Dear business owner,
You've hit a wall. I get it. Exhaustion is creeping in and you're just not sure if you can keep going.
Maybe discouragement is present and you're questioning if you really went down the right path. Is there something wrong with me? Should I just try harder? Or should I change course? Should I quit?

One thing I know:  We are all wired differently. From the time we are born, we have unique qualities and abilities. And yet, teachers keep trying to come up with formulas to teach: "Do it this way and you'll succeed!" 
How can one size possibly fit all?? It just isn't possible.

Instead of shutting down what you have been building, let's take some time to examine a few things:

1. Are you paying attention to how you are wired?
Have you done your Strengths Finders test yet? Getting on paper WHO you are and what your unique strengths are will change everything. (Grab the book here and take the test in the back: 
https://www.amazon.com/StrengthsFinder-2-0-Tom-Rath/dp/159562015X/ref=sr_1_2?crid=1WL7MLMD2M5MN&keywords=strengths+finder+2.0&qid=1570973324&sprefix=strengths%2Caps%2C181&sr=8-2)

2. Build your business around YOUR strengths, not someone else's formula for success. Sure, there are principles that work for many people. But shoving yourself, a round peg, into a square hole, is only going to be frustrating and exhausting. Let's be honest: if it hasn't worked yet, then why will dedicating more time to the same frustrating process work? It's time to change a part of the process. It's time to get honest.

3. Do you have the right people surrounding you to fill in your weaknesses? It's a lie to think you can build your business all by yourself. If you're the ONLY one answering phones or answering emails, you're going to burn out. If you really can't trust anyone to do what you do, maybe you have trust issues? I've worked with enough business owners over the last 6 years to know that if you are white knuckling something, you are probably gripping it too tightly. It's time to figure out what is really going on, make the necessary changes in systems or policies, and get back to what is really easy and almost effortless for you (hint: it's easy because it's your strength).

In this week's video, I explain some helpful thoughts that could bring some clarity and light to your situation. Watch it here:

I really, truly want your business to succeed.

Not just in big numbers to impress people, but so you can get your life back. So you can have time for your kids and spouse and extended family.
I want you to lean on your strengths and set up solid systems so you aren't stressed all the time.

Get the Strengths Finder book here:
https://www.amazon.com/StrengthsFinder-2-0-Tom-Rath/dp/159562015X/ref=sr_1_2?crid=1WL7MLMD2M5MN&keywords=strengths+finder+2.0&qid=1570973324&sprefix=strengths%2Caps%2C181&sr=8-2

If you ever need to talk, I'm here. Let's schedule a call so I can hear more about what's going on. Then we'll map out a coaching plan that makes sense for YOUR unique life and your unique business.

https://www.jenhickle.com/gac.html

As our clients want to harness the power of online marketing, a question I hear regularly is "Should I pay for Facebook ads or Google ads?" This is a great question because many of the small businesses that we work with may not be in a place to pay for both.

Maybe you've discovered that newspaper ads just aren't working anymore.
Maybe you tried that expensive billboard and nothing happened.
Maybe your numbers are down this fall and you're feeling discouraged and just aren't sure what to do next.

We get it. And you're not alone.
But sitting and stewing and worrying isn't going to solve the problem. It's time to get strategic and put your marketing money in the right place.

Your secret weapon is your website. And driving more traffic to your site is the KEY to a healthy, growing, stable business. Now, which one should you choose? Google Ads or Facebook Ads? Both can be effective, but let's break this down.

Ask yourself these questions:​
1. Are people already searching for what you do on Google? If people are already coming to you because of your website, let's throw more gas on the fire. Paying for Google ads with the correct strategy from Chris, who is a Google Ads expert (not just setting them up yourself or using a Google rep) can bring you warm leads that are ready to convert to clients. I love Google Ads because it's "pay per click" and you won't just waste money every month. When you sign up for Google Ads with us, you will also get Google Remarketing, which makes your ad pop up on various platforms (like YouTube and the weather app), so your clients will say "I see you everywhere! It must be a sign that I should sign up!" Remember that Google reps want your money, so they may or may not know how to tell you the best strategy for your specific business. Also remembering that using Google Ads Express is a great place to start, but you are paying way too much per click and you can definitely get more leads for the same price.

