5 Book Recommendations to Grow Your Business

Reading is one of the easiest ways to grow your business. That’s because reading can help you see a problem from a different perspective, approach a customer complaint with wisdom, and provide you with the insight you need to do something new. 

But picking a book to read is hard. There are thousands of books already out there and dozens are being published weekly. So what should you read next? How about trying one of these?  I recommend each one of them!

The Power of Moments by Dan & Chip Heath

In this gripping book, Dan and Chip Heath examine what makes some moments memorable while others seem to slip by entirely unnoticed. In the book, the authors describe the four elements that create a special moment—elevation, insight, pride, or connection.
You can use the insights from Dan and Chip to create special moments for your subscribers, clients, or customers. These moments can strengthen and deepen your business relationships in exciting, new ways.

Permission to Screw Up by Kristen Hadeed

Kristen Hadeed’s book on how to fail is not only laugh out loud funny, it’s also authentic and inspiring. In Permission to ScrewUp, Kristen recounts how she began her business and the mistakes she made along the way.

But Kristen doesn’t just share her journey. She goes on to explain the mistake she made and what she should have done instead. This book will encourage entrepreneurs who are floundering in their business and give them insights into how to course-correct.

Ask by Ryan Levesque

Some entrepreneurs waste months or even years trying to guess what their community wants from their business. But with Ask by Ryan Levesque, you’ll be armed with the information you need to get real answers that can transform your business.

Ryan breaks down how to create surveys that give you valuable data about your customers and shows you how to create customized sales funnels that turn visitors into raving fans.

The ONE Thing by Gary Keller & Jay Papasan

The One Thing is a short and simple no-fluff guide. The idea behind it is that you can only focus on doing one thing well at a time. So, the authors recommend cutting out many modern-day distractions so you can get the work done that really matters.

But if you don’t know what those activities are, the book will help you sift through and identify the activities that will give you the biggest return on your time. If you’re feeling overwhelmed by your business, this book is the essential guide you need to get back to basics.

Building a Story Brand by Donald Miller

One of the biggest challenges for an entrepreneur is defining their brand so that customers can understand it. With Building a StoryBrand, you’ll discover how to clarify your brand and share it with your customers.

The author gives clear advice on how to share the message that you’ve been struggling to communicate. Plus, he devotes plenty of time to the seven story points that allow customers to truly connect with your brand. If you’re ready to level up your marketing, grab this book today.

Don’t put off learning from these fantastic authors. Pick one book and get started reading today!

Build a Better Business with This One Simple Habit

I remember when I changed my side hustle into a full-time gig. I'd spent months working hard to walk away from the job that took me away from home far too often. I loved what I did but trying to care for my dad made it impossible to really devote myself to may career. I really needed to work from home.

So, I made the decision to just go for it. Being relatively new at this, I started hanging out at local networking events, looking for others I could connect with. That's where I met Kerry. As soon as I started talking to her, I knew we were going to become good friends. She was so warm and welcoming. And SMART! And more than willing to help the new kid in town.

But what really impressed me was Kerry’s book collection. She had dozens of non-fiction books on almost every subject.

When she saw me eying her small library, she laughed, “I’m always reading something. I think it’s the best way to learn more about the world and it’s a habit that served me well when I started my coaching business.”

I am an avid reader. So hearing Kerry say that my reading habit could benefit my business was just validation of something I had always known....reading has some wonderful benefits for everyone, especially entrepreneurs. If you haven’t picked up a good book in a while, here are a few reasons to do that now…

Discover New Ideas

Reading doesn’t just boost your vocabulary or make you smarter; it also exposes you to more ideas. These ideas may be exactly what you’ll draw on when it’s time to deal with a cranky client, launch a podcast, or update your products. 

It’s easy to rely on your wisdom alone to guide you in your business. But it can also be tricky and may even lead you into trouble, since you can get stuck in ruts and overlook vital information.

Lower Your Stress Levels

Imagine this: You’re having one of those days where you keep bumping into a problem. Try as you might, you can’t seem to come up with a solution that doesn’t create more work or chaos for you.

Instead of fixating on it and letting it derail your productivity, consider reading a book instead. Quietly reading for a few minutes can lower stress levels and give your mind break. As an added bonus, you may even find that a few minutes away helps you come up with the solution you were looking for.

Embrace a Mentor

Reading business books filled with advice and insight from entrepreneurs who have walked the same path can be like having a mentor to guide you. You can benefit from their years of experience without having to make the same mistakes.

