Posts Tagged ‘entrepreneur’

 Passionpreneurs ® love creating and the idea of “having a business plan” and more often than not they struggle with how to design one.  Why?  They are so passionate about what they do they have a steady stream of ideas swimming around in their brain. The designing and planning process can feel complicated and overwhelming.  And if they do start a plan they wonder what do I do and what order do I do it in.

Does this sound familiar? Well as a creative and passionate entrepreneur I’ve figure out how to honor the balance of my divine feminine and still meet my implementation and financial goals in an authentic, graceful and elegant way.

Because I cam from a strong corporate background (with all the reports, spread sheets, charts and graphs), I had to find a different way because that just didn’t work for me any more. Imagine putting your design plan on just one or two sheets and away you go  As I realized it’s not the amount of sheets that’s important it’s what really goes on the 2 sheets that counts! 

Here are 5  simple steps to keep your energy, passion and life in balance when you design your business plan:

Step #1 Ditch the extra baggage and let go of the old goals you really don’t want anymore.  

Too many times passionate entrepreneurs (I call these people Passionpreneurs®) hold onto dreams, goals or visions they once had and they really don’t want that goal anymore. And if we hold onto something that  is not in harmony with who we are now and our gifts we’re bringing to the world, it brings up a lot of guilt and we end up wasting our energy resources on hanging onto old dreams. Be conscious of all the old dreams, goals or vision you really don’t want to bring to fruition anymore. By doing this you’ll end up not having to give focus and energy on what you don’t want in your life and will be successful in creating more energy and room for what your really want in your business and your life.  To create a new you need to create from the new you! 

One of my early mentors had me write a list of all the goals I didn’t achieve the year before and cross off of my list what I didn’t want to carry forward into the new year.  

Step #2 Create a new vision and design your plan focused on your gifts and calling.

I hear too many times Passionpreneurs ® don’t think they can make money from what they know now.  Because something that comes so easy and nature to us we don’t realize that there are a lot of people who would pay dearly to learn from us.  The secret to ‘living your true wealth’^(TM) is hidden in your gifts and calling.

Step #3  Your new business design needs to be dynamically in balance.

It’s easy to create a business plan that is so packed with all of the to do’s there is no room for the real creation of the Divine Feminine spirit which is rich with ideas, creativity and inspiration to complement the plan. But if not properly directed the energy this part of you provides can easily get diluted, with nothing concrete to show for it. You need the strength of the masculine, which loves to implement, on your side to put your brilliant creative ideas into action

Step #4  Put time aside to reflect, review and assess the actions you’ve been taking

I’ve seen way too many entrepreneurs leave out this very valuable step and end up suffering by getting off track and being disappointed in the outcomes they’ve produced. Every Friday set aside some time to look at what you’ve completed, your gross revenues and what’s working really well.  Then look forward to the next week and see if you need to make any adjustments in your plan.  Also, set aside times to look at where you are in relationship to your quarterly goals and revenues (trust me you’ll be glad you did!).  Your numbers hold keys to what to do next.  This time is about having your vision come to reality and serving all the people you really want to serve.  At the end of the month set aside more time, you want to do the same exercise as above and in addition to looking at your gross receipts look at your how profitable you’ve been.

If you start to not feeling good about your numbers, that is not what this is about.  This is about looking at what’s working and what’s not working.  Stay neutral with this exercise because the numbers are there to inform you.

One of the best things I ever did for my business is find a mentor and a mastermind group. 

Step #5  Look to see where you are with your mindset.

As entrepreneurs we work alone most of the time and it’s easy to get into a fearful and scarcity mode.  When you are looking at your business gross receipts for step #4 if you are making the same money you made last year your creating form your old thinking and beliefs.  So, look at adopting one new mindset or belief into your work and into your life.

Keep Your Business Design Simple and Celebrate OFTEN!

By keeping your business design simple and celebrating often, you allow all your energy to focus on creating the outcomes and results.  That translates into serving and helping more people in a much bigger way than you would normally do and you get to allow the rewards to flow right back to you.

