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Stop Getting Sucked In: Avoid QVC Syndrome for Entrepreneurs by @tenaciousAngie

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Stop Getting Sucked In: Avoid QVC Syndrome for Entrepreneurs

by Angie Weber | Featured Contributor

“With this _______ (fill in the blank) your business is going to double—no—triple​ its sales in the 90 days!”

You’ve been in a presentation and the speaker pitches you something that holds the promise of bringing your business to the next level. You decided this is exactly what you’ve been missing and this offer is one you can’t.live.without.

You’re sold. Where’s your wallet? You need to grab that company card!

Does this sound familiar? I have a feeling that you may have given in to this scenario once… or twice. #RaiseYourHand 

Heck, I think most of us are guilty of this. Now before you think that I have my wallet on lock down + I’m a skeptic of all pitches, hear me out. There are some really great products/services out there that ​can​ help your biz grow like crazy. I know this because I’ve used some ​and ​they have grown the business.

Here is where the problem lies: too many entrepreneurs get hooked on every single pitch + start dishing out cash as quick as they can. #HookLineAndSinker 

These presentations + promos are like QVC for entrepreneurs. ​Remember, the first step is admitting you have a problem. 

The truth is, when you start buying everything, you have time for nothing. ​​​

Don’t think this is all smoke in mirrors, though. Entrepreneurs know these things work—they want them to work—they need them to work… but they don’t put the work in once they grab up the deal.  

Here’s another way to look at it; if you want to build a house, you can go buy all the proper tools at Home Depot. But if you never learn how to use the tools or apply that knowledge, you’ll be left with nothing besides a big bill + a bunch of tools. (​Well, and possibly a happy hubby.)

​​​​Of course, it doesn’t matter if you’re talking about a business or a house, the first thing you need is a solid foundation. #Biz101

The scary thing is, even without a foundation, I see entrepreneurs grabbing up the latest deals in the following areas…

Business coaches 
Currently I am working with a coach and when I met her, she said something that everyone should know about hiring one of these: “I’m not here to give you all the answers, I’m here to shed light on the pieces of your business that need to be looked at.” Here’s what a lot of people don’t understand about coaches: the real magic doesn’t happen when you are on your weekly call, it’s what you do with the time in-between your sessions. No action = no results. So take a look and ask yourself »» are you willing to do the work in-between? Are you using a coach as an accountability partner? Heck, are you even coachable? 

Online Courses 
Ah yes, online courses. It’s all the craze I hear with entrepreneurs. At tena.cious we have a large document filled with usernames and passwords to course after course. But guess what? Most of the time they don’t get used. It’s not that they aren’t filled with amazing info—we know they are—we just didn’t push ourselves to follow along with every.single.lesson. #OurBad So there they sit with all this great information that can make a ​huge ​difference in the business. So we’ve made a pact—no more courses until we utilize the tools we already have. Do you have the same self-control?  

Fancy Software 
Ever heard of Infusionsoft? Or as we like to call it around the office on occasion, confusionsoft. ​This program is a-mazing, but it’s also large + takes a ton of knowledge. While I know enough to be dangerous, we have one person who is dedicated to this software in our office. We didn’t jump on the IFS train because it was the next big thing, we did it because it was the next step for our growth. But I have seen people jump into this software (and others) because they think it’s going to be the solution to all of their problems. Instead, they might as well be throwing money out the window because the truth is, they aren’t ready for it ​or​ they don’t have all of the facts. We’ve totally been guilty of this before—signing on with a program before knowing all the ins and outs. #SoreSubject

Now, let’s not beat ourselves up over the things we’ve bought on a whim and not used. #DontLookBack

This simply is my PSA for the entrepreneurs out there I know who want to grow their businesses, but are constantly trying to play catch up. I’ve seen too many business owners grab up each and every promo at events because they believe it is their saving grace. But what they don’t know is that a majority of the time they already have a tool box full of things that will help them achieve the next level of success, they just haven’t put them to use yet.

So, let’s take a look at the tools we have and see how far they can get us ​right now.​

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angie weberAfter time spent searching for the perfect job and having no luck, Angie Weber was introduced to tena.cious. Not only did she find her passion for small business, she also discovered one very important thing about herself- she is a true intrapreneur. (You know, those people who act like entrepreneurs, but don’t have as much risk in the game?)

While she co-runs tena.cious and helps clients showcase their personalties online, she also spreads awareness about intrapreneurs- the good, the bad, and the ugly awesomeness. If you want to get an inside look on intrapreneurs, check out here podcast, The Intrapreneur Life.

It Takes A Village – Here’s How You Find Yours! by @tenaciousAngie

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It Takes A Village - Here's How You Find Yours!

by Angie Weber | Featured Contributor

There’s the old saying that it takes a village to raise a child- this is true when it comes to business, as well. You can’t build a successful business on your own- you need a support system- you need a team.

I am blessed to have a team that are total rockstars at tena.cious. Without them, the biz wouldn’t grow and truth be told, I wouldn’t either. With an office full of woman, some might think drama is an overly common occurrence, but the truth is, we have a lot of fun and are each other’s support system.

But to be honest, finding a solid team- one that really works together well- can be easier said then done. And belive me, we’ve put in our time! 

So what is the magic formula? It can vary from team to team, but here are a few tips to get you on the right track (and end up with less turn over). 

Do Multiple Interviews 

In the early years of building a team, it was exciting and perhaps we were a little too quick to welcome people on. After one interview, we made a decision. Quickly we learned this quick + fast approach was not always leaving us with the whole story.

Pull More Employees In

Don’t just stop with multiple interviews, bring in multiple employees. More specifically, bring in the person(s) who will be working directly with the new team member. You may get along with the potential hire great- but how will they mix with the rest of the team? Let me save you some time and tell you to build a solid team, everyone needs to be on board for the ship to move forward.

Don’t Judge a Book by it’s Answers 

The simple truth is, some people where made to interview. They can spit out the perfect answers no matter what- even if they are pulling the old “fake it till you make it” approach. On the other spectrum, the person with the best qualifications may not be as quick on their feet to tell you about a time when they handled a stressful situation. Make sure you are looking at other things than just their answers- it will tell you a lot more about the person sitting across from you.

Find Their Why 

Finding out the person’s qualifications and experience is all good, but are you asking one of the most important questions? Are you finding out their why? To find someone who will help build your dream, you must understand what drives them. And I’m not talking about why they want the job- I mean the thing behind it all- the thign that pushes them. Here’s a hint: the right person won’t say money. It’s a simple question that gets overlooked by employers that may leave you looking for a new person quicker then you’d like.

After all of this, are you still a little unsure of who to bring on? Under it all, the one big thing you need is trust. So the next time you are opening up your doors to a new team member, ask yourself if you would feel comfortable handing over the keys to this person from day one. There will be your answer!

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angie weberAfter time spent searching for the perfect job and having no luck, Angie Weber was introduced to tena.cious. Not only did she find her passion for small business, she also discovered one very important thing about herself- she is a true intrapreneur. (You know, those people who act like entrepreneurs, but don’t have as much risk in the game?)

While she co-runs tena.cious and helps clients showcase their personalties online, she also spreads awareness about intrapreneurs- the good, the bad, and the ugly awesomeness. If you want to get an inside look on intrapreneurs, check out here podcast, The Intrapreneur Life.