Diamond Effect: Recent Episodes
Maggie Perotin
This podcast helps service-based entrepreneurs attract paying clients consistently and without overwhelm. Here you turn your business into a client-attracting diamond and become a confident and high-performing CEO. To learn more, head over to www.stairwaytoleadership.com
Many business owners slow down in summer and wonder why Q4 is slow.
The two are connected. What you do today shows up in your results 60-90 days from now. In this Maggie's Moment, you'll learn what to do so that your Q4 2026 is the best one yet.
Are You Looking for a Coach or a Consultant?
Most business owners aren't entirely sure. And honestly, most don't know they need both until they've tried one without the other and wondered why the results didn't stick.
In this episode, I'm breaking down what coaching and consulting actually mean in the traditional sense, where they differ, where they fall short on their own, and why the combination of both is what produces real, sustainable business growth.
What You'll Learn from This Episode:
The traditional consulting model — what it is, what it does well, and the one critical gap that prevents strategies from ever getting implemented.
The traditional coaching model — what it actually means to be coached, why pure coaching isn't always enough for a business owner who needs direction, and what makes it so powerful when combined with the right expertise.
Why most entrepreneurs need both — and what happens when they only get one.
How I work — why I call myself a business coach but bring 18+ years of corporate and entrepreneurial expertise directly into my work, and why I give both strategic direction and deep mindset support in the same engagement.
Real client results — what this combination actually produces in practice.
How to know what you need — three honest questions to help you figure out what kind of support would move your business forward right now.
This Episode Is For You If...
- You've invested in coaching or consulting before and felt like something was missing
- You know what you should be doing but can't seem to do it consistently
- You're looking for support to grow your business faster and simpler and want to make an informed decision
- You're curious about what business coaching actually involves beyond accountability calls
Book a complimentary consultation to explore what the right support looks like for your business → https://calendly.com/maggie-s2l/discovery-call-1
Is "Fully Booked" Really the Goal?
Being fully booked feels like success. And in many ways, it is. But if you are the only one delivering your service, every dollar you make still requires your direct time and energy.
That's not a business. That's a job you created for yourself.
In this Maggie's Moment, I'm challenging one of the most common — and costly — mindsets I see in service-based business owners: the belief that fully booked is as far as they can go.
In This Maggie's Moment:
- Why being fully booked is a milestone, not a destination
- The real opportunity that owning a business gives you — and why so many people never tap into it
- The limiting beliefs that keep talented, successful business owners stuck at their income ceiling
- A real client story that shows how a path to scaling always exists — even when it seems impossible
- Why not exploring how to scale isn't playing it safe. It's leaving wealth on the table.
This One Is For You If...
- You're at or near fully booked and not sure what comes next
- You've told yourself your business "can't be scaled"
- The idea of building a team or changing how you operate feels overwhelming
- You haven't yet allowed yourself to ask — but what if I could?
Connect with Maggie: https://stairwaytoleadership.com
This One's a Little Different.
I read a lot. Business books, self-development, the occasional novel on vacation. And for years, people have been asking me — clients, colleagues, family — what I actually recommend.
So today I'm sharing nine books that didn't just teach me something. They genuinely shifted how I think, how I lead, how I show up as a business owner, a coach, a mom, and a partner.
But here's what makes this list different from every other "books I love" episode out there. I'm not just telling you what the books are about. I'm telling you why I read them, what was happening in my life at the time, and what specifically changed because of them. Because that context is what makes a recommendation actually useful.
A Few Hints of What's on the List:
A mindfulness book that turned a self-proclaimed non-meditator into a convert and started everything else on this list.
A business fable about team dysfunction that I used to turn around one of the most broken teams I'd ever inherited, without replacing a single person.
A book that gave me permission to admit I'd been shrinking in rooms I'd earned the right to be in.
A classic that completely dismantled the hidden belief that being ambitious and being a good person are somehow in conflict.
And one that will completely change how you set goals, in a way that feels counterintuitive until it suddenly makes total sense.
That's just five. There are four more, including one on money that has nothing to do with strategy and everything to do with the beliefs quietly running your financial decisions.
Who This Episode Is For:
- Anyone who loves books and is always looking for the next great read
- Entrepreneurs who want to understand the mindset and inner work behind building a successful business
- Leaders who want to grow their teams, their confidence, and their thinking
- Anyone who has ever felt held back by self-doubt, money blocks, or fear of thinking too big
After You Listen
Have you read any of these? Is there a book that changed your life that you'd recommend? Find me on Instagram or LinkedIn, I'd love to add it to my reading list.
📧 maggie@stairwaytoleadership.com 🌐 https://stairwaytoleadership.com
There's a skill that sits beneath every strategy, every decision, every bold move you make in your business. And most people don't talk about it nearly enough.
Self-trust.
In this Maggie's Moment, I'm sharing one of the biggest and most personal lessons from my entrepreneurship journey. One that's deeply connected to why I left corporate in the first place, and why it still surprised me when I got here.
Has self-trust been a journey for you in your business? I'd love to know — drop a comment or send me a message (on IG or LinkedIn - links below). This one is close to my heart.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/maggie-perotin-business-and-leadership-coach/
https://www.instagram.com/maggie.perotin.s2l/
Most business coaches hand you a box and tell you to fit inside it. Maggie does something different.
In this episode, Maggie pulls back the curtain on the philosophy behind the Sustainable Scale System — why she built it, how it works (showcasing three different client stories), and why the same proven framework produces completely different starting points for every client she works with.
If you've ever wondered how Maggie actually works with her clients — this is the episode to listen to.
What You'll Learn:
- Why most business owners unknowingly piece together disconnected strategies and why that keeps them stuck
- The difference between a holistic business framework and a rigid one-size-fits-all formula
- The research-backed reason your business can only grow as far as your thinking can grow
- Why being too prescriptive as a coach can actually hurt clients, and what Maggie does instead
- How the same system produced completely different starting points for three very different clients
- What never changes across every client Maggie works with, and what always adapts
- Why scaling without systems is one of the most common and costly mistakes service-based business owners make
Resources & Links Mentioned:
🎯 Book your FREE complimentary consultation with Maggie and find out exactly which part of the Sustainable Scale System™ you need most right now, https://www.stairwaytoleadership.com/
Enjoyed this episode?
⭐ Leave a review on Apple Podcasts
📤 Share with a fellow business owner who's tired of random strategies that don't add up to real growth
In this Maggie's Moment, I'm getting real about fear in entrepreneurship: what it actually is, why waiting for it to go away is keeping you stuck. Then I share three practical steps to help you move forward anyway.
Every time you grow, every time you reach for the next level, you'll face something you've never done before. Your brain won't love it. But the business owners who get where they want to go aren't the ones born fearless; they're the ones who learn to move forward anyway.
This Summer, Sports Gave Me a Masterclass in Business
FIFA World Cup. Wimbledon. Blue Jays baseball. A live WNBA game with my daughter.
This summer, sports has been everywhere, and as I watched these incredible athletes compete, I kept seeing the same parallels to what we face as business owners every single day.
The grind. The setbacks. The comebacks. The quiet years before the big moment. The hard seasons nobody talks about.
In this episode, I'm sharing seven lessons from the world of elite sports that apply directly to building and scaling your business — drawn from athletes whose stories stopped me in my tracks this summer and connected to real moments from my own journey and my clients'.
Some of these will challenge how you see where you are right now. Some will give you permission to keep going. All of them are worth a listen.
In This Episode, You'll Hear About:
- A 40-year-old athlete who became one of the most talked-about figures at this year's FIFA World Cup — and what his story means for every entrepreneur who's ever doubted their timing
- What the world's current number one tennis player did after one of the most shocking losses of his career
- A Toronto Blue Jays star having the hardest season of his career — and the business lesson hiding in plain sight
- What my daughter and I witnessed live at a WNBA game that perfectly captures what building a business actually feels like
What You'll Walk Away With
- A mindset shift for wherever you are in your business journey right now
- Real perspective on comparison, hard seasons, and resilience
- The reminder you might need to keep going — and keep playing
Complimentary consultation with Maggie — if this episode resonated and you want to talk about where you are in your business, what's feeling hard, and what's possible, book your complimentary consult with maggie here - https://calendly.com/maggie-s2l/discovery-call-1
Or visit her website: https://stairwaytoleadership.com
Every productivity guru has a morning routine they swear by. And somehow we all end up feeling like failures for not doing it exactly their way. Today's Maggie's Moment uncovers what they forgot to tell you.
You're fully booked. You're making money. You're busy. And someone asks, "So what's next?" And you say, "I'm good where I am."
If that's you, this episode will challenge you in the best possible way.
In this episode, Maggie gets personal about why she chose to build a business, not just create a job for herself, and makes the case for why every service-based business owner should be thinking the same way. From the solopreneur trap to the identity shift that changes everything, this is one of the most important episodes for any business owner who wants more than just a busy calendar.
What You'll Learn:
- Why being fully booked as a solopreneur might actually be a ceiling — not a success
- The real difference between building a business and creating a demanding job for yourself
- The 4 mindset blocks that keep service-based business owners stuck as solopreneurs — and how to overcome each one
- Why scaling doesn't mean working harder — and what it actually requires instead
- The identity shift from solopreneur employee to scalable CEO — and why it changes everything
- Why service-based businesses absolutely can be sold — and what it takes to build one worth buying
- The 4 powerful benefits of building a sellable business asset: freedom, income, wealth, and legacy
- Real client stories: how Glory grew from $120K to nearly $1M, and how Jennifer is building an organizing empire that will outlast her direct involvement
Resources & Links Mentioned:
🎯 Book your FREE complimentary consultation with Maggie. She'll look at where your business is right now, identify what's keeping you from scaling, and map out exactly what needs to happen next: https://calendly.com/maggie-s2l/discovery-call-1
Enjoyed this episode?
⭐ Leave a review on Apple Podcasts — it helps more business owners find the show
📤 Share this with a fellow solopreneur who needs to hear this message
🔔 Subscribe so you never miss an episode
The world's best soccer players don't perform at the World Cup level by accident. They treat their body and mind as their biggest asset.
They are pros just like you are a pro in business.
That's why a week at the cottage in August won't restore you if you're not taking care of yourself the other 51 weeks of the year. Today's Maggie's Moment is your reminder of why taking care of yourself is not a luxury but a must-do for all business owners.
What makes a great business coach? It's not just certifications or years of experience. It's the combination of everything life has thrown at them, and what they did with it.
In this personal episode, Maggie pulls back the curtain on the story behind her coaching philosophy, why she combines business consulting with coaching and high-performance habits, and the 7 unique things that make her the coach her clients can't stop raving about.
If you've ever wondered what makes Maggie different, this is the episode to listen to.
What You'll Learn:
- Why business strategy alone will never be enough to get you results, and what's missing
- How Maggie's parents' divorce at age 11 shaped her ability to read people and coach with precision
- Why being introverted and intuitive are actually superpowers in the coaching room
- How corporate burnout led Maggie to high-performance coaching, and why she now brings it to every client
- The difference between a consultant and a coach, and why Maggie bridges both
- The 7 unique skills and experiences that combine to make Maggie's coaching unlike anything else on the market
- Why Maggie's free consultation feels nothing like a sales call and everything like a coaching session
Resources & Links Mentioned:
🎯 Book your FREE complimentary consultation with Maggie: https://calendly.com/maggie-s2l/discovery-call-1
📧 Stop the Lull Challenge — Build a complete email sales sequence in 5 days using AI. Available July 13–17, 2026 - https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/stop-the-lull-build-an-email-sequence-in-5-days-and-make-sales-this-summer-tickets-1990959977889
(If you're listening after July 2026, book the free consultation instead)
Connect with Maggie:
🌐 Website: https://stairwaytoleadership.com
📱 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/maggie.perotin.s2l/
💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maggie-perotin-business-and-leadership-coach/
🎙️ Subscribe to the Diamond Effect Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts
Stop the Lull is a 5-day live challenge for service-based business owners who are done letting summer be their slow season.
In one hour a day, you'll build a complete email sales sequence using AI tailored to your offer, written in your voice, scheduled, and ready to go by day five.
No tech experience needed. No paid tools required. Just five focused hours and you walk away with a sales asset that works for you all summer long.
📅 July 13–17, 2026
⏰ 12–1 pm EDT daily
💰 $93 CAD
Registration link - https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/stop-the-lull-build-an-email-sequence-in-5-days-and-make-sales-this-summer-tickets-1990959977889
See you there!
Are you doing all the right things to get clients, like networking, posting on social media, and asking for referrals, but your revenue is still inconsistent? The problem might not be your effort. It might be that your client acquisition strategy is fragmented, and the pieces aren't working together as a system.
In this episode, Maggie Perotin breaks down her Client Acquisition Engine - the complete three-part framework she uses with her clients inside the Sustainable Scale System to help service-based business owners get clients consistently, without overworking themselves or burning out.
You'll walk away knowing exactly what a complete client acquisition system looks like, where your gaps are, and what to fix first.
What You'll Learn in This Episode:
- Why treating marketing, nurturing, and sales as separate strategies is costing you clients and money
- The 3 buckets of a complete Client Acquisition Engine and why most business owners are missing at least one
- When to use organic marketing vs. paid marketing and why jumping to paid too early is a costly mistake
- The surprising statistic about how many of your leads are actually ready to buy right now (hint: it's not many, and what to do about the rest)
- Why email marketing is one of the most underutilized and most powerful tools in a service business
- How your sales process structure directly impacts your conversion rate, and what to change to close more clients with the same leads
- The real cost of not having a client acquisition engine, and how to calculate what your gaps are costing you
- Why growing too fast without preparing your delivery side can hurt your brand, your clients, and your team
Resources & Links Mentioned:
🎯 Book your FREE complimentary consultation with Maggie — she'll review your client acquisition strategy, identify your gaps, and tell you exactly what to fix: https://calendly.com/maggie-s2l/discovery-call-1
📧 Stop the Lull Challenge — Build a complete email sales sequence in 5 days, one hour a day, using AI: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/stop-the-lull-build-an-email-sequence-in-5-days-and-make-sales-this-summer-tickets-1990959977889
(Available for July 2026 only; if you're listening after July 2026, book the free consultation instead)
Connect with Maggie:
🌐 Website: https://www.stairwaytoleadership.com/
📱 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/maggie.perotin.s2l/
💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maggie-perotin-business-and-leadership-coach/
🎙️ Subscribe to the Diamond Effect Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts
About Maggie Perotin:
Maggie Perotin is an international business and leadership coach, founder of Stairway to Leadership, and host of the Diamond Effect Podcast. With 20+ years of corporate leadership experience managing complex, fast-paced service operations across North America, Maggie brings a uniquely systems-driven and results-focused approach to coaching service-based business owners. She helps her clients build profitable, sellable businesses through her Sustainable Scale System without burnout, without overwhelm, and without leaving money on the table.
If this episode helped you, please:
⭐ Leave a review on Apple Podcasts — it helps more business owners find the show
📤 Share this episode with a fellow service-based business owner who needs to hear it
🔔 Subscribe so you never miss an episode
Before strategy, before marketing, before anything else — the businesses that scale sustainably start with one thing: their foundation.
In this Maggie's Moment, I'm taking you behind the scenes of my brand and sharing the three core values that drive everything I do. Where they came from, why they matter, and what they mean for you as a business owner.
Courage. Excellence. Simplicity.
Three values. Three stories. And one question I want to leave you with by the end.
Hit play. It's a tremendous value in just a few minutes.
Ready to Define Your Foundation?
If you're building or scaling a service business and you haven't clearly defined your values, vision, and mission, that's exactly where we start. Reach out and let's talk about what your foundation looks like and how to build on it.
🌐 Https://stairwaytoleadership.com
Does Your Service Business Slow Down Every Summer?
You're not alone. Most service-based business owners experience a summer lull — fewer inquiries, slower conversions, and that uncomfortable feeling of watching your calendar empty out while hoping things will pick back up on their own.
But here's the truth: crossing your fingers is not a strategy.
In this episode of the Diamond Effect Podcast, Maggie Perotin breaks down exactly why your business doesn't have to slow down this summer, and the one tool most service business owners are completely underusing to attract clients, build relationships, and make consistent sales no matter the season.
That tool? Email marketing.
What You'll Learn in This Episode
- Why service businesses experience a summer lull — and what separates owners who thrive anyway from those who don't
- The "three types of business owners" quiz — which one are you this summer?
- Why do you already have a goldmine of potential clients sitting in your contacts right now
- How email marketing works even if you're not techy, not a writer, and have never sent a marketing email before
- Why email marketing delivers the highest ROI of any marketing strategy — and why it works especially well for service businesses
- How to use AI to write emails in your voice in minutes (even if English isn't your first language)
- Why your email list is an asset you OWN — and why that matters more than any social media following
- The mindset shifts that stop most business owners from ever starting (and how to overcome them fast)
Key Takeaways:
Only 9% of people are ready to buy at any given moment. The other 91% need time, consistency, and trust — and email is how you build all three without relying on an algorithm.
You don't need to be techy or a great writer. Your clients don't need elaborate designs or perfectly crafted copy. They need to feel like you understand them. That's it.
Your email list is yours forever. Social media platforms can disappear or ban your account overnight. Your email list is a business asset you own and control.
Email marketing works for every service business. If your industry isn't using it much — that's an advantage, not a reason to skip it.
Busy does not equal productive. If you're too busy to work on strategies that bring in new clients, you're too busy for your business to grow.
The Summer Lull Is Optional
The business owners who struggle every summer are the ones solving the wrong problem: taking courses, tweaking their website, waiting for the economy to shift. Meanwhile, the owners who thrive are the ones doing the work to get visible in front of the clients who are already out there looking for exactly what they offer.
Your potential clients aren't all on vacation. They're in your inbox, in your contact list, on your email list — waiting to hear from you.
Join Maggie and her clients for Stop the Lull: Build an Email Sequence in Five Days and Make Sales This Summer. A live 5-day online workshop — July 13–17, one hour per day at noon EST
REGISTER HERE - https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/stop-the-lull-build-an-email-sequence-in-5-days-and-make-sales-this-summer-tickets-1990959977889
In just five hours across the week, you will:
- Overcome every mindset block around email marketing
- Get clear on your offer, your messaging, and your ideal client
- Build a complete, ready-to-send email sequence tailored to your business
- Use AI-powered prompts to write every email fast — in your voice
- Schedule and send your sequence by Day 5
Investment: $93 CAD
Registration link here - https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/stop-the-lull-build-an-email-sequence-in-5-days-and-make-sales-this-summer-tickets-1990959977889
Timestamps
- [00:00] Summer is here — and so is the lull
- [02:00] Why hoping for a better summer won't cut it
- [03:30] The three types of business owners quiz — which one are you?
- [06:30] The one strategy that changes everything
- [07:30] The goldmine you're sitting on right now
- [09:30] Objection #1: "It's too hard and I'm not techy"
- [12:30] Objection #2: "People get too many emails already"
- [14:30] Objection #3: "I'm not a writer"
- [17:30] How AI makes email marketing fast and easy
- [19:00] Objection #4: "Email doesn't work in my industry"
- 20:00] Objection #5: "I don't have time"
- [23:00] Why email marketing is your highest-leverage business activity
- [25:00] Introducing Stop the Lull: the 5-day experience
- [27:00] What happens each day of the event
- [31:00] Who this is for and what you'll walk away with
- [33:00] Why summer is actually the perfect time to do this
Connect With Maggie
Website: stairwaytoleadership.com
Email: maggie@stairwaytoleadership.com
Subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with a service business owner who needs to hear it.
You're showing up. You're networking. You're posting. But the leads aren't converting the way they should.
Here's what's missing — and it's simpler than you think.
Only 9% of people are ready to buy at any given moment. The other 81%? They need nurturing. And email is how you do it — consistently, personally, and without relying on an algorithm.
Your email list is an asset you own. No platform can take it away.
If you've been sitting on a list you haven't touched — or you've been thinking about starting — this one's for you. 👇
DM me on Instagram or LinkedIn, and I'll help you keep it simple.
EmailMarketing #ServiceBusiness #ScaleYourBusiness #BusinessGrowth #ClientAttraction #MarketingStrategy #WomenInBusiness #EmailList #NurtureYourLeads
What happens when the plan you thought you were building your life around suddenly changes?
In this episode of the Diamond Effect Podcast, Maggie sits down with Teresa Fox, a former corporate leader who reinvented herself in midlife and is now a luxury travel advisor based in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
Teresa shares a grounded, honest look at what it really takes to go from corporate structure to entrepreneurial life and how to turn disruption into an opportunity doorway.
This conversation is for the high-achieving woman who’s done “the right thing” for years… and is now asking a new question: What now?
In this episode, we talk about
- The identity shift from corporate expert to business owner, and what Teresa carried over from corporate that helped her succeed fast, and what she had to relearn from scratch
- How structure, routines, and boundaries can actually create more freedom when you work from home
- Teresa’s relationship-building “secret sauce” (and why curiosity is a business advantage)
- Making the best of unexpected circumstances: how COVID, early retirement, and a delayed franchise plan opened a new path
- Decision-making, intuition with how Teresa thinks about saying yes to opportunities — without saying yes to everything
The conversation ends with a peek into Teresa’s world of luxury travel: what all clients really want now (hint: it’s not just nicer hotels)
Listen for these moments:
The mindset reframe that helps Teresa move from disappointment to possibility
The subtle difference between being “busy” and being responsible for your own results
Why returning to familiar places (in travel and in life) can still be a form of growth
Connect with Teresa via website: https://slyfoxtravels.com
If you’re in a season where something didn’t go to plan — a job change, a pivot, a life transition — let this episode remind you that disruption doesn’t have to mean derailment.
Your next chapter might not be what you planned… but it can still be the right one.
Listen to the full episode on your favorite podcast platform (and on YouTube), and if you do, share your biggest takeaway.
More about my Guest:
Teresa Fox knows that reinvention doesn't come with a roadmap. After building a successful corporate career spanning more than two decades in sales and leadership, she made the bold decision to pivot into entrepreneurship and luxury travel, creating a business that aligns with her values, strengths, and vision for the next chapter of life.
Today, Teresa is a luxury travel advisor and entrepreneur who designs extraordinary experiences for discerning travelers around the world. She also serves as South Florida Chapter Lead for Fora Travel, where she builds community among local advisors and fosters relationships with global travel partners. Her work is rooted in the belief that meaningful connections and transformative experiences have the power to change lives.
Drawing on her own experience navigating uncertainty, career change, and personal growth, Teresa brings a practical and refreshing perspective to what it really takes to pivot in midlife and build a life that feels more authentic than the one you left behind.
In this conversation, Teresa shares lessons on embracing change, trusting yourself through transitions, and finding opportunity in unexpected places.
If you keep collecting strategies but you’re not executing, it might not be a strategy problem. But an identity problem.
You can’t build a CEO-level business with an employee or hobbyist identity.
If you’ve ever struggled to explain what you do and how you help your clients without rambling, downplaying it, or listing a bunch of tasks, this episode is for you.
In EP 256, Maggie breaks down why so many smart, capable professionals (service-based business owners and leaders inside organizations) struggle to communicate their value in a way that actually lands with clients, executives, and stakeholders. You’ll learn how to shift from “here’s what I do” to “here’s the impact I create,” using Maggie’s simple PCOMP framework: Problem, Cost, Outcomes, Method, Proof.
This is the skill that helps you get more clients, stronger conversions, better opportunities, and yes—get noticed, promoted, and paid.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
- Why confidence doesn’t come first (and what actually creates it)
- The difference between communicating tasks vs. communicating results
- The 4 common patterns that make high performers sound vague or “salesy.”
- How to translate your work into outcomes that clients and leaders care about
- The PCOMP framework to communicate value clearly in any situation
- How to use PCOMP in marketing, interviews, meetings, pitches, and performance conversations
- Why practice + feedback is the fastest path to mastering this skill
Ready to practice this skill (and build an asset that sells)?
If you're a business owner, join Maggie in an Online Challenge - Stop the Lull: Build an Email Sequence in 5 Days and Make Sales This Summer
July 13–17, 2026, at 12:00 PM (1 hour/day) - buy your tickets here
If you're a corporate/ non-profit leader or are listening to this after July 2026 - book a free initial consultation with Magge instead HERE
In this episode of the Diamond Effect Podcast, Maggie sits down with Sanne Kiilerich, CEO and founder of ANF Academy. What began as a personal search for relief after Sanne developed fibromyalgia and chronic pain became a 14+ year journey into building a global company focused on nervous system support and frequency-based wellness.
This conversation is equal parts health, entrepreneurship, and leadership in fast-changing times. Sanne shares what she learned the hard way about running on empty, why she believes the nervous system is the foundation of performance, and how she thinks entrepreneurs (and parents) can protect their energy without living under rigid “perfect routine” rules.
In this episode, we talk about:
- Sanne’s path from fashion and the “hamster wheel” of entrepreneurship to a health crisis that forced reinvention
- A simple explanation of frequency therapy and why she calls it “plug-and-play” for busy people
- The difference between optimizing your health with freedom vs following strict biohacking routines that don’t fit real life
- Why sleep and recovery are non-negotiables for sustainable performance (and how wearables can help track progress)
- Leading a global business in the AI era: faster execution, higher expectations, and the new leadership challenge of keeping quality high
- Sanne’s perspective on raising kids for the future: critical thinking, cultural adaptability, and learning through real-world experience
- A message for entrepreneurs with an idea: test it, iterate, and stop waiting for permission
Memorable ideas to listen for:
- Why “reinventing yourself every Monday” is becoming the new normal for leaders
- The shift from long-term business plans to short, flexible planning cycles
- The mindset of building something people don’t understand yet — and staying committed anyway
Connect with Sanne on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/sanne-kiilerich-b69417/
Connect with ANF:
Practitioner education: ANF Academy — https://anfacademy.com/
Direct-to-consumer wellness products: ANF Care — https://anf.care/
Find a practitioner network: ANF Therapy — https://anftherapy.com/
Sports performance programs: ANF Sports Pro — https://anfsportspro.com/
If you’re a high-achieving entrepreneur who’s been pushing through exhaustion, let this be your reminder: your business can’t outgrow your nervous system.
If you enjoyed the episode, share it with a friend who’s in a reinvention season, and tag Maggie when it goes live so she can thank you and reshare.
So if you’ve been telling yourself, “I can’t do it,” try this instead:
“I can do one small piece of it.”
Because momentum doesn’t come from doing everything.
Momentum comes from doing the next right step consistently.
And now—let’s do a “one thing” roll call. What are you completing today before you touch anything else? Share it in the comments.
If you’ve ever thought, “I don’t even know what I want anymore,” or “I know what I want, but I’m scared to say it out loud,” this episode is for you.
So many women entrepreneurs aren’t held back by strategy. They’re held back by guilt. The moment you choose what’s right for you, someone close to you has an opinion… and suddenly you start shrinking, explaining, apologizing, and making your dreams smaller so other people can stay comfortable.
In this episode, Maggie breaks down why that guilt shows up, how the “good girl” conditioning impacts ambitious women, and what it actually looks like to own your choices without burning relationships down or abandoning yourself.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
- Why many women struggle to admit what they truly want (and how people-pleasing sneaks into your goals)
- The difference between wishing and deciding — and why real decisions create momentum
- How the invisible load and mental labour impact women’s energy, confidence, and risk tolerance
- What pushback can look like when you start growing (even from people who love you)
- How to stop treating guilt like a compass — and start treating it like a signal you’re breaking an old pattern
- Calm, firm language you can use when someone doesn’t agree with your choices
Maggie’s personal stories in this episode:
- The year she chose to wait, prepare, and reapply to an elite university program (even when her dad disagreed)
- The decision to divorce her first husband — and what it taught her about choosing truth over comfort
You are allowed to want what you want. You are allowed to build wealth. You are allowed to be ambitious. You are allowed to choose a life and business that fit you.
And when you live in alignment, you show up as your best self. As a leader, business owner, partner, and mother. The people who truly love you for who you are will appreciate that version of you.
Ready to stop shrinking?
If you’re ready to get clear on what you want, lead with confidence, and build a business that supports your life (without guilt running the show), book a complimentary consultation here - https://www.stairwaytoleadership.com/
We’ll talk about where you are, where you want to go, and what needs to shift so you can grow without abandoning yourself in the process.
You’re a helper. That’s a gift. But it needs direction.
When you spend your best energy on people who aren’t your ideal clients, you end up drained… and your actual best clients + business get the leftovers.
Today’s reminder: you’re not here to rescue the uncommitted.
You’re here to serve the people who are ready for you.
If you're leading a service business with a team and it feels like you're constantly cleaning up mistakes, things falling through the cracks, and the team is doing finger-pointing, while also showing low engagement, this episode will help.
Maggie breaks down why most team problems are really communication system problems, and why a simple weekly operational meeting cadence can create alignment, reduce errors, and improve execution (without living in meetings).
In This Episode, you'll learn:
- The signs your team has outgrown ad-hoc communication
- Why weekly operational meetings prevent issues before they become fires
- How meeting cadence impacts morale, culture, and accountability
- The happy middle between no meetings and too many meetings
And if you want help building a communication system that fits your business and strengthens your team, book a complimentary consultation with Maggie here - https://www.stairwaytoleadership.com/
If you’ve ever tried to copy someone else’s “perfect” morning routine and ended up feeling like you’re failing, this ebonus Maggie's Moment is for you.
Maggie shares why high performance isn’t about forcing yourself into a lifestyle that doesn’t fit, and how to adapt proven frameworks so they work for your real life. You’ll learn a simple 3-step approach to protect your sleep, keep your habits sustainable, and adjust your routine as your season changes without throwing the baby out with the bathwater.
What You’ll Learn:
- Why forcing a 5AM routine can backfire (especially if you’re a night owl)
- The “Cinderella shoe syndrome” that keeps entrepreneurs stuck in self-blame
- How to keep the benefits of a framework while adapting it to your life
- A simple 3-step way to build a sustainable routine that supports growth
Key Takeaway
You don’t need to rearrange your entire life to fit a routine. Fit the routine into your life so you can stay consistent and actually benefit from it.
And if you want help building high-performance habits that fit your real life and support your next level of growth? Book a complimentary consultation with Maggie here - https://www.stairwaytoleadership.com/
Stop spinning your wheels. Identify what’s really blocking your next level and fix it fast with a simple tool shared inside this episode.
If you’re a business owner who feels like you’re doing everything, but your growth has stalled, this episode will help you pinpoint what’s really happening.
In EP 252, Maggie shares the 5 mindset blocks she sees entrepreneurs hit at different stages of growth (including the ones that show up as “I’m not salesy,” “I’m not ready,” “no one will do it as well as me,” or “this should be working by now”).
You’ll also learn a simple, practical tool to break through those blocks: the Future Self perspective, so you can make decisions from the identity of the leader you’re becoming.
What you’ll learn
- How mindset creates your actions—and your actions create your results
- The confidence and clarity block that keeps entrepreneurs playing small
- The “I’m not salesy” belief and what it’s really costing you
- The people-leadership mindset shift required to hire and lead a team
- How entitlement and complacency quietly sabotage momentum
- A Future Self exercise to create clarity and take action fast
If you want help identifying the specific beliefs that are slowing you down and building the CEO-level leadership to scale with more clarity and confidence, book a complimentary consultation with Maggie here - https://www.stairwaytoleadership.com/
If you’re trying to scale to six (or multiple six) figures but you feel overwhelmed and too busy to even think, this is for you.
Scaling isn’t about doing more; it’s about becoming the CEO of your business, not just the service provider. In today’s Maggie’s Moment, I’m breaking down the 3 leadership skills that actually create growth: clarity, leading your people, and protecting CEO time. Want support stepping into that next level? Book a complimentary consultation with me here - https://calendly.com/maggie-s2l/discovery-call-1
In this episode of the Diamond Effect Podcast, Maggie sits down with Jennifer Estall, Managing Partner at WSC Financial Solutions in Oakville, Ontario.
Jennifer shares the real story behind building a thriving financial planning firm, including the unglamorous early days, the leadership lessons that only come with time, and the surprising truth about scaling: sometimes the fastest way forward is to cut back, prune, and realign.
From being hospitalized for burnout in her 20s to rebuilding her career with stronger boundaries, Jennifer offers a grounded, honest conversation about growth that doesn’t require hustle-at-all-costs.
What you’ll hear in this episode
- How Jennifer went from hospitality consulting to financial services “by accident” and why it ended up being the right fit
- The early-stage reality: cold calling for years, creating a support system, and doing what worked even when it wasn’t fun
- The catch-22 of hiring: needing support to grow, but needing growth to afford support and how an unexpected alliance solved it
- What changes when you move from solo practice to partnership and leadership (especially as the first female partner)
- The “pruning” strategy: why WSC scaled faster after splitting parts of the business off and how they made those difficult decisions
- Jennifer’s approach to team growth and engagement along with a realistic take on work-life harmony, motherhood, and why “balance” is more about conscious choices than perfect equality
Memorable quote: “I’ve learned to fear comfort more than embrace it.”
Connect with Jennifer on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenniferestallslf/
Visit WSC Financial Solutions (Oakville, ON) website: https://web.sunlife.ca/web/wsc-financial-solutions/
And if this conversation sparked something for you, share it with a fellow business owner who’s in a growth season, especially if they’re feeling the pressure to do more, add more, and carry it all. Sometimes the next level starts with one simple question: What needs to be removed so the right thing can grow?
So many brilliant business owners aren’t stuck because they’re not good… they’re stuck because they’re not consistently visible in a way that matches their next level.
Fear. Delivery mode. Or relying on what used to work.
If you want a visibility strategy that supports real growth (without burning you out), book a complimentary consultation with me here - https://calendly.com/maggie-s2l/discovery-call-1
We made it to Episode 250!
I honestly can’t believe I’m saying that. 250 weeks of showing up, recording, teaching, learning, and building this community with you.
So today’s episode is a little different. It’s part celebration, part gratitude (because I don’t take your time for granted), and part behind-the-scenes.
I’m sharing why I do what I do, what I believe about building a business that supports your life (not consumes it), and a few things I’m quietly building right now that I’m really excited about, including a big update I’m creating for Diamond Effect Group.
And if you’re in that season where you’re working hard, doing “all the things,” and you just want a simpler, clearer road to your first $100K… I also have something coming up for you.
- Register for free online event - Back to Basics: Simplify Your Road to $100K (May 19, 1:00–4:00 PM Eastern): https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/back-to-basics-simplify-your-road-to-100k-event-tickets-1987605816502?aff=oddtdtcreator&keep_tld=true
- Let's scale your business! Book a complimentary consultation - https://calendly.com/maggie-s2l/discovery-call-1
If you’ve been listening for a while, thank you!
And if you’re new here, welcome. I’m so glad you found your way to the Diamond Effect Podcast.
Your mission matters deeply. And so does your life.
Entrepreneurship is delayed gratification by design: you’re planting seeds now that may not bloom for months (sometimes years). So yes, keep showing up and doing the work… but don’t build a business you need to recover from. \
Create pockets of time to live, rest, laugh, and be with the people you love, because joy isn’t a distraction; it’s fuel.
If you’ve been telling yourself, “I just need more time,” this episode will help you.
Most business owners don’t have a time problem—they have a clarity problem, a focus problem, and a systems problem.
In this episode of the Diamond Effect Podcast, Maggie breaks down five practical, CEO-level ways to accomplish more in less time—without working longer hours or burning yourself out.
You’ll learn why these five strategies must be done in a specific order (so you don’t “scale chaos”), and how to create more results with the time you already have by improving your weekly planning, mastering key business skills, increasing conversions, streamlining and automating repetitive tasks (including with AI), and hiring help at the right stage.
And if you want support implementing these strategies in your business with a clear plan and follow-through cadence, book a complimentary consultation with Maggie - here.
The busier you get, the less time you have to build your future.
And that's the trap.
You're so focused on delivering for today's clients that you forget to nurture tomorrow's pipeline. Then one month you're drowning, the next month you're scrambling.
It's not a lack of skill. It's a lack of strategy.
The difference between a technician and a CEO?
A CEO protects time for the business, even when the business is demanding all their attention.
Systems. Strategy. Help with delegation. These aren't luxuries. They're the foundation of sustainable growth.
What's one thing you could hand off this week?
In this episode of the Diamond Effect Podcast, Maggie sits down with Kate Selbie, owner and Strategic Director of Stybek Roofing, for a powerful conversation about what it really takes to lead, sell, and grow in a male-dominated industry.
Kate shares her journey from executive HR leadership into business ownership in construction, and how the skills she built in change management, talent strategy, and leadership now help her grow a roofing company with courage and intention.
Together, Maggie and Kate talk about courage before confidence, overcoming imposter syndrome, hiring great people, building a strong team, and why sales is often simply learning how to communicate value in the right room.
This episode is a grounded, honest conversation about leadership, mindset, and what it looks like to show up fully, even when you feel scared.
If you are a business owner navigating growth, leadership, or a big transition, this episode will leave you thinking differently about courage and what becomes possible when you trust yourself enough to take the next step.
Connect with Kate on LinkedIn - linkedin.com/in/kate-selbie-a10ab712
Follow Stybek Roofing:
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@stybekroof
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stybekroofing/
Stybek Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/stybekroofing
Kate's Bio:
Kate Selbie is the Owner and Strategic Director of Stybek Roofing, a commercial roofing company serving clients across Ontario, Canada. After spending more than a decade in executive HR and leadership roles, she stepped into business ownership in the construction industry, where she now leads growth, sales, and strategy alongside her husband, Andrew.
Kate believes leadership is built through action, not perfection. She is passionate about developing people, building resilient teams, and working with individuals who are really going for it, those who are willing to take ownership, do the work, and grow.
$37,500 to $100K in corporate in 10 years. Zero to $100K in my business in 4 years.
But it was not just about the money. It was about who I became on the way there.
When you hit that first $100K milestone, everything changes—your perspective, your confidence, your ability to create real value.
But getting there requires a different level of leadership, consistency, and intention than most people realize.
I'm breaking down the real story in a full podcast episode # 246 How to Reach Your First $100K in Business and Why It Matters
-
why this milestone matters,
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why so many talented entrepreneurs stay stuck below it, and
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what actually shifts when you cross that line.
Listen now on this platform.
In this episode, Maggie shares why reaching your first $100K in business is about more than revenue. It is a leadership milestone that changes how you see yourself, how you lead, and how you grow your business.
She breaks down what often keeps business owners stuck below $100K, including lack of clarity, inconsistent strategy, limited support, and treating the business too much like a hobby instead of something real.
You’ll also hear how the Diamond Effect Group helps business owners build the mindset, structure, and consistency needed to grow with more confidence and less overwhelm.
If you are serious about building a sustainable business and reaching your first $100K and beyond, this episode will give you a powerful new perspective on what it really takes.
To learn more about the Diamond Effect Group and join, go to Maggie's website here https://www.stairwaytoleadership.com/diamond-effect-group
Maggie shares why sustainable growth comes from studying both what’s working and what’s not in your small business. She walks through how to review your strategies, measure results, test changes, and make smarter decisions instead of switching direction too quickly.
You’ll also hear a client example of how refining a networking strategy, rather than abandoning it, turned it into a major source of business growth.
If you’ve been moving fast without stopping to reflect, this episode will help you step back, do a meaningful quarterly review, and decide what to improve, change, or do more of in the next quarter.
As Q1 of 2026 wraps up, this is the perfect time to pause and become the scientist of your service-based business.
Take an hour this week, do your simple yet powerful quarterly review, and if you want support going deeper, book a complimentary consultation with Maggie here - https://www.stairwaytoleadership.com/
In this episode, Maggie talks about why so many business owners swing between extremes in the way they work, lead, market, set goals, and grow their businesses.
From going all in and burning out to pulling back completely and losing momentum, these patterns are more common than most people realize.
Maggie shares why extremes are not sustainable, why they limit creativity and problem-solving, and why the real power lies in what she calls the happy middle.
This episode is a reminder that balance is not about doing less, lowering your standards, or playing small. It is about leading with more nuance, discernment, flexibility, and self-awareness so you can create sustainable growth and a fuller life.
In this episode, Maggie covers:
- Why operating in extremes creates burnout and inconsistency
- How all-or-nothing thinking shows up in marketing, goals, habits, and leadership
- Why a healthy relationship with goals matters for motivation and growth
- The difference between perfection and excellence
- How self-development can become unbalanced on either side
- Why the way you lead yourself affects how you lead your team
- How self-compassion supports long-term motivation and better performance
- Five ways to start operating more in the happy middle
Key takeaway
The best results rarely come from extremes. They come from learning how to assess what is needed in the moment and responding with both ambition and compassion.
Connect with Maggie
Website: https://stairwaytoleadership.com/
If this episode resonated with you, share it with another business owner who needs the reminder that sustainable success is built in the middle, not in the extremes.
Most business owners want to outsource social media as fast as possible.
I think that’s a mistake. Your voice, your story, and your connection with your audience should not be handed off too soon.
That’s exactly what I’m talking about in this Maggie’s Moment. 🎧
In this episode of the Diamond Effect Podcast, Maggie sits down with Jocelyn Flanagan, Founder and Executive Producer of e=mc² events, to talk about entrepreneurship, creativity, leadership, and what it really takes to build a company that lasts.
Jocelyn shares the story of how a chance encounter and a real elevator pitch helped launch her business, how she grew it into a globally recognized events company, and what she learned from navigating expansion, economic downturns, COVID, and the demands of leadership.
This conversation is full of practical wisdom for business owners who want to scale with intention, lead strong teams, and stay grounded through growth.
In this episode, we talk about:
- How Jocelyn got started in the events industry
- The real elevator pitch that helped land a major client
- What it takes to build trust and grow through word of mouth
- Expanding across Canada and adapting to different business cultures
- Creativity in event production and designing unforgettable experiences
- Leading collaborative teams and hiring the right people
- Navigating challenges, uncertainty, and economic shifts
- Lessons from COVID and how the business pivoted
- Work-life balance, burnout, and sustainable leadership
- Advice for entrepreneurs who are building and scaling
Guest Bio:
Jocelyn Flanagan is the visionary Founder and Executive Producer of e=mc² events, a global powerhouse recognized as one of the Top 50 event companies in the world. As the creative force behind Canada’s most iconic cultural milestones, including the Canadian Screen Awards, Canada’s Walk of Fame, and the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame, Jocelyn is a true expert at choreographing "things that matter" on a grand scale.
With over 55 national and international awards to the company’s name, including Canadian Event Producer of the Year, Jocelyn combines a "can-do" attitude with a strategic wizardry that turns complex visions into life-changing experiences.
Beyond the red carpets, events, and broadcasts, she is deeply committed to the industry, mentoring youth, and is a proud member of the Musicounts Advisory Committee. A previous Woman of Inspiration honoree, Jocelyn, lives for the opportunity to prove that through the power of live experience, we don’t just produce events, we change lives.
Memorable takeaways:
Success often starts with saying yes to opportunities before you feel fully ready.
Collaboration is a competitive advantage.
Creativity is not just about ideas. It is about creating meaningful experiences.
Strong leadership means trusting your team, asking questions, and staying open.
Challenges are inevitable, but resourcefulness and resilience make the difference.
Sustainable success requires boundaries, support, and self-awareness.
Connect with Jocelyn - Website: https://emctwoevents.com
Interview Timeline:
00:00 Introduction to Jocelyn Flanagan and e=mc² events
02:00 How Jocelyn discovered the events industry and got started
06:00 Landing the first clients and the elevator pitch story
12:00 Expanding across Canada and learning about cultural differences
18:00 Creativity in events and unforgettable production examples
24:00 Balancing client vision with expert guidance
29:00 Navigating event challenges and problem-solving under pressure
33:00 Economic downturns, diversification, and business resilience
37:00 COVID pivots, virtual events, and new opportunities
44:00 Leadership, hiring, and building a collaborative team
54:00 Managing stress, burnout, and work-life balance
01:04:00 Advice for entrepreneurs and final reflections
We wear so many hats in life and business.
Parent. Partner. Entrepreneur. Marketer. Salesperson. Leader.
What helps me move through all those roles with more ease is staying grounded in one core identity. For me, that identity is leader.
What if the biggest breakthroughs in your business had not much to do with tactics or strategy and everything to do with you?
In this episode, Maggie dives deep into the real, research-backed reason self-development isn’t just “nice to have,” but the secret accelerator for sustainable business success. She shares her own journey from burnout to fulfillment, the science behind self-awareness, and practical stories from clients who’ve transformed their results by working on themselves first.
You’ll discover:
- Why knowing yourself is the foundation for growth (and how most people skip this step)
- The triggers that push us out of our comfort zones—and how to use them for positive change
- How to align your business with your values for more energy, fulfillment, and results
- Real-life examples of habits, routines, and mindset shifts that fuel both personal and business breakthroughs
- Simple, actionable exercises to help you reflect, reset, and move forward—no matter what season you’re in
Whether you’re scaling up or just starting out, this episode will inspire you to look inward, take bold action, and unlock your next level of success.
