Latest / Online Business Tips: Mind Your Time / How Emani Guy Went From Scrambling to Strategic in Her Service-Based Business

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How Emani Guy Went From Scrambling to Strategic in Her Service-Based Business · Online Business Tips: Mind Your Time

0:00
SPEAKER_00: Now, if you've been following along with the Systems Reset series, you've heard me talk about why being great at what you do isn't enough, why your onboarding shouldn't be a guessing game, and how your calendar can either protect you or drain your capacity.
0:16
SPEAKER_00: Now, if you haven't checked out that series, please go back and listen to all four episodes because it's going to make my conversation with Amani make even more sense.
0:26
SPEAKER_00: Welcome to the Mind Your Time Podcast.
0:28
SPEAKER_00: I'm Shannon Baker, your coffee mugging host, business strategist, and systems expert.
0:33
SPEAKER_00: And I guide consultants towards systems that protect their time and elevate their expertise.
0:38
SPEAKER_00: If you're ready to run a business that supports your life and not the other way around, you're in the right place.
0:44
SPEAKER_00: Each episode shares grounded strategies rooted in my power and motion framework to help you lead your client experience with clarity and confidence.
0:52
SPEAKER_00: So grab a cup of coffee or your favorite beverage and let's dive in.
0:56
SPEAKER_00: Today I want you to hear from someone who has lived through all of this and came out stronger on the other side.
1:05
SPEAKER_00: So, my conversation today is going to be with Imani Y, the CEO and founder of Made New Marketing.
1:14
SPEAKER_00: She's a colleague and someone I've had the opportunity to work with closely in the past, and we've stayed connected as her business has continued to grow.
1:24
SPEAKER_00: Her story is a powerful example of what happens when you begin putting the right structure in place behind the scenes.
1:32
SPEAKER_00: And it's not that anything was broken in her business, but her business had reached a point where it needed more support.
1:41
SPEAKER_00: So before I turn it over to Imani to share her story, I want to give you a little context on how we met because it highlights something important about how these shifts often begin.
1:53
SPEAKER_00: So I have a client who's been with me practically since I started my business.
1:58
SPEAKER_00: She's an event producer, and I manage her business and provide logistical on-site support at the events that she produces.
2:06
SPEAKER_00: But in 2023, she produced a conference, and Imani was on that client's team.
2:12
SPEAKER_00: We hit it off immediately, and we've been buddies, having coffee, co-working.
2:20
SPEAKER_00: We've been keeping in touch basically ever since we met.
2:24
SPEAKER_00: But a few months after that conference, I was hired by that client to help them clean up their back office so that they could grow their team.
2:32
SPEAKER_00: And Imani and I got to work together more closely.
2:35
SPEAKER_00: So when I launched my membership, she was actually one of the first people to join.
2:41
SPEAKER_00: But at that time, her business wasn't quite ready to fully benefit from the resources inside the Mind Your Time Society.
2:51
SPEAKER_00: But that would soon change.
2:54
SPEAKER_00: So now that you got a little bit of background information, I'm going to turn it over to Imani to tell us her story, starting with how she took the leap into becoming an entrepreneur.
3:05
SPEAKER_01: First, I want to say thank you, Shannon, for having me on this podcast.
3:08
SPEAKER_01: This is a long time coming with us working together, a long time coming with me being on here.
3:14
SPEAKER_01: But hello everyone.
3:15
SPEAKER_01: Like Shannon said, I'm Imani Guy, founder and CEO of Made New Marketing.
3:20
SPEAKER_01: Um, I started my business back in October of 2023.
3:24
SPEAKER_01: I was working freelance in the marketing industry with a client that Shannon and I shared.
3:29
SPEAKER_01: Um, and then I was like, hmm, maybe I could be an entrepreneur.
3:33
SPEAKER_01: But I wasn't ready to take that leap of faith.
3:35
SPEAKER_01: I was like, hold on, I love the stability of my nine to five.
3:40
SPEAKER_01: But in September of 2023, before actually flying out for a client's conference, um, I got an email saying that I was losing my job.
3:48
SPEAKER_01: And so I faced the decision, would I become an entrepreneur?
3:53
SPEAKER_01: Which I was confused about.
3:55
SPEAKER_01: Like, hold on, is that really my calling?
3:58
SPEAKER_01: Or would I try to look for jobs in the marketing industry?
4:02
SPEAKER_01: It was hard to find jobs.
4:04
SPEAKER_01: So I just took a leap of faith and started my business.
4:07
SPEAKER_01: And now I'm here.
4:08
SPEAKER_01: So, you know, just a testament to just taking a leap of faith and not looking back.
4:14
SPEAKER_01: And that's exactly what I did.
4:16
SPEAKER_00: I remember that first year, of course, you were going through all the motions.
4:22
SPEAKER_00: You had all the pieces you need to start your business.
4:26
SPEAKER_00: While you were really good at your work and you were developing your skills, but one thing you mentioned was your lack of systems was holding you back.
