The #1 Thing You Are NOT Doing to Grow Your Online Business

I have been in the fitness industry for 13 plus year's.

I have been the CEO of my fitness business for 9 year's.  I have run my own studio, I have trained clients face to face, I have coached people online, I have helped open a CrossFit gym and coached, I have worked as a trainer at our local Y, I have taught classes at our local retirement community and day service provider's for adults with special needs.

I have had some experience with being a business owner and entrepreneur.

And there seems to be 1 thing new entrepreneur's, new network marketing business owner's, new pop up shop CEO's...

ARE ALL MISSING.

And this is it.  They are missing the people.  The true, meaningful, relationship-building aspect of human connection.

We are joining these network marketing companies with passion and excitement, we get scripts, we get video's, we get transformation stories to share...AND yet we DON'T do the 1 thing that is required to be successful.

TRULY connecting with people.

1) We would rather send a script that the company gives us with the "Hey! How are you? I have started this new business.....and I would love to sell you this ......it is on sale for ...............and here are results from the last woman's experience ..............Thanks! -Signed, a person we haven't spoken to in 20 year's

Because if we take time to really get to know people.  To reconnect. Meet up for coffee. Or set up a phone call face to face.  It takes time.  And it might be uncomfortable.  And it might lead to more conversations, instead of a quick sale.  WHAT?!

2) We would rather splash our Facebook feeds with SPAM and Infomercial's of our products and fancy lettering and graphics...than to actually have to use the products for 6-months to a year and show proof of the product and fall in love with the product enough to "show" people how it works and why we love it...instead we want to skip the work and instead "sell" our product as a quick fix--one we aren't even 100% sure of us ourselves yet because we have only been using it 2 weeks. Or don't use it at all but hope to make a quick dollar, like was promised in our recruitment call when I signed up.

We make it about a quick sell, fast dollar, and what "he or she" says is the way, and we become desperate for a sale. Instead of falling in love with the product ourselves first.

3) We don't want to take the time to truly understand people's needs.  We don't ask questions about them.  We don't interview them to see if our product is even something they need or want.  Instead we shove our product in their face for a solution of a problem this person may not have or EVEN know they have.  

Again, this takes time.  This takes removing yourself from the picture and your desperation for a quick sale, and actually "going there" with people.  Learning their true fears, anxieties, motivations, needs.  AND it also means realizing your product may not be good for them, and respecting their needs/desires by referring them on.

4) We don't want to personally invite people to our private social media groups.  It is uncomfortable, it is scary, and we all FEAR rejection, so we avoid it.  Instead we add everyone we know to a private group for a product we are selling or may win a prize for AND disrespect people's social media time and use.  

Instead, we should be inviting them to learn more and let THEM make the decision to join our private group.  SHOW respect people.  Again, don't provide a solution for a problem people don't have.

5) DO your research. Is this product you plan to promote or has changed your life one that is sustainable?  Is it one that the market will become saturated quickly with?  Is it something people will truly benefit from in a genuine, long-term, lifestyle changing way?  Has it been proven?  Is is safe?

Once again, and lastly, ask people before you sell.  Is this something you would use?  Is this something my doctor would recommend or encourage?

IT ALL COMES DOWN TO PEOPLE.  Connecting. Serving. Asking the questions.  Respecting.  Hearing out.  Supporting.  

We miss the boat when we miss this key step.  And THAT is probably why you have not been able to sustain your current business or online marketing company....

BECAUSE you aren't including the people and relationships.  Plain and simple.

It's 12:20 AM, WHAT??

 

Leah was born.
4 months later we moved to Kansas. To a town we didn't know anyone.  I had just graduated with my degree in exercise science.  I had stopped my pursuit of PA school when I found out I was expecting because I was so sick and my priorities changed.  We bought a house in the country, away from neighbors.  We had no family close.  And I never felt SO alone than I did during that first year living there.  But I KNEW I wanted to stay home with my daughter if I could make it work financially.  I KNEW I still wanted to pursue my dream of fitness, coaching, training, and changing lives through health.  But I KNEW the town we lived in had no gym, no jobs in my area of expertise or interest.  SO I decided to make it work, my own way.  I started my own personal training business in my basement.  I called the retirement community in the town every week for at least 5 months asking if they were interested in implementing special population fitness into their resident's lives because I had a passion for helping the elderly through strength training.  After the 6th month, they finally called back and offered me a job as a trial run.  While I started that job, I was also emailing the town's recreation department about teaching fitness classes at the local school or park.  Anyway I could get my name out there. I made business cards, flyers, talked to anyone I could.  I spoke with local physicians in that town and nearby towns about referrals. I spoke with local pharmacies about advertising my services.  And slowly I started with 1-2 clients at my house...I would train with them while my Leah took naps or crawled around in her playpen.  And then I took her with me to the retirement community to teach classes.  And she came with me to my fitness classes in the evenings at the local elementary school. 

And I make it work.  Because I wanted to be a mom first. Fitness professional second.  And I didn't want to settle for any other options.  I worked a LOT.  Late at night. Early mornings.  I hustled hard because I had a vision for where I wanted my business to go and what I needed to make in income to be able to continue with the set-up I had at that time.  In my mind there were no other options...