Ready to accelerate your growth? Tune in now!
Connect with Maggie:
- Instagram: @maggieperotin_s2l
- LinkedIn: Maggie Perotin
- Book a free consultation via her Website: https://www.stairwaytoleadership.com/
Still not making the money you hoped for when you started your business?
It’s not about working harder or chasing the next shiny tactic. It’s about mastering the basics that actually move you forward.
Ready to finally break through to $100K?
Join my free Back to Basics: Uncomplicate Your Road to 100K Event.
When: Wedensday March 25th - 1:00-4:00 pm EST
Where: Online
Cost: Absolutely FREE
Details and Registration: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/back-to-basics-uncomplicate-your-road-to-100k-event-tickets-1982713233655?aff=oddtdtcreator
In this special International Women’s Day episode, Maggie shares the inspiring rise of women entrepreneurship, backed by powerful stats and deeply personal stories. From her own journey as an immigrant and corporate leader turned business owner, to the larger movement of women building businesses for freedom, impact, and flexibility, Maggie explores:
- The latest stats on women-owned businesses in Canada and the US—and why this matters
- How burnout and a desire for freedom sparked her own entrepreneurial leap
- The unique challenges and strengths women bring to business ownership
- Why so many women choose service-based businesses, and the impact they make in their communities
- The real reason business skills—not just hard work—determine growth and sustainability
- The importance of building a business that supports your life, not drains it
- What’s next: Maggie’s plans to spotlight more women entrepreneurs on the podcast and social media
Whether you’re a seasoned entrepreneur or just starting out, this episode will leave you inspired, informed, and ready to take your next bold step.
Connect with Maggie:
- Instagram: @maggie.perotin.s2l
- LinkedIn: Maggie Perotin
Don’t forget to subscribe, share, and join our community of ambitious, impact-driven entrepreneurs!
Are you experiencing a slower season in your service business?
Don’t settle in. Use it to spark your next wave of growth. This one mindset shift can turn downtime into your best opportunity yet.
Ready to get moving? Tune in now!
**We wear so many hats in life and business.
Parent. Partner. Entrepreneur. Marketer. Salesperson. Leader.
What helps me move through all those roles with more ease is staying grounded in one core identity. For me, that identity is leader.**
Struggling to attract high-quality clients, even though you’re working hard on your marketing? You’re not alone!
In this episode, Maggie breaks down the five most common mistakes small service business owners make when it comes to defining and targeting their ideal clients, and shares practical strategies to fix them.
You’ll learn:
- Why generic messaging keeps you stuck with low conversions and high-maintenance clients
- The real definition of an “ideal client” (it’s not just about demographics!)
- How to update your client avatar as your business evolves
- Why repetition and specificity matter more than you think
- Simple steps to refine your messaging and start attracting clients who truly value your work
Ready to stop chasing everyone and start connecting with the right people? Tune in for actionable insights that will help you grow your business with less stress and more results!
Struggling to sell your services, even though you know you’re good at what you do? The missing piece might be your own belief. In this Maggie’s Moment, I break down why conviction in your offer is the foundation of confident, authentic sales—and how to shift from self-doubt to genuine demand. Tune in for a mindset check and a practical challenge to help you reconnect with the true value you bring to your clients.
What if the real secret to sustainable business growth isn’t just strategy or hustle, but your ability to stay calm and resilient when challenges hit?
In this episode, Maggie dives deep into the emotional side of entrepreneurship, sharing practical ways service-based business owners can build the resilience needed to handle setbacks, stress, and uncertainty. You’ll learn:
- Why challenges are a normal (and necessary) part of business growth
- How emotional capacity determines your long-term success
- Simple mindset shifts to help you process setbacks and make stronger decisions
- The power of perspective, self-compassion, and intentional self-care
- Real-life examples and actionable tips you can use right now to grow as a CEO
Whether you’re feeling overwhelmed by problems, this episode will help you develop the calm confidence needed to lead, scale, and thrive no matter what comes your way.
Tune in now!
Ready to Build a More Resilient, Scalable Business?
If you’re ready to strengthen your resilience, handle challenges with confidence, and scale your service business sustainably, Maggie would love to support you. Book a complimentary consultation here to discover how her coaching can help you grow with less stress and more success - https://www.stairwaytoleadership.com/
Ever feel like your long-term vision is so big, it actually keeps you stuck?
In this episode, I’m breaking down why big dreams sometimes lead to overwhelm and procrastination—and how you can flip the script. Learn how to use your vision as fuel for action, not an excuse to freeze, so you can keep moving forward (one brick at a time) toward your goals.
Tune in for a practical mindset shift you can use right now! And if you want my help to move and achieve your short-term goals and the vision faster, let's talk. Book a free consultation here - https://www.stairwaytoleadership.com/
You don’t have to be a natural extrovert to build a powerful network and grow your service business. Start with what feels authentic, expand your comfort zone one step at a time, and remember: every entrepreneur can learn to get visible and connect—your way. In this episode Maggie shares her own and client stories of overcoming shyness, fear of public speaking or social media to build visibility for their businesses and book clients their way.
Episode Highlights:
- Why visibility and networking are essential for business growth—especially if you’re introverted or shy
- Maggie’s personal story: losing her network after divorce, starting from scratch as an immigrant, and overcoming the discomfort of networking
- The two main types of networking groups—and how to find the ones that fit your strengths
- Real-life examples of introverted business owners who built thriving networks and referral partnerships
- Mindset shifts that make “putting yourself out there” feel less scary (and more doable)
- How to layer new visibility strategies on top of your natural strengths for sustainable growth
- The science behind why video and personal branding matter for memorability and trust
- Actionable tips for building confidence, making connections, and becoming more visible—even if it feels impossible right now
Upcoming FREE Event:
Don’t miss Maggie’s “Back to Basics; Uncomplicate Your Way to $100K” - free online event on March 25th, 1–4pm EST
A hands-on experience to help you reach your first $100K with simple, actionable strategies and real networking opportunities. Register via the link in the show notes! Register via Eventbrite here - https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/back-to-basics-uncomplicate-your-road-to-100k-event-tickets-1982713233655?aff=oddtdtcreator
Special Invitation:
If you’re ready to break through your visibility blocks and want support mapping out your next level of business growth, book a complimentary consultation with Maggie here - https://www.stairwaytoleadership.com/
If your content sounds smart but isn’t converting, this episode is for you.
In this short Maggie’s Moment, Maggie breaks down why “good” content often fails to attract the right clients — and what actually builds trust instead. You’ll learn why people don’t respond to broad advice, how recognition drives connection, and the simple shift you can make to create content that feels personal for your ideal client without oversharing.
If you want your content to sound like your clients’ real thoughts (not marketing advice) and drive them to take action, this episode will change how you approach messaging.
👉 Book a free consultation here https://www.stairwaytoleadership.com/
Are you the bottleneck in your own business growth? In this episode, Maggie breaks down the most common ways service-based business owners unknowingly slow down their own progress—and what to do about it.
Learn how to spot where you’re holding your business back, why these bottlenecks happen, and get practical tips to fix them for good.
What You’ll Learn:
- 6 signs you might be the bottleneck in your business
- The crucial business skills every owner needs to scale
- How to shift from provider to CEO mindset
- The power of clarity and fast decision-making
- Delegation, team empowerment, and why letting go fuels growth
- How to keep your business moving (even when you’re not in the room)
Action Step:
Ready to break through your bottlenecks? Book a complimentary consultation with Maggie here https://calendly.com/maggie-s2l/discovery-call-1 and start scaling with more freedom and less overwhelm.
For more client wins and resources, check the testimonials and blog at https://www.stairwaytoleadership.com/
Are you running yourself ragged trying to do it all?
In this quick Maggie’s Moment, discover the top 5 signs it’s time to get help—before burnout or missed opportunities slow your growth.
Learn how to spot the warning signals, why hiring is a milestone (not a failure), and what to do next if you’re ready for more freedom and impact.
If any of these signs sound familiar, book your complimentary consult with Maggie to get help. You can scale your business sustainably with more freedom and no overwhelm. Book here - https://www.stairwaytoleadership.com/
In this heartfelt episode, Maggie sits down with Mike Guthrie—community connector, philanthropist, and daily LinkedIn video creator. Together, they explore how authentic engagement and simply showing up (online and in real life) can spark unexpected friendships, inspire positive change, and help you find deeper purpose in your work.
Whether you’re a business owner, leader, or just someone looking to make a difference, Mike’s story will remind you that impact starts with small, consistent actions and genuine connection.
Episode Highlights
- How a single thoughtful comment on LinkedIn led to a meaningful friendship and this inspiring conversation
- Mike’s journey from “quiet observer” to daily video creator and community connector
- The surprising impact of small, consistent actions—both online and offline
- Why leadership isn’t about titles, but about showing up for yourself and others
- Stories of philanthropy, kindness, and using your voice for good
- The role of social media in building real relationships and amplifying positive change
- Tips for overcoming tech overwhelm and growing into your own authentic online presence
- How giving back and supporting causes can bring deeper fulfillment to your work and life
Connect with Mike;
- LinkedIn: Mike G. Guthrie
- Instagram handle @mike.gibsonguthrie
- Charities mentioned:
Phoenix Foundation (mental health) https://thephoenixfoundation.ca/home
Red M (human trafficking) https://joinredm.ca/
Little Warriors (child abuse prevention) https://littlewarriors.ca/whiskeyinateacup/
Moose Hide Campaign (indigenous women’s safety) https://moosehidecampaign.ca/
Episode Quote
“Leadership isn’t about your job title—it’s about how you show up for others, every single day.”
In this Maggie’s Moment, Maggie breaks down the 3 big shifts that separate true CEOs from overwhelmed technicians:
- Creating and leading with a clear vision
- Building a team to expand your impact
- Investing in your own growth to move the business forward
Ready to step into your CEO role and scale your business? Tune in for actionable inspiration and your next step.
Ready to step into your CEO role and grow faster? Book a complimentary consult and I’ll help you build the skills and strategy to scale - https://calendly.com/maggie-s2l/discovery-call-1
Stuck, Overthinking, or Spinning? How Clarity Helps Business Owners Move Faster
Are you caught in a cycle of overthinking, indecision, or second-guessing every move in your business? You’re not alone. In today’s episode, Maggie Perotin dives deep into why so many service-based business owners feel stuck—and reveals the clarity strategies that help CEOs move forward with confidence and speed.
Inside this episode:
- The real reasons business owners lose clarity (and how it silently stalls your growth)
- How too many options and endless “shoulds” lead to overwhelm, wasted time, and lost momentum
- The exact questions to ask yourself to break free from analysis paralysis and get back on track
- Maggie’s proven “decision filter” method for making faster, smarter choices—without the guilt or second-guessing
- Real-life examples of how clarity transformed her clients’ results (and how it can do the same for you)
- Simple, actionable steps to regain focus, prioritize what matters, and finally make progress—no matter how busy or overwhelmed you feel
If you’re tired of spinning your wheels and ready to lead your business like a true CEO, this episode is your roadmap to clarity, action, and real growth.
Ready to move from stuck to unstoppable? Tune in now and discover the clarity edge your business needs.
In this episode, Maggie answers two questions service-based business owners keep asking online:
- Is social media still worth it in 2026, or are clients searching elsewhere?
- How do I convert website/online traffic into paying clients?
You’ll get a fresh, practical perspective based on current consumer behavior (including Google’s “messy middle” buying journey) and real examples that show why visibility isn’t enough — your Google profile, website copy, and follow-up process are what turn interest into booked clients.
What you’ll learn
- How clients actually choose service providers in 2026
- Why social media is still worth it — but only if it matches where your ideal clients explore
- The 3 essentials that convert online traffic
- Why “marketing tactics” don’t work well in isolation — and how to build an ecosystem instead
Key takeaways
- Your client’s buying journey is rarely one search → one decision. It’s a “messy middle” of research.
- Social media supports the exploration phase. Google + reviews support the evaluation phase.
- Conversions often break at the follow-up stage: slow replies, unclear next steps, or inconsistent communication.
- The goal is a smooth client journey from discovery → trust → contact → conversion.
Work with Maggie
If you want help looking at your marketing holistically — from your ideal client’s perspective — and turn your online presence into a consistent stream of paying clients, book a complimentary consultation - HERE - https://calendly.com/maggie-s2l/discovery-call-1
Timestamps
- 00:00 Why this episode: answering real questions service business owners ask online
- 02:00 The “messy middle”: why the buyer journey isn’t linear (streaming, scrolling, searching)
- 03:00 Why video content matters more than ever in the exploration phase
- 04:00 Evaluation phase: why clients check Google profiles + reviews before deciding
- 06:00 Where social media fits: it’s part of discovery (and you need to be where your client explores)
- 09:00 The 3-step conversion checklist for turning traffic into paying clients
- 11:00 Real story: searching for kids’ drama classes (what went wrong in the follow-up)
- 18:00 What a smooth conversion journey looks like (examples from Maggie’s client inquiries)
- 23:00 The big mistake: treating marketing in silos vs building a client journey ecosystem
Ever wonder which channel is “best” in 2026 — Instagram, TikTok, LinkedIn, email, networking, or cold outreach?
In this quick bonus episode, Maggie shares the truth: there’s no magic platform. Any channel can convert when you choose it based on your ideal client and back it with the right positioning + messaging.
You’ll learn how to:
- Pick channels based on where your clients actually look for answers
- Make the channel convert by speaking in your client’s language (not industry jargon)
- Stop chasing trends and start building a simple, repeatable approach
Press play and choose your channel strategically — then make it work.
Get Your FREE Resource - 59+ Ways to Make Your Business More Visible
Want consistent leads for your service business without spending huge amounts on paid ads? In this episode, Maggie breaks down why organic marketing is the smartest place to start (especially on your way to your first six figures) and shares the 3 pillars that create a steady, predictable client pipeline.
What you’ll learn
- Why organic marketing should come before paid ads (and when paid ads make sense so that you don't spend a huge amount to make them work)
- The 3 pillars of organic lead generation that work for most service businesses
- Why there’s no one-size-fits-all marketing tactic—and how to choose what fits your business
The 3 pillars of no-ads lead generation
- Strategic partnerships: Build win-win relationships that generate referrals.
- Online lead generation + conversion: Google Business Profile with a website + a focused social presence that includes sales content.
- Stay connected: Nurture past clients and warm leads through email + social so you stay top of mind.
Marketing is an ecosystem. Your best results come when these strategies support each other—rather than running random tactics in isolation.
Work with Maggie
Want help building a reliable client acquisition engine organically?
- Book a complimentary consultation here to talk details.
Next steps:
- Subscribe to the Diamond Effect Podcast
- Leave a review (it helps more than you know)
- Share this episode with a fellow business owner who wants consistent leads without paid ads
Keywords
No-ads lead generation, organic marketing for service businesses, consistent leads without ads, client pipeline, strategic partnerships, Google Business Profile, email nurturing, client acquisition engine
Behavioral research shows 3 key reasons business goals slip: lack of structure, shallow motivation, and relying on willpower instead of systems. Maggie shares how to build a simple plan and weekly rhythm that keeps you consistent.
What You'll Learn* How to turn vague goals into clear targets + weekly actions * Why your WHY matters more than hype * The simple systems that create consistency (calendar, weekly review, accountability)
Join a complementary online event - Design Your Success 2026 (Jan 13-14, 2-5 pm EST) to build an actionable plan for your goals. Message Maggie - maggie@stairwaytoleadership.com for more details and to secure your spot.
And if you want expert eyes on your business, plus the structure and support system to stay consistent, book a complimentary consultation with Maggie here. We'll map your next best steps to achieve or even exceed your goals.
Quote"Don't lower the goal. Upgrade the structure behind it."
Referrals shouldn’t feel like luck.
In this quick Maggie’s Moment, Maggie shares a simple 3-step approach to generate more consistent client referrals so it happens every time (bonus: automate what you can).
If you want referrals to become predictable, this is your starting point.
Happy New Year, Diamond Effect Podcast listeners.
In today’s first episode of 2026, we’re talking about goals—but not in the fluffy, “new year, new you” way. We’re focusing on the mindset that actually helps you follow through past January… and definitely past February.
Because setting goals isn’t just about writing down a number. It’s about becoming the kind of leader who can stay consistent, make better decisions, and keep moving forward even when the plan gets messy.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
- Why the New Year is a powerful moment to set goals (even if you don’t “wait for the perfect time”)
- The 3 categories of goals that keep you motivated and grounded
- How to stop letting timelines sabotage your belief and momentum
- Why progress goals (KPIs) are the real secret to achieving big outcomes
- How to build the habits, systems, and mindset that make consistency easier
The 3 types of goals to set (and how to think about each):
- Big Hairy Audacious Goals (BHAGs)
Your 3–10 year vision that fuels you. These goals help you focus less on “how” and more on who you need to become. - Short-Term Goals (Annual goals)
Your 12-month target (revenue, number of clients, etc.) that should feel ambitious—but still believable enough that you can stand behind it and take action. - Progress Goals (KPIs)
The weekly/daily actions that keep you on track—so you can measure what’s working, adjust quickly, and celebrate consistent progress.
A mindset shift I want you to take into 2026:
If you don’t set goals because you “just want to see what happens,” you’re leaving your future to chance.
And if you don’t set goals because you “don’t want to be disappointed,” that’s not protection—it’s avoidance.
The real work is building a healthy relationship with goals: using them to guide you, not judge you.
Mentioned in this episode:
- EP # 231 (Dec 12, 2025) - From Idea to Action: The Small Business CEO’s Guide to Making Things Happen in 2026
- EP # 213 (Aug 1, 2025) - Stop Playing It Safe with Your Dreams: Why 10-Year Goals Should Scare You Into Action
- EP # 130 (Jan 5, 202$) - How to Achieve Your Goals
Want help planning your 2026 goals?
If you’re listening before January 13, I’d love to invite you to my complimentary online event:
Design Your Success 2026
Jan 13–14, 2:00–5:00 PM EEST
We’ll set your 2026 goal, identify your top 3 focus areas, and map out the actions you’ll take weekly and monthly to make it real—without overwhelm.
To join, email me at: maggie@stairwaytoleadership.com
In this Maggie’s Moment, Maggie shares one of her biggest lessons from 2025: the more value you create, the more it comes back—often in unexpected ways. She also reminds you not to rush into 2026 on autopilot, and invites you to join Design Your Success 2026 on Jan 13–14 (because planning in January is still better than not planning at all).
🎧 For the full breakdown of her 2025 lessons, listen to the latest Diamond Effect Podcast episode # 233 - Reflect, Reset, Scale - 5 Powerful Lessons to Close 2025 and Start 2026 Strong.
To join her in the Design Your Success 2026 Event on Jan 13 and 14th (virtual and complimentary) - message Maggie at maggie@stairwaytoleadership.com
As 2025 comes to a close, this episode is your invitation to pause, reflect, and intentionally choose what you're bringing into 2026and what you're leaving behind.
Maggie shares five key lessons and coaching concepts from 2025, shaped by her own experiences as a business owner and by what she's seen while coaching service-based entrepreneurs. You'll hear practical mindset shifts, real examples (including navigating a tax audit), and simple frameworks you can apply to your planning, your leadership, and your growth in the new year.
What You'll Learn in This Episode:
- Why year-end reflection is a CEO skill (and how it helps you avoid repeating the same year)
- How to stop avoiding challenges and use them to become stronger and smarter
- What it really means to trust your support system (and why resistance is often a sign you're on the right track)
- Why creating value is never wasted and how it comes back in unexpected ways
- A simple mindset for events, collaborations, and networking that removes pressure and increases results
- Why Maggie chose Connect (Connected)as her 2026 word of the year and how connection fuels growth
Key Lessons & Concepts (Highlights)
1) Lean Into Challenges (They Make You Stronger)
Challenges don't disappear as you grow; they change. Maggie shares how daily journaling and intentional mindset work helped her face difficult situations (including a tax audit) with less avoidance, less emotional spiraling, and more clarity.
2) Trust Your Support System (and Do the Work)
Whether it's a bookkeeper, mentor, coach, or financial expert, support only works when you actually lean into it. Maggie shares a powerful insight: the more her brain resisted a mentor's suggestion, the better the results were on the other side.
Reminder: Investing is not the transformation. Implementation is.
3) The More Value You Create, the Better You Feel (and It Comes Back)
Maggie reflects on how giving value through VIP coaching sessions and complimentary events created fulfillment, stronger relationships, and unexpected opportunities.
4) One Event, One Client (A Pressure-Removing Framework)
If you're an introvert or you overthink networking, this concept is for you.
Instead of expecting one event to make it all worth it, Maggie teaches: show up fully, be yourself, and trust that one event can lead to one client, whether immediately or months later.
Important: Be strategic about what you attend and create, but drop unrealistic expectations that create pressure and disappointment.
5) Connection Starts With Being Connected
Maggie shares why connection is her guiding theme for 2026, starting with connection to self (growth, mindset, identity), then expanding to family, clients, community, and purpose.
She also references how 10x Is Easier Than 2x influenced her thinking and her 10X Expansion Retreat.
Before you jump into 2026, pause and reflect. Decide what you're keeping, what you're releasing, and what you're committing to so you don't repeat the same year on a new calendar.
If you want support scaling your service business in 2026, book a complimentary consultation with Maggie here - https://calendly.com/maggie-s2l/discovery-call-1
I’m pausing today to say one thing I never want to rush past: thank you.
To my clients, my community (listeners + followers), and my collaborators—your trust, support, and loyalty mean more than I can put into words. I never take it for granted.
Wishing you a peaceful holiday season.
If you’ve been part of my world this year, drop a ❤️ in the comments so I can thank you personally.
Marketing is louder, clients are pickier, and AI is making it easier to create content—but harder to build trust. In this episode, Maggie shares the key shifts she sees for 2026: scaling won’t be about doing more. It’ll be about building a business that runs better and feels more human.
In This Episode
- Why your personality/personal brand becomes the differentiator in a world of AI content
- Why customer loyalty + lifetime value beats constantly chasing new clients
- Why short-form video still wins—and how series content builds depth and trust
- How personal touch becomes a premium advantage again
- How to use AI as operational leverage (SOPs, proposals, follow-ups, meeting notes) without sounding robotic
- Why community + strategic partnerships become your most reliable pipeline
Quick Action Steps
- Pick 3 words you want to be known for (check testimonials for clues).
- Ask: “What’s the next problem my best clients have after I solve the first one?”
- Create a 3-4-part content series addressing a single core client problem.
- Add 1–2 personal touchpoints to your customer journey—and systemize them.
- Identify 10–15 strategic partners and activate one relationship per month.
Connect With Maggie
Website: https://stairwaytoleadership.com/
In today's Maggie’s Moment, Maggie shares why genuine human connection is becoming a business superpower as AI and automation become more widespread. She explores how service-based business owners can stand out by making their client experience more personal and memorable—even with all the benefits that AI brings.
In this episode:
- Why AI is a powerful tool for productivity, but can’t replace real relationships
- The growing value of human-to-human connection in an increasingly automated world
- Simple ways to elevate your client experience and make it uniquely personal
- A key question: How can you connect with clients as a person, not just a brand?
Is your 2026 vision still just an idea—or will you actually make it happen?
In this episode, we dig into why waiting for the “right moment” is one of the biggest traps holding business owners back, and how to become the kind of CEO who creates the right moment instead of waiting for it.
Maggie shares real stories, personal lessons, and actionable strategies to help you turn inspiration into implementation—no matter what life throws your way.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
- Why the “perfect time” is a myth (and how to create momentum no matter what’s happening in your life or business)
- How to break the cycle of January excitement and February drop-off, so your goals stick all year
- The mindset shifts that help you make and follow through on bold decisions—even when circumstances aren’t perfect
- Real-life examples of making big moves before the stars align (and how it led to unexpected opportunities)
- Simple, practical steps to start acting on your ideas—without burning out or waiting for everything to be “just right”
Related Episodes:
- EP #230: The 7 Steps to a Self-Running, Scalable Service Business Team
- MM 229: Planning to Scale in 2026? Stop Doing Everything Yourself First.
- EP # 208 - The Strategic Speed Advantage: Making Million-Dollar Decisions in Minutes, Not Months
Key Takeaways:
- Don’t wait for the right moment—decide, commit, and create it.
- Taking action (even imperfectly) is better than waiting for the stars to align.
- Every big result starts with a small, intentional step.
Ready to make 2026 the year you move from idea to action?
Book a complimentary consultation with Maggie HERE
Can a single coaching session really move the needle in your business?
Absolutely.
In this Maggie’s Moment, I share real stories of clients who landed stalled deals, recovered lost revenue, and took action on new opportunities—all in just one session. Coaching isn’t just about strategy; it’s about breaking through mindset blocks, optimizing your next step, and turning intention into action. Every time you do, your results compound—and your business grows faster.
Ready to see what one session can do for you? Book your complimentary consultation here - https://calendly.com/maggie-s2l/discovery-call-1
How to attract, hire, and lead a high-performing team—so your business can grow without you.
What does it really take to build a team that can run—and even grow—without you? In this episode, Maggie draws on her deep corporate experience co-scaling teams from 80 to 450 and translates those lessons for small business owners who want to build a business that’s both scalable and sellable. Whether you’re hiring your first team member or leading a growing group, you’ll learn the practical steps and mindset shifts needed to create a high-performing, self-sustaining team.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
- Why building a business that can function without you is the key to long-term growth and eventual exit
- How Maggie’s corporate background shapes her approach to leadership and team-building in small businesses
- The real value of delegation—and how it creates space for you and growth opportunities for your best people
- Why making yourself “replaceable” is a mark of great leadership (not a threat to your value)
- The 7 steps Maggie uses to build and turn around high-performing teams, including:
- Defining and intentionally curating your team culture
- Attracting and hiring the right people (hard skills, soft skills, and common sense)
- Creating a strong onboarding and training experience
- Leading with connection, trust, and clear boundaries (and why micromanaging kills innovation)
- Building real relationships and loyalty by caring about your people as humans
- Coaching your team for growth, giving honest feedback, and rewarding what you want to see
- Not tolerating behaviors that go against your culture—and why sometimes letting people go is necessary
- How to avoid desperate hires and why they rarely work out
- The importance of fun, safety, and innovation in team culture
- Lessons from large-scale change management and how to apply them in any size business
Key Takeaways:
- High-performing teams don’t happen by accident—they’re built through intentional culture, great hiring, and strong leadership.
- Delegation is essential for growth and for keeping your best people engaged.
- Make yourself replaceable so your business can thrive (and you can step back or sell one day).
- Never tolerate behaviors that poison your culture—even if it’s uncomfortable to address.
- Don’t rush hiring decisions out of desperation; the wrong hire can set your team back.
Connect with Maggie:
- LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/maggie-perotin-business-and-leadership-coach/
- Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/maggie.perotin.s2l/
- https://www.stairwaytoleadership.com
Resources:
- Want help building your own high-performing team? Book a complimentary consultation with Maggie here - https://calendly.com/maggie-s2l/discovery-call-1
There’s more than one way to build a thriving business—and you don’t have to grind yourself into the ground to hit six, seven, or even eight figures. In this Maggie’s Moment, I share real stories of clients who’ve scaled with balance and purpose, and why your business should fit your life (not the other way around). If you want to grow on your terms, without sacrificing your values or what matters most, this is for you.
Ready to design a business that works for your life?
Book a complimentary consultation with me here.
Send us a text
How to use AI strategically to save time, increase productivity, and grow your business faster—without losing your unique voice.
After over a year of using AI in my business (and teaching my clients to do the same), I'm sharing what I've learned about leveraging AI strategically to increase productivity, save time, and work smarter—not harder.
In this episode, I break down:
- Why AI matters now – A Chief Economist at a Canadian business conference highlighted AI as a low-cost investment that increases business effectiveness, especially in a slower economy
- Types of AI platforms – Generalist tools (ChatGPT, Sintra) vs. specialized tools (Descript for video/podcast editing, Perplexity for research, and more)
- The power of prompting – Why "garbage in, garbage out" applies to AI, and how giving proper context and clear instructions changes everything
- Teaching your AI about your business – How paid subscriptions let you train AI agents on your frameworks, sales philosophy, and brand voice so you don't repeat yourself
- Using AI to amplify (not replace) your uniqueness – I never ask AI for content ideas; instead, I use it as my executive assistant and typewriter to process my ideas faster
- Real examples from my business – How I use AI to turn one podcast episode into show notes, social captions, and email newsletters in under an hour (instead of days)
- AI for research – How I used ChatGPT to do months' worth of market research in one hour for a 2026 project
- What to be careful about – Automations, integrations, confidentiality, intellectual property, and data limits
If you've been curious about AI but not sure where to start—or if you're already using it but want to get better results—this episode will give you a clear, practical roadmap.
Resources & Links
- ChatGPT – Generalist AI platform (great for beginners)
- Sintra – European AI platform designed for business owners (Maggie's choice) - check it out HERE
- Descript – AI tool for podcast and video editing - check it here
- Perplexity – AI research tool with sources and citations
- Gemini – Google's generalist AI platform
- Free Training: AI for Sales & Marketing
Learn how to use AI for social media content that's unique to your brand and saves you time. GET IT HERE
Connect with Maggie:
- Website: https://www.stairwaytoleadership.com/
- Instagram: @maggieperotin.s2l
- LinkedIn: Maggie Perotin
Send us a text
You know that feeling when you finally sit down to work on your business… and end up buried in emails, admin, and “quick fixes”? In this Maggie’s Moment, I walk you through a simple exercise to uncover the hidden cost of doing everything yourself—and why it’s keeping you from nurturing relationships, following up with warm leads, creating content, and selling.
You’ll learn how to:
- Audit where your time is really going
- Identify tasks that don’t need your unique expertise
- Put a dollar value on low-value work
- Start thinking about who or what you need to add (VA, bookkeeper, contractor, systems)
You don’t build a sustainable multiple six-figure business by squeezing more out of yourself—you do it by intentionally designing support around you.
👉 Want help deciding what to get off your plate first and how to scale to multiple six and seven-figure businesses in 2026? Book a complimentary consultation at https://stairwaytoleadership.com
Send us a text
From spreadsheets and Facebook ads to storytelling, studios, and a top-ranked business podcast.
In this special studio-recorded episode, Maggie sits down with her mentee, Alexander Whitfield, founder of Whitmedia Studios in Oshawa (Greater Toronto Area), ON, Canada, and co-host of the Hustle Over Everything podcast.
Alex shares how he went from running Facebook ads and staring at spreadsheets all day in corporate marketing… to building a purpose-driven media studio and a top-ranked business podcast that’s hit #1 in Jamaica and top 20 in Canada.
In this conversation, Maggie and Alex talk about:
- How a simple student project and curiosity about entrepreneurship evolved into a full podcast and then a studio
- The childhood “massage hustle” that hinted Alex was always meant to be an entrepreneur
- Why he walked away from corporate roles where his value felt tied only to performance metrics
- How podcasting lets him hear real stories, serve entrepreneurs, and “reward his inner child”
- The role mentorship played in uncovering blind spots, systems, and stronger foundations
- The fine balance between short-term “band-aid” fixes and long-term strategic solutions in business
- Practical tips for starting a podcast and then leveling it up with video, YouTube, and smart promotion
- His bigger vision for Whitmedia Studios, education, and workshops in storytelling, public speaking, and community building
If you’ve ever wondered whether it’s possible to build a business that feels meaningful, creative, and sustainable—not just profitable—this episode will inspire you to choose purpose over paycheque and design work that truly fits you.
Resources & Links
- Whitmedia Studios (Oshawa) – Podcast & media studio founded by Alex
- Hustle Over Everything Podcast – Alex’s entrepreneurship & culture podcast
- Connect with Alex on Instagram: @247hustler
- Book a complimentary consultation with Maggie - https://www.stairwaytoleadership.com/
Timestamps:
- 00:00 – Introduction & recording in a professional studio
- 00:40 – Meet Alex: founder of Whim Media Studios & Hustle Over Everything
- 01:20 – How a student project evolved into a podcast and then a studio
- 02:20 – Childhood “massage hustle” and early signs of entrepreneurship
- 03:30 – Maggie’s daughter’s nail business and TikTok success
- 04:00 – Why Alex left corporate marketing and Facebook ads
- 05:00 – Feeling disposable in corporate and craving purpose
- 06:00 – Maggie’s burnout story and losing her sense of purpose
- 08:00 – The beauty (and difficulty) of building your own business
- 09:00 – How mentorship supports entrepreneurs and reveals blind spots
- 11:00 – Maggie’s framework: when to fix problems now vs. later
- 13:00 – The origin story of Hustle Over Everything podcast
- 14:00 – Breakthrough moments: David Mullings, Jamaica, and Paul Brunson
- 16:00 – Posting daily: the challenge of a podcast-a-day for a month
- 16:30 – Advice for starting a podcast from scratch
- 18:00 – How to level up an existing podcast with video & YouTube
- 19:00 – Working with platform editors and podcast promotion
- 20:00 – Alex’s bigger vision for Whim Media Studios & workshops
- 21:00 – Upcoming workshop on public speaking, storytelling & community
- 21:40 – Where to find and follow Alex online
- 22:00 – Closing and thank you
Send us a text
Are you working hard but not seeing the revenue growth you expected? You might be leaving thousands of dollars on the table without even realizing it.
In this week's Maggie's Moment, I'm breaking down three money leaks I see all the time:
1️⃣ Not pausing to reflect monthly (and missing revenue recovery opportunities)
2️⃣ Chasing shiny objects instead of doubling down on what works
3️⃣ Poor billing and invoicing processes (I share a $15K near-miss story)
These aren't about getting more clients—they're about capturing the money you're already earning and optimizing what's already working.
Your action steps:
✓ Block 30 minutes to reflect on last month
✓ Audit your billing process
✓ Stop chasing shiny objects and double down on what works
Ready to stop leaving money on the table? Book a complimentary consultation at https://stairwaytoleadership.com
money leaks, business revenue, profit optimization, billing processes, business reflection, revenue growth, small business tips, entrepreneur advice, business systems, cash flow management, service-based business, business coaching, scaling strategies, revenue recovery
Send us a text
One of the top reasons businesses fail? Growing too fast without the right infrastructure.
In this final episode of our three-part scaling series, I'm breaking down Pillar 3: Systems & Scale Infrastructure—the operational systems, financial clarity, time management strategies, and team building approach you need to scale sustainably.
You'll learn about:
- Building operational systems that deliver consistent quality
- Understanding your finances
- Design your CEO schedule and know when to hire
- Create a high-performing team culture
- Build a business that runs without you
I also share my personal burnout story and the "Swiss clock team" I built that operated seamlessly—giving me the freedom to leave corporate and go full-time in my business eventually.
The result? A sellable business that scales without burning you out.
Book a complimentary consultation at stairwaytoleadership.com
Key Takeaways
- Sustainable growth beats fast growth - Scaling too quickly without infrastructure can destroy your business
- Three components of scale infrastructure - Operations, financials, and team/time management
- Revenue ≠ Profit - Track your profit margins, cash flow, and break-even point
- Document everything - SOPs, client journey maps, and continuous improvement processes
- Hire strategically - Know when you're too busy, optimize first, then hire
- Build team culture - Mission, values, and vision should be felt daily, not just written
- Design your CEO time - Reduce client-facing hours, focus on high-impact activities
- The compound effect - Small, strategic weekly steps create massive transformation
- Business that runs without you - The ultimate goal for freedom and sellability
- Peace of mind matters - Financial clarity + capable team = less stress and anxiety
Timestamps (Optional - Add if Desired)
- 00:00 - Introduction & Series Recap
- 01:00 - Why Fast Growth Can Kill Your Business
- 03:00 - Pillar 3: Systems & Scale Infrastructure Overview
- 06:00 - My Personal Burnout Story
- 07:00 - Operational Systems: Client Journey & SOPs
- 10:00 - KPIs That Matter
- 12:00 - Financial Systems: Beyond Revenue to Profit
- 16:00 - Time Management & When to Hire
- 20:00 - Team Building, Delegation & Leadership
- 24:00 - Energy Management & Work-Life Boundaries
- 28:00 - The Swiss Clock Team Story
- 31:00 - What High Performance Looks Like
- 34:00 - Final Thoughts & Next Week's Preview
Resources Mentioned
- Episode 225: The Three Pillars Every Service Business Needs to Scale to Six Figures and Beyond
- Episode 226: From Feast or Famine to Predictable Revenue: The Client Acquisition Engine
- Book a Complimentary Consultation: htts://stairwaytoleadership.com
Connect with Maggie
Website: https://stairwaytoleadership.com
Send us a text
In honor of Remembrance Day, Maggie shares the story of her maternal grandfather—a WWII veteran who fought in the Polish clandestine army and spent his retirement as a servant leader in local government. His legacy inspires her to ask: What are you fighting for in your business?
In this week's Maggie's Moment, discover why knowing what you stand for is the foundation of your brand and the key to creating loyal customers who come back again and again.
In This Episode:
- The difference between satisfied customers and loyal customers
- Why emotional connection is your competitive advantage
- How to create an experience that builds brand loyalty
- Your challenge: Get clear on what you're fighting for as the new year approaches
Connect with Maggie:
- Website: https://stairwaytoleadership.com
- Email: maggie@stairwaytoleadership.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/maggie.perotin.s2l/
- LinkedIn: https://www.youtube.com/@maggie.perotin.s2l
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Stop the feast or famine cycle! Learn how to build a Client Acquisition Engine that delivers consistent, predictable leads and revenue. Maggie breaks down the exact system for strategic partnerships (80%+ conversion!), optimized marketing, and a sales process that converts 50-60%+ of leads into paying clients.
You'll Learn:
- How to get consistent, warm referrals every month
- When to use organic marketing vs. paid advertising
- How to optimize your sales process to stop losing leads
- Why you need to become a "scientist CEO" for predictable growth
Part 2 of 3 in the Business Scaling Series.
Connect: https://stairwaytoleadership.com
TIMESTAMPS (Optional - if you want to add chapters)
00:00 - Welcome & Series Overview
01:00 - What is a Client Acquisition Engine?
02:00 - Why Predictable Leads Matter
03:00 - The Two Pillars: Marketing & Sales
04:00 - Organic Marketing vs. Paid Advertising
06:00 - When to Start Paid Advertising
07:00 - Strategic Partnerships: The Game Changer
09:00 - Jennifer's Success Story (80%+ Conversions)
11:00 - Optimizing Your Marketing Channels
12:00 - Building a Strong Sales Process
14:00 - How to Improve Your Conversion Rates
16:00 - Benefits of a Client Acquisition Engine
18:00 - Stop Feast or Famine Forever
20:00 - Assessment: Where Are Your Opportunities?
21:00 - Next Steps & Free Consultation
KEYWORDS/TAGS
Client acquisition, predictable revenue, business scaling, strategic partnerships, sales process, conversion rates, organic marketing, paid advertising, lead generation, feast or famine, business growth, service-based business, marketing system, sales funnel, referral partners, business coaching, entrepreneurship, small business, revenue growth, marketing strategy
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Most business owners set goals in January... and abandon them by February. Why? Because they're missing the critical second step of strategic planning.
In this week's Maggie's Moment, I'm sharing my two-part approach to annual planning that ensures your goals don't just sound good—they actually happen.
In this episode, you'll discover:
• Why most annual planning approaches are completely backwards
• The two essential components of strategic planning that actually works
• The part most people miss: breaking strategy into daily actions
• How to create a roadmap that keeps you focused all year long
• Why having structure means you're not just busy—you're moving forward
Plus, I'm inviting you to join me for Design Your Success 2026—a complimentary 2-day virtual planning event where we'll create your strategic vision AND your actionable roadmap together.
Event Dates: • November 18-19, 2025 | 2:00-5:00 PM EST or
• December 10-11, 2025 | 1:00-4:00 PM EST
Ready to make 2026 different? Email maggie@stairwaytoleadership.com with your preferred dates.
Resources Mentioned:
• Design Your Success 2026 Event
• Email maggie@stairwaytoleadership.com
• Website: https://stairwaytoleadership.com
Send us a text
Want to know exactly what it takes to scale a service business from early five figures to multiple six figures and beyond?
Over the next three episodes, I'm breaking down my T.O.P. CEO Formula - the exact three-pillar framework I use to help my clients scale their businesses sustainably without burnout or overwhelm.
This isn't about one magic strategy or quick fix. It's about understanding the holistic approach every scaling business needs - and identifying where you might have gaps.
In this episode, I'm introducing all three pillars and diving deeper into Pillar 1:
The Three Pillars Overview:
- Profitable Positioning Framework - The foundation (mindset + strategic clarity)
- Strategic Client Acquisition System - Your predictable client engine
- Systems & Scale Structure - Operational foundations that let you grow without working more hours
Pillar 1: Profitable Positioning Framework (Deep Dive)
This is where we transition you from overwhelmed freelancer (stuck serving everyone, undercharging, working IN your business) to confident CEO (crystal clear on your direction, niche, ideal clients, and premium pricing).
What we cover:
- Why mindset work is the foundation of everything (and why it's ongoing, not one-and-done)
- How to analyze your past client data to identify your most profitable, fulfilling clients
- The strategic approach to pricing that builds in profit margins, overhead, team growth, and CEO pay
- Auditing your current offerings to eliminate what's spreading you thin
- Quick wins in your current marketing and sales practices
The CEO Mindset Shift:
Most entrepreneurs don't think of themselves as leaders. But I believe we're all leaders - starting with leading our own lives intentionally.
The 5 core aspects of the entrepreneurial CEO mindset:
- Ownership - You're responsible for short-term and long-term success (no victimhood or blaming circumstances)
- Value Creation - Focus on solving client problems and optimizing your business efficiency
- Challenges as Opportunities - Every challenge is a chance to learn and get stronger
- Openness to Change & Innovation - Stay curious, learn from experts, validate ideas strategically, combine data with intuition
- Sustainable Growth - Take calculated risks, make strategic investments, build resilience
The Steve Jobs Truth:
"I'm convinced that about half of what separates successful entrepreneurs from non-successful ones is pure perseverance."
Your success starts with building personal resilience - developing self-awareness, maintaining your mental and physical wellbeing, and understanding that you are your business's biggest asset.
What's Next:
In the next two episodes, I'll dive deeper into Pillar 2 (Strategic Client Acquisition System) and Pillar 3 (Systems & Scale Structure) so you can see the complete picture of what it takes to scale sustainably.
Use this series to identify where you have gaps and what you need to focus on in 2026.
Ready to scale your service business with personalized support?
I offer complimentary consultations to help you identify exactly what your business needs to reach the next level. Book yours at https://stairwaytoleadership.com/
This is Part 1 of a 3-part series on the T.O.P. CEO Formula. Stay tuned for the next two episodes!
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How do you grow your business long-term when your schedule is already packed with urgent, important work?
This is something I frequently coach my clients on. And right now, I'm living it myself - implementing a new strategy for 2026 while juggling client coaching, onboarding, speaking engagements, and everything else that keeps my business running.
So how am I making it happen?
Three things: Clarity. Belief. Habits.
In today's Maggie's Moment, I'm sharing the exact framework I use (and teach my clients) to make consistent progress on non-urgent but critical strategies - even when your schedule feels impossibly full.
Because here's the truth: the strategies that will transform your business are never urgent. But they're the difference between staying where you are and reaching the next level.
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Recession fears. Economic uncertainty. Tariffs. Interest rates. It's been a stressful year for small business owners, and you might be worried about what 2026 will bring.
But here's what I learned this week at a Small Business Week event with the Chief Economist from BDC: 2026 won't be as bad as you think.
Yes, we'll see slower growth. But growth nonetheless - not recession. And as a small business owner, you have way more control over your success than you realize.
In this episode, I'm breaking down the economic outlook for 2026 (both Canada and the US), what it actually means for small businesses, and most importantly - what you can do right now to ensure your business thrives regardless of what the economy does.
What we cover:
- The real economic outlook for 2026 (hint: it's not doom and gloom)
- Why consumer spending will continue and what that means for service-based businesses
- The areas you can actually control in your business: productivity, costs, customer experience, and sales
- Why AI might be your secret weapon for 2026
- The hard truth about sales: why YOU need to be doing it (and when you can finally delegate)
- The Million Dollar Baby lesson every business owner needs to hear
The Bottom Line:
You can't blame the economy for slow sales when you're doing nothing to bring clients in. People are still spending, but they're being more cautious. Your job is to show them why you're worth it.
Stop waiting. Start planning. Make 2026 your best year yet.
Ready to Plan Your Best 2026?
I'm hosting two complimentary Strategic Planning Events in November and December to help you create a clear, actionable plan for 2026. Spaces are limited.
Email me at maggie@stairwaytoleadership.com to secure your spot.
