Never Alone Services
  • Home
  • Coaching
  • About Us
  • Services
  • Testimonials
  • Request Info
  • Blog
  • Login
  • Home
  • Coaching
  • About Us
  • Services
  • Testimonials
  • Request Info
  • Blog
  • Login

We're Moving and I'm Calmly Drinking Coffee

7/28/2016

0 Comments

 
Picture
We are moving this weekend to a new home. Although it sounds crazy, this will be my 20th move!

My parents moved every year of my childhood until I was 10. Then we stayed in one house for an epic 6 years! (No, we weren't in the military. No, we weren't running from the government.) Chris and I moved 5 times in the first 5 years of our marriage, and throw in a couple more houses, and it equals 20. Crazy? Yes, but I can't imagine life any other way! The good news is I have very solidified memories from specific years because I just picture the house we lived in at the time!

We have been in the country for the last 3 and a half years, but have decided we are "indoor cats." We love looking outside, but we love being inside more. Let's face it--we own two businesses and homeschool our kids. We aren't gardening or raising chickens.

We needed more square footage and an office that Chris and I can share on the main level of the house, so we found a house 5 miles away that is on a pond and has an amazing 3 season porch. (Yay for an amazing morning coffee spot!) I've been praying and thinking about moving for over 6 months now, but when we started seriously looking, it all came together very quickly--in just a few short weeks.

I'm not freaking out (too much) about moving, because I've done it so many times. And every time, I've learned little tips and tricks. Like labeling every box--for which room it should go in in the new house. Packing every closet full of boxes, so they aren't in our way. Filling the garage with boxes. Carefully wrapping breakables with extra kitchen towels. I've created a system for moving--checklists and procedures--and we do the same thing every time. Even my husband and kids know the drill! We are all on the same page and we know exactly what to do, in which order.

It can be the same in your business!

You can learn from your mistakes and you improve the procedure as you go. When something goes wrong, you can take the opportunity to say, "How can we improve this process?" instead of just putting out fires all day long.

Carve out time to have a "brain dump." Literally write or type out the process for any given task in your business. How do you enroll a new client? List every step. If different staff members play a role in the process, write their name next to that step. How do you order products? Write out every single step. Know what? You're building an operations manual!

Last Sunday, I worked at the front desk of our music school. I haven't worked the desk in over a year! But when I walked in, I knew exactly what to do, in which order (unlock, turn off security system, turn on lights, turn on computer, answer emails and voicemails, etc) because I created the system and I've trained many staff members on how to follow it! Plus, every step of the process is documented in the binder on the desk. There are daily checklists for cleaning and I could easily see what needed to be done on that day.

Does it take time to create these lists? Yes. Is it tedious and exhausting? Yes. Is it worth it? YES!!!

Creating systems will turn your life around. You don't have to spend all your time putting out fires.  You can have staff that knows exactly what to do every day and what to do in case of any emergency. It can all be written down with procedures and checklists!

People tell me, "I don't want to be bound by lists. I'm creative! I want to be free!" I get it. I do. But here's the thing--when you create your lists and procedures, you can actually be more free to do what you love. You can have more creativity because you aren't running around like a chicken with no head! Plus--you are probably the creative one, but your staff probably LOVES structure and procedures. So do it for them.

You don't need to move 20 times like me. I understand that I'm special. =) But DO take time to write down your systems. You'll enjoy your business a lot more and your staff will thank you!

If you're not already following me on Facebook, do it now! (www.facebook.com/jenhickle1) You'll see our moving progress in live time! This weekend is the big move! Wish us luck! (How many times have YOU moved? Do I hold the record for the most moves??)

​
Picture
Picture
Picture
0 Comments

My Book is Here!

7/6/2016

0 Comments

 
Picture
If you're building a business while raising kids, you know the struggle is real!

In "Happy Kids, Growing Biz," I tackle the most common questions:
  How do I get it all done? How do I grow my company and still devote time to my marriage and my kids?  Is this even possible?  How do I stay sane? Is it possible to work and homeschool?  How do I balance it all?

In only 5 years, I took my side business (netting under 15K for the year) to be our family’s main income, grossing $500,000 per year and netting a 6 figure income.
Read  this book for practical strategies and systems to growing a successful business. I've packed it with stories and real-life solutions!

You’ll be armed with ideas to grow YOUR business without sacrificing your family (or your sanity) in the process.

You’ll learn how to make this work in REAL life:
R= Redefine your goals.
E= Eliminate time wasters.
A= Automate everything you can.
L= Love what you do and do what you love.

It's on Amazon! Order it HERE.

FREE Workbook! Plan your week and assess the health of your business. Get it HERE>>
0 Comments
    Picture
    Picture

    About the Author

    Hi, I'm Jen Hickle!
    I'm a coffee drinking, book loving, mom of 4 kids! I am a marketing coach and I also own Rogers School of Music, a music school where over 500 students take lessons every week. My music school has been the incubator where I have learned valuable business growth strategies--and now I coach other businesses who love working from home and love this crazy life of juggling work and family.

    ​Several years ago, my husband Chris quit his job so we could work together. 

    ​You can read more about our story! 
    Just request your free sample of my book, "Happy Kids, Growing Biz."

    I know what it's like to run a business and to feel completely alone. I know the feeling of too much to do in too little time. And that's why our full time mission is helping small business owners.
     
    Schedule a complimentary call and let's see how our Never Alone Inner Circle can help you work less, make more money, and stay in your strengths so you have more energy for your family.
    ​​

    Request More Info here

    Archives

    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016

    Categories

    All
    Advertising
    Bookkeeping
    Business
    Coaching
    Facebook
    Family
    Goals
    Google
    Hiring
    Marketing
    Mindset
    Mobile
    Organize
    Perfectionism
    SEO
    Solutions
    Staffing
    Systems
    Team
    Tools
    Training
    Website

    RSS Feed


​Website by Never Alone Business Services Copyright © 2015