Dare To Begin - Small & Mighty

How often do you say something like this: 'I am sad.' 'I am disappointed.' 'I am frustrated.' Seems like a simple statement of how you feel at that moment right? What if, by stating your feelings like that, you're creating more of that feeling? What if by saying, 'I am frustrated', you're calling more frustration into your life? Rather than call more crap into your life, let's talk about how you can honestly express your feelings (not just the happy-happy-rainbows-are-coming-out-of-my-butt crap) and still create positive momentum. // If you haven't yet, please leave a review on Apple Podcasts. Also, share a screenshot of this episode on the 'gram and be sure to tag me @idaretobegin. Thank you so much for listening!!!

It's so tempting when you start your new endeavour to charge less than the average of your industry. After all, you can attract so many fabulous clients because you're charging less, right?!Let's talk about that in today's episode. The answer may surprise you (it may not) but it's something nearly every single new entrepreneur or aspiring entrepreneur believes - and it's not serving them. Help get the word out - share this episode with a friend, take a screenshot and share it on your IG stories (be sure to tag me @idaretobegin) or leave a review on Apple Podcasts! My deep gratitude is with you for listening to and engaging with this podcast.

Let’s wrap up this 3 part series Your First Year of Business with a look at systems!Honestly, when I first started my biz all those years ago, thinking or talking about systems both bored and terrified me. Now I realize that they’re nothing scary, and in fact they’re simply a set of steps repeated. More to the point, in this episode we discuss 3 KEY SYSTEMS every new business needs ASAP. The best part is, you probably are already doing a lot of the steps, so let’s just tighten it up and create a replicable system so you get consistently great results!Remember to write a review on Apple Podcasts or share this episode out on the Instagrams. Tag me @idaretobegin !

One of the most difficult hurdles every new business owner must overcome is booking clients. Specifically, getting the first few on board when you have very little to draw on.So how DO you get those first few clients to trust you enough to become your first few clients?That's what we're covering in part 2 of the Your First Year of Business series. I'll share a few pertinent actions you need to do prior to booking your first clients as well as a few options for where to land those first clients even as you are building your business network.Have a listen and then remember to sign up for The Launch Pad. Inside you'll find a free mini training specifically designed to help you bring in those first clients ASAP. Plus, in congruence with today's podcast episode, a brand new bonus has been added to The Launch Pad: a video training accompanying the 10 Steps To Launch download. For full show notes go to daretobegin.net/blog/37 or to sign up for The Launch Pad, go to daretobegin.net/thelaunchpad . Please leave a

Today's episode is inspired by the first episode I've ever seen of... The Dragon's Den. Between you and me, I was watching it because I had no idea what to eat for lunch (don't ask me why I'd watch that - I don't know lol) but as it often does, when I'm doing some random thing, inspiration strikes.Unless you're in 'sales', I think people often forget or undervalue the power of relationships, especially in business. Relationships are the cornerstone of your business. So it's important to know how to build good ones!In this first part of a three-part mini series focused on Your First Year of Business, I'll share three factors to keep in mind as you build your business relationships as well as some real life examples of when it went wrong (we can always learn from those, right?!).I also reference episode #23 ('How Are You Talking About Your Clients') as well as episode #11 ('Claiming Ownership of Your Most Valuable - And Non-Renewable - Asset').

I spent years, decades even, terrified I was building in the wrong direction. Until one recent Friday morning where I realized, I'd done something even worse. Today's episode centres on the idea that the only thing that has a hope of stopping you, is you.For full show notes, go to daretobegin.net/blog.Looking to launch your new biz with a bang? Sign up for my free mini course, The Launch Pad, designed to help you create a powerful workspace and bring in income pronto. daretobegin.net/thelaunchpadLove this episode? Please be so kind as to leave a review on iTunes! Or, take a screencapture of this episode on your favourite device and share it to your Instagram stories. Be sure to tag me >> idaretobegin

Your thoughts are an illusion. They're not real. And you are not your thoughts.Recently I've been introduced to Jim Fortin and his work and in an interview with James Wedmore, Jim dropped these truth bombs. My mind was blown."You are not your thoughts. You are the THINKER of your thoughts."Today I'm talking about negative thoughts, manifesting elephants and how being the THINKER of your thoughts gives you tremendous power over your every day moments.If you struggle with the barrage of negative thoughts running roughshod around in your head and you're looking for a tangible practice you can start today to move through them (without what I call 'positivity bullying'), then have a listen.We are all human. Every single one of us has negative thoughts. We have down days. We have days where we just want to hide under the covers.Rather than bandaid 'positive' thoughts over the noise, clear through the noise and choose where you'll go next.

