I am a small (small!) business owner. A solo-preneur, if you will. In the words of Heather Dakota Jansen a "soul-o-preneur." In the words of Naomi Dunford an "itty biz."
On rough days when Life intercedes and the kids need extra care I'm reminded that what I have is still bordering on a "jobby" - somewhere between a "job" and a "hobby."
But I love it and I'm passionate about it. I want to give it all the tenderness and support I can so it grows up big and strong and eventually supports me!
On rough days when Life intercedes and the kids need extra care I'm reminded that what I have is still bordering on a "jobby" - somewhere between a "job" and a "hobby."
But I love it and I'm passionate about it. I want to give it all the tenderness and support I can so it grows up big and strong and eventually supports me!
Below are five ways I support my business
that might be right for you, too!
that might be right for you, too!
When I first started my business, the biggest thing I struggled with was holding on to the thread of what I had to do next. The clients I had were few and far between, feedback was next to nothing and stuff with my family and kids kept derailing what little progress I was able to make.
Each time I had to reengage with my business it felt like starting over from scratch. I exhausted myself just to figure out what I had to do next - which left precious little energy to actually DO the work.
It was out of that frustration of constantly feeling lost that I developed the business retreat model that I now share with others.
Each time I had to reengage with my business it felt like starting over from scratch. I exhausted myself just to figure out what I had to do next - which left precious little energy to actually DO the work.
It was out of that frustration of constantly feeling lost that I developed the business retreat model that I now share with others.
 | Part retreat, part journaling course, and part ritual - this retreat approaches planning the next best steps for your business from a wide variety of angles, making it good for different kinds creative types. Full of validation and support, we tackle business planning with the support of a like-minded, like-hearted community. |
- Daily emails lay out the day’s possible activities
- Morning calls clarify what you’ll be working on each session
- Work time is supported – almost magically – by others doing the same work, at the same time, all around the world
- And when our 2+ hours of work are done, we call back to lock in the learning and celebrate what got accomplished
3 hours a day for 5 days uncovers the next best steps in your business, and it doesn’t even take that much time away from working IN your business!
The next sessions starts November 16th!
...and once you know what your next best steps are, get the support you need to bring them to fruition...
Your business is your passion. You know how important writing is to getting your message out to your right peeps. You also know all too well that finding time to do that writing, to settle in and focus – with enough heart to do you’re the work justice – is tough as hell.
We’ve found a solution, and that solution meets four Tuesdays a month from 12 – 2pm EST! Sheila and I have built a writing group based on the ritual format. Writing time in The Round TUIT Writing Circle for Business is intentional time…sacred time.
Just imagine the possibilities of writing during time like that…
We’ve found a solution, and that solution meets four Tuesdays a month from 12 – 2pm EST! Sheila and I have built a writing group based on the ritual format. Writing time in The Round TUIT Writing Circle for Business is intentional time…sacred time.
Just imagine the possibilities of writing during time like that…
| And just so you know, we started this group because we needed the support for our writing time. We know it works because it works for us! If you’d like to meet the crew there’s a free Q & A call coming up on Tuesday, September 29th.(12-2pm EST) Everybody’s welcome. Bring your questions or just chit chat with other writers about…well, about everything. |  |
(Last time ‘round we crowd-sourced how to deal with dust when you have respiratory issues! We’re THAT kind of group!)
Whether you're blogging, creating ebooks, working on a novel (hey! that's business writing, too!) or working on any of the myriad other forms that business writing takes, let us help you go from well-meaning procrastination to a finished product you're proud of!
Whether you're blogging, creating ebooks, working on a novel (hey! that's business writing, too!) or working on any of the myriad other forms that business writing takes, let us help you go from well-meaning procrastination to a finished product you're proud of!
As small business owners, especially small-business-owners-who-balance-Life-and-family-with-our-businesses, budgeting time and prioritizing the items on the to do list is vitally important.
| AND. And it’s vital to do it in a gentle, process-oriented kind of way that works with the creative, heart-centered nature of our businesses and our selves. (We didn’t get into this whole business thing to beat ourselves over the heads to get stuff accomplished, right?) The community and the ritual that makes up the Monthly Heart-Centered Planning Ritual is just what the doctor ordered. On the monthly call we take a holistic approach to the practicalities of your life and your calendar. |  |
- We get blessed credit for what actually gets accomplished and compassionately forgive That Which Is Left Undone.
- We set intentions about how we want to feel each month and take time to brainstorm ways of supporting those intentions.
- We celebrate and support one another, accepting what shows up – you’re welcome however you are, same as your month.
It’s pretty awesome.
And 12 months is still just $60! Join today and you’ll get 12 ritual calls – that’s this October through next September – to come into a new, more supportive relationship with your calendar.
