 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 Celebrating Wins in the Inner Circle!Here's what our Inner Circle Members are working on and celebrating this month! (Doesn't matter how small-- we celebrate them all!)
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/
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 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:
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!  Do you have a drive inside of you that just can't be squelched?
Maybe you've tried, but it keeps oozing out. You come up with new ideas all of the time (even when people are tired of hearing about them!) and you just see opportunities everywhere. Maybe you've told yourself, "I can't do this right now. My kids are too little. They need me. Or, I'm homeschooling." Maybe you've been told "Focus on one thing. Be bored. Stop dreaming. Stop coming up with new ideas." I'm here to tell you that you CAN have happy kids and a growing business. You CAN start another stream of income. You CAN hit 7 figures by creatively maximizing your gifts and talents. You just need the right strategy, the focus on the right things, and support in the high and low times. TODAY (Monday) at 9:00am Central, I'm doing a free webinar. I'd love for you to join us if this topic speaks to you. Make sure you're in our free facebook group to particpate. Invite a friend to the group to join the conversation, too! Join us live OR watch the recording! Join the free Facebook group here! https://www.facebook.com/groups/1715473611806455/ We are going to talk about: -How using your natural gifts can grow your business -How to juggle mom life plus business life -If now is a good time for your business to grow -What you need to know to succeed with the right marketing strategies -How you can use your laptop or cell phone to grow your business while not neglecting your kids or your home -How to start a second stream of income Listen. I'm here to encourage you, inspire you, and empower you. You CAN live out the dreams God put in your heart. You can. You just need three things:
I'm here for you. Don't shove down your dream anymore. Join us and let's talk. Join the free Facebook group here. https://www.facebook.com/groups/1715473611806455/  So 2 years ago, I was at my wit's end with one of my kids. He struggled to read so badly that I questioned if he would ever fit into normal society. Because I homeschool my kids, it felt like my fault. Even though I tried every reading curriculum I could find, I just couldn't break through. We couldn't make progress. He was frustrated and so I was I. Honestly, I felt like a failure. While at a homeschool conference, I met Tracy. I saw her booth and knew I had to talk to her. Within minutes of sharing my story, I was in tears and she just listened and nodded. She really understood. I ended up signing up my son for her week-long program and everything changed. He jumped 5 grade levels in reading and comprehension! It was incredible! He gained confidence, starting using a pencil, taking notes, and reading more often! The next two years of high school were completely different for my son. He soared. Now he's headed to college in the fall! (Something I never thought was possible for him.) But then I realized that Tracy had a problem. She had this wonderful business but nobody knew about her. Despite advertising at the homeschool conference and having a so-so website, she just wasn't able to fill her schedule. It was MY turn to help HER. She signed up for coaching with me, and we focused on clarity in her website, consistency in her marketing, and communication with her list and on social media. The result? This is what Tracy says: "My business has continued to grow substantially over the last year and a half. I used to wonder where my next client would come from and now my next 3 months are fully booked! I love that the Never Alone Inner Circle has the tools AND the heart that I need. Being a business owner is lonely! And everything is new. There's so much to learn. Never Alone has helped me break down exactly what I need to do next and the result has been more leads in a month than I used to get in a year! The tools and techniques are phenomenal. I love how Jen listens to what I need and then comes up with a plan. And I love being a part of a group of entrepreneurs who are all looking to grow their business. Whenever I have a question, Jen is there. I highly recommend this program!" Tracy Doyle, Minnesota Learning Solutions I bet you have a pretty incredible business. I bet you are transforming lives and making a difference, like Tracy. But if you just aren't fully booked, or frustrated at your lack of sales, it can be fixed! You just need the right focus, strategy, and support. Just hoping and praying isn't enough. You need the right tools. Listen. The doors are closing for our Inner Circle for the summer on June 30. We are shifting all of our energy to support our members and make our program better than ever before. I would hate for you to miss out. Come join us. This is the moment when everything changes for you. https://www.neveralonebusinessservices.com/join.html Questions for me? Just hit reply. I'm here and happy to answer. You can also join our free Facebook group for creative business owners growing a local company and ask me anything in here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1715473611806455/ See you inside. Can't wait to see YOUR business grow so you can help MORE people and make this world a more beautiful place. Welcome to our new Inner Circle Members!We are so glad you're here! (Watch your mailbox for your box of goodies! It should be arriving soon! Be sure to send me a pic so I know it arrived!)
