Look at our numbers!
We were in a tight spot and now we are able to do active debt reduction. The business is thriving and we are confident we’ll do well in the current economy.
My first quarter revenue in 2008 was equal to my total revenue for all of 2007!
I am halfway to my annual revenue goal at the beginning of quarter two; I trained an assistant, got a web page put together, hired someone to help with marketing, and plan to take 8 weeks of vacation in 2008!
We’ve nearly doubled our sales!
How did you find out about Women Building Business?
Our friend Sue Libby (Red Hot Ceramics) referred us to Cynthia.
What made you want to sign up to take a course with Cynthia?
We wanted to work with Cynthia because she seemed to really understand where we were at, what our issues were and she was confident she could help us.
What business problems were you hoping to solve/master?
We wanted to learn more about how to run our retail business, organize and set up systems, get a budget in place and learn cash flow and money management.
Which courses have you taken from Cynthia?
We didn’t take a course; we hired her to develop our One Page Business Plan. We were so impressed working on our OPBP that we hired her for on-going consultation.
What is the most important thing you’ve learned?
The most important things we learned are different for each of us. For one of us it has been all about the financial structure-accounts payable, money management, learning and implementing new financial and business tools. For another, understanding gross margins and how to price merchandise correctly. Last but not least, learning about organizational structure, the value of getting effective systems in place and understanding how to follow a budget for purchasing.
The most surprising or unexpected thing?
Two things:
1. That our store is capable of making more money!
2. That “not knowing” is really stressful. A huge weight has been lifted off our shoulders because now we know what our business is actually doing!
How have your business skills grown?
Our collective skills have grown immensely. We now have a comprehensive overview of our business and we’re no longer flying by the seat of our “goddess broom handles”! There are new tools being implemented and utilized, we have a cash flow budget, we review our financials all the time, accounts payable are current and we pay attention to how we’re spending and making our money. And most importantly, our customers continue to support us!
How has your business (and personal life) improved as a result?
We continue to build skills and understanding from meeting to meeting and this allows us to get better and better at what we need to be doing. We see ourselves having a bright future!
All three of us are “sensitive artistic types” and we don’t come from a business background. As we become more empowered, we are integrating our tangible pragmatic selves with our artistic selves and learning a new kind of balance. It is very exciting!
Would you encourage others to take classes with Cynthia?
Absolutely!
2006 sales went from 0-$185K and this year will be even better!
I regained my core confidence by having to verbalize, write things down and engage in the planning process.
I started at zero and now I have clients and income!
I wanted to do things right from the beginning and knew I needed guidance. I wanted to work with Cynthia because she had started, run and sold a successful company.
I love my business!
Two years ago I was burnt out and ready to fold. But now I’m excited about going to work every day.
I have changed direction as a result of the work I am doing with Cynthia
Now that I know my target market, my marketing efforts are more successful.
One of the first things I did was to reduce my overhead by half!
I reduced my monthly overhead by about $2500, which gave me breathing room and I was able to start thinking more clearly.
I found out that I was doing lots of things right. I didn’t know that before the class!
I learned the importance of having a big picture view of my company. I want to invest in my business now to reap the rewards later.
The most important thing I learned is that being part of a supportive group is priceless.
Rather than sharing my business trials and tribulations with my husband, I now have a group of people who will listen to me and provide useful feedback.
I surpassed my first year’s sales goal by 25%!
A year ago I opened my business in a small conservative town of 20,000 people who didn’t know what life coaching was. I now have an average of 10-15 coaching clients a week.
My revenue increased far beyond my expectations!
When I first started working with Cynthia three years ago, my business grossed about $30K. Last year, it grossed over $400K.
