Have A Profitable Online Business | Solopreneur Success Plan Training Tom Clairmont | Helping Solopreneurs Succeed Online

Overview:



In this episode of the "Small Business Start Up Essentials" podcast, Tom Clairmont talks with Susan Shier, founder of Shier Impact, which focuses on back office administration and organization for small businesses. With a career spanning nearly four decades in administrative roles, Susan shares her journey from working in large corporations like IBM and Hewlett Packard to launching her own venture that helps business owners streamline their operations.



Key Discussion Points:



Background and Experience: Susan details her extensive background in administrative roles within major corporations. Her career is marked by a passion for creating order from chaos, which she has seamlessly transitioned into her own business, leveraging her skills to provide clarity and structure for small businesses.



Transition to Entrepreneurship: The pivotal moment in Susan's career came when she was laid off from Hewlett Packard. This setback prompted her to reevaluate her career path and consider entrepreneurship. Initially, Susan took on small, part-time jobs to make ends meet, which eventually illuminated the potential of turning her skill set into a full-time business.



Business Evolution: Susan's business, initially named "Peace of Mind Assistance," started with a focus on lifestyle management but eventually shifted back to her roots in administrative work. She discusses the evolution of her services and the realization that her core competencies in back office tasks were most valuable to her clients.



Challenges and Adjustments: Navigating the shift from employee to business owner was not without challenges. Susan discusses the mental and emotional hurdles she faced, including dealing with depression and anxiety. The support from a life coach and a strong personal network helped her gain the confidence needed to push her business forward.



Future Plans: Looking ahead, Susan is content with the current scale of her business but is open to developing digital products to reach a broader audience. Her goal is to continue providing high-level executive assistance while possibly expanding her educational offerings through online courses.



Conclusion: Susan Shier's story is a testament to the resilience and adaptability required to transition from a traditional corporate role to entrepreneurship. Her journey underscores the importance of leveraging personal strengths and experiences to fill a niche in the market, providing valuable insights for anyone considering a similar path.

Susan Shier's Contact Info:

LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/susanshier/

Website: https://go-simple.me/

Tom Clairmont Website: www.tomclairmont.com

Solopreneur Success Plan Online Course:https://tomclairmont.thinkific.com/courses/solopreneur-success-plan


www.tomclairmont.com

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Overview:



In this episode of the "Small Business Start-Up Essentials" podcast, Tom Clairmont talks with Jacqueline Ndong, a former corporate support manager at Citrix who transitioned into a career coach based in Milan, Italy.



Jacqueline shares her journey from the corporate world to launching her own business as a career coach specializing in empowering women to achieve professional success.



Key Discussion Points:



1. Career Background:



2. Jacqueline recounts her time as a support manager at Citrix, where she excelled in her role but felt limited in opportunities to help her team grow. Despite enjoying her job and achieving success, she experienced a growing dissatisfaction with the corporate restrictions on employee development.



3. Transition to Entrepreneurship:



4. Her pivot to career coaching was driven by a desire to focus more on people rather than technical aspects of her job. Jacqueline wanted to assist other women in navigating the challenges she faced in a male-dominated industry. The decision to leave Citrix came after the company underwent a merger, providing her with a natural exit point. She meticulously planned her departure, including financial preparations and leveraging company layoffs to negotiate a favorable exit package.



5. Building a New Career:



6. Jacqueline detailed her strategic approach to becoming a career coach, which involved saving money, obtaining necessary certifications, and hiring a coach to guide her transition. This preparation allowed her to leave her corporate job confidently and start her coaching business with a clear focus on aiding professional women.



7. Challenges and Adjustments:



8. Starting a new business brought challenges, including managing work-life balance and overcoming self-doubt. Jacqueline emphasizes the importance of having a support system, particularly highlighting the support from her husband, which was crucial during her transition and ongoing entrepreneurial journey.



9. Advice for Others:



10. For those contemplating a similar move, Jacqueline advises thorough self-assessment to understand personal motivations and unhappiness in current roles. She stresses the importance of planning and not rushing the transition, highlighting that understanding one’s strengths and having a financial safety net are vital.



Conclusion:



Jacqueline’s story is a testament to the power of strategic planning and the pursuit of passion. Her experience underscores the importance of preparing both financially and emotionally for significant career changes and the value of support systems in navigating such transitions.



Her journey from a successful corporate manager to a fulfilled career coach offers valuable insights for anyone looking to make a similar shift.

Jacqueline Ndong on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacquelinendong/

Website: www.tomclairmont.com

www.tomclairmont.com

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Episode Summary:



Overview: In this engaging podcast episode, the host, Thomas, deviates from his usual format of interviewing individuals who have left the corporate world to start their businesses. Instead, he introduces Gabor Stramb, a program manager from the UK who is in the process of building his exit from his current corporate role in the oil, gas, and telecom industries.



Key Discussion Points:

Gabor's Background and Current Role: Gabor works as a program manager and in his spare time, helps individuals prepare for the Project Management Professional (PMP) certification exam. He has developed a significant following through his newsletter, boasting 7,000 subscribers.



Journey to PMP Certification: Gabor discusses his challenging path to obtaining PMP certification, which took three years and multiple attempts. His experience of failing the exam initially and then successfully devising a method to pass within eight weeks has led him to mentor others through his unique approach.



Developing the Side Hustle: The conversation explores how Gabor began his side business unintentionally, which blossomed as he started to teach others how he passed the PMP exam. His approach emphasizes efficiency, promising certification preparation within eight weeks.