To really have a Fun, Fabulous and Rich ^(TM) Business you must practice the KISS (Keep It Simple Sexy) formula

 © 2008-2010 Ileana Kane
All Rights Reserved  
Do you want to use this article? Of course, you can. Just use the following blurb along with the reprint of the article:  

 Ileana Kane, CEO of Ileana Intl, helps Enterprising Entrepreneurs express their true value and get paid what they are worth while moving away from trading  ‘dollars for hours work.’  Her products and services show you how to make more money, save more time while enjoying the freedom in your business.  For your FREE audio: www.milliondollarmuse.com

 

It’s really challenging to offer only one way to work with you because it’s an all or nothing proposition to the prospect.  Prospects want to be able to choose what program(s) fit their needs.  I had Jo Ann offer service packages to her clients.  Then we looked at creating a packaged product for prospects and clients. This gave her passive income.  Next, we looked at offering a full day with her for her high end clients. The next thing I’m having her put into place is to get a bigger presence on the internet.

This was a great start for Jo Ann and it gave her a way to enroll prospects in here services more often And a way to have prospects that didn’t have the money right now to still work with her .  Once we put those systems into place Jo Ann’s business turned around fast!
 
Having more than one income stream will get you to your 6 figure income (and beyond). You’ll have more fun, joy and satisfaction in your business.

Being a successful entrepreneur is probably the most challenging, and yet, fun thing you could ever attempt. It involves working smarter, focusing all your physical and mental efforts, and cultivating the willingness to be a life long learner with the exciting task of growing and expanding yourself as a person. Despite the challenge, owning your own business is probably the most fulfilling thing you could ever attempt, because it allows you to see your ideas come to fruition, follow a project from original brainstorm through production and experience the joy of learning new things and meeting new challenges.

For even the most ambitious person, it will take planning and preparation to start a business and become successful, but there are many resources available to help. The pathway to living your entrepreneurship dream is simple: idea + planning + execution = success. At each stage of this process, you will want to completely map out and list every element you can think of that is pertinent. By putting your dreams on paper in this manner, you take the first step towards becoming an entrepreneur. Check out your local Small Business Association for great (and often free) help in creating a valid business plan and operating budget that will turn your idea into a viable plan and thus reality.

It’s important to remember, the key part of living the dream is living! Meaning, you need to create balance in your life, to enjoy every moment of your time at work and then to take a break away from work, allowing your mind to refresh and reset. Many people who attempt to become entrepreneurs make the mistake of never taking a break! This can lead to burnout and if you are the spearhead of your business, when you burnout, it is the entire business that suffers. Prevent this problem by striking a balance between work and rest and you can be sure to live your dream well into the future.

Becoming an entrepreneur will be like riding a roller coaster – terrifying one moment and exhilarating the next. You will need to dream, plan, implement and test each stage of your business. If you are willing to put in the hours, take time off to refresh and reset, and continually face the challenges that come along your path, you will find yourself with big rewards of a highly successful business. There is no stage of this process that is easy, but there is an immense satisfaction to be gained by successfully pursuing your dreams. Living the dream is within your grasp – with a great idea and your willingness to work smarter, you can make your entrepreneurship dreams a reality.

© 2008 – 2009 Ileana Kane  All Rights Reserved

Ileana Kane, The Million Dollar Muse, helps coaches, consultants, entrepreneurs and helping professionals put their business on the fast track to getting new clients, making more money, having more freedom to enjoy it all. Find out how to uncover hidden profits in your business. For your FREE Audio and FREE Money, Marketing and Mindset tips go now to http://MillionDollarMuse.com

Imagine waking up every day full of excitement and zeal because you know you are doing what you love. That’s what it’s like when you are living your life purpose as an entrepreneur.

Humans seem to be built with a predetermined desire to have a life purpose, to make something of ourselves and to do something of worth. From the time we are small, we begin fantasizing about what we will be when we grow up. Too often, however, our grand childhood dreams are swallowed by the everyday drudgery of work in unsatisfying jobs. We become unhappy and unfulfilled – we forget the ambitions of our childhood. Thankfully, there is a way you can rediscover that youthful zeal: start you own business! As an entrepreneur, you can set about giving your life renewed meaning and purpose.

