Episodes
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272: Ending the Year Well for Your Design Business
Have you ever wondered how to end the year well? You'll hear us talk about this in multiple places all around, how do we end our year well? In this podcast, we will discuss how to define what ending the year well for you and your company looks like, how to plan in advance, how to be intentional, and how to create some time to rest and reset. It is so interesting that the fourth quarter of our year is spent not only making sure that we can wrap up the needs of the current year but also doing a lot of planning and heavy lifting so that we can start the next year off well. The way to start in a power position in the new year is to end this year in a power position. Listen in today and determine what that might look like for you and your company.
Topics Mentioned:Strategic Planning
Business Metrics
Processes
Intentionality
Key Thoughts:Finishing well means to be proud of the effort that was put into these critical items knowing that they set us up for a better future. Michele Williams
Take stock of where the company is right now and where you anticipate it being at the end of the year with regard to your financials. Michele Williams
Ending well also takes advanced thought and planning. Michele Williams
Don't overdo it and go into the new year exhausted. Michele Williams
Contact Michele:Email: [email protected]
Facebook: Scarlet Thread Consulting
Instagram: @ScarletThreadATL
Website: ScarletThreadConsulting.com
LinkedIn: Michele Williams
References and Resources:CFO2GO
Work with Me
Metrique Solutions
The Designers' Inner Circle - Become a Member Today
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271: Buying a Commercial Space for Your Business
Joining me today on the podcast is Paul Neal. He's a financial strategist and author dedicated to transforming the way entrepreneurs view commercial property. He has a book called Un-Lease Your Business: Unlock Wealth, Autonomy and Control by Buying Your Building and Firing Your Landlord and it is a very informative book. He is an amazing speaker who is going to help us understand more about the commercial buying process for our businesses. Enjoy the podcast.
Topics Mentioned:Purchasing commercial real estate
Process
Financials
Key Thoughts:You don't have to be a world-conquering type of person, but you have to have stability. Paul Neal
You cannot make decisions without your financials in order, or you're making it on a gut feeling and that doesn't always support us. Michele Williams
We always suggest to get in with the least amount of down payment that makes sense, because then you've got your money that you're not putting into the brick and mortar you can use for other things. Paul Neal
The goal here is that we have to be profitable with what we have, and then provide ourselves as a stable business, meaning stable sales, and stable profitability. Michele Williams
Contact Michele:Email: [email protected]
Facebook: Scarlet Thread Consulting
Instagram: @ScarletThreadATL
Website: ScarletThreadConsulting.com
LinkedIn: Michele Williams
Contact Paul:Website: https://www.ownyourbuildingnow.com/
Email: [email protected]
LinkedIn: @paul-neal-tea
YouTube: @theEntrepreneurialAgent
Facebook: @theentrepreneurialagent
Instagram: @theentrepreneurialagentpodcast
References and Resources:Un-Lease Your Business: Unlock Wealth, Autonomy and Control by Buying Your Building and Firing Your Landlord by Paul Neal
CFO2GO
Work with Me
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Episodes manquant?
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270: 4 Year-End Steps to Prepare Your Interior Design Business
Join us as we revisit an insightful episode focused on empowering interior designers through creating a strategic business plan. This re-showing of our previous podcast, "Four Year-End Steps to Prepare Your Interior Design Business," is perfect for anyone looking to enhance their business strategy.
In this episode, we dive deep into effective strategies tailored specifically for the interior design industry. As an interior design business coach, I’m thrilled to share the exact processes I'm implementing in my own business right now. Whether you're a seasoned designer or just starting out, these actionable steps will help you set a strong foundation for the coming year.
Topics Mentioned:Planning
SWOT analysis
Setting goals
Energy
Key Thoughts:Taking an in depth look and SWOT analysis at each element in our business really provides us with information and helps shine a spotlight in an area we haven't looked at before. Michele Williams
By creating quarterly goals which are more streamlined and individually focused, we have the ability to get four really big goals completed in a year with attention placed on each one. Michele Williams
Think about what energizes you and what drains you. Michele Williams
Make sure that the majority, if not all, of your products and services and processes are done in a way that moves your company forward with energy instead of draining it. Michele Williams
Contact Michele:Email: [email protected]
Facebook: Scarlet Thread Consulting
Instagram: @ScarletThreadATL
Website: ScarletThreadConsulting.com
LinkedIn: Michele Williams
References and Resources:CFO2GO
Work with Me
Metrique Solutions
The Designers' Inner Circle - Become a Member Today
Who's in Your Room: The Secret to Creating Your Best Life by Ivan Misner, Ph.D., Stewart Emery L.H.D., Rick Sapio
12-Week Year - by Brian P. Moran and Michael Lennington
Unlocking Financial Freedom with CFO2GO: A Journey Through One-on-One CoachingOne-on-one coaching is my main line of work, and for a good reason. I dive headfirst into my client's business, helping them become strategic with their finances and decision making to be able to lead profitable companies. My ultimate goal and reward is connecting with and helping incredible business owners in the interior design industry. So, I get very excited when my clients come back on my podcast to share their stories so they can, in turn, help others in the design industry.