I have anxiety. Don’t know if I’ve mentioned it. Not sure if folks can tell. Covering up anxiety is an art form at which I excel. Being in business gives me a supportive framework for developing relationships that I otherwise might not have.
It makes life an awful lot less lonely, and that is a beautiful thing.
I've been exploring communities and networking opportunities, and here are a few of the treasures I've found:
It makes life an awful lot less lonely, and that is a beautiful thing.
I've been exploring communities and networking opportunities, and here are a few of the treasures I've found:
Lara is one of my favorite people. That said, she challenges the hell out of me. She gets me thinking about the business of my business. (As this post shows, I tend to focus on the softer, gentler side of things!)
 | This month at The Treehouse (yes, we meet at a FB group called the Treehouse. Yes, we are media-savvy Squirrels. Yes, I wish I had thought of it first!) we’re blogging like bosses and exploring SEO stuff. Really what we’re doing is making it easier for our people to find us and get the sweet relief to whatever it is they're struggling with. I am all about this definition of marketing, and I’m all about making it easier for people. |
I don’t get anything from Lara for plugging her stuff. If you decide the Treehouse is right for you, I DO get to hang out with you. In a virtual Treehouse. Which would be sweet.
Another lady who is doing good work in building a safe, supportive community is Kimberly Bretz Riggins. In her free Facebook group, The BossLady Circle, I have a group with clear, adhered to boundaries that lets me practice sharing my stuff and tooting my own horn.
That can be a tough skill to master as small business owner and anything that makes it easier (did I mention boundaries? That she adheres to??) is a very good thing.
She is also the Queen of get-to-know-you questions which is a bonus for the in-between times when group energy is lagging!
That can be a tough skill to master as small business owner and anything that makes it easier (did I mention boundaries? That she adheres to??) is a very good thing.
She is also the Queen of get-to-know-you questions which is a bonus for the in-between times when group energy is lagging!
 | My newest community is The Wise Woman Society run by Heather Dakota Jansen. You can read on interview of one of her practices later this month. For now though, I’m taking baby steps in networking from the safety of my home office. All victories from there will support future networking attempts, like the writing conference I’m going to at the end of September! But seriously - just look at that picture. Don't you want whatever she's having?? |
Again, the only benefit I get of mentioning these two lovely ladies is an opportunity to spend time with YOU, Teeny Tiny Business Owner! Because you're my kind of people!
As small, heart-centered business owners be become pros at getting unstuck. We figure out how to overcome writer’s block. We figure out what web hosting program is best. We curse our way through PayPal and Constant Contact until that little button submits to our will and does what it said it was supposed to do in the first place!! Bwahahahahaha!
(Maybe that last one is just me…)
Sometimes a struggle comes along and you just can’t think your way clear. That point is where I usually insert a ritual. Why? Because it works.
(Maybe that last one is just me…)
Sometimes a struggle comes along and you just can’t think your way clear. That point is where I usually insert a ritual. Why? Because it works.
| Based in symbolism and personal meaning, rituals work on a very intimate level, addressing your specific needs in powerful, individualized ways that speak directly to YOU. Sometimes we’re a little too close to a problem. Or maybe there’s a key piece of knowledge missing that makes it impossible to craft a ritual for yourself. |  |
That’s where I come in! (hello!)
Why not let me put my wide knowledge-base of various traditions and religions to work for you to solve your problem.
Here's what that can look like:
I had a client who was looking for a way to transition from non-work to work time. She had most of the pieces in place but couldn’t quite get it to work. After 45 minutes on the phone with me, she had a working system in place that smoothed that transition and increased her focus and direction!
Another client needed a ritual for showing up fully at her day job and then putting that day job to rest at the end of the day. She and I brainstormed an elegant solution based on objects she already had in the house. She now reports that her students are happier and better supported because she’s able to “put them away” at the end of the day.
What are you struggling with? Maybe I can help? Schedule a session by clicking the link below and let's find out!
Why not let me put my wide knowledge-base of various traditions and religions to work for you to solve your problem.
Here's what that can look like:
I had a client who was looking for a way to transition from non-work to work time. She had most of the pieces in place but couldn’t quite get it to work. After 45 minutes on the phone with me, she had a working system in place that smoothed that transition and increased her focus and direction!
Another client needed a ritual for showing up fully at her day job and then putting that day job to rest at the end of the day. She and I brainstormed an elegant solution based on objects she already had in the house. She now reports that her students are happier and better supported because she’s able to “put them away” at the end of the day.
What are you struggling with? Maybe I can help? Schedule a session by clicking the link below and let's find out!
Bright Blessings on you and your business,
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