Want personalized help growing your business? Book a complimentary consultation at https://www.stairwaytoleadership.com/
Send us a text
Entrepreneurs never lack ideas. The challenge? Actually implementing them.
If you're busy running your business day-to-day and struggling to turn your brilliant ideas into action, today's Maggie's Moment is for you.
I'm sharing three simple questions that will help you prioritize which ideas to implement first - and the one critical step that ensures they actually happen.
Stop collecting ideas. Start implementing the right ones.
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You've been listening to my podcast, hearing my voice, learning from my frameworks - but do you actually know who I am?
Recently, I was running an event with local entrepreneurs, and someone mentioned they'd heard about the Diamond Effect Podcast. It hit me: my podcast is being talked about in rooms I'm not in, which means more of you are listening... but you might not really know Maggie.
I'm naturally introverted. I love to teach and share value, but I don't often talk about myself. So today, I'm changing that.
This is a more relaxed, fun episode where I'm sharing 10 fun facts about me and 10 core beliefs and values that drive everything I do - personally and in my business.
What you'll discover in this episode:
10 Fun Facts - From the three languages I speak (with accents in all of them!) to my secret love of basketball, why I can seem intimidating at first, and the special significance of the number 23.
10 Core Beliefs and Values - The principles that guide everything I do, from respect and kindness to leadership, unlimited potential, love, and giving back. These aren't just nice ideas - they're the foundation of how I coach and how I live.
My Journey to Coaching - How I went from 13+ years in corporate leadership (sales, operations, service excellence, people leadership, and more) to burning out, leaving it all behind, and building a business helping service-based entrepreneurs scale sustainably.
Why This Episode Matters:
If you've been listening to the podcast but don't really know the woman behind the microphone, this episode is for you. Understanding my values and beliefs will help you understand why I coach the way I do - and whether we're the right fit to work together.
This is probably the most vulnerable episode I've ever recorded. I don't usually talk about myself like this. But I think it's time you got to know me beyond the business frameworks and strategies.
Why Episode 223?
The number 23 has special significance for me (you'll have to listen to find out why!), so this felt like the perfect episode to finally introduce myself properly.
I hope you enjoy this more personal side of the podcast. Let me know what you thought - email me at maggie@stairwaytoleadership.com.
Mentioned in this episode:
- Legacy Makers TV episode featuring my background, corporate burnout, and how I started my business story. You can watch it here https://insidesuccess.tv/programs/legacymakerstvcommaggie-perotin?category_id=237591
Want to work together? Book a complimentary consultation at https://www.stairwaytoleadership.com/
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Happy Canadian Thanksgiving!
For me, this day marks the start of the holiday season - a time to pause, reflect, and feel grateful for what we have.
But here's the thing: we can't wait for holidays to practice gratitude, kindness, and appreciation. Those need to be part of our everyday lives, not saved for special occasions.
In this quick episode, I'm sharing why I practice gratitude daily in my journal, express love to the people I care about regularly (not just on holidays), and look for ways to delight my clients and audience throughout the year.
Your challenge: Write down three things you're grateful for today and share them with me. YOu can message me on IG https://www.instagram.com/maggie.perotin.s2l/or LinkedIN https://www.linkedin.com/in/maggie-perotin-business-and-leadership-coach/
Maybe this becomes the start of a daily gratitude practice for you.
And if you've been thinking about working with me, stay tuned - something special is coming (only this week for my e-mail list and social media followers s- so make sure you're one of them :)).
Let's make gratitude a daily practice, not just a holiday tradition.
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What does it really take to scale a service business to nearly seven figures without burning out or missing your kids' adolescence?
In this episode, I'm sitting down with my client Glory Lichon, an Air Force veteran turned entrepreneur who grew GlowBright Therapy from a solo practice to serving over 2,000 families across three states with a team of 30 - all while being present when her kids come home from school every day.
Glory's back on the podcast (her first appearance was a couple of years ago
(EP # 70 - From overwhelmed therapist to confident CEO) to share how much she's grown since then and what it actually took to get there.
What we cover:
On Leadership Transformation:
- Why Glory was terrified to become a leader (and the mindset shift that changed everything)
- How military leadership experiences created limiting beliefs she had to overcome
- The quote that transformed how she sees leadership: "Leadership is about the growth and development of others"
- Why stepping into the CEO role was the key to serving more families
On Aligned Leadership:
- What "aligned leadership" really means
- How to make decisions when you're getting conflicting advice from every direction
- Why your team should be your partners, not people you micromanage
- The importance of revisiting your vision and values during hard times
On Sustainable Growth:
- How Glory created time freedom with 30 team members (without working 24/7)
- The power of theme days, time blocking, and energy awareness
- Why her non-negotiables (meditation and gratitude) come before checking email
- The truth about "hustle culture" and why slowing down isn't failure
- How she's building her second business (Elevate Beyond Boundaries) focused on empowering women entrepreneurs
Key Takeaways:
- Business growth isn't linear - and that's okay
- You don't have to sacrifice your family to scale your business
- Self-awareness around mindset blocks is the first step to moving through them
- Leadership isn't about being bossy - it's about empowering others to join your mission
- Slowing down and grounding yourself actually helps you speed up and be more effective
Glory's Journey at a Glance:
- Started GlowBright Therapy in 2019 as a solo speech language pathologist
- Now serves 2,000+ families across three states
- Grew from $95K to nearly $1M in revenue
- Built a team of 30 (therapists + admin team)
- Created time freedom to be present with her kids throughout their adolescence
- Launched Elevate Beyond Boundaries to empower other women entrepreneurs through speaking and leadership development
This conversation is for every woman who's been told she has to choose between business success and being present for what matters most. Glory is living proof that you can have both.
Connect with Glory:
- Instagram/Facebook: @gloryllichon
- Website: Https://elevatebeyondboundaries.com
Ready to scale your business sustainably without the burnout? Book a complimentary consultation with Maggie here - https://www.stairwaytoleadership.com/
Send us a text
"I need to think about it." "I need to talk to my partner." "I'm not sure I can afford it."
Sound familiar?
Here's the truth: these aren't the real objections - they're just the easiest things that come to mind when someone doesn't have enough information to make a decision yet.
In this quick episode, I'm sharing the three powerful words that will help you dig deeper, uncover the real concerns, and actually help your potential clients make the right decision.
Spoiler: It's simpler than you think, and it works every time.
Stop accepting surface objections. Start closing more sales.
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If your plate is full, your team needs you on site all the time, and clients still want to work with YOU specifically - you're not scaling, you're stuck.
In this episode, I'm sharing exactly when and how to start documenting the processes that will take your business from chaotic growth to sustainable scaling.
This episode is for you if:
- You're working alone but your plate is already full with clients
- You have a small team but you're still involved in everything
- Clients keep asking for you specifically (which feels good but limits growth)
- You're thinking about hiring but don't know where to start with training
What we cover:
- Why mission, vision, and values aren't just "nice to have" when you're scaling
- The real story of how lack of processes cost a corporate team their reputation (and how proper systems saved a quarter million dollars)
- Why "it's all in my head" stops working the moment you want to grow
- How to turn your unique way of doing things into intellectual property
- The one mistake that creates overwhelm: trying to document everything at once
- My simple strategy for documenting processes without it becoming a massive project
Key takeaway:
Culture eats strategy for breakfast. You can have the best growth strategy in the world, but without documented processes and strong culture, your scaling will create chaos instead of success.
The businesses that scale sustainably don't wait until they're drowning to create systems - they document as they grow, one process at a time.
Related episodes mentioned:
- Episode 153: Must Have Systems for Sustainable Business Scaling (June 14, 2024)
- Episode 183: Essential Systems for Scaling a Service Business (January 10, 2025)
Ready to scale your business without the chaos and overwhelm? Book a complimentary consultation at Https://stairwaytoleadership.com
Send us a text
Feeling the economic slowdown? Stop waiting for things to get better and start taking action today.
In this quick episode, I'm sharing the one thing you can do right now that could land you a client this week - and it's probably sitting right in your CRM.
Spoiler alert: Your next client might already know you, they just haven't heard from you in a while.
Stop doom-scrolling. Start following up :).
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Feeling like you're drowning in your own business success? If you're trying to do everything yourself, you're not just burning out - you're actually holding your business back from real growth.
In this episode, I'm breaking down the biggest myths that keep business owners stuck in "do-it-all" mode and sharing the exact framework I use to help clients go from overwhelmed solopreneurs to confident CEOs leading thriving teams.
What we cover:
- Why being "irreplaceable" in your business is actually a trap
- The 5 biggest fears that stop business owners from delegating (and how to overcome each one)
- My personal story of learning to delegate as a young supervisor
- Why "they won't do it as well as me" is usually about control, not quality
- The 5 principles of effective delegation that actually work
- How one client went from doing everything to enjoying library time with her kids while her team handled a major project
The delegation myths we're busting:
- "There are no good people out there" (there are)
- "I can't afford help" (can you afford NOT to get help?)
- "I don't know how to manage people" (it's a learnable skill)
This isn't about giving up control - it's about gaining the freedom to focus on what only you can do while building a business that can thrive without you being tied to it 24/7.
Ready to stop being the bottleneck in your own business? This episode will show you exactly how to start. And if you want to work with Maggie, book a consultation call at https://stairwaytoleadership.com/
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One of my youngest clients just turned 20 and asked our Diamond Effect Group a question that stopped me in my tracks: "What advice would you give your 20-year-old self?"
Her question got me thinking about all the things I wish I'd known back then - the mindset shifts, the courage I needed, and the shortcuts I could have taken if someone had just told me the truth about success.
In this episode, I'm sharing the five pieces of advice that would have changed everything for younger me. And honestly? These apply whether you're 20, 40, or 60.
Your age doesn't determine your potential - your willingness to act on what you know does.
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Ever notice how truly successful people never seem busy? They take vacations, have time for friends, and somehow stay calm while running thriving businesses. What's their secret?
It's not that they have more hours in the day or that they face fewer challenges. It's that they've figured out what to actually manage - and it's not what you think.
In this episode, I'm sharing the mindset shift that changed everything for me (and saved me from complete burnout), plus the four simple habits that my clients use to go from chronically overwhelmed to completely in control.
What we cover:
- Why "time management" is actually impossible (and what works instead)
- The mindset trap that keeps high achievers stuck in overwhelm
- How I went from "I'm too busy" to never saying those words again
- The difference between productivity and high performance (game-changer!)
- Four non-negotiable habits that create lasting change
- Real client results: How Maya and Dr. Loise saw changes in just 1-2 weeks
This isn't about cramming more into your day. It's about operating at your highest level while actually enjoying your life.
If you're tired of feeling like you're always behind, always stressed, and never quite in control of your own schedule, this episode is for you.
Ready to stop managing time and start managing what actually matters? Let's work together. Book a complimentary consultation at https://stairwaytoleadership.com
Send us a text
That moment when your business is growing but you feel like you're drowning? You're not alone.
As your business expands, so do the demands on your energy and attention. But here's the reality check every CEO needs: you cannot do everything, and trying to will burn you out.
In today's Maggie's Moment, I share the three critical skills every growing business owner must master. Tune in.
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I'm back from vacation and feeling... different. You know that feeling when you step away from your routine and suddenly realize what you didn't even know you were missing?
In this episode, I'm sharing some honest reflections about what two weeks with extended family across Europe reminded me about balance, relationships, and why we high-achieving women sometimes forget we're whole human beings with needs beyond our businesses.
What we talk about:
- Why I look at balance on a yearly basis (not daily)
- The family time, I didn't realize I was craving
- My COVID commute revelation and what it taught me about hidden stress
- How one client went from 60-hour weeks to weekends off without losing income
- Why planning your life first, then your business around it, actually works
- The friendship factor most entrepreneurs ignore
This isn't a structured episode with frameworks or action steps. It's just me, still in vacation mode, sharing what's on my mind. Sometimes the most important insights come from these unplanned conversations.
Next week we're diving deep into time management strategies, but today? Just some thoughts from a coach who remembered she's human too.
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In this bonus episode of Maggie's Moment, I'm sharing the uncomfortable truth about why most service-based entrepreneurs struggle to hit consistent 5K and 10K months. It's not about working harder.
Key Takeaways:
• Why the revenue rollercoaster happens (and how to get off it)
• The one critical piece most entrepreneurs are missing
• What "alignment" really means in business growth
• Real client results
Mentioned in This Episode:
• The Aligned Success 2-Day Virtual Event (September 30 & October 1)
Next Steps:
Register for the Aligned Success Event here - https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/the-aligned-success-2-day-free-virtual-event-tickets-1570875233109?aff=oddtdtcreator
Send us a text
September is here—your "Mini New Year" and the perfect time to set up Q4 for massive success! Discover how service business owners can learn from retail giants who make most of their annual revenue in just the last quarter.
Maggie reveals the strategic playbook to transform your final four months into your most profitable period, complete with month-by-month action plans and operational preparation tips.
What You'll Learn
- Why September is your "Mini New Year" and the perfect Q4 launch pad
- How retail makes a large portion of annual revenue in Q4 (and how you can too)
- Month-by-month Q4 strategy: October early birds, November signature offers, December year-end solutions
- The difference between B2B and B2C Q4 opportunities and how to capitalize on both
- Operational preparation secrets to handle increased demand without overwhelm
- How to create irresistible Q4 offers that align with natural buying cycles
- Your Q4 Month-by-Month Playbook
Key Takeaways
🎯 Service businesses can sell solutions for year-end stress and New Year ambitions
🎯 Companies spend leftover budgets in Q4—position yourself as their strategic partner
🎯 Focus on retention during busy Q4 to create your 2026 pipeline
🎯 Prepare your operations and capacity before the demand hits
Feeling overwhelmed by the possibilities? Book a complimentary consultation with Maggie to create your personalized Q4 strategy and new year preparation plan - https://www.stairwaytoleadership.com/
Send us a text
Why do most service businesses never hit $100K, let alone a million and beyond? McKinsey research reveals it's not talent or passion—it's the lack of documented and working systems. Discover the three critical systems every service business needs to scale successfully.
What You'll Learn
- The 3 critical systems every service business must have to reach $100K+
- Why system alignment with your brand and values matters
- Real results clients achieve when systems are implemented properly
The 3 Critical Systems for Service Businesses
1. Client Acquisition System
2. Service Delivery System
3. Client Retention System
All must align with your brand, competitive advantage, and values
Key Insight
💡 Systems don't limit creativity—they free you to focus on what matters most while scaling your revenue.
Your Challenge
Which system is missing in your business: client acquisition, service delivery, or client retention? Identify your gap and start building that system this week. And if yo need help, I can help you with my T.O.P. CEO Formula. Book an initial complementary consultation with Maggie here - https://www.stairwaytoleadership.com/
#BusinessSystems #Scaling #ServiceBusiness #BusinessGrowth #SystemsThinking
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Are you your own biggest obstacle to business success? In this game-changing episode, Maggie reveals why your brain's survival instinct is sabotaging your entrepreneurial dreams—and exactly how to rewire it to work FOR you instead of against you.
Discover the hidden mental patterns that keep ambitious business owners stuck, plus a proven 4-step process to transform self-sabotaging thoughts into success-driving actions.
What You'll Learn
- Why your brain fights your business goals (and it's not your fault—it's biology!)
- The survival vs. executive brain conflict that every entrepreneur faces
- The thought-feeling-action-result cycle and how to interrupt patterns that don't serve you
- Real client example: How changing one thought about presentations generated significantly more business
- 4 proven steps to build self-awareness and redirect non-serving thoughts
- The "future self" technique that creates the ultimate shortcut to your biggest goals
Key Insights
🧠 "We have to put intentional effort into having the whole of our brain work for us, not against us"
🧠 Your brain's default wiring prioritizes survival over success—but you can train it for success
🧠 Without self-awareness, you can't redirect your brain or influence your perspective
🧠 The more you practice the 4-step process, the faster you achieve your goals
The 4-Step Process to Rewire Your Brain
Step 1: Build self-awareness—pause before decisions and recognize your thoughts about circumstances
Step 2: Identify which thoughts serve you and which don't—redirect the ones that hold you back
Step 3: Take action from your new, more serving thoughts and feelings
Step 4: Practice consistently—the more you do it, the easier it becomes
Real Success StoryHear how one client transformed two identical presentation opportunities by simply changing her perspective—resulting in significantly more business from the presentation she almost didn't prepare for!
Your Next StepsReady to stop working against yourself? Start with Step 1: Build self-awareness by pausing before your next business decision and asking, "What am I thinking about this situation?"
Want to accelerate your results? Book a complimentary consultation with Maggie to discover exactly how coaching can help you master this mindset and achieve goals faster. https://calendly.com/maggie-s2l/discovery-call
Resources Mentioned
🎧 Binge the Diamond Effect Podcast: 3+ years of episodes to help you think differently as a CEO
📅 Book Your Complimentary Consultation: https://calendly.com/maggie-s2l/discovery-call
Connect with Maggie
🌐 Website: https://stairwaytoleadership.com
📱 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maggie-perotin-business-and-leadership-coach/
📱 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/maggie.perotin.s2l/
Send us a text
You bought a course, followed it exactly, and got zero results? You're not alone.
Harvard Business Review reveals that 70% of strategic initiatives fail—not because the strategy is wrong, but because business owners implement them blindly without adapting to their unique circumstances.
What You'll Learn
- The shocking statistic about why most business strategies fail
- The critical mistake 90% of business owners make when implementing new strategies
- Why your business stage, market, and clients matter more than you think
- The medication analogy that explains perfect strategy adaptation
- 3 key questions to ask before implementing any new strategy
Key Insight
💡 The strategy isn't broken—it just needs to be tailored to YOUR specific reality.
Your Action StepBefore implementing your next strategy, ask:
- How does my business stage differ from the example?
- What's unique about my market?
- How do my clients behave differently?
Your ChallengeWhat strategy have you been struggling to implement? Try adapting it to your specific situation first and share your breakthrough!
#BusinessStrategy #StrategyImplementation #BusinessTips #EntrepreneurAdvice #BusinessSuccess
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Do you often find yourself wondering, "I have no idea how this client found me" or repeating the same mistakes (ex., accepting clients that are cheap super hard to work with)?
In today's episode, Maggie reveals why successful service business owners think like scientists—and how mastering the art of looking back can transform your random wins into predictable, scalable success.
Discover the critical CEO skill that separates thriving businesses from those stuck in cycles of feast or famine, and learn exactly how to become a student of your own business patterns.
What You'll Learn
✨ Why "I don't know how that happened" is sabotaging your growth and keeping you stuck in random results
✨ The simple habit that transforms struggling service businesses into predictable success machines
✨ How to track back every client win to understand what's actually working in your business
✨ The difference between short-term and long-term business reviews (and why you need both)
✨ Real client examples of discovering hidden patterns that led to breakthrough growth
✨ The basketball analogy that explains why business gets easier as you develop these skills
Key Insights
🎯 "The thing about business is that it's simple. A lot of common sense, a bit of math... if you allow yourself to develop basic business skills, it's very easy to understand business."
🎯 When you attribute good things to luck and bad things to outside forces, you become helpless
🎯 Looking back gives you the confidence to know you're in charge of creating results as CEO
🎯 Every sales conversation, project, and client interaction is data you can learn from
What to Review in Your Business
Short-Term Reviews:
- Every sales conversation (win or loss)
- Individual projects and deliverables
- Client complaints and feedback
- Monthly marketing performance
- Social media engagement patterns
Long-Term Reviews:
- Quarterly business performance
- Annual financial and operational analysis
- Year-over-year comparisons
- Seasonal patterns and trends
- Outlier events (both positive and negative)
Your Challenge
Take Action Today: Choose ONE recent business event (a new client, lost sale, completed project, or client interaction) and spend 10 minutes analyzing:
- What worked well that you can repeat?
- What could be improved for next time?
- What patterns do you notice?
Share your insights—Maggie reads every response!
Tools Mentioned
📊 DREAM-PLAN-DO Journal: Includes monthly evaluation section for ongoing business review
🎯 Strategic Planning Events: Annual business reviews to identify patterns and plan growth
Connect with Maggie
🌐 Website: https://stairwaytoleadership.com
📱 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maggie-perotin-business-and-leadership-coach/
📱 Instagram: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maggie-perotin-business-and-leadership-coach/
About the Diamond Effect PodcastJoin business and leadership coach Maggie Perotin every Monday for "Maggie's Moment" (quick actionable insights) and Fridays for strategic deep-dives. Transform your service business into a sellable asset while creating the life and impact you truly want.
New episodes drop every Monday and Friday wherever you listen to po
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What if cutting your project timeline in half could make you MORE successful? Discover why constraints aren't limitations—they're forcing functions that spark breakthrough thinking and creative solutions.
What You'll Learn:
- Why IKEA and Dropbox used constraints to dominate their industries
- The research behind "productive constraints"
- How limitations prevent complacency and force innovation
- A powerful challenge to transform your current project
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What's the difference between wanting a goal and truly OWNING it?
In this powerful episode, Maggie reveals the transformational moment that shifted everything—when her biggest, most audacious goal was accidentally revealed during her Legacy Makers TV filming.
Through her candid behind-the-scenes story, discover why hiding your dreams might be holding you back and how public declaration can become your greatest catalyst for achievement.
BONUS: Maggie shares the big announcement that her Legacy Makers TV episode is now streaming on Inside Success TV, Apple TV, and Roku!
What You'll Learn
✨ The 3 levels of goal ownership: Need it vs. Want it vs. Own it (and why only one creates unstoppable momentum)
✨ Why hiding your biggest goals keeps you playing small and extending timelines unnecessarily
✨ The accidental moment that forced Maggie to own her most audacious goal publicly
✨ How panic transformed into power when her secret goal made it into the final TV episode
✨ The mindset shift from "I hope this happens" to "This WILL happen"
✨ The balance between pursuing big goals and enjoying your current life
Key Takeaways🎯 "When you own something, you know it's yours. You don't negotiate. It's decided."
🎯 "This is you becoming your future self right now"
🎯 As humans, we thrive when we have purpose and goals—but we need balance between achieving and enjoying
🎯 The most powerful feeling: knowing your goal will happen, even if you don't know exactly how or when
Behind the Scenes
Legacy Makers TV Update: Maggie's episode is now streaming! Watch her full story and discover her big, audacious goal on:
- Inside Success TV
- Apple TV
- Roku TV
Direct link available HERE - https://insidesuccess.tv/programs/legacymakerstvcommaggie-perotin?category_id=237591
Your ChallengeReady to experience the transformation Maggie describes? Share your biggest goal with her! Email the details in the show notes—because sometimes we need that moment of public declaration to truly own our dreams.
Resources Mentioned
📺 Watch Maggie's Legacy Makers Episode HERE
📧 Share Your Big Goal: Email Maggie directly maggie@stairwaytoleadership.com
🎧 Catch Up: Episode 213 - "Stop Playing It Safe with Your Dreams: Why 10-Year Goals Should Scare You Into Action"
Connect with Maggie
🌐 Website: Https://stairwaytoleadership.com
📧 Email: maggie@stairwaytoleadership.com
📱 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maggie-perotin-business-and-leadership-coach/
📱 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/maggie.perotin.s2l/
Send us a text
While everyone's still in summer mode, smart service business owners are preparing for the most profitable four months of the year. September through December is your "mini New Year"—fresh budgets, new priorities, and clients ready to invest before year-end.
3 Ways to Prepare for Q4 Success:
1. Launch Strategic Marketing
Create value-based campaigns targeting your clients' September-December challenges and goals
2. Offer Year-End Specials
Develop "finish strong" packages or "2025 prep" services for existing and past clients
3. Partner with Events
Collaborate with local fairs, online summits, or industry events happening this fall
Key TakeawayThe last four months WILL be profitable—the question is whether YOU'LL be ready to capture that opportunity.
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Are you playing it safe with your dreams?
In this powerful episode, Maggie shares key insights from her recent 10X Expansion Retreat about why your biggest goals should make you a little nervous—and how to set timelines that push you forward without shutting you down.
Drawing from real client transformations and her own journey, Maggie breaks down the psychology behind why some of us tend to keep ourselves small and reveals the goal-setting framework that's helped clients double (and triple) their income.
What You'll Learn:
- Why dreaming big is especially crucial for women (and how to overcome the fear of disappointment)
- The 10-year to 5-year timeline strategy that tricks your brain into believing bigger goals are possible
- The "Goldilocks Rule" for setting progress goals that stretch you without breaking you
- Disney's 3-focus area strategy and why "if everything is important, nothing is"
- How to break down big visions into daily actions that create compound growth
- The fear test: How big dreams reveal limiting beliefs (and why that's actually good news)
Key Takeaways:
🎯 Your business and life cannot outgrow you—you need to grow first as the leader
🎯 Things take as long as we give ourselves—constraint breeds creativity
🎯 The right timeline feels challenging but believable: "Yes, it will be hard, but it's inevitable I'll achieve it"
Featured Success Story:
Client Spotlight: Jennifer's exponential growth journey—how she doubled her income in 2024, then doubled her first half results again in 2025 using this exact framework.
Resources Mentioned
📅 Ready to apply this framework to your business? Book a complimentary consultation with Maggie to explore how personalized coaching can accelerate your growth - https://calendly.com/maggie-s2l/discovery-call
🎧 Missed last week? Check out Episode 212 for behind-the-scenes insights from the 10X Expansion Retreat
Connect with Maggie
🌐 Website: https://stairwaytoleadership.com
📱 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maggie-perotin-business-and-leadership-coach/
📱 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/maggie.perotin.s2l/
Send us a text
Stop abandoning your goals the moment your first plan doesn't work perfectly! In this episode, Maggie reveals why so many business owners quit on their important goals when urgent tasks take over, and shares a simple 3-question framework to keep moving forward without starting over.
Key Takeaways:
• Why business owners abandon goals instead of adjusting plans
• How to use the DREAM-PLAN-DO framework to stay flexible with your approach
• 3 essential questions to ask when your plan isn't working
Featured Framework: DREAM-PLAN-DO
Action Step: Pick one abandoned goal and recommit to it this week - but permit yourself to adjust the how without abandoning the what.
Connect with Maggie:
Ready to build a business that works for you? Book your complimentary strategy session at https://www.stairwaytoleadership.com/
Send us a text
Ever wondered what it's really like to host your first business event?
In this candid behind-the-scenes episode, Maggie shares the raw, unfiltered lessons from organizing and leading her very first in-person retreat—the 10X Expansion Retreat. From last-minute planning to unexpected challenges, discover what worked, what didn't, and what she'd do differently next time.
What You'll Learn:
• How a client's casual suggestion turned into a transformative business event
• The 5 critical areas every event organizer must master (theme, venue, food, flow, vendors)
• Why starting small was the best decision for a first-time event
• The unexpected challenges that no one warns you about
• How to turn your long-term vision into immediate opportunities
• Real lessons from venue selection, timeline management, and vendor coordination
Key Takeaways:
✨ Always visit your venue before booking (learn from Maggie's leap of faith!)
✨ Less content is better than rushing through—plan for participation time
✨ Food elevates the entire sensory experience for attendees
✨ Over-communicate with vendors—assumptions lead to surprises
✨ Small, intimate events can be more powerful than large conferences
Perfect For:
• Entrepreneurs considering hosting their first event or retreat
• Business owners wanting behind-the-scenes insights from event planning
• Anyone curious about turning vision into reality
• Service providers looking to add events to their business model
Episode Highlights:
• The serendipitous venue discovery story
• Why the 10X theme created perfect client attraction
• How meditation and grounding transformed the day's energy
• The vendor management lessons that only experience teaches
• Why this "accidental" event aligned perfectly with long-term vision
Featured Concept:
The 10X Expansion philosophy based on Dan Sullivan's "10X is Easier Than 2X"—why thinking bigger requires becoming a different person, not just doing more of the same.
Connect with Maggie:
🌐 Website: hhtps://stairwaytoleadership.com
📧 Email: maggie@stairwaytoleadership.com
📅 Free Consultation: https://calendly.com/maggie-s2l/discovery-call
Have Your Own Event Stories?
Maggie would love to hear your event organizing experiences and lessons learned! Reach out and share your stories.
More Episodes: Subscribe to Diamond Effect Podcast for weekly business growth strategies, client success stories, and entrepreneurial insights.
Send us a text
Struggling to stand out in a crowded market? The secret is letting clients try before they buy.’
In this episode, you’ll learn how to create irresistible free/low-cost offers for service businesses (like mini-workshops, service trials, or concierge audits) that convert leads into paying clients—without the hard sell.
Letting your potential clients "sample" your services first removes the risk on their part and helps you become the obvious choice.
Service-based businesses, this one’s for you, no matter if you are a brick and mortar, mobile, or virtual business!
Send us a text
Struggling with productivity guilt every time you try to take a break? You're not alone. In this candid episode, Maggie shares her personal journey from corporate hustle culture to sustainable business success, revealing why high achievers feel guilty about rest and how to break free from this destructive pattern.
What You'll Learn:
• The hidden cost of productivity guilt on your business and life
• Why we're only truly effective 6 hours a day
• The difference between being busy vs. being impactful
• Maggie's personal transformation from workaholic to balanced entrepreneur
• A 5-step process to ditch productivity guilt for good
• Real client success stories of business growth through better work-life balance
Key Takeaways:
✨ Rest and recharge time isn't luxury—it's necessary for peak performance
✨ Not all actions are created equal: focus on high-impact activities
✨ Your business can grow while you're taking time off
✨ It's a process that takes time, and that's completely normal
Featured Success Stories:
• Client who took their first vacation in 7 years while growing business 25%
• How taking Fridays off actually helped Maggie's business growth
Perfect For:
High achievers, ambitious entrepreneurs, small business owners struggling with work-life balance, anyone caught in hustle culture
Ready to Break Free from Productivity Guilt?
Book your complimentary consultation with Maggie to learn how to grow your business while creating the life you love.
Connect with Maggie:
🌐 Website: https://stairwaytoleadership.com
📧 Email: maggie@stairwaytoleadership.com
📅 Free Consultation:https://calendly.com/maggie-s2l/discovery-call
More Episodes: Subscribe to Diamond Effect Podcast for weekly business growth strategies and mindset shifts.
Episode Length: 21 minutes
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Summer mornings on the deck remind Maggie of the deeper reasons behind starting Stairway to Leadership. In this heartfelt 3-minute episode, she shares the four core "whys" that drive her business and challenges you to get crystal clear on yours.
In This Episode:
• Why summer flexibility sparked a gratitude moment
• The ripple effect of coaching real people who need it
• The power of creative agency in business ownership
• How time flexibility creates space for what matters most
• Why combining purpose with profit has no limits
Key Takeaway:
When you're crystal clear on your "why," every business decision becomes easier.
Connect with Maggie:
Ready to build a business that serves your deepest purpose? Book your free discovery call: https://calendly.com/maggie-s2l/discovery-call
More Resources:
Website: https://stairwaytoleadership.com
Email: maggie@stairwaytoleadership.com
Send us a text
Ready to transform your relationship with sales and finally scale your service-based business? In this power-packed episode, Maggie reveals the 10 non-negotiable sales principles that separate struggling service providers from those who consistently grow and scale. Whether you're avoiding sales or ready to master it, these insights will change how you think about selling forever.
What You'll Learn:
✅ The mindset shift that transforms "helpers" into confident sellers
✅ Why 95% of buying decisions are emotional - and how to use this ethically
✅ Sales cycle secrets for different price points and service types
✅ The trust-building formula that makes clients feel safe to buy
✅ How to turn objections into opportunities (they're actually good news!)
✅ The "selling at every touchpoint" philosophy that creates raving fans
✅ Follow-up strategies that build relationships, not annoyance
✅ Systems and processes essential for scaling beyond 6-figures
Key Takeaways:
🎯 "Sales is about helping your ideal client fulfill their need and desire - not convincing someone who doesn't want what you offer"
🎯 "95% of purchasing decisions are made emotionally, then justified with logic"
🎯 "Objections are just unanswered questions - they mean your prospect is considering buying"
🎯 "The predominant feeling clients need to buy from you is SAFETY"
Your Action Steps:
- Audit your current mindset - Are you avoiding sales or embracing it as service?
- Add sales content to your marketing mix (case studies, testimonials, how-you-help content)
- Map your sales cycle - How long do YOUR clients take to decide?
- Create a follow-up system that builds relationships over time
- Document your sales process - No more winging it!
Episode Highlights:
- [02:00] Why "I'm not a salesperson" is sabotaging your growth
- [05:00] The psychology behind why people buy (Harvard study insights)
- [11:00] Sales cycle breakdown by price point and service type
- [18:00] The chiropractor example that shows "selling at every touchpoint"
- [23:00] Why you need documented systems to scale
Resources Mentioned:
- Book: "How Customers Think: Essential Insights into the Mind of the Market" by Gerald Zaltman
- Maggie's T.O.P. CEO Framework for scaling service businesses
Ready to Scale Your Sales?If you're ready to stop leaving money on the table and create a sales process that actually works, Maggie can help. Her T.O.P. CEO Winning Strategy and Continuous Success Formula helps service-based business owners establish proper sales processes and customer journeys for sustainable scaling.
Book your complimentary consultation → https://www.stairwaytoleadership.com/
Connect with Maggie:
- Website: stairwaytoleadership.com
- Email: maggie@stairwaytoleadership.com
- Follow for daily business tips on LinkedIn and Instagram
Love this episode? Please leave a 5-star review and share it with a fellow service provider who's ready to embrace sales as service!
Episode Length: 26 minutes
Best for: Service-based business owners ready to scale through strategic sales
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Feeling torn between growing your business and being present for your family this summer? You're not alone. In this quick bonus episode, Maggie tackles the "summer guilt" that plagues so many women entrepreneurs and shares the mindset shift that changes everything.
What You'll Learn:
✅ Why "summer guilt" isn't really about time - it's about the story you're telling yourself
✅ The mental trap keeping you stuck between "good mom" and "successful CEO"
✅ The 3-step action plan to create intentional summer boundaries
Key Takeaway:
"You don't have to choose between being a present mom and a successful CEO. You just need to be intentional about both."
Your Action Step:
What's one summer boundary you're going to set this week? Block it in your calendar right now - treat it like a non-negotiable client appointment.
Ready to Stop the Summer Struggle?If you're tired of feeling guilty about working in summer OR stressed about taking time off, let's create a plan that works for your business and your family. Book your complimentary strategy call at https://www.stairwaytoleadership.com/
Perfect for: Women entrepreneurs struggling with summer work-life balance
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Have you ever felt resistance to a business decision you knew would be good for growth? You're not alone. In this episode, Maggie delves into why our brains resist the very changes that could transform our businesses—and more importantly, how to overcome that resistance.
Using real examples from her own wellness journey and a client's staffing challenges, Maggie reveals the science behind why change can be so challenging and shares her proven 5-step framework for overcoming discomfort to achieve breakthrough results.
What You'll Learn:
- Why your brain is wired to resist business growth (it's not your fault!)
- The 3 core functions of your brain that create resistance to change
- Real-world examples of resistance in action - from workout routines to staff realignment
- 5 practical tools to overcome resistance and take action on important decisions
- How to plan and implement systems that make difficult changes easier
- Why courage is the antidote to fear in business growth
Key Takeaways:
✅ Resistance is normal - Your brain is designed to conserve energy and avoid the unknown
✅ Have a strong why - Connect your actions to your bigger vision and long-term goals
✅ Know the cost of not changing - What will staying the same cost you?
✅ Accept the discomfort - Fighting the resistance only creates more resistance
✅ Build self-belief - You can learn anything and figure out any problem
✅ Make it easier - Create systems and support to ensure consistency
Featured Examples:
- Personal Story: Maggie's journey building a consistent workout routine despite resistance
- Client Case Study: A production facility owner overcoming resistance to necessary staffing changes for business growth
Quote to Remember:
"Sometimes when we feel that knot in the stomach, that we really don't want to do something, you just need to take a breath and "gag and go".
"We all have courage inside of us to do the things that feel scary, that feel impossible, that feel difficult."
Ready to Break Through Your Own Resistance?
If you're confronting a major change in your business and find yourself resisting the very things you know you need to do, Maggie can help. Book your complimentary strategy call with Maggie here - https://www.stairwaytoleadership.com/
Send us a text
In today's Maggie's Moment, Maggie dives into the critical but overlooked skill of expanding your emotional capacity—the key to navigating uncertainty, avoiding self-sabotage, and achieving 10X growth.
Backed by neuroscience and 2023 studies, she reveals why traditional "hustle" fails and how to rewire your brain to thrive in the unknown.
Key Takeaways:
1️⃣ Why Emotional Capacity Matters
- The brain’s amygdala treats uncertainty as a threat, triggering fight/flight/freeze.
- Entrepreneurs with high emotional capacity are 3x more likely to hit big goals (2023 Entrepreneurial Psychology study).
2️⃣ The “Pivot Protocol”
- Reframe failure as data (not identity) to recover 42% faster.
3️⃣ How to Train It
- Recognise and name the fear (e.g., “I’m scared I’ll look stupid”) to disarm its power.
- Use the Dream-Plan-Do method to act before you feel “ready.”
Featured in This Episode:🔹 Study: "Cognitive Flexibility in Entrepreneurs" (2023) – How emotional agility predicts long-term success.
Join the 10X Expansion RetreatReady to stretch your emotional capacity and lead from calm confidence?
🌿 July 25th at Rising Spirit Retreat Centre (near Toronto). Register via the link below. If you have questions, please reach out to Maggie at maggie@stairwaytoleadership.com
https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/10x-expansion-retreat-for-female-entrepreneurs-registration-1424847099029?aff=oddtdtcreator
Send us a text
In this episode, you'll discover:
- The critical difference between fast action and rushed decisions that separates successful entrepreneurs from those who get left behind
- Why taking 3 months to decide on a business name is costing you more than you think
- The two powerful business concepts that will transform how you launch new services: MVP and LVC
- How to make strategic decisions with courage while being willing to be imperfect
- Real examples of entrepreneurs who acted fast and scaled their businesses quickly
Key Takeaways:
🚀 Speed vs. Rush: The Game-Changing Difference
- Rushed = Reactive decisions without analysis
- Fast = Quick analysis followed by immediate implementation
- Your competition is moving while you're perfecting
💡 The Two Concepts Every Service Business Owner Needs:
- Minimal Viable Product (MVP) - Launch the core of your idea to early adopters, then improve based on feedback
- Lifetime Value of Customer (LVC) - Think beyond single transactions to maximize client relationships
🎯 What It Takes to Make Strategic Decisions Fast:
- Courage to face uncertainty
- Willingness to be imperfect
- Willingness to fail and adjust
- Trust in your decision-making ability
Real-World Examples Shared:
- The entrepreneur who spent 3 months on a business name (and why this kills momentum)
- How Maggie tested her 10X Expansion Retreat concept with existing clients first
- A designer who created recurring income by testing one idea with one client
Action Steps:
- Identify one decision you've been sitting on for weeks/months
- Apply the MVP concept to test your next service idea
- Analyze your customer lifetime value to spot new opportunities
- Set a decision deadline for yourself and stick to it
Ready to stop overthinking and start scaling?
Book your complimentary Strategic Growth Consultation with Maggie to identify the opportunities in your business and learn how to execute them fast.
📅 Book Your Free Consultation
Related Episodes:
- Episode 124: Making More Money in the Service Business With Better Decisions
- Episode 90: Breaking Free from All or Nothing Thinking That Leads to Better Decisions
Connect with Maggie:
- Website: stairwaytoleadership.com
- Email: maggie@stairwaytoleadership.com
- LinkedIn: Connect with Maggie
Send us a text
Key Points Covered in Today's Maggie's Moment
1️⃣ The Motivation Hack You’re Missing
- Why discipline alone fails (and what Stanford research says works instead).
- Hershfield’s finding: People connected to their future selves 2X success rates.
2️⃣ How to “Meet” Your Future Self
- The VR study reported a 42% reduction in procrastination.
- Why most entrepreneurs see their future self as a stranger (and how to fix it).
3️⃣ The Retreat as Your “Mindset Time Machine”
- How immersive experiences accelerate change (vs. solo journaling).
- What you’ll take home: Clarity, community, and a 10X action plan.
Ready to meet her? Join the 10X Expansion Retreat on July 25th, 2025: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/10x-expansion-retreat-for-female-entrepreneurs-registration-1424847099029?aff=oddtdtcreator
Limited to 25 women.
Send us a text
Here's the reality: Most business owners are trapped in their own success.
You've built something that depends entirely on you being present, available, and "on" all the time. But what if I told you that the most successful, scalable businesses are designed to run seamlessly whether the owner is in the office or on a beach in Bali?
In this episode, I'm sharing the framework that transforms owner-dependent businesses into systematic, profitable operations that actually give you the freedom you started your business to achieve.
What You'll Learn:
• Why separating your personal identity from your business operations creates exponential growth
• The systematic approach to building predictable revenue streams (with real client case studies)
• How to train your clients to follow your processes from day one
• The framework for creating team independence that reduces your daily workload
• Why 90% structure + 10% flexibility is the sweet spot for scalable operations
• The connection between documented processes and building a sellable business asset
Key Insights:
- Professional Boundaries: Clear processes prevent you from making emotional business decisions that compromise results
- Revenue Predictability: Systematic client management creates consistent cash flow patterns
- Client Education: Establishing expectations upfront eliminates pushback and creates smoother operations
- Team Empowerment: Documented processes build confident, independent team members
- Asset Building: Structured operations create tangible business value beyond just revenue
Real Business Transformations:
• Home services entrepreneur who learned why skipping proven processes costs time and money
• Virtual assistant who stabilized unpredictable income through systematic client renewals
• Team leader who reduced daily interruptions by implementing clear operational guidelines
Your Strategic Next Steps:
- Audit one key business function where you're currently improving
- Document your actual process (not your ideal process)
- Test and refine with your next client interaction
- Measure the consistency of results
Professional Insight:
"The freedom you're seeking as a business owner isn't found in flexibility—it's built through intentional structure and systematic processes."
Ready to implement freedom systems in your business and start scaling sustainably? Book a complimentary consultation with Maggie here - https://www.stairwaytoleadership.com/
Send us a text
In today's Maggie's Moment, You'll Learn:
- The real reason women scale back their dreams (hint: it's not lack of drive)
- Why fear of being seen as "greedy" or "mean" holds us back from success
- How going big actually inspires others and creates a ripple effect
- Why you can build the business you want while staying true to your values
Key Takeaway:
When women stop playing small and start dreaming big, we don't lose our kindness or values - we become examples that permit others to do the same.
Your Action Step:
Reflect on one big dream you've been scaling back. What would change if you knew that pursuing it could inspire another woman to go boldly after her dreams too?
Ready to Go Bigger?
Join me at the 10X Expansion Retreat on July 25th, 2025, in person, where we'll dive deep into overcoming these barriers and creating the bold, values-aligned business you deserve. Spots are limited. Secure yours here - https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/10x-expansion-retreat-for-female-entrepreneurs-registration-1424847099029?aff=oddtdtcreator
Send us a text
EPISODE OVERVIEW:
Marketing brings clients in, but what if your business is like a leaky balloon?
No matter how much water (leads) you pour in, it keeps leaking out. In this episode, Maggie reveals 10 non-marketing ways service-based businesses lose clients and leave money on the table, especially crucial for businesses scaling past six figures.
KEY TOPICS COVERED:
The 10 Ways You're Losing Clients:
- Not Offering Next Appointments - Make rebooking easy at service completion
- Missing Email Marketing - Nurture relationships between visits
- Poor Sales Skills & Process - Transform 30% conversion to 80% like Maggie's home services client
- Transactional Mindset - Focus on experience, not just transactions
- Wrong Staff Hiring - Look beyond technical skills to attitude and culture fit
- Inadequate Staff Training - Align team with mission, vision, and brand values
- No Cancellation Policy - Professional policies show structure and professionalism
- Poor Follow-Up Systems - Reminder systems and rebooking processes
- Lack of Relationship Building - Connection creates loyalty beyond price competition
- Missing Upsell Opportunities - Proactively identify and address additional client needs
FEATURED SUCCESS STORY:
Home services business owner increased conversion rate from 30% to 80% through improved sales process and discovery conversations.
KEY FRAMEWORKS MENTIONED:
- T.O.P. CEO Formula - Maggie's signature scaling system
- The Leaky Balloon Analogy - Why marketing alone isn't enough for sustainable growth
GOLDEN NUGGETS:
• "When you live and breathe your mission and vision, and your team does too, that's when you stay aligned and grow the fastest"
• "It's not just about helping with back pain or glowing skin - it's about how clients feel when they interact with your brand"
• "Connection creates loyalty - clients won't leave for cheaper prices when they feel like you're almost friends"
ACTION STEPS:
- Audit your client journey from discovery to post-service
- Implement next-appointment booking at service completion
- Review your sales process and conversion rates
- Evaluate staff training on brand values and client experience
- Create systematic follow-up processes for cancellations and rebooking
CONNECT WITH MAGGIE:
Ready to plug the holes in your business and scale sustainably?
