Rebuilding my biz more than once

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“I have zero clients.” 

I’ve heard these words from so many clients wanting to build their business. It’s usually accompanied by a heavy look of shame. 

Sometimes it’s followed by an emphasized, “Zero PAYING clients,” because they might be trading services, but they still feel shame because they’re not being paid. 

I get it. I’ve been there. And when I was there, I felt so embarrassed about it that I didn’t want to admit the state of affairs to anyone. 

This happened years ago after I started building some steady clients but then... I had a baby. 

The doors to my business closed. 

At the time, I was an overwhelmed new mom surviving on very little sleep. I had zero clients and a business that was costing us money, so paying for childcare without any clients felt dicey. 

I didn’t know how I was going to start over again with a baby in the mix. 

But then, I made one small change that made a big difference. 

It all came about when I was practicing my coaching tools on myself. I casually thought, “Huh, pretty nice that I always have a coach around!” And then it dawned on me, “And pretty nice that I always have a client.” 

It clicked. The story I had been telling of zero clients, a new baby, blah, blah, blah… made growing my business feel like climbing Everest. It made it feel like work -- like a JOB -- and something I had to overcome. 

When I started thinking that I always had a client, it felt easier to think of having more clients. It was a mindset and energy shift. I even started to pay myself too. I knew that I always had a paying client. I felt empowered, and my business started to thrive. 

I want you to thrive too. 

If you’re telling a story that makes you feel shame, embarrassment, disappointment, or doubt about growing your business -- STOP! 

Shaming yourself for how much money your business is or isn’t making or how many clients do or don’t have will more likely hurt your business than help it. 

We instinctively want to protect ourselves from shame, so if we’re constantly shaming ourselves then we’re less likely to take risks, be seen, make an ask, or do other actions we might be inspired to do to grow our business. 

Once I started saying that I had clients, I felt better about getting childcare, sending out proposals, and getting more clients. I went through Master Coach Training, my business was thriving again, and then… I had my second baby. 

The business doors closed again.  

But this time I NEVER said that I had zero clients -- never. Reopening didn’t feel like a big hurdle. I didn’t know if I was going to grow the business in the same way, but I didn’t doubt that I would get more clients. 

That may not seem like a big deal, but it is. 

What you say about yourself and your business is a reflection of your mindset and beliefs, which influence your energy, what you do, and what you attract.  

As for me, around the same time that I started to feel ready to taper off maternity leave and take on more clients, I also started to get inquiries about my return. 

I took action too, but the action was fueled by confidence, ease, and excitement. There was no hiding, shaming, embarrassment, or doubt. I felt like I was thriving and excited for more -- even before I got my second paying client.

Don’t overlook what you’re believing, saying, and feeling about our business on a day-to-day basis.

Shifting mindset and energy may be the very thing that leads to the growth you’re wanting. 

I’d love to help you with this too. Right now, for a limited time, I’m offering 60-minute Discovery Coaching Sessions. During this time we’ll identify what thought patterns are getting in the way of your business growth and help you develop a mindset for prosperity, expansion, and thriving in your industry.  

If you’re in, then let’s do this! Just click here and you’ll be taken to my calendar for scheduling. 

PS: Don't own a business but want to feel like you're thriving in your career? You're not left out of this party! I want YOU to thrive too! And thriving in your life and career is also about mindset and energy. Click here and sign up for the 60-min Discovery Coaching session.