Every Chic Solopreneur Needs A Pair of SPANX

You bought this amazing dress in your size. The lighting in the dressing room gave you an extra oomph, but you knew you looked good in the dress. Fast forward to date night, you pull the dress out the closet and try it on before you get all dolled up.

Something is missing.

You grab your spanx and squeeze in because who doesn't squeeze in?!? [Don't answer this...our friendship relies on you not answering this! ]

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Gym or no gym...spanx can accentuate things for the best of us.

Spanx aren't like your grandmother's girdle. These things are sexy and undetectable. Sexay!

Systems work just like spanx. Oh, you knew the Segway was coming.

Systems have the power to transform and accentuate any business. There are people running businesses without systems.

But why work harder if you don't have to? Why add unnecessary stress and headaches?

Anything you do over and over needs a process and system in place.

Just like with our bodies, we know our best biz features and the things that need a little extra attention. Systematize first what needs extra attention.

If you KNOW follow up is not something you are good at, you need a client management system first.

If you KNOW that you hate marketing, you need to set up a money generating system first. Because you also know you cannot sell a secret.  

3 Chic Takeaways:

1. Spanx are not your granny's girdle, but rather an amazing accessory that accentuates all the glory of your body.

2. Systems accentuate the growth in your business.

3. Systems are not a quick fix. They take time to develop and implement, but once they're done, they are done.

You can keep your systems on day and night, ehhhh spanx not so much.

Are you ready to try on a little black dress biz edition for size? Get your business systems customized and streamlined .

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Have you read the most recent articles?

Hacks on hacks on hacks

The first step to automation is finding out how to maximize the use of your time and the tools that you're using.

Second would be to figure out which tools you love.

Almost every tool has a blog. (Snooze fest..right?!?) some are better than others. The blogs are full of hacks and the best ways to use the tool and other tools that work well with it. Reading the comments are icing on the cake. Typing this, makes it sound really lame and uninteresting and it just may be. However, a 5 minute scan has the potential to change your life.

4 Faves of mine:

Dropbox blog

Evernote Blog

Buffer Blog

Zapier Blog

Quick tip: Follow the tool on twitter and look at the most favorited and (or) retweeted tweets, because usually those are of importance to all. Asana & Slack both use hashtags for tips #asanatips #slacktips

Action Jackson moment:

1. Put an event in your schedule once a week to peruse one blogs a week for four weeks, then ACTUALLY do it.

Top tools I use monthly:

• Asana
• Evernote
• Google Drive
• Dropbox
• Slack
• Power Editor (Facebook ads)
• Hootsuite & Edgar (if they had a baby I would adopt it and name her Elle...the two combined are awesome)
• Google Chrome (Extensions are your BFF)

Tools I passively use*:

• IFTTT
• Zapier
• Typeform
• Bit.ly

*Passively as in the automation is already set and I don’t even log in or think twice about the tool.

Over the years I've learned hacks on hacks on hacks. These same tips and tricks have automated my businesses and the likes of my favorite lady friends.

Tools are not the reason why you aren't automated.

You probably waste a lot of time in business. Time wasted on things that don't matter, networking (aka social media time suck) with the wrong people, thinking more than doing and just wasting time just doing what you want. Research shows that people waste 60% of their own time, which only leaves 40% to be at maximum productivity. However, the 40% isn’t maximized because most don’t realize that the previous 60% was even wasted.

Be very conscious about concentrating on money generating activities. When you start your day, your three must do things need to be money generating activities. Once completed, move to the supporting activities.

You define what your money generating activities are. Make a list of how you make money and the things you do to support it, then create a hierarchy of what’s most important.

Does this mean all you need to think about is money? Not at all. My thoughts are usually how can I eat cupcakes all day and maintain a healthy tummy to hip ratio. #justbeinghonest

Just be clear on what’s money generating and do those things. Take action then assess.

What are your results from the first week or month of focusing on the money generating tasks?

Your competition isn't doing this, trust me, I've seen her in action.

Truly so many do the same thing over and over and get the same results and wonder why? Hmmm...that is the definition of insanity.