Book a complimentary consultation to discuss what's stopping you from scaling without burning out -https://www.stairwaytoleadership.com/
Send us a text
Today, Maggie shares a powerful reminder about staying connected to your business's core purpose. When we're constantly firefighting and focusing only on immediate tasks, we lose sight of what truly matters - our Mission and Vision.
Key Takeaways:
• Why successful entrepreneurs lose track of their WHY
• The difference between Mission (how you help people) and Vision (your 10-15 year legacy)
• How Mission and Vision alignment accelerates business growth
• The importance of team alignment with your core purpose
Your Action Step:
Take 30 minutes this week to revisit and reconnect with your mission and vision. If you don't have them clearly defined, it's time to create them.
Connect with Maggie:
Ready to create or refine your mission and vision statements? Maggie helps service-based business owners build powerful foundations for sustainable growth.
Connect with her via https://www.stairwaytoleadership.com/
Send us a text
Today's episode is a replay of the training Maggie ran.
If lately you have been feeling:
- Exhausted and overwhelmed (or)
- Demotivated and purposeless (or)
- Questioning your current professional path
Then this episode is for you.
Outside of hearing more of Maggie's burnout story, you'll learn:
- Why you can't "just push through" burnout (and how to start recovering your energy first)
- 3 science-backed tools to rebuild mental clarity and emotional resilience—so you can finally think straight about your career
- How to evaluate your options with confidence: Stay and thrive in your current role/ business, pivot to a new career/ niche/ offering, or explore entrepreneurship—without rushing into a decision you'll regret
And if you'd like to get a BONUS Guide to Creating 10 Weekly Hrs in 10 Minsthen head to Maggie's website and sign up for her newsletter - https://www.stairwaytoleadership.com/
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We're halfway through 2025 - time for your most important business review yet. While most entrepreneurs focus on improving their numbers, the real breakthrough comes from upgrading the CEO within themselves first.
Maggie shares why your first six months don't determine your success and reveals the one question that can transform your second half.
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
• Why being "behind" on your 2025 goals might actually be an advantage
• The difference between reviewing your business vs. reviewing yourself as a leader
• How to identify the leadership gap between where you are and where you need to be
• Why pivots happen faster when you own your own business
• The CEO-level question that changes everything: "Who were you vs. who do you need to become?"
ACTIONABLE STEPS:
- Pause and reflect: Who were you as a leader in the first 6 months?
- Define: Who do you need to be in the second half to hit your goals?
- Identify the gaps between these two versions of yourself
- Choose ONE leadership behavior to implement starting tomorrow
CONNECT WITH MAGGIE:
Ready to bridge the gap between who you are and who you need to become? Explore Maggie's T.O.P. CEO Framework at https://www.stairwaytoleadership.com/
This episode is part of Maggie's Moment - your weekly dose of quick, actionable business insights in 3 minutes or less.
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How to spot red flags early, set boundaries, and turn challenging clients into growth opportunities
Episode Summary:
Do you dread working with certain clients but can’t tell if they’re demanding (good for growth) or difficult (bad for business)?
In this episode, Maggie breaks down the critical differences between the two and shares her proven 3-step process to identify, manage, and—when necessary—part ways with high-maintenance clients. Learn how to protect your boundaries, improve your services, and focus on clients who respect your work.
Key Takeaways:
- Demanding vs. Difficult Clients
- Demanding clients push you to improve, pay on time, and respect agreements—they’re worth keeping!
- Difficult clients drain your energy, break boundaries, and are impossible to please.
- The 3-Step Process to Manage Them
- Step 1: Spot the Red Flags Early
- Unreasonable expectations, chronic indecision, or refusal to follow processes.
- Step 2: Set Boundaries (and Stick to Them)
- Communicate clearly, document agreements, and don’t over-accommodate.
- Step 3: Decide—Fix or Fire the Relationship
- Salvage relationships with fair clients; gracefully exit toxic ones.
- Step 1: Spot the Red Flags Early
- Pro Tips for Service Providers
- Turn demanding clients into growth opportunities by refining your processes.
- Never let difficult clients dictate your business model—prioritize your well-being and other clients.
Quotable Moments:
- “Demanding clients make you better; difficult clients make you bitter.”
- “Your boundaries teach clients how to treat you.”
- “Fire clients who cost you more than they pay you—in time, energy, or sanity.”
Call to Action:
- Apply the 3-step process to your most challenging client this week.
- Share your stories! Have a client dilemma? Email Maggie at maggie@stairwaytoleadership.com
- Subscribe & Review if this episode helped you—it means the world!
Follow Maggie:
- Website: https://stairwaytoleadership.com
- Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/maggie.perotin.s2l/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maggie-perotin-business-and-leadership-coach/
Tag a business owner who needs to hear this! 🎧 #DiamondEffectPodcast
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Discover 4 zero-cost strategies that separate true professionals from their competition and build lasting client trust. These foundational practices transform how clients perceive your business and create the credibility needed for premium positioning.
Key Topics Covered:
• Honor Your Commitments - From punctuality to project delivery, consistency builds credibility
• Regulated Emotional State - Show up with calm confidence that allows you to be present and logical
• Proactive Communication - Anticipate challenges and communicate solutions before problems escalate
• Own Your Mistakes - Take full responsibility without deflecting to build respect and credibility
Ready to implement professional systems that attract premium clients?
Book your complimentary consultation here - https://www.stairwaytoleadership.com/
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In this episode of the Diamond Effect Podcast, Maggie Perotin dives into a critical challenge many business owners face: the limitations of trying to grow your business completely on your own.
Inspired by a conversation with a client who recently moved her beauty service business from a home-based operation to a commercial location, we explore why seeking expert help isn't a sign of weakness—it's a strategic advantage.
What You'll Learn:
- Why the "do-it-all-yourself" mindset can become your biggest growth obstacle
- The hidden costs of learning everything through trial and error
- How expert guidance helps you avoid business-threatening mistakes
- The 5 key benefits of building a strategic support system
- Why even the most successful CEOs rely on teams of advisors
Episode Highlights:
[00:00:00] Introduction: The transition challenges when moving from home-based to commercial business
[00:02:00] The psychological barriers to asking for help as high-achievers
[00:04:00] Finding the balance: When to figure things out yourself vs. when to seek expertise
[00:06:00] The high cost of hiring mistakes in service businesses
[00:08:00] How successful CEOs structure their support systems
[00:09:00] 5 Key Reasons Not to Go It Alone:
1. Avoiding costly mistakes that threaten business survival
2. Resolving business challenges faster with expert perspectives
3. Identifying blind spots you can't see on your own
4. Combating entrepreneurial isolation and burnout
5. Creating accountability that accelerates growth
[00:18:00] Research shows 65% higher goal achievement with proper accountability
Key Statistics Mentioned:
- 23% of startups fail due to not having the right team of advisors (CB Insights, 2023)
- Solo founders are 2.3x more likely to fail than those with co-founders or advisors (Harvard Business Review, 2021)
- 45% of entrepreneurs report high stress levels (Gallup, 2022)
- People are 65% more likely to achieve goals with proper accountability (American Society of Training and Development)
Resources Mentioned:
Episode 162: 8 Reasons Why You Wouldn't Want a Business Coach
Connect With Me:
Ready to stop doing it all alone?
Book a complimentary consultation to see how strategic support can accelerate your business growth with fewer mistakes and less stress.
Book Your Free Consultation → https://calendly.com/maggie-s2l/discovery-call
Share Your Thoughts!
Did this episode resonate with you? What's one area where you could benefit from expert guidance? Share your thoughts on social media and tag @maggie.perotin.s2l
Send us a text
You’re doing all the right things… except THIS.
In today's Maggie’s Moment, discover the silent killer stalling your business (hint: it’s not the economy) and the mindset shift to unlock growth, even when it feels impossible.
Key Takeaways:
✅ The #1 myth solopreneurs believe (that’s holding them back)
✅ Why “hard work” isn’t enough in a shifting economy
✅ How to spot if you’re stuck in “old ways” thinking
✅ The pivot question to ask yourself TODAY
Quotable Moment:
“Growth isn’t about effort. It’s about strategy. The economy’s just an excuse—the real bottleneck? YOUR thinking.” —Maggie Perotin
- Follow Maggie and watch the video version:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/maggie-perotin-business-and-leadership-coach/
https://www.instagram.com/maggie.perotin.s2l/
Send us a text
In this episode, Maggie Perotin explores how journaling can be indispensable in your high-performing CEO toolkit. From Bill Gates to Sarah Blakely, successful business leaders use journaling to foster creativity, solve problems, and maintain peak performance.
What You'll Learn:
- The science-backed benefits of journaling for entrepreneurs
- Four powerful journaling methods that boost business performance
- How handwritten journaling improves memory, creativity, and problem-solving
- Simple techniques to incorporate journaling into your daily routine
Key Benefits of Journaling Discussed:
- Emotional regulation and stress reduction - Process emotions to reduce overwhelm
- Enhanced self-awareness - Gain deeper insights into your thoughts and decision-making
- Improved problem-solving and creativity - Create space for breakthrough business ideas
- Health benefits - Boosted immune function, lower blood pressure, and better sleep
- Increased productivity - Better organization, goal-setting, and motivation
Four Journaling Methods for Business Owners:
- Mindset Maintenance Journaling - Daily gratitude and celebration practice (10 minutes before bed)
- Idea Development Journaling - Brainstorming solutions and developing intellectual property
- Organizational Journaling - Weekly planning and project management
- Transformational Journaling - Brain dumps and prompted reflection for personal growth
Featured Quote:
"As business owners and leaders, our business cannot outgrow us. We must first grow for the business to deliver the results we want."
Resources Mentioned:
- DREAM-PLAN-DO Journal
- Research by psychologist James Pennebaker
- Mueller & Oppenheimer Research (2014)
- Baikie & Wilhelm Research (2005)
- Michigan State University research
Take Action:
Ready to transform your business through journaling?
Join Maggie's journaling challenge!
Book a consultation to learn how to combine personal development with business coaching for maximum results.
Connect with Maggie:
Visit stairwaytoleadership.com to learn more about coaching options and the Diamond Effect Group.
Send us a text
🔊 Episode Summary:Maggie reveals why traditional to-do lists set you up for stress (not success) and shares her 30-minute Weekly CEO Power Hour—the exact system she uses (and teaches clients) to 10X productivity, eliminate wasted time, and achieve 1 week’s work in 1 day.
💡 Golden Takeaways:
✅ The Big 3 Rule: Focus on 3 weekly goals tied to 90-day targets (not 30 random tasks).
✅ Time Block Like a CEO: Schedule outcomes, not just tasks (e.g., “2-hour block: Finish Module 1”).
✅ The Daily Filter: Ask: “Will this move my Big 3 forward?” (If no, delete or delegate).
And if you're serious about becoming a High-Performing CEO and 10X Your Business, book a complementary consultation call with Maggie here to discuss details. https://www.stairwaytoleadership.com/
Send us a text
Are you transitioning from solopreneur to a small business owner with a team? This episode is your practical guide to effective leadership, whether you're hiring your first virtual assistant, building a small team of contractors, or hiring a few full-time employees.
🎯 Perfect for you if:
- You're about to hire your first team member
- You've started building a team but leadership doesn't feel natural
- You want simple, proven leadership principles that actually work
- You're looking to scale your service-based business with a team
💡 In this episode, I share five essential leadership principles drawn from:
- 15+ years of hands-on leadership experience
- Building teams from scratch
- Transforming underperforming teams into high-performing ones
- Leading hundreds of team members successfully
🔑 The 5 Essential Leadership Principles:
Lead by Example (00:04:00)
- Why actions speak louder than words
- Common leadership mistakes to avoid
- How to build trust through consistent behavior
Know Your People (00:08:00)
- Two crucial levels of understanding your team
- How to motivate different personality types
- Building genuine connections without crossing professional boundaries
Have Their Back (00:13:00)
- Creating clear operational guidelines
- Supporting your team while maintaining standards
- Removing obstacles for your team's success
Avoid Micromanagement (00:16:00)
- Why controlling everything limits growth
- Setting outcomes vs. dictating methods
- Building trust and encouraging creativity
Address Performance Issues (00:21:00)
- Why keeping underperformers hurts everyone
- How to handle difficult decisions
- Creating a high-performance culture
💪 Key Takeaways:
- Leadership isn't about being perfect; it's about being consistent
- Your role shifts from doing to enabling
- Clear guidelines create freedom within structure
- Trust and empowerment drive business growth
Ready to level up your leadership? Book a free consultation HERE
Connect with Maggie:
https://www.stairwaytoleadership.com/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/maggie-perotin-business-and-leadership-coach/
https://www.instagram.com/maggie.perotin.s2l/
DiamondEffectPodcast #LeadershipTips #BusinessGrowth #TeamManagement #SmallBusinessSuccess #ServiceBusiness #BusinessCoaching #EntrepreneurshipJourney
Send us a text
Discover why consistency isn't about willpower or time management - it's about something much more fundamental. Through a real client story, Maggie reveals the two key elements that make or break your consistency efforts.
🔑 Key Takeaways:
- Why having "enough time" isn't the real issue with consistency
- The crucial mindset shift that transforms sporadic action into consistent results
- How to create systems that make success almost automatic
💡 Client Story Highlight:
Learn how one business owner went from struggling with newsletter consistency to making it a non-negotiable part of their business - without finding more time in their schedule.
⚡️ Action Step:
Identify one area where you're struggling with consistency and examine whether you're treating it as "optional" versus "non-negotiable."
🎁 Special Opportunity:
Join Maggie's online AI Workshop on May 28th, 2025 to discover how to leverage artificial intelligence for consistent business growth while saving hours each week.
Connect with Maggie:
- Website: stairwaytoleadership.com
- Email: maggie@stairwaytoleadership.com
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maggie-perotin-business-and-leadership-coach/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/maggie.perotin.s2l/
Send us a text
🎉 Celebrating 200 Episodes of Diamond Effect Podcast!
In this special milestone episode, host Maggie Perotin interviews her husband, JF Perotin (stage name - Jay RK), a musician and performer who successfully built his entertainment business while maintaining a full-time career and also prioritizing family life.
Key Discussion Points:
🎸 Building a Creative Business (0:00-5:00)
- Starting from zero network as an immigrant entrepreneur
- Evolution from YouTube channel to live performances
- Growing from one monthly gig to regular weekly bookings
- Innovative approach to audience engagement through QR code song requests
💼 Business Growth Strategies (5:00-13:00)
- Effective venue outreach and follow-up techniques
- Building relationships with venues and private event clients
- Balancing multiple revenue streams (bars/restaurants vs. private events)
- Using creativity as a business advantage
⚖️ Work-Life Integration (13:00-19:00)
- Managing a side business while working full-time
- Starting small with realistic commitments
- Prioritizing without sacrificing quality
- The importance of having a supportive partner
❤️ Relationship Dynamics (19:00-24:00)
- Supporting each other's entrepreneurial journeys
- Maintaining open communication
- Creating habits for staying connected (daily walks)
- Building trust through consistency
👨👩👧👦 Parenting & Business (24:00-31:00)
- Nurturing relationships in a blended family
- Showing authenticity as a parent-entrepreneur
- Connecting with children through shared interests
- Maintaining consistency while being available
🎵 Where to Find JF's Music:
- Streaming platforms: Search for "Rockin Krolik" (K-R-O-L-I-K)
Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/artist/2geMzqZhDmDnfcUIANhOyx
Apple Music - https://music.apple.com/us/artist/the-rockin-krolik/1449242861 - YouTube: @therockinkrolik
- Live performances: Greater Toronto Area
💡 Key Takeaways:
- Start small and build gradually
- Maintain consistent follow-up with potential clients
- Create systems for balancing multiple priorities
- Stay authentic in both business and family life
- Keep communication channels open with your support system
🎯 Action Steps for Creative Entrepreneurs:
- Begin with manageable commitments
- Document your progress
- Create follow-up systems
- Build support networks
- Establish communication routines
Connect with JF:
https://www.therockinkrolik.com/
IG - https://www.instagram.com/therockinkrolik/
Connect with Maggie:
https://www.stairwaytoleadership.com/
IG - https://www.instagram.com/maggie.perotin.s2l/
LinedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/maggie-perotin-business-and-leadership-coach/
DiamondEffectPodcast #CreativeBusiness #Entrepreneurship #WorkLifeBalance #FamilyBusiness #MusicBusiness #SideHustle #BusinessGrowth
Send us a text
In today's Maggie's Moment, Maggie smashes the myth of "passive income" and reveals why most entrepreneurs waste years chasing it. Learn the 3 hard truths about building real scalable income—without the guru hype.
Passive income isn’t real. Here’s why:
- Truth #1: Passive = Pre-Loaded Hustle (the hidden work no one talks about).
- Truth #2: Focus on leverage, not laziness (scalable vs. "set-and-forget").
- Truth #3: Your time is your best asset (skills > systems).
💡 Key Takeaways:
✅ There’s no such thing as 100% passive income—only pre-loaded effort.
✅ Scalable income (e.g., group programs, productized services) beats "passive" dreams.
✅ Invest in skills that compound (marketing, sales) over buying shortcuts.
📣 Engage With Maggie:
- Comment: "Do you agree? Drop a 🔥 for ‘truth’ or 🤔 for ‘still skeptical’!"
- Tag a friend who needs this reality check.
- Want more? Follow @Ymaggie.perotin.s2l on Instagram or TikTok for weekly business truths and realistic tips
Send us a text
In this value-packed episode, Maggie shares her practical approach to implementing AI in your service-based business, drawing from her extensive leadership experience in technology adoption and business scaling.
Key Insights:
• Why AI is like training your delegation skills (and how this prepares you for future team growth)
• The "10X output" framework for solopreneurs and small business owners with limited budgets
• How to maintain your authentic voice while leveraging AI tools
• 4 practical areas where AI can amplify your business today
💡 Actionable Frameworks:
- Marketing & Sales Applications
- Proposal writing
- Content repurposing
- Social media strategy
- Research & Development
- Market research automation
- Content ideation
- Trend analysis
🛠️ Recommended Tools:
• Sintra - for social media, marketing and sales materials - https://playosinc.pxf.io/7ayEnr
• Descript - for video and podcast content - https://get.descript.com/2sd4jd07z70j
• Chat GPT, Perplexity, Deep Seek - for research and content creation
🎯 Getting Started Tips:
• Start with free tools to build confidence
• Focus on specific, context-rich prompts
• Always fact-check AI-generated research
• Use AI as an amplifier, not a replacement
💥 Special Announcement:
Join Maggie's hands-on AI workshop on May 28th, 2025 (2-4 PM EST) to create:
- 30-day content plan OR
- 2 weeks of ready-to-use posts OR
- Sales email sequence Limited spots available at $47 CAD!
🔑 Key Takeaway: AI isn't about replacing human expertise—it's about amplifying your business capabilities while maintaining your authentic voice and expertise.
Ready to transform your approach to AI? Book your workshop spot at https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/solopreneurs-ai-toolkit-create-weeks-of-content-sales-materials-fast-tickets-1321747364949?aff=oddtdtcreator
BusinessGrowth #AIforBusiness #ServiceProvider #SmallBusinessTips #BusinessAutomation #DiamondEffect
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Tooday, I share 3 key mindset shifts that directly impacted my business revenue and can transform yours too.
Key Insights:
• Why successful businesses still face challenges and how this knowledge makes you a better leader
• The "Rock Behind You" principle: How to stop letting past results limit your future potential
• Why consistency trumps trendy strategies (especially for introverts!)
💡 Quote highlight: "Don't trip over the rock behind you" - Seneca
🔑 Key Takeaway: Your future success isn't determined by past results - every day brings new opportunities to exceed your previous best.
Ready to transform your business mindset? Book your discovery call at https://stairwaytoleadership.com
BusinessGrowth #LeadershipDevelopment #MindsetShift #BusinessSuccess #EntrepreneurMindset
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In today's short yet highly valuable episode, Maggie discusses how every employee in your small business can contribute to sales growth, whether directly or indirectly. Learn how to maximize your team's potential to drive business growth and increase revenue.
Key Points:
- Indirect Contributions to Sales
- Time and cost efficiency through proper delegation
- Value of outsourcing administrative tasks
- ROI calculation on CEO time
- Direct Customer Contact Opportunities
- Reception and front desk staff's role in sales
- Importance of asking questions and active listening
- Identifying additional service opportunities
- Customer Journey Enhancement
- Booking follow-up appointments
- Offering membership options
- Creating intentional client experiences
- Service Excellence
- Investing in staff training and skill development
- Combining technical skills with customer service
- Natural upselling through understanding client needs
- Business Culture Impact
- Employee advocacy
- Word-of-mouth marketing through satisfied staff
- Team members as brand ambassadors
Key Takeaway:
"Every employee you hire in your small business is an investment and needs to contribute directly or indirectly to the growth of your business."
Action Step:
Before delegating tasks, conduct a cleanup exercise to ensure you're outsourcing valuable activities that contribute to business growth.
Resources:
Book a free consultation with Maggie to:
- Map your customer journey
- Develop employee training programs
- Enhance customer service
- Improve sales processes
Connect with Maggie:
• Book a Discovery Call: https://calendly.com/maggie-s2l/discovery-call
• Email: maggie@stairwaytoleadership.com
• Website: https://stairwaytoleadership.com
BusinessGrowth #TeamDevelopment #Sales #CustomerService #BusinessStrategy
Send us a text
Today, Maggie shares a powerful perspective on what truly drives business growth amidst the distracting political climate in Canada and the US.
Key Points:
• Why political drama and exciting news can pull us away from business fundamentals
• The real, "boring" activities that consistently generate revenue
• How habits and systems create sustainable business success
Quotable: "Your business grows in the quiet moments between the excitement."
Resources Mentioned:
• T.O.P. CEO Framework - Maggie's signature system for sustainable business growth
Connect with Maggie:
• Book a Discovery Call: https://calendly.com/maggie-s2l/discovery-call
• Email: maggie@stairwaytoleadership.com
• Website: https://stairwaytoleadership.com
BusinessGrowth #BusinessSystems #Entrepreneurship #BusinessSuccess #SmallBusinessTips
Send us a text
In this value-packed episode, Maggie Perotin breaks down the three essential areas of self-development that every entrepreneur needs to focus on to achieve sustainable business growth.
Discover why your business can't outgrow you and how developing these critical areas leads to faster, more sustainable success.
What You'll Learn:
- Personal Development as a Human Entrepreneur
• Mindset foundations: embracing failure, making fast decisions, and maintaining focus
• Physical wellbeing: nutrition, movement, and rest for sustained energy
• Spiritual growth: building faith and self-belief in entrepreneurship - Business Leadership Skills
• Essential CEO capabilities
• How to identify and fill skill gaps
• The importance of leading by example
• Why confidence matters in hiring and team building - Industry-Specific Expertise
• Staying innovative in your field
• Continuous learning strategies
• Creating more value for clients through expertise
Key Insights:
✦ The three crucial mindset shifts that accelerate business growth
✦ How personal development directly impacts business success
✦ Why mastering business skills is essential for scaling
✦ The connection between self-development and effective leadership
💡 Episode Quote:
"Your business cannot outgrow you. Our skills allow us to be more effective, not only in decision-making and having a better perspective, but also in doing things faster."
Resources Mentioned:
• DREAM-PLAN-DO journal
• Personal development books (reach out to Maggie for recommendations)
Ready to accelerate your business growth through personal development? Visit https://Stairwaytoleadership.com to book a free consultation with Maggie.
Send us a text
In Today's Maggie's Moment, Maggie Perotin shares three transformative self-development principles that could have changed the trajectory of her early career and life. These timeless insights are valuable for entrepreneurs and professionals at any stage of their journey.
Key Takeaways:
• Being proactive vs. reactive: Learn the power of intentional goal setting and weekly planning
• Focus on controllable factors: Discover how to redirect energy from external stressors to actionable progress
• Prioritize self-care: Understand why filling your own cup first is crucial for sustainable success
🎯 Action Step:
Choose one principle to implement this week. Start with weekly planning, identify areas within your control, or create a self-care routine.
💡 Quote:
"Your energy is finite. When you redirect it from what you can't control to what you can influence, magic happens."
Ready to take your leadership journey to the next level? Visit https://stairwaytoleadership.com to learn more about working with Maggie.
BusinessGrowth #Leadership #SelfDevelopment #EntrepreneurMindset #PersonalGrowth #BusinessCoaching
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In this episode, Maggie pulls back the curtain on her signature program, the Diamond Effect Group. She shares the story behind its creation and how it helps service-based business owners create sustainable 5K+ months without burnout.
Key Highlights:
- The origin story: How Maggie's corporate burnout led to creating a program she wished existed when starting her business
- Why does the program run for 12 months, and what is the strategic reasoning behind each quarter's focus
- The four key components that make Diamond Effect Group unique: • Personalized implementation through weekly coaching • Leadership identity development from day one • Strategic network building and win-win relationships • Recession-proof business skill building
Success Stories Mentioned:
- Stephanie: Excel expert who built a successful business through strategic networking
- Paola: Event decorator who scaled her business while maintaining work-life balance
- Glory: Therapy practice owner who successfully expanded her team
Program Structure:
- Quarter 1: Foundation building and fast growth
- Quarter 2: Marketing mastery and consistent lead generation
- Quarter 3: Sales optimization and systems development
- Quarter 4: Sustainable scaling and legacy building
Investment: $2,500 for 12 months with payment options available
Success Guarantee: Additional 3 months of support if needed
Resources Mentioned:
- Website: https://www.stairwaytoleadership.com/diamond-effect-group
- Frameworks included: • DREAM-PLAN-DO coaching model • Time on Demand Framework • Strategic Consistency Method • Premium Pricing Formula • Client Attraction and Qualification Process • Relationship Ripple Effect
Ready to transform your side hustle into a thriving business?
Visit https://www.stairwaytoleadership.com/diamond-effect-group to learn more and book a free consultation with Maggie.
DiamondEffectGroup #BusinessCoaching #Entrepreneurship #SmallBusiness #BusinessGrowth
Send us a text
In this quick bonus episode, Maggie Perotin shares a powerful strategy for spring cleaning your business schedule. Learn how to identify and eliminate time-wasting activities that secretly sabotage your productivity and business growth.
Key Points Covered:
• Why your calendar might be as cluttered as an overstuffed closet
• The 30-minute block tracking method for time audit
• Three main time-clutter culprits to watch for
• Real client success story: How reallocating 5 hours led to doubled consultation calls
Action Steps:
- Track all activities in 15-minute blocks for one week
- Identify tasks done out of habit vs. necessity
- List activities that could be delegated or eliminated
- Align time blocks with quarterly goals
Resources Mentioned:
• Free Webinar: "Side Hustle Transformation Blueprint" - April 8th at 11 AM
• Time on Demand Formula
Quote from the Episode:
"We accumulate time-wasting tasks like we collect promotional pens – they just keep multiplying when we're not looking!"
Connect with Maggie:
• Website: stairwaytoleadership.com
• Email: maggie@stairwaytoleadership.com
• Instagram: @maggie.perotin.s2l
CTA:
Register for the "Side Hustle Transformation Blueprint" webinar to learn how to create massive momentum in your business, even with limited hours. Perfect for entrepreneurs balancing business growth with full-time commitments.
Send us a text
Guest: Paola Di Fonzo, Owner of Balloonique
What started with a $30 DIY balloon project during maternity leave has blossomed into Balloonique - a flourishing event decor company serving the GTA. In this episode, Paola shares her entrepreneurial journey, proving you don't have to choose between family dreams and business success.
🎈 The Journey:
• Maternity leave creative project → Professional decor company
• Solo creator → Team of three + company truck
• Weekend installations while homeschooling during the week
💫 Key Moments We Explore:
"I thought maybe in 5-10 years we could do this..." Paola reflects on how her hobby unexpectedly accelerated into a thriving business within just one year.
🔑 Business Growth Insights:
• Using creativity beyond balloon art - in marketing, processes, and problem-solving
• Building systems that protect family time while allowing business growth
• Finding and trusting team members who share your vision
✨ Most Surprising Discovery:
"Business sense is very close to common sense" - Paola shares how she transformed from doubting her business abilities to confidently leading a growing company.
💡 Biggest Takeaway:
You can build a successful business that works around your life priorities - not the other way around. It's about getting creative with your systems and trusting the process.
🎯 Connect with Paola:
Website: https://balloonique.ca
Instagram: @ballooniqueto
Send us a text
In this quick bonus episode, Maggie shares her journey of turning perceived business limitations into unique advantages.
Key Points:
• Starting a business in your 40s can be your advantage, not a setback
• How being an immigrant with an accent became a memorable brand feature
• Converting introvert tendencies into authentic connection strategies
• Transforming limited social media experience into a genuine approach
🔑 Key Takeaway:
There's always a solution to achieving the goals you truly want and commit to.
Your perceived limitations aren't stopping you—they're setting you apart in the marketplace.
Want to transform your "limitations" into business advantages?
Book a call with Maggie: https://www.stairwaytoleadership.com/
Follow Maggie:
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/maggie.perotin.s2l/
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/maggie-perotin-business-and-leadership-coach/
BusinessGrowth #Entrepreneurship #LimitingBeliefs #BusinessSuccess #Leadership
Send us a text
In this episode of the Diamond Effect Podcast, we dive into the power of strategic relationship building in business development and sales. Learn how cultivating meaningful business relationships can create opportunities that no paid advertising can match.
Key Takeaways:
• The African proverb rings true: "If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together."
• Strategic relationship building is crucial for long-term business success
• Success comes from focusing on select, valuable relationships rather than trying to connect with everyone
My Early Sales Story:
✦ Started in the fashion industry sales with no experience
✦ Became top salesperson within a year
✦ Success came through strategic relationship building
✦ Focus on learning client needs and providing solutions
Real-World Example:
• RBC Women of Influence Award nomination process
• Importance of community relationships beyond clients
• Value of diverse business connections
Action Steps for Listeners:
- Identify potential strategic relationships for your business
- Plan how you can add value first
- Create a consistent touchpoint strategy
- Integrate relationship building into your broader business strategy
💎 Diamond Effect Insight: The magic happens when you integrate strategic relationships into your larger business growth strategy.
Want to learn more about building powerful business relationships?
Visit https://www.stairwaytoleadership.com/
Resources Mentioned:
• Diamond Effect Group Coaching Program
• RBC Women of Influence Award
BusinessRelationships #StrategicGrowth #BusinessDevelopment #DiamondEffect #SalesStrategy #NetworkingTips #BusinessSuccess
Send us a text
Are you doubting whether your side hustle could ever replace your corporate salary? I get it. Five years ago, I was sitting in my corporate office, wondering if my coaching business would ever be more than just a dream...
Back in 2019, my reality looked like this:
• Leading a high-stakes corporate team
• Starting my coaching journey
• Completing my MBA
• Raising young school-aged children during COVID
The doubt and overwhelm were real. But then everything changed when I developed:
🔑 Time on Demand Framework
Instead of trying to 'find' time, I created it
🔑 DREAM-PLAN-DO Model
Turned overwhelming goals into organized action steps
🔑 Business Owner First Marketing
Built a client pipeline that worked with MY schedule
In 2022, I made the leap to full-time coaching on MY terms.
Now I help others do the same.
👉 If you're building a side hustle or thinking about monetizing your skills...
Drop a comment below:
💭 What's your side hustle?
💭 Why did you start it?
P.S. Want to learn more about building a successful business alongside your career? Join me for "The Side Hustle Transformation Blueprint" masterclass on April 8th at 11 AM EST, where I'll share more of my journey and reveal the exact strategies that worked for me and my clients. Secure your spot here - https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/the-side-hustle-transformation-blueprint-tickets-1244867886359
Send us a text
Join Maggie Perotin as she interviews Lina Waled, an innovative haircutting specialist who transformed her career from a psychology graduate to an international hair artist and content creator. In this episode, discover how following your creative intuition can lead to unexpected success and business growth.
Key Highlights:
• Lina's unique journey from a psychology degree to becoming a sought-after hairstylist
• How she developed her signature razor-cutting technique and "sculpted hair" concept
• Strategic approach to content creation across YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok
• Tips for relocating a service-based business internationally
• Managing creative entrepreneurship while maintaining focus on business goals
Topics Covered:
[00:00:00] - Introduction and Lina's background
[00:02:00] - The story behind becoming a hairstylist
[00:04:00] - Developing unique razor-cutting techniques
[00:08:00] - Content creation strategy across different platforms
[00:12:00] - Relocating from Canada to Dubai
[00:15:00] - Managing creativity and business focus
[00:19:00] - The importance of business coaching and support
Key Takeaways:
• Different social media platforms require different approaches:
- YouTube: Long-form, detailed tutorials
- Instagram: Professional business presence and client booking
- TikTok: Casual, personal connection content
• Success strategies for creative entrepreneurs:
- Brain dumping for idea management
- Creating systems for focus
- Regular journaling and planning
- Strategic experimentation
Featured Guest: Lina Waled (@linadoeshair)
Haircutting specialist and content creator based in Dubai, known for her innovative razor-cutting technique and viral hair content.
Resources Mentioned:
• Instagram: @linadoeshair
• Diamond Effect Group Coaching Program
Follow Lina on Instagram @linadoeshair to see her amazing hair transformations and content creation strategies in action.
Join the Diamond Effect Group program like Lina did - https://www.stairwaytoleadership.com/diamond-effect-group
Send us a text
Have you ever wondered if you're just spinning your wheels with your marketing strategies? 🤔
In this Maggie's Moment, I'm breaking down the three critical elements that determine whether a marketing strategy you picked is truly working.
Learn why some business owners succeed with the exact same strategies that others claim "don't work" - and how you can be on the winning side!
Save epsiode for when you need a reminder about:
✨ The right timeline for strategy evaluation
✨ Smart implementation techniques
✨ The game-changing role of expert feedback
Send us a text
The Time On Demand Formula: How Successful CEOs Create More Hours in Their Day
Tired of feeling overwhelmed and constantly busy? In this power-packed episode of the Diamond Effect Podcast, Maggie Perotin reveals her proven Time On Demand Formula - the exact system she used to simultaneously run a successful business, complete an EMBA, and maintain work-life balance without burnout.
Key Points Covered:
• Why everyone has the same 24 hours but different results
• The mindset shift from "being busy" to "being in control"
• The 5 components of the Time On Demand Formula
• Practical strategies for eliminating time waste
• How to make effective time management a habit
Time Stamps:
[00:00:00] - Introduction to the universal time management challenge
[00:02:00] - Maggie's personal transformation story
[00:04:00] - Component #1: The power of time awareness
[00:07:00] - Component #2: Clarity and prioritization
[00:11:00] - Component #3: Elimination and delegation strategies
[00:17:00] - Component #4: Weekly planning and time blocking
[00:21:00] - Component #5: Making it a sustainable habit
Action Steps for Listeners:
- Track your time for one full week
- Identify and list your true priorities
- Start eliminating non-essential tasks
- Implement weekly planning sessions
- Practice delegation (both in business and personal life)
Resources Mentioned:
• Episode 167: Five Indicators Your Small Business Team Is Underperforming
• Episode 184: Leadership Strategies for Service Business Owners
• Diamond Effect Group Program
• T.O.P. CEO Formula
Quotable Moments:
"We all have the same amount of time, 24-7-365. The difference is how we use it."
"Prioritization is a decision. It's a commitment."
"Nothing that we do the first time is perfect - you need patience and self-compassion."
Next Steps:
Ready to master your time management? Book a free consultation with Maggie here - https://stairwaytoleadership.com/ - to explore:
• Diamond Effect Group Program (for new business owners)
• Private coaching with T.O.P. CEO Formula (for established business owners)
Send us a text
In this special bonus episode, Maggie shares her personal transformation story and reveals how a crucial mindset shift changed everything in her business - even before leaving her corporate career.
Learn the exact moment that turned her side hustle into a thriving business and how you can make the same powerful transition.
Key Points Covered:
• The pivotal moment that transformed Maggie's approach to her business
• Why traditional business strategies aren't always the first step to success
• How embracing a CEO identity while still in corporate led to easier client acquisition
• The impact of proper boundaries on business growth
• The confidence-revenue connection in business development
Action Steps for Listeners:
- Assess your current business identity - are you treating your business as a "side thing" or a CEO venture?
- Identify areas where you need to establish stronger boundaries to protect your business growth
- Review your pricing structure through the lens of a CEO
- List three ways you can show up more professionally in your business this week
Resources Mentioned:
• Free Masterclass: "The Side Hustle Transformation Blueprint" (April 8th, 11 AM EST)
Quotable Moments:
"The transformation started long before I handed in my resignation letter."
"My confidence skyrocketed when I stopped treating my business like a 'side thing' and started thinking like a CEO."
Register for the free masterclass to learn the complete Side Hustle Transformation Blueprint and start your journey from side hustler to confident CEO.
Send us a text
Join Maggie Perotin in this special episode of the Diamond Effect Podcast featuring Stefanie Carroll, a successful member of the Diamond Effect coaching group. Stefanie shares her journey from being a part-time corporate employee to becoming the founder of Excelerates, a specialized spreadsheet solutions business serving clients across North America.
Key Highlights:
• How an accidental project sparked a successful business idea
• The transition from secure employment to full-time entrepreneurship
• Overcoming fears and mindset challenges in business
• The importance of networking for introverted entrepreneurs
• Building confidence and developing essential business skills
• The role of consistency in business growth
• Benefits of group coaching and community support
Guest Bio:
Stefanie Carroll, founder of Excelerates, is a spreadsheet solutions expert who helps businesses streamline their operations through customized Excel solutions. Based in Hamilton, Ontario, she serves clients across North America, including major accounting firms and sales organizations.
Notable Quotes:
"I get to play and get paid." - Stefanie Carroll
"When I don't take the time for strategic planning... my business suffers." - Stefanie Carroll
"The biggest reward is the freedom." - Stefanie Carroll
Key Takeaways:
- The importance of validating your business idea before leaving secure employment
- How to transition from employee to entrepreneur mindset
- Strategies for introverts to succeed in business networking
- The critical role of consistency in business growth
- Why professional guidance and community support matter in entrepreneurship
Resources Mentioned:
• Excelerates website: www.excelerates.ca
• Connect with Stefanie on LinkedIn: Stefanie Carroll -https://www.linkedin.com/in/stefanie-carroll/
• Diamond Effect Group Coaching Program - https://stairwaytoleadership.com/
Send us a text
In this Maggie's Moment:
• Why seasonal fluctuations don't have to mean financial uncertainty
• Real examples of service-based businesses that overcame seasonal challenges
• 3 actionable strategies to create consistent revenue streams
Want to learn more about building a sustainable, scalable business with T.O.P. CEO Framework? Book a discovery call with Maggie - https://stairwaytoleadership.com/:
Send us a text
In this episode, Maggie reveals why consistency is the foundational skill every entrepreneur needs to master first, even before marketing and sales. She shares how strategic consistency can transform your business results and explains why simply being "consistent" isn't enough.
Key Highlights:
• Why consistency must come before mastering marketing and sales
• The difference between basic consistency and strategic consistency
• How consistency creates valuable data for business decisions
• Real client success stories showcasing the power of strategic consistency
💡 The Four Pillars of Strategic Consistency:
- Building a consistent self-identity
- Developing sound business strategies
- Creating high-performance habits
- Implementing weekly accountability systems
🔍 Client Case Studies:
- Stephanie's journey with marketing funnels
- Jennifer's success story with strategic partnerships
📌 Key Takeaway: Consistency is a skill that requires time to master, but it's essential for achieving consistent income and sustainable business growth.
Ready to develop your strategic consistency and transform your business? Book a consultation with Maggie to discuss how she can support your journey.
https://stairwaytoleadership.com
Next milestone: Stay tuned for Episode 200 - something special is coming! 🎉
Send us a text
"I'll do it when I have more time" - Sound familiar?
The truth is, successful business owners don't have more hours in their day - they just have a different relationship with time.
In this Maggie's Moment, I'm sharing my proven strategies that helped my clients:
✨ Get more done in less time
✨ Stop feeling overwhelmed by their to-do lists
✨ Actually grow their business while working less
Want to know my super-secret power for 10X productivity? Watch till the end! 👆
Ready to transform your relationship with time and create better results in your business? Book a complimentary consultation call with me here; www.stairwaytoleadership.com
, and I'll show you how to implement my complete Time on Demand Framework in your business.
BusinessGrowth #TimeManagement #Productivity #BusinessCoaching #Leadership #CEOlife #WorkSmarter #BusinessSuccess #BusinessStrategy #TimeManagementTips
Send us a text
🎬 In this episode, Maggie shares her exciting journey and behind-the-scenes experience of being featured in the upcoming documentary "Legacy Makers" by Inside Success Studios.
Key Highlights:
- How an Instagram casting call led to a TV documentary opportunity
- The show's nominations including Cannes Short Film Festival and New York Orion Film Awards
- Behind-the-scenes insights from the Miami filming experience
Key Business & Leadership Lessons:
- Authenticity in Business
- What true authenticity means vs. common misconceptions
- How to adapt while staying true to yourself
- The power of being yourself as a competitive advantage
- The Power of Planning & Preparation
- Why preparation is crucial for confidence
- How planning reduces anxiety and improves performance
- The parallel between production planning and business strategy
- Developing On-Camera Confidence
- The journey from shaky first videos to professional filming
- Why practice and persistence matter more than natural talent
- The importance of starting despite imperfection
- Creating Positive Experiences
- How leaders influence others' experiences
- The importance of having fun while being professional
- Building relationships and creating memorable moments
🎥 About Legacy Makers:
- Documentary series featuring inspiring entrepreneur stories
- Nominated for multiple film awards
- Airing Spring/Summer 2024 on Apple TV, Roku, and other platforms
💡 Key Takeaway:
Success in business and leadership comes from authentic self-expression, thorough preparation, consistent practice, and creating positive experiences for yourself and others.
Follow Maggie on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/maggie.perotin.s2l/
and/or LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/maggie-perotin-business-and-leadership-coach/
for more behind-the-scenes content, and her episode air date announcement.
🔗 Watch for the Legacy Makers documentary release in Spring/Summer 2024!
Send us a text
'Just focus on marketing!' 'No, sales is all you need!'
Ever heard these conflicting pieces of advice?
Here's the truth: Your service business needs BOTH to thrive.
In today's Maggie's Moment, I break down:
- Why marketing and sales are two wings of the same bird
- How each process serves a unique purpose in your business growth
- Why different businesses need different approaches
- The key to sustainable income growth
Stop choosing sides and start building systems that work together.
Need help? Book a free consultation with me here: Https://stairwaytoleadership.com
Send us a text
Are you ready to transform from a hands-on business owner to a strategic leader? In today's we'll dive deep into the crucial transition every business owner needs to make to create a sellable asset.
🔑 Key Takeaways:
• Signs you're stuck in the owner-operator mode
• The T.O.P. CEO Formula Breakdown
• The $10,000/hour Test
• Transitioning from Owner-Operator to Visionary CEO Framework
• Common Challenges & Solutions
🎯 Action Steps:
1. Assess your current involvement in day-to-day operations
2. Identify tasks that don't pass the $10,000/hour test
3. Create your strategic vision and plan
4. Start building systems for delegation
Ready to accelerate your transition to becoming a strategic CEO building an impactful business?
Book a free strategy call to learn how we can help you build a sellable asset.
https://stairwaytoleadership.com/
Send us a text
In this Maggie's Moment bonus episode, discover how a small AI startup's recent success story provides powerful lessons for service-based business owners.
Learn why you don't need massive resources to make a significant impact in your industry.
Key Takeaways:
• How DeepSeek, with limited R&D budget, disrupted the tech giants
• Why maintaining a competitive edge through innovation is non-negotiable
• Practical ways to leverage AI tools for business growth
• The power of resourcefulness over resources
🎯 Perfect For: Service-based business owners who want to stay competitive and innovative, regardless of their budget size.
Want to transform your business this year? Book a strategy call with Maggie here https://stairwaytoleadership.com/
Send us a text
In this episode, Maggie dives deep into the essential components that make your business not just profitable, but highly sellable.
Whether you're planning to sell in the near future or just starting out, these insights will help you build a more successful, valuable, and sustainable business.
