Why I created Chic Systems Mastery
I created Chic Systems Mastery program because I was tired of seeing chic + savvy solopreneur women struggling in their business. The behind the scenes biz struggle is U-G-L-Y they ain’t got no alibi. The back-end business struggle is real.
I would hear and see these women complaining about working all the time and never having time for herself.
What little time she could find away from her computer was dedicated to her family so her husband wouldn’t start looking at the random women in gym or at work, and so her children wouldn’t think that the computer was all mommy cared about. She craved time with her girlfriends aside from the occasional “LOL” and “I miss you,” responses on Facebook and Instagram.
I knew it was possible to make more money, have clients that adore and rave about you, cultivate relationships and network online; nurture and love a family, while enjoying the luxuries of life with your favorite people.
I’m living proof, as well as my chic + savvy solopreneur superstar clients. We have mastered systems. The dreaded “S” word is what can transform working 7 days a week to having 3 day weekends every week. Systems are traditionally dry and masculine. Most entrepreneurs are either intimidated by systems as they are “one more thing to do,” or they simply have no clue what systems are, or they assume the overwhelm and chaos is just a part of business. In knowing this, I have added my feminine flair of fabulousness to Chic Systems. I would lie to you and tell you systems are sexy and you should get excited about Evernote, Trello, and Toggl. Simply put, systems aren’t sexy. Yet, the bottom line that systems produce are beautiful.
Think of going to the gym for 30 days straight and how amazing you feel and look afterwards. Eating clean and exercise does a body good. Chic systems and implementation does a business good. Your bottom line increases which means you are making more profits. You aren’t just breaking even. You are able to outsource work that you either don’t want to do or cannot do. You are staying in your zone of expertise and taking on more clients (only if you want to), while that extra 8 hours a week is spent living your passions.
Chic Systems Mastery was created with you in mind. You’re already busy running a business, and some days it seems like the business is running you. This program has done for you worksheets and templates where you just copy & paste the system into your business. Easy peasy, I’ve done all the hard work for you. There are video and audio trainings teaching you to navigate through the tools. A coaching call each week to customize systems for your business. Weekly email coaching in between the coaching calls for support and mentorship. So many goodies and benefits.
My mission is to help women live their dreams. It’s really hard to pursue your dream wholeheartedly when you’re broke, overwhelmed, and working all the time. And what's sexy about that?
Are you ready to BLAST overwhelm and organize the day to day chaos? Let's do this!
Working Full-Time, Starting a Business and Partying with friends? Here's the only way to make it work
You've been bit by the entrepreneur bug. There's only one thing that's in your way...that 9-5 that pays primarily all your bills right now.
Le'sigh.
You know your purpose and are ready to fully step out on faith. Those bills are still relying on that good ole corporate check. No worries. I know exactly what you need.
Systems.
What are systems? Systems are a sexy word to describe business structure and processes. See how systems sounds much sexier?
Most of your day and time is accounted for with your corporate gig. The night hours, lunch breaks, and the weekend are all you have to make this dream work. A scheduling system is what you need first.
So let's map out a realistic schedule:
Monday - Thursday
Dedicate 8 PM - 11 PM to your business.
That means 5 PM-7:59 PM is yours.
Network, enjoy your family, workout, eat clean or take a nap [although naps after 4 pm aren't good for productivity].
I highly recommend having working lunches. So instead of spilling the latest tea with your friends at work, do these instead: catch up on your business emails, find new connections on twitter, listen to podcasts, draft a blog post, or read a book that will push you ahead.
Friday's are a free card. Make the most of it however you choose. A few suggestions: go to networking happy hours [don't drink...sip on your dream and soda], hang out with your friends and family that adore you, go do things that make your scream with excitement or party like its 1999.
If nothing is happening on Friday switch the time with Saturday or Sunday.
Saturday & Sunday
Dedicate 8 hours to your business. It doesn't have to be 8 full hours. Chunk your time if you like. Chunking is far more effective for productivity and creativity.
Chunking is merely setting aside a small "chunk" of time and using ALL that time to one task.
You can use a pomodoro app like Marinara Timer to schedule the time you want to chunk. Sometimes I'll do 15 minutes on 5 minutes off or 30 minutes on 15 minutes off.
The standard Pomodoro method is a 25 minute period of time with a break afterwards. Each break is 5 minutes long, with a 15 minute break after the completion of the fourth Pomodoro.
I love that the Marinara Timer gives you the option on how you chunk your time. After all you are the boss!
Every week you will need to compare your social schedule and your business schedule. This way you are able to enjoy your friends and family like the social butterfly you are, and also create amazing offers, products, and services for the world to enjoy.