With CFO2GO you can take your business strategy to the next level with our 4 step process that will help you know your numbers, understand your business position, create a path forward unique to your design experience, skill set, and dream life - plus help you grow your design firm. Click below to find out more!
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269: Delegating Begins with Hiring
Joining the podcast today is Selina Johnson. Selina is a team operations strategist and go-to expert for reclaiming your time and embracing an enriched, peaceful life. Her mission is to empower CEOs to build efficient teams that don’t rely on them 24/7. We will talk about where delegating really begins and the best practices to get the outcomes you want with teams you enjoy working with.
Topics Mentioned:Hiring
Trust in a team
Big picture
Preparedness
Key Thoughts:It's really important to determine what's your core focus in your role and, what could you start delegating every morning, even if it's a small task, to somebody else in your team. Selina Johnson
Delegation really starts with the building of your team and having the right people in the right positions to do the job that you need to delegate to them because even if they understand it and even if they acknowledge it if they can't do it, it does you no good to delegate it to them. Michele Williams
I feel that is detrimental to the business when you don't give all the key information when you're delegating. Selina Johnson
It is important that we can help them understand how they fit in and that the job matters. It matters if it gets done. It matters if it doesn't get done. And it matters if it gets done well. Because if they think that it doesn't matter, then you're going to get, it doesn't matter work. Michele Williams
Contact Michele:Email: [email protected]
Facebook: Scarlet Thread Consulting
Instagram: @ScarletThreadATL
Website: ScarletThreadConsulting.com
LinkedIn: Michele Williams
Contact Selina:Website: www.selinajohnson.com
Email: [email protected]
LinkedIn: @selinajohnson-teambuilding
You Tube: @ilovemyteam
References and Resources:Aim With Intent Coaching
CFO2GO
Work with Me
Metrique Solutions
Selina’s Ultimate Hiring Blueprint
Unfiltered Wisdom: Free Coaching from Michele’s Keyboard to YouAre you hungry for more? Subscribe now to receive two free coaching emails per month, personally crafted by Michele! Delivered every two weeks, these emails are packed with valuable insights, actionable strategies, and thought-provoking ideas to guide you on your business transformation journey towards greater success.
Learn more
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268: Pricing Your Work Without Emotion
On today's podcast we're going to hear a pre-recorded podcast that I did with Ceil DiGuglielmo of the podcast "Sew Much More". Ceil interviewed me and spoke with me about the Pricing Without Emotion course that I have been teaching since 2010. I am so excited for you to hear this as we are getting ready to launch our Pricing Without Emotion course on September 5, 2024. As Ceil says in her intro, even if you are not looking to buy the course or participate in it, there is a lot you can learn from listening to this podcast. So, I invite you to sit back, to think about your pricing, your journey, and your relationship with money while you listen and enjoy.
Topics Mentioned:Pricing
Strategy
Profit
Value
Key Thoughts:Let's price without emotion. Let's work with the emotion. Let's work with passion, but we don't have to price with it. We can price with more the logic brain, and then we can work with that feeling and emotion brain so that we pour that into it. So, it's not that we're separating it. We're just kind of putting it into place. Michele Williams
The first time I took it, it was a question of, can I get the money together to take this course. I knew it was worth it, but did I have the money for it? I made sure I did. And the second time, like, okay, I'm ready. I am putting this money out because I will get it back quickly. Ceil DiGuglielmo
If I can get to the point of understanding it, then I can get to the point of ownership. When I can get to the point of ownership, then I have a power. And that means I have the power to make decisions with information. Michele Williams
The best time to take this is early on. The next best time is now. Ceil DiGuglielmo
Join our Pricing Without Emotion, Group Coaching ProgramUnderstanding your pricing is crucial for business success. Pricing isn't just about numbers—it's a balance of math, time, expertise, and value.
Beginning September 5, 2024, this 8-week course teaches you how to confidently set prices that align with your revenue goals and reflect the true worth of your products or services. You'll learn to remove emotion from pricing decisions, establish a scalable structure, and effectively communicate your value to avoid bargain-seeking clients.
The goal is to master the financial aspects of your business and price with confidence.
