How to Know What Your Customers Want by Doing Market Research Today we're talking all about how to know what your customers want. When it comes to determining what our customers really want, we have the temptation to return to our middle school days of fortune telling. Stay with me here. Do you remember the origami cootie catchers that told us where we would live and who we would marry? Did you ever pick the pedals off flowers, "He loves me, he loves me not, he loves me!" Raise your hand if you've ever asked a Magic 8-Ball a question. Y'all, we love to predict the future. We all want to know how things will turn out, and if we're honest, we'd all love to read our customer's minds. Related: Communicating Clearly with Your Customers Using Market Research to Determine What Our Customer Wants Wouldn't it be incredible to figure out exactly what our customers want? To determine exactly what they need? To know the words they use, so we can use those words and reach them directly? We can. We can know those things-what they think, how they feel, and what they need. We can learn all that and a whole lot more. And here's the good news: You don't need a Magic 8-Ball to tell you. How do you find out?  You just ask. The simplest things are the things that are most often overlooked. Instead of doing the most logical and effective thing, we tend to just guess what our customers want. We overlook asking them what they feel, want, need, think. We can demystify the whole thing by simply asking our customers directly. We're all great at asking questions, but many of us have just never thought to apply it to our business. There's a fancy term for asking your customers what they want: Market Research. Related: The Two Things You Need to Know About People Two Methods of Market Research There are two methods of research you can use to ask your customers what they want: quantitative research and qualitative research. Both methods are going to help you understand your market, learn, and grow. By asking your customers the right questions, you can gain a better understanding of their thoughts, feelings, and needs surrounding your product. A helpful hint to understand the difference between quantitative research and qualitative research is to remember the root of the word. Quantitative research is all about quantity. Qualitative research is all about quality. Understanding Quantitative Market Research In quantitative research, you ask questions that can be quantified and produce a metric for you to measure. You might do this through yes or no questions, multiple choice, ratings, or another method. Quantitative research is helpful in your business to not only understand your market, but to supplement your marketing, branding and promotions. Have you seen those commercials that say 9 out of 10 dentists recommend this toothpaste? They did a quantitative market research study to find that number. Understanding Qualitative Market Research Qualitative research can't be quantified. This type of research takes exponentially more time to sort through results, analyze and identify themes. But that doesn't mean you should avoid it! Qualitative research provides open-ended, non-leading questions that will allow your customers to provide answers in their own words. That's the reason it's so valuable! You really can understand your customer, their motivation, their mindset, and their language. Qualitative research can also be used in marketing in the form of marketing copy, testimonials, endorsements, and quotes. Lots of the words that we use in Business Boutique are things you've told us. We love to hear what sticks out to you so that we can improve, grow and get better. I love market research! It is such a simple and direct way to get feedback from your customers. Related: Ep 20: How to Create Engaging Content for Your Business In this episode I'll talk about: The different...

The Importance of Social Media Followers  I recently read that over 50 million businesses use Facebook Pages to connect with their customers.(1) 50 million?! These business are tapping into something powerful. They understand the value of connecting with their customers directly and using social media followers to build and expand their brand. In essence, they understand the importance of a building a tribe-a group of people who love you, are loyal to your brand, and who trust you. Your tribe is made up of the people who buy your product when you launch a pre-sale. They are the first people to mention your name (or better yet, give someone your business card) to refer your service. Your tribe is bought into your business because they're bought into you and what you stand for. One of the best ways to build a tribe is to provide a place for them to connect and engage with you and your brand. Social media provides you with the space to build a relationship with your customers, make a personal impact, and ultimately make money. This isn't strictly a numbers game. My friend Rachel Hollis once said, "5,000 dedicated social media followers are way better than having millions and millions." It doesn't matter how many social media followers you have-if they don't trust you, they aren't going to buy from you. Successful Brands Build Trust People buy from those they know, like and trust. So, it's pretty important to build trust with your tribe of social media followers. Related : How to Sell Without Feeling Slimy But how do we get people to trust our brand or business? One of my favorite examples of a brand that has built trust is our company, Ramsey Solutions. Dave Ramsey grew this business and brand over decades through personal connection. About six years ago, he realized he needed to start thinking about the future and the succession of his company. From the very beginning, it had been just him. But he realized that if he wanted to take it to the next level and scale beyond himself, he needed to make a few changes. He knew that the best brands build trust. And the best way to build trust is through people. Brands don't change people, people change people. He realized we needed more people who could take more messages into more markets. That's how the Ramsey Personalities were born! For more than 25 years, Dave Ramsey has been building trust with his tribe-one person at a time. The same can be true for you and me. If you want to make an impact, and if you want to make money, you need to build trust. Building a Social Media Following That Trusts You  I personally feel so connected to all of my social media followers. We may have never met, but I pride myself on the fact that I know you trust me. I have read so many comments on my social media posts and met so many people in grocery stores, airports, and book signings who say, "I feel like we're best friends." Y'all, that's important to me. I want you to feel like you know me. That you relate with me. That I get you. (Because I do!) Business Boutique has grown as I've expanded the number of people in our tribe who genuinely know, like and trust me. In this episode, I want to help you connect and engage with your social media followers in a way that builds trust. We're going to discuss: How to inspire people with your success and connect through your struggles. When to tell people what they need to hear, not what they want to hear. Why being consistent is one of the most crucial things you can do in your business. How to stop being a doormat and still be generous with what you have to offer. The ultimate way to lean into your gifts and be YOU! Building trust with your social media followers is no different than building trust with any other person in your life. That's why I'm going to give you five tips to help you build trust that will impact your social media followers and, ultimately,...

