How To Speed Up Your Startup

I'm excited to introduce you today to Tami Jaffe. She is a success coach and energy shifter, and an international speaker on topics about making better decisions and business growth. We're talking all about how to speed up your startup. So at the very beginning of your business, what are some of the things that you need to do to get to that growth place even faster? One of the questions that we often have as entrepreneurs is how long is this going to take to actually work. And we talk a little bit about that in this conversation today. And I also love chatting with Tami because we talked a lot about being a mom and how we manage our kids and our businesses and really some ways to find inspiration from your kids as well as leaving that legacy and role modeling the behavior for your kids just by being a business owner and being an entrepreneur. So Tami has made it her mission to liberate independent success minded professionals from the shackles of a corporate career. So they can start grow and scale their own businesses and not only replace their corporate income, but exceed it. She teaches you what to do in your business to have the most success and not waste time and money on the shiny objects that can be a distraction. This conversation is so good. I hope you enjoy it and make sure to connect with Tami afterwards.

This is the Entrepreneur School Podcast where we believe you can run a thriving business and still make your family a priority. This show is all about supporting you the emerging or early stage Entrepreneur on your journey from solopreneur to CEO while wearing all of the other hats in your life. My name is Kelly Sinclair and I'm a brand and marketing strategist who started a business with two kids under 3am, a corporate PR girl turned entrepreneur after I learned the hard way that life is too short to waste doing things that burn you out. On this show, you'll hear inspiring stories from other business owners on their journey, and learn strategies to help you grow a profitable business while making it all fit into the life that you want. Welcome to Entrepreneur School.

Hey, Tami, welcome to the show. I'm super excited to talk to you today.

Hey, Kelly, great to be here.

Fantastic campaign, we like to jump right in on entrepreneur school because I know that whoever's listening right now is also doing 1000 things, maybe driving her kids to get another hockey practice or making dinner right now. So let's get into a juicy question right off the bat. And I'd love to hear from you. What is the best advice that you would give yourself if you are back at the beginning of your business?

Oh, such a great question. I think this is something I always ask people to like, what is? Where would what would you do differently? Right? I think my response to this is always get out of my own way. I think in so many ways. I was in my own way, like I you know, the doubts and the fears and like, what do I do? And what if it doesn't work and all of these things. And if I just would have gotten out of my own way and let it flow and let it go? Then so much would have happened much faster.

Oh my goodness, that you're just speaking my language with that, sir, seriously. So tell us a little bit more about what you do in terms of helping business owners with their startups.

Yeah, I help people going from employees, entrepreneurs, getting their businesses started growing their businesses and scaling them so that they can not only replace their income, but exceed it because we have to get past that point. So whether you're a mom now and not working, or you're a working mom, I understand like I started my business and started going through my coaching certification while I was still working full time with two little ones at home. And it's a challenge for sure. And so I try to help people to speed up that process to get the clarity to understand the things that they need to be doing and what not to do because they think we waste so much time doing things that we don't need to be doing.

No, absolutely. You kind of choose to start a business and you start Googling like anything, how to market myself, how to get registered, how to set up legal side of things, and then it's just like, an onslaught of overwhelm, right?

Absolutely. I would say like, as soon as you put that entrepreneur hat out and you like, let the world know you're starting a business. All of a sudden, you get targeted with all of these ads, all of these things saying I've got the secret to your success. I got the one thing that's gonna make you millions. And you get all these ads and things popping up in your social media. And you don't know what is right and what isn't right. Like it's not their job to decide like you're at the right point in your business to be marketing to you. All they know is you're a business owner and they have a system and they think it's the right thing but if you understand what to do in The first phase of your business what to do in the next phase, then it helps you to be able to differentiate those and say, You know what? That's amazing. And I'm gonna get to that at some point, it's not yet or that's not the right thing for my business because I have a strategy in place that I know is going to work. And so I don't want to get sidetracked with something else. That isn't going to be the right thing.

Yeah. So what are your tips for people out there in terms of how to put the blinders on and make kind of the right choices? If not all of the things?