4:34
SPEAKER_00: Tell me a little bit more about that.
4:36
SPEAKER_01: So, yeah, I remember when I first met Shannon.
4:39
SPEAKER_01: Actually, I met you when I had lost my job because I lost it right before we went to the conference.
4:45
SPEAKER_01: And so I was frantic.
4:47
SPEAKER_01: I used to always tell Shannon in the beginning of months of getting to know her, you know, you look up how to start a business and they're like, give your EIN, LLC, business baking.
4:57
SPEAKER_01: They may give you some systems, but they don't really show you how to structure it, um, not to fit what works best for you, but your clients.
5:05
SPEAKER_01: And so that's what I dealt with a lot.
5:08
SPEAKER_01: I had the skills, I had the talents, the gift, all the things, but I didn't really know how to structure a business that was scalable.
5:17
SPEAKER_01: And I know we'll get into this later, but also the boundaries and systems, I say, were the biggest piece in the beginning of my business that caused burnout, all of the things I was really struggling.
5:28
SPEAKER_01: Like I barely slept.
5:30
SPEAKER_01: So I mean, answering calls 10, 11 p.m.
5:33
SPEAKER_01: and really not building a system or foundation for my business.
5:37
SPEAKER_01: And it showed later down the line.
5:41
SPEAKER_00: And one of the things I remember really that first year is because you were so overwhelmed, you started experiencing some health challenges.
5:49
SPEAKER_00: You remember what I told you at that time was going on?
5:52
SPEAKER_00: Because they couldn't figure out what was going on with you.
5:54
SPEAKER_00: Yeah.
5:55
SPEAKER_00: But I knew what it was.
5:56
SPEAKER_01: You would tell me stress, but also burnout, I believe.
6:01
SPEAKER_01: Like I was experiencing extreme, extreme burnout.
6:05
SPEAKER_01: I think that speaks to also what you do in your business, the importance of yes, you run a business, you're an entrepreneur, this is how you make your money and everything, but you have to make sure that you're okay.
6:15
SPEAKER_01: Because if you're not okay, then your business is gonna suffer.
6:18
SPEAKER_01: And when that happened, I was even still trying to work, make meetings on the way to doctor's appointment, and what was going on was it was like inflammation in my chest.
6:28
SPEAKER_01: I was in pain.
6:29
SPEAKER_01: Like I used to try to work from the bed.
6:30
SPEAKER_01: I don't know, like you guys see in movies, how the people like they get into the hospital because they have strokes and all these things, and they're still trying to work.
6:37
SPEAKER_01: And that was that was me, unfortunately.
6:40
SPEAKER_01: And I was only, I think I was like 24 at that time.
6:45
SPEAKER_01: 24, 25.
6:46
SPEAKER_01: So I'm 24, 25, and out in and out of doctor's appointments for three weeks because of stress, because they couldn't really determine inflammation in the chest can be caused from so many different factors.
6:59
SPEAKER_01: And so I'm in and out of the hospital.
7:01
SPEAKER_01: I'm going to the cardio doctor, a PC, like all of these things to get tests.
7:07
SPEAKER_01: Because, but it also me came down to I was stressed because I haven't had that pain since I never had that pain.
7:13
SPEAKER_01: But when I look back at that time period, it was a lot going on.
7:17
SPEAKER_01: And it, I feel like it just all comes to having boundaries as an entrepreneur because we struggle to do that a lot.
7:23
SPEAKER_01: Like we think if we say no, a client's gonna walk away.
7:27
SPEAKER_01: And if they choose to walk away, then that's on them because we have to make sure that our health is important.
7:32
SPEAKER_01: Because if something ever happens to us, they're just gonna find somebody else anyway.
7:36
SPEAKER_01: You see the same thing in corporate America.
7:38
SPEAKER_01: They oh, they say, okay, you can take this sick time, but at the end of the day, they're gonna find somebody to replace you.
7:44
SPEAKER_01: So you need to make sure you take care of your health.
7:46
SPEAKER_01: And that's from experience.
7:48
SPEAKER_01: That time I remember calling Shannon, like, I don't know, but things need to get done.
7:52
SPEAKER_01: It's like, no, take a pause, focus on your health.
7:55
SPEAKER_01: If they don't understand, then you actually should not be working with them, you know?
8:00
SPEAKER_01: So that was a very, very tough time.
8:04
SPEAKER_01: And I probably didn't even start implementing Shannon's advice until early this year when I was like, oh, in December and January this year, and I was like, I can't, I can't do this no more.
8:14
SPEAKER_01: I'm I'm burnt out.
8:17
SPEAKER_01: So yeah.
8:19
SPEAKER_00: Now I also remember another shift that you had to make was with your messaging and your services because you were very clear on what you did, who you served, and how you would deliver.
8:34
SPEAKER_00: Once you got that clarity, how did things change in your business?
8:39
SPEAKER_01: Tremendously.
8:40
SPEAKER_01: I remember when we first started working together, I want to say this was in March.