Today's episode is a bit different than normal. Today I share with you the dream I had and the idea that, rather than go outside to build and grow our business, we could go inside instead.That deep knowing and insight, paired with powerful systems to back you up, could pave the way to incredible growth and abundance, both in your business and in your life. // If you enjoyed this episode, I'd love to hear about it and learn what your takeaway is. Take a screenshot of you listening on your favourite device and post it to Instagram Stories - be sure to tag me @idaretobegin // Have you left a review yet? Share you insights, takeaways and inspiration over on Apple Podcasts. Thank you for supporting the show! // Got questions? Submit them to me on the IG by DMing me @idaretobegin or email them to support@daretobegin.net. I'd love to answer them on a future episode!

I just came back from some sales training. After putting on a nice shirt, making my way downtown and finding parking (twice), I was just about ready to say 'screw it I'm going home', but managed to make my way inside in the hopes of learning something new (and maybe meet a few cool people in the process).Most of the info I had heard before though I did write down a few nuggets. And then came the moment that I had to pick my jaw up off the floor.The trainer said something that I was so stunned by I'm sure I looked like the genie in Aladdin as his jaw hit the floor (remember that?!).And then I got pissed. 'This is EXACTLY why so many people are terrified to start their business! I'm so sick and tired of this kind of backwards thinking!'Podcast episode? I think so!In today's episode I touch on a whole range of things, such as:>> Why a struggling economy can be a good thing for entrepreneurs>> The 60 million reasons I got excited on the treadmill this week>> Why its not your job to know all the things (and de

Have you ever been sitting there thinking, 'I need money NOW. How the heck am I going to bring it in right away?'If you have, you are exactly where I was last week. August has been a financially tough month and with bills raining in, I knew I needed to do SOMETHING!In today's podcast episode I'm sharing EXACTLY what I did to bring 5 new design clients in - in less than 24 hours! Lemme just say - that's something I've never done so far!I'm going to share:>> How meditation gave me the exact idea that rained the money in my bank account>> How I needed to overcome challenges that popped up at causing massive frustration (and left me not wanting to say hello to my very lovely neighbour)>> How, even as the bookings were rolling in, my past patterns were trying to derail me - and what I did to not let them>> Why each booking is about more than just that bookingAND!>> The Launch Pad Challenge! - I'll tell you exactly what it is and where you can join! (go to daretobegin.net/thelaunchpad to sign up!)This is such a

Today I feel called into Inspired Action; the moment when you just know you gotta do something.If you follow me on the Instagrams (thanks by the way!) then you may have seen my posts last week sharing openly the numbers in my design biz as well as the fact that it scares the bejeezus out of me to share them.In today's episode I'm sharing more deeply the numbers in my design biz as well as pulling the curtain back and sharing some of the 'behind-the-scenes' stuff.Just a few things I'm talking about include:>> Some key lessons from my first 5 years in biz>> An honest talk about my numbers - as well as what was happening in the background>> How I've limited my success>> The decision to choose fear>> Why we need to let go of the 'big number success' balogne so we can actually move forwardI also mention near the end that Lost to Launched Academy is opening it's doors in September. If you'd like to get on the waitlist (where there's maybe going to be some waitlisty goodies!), I invite you to go to www.daretobegin.

Omgoodness. Do you ever have something SO FREAKING GOOD you are just crazy with excitement?! That's how I feel about today's podcast episode!I hope you're ready for some major inspiration today because on today's episode I have the beautiful and inspiring Paige Cole!Paige brings it all the way through with powerful wisdom and teachings that I know can change your life in big ways! She's a total Money Manifestation Magnet, so today we're talking money, claiming a niche and turning 30!Just a few other highlights of what you'll find inside include:>> What exactly Paige's niche is (and stepping into it!)>> Understanding money blocks and digging deep around them>> What money does to you (

... And how do you get clear?! One of the struggles of starting a business is knowing who it is you'd like to serve. And if you haven't had clients yet (ie. you're brand spankin' new!), how the heck do you KNOW who you want to serve?!!!The good news is that even if you haven't had any clients, even if this biz idea is just that - an idea - you CAN begin to figure out who you want to serve AND the secret sauce: why you want to serve them!So that's what we're breaking down in today's episode - 4 steps to clarify who you're serving. I share things like:>> Why time away (during the week or vacation time) is SUPER important >> How 'WHY' comes into play when defining who your perfect client is >> What exactly your 'perfect client' IS >> The benefit of clarity over time when it comes to understanding your perfect client >> How passion can be a magnet for your perfect client Plus, in the episode, I share that I'm offering an exclusive, limited-time offering on the Lost to Launched Academy; head on over to the show

