As every business owner would, I take an inventory by the end of the year. Trying to figure out what worked, what didn’t, and what I needed to change to make my business run smoother and make it more profitable. As a Fitnespreneur, I need a plan of action, not a “New Year’s Resolution.” A solid blueprint that will help me guide my efforts during the year without feeling overwhelmed. I’m sharing what I learned from creating my online business this year!
Here is an overview of this episode, and I hope you will be as excited as I am about what’s to come in 2018.
Taking the leap from studio owner to Fitnesspreneur and running that part of my business online proved to be a much more significant challenge than I thought.
What I learned From Creating My Online Business This Year
Why did I start my online business?
In my studio, I could only serve one person at a time and was not able to reach as many women as I could through online training.
How did I start my online business?
I thought that if I just did what I had done for thirty years in my studio, it would work the same. Not seeing the person right in front of me every week created a more significant challenge than I thought.
My major obstacles:
– I did not know how to put my passion into words. I thought I had to sound like someone else to be successful. I was so insecure!
– How do you get your programs and ideas online? It seemed so simple, but who knew about click funnel and automation? I sure had no clue.
– My day’s training clients were packed, and I had no more hours other than late nights and weekends to produce content for my website.
– Writing is not my strength. English as my second language was much harder to write content, even though I am perfectly fluent in both languages.
I Also Learn About Some Things That Didn’t Work!
After thirty years in the fitness industry, I could train clients, design training and nutrition programs, and explain procedures, and I knew exactly what my client needed when they walked in the door.
Not so much when it came to putting my brand online. I was stuck and frustrated.
Time to take action and get help!
My mentor Vito LaFata – Fitness Profit Systems, resonated with his teachings, and I knew he was the guy I wanted to study with.
I joined the OBB (Online Business Builder) and, one year later, The Visionary Planner group. For the past two years, I studied under his guidance and inspiration, plus the camaraderie of the students in each course made a world of difference in how I shaped my brand.
I am so very thankful for all that Vito has taught me, helped me discover, and sparked my creativity. This experience was priceless, and I would not change it for the world.
It was not easy; I kid you not!
I built my first brand, the Menopause Game Plan, only to find out that it was not the right fit for me and my message.
I created and re-branded to Clear the Clutter as I tried to salvage materials. Now this made total sense to me as my organized German. Only to find out it was not a good fit again.
Talk about a learning curve, frustration, and tears, and I have to admit, many glasses of wine later, I found my spark! Let’s not forget that all the materials created, the website, funnels, videos, programs, and challenges all had to be redesigned. I was drowning in work!
Once Pursue Your Spark was born, it was the perfect fit. I felt right, and this brand set me on fire.
What did my life look like?
– Countless hours working deep into the night and weekends
– No work-life balance. As my partner in crime, my husband will confirm that he dedicated so much of his time to help me with many technical aspects that I just did not understand.
But I was determined and would find a way to share my passion and message with other women in the world.
What did I do this year?
– Launched an entirely NEW Pursue Your Spark brand
– Started my NEW Podcast
– Launched my first webinar
– I took one day off from training clients and dedicated that day exclusively to my brand
– I hired my daughter to work as my editor
I also ran a marathon in Antarctica and married my son.
Talk about a busy year. Feeling overwhelmed is an understatement.
My biggest fear! What would people think of me online? I have to thank Amy Porterfield and her inspiring podcasts for helping me overcome my fears. Thank you, Amy.
In conclusion, I found what suits my personality and strength. I can finally speak my brand’s language, and can’t wait to share what I have in store for you next year.
Until then, thank you for listing, and I am so grateful you are here, and I can’t wait to share my new valuable content with you.
Click here to listen!
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