Contact Michele:Email: [email protected]
Facebook: Scarlet Thread Consulting
Instagram: @ScarletThreadATL
Website: ScarletThreadConsulting.com
LinkedIn: Michele Williams
References and Resources:Work with Me
CFO2Go
Metrique Solutions
Pricing Without Emotion Coaching Program
Price Your Work with Confidence by Kitty Stein
Profit First by Mike Michalowicz
Fix This Next by Mike Michalowicz
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267: The Role of Tech in Your Business
On the podcast today is Jen McFarland founder of Marit Digital. Jen partners with small businesses and teams as they plan, assess, and improve the digital solutions that help them succeed. She helps with implementing AI to setting up web hosting and digital experience design. Today’s topic is all about tech.
Topics Mentioned:Technology
Audit
AI
Key Thoughts:It's the same with your tech. You have to reevaluate that from time to time. You have to make changes, you have to assess, go back and look and see what's working. Jen McFarland
All of us are running technology businesses; it's just what product or service you're using technology to sell. Michele Williams
It's already past time where when you're talking about investment in tech and budgeting for tech, AI needs to be a line item, and it needs to be something that you're thinking about bringing into your stack. Jen McFarland
... I think there is something to being able to engage with the technology in a way that actually makes you feel empowered. I think that is super important when we're looking at tech is it empowering us to do the next things. Michele Williams
Contact Michele:Email: [email protected]
Facebook: Scarlet Thread Consulting
Instagram: @ScarletThreadATL
Website: ScarletThreadConsulting.com
LinkedIn: Michele Williams
Contact Jen:Website: https://maritdigital.com/
Email: [email protected]
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ncsumarit/
You Tube: https://www.youtube.com/@maritdigital
References and Resources:CFO2GO
Work with Me
Metrique Solutions
AI Cafe on LinkedIn
Unfiltered Wisdom: Free Coaching from Michele’s Keyboard to YouAre you hungry for more? Subscribe now to receive two free coaching emails per month, personally crafted by Michele! Delivered every two weeks, these emails are packed with valuable insights, actionable strategies, and thought-provoking ideas to guide you on your business transformation journey towards greater success.
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266: The Sales Process Doesn't Have to End
Dr. Nadia Brown is the founder of the Doyenne Agency, a global sales and training agency dedicated to educating and equipping women business leaders to pursue their passion, own their power and increase their profits. She is the host of the “Straight Talk About Sales” podcast and is the author of Leading Like a Lady: How to Shatter Your Inner Glass Ceiling and Sell Like a Lady: How to Master Sales with Dignity, Class and Grace. Today we will discuss selling with integrity, how the entire company is involved in the sales cycle, and how not to be a bully in the process.
Topics Mentioned:Sales Process
Integrity
Team
Key Thoughts:Sales is a learnable skill, and everyone on the team should understand their role in supporting the sales process. Dr. Nadia Brown
Whether the founder or the CEO is the one that's still doing the majority of closing of the sales, it's still important that everyone on the team understands sales, how it works, and their role in supporting that process. Michele Williams
Sometimes we only think of sales in that financial exchange when you get to that stage, but you're selling all the way to that stage and you're continuing to sell even after that person becomes a client. Dr. Nadia Brown
Even if the product's great, it's the sales system that's not great. It's not about the product. It's not about the person. Nine times out of ten, I like the person. But the process starts to make me feel like I've lost my own agency in it. Michele Williams
Contact Michele:Email: [email protected]
Facebook: Scarlet Thread Consulting
Instagram: @ScarletThreadATL
Website: ScarletThreadConsulting.com
LinkedIn: Michele Williams
Contact Dr. Nadia:Website: https://www.thedoyenneagency.com
Email: [email protected]
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drnadia/
Instagram: @IamDrNadia
References and Resources:CFO2GO
Work with Me
Metrique Solutions
Michele’s 3 courses: Pricing Without Emotion, Understanding Your Financials, and Master Your Profit
Leading Like a Lady: How to Shatter Your Inner Glass Ceiling by Dr. Nadia Brown
Sell Like a Lady: How to Master Sales with Dignity, Class and Grace by Dr. Nadia Brown
“Straight Talk About Sales” podcast
Unfiltered Wisdom: Free Coaching from Michele’s Keyboard to YouAre you hungry for more? Subscribe now to receive two free coaching emails per month, personally crafted by Michele! Delivered every two weeks, these emails are packed with valuable insights, actionable strategies, and thought-provoking ideas to guide you on your business transformation journey towards greater success.
LEARN MORE -
265: Managing Your Team Effectively
Today's podcast is a conversation with Shelly Warren. Shelly is a women's leadership advisor, and she's the host of the “Stacking Your Team” podcast. Her expertise is in helping small business owners develop and nurture a leadership team so that they can take over the day-to-day operations, giving you, the owner, more time for growth, conversations, and decision-making. I hope you enjoy the podcast.