2. Are you a local business that has a very specific radius of where you draw people? If you own a local business like me, I know that people will only drive so far for music lessons. I know which specific towns will sign up at my school and which town will snub their noses at traveling north on the freeway to get to us. Facebook is a fabulous tool, because we can be very specific with our targeting. Strategically writing ads that convert and knowing which days of the week to run them, is key. Just posting on your page will not bring in new clients. Doing Facebook lives will not bring in new clients. Those are great things to supplement your ads with, but ads are foundational and cruicial to attracting local clients. We can do the back-end, techy stuff so you can focus on just posting the fun pictures of your clients and the funny stuff that is engaging.
I've heard MANY people who have gotten burned from Facebook ad strategists. We only work with local, service-based, appointment-based clients. We will not build long funnels with webinars. That's a different kind of business. Make sure your FB ads provider really understands your business and has been running Facebook ads for clients for several years. Don't let them experiement with your money!

If you're ready to pull in more clients in a strategic, consistent way, let's talk. We can schedule a phone call and listen to your specific situation. Then we will craft a plan that will work for YOUR area and YOUR business.

Warning: There is no need to run ads if your website isn't already working. If your website is not responsive to cell phones and iPads, if it's out of date, if your  pictures are old, then we need to fix that first. You won't hear a Google rep or Facebook rep say this to you, because they just want your money. But we refuse to let you waste your hard-earned revenue. Let's get your website right first and then we will fan the flame and get those new clients in the door!

Here's the link to request a phone call. We can't wait to talk soon!
https://www.neveralonebusinessservices.com/contact-us.html

As I've worked with a lot of clients over the years, I've heard one tiny voice sheepishly ask, "Is it actually greedy to want to earn money? Is there something wrong with me?" If this is something you've ever asked yourself, check out the video this week: 

I sat down to write the article for my newsletter. I wasn’t feeling it. No words would come and the blank document in front of me seemed to taunt me. The curser blinked. My mind wandered. Then the voices came: “Snap to it! You have a deadline! People are counting on you!” I sighed, closed my computer, slunk back on my bed, grabbed the remote, and chose to close my eyes instead.

Sound familiar?
For creatives, if we don’t pay attention to the cycles of our energy, we will not be able to do the tasks in front of us. We’ll crash and then beat ourselves up for “procrastinating” and being “lazy.”

I’d like to propose that maybe we aren’t lazy at all, but we simply have cycles of energy that we need to pay attention to. If you are burned out, tired, or have been pushing through too long, you won’t be able to write that newsletter article. You’ll choose sleep instead.

But what if we really dialed into our energy levels? What if we asked ourselves, “What do you need right now?”

Chris and I created the Never Alone Inner Circle for creative business owners who are selling services and appointments. We know what it's like to juggle work, family, marriage, and even homeschooling. We've been in business for 20 years.  6 years ago, Chris quit his job to work in the business with me. Life has been one big roller coaster, but we know we are called to inspire, empower and encourage business owners.

If you need focus, strategy, and support, let's talk. The Never Alone Inner Circle could be right for you.
​https://www.jenhickle.com/gac.html

“Rest nurtures creativity, which nurtures activity.
Activity nurtures rest, which sustains creativity.
Each draws from and contributes to the other.”
Kim John Payne

I bet you started your business because you're good at something.
Teaching music. Teaching theatre. Tutoring kids. Designing. Decorating. Organizing.
But who taught you about running a business?

Sadly, even business majors have no idea what it takes to manage or grow a small business. 
Marketing majors haven't been taught how to close the sale or get a steady stream of new clients.
It seems like growing a small business requires a whole new set of skills. Because it does! 

It's a challenging (and thrilling!) ride and one you simply can't afford to figure out on your own.
The wise business owners seek a coach and ​get help. (I have paid a multitude of coaches to get my business to 7 figures consistently.)
​
Wise business owners also learn how to identify their strengths and build their business around them.
This week's video is a little longer (and a little more entertaining)! I'm sharing my heart and why I believe it's so important to focus on your strengths as you shape and form your business and as you decide who to hire for your team.

At our Inner Circle Retreat this week, we will be delving deeper into the hiring process and how to set goals for your business and how to reach them.
I'm so excited for our Members who are flying in and driving from other states to join us! (Be sure to watch Instagram and Facebook for live pictures and updates!)