I heard a statistic recently that absolutely shocked me: seven out of every ten Americans say they don't like their jobs. Um, what? I don't know about you, but that number floored me. I mean, let's think about it. Seventy percent of us show up day in and day out-like for at least eight hours at a time-to a job that we don't even enjoy? That's a whole lot of unhappy people, working a whole lot of hours, doing something they hate. Ya'll, I don't get it. That makes no sense to me. None. But maybe you're in that place right now. Or maybe you're wanting to make some extra money. Or maybe you just need a creative outlet. Regardless of your motivation, I've got a great solution. Have you ever considered starting a side hustle? Related: 27 Ways to Make Extra Money from Home Is It Possible to Grow a Side Hustle If I Work a Full-Time Job? What you probably don't realize is that what you know today as Business Boutique actually started as a side hustle-while I was working a full-time job! Let's just say, necessity is truly the mother of invention. When I was first pursing my passion as a coach, in order to get my coaching credential, I had to fulfill a certain number of hours, well, coaching. I wasn't a Ramsey Personality yet. In fact, I was only speaking on a part-time basis for our company. So I thought, why not start a little business on the side coaching others? That way, I could earn my business coach certification and earn some extra income. A win-win, right? Fast forward a few years and that side business has now evolved into Business Boutique. So no matter your schedule, obligations, and commitments, it's possible to start a side hustle and also work full-time. And with enough passion and determination, I know you can do it too. Related: How to Take Your Side Hustle Full Time How Do I Start a Side Hustle When I'm Already So Busy With My Full-time Job? I'm going to be completely honest. Working two jobs at the same time is not easy. You will be doing a lot of juggling. But side businesses are a great way to help you reach your goals. And finding work you're passionate about-work that is fulfilling and challenging and exhilarating-is worth every sacrifice along the way. Work can be fun, y'all! You can do something you love and get paid for it! Don't forget that. In this episode, we'll talk about: How to define the objectives of your side hustle The importance of setting goals Creative ways to find time When to ask for help Why to celebrate milestones When to turn a side hustle into a full-time gig Related: How to Have More Time My Guest This Week Is Jake Vehyl! My guest this week is Jake Vehyl, founder of Nashville-based cookie company Jake's Bakes! Five years ago, Jake had a full-time job-and a big dream of starting his own business. But like many of you, he didn't know how to do it or have a lot of money to sink into a new venture. That's when Jake made a very smart decision: to start small. Instead of going into crazy debt purchasing expensive commercial grade baking equipment, he found a restaurant to lease space from during off hours. That decision not only saved a ton of cash, but it allowed Jake to work his day job and then head to the restaurant afterwards to bake until midnight. Yes, the hours were insanely long-and his social life definitely took a backseat-but Jake is the first to tell you that all of that hard work paid off. In less than two years, Jake's Bakes expanded from a delivery-only business to their first retail storefront. And you won't believe how this story ends! Even Jake didn't see this coming. In this episode, Jake and I will talk about: How to figure out what kind of side hustle to start What to do when faced with initial obstacles How to manage inevitable risks Why a "perfect" plan does not exist How to know when to quit your full-time job Related: Ep. 44 How to Know If Your Business Idea Will Work  Success...

Over the past three years, one of my most favorite things has been meeting women at Business Boutique events all across the country who are there for one reason: Their husbands bought them a ticket. Y'all, let's take a second. How amazing is that? This crazy, wonderful, exhilarating journey of chasing their dream started because someone-an incredibly supportive husband, in this case-believed in them. That right there is a dream in and of itself. And believe me, I know. I have one of those rock star husbands too. Is Your Husband on Board With Your Business? My husband is my confidant, my teammate, my number one fan-but even he can get overwhelmed by yet another one of my big ideas. Any dreamers out there? Y'all know exactly what I'm talking about. But you know what I've discovered? Usually when that happens, it's because I simply didn't give him enough information or enough time to process it all. Or, let's be honest, maybe in my excitement, I jumped all the way from A to Z and just plain scared him! The good news is it's possible to get even the most hesitant husband interested and on board with your business. (Really!) The best place to start? Take a look at the way you talk to him about your business. What Is the Best Way to Talk to My Husband About My Business? Here's the deal: A big dream calls for one heck of a powerful communication strategy, whether you're talking to your customers or your very own spouse. If you want to get your husband on board with your business, you have to first help him understand the meaning behind your work. And I've got three tips to help you do just that. In this episode, I'll talk about the importance of: Explaining your why Asking your husband what he needs Showing him the ways your business brings you joy Related: Ep. 7-How to Build Your Business and Still Have a Life at the Same Time My Guest This Week Is My Husband, Matt Wright! My guest this week is my very own husband, Matt Wright-also known as my biggest cheerleader. There's nothing I can't accomplish with that man by my side. I'm so proud of him, and I'm so proud he's mine. I am so excited for you all to get to know him a little better-and I'm excited for Matt to tell you what it's like being married to a woman who is chasing a big business dream. So, Matt and I have been married for six years now, and in all that time, he's never left me speechless-until a few weeks ago. Now, anyone who knows me or has ever listened to this podcast knows that I'm a talker. I am not what you'd call quiet. Or shy-at all. One could say that I have a lot to say, a lot of the time. Shocking, I know! I recently asked Matt what he thinks is the best way for a woman to get her husband on board with her business. Y'all, his answer blew me away. Without hesitation, he explained, "I think husbands should support our wives because that's our responsibility. If you're married, it's your responsibility to support one another." What?! He totally called out men to do the right thing. And I love him for it. I also love that he offered a completely different perspective that had never occurred to me. That's invaluable. But let's be honest: Actions speak louder than words. And sometimes competing responsibilities, other commitments, kids, and everyday life just get in the way. That's why I wanted Matt to share his thoughts on specific ways for your spouse to become more interested-more personally invested-in your business. In this podcast, Matt and I will talk about: Looking for common threads in both your businesses so you can help one another Respecting your husband's feelings as they relate to your business The best ways to manage expectations and become a true team How to make your husband still feel like a priority in your life Thinking about your business from your husband's perspective What Do I Do If My Husband Doesn't Support My Dream? In a perfect world, every...

I've been coaching business leaders for about a decade now, and over the years I've noticed an unfortunate theme pop up again and again. It's something that holds people back in both business and in life: People want something to change, but they don't want to make a change. You know what I'm talking about! You've probably been there yourself. Maybe you've wanted to lose weight, get out of debt, or make new friends, but you don't want to eat healthier, spend less money, or leave your house! You want to see different results without actually doing anything differently. Maybe this applies to your business right now. Maybe your sales have been stalled or your profits have plummeted, and you just feel stuck. Friend, this episode is for you-because I'm going to give you five ways to grow your business. Related: Assume You Can But-spoiler alert!-it's going to take trying some new things. Because if you keep doing what you've been doing, you'll keep getting what you've been getting. But not this summer. This is going to be the summer you tried something different to get different results! Everything you want is on the other side of your comfort zone. So if you want to grow your business, it might mean being uncomfortable and doing things that scare you. But that's okay, because if you know that going in, you can do it anyway. Overcoming the Lies That Hold You and Your Business Back With Rachel Hollis Rachel Hollis is an author, speaker, and the founder and CEO of Chic Media. She and I are kindred spirits because we are both absolutely on fire for women who want to grow their businesses. Her new book, Girl, Wash Your Face, addresses the lies Rachel found herself believing throughout her life. You've probably heard some of them playing on a loop in your head, too: "I'm not enough." "I'm defined by my weight." "I'm not a good mom." Wherever these lies stem from-whether it's society, your mother-in-law, or the devil himself-Rachel realized they define so much about how we live our lives, and she's made it her goal to confront them head on. In this episode, Rachel Hollis and I talk about: Why women sometimes make ourselves seem small to make others feel more comfortable-and how we're hurting our potential in the process How she gained traction with a blog and grew that into a content and marketing business Making your followers, fans and customers feel known, seen and loved Getting the nerve to raise your rates and charge at the high end of whatever industry you're in Dealing with mom guilt and the very real insecurities we feel as working moms Rachel Cruze on Growing Your Business Dream This is the episode with my favorite Rachels! Rachel Cruze is a #1 New York Times best-selling author and host of The Rachel Cruze Show. She's also one of my best friends and I love watching her shine in her gifts-which, in her case, looks like helping women all over the country live their best life on a budget! Related: Ep. 3-How to Stop Feeling Guilty for Making Money In this episode, Rachel Cruze and I talk about: The secret to getting your spouse on board with your business and your budget How our upbringing shapes the way we view money and business The benefits of positive thinking and dreaming and how that can affect and grow your business Plus, I'll answer some of the questions you asked using our brand-new Business Boutique call-in line: 844.944.1074. 1:19 5 Ways to Grow Your Business This Summer 14:55 Interview with Rachel Hollis 39:40 #ASKCHRISTYWRIGHT 48:58 Interview with Rachel Cruze 65:24 Homework Get Christy's Goal Setting Tool by filling out the form here! To save $10 on any Business Boutique Nashville ticket, use the code BBWRIGHT. Sign up for the Business Idea Bootcamp at BusinessBoutique.com/Bootcamp. Use the code BOOTCAMP to receive the Business Boutique audiobook for free! If you have a success story you would like to share with...