Key Topics Covered:
• The 10 critical components of a sellable business
• How to reduce owner dependency (including the "Vacation Test")
• Strategies for building predictable revenue streams
• The importance of strong brand presence and online reputation
• Ways to create scalable business models
💡 Key Takeaways:
- Strong Financial Performance:
• Target 15-30% net profit margins (higher for online businesses)
• Focus on recurring revenue streams
• Maintain clean financial records
• Diversify revenue sources - Scalable Business Model:
• Document all processes
• Leverage technology
• Create repeatable systems
• Build growth potential - Brand and Reputation:
• Develop strong online presence
• Maintain a professional website
• Build a strong Google Business profile
• Foster customer relationships - Owner Independence:
• Implement the "Vacation Test"
• Build competent teams
• Create standardized processes
• Transition from operator to CEO - Recurring Revenue:
• Develop subscription models
• Create loyalty programs
• Secure long-term contracts
• Implement rebooking systems
📈 Whether you're just starting or running an established business, these principles will help you build a more valuable and sustainable company.
🎯 Ready to transform your business into a valuable asset? Schedule a free consultation with Maggie here https://stairwaytoleadership.com/
Send us a text
In Today's Maggie's Moment, we dive into how smart risk management directly impacts your business's value and sellability.
Learn practical strategies to navigate current political and economic changes while building a more resilient business.
Key Points Covered:
• The connection between risk management and business valuation
• Real-world example: Navigating trade wars and tariff impacts
• Strategies for supply chain risk mitigation
• Adapting to government policy changes
• The three approaches to risk management: Accept, Mitigate, or Avoid
• Building a business that's valuable with or without you
Send us a text
Discover the secret sauce behind consistent business growth!
In this power-packed episode, Maggie Perotin reveals how successful business owners consistently hit their goals monthly and quarterly. Learn the exact system to transform your business from reactive to strategically driven.
🔑 Key Takeaways:
- Why do some businesses consistently grow while others struggle with basic to-do lists
- The importance of strategic alignment from monthly activities to annual goals
- How to implement effective monthly GPS check-ins
- The power of quarterly vision alignment
- Real success story: How a lease audit business doubled its revenue using this system
📋 Implementation Checklist:
- Schedule monthly reviews (1-3 hours) in the first week of each month
- Document what's working and identify success patterns
- Perform quarterly alignment checks
- Plan resource allocation strategically
- Establish and track success metrics (both financial and operational)
💡 Monthly GPS Check-in Questions:
- What patterns are emerging in our success?
- How do these align with our quarterly objectives?
- What adjustments are needed to stay on course?
🎯 Action Steps for Listeners:
- Review your 2025 strategic plan
- Map out February goals aligned with Q1 objectives
- Create a tracking system for measuring progress
- Schedule your monthly GPS check-in
If you're ready to stop leaving your business success to chance and want to implement a proven system that drives consistent growth, let's connect!
As your business coach, I'll help you master the T.O.P. CEO Formula. This powerful framework not only scales your business but transforms it into a sellable asset while giving you more freedom to enjoy life.
Through our partnership, you'll get the strategic guidance, accountability, and expert support needed to turn your business vision into reality.
Don't let another month or quarter slip by without the right systems in place.
Book your complimentary strategy call today, and let's map out your path to sustainable success. Your future self will thank you for taking this step!
Connect with Maggie:
IG - https://www.instagram.com/maggie.perotin.s2l/
LinedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/maggie-perotin-business-and-leadership-coach/
Website - https://stairwaytoleadership.com/
Send us a text
Your Monthly Business GPS Check!
Do you ever feel like you're driving your business without checking the GPS?
That's exactly what happens when we skip our monthly reviews!
Here's why they're crucial for your business success:
✨ Monthly reviews are your business reality check:
• Review what worked (and why!)
• Identify what didn't (and learn from it)
• Make necessary course corrections
• Realign with your yearly strategic plan
🚫 The biggest mistake that I see so many business owners make is waiting until year-end to evaluate progress. By then, it's often too late to pivot!
💡 Pro Tip: Schedule your monthly review for the first week of each month.
Block 1-3 hours in your calendar - this is your CEO time to work ON your business, not IN it.
Remember: Your yearly strategic plan is your destination. Monthly reviews are your GPS checkpoints ensuring you're still on the right path!
Send us a text
In this value-packed episode, discover how to maintain and improve service quality while scaling your business. Learn about the three essential pillars that create operational excellence: People, Processes, and Systems.
Key Highlights:
- Why service businesses face unique challenges in maintaining quality during growth
- How to achieve 95-98% service excellence through systematic approaches
- The four critical elements of successful hiring in service businesses
- Why common sense is an overlooked but crucial hiring criterion
- Tips for effective employee training and development
- The importance of investing in middle management
- How to create and improve business processes
- Selecting and implementing the right systems for your business size
- Tips for tracking KPIs and detecting problems early
Key Takeaways:
- People come first - invest in hiring, training, and developing your team
- Processes should be documented early and continuously improved
- Systems should empower people, not restrict them
- Balance standardization (80-95%) with customization (5-20%) for scalability
- Track the right metrics to detect and prevent problems early
Ready to scale your business sustainably without overwhelm?
Book a free consultation with Maggie through the T.O.P. CEO Continuous Success Recipe to transform your business into a sellable asset.
Send us a text
In this power-packed Maggie's Moment, discover the three essential pillars for scaling your service-based business sustainably. Perfect for entrepreneurs who want to grow their businesses without sacrificing their well-being or working longer hours.
⏱️ TIMESTAMPS: 0:00 - Introduction & Hook 0:15 - The Challenge of Scaling Service Businesses 0:30 - Pillar 1: Systems for Sustainable Growth 1:00 - Pillar 2: Building Your Brand Authority 1:30 - Pillar 3: Strategic Delegation 2:00 - Action Steps & Implementation 2:30 - Closing Thoughts
🔑 KEY TAKEAWAYS:
- Systems for Sustainable Growth
- The importance of working smarter, not harder
- How to identify and document repeatable processes
- Real client example: Professional organizer's transformation
- Quick-win tip: Start with your most frequent tasks
- Building Your Brand Authority
- Why your personal story matters
- How to share authentically without oversharing
- Strategy for building trust with potential clients
- Action step: Share one win or lesson per week
- Strategic Delegation
- Identifying energy-draining tasks
- First steps toward delegation
- Focus areas for business owners
- Quick assessment tool for task delegation
📝 QUOTABLE MOMENTS:
"The secret to scaling isn't working harder, it's working smarter."
"Your story isn't just nice to have - it's your superpower."
"Scaling with confidence isn't about dramatic overnight changes. It's about taking intentional steps, one day at a time."
🎯 ACTION STEP: Choose one pillar to focus on this week and implement the suggested quick-win strategy for that area.
📲 CONNECT WITH MAGGIE:
- Website: https://stairwaytoleadership.com/
- Instagram: @maggie.perotin.s2l
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maggie-perotin-business-and-leadership-coach/
- Book a Strategy Call: https://calendly.com/maggie-s2l/discovery-call
💎 DIAMOND EFFECT PODCAST: Subscribe to the full Diamond Effect Podcast for more in-depth business strategies and leadership insights.
BusinessGrowth #ServiceBusiness #ScalingWithConfidence #DiamondEffect
🗣️ JOIN THE CONVERSATION: Which pillar resonates most with you? Share your thoughts and connect with other listeners in the comments below!
Send us a text
In this episode, business and leadership coach Maggie Perotin shares valuable insights on building and leading high-performing teams in service-based businesses. Drawing from her extensive corporate leadership experience, Maggie provides practical strategies for service-based business owners looking to scale beyond solopreneurship and grow high-performing teams.
Key Topics Covered:
• Why team building requires more than just hiring talented individuals
• The crucial difference between leading and managing teams
• Essential recruitment strategies for service businesses
• How to build trust and avoid micromanagement
• Keys to effective team performance management
Key Takeaways:
- Recruitment Best Practices:
- Define clear role requirements through strategic planning
- Assess both skills and cultural fit
- Create multiple touchpoints during the hiring process
-
Use AI recruitment tools with caution
-
Leadership vs. Management:
- Leadership focuses on vision, inspiration, and empowerment
- Management ensures efficient execution and results
-
Both skills are essential for business growth
-
Building Strong Teams:
- Develop individual relationships with team members
- Understand personal motivations and goals
- Implement clear communication processes
-
Provide necessary training and development
-
Essential Leadership Requirements:
- Self-confidence
- Strong leadership skills (hiring, delegation, communication)
- Ability to trust and empower others
Related Episodes:
- Episode 167 (September 20, 2024): 5 Indicators Your Small Business Team Is Underperforming
Resources Mentioned:
- T.O.P. CEO High-Performance Team System
- Consultation booking available for personalized guidance
Perfect For:
• Service-based business owners looking to scale
• Solopreneurs planning to build their first team
• Leaders struggling with team performance
• Business owners wanting to improve their leadership skills
Connect with Maggie:
Book a consultation to learn more about the T.O.P. CEO High-Performance Team System
https://stairwaytoleadership.com/
Send us a text
Ever caught yourself thinking leadership is just for "corporate types"?
In this Maggie's Moment, Maggie talks about how service-based business owners can transform their businesses through essential leadership principles.
Key Takeaways:
• Why leadership is crucial for business growth
• 3 essential leadership principles for service-based business owners
• The power of clarity in business vision
• How to move from perfectionism to decisive action
• The importance of self-leadership
🎯 Action Step: Take 15 minutes today to write down your business vision. Make it clear, compelling, and exciting. Share one aspect with your team or a business colleague.
Ready to level up your leadership and through it grow your business?
Book your strategy call with Maggie: https://stairwaytoleadership.com/
Send us a text
Want to scale your service business without working 24/7?
In this value-packed episode, discover the three core systems that will transform your service business from overwhelming to streamlined!
What you'll learn:
- The 3 essential systems every scalable service business needs
- Real success stories from businesses that got it right
- A step-by-step implementation strategy you can start using today
- Common pitfalls to avoid (and how to overcome them)
🔑 Key Highlights:
- Why your client acquisition system needs to be predictable and consistent
- How to maintain service quality as your team grows from 2 to 200
- The secret to effective team management during scaling
- Simple strategies to document processes (even if they're "all in your head")
Featured client success stories include a medical practitioner who transformed his practice from overworked to optimized, and how an interior design business revolutionized their sales process.
💡 Perfect for service business owners who:
- Feel overwhelmed by the current workload
- Want to scale without sacrificing quality
- Need better systems for team management
- Are ready to transform their business operations
Ready to scale your business the smart way? Don't miss this episode packed with actionable insights and proven strategies!
Need help scaling your business into a sellable asset?
Book your discovery call with Maggie to learn how she can help you - https://stairwaytoleadership.com/
Send us a text
Discover how a simple 15-minute evening review habit can transform your service-based business from chaotic to strategic in this Maggie's Moment.
🔑 Key Points:
• The impact of daily habits on business success
• Why small, consistent actions matter more than big changes
• How to implement the 15-minute evening review
• Real results from a client success story
📋 The 15-Minute Evening Review Process:
- Review your daily wins
- Identify tomorrow's top 3 priorities
- Align priorities with long-term business goals
💡 Quick Tip: Success in your service business isn't about massive overhauls – it's about small, strategic habits that compound over time.
Send us a text
In this first episode of 2025, Maggie discusses how to scale your service business beyond solopreneurship, comparing the process to conducting an orchestra rather than being a solo player.
⭐ Key Benefits of Scaling:
- Create a sellable business asset
- Build a lasting legacy
- Expand your mission and impact
- Create positive ripple effects beyond direct clients
🎼 The Orchestra Effect Framework:
Understanding Your Business Foundation
- Know your business inside out
- Master your numbers (financial & operational)
- Track key metrics and conversion rates
- Be able to teach others your processes
CEO Role Evolution
- Shift from solo player to conductor
- Develop trust in team members
- Remove barriers to team success
- Work ON the business vs IN the business
🛠️ Essential CEO Toolkit:
- Leadership skills
- Systems and processes
- Training frameworks
- Communication channels
- Performance metrics
- Strategic decision-making abilities
⚠️ Common Scaling Pitfalls:
- Stepping back too far from operations
- Micromanaging instead of overseeing
- Resistance to delegation
- Communication breakdown as the team grows
🚀 Getting Started with Scaling:
- Create a long-term vision (2-3 years)
- Assess current business state
- Identify first delegation opportunities
- Develop necessary systems and processes
- Build leadership skills
💡 Maggie's Moment: "You can't repeat something you cannot understand. You can't fix something where you don't know the problem's root cause."
🎯 Action Step: Book a discovery call with Maggie to explore the Top CEO Formula for scaling your business into a sellable asset. Book it here - https://calendly.com/maggie-s2l/discovery-call
DiamondEffect #BusinessScaling #Leadership #Entrepreneurship #BusinessGrowth
Send us a text
Are you still using outdated client attraction strategies?
In this quick but powerful Maggie's Moment episode, discover three proven ways to attract new clients in 2025 - including one that requires zero ad spend!
Key Takeaways:
- How to reimagine your current offers for untapped markets (featuring the Stanley Cup success story)
- Why doubling down on successful marketing channels beats trying everything
- The power of strategic partnerships in client acquisition
- How to implement these strategies without overwhelming yourself
Connect with Maggie:
T.O.P. CEO Winning Strategy consultation - Book HERE https://calendly.com/maggie-s2l/discovery-call •
Instagram: @maggie.perotin.s2l
LinkedIn: Maggie Perotin
Website: https://stairwaytoleadership.com/
Send us a text
In this final full episode of 2024, discover how to transform your marketing lessons from the past year into powerful strategies for 2025!
Key Highlights:
- The 5 crucial marketing lessons from 2024 that can shape your 2025 success
- How to strategically implement the 20-40-40 formula in your social media
- Personal branding evolution and authenticity in business
- Building a stronger email community and exclusive value
- Leveraging social media analytics for better engagement
- Strategic partnerships for business growth
Resources Mentioned:
- Episode 130 (Jan 5, 2024): How to Achieve Your Goals in 2024
- Episode 178 (Dec 5, 2024): Best Practices for Social Media for Service-Based Businesses
Special Announcement: Catch Maggie on the upcoming TV show "Legacy Makers" on Roku TV and Apple TV in 2025!
Download these Free Resources and join Maggie's e-mail List!
- Guide to Creating 10 Weekly Hrs in 10 Mins
https://bit.ly/Guideto10hrsin10min - 59 + Ways to Increasing Your Business Visibility + ask about sales calls
https://bit.ly/59WaystoIncreaseVisibility - 50 Questions to Start Meaningful Conversations
https://bit.ly/50QuestionsforMeaningfulConversations
Connect with Maggie:
Instagram: @maggie.perotin.s2l
LinkedIn: Maggie Perotin
Send us a text
Today's Maggie's Moment is a Special Holiday Message
🎄 Episode Highlights:
• A heartfelt thank you to our amazing community
• Reflections on 2024's journey together
• Holiday wishes for rest, connection, and celebration
• Looking ahead to an impactful 2025
🎁 Key Takeaways:
• The importance of taking time to disconnect and recharge
• Celebrating both business and personal wins
• Permission to step back and dream big for the new year
🔗 Connect with Maggie:
• Book a strategy call: https://calendly.com/maggie-s2l/discovery-call
• Website: www.stairwaytoleadership.com
• Instagram: @maggie.perotin.s2l
• LinkedIn: Maggie Perotin
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In this heartfelt end-of-year episode, Maggie Perotin shares her journey of learning to celebrate both small and big wins, breaking down her top 10 celebrations from 2024 - alternating between business and personal achievements.
🔑 Key Highlights:
• The importance of celebrating small wins, especially for high achievers
• Featured client success stories from 2024 (Episodes 155, 158, 177, and 179)
• Evolution of brand messaging focusing on building sellable assets
• Implementation of new technologies (Airtable and AI platforms)
• Consistency in content creation - 180 weeks of consecutive podcasting
• The value of strategic partnerships in business growth
• The power of loving and supportive partner
If you want to check out Maggie's husband music, here it is:
Jay RK (standing for the Rockin Krolik)
Spotify - GO HERE
YouTube - GO HERE
💡 Action Step for Listeners: Take time during the holiday season to reflect and celebrate your own wins from 2024, both big and small. Share your celebrations by emailing maggie@stairwaytoleadership.com
📣 Coming Up Next: Tune in next week for lessons learned from 2024 and goals for 2025!
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As entrepreneurs, we obsess over business ROI but overlook the biggest cost killer - depleting our creative energy on household tasks.
Here's a reality check: That Sunday spent deep-cleaning your house?
It's not saving you $200 - it's potentially costing you thousands in lost business opportunities.
Why? Because your brain is your million-dollar asset. 🧠
In this week's Maggie's Moment, I'm breaking down:
• Why your DIY mindset might be blocking your business growth
• How to calculate the true cost of not outsourcing
• The strategic approach to protecting your creative energy
Watch the full video to discover how one simple shift in thinking can make you tens of thousands of dollars in additional business revenue.
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In this episode of the Diamond Effect Podcast, Maggie Perotin talks with one of her clients, Craig Colby, a seasoned television executive and founder of Colby Vision.
Craig shares his journey from a successful career in television to running his own business. He discusses the challenges and rewards of entrepreneurship, the importance of storytelling in business, and how to effectively market oneself in a competitive industry. Tune in to learn valuable insights on client acquisition, adapting to industry changes, and leveraging storytelling to enhance your brand.
Key Takeaways:
- Craig's transition from television to entrepreneurship.
- The highs and lows of running a business.
- The power of storytelling in business and how to get started with video content.
- Insights on client acquisition and maintaining a strong market presence.
- Craig's experience with business coaching and its impact on his growth.
Resources:
- Connect with Craig Colby: Colby Vision Website
- Craig's Book: "All Caps: Stories That Justify an Outrageous Hat Collection" is available on Amazon and Indigo.
Ready to scale your business?
Book an initial strategy call with Maggie HERE - https://stairwaytoleadership.com/ to see if you're a good fit to work with her.
About Craig:
Craig Colby is an award winning-executive producer, showrunner, director, and writer who makes highly rated television programs, seen around the world. His work has been seen on Discovery Channel, BBC Earth, Smithsonian Channel, CTV, and TSN, to name a few. Currently, Craig owns colbyvision, a video production and consulting company and is the author of the multiple award-winning book: ALL CAPS: Stories That Justify an Outrageous Hat Collection.
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The secret to December and New Year success?
It's not about doing more - it's about pausing strategically.
In this week's Maggie's Moment, I'm sharing why the most successful leaders actually slow down during the busiest season.
Learn my 3 favorite ways to implement the "December Pause" in your business day starting today.
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Welcome to Episode 178 of the Diamond Effect Podcast!
In this episode, Maggie Perotin dives into social media; a tool that many business owners find challenging but crucial for growth. Discover a fresh perspective on how to leverage social media as part of your marketing strategy effectively.
Key Takeaways:
- Mindset Shift: As a CEO, you're in control of your social media strategy. Avoid getting overwhelmed by external pressures and focus on what works for you.
- Five Best Practices:
- Consistency Over Perfection: Start small with a manageable posting schedule and build from there.
- Play to Your Strengths: Choose content types that align with your strengths, whether it's video, static posts, or something else.
- Have a Strategy: Develop a comprehensive social media plan that includes personal branding, marketing, and sales content.
- Engage with Your Audience: Respond to comments and messages promptly to build relationships with your followers.
- Enjoy the Process: Avoid overthinking and have fun with your social media efforts.
- Content Strategy Formula: Learn the 20/40/40 rule for balancing brand storytelling, marketing, and sales content on your platforms.
- Sales Content Importance: Ensure your social media includes sales content to convert followers into clients by demonstrating how your services solve their problems.
Don't miss out. Tune in to the episode right now.
If you're struggling with your social media in any way, Maggie offers personalized coaching to help you create an impactful presence aligned with your brand and achieve your business goals. Schedule a free consultation with Maggie here - https://calendly.com/maggie-s2l/discovery-call.
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In today's Maggie's Moment, I'm exposing the hidden costs of the 'Just One More Thing' syndrome and sharing 3 signs you might be falling into this productivity trap.
Listen to learn how to protect your most valuable business assets - your energy and focus!
And if you are ready to transform your habits from overworked and overwhelmed to effective and at peace, I am here to help.
With my T.O.P. CEO Performance Enhacer System you will help you transform into a high-performing leader who scales their business into a sellable asset.
Book a sales consultation here - https://stairwaytoleadership.com/ to talk more in detail how it would look like for you.
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In this inspiring episode, Maggie Perotin interviews Jennifer Jennifer Illsley-Hall, founder of Deliberate Decisions, a professional organizing company.
Jennifer shares her remarkable journey from accidentally discovering her natural organizing talents to building a successful professional organizing business in British Columbia, Canada.
Tune in to this episode to learn how vulnerability, trust, and professional guidance can transform both clients' lives and business growth.
Key Highlights:
[00:01:00] - Jennifer's origin story: How an accidental closet organization led to a business
[00:04:00] - Why hiring a professional organizer makes sense
[00:05:00] - The importance of vulnerability in transformation
[00:07:00] - Powerful transformation story of one of Jennifer's clients
[00:13:00] - Jennifer's business transformation through coaching
[00:18:00] - Overcoming the fear of public speaking
[00:22:00] - The power of strategic partnerships
[00:25:00] - Future vision and business growth
Key Takeaways:
• Not everyone has natural organizing abilities - it's a unique skill set worth outsourcing
• Professional organizing often addresses deeper life transitions and emotional needs
• The importance of building trust and creating safe spaces for clients
• How business coaching can transform both personal confidence and business results
• The value of pushing through comfort zones for business growth
Notable Quote: "Vulnerability is absolutely key to a really awesome transformation." - Jennifer
About Jennifer Illsley-Hall and Deliberate Decisions:
Jennifer serves clients throughout the Lower Mainland and Greater Vancouver area, specializing in:
• Home organization
• Downsizing/Upsizing assistance
• Moving services
• Estate clearings
• Professional decluttering
Connect with Jennifer:
https://www.deliberatedecisions.ca/
IG - https://www.instagram.com/deliberatedecisions/
LinkedIN - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifer-illsley-hall-professional-organizer/
Ready to Transform Your Business Like Jennifer?
Book a free consultation with Maggie Perotin at https://stairwaytoleadership.com/ and discover how business coaching can help you achieve similar results. Jennifer doubled her revenue in just one year - you could be next!
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As we approach the new year, it’s the perfect time to reassess your business strategy and branding. In today's Maggie's Moment, we discuss how to view your business through the lens of your clients, ensuring your brand becomes a true asset—ready to scale, grow, and even sell.
This isn’t about logos or fonts; it’s about building a brand that resonates deeply with your customers. Tune in to discover four actionable steps that will guide you toward creating a client-focused, value-driven business.
A strong brand doesn’t just attract clients—it creates value for you as the business owner, setting the stage for scalability and eventual saleability.
Are you ready for more?
Book a complimentary sales call to learn how my 1:1 coaching and the T.O.P. CEO Winning Strategy can help you create a robust, client-focused brand. Together, we’ll implement the Owner First Approach to position your business for strong growth in 2025!
Schedule your call here: https://stairwaytoleadership.com/
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Scaling your business doesn’t necessarily mean doing more—it means doing better.
In this episode, we uncover the three critical areas you need to address to grow sustainably and strategically. Whether you’re preparing to scale or already feeling the pressure of growth, this episode offers actionable strategies to guide your journey.
Here’s what we dive into:
1️⃣ Customer Journey
- Marketing & Sales: Build systems that consistently attract and convert clients, from automation to team training. Avoid the pitfalls of relying solely on word-of-mouth or ad hoc strategies.
- Delivery: Ensure you’re prepared to deliver excellent service at scale without compromising quality. Learn how to prepare your team, streamline processes, and maintain client trust.
- Retention: Keep clients returning and referring others. For more on this, check out Episode 174 focused entirely on retention strategies.
2️⃣ Finances
- Professional Bookkeeping: Why hiring a trained bookkeeper or fractional CFO is vital for managing cash flow, tracking sales, and reducing mental stress.
- Linking Operations to Numbers: Understand how to connect operational data to financial outcomes to drive smarter decisions and improve performance.
- Timing & Frequency: Determine the right bookkeeping cadence (monthly or quarterly) based on your business complexity to catch and act on opportunities early.
3️⃣ People & Leadership
- Leadership Skills: Recognize that leadership isn’t innate—it’s a skill set. Learn to balance control with flexibility to empower your team and allow your business to thrive.
- Avoid Extremes: Over-controlling stifles growth, while "laissez-faire" management leads to mistakes and frustration. Find the middle ground by providing clear guidance, support, and autonomy.
- Building High-Performing Teams: Create a culture where employees contribute to growth, become assets rather than costs, and allow you to focus on being a visionary CEO. For more, listen to Episode 173 on scaling with high-performing teams.
🎙️ Throughout this episode, you’ll hear examples from real businesses and practical advice to tackle common challenges. Whether it's developing a marketing strategy, managing your finances, or leading a team, these steps will set you up for success in 2025 and beyond.
🔗 Ready to scale your business the right way? Book a sales call with me here - https://stairwaytoleadership.com/, and let’s talk about your growth journey.
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In Today's Maggie's Moment, we explore a critical element for setting your 2025 business goals: thinking long-term.
Whether you’re just starting out and preparing to scale, or you’re growing and envisioning a future sale of your business, aligning your New Year goals with your long-term plans is essential for sustainable success.
Here's Why:
- Creating an Asset: When your goals align with long-term plans, your time and effort investments don’t just bring short-term income—they help you build a business that can become a valuable asset. Whether you aim to sell it or pass it on, this approach ensures your business contributes to long-term financial security and even generational wealth.
- Building a Legacy: A business that can run without you allows you to pass on your unique way of serving clients and helping others. This creates a lasting impact—your method, values, and service continue to make a difference long after you step back.
- Enjoying Freedom: A business that operates independently gives you the ability to take time off, enjoy vacations, and eventually sell the business or step into a different role. Long-term planning isn’t just about the future; it’s about creating a life you love today.
Listen now for actionable insights into aligning your 2025 goals with your big-picture vision and setting the foundation for a thriving business and fulfilling life.
If you're ready to align your New Year goals with your long-term vision, let’s strategize together. Book a FREE consultation to create a tailored plan for your business success in 2025 and beyond.
Book your consultation here: https://stairwaytoleadership.com/
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In this episode, Maggie dives into the essential strategies for balancing a successful business and personal life. Designed for high-achieving business owners, often sandwiched between busy businesses, kids, and caring for elderly parents, this episode offers a step-by-step approach to incorporating self-care, prioritizing tasks, and strategically creating a balanced life.
Inspired by real-life examples from Maggie’s clients, who often juggle business growth with demanding personal responsibilities, this episode provides actionable insights to help you maintain both energy and mental clarity while achieving your goals.
Episode Highlights:
- The Wheel of Life Exercise—Maggie introduces the "Wheel of Life," a tool for assessing different areas of life, such as physical health, financial health, social connections, and self-care. This exercise helps you identify which areas need more focus to create a balanced life.
- The Importance of Self-Care for High Performance – Self-care is the foundation of balanced living. Maggie shares how daily, weekly, and long-term self-care practices can help CEOs and business owners avoid burnout, improve decision-making, and enhance personal satisfaction.
- Prioritizing Tasks with Intention – To effectively balance business and life, it’s important to identify and focus on high-impact tasks while eliminating non-essential activities. Maggie explains how to identify the “low-hanging fruit” that delivers big results with minimal effort, such as delegating tasks or pausing activities that don’t directly impact growth.
- Setting Up Systems for Continuous Progress – Maggie emphasizes the value of systems and routines, with examples of clients who have streamlined operations, increased business growth, and even regained personal time. She shares how regular coaching can provide ongoing support, accountability, and adjustments, ensuring sustainable growth.
- Client Success Story – Maggie shares a review from a client whose business growth and work-life balance significantly improved through their coaching work together. By intentionally prioritizing his goals, he not only expanded his business, but also reclaimed personal time, took his first vacation in years, and established a sustainable balance.
Achieving a balanced, fulfilling life as a business owner requires intentionality and planning. This episode provides the tools to help you get there, whether through simple habit changes or strategic shifts in your approach to business.
Ready to build a fulfilling personal life and a thriving business?
Book a FREE consultation with Maggie to discuss practical steps that can help you create an intentional and impactful work-life balance.
Book your consultation here: https://stairwaytoleadership.com/
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Today, I have some powerful reflection questions to help you prepare yourself and your business for the holiday season. These questions are designed to take less than 10 minutes, yet bring clarity and focus for a successful end to the year.
Reflection Areas:
- Your Clients’ Needs – What do your clients need most during this holiday season and into the New Year? Consider how you can support them in ways that bring them real value.
- Your Business’s Needs – What does your business need to best serve clients? From a holiday marketing plan to preparing for 2025, consider the actions that will set your business up for success.
- Your Needs as a Leader – As the CEO, how can you ensure you’re ready to lead during this busy season? Reflect on what you need personally and professionally to thrive through the holidays.
Listen now to gain insights on setting up a fulfilling holiday season that benefits both you and your clients.
Ready to make impactful, low-effort changes now that will set you up for success? Book a FREE call with Maggie to discuss strategies tailored to your business.
Book your call here: https://stairwaytoleadership.com/
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In this episode of the Diamond Effect podcast, you'll learn key strategies to improve client retention in your service-based business. Retaining your best clients is essential to sustainable growth and long-term success, but it requires a proactive approach. This episode dives into the CEO mindset needed to keep clients coming back and shares three core retention strategies that will set your business apart.
Episode Highlights:
- Delivering Excellent Service, Every Time – Consistency in quality is the foundation of client retention. We discuss how maintaining a high standard of service can build trust and make clients eager to return for more.
- Staying Connected Between Services – It’s not just about the service; it’s about maintaining a relationship. We cover ways to stay in touch with clients between service appointments, deepening the connection with regular, meaningful interactions.
- Making It Easy to Return – Streamline your processes to make it as easy as possible for clients to return, reach out, or even address concerns. When it’s convenient and seamless for clients, they’re more likely to become repeat customers. For example: an effective onboarding processes can increase customer retention by 50%
Tune in now to hear more about how these strategies can turn one-time clients into loyal fans, keeping your best customers engaged and satisfied for years to come.
And if you’re ready to set up customized systems that improve retention, let’s talk! Book a FREE consultation with me, and we’ll build a strategy tailored to your business and clients through my T.O.P. CEO Continuous Success Recipe.
Book your consultation here: https://stairwaytoleadership.com/
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As we approach the New Year, it’s the perfect time to reflect on what you want to achieve in your business in 2025. In today's thought-provoking Maggie's Moment, I challenge you to imagine your business operating at a 10X level—whether that means 10 times the clients, revenue, or team size.
If you reached that milestone, what would it look like?
Key Reflection Points:
- 10X Value for Your Clients – Reflect on what an exponentially greater value for clients would look like. What would need to change to serve them at this scale?
- Marketing and Sales Transformation – Imagine how your marketing and sales would evolve to bring in 10 times the number of clients. What strategies, approaches, and messaging would you use to reach and convert this larger audience?
- Operational Scale-Up – Consider the operational shifts needed to deliver consistent, high-quality service to a much larger client base. What processes, tools, or systems would you need to expand?
- CEO Mindset and Skills – Finally, think about the leadership growth required to run a business of this scale. What new skills, mindset, and strategies would you need as a CEO to guide your business there? Because your business cannot outgrow you. You need to grow first as its leader, and the business and results will follow.
Tune in to start planning your 10X journey and set a solid foundation for 2025!
Ready to take your business to the next level? Book a FREE consultation with me to create a strategic plan for 2025, tailored to help you achieve your vision of exponential growth.
Book your consultation here: https://stairwaytoleadership.com/
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In this special episode of the Diamond Effect podcast, you will enjoy the replay of an exclusive webinar on how to scale your business before 2025.
If you’re ready to grow but find yourself stuck in the day-to-day grind, this masterclass is for you. During this training, we explore the power of outsourcing, hiring the right help, and developing a high-performing team so you can focus on growth without burnout.
What You’ll Learn:
- The Power of Tailored Hiring – Discover how to create a hiring process that aligns with your unique business goals and attracts the right talent to support your growth.
- Effective Communication Strategies – Learn how to streamline communication with time-efficient meetings that keep your team focused, productive, and in alignment with your vision.
- Empowering Your Team – Leverage effective processes and tools that encourage your team to take ownership, freeing up your time to drive the business forward.
Tune in now to discover actionable strategies that will prepare your business to grow beyond 2025, allowing you to step out of the weeds and into the true CEO role of your business.
Book Your Free Consultation:
Ready to take your business to the next level? Book a free consultation with me to discuss how you can start scaling your business with a high-performing team: https://stairwaytoleadership.com/
To watch a video recording of this webinar go here https://youtu.be/GQiMObMHuvk
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Today's Maggie's Moment tackles the all-too-common feeling of business stagnation. You want more clients, growth, and a thriving future—but are you making space for client acquisition and growth-focused actions each day?
If your schedule is filled with day-to-day tasks, team questions, and website tweaks instead of growth-oriented activities, it’s time to shift.
Episode Highlights:
- Audit Your Schedule – Instead of letting worry drain your energy, evaluate your daily schedule. Are there dedicated times for client acquisition, testing new marketing strategies, or refining your sales process? Or are you constantly sidetracked by routine tasks?
- Prioritize Growth Actions – Growth doesn’t happen by worrying or staying comfortable with the usual. It happens when you strategically and creatively get in front of new clients.
Listen now to discover how refocusing your time and energy on actions that drive growth can transform your business now while setting you up for success in 2025.
And if you don't know what action to take or how to align your schedule with your priorities, I can help. Book a sales call with me here and let's talk in detail about how -https://stairwaytoleadership.com/
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In this episode of the Diamond Effect podcast, Maggie Perotin dives into networking and explores how you can turn connections into clients for your service business. Networking isn’t one-size-fits-all, and in this episode, Maggie breaks down the types of networking and key tips to make each one work for you.
Episode Highlights:
Three Types of Networking to Consider:
- Structured Networking Groups – These are more formal networking groups (both online and in-person) with membership fees and a strong emphasis on business referrals. The structured format and focus on business can often lead to quicker results and more consistent client acquisition, especially for those who thrive in a goal-oriented environment.
- Less Structured Networking Groups – These groups (both online and in-person) may or may not have membership fees and often prioritize social connection first, with business referrals as a secondary benefit. While effective, these groups can take longer to yield results, especially for introverts who may find it more challenging to establish business relationships in a socially-focused environment.
- Ad-Hoc Networking Events – These are one-time or occasional events organized by various organizations, companies, and institutions. These events can be great for expanding your network quickly, although the lack of regularity may require a more strategic approach to maintain connections afterward.
Don’t Miss the Key Tips!
In the second part of this episode, Maggie shares essential tips to help you turn your networking efforts into a steady, reliable source of new clients. These insights will help you maximize each type of networking, so be sure to tune in for practical advice you won’t want to miss!
Ready to build a reliable client acquisition strategy through networking? Book a FREE consultation with me to discuss how networking and other strategies (with my T.O.P. CEO Continuous Success Recipe) can help you scale your service business and as you do it also set it up as a sellable asset.
Book your consultation here: https://stairwaytoleadership.com/
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In this quick Maggie's Moment, I discuss diversifying your lead generation strategies as a small service business owner. Relying on just one source for acquiring new clients can be risky, expensive, and inconsistent. But by expanding how you attract leads, you can ensure your business stays steady and resilient.
Key Benefits of Diversifying Lead Generation:
- Reduces Risk – By not depending on just one method to bring in clients, you safeguard your business from losing its primary source of new leads in case of changes in the market, platforms, or algorithms.
- Reduces Costs – Diversifying allows you to incorporate organic lead generation methods alongside paid advertising, reducing overall marketing costs while still bringing in high-quality leads.
- Creates a Steadier Flow of Clients – Meeting potential clients where they are, helps you maintain a consistent stream of new business, ensuring growth and sustainability.
If you'd like to create a reliable client acquisition system for your business consisting of multiple strategic lead generation avenues, my T.O.P. CEO Continuous recipe can help. Book a sales call with me here - https://stairwaytoleadership.com/
and let's talk about it in detail.
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In this episode, I talk about 10 powerful ways to attract new clients to your service business that don’t require you to rely solely on Internet marketing. While the online world offers a lot of opportunities and should be part of your marketing strategy, there are plenty of effective offline strategies you can use to grow your client base and make meaningful connections.
Whether you want to build stronger relationships, tap into local networks, or diversify your client acquisition tactics, this episode will provide actionable strategies to help your business thrive.
And if you're ready to double your business with a solid marketing plan that includes effective online and offline strategies that make sense for your business, let's talk. My T.O.P. CEO Winning Strategy and Continuous Success Formula will help you ensure your business is successfully growing short and long-term.
Book your call here - https://stairwaytoleadership.com/
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I tackle the biggest misconceptions about business and executive leadership coaching in this Maggie's Moment. This episode is for you if you’ve ever thought coaching is only for struggling businesses or that coaches will tell you what to do without considering your input.
Key Myths Debunked:
- Myth #1: Coaching Is Only for Failing Businesses or Executives
Coaching is for anyone looking to grow, improve, and reach their full potential. It works well for start-ups, scale-ups, and mature businesses. It’s about progress, growth, and proactive improvement, not only crisis management. - Myth #2: Coaches Will Tell You What to Do, and You Have to Do It
Coaching is a partnership. Coaches guide, ask powerful questions, and provide insight—but the decisions are always in your hands. - Myth #3: Coaching Is Too Expensive
Coaching is an investment in yourself and your business. The returns in income growth, leadership, and clarity far outweigh the cost. - Myth #4: Coaches Do the Work for You
Coaching empowers you to take action. It’s not about handing over the reins, but about gaining the skills and confidence to lead. - Myth #5: Coaching Is Like Therapy
While both offer support, coaching focuses on actionable strategies for the future, helping you achieve specific goals.
Tune in now to learn why coaching could be the key to unlocking your full leadership potential—no matter where you are in your business journey.
If you want to explore how business and/or executive leadership[ coaching can help you achieve your goals, book a sales call with me here https://stairwaytoleadership.com/
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This episode explores what it really means to be authentic in business. Authenticity is often misunderstood, especially regarding personal and business branding. It doesn’t mean putting your entire life on display for the world or discussing things that make you uncomfortable. Instead, it’s about being true to your core mission, vision, and values—ensuring they align with who you truly are.
Key Takeaways:
- Being Authentic Doesn’t Mean Oversharing – Many believe that being authentic in business means revealing every part of your personal life on social media. In reality, authenticity is more about being genuine in your actions, communications, and decisions—not how much of your life you expose to the public.
- Authenticity in Personal vs. Business Life – In your personal life, authenticity means staying true to your personality and character. In business, it means staying aligned with your core mission, vision, and values. These should reflect who you are as a person and business owner, guiding your decisions and how you serve your clients.
Listen now to learn how to bring authenticity into your business without compromising your boundaries or values.
If you're ready to build a business that's aligned with who you truly are—without feeling pressured to overshare—book a FREE consultation with me.
Together, we’ll create a plan to bring more authenticity to your business through my T.O.P. CEO Formula.
Book your consultation here: https://calendly.com/maggie-s2l/discovery-call
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As a small business owner you might have a lot going on:
- Dealing with clients
- Research & development projects to grow the business;
- Leading your team.
Or maybe even you have more than one business to run.
In today's Maggie's Moment, I share my story of juggling multiple priorities and 3 steps to help you move yours forward strategically.
And if you need help getting rid of being overwhelmed and refocusing, let's talk. My T.O.P. CEO Performance Enhancer Formula is designed to help service-based business owners like yourself double their business and exceed their goals while eliminating overwhelm and creating more balance in their lives.
Book a sales call with me here https://calendly.com/maggie-s2l/discovery-call
In this podcast episode, we dive into the reality of being a business owner: it’s not always easy or comfortable. And it requires constant growth and effort. If you’ve ever felt like the weight of responsibility is on your shoulders, this episode is for you.
Key Takeaways:
- Business Ownership Is Not Always Comfortable – Running a business means stepping out of your comfort zone, trying new strategies, and accepting that failure is part of the journey. You can’t just rely on your website or referrals to bring in new clients—you need to stay active and engaged.
- You Can’t Delegate All Responsibility – Your website and referrals can’t carry your business alone. As a business owner, it's your job to continuously drive growth, attract new clients, and be willing to take the lead in marketing and innovation.
- Innovation Requires Effort and Risk – To stay competitive, you need to try new things—whether that’s testing a new marketing strategy, refining your services, or exploring new client outreach methods. Some ideas may fail, but others will lead to breakthroughs that can elevate your business.
This episode shows that being a successful business owner requires you to be as much of a CEO as a service provider, which is what makes running a business so rewarding in the end. Tune in if you’re ready to push through the discomfort, embrace innovation, and grow your business.
And if you're ready to grow yourself to double your business faster, easier, and without overwork my T.O.P. CEO Formula can help.
Book a sales call with me here - https://calendly.com/maggie-s2l/discovery-call and let's talk about how in details.
In today's quick Maggie's Moment, I discuss how you can bring your creative ideas to life without getting overwhelmed by your day-to-day business operations.
Key Takeaways:
- First things first: Get your business running smoothly. To free up your emotional, mental, and time-space, your business needs to operate without you being stuck in the weeds. As a CEO, your role should focus on overseeing the business and strategically guiding it.
- Create space for creativity. Once your business is streamlined, you’ll have the bandwith to focus on new ideas and projects—without sacrificing quality in either area.
Book a FREE consultation with me if you're ready to shift into this role. I’ll show you how my T.O.P. CEO Formula can help you step out of daily operations and start implementing your creative ideas.
Book your consultation here: https://calendly.com/maggie-s2l/discovery-call
In this episode, we’re exploring five ways service-based business owners may be unintentionally underserving their clients—and missing opportunities to deliver exceptional value. If you’ve ever wondered why your clients aren’t fully engaged or loyal, this episode will help you uncover some hidden reasons.
Key Takeaways:
- Lazy Marketing Isn’t Serving Your Clients
Too often, business owners rely on generic marketing strategies—like holiday posts and surface-level content—that fail to connect with their ideal clients truly. We discuss how taking the time to understand your client's goals, pain points, and desires creates immense value by helping them feel heard and understood. When your marketing is client-centric, it makes clients feel seen and gives them hope that you can help solve their problems. - Ignoring the Customer Journey
When was the last time you reviewed your customer journey from start to finish? If it’s been a while—or never—chances are, there are missed opportunities to improve how your clients experience your business. You'll learn a few ideas of how to improve that journey, so simple that you can implement them today. - Making Business Decisions Without Client Impact in Mind
Every change you make in your business has the potential to affect your clients, sometimes in surprising ways. We’ll dive into one unexpected example: not raising your prices. While it might seem like you’re doing clients a favor by keeping prices low, it could devalue your service in their eyes. We explore how considering client impact before making decisions is key to delivering consistent value. - Not Taking Care of Yourself as a Leader
Your well-being as a business owner directly influences how you serve your clients. If you’re burned out or overwhelmed, you simply won’t have the energy or mental bandwidth to innovate or improve your services. This episode touches on the importance of self-care and personal growth, and how investing in yourself as a leader can lead to better client outcomes. - Failing to Build Strong Client Relationships
Clients want to feel valued beyond the transaction. Building and maintaining strong relationships with your clients isn’t just about delivering services—it’s about creating long-term loyalty and trust. We talk about strategies for cultivating deeper relationships and why they’re essential for sustained business growth.
And if you're ready to double your small service business, with happy and loyal clients, while creating a work-life balance for yourself, book a sales call with me here - https://calendly.com/maggie-s2l/discovery-call, and let's talk about how I can help you get there.
In today's Maggie's Moment, we’re tackling some of the most common myths that small business owners believe—and how these limiting beliefs can hold back the growth of your business.
Key Takeaways:
- “No one can do it better than me” – Many business owners fall into the trap of believing that no one can match their expertise or dedication. While it’s true that you’re passionate about your business, this mindset prevents you from delegating, hiring, training, and empowering others to take on some of your tasks. The result? You become the bottleneck that slows everything down.
- “There are no good people out there” – This myth can lead to an overwhelming “do-it-all-yourself” mentality. The truth is, there are skilled, reliable individuals out there—if you know how to hire, train, and lead effectively. Holding onto this belief not only exhausts you but also limits your business's potential to scale and thrive.
- Why it’s time to shift your mindset – Growth happens when you delegate and trust other people: whether it's contractors or your team. By letting go of these limiting beliefs, you’ll open up new opportunities for expansion and create a business that runs smoothly—without you having to do everything yourself.
Listen to this short episode for actionable tips on overcoming these myths and transforming your leadership approach.
And if you're ready to speed up your growth and double your business by becoming a highly-performing people leader, I can help. Book a sales call with me here - https://calendly.com/maggie-s2l/discovery-call
and let's talk about how my T.O.P. CEO Leading Team System can help.
In today's episode, we dive into the subtle (and not-so-subtle) signs that your team might be underperforming. If you're a small business owner or team leader, this episode is a must-listen for identifying the root causes of your team's productivity challenges.
