable steps.
• 4:18
  SPEAKER_00: And if you are not driving, I really want you to pause this episode right now and go get a pen and paper.
• 4:25
  SPEAKER_00: And if you are driving, make sure to re-listen to this episode and really hear the seven tips.
• 4:32
  SPEAKER_00: So, you ready, legacy maker?
• 4:34
  SPEAKER_00: All right, tip number one productivity doesn't define us.
• 4:41
  SPEAKER_00: And if you haven't yet, I want you to listen to the last podcast episode, the Color Dreams podcast episode, where I talk with my friend Paula on how to unlearn being performative.
• 4:55
  SPEAKER_00: Because especially, you know what, not just summer, but us getting older, right?
• 5:00
  SPEAKER_00: I'm in my 30s.
• 5:01
  SPEAKER_00: I'm very different from my 20s.
• 5:03
  SPEAKER_00: I could be workaholic and not even know I was burnt out or tired.
• 5:06
  SPEAKER_00: But when you get older, you're more mindful of when you are tired and exhausted.
• 5:11
  SPEAKER_00: In fact, we are given 24 hours and days, seven days in a week.
• 5:15
  SPEAKER_00: So the reason why I want to start if productivity doesn't define us, then it's really seeing what are the needle movers, what's really working your business.
• 5:24
  SPEAKER_00: Okay.
• 5:25
  SPEAKER_00: Step number two on having a sustainable summer.
• 5:28
  SPEAKER_00: If you haven't yet, block off the days, you know you're on vacation.
• 5:33
  SPEAKER_00: And if you are not a solopreneur, see if a team member can support you.
• 5:38
  SPEAKER_00: For example, on the day, the week that this podcast has launched.
• 5:44
  SPEAKER_00: So it's like the third week of June when it's launching, I am in New York for a full week.
• 5:49
  SPEAKER_00: I am doing a speaking engagement for my friend at the same time celebrating another friend's 10-year business anniversary.
• 5:56
  SPEAKER_00: But I blocked it off.
• 5:57
  SPEAKER_00: I'm not doing any calls.
• 5:59
  SPEAKER_00: My team is taking care of doing the rest.
• 6:01
  SPEAKER_00: There are things I have scheduled to do before I leave to New York that is scheduled.
• 6:07
  SPEAKER_00: But block off the days now if you haven't.
• 6:10
  SPEAKER_00: And I would just even do it for the rest of the year.
• 6:12
  SPEAKER_00: Like I'm planning to go to Hawaii and Scotland in September, but start blocking it off.
• 6:19
  SPEAKER_00: Oh, another tip block off days you don't want to do calls.
• 6:23
  SPEAKER_00: So today is Monday, then I'm recording it.
• 6:26
  SPEAKER_00: I don't do calls on Mondays.
• 6:28
  SPEAKER_00: I don't do calls on Fridays.
• 6:29
  SPEAKER_00: I know I'm recording this podcast episode, but I am not talking to anyone.
• 6:32
  SPEAKER_00: I am talking to myself and you.
• 6:34
  SPEAKER_00: I'm listening to this podcast episode.
• 6:37
  SPEAKER_00: Third tip.
• 6:38
  SPEAKER_00: Before you make any business plans on how you're gonna get consistent clients, what people forget to do, right?
• 6:45
  SPEAKER_00: You're like, okay, I want two clients a week or two clients a month, whatever it is, right?
• 6:50
  SPEAKER_00: Depending on if you sell high premium sales or if it's a low-cost ticket, whatever it is.
• 6:57
  SPEAKER_00: Reflect on the past year and look at both your numbers and how you really felt about how the past year has been.
• 7:06
  SPEAKER_00: I mean, things constantly change and shift.
• 7:09
  SPEAKER_00: So here are a couple of questions to ask yourself.
• 7:11
  SPEAKER_00: One, what has brought you joy this past year in your business?
• 7:17
  SPEAKER_00: And if you're not sure, let's delve deeper.
• 7:20
  SPEAKER_00: What clients did you love working with?
• 7:23
  SPEAKER_00: And what commonalities did they have?
• 7:26
  SPEAKER_00: And out of all of your services, all of your products, which services have you enjoyed?
• 7:31
  SPEAKER_00: So, for example, for me, and I've shown this in other podcast episodes, I love working with clients two ways: one through my color dreams inner circle for established entrepreneurs, or one-to-one with established entrepreneurs or leaders for mission-driven organizations.
• 7:47
  SPEAKER_00: I just have two services.