As an entrepreneur, you can work at something you love and believe in, whether that is in an artistic field like floristry or jewelry making, or in the more technical fields of computer software or electronics. In fact, you are only limited by your imagination. You will know when you’ve found your life’s purpose because it will be something that gives you an overwhelming sense of achievement and well-being. It does not matter whether that achievement comes in the smiles of bouquet recipients or in the creation of a new computer program. Only you can judge the true value of reaching a goal, and whether it is fulfilling to you.

The key to fulfilling your life’s purpose as an entrepreneur, is to choose a field of work that inspires, excites and delights you. Any job that is done for just the money will soon become limiting and unsatisfying, because money alone is not enough to inspire us and make it worthwhile to go to work day in and day out. When you choose to do something you love, you will have a reason to get out of bed each day that transcends money and will help to make you feel challenged and fulfilled every day. By choosing to do something that is close to your heart and uses your skills, you will naturally have a greater chance of success because the effort required will come easier.

For most of us, we must work to survive, to pay for our food, our homes and the clothes on our backs. There is no reason, however, that the work we do needs to be boring or soul destroying! By becoming an entrepreneur, you can begin to do work that gives your life purpose, that inspires you, and that helps you feel a sense of self-worth. You have the ability to motivate your mind, and discover and embrace your unique power within as you uncover and utilize your gifts and skills, ultimately transforming your business through living your life’s purpose!

©  2009 Ileana Kane  All Rights Reserved

Ileana Kane, The Million Dollar Muse, helps coaches, consultants, entrepreneurs and helping professionals put their business on the fast track to getting new clients, making more money, having more freedom to enjoy it all. Find out how to uncover hidden profits in your business. For your FREE Audio and FREE Money, Marketing and Mindset tips go now to http://MillionDollarMuse.com

The holidays are behind you. You’ve shopped like crazy. attended parties, and visited family. And I bet you haven’t started the creation of your business marketing plan for 2009, you need to get started. If you don’t have a plan to fulfill your dream, then it’s just a wish. So, you need a good plan – starting now!

Today we are going into an economic environment for small businesses than we’ve ever seen. After you have your marketing plan in place as an entrepreneur, you will be able to change it throughout the year as you need to. As you go through 2009, you will need to review the plan, update it, assess it, and more.

So, where do I begin?

Well, you start with where you want to be. Next year, on the last day of December, where do you want to be? If you know where you are going, it’s easier to come up with a plan of how to get there.

Begin now, but have the end in mind.

Step 1 – Have a Vision – Jonathan Swift once said, “Vision is the art of seeing the invisible.”

This is so true, and those who have been successful would say the same thing. People like Richard Branson and Donald Trump started out with a great vision. So, you need to have a vision as an entrepreneur. Figure out where you see your business in the next year, or even a few years from now. Come up with a vision for your small business that empowers you.

Step 2 – Have a Personal Vision Too – When coming up with a marketing plan, you need to have your own personal vision. What do you want from the business? If you don’t know what you want, you may end up with a lot of stress, long hours, and very few rewards. What do you want? Would you like to make more money in fewer hours? Do you want to make your business work better with your lifestyle?

Step 3 – Remember Your Reputation – My dad once gave me a great piece of advice. He told me, “Ileana, at the end of the day you only have one thing. That one thing is your word and reputation.” Don’t just leave your reputation up to chance. Figure out what you reputation to be. What you want people to know you for.

Step 4 – WHO? – When developing a marketing plan, a wise man had it right. “The WHO is more important than the HOW!” I truly believe that an entrepreneur can attract the clients they want if they know WHO they want. Figure out who you want to attract to your site. Then you’ll be able to bring them in. Come up with your ideal client. List why you enjoy working with them, and the qualities that they have.