8:45
SPEAKER_01: Yes, it was in the beginning of March, and we sat down and you were like, what's your vision?
8:53
SPEAKER_01: What's your mission?
8:54
SPEAKER_01: And I think at the time, because when I started, when I look back when I started my business, I'm like, I just have to get clients.
8:59
SPEAKER_01: Like I lost a significant amount of income.
9:02
SPEAKER_01: I have to build up that income to be able to, you know, it's expensive in the DMV.
9:08
SPEAKER_01: So I had to build that income back up.
9:10
SPEAKER_01: So when I look back when I started my business, I my goal was okay, you need marketing, you need this, you need that.
9:15
SPEAKER_01: Okay, cool.
9:16
SPEAKER_01: Like I can do it.
9:17
SPEAKER_01: And not really realizing one that's not sustainable because you should not be able to work with everybody.
9:22
SPEAKER_01: Like everybody does not fit your target and your goal.
9:25
SPEAKER_01: So sitting down with you in March, I was like, okay, I have some work to do.
9:30
SPEAKER_01: And even when I was just prepping for today, I sat back and looked and I was like, I never really in the first couple years or year and a half of the business, sat back and like, what do I see this being?
9:43
SPEAKER_01: Not now, but in the future, you know, like when we were talking about the vision, what do I see it being in the future?
9:49
SPEAKER_01: And I was like, hmm, this is it really got me thinking.
9:52
SPEAKER_01: And I think that's and when we started talking, when I look back, just prepping, that was when I started to pivot.
9:58
SPEAKER_01: When I really sat down and was like, okay, what is my business supposed to be?
10:03
SPEAKER_01: Like I know I'm supposed to be doing so much more than what I'm doing.
10:05
SPEAKER_01: I'm not supposed to be feeling burnt out.
10:07
SPEAKER_01: Like I'm not, I'm an entrepreneur.
10:09
SPEAKER_01: I can back my old schedule.
10:10
SPEAKER_01: Why am I feeling burnt out?
10:12
SPEAKER_01: You know, and that pivot, you know, these last couple months have been hard, but it really shifted everything in my business because I sat down, you know, just like prayed and really like, what does my business look like next?
10:26
SPEAKER_01: Like, what do I want it to be in the future?
10:28
SPEAKER_01: And that really transformed my thinking, transformed that, okay, I really have to be serious about my back office.
10:37
SPEAKER_01: I have to be serious about my systems.
10:39
SPEAKER_01: Like, if this is the vision for five years, I can't have no back office.
10:44
SPEAKER_01: I can't not have an onboarding and all of these things.
10:47
SPEAKER_01: Like, I have to get my systems and foundation in order.
10:51
SPEAKER_01: And that comes with vision.
10:53
SPEAKER_01: I remember you saying, how do you not know if you don't know what you want to do, then how can you even build that structure for your business?
11:01
SPEAKER_01: So yeah, it was it's been a journey since March, but that conversation was was the start to me actually pivoting and really figuring out, okay, what does this look like next?
11:14
SPEAKER_00: Okay, so now we're at that clarity point.
11:17
SPEAKER_00: What do you do in mate new marketing?
11:21
SPEAKER_01: Yes.
11:22
SPEAKER_01: So it has changed a little bit since we last spoke, but um, so our goal basically is to help entrepreneurs shine their light.
11:31
SPEAKER_01: Entrepreneurs, we work with churches, ministries, um, and we used um our foundation, which is faith, to do that.
11:39
SPEAKER_01: And so we work in social media management, event marketing, not full events, but event marketing, and of course, storytelling.
11:49
SPEAKER_01: One of the things recently that I haven't shared with you yet, but working with you has showed me how people often also lack structure in their marketing and how it's important for them to build a foundation in every area of your business.
12:04
SPEAKER_01: But working with you and building that foundation in my entire business made me realize that you need that in every area, but the entire business is a start to building out your operations and every department of your business.
12:18
SPEAKER_01: And so I don't know, just working with you has shown me like, wow, people really don't have structure in their marketing.
12:24
SPEAKER_01: They don't have the strategy.
12:25
SPEAKER_01: And then, of course, the storytelling part with the social media or event marketing support.
12:30
SPEAKER_01: So it was really just interesting how this six months, how everything is just like full circle.
12:35
SPEAKER_01: Like we knew when we first started it was gonna be the community piece.
12:38
SPEAKER_01: We knew it was gonna be some faith incorporated, but I just didn't know in March would it be now.
12:44
SPEAKER_01: But that comes back to getting clarity and also even if you're pivoting your business, like keep going because it's gonna like you're gonna, it's like blurry.
12:52
SPEAKER_01: It was blurry in March.
12:53
SPEAKER_01: I'm like, okay, people see it.
12:55
SPEAKER_01: I don't see nothing.
12:56
SPEAKER_01: I probably need like bifocals or something.
12:59
SPEAKER_01: And then I was like, okay, it's starting to make sense as I'm taking these steps.