• 7:49
  SPEAKER_00: That's it.
• 7:50
  SPEAKER_00: I just want to work with them either in my color dreams inner circle or one-to-win.
• 7:53
  SPEAKER_00: I kept it simple.
• 7:55
  SPEAKER_00: If you haven't yet, listen to my podcast episode where I'm sure why I ended my mastermind.
• 8:00
  SPEAKER_00: It's because I had five services and I was doing all the things and your girl was burnt out and tired.
• 8:07
  SPEAKER_00: Another thing to also ask yourself, I know I talked about the joyful things, but what clients did you not love working with?
• 8:14
  SPEAKER_00: And what services did you not enjoy?
• 8:17
  SPEAKER_00: It's not just about knowing what you do love, but also what do you not love?
• 8:22
  SPEAKER_00: And let's go to the fourth tip on having a stable summer.
• 8:26
  SPEAKER_00: When you understand what commonalities your best clients have, it's actually also important to understand where did they come from?
• 8:37
  SPEAKER_00: You know, was it referrals?
• 8:39
  SPEAKER_00: What's it social media?
• 8:40
  SPEAKER_00: If it was social media, what specific platforms?
• 8:44
  SPEAKER_00: For example, if you do use social media, you might notice it's more LinkedIn.
• 8:47
  SPEAKER_00: So how can you focus more on that rather than focusing on all this other social media platforms?
• 8:53
  SPEAKER_00: I remember talking to a client and she was considering going on Instagram.
• 8:57
  SPEAKER_00: And I was like, okay, well, where do all of your clients come from?
• 9:00
  SPEAKER_00: She's like LinkedIn.
• 9:00
  SPEAKER_00: Like, well, if we know that's what's working, continue focusing on that or not just focusing on that, but what can you do to improve upon it?
• 9:09
  SPEAKER_00: And before you even consider going to Instagram, I'm not saying no to Instagram, ask your audience, why don't you do the posts on LinkedIn and ask, hey, is anyone on Instagram?
• 9:19
  SPEAKER_00: Do people get advice when it comes to ABC whenever you're selling on Instagram?
• 9:25
  SPEAKER_00: So that is what I would recommend.
• 9:28
  SPEAKER_00: And also if you need a break from social media, I have really been contemplating a lot about social media.
• 9:36
  SPEAKER_00: I've been doing my own personal research on just the data that's given on Facebook and Instagram.
• 9:41
  SPEAKER_00: See how you could increase your own referral program or maybe start establishing relationships with folks who have a complementary service to what you do, right?
• 9:54
  SPEAKER_00: So, for example, I am a business coach.
• 9:58
  SPEAKER_00: Two of my coaches and who are great friends of mine, like Monica Schock, who does marketing and messaging, I refer a lot of people to her.
• 10:05
  SPEAKER_00: She refers people to me.
• 10:07
  SPEAKER_00: There is also Nicole Cruz who does mindset coaching.
• 10:10
  SPEAKER_00: I refer a lot of people to Nicole and her team.
• 10:13
  SPEAKER_00: And then Nicole also refers people to me.
• 10:16
  SPEAKER_00: So see how you can start creating relationships for those referrals.
• 10:19
  SPEAKER_00: All right.
• 10:20
  SPEAKER_00: Tip number five, which I realize should have been like in the beginning, but what are your three goals for a sustainable summer?
• 10:28
  SPEAKER_00: And here's a challenge when you're thinking about what are those three goals.
• 10:32
  SPEAKER_00: One of them has to be personal.
• 10:35
  SPEAKER_00: The other two could be business, but one of them has to be personal.
• 10:37
  SPEAKER_00: Oh, and extra credit.
• 10:39
  SPEAKER_00: If all three is personal, that is great.
• 10:41
  SPEAKER_00: But we live in such a Western culture that praises productivity and work that so often we put and define success as what we're doing for work.
• 10:51
  SPEAKER_00: So I really want you to think about what are your three goals for this summer?
• 10:54
  SPEAKER_00: And one of them has to be personal.
• 10:56
  SPEAKER_00: Now, number six, let's examine your self-care and energy management.
• 11:04
  SPEAKER_00: Be honest.
• 11:06
  SPEAKER_00: What do you need to back out of?
• 11:09
  SPEAKER_00: What are commitments you have?
• 11:10
  SPEAKER_00: Not just business, but maybe it's even personal.