Step 5 – How to Do It – Now that you know WHO you want to come to your site, now it’s time to figure out HOW to get them there. When coming up with a marketing plan, this is a very important question you must answer. I have a special workshop, called the Pathway to Profit, Freedom, and Breakthrough, which is a special workshop to help entrepreneurs like yourself come up with an approach to bring in new clients. You must have a strategy to do this.

Step 6 – What? – After you come up with a specific strategy for bringing in your targeted customers, now you need to figure out how to implement that strategy. Come up with the tactics you’ll need to follow though. Put up a white board and begin coming up with a plan of implementation for the next year. Write down what tactics you will use on a monthly basis.

When you are coming up with your marketing plan for 2009, these six steps can help. You’ll be able to come up with a top notch plan that will get your business going strong in this new year. No matter what the economy is doing, I’ll be launching a 4-part Breakthrough to Your 6 Figure Business, in January. You will be able to get your business accelerating as you go in 2009…stay tuned for more!

© 2008 Ileana Kane.

WANT TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR E-ZINE OR WEB SITE? Of course you can, as long as you include the following with it: Ileana Kane founder of “Turn Your Passion to Profit Marketing Breakthrough System” publishes a weekly Ezine ‘Opportunities on Marketing & Success for Your Small Business’. If you’re ready to take your business to new heights with ease and your ready make more money, have more profits and more time off. Get your FREE Audio ‘Turn Your Passion To Profit” in 5 Proven Simple Steps. Go now to: www.milliondollarmuse.com.

If your are an entrepreneur or small business owner, here is what you need to know about marketing your small business.

Many of my clients share that one of their biggest marketing challenges is knowing what to do to get more clients, income, and profits … without working too hard. Attracting more clients and growing your small business isn’t a cut and dry process – there isn’t one perfect way to do it. But there are certain strategies and tactics that need to set the foundation to build a business as strong as Fort Knox…and following the list you will build you a nice stream of clients and income and profit. In essence give you more

clients, make more money and have more time off.

The secret to getting more clients is to get your marketing wheels turning, check out these 15 must-haves to grow your small business.

____ 1. I have a clear compelling vision and know where I want to take my small business.

____ 2. I have total clarity on who my ideal client is.

____ 3. I have a magnetic marketing message (which positions me as the only viable answer to my ideal clients problem) and I use it regularly.

____ 4. I know the top 5 ways to get more ideal clients and use them.

____ 5. I know the importance of referral marketing and have a formalized referral system that brings me more clients. (I’ve been in business 3-5 years and have 3 referral systems.)

____ 6. I have a monthly keep in touch system that allows me to follow up with prospects and clients. (You get two checks if you stay in touch more than once a month)

_____ 7. I use my keep in touch follow up system as a vehicle to sell to prospects and clients.

____ 8. I have a systematic way to grow my client list and I use at lease 5 ways to get more clients. (I’ve been in business for 3-5 years and have 15 ways to get more clients.)

____ 9. I have a least 1 thing I give away for f.r.e.e.

____ 10. I have 2 income revenue streams for my business and I’m happy with the income producing results. ( I’m 3 years or more in my business and have a minimum of 3 income revenue streams.)

____ 11. I know the biggest untapped marketing opportunity in my small business and I’m utilizing it.

____ 12. I have at least doubled my small business income within the last 6 months.

____ 13. I have a high impact internet presence and I’m happy with the money making results I get with it.

____ 14. I continue to use my time productively and I’m able to get everything done I need to in order to grow my small business.

____ 15. I take plenty of vacations and have all the time off I want. Surprised to see this?

Entrepreneurs and small business owners need time off to enjoy the FREEDOM their business promised them.

How did you do? This is a marketing check list that EVERY entrepreneur and small business owner needs to use to ensure they reach their ideal clients. Putting this marketing list to work will make sure you will get more clients, make more money and have more time off.

© 2008 Ileana Kane.
WANT TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR E-ZINE OR WEB SITE? Of course you can, as long as you include the following with it: Ileana Kane founder of “Turn Your Passion to Profit Marketing Breakthrough System” publishes a weekly Ezine ‘Opportunities on Marketing & Success for Your Small Business’. If you’re ready to take your business to new heights with ease and your ready make more money, have more profits and more time off. Get your FREE Audio ‘Turn Your Passion To Profit” in 5 Proven Simple Steps. Go now to: www.milliondollarmuse.com.

