What Does it Really Take to Have a Successful Business?

"What does it really take to have a successful business?" I've thought about this question so many times and my answer sometimes shifts, based upon where I am on my own journey. However, after nine years in business, I've discovered several factors that remain the same.nnYOU Are Your Business nn"Who are you?" sang Roger Daltrey of the rock band, "The Who."nnI was speaking with a new member of my Phenomenal Women Coaching Circle the other day and I asked her why she applied to my group, over all the other options available to her. "Beth, you do know that YOU are your business, right? You bring your full self to everything you do. You are authentic, you are YOU. I want to model that energy for my own business. I want to be more of who I REALLY am and bring that authentic expression into my business."nnWhat she said lingered. I am not perfect. I get overwhelmed, drop the ball, and forget to do things just like everyone else. Not every client is a good fit and many people have no interest in or understanding about what I do. What a revelation. I don't have to be perfect - just myself!nnYOUR CLIENTS Are Your BusinessnnIn essence, the first step to a successful business is being your authentic self. This means loving and appreciating who you are and what you do. The second step is recognizing that being true to your soul attracts IDEAL clients. Your clients and customers are the center, the very core of your business. Your business is not your products, your services or your equipment. Your business is your clients and customers.nnAre you in touch with your clients in a systematized way? Do you let them know what you are up to? Do you regularly survey them on what they want from you? Another Phenomenal Women Coaching Circle member recommended this book (which inspired this article), The Referral of a Lifetime by Tim Templeton. It is a powerful story about attracting and retaining ideal clients without being salesy or pushy. If you follow the simple system laid out in the book, you will not only attract more clients, but very likely, fall more in love with the magnificence of YOU. I would also add that this book is a great reminder for putting your clients and customers first - especially if you've been in a business a long time.nnFind Your Voice and Express Your Truth = "The Original Professional"nnIf you've been following me for a while, you've probably noticed that lately I've been coming out with more and more of my spiritual discoveries and spiritual tools. Tomorrow, I'm offering another free channeling call because the last call was an off-the-charts hit. I'm listening to you -and what you are telling me you want more of. And here's the interesting thing - what you are telling me is essentially this, "Beth, the more you are fully you, sharing your detailed, inner experience, the more of it I want!" That is the paradox. In being vulnerable and daring, I'm actually giving you, my client, permission to do the same.nnIn leading the way, my courage gives others permission to shine. These leaders, in turn, empower other leaders by speaking their truth.nnIf you find yourself asking yourself, "What is MY message?," I will tell you what I've learned from reading thousands of hands - your message is what you hold most dear. Your message is what you do naturally and effortlessly throughout the day. Are you fanatical about fitness? There's a message. In love with ancient religions and rituals?nnAnother message. Secretly channeling divine guidance and Source Energy like me? I bet there's a message in there somewhere.nnIn a nutshell: BE passionately yourself, passionately connect with your customers and clients and passionately speak YOUR truth (about EVERYTHING - your rates, your services, your love for your clients and your love for what you do - no apologies, no excuses!!!). You will be amazed at the results. nnBonus Tip: STOP apologizing. No more prefacing things with, "Well, I only had a few minutes to put this together," or "Gee, I don't think this is very good, but here goes..." Stop, Stop, Stop! First of all, no one cares about your whiney excuses. Second of all, you diminish your power and cause the listener to diminish your message since you've effectively said, "Don't bother listening to me. I don't take myself seriously, so why should you?" Got it! Good.nnIf you're going to make a new year's resolution, how about this one? "From this day forward, I speak my truth, my point of view, my message without reservation, without apology. I am a voice of love, power and truth. I am voice of reason, accountability and empowerment. My laser-sharp words wake people up and make them listen harder. As I take a stand for me, I embolden others to take a stand for themselves!" And then pause. Listen for your soul singing low and sweet with happiness to the sound of you coming home to yourself.nnThe Hand Analyst's Palm Pilot Push Up for the week:nnWho are YOU - Really? What are the "goods" of your business? The essence of you that sets you apart from all the others? If you could tell your clients and customers what you really think - the things you think when you're alone at night sorting out your life and the mysteries of the day - what would you share to empower, inspire and embolden them? You know things in way only you can know them. Did you know that? "Go tell it on the mountain." That's the image: See yourself on the top of Mt. Everest, calling out your message to the world. It's time. It's always time to speak the truth. The world chokes on the weeds of untruth and comes alive with vibrant foliage when your magical words ring out.