Of course, a good book can’t take the place of a supportive coach. But it can be a wonderful way to learn from others and glean valuable insights to help you grow your brand in new ways.

Developing a regular reading habit is one of the best things you can do for your business. Not only will you boost your communication skills, you’ll also improve your own creative thinking at the same time.

Shining the Spotlight on Moji Mandi!

I love shining the spotlight on my friends!  Especially when they are as giving and loving as this one.  Once you get to know her, you'll love her like I do.  Meet "Moji Mandi" (we all call her Amanda)!

1.       Amanda, tell us about yourself.

I am a work at home mom of 3 little ones (8, 5 & 2) with a spouse of 15 years. Also a pet owner. and chronic hobbyist, haha!  So many interests it would be impossible to list them all.  Top of the list is photography and my personal quest to wake up every day and live that day to the fullest.  I also sell MojiLife which is currently part time as I build and bring it up to a full time business.  I volunteer for an animal rescue and I have been teaching photography to my son's kindergarten class.

Years of financial and personal stress made me someone I didn’t want to be and I am rediscovering myself and fighting to be the best me ever!  I welcome anyone who wants to join me!

2.       Tell us about your business

MojiLife, started out as a fragrance company, but it has become so much more!  We offer products to allow you to enjoy every moment and take those moments for yourself to make sure you are as stress free as possible to allow you to enjoy life to the best of your abilities.

From the Airmoji (a rechargeable, programmable, wax and heart free fragrance device) to bath bombs to virtual reality goggles, we offer natural ways to relax.

3.       Why did you start your own business?

I dreamed of having my own shop or company since I was young.  I lost site of that little dream until I found my first opportunity.

My first business was also in network marketing and I joined because I thought it would he fun and I could make a little extra cash because money was often tight.  I was totally wrong.  It was hard work and not easy but if you can put in the hours it can be very rewarding.  I struggled and let the company go.

When I found MojiLife I was very excited about the product because it resolved some issues I had with my first company.  I was hesitant but decided I would join to prove to myself that I can buckle down and make it work.  With none of the excuses I had for my lack of success with the first company, I joined to try the product and loved it and decided I would keep selling it.

4.       How did you choose this particular niche?

I have memories of smelling the lilac tree in my yard as a kid.  The right fragrance can calm or invigorate me.  So I felt this was a good stepping off point towards building a business about taking care of ourselves.  This gave me a product and branding to go crazy with while I develop a bigger dream.

5.       What do you like most and least about being your own boss?

I love that I can be at home with my kids.  I want to be a mom who is always here and involved as much as possible. Working from home gives me that.

What I like least is the challenge of time management.  As my kids get older they start sports and activities and time gets tighter and it becomes more difficult making time for myself and my business so sometimes tasks get left later than I like but its teaching me even greater patience and to develop better systems to manage my time.  It motivates me to get in shape so I can accomplish physical tasks faster.  So it’s the toughest part but you can't deny it has a silver lining

6.       What personality traits and skills are needed to run a business?

You need to have patience.  It can take time to build a business.  Especially these days with so many doing it.  You need to play the long game and build a network of people you connect with.

You need to be stubborn enough to want to push past the lows and flexible and open minded enough to ready for opportunities or necessary changes.

7.       What has been the most difficult part of being an entrepreneur?

Making the time for your business.  My family comes first and short term that delays business and personal tasks.  You have to remind yourself that in the long run the potential income and showing your kids the person you want to be has amazing benefits for them as growing people.

8.       Do you have any resources that you have used to build your business that you would recommend?

Use what your city offers you.  Events, trainings. I also follow a number of social media gurus that I frequently get inspiration from.  I recommend the book Go Pro by Eric Worre.  It was an excellent read.  I follow Fraser Brookes and Fallon Zoe on Facebook.  Tons of value there.  Of course I have to mention the Ninja Marketers group.  This group has become more than just getting tips and resources. We are all supporting each other and it is my favourite business group.

9.       Do you have any tips to share on promoting yourself?

Figure out the awesome person you are.  Be that person every day you can, even when you make a mistake or just don’t feel like it.  Share that person with the world.  You'll find your tribe.  They'll find you and you’ll start to build a world to share your business with.

