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!
How did you find out about Women Building Business?
Cynthia had posted her One Page Business Plan class on WACCO -West County Community Bulletin Board
What made you want to sign up to take a course with Cynthia? What business problems were you hoping to solve/master?
I was recovering from a heart attack and knew I needed to go out on my own rather than returning to work for other people. I wanted support and I really liked the idea of working with a group of women. I was so excited that after speaking with Cynthia I signed up for the next class. Then reality set in and I realized I wasn’t ready. It took me a couple of months and then the time was right.
Since I didn’t have a business I knew I needed help putting some parameters and structure to what I wanted to do. I’m a project manager so I understand the value of the planning process.
Which courses have you taken from Cynthia?
The Women Building Business One Page Business Plan class and we work one on one for periodic updates.
What is the most important thing you’ve learned? The most surprising or unexpected thing?
The most important thing relative to the class was talking things out and having the support to figure out what I wanted to do. I found that the One Page Business Plan is a great tool for me, both to help frame the business planning and ongoing to keep me on track.
In my class we did an exercise about discovering our “Unique Ability”. Having to ask my friends, colleagues and family for feedback about what they considered to be my unique attributes was revealing and it allowed me to understand that the skills I take for granted aren’t all that common. My Unique Ability is “The ability to successfully oversee the big picture and all the small pieces at the same time.” Perfect for a project manager!
How have your business skills grown?
Several ways. First of all, I am more confident and better at asking for what I want when I’m negotiating. In general, I’m better organized. I am learning how to choose my battles and maintain my integrity while in challenging situations.
How has your business (and personal life) improved as a result?
2006 sales went from 0-$185K and this year will be even better. In the class I regained my core confidence by having to verbalize, write things down and engage in the process.
Why would you encourage others to take classes with Cynthia?
Cynthia is very concise and really knows how to work a plan into that “living, breathing, document” she talks about. What I liked the most is her focus on language and how things are phrased on the one page plan. In my world, if you can’t articulate a design, can’t put words to it, you can’t figure it out. It doesn’t become real until you can communicate it. Language is what gives the process form and function.
— Linda Herman
Linda Herman Consulting
Project Facilitation and Management
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.