Key Takeaways:
- Basic and Repetitive Mistakes – Are small errors piling up? These could be signals that your team isn’t engaged or focused on their work.
- Gossip and Lack of Accountability – If your team is more interested in pointing fingers than solving problems, it’s time to address the toxic behavior.
- High Turnover of Top Performers – The departure of your best employees can be a red flag that your workplace environment needs immediate attention.
- Excessive Absenteeism – Frequent call-ins and no-shows may indicate low morale or a lack of commitment among your staff.
- No Initiative for Improvement – If no one is coming to you with ideas for improving the business or addressing existing issues, it might be a sign your team doesn’t feel empowered or motivated.
Listen in as we explore these warning signs, their possible causes, and the steps you can take to bring your team back on track.
Tune in now to get actionable insights on improving team performance and driving success in your business!
And if you're ready to double your business by turning your team around into a high-performing powerhouse unit, I can help. With my T.O.P. CEO Leading Team System, we'll address whatever issues you're experiencing and help you double your business while reducing your work. Book a sales call with me here now - https://calendly.com/maggie-s2l/discovery-call and let's talk in more detail about it.
In today's Maggie's Moment, I dive into a personal story about how I transformed a low-performing team into a high-performing powerhouse—while saving the company $250K in the process. I’ll share the key lessons I learned about the power of well-structured meetings and how they played a pivotal role in turning things around.
I also break down a basic meeting structure that any small business can implement to start seeing real results. Whether you're struggling with team performance or want to streamline your operations, this framework will help you run effective meetings that improve team communication, reduce issues and mistakes, and align everyone toward your business goals.
And if you're ready to double your business without adding more work, through my T.O.P. CEO Leading Teams System, book a sales call with me here https://calendly.com/maggie-s2l/discovery-call, and let's talk about how this could work in your specific situation.
In this episode, we discuss the 5 telltale signs that your business operations may be in trouble and need immediate attention. As a service-based business owner, growth is exciting, but it can also create challenges behind the scenes that you may not even notice until it’s too late.
I break down the signs that your business operations need a serious overhaul and offer practical solutions to get things back on track.
Here’s what you'll learn about:
- Forgetting to Invoice Clients
Are you leaving money on the table? I explain how forgetting to invoice clients is a clear sign your business operations are disorganized and how to create systems to ensure this doesn’t happen again. - Missing Commitments, Appointments, or Meetings
If you’re constantly dropping the ball on important meetings or deadlines, it’s a major red flag. We’ll talk about how to get a handle on your scheduling and time management so nothing slips through the cracks. - Your Team is Making a Lot of Mistakes
When your team starts making frequent errors, it’s often a sign that your operational processes are lacking or have serious holes. I’ll show you how to tighten up your systems and reduce mistakes, improving overall performance. - No Time to Pause and Re-Strategize
Growth is great, but if you’ve never taken a step back to reassess how your business runs, you’re likely headed for trouble. You'll learn why pausing to re-strategize is essential for sustainable growth and operational efficiency. - Lack of Data for Better Business Decisions
Are you making business decisions based only on gut feelings rather than supported by data? I cover why having easy access to the right information is critical for informed decision-making and how to start tracking the metrics that matter.
Tune in to find out if your business is showing any of these signs and what you can do to improve your operations, avoid costly mistakes, and position yourself for sustainable success.
Abd if you're ready to double your business by creating the best and most effective operations with me, through my T.O.P. CEO COntiniue Success Recipe, let's talk. Book a sales call with me here - https://calendly.com/maggie-s2l/discovery-call
In Today's Maggie's Moment, you'll learn about five hidden costs of poor communication in your small business, such as:
- Unnecessary additional work falling on you and your team
- Client service issues and escalation of those leading to more complaints
- Business improvements gone wrong
- Lower team productivity and morale
- Time and energy spent elsewhere instead of focusing on growing and achieving business goals
Make sure you listen to this bonus podcast (less than 5 minutes) to learn how to fix poor communication and make it so effective that it becomes your business' competitive advantage.
And if you're ready to double your business by fixing communication and other issues, without adding more work to your schedule, book a free consultation with me here first - https://calendly.com/maggie-s2l/discovery-call
In this episode, we’re diving into the 5 most common mistakes service-based business owners make in their sales conversations that are costing them clients.
If you’ve been struggling to convert leads into paying clients, it’s time to rethink your approach, and this episode will help you with that.
Inside I'm breaking down the reasons why your sales conversations aren’t closing deals and what you can do to fix them so you can start signing more clients with ease.
Here’s what we cover:
- Attracting the Wrong Audience
Is your marketing messaging aligned with your ideal clients? Learn why attracting the wrong people from the start means they won’t convert, and how to fine-tune your messaging to bring in the right prospects who are ready to buy. - Talking Too Much in the Sales Call
Are you spending more time talking than listening? I’ll explain why dominating the conversation leaves you blind to your prospect’s needs and how asking the right questions can uncover their pain points and goals, leading to higher conversions. - Talking to the Wrong Person
Discover how scheduling sales calls with non-decision makers—or when not all decision-makers are present—derails your sales process and wastes time. Find out how to avoid this pitfall so you’re always speaking with the right people. - Not Tailoring Your Offer to the Client’s Needs
You'll learn why a one-size-fits-all sales pitch fails to connect and how you can present your services as the perfect solution by tying your offer directly to your prospect’s pain points and goals. - Avoiding or Mishandling Objections
Do you freeze up when a client raises a question or concern? I’ll share how to address objections confidently, uncover hidden concerns, and reassure your potential clients so they feel ready to move forward with your services.
Tune in to learn how avoiding these 5 mistakes can drastically improve your sales conversations and help you sign more clients!
And if you're ready to double your business without adding more work by up-leveling your sales skills, process, and conversions, I can help. Book a sales call with me here and let's talk - https://www.linkedin.com/in/maggie-perotin-business-and-leadership-coach/
September is here. I like to think of this time as a mini New Year. An opportunity to reset, finish the year strong and set yourself up for even stronger next year.
In today's Maggie's Moment, I am sharing a quick and simple exercise that will help you figure out what to focus on in your business for the next 3.5 months to lead it to the next level.
To work with me in a private coaching container, book a sales call here - https://calendly.com/maggie-s2l/discovery-call
With today's episode, I kick off a five-part series focused on marketing.
I talk about five indicators that will show you, your marketing may be ineffective, such as:
- Lack of referrals
- Weak online presence
- Low engagement
- Few inquiries
- Attracting the wrong clients.
You'll learn how to troubleshoot each one and understand how important messaging is.
The episode aims to help service-based business owners evaluate and improve their marketing strategies to better attract and convert potential clients.
If you'd like to receive free resources with 50+ strategies sot increase your visibility, e-mail me at magge@stairwaytoleadership.com
And if you're ready to give your marketing a thorough makeover to make it strategically and consistently attract and convert only your ideal clients, book a sales call with me here https://calendly.com/maggie-s2l/discovery-call
Key Timestamps:
Introduction to the Episode (00:00:01)
Maggie introduces herself and the purpose of the podcast series on marketing.
Announcement of Series Start (00:01:36)
Details about the five-part series beginning on August 30th, coinciding with her son's birthday.
Definition of Marketing (00:02:40)
Maggie explains marketing as getting messages to ideal clients and building relationships.
Ineffective Networking (00:05:05)
Discusses the first indication of ineffective marketing: lack of referrals from networking efforts.
Online Presence Issues (00:06:12)
The second indication is a weak online presence, including low social media engagement and website visits.
Troubleshooting Online Presence (00:07:34)
Maggie provides four pointers for improving online marketing effectiveness.
Lack of Engagement (00:10:54)
The third indicator is low engagement despite having followers, signaling ineffective messaging.
No Inquiries from Audience (00:12:03)
The fourth indicator is having followers but no inquiries about services, indicating a need for better marketing.
Inquiries from Non-Ideal Clients (00:14:16)
The fifth indication is receiving inquiries from clients who are not a good fit, highlighting messaging issues.
Importance of Messaging (00:15:45)
Maggie emphasizes the significance of clear and compelling messaging for effective marketing.
Lack of a comprehensive strategic plan might be the reason why you've been struggling to scale your business successfully.
A plan that would create a path for attracting enough new clients to scale while
delivering your offers to them at the highest level without growth-related disruptions.
Since the new fiscal year has started for some businesses or is coming soon for the rest, today's Magie's Moment talks about the challenges you can prevent by investing your time and effort to create a comprehensive strategic plan.
And once you've listened to this podcast, continue reading below:).
In today’s dynamic business landscape, having a clear, actionable strategy is essential for success. As a seasoned business coach and consultant, I specialize in helping my clients craft tailored strategies that align with their unique vision and goals. Moreover, I take my services even one step further guiding my clients with the most difficult part: operationalizing and implementing their strategy.
Whether you’re looking to refine your business model, explore new market opportunities, or optimize your operations, I am here to guide you every step of the way.
Online Strategy Sessions
For business owners who prefer flexibility, my online strategy sessions included in the coaching package offer a convenient way to dive deep into your business challenges and opportunities. Through these personalized sessions, we’ll collaborate to create a comprehensive strategy that drives growth, enhances profitability, and ensures long-term sustainability. With the convenience of remote consultations, you can access expert guidance no matter where you are.
In-Person Strategic Retreats
For businesses with small executive teams, my in-person strategic retreats provide a focused and immersive environment to develop and refine your business strategy. These retreats are designed to facilitate meaningful discussions, foster collaboration, and generate innovative solutions. By stepping away from the day-to-day operations, you and your team will have the space to look at your business from a fresh and zoomed-out perspective, think creatively, align on key priorities, and leave with a clear roadmap for success.
Why Choose My Strategic Planning Services?
- Proprietary T.O.P. CEO Winning Strategy process with Tailored Owner-First Approach: Every business is unique, and so is the strategy I develop with you. I take the time to understand your specific needs and challenges to create a plan that works for you.
- Proven Expertise: With years of experience working with diverse industries, I bring a wealth of knowledge and proven methodologies to help you achieve your business goals.
- Long-Term Success: My strategies are not just about short-term gains. I focus on creating sustainable growth and long-term success for your business.
Let’s work together to turn your vision into a reality. Whether you prefer the flexibility of online sessions or the immersive experience of a strategic retreat, I’m here to help you navigate the path to success.
Ready to create a plan that will lead you to double your business without adding more work? Book a sales call with me here - https://calendly.com/maggie-s2l/discovery-call
In this episode, we'll dive into the crucial mindset shift that every small service-based business owner needs to make to achieve their next big goal—especially if it's something you've never done before. We explore how cultivating a strong belief in your business success is not just about hoping or wishing for it but expecting it with certainty.
Key Topics Covered:
- Building Your CEO Identity:
- Discover how to step into the identity of the CEO who has already achieved the results you desire.
- Understand how this version of you feels, acts, and makes decisions.
- Learn practical steps to embody this identity every day.
- Expecting Results with Certainty:
- Learn the difference between hoping for success and expecting it.
- Why certainty is key to achieving your business goals.
- How to cultivate this mindset daily to reinforce your belief in your inevitable success.
- Daily Practice for Strong Belief:
- Why this mindset doesn't just happen on its own.
- Simple, actionable tips to make believing in your business success a daily habit.
- How to integrate this practice into your routine to stay focused and motivated.
Action Steps for Listeners:
- Start identifying the characteristics of the CEO you want to become.
- Reflect on how that version of you would handle current challenges and opportunities.
- Implement daily practices to reinforce your belief in your business’s success.
Thank You for Listening!
If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review and share it with other small business owners who would benefit from these insights. Let's continue to grow and succeed together!
And if you're ready to double your business without adding more work with my T.O.P. CEO Performance Enhancer Formula, tailored to your unique situation through private coaching with me, book your initial sales call here - https://calendly.com/maggie-s2l/discovery-call
In today's Maggie's Moment, I dive into the story of a client who embodies the classic high-achiever dilemma. Despite not needing to push their business at full throttle, they found themselves trying to do it all—running their business at maximum capacity while also managing a personal matter that demanded their full attention. The result? Complete exhaustion.
They came to me desperate for a solution. I share how we navigated the balance between ambition and sustainability without sacrificing their business goals.
If you’re a high-achiever who struggles with burnout, this quick episode is packed with valuable insights on how to manage your drive without burning out.
And if you'd like to double your business without adding more work (or rather reducing it), I can help. Book a sales call with me here and let's chat - https://calendly.com/maggie-s2l/discovery-call
In my latest podcast episode, "8 Reasons Why You Wouldn't Want a Business Coach for Your Service Business," I take a playful, yet insightful, approach to the common hesitations service-based business owners have about hiring a coach. Instead of the usual pitch on why you should have a business coach, I flip the script to explore the reasons why some might hesitate.
From the fear of stepping outside of your comfort zone to change things up to the misconception that you can figure it all out on your own, I dig into what's behind them and what my clients come to me for. Spoiler alert: by the end, you might just realize that what’s holding you back from hiring a coach is exactly why you might need one in the first place :).
Whether you're skeptical about coaching or just curious, this episode offers a fresh perspective on how a coach could transform your business—just maybe not in the way you expected.
And if you're ready to get help and double your business in an easier and faster way, without adding more work to your schedule, let's talk. Book a sales call with me here - https://calendly.com/maggie-s2l/discovery-call
Whether you're preparing to hire your first help or you have a team and hired before, today's Maggie's Moment is for you.
The cost of bad hires isn't just wasted time, energy, and money of bringing someone on board who doesn't work out. It's also damage to our brand reputation and unhappy clients that a wrong person in the wrong position can cause. Not to mention the negative effect on other team member's morale and effectiveness.
In today's bonus episode, I cover 3 things every small service business owner and entrepreneur must know to avoid hiring the wrong people into their business.
When working with me 1 on 1, you can double your business without adding more work by applying my T.O.P. CEO Leading Team System (all in a way custom-tailored to your unique situation and business). Book a sales call with me here - https://calendly.com/maggie-s2l/discovery-call now and let's talk more.
Welcome to this week’s episode of "High-Achiever’s Hustle," where I tackle the pressure of feeling like you’re never doing enough, especially when it comes to scaling your service business.
Today, we're diving into three key strategies to help you recognize and affirm that you're on the right path to doubling your business without falling into the trap of hustle culture.
1. Aligning with a Tailored Strategy: Success isn’t about doing everything—it’s about doing the right things.
2. Trusting Your Actions and Tracking Results: Confidence in your efforts is crucial. I delve into the importance of trusting that your actions are sufficient while simultaneously setting up effective tracking mechanisms.
3. Recognizing and Managing Hustle Culture Anxiety: Finally, I address the anxiety that often comes with the pressure of always being "on" and constantly busy. Understand how to break free from the need to hustle and focus on meaningful, results-oriented actions.
Tune in to get actionable insights and practical tips that will help you feel more confident and assured in your journey to business growth.
And if you're ready to double your business without adding more work while having the best coach by your side helping you to get there faster, and easier while saving yourself a lot of mistakes, wasted time & money, let's talk.
Book a sales call with me here today - https://calendly.com/maggie-s2l/discovery-call
Are you struggling with the balance between leading your team and micromanaging them? In this video, I dive into why effective people leadership doesn't mean you must hover over your experts.
Discover the three crucial roles every CEO should play to strike the right balance:
- Giving the Vision: Continuously communicate and sell your vision to keep your team motivated and aligned.
- Supporting the Team: Remove obstacles and provide your team with resources to succeed.
- Helping with Individual Growth: Invest in the development of each team member, fostering their growth as business professionals.
Learn how to guide and support your team effectively without falling into the trap of micromanagement. Find the sweet spot where leadership and trust intersect for a thriving, empowered, and high-performing team.
And if you're ready to double your business by creating and leading a highly-performing team that makes your work as CEO easy, and gives you time back to your schedule, let's talk about how you can accomplish that with my T.O.P. CEO Leading Team System. Book a sales call with me here https://calendly.com/maggie-s2l/discovery-call
In today's episode, I discuss five common false beliefs hindering entrepreneurs' productivity. These beliefs often stem from previous employee mindsets and can prevent consistent task execution. You'll learn strategies to shift thinking, prioritize effectively, and embrace delegation.
If you are ready to double your business through strategic small actions taken consistently without adding more work to your schedule, I can help. Book a sales call with here today and let's talk about how - https://calendly.com/maggie-s2l/discovery-call
Key Time Stamps:
Importance of Mindset (00:01:26)
Maggie emphasizes the significance of mindset in achieving business success and effectiveness.
False Belief #1: Task Obligation (00:02:37)
Discussion on the belief that entrepreneurs must complete tasks they dislike stems from an employee mindset.
Perspective Shift: You Are the CEO (00:04:57)
Maggie encourages listeners to recognize their autonomy in decision-making as business leaders.
Owning Your Choices (00:06:00)
Listeners are urged to commit to their choices, even when faced with discomfort or challenges.
Self-Relationship and Leadership (00:09:43)
Maggie highlights the importance of self-acceptance and confidence in leading oneself and the business.
False Belief #2: Doing It All at Once (00:12:17)
Discussion on the misconception that one must accomplish everything immediately, leading to overwhelm.
Prioritization Strategy (00:13:31)
Maggie introduces the Pareto Principle, emphasizing the importance of focusing on key tasks for maximum results.
False Belief #3: Delegation Doubts (00:14:51)
Exploration of beliefs that hinder effective delegation, including fears of losing control or finding capable help.
False Belief #4: Overwhelm from Too Much to Do (00:17:11)
Maggie challenges the belief of having too much to do, stressing the importance of realistic boundaries.
Proactive Planning (00:19:24)
Listeners are encouraged to be proactive in planning to avoid feeling overwhelmed by unexpected tasks.
CEO Power Hour (00:21:34)
Maggie introduces the concept of a weekly planning hour to help entrepreneurs gain perspective and prevent overwhelm.
False Belief #5: Uncertainty in Starting (00:22:47)
Discussion on the common fear of not knowing where to start, leading to inaction and confusion.
Constructive Questioning Technique (00:22:47)
Maggie suggests asking oneself what if they knew how to start, to shift from confusion to problem-solving.
Identifying Help Needed (00:23:54)
Discussion on recognizing when help is needed and exploring various sources for assistance.
Delegating Tasks (00:24:47)
Emphasis on the importance of delegating tasks and overcoming discomfort in executing familiar tasks.
Focusing on Critical Tasks (00:25:53)
Encouragement to concentrate on 20% of tasks that yield 80% of business results for effective growth.
You have a big Vision for your business.
And bold short-term plans.
You want to achieve your goals as fast as possible, with minimal mistakes, issues, and loss of resources.
You know coaching and mentoring support will help you get there that way.
You just don't know what type of support is best for you right now.
There are so many options to choose from 1-on-1 private coaching, group, mastermind, to self-paced courses.
In today's Maggie's Moment, I share with you 3 signs when 1 on 1 private coaching might be the best route to go.
Ready to double your business without adding more work? Schedule a sales call with me here https://calendly.com/maggie-s2l/discovery-call and let's talk about how it will look like in your specific situation today.
You'd love to double your business in 6-12 months. Yet, everytime you think about it, you get confused as to where to start.
The first thing that comes to your mind is to add.
Add more leads.
Add new offer.
Add people.
But what if adding first it not the right step?
In today's Maggie's Moment, I offer you a 2-minute crash course on deciding what actually would be the first right step to double your business. Tune in to find out what it is for you.
Work with me to double your service business without adding more work to your schedule. Book a sales call here https://calendly.com/maggie-s2l/discovery-call and let's talk about what it would look like for you.
In this episode, Maggie interviews one of her clients Dan Wowk, a successful mortgage broker, and the owner of Zoom Mortage Brokerage.
They delve into Dan's entrepreneurial journey, exploring the stages of his business growth, overcoming challenges, and key learnings from our coaching relationship.
Key Moments in the Episode:
1. Introduction to the Guest: The episode kicks off with Dan sharing his background, explaining his passion for the industry, and the reasons behind choosing this particular career path.
2. Stages of Business Growth: Dan recounts the main stages of his business growth, highlighting both the prosperous and challenging times. We discuss how he adapted and pivoted in response to various challenges, sharing specific examples and strategies that helped him navigate through the tougher periods.
3. Maintaining Motivation: In this section Dan shares personal anecdotes about what kept him going during harder times, emphasizing the significance of having deeper motivations and a strong support system.
4. A-HA Moments from Coaching: As my business coaching client, Dan reflects on some of the biggest A-HA moments he's had during coaching. We discuss how these insights have impacted his approach to business and how he plans to implement these learnings moving forward.
5. Final Thoughts and Advice: The episode concludes with Dan offering additional advice to fellow entrepreneurs that you don't want to miss.
To connect with Dan, visit his website:
https://www.mortgageweb.ca/danwowk
www.zoommortgage.ca
Who wants their business to stagnate?
Not me and I bet you don’t want that either.
In today’s Maggie’s Moment, I explain why relying only on client referrals for business growth will not ensure your continuous growth.
I also share what you must do to prevent stagnation and stay competitive in your industry.
And if you want to ensure your business keeps growing short-term and long-term, I can help you. Book a sales call with me here, https://calendly.com/maggie-s2l/discovery-call, and let's talk in detail about how.
If you're thinking that to grow your sales, your marketing and sales expenses will proportionally increase as well (in which case what's the point?), know that that doesn't have to be the case.
in Today's Maggie's Moment, I share with you 3 strategies that can help you double your sales permanently without spending extra money on marketing or advertising.
When I work with my client, I help them double their business in ways that allow them to keep growing. The benefits of my coaching compound even after my clients finish working with me (that's why some come back :)). What creates that is T.O.P. CEO Winning Strategy and Conitnie Success Recipe that is unique for each of my client's business. If you want to know how it would work for you, book a sales call with me here https://calendly.com/maggie-s2l/discovery-call
Summer is here, and you dream about taking some time off from your business, but you're scared of losing income. So you're going back and forth on whether you should go on vacation?
If that's you, this Maggie's Moment is for you. Also, check out Episode # 107 - 5 Ways Vacation Helps You Grow Your Service Business to help you take some well-deserved time off.
And if you're ready to double your business without adding more work, book a sales call with me here - https://calendly.com/maggie-s2l/discovery-call
In this episode, I sit down with one of my clients, Gabriele Pizzale, the founder of Pizzale Design Inc., to discuss her inspiring journey from starting a business to achieving 7-figure success. We explore the key components of business growth, the importance of investing in personal development, and the delicate balance between business leadership and personal life. Gabriele shares incredibly valuable insights and practical tips for all entrepreneurs.
Episode Highlights:
1. Introduction and Business History:
- Gabriele introduces herself and their business.
- The story of how she started Pizzale Design Inc.
- The stages of growth and key milestones in her journey.
2. Components of Successful Growth:
- Main factors that contributed to the business's success.
- The pivotal moment when Gebriele realized the potential for a 7-figure business.
- The impact of conversations with successful colleagues and investing in skills/knowledge through courses and coaching.
3. Balancing Business and Personal Life:
- Challenges of being a business leader while managing personal responsibilities.
- Strategies for juggling multiple priorities from both business and personal life.
- Gabriele's journey to mastering self-care and prioritize her well-being to handle business and life demands.
4. Benefits of Continuous Learning and Coaching:
- Gabriele’s take on the importance of ongoing learning based on her experiences.
- The long-term benefits of investing in personal and professional development.
- Tips for other entrepreneurs on finding and working with coaches to enhance their business growth.
Key Takeaways:
- The importance of resilience and continuous learning in entrepreneurship.
- Practical strategies for balancing business leadership with personal life responsibilities.
- How investing in self-care and personal development can drive business success.
To connect with Gabriele and Pizzale Design Inc., check out their website https://www.pizzaledesigninc.com/ and follow them on IG - https://www.instagram.com/pizzaledesigninc/
Summer doesn't have to be a slow season for your service business. And at the same time, you can enjoy nice weather and more time off.
In this episode of the Diamond Effect podcast, I talk about how to avoid a catch-22 situation:
- where you don't have enough clients to fully enjoy the times you're not working (because you're thinking about not having enough sales);
- but then on days when you're working in your business, you wish you were at teh beach with family and friends.
Tune in to learn how to enjoy the summer, and still achieve your business goals.
And if you're ready to double your business without adding more work and rather more happiness into your day-to-day, book a sales call with me here https://calendly.com/maggie-s2l/discovery-call
When you don't have a system that allows you to invest focused time into growing your business, you're making the scaling impossible.
Lack of focus creates becoming distracted by:
- Shiny Object Syndrome - there are always more opportunities that seem the WAY to a million dollars than you can handle. You won't be able to say YES to the right ones without the space and time to assess the best ones and strategically make decisions.
- Fear of Missing Out - when you don't have a Winning Strategy and a clear plan to implement it, you don't know HOW to scale. That's why so many business owners keep running after the latest hot method of scaling, which just creates a loss of momentum and slows them down.
In today's Maggie's Moment, I share with you 3 components of the Focus System and tips on how to implement it so that you set the foundation for successfully scaling your service business.
If you'd want me to help you create tailored systems that will double your business without adding work to your schedule, book a sales call with me here - https://calendly.com/maggie-s2l/discovery-call
Needing a quick influx of cash to pay an unexpected bill?
Or would you love to make more money this month and consistently going forward?
Here are three simple ways you can increase your sales in less than seven days:
1) Follow up.
Don’t discount the opportunities you’ve created for yourself in the past months. Follow up on them today. It doesn’t matter you got busy or that you were scared and told yourself that people were not interested anymore.
Did you know that 80% of sales happen at the fourth or more follow-up?
So don’t leave all those clients without help and all the money on the table – follow-up. And if you’re still on the fence,tune in here to Episode # 152 of the Diamond Effect Podcast: Stay Top of Mind: Follow-Up Strategies to Increase Customer Conversion and Retention
2) Solve a new or different problem for your current or past clients.
The more value you deliver to your clients, the more money you make. If you see something that you can help your clients with (and you’re not doing that for them currently), offer it to them. Everyone loves to have a proactive partner that thinks about them, sees thing without having to be told about them, and wants to help. Be that partner. Your current and past clients already know you like you and trust you, so it’s a quick decision for them to say “YES” to your offer.
3) Tighten up your marketing messaging.
Your current audience has people in it, who want to work with you now. The only reason why they’re not taking action is because your messaging doesn’t inspire them to move. Recently, I helped one of my clients to tighten their e-mail messaging and within a couple of days they got new bookings from their current e-mail list! It was that fast!
The clients finally noticed her e-mails, read them, and got inspired to take action. You can do that too. It works like magic.
Implementing these 3 tips will increase your sales in less than 7 days.
To make this increase consistent and easy to repeat, you’ll need to include these strategies into your overall Business Growth Strategy and have a process/ system that will make them a regular thing you do for your business. So it becomes a habit, not something you do once in a while only when you get a reminder from me via e-mail.
When you coach with me 1 on 1 in my private program, I help you ensure this happens. Step-by-step, I’ll help you implement these strategies to increase your sales. Plus, we’ll systemize the approaches and create a simple repeatable process so you can continue having consistently increased sales.
Let’s talk today about how you can increase your sales permanently and with it, double your business without adding more work. So that you always have cash for unexpected bills and extras. And rather than worry about what to do to pay them, focus on serving your clients and enjoying your life. Book a sales call with me here - https://calendly.com/maggie-s2l/discovery-call
A new client saying yes and starting to work with you isn’t the end of selling.
It’s just the beginning.
Delivering what you promised is where you either confirm they made the right choice hiring you or lose their business along with all the referrals they could have brought. And it can get challenging when you grow fast and get busy with clients.
I learned that lesson in one of the companies I used to work for and I'm sharing that story with you in today's Maggie's Moment.
To spare my clients such painful experiences I teach them the concept of Selling at Every Touch Point as part of my T.O.P. CEO Continuous Success Recipe. Within that, I help them establish simple processes so they can easily and consistently over-deliver on their promises to the clients (new and existing).
Because your service delivery and your client journey, as they go through it, is also selling them (or not) on staying with you, coming back, and referring others.
It doesn’t mean you always must have 100% of everything figured out. That’s not what entrepreneurship is all about. It’s about balance between what you confidently can deliver and what you can figure out as you go, to take advantage of the right opportunities. And when you coach with me one-on-one, I teach you how to strike it.
If you’re ready to double your business with happy clients acting as your referral network without fail and without adding more work to your schedule, let's talk. Book a sales call here - https://calendly.com/maggie-s2l/discovery-call
You don’t need to hustle, overwork, do it all, and be visible everywhere to grow your business fast.
On the contrary, all of those things are slowing you down. Because you end up spending a lot of time and energy throwing spaghetti at random walls, watching it fall, without having a clue why it doesn’t stick.
I have been doubling my business since its inception not by hustling or doing it all. In today's Maggie's Moment, I share how I've been able to do it.
When you work with me 1 on 1, I teach you how to do it as well through my Strategic Constraint concept.
There are a million ways to get to a million dollars. From those, we’ll pick a core few that make sense for you and your business. That’s what my Business Owner First approach is all about - helping you scale your way.
Ready to start doubling your business without adding more work?
Book a sales call with HERE - https://calendly.com/maggie-s2l/discovery-call
This show and episode are dedicated to helping small service-based businesses thrive.
Today we're exploring the topic of business continuity and teh way I use it and interpret it for the work I do with my clients.
We’ll be discussing essential strategies to ensure your business continues to operate smoothly and is not dependent on:
1) One key individual (yourself as the CEO and owner included because you do need vacation)
2) One or two large clients
3) One contractor, agency, or supplier
Your business and you are best served when you build it as a resilient and independent entity. And this episode is meant to help you start that journey.
And if you'd like my help to achieve that while doubling your income without adding more work, book a sales call with me here - https://calendly.com/maggie-s2l/discovery-call
Even if you’ve run your business for 10 or more years and you think you can’t grow it much more, you can. Especially if your growth has been minimal or non-existent in recent years.
You haven’t tried everything yet. There are still more tactics you could apply in a strategic way to grow further and faster.
I'm illustrating this in today's Maggie's Moment by sharing my story of when right before I immigrated to Canada, I worked as a sales representative in the fashion industry in Poland. So tune in and listen.
A fun fact that I'm not sharing in the audio is that when I announced to my boss (a former Turkish NATO Officer with no BS approach) that I was leaving the job to immigrate to Canada, he got super emotional. He and his wife gifted me a beautiful pearl necklace as a parting gift that I wear to this day.
This experience taught me that you can always get more clients if you have a valuable offer they want and a strategy to market and sell.
No matter the economy. No matter how “slow” the industry is or how new you are to it. But it’s your job (not your clients’) to figure out how to get in front of them and communicate that value, so they choose your offer over someone else’s.
With my T.O.P. CEO Winning Strategy and Owner-First approach, I help my clients do just that. Figure out how to sign more and more clients effectively and consistently so they can double their business without adding more work to their schedule.
When you coach with me one-on-one, together we create the Winning Strategy tailored to who you are and the goals you have for yourself and your business. Then, we break it down into simple steps and week by week I help you successfully implement them. We eliminate time-sucking tasks that don’t make you any money to replace them with ones that do.
So that your income doubles, but the daily busyness and overwhelm disappear.
Book a sales call with me here - https://calendly.com/maggie-s2l/discovery-call and let’s start doubling your business today.
Figuring out how to grow your business revenue could be easier than you think.
In today's podcast, I'll walk you through and help you create your very own custom to do list to double your business revenue without adding more work to your schedule.
Imagine that in three hours you have a meeting with a potential client to discuss your services proposal. Yet you’re still going back and forth on your pricing.
You’re trying to gauge what clients “can afford” as you don’t want to lose them. But at the same time, you don’t want to go too low and feel like you’ll be working for free if they accept.
This is not the first time this situation has happened. Every time you have a potential client with a larger more custom request, you go through this vicious circle.
- You talk to the client and understand the request.
- You work on the quote for a long time and it takes you till the final hour to decide on the price.
- As you do it you question the value of your services and lose the belief that the client will see it and still want it once you price them fairly.
- You send the quote or present the proposal with anxious thoughts swirling in your head and at best close 30% of those clients.
Your inability to confidently set prices that accurately reflect the value you provide is finally getting on your nerves. You know you’re missing out on so many exciting and well-paid projects because of that. Yet you don’t know how to change this cycle.
In today's Maggie's Moment, I talk about 3 things you can do to change this cycle.
- During your initial call or visit with the client, ensure you collect all the information you need to confidently price the client's request. That includes not only what they want done but also why.
- Establish a quoting framework for your most common projects/ types of services that can guide you as a foundation even with every custom request.
- Before presenting the proposal to your client, sell yourself on the value of your services to them. Be clear on how you’re meeting and exceeding their needs and wants.
When you coach with me 1 on 1, I help you work through those 3 steps simply and easily. With my T.O.P CEO Continuous Success Recipe, we transform your current quoting practices into a repeatable and streamlined process you’ll use going forward.
The process will save loads of time. It will help you show up confidently to the proposal meetings knowing exactly why your clients should choose you over the competition, even if your prices are higher. You'll also end up securing more projects and making more money. This is how I can help you double your business without adding more work to your schedule.
Spending time working on creative and fun projects is way better than dwelling on preparing quotes that don't close and then being frustrated with the whole process.
You know it’s high time to resolve your quoting issues. Your ability to maximize revenue and grow your business hinges on getting it right.
Book a sales call with me here now and let’s start working on it - https://calendly.com/maggie-s2l/discovery-call
In today's difficult economy, everyone seems to be a bit more anxious, and on the edge. And that can lead to unnecessary deterioration of service provider-client relationships when unexpected challenges arise.
In this episode, we dive into the three essential strategies for mastering client relationships.
1) A robust sales process
2) Contracts, policies, and procedures that establish clear rules of engagement and service delivery.
3) Effective, excellent, and frequent communication
If you are a service business owner looking to double your business, even in today's economy, I can help you. With my coaching, you will achieve it without adding more work to your schedule and rather by reducing stress, overwhelm, and a lot of frustration. Book a sales call with me here https://calendly.com/maggie-s2l/discovery-call
Let's be real, we are in the 21st century with 99.9999% of your ideal clients using technology, and especially e-mails.
Embracing email marketing in your service business to the fullest can save you lots of time, generate many more sales on auto-pilot, make it easy for clients to refer, and help you strengthen the relationship you have with them without spending hours and thousands of dollars on writing cards, taking them out for lunches or texting them and trying to track all of it.
Today's Maggie's Moment shares three must-known tips when using emails as part of your marketing strategy.
Have you ever clung to a business dream with the same tenacity you'd hold onto the last cookie in the jar—only to worry it might crumble? That's where my entrepreneurial journey began, and it's the heart of the latest Diamond Effect Podcast episode.
Snuggle into the behind-the-scenes tales of my transformation from a hopeful dreamer to a six-figure CEO. It's been a rollercoaster ride, balancing a corporate job, an executive MBA, and family life. And when the COVID-19 curveball was thrown into the mix, it tested us all like never before. But through strategic planning and high-performance habits, I was able to create progress. These little victories became the building blocks of momentum, steering my coaching business to the point where I moved it from a side hustle to a full-time gig.
In this episode, I take you through my personal playbook of doubling business revenue—over and over. It's not just about the numbers; it's about the mindset shift from employee to CEO, the resilience built from setbacks, and the support systems that are the scaffolding of any success.
So, if you're itching to catapult your business to the next level, this episode is your beacon. Join me, and let's double your service business (and more) together.
To get my 1 on 1 help in getting there, book a sales call with me here - https://calendly.com/maggie-s2l/discovery-call
As I look back on how I started my business and what allowed me to keep doubling it since then. And how I work with my clients to ensure they get similar results.
We always start with the basics.
A solid business foundation.
One that supports your CEO decisions and guides your actions.
In today's Maggaie's Moment, I walk you through what that foundation is and why it is so critical to create it.
Ready to scale your service business without overwork or overwhelm? Book a sales call with me here - https://calendly.com/maggie-s2l/discovery-call
Two weeks ago I attended a coaching conference in Washington, DC. Such conferences allow me to keep growing as a coach. Staying on top of the newest coaching techniques and better ways to help my clients is a priority for me. The better I am as a coach, the faster my clients get results, and the bigger their return on investment is.
At the same time, during such conferences, I always learn or am reminded of critical business lessons for entrepreneurs. And in today's podcast, I'm sharing 5 of them with you.
Tune is and if you're ready to double your business faster and easier than on your own, without adding more work to your schedule, book a sales call with me here https://calendly.com/maggie-s2l/discovery-call.
Did you know your business coach doesn't need to specialize in your specific industry?
To scale your business in a way that allows you to stand out, you need to grow your industry expertise and your business acumen.
In today's Maggie's Moment, I share 3 reasons why having a wider perspective, outside of your industry, will help you grow your service business.
Being a high-performing CEO is all about your business expertise. And that's what I'm here to assist you with. Book a sales call with me here, https://calendly.com/maggie-s2l/discovery-call, and let's talk about doubling your small service business without adding more work to your schedule.
From my experience, having worked with hundreds of small business owners through my coaching, training, and workshops, there are three main causes of entrepreneurial overwork. And they have to do with 3 S's - Strategy, Skillset, and Systems.
In today's episode, I explain why that's the case in each S, give you examples to illustrate, and share tangible strategies of how you can start working less in your business while creating better and bigger results today.
And if you're ready to double your business without adding more work to your schedule, book a sale call with me here https://calendly.com/maggie-s2l/discovery-call,
and let's talk about it.
You know there is a huge potential for you to reach more clients and organically grow your service business through social media.
You also feel overwhelmed by all the demands that you need social media requires for you to be successful there.
So most of the time you either aren't using social media for your business at all or are very on and off, which is not the result you'd like.
In today's Maggie's Moment, I share with you tips on how to make social media one of your organic marketing arms, and gain more visibility and clients on your terms. It all starts by understanding these three C's:
Create
Connect
Consume
Tune in to this bonus episode to gain that understanding.
If you'd like to have social media as part of your overall business growth strategy in a way that puts you in charge of signing more clients without adding work to your schedule or burning out, I can help. Book a sales call with me here - https://calendly.com/maggie-s2l/discovery-call
As a service business owner, hiring a contractor or an agency to remove marketing and sales responsibilities off your plate because you don't like them isn't a good reason to do it. It actually will lead you to lost money, minimal results, and a lot of frustration.
This podcast episode will help you do it at the right time and get the maximum return on your investment. Today I want to help you to:
- Know when you're not ready to hire a marketing or an ads agency
- Know what to look for when you are ready to get their help
- Maximize your return on investment once you hire them for marketing and sales help
And if you're ready to double your business without adding more work by becoming a high-performing CEO, book an initial consultation with me - https://calendly.com/maggie-s2l/discovery-call
If you have ever told yourself "This doesn't or won't work for me." when considering a marketing tactic for your business, today's Maggie's Moment is for you. Especially if that specific tactic works for other businesses in your industry.
Tune in to learn the 5-step process of making any marketing acting you want to adopt work for you.
And if you're ready to double your business without adding more time to your schedule, book a sales call with me here - https://calendly.com/maggie-s2l/discovery-call.
In this episode, I give you practical tips to help you master time blocking as a crucial tool for business owners to manage time, prioritize tasks, and reduce stress. I address common issues entrepreneurs have with time blocking, such as distractions and unrealistic expectations. I also outline a three-step process for effective time blocking aligned with your business growth strategies. This episode will help you enhance your time management skills and achieve sustainable business growth without added stress.
And if you're ready to double your business without adding more work to your schedule, let's talk. Book a free consultation with me here.
"Easy money" projects, clients, and income in your business can be a good thing when you need to pay an unexpected bill or earn a few extra bucks.
However, that can put you in a trap of working lower-paying work and not having time to sign clients paying your full price. And, therefore working hard and underearning.
In Today's Maggie's Moment, I share with you tips on how to avoid it.
How do you double your service-based business without adding more work?
By embracing the concept of strategic constraint and the Pareto Principle.
Instead of spreading yourself too thin trying to do it all, you want to make it strategic and take a few actions that will create most of your results. Such decisions are based on positive emotions rather than fear. By focusing on the 20% of efforts that yield 80% of results your business will scale more effectively.
And if you're ready to work with me to help you double your business without overhwlem or adding hours to your schedule, book a sales call with me here - https://calendly.com/maggie-s2l/discovery-call
What if the thing you’ve been avoiding doing so far in your service business is the exact thing preventing you from growing it?
No matter how much you want to believe that it’s not. No matter how much you’re trying to do without it by finding other solutions.
That thing could be you presenting in front of people. Or hiring your first employee. Or holding your team members accountable.
You’ve been avoiding doing it because it’s hard.
And with a busy schedule like yours, there’s always something else you can do. Something easier or more urgent. Social media. A client project. A call from a supplier.
However, no matter which direction you move, you always come back to and get stuck on the thing you’re avoiding. It's because you cannot outwork your skill gap. And your business cannot outgrow you.
So instead of spinning in circles, now it’s the time to get it done. To face the bull head-on and just do it.
Today's Maggie's Moment has a challenge for you. Tune in to learn more.
Ready to double your business without adding more work to your schedule? Doing the hard thing can achieve that. Because you'll master the skill that right now you're compensating for with extra hours of work and hustle. I can make mastering those skills easy for you. How? Let’s talk HERE.
Your current happy clients that stay or keep coming back (depending on the services model you have), and also refer anyone they know to you, should be the bread and butter of your business.
Yes, bringing on new clients consistently is key, but if you cannot retain a core clientele you'll always be hustling. It's always harder, more expensive, and takes longer to convert someone who doesn't know you into a paying client.
In today's episode, I'm sharing 3 key practical strategies that will help you book out your service business with returning clients and referrals.
Plus the CEO mindset you need to adopt to implement them successfully in your business.
Ready to double your business without adding more work to your schedule? My T.O.P. CEO framework will help you achieve that. Book a sales call with me here and let's talk about it - https://calendly.com/maggie-s2l/discovery-call
The prices of everything have gone up, and so are your business expenses. Rent. Fuel. Lunches. Vendors are raising prices.
You’re worried about not making enough income or even going bankrupt. You can’t shake that off, which is making you feel panicky and hopeless. But being stuck in panic isn’t going to solve the problem.
As a business owner, the CEO, you have two levers to use to solve this. In today's Maggie's Moment, I tell you what those levers are and how you can use them.
Ready to double your business without adding more work and ditch the worry about rising costs and going bankrupt? Scheduling a free initial consultation with me HERE.
In today's episode, I'm talking with one of my clients, Paola Di Fonzo, owner of BallooniqueTO, an event decorator, and a balloon stylist.
We delve deep into the world of entrepreneurship and success exploring a topic that's often glamorized but rarely understood: the difference between hustle and hard work in business.
1. Defining the Terms:
First things first. We clarify what we mean by "hustle" and "hard work." While they're often used interchangeably, there's a subtle yet significant distinction between the two. Hard work entails dedication, perseverance, and putting in the necessary effort to achieve your goals. On the other hand, hustle is characterized by relentless busyness, often at the expense of balance and well-being.
2. The Downside of Hustle:
Contrary to popular belief, hustle isn't always a recipe for success. In fact, it can be detrimental, both in the short and long term. Paola and I discuss how the hustle mentality can lead to burnout, and poor decision-making, and ultimately hinder your chances of sustainable success.
3. Finding Balance:
But fear not, there's a better way to approach business and entrepreneurship. By prioritizing self-care and setting boundaries, you can create a healthier, more sustainable approach to achieving your goals. We explore practical strategies for finding balance and maintaining your well-being while pursuing your entrepreneurial dreams.
4. Redefining Success:
Ultimately, success shouldn't come at the expense of your health and happiness. On the contrary, you experience more of it when you're at your best. We want to challenge the traditional notion of "hustle at all costs" and offer a new perspective on what it truly means to succeed in business and life.
Join us as we dive deep into this thought-provoking discussion and uncover the secrets to achieving success without sacrificing your sanity. So sit back, relax, and let's go beyond the grind.
To connect with Paola, visit her website www.balloonique.ca
And connect with her on Instagram: @ballooniqueto
Also, tune in to the first interview with Paola and another client of mine on creativity in business. We refer to it in this episode.
Episode 104 - The Power of Creativity when Growing a Service Business with Paola Di Fonzo (Event Decorator) and Stefanie Carroll (Excel and Data Management Expert)
39-41% of businesses in the US are women-owned
Canada is lacking at 17-18% but that number is growing
More and more women enter the entrepreneurship and business world. And with that more and more valuable perspectives and ideas.
Today I highlight what women value as they run their businesses. And encourage all of us #womenentreprenurs to use our voices and confidently share our perspectives. They are valuable and important. And I ask everyone else to listen. And with that consider how those perspectives can be right without making yours wrong. That's one of the key ways #businessworld can greatly benefit.
Happy #IWD2024 !
In this episode of the Diamond Effect podcast, I help you explore the intricacies of pricing strategies for service-based businesses.