You're right, all those shiny objects? We call them, right? How do you not get distracted? I think one it's so important and getting clarity i Everything starts with clarity, understanding what your strategy is having a really good idea of this is what's going to work for me, this is what I need to be doing right now. And this is what I'm focusing on, so that when others things show up, you're not like, oh, yeah, I need to try that. You're like, Nope, I know, this is working, I just need to continue to work it. And there's times when yes, we need to add new things into our business and new marketing strategies. But it's like, let's master the one and get it working before we jump over to the next one. Because if we don't get that consistency, in really get that momentum going. And it's hard, it's difficult to like, make that progress and really get the momentum you're looking for.

Mm hmm. Okay, so I'm going to ask you the question that I know that I had, and probably everybody has at the beginning of their business, which is, how long does it take?

Great question. Well, if you look at statistics, the average business takes at least three years to make a profit. I mean, that's just based on statistics. It doesn't have to take that long. But we're looking at the industry on average, that is pretty average. And so being able to set your up, you set yourself up for success in knowing those things. I think so much of it is because people don't know what to do in those first few years. They're just trying to figure it out. And so when you do have that strategy in place, when you are really clear on okay, this is my next step, this is what I'm doing, this is what I'm doing next, and have that progression in place, then it you can escalate through that much, much faster. So you can be you know, I've had clients who do it in a month, I've had clients who do it in a year. But some of it depends on your actions and what you're willing to do and the things you're willing to actually step out and make happen.

Yeah, and, and everyone has their own schedule to kind of like workflow, especially moms balancing like, kids and activities and childcare and all of the other things too, right?

Yes, absolutely. It is a balance, like you said, and I know that so much of what you help people with and getting, you know, helping them understand how do you do that? How do you have this business and the life that you're looking for. And so I believe time management is so key in all of that, being able to really structure it, being able to set time aside for certain things, and even set time aside for family time. You know, when I was still working full time, and like going through my coaching certification, starting my business all in the same year, which was crazy. One of the things I did was I had a school night, I called it where I was doing the schoolwork from my coaching program. And my girls understood school concept, kind of they were like in preschool at the time. And so they at least have an idea, okay, mommy's at school. And then we had certain time set aside, during the week at night, where it's like, this was our family time. This is Game Night, and we had some time on the weekends. And so they understood that and when I was focused with them, I was so much more interactive and not worried about, okay, what do I need to do over here at the job or in my business, and it helps me to be more structured. Because sometimes it's really difficult when you're, you know, you have all these other things going on. And so when you're with your kids, your mind is somewhere else. Yeah, but when you can actually schedule that out, and you're like, This is my dedicated time for them. And you know, that, you know, in a couple of hours, you're gonna have dedicated time to do something else, then you can stay more focused, and they feel it and they feel feel more connected to you.

Yeah, that's huge. Like, just having gone through the exercise of organizing kind of what your own week looks like, so that you don't have perhaps quite as much of that mom guilt. The day of like, oh, I should be here and it shouldn't be there. I know I've I've felt like this. Recently, I I pulled my kids out of childcare so they don't go to an after school program anymore. They come home at 230 in the afternoon. Yeah, so my workday is a lot different and I have this like, oh, okay, well I actually am blocking my calendar now to take an hour off when they get home so we can you know, visit and have a snack and then they can go do their thing and I can maybe get like Another hour of work and and then it's dinnertime and whatever else. But yeah, but actually calling that out to be dedicated time makes it so much better than when I was just like sitting down here going, Oh, my kids are probably on their tablets again or watching TV or something that I don't want them to do, but I'm here working and

Yes, or they interrupt you and then you're like annoyed because you're trying to get something done. So knowing you have that, like time with them right away makes a huge difference for them. And you because they feel like they, you know can connect with you tell you what's going on with their day. And then they're like more prepared to just go out and you know, do their thing for a little bit while you can go back and focus.

Oh, that's such good advice.

