My dear Kindred Spirit,
Who decided, when it comes to the world of work and business, that we should all be cardboard cutouts of each other? That “professionalism” implies a serious demeanor, and a nose-to-the-grindstone attitude?
I don’t know who made up these rules, but they benefit the patriarchy. And they do not benefit you.
One of the best ways to stand out in business is to be fully yourself, and to design your business life in a way that serves your quirks and preferences. This is also the best way to create a business that is sustainable over time.
Hate early mornings? Start your day at 10, 11 or noon.
Feel camera shy? Don’t agree to a marketing campaign that requires daily monologues on video.
Detest email? Communicate with clients over Voxer or Telegram.
Take a moment now to think about the people you like doing business with. Who do you enjoy buying from? What’s unique about them?
I left Ithaca, NY last June, but so far I’ve managed to schedule my haircuts with the same stylist I’ve had for years in Jacksonville, NY. Is that convenient? No!
It isn’t easy, and she isn’t cheap. But she’s funny, a great listener, and she owns her own shop, so it’s typically just the two of us in there which means we can really talk. We talk about our lives, our businesses, our dreams. Of course, she also does a great job with my weird hair (a combo of straight/wavy/curly), but her technical skills are not what have kept me loyal to her all these years. It’s the relationship we’ve developed, and the fact that I feel like I really know her. I’m clearly not the only one who feels that way; she’s booked up weeks in advance.
How can you infuse more of yourself into your business? How can you create it in a way that works for you in whatever season of life you are in?
When my kids were younger, and we were homeschooling, I made sure to have a minimum of 30 minute breaks between client sessions. As a carefree empty nester, that’s no longer so important.
My life looks totally different now so, of course, my business has changed, too. Now I’m semi-nomadic, and the most important thing to me is stable internet. I recently had a day where I coached from rest stops along the interstate as I drove from Albany to Ithaca. Some might call that unprofessional. Don’t you need consistency? A fancy office? A website?
I have none of those. And I like it this way.
You might be surprised to hear that many clients come to me because I don’t have a website, and I don’t use social media for my marketing. They want to know how to do that, too. In a world where there are a ton of money coaches, and plenty of business coaches, these things make me stand out.
So how about you? Does your business reflect the real you? Does it work for your current needs?
People who stand out, and are a joy to work with, make more money. (And, btw, it’s easier to be a joy to work with if you’re happy, and it’s hard to be happy if you’re working in a way that doesn’t suit you.)
Need help with this? You know where to find me.
with love,
Laura
P.S. Want to meet some cool people who are doing business in their own way? Here are two possibilities:
1. Join me and a lovely group of solopreneurs in my weekly Content Writers’ Creation Circle on Thursday mornings from 11am-12:45am Eastern. We have 13 circles remaining, and if you sign up between now and March 31st, the cost is $199. That means two circles are free! Hit reply with questions or to sign up.
2. Mark your calendar for the next HSP friendly Networking without Schmooze with Laura and Suze event on April 23rd at 4pm Eastern. You can sign up to get the Zoom link and reminders here. It’s free, inspiring, and a lot of fun.