I address the psychological barriers often leading to underpricing and the subsequent impact on business growth. With a focus on mindset and practical strategy tips on what to consider when first setting prices for your services and then how to raise them, this episode offers a comprehensive guide for business owners on how to raise prices effectively without alienating customers.
You'll learn a five-step process for implementing price increases - the most important being the alignment of your pricing with the value provided to your clients. That ensures that your services do not become commodities competing in a losing battle of cheapest pricing, enhances long-term customer retention, and enables you to maintain good profit margins.
Today's insights empower service entrepreneurs to enhance their business's profitability and success.
Ready to double your business without adding more work? Book your sales call with me HERE and explore in detail how it's possible for you. https://calendly.com/maggie-s2l/discovery-call
As your service-based business grows and you start getting busier and busier with clients, inadvertently a time comes when you start feeling overwhelmed. The feeling itself is not a problem. It can prompt you to change how your business is structured and/ or how you, the service provider and the CEO, work in it.
The problem starts when you don't do anything. When you accept the overwhelm as something you just need to deal with and start hustling, getting busier, working longer hours, and feeling more and more exhausted. This is how you hop on the spinning hamster wheel of stress that is hard to get out of.
Today's Maggie's Moment shares with you 3 simple steps to stop overwhelm from escalating when you get busy with more clients but still want to grow your business long-term.
Find out how my T.O.P. CEO Continuous Success Recipe can help you double the business without overwhelm or adding more work to your schedule. Book your free call here - https://calendly.com/maggie-s2l/discovery-call
You feel like you are being pulled in all directions right now. Trying to keep up with clients' work. Post something on social media weekly. And occasionally do a networking lunch between service projects and client emergencies.
It feels like you've barely kept your head above the water.
You're tired of shooting in the dark, figuring out how to sign the next client while overworking to maintain the current ones. You crave guidance. Direction. Especially since your energy is limited and usually drained by noon with all the daily decisions and chaos coming your way.
What if you could implement just one tiny change to create the direction and focus?
To gain new energy. And create time you so much lack.
That change is the CEO Power Hour.
It is investing one hour a week removed from the daily grind. One hour a week to strategically zoom out and check in with your business.
To see what it needs to keep growing in a way that's not overwhelming for you.
Right now, even if you have some CEO time set aside every week, it gets overtaken to catch up on your to-do list. Or at best, you’re looking at what you can improve and just keep adding things to do for the next week’s list.
In this episode, I am sharing 5 specific CEO Power Hour sessions I had with different clients and the specific results they were able to create within just one week following those sessions.
When you work with me one-on-one, with my high-performance coaching during the CEO Power Hour, I teach you how to also decide what not to do. How to cut down on the amount of tasks you do each week and channel your limited time and energy into a couple of key things that create substantial progress.
This is how I help my clients (and can help you) double your business without adding more work.
And you're probably thinking, "I'm not sure I can be consistent with that."Or "Even if I managed to do it for the first three weeks of January, I don't even know where I'd find that one hour a week."
You do have one hour right now in your schedule. You would find it no problem if you had to go to an emergency client meeting. Once you create the first CEO Power Hour, I'll help you make it consistent. Especially that you’ll learn how to constrain the number of tasks you do each week, gain time, and with that add power to the ones you do.
Set up your first free CEO Power Hour now. During that time, I will help identify exactly what you need to focus on (and drop) in your business to pick up the speed of growth without getting overwhelmed. Schedule the session here - https://calendly.com/maggie-s2l/discovery-call
Two types of planning will increase your productivity and effectiveness and save precious time doing unnecessary things. I talk about them in today’s Maggie’s Moment. Tune in :).
I teach these planning skills as part of my T.O.P. CEO Performance Enhancer Formula. All is a simple, practical, and easy-to-implement way.
If you want to double your service business without adding more work to your schedule, let's talk. Schedule a free initial consultation with me here - https://calendly.com/maggie-s2l/discovery-call
We've all heard that to be successful in business and entrepreneurship "you should leave the emotions at the door" or "skip the feelings."
I disagree with it. Not only because it's humanly impossible to do, no matter what you can be telling yourself. As humans our actions are driven by emotions And emotions result from what we think and how we think about anything that's happening in our lives, any circumstances. That's just science.
But also when we try to actually "leave out emotions at the door" we do more harm than good to ourselves, business results, and people around us.
This episode dives deeper into this topic and also showcases a better, modern way to show up in business and your entrepreneurial journey.
To work with me one-on-one and double your business without adding more work, schedule a free initial consultation here - https://calendly.com/maggie-s2l/discovery-call
Studies show that “talent” (the thing we are born with and can’t choose) doesn’t have as much weight on our success as learning and mastering skills through practice, training, and just work (the things we have control over and can influence).
And I believe that business skills are the “shortcut” to success as a service-based business owner. Not some new marketing tactic or one funnel.
So I challenge you to stop telling yourself you’re not good at something and ask the question: “What skill do I need to master and how can I do it in the most effective way to solve the problem I’m facing right now?”
If you want help mastering any business skill in a practical and very effective way, my T.O.P. CEO framework might be the answer. With it, I can help you double your business without adding more work. Click here to set up a chat with me so we can talk details - https://calendly.com/maggie-s2l/discovery-call
Today's Episode of the Diamond Effect podcast (the one I host 😉) is diving into 5 Ways to Become More Effective as the CEO of Your Service Business. Because your business results depend on you, the leader. The more effective you are, the better the results.
To work with me and double your business without adding more work, schedule a free initial consultation HERE - https://calendly.com/maggie-s2l/discovery-call
If you'd like to spend more time in your inbox dealing with emails, today's Maggie's Moment isn't for you.
But you want to tune in if you're among most business owners overwhelmed by e-mails, feeling like the inbox is running you and stealing your precious time.
Find out 5 reasons why you might have too many emails to deal with every day and how to fix that issue.
To work with me, one-on-one and double your business without adding more work, book a free initial consultation with me here: https://calendly.com/maggie-s2l/discovery-call
Business is just like having kids. Small business - small problems. Big business - big problems. Yet the idea of dealing with "big problems" shouldn't scare you or worse stop you from growing your business altogether.
The solution for "big problems" becoming small is to grow yourself. The more skilled you are in business and the more emotional capacity you have, the smaller the problems seem. The same way a 10-year-old will not cry over a lost popsicle the same way they did at two.
In this episode, I share with you what it takes (practical tips included) to become a bigger person, a CEO, who can handle more complex problems without stress or overwhelm.
And I invite you to work with me one-on-one to grow yourself as a CEO. Apply HERE- https://calendly.com/maggie-s2l/discovery-call
Have you watched an Oscar-nominated movie Nyad?
I highly recommend it :). Even though it’s about the journey of a PRO athlete, marathon swimmer, Diane Nyad, the movie offers many business lessons too. In today’s Maggie’s Moment, I’m sharing two of them.
To work with me one-on-one, apply HERE.
Embrace the Entrepreneurial Roller Coaster! Some months are booming, with clients and money coming, while others are quieter.
In this episode, we tackle those slower times with tips on tracking income, smart budgeting, and attracting clients. Learn to see lower-income months not as setbacks, but as opportunities for growth. Tune in for a successful year ahead!
Ready to boost your business skills and double your business without adding more work? Apply to coach with me. We start a free initial consultation. Book it HERE - https://calendly.com/maggie-s2l/discovery-call
The more experienced you are as a service provider, the more knowledge you have, and the more your brain assumes that everyone else knows the same—especially your clients. Such expert bias can be dangerous and is probably costing you money: in lower marketing and sales conversation or even client retention.
How is that possible? Today's Maggie's Moment explains.
If you want to double your business without adding more work, apply to work with me HERE- https://calendly.com/maggie-s2l/discovery-call
Establishing good habits brings a myriad of benefits that contribute to overall well-being and success. One of the key advantages is the efficiency they bring to daily life, as habits automate tasks, saving time and mental energy.
Moreover, cultivating positive routines enhances discipline and self-control, fostering a sense of empowerment and accomplishment. Good habits also contribute to long-term health and happiness by promoting physical well-being and reducing stress.
Consistency in positive behaviors leads to the development of a strong foundation for personal and professional growth, helping you achieve your goals. Ultimately, the power of good habits lies in their ability to create a positive and sustainable framework for a fulfilling and successful business and life.
In this episode, I share how I establish good habits in my life by sharing a story and the evolution of my morning routine. And with it show you high-level, the framework I use when I help my clients establish their high-performance habits.
Let's double your business without adding more work through high-performance habits. Schedule a free initial consultation with me HERE and let's talk about what it would look like specifically for you.
If your marketing and sales strategy isn't attracting the type and/or number of clients you want; or if you don't have a business growth strategy, tune in to today's Maggie's Moment.
Inside you'll learn the key components of an effective strategy. And also discover why the hard work you're doing now isn't translating into the results you hoped for.
In this episode, I sit down with Maria Nenciu, the visionary behind Richvale Consulting, a commercial lease audit company.
Maria kicks things off by sharing the journey of how it all began – the spark that ignited the creation of her business and the passion that fueled its growth. We explore the early years, delving into the challenges and triumphs that shaped Maria's entrepreneurial path, highlighting the evolution of needs, wants, and overall business strategy.
Please note that this episode was recorded mid December 2023. So when we refer to this year, we mean 2023, and the New Year is 2024 :).
Moving on, we get an insider's perspective on the transformative power of strategic planning. Maria reflects on her December 2023 strategic planning experience, unraveling the A-HA moments that sparked innovation and will lead to her business growth. We explore the shift from day-to-day operations to the benefits of pausing, zooming out, and gaining a broader perspective, transcending the limitations of a mere to-do list.
The podcast unfolds with a glimpse into the future as Maria paints a vivid picture of the business's vision 3-5 years down the road. What aspirations fuel her drive, and how she feels about the exciting journey ahead.
Join us for an insightful conversation that goes beyond the surface, offering valuable insights and lessons for aspiring entrepreneurs and seasoned business leaders alike.
To get in touch with Maria and explore her service visit her website www.richvaleconsulting.com or e-mail her at maria.nenciu@richvaleconsulting.com
Because of the slow economy or recession, your clients have changed their thinking about money and spending it. It doesn't mean they don't have money. Or that they don't want to invest in your services. It's just how they think about it has changed. I'm talking about how this affects your marketing and selling in today's Maggie's Moments.
I can help you double your business without adding more work. Schedule a free initial consultation with me here and let's discuss in detail what it would look like for you.
In this episode, I share how I approach practically setting a goal and then taking action to achieve it. I'm talking about the Strategic Planning process that I and my client use to learn from the past and inform what we're going to do in the future. Then how from there I improve things that are working to do them even better and fix the things that aren't but I still want to take action on them. I'm sharing specific examples from my business and personal life.
And if you want to double your business (or more :)) without adding more work while eliminating stress and overwhelm, I invite you to coach with me. Let's start by talking in detail about what it would look like for you. Set up a free initial consultation here https://calendly.com/maggie-s2l/discovery-call
Happy New Year! 2024 is going to be great! Better than 2023 :)!
How? Because we're going to grow together as leaders. And when you grow, your business and results grow. That's how :).
And to help you to the faster and more powerfully, I am transforming Motivational Mondays of the Diamond Effect Podcast to Maggie's Moments on Mondays :). It's not just a name change of these bonus episodes. There is much more to it. I explain the details in the first Maggie's Moment today. So tune in to find out. Then, if you haven't done it yet, subscribe to the podcast on your favorite platform.
May the coming year be marked by new milestones, breakthroughs, and the realization of your business aspirations.
Learning from your own experience is one of the most powerful ways to accelerate your business growth. The second most powerful way to shortcut your journey to results is learning from someone who already knows. The two combined work magic :). I know because I do both, and my clients do both as well. And we experience that magic.
In today's podcast, I'm sharing my own most powerful lessons from 2023. One of them is that Strategy and flexibility may seem like opposites, but in my experience, they're a winning combination. Following a strategic plan 80% of the time has been key, yet the remaining 20%—reserved for seizing new, aligned opportunities—keeps my business dynamic and growing. It's about the balance of discipline and openness to the new.
I invite you to learn from me and implement whatever resonates with you. Plus, if you haven't done that yet, spend some time reflecting on your own lessons. Enjoy both!
The holiday season is a time for joy, reflection, gratitude, and rest. I find myself reflecting on the incredible journey we've shared together this year, my dear listeners. In today's Motivational Monday, I'm sharing some fun stats about the Diamond Effect podcast and offering us a challenge of giving back. Giving back is a big personal value of mine, and every year, I try to do a little bit more of that than the year before. I invite you to join me.
It's been a privilege to be a guest in your ear this year :). I am sincerely grateful for the trust you've placed in me by tuning in to this podcast. I wish you and your loved ones a holiday season filled with laughter, love, and rejuvenation.
This past week, my clients and I created Strategic Plans for our businesses for 2024. Part of this event was to celebrate one's successes, big and small. And for some of us, that was the hardest part. Many reasons contribute to that: being a high-achiever, not accomplishing all your goals as you wanted, com[parison to others. All those traps that our brains fall into can prevent us from this important action.
Yet celebrating successes, no matter how small, is a crucial aspect of fostering a motivated mindset. Acknowledging even minor achievements provides a sense of accomplishment and boosts self-esteem. That's what my clients felt once I got them to do the celebration exercise. Pride, confidence, and joy.
This practice not only encourages continued effort but also helps to create a more resilient and optimistic outlook on challenges. Celebrating small victories is like fuel for the soul. It can motivate you to strive for more significant accomplishments and reinforce the belief that hard work pays off.
Plus, it contributes to a healthier work-life balance by reminding us to appreciate the journey and savor the triumphs along the way. That is why in today's podcast, I am sharing with you the exercise me and my clients did last week. So that you can do and benefit from it. Plus, I am exercising my vulnerability muscle :) and sharing with you some of my successes this year (big and small :)).
And if you want to double your business in 2024 without adding more work, I can help. let's talk about it in more detail during a free initial consultation. Schedule it HERE.
If you're feeling increasingly stressed and maybe even overwhelmed as the Holidays are approaching, today's Motivational Monday is for you. This one powerful tip will help you manage everything on your plate better and start enjoying the Holidays.
Sonja Keeve and I both hold executive MBA degrees from Jack Welch's Management Institute. We met during one of the JWMI's networking events and realized that our journeys from employee to entrepreneurship, despite being different, also have many similarities. We decided to talk about that and share those experiences in the form of a podcast episode.
Three questions guide our conversation:
1) How did you start your business?
2) As you transitioned from the corporate to the entrepreneurial world what was the hardest part to deal with, and what was the most fun?
3) Along with that, what type of mindset shifts do you have to make going from employee to business owner, and maybe what type of habits/ skills you developed in corporate helped you in your business?
And we talk about so much more. This is an episode you don't want to miss.
To connect with Sonja, go to her website: https://sonjakeeve.com/
To get help growing your business to the point where you can leave your corporate job confidently, schedule a free initial consultation call with me HERE.
Still debating if you should take time from your busy schedule to create a strategic plan for your business? Today's Motivational Monday talks about three key benefits of doing that.
And if you need help making it practical and straightforward to implement, schedule a free consultation with me here. I'll be happy to guide you.
Creating meaningful connections and, with it, relationships is key to growing your business. It can be relatively easy when you have a person in front of you and you can start a conversation. But what about online marketing? When you're creating content (a post or a video), it can feel like you're talking to no one. A void. Or millions of people you don't know at once. And what about a former client who has finished working on a project with you?
In the episode, I talk about building connections in marketing and in the client's journey, especially in situations that are not as intuitive.
To work with me and double your business without adding more work, schedule a free initial consultation HERE.
If your business goes through client overflow and droughts regularly, you might be making this critical mistake. Find out what it is and how to avoid it. So this way your client and revenue streams are more consistent.
If you're a business owner who tends to get stressed and overwhelmed during holidays, this podcast is for you. If, after the Holidays, you dread coming back to running your business (or you actually never stop and pause), this podcast is for you, too.
Inside I give you three insightful questions you can ask yourself as the Holiday season is here. The answer to them might positively transform how you experience Holidays this year.
And if you want to double your business without working more (and often less), I can help you. Schedule a sales consultation with me here, and let's talk.
Are you ready for more business growth in 2024? Not sure how to get there?
This bonus episode is for you.
And if you want to double your business without adding more work, I can help you.
Schedule a free consultation HERE, and let's talk about how.
If:
- spend days thinking about what else you can do to grow your business but never actually do anything, or
- you decide to try something (ex., a new marketing activity), try it once or twice, and when you don't see the results, you hoped for, you stop doing it all altogether and go back to thinking about what to do; or
- you go back and forth between the choices you have (ex. website updates, re-brand etc.) and can't decide on which one is the best option;
Then this episode is for you. I'll explain why those situations happen, what you're losing when you're in them, and what you need to start making more money (i.e., grow your business faster) as a result of better decision-making.
I can help you double your business without adding more work. How? Schedule a free consultation with me HERE, and let's talk about it.
What if trying to be more productive is not the solution for you becoming less busy, stressed, or overwhelmed in your business?
What if working on being more productive keeps you in the hustle of doing it all and less in creating the results you want?
In today's Motivational Monday, I'm showing you the difference between productive and effective. And how effective is a faster and simpler way to generate more income in your business while eliminating stress and overwhelm.
I can help you double your business without adding more work. How? Schedule a free consultation with me HERE, and let's talk about it.
As a small service-based business, you can keep growing even in a recession or slow economy. I will tell you why and how in this episode.
To make the HOW fun and simple, I created the MODERN framework that I explain in detail today. It's an acronym of strategies and perspectives that you can adopt to boost your service business.
I can help you double your business in 2024 without adding more work. To see what this would look like for you specifically, book a sales consultation with me HERE.
All my clients get results. No exceptions.
Because I don't let them just check boxes of self-development.
What's the point of creating client avatars if you are never going to go deeper and use them in your marketing? What's the point of strategic planning for the New Year if, a month after, you forget about it and go back to doing what you've always been doing?
What's teh point of reading one business book after another if you don't even implement one thing from each of them?
Everything I do with my clients is focused on achieving their goals.
What's the difference between checking boxes vs. creating results?
Today's Motivational Monday explains it in detail.
I can help you double your business without adding work. Let's talk. Click here to set up a sales consultation with me.
Selling is not about persuading people to buy what they need or could benefit from but don't want. Selling is offering value in exchange for money to those who want what you offer.
Your ideal clients have a problem that they want help solving. They can't wait to get it solved. They also have a goal they want to achieve. So they are willing to get help and pay a fair price for it.
In order to maximize their sales, I teach my clients the concept of selling at every touch point. I explain what that is in this podcast episode. I also share the 5 most common selling mistakes I see business owners make. Ones that don't even realize they're making. Just knowing what they are and eliminating them can make you a lot of money. So tune in to this episode to learn more.
Find out how coaching one-on-one with me can help you double your business without adding more work by scheduling a sales consultation HERE.
2024 is coming. And as a business coach, I'm all for being proactive and planning for a successful year now rather than waiting till January to do it. Because then, by the time you get to it, you've lost a month, if not more.
However, planning won't create the results of your Big Vision on its own. It's the execution of the plans that leads to the results.
An effective execution is often where business owners trip over. In today's Motivational Monday I'm offering three crucial questions that you'll want to answer to start your execution journey.
To get my help in your 2024 planning, including execution support, schedule a sales consultation HERE.
In today's episode, I'm sharing the recording of my October masterclass - Mastering Sustainable Growth - Scaling Your Business with Passion and Balance.
What if you could scale your business simply without adding more work?
What if scaling allowed you to create more personal time, finally infuse self-care into your day-to-day, and become more passionate about your business than ever?
Yes, this is possible.
My client, Millie, doubled the new business she brought in Q2 and Q3 (compared to Q1) while taking time off in the summer. She is now moving to having Fridays off altogether.
A bookkeeper of my other client has noticed a direct correlation between the growth in her revenue and our coaching. And yes, she has also scaled down the hours she's been working weekly. Enjoyed her summer more. And soon, she'll be taking every Friday off.
You don't have to subscribe to the hustle mindset - where consistently growing a business means always doing more work, becoming busier and busier, and more exhausted. Because that means either burning out and hating your business or plateauing your income and not helping as many people as possible with your gifts.
In this masterclass, I teach you the framework my clients and I use to scale our businesses while creating more balance and fun overall.
Because as entrepreneurs, we created our businesses for that very reason.
To become LIMITLESS. To do things on our terms.
Limitless in what we can create and how.
So let's do that. Shall we?
No more holding back.
No more feeling busy, overworked, and overwhelmed.
Tune in to learn my simple 5-step scaling framework and 3 CEO mindsets necessary to implement it.
An average human makes over 30,000 decisions a day. As CEOs responsible for making most of the business decisions, that number is even higher for us.
Decision fatigue is real and can negatively affect you to make the most important decisions for your business. When we feel tired, we postpone making the most difficult and scary decisions, for example, hiring, strategy pivots, or improvement implementations. Ones that have the potential to make the most positive impact.
In today's Motivational Monday, I'm sharing with three things you should consider when making a big yet scary decision.
If you'd like help in brainstorming, evaluating, and speeding up your business decisions (which creates faster progress and results), let's have a conversation. Schedule a sales consultation with me HERE.
In this podcast episode, I interview one of my clients, dr Andrew Springer, a chiropodist and the owner of the Foot Advantage clinic in Oshawa, Ontario, Canada. In the conversation, we explore how Continuous Improvement can help established businesses grow.
Continuous Improvement Journey
My guest shared their experience of getting help from a business coach and the secrets to successful implementation. We address the common struggle of having great ideas but failing to implement them.
We also discuss the challenge of getting staff members to embrace and support the implemented improvements. Andrew shares his strategies and techniques for managing change within a team, emphasizing the importance of collective buy-in.
Overcoming Resistance to Marketing VideosThe conversation shifts to the resistance, particularly among those over 40, to create marketing videos and engage in social media.
My guest shares their personal journey in overcoming this resistance and offers valuable insights for those facing a similar hurdle.
Tangible Positive ResultsWe conclude by exploring the tangible positive outcomes resulting from implementing the improvements.
Andrew provides real-world examples of how their business has flourished thanks to the changes made.
This episode offers a comprehensive look into the benefits of business coaching, as well as the intricacies and power of continuous improvement, making it a must-listen for business owners seeking to elevate their enterprises.
How to connect with dr Andrew Springer:
website: https://thefootadvantage.com/
FB: https://www.facebook.com/ThefootadvantageTFA
IG: https://www.instagram.com/thefootadvantage/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-foot-advantage/about/
As the leader of your business, your ideas, decisions, and actions (based on your knowledge, skills, and beliefs) drive the direction and results of your business. That's why when you stay the same, your business stays the same.
Only when you grow, does your business grow. It's that simple.
In today's Motivational Monday, I share three pillars of CEO self-development and a couple of tips (that I use) to effectively grow as a leader.
The emotional roller coaster is a real thing among us entrepreneurs. One day, you feel like you are on top of the world, rocking it. The next moment, you feel discouraged and defeated. Your mind serves your thoughts such as "Nothing is working," "You should be further ahead", and "Look at them; they are doing so well, and you can't seem to figure it out." Those lows of negative emotions are normal when you grow a business, but the key to success is all in how you handle them. Whether you allow them to pull you down, spin, procrastinate, or get stuck in indecision. or whether you get out of them stronger and ready to go again.
In this episode, I'm teaching you my process of how to get out of the lows and keep going. It's simple, and it works :).
To explore how you can scale your business simply, faster and easier, schedule a free consultation call with me HERE.
You want to grow as a CEO. Or you want to implement a positive change in your business. Or maybe build a new good habit. And then all the reasons show up why it is impossible to do. Your schedule is unpredictable. It seems too hard to figure out the how. The first time you tried, you didn't get the expected results. And so on and so forth.
So now what? What if all this was normal and just excuses your primitive brain is feeding you, trying to avoid the change altogether? Even if the change is good, you want it, and it will create more of what you want.
Listen to today's Motivational Monday to learn how to deal with that.
Here's Jim Rohn's quote: "If you really want to do something, you'll find a way. If you don't, you'll find an excuse."
As the leader of your business, you make it rain. You are responsible for its success. So, when you're bogged down by many tasks and activities that don't contribute to your business growth, you're not fulfilling your core responsibility. Being the CEO.
And I get it; it's easy and normal for entrepreneurs to get consumed by all the to-do's and urgent matters. Especially when you are the only person in your business or have just a little bit of help.
However, this shouldn't be the reason why you stay constantly busy, never having time to focus on important and strategic matters. As they say: "we are our biggest problem, and we are our best solution."
In this episode, I'm sharing with you a simple process of how you can decouple yourself from non-money-making activities. Create time and focus it on making it rain :).
Register HERE for my free upcoming masterclass, Mastering Sustainable Growth: Scaling Your Business with Passion and Balance.
Today is Canadian Thanksgiving holiday. My favourite.
I'm taking this opportunity to invite you to start a gratitude practice.
Research has shown many benefits of having a gratefulness practice.
Less stress, less anxiety, better mood. And even better sleep and immunity.
In summary, the practice of gratitude can improve your mental and physical health.
And when you make it one of your #goodhabits, you get long-term benefits from it as well.
In today’s #motivationalmonday, I'm sharing with you the practice I have had for many years now. It's simple, easy, and doesn’t take that much time.
Thank you for tuning in here every week.
I'm grateful for you listening to this podcast every week 🙏🧡
When entrepreneurs start a business, they bring their former identity and way of thinking into it, such as an employee, academic instructor, or professional working under someone else.
Growing from that identity into a leader CEO of your business is critical for scaling your business and keeping it successful long-term. It encompasses a set of attitudes, perspectives, and approaches that successful CEOs adopt to lead their businesses to growth and prosperity.
This podcast episode outlines the most fundamental (definitely not all) aspects of the PRO CEO mindset.
Register HERE for my free upcoming masterclass, Mastering Sustainable Growth: Scaling Your Business with Passion and Balance.
Being a business owner who's driven, ambitious, and prides themselves in being able to solve problems is a great quality as an entrepreneur. Yet, all qualities have limitations. And one limitation here is that it can be challenging to ask for help.
What if asking for help was a sign of confidence, not weakness?
What if asking for help could make your life easier and help you scale faster and with fewer challenges?
Today's motivational Monday gives you three simple yet highly valuable ways to get help.
To schedule a free 50-mins consultation, click HERE
You feel you're stuck. Your business results have plateaued, and you're still struggling even to repeat what you've done in the past.
Yet, you don't know what's holding you back. You have tried to figure it out on your own. Talked to a bunch of well-meaning people. Everyone offered an opinion, but all those points of view made your situation more confusing. Now you have "more options," which your brain goes back and forth with, hoping to pick the best one. All it does is keep you in the indecision land.
This episode will help you figure out what's really holding you back. Because awareness is priceless. Awareness is the first step to getting unstuck.
So tune in and take time to reflect. And then, if you want to talk more about it, schedule a free consultation with me HERE.
What do I really want? This is the question many business owners don't ask themselves often enough. As the Q4 of 2023 is here and 2024 is coming, I invite you to spend some CEO time to really think about this question once you've heard the full explanation in this bonus episode.
In this episode, I'm interviewing one of my amazing clients - Millie Gormely, a Certified Financial Planner.
Millie and I talk about the very things that occupy the mind of everyone: Value, Time, and Money. We approach our conversation from two perspectives: your personal finances and your business that generates income.
Do I have enough time to secure my financial future?
Or is it too late?
How do I create more money in my business and personal life?
These are questions many of us keep asking ourselves. This interview will offer you a fresh perspective on them and maybe even some answers 😀.
Millie Gormely is a Certified Financial Planner in Ontario, Canada.
Through her financial advice and planning services, she provides clarity, calm & confidence to independent women. You can connect with her on LinkedIn HERE.
Millie also hosts the Money Equals ... podcast on Spotify. You can tune in to it HERE.
In today's Motivational Monday, I'm sharing my secret to getting even things done. Even when my brain wants to procrastinate. Even if this is something I'm doing for the first time and I'm nervous or anxious about it or downright sacred.
This episode is the last of the 3-part series on making your first $50,000 of revenue in your business in 12 months. If you're just discovering this podcast, I invite you to listen to the first two parts first, i.e., EP # 112 and 113.
Following my DREAM-PLAN-DO coaching model, we'll talk about what it takes to make that money without overhwlem. And, in the process, become a highly-performing CEO with a business structure that is ready to scale further.
Today is all about DOING. Implementation and execution. This is where you truly test the strength of your belief, your strategy, and your resourcefulness in making it work. This is where you master the business skills necessary to create the results you want and learn how to manage your negative brain trying to keep you in your comfort zone (which is not where you succeed in entrepreneurship).
Learn how my clients and I implement our strategies, make the execution as simple and easy for ourselves as possible to stay consistent and be effective (so we don't have to overwork). In short, how we reach our goals.
To join the the Diamond Effect small coaching group or work with me 1 on 1, schedule a free consultation first here.
This tip was given to me a couple of years back when I was starting my business, and being introverted, networking was hard for me.
In September, with my clients, we are getting into Back to Business Bootcamp. I wanted to do something similar for you, dear listeners.
Over the next three weeks, I'll help those of you who want to grow their businesses and haven't yet reached $50,000 in income in 12 months.
Following my DREAM-PLAN-DO coaching model, we'll talk about what it takes to make that money without overhwlem. And, in the process, become a highly-performing CEO with a business structure that is ready to scale further.
Today's Episode is all about PLAN. First, have a strategy of how you're going to win in business. How you're going to attract your ideal clients so they can get the best help they want from you over anyone else. And then, from that strategy, derive the actions you'll take to make your first $50,000.
I also share with you the process of how to do it that I use for my business and my clients. Thia process works for any business, no matter how much revenue have you generated so far $10 or a million. Tune in to learn more.
To work with me, book your free consultation HERE first.
Happy Labour Day! September, for me, is like a mini New Year without a big hype. It's a great opportunity to rethink how you run your business and finish the year strong with the improvements that come up from that CEO time.
This is my challenge for you this week. Happy rethinking!
As September starts and with my clients, we are getting into Back to Business Bootcamp. I wanted to do something similar for you, dear listeners.
Over the next three weeks, I'll help those of you who want to grow their businesses and haven't yet reached $50,000 in income in 12 months.
Following my DREAM-PLAN-DO coaching model, we'll talk about what it takes to make that money without overhwlem. And, in the process, become a highly-performing CEO with a business structure that is ready to scale further.
Week 1 is all about entrepreneurial business mindset and the three most important shifts that most of us need to make to be able to grow. Tune in to find out what they are.
To work with me in the Diamond Effect Group or 1 on 1, schedule a free consultation first HERE.
Today’s Motivational Monday is all about core business values.
Do you have them? If so, what are they, and why did you decide on those particular ones?
If you don’t, what’s preventing you from defining them for your business?
Are business strategy and a plan of action the same?
How do I ensure I keep attracting my best clients now and long term?
How do I know when a marketing tactic I decided to test isn't working for me at all?
This episode has answers to these and a few more questions you might be asking yourself regularly.
Click HEREto register for How to Sign Clients Consistently Without Ads or DMs.
Want help creating your own unique business strategy, simple action plan, or implementation? Let's chat.
As the leader and CEO of your business, are you giving it and yourself the best chance of success? In this bonus episode. I'm giving you a strategic thinking challenge on this topic.
In this episode, I am helping you up-level your marketing effectiveness, i.e., converting more of your audience/ followers to paying clients. Without more work or adding a bunch of things to do to your list.
Achieving that will require deep thinking and creativity. It's worth it.
It's double-your-business worth it.
And I'm guiding you exactly how to do it here.
And if you're ready to take it to another level, join me in the upcoming free masterclass on Monday, August 28, 2023, at 2 pm EST. How to Sign Clients Consistently Without Ads or DMs. Secure your spot HERE.
Running a business is all about making strategic decisions ad creating progress forward by taking actions resulting from those decisions. Yet as an entrepreneur, you quickly realize that making those strategic decisions can feel scary. The bigger decision, especially one you've never made before, the scarier it is. Today's Motivational Monday aims to teach you how to make important, yer scary, decisions easier for yourself. Tune in to learn.
Your offer is amazing. You know you can help a lot of people. And yet you don't have enough interest in it. People aren't rushing through the door to get it. Yet.
Or maybe you do have interest, but the conversion from that to paying clients is really low. For now.
You're in the right spot. This episode will help you get more paying clients. Tune in to learn how.
And if you want to deepen this knowledge, especially through organic marketing, register here for my upcoming masterclass, How to Sign Clients Consistently Without Ads or DMs.
This bonus episode is for you if you want to be more visible via video or voice content. But you're holding back because you can't look at yourself on camera or listen to your voice.
I've got you. That used to be me. But not anymore. And now, I help my clients overcome those holdbacks. And today, I'm sharing with you a 3-step simple process that helped me and helps my clients today.
Quite often, our brains underestimate the effort and resources it takes to accomplish the goals we want.
Start a new business.
Create a certain income.
Launch a new offering.
Hire and lead a high-performing team.
There is a lot of advice saying that to solve that, we need to take massive action.
Or 10X our efforts.
Does it mean then that we need to sacrifice other important things for us?
Not for me.
Massive action is the action that's Inspired, Strategic, and Focused.
Action that allows you to accomplish more in less time.
That leaves room for anything else that's equally important to you.
Tune in to this episode to learn more about it and see how it works in practice by hearing my clients' stories and teh results they create.
To work with me, click HERE to schedule a free 50-mins consultation first.
Staying the same in business is not an option. If you stay the same for too long, you become complacent. You miss the changing needs, challenges, and desires of your clients, and with it, they no longer resonate with our offers.
Staying on top of your marketplace is key to running a successful business long-term.
What would your next level look like, then?
The answer to that question is the challenge I offer you this week.
And if you'd like to discuss it and get help on it, schedule a free consultation with me HERE.
Taking vacation, time off away from your business and day-to-day routines, is critical to being a high-performing CEO of your business and life. I love taking a vacation for many reasons. It's part of my life. Me living fully.
In this short episode, I share five ways taking a vacation can help you grow your business.
Hanging the success of your business with one potential client, one collaborator, or one conversation isn't sustainable. It keeps you spinning, attached, and out of your power to grow your business. This bonus episode motivates you to keep moving.
In this podcast episode, I discuss the importance of creating content that sells. You'll learn about the need for a strategy and effective planning to minimize the time spent on content creation. Also that the main purpose of content should be to offer value and help your ideal clients, rather than seeking immediate monetary return.
Inside, you'll find out how this approach builds trust and develops a positive relationship with your audience.
I'm also sharing my own experience of consistently creating valuable content. Plus I'm offering a free consultation to help you apply these principles to your own businesses. Schedule it HERE.
It is critical that you, the leader of your business, understand your numbers. There are two types that are most important: your financial numbers (how you make and spend/ invest money) and operational (how what you do contributes to the money flow).
The more you understand the key ones within those two types and how they relate and interact with each other, the better decisions you can make for your business. The better results you create. And I'm always happy to help you with that :).
Today's episode is short and practical.
You'll learn about the three most common mistakes I see entrepreneurs make when it comes to marketing.
- Talking to and attracting the wrong people.
- Trying to be visible everywhere all at once.
- Outsourcing marketing activities too early.
You'll learn why they happen and also how to avoid them.
To work with me to accelerate the growth of your business (income and profit) and reduce overwhelm, schedule a free consultation HERE.
I'm all about taking a vacation. Look out for the full episode 107 of the Diamond Effect podcast to learn about 5 Ways Taking Vacation helps You Grow Your Business.
But unless you're off the whole two months, you'll work in your business over the summer months. How do you stay motivated when the sun, beach, forest, or mountains are calling you every day?
Today's Motivational Monday has some tips that will help you with it :).
Happy Monday!
Creativity is often associated with the arts. Yet I think, as humans, we are innately creative in many different ways. One of them is business. Business is creative. Innovation and problem-solving happen thanks to creativity.
To celebrate the 2nd anniversary of the Diamond Effect podcast, I have invited two of my clients with two very different businesses to talk about creativity.
Tune in and listen to the golden nuggets of wisdom Paola di Fonzo, owner of BallooniqueTO, and Stefanie Carroll, owner of EXCELerate Solutions, share about how creativity helps them grow their businesses and serve their clients at the highest level.
To connect with Poala, visit her website and follow her on IG:
www.balloonique.ca
Instagram: @ballooniqueto
To connect with Stefanie, visit her website and follow her on LinkedIn:
https://www.excelerates.ca/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/stefanie-carroll/
Growing a successful business is not that much of a different process from creating a song. There is a singer-songwriter, the creator of the core idea, and there is a producer, someone with different experience and perspectives to add depth to that creation, new ideas, and insights. And with the collaborative process of those parties, the result is a hit. That's how my clients double their monthly income, quit their 9-5's sooner, or have the best months/ years ever, no matter how long they've run their business.
If you want to try on a different perspective, I offer free 5-mins consultations.
Click HERE to schedule one today.
There are three key components of long-term success in business and entrepreneurship. One complements the other. When you have only one or two, building and growing a business takes longer, and it's more laborious. When you have all three serving you, you grow faster and with less challenge along the way.
CEO Mindset.
Business strategy.
Implementation (and, with it, skills mastery).
Tune in to this episode to learn more about how those components interact with each other. How to develop skills that won't have you trying to learn something you don't need or can't implement. And rather progressively build upon each other for compounded results.
Ready to scale your business? Explore what would it look like with my help.
Schedule a free consultation with meHERE.
"Part of courage is simple consistency." – Peggy Noonan.
I am very consistent. This podcast is proof if that's the only way you know me :).
Consistency is not something that we are born with or not. If I can do it, you can too. It's something we develop for things that are important to us.
Once you do it a few times, consistency becomes a part of your identity.
Once you think of yourself as a consistent person, it becomes much easier to add new good habits to your life that serve you.
In this episode, I'm giving you my recipe for being consistent. Ten principles I dissected out of the process of me intentionally adding any new good habit into my life.
To work with me, schedule a free 50-minute consultation HERE.
Indecision. Taking a very long time to make decisions. Changing your decisions as soon as someone has a different opinion on it. Those are just some symptoms of business owners not owning their decisions. This creates problems such as slower growth, confused clients and/or team members, and wasted time, energy, and money. It also chips away at your confidence.
In today's episode, I share with you the solution that will allow you confidently follow through with your decisions, create more momentum in your business and bring more joy into running it as well.
And to secure your spot in the 3 Radical Shifts for Serious Business Results free challenge (Jun 19-21, 2023), click HERE.
"If you commit to nothing - you'll be distracted by everything." This bonus episode has an answer to how to stay focused, not overwork, and still achieve the goals you set in your business.
To celebrate a milestone - 100 full episodes of the podcast I have invited two of my clients from the Diamond Effect small coaching program.
Gina Havranek, Virtual Assitant and the owner of Elevate Virtual Solutions, and health and wellness consultant Diana Chiru share their entrepreneurship journeys and growth as leaders of their businesses. We talk about the self-awareness that is required to run a successful business, the need for discipline, stepping out of comfort zones, and the importance of humility. We also discuss the challenges they faced in their businesses and how they overcame them.
It's an Episode you don't want to miss.
Connect more with Gina through her website: https://elevatevs.com/ and IG profile @yournewva
Connect more with Diana through her valuable FB Group - Make Self-Care a Daily Habit
Branding is far more than just a pretty logo, fonts, or colors. They are just a very small part of a visual representation of your brand and should actually be the last thing you ever worry or think about, not the first. Today's Motivational Monday will help you figure out what's the first thing to consider.
One of the major mistakes I see entrepreneurs make is not having a strategy for their business growth. This costs them signing fewer clients, having to work with non-ideal clients, additional unnecessary fires they need to put down, more work and overwhelm, less money (from lost opportunities and wasted energy, time, and money), and ultimately less joy in running their businesses.
If you are a business owner with no growth strategy, this episode is for you. Tune in to learn what a strategy really is and why it is important.
Plus, I invite you to join me in the upcoming free challenge, 3 Radical Shifts for Serious Business Results, June 19-21 at 3 pm EST. Register HERE.
I talk about high performance a lot because I'm passionate about helping my clients become high-performing CEOs. However, I realized recently that I don't talk enough about what I mean by high performance. In a nutshell, it's when you think at your best, feel at your best, and take the best action. In this episode, I dive deeper into this topic. I talk about each of the three areas to show you how your high-performance will drive the growth of your business.
We live in a world where being busy almost means "I'm important." Because of it, "I'm busy" became a favorite, widely accepted go-to reason to explain we didn't do what we planned or committed to do.
But what would happen if you couldn't use "I'm busy" anymore as such an excuse? What benefits could it actually create in the day-to-day of running your business? In this Motivational Monday, I'm challenging you to try this for a week - not to say, "I'm busy" as an excuse.
It's easier to honor bigger commitments that we have made to others and that carry some sort of penalty if canceled or missed.
It's a whole other ball game to honor commitments we have made to ourselves. Or smaller commitments to people we don't have strong relationships with, and missing them doesn't carry any form of penalty.
And yet, those smaller commitments are the most important. Because they are the ones that build our leadership self-concept. Our self-confidence and self-trust. From there, we build consistency, discipline, and high performance.
In this episode, I share five main reasons I see business owner miss their small commitments. Plus, simple steps of how to become a leader who does what they say they will do and when they say they'd do it. No matter the commitment size or to whom it was made.
Good habits are a key part of high-performance. We are habitual creatures :). To operate at your best in your business is much easier and simpler with good habits supporting you.
Starting a habit is easy. Continuing it to the point it becomes a part of who we are, and we can progressively build on it, up-leveling the way we operate; it's a skill in itself. Listen in to find out what are the two most important factors in successful habit building.
The primitive part of our brain likes things "easy." It doesn't like anything hard because that means exerting more energy and, more often than not, dealing with the discomfort that goes with it. So it lets us believe that if things don't come easy, then there is something wrong, and we shouldn't be pursuing them.
Yet, creating the best results for us in business and life can feel hard. Raising small children is hard and the most fulfilling at teh same time. Getting a business off the ground successfully can feel hard as well. And there is nothing wrong with that. It doesn't take away the fun, pride, and fulfillment you can feel during this journey.
In this episode, I want to normalize " the hard," encourage you to embrace it, and at the same time give you some tools that will make hard feel good :).
Ready to take your business to the next level? Explore how you an do it more simply and without overwhelm by scheduling a free 50-minute consultation with me HERE.
Our primitive brains love to operate in extremes. Either I beat myself to exhaustion to achieve my goal or feel sorry for myself and don't do anything. But extremes never serve us. The happy middle does. That's what giving yourself grace is all about. Accepting you are human and not letting yourself off the hook at the same time.
This episode is the extension of Motivational Monday 94.
As the leader of your business, you're responsible for making money decisions.
What to invest and how so that your business keeps growing. What to pay yourself and how to spend that money. How much income you want to make (how many people you want to help) this year, the next, and in 3 years.
Being in charge of your money allows you to create a successful business and live the life you want. Yet you cannot manage what you're scared of, don't understand, and don't track.
In this podcast, I'm talking about three main things every business owner should have in place in order to be in charge of their money.
Being a high-performing CEO if your business means you can think, feel, and operate at your best. That cannot happen if you're tired, exhausted, or burnt out. Rest and recharge are critical to scaling your business sustainably and creating balance in your life. Daily. Weekly and through planned longer time off.
This episode is inspired by an entrepreneur asking me this question "Maggie, how do you know when the fear you feel and actions you avoid as a result is self-sabotage and when it is a valid self-protection mechanism?"
Not only do I answer it, but also I'm showing you how to use my Dream-Plan-Do coaching model to develop the skill of knowing for yourself.
Ready to take your business to the next level simpler, faster, and without overwhelm? Explore how coaching with me can help you. Schedule a free consultation call with me HERE.
As the CEO of your business, your main responsibility is to understand and strategically allocate your business finances. Yes, you have your accountant, bookkeeper, or CFO as experts to help you with that, but in the end, the decisions are yours, and you'll experience the consequences of those decisions. You can't manage what you don't track or understand.
I love networking and meeting amazing business owners and other coaches.
Wade Thomas, a fellow business coach, and I met through networking and decided to do this collaborative podcast interview together. We review strategies and tools business owners can use to exceed their business goals and evolve into high-performing CEOs.
It's a great conversation about the potential small businesses hold and how they can fulfill it more simpler and faster. Of course, as a coach, I believe that every entrepreneur should have a business coach, just like every athlete has one.
Connect with Wade Thomas on his LinkedIn HERE
AimtoWin website
AimToWin Podcast HERE
Wade Thomas - Instagram HERE
Connect with me on Instagram HERE, LinkedIn HERE, or website HERE.