Today we're celebrating mom entrepreneurs! Some call us mompreneurs, but basically, we're talking about moms who run their own businesses. What is a mom entrepreneur, or "mompreneur"? According to a quick Google search, a mompreneur is: "a woman who sets up and runs her own business in addition to caring for her young child or children." Well that's the basic, glossed-over version, isn't it? As moms, we're responsible for all kinds of things-all the time. There's grocery shopping, laundry, doctor's appointments, laundry, after school activities, laundry . . . it's a full-time job (and a half). And adding a business into the mix makes it feel like we're working several full-time jobs. As a business owner, you're the CEO-but you're also the bookkeeper, chief marketing officer, receptionist, saleswoman, creative director and the janitor. It's no wonder that being both a mom and an entrepreneur can feel a tad overwhelming at times. Being Successful in Both Business and Motherhood Back when I was a little girl with a front-row seat to watching my mom chasing her dream and running her business, they hadn't coined a trendy catchphrase for what she was doing. And what she was doing was hard. I remember arriving at the cake shop one dark morning at 3 a.m. to shattered glass everywhere. Mom's shop had been broken into, and we were standing there in fear, wondering if the person who did it was still inside. I remember getting stuck with Mom in the rain with a flat tire and getting locked out of the house without any money. All of this happened before the age of cell phones, by the way. And as a working mom myself, when I think back on all that, I don't know how Mom did it. She didn't have even half of the help that I have! She raised me and made a way for us-all while running a business. So whether you're a single mom like mine or just a tired mom, this episode is for you. Related: How to Deal With Mom Guilt Now, before you think I'm going to give you life hacks, methods, efficiencies, and ways to get more done, stop right there. That's not what this episode is about. There are just two things I want you to remember when it comes to your journey in business and in motherhood: You cannot do it all. You are enough. The women who do well in both business and in life know and practice these two things. In this episode, I'll give you very practical examples from my own life about how I live this day to day. I'll teach you how to master these mind-sets like a boss-a mom boss! After all, God gave you your family and your business-and He doesn't make mistakes. My Guest This Week Is My Mom: Entrepreneur Darlene Therber! You may already feel like you know my mom from all my stories about the bakery I was practically raised in, but today, it's time for you to hear from her directly! She's the woman I have watched persevere with an absurd level of persistence. I've watched her do the right thing, even when it cost her. I've seen her go above and beyond for her customers time and time again. I've watched how she always paused and talked to homeless people-even in the middle of the night when we were downtown unloading bags of powdered sugar and flour. In honor of Mother's Day weekend, it's my honor to have her as our podcast guest this week. In this episode, Mom and I talk about: How she came up with her business idea and actually made it happen Unique ways she set herself apart from the competition (before anyone was teaching this stuff!) How she convinced a candy store to give her the space in their front window to put her product on display Life-balance and how to integrate the different areas of your life in a way that works for your family Lessons she's learned from over 30 years in business as a female entrepreneur Entrepreneurs Need Self-Care, Too Like I said before, being both a mom and a business owner is hard work. And as a result, we...

Ronald Reagan once famously said, "There is no limit to the amount of good you can do if you don't care who gets the credit." I mean, have truer words ever been spoken? I don't think so. I love those words. I love the humility of them. I love the heart behind that sentiment. And I'd love to think that I live my life by those words every. single. day. But guess what? I don't. It's a real struggle for me. Words of affirmation are my love language. I'm just wired that way. It's hard for me to let go of my need for recognition-even a simple thank you-when I contribute to something. Related: Letting Go of Getting Credit Can I Still Make a Difference If I Don't Get Credit? Here's the thing: It's really not even about getting praise. When I don't get credit, I feel disappointed because I'm left wondering if I accomplished what I set out to do. Did I help anyone? Was I good enough? Did I make any sort of impact at all? Well, once I take a second to get over myself, I realize the answer to that question is a resounding yes! Do you know how I know that? It's because God calls each and every one of us to put others above ourselves. Period. And obsessing about being in the spotlight, getting a hundred "likes," or millions of followers on social media is the exact opposite of doing that. Y'all, each and every one of us is meant for more than that. We're bigger than that! In this episode, I'll talk about: The difference between taking credit and needing credit Taking control of your own happiness and keeping your expectations in check How seeking credit can actually get in the way of the impact you're trying to make Why a big platform doesn't guarantee a big impact My Guest This Week Is Shelley Giglio! My guest this week is Shelley Giglio, and she's making an impact in more ways than you can possibly imagine. Y'all, she is amazing. Shelley is the Chief Strategist, Director of Label Operations and Artist Management for sixsteprecords, cofounder of the Passion Movement, and leads The GROVE, a monthly gathering for thousands of women. If anyone can teach us how to make an impact, Shelley can. This woman can light up a room by just walking into it, and yet, she has made it her life's mission to elevate others above herself. Her mission is simple: to build a life that brings glory to God, because His glory is more important than her own fame. She'll help us care less about taking credit, and more about the difference we're making. I'm so lucky to call her my friend and I can't wait for you to get to know her better! In this podcast, Shelley and I will talk about: Why having to have the credit is ultimately meaningless Why the best leaders are also great followers Real, effective ways to make a real difference The secret to pushing past your fear Aligning your life with your gifts and goals Related: Ep. 40-Top Traits of Successful Women Success Story: Stacy MacDonald and made. Our incredible success story this week is Stacy MacDonald, owner of a jewelry line called made. She creates stunning earrings, necklaces, and bracelets using Quartz and Quartz Crystal that she-get this-hand mines (yes, she digs each one out of the earth!) from The Ouachita Mountains in her home state of Arkansas. Although she has always considered herself to be entrepreneurial, Stacy didn't set out to start a booming business. Instead, her jewelry line was born out of a desperate need for a creative outlet-she was hoping to remedy her nagging postpartum depression. It wasn't until she started successfully selling her jewelry at local craft shows and markets that she dared to start dreaming bigger. Today, even Stacy is still surprised by her own success. Not only has she crushed even her loftiest revenue goals, she is also considering growing her team! She credits her business for something much bigger than entrepreneurial success: her business delivered her from years of...