Research and testing can be bleh! There’s a reason companies are paying billions of dollars on research and development...it works!

So start today with a baseline (starting point) and pay attention so you can track what’s really working and what isn’t.

Recap of what you can start doing immediately:

1.Assess your schedule to maximize your time available.

2. Determine the tools you adore.

3. Stalk the tool’s blog and twitter for hacks to improve usage of the tool.

4. Create a list of your money generating activities.

5. Create a hierarchy of your money generating activities.

6. Take action then assess [a basic excel spreadsheet or notebook will do].

Mo' Systems Mo' Money: April Income Report

When it comes to business systems, there's three groups of people:

1.  What the hell are systems?

2. I'm making money, why should I care?

3. Systems are the holy grail!

You already know I roll with the third group. Systems and processes have made my life run smooth with rich experiences.  Truly the good life from all aspects.

Quick breakdown of my life: mama to three dreamchasers whose social calendar and sports events puts any A-list celebrity to shame. Wife to Huni who needs 6 clean eating meals a day. CEO and Founder of Kimber & Co. LLC , a hybrid business with coaching components online and consulting offline.  Founder of Divas, Inc. nonprofit organization for girls and women.

You’re probably thinking, "girl, when do you sleep?" 8 hours minimum each night and naps when I can fit them in.

Despite all the hats I wear, I've mastered  “having it together.” No missed appointments, no more forgetting to pick up a kid (am I the only one? sheesh), standing date night with Huni, quality relationships with my family and friends, great self care and thriving businesses.

With systems you have the time to do everything you want. So forget those that tell you, you can't be multi passionate and those that tell you to follow their blueprint. Your plan can be pink or neon orange just have a plan that feels good to you and is yielding positive results.

More time and more money, what more could a girl ask for? (Tweet able)

Here’s my April 2015 income and expenses. My businesses are streamlined and automated. This report is based on two full weeks of work. One week, I had surgery and was recovering. And another week, was a “I just need to rest my mind,” week. 

*The income report will not include income from Divas, Inc. Nonprofits are an entirely different beast. The following is reported based on accrual accounting, income counted when the sale occurs, and expenses counted when the goods or services are received.

Online Earnings

Coaching & Consulting :                                                                                            

• Automate Your Biz: $4260 [2 clients]
• Chic Systems Mastery: $1100 [1 clients] 
• Profit Strategy Sessions: $800 [2 clients]
• VIP Day: $1700 [1 client] - currently only offered to current/past clients
• Retainer: $1500 [3 clients] - only offered to current clients

Total Coaching & Consulting Earnings: $9360.00                                            

Affiliate Earnings: $20.44 (Amazon Associates)

Total Online Earnings: $9380.44

Coaching & Consulting Expenses:

• Mailchimp: $20
• Leadpages: $37
• Libsyn: $20
• Hosting: $20
• Paypal Fees: $271.74
• Assistant: $600
• Coaching: $250
• Advertising: $100
• Satoriapp: $25
• Edgar: $50
• Internet: $65
• Zapier: $20

Total Expenses: $1478.74

Online Coaching & Consulting Net Earnings: $7901.70

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Offline Consulting Earnings

Kimber & Co. Consulting:

• Mental Health: $5000 [1 contract]    
• Business Consulting: $1000 [1 contract]

Total Consulting Earnings: $6000

Kimber & Co. Expenses:

• Travel: $400
• Meals and Entertainment: $88.47
• Insurance: $41.67
• Assistant: $200

Total Expenses: $730.14

Offline Consulting Net Earnings: $ 5269.86

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*Total Net Earnings: $13,171.56

I pay annually for most tools (Contactually, Evernote Premium, Dropbox, Dollar Photo Club) that I use. It's cheaper.

Win for the month:

I took 10 days off and didn’t feel it financially. My mind and body was restored and I returned with immense clarity and creativity. I have truly automated my business.

Let go of the handle bars, live life, and watch your business grow...only with systems. 