Topics Mentioned:Career path
Management
Team building
Key Thoughts:Defer to your experts, ask them for their point of view, and then you can take that one step further by making sure that you showcase that individual to your clients and your customers. Shelli Warren
The company could be terrible, and the manager could be great. We're going to stay because we are somewhat tethered to that manager. They're watching out for us, they're caring for us, they're leading us, they're growing us, but they're acting like a coach for us, and they're moving us around. Michele Williams
A players want to work with other A players, and they want to work alongside an A player leader. Shelli Warren
The team that got you here may not be the team that will get you there. Michele Williams
Contact Michele:Email: [email protected]
Facebook: Scarlet Thread Consulting
Instagram: @ScarletThreadATL
Website: ScarletThreadConsulting.com
LinkedIn: Michele Williams
Contact Shelli:Website: www.stackingyourteam.com/
Email: [email protected]
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shelliwarren2/
Instagram: @StackingYourTeam
Facebook: @Shelli Warren
YouTube: @StackingYourTeam
References and Resources:CFO2GO
Work with Me
Metrique Solutions
Michele’s 3 courses: Pricing Without Emotion, Understanding Your Financials, and Master Your Profit
It's Okay to be The Boss by Bruce Tulgan
Necessary Endings by Dr Henry Cloud
Unfiltered Wisdom: Free Coaching from Michele’s Keyboard to YouAre you hungry for more? Subscribe now to receive two free coaching emails per month, personally crafted by Michele! Delivered every two weeks, these emails are packed with valuable insights, actionable strategies, and thought-provoking ideas to guide you on your business transformation journey towards greater success.
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264: The Role of Storytelling in Your Email Marketing
With me today is Kamala Nair. Kamala is a meticulous copywriter, a brand voice expert, and a published novelist with more than 20 years of professional writing experience. Our focus today will be on email messaging surrounding your conversion and nurture campaigns. Listen in as we talk about the importance of storytelling in your messaging.
Topics Mentioned:Email Marketing
Storytelling
Conversion Campaigns
Vulnerability In Business
Key Thoughts:Humans are wired for story. It’s how we make sense of the world. Kamala Nair
People need the words. They need to sit with the words. They need to chew on the words. They need to absorb them and digest them before they make a move. Michele Williams
Email is a much more intimate and direct form of communication than something like social media. Kamala Nair
There is a happy medium between no CTA and beating them over the head with a CTA and the Ginsu knife thing. There's something in the middle. And I think each of us has to find where that middle ground is for us and for our leaders. Michele Williams
Contact Michele:Email: [email protected]
Facebook: Scarlet Thread Consulting
Instagram: @ScarletThreadATL
Website: ScarletThreadConsulting.com
LinkedIn: Michele Williams
Contact Kamala:Website: www.kamalanairinc.com/
Email: [email protected]
LinkedIn: @KamalaNair
Instagram: @KamalaNair
References and Resources:CFO2GO
Work with Me
Metrique Solutions
Michele’s 3 courses: Pricing Without Emotion, Understanding Your Financials, and Master Your Profit
Unfiltered Wisdom: Free Coaching from Michele’s Keyboard to YouAre you hungry for more? Subscribe now to receive two free coaching emails per month, personally crafted by Michele! Delivered every two weeks, these emails are packed with valuable insights, actionable strategies, and thought-provoking ideas to guide you on your business transformation journey towards greater success.
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263: Your Financial Personality Impacts Your Decisions
Joining me today is Gary Arblaster of Arblaster Consulting. Gary is a finance expert, and he is on a journey to help us recognize our mindset around money and communications. He has created an assessment called the 41 Financial Personality Assessment, which is a tool that links personality traits to financial choices. We're going to talk about money, individual wiring, and how that affects our decision-making and communication around money today on the podcast.
Topics Mentioned:Financial Personality
Communication
Uniqueness
Leadership
Key Thoughts:I've said it a thousand times, money is amoral. It's what we do with money. Michele Williams
We make decisions based on two things, to fulfill an inner need or to protect us from what we fear most. Gary Arblaster
If we think about it, the DISC personality test is really saying, here are some of your personality traits that show up in how you work and communicate and everything else. And money is no different in that regard. Michele Williams
When fears come out and fears start to set in, that's when we shift. So that's when our mindset needs to be the strongest because those who maintain the strongest mindset make it through the hardest challenges. Gary Arblaster
Contact Michele:Email: [email protected]
Facebook: Scarlet Thread Consulting
Instagram: @ScarletThreadATL
Website: ScarletThreadConsulting.com
LinkedIn: Michele Williams
Contact Gary:Website: http://www.arblasterconsulting.com
Email: [email protected]
LinkedIn: gary-arblaster-jr
References and Resources:CFO2GO
Work with Me
Metrique Solutions
Making Millions and Going Broke by Gary Arblaster
Find You Why by Simon Sinek
Gary’s 41 Financial Assessment
Michele’s 3 courses: Pricing Without Emotion, Understanding Your Financials, and Master Your Profit
Unfiltered Wisdom: Free Coaching from Michele’s Keyboard to YouAre you hungry for more? Subscribe now to receive two free coaching emails per month, personally crafted by Michele! Delivered every two weeks, these emails are packed with valuable insights, actionable strategies, and thought-provoking ideas to guide you on your business transformation journey towards greater success.