10. What other advice would like to share with someone starting their own business? 

Free resources are abundant.  Take advantage of them.  I know many people don’t have much, if anything, when starting out. Take advantage of the any free resources you can find and don’t feel guilty about it.  You’ll start to find the people who are sharing value because they care and you'll connect and eventually you’ll find the people you really want to learn from.  As you make money set aside 10% or more to save to invest in yourself.  Then take the courses of those you’ve connected with and watch your business soar!

11.   How can we contact you to learn more about your products and services?

My Facebookpage.  I can get messages there.  And on Instagram.  Or you can always contact me via my email.

12.   Is there anything else you would like to share?

Be consistent. Try to work your biz a little each day.  Even if it’s just to update your files.

Word your posts from the heart to make sure they show you and your individuality.

Don’t be ashamed or nervous to be excited about your product.  Sometimes that alone will get you a sale without feeling like you're being pushy.

I Know What I Bring To The Table

I bring a lot to the table.  A lifetime of experience...

So far I have been through:

11 jobs

A full military career (Cryptologic Technician, USN)

20+ years in business (not counting all the times I dabbled and quit.  That would make it 43 years off and on).

4 major career shifts/life reinventions (and countless "course corrections)

4 relocations (not counting all the military transfers.  Or the times we had to move growing up because we couldn't afford to stay where we were.  Grew up poor. That raises the total substantially!)

2 marriages, 1 divorce

38 years of marriage ( 6 years with husband #1, 32 years with husband #2)

Raised 1 daughter and 1 step-daughter through their teenage years (YIKES!)

37 years of raising/supporting a child with chronic health issues

13 years of being married to someone with chronic health issues

The deaths of both my parents

The births of 5 grandchildren

8 years caring for a parent with Alzheimer's

1 book published, 2 more in progress

3 years of college (not all at once.  It's hard going to school when you are on active duty).

Cancer (which derailed that last year of college.  After that, finishing just wasn't that important)

1 HUGE crisis of faith (no details on that.  Too many others involved who may not want their story told.)

1 MASSIVE rekindling of my faith

2 earthquakes, 2 hurricanes, 1 volcanic eruption, 1 blizzard (no tornados yet - at least not directly - despite living in Tornado Alley for the past 25 years).

5 network marketing companies (took me awhile to learn it wasn't the company, it was me).

I was born before there were things like the internet, cellphones, cable TV, satellite radio, or computers. My grandchildren laugh when I tell them that.  They can't fathom life without these conveniences.  Today I run a thriving online business.

I grew up poor.  I mean POOR!  Like standing in line to get surplus food poor.  Having your mom remake hand-me-downs from your cousins so you could have "new" school clothes poor. Potato soup and fried squash for dinner poor.  Turning on the oven in the kitchen to get warm because there was no heat poor. Today, I pretty much can buy whatever I want.  My children and grandchildren have never known what it's like to be cold or hungry.  They've had everything they needed and a lot of what they wanted (not everything!  They do need to understand the value of working for something.)

My mom had some issues.  I realize now that she was bi-polar.  And probably suffered from dementia caused by her uncontrolled diabetes.  But back then we didn't have the knowledge and treatments available today.  So she was just "odd".  Which meant I was odd by association. (I am a little "different."  No denying that!).  Which meant I was teased and bullied through most of my school years.  But I found my circle of other "misfits" and together we loved and supported each other through.  (And we never once thought about grabbing a gun and shooting up the school or killing our classmates - even though most of us grew up with guns.  Rural community with lots of hunters and all that!)

Being bullied and laughed at can make you shy.  It used to be I would rather die than have to talk in front of people.  Today I stand on stage and speak what's on my mind and in my heart and don't even think about it.

I've had some "stuff" in my life.  Lots that I didn't even mention here.  And I could use that as an excuse.  I was bullied.  I was teased and ostracized. I didn't have a stable home.  I was poor.  I had cancer.  I didn't get to finish college.  Blah, blah, blah...  And all of it served to bring me to right where I am today.  Right where I am supposed to be.  Doing exactly what I was meant to do.  I have 61 years of experiences that have taught me much about life, about business, about people.  They have made me stronger, more resilient, more creative, more accepting, more confident, and more faithful.  When you work with me, you get the benefit of all that.  I know what I bring to the table!

So why am I telling you all this?  Because I hear this all the time.  "I'm shy.  I was poor.  I don't understand technology.  I have health problems. I'm a single parent.  I could never do what you do."  And I am not discounting any of that by any means.  But what I am saying is that all of these things - good and bad - make you unique.  And that makes you uniquely qualified to help someone else.  Your experiences can make you or break you.  The beauty is you get to choose! 