Yoga pants are deceitful...don't let your bottom line be too

Yoga pants are part of the work from home dress code. However, It's hard to notice that you've gained weight when yoga pants are your go to pants. Yoga pants are flattering and stretch like it's nobody's business. Even if you notice your yoga pants are tight when you first put them on, the power of Lycra makes you comfortable in minutes.

The reality is you know your yoga pants haven't seen the Yoga mat or the gym in a while.

 Oh no she didn't.

& did. 

Typically what we focus on is what grows.

However that isn't always true with thighs or booties.  Or your business bottom line.

You know the income after all expenses (general, admin costs, interest charges, etc.)  have been deducted from your revenue (net profit). 

Focus and action are two different things.

Most entrepreneurs have no idea what their bottom line looks like, nor do they have a budget, or make time in their schedule to even review the financials. It's usually a quick look in PayPal- transfer to bank account and pay who and what is needed.

Boom! Financial System

When was the last time you looked at the numbers? The real numbers, not likes or follows, but conversions and expenses. What do you need to get where you want to be? Where do you even want to be? 

In the beautiful words of my brother: 

“Men lie, women lie, numbers don’t.”

— Jay Z

You can ignore the numbers but don't be surprised when December comes and you haven't reached your money  goals. Focus on your goals, take action, then assess how the action is doing, and take action again based on the assessment. 

focus +Action + Assessment + action = Success

(the one formula you need to remember)

Can you imagine getting fitted for that little black dress for a holiday occasion and you didn't account for your new bottom? Every morning you pulled out a pair of yoga pants and Lycra worked its magic. You indulged in golden oreos, because they’re vegan so you might as well have the “healthy” snacks. You skipped meals because you were so engrossed in your business and weren’t really hungry. You skipped the gym because well...you wanted to and you’re the BOSS. Days turned to weeks and weeks to months and your focus wasn’t on your bottom line it was on doing the things you love in your business and life.

Yoga pants are deceitful. *sigh*  

Business is a series of moving parts. There are some parts that you will adore and can’t wait to do (the fun and creative part of your expertise), and the other parts where you ignore until it smacks you right in the face and says:

If you have a business and want to make money, you need to have a solid financial system. Spoiler alert: PayPal is not a financial system.

Financial systems include budgets, quarterly assessments, accounting program, sales funnels, and processes to manage invoices and returns.

3 chic tips to a basic financial system:

1. Write down ALL your business expenses and cancel any programs/tools that you aren't using.  Even that gym membership if you aren’t going.

2. Create a budget for your business & STICK to it!

3. Sign up for Wave Apps to monitor your money.

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.

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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! 

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:

1. 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.

2. Roll your clothes up instead of folding. Use packing cubes to organize your clothes and it saves space.

3. 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.

I made a mistake

On my way back in town this past Sunday, I was editing my podcast in the car because I knew my schedule was thrown off, and it wouldn’t have been done. I haven’t outsourced my editing to my assistant, because I like to keep my personality and quirks part of the episode. So I edited the podcast in a car full of disgruntled traveling children. Note to self: just don’t!

When I recorded the podcast Skype cut out for a few moments while I was telling Chivon my story. When it reconnected I told her I would edit that part out. So when editing in the car full of distractions that was the one part I did not edit.

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So as I listened to the uploaded episode this morning driving my babes to school and I heard myself say, “no worries I’ll edit this part out.” I felt like such a loser. How could I listen and MISS the one part that needed to be edited out. Immediately the perfectionist in me couldn’t get home fast enough. I wanted to delete the current episode, edit the portion out, and re-upload like it never happened.

Then I thought, “girl, you do not have time for ANY of that in your schedule today.” I was thinking how I could move things around to get it done, but it wasn’t plausible. Sometimes I have to have pep talks with myself.

So today’s pep talk went something like this:

Mistakes happen. You aren’t perfect. Get over it. No one cares. Really, no one cares. So what.

After my pep talk, I was fine. I went on with my day. I promoted the episode, because it’s a great conversation. Even the bit I had planned to edit.