LEARN MORE -
262: Big Thinking Big Results
On the podcast today is Andrea Liebross. She's a business and life coach who works with high-achieving women entrepreneurs. She's the host of the podcast “Time to Level Up”, and just published a fantastic book called She Thinks Big. We're going to be talking about intention, integration, priorities, and agency in our business journey in our conversation with Andrea. I'm excited to have you join us.
Topics Mentioned:Strategy
Fear
Integration
Intention
Committed versus Interested
Key Thoughts:We have to be intentional about having that necessary ending so that we can have a new beginning, so that we can track a new path and create a new course forward. It takes intention. Michele Williams
If you think about a teeter-totter at a playground, that balancing, it's only balanced for a split second before one side goes up and one side goes down. I don't love balance. I really love this thought of how things can be integrated. Andrea Liebross
What you own, you can change. I own the decision; therefore, I can change the decision. I own my choice. I could change the choice, but I own it. Which puts me in the power position of, this is my decision to make or my choice to make, and I'm not going to feel like it's happening to me. I'm going to feel like I'm participating in this process. A mental shift of power. Michele Williams
You've already created your glass ceiling. We don't need to have that. Let's think beyond. Let's embrace the thought that you are a business owner that in every season your business is equal. There's no downside. So that's big thinking. And if you can make big decisions, it makes these choices easier, which are going to support, ultimately, the big thinking. Andrea Liebross
Contact Michele:Email: [email protected]
Facebook: Scarlet Thread Consulting
Instagram: @ScarletThreadATL
Website: ScarletThreadConsulting.com
LinkedIn: Michele Williams
Contact Andrea:Website: AndreaLiebross.com
Instagram: @AndreaLiebrossCoaching
Email: [email protected]
YouTube: @AndreaLiebrossCoaching
Facebook: Andrea Liebross Coaching
LinkedIn: Andrea Liebross
X (Twitter): Andrea Liebross
References and Resources:CFO2GO
Work with Me
Metrique Solutions
Andrea’s Podcast “Time to Level Up”
She Thinks Big by Andrea Liebross
Necessary Endings by Dr. Henry Cloud
Seven Primal Questions: Take Control Of The Hidden Forces That Drive You by Mike Foster
Your Next Five Moves: Master the Art of Business Strategy by Patrick Bet-David
It's Okay to be The Boss by Bruce Tulgan
Unfiltered Wisdom: Free Coaching from Michele’s Keyboard to YouAre you hungry for more? Subscribe now to receive two free coaching emails per month, personally crafted by Michele! Delivered every two weeks, these emails are packed with valuable insights, actionable strategies, and thought-provoking ideas to guide you on your business transformation journey towards greater success.
LEARN MORE -
261: Podcasting as a Revenue Stream
With me on the podcast today is Traci DeForge. Traci has over three decades of experience in broadcast media, executive management, and consulting for Fortune 500 businesses. She is the founder of Produce Your Podcast, and she's going to be sharing with us today how creating and having your own podcast can lead to profitable results in your life and in your business.
Topics Mentioned:Marketing
Authenticity
Leverage
Key Thoughts:I think people just have to really understand when you make the decision to start a podcast, the fundamental thing that you want to think about is your why. Traci DeForge
Podcasts, truthfully, don't have to be ginormous and huge and reach the entire world. It just has to reach your ideal client for whatever purpose you have for that podcast. Michele Williams
If you change that person's perspective with one thought and you make a difference to that one person, that could change their life. Traci DeForge
I have met some of the most amazing people by hosting them on my podcast and talking to them. I've hired many of the people that I have talked to on my podcast because I'm usually interviewing somebody because I'm interested in what they're doing. Michele Williams
Contact Michele:Email: [email protected]
Facebook: Scarlet Thread Consulting
Instagram: @ScarletThreadATL
Website: ScarletThreadConsulting.com
LinkedIn: Michele Williams
Contact Traci:Website: Produce Your Podcast
Facebook: @tracideforge
Instagram: @produceyourpodcast
Email: [email protected]
YouTube: @produceyourpodcast
LinkedIn: @tracilongdeforge
References and Resources:CFO2GO
Work with Me
Metrique Solutions
Journey to There podcast
Unfiltered Wisdom: Free Coaching from Michele’s Keyboard to YouAre you hungry for more? Subscribe now to receive two free coaching emails per month, personally crafted by Michele! Delivered every two weeks, these emails are packed with valuable insights, actionable strategies, and thought-provoking ideas to guide you on your business transformation journey towards greater success.