Fast forward 10 years, 2 kids later.  And here I am at a point in my life where I want to be able to to continue to stay home. Be a mom.  Be available for their needs and activities.  But all 3 will be in school so I need to kick it into gear to be able to justify staying home. I need to hustle.  So what am I doing? I am making it work.  I am sharing my story. I am empowering women. I am getting up early, staying up late. I am working between doctor's appointments, kids playdates, pool swim lessons, gymnastics practices, while my husband is working, while my friends are out socializing, while other women are watching their favorite nightly TV shows...I AM WORKING.  Because I have a vision.  A why.  A "need for this to work." And you know what? It is.  Because I have no other option but for it to work.  And in my experience I've learned THAT IS ALL IT REALLY IS.

A MINDSET.  A mindset that failure is not an option.

So you hustle. You sacrifice. And you work even when you don't see the fruits of your labor...yet.  Because you know it is coming. And it WILL work.  So don't feel like you have to settle. You don't have options.  Because you DO.  YOU start now.  You pursue your passion---you work really hard at it for a long time---and IT WILL HAPPEN if your mindset is that of 'I CAN. I WILL. I'M UNSTOPPABLE.

So it's 12:20 am on a Saturday night...what are you doing??
I'm working. Hustling.  Because I BELIEVE so much in what I'm doing and where I'm headed.  There is no other optionn.

No Fear.

I have looked back over the past few years and finally feel like I'm in a place of complete peace.

I feel like I have done a lot of searching in the wrong places for fulfillment. For my purpose. For my platform. My job.

I KNEW my purpose involved people.
I KNEW it involved fitness in some respect.
I KNEW it would include my writing.
And I KNEW it would be about something bigger than me.

BUT I knew it would include being a wife and mommy first.  And that was the piece I couldn't quite figure out and incorporate.

I tried working in a gym, which I loved, and helping people 1--1. Coaching group classes.  Helping people achieve big goals....BUT it was pulling me away from my family and their needs.

So I had to quit.

I tried opening my own fitness studio, which I loved, and had always dreamed of. But God called me away from that.  We were supposed to adopt a baby with special needs all the way across the world, instead.

So I closed the doors.

I tried to make a run for CrossFit Regionals as an athlete and mom. And wife. Proving there are no excuses if you want to pursue your dreams.  That you just have to make sacrifices and train hard. And I loved it. Made great friends got in GREAT shape.  But my family suffered. I was always tired. Pushing through another hour of workouts. It just wasn't/isn't my time. Yet.

So I semi-retired.

I quit training and coaching altogether because I just couldn't find a perfect match for it all. I sort of gave up on it all and sought to try to find fulfillment in just being home and focused 100% on my husband and kids.  Which I loved. But desperately missed my work.

So I prayed. Fasted. And shut myself off from all people and social media for a LONG time.

And when I reopened my world to social media and the options of fitness again, I came across opening an online fitness studio.
I had my reservations about how this would all work. I had my fears about it taking me away from my family again. About failing my duties of a wife and mom.  I wanted this to be what I was supposed to do. Because all my selfish attempts before had failed.  I was approaching this direction with a whole new mindset. One of humility. Faith. And openness to whatever God had planned for me.

I no longer had FEAR.

I prayed about it and asked God to reveal to me what my plan of action should be with this opportunity to coach people in fitness from home.  About still being able to be a wife and mom and get my kids to therapies and appointments...BUT still be able to coach and train the people I love. And use my gifts to change lives.  Like I knew I was supposed too...just not sure how up to this point. Because every way before had failed.

And after all of this time, I chose to make the leap. Praying that if this wasn't supposed to be the direction I go with my dreams and my business, then God would close the doors quietly and I could move on.  And I had this overwhelming peace about it all.

And here I am...9 months in...still at complete peace.  YET completely overwhelmed because of the perfect plan God had set for me.  I still get to do what I love. Work with people. Inspire them. Encourage them. Interact with them. Extend grace. And share my passion for fitness...YET STILL BE HOME...with my kids and husband.  I can work when I want. Where I want. How I want.

AND I have NO FEAR.  When I speak to people I know what I'm saying is completely true. Completely effective.  And completely what I'm supposed to be doing.  I can approach people in full confidence knowing what I am sharing with them is going to change their life. It will work. It will only help them.  It isn't a fad. It isn't a pill. Or a patch.  It has no negative side effects.  And if they aren't ready to join me. Or are currently trying another way. I'm good with that. Because I have full confidence in God's plan for me and this business. I have full confidence in what I'm doing.  And if they are supposed to join me as client. Or join our team as a coach. It will happen when it is supposed too. 

And that what I'm doing is all about 4 simple truths. 

• Exercise.

• Nutrition.
• Accountability.
• Possibility.

And I praise God everyday for this perfect opportunity. For the blessings He has given me through relationships, friendships, financial freedoms, paying off debts, being at home with my family, the full support of my husband, new mercies each day, a vision and a dream for whats ahead. And lots of HOPE for those I have the opportunity to impact over the years with this business.

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