So what will it be?  I know what I bring to the table.  Don't make me eat alone! 

 

Self Esteem and Your Goals

Mindset. I talk about it - a lot. I write about it - even more! Why? Because a great overall mindset is essential to achieving your goals.

How you think and feel about yourself and your business is extremely important. It impacts everything you do. Even setting your goals. Here's an example:

"I'd like to earn $500 extra a month, so I can have a little money left over after I pay my bills."

What kind of goal is that?! It's weak. It's definitely not SMART. There is no motivation to really go for it.

Actually, this goal was one of MY first goals - before I understood the power of mindset and worked to change mine.

And see how my goal has changed!  This was the first goal I wrote with my mindset coach shortly after beginning to work with him:

"By the end of the year, I will develop a strategy to earn an extra $3000 per month."

Do you see the difference?  Instead of "I'd like to...maybe...if I could", now "I will"!  Instead of $500 I was going to earn $3000.  I wasn't in this business  so I could have a few dollars left over at the end of the month.  I wanted to earn a living.  And I set a deadline.  You can't have a goal without a deadline.  Otherwise you can just keep plodding along forever, hoping that SOMEDAY you will reach it.

Of course, it's not enough just to set a good goal.  You also have to work to achieve it.  Self-esteem factors in there too. 

Poor mindset and low self-esteem can cause you to self-sabotage your business, even if you aren't consciously aware that you are doing it. If you went out partying last night when you knew you had a presentation to do this morning, you might know what I'm talking about! The proper mindset and high-self esteem may have kept you from making that decision. So instead of being groggy and possibly hung-over today, you would be bright, alert, and ready to grow your business. If that doesn't sound like you, then it is time to work on your self-esteem.

Building self esteem is possible.  I should know.  I've done it.  You can too.  Let's get started.

Take five minutes a day and ask yourself what you appreciate about what you bring to the world. This will give you a burst of happiness, which is like laying the first brick of a new solid foundation. From there, move on to banishing that inner critic. When self help coaches work with people, they will often ask, “does your inner critic have a name and people tend to respond in the affirmative. It is usually the name of someone in their past, who always spoke down to them. Now they have taken that negative talk from that person and transferred it internally. When your inner critic says, “oh you can’t do that Jane,” tell it to hush and go away because you aren’t going to listen anymore. Keep working on dulling that inner critic's voice until it can no longer be heard.

In the case of not having a name for your inner critic, then just internally shout, “STOP,” whenever you catch yourself speaking negatively about you or what you are doing.

Keeping a journal is great and so is a little bedside diary. Keep that diary and pencil right beside the alarm clock and just before you go to sleep, jot down three things that you found to appreciate about yourself that day. As your diary grows, then go back and reread the comments you put in and see if they truly are positive. If you find any that may now give you a bit of a negative feeling, cross it out and rewrite it in a positive frame.

Finally consider doing positive things for you and others.

1. Treat yourself to an extra long hot bath.

2. Walk the dog for your elderly neighbour.

3. Go out of your way to find a kind thing you can do for a stranger. Open doors, or assist with putting groceries in someone’s car for them.

4. Ask before being asked if you can do something for your child’s school, like reading to kids or lending your expertise for a day to the school.

5. Go out of your way to find someone during your daily interactions that you feel needs a kind word. There is always someone who is having a tough day because of a home or work situation. You don’t have to get involved necessarily but compliment them somehow.

6. Treat yourself to something special whenever you do something outside your comfort zone.  I had a problem doing videos for a long time.  In fact, they still aren't my favorite thing to do.  But I know they are important for my business and so I do them.  And after I'm finished recording one, I treat myself to a glass of wine and time with my husband (if it's evening) or a cup of a special tea I like and some time to read (during the day).

Making yourself feel good and making others feel better about themselves is a wonderful way to build that self esteem.

And for more tips on healthy-self esteem, read my earlier post: Healthy Self-Esteem = Healthy Business!

Implement What You Hear: Turn Inspiring Podcasts into Actionable Steps

Listening to podcasts regularly is a great way to begin your journey of self development. But if all you do is listen and you don't do anything with the content, you’re not likely to experience any significant change. You have to take action if you want to become the best version of you!

How exactly do you turn a podcast into actionable advice? You can start by doing one of these activities…

Review Show Notes

When you’re done with a podcast episode, don’t let it just float from your mind. Take a few minutes to look up the show notes. Seeing the text can help you remember what you’ve just listened to.