3 Chic Tips to Mastery if you ever make a mistake:

1.       Own it! Acknowledge that you made an error.

2.       Apologize if necessary.

3.       Move on! Try not to make the same mistake and keep moving!

Even with systems, you will make mistakes, and thats okay. Don’t let them hold you back. Download the episode on Self-care for solopreneurs. Being kind to yourself is definitely a self-care tactic.

Are you a planner or a planner decorator?

In the past few weeks I see EVERYONE on Facebook proclaiming they are planning for 2015. Oh I know you've seen the image:

Just wait until December, we will really start seeing 2015 will be my year images and memes. JUST WAIT!

The calendars are cute and planners are nice, but let's be real if you aren't doing anything but writing and decorating that pretty little planner, you will be in the same exact place that you are in right now.

3 Chic Tips to Systems Mastery

1. Get an accountability partner or have your business bestie review your first 90 days of 2015 with you.

2. Break those plans down. All the way down, so there's no confusion on how you're going to accomplish them. Paper and pen haven't failed me yet for mind mapping.

3.  Take action!

System's aren't sexy

Most people believe it or not, don't wake up and say "I really need to get my systems together."

They may say “WTF/WTH...why isn't this working for me? I'm doing everything right. I'm doing EVERYTHING my XYZ coach says do. I'm doing EVERYTHING from that course and academy I took.”

Oh it happens.

No one thinks to look at their systems or processes, because systems just aren’t sexy.

Wanna know what is sexy?

Butts! The BOTTOM line! The bigger the better depending on who you ask.

I like butts. Big butts.

I'm a little obsessed with my booty. I worked hard for it. I sacrifice cupcakes and I love cupcakes. I do squats and weighted 180 pounds squats at that. Squats aren't sexy, burpee’s aren’t sexy. and cardio just plain sucks!

Yet the bottom line makes me happy!

Same thing with systems. Systems show you where there's holes in your business and life and help you to patch them up.

A big bottom line for your business equates to more time and more money. Now that’s sexy!

You aren't wasting time on unnecessary tasks if you have proper systems in place. That is sexy!

And you my friend, are a sexy beast! Don’t let the lack of systems or improper systems decrease your sex appeal.

Here are 4 systems that every business needs to have:

1. Daily System

2. Content Creation System

3. Money Generation System

4. Marketing System

These 4 systems can be broken down into itsy bitsy processes to make sure you don’t leave room for error. As sexy as we are, we’re prone to an error here or there.

If you don’t have any system in place today...I want you to pull your left hand out and put it in front of you then pop it with your right hand! Now that we got that minor portion of corporal punishment underway.

The first system that you should implement is a Daily System, which is a group of systems that is pertinent to everyone who has goals to be accomplished. Daily Systems include daily schedules to include personal [yours + your babes if that applies + your huni if that applies] and business; self care routine, time management processes and organization.

Soon, I’ll share a process with you that I use with my clients to help them to maximize on their day and add to their daily system. However, for now here’s a downloadble PDF that I use daily in mapping out my day.

Live. Love. Action.

1. Watch Ellen’s Anaconda vide for a good laugh 

2. Call a friend and ask them what was the funniest thing that happened to them last week.

3. Download the PDF and get your day(s) rocking!

What are systems?

Systems are the rules you create for your business. You're the boss, you're the mama, your rules!

You just have to make sure your rules are for the greater good of your business.

Systems are documented practices that you do in your business over and over and over. 

However many solopreneurs don't have systems or they don't follow the rules. Things get done here and there. Solopreneur success does not come with here and there shooting from the hip.

Systems have checks and balances.

Systems ensure that things get done.

Systems allow for you to get sick and your business' immune system goes untouched.

Systems automate your business.

Systems eliminate overwhelm because you already have plans in place for this or that.

They allow for you to hire and outsource tasks.

Systems allow for you to have more free time to do whatever makes your heart smile.

So many people talk about the hustle and bustle in business. Rest and FUN are just as important.

Systems allow for you to make more money.

So that's more time, more money, more fun.

What systems do you have in place?

Action Jackson

1. Evaluate your daily systems.

2. What do you do over and over in your business?

3. Write out one system in your business structure.