Two Weeks Notice

1. Embrace Your Dreams and Take the Leap to Entrepreneurship

"If you're doing it right, you're going to be trying a lot of things. Some will work . . . but others? Well, they really won't."

Recognize your desire for more. Many people feel stuck in their current jobs, facing gender inequality, pay gaps, and limited growth opportunities. Entrepreneurship offers a solution, allowing you to be your own boss, control your financial future, and create a life by your own design.

Take decisive action. Choose an exit date from your current situation and create a runway plan. This includes:

• Defining your starter business idea
• Creating a financial plan
• Putting yourself out there by creating content
• Setting up a dedicated workspace
• Telling supportive family and friends

Prepare for challenges. Understand that the entrepreneurial journey is not always smooth. Expect setbacks, learn from failures, and maintain the courage to keep moving forward. Remember, confidence comes from taking action and learning from experiences.

2. Build a Strong Foundation with Non-Negotiables and Time Management

"If you don't set boundaries, both personal and professional, you'll be pulled in way too many directions—causing you to feel overwhelmed and lost—and you'll easily lose sight of your why."

Establish non-negotiables. Create clear boundaries that align with your values and goals. Examples include:

• Prioritizing important relationships
• Setting specific working hours
• Limiting social media usage

Implement "Tiger Time". Fiercely protect dedicated time for focused work on your business. Schedule this time in your calendar and treat it as sacred, avoiding distractions and interruptions.

Create an optimal work environment. Set up a designated workspace that allows for both creativity and productivity. Consider factors such as:

• Quiet, distraction-free area
• Ergonomic setup
• Inspiring decor or atmosphere

3. Identify Your Unique Value Proposition and Target Audience

"You don't need to have a world-changing idea, and that's okay! Not every business has to cure a disease or solve world hunger—in fact, most don't."

Find your "sweet spot". Identify the intersection of:

• Your 10% edge (skills or knowledge you possess)
• A struggle, challenge, or need you see in the world
• Profit potential
• A topic that truly lights you up

Define your Ideal Customer Avatar (ICA). Create a detailed profile of your perfect customer, including:

• Demographics
• Psychographics
• Pain points and desires
• Content consumption habits
• Online behaviors

Validate your idea. Conduct validation calls with potential customers to gain insights and refine your offering. Ask open-ended questions about their challenges, desires, and willingness to invest in solutions.

4. Create a Simple Yet Effective Website to Showcase Your Business

"You don't need a fancy website with all the bells and whistles in order to be successful."

Focus on functionality over aesthetics. Ensure your website clearly communicates:

• What your business offers
• Who it's for
• How visitors can take action (e.g., sign up for your email list)

Include essential pages:

• Home page: Highlight your unique value proposition
• About page: Share your story and build connection
• Contact page: Make it easy for visitors to reach you
• Blog/Content page: Showcase your expertise

Choose a simple platform. Options include:

• All-in-one site builders (e.g., Squarespace, Wix)
• WordPress (more customizable but requires more setup)
• HTML (for those with coding experience)

5. Develop Consistent, High-Quality Content to Engage Your Audience

"Content is queen."

Choose a primary content platform. Options include:

• Blog
• Podcast
• Video (YouTube, Instagram, TikTok)
• Social media posts

Create valuable, free content weekly. This builds trust, demonstrates expertise, and nurtures relationships with potential customers.

Implement a content batching strategy:

1. Conduct a batch planning session to brainstorm topics
2. Create a content calendar
3. Set aside dedicated time for content creation
4. Repurpose content across multiple platforms

6. Grow Your Email List as Your Most Valuable Business Asset

"A quality list—one you can count on to convert into sales—is one where you build and maintain a relationship with your subscribers, nurturing that connection and treating them like the VIPs that they are."

Prioritize list-building from day one. Your email list is the foundation of your online business, providing direct access to your audience and potential customers.

Create compelling lead magnets. Offer valuable free resources in exchange for email addresses. Options include:

• Cheat sheets
• Checklists
• Guides
• Video or audio trainings
• Mini-courses
• Quizzes

Nurture your list consistently. Send regular emails sharing your weekly content, providing value, and building relationships with your subscribers.

7. Leverage Social Media on Your Own Terms to Build Relationships

"You can do social media on your own terms."

Choose one primary platform. Focus on where your Ideal Customer Avatar spends time online.

Create content pillars. Develop a consistent posting schedule with specific types of content for each day.

Be authentic and engage genuinely. Share your personality, behind-the-scenes glimpses, and valuable insights. Respond to comments and foster conversations with your audience.

Use scheduling tools. Automate your posting to maintain consistency without constantly being on social media.

8. Generate Revenue Through Coaching, Services, or Online Courses

"Even though you're pretty far down the path toward becoming your own boss at this point, I still think it's important to pause for a moment to commit or recommit to the decision."

Choose a revenue strategy:

1. Coaching or consulting sessions
2. Service-based work
3. Online courses (starting with a workshop course)

For coaching or services:

• Develop a clear framework or process
• Set appropriate pricing
• Create contracts to set clear expectations

For online courses:

1. Choose a focused topic addressing a specific pain point
2. Set up the necessary technology (e.g., webinar platform, payment processing)
3. Create a marketing plan (social media and email)
4. Develop engaging course content
5. Deliver the workshop and follow up with students

9. Overcome Self-Doubt and Learn from Failures

"Failure is temporary. It's the only way you'll know what to improve for next time."

Recognize common "boss traps":

1. Letting clients boss you around
2. Thinking you need a man to help you
3. Self-sabotage through staying "safe"

Implement remedies:

• Put expectations in writing
• Seek professional guidance when making big decisions
• Challenge limiting beliefs through therapy or coaching

Embrace the journey of unbossing. Understand that becoming your own boss is a process of continual growth and learning. Stay committed to your vision, learn from mistakes, and keep moving forward.

Last updated: September 12, 2024