To make this fun, you can treat it like a pop quiz. Challenge yourself to really absorb the content during a podcast, then look over the show notes. Give yourself a point for every tip you remember. Then calculate your score and consistently try to beat it.

Hit Pause when Needed

Sometimes, a host or guest on a podcast will make a statement that resonates with you. When that happens, don’t try to keep listening. Pause the episode and ponder what was shared. Ask yourself, “Why is this resonating with me? What does this statement make me want to do?”

Keep Your Own Notes

Another way to make sure you’re fully consuming the content of a podcast is to take your own notes. The best way to do this is by hand because you most people find it easier to remember what they’ve written.

But if you want your notes to be easier to search and would like them available later, you can use a smart device to take notes. Two good apps for this are Evernote and OneNote.

Take Action

When you’re listening to a podcast, consider how you can implement what you’re hearing. For example, the host of a business podcast says one way to find new opportunities is to explore your past sales and look for trends.

So, make it a note to check your sales for the past week or so and see if anything stands out. And if you do see something, set aside time to dig deeper to discover if this is a trend you could capitalize on in the future.

Keep in mind that depending on the episode and what you’re doing, you may have a lot of notes or you may have only a few. Don’t worry if that’s the case. You’re just looking to capture the best gems from a show.

Learn how to find time to listen to your favorite podcasts when you download your free workbook!

6 Podcasts That Will Shake Up Your Mindset

Mindset is how you view the world, yourself, and the circumstances around you. Often, your mindset spills over into every area of your life. If your mindset is mainly negative, that can mean you experience a host of negative effects in your life. If your mindset is mostly positive, you’re more likely to experience positive effects in your life. 

But the good news is that even if your mindset is negative, you can shake it up. There are many different ways you can do this but the most helpful is to fill your mind with good, positive content. You can start by listening to these six podcasts to help challenge the way you think…
The Brendon Show with Brendon Burchard

Brendon Burchard is a motivational speaker and coach. He founded both the High Performance Academy and Experts Academy. He’s also the author of several best-selling books including High Performance Habits and The Motivation Manifesto.

In 2014, he launched a podcast called The Charged Life but later changed the name to The Brendon Show. His episodes focus on what he’s learning and doing in his own life as well as tips on motivation, personal development, and more. 

The Daily Boost with Scott Smith

Scott Smith had spent years working on a radio station, encouraging others. Then he discovered podcasting and decided to start motivating people online. His podcast quickly became a full-time business that he feels blessed to run.

Scott has an engaging style and a soothing voice. Every Monday, he delivers a new edition of Daily Boost. Each episode is under 15 minutes, so they’re easy to listen to even if you’re super busy.

Tiny Leaps, Big Changes with Gregg Clunis

Gregg Clunis is an entrepreneur and coach living in New York City. He became interested in personal development when he was a teenager and began reading books on the topic.

In 2015, he launched his podcast Tiny Leaps, Big Changes where he talks about wellness, motivation, and personal growth strategies. Many of his episodes are short, ranging from just a few minutes to forty minutes. So you can listen and quickly be inspired by Gregg.

Bulletproof Radio with Dave Asprey

Dave Asprey is an entrepreneur and author. He started and several successful companies. Then he created Bulletproof Coffee, a type of coffee drink that’s flavored with butter or coconut oil. 

Then Dave went on to launch Bulletproof Radio. His podcast focuses on “biohacking” or improving your own health through smart nutrition, mindset, and biochemistry. 

The Lively Show with Jess Lively

Jess Lively is an entrepreneur who launched her first business as a teenager. She created and sold her own jewelry for years before becoming a business coach and helping other entrepreneurs.

In 2014, she launched The Lively Show, a weekly podcast. On the show, she covers many topics like parenting, blogging, business, and more. But the overall theme of the episodes is living with intention and being mindful.

Happier with Gretchen Rubin

Gretchen Rubin is an author living in New York City. She’s written several best-selling books including: The Happiness Project, The Four Tendencies, and Better than Before. 

When she’s not busy writing, Gretchen is podcasting. Her show is called Happier with Gretchen Rubin and it features her sister as her co-host. Together, the two inspiring women have fascinating conversations about habits, happiness, and human nature.

Change your mindset and experience true personal growth by filling your mind with positive content every day!

Find more fascinating podcast recommendations when you sign up for your free workbook.