Dressing For Success I'm so excited about today's episode because, y'all, we are talking about clothes! Okay, I'm not a fashion expert and I'm certainly not a stylist. But I will tell you, I've never met a pair of pumps I didn't like-and I know that the right outfit can instantly change the way I carry myself, how confident I feel, and my overall mood. It's simple, really: I feel my best when I look my best. And I think you will, too. Now I'm the first to admit: I've made my share of fashion mistakes. A few years ago, I was at Caesar's Palace in Las Vegas speaking at a huge conference wearing my most favorite black waxed jeans and a teal blouse. I was in one of my-shall we say-"fluffier" stages. And I may or may not have had to squeeze into those jeans, but I did happen to think I looked pretty cute. But then the photographs from my client came in. One look and all I could see were jeans that were creasing and pulling-in all the wrong places, I might add. Throw in the reflection of the bright stage lights, and it was glaringly obvious that my jeans were entirely too tight. I told my leader right then and there, "I can do better. I will do better." And I haven't stepped foot on a stage since without first asking myself one question: "Am I dressed for success today?" Can the Way I Dress Affect My Business? You may be wondering what any of this has to do with your business. In a word? Everything. The way you present yourself (and what you wear is a big part of that) affects your customers' opinion of you. That opinion and first impression then influences whether they do business with you, which positively or negatively impacts your bottom line. And your bottom line, of course, determines the ultimate success or failure of your business. So dressing for success is about so much more than just clothes! How Can I Dress for Success? In this episode, I'll talk about the three most common mistakes women make when it comes to clothes-and believe me, I've been there too. Yep, I've made every single one of them. But the good news is these mistakes have easy solutions. I'll share those with you as well! By the way, I also have a little formula I follow when it comes to putting together a super cute outfit. And don't worry. It doesn't require a closet full of clothes and accessories or a wardrobe loaded with the latest trends. And you definitely don't need to spend a lot of money to pull it off. Even better? It works every time! It's almost as good as having a personal stylist. I can't wait to tell you all about it! I know that, just like me, you'll feel the best when you look your best. And when you're at your best, I know one thing for sure: There's no stopping you. My Guest This Week Is Toi Sweeney! Toi is an award-winning stylist, brand image specialist, and successful entrepreneur who is passionate about helping women-everyone from influencers to CEOs-present themselves favorably in business. And the stakes are pretty high. "You are a brand. Your clothing is your packaging," says Toi. "That packaging is one of the most visible ways to stand out from the rest." After 20 years in the fashion industry, Toi has styled her share of personalities and has made it her mission to do so as authentically and uniquely as possible. After all, she believes what we wear on the outside should be a reflection of who we are on the inside. But there is a right and a wrong way to achieve that. Did you know that, on average, you have less than nine seconds to convince your customers that you are smart and kind and worthy of their business? And did you know that the color you wear impacts someone else's perception of you? Or that the wrong personal image could lead to lost opportunities? That means every single style choice, from the color of our earrings to the height of the heels of our shoes, is an opportunity to cultivate trust. That may seem like a lot of...

In Episode 12: How to Find Your Business Idea, we talked about taking a look at what you already have to come up with some business ideas. In that episode, I mentioned three things to look at specifically. Three ways to come up with business ideas: Your skills Your stuff Your strengths When you look for business ideas in those three areas, you're making it so much easier on yourself to win! For example, my first business idea came from my stuff. There was an 11-stall barn already on the property I was renting, so I used that to start a horse-boarding business. Now, my second business came out of my strengths and skills. That was a side business doing life coaching, and it was long before I ever became a speaker for Dave Ramsey. But now we're going to take this a step further. If you want to start a business of any kind and you want it to work, your idea needs to be based on two things: It needs to solve a problem. It needs to serve a target market. In this episode, I'll walk you through examples of how to determine which of your business ideas meet this criteria. Related: The One Thing All Businesses Must Have My Guest This Week Is Ken Coleman! My good friend Ken is an author, a speaker, and the host of The Ken Coleman Show on Sirius XM and the EntreLeadership Podcast. His passion is helping other people find their passion. To do that, Ken helps people who feel stuck or confused in their careers by shining a light on their core qualities as a person. From there he brings clarity by weighing their passion against their talents to help them discover what they should be doing with their lives. But Ken didn't start out as a successful speaker and Ramsey personality. Ken says, "I left a corporate VP job at age 31 to chase a broadcasting dream that started with two listeners. One was my wife." Before getting his own show, he spent years working behind the scenes at Ramsey Solutions and eventually on the stage hosting Dave Ramsey's live events. Ken has interviewed hundreds of top business leaders all over the country and helps thousands of people every week with their career and business ideas. In this episode, Ken and I talk about: How to narrow down your top talents-those things you do better than anything else The euphoria that happens on a scientific, physiological level when you're working in your sweet spot Creating a "purpose sentence" for yourself and your business How to change an entire conversation and shift the room by asking the right questions Why chasing significance will bring more success than chasing wealth or status Choosing a Winning Business Idea With Madison Dennis! Our success story this week comes from Madison Hardy Dennis. Madison's business idea checks all three of our boxes: MHD Beauty is based on her skills, her strengths, and her stuff! When she started thinking about leaving her full-time administrative position in 2014, she took stock of all the things in her life she was really good at. She discussed the list with her husband, and they thought about which skills and strengths would lend themselves to a freelance business. She kept coming back to makeup. That first year Madison started her freelance beauty business, she was hired to do makeup for two weddings. But her business has absolutely exploded since then. Last year, her company did makeup for 133 weddings. And y'all, this is just one facet of her business! She'll also tell us everything she took into consideration before hiring team members and what gave her the idea to start her own cosmetics line. Related: Want a Business Like Mine? MHD Beauty Plus, I'll answer your business questions! 1:17 How to Come Up with Your Business Idea 9:31 Interview with Ken Coleman 40:28 BB Success Story with Madison Dennis 56:37 #ASKCHRISTYWRIGHT 65:25 Homework Sign up for the Business Idea Bootcamp at BusinessBoutique.com/Bootcamp. Use the code BOOTCAMP to...