Hey, I just want to pop in for a second and chat with you a little bit about content creation, you know, that thing that you know, that you're supposed to do in order to get visibility and find clients online? And you know, you're just not finding time to actually do that thing? Because it can be overwhelming to think about? What am I supposed to write? What videos should I be sharing? Where am I going to have the time to make all of the beautiful graphics that go along with having a lovely Instagram page, all of the things? Well, I made for you a tool called the simplified content system. And inside of this, you're gonna find exactly what I use to be able to plan and create all of my content in an hour a week. So it's a calendar that you can edit, that you can put in what you're doing where for any kind of platforms or whether you're using Instagram, other social medias, whether you're doing email marketing, whether you're on YouTube, all of it can go in one place that links nicely to this beautiful caption document. And I've also created a number of trainings and templates for you to make it even easier to get your content out and into the world so that you can be seen so that you can get clients and so that you still have time to go to all of your kids sports activities. Okay, so you can grab it at entrepreneurschool.ca/content.

You told me before we got started with our recording that you have a story about your daughter and running her own business.

Yes. So my husband is a chiropractor. And we like our kids like to come into the office and you know, play assistants actually be assistants when his assistants are off. And so a couple months ago, one of my daughters had Monday off of school, and we're like, Okay, do you can you know, this is your day to come into the office and help Daddy, you know, because one of his assistants was going to be out. And so you know, we had been talking about it for like a week in the morning of she like drags herself into my office and or my bathroom as I'm getting ready. And she's like, Mommy, I just I don't want to go work in Daddy's office today. And I said, Well, why not? And she said, Because I could stay home and paint today because I have a kids market coming up. And I can make money doing what I love. So why should I work for someone else? And I just kind of did what you did, I kind of just like stopped and I laughed. And she's like, why? And I'm like, I can't argue with you. That's what I tell my people. Why go work for someone else, when you can do what you love. And so the kids market she had coming up was actually what something she created. So she started painting and doing jewelry earlier last year. And if we got to like the summer, and she's like, Well, mom, I'd really like to start selling my jewelry and selling my paintings. And so she's like, so how can I do that? You know, she's not on social media. And she's, you know, not putting herself out there and other ways like that we could as adults. And so I asked her, I'm like, Well, what do you think are some ideas of what you could do? Because people really need to see your paintings if they want. They want to buy it right? It's hard to sell a painting virtually, or to people who don't see and to see the options that you have. They have to resonate with it. And so as we were talking, she's like, Well, Mom, I think we should do a kid's market in our neighborhood. And I said, Well, tell me more, what's the kid's market? And so she's like, well, we will just have all the kids in the neighborhood who have businesses come together, and everybody can sell their products and services on a given day. And I'm like, This sounds amazing. Let's do it. So she went home that night, without being prompted. She put together this whole PowerPoint presentation on why the board of our neighborhood should allow her to have a kid's market in the neighborhood. So she's put together like all the benefits, what it was going to do for the neighborhood, what it was going to do for the kids. And she like comes back into my room and she's like, Mom, I want you to look at my PowerPoint. How does this look? And I'm like, what PowerPoint, why did you create? She's like, well, I have to convince the board right? And I was like, Well, yeah, you do. And so she thought she was an actor. Do the whole presentation and like talk to them. We were lucky enough where they loved us to send it to them, and they approved it. And so they approved her kids market. And we did the first one in August. And we had 28 kids in the neighborhood come out and sell, it was amazing. Like, it's so we were so excited. I mean, it was so much fun to see these kids see all the products and services they do. There was this one kid there had had this like juicing business, it was like he had his special bottle, he had been like doing this, since he's only 11. He'd been doing this for four years, he had his juice, like in the markets down the street. So it's incredible what even kids are doing. And I share that because I want you guys to understand, like, what you're doing in your business is setting an example for your kids. And they are seeing it. And so this is one of the things that you're doing by creating your business by really Natalina in your business and being successful. Your kids see that. And they're inspired by that. And they come up with ideas that are really going to help them be business owners. So you keep giving as a mom, we keep giving to our kids. And they're really seeing that and recognizing it and taking things on themselves and taking things to another level for them.

