013-Gaelle LeCourt-Own Your Business So Your Business Doesn't Own You

 

Meet Gaelle Lecourt, a food scientist/engineer in the flavor industry-turned business coach for women; teaching them how to “own your business so your business doesn’t own you.”  

 

When aspects of her life created a shift in her perspective and goals, Gaelle was drawn to deeply ponder:  if my life were a blank page, how would I redesign it?   She felt she wasn’t progressing as much as the effort as she was putting into her job.  She wanted more flexibility to travel, a healthier lifestyle and also desired to provide more impact.  

 

With those ideas in mind, Gaelle quit her job,  sold all that she owned, moved to Mexico, and took a step away from her busy life to sift out the signs that life had been sending her.  She recognized that her life experiences and gifts have been pointing toward coaching all along.  

 

Dive into Galle’s journey to discover how she was able to take that leap and make a change, and how you can be sure you are owning your own business;  not the other way around.

Is Your Business Owning You?

 

Have you heard yourself saying any of these? I don’t have enough time. I don’t have fun anymore. I’m working 7 days a week. These phrases indicate that your business is owning you.  If so, what are you to do?

Create Infrastructure

 

Infrastructure becomes the solid foundation on which to build a business and leverage one’s time and long-term value.   Systems allow businesses to become scalable in order to increase productivity and profit. There are essentially two systems in most businesses that you can start automatizing early: On-boarding clients and keeping them accountable. Automating the client journey to free up your time and allow you to be in your “zone of genius.” Allow time to adjust and refine the process before setting up a system.  Once you are ready: Begin with the right tools, or you’ll end up having to redesign it all: Email, website, team members, systems, calendar, email crm, shopping cart etc. are all important tools that will need to be functional and serve your business long-term.  See link below for Gaelle’s list of favorite tools! Keep it simple. The more complicated the system, the more difficult it’ll be to adapt as your business evolves.   You can take tons of time reinventing a new method or simply build upon what is available.

Progression, Not Perfection

 

Don’t aim to be super unique about how you build your business; be humble and open to learning. Continuously refine skills and update training Trial and error refine and optimize the system. Allow systems to evolve as work flow is developed. Success leaves clues. Replicate and streamline existing processes of successful businesses. Don’t reinvent; mirror and mimic. Hire a coach or mentor in the same field to find ways to improve business systems.

Delegate. Delegate. Delegate.

 

Start by creating a clear standard operating process, which can be replicated and repeated. You must work through it first so you know how you want it done.   Create videos of the process in order to: Explain the flow and system and provide instructions, so you don’t have to take time to retrain those you hire. Establish expectation and communication channels. Explain any pet peeves and what to avoid. Once you have created a system, delegate. Delegating helps you fine-tune your processes.   In your head, you’ll always tweak your process, but writing it makes it real. Writing it also allows those you delegate to, to improve the process and ask questions. Take emotion out of the process and let go of things others can handle so you can work where you need to. Know there are other competent people who can help build your business.   It may be your ‘baby,’ but your time is valuable.

Know Your Numbers

 

Know where you spend your time.   If your goal is 10 clients per week, that translates to 10 hours per week of coaching, plus 10 hours of review and assessment for total of 20 hours. Know your conversion rate. If your conversion rate is 50%, then calculate how many sales calls per month to meet your goal. Know what your time is worth. If you can make $200 per hour with a client, don’t spend your time doing anything you can hire out for less.  Spending your time scheduling, emailing, making calls, etc., on your own is the same as hiring someone to do those tasks for $200 per hour.   Know which items chew up your time, but are not profitable, and delegate those.

Connect With Gaelle:

 

Website: Gaelle LeCourt Website: Apply for a discovery call today!

Join the Facebook Group: Finding yourself abroad; Create your online business

Her favorite online tools as a digital nomad: LeCourt's Favorite Tools