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!
Cynthia brought order to our business by showing us how to achieve excellence in our retail store. Who knew the numbers could be so sexy!
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!
How did you find out about Women Building Business?
I first heard about Cynthia through the Small Business Development Center. I took a two part One Page Business Plan class sponsored by the Center for Entrepreneurial Excellence. I spoke with Cynthia afterwards and we decided to work one on one. We were a good match and have continued working together up to the present time.
What made you want to sign up to take a course with Cynthia? What business problems were you hoping to solve/master?
I realized I needed help in an area that had eluded me for many years; how to manage my money in the catering business I owned and operated. I was oblivious and my indebtedness was escalating. The timing was right and I just went for it. That’s where we started.
Which courses have you taken from Cynthia?
Our one on one sessions centered mostly around how to reduce debt, keep events and projects within a budget and simple things such as how to balance my check book, stop using the ATM card and how to keep tabs on my spending. She also worked with my bookkeeper to coordinate the debt reduction program and develop a budget.
What is the most important thing you’ve learned? The most surprising or unexpected thing?
The most important thing was that I actually started to care about what was happening and wanted to do something about it. And not only caring about it but that I could actually take responsibility for my actions. The shocker was that I began to like this new change!
One of the first things I did was to reduce my overhead by half. I cut my kitchen rental cost from $1,000 a month (whether I used the kitchen or not) to $350 per month and $25.00 per hour as needed. This step and a few others reduced my monthly overhead by about $2500, which gave me breathing room and I was able to start thinking more clearly.
Also, Cynthia guided me in transitioning the staffing from employees to "Independent Contractors” and using agencies to hire kitchen chefs, bartenders and floor staff for each event done.
How have your business skills grown?
My idea to transition my business by 2008, focusing on smaller events and "Personal Chef" engagements has began to take shape. I am making an effort to tell people about this change and I’ve developed new menus and pricing information to give those who showed interest. I told other catering companies what I was doing and found to my surprise that two companies will send this "unwanted territory" my way when requests came in. I also redid my ancient resume and made an appointment with a chef/staffing agency in S.F. and am now in the process of putting some continuous jobs on the calendar to keep "feathering my nest". This is looking to the future with a good retirement plan put in motion.
How has your business (and personal life) improved as a result?
On the personal side this process has had a calming effect on me. Knowing that there are options to consider and that there is a light at the end of the tunnel have allowed me to relax. I do love my job, it just needed to be evaluated and looked at with a steady gaze rather than my frantic approach. I have gained more confidence in managing the business and "closing the deals" with potential clients.
Tangible results, I don't know in dollars at this point, but I do know that money is being put in my bank account with more regularity that in the past. My goal is to pay off a good percentage of my business and personal debt by 2008.
Would you encourage others to take classes with Cynthia?
Yes, I would definitely encourage others to take classes and work with her one on one. I like Cynthia's approach, she's straight forward and to the point, and genuinely has the gift of helping others when they are drowning in a sea of confusion.
— Barbara Federoff
Owner, Food Glorious Food Catering Company
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.
