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/

My son Ethan has played baseball since he was a little tiny kid, adorable in his little outfit, and using a tee to try to hit the ball.
Now he's on a team of high schoolers and these boys have turned into men.
Last night they had a tournament and it was crazy! The umpire was late, there was delay due to lightning, the game tied, paused again, and was paused at a tie. They still have to finish that game to move on with the tournament.

Over the years, I've become quite knowledgeable about baseball. Since Ethan's a pitcher, I know more than most moms, I think. Sports aren't my jam (Chris and Ethan LOVE all sports) but I have to tell you: when I saw this email from the coach this morning, I actually teared up. The parallels to business coaching are incredible. I'd love to share his words with you. As you read them, think about your business and imagine I'm encouraging you in the same way:

Pitchers:  great attitude.  Love the way you keep working through everything.  Also love the support & confidence everyone has in you.

Bats: way to keep swinging the bats!  We only had one looking K (strikeout).  Great job here.  Great strike zone judgement last night too.   Keep trusting yourself.  You guys have good swings.  Keep it up!!! 

Defense:  Not so good.  We had several physical errors and a couple of mental errors.  The physical will happen occasionally.  Kick yourself for about 2 seconds, and focus on what is next.  The mental errors we can't afford. Baseball is not a spectator sport.  Before every pitch - "What am I going to do with the ball when it is hit to me?"  And then just focus on one thing - ball in glove.   "I want the ball, I want the ball. "I want the ball."

We did have multiple guys, Sam, in particular, I remember, and a couple others as well, looking at the ball after they hit it.  Sam, you would have beaten that infield ball out if you had just looked at first and run.  
1) You run faster when you're looking at where you’re going,
and 2) you don't even run in a straight line when looking somewhere else.  
Just like the players, the coaches have a job to do.  Let us do it. Run to the base and listen to us.  If you're running to first and the ball is hit anywhere other than right field, or running to second and the ball is in center or right field, just run and look/listen to us.  

Lighting, a couple bad calls, a weird situation:  sure. But don't put another thought into any of this.  If we play our game - put the ball in play and don't give them anything, we win.  Whenever we resolve this game we need to come out focused, even mad-focused.

My favorite part of this whole email was this part:
1) You run faster when you're looking at where you’re going, and
2) you don't even run in a straight line when looking somewhere else.  

Just run and look/listen to us.  

My friends, growing a business is hard. It's challenging. It's exhausting. And it's a game. You must keep your eyes on where you are going! And always keep your eyes on your Coach!

If you're struggling today. . . you can barely see straight. . . You're grieving and still trying to carry on through the day to day. . .I understand.
If you're discouraged or not sure how the next thing will play out. . . I get it.

Keep your eyes straight ahead.
And keep running. 
Never, ever quit running.

All my love, 
​Jen

It's July! The heat is here which brings time at the lake, swimming at the pool, cool AC movie nights, and lots of baseball games!

We had a great 4th of July week with our family-- rented a boat, took a dinner cruise on a lake, went to a Twins game (they won!), and hung out at the beach with cousins and extended family.

In the midst of all the summer fun, it can be a little unnerving that business feels like it has slowed down or even come to a halt. Requests for more information are down, clients are dropping out, maybe you've had a lot of staff changes to deal with (I have).

Here's my advice:
Don't freak out.

Honestly, this happens every year. Everyone is enjoying summer and it's okay to take a breather. It's not okay to squander your free time with worry, though. So I have a few suggestions for you:

• Take time for learning. Summer is a great time to catch up on videos you've purchased or things you meant to listen to. I LOVE having one AirPod in my ear at a baseball game or while cleaning the kitchen. I can listen while getting something else done and it stimulates my brain and gets me excited about my business again.
• Clean up your website. Do you have out of date information lurking? Have you been meaning to freshen up the pictures or content? Now is a great time to get those things fixed before the fall rush.
• Set up Google Ads, Remarketing, or SEO. If you're not sure if your website is ranking high enough, now is a great time for a tune-up, just like getting the oil changed in your car. Use July to make sure you are ready for new clients in the fall!
• Organize. We picked up a big great bag at Home Depot this weekend and have filled it up with the big broken stuff that won't fit in our garbage can. It feels so good to lighten our garage and get stuff out of our closets that has been piling up. My next project is going to be organizing my master closet. I'm going to buy some big plastic bins and hide the Christmas wrapping paper and organize my quilting supplies so that space looks nice and neat. (It helps my brain when my space is decluttered, I swear!)
• Get a 360 degree marketing review. Let's take a look at how your website is performing, what you can improve on social media, and how your SEO is ranking. The 60 minute call is just $200. You can schedule that with me HERE. 

I want to see YOU succeed. And often, if business has slowed down, it's because you're not quite aligned with your marketing message. It just takes another pair of eyes to look at what's going on and help you make improvements. Besides, Facebook changes so rapidly that it's hard to keep up! We'll also take a look at your sales process and if there's a reason people aren't buying from you (often it's how you're wording your packages and prices and a small tweak can make a HUGE difference)!

My calendar is filling up for July, but I'd love to help you. Just schedule a call with me HERE!