Oh my goodness, you must be so proud. First of all. That's, that is so cool. And I think you nailed it right like that is that's the legacy that we want to give to our kids is that freedom of choice and really extending, showcasing the value that you have around wanting to be in charge of your own schedule and what your daughter said about why would I go work for somebody else when I can make money doing what I love? That's amazing.

Yes, they give me great things to talk about. You know, it's I think we learned so many lessons from our kids. It's just amazing what they they give to us, right? We feel like we're constantly giving to them as moms. And there's times when you got to stop and step back and be like, Okay, what are they teaching me today? How can I get in that childhood, like mode? And be creative and think of different things? Because they're there to teach us as well?

Yeah, yeah. That's so good. Oh, my goodness. Okay. Well, I have one more more question for you before we kind of start wrapping up. Because I think one of the things that I talked about is just like the simplicity of some of the actions that you can take that are really going to have a huge impact when it comes to getting your business started making you know reaching more people or finding clients, I call it messy action.

Yes.

I'm wondering what is one thing that you think is so obvious, but like, blows away your clients when you get them to implement this tool, strategy tip?

Oh, so there's so many things that just came to my mind. But I want to come back to like one essential for getting started. I think so many time, we think that we've got to go create all this stuff, right? Like, we've got to have a website, and you've got to have a funnel, and you've got to have a freebie like all of these things. And so people get caught up in trying to go create in the behind the scenes behind the screen, right? And not spend time getting out there. But 99% of businesses get their first clients from the people they know. And it's not that that person is your ideal client, but they can refer you to someone who is. And so one of the simple strategies to get started is just in the right way, and that we have like, really good templates that are that don't feel like templates that help people do this, but reaching out to the people in your network, to really let them know how you're helping how you're serving or what your your product is. And asking, you know, who do you know that might be interested in this and asking for connections?

Mm hmm. Yeah. So simple. Just Just ask is put yourself out there? Yes. What is the worst that can happen? That is my motto?

Yes, absolutely. Can I share a quick story about asking?

Yes.

So speaking of kids teaching us things, I was talking to my daughter and the other night and she asked me for a back massage and a foot massage. And as I'm giving her her back massage, I said, you know, I think you're a pretty lucky girl because I don't think every little girl gets a back massage every night. And she looks up at me and she's like, Mommy, that's because they don't ask. And we've got to learn from right. Like, if you don't have what you want, it's because you're not asking. So you've got to get the clarity and understanding of what it is you really want. Get the confidence and courage like she has to ask for it and be committed and consistent. So we tell her no one night she's right back asking again. The Next night, and that's what we need to be in our lives and in our businesses.

That is so good. And you know what that reminds me too. I have I have one of those the girl, she knows what she wants, she asks for it all the time. There is no questioning what Zoey wants and like if we could all just go out there with that same level of confidence and reckless abandon. Right?

Exactly. And be, you know, they'll keep asking and keep asking and negotiate. But where did we lose that we got told no. So many times, we got told not to ask again. And so it's something that I've actually recognized in myself too, with my kids. I'm like, if she comes back with a negotiation that I'm like, I can't argue with that. I'm like, Okay, you win, because they kids need to learn to win too. Because otherwise they get to the point where a lot of us, you know, learned as a kid to just stop asking.

Oh my gosh, Tami, this has been such a good conversation and so eye opening in so many ways. I love how we've like, all the way around to like what you can learn from your kids and the example that you set for your kids and, and how simple it truly can be to go out there and start doing the thing to get your business off the ground and seeing your passion become a success. Before we wrap up, can you tell me please tell everyone listening how they can connect with you where they can find more about you how they can continue to learn more from you.

Yeah, absolutely. Connect with me. I'm on most social medias @Tami Jaffe, @TamiJJaffe on Instagram. And you can reach out to me if you are interested, and you can get my jumpstart kit @theJumpstartkit.com. And that's that helps you get a jumpstart on your business.

Oh, that's so wonderful. Thank you so much for being here.

You are welcome. It's so great being here. Thanks for having me.