Watch the video here:

Are you ready to be strategic with your strengths?
Let's schedule a call. I'll share with you options for coaching and consulting. I have opened up private, one-on-one coaching sessions and if we are a good fit, I'd love to help you discover how you're wired so you can grow your business more easily and efficiently.

(Also--if you're a bigger business that has many team members, one of my specialties is hosting online consulting with your entire team. We'll assess the strengths of every team member and make sure everyone is in the right role!)

You don't have to keep banging your head against the wall. You just have to discover the areas of strength so you can delegate and automate the rest.
There's hope. Let's talk.

https://www.jenhickle.com/gac.html

Growing a business is full of ups and downs. One moment you're flying high, the next you're in the depths of despair. And when you're serious about paying off that debt, getting to the next level, or finding a way to pay for the new space you just leased, you may feel like you need some systems or organization to get you there. It might feel like it's time to get serious. Get organized. Even grow up a little.

But what if you're the free-spirited type of person?

What if the thought of boring checklists and structured work days makes you throw up in your mouth a little bit?
Maybe you quit your corporate job because you wanted more freedom. Now you're supposed to impose structure upon yourself?!?
Maybe you have even stopped your own business growth because of the overwhelming silent scream inside of you, demanding, "DON'T BOX ME IN?"

So how do you grow a company and get to the next level when your natural wiring demands flexibility, creativity, and freedom?
After working with hundreds of creative business owners over the last 6 years, here are some tips for you:

3 Productivity Tips for the Creative Business Owner

1. Plan time, not content.
Instead of planning on doing specific tasks on a specific day, just block off "desk time" or "marketing time." Then, on that day, look at your list for the month, and start with the tasks that feel easy or fun. You can go in any order. Do what feels easy. Mix it up. Turn on some music (or even a movie in the background) for the super boring stuff.
As long as you are blocking off time each week for your marketing or admin stuff, you don't have to relegate which tasks you do each minute of each hour. Change it up. You're creatively wired for a reason--use that superpower!

2. Use checklists with freedom
I use an online To Do list that allows me to see what I need to do, without the task disappearing if I didn't get to it right away. In the past, when I put tasks on my calendar or in the Reminders app on my phone, the notification would disappear when the day is over. No bueno. Instead, use a system that allows for flexibility within your week or month. Yes, I have "overdue" tasks. But at least I can see them! Then I do them in whatever order I feel like. I give myself a full WEEK to get some of them done. You don't have to push through or forget it (that's an all-or-nothing mentality). You just need some freedom. I also give my staff permission to bug me when I'm super late ("Hey Jen, do you have that newsletter article?"). The accountability and pressure-prompting appeals to my personality and I actually get the task done when I know my team needs the article so they can put it on the website and get it published for our clients.

3. Go WITH your natural moods, not against them.
Not feeling it? Don't push it. Instead, go for a walk. Dance it out with some fun music. Jump in the car, clear your head with a drive to Starbucks, get your favorite coffee, and allow yourself some friendly small-talk with the barista. When you come back to your desk, you'll be refreshed and renewed and ready to tackle your newsletter, website edits, bookkeeping, or Facebook ads. Don't push through. You'll end up banging your head against the wall. (Nobody has time for a concussion!)

After chatting with a free-spirited, fun, "don't box me in" client of mine this week, I recorded this quick video for you. Please excuse the neighbor kids having fun in the background and try to ignore my slight rocking. I was on my deck, sitting on a rocking chair. I wasn't trying to make you dizzy, I swear!

Listen. You were made with your free-spirit for a reason. You are creatively, uniquely YOU. Go WITH your strengths (not against them) and your company will flourish.
Here's an idea for setting up systems, even when you're a free spirit.

The Never Alone Inner Circle Retreat is coming up quickly! At the end of September, our coaching clients will gather for a time of renewal, clarity, and planning. We'll take two full days to take a look at your business, identify what's working, what's not, and what your next steps should be.

With a focus on business, faith, and family, you'll leave renewed, refreshed, encouraged, and motivated to grow your business in the right direction (and yes, we'll talk about systems that still allow freedom and creativity)! We'll take some time to ask GOD where He wants to lead and guide your business. He wants to give us wisdom. We just have to ask.
​
(The deadline for the Retreat was yesterday, but I'm extending it 24 hours. If your heart is pulling you to attend, just shoot me an email and I'll see what I can do!)