Google Calendar is perfect and syncs with event invites on Facebook. Sunrise is a great app that ties to Google calendar, your smart phone, Facebook, Eventbrite, and majority of the productivity apps. SCORE!
Creating a business, working full-time and enjoying your social life is possible. You don't have to choose.
your time is already limited, Speed up the process to working full-time for yourself...secure your spot in Chic Systems Mastery.
The Cat in the Hat can teach you a thing or two
Every night (okay let me be real only Sunday through Thursday) I read a story to my 3 years old. For the past two weeks he has only wanted to read The Cat in the Hat. So last night I ask him does he want to read another book. Of course he says no.
WHY?? I ask.
“Because I like the characters, they use funny timing [rhyming] words,” he replies.
Kids are simple.
He didn't care that he has an entire library of other books- to include many Dr. Seuss books. The Cat in the Hat makes him laugh and he appreciates that.
Simple.
It made me think how sometimes in business [& life] we complicate things.
Overthinking and just being the expert can definitely complicate things from time to time.
Creating systems from scratch can be beastly and overwhelming. They aren't sexy. You are, but your systems, not so much.
Keep it Simple.
When creating your systems keep them simple.
Systems are a bunch of moving parts. Systems aren't your business unless you're in the systems business.
You're in business to make money, systems simply support those efforts.
If you're a checklist person use checklists & asana or evernote.
If you're a visual person use post-it's, white boards and paper & pen. Check out Trello too.
We have a baby night time routine system based on my son's behaviors. (Refusal to go to bed because he's "hungry " aka he's learned that kids aren't sent to bed hungry or he hasn't finished a puzzle or he needs to call his mama or papa.)
Here's how it would look:
- Baby eats dinner
- Baby picks out book
- Baby gathers toys he wants in bath if different from the night before
- Baby says goodnight to everyone in house
- Ask baby does he want to call grandparents...
- If yes call grandparents
- Remind Baby that he is not allowed downstairs after he gets in bath.
- Baby has bath
- Baby gets in Pajamas
- Mommy reads to baby
- Mommy & Baby says prayers
- Mommy reminds baby that he is not allowed downstairs
- Mommy kisses baby & tells him God will protect him he's already said his prayers
- 15 minutes mommy or daddy checks to see if baby is sleep
3 Chic Tips to Mastery:
1. Vow to keep life & business simple.
2. Assess where you can add The Cat & The Hat tactics: simple, fun, & helpful.
3. Laugh more. Worry less. Laugh lines are acceptable, stress wrinkles aren't as cute.
Systems reduce the worry about money and day to day practices.
Packing Hacks for the Chic Solopreneur
I'm the girl that packs three bags for an overnight/weekend trip. I need a bag for my clothes [I need options], a bag just for my shoes, and then a bag for cosmetics and such. I'm really working on getting away from this lifestyle.
Remember when I told you organization was not part of my DNA?!? The driving factor behind my organization is I hate wasting my precious time. I know you feel me. Time looking for things that I forgot to pack. Time trying to stuff my entire closet into two suitcases.
With the airlines checked baggage fees, that has shifted the amount of luggage that I pack. Why waste $50-$75 before I even start my glorious trip?!?
I want to share a few chic systems for packing to cut down on the amount of luggage you check.
3 chic tips to mastery:
Use a hard case suitcase instead of soft [have them label your bag as FRAGILE -it will be on top of everyone else’s luggage and it will come out first at baggage claim.
Roll your clothes up instead of folding. Use packing cubes to organize your clothes and it saves space.
Pack two pairs of jeans in your carry on if you’re really tight on space and your favorite pair of shoes (covered with a plastic bag or shower cap to protect against the dirty bacteria on the bottom of your shoes.)
Here are my favorite traveling hacks:
Habits of a Quick Packer from HerPackingList.com [She provides massive value]
Huffington Post shares DIY packing hacks
14 Genius Space Saving Packing Hacks
Just as you plan your trip out, you want to plan the things that you want to take with you. This ensures that you have your favorite outfits, but you aren’t lugging around a million bags and wasting money on checked baggage because you’re indecisive on what to wear.
Make a decision boo!
Survey your hygiene and cosmetic items so you know what you have and what you need to go and get. Create a checkoff list, so you are thoroughly prepared. Laminate it and use a dry erase marker to check it off, then re-use it again and again. What a beautiful system?!?
Plan your traveling outfit. Ensure it’s comfortable and stylish at the same time. You never know who you may meet and see while exploring the world or just going to grandmas.