Are you a maker or a creator? Do you have a business? Then you are a studio owner. A studio is a space where you create. You hone your craft. And a studio owner creates for the purpose of making money, supporting their family, and impacting their community. I looked up the definition of "studio" and here's what I found: "A studio is an artist or worker's workroom. This can be for the purpose of acting, architecture, painting, pottery (ceramics), sculpture, origami, woodworking, scrapbooking, photography, graphic design, filmmaking, animation, industrial design, radio or television production broadcasting or the making of music. The term is also used for the workroom of dancers, often specified to dance studio. The word studio is derived from the Italian: studio, from Latin: studium, from studere, meaning to study or zeal." Studio is also referred to as a type of dwelling place: "A studio apartment is basically a self-contained unit and houses everything in the single room space (except the bathroom)." I love thinking about how many businesses can be also called "studios." Your studio can be in your house, it can be mobile (you go to your clients or to various locations, setting up shop) and it can be in a brick and mortar space that you rent or own. But the one thing that unites us: We are all creating and impacting lives. Have you ever thought of yourself as a studio owner? Maybe your answer is "definitely, yes" and maybe you're thinking "I've never thought about it, but yeah, maybe I am!" And maybe you're a chiropractor or midwife, but the definition still applies. You are building a space that is for your clients. It's growing and changing, but your studio is your space where you create. You help people. You touch lives and make a difference. If you're building a studio, I am cheering you on! I built my first studio in my mom's living room, then in my own house, and then I drove house to house, visiting my students’ homes. I rented space in a school (I shared a funny story about this in this week's video!), I rented space in a church, and even from a fitness studio! We studio owners are creative and versatile. We'll do whatever it takes. We'll take our business on the road or build it right in our homes. Our clients come to us, or we go to them. But one thing is for sure: we are creators and we care. We care about our clients and we want to make a difference in their lives. Check out this week's video and let me know....does studio owner resonate with YOU? Welcome to all of our new Inner Circle Members!
We are so glad you joined us! Curious about the Inner Circle? Enrollment is closed right now, but you can get on the waiting list here: https://www.neveralonebusinessservices.com/contact-us.html If you're on the waiting list, you'll be the first to know when we open the doors again!  Since November, our Never Alone Inner Circle Program has been steadily growing. Members are getting great results and it is SO exciting to see their progress! Maybe you need a regular dose of encouragement. Maybe you're tired of pretending that everything is going perfectly fine. Maybe you need a creative outlook on your situation. Maybe you're tired of feeling stuck in the same place. The Never Alone Inner Circle is for you! For only 48 hours, join and get your first month FREE. (You will not be charged until June 20.) The membership is only $197 per month for access to all of our social media marketing classes, access to the Strategic Biz Marketing System (streamline your marketing and know exaclty what to do when), and access to both Chris and Jen on monthly calls. Ask your techy questions and get the support you need for your situation. NEW: Have an admin or desk staff? We have a FB group for them! We will support them and train them so YOU don't have to. If you're having problems with Google Docs, Facebook or Instagram, Chris and Sierra will be able to help. This saves YOU time and stress and ensures that they are getting the help that they need. Here's what our members are saying: "On my first call with Never Alone, I felt an immediate connection. I chose to join the Inner Circle Program because I know you understand me and my business. Right away, I started feeling differently about my business. This program has allowed me to dream bigger. I now understand I can take this as far as the Lord has planned for me! The Inner Circle has not only the practical information for me--videos I can watch at any time and the workbook that has the exact steps that I need and the monthly Zoom calls that I love-- but what I really love is that you are an encourager. You help me dream. You help me see past my limitations. I'm so excited for my future and I'm excited about my business again!" Dana Nemitz, Create and Decorate "My business has continued to grow substantially over the last year and a half. I used to wonder where my next client would come from and now my next 3 months are fully booked! I love that the Never Alone Inner Circle has the tools AND the heart that I need. Being a business owner is lonely! And everything is new. There's so much to learn. Never Alone has helped me break down exactly what I need to do next and the result has been more leads in a month than I used to get in a year! The tools and techniques are phenomenal. I love how Jen listens to what I need and then comes up with a plan. And I love being a part of a group of entrepreneurs who are all looking to grow their business. Whenever I have a question, Jen is there. I highly recommend this program!" Tracy Doyle, Minnesota Learning Solutions "There are so many tools out there, but I haven't really found one that resonated with me like your book because very few (none I've found so far) factor in little kids/family as a high priority OR approach it from a Christian perspective. The content of the course was excellent. I like how you had it broken down into chunks that made sense. It was a good pace. I loved the videos! And I loved being able to watch them at my own pace, on my own time! Even if they were only 15 min, sometimes I had to sneak them in in 2-3 sittings. I looked forward to the videos. It made me want to meet you in person! This experience has helped me a lot. Your blog posts are excellent, too. I am grateful." Sarah Bodoh, mom and entrepreneur The Inner Circle doors are open right now. This program is only $197 per month. If you are:
You'll get focus, strategy, and support. You'll get a personalized plan for YOUR business and YOUR situation. You'll get a 1 hour private strategy call with Jen to map out your next steps and to discover where you should be spending your time, based on your unique strengths. Join here. We can't wait to welcome you in our warm, loving group! Questions? Just email Sierra at info@neveraloneservices.com. For more info and testimonials go here >>> more info Let's do this. Join now. I can't wait to see you inside! (Join by May 21 at midnight and get your first month FREE, plus all of your printed workbooks and resources mailed to your house. Value of $300! Expires May 21 at midnight.)  When everything hits the fan and the world falls around you, what do you do? This week has been really hard. One of my first consulting clients, Stacy Manning, passed away suddenly from a heart attack this week. She was on the phone with her admin (who also works for me) and just suddenly died. My company, staff, homeschool community, and our town has been completely shook up. Devastated. Stunned. The month of May is already crazy with moving into a new office space, my son's graduation, company coming into town, theatre performances, new students enrolling in our music school, and so much more. To add gripping grief on top of all of this is almost flabbergasting. It's hard to just make it through the day. I've had a rough week and have felt like I'm just flying by the seat of my pants to keep everything going. I've had to take time off of work, hug my kids a little tighter, binge watch Netflix, and just TRY to take time for self-care and grieving. I processed some of my thoughts on Facebook Live this week. The link to the video is below. What do YOU do in a time of tragedy? And what happens to your business if something happens to YOU? Do you have team and systems set up to sustain the crisis? All of this and more has been rolling around in my head this week. Let me know your thoughts. And if you're having a crazy month, hang in there. June is coming. Hugs, Jen  In loving memory of Stacy Manning  Stacy's work with foster and adoptive parents will live on.
Find her book on Amazon: Adoptive Parent Intentional Parent: A Formula for Building & Maintaining Your Child's Safety Net www.amazon.com/Adoptive-Parent-Intentional-Building-Maintaining-ebook/dp/B00B1HI6KW/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=stacy+manning&qid=1556904368&s=gateway&sr=8-1 Maybe you've been told to be more organized. More disciplined. Get your act together. Stop being so crazy. Relax. Get a routine. I'm going out on a limb here, but I'm going to suggest you forget all of that. Instead, if there is ONE thing in your life that you should focus on, it's boundaries. Instead of changing WHO you are, instead, I want you to insist on keeping the boundaries in your life. If you've committed to working on your business, don't let the agenda of other people interrupt your work time. If you've set aside time to get that project done, don't let the next request from your kids, parents, friends or neighbor supersede what you have decided what you will do. When you're a self-employed, stay-at-home parent, others really don't understand what you do all day. They just know you don't go to work, so you must have a lot of time on your hands. You're the first one they ask to pick up their kids, run that errand, or do a little favor. And, because you love them, you say yes. But guess who suffers? You. And your business. And then you end up beating yourself up for not getting your To Do list done. You shame yourself for being undisciplined. You're frustrated that you're always behind. The ONE thing that would make a huge difference is boundaries. Boundaries allow you to be the most generous version of yourself. I'm not advocating that you don't help your sister, neighbor, or mom. But I AM saying that you keep the promises you made to yourself. If you set aside Friday to work ON your business, you need to keep that promise, no matter what. It's so much easier to keep an appointment with someone else. You wouldn't let them down. So why do you let yourself down? When I decided to stop treating my business as a side hobby, I knew I had to get serious about boundaries. I determined that mornings were for homeschooling and I would work ON my business after lunch for two hours each day. But I couldn't just make this decision in my head. No one would know and I would look like a jerk who suddenly said "no" to things I usually said "yes" to. So here's what I did. I emailed all of my teachers (I didn't have any desk staff at the time) and told them that all emails would be answered after noon each day. I told them to NOT text me, unless it was an emergency. Next, I emailed my weekly schedule to my mom and mother-in-law. I let them know that all morning was dedicated to homeschooling and that I wouldn't be on my computer or phone until lunchtime. They loved it and appreciated knowing our weekly plans. The hardest part was enforcing my own plans with myself. I had to keep my laptop closed in the morning and stay focused on my kids until after lunch. Was it hard? Yes, at first. Then, it was liberating and freeing! My kids felt loved and cared for and their love tanks were full because I focused on them first. I realized that no one suffered by waiting until noon to get a reply to their email. I was so much more productive when I gave my full attention to my work in short bursts in the afternoon. Most "experts" will tell you to get your work done first thing in the morning. But you have to run your business on YOUR terms. Maybe work looks different for you. If you have teenagers, maybe you get a lot done before the kids wake up. If your kids are little, maybe naptime is your friend. If you're a night owl, your best work happens late at night. I say: Do what works for you! The reality is that your schedule (and your boundaries) will change as your kids get older and your life changes. Do what works now and then adjust as needed. When you decide when your work time will be, keep that promise to yourself. We all need doses of uninterrupted work time. (Tell your kids you are working and let your brain think and focus for short bursts of time.) Most people are shocked to hear that I run my company on less than 20 hours of work per week. And you can, too. You just need team, boundaries, and systems. Is all work sitting down and isolated from your family? No way. We live in an amazing time of history when we can stay connected with just a Smartphone (I suggest you always get the best phone that you can. It's a tool and it will bring you sanity!) Release yourself from guilt. It's a blessing to be able to check your email and Slack in between the library and driving your kids around. Give yourself grace! When you are committed to both your family and the work that God has called you to, you CAN do both, with the help of strong systems and technology. Do what you need to do. And be thankful for Smartphones that give us freedom of location and the ability to stay connected when you're on the run! Watch this week's video. And be sure to check out my Facebook and Instagram stories. Let's keep talking about this and figuring it out. I'm cheering you on!  One of my Inner Circle Members said this:  Do you want to work less, have more time for family, and still fulfill the calling on your life?