13:04
SPEAKER_01: It's starting to make sense, it's starting to get clear, like it's starting to, I'm starting to see the actual vision that we said back in March because I just was like, I'm gonna just keep taking these steps, and I guess wherever it land, you know, that's what it's that's what it's gonna be.
13:20
SPEAKER_01: So yeah, that's how I was able to really get clear and really just hone in on who are who I'm like I'm called to serve, like and help through my business.
13:30
SPEAKER_00: If you're new to the podcast, I always talk about the six core systems that every business owner needs.
13:36
SPEAKER_00: But the first three, just so you know, I was so proud of Imani, she already had her digital file structure in place, but she was missing two, and one of them is really huge, which was her client onboarding and then having control of her schedule or her calendar management because she didn't have all the boundaries in place that she needed.
13:58
SPEAKER_00: But one of the biggest ones that I knew she needed to make a priority was her onboarding because her complaint was as a content creator and manager, the clients weren't getting her what she needed to be able to do her job.
14:12
SPEAKER_00: So we tested it out together, created a um a basin airtable that she can recreate with every client.
14:21
SPEAKER_00: So it's a template.
14:23
SPEAKER_00: So, how has building out your onboarding process over the past, I would say, three to four months, what difference had it has it made as you start to work with new clients?
14:33
SPEAKER_01: When I tell you they love Airtable, like love it.
14:40
SPEAKER_01: They go on the platform, they're like, I think I just had one or two clients who I had to go over with, but everybody was like, it's it's fairly easy.
14:48
SPEAKER_01: They're actually excited that everything's in one platform as opposed to you know Google Drive and then having to go to a Google folder and then having to, you know, the the cells, the columns are too big or too long.
15:02
SPEAKER_01: So they really love Airtable, and it has been very easy to just also it's an app, so just upload from the phone and ping them when it's ready, they're able to edit it and different things.
15:14
SPEAKER_01: So when we talk about systems, like that was one of the big keys to be efficient with like clients being able to review content because if they can't review it in a timely manner, you know, things fall, or even if I have to go into Google Drive and add a link and then add all these extra things, things fall.
15:38
SPEAKER_01: So and and then when you think about things falling, then that messes up your client retention, that messes up clients that are like, hold on, what's going on?
15:46
SPEAKER_01: So you have to like air table is very important, but the onboarding was very important as well because I think before I I had calls with my clients, but it wasn't a true extensive onboarding package to say here's your like I think at the end we put a checklist.
16:05
SPEAKER_01: This is what I need to in order to be able to start.
16:07
SPEAKER_01: If I don't get these things, then it prolongs or pushes back our actual start date.
16:13
SPEAKER_01: And so being able to do that was really helpful for me.
16:17
SPEAKER_01: And I don't have to before y'all, I used to do too much proposals for every client or potential client, and then to maybe not get some, and this making stuff everything so specific to each client, but with the onboarding package, all I have to do is maybe change it out a little bit depending on the package they got and their name.
16:39
SPEAKER_01: But I don't have to change everything because I need all the credentials, the login credentials.
16:45
SPEAKER_01: Before I used to do everything on my Canva account, now I'm like, do you have one?
16:48
SPEAKER_01: Can you add me to your team?
16:50
SPEAKER_01: Just to make sure that things are separate, but also that they're able to see everything is just streamlined better, especially when you think about you may not work with clients all the time, like the same client for years.
17:04
SPEAKER_01: So instead of having to transfer, remember I had to do all that, and it's hard to transfer on Canva.
17:10
SPEAKER_01: So just those little things adding to my onboarding has made it so, so much easier.
17:18
SPEAKER_01: I had a new client onboarding last week, and he was like, wow, this is very, you know, thorough.
17:23
SPEAKER_01: I'm like, shout out to Shadow.
17:26
SPEAKER_01: Because I sent the onboarding package and it literally had everything.
17:29
SPEAKER_01: And I I recently updated too based on just pivoting in the company, the things that I see maybe I actually do need, and it's very helpful for your for your client because also just what I learned working with you is that it could be easy for you to do because like you're on the back end of the business, but it's not about if it's easier for you, like it's about your client.
17:51
SPEAKER_01: If they're struggling to keep up with what you're doing and they're they're not really understanding, then I don't want to say you're failing, but you're you're missing a piece.
17:59
SPEAKER_01: And when you think about even like getting clients back, it's hard because they're like, hmm, she she was good at her work, but I couldn't really keep up because it was too much going on.
18:09
SPEAKER_01: I think that's what I struggled with in the beginning, but now and I'm like, you're gonna know in the beginning what's going on.
18:15
SPEAKER_01: You're gonna have these systems that I know have work, have proven to work, and I'm not even creating the will again.
18:21
SPEAKER_01: I'm just duplicating and maybe even changing some of the columns to be specific to the client, but I'm making a process easier for them rather than easier for me.
18:30
SPEAKER_01: I feel like that's how I operated in the beginning.
