business owners Archives - Lamisha Serf-Walls

Why I SUCK at “Business” & Choose the Heart-Centered Path Instead

July 14, 2014 by Lamisha

Image from enlightenedbusinessacademy.com

So it might sound strange to you to read that a life & biz coach sucks at ‘business’ especially when she helps her clients expand their business and make more money and just launched a program for business owners right?

Allow me to explain.

I never really thought of myself as the ‘business’ type. I mean, when I finished college I was just focused on getting a J-O-B (any job really) to pay the bills. I wasn’t in business school and really didn’t aim to be my own boss. Heck I even went so far as to say that I couldn’t be a contracted employee or be commission based because I needed to have a steady income. And the idea of being in sales made my stomach turn. I just didn’t want to be that scummy used car salesman that was trying to get any Tom, Dick, and Sally in the door to make a buck.

It just wasn’t my style and yet I found myself working for not one, but TWO organizations that had a main focus on numbers. More specifically I worked in proprietary education. And while I don’t believe ALL organizations like this operate with one thought in mind, I found myself in two that were very similar.

Getting butts in seats meant I still had a job. It just so happened that some of the people responsible for getting butts in seats weren’t necessarily concerned with if they were the right fit.

For almost 6 years I dealt with this internal and sometimes ethical dilemma of working in an organization that operated with this very hard to swallow way of doing ‘business’. (You know like some of the unethical Wall Street Bankers etc.) Set a goal, meet the goal by whatever means necessary, and don’t worry about the rest.

I hated it. Hated that many students were treated like numbers and not individuals. Hated the fact that despite the curriculum and expedited programs not being a good fit for many students, no one said anything. That’s not entirely true. We did speak up, but ultimately it wasn’t our decision to make.

So, after watching this dance occur over many years, I decided I didn’t want to be a part of that type of ‘business’ strategy. I promised I wouldn’t get pushy, treat people like numbers, and spam my followers with ‘GET THIS NOW’, ‘SALE, SALE, SALE’ emails because let’s be honest, that shit is just annoying, not to mention it’s just not my personality.

Now you may be saying, “But what about all the business coaches out there that say you have to create urgency, get your products in front of a billion people, and throw statistics at you about sales funnels and landing pages? Are they WRONG?!”

Maybe, maybe not. I’m sure those tactics work to some degree since so many people employ them, but I have found another way to do business that feels better.

It’s what I call the heart-centered way.

The heart-centered path is about connection, communication, compassion, and honesty. It’s about sharing your journey with your tribe and being genuine with your words. It’s about giving what they want and need while still understanding they are individuals. It’s about serving your community and helping. It’s empowerment. It’s service. It’s grace.

It’s a different road for sure and it is also the premise behind Tama Kieves book Inspired & Unstoppable (a book I recommend to every heart-centered business owner I know). Follow your heart and do what feels right. If it feels unnatural and like a used car salesman just trying to make a buck, well that feeling is going to come through to your tribe.

I have found (pretty recently) that even when I am trying to loosely use the advice from the ‘pros’ who are making millions of dollars, it doesn’t always come across in the most authentic way. It feels forced and what’s worse is my message doesn’t connect to the souls I am meant to work with. When I am thinking about selling, products, and numbers the waters get a bit murky for me. I get a bit uncomfortable and my message comes out disjointed and a bit ‘salesy’ which is not my intention.

However, when I focus on my intention of changing lives and helping people do what they love and succeed at it…it comes across as love and service. THAT feels lighter, brighter, and much more inspiring and incidentally I find I connect with more of my tribe. (Funny how that happens right?)

So, if you have a business or are thinking of starting your business, the best advice I have for you is this. Choose to communicate, act, and serve from your heart. If it feels like you are playing a role or wearing a mask, it probably isn’t right for you. Connect with your purpose, why you started to begin with, and who you want to serve, that is where your heart-centered business will thrive. With love.

If you are unsure of where to begin with this heart-centered path and are prone to ditch the traditional ‘business’ plan that can feel a bit icky, there is still time to get signed up for the 90-Days to Biz Brilliance program and receive the bonus gift of my self-study Invest in Yourself program ($97 value) before you can buy it. If it feels like the right program to take your business to another level (with love), I invite you to join this community of amazing heart-centered entrepreneurs who are changing the world with their work. The world needs you and your biz to shine and I want to help you make that happen.