Whether you’re a small business owner or entrepreneur, if your want to attract your ideal client and enter into conversations that sell here are 5 tips to get the job done.To attract your ideal client you need conversations that communicates and persuades … to get results! These guidelines can ALSO apply to Web copy, e-mail, sales letters, brochures, direct mail, and more. As long as your goal is to educate and elicit a reaction from your prospect or client, you’ve come to the right place.

1.  Tune into that well-known radio station WIIFM.

Many small business owners talk endlessly on and on about how great their business is and what great their products they have. Hello? Client, anyone? What’s your prospect or client thinking, “So, what? What’s in it for me?” Start being client centered. If you can, talk with some of your current clients and ask them 1) why they chose you, and 2) what they get out of your product or service.

2.  Put your focus on the benefits.

Way too many small business owners get so into the fact that their product or service offers a lot of neat features is great, but what do they DO for your customer? Do they cover the BIG FOUR? 1) Make her money? Save her money? Save time? Avoid effort? Think about what your clients are REALLY looking for.

Now, what does a life insurance agent sell? Policies?

Nope — peace of mind. (You’ve got it NOW.)

3.  Draw them in with interest.

In order to attract your ideal client you need to realize the first thing your prospect or client hears can mean the difference between success and failure. Have an interest (your clients interest) based conversation. Forget the ‘cutsie’ because most offend and those conversations aren’t effective. There are many ways an entrepreneur can have an attention holding conversation. REMEMBER to make it the conversation client centered — no one gives a hoot about your company. So if you are a financial advisor don’t talk with a prospect about what a new amazing financial program you have. Instead talk with them about turning their finances around in 30 days! Make sense?

4. Nix the buzzwords.

In conversations, do you like hearing the industry buzzwords? Well, neither does your ideal client. Avoid industry jargon and buzzwords — stick to the benefits. An easy way to weed out buzzwords is to think of dear old Grandma listening to your conversation. Would she get it? If not, clarify and simplify. (Unless your target audience is a business audience then you’d want to upscale your conversational style and upscale your words.)

5.  Use client’s stories when possible.

To attract your ideal client you must let your prospects know they won’t be the first to try your products and services. Give results-oriented stories from your ideal clients who have benefited from your product or service. Give your clients names (as long as you have permission to use their name). Your prospects and clients want to know they’re not the only one. HINT: Use this magical sentence. I have a client just like you (and go on and tell the story).

For every small business owner and entrepreneur the golden key is to stay focused and in the present with the prospect or client. In order to do this keep present and in the moment and think about what’s in it for the person you’re speaking with and WIIFM. If you do this one thing, you are sure to attract your ideal client.

© 2008 Ileana Kane.

WANT TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR E-ZINE OR WEB SITE? Of course you can, as long as you include the following with it: Ileana Kane founder of “Turn Your Passion to Profit Marketing Breakthrough System” publishes a weekly Ezine ‘Opportunities on Marketing & Success for Your Small Business’. If you’re ready to take your business to new heights with ease and your ready make more money, have more profits and more time off. Get your FREE Audio ‘Turn Your Passion To Profit” in 5 Proven Simple Steps. Go now to: www.milliondollarmuse.com.

Let’s face it, being an entrepreneur comes with a lot of stuff to do and a lot of stuff to think about and just a lot of stuff.

We get caught in the vicious cycle of working long hours for mediocre results.

Even though you may know you stand to loose 68% of your client base if you don’t keep in touch with them (they do forget too). You still just can squeeze in the time to get out that ezine. As a busy entrepreneur you’ve probably been wringing your hands and trying

to figure out who to use and what to do.

It’s a lot less complicated that you think and a lot easier too! Let me give you the successful strategies to successfully add your ezine to your day and start reaping the benefits.