18:32
SPEAKER_01: Oh, this is easy for me.
18:33
SPEAKER_01: I know what I'm doing.
18:34
SPEAKER_01: But then the client's like, can you clarify this every day?
18:38
SPEAKER_01: And I'm like, okay, now this is easy, but it was because I was working to for it to be easier for me and not, you know, for them.
18:46
SPEAKER_00: Yes, and that point right there really emphasizes how when you create processes or systems that are client-focused, it needs to be all about them.
18:57
SPEAKER_00: Because if they have a bad experience, as you mentioned, it doesn't matter how good you are at your job, all they're gonna remember is the bad experience that they have with you.
19:05
SPEAKER_00: And that's gonna one block them from referring anyone to you because they don't want anyone else to experience that.
19:12
SPEAKER_00: But then two, you know, if you while your clients and they're happy with you, you can raise your prices, you can change your services, they will stay with you and they will sing praises and bring more people, but it comes to your client experience.
19:26
SPEAKER_00: Now, one thing we also talked about several times, which is part of the client experience, is boundaries.
19:34
SPEAKER_00: Because before you did not have boundaries in place, especially around your calendar.
19:40
SPEAKER_00: How is it different now?
19:44
SPEAKER_01: I'm gonna just say this.
19:45
SPEAKER_01: Y'all need to work with Shannon because she is going to get y'all together unfiltered, but it's going to be beneficial in the long run.
19:52
SPEAKER_01: When it came to the boundaries with the calendar, I used to take meetings every day of the business week, Monday through Friday, nine to five, or at least three.
20:07
SPEAKER_01: Um, and what that did was I did not have opportunity to work on the back end of my business.
20:14
SPEAKER_01: That's why it was starting to quickly crumble because I'm so focused on what's on the front end, but I'm missing the back end and not even having at least one day where I'm able to focus on my admin.
20:27
SPEAKER_01: So I would take calls even outside of the nine to five, because of course I didn't have a separate work phone, so it was already, if I see it, I'm just gonna respond.
20:37
SPEAKER_01: But I realize that's not the best option because then people become accustomed to you answering at nine, 10 o'clock at night trying to get things done.
20:46
SPEAKER_01: And I also realized that everything is not urgent, you know?
20:51
SPEAKER_01: Like if there's a big event coming up or a deadline, but it's not that urgent at nine o'clock at night, especially if it's Monday through Thursday.
21:00
SPEAKER_01: Now, if it's a Friday and they need something before Monday, that could be understandable.
21:03
SPEAKER_01: But if it's Monday through Thursday, it can literally wait till the next morning.
21:07
SPEAKER_01: So setting those boundaries on my calendar.
21:09
SPEAKER_01: Now I only take meetings Mondays and Wednesdays full, like nine to five on both days.
21:15
SPEAKER_01: Thursdays 11 to 2.
21:17
SPEAKER_01: Other than that, Tuesdays are my admin day and working on anything internal and Friday is my rest day.
21:23
SPEAKER_01: Yes, I have a rest day.
21:26
SPEAKER_01: And I'm popping, but you can't see us because I would take meetings.
21:32
SPEAKER_01: Shannon would be like, oh no, I'm not available.
21:34
SPEAKER_01: It's me.
21:35
SPEAKER_01: I'm available because I just felt like if I wasn't available, oh, the client's gonna feel like I'm not serious.
21:41
SPEAKER_01: But I want to say this also like you don't have to prove yourself to your client, like you're already working with them.
21:46
SPEAKER_01: They clearly see that you're capable to do the job, so you don't have to like overextend yourself.
21:51
SPEAKER_01: And that's what I did.
21:53
SPEAKER_01: And so once me and Shan probably can't even count on my hands how many.
22:00
SPEAKER_01: Many times we have had this conversation.
22:02
SPEAKER_01: But once I started to implement it, I started to see less stress, time free up.
22:08
SPEAKER_01: My back end wasn't failing because one of my excuses, well, I would say it was an excuse, and I can say it's an excuse now because we overcame it, but was I didn't have time to focus on my back end.
22:19
SPEAKER_01: Like that was crazy that I even would say, like, I didn't have time.
22:22
SPEAKER_01: And you were like, okay, okay, you know?
22:26
SPEAKER_01: But setting those boundaries has cleared up so much time.
22:28
SPEAKER_01: I'm able to go in person more for clients.
22:31
SPEAKER_01: I'm able to just do more without feeling like even if I'm out of office for a day, like sometimes Thursdays, I may have to go in person for a content day.
22:40
SPEAKER_01: I can do that without feeling like my business is falling apart.
22:43
SPEAKER_01: Because if you leave your office for three hours and you feel like your business is falling apart, then you have bigger problems.
22:49
SPEAKER_01: And that was me.
22:50
SPEAKER_01: Like, I remember when we first started doing our coffee days, I would feel like, oh my gosh, like how can I be out doing this?
22:56
SPEAKER_01: And then I was like, relax.