I bet you are a brave person. You started your company. You made hard decisions. You took that leap. You signed that lease. You hired that team. You created your logo and you started selling stuff.

But sometimes we get a little complacent, don't we?
Maybe we've been burned.
We've been hurt.
We question if we've made the right decisions.

So we want to hide.
Hide behind the computer or the desk and keep everything the same.
Maybe even scale back and keep things small.

But let me tell you--if you are called to this business, then every day you have to continue to show up brave.

You have to move through the fear and make hard decisions. You have to pray for wisdom and when you get clarity, move your feet.
​
Make that call.
Let that person go.
Change your hours.
Drop that service.
Rebrand.
Rename.
Resign that lease.
Let that space go.
Face that difficult client.
Step out and hire.

You can't run a business afraid. Every day requires courage.

This month, in the Never Alone Inner Circle, we are talking about being the leader and CEO of your company. I wanted to share a little bit of that training with you in today's email.

1. Step OUT

• Be brave. Show up in your marketing and in your community.
• Get out of your comfort zone. Do what you know needs to be done.

2. Step IN

• Get involved with the issues in your company.
• Have weekly staff meetings. And have a plan for those meetings.
• Create systems with checklists. 

3. Step UP

• It’s time to grow your company, which means you have to grow, too.
• Be careful what you put INSIDE because it matters. What you put in, comes out. (Read positive books and listen to positive music!)
• SEE yourself as the leader. Believe it.

I created a quick video (seriously, it's short) for you. Check it out below.
If you're not on Facebook a lot, subscribing on YouTube is a great way to stay connected to me with encouraging and inspiring content. Just log in with your Google account and click "Subscribe." You'll get notifications when I post new content.

The Doors are Open
We have opened the doors to the Never Alone Inner Circle!

Our members are learning to step up and be brave. As a result, their schedules are filling up with clients. They are reaching their goals. They are making hard decisions with confidence because they have a tribe that believes in them. We cheer each other on. It's a place of love and support, not competition and comparison.

If you're ready to move to the next level in your business and get results like never before, it's time for a change.

All athletes and musicians have more than one coach in their lifetime. And they certainly do not ever train alone. We all need someone encouraging and pushing us.

If you're wondering if the Inner Circle is right for you, let's talk. Book a call with me here: 
https://www.jenhickle.com/gac.html

And watch Joy's story below. She says the Inner Circle helped her feel less afraid. 
That's what it's all about. Bravery. Bravery to live out your calling and your life's purpose.
​I'm cheering you on!

September is here!
Time for new beginnings! Maybe you're making big changes in your business. Maybe you're in a season of growth. Maybe you're wondering how long you can keep up this pace or maybe you're really looking forward to a steady schedule this fall.
For me, I'm being super intentional about my time and I'm ready for an exciting quarter ahead.
One thing I've really been thinking about lately is faithfulness.  I created a super short (encouraging) video for you. Watch it and be sure to subscribe to my YouTube channel!

We have been trying to enjoy every last moment of summer and have been hosting lots of bonfires with friends, too. (Do you follow me on Instagram? Follow our family adventures over there! ​https://www.instagram.com/jenhickle/

Last night we had an impromptu bonfire with just our family and roasted hotdogs, brats, and a creative version of a s'more. I was out of regular graham crackers, so we used gluten free graham crackers (they tasted like gingersnaps!), added a little chunk of gluten free brownie to each one, and WOW they were wonderful! I just love conversation around a fire. 

As we head into the fall, I wanted to challenge you to think of ONE new habit that you can begin. Don't overthink this and don't make it unattainable. What is ONE habit that you can do every day during the month of September? 

For me, Chris and I are going to be very intentional about meeting weekly to get on the same page. To be able to lead our team effectively, we have to ensure that our vision is united and that we know where we are headed.
​
What can you begin?
​I'd love to hear--just reply to this email!

In just a few weeks, my oldest heads off to college.
As I pass by the baby clothes at Target, I remember vividly those days of buying diapers and praying I can get through the day with young babies and toddlers.
Now I'm buying dorm room supplies and holding back the tears. Everything is about to change. It's a whole new stage of parenting. The bird is flying away from the nest. It's time for him to fly.