• 11:14
  SPEAKER_00: Maybe you are a volunteer for a nonprofit and you realize you don't want to volunteer once a week and you want to backtrack it to every other week.
• 11:23
  SPEAKER_00: And that's okay.
• 11:24
  SPEAKER_00: It's really important to put yourself first.
• 11:28
  SPEAKER_00: So the seventh tip delegation.
• 11:31
  SPEAKER_00: I know this is hard.
• 11:33
  SPEAKER_00: What are things you can't do at all, right?
• 11:37
  SPEAKER_00: Like, so what are things you can delegate from both your business and personal?
• 11:41
  SPEAKER_00: So, for example, in my own business, I've learned to let go of actually doing everything in this podcast.
• 11:48
  SPEAKER_00: So if you see the show notes, you see the social media posting, even the copy for it, that's not me.
• 11:54
  SPEAKER_00: That's my team.
• 11:56
  SPEAKER_00: All I have to do for my podcast is hit record and my team takes care of the rest.
• 12:01
  SPEAKER_00: And then for personal, I have my own house cleaner.
• 12:04
  SPEAKER_00: She doesn't necessarily come in once a week, she actually comes in once a quarter.
• 12:08
  SPEAKER_00: I have clients where a house cleaner comes in once a week.
• 12:11
  SPEAKER_00: I also have clients where they're a mother and they hire their house cleaner to also do laundry for them because it takes out so much time.
• 12:20
  SPEAKER_00: And time is money, you'll be surprised by how much happier you will be when you have more time to yourself.
• 12:29
  SPEAKER_00: Even if that means catching up and watching this Marvel.
• 12:34
  SPEAKER_00: By the way, if you have a Disney Plus, the first episode just dropped.
• 12:38
  SPEAKER_00: I think the second episode drops, no, third episode drops by the time this is hit record, but it is amazing.
• 12:43
  SPEAKER_00: Anyways, I'm a Marvel fan.
• 12:45
  SPEAKER_00: I know I just sidetracked.
• 12:46
  SPEAKER_00: But what I'm trying to say is we are given 24 hours in a day.
• 12:51
  SPEAKER_00: And you really want to think about how every hour is going to be focused in on work.
• 12:56
  SPEAKER_00: Like, for example, today on a Monday, because we're actually celebrating a Father's Day early at the day that I'm recording this instead of the usual Sunday because both my brother and I are traveling for other things.
• 13:07
  SPEAKER_00: So I'm here at my parents'.
• 13:10
  SPEAKER_00: I'm actually at my old childhood bedroom.
• 13:13
  SPEAKER_00: So there's like a mess in the back because immigrant parents change the childhood bedroom into storage.
• 13:18
  SPEAKER_00: That's what happens.
• 13:19
  SPEAKER_00: All right.
• 13:19
  SPEAKER_00: So let's go back.
• 13:20
  SPEAKER_00: I know I gave you those seven tips.
• 13:22
  SPEAKER_00: I'll go through it quickly.
• 13:24
  SPEAKER_00: Productivity doesn't define us.
• 13:26
  SPEAKER_00: Block off your days when you know you're on vacation or if you just don't want to work.
• 13:31
  SPEAKER_00: Number three is before you make any business plans for the summer, look at the past year in what clients and what services you really enjoyed working and what clients and services you did not enjoy working.
• 13:46
  SPEAKER_00: And just remember, it's nothing bad or negative at the client.
• 13:49
  SPEAKER_00: It's just like dating.
• 13:50
  SPEAKER_00: You need to figure out what is the best match for you.
• 13:53
  SPEAKER_00: Fourth tip is when you understand the commonalities of your best clients, go look through how your clients are coming to you, understanding their client journey.
• 14:03
  SPEAKER_00: What social media platform do you want to focus on?
• 14:05
  SPEAKER_00: Or if you really need to bring on social media, then go focus on referrals.
• 14:09
  SPEAKER_00: Sustainable summer tip number five.
• 14:11
  SPEAKER_00: What are your three goals for the summer?
• 14:13
  SPEAKER_00: One of them has to be personal.
• 14:14
  SPEAKER_00: Number six, examine your self-care and energy management.
• 14:18
  SPEAKER_00: What do you need to back out of?
• 14:20
  SPEAKER_00: And number seven, delegation.
• 14:22
  SPEAKER_00: What are things you can start delegating both in your personal and professional life?
• 14:27
  SPEAKER_00: Because in business, there are two parts.
• 14:29
  SPEAKER_00: There's actually the servicing or creating the product that you have, which we all love, right?