22:58
SPEAKER_01: Like, nothing can happen in three hours.
23:02
SPEAKER_01: Um, and also you need to set aside time.
23:05
SPEAKER_01: If you know you're gonna be outside of office, how can you maybe potentially rearrange your schedule and have those boundaries?
23:11
SPEAKER_01: So when I'm out of office, when I'm at these events, when I'm doing things in person or in the field, I can be present where I am.
23:18
SPEAKER_01: And I did not do that the first year and a half of my business.
23:21
SPEAKER_01: I would, oh my bad, I have to take this call or do this.
23:24
SPEAKER_01: And you know, when I did start setting boundaries in my business, clients, some clients didn't like that simply because I basically just let them walk all over me in short terms.
23:36
SPEAKER_01: And so when you set those boundaries and you haven't before, people do they get confused.
23:42
SPEAKER_01: They're like, okay, she's switching up, but really it's you were taking advantage of me not having boundaries.
23:48
SPEAKER_01: And so setting those boundaries, it that even shifted my business.
23:53
SPEAKER_01: Like it was a lot of shifts happening at one time, the messaging.
23:57
SPEAKER_01: I was focused on the back office, I was setting boundaries, and people were some, it just people had to take time to receive it or even not receive it because of who I showed up as, but that wasn't even me.
24:11
SPEAKER_01: Like I was overextending myself.
24:13
SPEAKER_01: And now I don't be burnt out.
24:17
SPEAKER_01: I mean, even though this last six months has been hard, I hey, you on, I'll see you Monday.
24:22
SPEAKER_01: I say this to my work stuff.
24:24
SPEAKER_01: I'll see you Monday.
24:25
SPEAKER_01: I'm taking the weekend, I'm taking Friday, I'm prioritizing myself because if I can't be my best self, then things are gonna fall through, especially as a solopreneur, like things are gonna fall through.
24:36
SPEAKER_01: So boundaries, boundaries.
24:38
SPEAKER_01: If you don't learn anything else, boundaries, that's it.
24:43
SPEAKER_00: No, one thing you mentioned, actually, our last coffee co-working session was that you repeat something I told you about working hours and office hours.
24:54
SPEAKER_00: How has that made a difference for you?
24:57
SPEAKER_01: It has helped me to be able to have days where I'm focused on client work or my own work.
25:07
SPEAKER_01: Because before, if I'm working, one thing we had this conversation, I think before, I would be in the zone for like two hours, and then I get a ping, you have a meeting at 1 p.m.
25:20
SPEAKER_01: Now I'm out of that creativity space that, you know, working on client work, I could be typing something out.
25:28
SPEAKER_01: I'm out of that space now.
25:30
SPEAKER_01: I have to step aside, put my put another hat on, you know, for my sessions, for my um checking calls, and then I have to be in that meeting, right?
25:40
SPEAKER_01: And then now I'm out of that meeting.
25:42
SPEAKER_01: I've probably lost what I was working on before because I had to stop in that moment.
25:48
SPEAKER_01: Like for what, even for what you do, for what I do, when you're in that zone, you gotta I've done stayed up to 3 a.m.
25:55
SPEAKER_01: Cause I was in that zone, just like working here and there.
25:58
SPEAKER_01: When you're in that zone, you have to stay in that zone because once you get out, now I'm hungry.
26:02
SPEAKER_01: Now I gotta walk my dog.
26:05
SPEAKER_01: Now I gotta go to now life starts to happen.
26:08
SPEAKER_01: So setting those hours, I'm like, okay, so Tuesdays, I can get me a good workout in before work, I can come back.
26:16
SPEAKER_01: I I enjoy breakfast now, not even breakfast working.
26:20
SPEAKER_01: I enjoy breakfast, you know.
26:22
SPEAKER_01: Breakfast.
26:23
SPEAKER_01: I enjoy lunch.
26:24
SPEAKER_01: I used to work through, I used to work basically through every meal.
26:28
SPEAKER_01: And that's not long term, that's really truly not sustainable.
26:31
SPEAKER_01: So having working days and admin days separated when I can actually focus on client work, no calls.
26:40
SPEAKER_01: It's just like a random call that's like okay, like on the phone, but having to set up a Zoom and get on camera when I want to be in my scarf and my PJs and get work done.
26:51
SPEAKER_01: So it's like having those days are very crucial in your business.
26:55
SPEAKER_01: Like you can't go without them.
26:57
SPEAKER_01: You really truly cannot.
26:59
SPEAKER_01: I had a friend who started a business and I was like, wait, you got you got meetings.
27:03
SPEAKER_01: No, you need to have business at work work days and admin days because as your business grows, you have to you have to have that established.
27:12
SPEAKER_01: There's no reason you should be taking meetings five days out the week.
27:16
SPEAKER_01: No reason.
27:16
SPEAKER_01: Just I I'd rather stack them than like scatter them.
27:21
SPEAKER_01: Oh, that was good.