Learn More
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260: CFO2GO Success Story
With me today is Kate Wood of Worth Preserving. Kate partners with property owners, designers, architects, trades, and others to rescue, rehabilitate, and determine what is worth preserving in historic homes and buildings. Recently, Kate completed my CFO2GO program, and the results that she has had in just a few short months have been astounding. In this episode, we're going to talk to Kate to understand a little of her journey to reclaim the love she has for her work, to be able to make money doing it, and to have the ability to make magic as she works with her clients every day.
Topics Mentioned:Loss Leaders
Financial Planning
Shifted Orientation
Practice of Financials
Key Thoughts:It is the merging, that intersection between the strategy and the plan and who I am and what I'm trying to do and how I'm going to price it and how I'm going to manage the money and how I'm going to run it through my company. That intersection is where the magic happens for the business owner and for the business as a whole. Michele Williams
I go back to my final report and I am in Metrique every month putting in my numbers and making adjustments. Kate Wood
Thinking about our financials as a practice gives us the ability to continually practice getting them and keeping them in alignment with all the things that we're doing. Michele Williams
It is a constant tweaking and evolution and I'm just excited about the business now because I do think of it as a business that has value and not just to me, but to other people. Kate Wood
Contact Michele:Email: [email protected]
Facebook: Scarlet Thread Consulting
Instagram: @ScarletThreadATL
Website: ScarletThreadConsulting.com
LinkedIn: Michele Williams
Contact Kate:Website: Worth Preserving
Instagram: @worthpreserving
Email: [email protected]
YouTube: @KateWoodWorthPreserving
References and Resources:CFO2GO
Work with Me
Metrique Solutions
Worth Preserving: Weekly Newsletter and Free Download for Interior Designer
Unfiltered Wisdom: Free Coaching from Michele’s Keyboard to YouAre you hungry for more? Subscribe now to receive two free coaching emails per month, personally crafted by Michele! Delivered every two weeks, these emails are packed with valuable insights, actionable strategies, and thought-provoking ideas to guide you on your business transformation journey towards greater success.
LEARN MORE -
259: The Power of Feasibility
Robyn Thomas is joining us today on the podcast. Robyn has an architecture degree from Auburn, and she has merged that education with her love of design to provide a one-stop architecture offer specializing in design completion and optimization. She calls it the master of done. I love that so much. Today we're going to delve into feasibility, what it is, why it's needed, and when is the right time for the conversation around it. Enjoy the podcast.
Topics Mentioned:Metrics
Processes
Project Management
Teamwork
Key Thoughts:We sometimes get so enamored with the result that we don't look at the result and then backpedal our way through it to get to the beginning Robyn Thomas
I'm all about feasibility... It's really saying, what are the resources available and how can we best use them? Michele Williams
There are indicators and metrics that we can pull into our discovery call, or consultation process that we want to introduce early, way before we get into what color are the walls. Robyn Thomas
I think that in feasibility, sometimes people again have the idea that they're fighting against you to get something done, even though it's not you, it's what you're bringing up, the budget, the timeline. You're the representation of those things. Michele Williams
Contact Michele:Email: [email protected]
Facebook: Scarlet Thread Consulting
Instagram: @ScarletThreadATL
Website: ScarletThreadConsulting.com
LinkedIn: Michele Williams
Contact Robyn:Website: www.robynstudios.com
Facebook: rs.homeguidestudio
Instagram: @rs.homeguidestudio
Email: [email protected]
Pinterest: robynstudiosga/
References and Resources:CFO2GO
Work with Me
Metrique Solutions
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258: 4 Strategies to Stop Being Underpaid
I am so excited to be talking to you today. I'm actually so excited that I didn't wait and get all dolled up to be on the video part of the podcast. I decided in the middle of my work session just to stop and go ahead and share this message. So, I hope you are excited as I am, because we are going to talk about four strategies that will stop you from being underpaid. Do you know what it means to be underpaid? It means a high tolerance for low pay. I think that it is a problem, especially for creatives and certainly in the interior design industry. Now, some of you may be listening to this podcast and you may be thinking, hey, no problem here, I get paid all the time. But my question would be, do you take the money out of the company with ease, without feeling stressed? Some of you may be listening to the podcast and thinking, oh yeah, I have a high tolerance for low pay. Instead, I'm a people pleaser and I want to do great things for other people. Stay tuned because we're going to talk about the four strategies that will help you not be underpaid, but to be paid fairly and to be able to have a profitable company - at the same time