Last week we spoke about spring cleaning your business by eliminating tasks that shouldn't;t be done at all. Today's motivational Monday is all about cleaning your mind out of thinking that doesn't serve you, i.e., doesn't move you any closer to creating the results you want in your business.
Learn the five stages of business growth. These are different from your typical business textbook ones. These are the five stages of your growth as a business leader. Because only after you grow will your business follow.
You'll also learn why the progression from stage to stage is important and what happens when you don't progress.
To expand on this topic and learn major traps in each stage that you want to avoid, as well as five essentials to sustainable scaling, join me in the free upcoming masterclass How to Scale Without Overwork or Overwhelm on April 18th at 1 pm EST.
RegisterHERE.
Creating CEO time for you every week is the first key essential to scaling your business sustainably. What is it exactly, why is it important, and how do you go about it - these are the questions I answer in this episode.
And if you're listening to it before April 18, 2023 - then secure your spot now HERE for a free masterclass on How to Scale Without Overwork or Overwhelm.
It's an online 90-minute LIVE event starting at 1 pm EST.
In this bonus, I'm asking you a very important question. You want to know the answer to it for yourself as a business owner. Tune it and take a few minutes this week to reflect on it.
Growing a business can feel overwhelming at times, or sometimes even more :). There are always more things to do than time to do them.
It's not about doing them all. It's about doing the most impactful things. Ones that will create the most growth fastest and simplest.
In this episode, I share a 3-step process I follow to help my clients keep scaling while working less, being less stressed, and feeling more in control of their results.
And if you're ready to implement it successfully with step-by-step support from me, let's have a conversation about how it would look like. Pick a time and date that works for you HERE.
Some business owners start a business because they cannot imagine having a boss or they had a bad boss experience in the past. From my experience, bad bosses, for the most part, aren't bad people. They just lack people leadership skills.
As you scale your business and start hiring help, don't become a boss you yourself wanted to avoid. Today I'm talking about 3 key essentials that get you started on the journey of becoming a great people leader.
All-or-nothing thinking is keeping your mind in the extremes. Extremes have very limited solutions; that's why when you're there, you feel stuck. It's hard to make decisions; move forward.
Learning how to stay in a balanced middle opens up a world of solutions, options, and ways to keep growing your business.
In this episode, I share several helpful tips on how to avoid all-or-nothing thinking and adopt a more balanced approach toward decision-making and problem-solving in your business.
Are you stuck in a catch-22 situation where you want to keep growing your business but can't possibly work more? As is, you're already at your limits spending all the time servicing clients and tending to urgent day-to-day matters.
Today's Motivational Monday lists five things every business owner should consider for balanced and sustainable scaling.
Every business is built on relationships. Relationships with your current clients, employees, contractors, and audience include potential clients, employees, and contractors. Those relationships are built through communication. When communication is effective, your business grows: clients buy from you, employees stay and are engaged, and contractors do their best work for you as well. When communication is weak and lacking, those relationships suffer, and issues arise and are hard to resolve as well.
In this episode, I talk about the five most common communication mistakes made in business and give you tips on how to avoid them.
Ready to take your business to the next level? Let's talk about how you can do that in the simplest and fastest way. Schedule a free consultation with me HERE.
A lot of energy and time gets wasted when you "should" yourself. Shoulds are really just unmade decisions. Today's Motivational Monday offers tips on how to stop "should-ing" yourself so that you can utilize saved time and energy towards creating meaningful progress in your business.
With International Women's Week, this Episode is celebrating women. I share some fun statistics about female entrepreneurship worldwide and why women start businesses. You'll also hear some fun facts about IWD celebrations back when the communist regime was a thing in my home country. And I celebrate the two most important women in my life.
If you're spending 80-90% of your time tending to busy urgent matters, you're doing it wrong. Urgent-anything should not constitute more than max. 15% of your time.
80% you should be spending on important non-urgent CEO matters that move your business forward, create accelerated growth and ensure your business can absorb it without putting a strain on anyone. If you're not there, this is the episode to listen to.
Ready to accelerate your growth while working and stressing less? Let's talk. I offer free 50-minute consultations. Schedule one HERE now.
Today's bonus offers three quick tips on how to ensure that the relationships you create with your clients are successfull from beginning to end. Creating win-win with every client you serve throughout their journey with you will ensure you also create fans that will rave about your business to anyone they meet.
The fastest and most sustainable way to grow your business is when you make strategic decisions with short-term results and long-term growth in mind simultaneously. When you can balance both perspectives, the action you take create the best results. In this episode I'm explaining how this can be done and what happens when you only focus on short-term growth.
Ready to scale your business without overwhlem. Work with me. The first step is to schedule a free consultation HERE.
Making decisions under pressure is more difficult, even for professionals. Pressure creates rushing, skipping the usual train of thoughts, and can lead to judgment errors.
In Today's bonus episode I'm sharing a story of a professional extreme snowboarder with tips on giving yourself a better chance of making the right decision even under pressure.
As a small business owner, you are the most important asset of your business. Without you, your ideas, and your work, there is no business.
Are you taking care of this asset appropriately?
In this episode, I talk about the five keys to protecting yourself as an asset in your business. And no insurance, although an important part of the protection, is not one of those five.
Ready to scale your business and become a high-performing CEO in the process? Schedule a free consultation with me here.
The clearer you are on the value you offer to your clients, the easier it is for you to explain it to them. The more value your clients get for the price they pay, the happier they are and the more they recommend you.
Intentional Marketing Strategy is a concept I teach my clients in the Diamond Effect small coaching group to help them make their first $50,000/ year. Today I want to share with you some of its golden nuggets. Such as:
- what happens when you don't have any strategy to grow your business;
- 3 critical foundations to anchor your decisions when you create a strategy
- what results you'll get when you have one
Also, I'll teach you a 5-step process of implementing the strategy once you have it during a LIVE FREE webinar I'm running on Thursday, February 16th at 1 pm EST - Grow Your Business Organically - A Proven Blueprint. Secure your spot HERE.
Ready to finally make your first $50,000 or scale beyond? I can help. To work with me, hop on a free consultation first to see if we're a good fit. Schedule it here.
The entrepreneurial emotional roller coaster is real. Business owners feel negative emotions regularly. Business success often requires the willingness to feel fear and other accompanying feelings while doing what's right for growth. So how do you distinguish when the fear warns you not to take on something wrong for your business and when it's a self-sabotaging mechanism? This Motivational Monday explains the difference.
In this episode, you'll get super clear on what organic marketing really is and why it is an important part of building a successful business. Plus, you'll learn why you should master organic marketing before focusing on paid advertising.
Register HERE for free training on Feb 16th, 2023, at 1 pm EST - Grow Your Business Organically - A Proven Blueprint.
Work with me to scale your business simpler and faster without overwhelm. Start by scheduling a free consultation HERE.
I help my clients become highly performing CEO's of their businesses. Part of it is establishing some good daily habits and routines that help them be super effective with time, have better ideas and solutions to their business problems and handle unexpected situations sharply and calmly.
Sometimes they ask me what they should do with their routines when they travel for business or vacation or their life circumstances change. This bonus episode answers this question.
Being a high-performing CEO means you become an initiator of change in your business. Whether you want to improve service delivery, raise the prices, add a new offer, expand your marketing, hire help, or add new technology. All of it is change.
In this episode, I share the psychology behind any change and some powerful tips on how to love change, be in charge of it, and have it work for you and your business.
Scale your business with me without overwhelm. Schedule a free 50-minute consultation with me HERE.
"Don't wish it was easier, wish you were better" - Jim Rohn
As you grow your business, you'll encounter challenges along the way. Your success is directly proportional to your capacity to handle challenges. Today learn how you can embrace failure.
Do you know why the clients you have chosen to work with you? Are their reasons what you want them to be?
What if you had a business full of wonderful clients who chose to hire you for the exact reasons you wanted? The value and quality you offer, your communication, and others. In this episode, I share a simple 3-step process to get there.
To work with me, schedule a free consultation here.
We often think of habits as only actions - behaviors. But those actions start in our minds, with thoughts and decisions that lead to action. So the ways we think and make decisions are also habits.
How do you handle setbacks and negative situations in your business? This is a question I was asked during one of my webinars. I thought it would be a great topic for the podcast, so here we go. In this episode, I share with you a simple 3-step process on how to do that.
Ready to take your business to the next level, simpler and faster? Work with me. The First step, schedule a free consultation call here.
Radical responsibility, or taking 100% responsibility for your actions and reactions, is the #1 leadership skill and the # 1 drive of success in business. Start practicing it this week with today's Motivational Monday.
Happy New Year! With the first episode of 2023, I want to help you make this year count. Running a successful business is hard work. Hard work that is fun, purposeful, and feels meaningful. Hard work is not being busy all the time.
Hard work is different than hustle. In this episode, I talk about the main differences between those two concepts and also offer you five tips on how to create your 2023 success through purposeful work.
To work with me, schedule a free consultation HERE.
When you're a high-achiever like me and go all in on your goals, have fun in the process as well. Even with the parts of your business that you tend not to enjoy.
Many business owners don't know how to set and achieve goals. They set them too low, don't set them at all, or so high that they shut down or have an unhealthy relationship with them. In this episode, I want to challenge the way you think about goals, teach you how to set them, and how to have a healthy relationship with them so that you grow your business.
If you haven't set the goals for the New Year yet, do it with the help of Design Your Success 2023 free training. Access it HERETo work with me, first, schedule a free consultation HERE.
Stop should-ing yourself in 2023. Decide instead. Decisions are "wants."
That's what confident CEOs do. They decide and then implement their decisions. They save time and energy. This way, they grow businesses with balance and no overwhelm.
With this episode, I want to inspire you to celebrate. Small and big things. Everything. I wasn't the person who'd do that in the past. I had a hard time celebrating my accomplishments. I was raised in a mindset that they were just expected. This is what you strive for. That there is nothing to be proud of as otherwise, you come across as arrogant and boasting. I've unlearned this unhelpful pattern, and now I want to show you that when you celebrate your accomplishments, it can inspire others.
Let's take the wisdom we all have access to during Holidays and let it guide us for the rest of the year for more impact.
Success means different things for different people and it could mean different things in your business at each stage of each growth.
Yet, there are certain prerequisites to achieving it.
And this is what I'm talking about in this episode by sharing with you 10 success secrets form my best clients who achieve the best results, the fastest.
Grow your business by growing yourself with me. Schedule a free 50-mins consultation with me here.
Don't let your mind discount your wins and progress. Celebrate even the smallest things. Happy Monday!
As your business' main shareholder, you're expecting your business to generate profit and pay you some handsome dividends. The person responsible for the profit of any company is its top leader – the CEO. In your business case, you're the CEO.
When you look at the most profitable companies in the world, they always want to attract the most skilled CEOs they can get. For the reasons above.
Wouldn’t you want to become the most skilled CEO your business can attract for the same reasons? Today's episode teaches you how to achieve your full potential and become a PRO-CEO.
To work with me schedule a free consultation here: https://calendly.com/maggie-s2l/discovery-call
Are you thinking like an employee of your business or as its owner, the leader? In today's Motivational Monday, I'm talking about the thoughts many small business owners have that limit their growth. Find out what they are and how to deal with them by listening to this bonus.
Are you as intentional in your business as you'd like to be? Do you feel in full control of your results or attribute? Are you super clear on how what you do creates the results you have? This episode can help you create awareness about where you might not be fully intentional in your business.
Join me in Design Your Success 2023 challenge - Dec 5-9th at 3 pm EST. Register HERE.
To make the best choices possible for your business success in 2023, join me in the Design Your Success challenge starting next week. It's a free event. Register HERE.
There is a lot of talk about the recession in the media lately. Whether it's coming or not, your business can still keep growing.
Because ups and downs in the economy are normal. They always happen.
This cycle doesn't mean that your business has to suffer. Today I'm giving you powerful tips on how you can take control and thrive in any economy.
To register for Design Your Success 2023 free challenge - click here.
To start recession-proofing your business now by investing in your own CEO growth, schedule a free consultation with me here.
This bonus episode talks about three fundamentals of strong and effective relationships.
The Universe helps achieve big goals for those who are fully committed. Working hard doesn't mean hustling or bringing yourself to the point of overwhelm or burn-out. This episode reveals a powerful practice that all successful CEOs do, allowing them to create leaps and bounds of progress without working more. The practice is so simple that you can implement it today.
To register for Design Your Success 2023 free challenge - click here.
To start a conversation on how coaching can help you fast-track your business success - set up a date and time here.
Running a business is never a streak of good luck all the time for everyone. It's like life. Each business has its ebbs and flows. What to do when turbulence happens. Today I'm sharing three powerful tips that will direct you on the best path and inward, i.e., using your CEO wisdom.
If you put all your marketing activities from this year in a book, what story would they tell? In this episode, I'm asking you many powerful questions about your marketing. I invite you to take the CEO's strategic time to answer them for yourself. Your answers might turn out to be eye-opening.
Ready to take your business to the next level by becoming a high-performing leader? Schedule a free consultation with me here and find out what's your true potential.
When your clients trust you, they also trust your solutions will work for them. How do you build trust? Today's Motivational Monday reveals the best way to do it.
Clients like Glory Lichon are why I do what I do. She's passionate about helping others. She has a bold vision of the impact she wants to do in the lives of children and families with her genius zone.
Glory's story is inspiring. From a humble beginning, a Navy veteran and single mom working as a therapist at school to an entrepreneur with a mission to improve children's lives. This is an episode you don't want to miss.
You can find Glory and her company GlowBright Therapy here:
https://www.glowbrighttherapy.com/
Follow her on IG https://www.instagram.com/glowbright_therapy/
And if you are a parent of a baby or a toddler and want to ensure your child develops well, check out the information and tips here https://www.instagram.com/talking_toddler/
What to do when you are scared to go after that big thing you know is right for your business, yet you find yourself holding back.
What are myths? False beliefs we have about something. Why it's worth debunking them? Because often, they're holding us back. Especially when they're the ones deciding whether you feel confident in business or not. In this episode, I talk about the 5 main false beliefs many people have about confidence. Just this knowledge will allow you to move forward.
Ad if you want to take your confidence to the next level - register HERE for a free webinar Grow Your Confidence - Grow Your Business.
What we think is obvious and taken for granted in basketball sometimes escapes entrepreneurs about business. And yet these two games are similar when you want to play them professionally. The journey to winning is all about skills, strategy, and lots of practice.
Growing a business is not a perfect path of elation and happiness 100% of the time. Sometimes it feels hard. And when it does, doubt creeps into our minds.
"Am I doing this right?", "I must be missing something.", "Clearly, others know something important I don't know that's why they are having all the success I want and can't create." Listen to this episode if you have those thoughts from time to time. It will help, I promise :)
Click here to secure your spot in the Grow Your Confidence - Grow Your Business webinar.
Schedule a free consultation with me HERE to start fast-tracking your business growth while working and stressing out less.
Knowing what to do and doing it are two different things. And doing it long enough to create lasting positive change is another thing altogether. This bonus covers how to create lasting improvements for yourself.
Ready to take your business to the next level while becoming a calm and high-performing leader? Schedule a free consultation with me here to discuss what it would look like for you.
When you hear the word engagement, what is the first picture that comes to your mind? Social media engagement? Or maybe you don't even think about engagement as a business owner, and you associate that word with the corporate employees' problem. In this episode, I want to challenge you to think about engagement from a different perspective. So tune in and explore the concept of engagement in your own business and how it relates to the results you create.
Click here to secure your spot in the Grow Your Confidence - Grow Your Business webinar.
Schedule a free consultation with me HERE to start fast-tracking your business growth while working and stressing out less.
Super thinking happens when you develop innovative ideas for your business and make decisions from the belief that you can achieve your goals while having your long-term Vision in mind. In Today's bonus episode, I share a powerful and easy way to access your super thinking.
Check out the Dream-Plan-Do journal here.
Your business cannot outgrow your mind. It's the outcome of your thinking. That's why running a business is the best way to grow as a leader. Now there are some traps on that journey, for example, comparing yourself to others and feeling inadequate as a result. This episode talks about those traps and offers tips on how to grow in a better way.
Ready to work me? Schedule a free consultation HERE.
Setting boundaries is hard for many business owners. And yet it's a skill without which it's easy to get overwhelmed, stuck, and even resentful. Where do you start when you consider yourself a "people pleaser" and saying no feels like you're going to die?
Watch today's Motivational Monday to find out.
Listen to the story of one of my Diamond Effect clients Gina who left her 9-5 at the beginning of 2022. In this interview, Gina talks about making the first decision to leave her job, then changing her mind, and then coming back to deciding to focus full-time on her business. Gina also shares her experience of being a newer full-time business owner. My guest will tell you all about the ups and downs of her transformation.
To connect with Gina, go to:
https://elevatevs.com/
or follow her on IG @yournewva
Some of us feel conflicted about being grateful for what to have and, at the same time, wanting more. These two don't exclude each other, in fact, they complement each other - today's Motivational Monday explains how.
This episode covers the 3 most important mindset shifts you'll need to make when moving from being an employee to becoming an entrepreneur. And I also talk about 3 things you can take with you from the 9-5 world. There's no need to throw a baby out with the bath water :).
To work with me, schedule a free consultation here.
So many things and scenarios come through the mind of someone who is considering leaving a successful corporate career for entrepreneurship. A lot of it is scary at first.
I have been there and am helping some of my clients to go through this journey successfully as well. That's why I created this podcast series. Here's the next episode talking about the most important things to consider when planning to make a move.
Unless you hate your job and can't stand it any longer, deciding to leave a 9-5 to focus on building your business can be scary. Your mind starts asking all these questions the moment you entertain teh idea: you have a steady paycheck, benefits, stability ... What if you fail? What if no one wants to buy what you offer? What if you cannot create a consistent income? In September, I explore my own transition from a successful corporate leadership career to running my business full time in the hope of helping you make your own decisions.
There's a difference between working hard and hustling.
Today's Motivational Monday will explain what it is and how you can replace hustle with only hard and strategic work.
I'm sure you've heard some business owners say "I'm building a business I don't need a vacation from" while trying to explain why they don't take a real disconnected vacation.
It's not about taking a vacation from your business. If you love what you do, you'll be happy to come back to it.
It's about not using this phrase as cover for workaholism, not being able to strategically plan your time off or having control issues, and thinking your business cannot be OK without you in it for 10 days or so.
High-performing modern business owners take real time off because they know that ultimately this tremendously benefits their business. How? Listen to this episode to find out.
Why is filling your cup so important in creating the best results in your business. And how to do it.
Here is the common question I get: how do I offer value in my marketing and attract my ideal clients without giving away too much? This episode will clear this up for you once and for all.
Summer is almost over. How do you want to finish the year? Let's get back to business together in this bonus episode to finish strong.
You can set up your business in a way that will allow it to grow faster and without unnecessary challenges. And in this episode, you'll learn what that is.
Because you'll have enough problems to solve (that's what business is all about) as it is so why not avoid the avoidable ones?
Book your seat for 5 Days to Fabulous in the Forrest Virtual Summit here.
To work with me, schedule a free consultation here.
Weekly planning is one of my secrets to high effectiveness and productivity. Even my clients can't believe how much more they accomplish, how much calmer and more creative they feel when they learn this skill. All it needs is a chance from you to try it. That's why this episode busts three of most comment myths I encounter about this habit.
People love productivity tips, hacks, and tools. All the buzz and a plethora of advice out there created many misconceptions about time management and productivity.
In this episode, I'll help you establish a strong foundation of what you need to be highly productive while being able to utilize the hacks and tools to your benefit.
And if you want to work with me and benefit from Back to Business Bootcamp in September, don't wait to schedule a free consult here.
Good habits help us become successful easier. The results we want to create are more predictable because we take consistent action with good habits.
There are two keys to establishing and keeping consistent habits. Find out what they are in today's Motivational Monday.
And if you're up to taking Creating One Good Habit for Good Challenge - check it out here.
You might find yourself working heads down hard in your business, serving your clients, issuing invoices, and waiting to see how much money you make at the end of each month.
Wait and see approach is not what I teach my clients. It's much more fun to feel in control of your income. Listen to this episode to learn how.
Schedule a free consult HERE to work with me and grow your business by becoming a high-performing CEO.
Social media burnout out happens to people, but it doesn't have to happen to you. Listen to learn how to avoid it.
Are you the one who doesn't officially set goals and timelines for your business?
Or the one who does but then you beat yourself up if you do not meet them?
This podcast is for you :).
Goals and timelines are here to serve you and help you grow faster. See how it's true for you in this episode.
To work with me - click HERE.
This week it's week 55 of Diamond Effect Podcast, which made me realize my podcast is ONE year old!
Thank you to all who have been supporting me and the podcast over the past year. I love creating it and have many reasons for it. Today's bonus episode is with reflecting on :).
Many business owners have a love and hate relationship with social media. Sometimes, it comes from overwhelm because of many choices, intimidating "best practices," and comparisons to others. The goal of this episode is to make social media marketing as simple as possible, and permit you to just do what you decide (no matter what experts say) while staying on top of mind for your clients and enjoying the process.
Ready to grow your business strategically and without overhwlem? I can help.
Schedule a free consultation with me here to talk about the how.
Belief is the start to creating any results you want. From belief comes desire.
From desire, your mind will show you how to get what you want. Happy Monday!
It's never too early or too late to start working on your business rather than just in it. Sometimes new business owners feel like being the CEO is only reserved for those who lead medium or large companies. Nope.
Even as a solopreneur, the sooner you embrace investing time in strategic thinking and planning, the faster and easier your business will grow. This episode will tell you how to do it.
And if you're ready to create your CEO support system and want to explore working with me, schedule a free consult here.
If your business had to run without you for a week or two, can it? What if you lost power and/or connectivity for a few days? How can you ensure the continuity of your business?
Most humans experience some degree of procrastination. I'd even argue that all of us do at some point. But, did you know that developing an ability to beat it when it doesn't serve you is a high-performance habit? Learn how to do that in 3 simple steps in this episode.
As high-performer taking care of your mind is an integral part of overall self-care. Without your mind operating at the highest level, you won't be able to create innovative solutions for your business challenges and come up with new ideas to keep your competitive advantage.
Just like a car needs regular maintenance, your mind needs it too.
In this episode, I cover my concept - mindset maintenance.
Click HERE to purchase the DREAM-PLAN-DO journal
Click HERE to access Create One Habit for Good video playlist.
Life is too short not to live it fully and enjoy as much of it as humanly possibly. Being able to fully enjoy life requires building a self-concept that is not solely attached to you being a business owner and gaining a certain $ amount in income.
There are things that we think we should do (and often don't want to do) and things that we do want to do but for some reason don't.
What's the difference and how to handle them? Listen to today's Motivational Monday.
The more valuable your offer is to your ideal clients, the more likely they are going to purchase it. And you won't have to compete on price.
How to make your offers more valuable? Listen to this episode to find out.
And if you're ready to look at your offers more closely and improve them through the lens of Leading with Value, I invite you to attend Income Accelerator Challenge. It's a free 3-day virtual event running from June 20-22, 2022 at 1 pm EST. We have a seat for you, secure it here.
Having a business that serves only your Ideal Clients is a dream worth striving for. If you were to describe them not in terms of demographics but of how they interact with you and your business, who is your Ideal Client? Listen to this episode to gain a new perspective on Ideal Clients.
And if you want to learn even more and get clearer on who that is for you, join our free 3-day event. Income Accelerator Challenge will run June 20-22, 2022 at 1 pm EST. Register HERE to attend virtually.
Whatever roles we assume in our lives (business owner, partner, parent, friend, volunteer, etc.), there is one all-encompassing one. One that is not in conflict with the others. Quite the opposite. One that makes the others just part of who we are as human beings.
Growing your CEO mindset is like building a house. First, you set the foundation. Then you can build the frame. The fun stuff (decor) comes at the very end. It's partially a sequential process, where some steps cannot happen ahead of the others.
In this episode, I offer you the sequence to building your business CEO mindset. The mindset that will lead you to achieve your goals.
And if you want to dive even deeper into it, register HEREfor a 3-day Income Accelerator Challenge. This free event will run June 20-22, 2022 @ 1 pm EST.
Many clients I work with have never had a coach before and aren't sure what to expect when they invest in themselves this way.
This episode is for everyone who wants to maximize their investment while working with any coach.
“Don’t forget - no one else sees the world the way you do, so no one else can tell the stories that you have to tell” - Charles de Lint
Telling stories requires being vulnerable and through it you grow, your business and your clients.
No business can scale without hiring great people. As you grow your business, you can prepare yourself for that moment. Prepare strategically without wasting time learning skills that won't serve you for years to come. In this episode, I'll walk you through 5 things you can focus on to gradually prepare.
As the weather is getting warmer, we start thinking of time off, vacation, and quality time with our loved ones.
Rather than getting completely distracted by it in your business, use it to refocus on the most important things. Meet or exceed your business goals for the next couple of months so that when off you can be fully present, disconnected, and enjoy yourself.
In this episode, I'm sharing how to get to the point in your business where you can exactly predict the results your actions create.
For example, how to get to certainty in creating X amount $$$ in income every month rather than feel this was a "one-off luck". This is what being a pro means.
If you're ready to work with me and take your business to the next level, schedule a free consultation here.
There is a difference between failing from actions that were taken from lack of belief and/or fear vs. failing from actions taken from confidence and full belief in your ability to create a successful business.
I want to offer you an option to fail strategically. A way that leads to mastery and compounded success. Learn what this looks like in this episode.
To learn more about how to build your confidence as the CEO of your business, REGISTER HERE for the Growing Your Business Income thru Confidencewebinar
How do you know you 100% believe in yourself and your business?
It shows you up in your actions.
In this episode I'm sharing three real-life examples of deep down to the core belief - what it is and what it isn't to inspire you to focus on building that for yourself.
And if you want to start building it with my help, I invite you to join me in the upcoming free webinar - Growing Your Business Income thru Confidence by registering HERE.
Do you have core values established in your business?
If yes, how do they tie back to your clients’ experience?
If not, what’s preventing you from deciding on them?
Do you get stuck in analysis paralysis?
Sometimes to the point where you're unable to make an important decision for your business ... no matter how much you try to make yourself do it?
This episode will take you deeper into understanding the reasons for analysis paralysis. I'm also offering a simple solution on what to do to get out of it.
And I'm inviting you to join me in the newest webinar Growing Your Business Income thru Confidence. It's a 90-mins masterclass where you'll learn how to grow income by becoming a confident leader of your business.
REGISTER HERE for the date that works best for you - May 10th, 11th, or 12th @ 11 am EST are your options
Is there a decision you know will be good for your business but somehow you keep postponing it?
In this bonus episode, I’m helping you to move forward with it.
When growing your business hard work is inevitable. But hard doesn't need to mean draining or leading to burnout. It might mean overcoming all sorts of fears that your mind presents at each stage of your journey. It might also mean pushing yourself outside of your comfort zone. which is uncomfortable.
In this episode, I talk about these aspects of growing a thriving business because no matter where you are on your journey, they are there with you.
Ready to uplevel yourself and grow your business? Work with me. Click here to schedule a consult.
You are a leader. A leader of yourself. A leader of your business.
The more you lead yourself to your highest-level thinking, the longer you can stay there.
The longer you stay there, the more and the faster you’ll create of what you want.
There is marketing advice out there that promotes marketing to your client by appealing to human "negative tendencies" by focusing on urgency or fear of missing out.
Even though such strategies can work, they might not be as effective as you may think.
In this episode, I share why that is the case and how can you market your offer more effectively instead.
Not registered yet for the upcoming FREE training? Join HERE for the 90-mins webinar: How to Sign Clients Consistently Without Ads or DMs. April 12, 13, or 14th at 11 am EST.
Business is fun.
Sometimes we forget. We place high expectations on ourselves and our business to make money, provide for the family, pay bills, etc.
And thru that, we forget that #businessisfun
I teach my clients to build their businesses focused on creating value for their ideal clients every step of the way. Throughout their entire customer journey. Because it is easy to get caught up in just going through the motions of running a business and doing "the things" or focused on avoiding issues with not-best clients.
Lead with Value is a concept I created and in this episode, I'm sharing a couple of ways and examples of how can you use it to grow your business.
Register HERE for the upcoming FREE 90-mins webinar How to Sign Clients Consistently Without Ads or DMswhere I'll teach you more about this concept in your marketing & sales (value before).
Entrepreneurship requires A LOT of personal growth. More than you realize before you get into it. In this bonus episode, you'll learn what the key to going through that growth is.
In this episode, I'm sharing with you exclusive insights from a training series I have run for my clients back in February. One of them allowed my client to exceed the monthly income goal by February 20th. One she was missing by the hair for a couple of months prior.
Another one - Leading with Value - is a concept I'm going to teach you in regards to your marketing during the upcoming webinar - How to Consistently Sign Clients Without DM's or Ads. Register for it now HERE for April 12, 13, or 14th.
Success is the result of growth
And growth is the result of work: working the process, implementing the plan you have for your business.
Being a high-performing CEO of your business is all about being intentional.
Not only with the way you spend your time but also what actions you decide to take during that time.
Is your marketing strategy as intentional as you'd like it to be?
Or is it more of a melting pot of other people's ideas that somehow you ended up adopting and trying out? In this episode, I help you bring more intention to how you market your business so that you can attract more of your best clients with it.
I also invite you to join me in a free webinar - How to Consistently Sign Clients Without DM's or Ads. April 12, 13 or 14 @ 11am EST.Sign up HERE for one of the 3 dates that work best for you.
There is no one ideal way to acquire and master the skills you need to grow a successful business long-term.
There are many ways and each one of them is effective. Some work better for you than others depending on your current knowledge, how critical the skill is to your success, your ability to apply it without support, your commitment, and the urgency of you acquiring it.
In this episode, I share 5 main methods that I have been using for me in my business.
To coach with me and join the Diamond Effect small group, book a chat with me here.
Outside of the fact that "hustling" has an illegal connotation as a word (who knew??), it means busy, forceful, rushing - who would want to act & feel like that in their business?
I know I don't. Neither do my clients.
High-performance means being effective, proactive, calm and grounded. This is a much better choice.
In this episode, I'm inviting you to consider joining the path to high-performance. And you can learn more about how in the free webinar 5 Steps to Making MOre MOney Without Overscheduling Yourself.
Dates: March 8, 9, 10 @ 11 EST. REGISTER HERE for one that works best for you.
Through my Dream-PLAN-DO journal, I established a daily gratefulness practice.
Each evening I write down 5 things I'm grateful for.
This allows me to keep a healthy perspective on my life. It reminds me how blessed I am every day being healthy, surrounded by a loving family and supportive people, living in a wonderful country, Canada.
And yet there are still things I sometimes take for granted in my life. And there is nothing wrong with that. Having our basic needs filled allows us to move towards leaving a positive contribution to this world.
Just imagine if everyone on Earth could do the same ...
My view on accountability? As a leader of yourself and your business - you're your best accountability partner. Being able to follow through on your decisions is one of the most powerful skills you can develop for yourself.
This episode will tell you more about why and how.
I also invite you to join me in y newest free training - a one-hour webinar where you'll learn
5 Steps to Making More Money Without Overscheduling Yourself - March 8, 9, and 10, 2022 – 11 am EST.
Register HERE for the date that works best for you.
Leading your business intentionally creates more of what you want faster and without overwhelm.
Ready to align the key things in your business for better results?
Register here for a free webinar 5 Steps to Making More Money Without Overscheduling Yourself. Dates: March 8, 9, or 10, 2022 at 11 am EST
I'm sure whoever invented a to-do list meant well. They wanted people to pick top priorities, not forget and do them, and then feel great marking them DONE on the list.
Somehow the to-do lists became the never-ending list haunting entrepreneurs down, making them feel busier than ever.
This episode will show you why your to-do list is not effective and my upcoming free webinar will offer a more effective solution.
5 Steps to Making More Money Without Overscheduling Yourself - March 8, 9, and 10, 2022 – 11 am EST.
Register HERE for the date that works best for you.
Angel Hicks is the CEO of the most supportive women's networking group I know, Evolve Women's Network.
In this interview, Angel shares her journey from being an owner of an Executive Assistance business to leading Evolve while being an introvert.
She also shares actionable tips on being strategic about your networking and making the most of the opportunities it offers.
And if you want to check out Evolve Women's Networking meetings, you can do so at no charge. Check the virtual events schedule here.
Growing a thriving business is not complicated. Our brains like to think the opposite and reject simple solutions. And yet the simple solutions are the most impactful, create the best results, and allow us to focus on what's most important.
This episode will walk you through my simple 3-step Diamond Effect process for exceeding your business goals. Challenge yourself to see how it could work for you.
And if you're ready to grow your business exponentially with less overwhelm schedule a strategy consult with me here.
https://stairwaytoleadership.com/get-coaching/
The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over expecting a different result
THIS will prevent that in your business
When I tell people what I do, how much I accomplish in a week, month, a year, most of them look at me like I have three heads.
Especially when I tell them my recent journey (past 3 years) through completing an executive MBA starting a coaching business and at the same time, doing both of those things part-time while still working a demanding corporate leadership position and having a young family.
Most people thoughts about that are: "she's a superhuman," "she must have been working non-stop with no personal time" (not true), "she must be stressed and exhausted" (not true again), "I would never be able to do that" (not true as well).
The compounding effect of good habits is real. And you can start benefiting from it today.
In this episode, I'm sharing my story of the last few years of going from ZERO habits to becoming a high-performer.
I'm also offering you to Create ONE GOOD Habit FOR GOOD with me in a challenge, for free.
Listen in to find out all the details :).
We go through 80% of our days' thanks to the power of our habits. Some of them serve us and some don't.
Just imagine if you slowly started replacing the ones that don't with the good ones. You could scale your business with less work and more calm.
Ready to start ONE Good Habit for GOOD? E-mail me at maggie@stairwaytoleadership.com
Just like with learning a foreign language to become fully bilingual, becoming a high-performing CEO, an industry thought leader, takes time.
It's a journey with distinctive stages.
Since I'm a trilingual person, I looked for similarities in learning a language and acquiring business skills as an entrepreneur. And guess what? There are a few!
Because in both cases we're learning a skill. And to master, any skill is a process.
Join me today to learn what are the stages of getting to business fluency, where you might be on your CEO journey, what to expect in the next stages and what traps to avoid.
“It is unwise to be too sure of one’s own wisdom. It is healthy to be reminded that the strongest might weaken and the wisest might err.” - Mahatma Gandhi
If there was only ONE thing you could grow about yourself this year, make it self-confidence. Studies after studies show that self-confident people are much more likely to achieve their goals.
Why that's the case? What is self-confidence anyway? How do I build my self-confidence?
I answer all these questions in today's episode.
If you're feeling like an imposter going after what you want, know you're not alone. In fact, this fear is normal (unless you're a narcissist :)).
In this bonus episode, I share some advice to help you overcome this fear.
Making strategic and effective decisions is the #1 skill of every successful business leader. And the more of them you can make the faster your business grows.
Listen to today's episode that teaches you 5 key components of such decisions.
Starting your business as a hobby or part-time has many benefits. However, once you expect it to generate an income like a professional business, you as its leader need to uplevel first.
This 3-episode series on self-leadership will help you with that. There's no better way to get started on achieving 2022 goals than up-leveling yourself as the CEO of your business.
If you're still in the 2022 planning stage and want to benefit from the free Design Your Success 2022 training course, get it here.
In this episode, I'm sharing the five most impactful lessons, reminders and A-HA moments I had this pivotal year for me.
Graduating with honors from my executive MBA, leaving my 13-year provision corporate career to focus on my coaching business full time presented some great shifts and transformations opportunities for me that I want to share today with you.
And if you're ready to take your business to the next level in 2022 and plan your goals in a way you have never done before, get the Design Your Success 2022 - 5-video mini-course here.
The majority of people think that running your own business is less safe than a stable 9-5.
Income can be unpredictable, market conditions change, you never know what can happen.
What if running your business was teh most predictable thing you could do to create financial and time freedom for yourself and your loved ones?
Every business needs to face the market conditions and unpredictability of external circumstances, even your 9-5 employer.
In this episode, Gina Havranek, the owner of Elevate Solutions, shares her journey of taking back control of her life and career by creating a Virtual Assitance business.
Check out how Gina can help you on her website, or follow her on IG @yournewva
Erin Baber is a passionate young woman who truly wants to make a difference with her businesses. As Erin says getting to the soul level of you and truly seeing who you are today v.s who you want to be tomorrow, is a critical step in being able to create the business and results you want.
In this interview, Erin shares her growth as a leader, owner of Calipso Communication to a founder of women's collective Good Goals Group.
Leaving a "safe" and predictable income of a 9-5 to "less predictable" income generation in your own business can feel scary.
If you're still running your business as a side hustle and thinking when would be the "right time" to make it your main money-making source, this interview can help you.
Madison Lee, the owner of Lovelee Creative Media, shares her entrepreneurial journey and what it took for her to make the leap of faith.
Follow Madi on IG - @loveleecreativemedia
You can spend a lot of time and energy each week thinking about what to do next in your business even if you have a to-do list. That's A LOT of wasted resources.
Just imagine if you spent them on income-generating activities instead, what results could you create?
This is why I recorded this episode. To help you optimize your weeks so you're very effective with the time you have for your business.
And if you're joining us for the Design Your Success 2022 free challenge, this episode is here to help you implement the action plan you create to blow your 2022 gaols out of the park :). We're starting on December 6th, claim your spot here.
Alonna Heller, the CEO of The Heller Creative CO, is a young leader who has started her business straight after college.
On her journey to growing her business and making money, we have coached on a few challenges that most of us experience on the entrepreneurship journey. Listen's to Alonna's learnings and breakthroughs to see what's possible. Check her business @ https://www.thehellercreativeco.com/
You can also follow Alonna on IG @hellercreativeco
So you dreamt big. You created a Vision and Big Hairy Audacious Goals that go with it. You even have a plan of action. Now it's time to implement and execute.
And that's when many entrepreneurs fail. They start big with lots of enthusiasm and as the excitement wears off, the plan goes into the drawer collecting dust. Consistency and following through are real challenges.
What can make action simpler, easier, and more consistent? Good habits. This episode teaches you how to create and stick with them long-term.
And if you're not yet on the list of participants in my free challenge to Design Your Sucess 2022, claim your spot here. https://bit.ly/DesignYourSuccess2022
Professionals CEO's plan. That's how they guarantee the results they create in their business. Winging it doesn't cut it for them.
Why?
Would you trust a surgeon to do any procedure on you without a plan? Or would you get on a plane where the pilot would just want to "wing it" to the destination rather than follow a meticulous flight plan? I wouldn't.
The same goes with your clients. They want to trust their money with a professional who takes helping them seriously enough to have a plan about it. What kind of plan? Find out in this episode :).
To register for Design Your Success 2022 challenge, go here.
https://bit.ly/DesignYourSuccess2022
The third episode in the client journey trilogy (listen to episodes 15 and 16 for the first two).
Today I'm sharing practical strategies on how to deal with difficult clients when you end up signing them but also how to avoid creating them in the first place.
And here is the link to receive the recording of the 6 Steps to Consistently Signing High-Quality Clients workshop.
Sometimes when you sign a client it might feel like it was a fluke, a one-off, luck? And then you think this will never happen again, which directs your brain to the feeling of hustling or overwhelm.
But is that the truth? Listen in to 3 fascinating stories of client attraction and how even seemingly "random events" can truly be a result of your work.
And if you want to learn a 6-Step Process of Consistently Attracting High-Quality Clients, learn the recording of this free workshop here.
Every client of yours goes through a journey with you. From the moment they meet you, through deciding to buy from you to resigning and/or no longer being your client.
Have you ever spent time thinking or mapping out how that journey looks like for them?
In this episode, I take you on a 6-stage journey that your client experiences. We walk through each stage, pause and I share some diamond nuggets of how you could make it even more magical for them.
And if you're not signing clients consistently yet, this free workshop recording (I mention it inside the episode) will help you with that. Click here to access.
We're in the magical time of giving thanks and appreciation. And we have a bit over 30 days between the Canadian and American Thanksgiving holidays. So in this Motivational Monday episode, I have a fun challenge for you.
Listen, and let me know if you're in.
Our culture rewards "busyness". Being busy, always on the run, stressed is associated with being "important". I call BS on that. Being busy doesn't mean being effective. And it's stressful!
Now, can you imagine how it would feel if you never had to say "I'm soooo busy" again and be 10X more productive than you are now?
How would it feel, never having to be feel stressed by “all the things”?
Feeling like you are in control of your days and weeks. Having 100% confidence that you can create time on demand for whatever you chose to do.
What would that mean to you in your business and personal life?
In this episode, I'm sharing lessons I learned in my journey & 3 Golden Rules of High-Performance.
And if you want to talk more about what creating time on demand would look like for you, schedule a free consult with me here.
Most entrepreneurs know that hiring a business coach can be beneficial to their business. Many though are not sure how that is true. Some may also refrain from asking from the fear of being sold to on the spot when they're just curious and want only information :).
So today I am sharing with you mostly the reasons why I hire a business coach to help me grow my business.
And if you are interested in chatting further about how my coaching can help you grow your business go to https://stairwaytoleadership.com/get-coaching/
Most of us have a fear of failing. Our brains were conditioned to think there is one "right" way to achieve a goal and if we don't get it "right" the first time we failed.
It's high time to start changing that belief in yourself. Failure is learning. Failure is just one step closer to success.
In this episode, I'm sharing my latest "epic business fail" and the lessons I have learned for myself thanks to it.
For many people, it's easier to keep a word they gave to another person than the promises they make to themselves. Procrastination is a real challenge for entrepreneurs.
As Marie Forleo says “To be responsible, keep your promises to others. To be successful, keep your promises to yourself.”This episode is a podcast version of a workshop I run for one of the networking groups I am a member of. You'll learn how to always follow through without getting overhwlemed.
Our brain likes shortcuts. It doesn't like to spend unnecessary energy and shortcuts allow our minds to save it. But this leads many entrepreneurs to believe in one magic marketing strategy that they need to uncover. One magic way that works for all. The one magic way does not exist.
The truth is, there are a million ways to million dollars. One of them is yours. And this episode talks about how to discover it.
The way you think about selling reflects in your results.
You want to sign more clients but at the same time, you tell yourself you hate selling.
You don't want to be pushy or "salesy" or a pest.
There are much better thoughts you could be having about selling instead.
With them, you could have much better results and help much more people.
6 Steps to Consistently Signing High-Quality Clients workshop is this Thursday, register here and join me live or watch the recording at the time convenient for you.
Who would not want to have clients they are just a pure pleasure to work with.
Not only clients that pay but the ones that keep their commitments, take responsibility for their part of the relationship and happily refer you to others.
Is it even possible to have control over attracting them? Yes, it is!
Check out this episode and to learn even more on how to do that, join my free FB Community Women Entrepreneurs with Passion 4 Life
September 9th is the day of the free workshop - 6 Steps to Signing High-Quality Clients and you can register here!
We all love a good story. Books, movies, the best brand talk to us through stories. Stories speak to our emotions. You have a story to tell and it can help you shine like a diamond out there. Get inspired by one of my client's stories and learn how to showcase yours.
For more details on the upcoming free webinar 6 Steps to Signing High-Quality Clients, join my free Facebook Community Women Entrepreneurs with Passion 4 Life. By now I also have a registration link for the webinar, here it is.
What is networking? Is it useful at all when you have billions of people on social media?
People like to buy but they don't like to be sold to. Every thriving business is built on great relationships. And networking might just be what you're missing in yours ...
If you're ready to expand your network and build some great connections, head over to my free Facebook Community - Women Entrepreneurs with Passion 4 Life
Are you scared of setting a money goal in your business?
Are you using the "I'm not motivated by money" excuse?
If you answered yes to one of these questions, then you must listen to this episode.
And even if you are setting money goals already, you might find this perspective valuable anyway.
In this episode, you'll learn about my simple coaching model that keeps creating amazing results for me and my clients.
I'm sharing with you how to make powerful decisions in your business, how NOT TO skip planning and WHY it is important ... and how high-performance habits can help you take massive action and keep balance (based on true story :))
Growing a successful business and fun do not go in one sentence for many entreprenurs.
And yet I think they should. It does not mean you need to be faking positivity all the time.
But life is too short NOT TO have FUN.
Fun ignites creativity. Creativity ignites solutions. And helping your clients is all about solutions.
"Everything is figuraoutable" as Marie Forleo says. Being resourceful, creative, and resilient are some of the skills that every entrepreneur needs.
In this episode, I share with you a 5-step framework on how to help yourself figure out any challenge in your business.
And I have some funny childhood stories that go along with it as well :).
Motivational Monday series - 1
Let yourself be inspired and motivated in your business this week by starting with self-love
In this episode, you'll learn all about the Diamond Effect concept, who can benefit from the podcast, and a bit about me, the author :).
Enjoy!