As I've been on coaching calls during the last few weeks, I'm helping many of you map out your goals and where you should be focusing. Website? SEO? Google ads? Facebook ads? Hiring team?  Those goals are completely dependent upon the stage your business is in. We have to customize our path based on where we are and where we are going!

Maybe you're a parent and well acquainted of these stages. Now let's see how they apply to your businesses, too!

Which one describes your business?? I'd love to hear!

Young Adult Characteristics:
· Your business doesn’t need you as much for the day to day operations.
· You can go on vacation!
· You’re profitable!
· Your staff is handing things for you.
· The business is running itself at this point and you have a lot more freedom. 

Work on this:
· The business still needs you. You will still need to check in with your staff and act as their coach.
· Regular staff meetings are recommended, although you may have a manager handling the bulk of the meetings.
· Continue to make the high level decisions and oversee marketing and hiring.
· Life is good! You should be able to work from anywhere, you are not location bound, you will have a lot more freedom, and you will have money flowing in to show for all your labors!!
· Decide if you’d like to start a second location, start a second business, sell the business, or retire!

Did you miss it? We had 3 power-packed trainings on how to use Facebook groups to grow your local business!

You can still watch! The videos will remain up for 1 week! Then they will be transfered to our Inner Circle, for only members.
Join the group here to watch these free trainings!
Join the free group here!

Want to be the FIRST to know when the Never Alone Inner Circle opens up again? Get on our waiting list here. We will let you know FIRST (before it goes public) when we are accepting new members! 
https://www.jenhickle.com/innercircle.html

​On Friday night, being the wild party people that we are, my daughters and I went shopping at Target for school supplies. I don't know about you, but those new notebooks and binders and pencils make me soooo happy! Yes, we homeschool, but it doesn't mean we don't need new school supplies--we just aren't slaving over the list from the district, muttering to ourselves, trying to find the exact right 3 pronged folder! We are like frolicking deer, dancing through the aisles, exclaiming, "Oh! We need these pens! Look at these notebooks for 99 cents! Don't we need more of these?"
When we got home, the girls organized their stuff, decorated the front of their binders, and my 11 year old grabbed her laptop and said, "Give me a topic. An animal." And then she proceeded to write a little research paper on monarch butterflies! I'm telling you. Homeschooling is weird. But also awesome.
So whether you're starting school or waiting for Labor Day, we are all in the mood and even though we still have lots of summer fun planned for this month, we are definitely chomping at the bit for the new semester to begin!

To add a little fun to our month, I'm doing a Free Challenge called Grow Your Business Using Facebook Groups.
It's free. You just have to request to join our Free Facebook Group, "Creatives Growing a Local Business," HERE:
 https://www.facebook.com/groups/1715473611806455/

Listen. Marketing a local business is different than marketing an online business. I've taken all the courses. Watched all the webinars. Tried all the things. But that stuff is different than selling to clients that are local to you or promoting a brick and mortar location! I've wasted a LOT of time and energy on trying to learn stuff that did not work for my music school.
But I've found a few nuggets of gold that DO work, so I'm going to share them with you.

The Challenge begins Wednesday, August 7 and will be 3 days of power packed content and Q and A's so you can get the answers to all your questions. Everything is happening IN that free Facebook group (which, duh, is because we are talking about GROUPS).

You've probably noticed that it's hard to get engagement and eyeballs on your business Facebook Page (it's 100% possible and I teach the strategies in our Inner Circle, but it's still HARD and takes money) but Facebook looooooves promoting groups and it's a fabulous way to grow community and connection so people will buy from you! Woot!

So come hang out with us. There will be fun and prizes for those who participate, cuz that's just who I am. I like a fun competition.
Every time you comment, you'll be entered into a drawing. 
ONE person will win a free month's subscription in to our Never Alone Inner Circle.
Others will win a free copy of my book, "Happy Kids, Growing Biz," and just for being in the group, you'll get an advance copy of my NEW book, which is all about how to use the power of online marketing for your local business. (Yes! Finally I'm speaking up about this. Soooo important to nail the difference in types of businesses and use the RIGHT strategy for your local business.)