• 14:34
  SPEAKER_00: We all love doing the service, we all love creating the product.
• 14:38
  SPEAKER_00: But the second part that's hard that's important to have a business is running it.
• 14:42
  SPEAKER_00: It is looking at what's working, what's not working, not just numbers, but even in your gut and in your intuition.
• 14:48
  SPEAKER_00: Because having a successful, sustainable business is doing both.
• 14:54
  SPEAKER_00: And here's what I also want to encourage you.
• 14:57
  SPEAKER_00: I know I made it sexy by talking about how to have a sustainable summer and being reflective, but I am constantly evaluating, re-evaluating not just my business, but also my life once a week.
• 15:12
  SPEAKER_00: I take time to reflect to really pause and refer to episode three on how to scale without copying everyone else.
• 15:20
  SPEAKER_00: It's hard to be self-aware, but in those moments of self-awareness, you actually get the answers within because it doesn't matter who you talk to, whether it is a coach like me or a therapist or a friend or a family member, the answers do come within us.
• 15:35
  SPEAKER_00: And yes, go to your friends, family members, experts, whether it's a coach or therapist for advice.
• 15:41
  SPEAKER_00: But ultimately, you get to listen to you, regardless of what advice you have, of what aligned action to take.
• 15:48
  SPEAKER_00: So, to conclude this episode, if you are not driving, I want you to close your eyes.
• 15:53
  SPEAKER_00: If you are driving, do not close your eyes.
• 15:55
  SPEAKER_00: So keep your eyes on the road.
• 15:57
  SPEAKER_00: As you close your eyes, imagine really enjoying your summer.
• 16:01
  SPEAKER_00: In fact, every season of your life, not just summer.
• 16:06
  SPEAKER_00: And five things I want you to think of.
• 16:08
  SPEAKER_00: One, imagine how you're creating a sustainable business where you don't have to be on all the time and get clients to come to you.
• 16:16
  SPEAKER_00: Like right now, I'm in New York and I actually have three new clients booked with me.
• 16:23
  SPEAKER_00: Number two, think about how you're simplifying your business, services that focus on what brings you joy by deleting other services that don't work for you.
• 16:34
  SPEAKER_00: Number three, think about how you're doing things that you love because you're delegating the other task.
• 16:42
  SPEAKER_00: And hey, this does not happen overnight.
• 16:46
  SPEAKER_00: But it is great to get started, even if it is one thing.
• 16:50
  SPEAKER_00: And number four, think about how you're completely true to you and not what everyone is telling you online or in person what you should do.
• 17:02
  SPEAKER_00: And five, my favorite question to reflect on as you're closing your eyes for if you're driving, you're staring and looking, making sure you're not getting hit.
• 17:10
  SPEAKER_00: What does abundance mean to you?
• 17:12
  SPEAKER_00: I'm gonna ask that again.
• 17:13
  SPEAKER_00: What does abundance mean to you?
• 17:15
  SPEAKER_00: Like the day I'm recording this episode, abundance to me means I am here at my parents' house where they have changed up my childhood bedroom into storage room.
• 17:25
  SPEAKER_00: But I was able to go with my dad to a doctor's appointment.
• 17:29
  SPEAKER_00: He's getting two surgeries this summer.
• 17:32
  SPEAKER_00: And I'm so glad that I get to do that.
• 17:34
  SPEAKER_00: I have that flexibility, I have that luxury.
• 17:37
  SPEAKER_00: And if you're in the LA area, I am actually doing a one-day in-person sustainable summer retreat on Sunday, July 17 for eight to 10 folks.
• 17:49
  SPEAKER_00: And right now we have about four people confirmed.
• 17:52
  SPEAKER_00: And we're going to create your 90-day individualized action plan for how you could get consistent clients and start preparing for Q4 because I really believe in having a sustainable and equitable future.
• 18:09
  SPEAKER_00: So to sign up, to register, or to schedule a call to see if it's a good fit, go to ElaineLu.com forward slash retreat.
• 18:31
  SPEAKER_00: So more women of color and allies can benefit too.
• 18:36
  SPEAKER_00: And if you have one or two friends that would get so much from this particular episode, please share.
• 18:44
  SPEAKER_00: The intention behind the Colour Your Dreams podcast was to contribute and give back to our people.
• 18:50
  SPEAKER_00: All right, we'll see you next Thursday for our newest Call Your Dreams episode.
• 18:56
  SPEAKER_00: And don't forget to Colour Your Dreams too.