Newsletter Growth and Strategy: Gabor elaborates on how he grew his newsletter audience rapidly within a year, highlighting his impressive open rate of 47%. He credits his success to targeted content that resonates with project managers and aligns with professional standards, rather than pursuing a broad, unfocused approach.

Balancing Corporate Life and Side Hustle: Gabor and Thomas discuss the challenges of managing a demanding job and a growing side business, emphasizing the importance of structured time management and strategic planning. Gabor's method involves meticulous scheduling and prioritization, ensuring he maintains balance across his professional and personal life.



Future Plans and Exit Strategy: Looking forward, Gabor shares his aspirations to eventually transition fully from his corporate role to his entrepreneurial venture, aiming to establish himself as a trusted authority in project management. He plans to leverage platforms like LinkedIn and YouTube to expand his influence and subscriber base.



Conclusion: The episode closes with reflections on the personal and professional transformations that come with building a side business. Both speakers share insights on the potential and pitfalls of such endeavors, providing listeners with both inspiration and practical advice on navigating their paths from corporate roles to independent business ownership.

Gabor Stramb on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gabor-stramb/

Online Calendar: https://calendly.com/gabor_stramb/

Tom Clairmont's Website: www.tomclairmont.com

Receive weekly tips and perspective emails from Tom on having a professional online business HERE.

www.tomclairmont.com

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/small-biz-essentials/exclusive-content

Episode Summary:



Today, I'm excited to dive into a topic that's been on my mind lately: why I decided to hire a LinkedIn coach. You see, I've been on LinkedIn for years, but I never really tapped into its full potential until recently.

It all started when I realized that despite my tech background and knack for DIY, there were certain areas where I could use some expert guidance. After researching various LinkedIn experts, I stumbled upon one whose content really resonated with me. I booked a free strategy session, and after chatting with him and seeing his track record, I was sold.



Now, I'll be honest, the cost gave me pause at first. But after weighing the potential return on investment and consulting with my wife, we decided to take the plunge. And let me tell you, it's been one of the best decisions I've made for my business.



Since enrolling in the coaching program, I've seen incredible growth in my LinkedIn presence and overall business. The personalized strategy, ongoing support, and practical guidance have been invaluable.



So, why am I sharing this with you? Because I want you to know that seeking expert help isn't a sign of weakness—it's a smart business move. Whether it's LinkedIn coaching or support in another area, investing in specialized guidance can supercharge your growth and open up new opportunities.



So, as you navigate your own entrepreneurial journey, don't be afraid to ask for help when you need it. Trust me, it can make all the difference. Thanks for tuning in, and until next time, keep chasing those business dreams!



Website: www.tomclairmont.com

Online Course: Solopreneur 90 Day Launch Plan

Receive weekly tips and perspective emails from Tom on having a professional online business HERE.

www.tomclairmont.com

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/small-biz-essentials/exclusive-content

I just wanted to explain why I'm doing a slight rebrand for the Show and how I wanted the front line image to reflect better with the content of the Podcast.

Thanks for listening and your continued support and encouragement along the way.

The core aspect of the Podcast will stay the same.

Website: www.tomclairmont.com

www.tomclairmont.com

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/small-biz-essentials/exclusive-content

EPISODE SUMMARY

In this episode of the Small Business Startup Essentials Podcast, Tom Clairmont dives deep into the vital topic of client acquisition and the essential systems for achieving it. Focused on streamlining processes, Tom shares his insights and personal experiences in incorporating effective systems into his business, aiming to guide listeners toward more efficient client acquisition strategies.

Tom begins by demystifying marketing funnels for newcomers, explaining the "know, like, trust, try, buy" process. He emphasizes the importance of flooding the top of the funnel with targeted prospects to ensure a smoother transition through the funnel stages, detailed by the acronyms TOFU, MOFU, and BOFU. Tom stresses the need for a client attraction system, client conversion system, and client nurturing system, intricately woven into the business's foundation, to facilitate this journey.

Highlighting content creation's critical role in attracting clients, Tom insists on a clear understanding of the target audience to ensure the marketing funnel is filled with qualified prospects. He shares practical tips on website design, leveraging SEO with the Yoast plugin, and optimizing LinkedIn profiles to enhance visibility and attract the right audience.

Tom provides a detailed walkthrough of his strategies for LinkedIn, including profile optimization using Canva Pro, engaging posts, and targeted connection invites based on event participation. He also discusses leveraging webinars, podcasts, and email marketing to funnel potential clients into the engagement process.

As listeners move through the middle part of the funnel, the client conversion system comes into play, aiming to transform observers into potential clients. Tom shares his approach to building trust and authority through complimentary Zoom calls, offering a glimpse into his training program and onboarding process, facilitated by tools like DocuSign to streamline the signup process.

Finally, Tom addresses the client nurturing system, focusing on delivering exceptional value to create "raging fan customers" and encourage referrals, thus bypassing the traditional marketing funnel. He outlines options for clients to engage with his services at various levels, from online training videos to comprehensive training programs, with opportunities for upgrades and continued engagement through monthly retainers.

This episode is not just a guide but a comprehensive blueprint for small business owners and solopreneurs aiming to establish or refine their client acquisition systems. Tom encourages listeners to reach out for his ebook or connect with him directly for more in-depth insights and assistance.

Website: www.tomclairmont.com
Online Course: Solopreneur Success Plan
Receive weekly tips and perspective emails from Tom on having a professional online business HERE.


www.tomclairmont.com

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/small-biz-essentials/exclusive-content