If you're a coach or consultant, this info is NOT for you. That's a different strategy.
If you're an MLM, this is not for you either. You have your own strategies.
If you are selling appointments or services and are reaching a LOCAL crowd of people, I've got you covered. That's my expertise and that's where we will be focusing.

I'm obsessed with Facebook. I am. I KNOW it's where the people are hanging out, so I research FB strategies every single day.  Our music school enrolled 7 students in ONE weekend and all I did is run a Facebook ad and test out some new FB video ads! (And YES, I used Groups as a part of this strategy!)
We surpassed our goal in July and enrolled 30 new students! In one month! All from Facebook and emails. Seriously. We didn't do anything else!  No radio, TV, newspaper. All too expensive and ineffective for my school. I'm just leveraging the power of Facebook and using strategic emails to compel people to call us or stop by for a tour. And it works!

Anyway. If any of this is interesting to you, you have nothing to lose. Join the group, hang out, try some new strategies, and get those new clients!

If summer has been quiet or depressingly slow for you, it's almost fall and that means business will pick up! Yahoo! Let's be ready for the rush and on our toes, ready to rumble.

​Let's do this. Together.
Find this group. Ask to join. It's free. 
​https://www.facebook.com/groups/1715473611806455/

Fun, Entertaining, Encouraging Stuff You Might Have Missed This Week:
​
Chris and I talked about homeschooling our kids and what really matters to us and the measuring stick we use to know whether we are failing or not.
Find that here:
https://www.facebook.com/jenhickle1/videos/2268713546511921/

I went on a fun rant about motherhood and working and fall schedules for busy moms here. It's almost an hour long, so just fold your laundry or something while you watch. We can hang out together and laugh a little:
https://www.facebook.com/jenhickle1/videos/501673883971191/

I put all of our best videos on YouTube, so if you're a YouTube person, subscribe here! (Help me out- I have a pathetic 15 subscribers!)
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCxNcvvLY4pgzOxjXYgBBxQg/videos?view_as=subscriber

I don't know about you, but this time of the summer prompts me to start making plans for fall. I bought a new planner (whoo hoo!) and I'm getting my kids all set for classes (my oldest is headed to his first year of college and we are getting all of his plans set)!

It feels like my time can so easily get swallowed up by all of life's demands if I'm not careful. The calendar fills up, I'm responding to fires, answering emails, and just trying to keep my head above water.

On Sunday nights, I try to get ready for the week. Look over my calendar. Write the white board for the kids' schedule. Review the plan and upcoming goals. And then on Monday, everything hits the fan. Teachers need to be replaced at the studio. Appointments need my attention. Projects need my decisions. And this time of year, we are getting ready for the big fall client rush.

How about you? Do you feel supported and like you have a plan? Or are you just trying to make it through each day?
Is business feeling a little slow or are you drowning in everything that needs to get done?

Being a business owner can be incredibly lonely and isolating. And when you're trying to make big decisions for the future, it can be tempting to hide under the covers and wait for a more responsible adult to show up and take over! Except YOU are the adult and everyone is waiting on YOU! Ack!

Our Inner Circle Coaching Program is preparing to open again next month, and if you are wishing for a clear strategy, some focus, and support from people who really get your lifestyle, I want to encourage you to jump on the waiting list. You'll be the first to know when we open up again (with new surprises in store!) and only Inner Circle Members get access to our Fall Retreat where we will get super focused on what matters most and what will move your business forward.

As you're sorting through fall schedules and school supplies, don't forget to make time for YOU and your goals.

Start here. Jump on the waiting list. We're here for you.
https://www.jenhickle.com/innercircle.html

Here's what our Inner Circle Members are working on and celebrating this month! (Doesn't matter how small-- we celebrate them all!)

• Had the courage to end a bad client relationship.
• Finding help for my kids this fall (and fighting mom guilt)!
• Signed up for a new space for my business!
• Reorganized my team and set new expectations!
• Bought new equipment to get bigger videography clients!
• Interviewing for a new front desk person!
• Hired out a business task for the first time!
• Restructuring my website!

It's so fun to celebrate together and get the focus, strategy and support that is soooo needed on this business journey!

Join us! 
Get on the waiting list here: ​https://www.jenhickle.com/contact-us.html
​
And while you're waiting, come hang out in our FREE group. New fun challenges coming soon to get you ready for Fall!
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1715473611806455/