Did you know that the beginning stages of Paul the Apostle's ministry were greatly affected by a woman? And not just any woman: Lydia, a successful businesswoman, who many scholars believe to be his first known convert. Specifically, she sold purple cloth-which, back then, was valuable and expensive. It was a sign of wealth, nobility and royalty. Purple cloth was purchased and worn by members of the royal family and Roman senators. So Lydia's customers-her demographic and target market, in fact-were upper-class people. And we can assume that Lydia was successful and prosperous because she owned a home with enough rooms to host Paul and three of his friends overnight at the same time! What I love about Lydia's story is that it's a biblical example of how God cares about our life as a whole, not just our spiritual life. The biblical account of her life doesn't shy away from the fact that she was a successful businesswoman. And why would it? God cares about our business pursuits! He is the One who gave us those gifts to be used in the first place. If it weren't for Lydia's business, would she have had the means and the space to house Paul and his companions overnight? Maybe not. Later in her story, she once again offers up her home as a place for the early church to meet. Lydia didn't operate what we would call a "Christian" or faith-based business, but her business and her lifestyle of faith was certainly helping Christians. Related: What Happens When You Use Your Gifts One of my favorite Bible passages speaks to not only using your gifts, but also using them as a light for others: "You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven." Matthew 5:14-16 (NIV) How Can Faith Affect Your Business? As a Christian, when you live a life of faith, you are being true to yourself. But you may have wondered how prominent your faith should be in your business. There are two ways to approach faith in business: Your business is identified as being in the Christian sector. Your business is in the general marketplace but is owned by someone of faith. Choosing which approach to take in your business is an important decision, because it will affect your: Marketing Unique position Labeling Access to other markets In this episode, I'll explain the real differences here and give lots of examples. I want you to decide which path makes the most sense for you. That way, you can reach the most people! My First Guest This Week Is Alli Worthington! Alli is an author, speaker, mom of five boys (send prayers), and the executive director of Propel Women. She's an amazing entrepreneurial coach, helping everyone from small-business owners all the way up to fortune 500 companies! But being a successful businesswoman wasn't always part of Alli's story. She shares her journey of dealing with an unsettling force that so many of us deal with: anxiety. Alli remembers one day in a Target parking lot when she broke down in tears. She called a friend for help, and her friend told her, "You're so held down by the weight of fear and worry-and you're trying to make safety your god." But Alli thought that was normal. She thought anxiety was just part of modern life. It wasn't until the release of her first book-while simultaneously walking with her husband through a serious illness-that she was able to confront her fears head on and break free from anxiety. Alli's story is a very real example of how tough, terrifying and downright unpleasant it can be to put one foot in front of the other, trusting God and pursuing what you love in the face of fear. In this podcast, Alli and I talk about: How men and...

There's this idea out there that building relationships is just easy for some people. And sure, if you have a social personality and are naturally an extrovert, or if you love to talk and connect with people, then yes, maybe building relationships is easier for you. But your personality style doesn't have to dictate your ability to build relationships! After all, everyone has a little bit of insecurity in them. As you can probably guess, I'm a huge extrovert. But I still get a little nervous walking into a party or situation where I don't know anyone. We all know what it's like to feel like the new kid at school. So for those of us who have a super extroverted personality style, it doesn't mean that we won't ever struggle with building relationships. And building relationships isn't only vital in your life, but it's also vital to your business. Everything you will ever achieve in your life will come through people-so becoming good at building relationships is one of the most important skills you can develop. In fact, if you don't have key relationships, you won't get anywhere. Related: 4 Friends You Need in Business Why Are Business Relationships so Important? Even if the only person that works in your business is you, you still don't have to go it alone. Building strong business relationships will set you up for success in these areas: Getting your products into stores Collaborating with bloggers and influencers Gaining referrals for new customers Connecting your clients with supplemental vendors Overcoming challenges when you get stuck And who doesn't need help with at least one of those things? So, in this episode, I'll give you the five steps to making strong business connections. My Guest This Week Is Emily Richett! Emily is a publicist, consultant, and the founder of Richett Media. She is a former TV news reporter. While in that role, she covered over 6,000 inspiring stories about entrepreneurs, businesses and nonprofit organizations. So, she's basically an expert on how to share the story of your business and get exposure. Sharing your story is one of the strongest ways you can build business relationships and get PR, and we're going to learn so much from her! In this podcast, Emily and I talk about: Why it's easier than you think to get media coverage, especially as a small-business owner How to think like a reporter and pitch your story as valuable to them, so that they actually want to help you get exposure and access to their audience The best times of year to seek out local media coverage based on your type of business Overcoming Imposter Syndrome when you're competing with owners of bigger businesses How to build amazing relationships with reporters and influencers so they have you back for repeat collaborations Creative, outside-the-box ways to promote your business From Building Relationships to Busting Business Loan Myths I was reading a Forbes article the other day called "Best Small-Business Loans For Women in 2018," and I was encouraged to see the latest stats on female-owned businesses. Basically, y'all are killing it. But the article goes on to talk about all the different ways you can get small-business financing. Now, you know I'm all about y'all growing your businesses. What I don't want you to do is believe that taking out loans is the only way to do that. In fact, taking out a loan isn't an indicator of success or growth-it's a risk and a loss of power. But I am here to tell you that you can chase your dream and achieve success-and do it all debt-free! In fact, I know and have personally seen countless women who've done just that. Just listen to my podcast interview with Melissa Hinnant, founder of Grace & Lace, who did $800,000 in sales her first year in business without borrowing a penny. In this episode, I'm going on a bit of Christy-rant to address this issue head-on! Plus, I'll answer a question...