1. Make getting your ezine up and running a priority. Having a regular way to keep in touch with your client base CAN make a BIG difference in your small business. It can help you retain that personal touch, develop leads, turn your prospects into paying customers, increase your sales and grow your business. Let me say that a different way, “It can help you retain that personal touch, develop leads, turn your prospects into paying customers, increase your sales and grow your business.

But, you got to just hunker down and do the work if you want to see results.

Rather than looking at getting your ezine up and running as a burden or a “should” in your business life, look at it as an opportunity. An opportunity to foster better relationships and make a difference in people’s lives.

2. Block out time this coming week. I know, I know. You already have to. Just do your best. Think of it this way. It’s an investment in your small businesses future and you’ve worked way too hard to get the clients you have just to chance to loose them now. Remember – good is good enough!

3. Use the 80/20 rule. If you only have one or two hours a week, then it’s REALLY important to make sure you’re spending your time wisely. Surfing different MySpace pages or spending hours watching YouTube videos is NOT a good use of that time. So take a few moments and put together a plan on what exactly you want your end result to be, and then make sure you’re doing the right tasks to get that result.

What every solo-prenur and small business owner needs to know about attracting all the clients they’d ever want. Here’s how to do it with EASE while having FUN and being AUTHENTIC (how good can it get).

I was taught to work hard and take one step at a time and I’d get to my goal. For awhile that did serve me and it’s only one way. What I’m talking about is day to day, striving and struggling to make incremental gains in business. It’s the path of conventional growth. What I call ladder-climbing instead of leap-frogging. What I’m asking of you is to be open to stop accepting present circumstances and being content with incremental growth in your business.

Take a risk on going for unconventional success by going the route of unconventional approaches.

Go for a breakthrough! A quantum leap!

Focus On The End Result

Start first with a crystal clear vision (dream) of the outcome you want. Create a strong

focal point for yourself and your business. Go ahead and visualize your arrival – just as

if you were a runner reading yourself for a race. Forget the how! The answers will come to you like simple and streamlined solutions. No forcing necessary – stay out of your own way and let it occur. Now for you perfectionists, forget making the perfect plan, forget getting everything neatly organized and eliminating the risks. Be willing to be with ambiguity, confusion or chaos. All that you’re doing is what Columbus did. He sailed into uncharted territory. Just keep your focal point of where you’re going to land!

Light The Fire In Your Heart

Passion is the single element that will energize the soul, fill the spirit and put fire in your heart. Go with your burning desire of the fire in your heart and you will never be let down. In order to allow this to happen, shift the limits on your thinking and give yourself the permission to carry you past the point of wishful thinking and halfhearted effort.

Employ New Behavior

If you want unconventional success, be willing for the unconventional approaches.

Accelerate your achievement, rapidly employ the new behaviors. Otherwise, more of the same gives more of the same. So, if you lean on the dependable behaviors from the past they turn into major obstacles to your future success. To have a business without boundaries your must think without boundaries. Trying harder will take you down the path to burnout. Hint more effort isn’t the answer. Get uncomfortable and go for it!

Ditch the Doubt!

Imagine a new definition of rational thinking. What if rational thinking is the same as skepticism. The truth is doubts are the product of habitual thinking not accurate thinking.

Put the old inhibiting ideas aside (just in case you may want to pick them up again at some other time. Try on accurate thinking. Imagine for a moment you could double your income or even triple your income in less than a year. Suspend your disbelief from what’s probable to believing in what’s possible.

Ready Fire Aim

In the ready, fire, aim strategy getting ready is the con game you’re playing with yourself.

If you wait to get all prepared, organized and perfect – you’ll never get there. Taking action is an act of faith. Once you take a step, the next step will appear. Your dreams will begin to crystallize into your reality when pursued – how cool is that!

Breakthroughs In Action

Ready to take a shortcut? Have you ever felt resistance to something that you want to take action on? Then you don’t take action and you resist the resistance. Ready to change? Make a list of all that you are resisting. The next thing to do is to take action on each one. Go ahead try it…you’ll be pleased