I love when random events and experiences not only leave you feeling excited (heck, thrilled!), they also offer valuable opportunities for lessons!Such was my experience at this year's Calgary Stampede. Now, for those of you who may not know, Calgary Stampede is a 10 event centred around western events (think full on rodeo). There's bull- and bronc-riding, cowboy-styled horsemanship challenges, heavy horse pulls, barrel racing, and of course, chuck wagon racing (and so much more!!).Stampede is more than just the western events however. There's naturally lots of food trucks, rides, games, trade shows, demonstrations and lots and lots of concerts and party halls. Really, the entire city shuts down for Stampede - it's a big freakin' deal.And I love every minute of it.This year I had the fabulous opportunity to be hosted to the Stampede, and, for the first time EVER, go to the chuck wagon races and the grandstand show!To say I was excited is putting it mildly.As I was driving home afterward and thinking about

Can it really be that simple? Is it really possible that you only need to focus on 2 things in your biz? Isn't it more likely that there's hundreds of things to focus on?Yes it really can be that simple.Yes it really is possible that there's only 2 things.What if I told you that all those 'hundreds of things' actually boil down to these 2?We love to make things more complicated than they need to be (trust me, my hand is up). But when we boil it down to its essence, a successful business can be defined by two things.It's these two things that I'm talking about in today's episode. What you'll learn when you focus on these two things is:-Your clients will LOVE you for holding your focus here-Your business will have far fewer headaches - and far happier clients & staff-You'll naturally create raving clients - hello testimonials!-Even though you're not focusing on your bottom line, your bottom line WILL continue to growThat's all I'm sharing with you in the notes today friend! Tune in to find out what the

Have you ever been rewarded for something you already love to do (and do naturally)? Like when you hold the door for someone and they say thank you? It may not seem like a reward just now but that simple acknowledgement sends a little dopamine hit in your brain - hello reward!As humans, we may seem complex, but in some ways, we really are simple creatures. Simple in the sense that we love doing things that feel good - and get acknowledged along the way.This little human trait can be a powerful motivator and growth strategy for your business, IF used and implemented correctly.In today's podcast, I'm going to talk with you about Referral Programs - a powerful tool that works perfectly in sync with our human desire for pleasure and acknowledgement.Specifically we're touching on these things:-What a referral program actually is-Why you need one (a GOOD one)-Who you offer it to-What a referral program absolutely must NOT DO-How to set one up while protecting your bottom lineDon't be fooled - referral programs a

There are so many moving parts in a growing business and one of the more powerful tools you can have for growing your business is testimonials.Great testimonials do not just land in your lap, however. As much as we'd love for our clients to just send us raving reviews without any effort on our part, it's just not reality.The good news is, that with just a little bit of effort, you can bring in those powerhouse testimonials so other potential clients can make an easy decision to work with you or buy from you.In today's episode I cover a few things, such as:The importance of celebrating all the winsA few surprising takeaways from my recent trip to San FranciscoHow having a mentor has impacted my businessas well as:What a testimonial is really forOvercoming my fear to hire a coach and what I might include in a testimonialHow and when to ask for a testimonialAnd a super important note on privacyHave a listen and let me know what you think! Just head on over to the Instagrams (@idaretobegin) and comment on the m

Have you ever been talking with a business owner and they've been ranting about how terrible their clients are? That their clients just don't seem to 'get it'? That they don't 'respect' the business owners time, value or team?How we speak *about* our clients matters. The words you speak adds energy around your business and your clients - do you really want to add energy that attracts even more frustrating clients? Probably not.In today's episode, we're covering:- How I love birthdays (unrelated but important!)- What I realized after speaking with other business owners about their clients- Why you need to take responsibility in your business- Two steps you can take to discover why your clients may be frustrating you and how you can change the narrativeIf you want some great in depth training about the topics covered in today's episode, be sure to grab your Profit Power Pack. Business needs to make money (aka: profits) but it's more than just charging money. Get it here: daretobegin.net/profit

Do you struggle asking to get paid in your business or setting clear and concise payment terms? If you're feeling unconfident about this you're not alone. Recently I brought in my first 5-figure contract and while I was super excited, the truth is I had to repeatedly stop myself from talking myself out of putting together the proposal.And I discovered that not only is that seemingly common, it is most common among those of us who have loads of experience! Let's nip this thing in the bud so you can grow your business, rather than stand in the corner wringing your hands because you're nervous to ask your clients to pay you.P.S. The Profit Power Pack is fully loaded and ready to deploy! Grab yours at daretobegin.net/profit

Are you still thinking like an employee? If so, it's not helping your business - in fact, it may be hurting it. So many entrepreneurs make the move from employee to business owner, with the same old thinking running the show. When you shift into the role of Business Owner, you gotta think differently.The great thing is, just a few simple shifts can make an enormous difference. Plus - they cost nothing, you can do them today and you'll actually BENEFIT from your j.o.b.! Join me today to learn the simple steps. And, if you're trying to launch your biz (and struggling), check out my 10 Steps To Launch FREE DOWNLOAD. It just may make things easier for you ;-) . Get it here: daretobegin.net/10steps