27:26
SPEAKER_00: I am proud of you because this time last year we were not at this point.
27:30
SPEAKER_01: I don't even think we were close because this was no, we were not at all.
27:36
SPEAKER_00: At all.
27:38
SPEAKER_00: Now, if someone listening in on this episode feels stuck the way that you used to, what's the first thing you would tell them to do to start making changes?
27:51
SPEAKER_01: I would say take a step back because I thought I had to do that.
27:55
SPEAKER_01: I had to take a step back and really assess what do I want my business to be.
28:02
SPEAKER_01: I think when you ask that question, that really was when my mind started to really go.
28:08
SPEAKER_01: Because a lot of businesses don't make it past a certain amount of years because either vision or you know, financial peace, we're not gonna get to all that, or just other things.
28:19
SPEAKER_01: But I would say take a step back, realign.
28:22
SPEAKER_01: Even if you have to let your clients know, hey, I need a second, um, and just pray.
28:29
SPEAKER_01: And I said, Oh, get a realign.
28:31
SPEAKER_01: And and also when I was feeling stuck, it was because it was time for me to pivot as well.
28:36
SPEAKER_01: So being okay with that pivot, even though I was early in business, I used to say, wait, why am I pivoting so early?
28:43
SPEAKER_01: Like I feel like I'm just getting started.
28:46
SPEAKER_01: But you may have to pivot more than you think in business.
28:49
SPEAKER_01: And a lot of people think sometimes with pivoting, that means that you're unsuccessful in business.
28:54
SPEAKER_01: Actually, and I remember talking to you, you said that's actually really good because that means you've gotten to a level where it's time for you to go to the next level.
29:02
SPEAKER_01: There's more that you need to do.
29:04
SPEAKER_01: And so I think that was the hardest piece that I had to like come to terms with when I was stuck that something's not working, you're stuck for a reason.
29:12
SPEAKER_01: Once I got the systems in order and I still felt stuck, I was like, okay, I think it's something else in the business that I need to pivot in.
29:20
SPEAKER_01: And it was the messaging, it was the targeted, target um audience, it was just honing in on just the overall vision for you know my company.
29:31
SPEAKER_01: But I would definitely say evaluate why you're stuck, where you're stuck, and then assess what are the next steps for getting unstuck and be okay if it don't have it doesn't happen in a month.
29:43
SPEAKER_01: Because I finally, after like March was six months ago, I think.
29:48
SPEAKER_01: I finally feel like I'm I'm out the quicksand.
29:52
SPEAKER_01: I'm finally getting back to Imani, just like working in my industry, my business, being even being confident in pivoting in the business, you know, because you have to rebuild that confidence.
30:06
SPEAKER_01: You were, I've been doing what I did in the past in the business for a year and a half.
30:10
SPEAKER_01: I had to work in the beginning.
30:11
SPEAKER_01: You remember when I first met you, I was not confident at all.
30:14
SPEAKER_01: I didn't even know how to pitch my business, what to say.
30:17
SPEAKER_01: And so now you talk about pivoting, now you have to be confident in that.
30:21
SPEAKER_01: So that took me time, but now I feel truly ready to really just step out on what this pivot looks like.
30:28
SPEAKER_01: And knowing that it's for a reason, even if, again, like I can't see, like I said earlier, even if the picture is very blurry, just keep stepping and like you'll get I'm stuck eventually.
30:40
unknown: Okay.
30:41
SPEAKER_00: Now, question that we didn't talk about ahead of time was now while a lot of the assistance that you got was us working one-on-one, how did the resources inside of the My Your Time Society help you with creating or documenting some of your processes and other things with the progress that you've made?
31:03
SPEAKER_01: Yeah.
31:03
SPEAKER_01: So being in a membership, there are so many resources which that I think are very useful no matter the stage of your business.
31:14
SPEAKER_01: Because even when you talk about resetting your systems or pivoting or getting unstuck, every document you have is broken down by areas in your business, boundaries, burnout, all of the things that we as business owners deal with.
31:29
SPEAKER_01: And sometimes we don't have the resources.
31:32
SPEAKER_01: And I think for me, how I learn, I'm able to have those calls with you.
31:38
SPEAKER_01: I'm able to be in the membership and have the larger calls with the other members.
31:43
SPEAKER_01: But then I'm able to go into the membership, pull documents.
31:48
SPEAKER_01: Okay, I can say I'm, I need to let let me make sure my systems are good.
31:51
SPEAKER_01: Let me make sure I didn't, you know, get all over the place or off track and I'm able to realign.
31:57
SPEAKER_01: It's always about realigning in your business.
31:59
SPEAKER_01: And something good that I love is um when we have the calls and you say, What are your goals?
32:04
SPEAKER_01: Like, what's one goal you can focus on?
32:06
SPEAKER_01: Because oftentimes we focus on 20 different goals.
32:09
SPEAKER_01: You can't accomplish 20 goals in three months.
32:13
SPEAKER_01: I mean, you can, but realistically to do it efficiently, what's the one thing that you need?