Topics Mentioned:Value
Worth
Pricing strategy
Career path
Key Thoughts:People are paying you for what you know, or they're paying you for what you have the ability to learn and to know. Michele Williams
People are willing to pay you for what you know. Michele Williams
Time is a currency that we spend in our calendar, and people will pay us for the time that we have available to devote to their project. Michele Williams
We're all looking at what we can hand off to somebody else's task list. Stress relief is a big deal. Michele Williams
Understanding pricing and understanding your attitude around it is really going to allow you to move forward with confidence and not cockiness. Michele Williams
Contact Michele:Email: [email protected]
Facebook: Scarlet Thread Consulting
Instagram: @ScarletThreadATL
Website: ScarletThreadConsulting.com
LinkedIn: Michele Williams
References and Resources:Work with Me
CFO2Go
Metrique Solutions
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257: Design the Life You Want
Nicole Comis is a life and mindset coach, and she's passionate about helping driven professionals achieve their career goals without sacrificing their personal lives. She's certified by the International Coaching Federation and she's also a neurolinguistics programming master coach. Nicole's goal is for those that she works with to recognize that success comes from living a happy, healthy, and balanced life, whatever that might look like for them. If you're feeling tired or overwhelmed or not sure what to do next, this is the podcast for you.
Topics Mentioned:Health
Success
Balance
Mindset
Key Thoughts:The reason why we burn ourselves out and the reason why we work our butts off is because it's our programming. Whether it's a fear or a limiting belief or that's what dad did, that's what mom did. We are programmed to think that that's what we need to do, whether it's, I need to prove myself, I need to prove I'm worthy or not, that's just what is done, or you've got to work your butt off to make money. Nicole Comis
That makes me think of what grace has been bestowed upon me and upon my life and upon those I love or those I'm watching. Seeing the grace that we get every day, that is what makes me joyful. Michele Williams
The more that you can identify your fears and your limiting beliefs and understand where those come from, the more aligned you feel, and I do tell my clients, too, to really practice making decisions based on your vision and your values. Nicole Comis
When other people's ideas and influence get like that, we have to turn it off, and then we've got to be intentional about the influences of the people that we let speak into us. Michele Williams
Contact Michele:Email: [email protected]
Facebook: Scarlet Thread Consulting
Instagram: @ScarletThreadATL
Website: ScarletThreadConsulting.com
LinkedIn: Michele Williams
Contact Nicole:Website: https://www.nicolecomis.com
Facebook: NicoleComisCoaching
Instagram: @nicolecomis
Email: [email protected]
LinkedIn: nicolecomis
Tic Tock: @nicolecomis
References and Resources:CFO2GO
Work with Me
Metrique Solutions
Necessary Endings by Dr. Henry Cloud
Life Fulfillment Exercise
Sew Much More Podcast
Podcast with Jennifer Looney: Creating a Board of Directors that Support You
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256: One Size Does Not Fit All
One size does not fit all. Okay, I just said it. I know that's going to be hard for some of you. But in our haste to get things done, to keep moving, to provide a service, often we're looking for that shortcut to success. We're looking to ride the elevator to the top instead of taking the stairs. Today, we will explore how to choose the right offer for our company and ultimately, for our customers.
Topics Mentioned:Templates
Metrics
Problem Solving
Business Solutions
Key Thoughts:I've used templates. I have templates. I think they're awesome, but they're only as good as they know how to be used and how to be tweaked. Michele Williams
Simply purchasing a template without a complete understanding of the problem that it's solving is just going to create more busy work for your team, leave you lacking in the outcome desired, and it's honestly going to cause frustration. Michele Williams
Our goal here is to help you truly understand the challenge that you have and the problem that you're solving. Michele Williams
What we are dedicated to is empowering you to know how to read the signs, know how to determine what's needed, and knowing how to adjust your systems, whether they're purchased systems or created systems so that they can grow with your company. Michele Williams
Contact Michele:Email: [email protected]
Facebook: Scarlet Thread Consulting
Instagram: @ScarletThreadATL
Website: ScarletThreadConsulting.com
LinkedIn: Michele Williams
References and Resources:Work with Me
CFO2Go
Metrique Solutions
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255: Ignite Your Passion in Your Business
With me on the podcast today is Jacqueline Green of Behind the Design company. Jacqueline is a coach, and she helps people move from a hobby into the business that they want that can be profitable. We're going to have a very robust conversation today on how to identify areas that we're passionate about and how to give ourselves the freedom to move from one direction to another, not to stay stuck. I hope you enjoy the podcast.