Digital Marketing Strategies That Work "People will take away one thing, and that's if you make your point really clear." Looking back on my earliest speaking events as part of Dave Ramsey's speaking group, it makes me cringe to think about how I made one of the most common mistakes that all new speakers make. I tried to say everything. I would get onstage for a speaking event, thinking, Well, I've just got to tell them all the things. I need to talk about life balance, living from your values, making time for yourself, how to manage your money and get out of debt, and also how to be a good parent and achieve all your life goals and grow your business . . . How effective do you think that strategy was? Not very, because I was trying to say five million different things! And people can't process-let alone remember-five million things at once. People will take away one, maybe two things, if you make your point(s) really clear. But it took me several speaking engagements of not connecting with audiences to realize I needed to choose just one main thing I wanted to say. And the same is true for your digital marketing. Just like we talked about in episode 31 with Donald Miller, we need to be crystal clear with our audience so they know exactly what our brand is about. We need to let them know the one problem we'll solve for them-one, not ten. (Or, like in my early stage presentations, not five million.) This same strategy applies to digital marketing-just as it does to any other kind of marketing. "Okay, hold up!" (You might say.) You might be thinking that digital marketing sounds intimidating and complicated. You might be daunted by the term "digital marketing" if you don't actually know what it is. So What Is Digital Marketing? It's easier than you think! Digital marketing is simply marketing on a digital platform. Digital marketing includes: Social Media Blogs and articles Email Webinars Okay, so now that you know what digital marketing is, let's work on your digital marketing strategy. In this episode, I'll give you the four things you need to know in order to build a digital marketing strategy that works. Plus, I'll break down other digital marketing concepts and make them easy to understand, including campaigns, funnels, lead magnets and building email lists. My Guest This Week Is Molly Pittman! Molly is a digital marketing expert and educator, and she has an amazing story about building an incredible career specifically in digital marketing. As we dive deeper into this topic of digital marketing strategies, there's no one better to have in on the conversation than Molly! Early in her career, her job as an intern at DigitalMarketer was to create organic social media posts. As marketing and technology advanced so did her skillset, and she learned all about paid ads on Facebook and paid search on Google. She rose up through the ranks at DigitalMarketer to eventually become a VP, and recently branched out to start her own consulting agency. In this podcast episode, Molly and I talk about: The mistakes she sees business owners make when it comes to digital marketing and how to avoid them How to get new customers into your marketing funnel using lead magnets The attributes your lead magnet should have to be seen as highly valuable and get lots of people to sign up Ways to keep your audience and email list engaged without overwhelming them Plus, I'll give you a pep talk on where you're standing with your goals at the moment and answer your questions from our live Business Boutique events. 1:03 Digital Marketing Strategies That Work 10:44 Interview with Molly Pittman 42:37 Goals Check-In 45:51 #ASKCHRISTYWRIGHT 54:47 Homework Get Christy's Social Media Cheat Sheet by filling out the form here! To save $5 on any Business Boutique 1-Day ticket, use the code BBWRIGHT. Sign up for the Business Boutique Academy at BusinessBoutique.com/Academy....

What makes a highly successful woman? Society often paints a picture of success that looks like this: Either you're home all the time, dedicating 100% of your time to your family, or you're at work all the time, completely abandoning your friends, family and the rest of your life. But as I discussed with Laura Vanderkam in Episode 34: Excuses That Steal Your Time, that's a myth! The truth is, you can be successful in multiple areas of your life. You can be successful in your career, your relationships, your business and even your health and exercise routines-get this!-all in the same life.     It's all about priorities. When every waking minute is taken up for work, routine responsibilities, or taking care of others, you'll feel the opposite of successful; you'll feel stressed out and set back. For example, when I start to feel overwhelmed, it's usually because I'm not spending time on the things that I care about the most. So, I've made it a habit to take a look at my schedule when that happens. It's pretty eye-opening to see what gets my time. If I'm honest, there are a lot of unworthy motivations I have that sometimes creep to the top of my priority list, such as: Pleasing people Being the hero Accomplishments Keeping up with Facebook Pursuing perfectionism Approval Feeling needed Chasing those motivations, no matter how much effort I put into them, always leaves me coming up short. I spin my wheels, and I feel like a failure. The problem with achieving success in your life (and mine!) isn't that we aren't doing enough, and it's not that we're doing too much. Often, it's that we're doing the wrong things. So, let's talk about the right things! And don't worry, you don't have to sacrifice-at least, not in the way you think you do. In this episode, I'll reveal habits, characteristics and traits that are present in the lives of highly successful women. I'll dive into the seven things you need to prioritize to achieve success. And the great news it this: If you don't currently have them, I promise you can learn to practice all of them starting today! By the way, you know what's not on the list of traits of successful women? Pleasing people Being the hero Seeking approval (You get the idea!) My guest this week is Ali Brown! Ali is the host of the highly successful Glambition podcast, and her passion is to see women succeed in business! Ali's story of success began with recognizing what she was good at. She was a mover and a shaker working in an office of-as she puts it-"turtles!" It didn't take long for Ali to realize her own potential, get excited about doing things her own way, and quit her day job to pursue her own freelance business full time. In my conversation with Ali, we'll talk about: What it means to blaze your own trail, do business differently, and design your business around your life How Ali got started using email newsletters when the Internet was just becoming a thing The benefits of being inspired by other women rather than intimidated by them What success really looks like today Three trends she sees in highly successful women Success Story: Abbey Ashley's Wildly Successful Courses & Coaching! Our success story this week is Abbey Ashley, founder of The Virtual Savvy. Abbey says she helps "savvy starters launch and grow their virtual assistant business to 5K months and beyond!" Abbey took what she knew from being a virtual assistant and turned that knowledge and experience into online courses. While her first course launch was by no means successful-she only had one customer sign up-she didn't give up there. The next iteration of her business was in virtual assistant business coaching, and she started The Virtual Savvy in August 2016. Since then, she's become hyper-focused and (at the time of publication) has made over $300K in sales! I'm so excited that she's sharing her strategy for success with us. Plus,...

Which Lies Are Holding You Back? Many of you are being held back by something you aren't even aware of: You're believing lies about yourselves and about your businesses. See, when you believe something that isn't true, you're living our life based on misinformation. You're missing out on something that could change your life, that could make you happy or even make you a better person and open up opportunities you couldn't even imagine. Recently a woman came up to me at a speaking event and told me she'd been hearing me for about a year on The Dave Ramsey Show. But every time she heard me, she thought, "Well, that's nice. But it's not for me. I could never start my own business." Eight months later, guess what she's doing? She's running her own business! I love her story because it's a great example of how we all believe lies we think are true. And if you don't hear the truth, you're going to continue to live in those lies and you'll never be free to win. So in this episode, I'll talk about five common lies that I see women believing about business. My Guest is Annie F. Downs! My guest this week is my dear friend, best-selling author and speaker, Annie F. Downs. Annie is no stranger to anyone who's attended a Business Boutique event, because she's our amazing and hilarious host. But I can't wait for you to get to know her journey on a more personal level. In this episode, she'll share: Why she decided to pursue bravery in her day-to-day life How to create a habit of courage What can happen when you stop believing lies in your life and start pursuing acts of bravery Success Story: Melanie Gaye and Her Nerdy Skirts! Our success story this week is Melanie Gaye, owner of Pretty Smart Kids. She makes beautiful, custom nerdy skirts for girls! Melanie is actually a former engineer-turned-entrepreneur, and her business idea came about as the solution to a problem she found in the marketplace. If your little girl is more interested in science and dinosaurs than she is polka dots and dolls, you pretty much have to shop in the little boys' department. So, she cut back to working part time at her day job to pursue making skirts for those girls as a side-business! You'll love hearing about the "Why" behind her business, and you'll be encouraged by what her life looks like since pursuing something she's truly passionate about. Plus, I'll answer some of your burning business questions from our Business Boutique event in November. 1:14 Five Lies You Believe About Business 20:34 Interview with Annie F. Downs 48:45 BB Success Story with Melanie Gaye 61:03 #ASKCHRISTYWRIGHT 70:03 Homework Get Christy's Goal Setting Tool by filling out the form here! To save $5 on any Business Boutique 1-Day ticket, use the code BBWRIGHT. Sign up for the Business Boutique Academy at BusinessBoutique.com/Academy. If you have a success story you would like to share with the Business Boutique community, email me at podcast@businessboutique.com. New podcast episodes are available every other week.