32:19
SPEAKER_01: Even with the um the recent sheet you sent, the boundaries was it the boundaries worksheet?
32:26
SPEAKER_01: The boundaries worksheet.
32:27
SPEAKER_01: I went through that and I'm like, you know, I've been working with Sheena, I'm good, but never think that you're too good that you can't work on things in your business.
32:35
SPEAKER_01: Because going through that, I realized that I could be better in certain things when it came to my clients or just refining things.
32:43
SPEAKER_01: Like this is the perfect time.
32:45
SPEAKER_01: So, what do I need to do in order to set myself up for the next year?
32:50
SPEAKER_01: That's literally what it helps with.
32:52
SPEAKER_01: And it also helps with each quarter.
32:54
SPEAKER_01: You should be reassessing each quarter because things change, times change, clients change.
33:00
SPEAKER_01: Um, and so it provides resources for everything.
33:02
SPEAKER_01: Even I remember when I first started scheduling systems you need, communication systems, any type of systems.
33:10
SPEAKER_01: I'm telling you, you need to be called Shannon, Shannon, the systems girl, because she gives you all the systems that you need, breaks each down.
33:20
SPEAKER_01: She doesn't just give you one that she thinks is the best, but options.
33:23
SPEAKER_01: Because again, like we said before, it's not what's best for you, it's what's best for your clients.
33:28
SPEAKER_01: So, really researching, she breaks down everything that you may need for your business.
33:34
SPEAKER_01: And I think it's so helpful to have that in one system, like in one area, in one membership, as opposed to you got to go to 50 different membership groups or um organizations to get what's provided, and you need a solid foundation as a business owner.
33:52
SPEAKER_01: It's not just about the EIN, LLC, okay, business banking, all of those things are important.
33:57
SPEAKER_01: But after that, what are your systems?
34:00
SPEAKER_01: That's like really what it comes down to.
34:01
SPEAKER_01: Like, what are your systems?
34:02
SPEAKER_01: Like, do you have them in place?
34:04
SPEAKER_01: If not, you need to join the membership.
34:10
SPEAKER_00: Appreciate that.
34:11
SPEAKER_00: And that is not a paid testimonial at all, at all.
34:16
SPEAKER_00: But I appreciate the point you made about going back.
34:19
SPEAKER_00: Like every quarter, at least, you need to look at things because what we tend to do, even if we set new boundaries or we start with a new system or process, whatever the case may be, after time, we kind of start slipping back into our old habits.
34:35
SPEAKER_00: So we have to double check to make sure that we're still doing things to move forward, because otherwise, we begin to solve our own progress that we've made and we don't even realize it.
34:46
SPEAKER_00: So if we don't pause and take a look at things, do some reflecting, which I force you all to do on those monthly calls, then you'll never know how far you're getting away or how your focus has shifted from where it really needs to be until unfortunately it's too late.
35:04
SPEAKER_00: Way too late.
35:06
SPEAKER_00: I want to thank you for coming on and sharing this experience with everyone.
35:10
SPEAKER_00: I know we've talked about doing this for a while, so this is perfect timing for it.
35:15
SPEAKER_00: And you're definitely more confident in the way you talk about your business and speak some product.
35:20
SPEAKER_00: Because you've done a lot of work, especially over the past six months, to really get your systems in place and really I can see your business growing and just how it's changed is how happy you look.
35:32
SPEAKER_00: It's amazing.
35:34
SPEAKER_00: So, as you said, if you want to get these kind of results, join us inside the membership.
35:39
SPEAKER_00: We would love to have you and see you on our next call so you can start this training with us.
35:44
SPEAKER_00: Now's a good time for you to do a reset.
35:46
SPEAKER_00: So, unless you have anything else you want to add or any, you know, final tip you want to give everyone, we can go ahead and wrap up for the day.
35:54
SPEAKER_01: You know, I think I said a mouthful, but I just hope that whoever listens to this or even comes across it, that they really just even if you have been in business for 10, 15, 20 years, like just take a step back this quarter to really truly look at every area of your business and see how you can improve.
36:13
SPEAKER_01: No one's perfect, so that means we all have room to grow.
36:16
SPEAKER_01: So look to see what you really need, the systems, the foundation, boundaries that you may even need in your business before the year ends.
36:24
SPEAKER_00: Thank you for tuning in today.
36:25
SPEAKER_00: If this episode feels like a breath of fresh air, it's because you're already craving a business that supports your life, not one that steals your time.
36:33
SPEAKER_00: If you want help spotting what's quietly draining your time and energy, you can download the Backoffice Power Checklist at thshannonbaker.com forward slash checklist.
36:45
SPEAKER_00: And if this conversation resonated with you, make sure you're following the podcast on your favorite platform so you don't miss what's next.
36:53
SPEAKER_00: We'll keep breaking this down together one intentional step at a time.
36:57
SPEAKER_00: So until next time, keep calm and streamlined.