Top Five Lessons Learned in 2017
Business Trips are the best and business trips that I learn from. I just came back from Tempe, Arizona and I am feel ENERGIZE due to what I encountered.
As a triathlon coach running a business, it can truly be a lot for someone to run the whole thing. While I do love running a business from home, sometimes you get in the a pattern. For example, I will stay in my stretchy pants a little bit longer than I should and start laundry in the middle of the day. In 2018, I told myself that I was going to commit to get out of the house for some business conferences, meetups with human beings, etc.
My first conference for 2018, I went to the Triathlon Business International (TBI) Conference this past weekend. As I was flying back, I started thinking about my journey and where I came from when I got my USA Triathlon Level I certification in 2001, to getting my Masters Degree at UTAS in Kinesiology, emphasis in Exercise Science to now. Wow, what a journey!
As I was flying back, I was think about the “Life Lessons” that I have learned NOT only as a triathlete but also my “Life Lessons” learned as a business owner.
A couple of years ago, I came up with “Lessons Learned as a Business Owner.” Today, things haven’t changed much BUT I did learn some good lessons this past year. So today, I present to you, “Top Five Lessons Learned in 2017:”
Surround Yourself with Like Minded People
You hear this a lot, whether it is being an athlete in the triathlon world, being a runner or a Zumba lover. It can be tough hanging out with people, who maybe not understand your passion as a business owner or a Zumba lover. This is what I realized though…I didn’t have to hang out with triathlon business owners, I needed to hang out with business owners that were building a business online and that were going there brand to a different level.
My mentors that have helped me a #shitton have been:
- Sue B. Zimmerman
- Dai Manuel
- Rick Martinez
- Jacki Carr
Tip: Look at getting a business coach! Trust me they keep you accountable just like a triathlon coach does! Check out my FREE PDF on “Five Most Strategic Ways to Rock Your Triathlon Coaching Business.”
The Riches are in the Niches
I have heard this before and it never really connected UNTIL I got specific with my business. Yes, I coach triathletes and triathlon coaches. When I first started, I was coaching runners, cyclist, swimmers, had strength classes for triathletes and helping companies and building programs. OH MY WORD! I was going crazy! It was too much and I was getting nowhere! Find out who you serve and trust me, you will become much more successful. (See #4)
Tip: Stopping taking everyone and everybody on to make money. I know you want to make money but you need to chill f&*k out!
Survey Your Audience
A business owner does not decide the possible profitability of a business venture by ‘hunch’ alone. Yes, the best business owners have the best ‘hunches’. Even so, they make sure that their business idea undergoes thorough feasibility study first. A feasibility study serves many purposes. But first and foremost, it tells the business owner if a business idea is likely to ‘fail’ or succeed’. A feasibility study also allows an entrepreneur to assume possible difficulties and possible solutions to problems. You could hire someone to help you out but it is a very simple process. You need to come up with questions to ask your audience.
Tip: Check out Survey Monkey or Google Form to help you with your survey to your audience members!
Know your Target Clients
As a business owner, you will be part of the so-called ‘supply’ chain. You will be supplying the ‘demands’ of your customers-to-be. Therefore, it is necessary that you know the demography of your target customers. I will actually have a target clients for a male and a female. Let’s say, your idea customer is a women between the ages 35- 45, live in North America, loves to cook, who is a stay at home Mom and she is wanting to better cooking tips to help you family live a healthier lifestyle, then you can get super specific with what you want to offer them. For example, if you client doesn’t like to cook but you have this AMAZING program on “How to Make Cooking More Efficient,” then this will not help your customers. Make sense?
Tip: See #2. The Riches are in the Niches!
Change the Mindset from a “Hobby” to a Business
The first couple of years were tough and trust me there are times that it is still tough because it can be VERY overwhelming. So many endurance coaches have started their business as a hobby and stayed in that mindset. I remember when I was getting frustrated with my business, I said to Chris, “It would be easier to work at Starbucks and get a pound of coffee a week, instead of trying to build this brand.”
Here is where I needed to shift the mindset. I needed to get out of the fact, I was going to give up my business. I was going to stop saying, “I need to work at Starbucks.” This mindset was ruining my growth. I finally let it go and BAM! My business started skyrocketing!
Tip: The mindset is a HUGE piece of being a triathlete, now it is time to shift that for your business!
Over the years, I have had the ups and downs of a business, just like any other business. Those ups definitely outweigh the downs but the downs taught a lot about myself and how to grow within my business!
If you are truly looking to grow your brand through social media, then grab my FREE PDF today! Click HERE or click the photo below.
If you already got the FREE PDF and you want to jump on a phone call with me on how to grow that business of yours…do so by heading to my calendar HERE!