Topics Mentioned:Passion
Pivot,
Growth
Mindset
Key Thoughts:As you build wisdom, as you build your knowledge base, what was important to me in my 20s versus what's important to me in my 50s is completely different. That's what's so unique and fun, is really seeing what could this really be. And getting out of whatever mindset that we were kind of stuck in from our past. Jacqueline Green
Giving ourselves the freedom to even go through that discovery process, I think is really what you're inviting us to here, is to not feel that we have to be stuck, no matter how far we're in business, no matter where we are. Michele Williams
It's giving yourself permission to put yourself first on occasion to really look at what you really want in life and how you are going to get there. Jaqueline Green
I see one thousand opportunities within this industry to build a business, doing the parts that we always have, parts we don't love, but focusing on what you love. Michele Williams
Contact Michele:Email: [email protected]
Facebook: Scarlet Thread Consulting
Instagram: @ScarletThreadATL
Website: ScarletThreadConsulting.com
LinkedIn: Michele Williams
Contact Jaqueline:Website: www.behindthedesignco.com
Facebook: behindthedesignco
Instagram: @behindthedesignco/
Email: [email protected]
LinkedIn: behind-the-design/
LinkedIn: jacquelinereed/
References and Resources:CFO2GO
Work with Me
Metrique Solutions
Financial Courses with Michele Williams including “Understanding Your Financials”, “Master Your Profit”, and “Pricing Without Emotion”
Growth Mindset by Carol Dweck
Necessary Endings by Dr. Henry Cloud
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254: CFO2GO for Your Business
On the podcast today, we're going to consider the work of a CFO or a chief financial officer. Given that most of our businesses are too small to hire this as a full-time position, we've begun to see the rise of fractional offerings in this space. Today, we're going to talk about what a CFO does, and if you need one.
Topics Mentioned:Financial Planning
Budgets
CFO
Metrics
Key Thoughts:What does it mean to hire fractional? It means to share time. So that's really all that we're saying is you're sharing time with another company to have someone come in and perform those services. Michele Williams
But as we know, all CFO services are not the same, just like all design services are not the same. Michele Williams
Why would we name it CFO2GO? Because our goal is to help you understand how to do this work and then let you go do it, not to hold you tied into some long-term engagement. Michele Williams
There's nothing worse than either not knowing how to pay yourself, having the money in the account, not knowing if you can take it out, not knowing what it's meant to do, and not having a plan. We can help you solve every bit of that. Michele Williams
Contact Michele:Email: [email protected]
Facebook: Scarlet Thread Consulting
Instagram: @ScarletThreadATL
Website: ScarletThreadConsulting.com
LinkedIn: Michele Williams
References and Resources:Work with Me
CFO2Go
Metrique Solutions
Profit First by Mike Michalowicz
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253: Removing Fear from Video in Your Business
Joining me today is Jasmin Bryant with Fear No Video. Jasmin has had a very varied background. She has worked in television, as an actress, and in the news. She is going to share with us today how we can show up on video without fear. One of the things that Jasmin and I are going to focus on is how to remove some of the self-talk that we have before we ever do it, how to get ourselves ready to go on video, and how to make sure that the message is something that we want to share. So, I invite you to listen in.
Topics Mentioned:Fear
Messaging
Confidence
Critique
Key Thoughts:One of my mentors said something that blew my mind, which was, perfectionism is a first cousin to procrastination. Trying to get everything perfect just leads us to putting it off and putting it off until we don't do it. Jasmin Bryant
I don't think it's possible for us to criticize other people at a really high level without turning that focus and criticism on ourselves in an extremely negative, hurtful, hold us back kind of way. I just don't see that being positive. Michele Williams
For anyone who's watching, anyone who's listening, you take those breaths, and you'll feel calmer. Your message will be clearer, and you'll be surprised at how much better your video is. Jasmin Bryant
I memorize the points in order so that I know this is kind of the route that I'd like to take as I'm sharing and then you just speak from the heart. Michele Williams
Contact Michele:Email: [email protected]
Facebook: Scarlet Thread Consulting
Instagram: @ScarletThreadATL
Website: ScarletThreadConsulting.com
LinkedIn: Michele Williams
Contact Jasmin:Website: Rock That Video
Facebook: Fear No Video
Instagram: @fearnovideo
Email: [email protected]
YouTube: Fear No Video
LinkedIn: Jasmin Bryant
References and Resources:“Five Keys to Beat Camera Shyness” free e-book
CFO2GO
Work with Me
Metrique Solutions
Financial Courses with Michele Williams including “Understanding Your Financials”, “Master Your Profit”, and “Pricing Without Emotion”
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