Let's talk about goals for your business-but not big, huge, overwhelming goals. Instead, we'll talk about tiny, baby, daily, micro goals. These are the smaller goals along the way that it takes to get to the finish line. In this episode, I'll teach you how to break down your big goals into weekly and then daily goals so you can actually achieve them! My guest this week is speaker, best-selling author, podcast host and my good friend, Chris Hogan. He'll get real practical with us about how to eliminate excuses and chase down our results so that we can run businesses and lives that we're proud of. And Chris and I will answer your burning business questions together! Our success story this week is Naomi Duncan, owner of Naomi Ruth Photography. Naomi has grown her humble hobby into a business that brings her over $40K per year on the side! 1:08 Hitting Big Goals By Winning Small 12:03 Interview with Chris Hogan 41:22 BB Success Story with Naomi Duncan 52:29 #ASKCHRISTYWRIGHT 64:11 Homework Get Christy's Goal Setting Tool by filling out the form here! To save $5 on any Business Boutique 1-Day ticket, use the code BBWRIGHT. Sign up for the Business Boutique Academy at BusinessBoutique.com/Academy. If you have a success story you would like to share with the Business Boutique community, email me at podcast@businessboutique.com. New podcast episodes are available every other week.

This episode is all about recognizing and celebrating you, and the hard work you've put in all year long! We'll hear the story of Catherine Cramer's Southern Home Bakery and Kathy Lozano's Parents' Academy. We'll also hear from the incredible women behind businesses like Howdy Honey, Old St. Augustine Gourmet Foods, and more. Here's to another year making money doing what you love! 1:20 BB Success Story with Catherine Cramer 17:20 BB Email Success Stories 44:18 BB Success Story with Kathy Lozano 54:10 #ASKCHRISTYWRIGHT Click here to use Christy's Profit Potential Tool  To save $5 on any Business Boutique 1-Day ticket, use the code BBWRIGHT. Sign up for the Business Boutique Academy at BusinessBoutique.com/Academy. - If you have a success story you would like to share with the Business Boutique community, email me at podcast@businessboutique.com. New podcast episodes are available every other week.

Shame is the root of so many things we experience in our lives, whether we realize it or not. It may be holding you back in your business, in your relationships, and from believing in yourself. Shame is a powerful, far-reaching force that will keep you from living the abundant life that God has for you! So in this episode, we're going to change what we believe about ourselves. We're going to overcome the mistakes you've made in your past, or maybe the wrong that's been done to you. It's time to remember who you are, and more importantly, Whose you are. My guest this week is my friend, author and speaker Lisa Bevere! Lisa co-founded Messenger International, and she'll tell us how she broke through the limits she thought were on her life to step into the big things God had for her. This is one of my favorite and most powerful interviews ever on the podcast! Our success story is Kasey Hill, founder of the financial literacy program, Growing Wealth From the Start. Kasey began her business while she was a stay-at-home mom, so she's a great example of balancing the roles of mom and business owner. Plus, I'll answer your business questions from Business Boutique events! 1:08 Shake Off Your Shame 17:59 Interview with Lisa Bevere 44:58 BB Success Story with Kasey Hill 54:50 #ASKCHRISTYWRIGHT 63:28 Homework Get Christy's step-by-step guide to shake the shame by filling out the form here! To save $5 on any Business Boutique 1-Day ticket, use the code BBWRIGHT. Sign up for the Business Boutique Academy at BusinessBoutique.com/Academy. - If you have a success story you would like to share with the Business Boutique community, email me at podcast@businessboutique.com. New podcast episodes are available every other week.

For many of us, the holidays are a time when it's easy to be thankful. But when the celebrations are over and the decorations are packed, a spirit of gratitude becomes harder to maintain. So in this episode, we're going to dive deep into the benefits of incorporating daily gratitude into your business and life. I'll share my top twelve reasons I'm thankful for thankfulness! My guest this week is pastor, speaker and host of the Life, Money, Hope podcast, Chris Brown. As a businessman, father, husband and pastor, he has helped people discover what it means to intentionally pursue their God-given purpose, and he'll share his tips on how to incorporate gratitude into your daily life! Our success story is Jane VanOsdol, owner of Botanically Me. Jane is taking the concepts she's learned from Business Boutique and is in the process of relaunching her business. Plus, I'll answer your business questions from our Nashville Business Boutique event! 1:06 The 12 Benefits of Gratitude 16:54 Interview with Chris Brown 42:33 BB Success Story with Jane VanOsdol 49:56 #ASKCHRISTYWRIGHT 58:44 Homework Get Christy's 14 Days of Gratitude Journal by filling out the form here! To save $5 on any Business Boutique 1-Day ticket, use the code BBWRIGHT. Sign up for the Business Boutique Academy at BusinessBoutique.com/Academy. - If you have a success story you would like to share with the Business Boutique community, email me at podcast@businessboutique.com. New podcast episodes are available every other week.

Time management and life balance are a struggle for-I'm just guessing-every adult on the planet. Amen? So in this episode, we're going to go beyond surface-level issues like how to time block your schedule. Instead, we'll dig deeper and I'll teach you how to overcome the underlying issue: Making excuses. I'll share the top five excuses I hear that steal your time, and how to kick them to the curb. When you can overcome these excuses, you make room for actual life change! My guest this week is author and speaker Laura Vanderkam. She's done extensive research on exactly how people spend their time, and she'll share her time management secrets with us! Plus, I'll answer your business questions from Business Boutique events! 1:13 Five Excuses That Steal Your Time 21:58 Interview with Laura Vanderkam 54:59 Back to Basics: Your Why 60:14 #ASKCHRISTYWRIGHT 67:35 Homework Get Christy's 25 Ways to Protect Your Time Guide by filling out the form here! To save $5 on any Business Boutique 1-Day ticket, use the code BBWRIGHT. Sign up for the Business Boutique Academy at BusinessBoutique.com/Academy. - If you have a success story you would like to share with the Business Boutique community, email me at podcast@businessboutique.com. New podcast episodes are available every other week.

