Road To Seven

What is your company’s story? On today’s episode of The Road to Seven podcast I’m speaking with Melissa Durrell, the president of Durrell Communications public relations agency. For nearly 20 years she worked as an award-winning journalist before founding her own start-up company. She tells her client’s amazing stories by using insider knowledge to gain local and international exposure. Today we’re talking about the role activism can play when you grow your business and how Melissa has grown from a company of one to a team of eight high-producing PR and communications experts.Takeaways from this episodeWhen you’re talking to the media you have to have a sticky storyCreate a strong story people will rememberMake sure you’re providing solutions to people’s problemsEvery company has a storyTo find your story ask, “Why should people care about what you’re doing?”Hire amazing people—your revenue will jump right away when you doLook for people who want to be mentored and have great leadership skillsLearn how to del

What happens after you reach your big, hairy, audacious goal? On today’s episode of The Road to Seven podcast I’m speaking with Kelsey Ramsden, author of Success Hangover. Described as “the 50 million dollar women” by Forbes magazine, Kelsey is known as a master builder of ideas, companies and sky’s-the-limit futures. Twice named the Canada female entrepreneur, she has founded and scaled businesses in industries as diverse as construction and kids toys. Today we’re talking about what happens after you reach your goal and things we can do to work through the success hangover.Takeaways from this episodeHaving an MBA doesn’t make you a business personIt’s important to build alignment with your business and the people who work thereThe goal is not the finish line—there is no finish line in entrepreneurshipFeedback doesn’t mean you’re not good enough. Allow feedback and input to make you betterGo for the hard stuff, that’s where all the best stuff isDon’t surround yourself with critics, surround yourself with peop

How do you create space to pursue your business goals when you have no time? On today’s episode of The Road to Seven podcast I’m speaking with Susan Pierce Thompson, an expert in the psychology of eating and an adjunct associate professor of brain and cognitive sciences at the University of Rochester. Author of Bright Line Eating, Susan is also the founder of Bright Line Eating solutions—a company dedicated to helping people achieve the health and vibrancy that accompany permanent weight loss. Today we’re taking a look at the key decisions Susan made along the way from writing her book from a place of meditation to launching and growing a seven-figure business.Takeaways from this episodeWhen you’re connected with who you want to be what you have to do and what you’re going to have is going to followGetting into and staying in massive action once you know where you’re going is keySometimes short-term sacrifice is what it takes to get your business to the next level when you don’t have extra time to put inCommi

Do you have a book in you? No more procrastinating! On today’s episode of The Road to Seven podcast I’m speaking with Melanie Votaw, an author, ghost writer, editor and book coach. She has written 10 books under her own name and ghost written 23 non-fiction books. Melanie has developmentally edited more than 50 books that have won 32 awards and her work has appeared on New York Times Best Sellers lists. In her group coaching programs she guides aspiring authors through to the completion of their book or book proposal. Today we’re talking about how to finish your book and the pros and cons of self-publishing versus traditional publishing.Takeaways from this episodeThere’s a difference between a writer and an authorFiguring out your book’s structure is the hardest thing for people who have never done it beforeThe three main pain points with finishing a book are isolation, lack of motivation and self-doubtWriting a book without an outline is like trying to build a house without a foundationIn order to focus your

Are you wondering how to best use your time in order to grow your business? On today’s episode of The Road to Seven podcast I’m speaking with Rona Birenbaum from Caring for Clients. Rona has worked for over 25 years in financial services within the credit union, full-service brokerage and independent financial planning industries. Over the years she has developed a strong team of seven financial professionals offering outstanding value to their diverse clientele. Today we’re talking about the importance of charting your own course when it comes to your business.TakeawaysIf you don’t have clients your focus needs to be on getting clientsDon’t get distracted by things that make you feel like you’re being productive but are not actually creating growth or sustainabilityTo get in front of a client is one thing—to have them see you are the person who can help them is anotherPeople can learn anything if their purpose is aligned, they work hard and they’re brightMaking sound decisions quickly and efficiently and the

Is it time to pause and align your business with what matters to you? On today’s episode of The Road to Seven podcast I’m speaking with Rachael O’Meara, a transformational leadership and executive coach who supports others as they seek to fulfil their potential. She’s a sales executive at Google and author of Pause: Harnessing the Life-Changing Power of Giving Yourself a Break. Rachael says a pause is an intentional shift in behaviour that helps you lead a more meaningful and satisfying life.TakeawaysWe often operate our business from a position of survival or burnout but our peak performance is sitting on the other side of the roadThe only way we can get into a place of peak performance is through renewalFive signs you know you need a pause: you used to love what you do now you loathe it, your boss tells you it’s not working out, you need a technology intervention, there is a challenge, there is an opportunityNot knowing what to do next in your business? It might be time to pausePausing is in service to the

What can I do today to serve my clients? What can I do today to serve my team? On today’s episode of The Road to Seven podcast I’m speaking with Shelley True, the president of TRUEdotDESIGN. Shelley and her award-winning agency provide strategic marketing, design, branding and social media for companies within the architectural, engineering, property development and construction sectors. A trail-blazer in Ottawa’s business community, Shelley took the bold step of acquiring the award-winning Ottawa-based firm Avenue Design and has successfully merged the two companies under the TRUEdotDESIGN brand, building on two decades of experience while seamlessly integrating the culture, approach, mission and values of both firms. Shelley is known as a natural connector and believes that mentorship and encouragement is the role of all business leaders.TakeawaysThe first five years of business is the most crucial—get through that and then look at the next 10When you’re just starting out stay focused on your one initial ta

Work hard and love what you do and the money will come. On today’s episode of The Road to Seven podcast I’m speaking with Jody Steinhauer, the president and CBO—Chief Bargains Officer—of The Bargains Group. Jody has mobilized her award-winning discount wholesale and promotional products company to revolutionize the business landscape. Jody uses her network of resources and leveraged buying power to aid every company and not-for-profit agency that she touches to maximize their buying dollar.Takeaways from this episodeGiving back makes great business sense. It’s important and people will do business with you because of itFind incredible mentors and ask for helpFilter every decision through the questions, “Is it right? and “Is there any kind of downside to my personal brand or reputation or my company’s reputation?” The deal has to pass the testCommunication and getting back to people is key when you’re just getting startedBe conscious of growth strategies—you can do a lot without spending moneyIf you want to ge

Partnerships in business are tricky and don’t always result in success. On today’s episode of The Road to Seven podcast I’m speaking with Julie Cole, a recovered lawyer, mom of six and co-founder of Mable’s Labels. She has helped bring the company to a worldwide market, gain media recognition and win countless entrepreneur awards. Today Julie and I talk about growing a business—which ended up being sold for millions of dollars—and how she built it in a partnership. Takeaways from this episodeNo matter what the vision is, take it seriously and take the proper steps to get that foundation in placeYou will never work harder in your life—a start-up is hustle all the timeIf you’re thinking about starting a business with someone put a shareholder agreement together while you’re all still friendsBefore you start make sure that all the humans in your life know what it will actually look like so your support system is strongKeep revisiting your business plan and make sure you’re on trackDon’t be afraid to ask for help