The Inner Circle is for you. Learn how to set up strong (easy) systems, use the best technology for your team, and how to manage your time so you can juggle everything in your world. (Notice I didn't say balance. Balance is impossible! You just have to learn how to "juggle"--give energy to one thing at a time.) Want to talk about YOUR situation? Schedule a call here. I'd love to hear about your biggest challenge right now. Write me back or leave a comment. Tell me what's going on in YOUR world. Jen Hickle Business Strategist and Coach Head down, focused, shoulders tense, I just had to get it done. Frustration, complete focus; I knew I wasn't great at the task in front of me, but time was running out. I had to get it done. Chris came home and asked what I was doing. “UGH,” I exclaimed. “I'm trying to fix this.” "Here," he said, "Let me." Bam. He was finished faster than I could shake off the tension in my shoulders. WHAT?! Why had I been struggling for the last hour when he could get it immediately? Something clicked that day. It doesn't matter how much of a hard-working, determined entrepreneur I am. It doesn't matter how much I want to grow this thing. If I'm doing tasks that are out of my zone of excellence, all I get is frustration and angst. Some business owners don't know any other way of doing business other than doing the hard stuff and just pushing through. They just think this is just their life. But I'm going to challenge your thinking. There is a reason you're on the planet. You have gifts and skills that are exquisite. They might be inter-personal. You love people. You love connecting with others. You love creating the next idea. You love flying by the seat of your pants. (Yes, these are gifts, not weaknesses, my friend.) If you've got your head down, struggling with that spreadsheet, that image that just doesn't look right, your website, your bookkeeping, your payroll, your taxes...and you're feeling frustrated all the time, then you've got your priorities backwards. If you would actually do the networking, the selling, the connecting, then your company could grow and you could pay someone to do the things you struggle with. "But I have to do it. Last time I delegated this, they dropped the ball! I HAVE TO DO IT." Yes, I hear this all the time. People will fail you. They will let you down. They will leave you. They will quit. You will fire them. But you have to keep trying. Every time you hire or fire or let someone go, you learn. You get better at knowing what you need and who you need to support you. Don't give up now! YOU should not be doing the things that cause you so much stress and anxiety. It's like a foot trying to make spaghetti! A foot is not made for stirring a pot over a hot stove! It's made for walking! I want you to do an exercise. Make a list of allllll the things you do in a month. Now rate them on a scale of 1-10, with 10 being you LOVE it and it fills you up and gives you energy and 1 being the thing that is frustrating and draining and you hate doing it. Do you have enough 10s on that list? How many are below a 5? Watch this week's video. Then write me back and let me know what you discovered through this exercise. YOU have a unique wiring that GOD put inside of you. If you don't know what YOU are meant to do, let's work together. All the pieces will fall into place and then we'll get you the right team and systems set up to support you. Everything changed in my life when I eliminated anything on my list below a 7. I try to live in my 9-10 zone now. Yes, it's possible! In fact, you have an obligation to God to use the gifts HE gave you. Watch the video and then....let's chat.  The Never Alone Inner CircleStep 1: Analyze how you're wired and why you're here on the planet. What is your mission in life?
Step 2: Analyze your business. What is your message? Who do you serve? And how can the right people find you? Step 3: Set up systems and processes so your business runs like a well-oiled machine with team members to support you. We do all of this in the Inner Circle. We have two different levels, depending on your stage of business. If you're tired of figuring all of this out on your own, let's schedule a call and chat. We can help. Request a call here. |
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