We all know what it feels like in the moments right before we try something new. There's a nagging, persistent voice of apprehension telling us all the reasons we should just stay in our comfort zone! We'd do anything to know: Is it fear, or is it wisdom speaking to us? So in this episode, I'll teach you some of the characteristics of fear and wisdom, so that you can become more confident in your decisions. My guest this week is a good friend of mine, best-selling author and speaker at this year's Business Boutique event, Patsy Clairmont. Patsy's experience with fear is very tangible, so she'll share her personal journey of how she finally disarmed the lies of fear. Plus, I'll answer your business questions from Business Boutique events! 1:17  How To Tell the Difference Between Fear and Wisdom 14:44 Interview with Patsy Clairmont 49:29 Business Boutique Nashville Event Info 51:33 #ASKCHRISTYWRIGHT 59:14 Homework Get Christy's Fear or Wisdom Filter by filling out the form here! - To save $10 on any Business Boutique Nashville ticket, use the code BBWRIGHT. Sign up for the Business Boutique Academy at BusinessBoutique.com/Academy. - If you have a success story you would like to share with the Business Boutique community, email me at podcast@businessboutique.com. New podcast episodes are available every other week.

Your brand is made up of look, tone and feel. We covered the look and tone in episode 31, so in this episode, we'll talk about the tone, so that your brand-and, as a result, your business-feels like you. Plus I'll teach you how to show your customers that you care through your policies, messaging and brand experience. My guest this week is branding expert, psychologist and author Joseph Michelli. Joseph has written several books, including The Starbucks Experience, and has helped companies like Zappos, Mercedes Benz and Starbucks develop their brands. He'll give you practical ways to give your customers an above-and-beyond experience and reveal two big mistakes to avoid when presenting your brand. And I'll give you simple, quick tips to make the most of the upcoming holiday season! Plus, I'll answer your business questions from Business Boutique events. 1:02  The Feel and Experience of Your Branding 21:00 Interview with Joseph Michelli 46:59 Preparing Your Life for Christmas 51:47 #ASKCHRISTYWRIGHT 59:13 Homework Get Christy's Style Guide by filling out the form here! - To save $10 on any Business Boutique Nashville ticket, use the code BBWRIGHT. Sign up for the Business Boutique Academy at BusinessBoutique.com/Academy. - If you have a success story you would like to share with the Business Boutique community, email me at podcast@businessboutique.com. New podcast episodes are available every other week.

Branding is so much more than colors, fonts and pretty pictures-it's about creating an identity. When you make a purchase, whether you realize it or not, you're choosing that brand over another because you feel it represents you. So you may recall in Episode 2 of the podcast, we talked about the look, tone and feel of your brand. But in this episode, I want to take a deeper dive on the look and tone, so that when you're audience interacts with your business, they know it's for them! One of my absolute favorites-best-selling author and CEO of Storybrand-Donald Miller, is back! He'll unpack his Storybrand concept for us, and y'all, this is a powerful way to grow your customers and your profits. If you're dreaming up your brand right now or your existing brand isn't connecting, you need to hear this interview. Plus, I'll answer your business questions from Business Boutique events! 1:03  The Look and Tone of Your Branding 18:37 Interview with Donald Miller 50:09 Preparing Your Business for Christmas  53:04 #ASKCHRISTYWRIGHT 62:01 Homework Get Christy's Style Guide by filling out the form here! - To save $10 on any Business Boutique Nashville ticket, use the code BBWRIGHT. Sign up for the Business Boutique Academy at BusinessBoutique.com/Academy. - If you have a success story you would like to share with the Business Boutique community, email me at podcast@businessboutique.com. New podcast episodes are available every other week.

Most small businesses make mistakes when hiring, but who you hire is one of the most important decisions you'll make in your business! So in this episode, I'll share the hiring mistakes I've made in the past, and teach you my 7 Rules of Hiring! My guest this week is one of my favorite speakers and authors, Patrick Lencioni! He has written 11 incredible books-many of which are about building strong teams and hiring. Y'all, this is one of my favorite interviews to date! Patrick is a wealth of information and practical advice, and he'll help you avoid the pitfalls of hiring the wrong people. He'll also share the best-kept hiring secrets that some of your favorite companies, like Southwest Airlines, actually use! And our success story this week is Katie Finklea. Katie owns Loving Well Living Well, which she was inspired to start after attending a Business Boutique event. She saw a gap between adoption and foster care advocacy and education, and was passionate about providing a solution to that problem. God is truly blessing her business, and she'll share how she overcame the fear to start this thing! Plus, I'll answer your business questions from Business Boutique events! 1:02 Hiring Great People 13:25 Interview with Patrick Lencioni 36:34 BB Success Story with Katie Finklea 46:18 #ASKCHRISTYWRIGHT 53:03 Homework Get Christy's Job Posting Template by filling out the form here! - To save $10 on any Business Boutique Nashville ticket, use the code BBWRIGHT. Sign up for the Business Boutique Academy at BusinessBoutique.com/Academy. - If you have a success story you would like to share with the Business Boutique community, email me at podcast@businessboutique.com. New podcast episodes are available every other week.

In this episode, I'll give you four ways to make more money without adding on to your workload.  One way to do that is by creating passive income, which is exactly what my guest this week, Pat Flynn, will teach us about. Pat is a best-selling author and owns several wildly successful online businesses. He's speaking at my Business Boutique event in November, and today he'll tell us about how he wound up creating his first digital product years ago, and where it's taken him. And the success story this week is Heather Salopek. Heather owns Legacy Pecans, which sells delicious pecans and pecan products for retail and corporate gifts. The "Why" behind her business is remarkable, and I love how she got creative and took her family business to the next level. Plus, I'll answer your business questions from Business Boutique events! 1:10 Creating Passive Income 7:50 Interview with Pat Flynn 44:56 BB Success Story with Heather Salopek 57:38 #ASKCHRISTYWRIGHT 64:08 Homework  Find out how much money your business can make with my free Profit Potential tool here! - To save $10 on any Business Boutique Nashville ticket, use the code BBWRIGHT. Sign up for the Business Boutique Academy at BusinessBoutique.com/Academy. - If you have a success story you would like to share with the Business Boutique community, email me at podcast@businessboutique.com. New podcast episodes are available every other week.

If you don't know your value, you'll settle. You'll undercharge, get pushed around, and dream small. That's why knowing your worth is so important, not just in business, but in life! In this episode, I'll give you three steps to determining the value of your product or service. My guest this week is Nicole Walters. Nicole created The Monetized Life and is one of our expert speakers at Business Boutique. She's taught me so much about selling and about knowing my worth! She'll give us some real talk about why women tend to undervalue ourselves. She'll also her share her best tips for selling, and I promise they're super easy-regardless of your personality style. Plus, I'll answer your business questions from Business Boutique events! 1:04 Knowing Your Worth 13:00 Interview with Nicole Walters 40:08 Fall Encouragement 43:00 #ASKCHRISTYWRIGHT 50:32 Homework  Find out how much money your business can make with my free Profit Potential tool here! - To save $10 on any Business Boutique Nashville ticket, use the code BBWRIGHT. Sign up for the Business Boutique Academy at BusinessBoutique.com/Academy. - If you have a success story you would like to share with the Business Boutique community, email me at podcast@businessboutique.com. New podcast episodes are available every other week.