Laying Down the Mask and Other News

May 23, 2014 by Lamisha

There are so many faces we can choose to show the world and often our online face is the most positive, brilliant, and empowering face of all. But I am realizing more and more that showing your true colors through all the ups and downs of life is what really allows us to connect, commune, and truly support one another. Just a few days ago I shared this on Facebook.

“Authenticity and vulnerability win out every.single.time. On days like today I remember that I don’t have to have it all together, slap on a smile, and pretend like I don’t have bad days, lazy days, or days when I’m not quite sure what the next step is. I don’t have to know it all, do it all, or learn it all right now to keep going. I don’t have to be the supreme, holier than thou coach to be of service to others. Nor do I have to get my hands all in the clay to end up with a masterpiece. On days like today, I can rest, relax, and give myself a day to just ‘BE’ and you can too. “

What I was going through in the moment was simply a day of ‘Meh’ and feeling a little guilty about it. The Dream Crushers were beginning to swarm and just as they were coming in for the kill, I realized I had a choice. I could simply be with the feelings, share them with my tribe, and try again tomorrow or I could try and power through, fighting the feelings I was having only to create more resistance and frustration. I chose the first of the two. More specifically, I took a nap and gave myself a break.

The truth is, I have these moments far more than I usually share with you and while I am not trying to ‘hide’ them, I prefer to share the inspirational posts and

photo credit: Simon & His Camera via photopin cc

high moments with you. (Don’t we all?) But, in doing that I am leaving out a HUGE piece of the story…my story, not to mention my expertise.

You see, I’m not just a life coach. I’m a mother and now a wife and with that comes a whole barrel of extra challenges, insights, and opportunities to share with you what I know, experience, and learn so you can learn from it too. It also gives me an opportunity to be real with you. To show you that life happens no matter what you do, but when you are doing what you love, you CAN support a family, have time together, and experience the FREEDOM that comes with creating the life of your dreams.

It is possible!

So, I want you to know that you aren’t alone and you certainly don’t have to travel this road without support. You can reach out to other business owners, mothers, wives, parents, friends, colleagues, and you can be REAL. You don’t have to wear the mask of ‘happy’ all the damn time because that is what people expect.

We are all human with good days and bad and I assure you that the only way it will hold you back, is if you fail to keep on keepin’ on. Show the ups and downs. Share them with your tribe. Let people get to know YOU…all of you. That is how we connect with one another in the truest, deepest way. That is how we learn from one another and truly support each other and know without a shadow of a doubt that we are all connected.

Together, we are entering new territory. Moving forward what I share with you will be more authentic, more balanced (with lessons, ups and downs, etc.) and my hope is that it will touch your heart in a way to inspire action for you to do that thing you have always wanted. Start the business, write your book, and share your expertise with the world.

Now is the time!

In that same vein of authenticity, I want to tell you about a change I am making. Last week I shared with you a vlog about my upcoming group coaching program. As I moved further into this week, I had some feelings come up about the program and have decided to postpone the start of the program by about a month. While I still wholeheartedly believe in the program and know that it is going to be magnificent, I wanted to take a bit of extra time to dig a little deeper and create even more goodness for you. I wanted to take some of the lessons I have learned in the last few weeks and infuse them into the program so they are ready to go for you. I also think the timing of it all was a bit off, so I am waiting.

And with that I am not judging myself for waiting. I am consciously making a choice to produce better content, better information, and a more rounded program for you because you deserve that. I want you to know without a shadow of a doubt starting today that this is the program for you. That you are not alone on your path and there are other women in the world (myself included) who have fears, doubt, confusion, and frustration about business and while others may only show you the power, joy, free-flowing happiness, I want to show it all.

Like these flowers we are all connect in our journey even while having slightly different experiences to share.

My words for this year were Show Up and that is what I am doing, with ALL of me. The good days, the bad days, and everything in between. So, I hope you will continue to follow along in this authentic journey and as we get closer to the start of the Group Coaching for Business-Minded Women in July, I hope you will be ready to join us in an amazing and uplifting journey. A journey that includes ups, downs, and in betweens that we are all experiencing whether we choose to show it all or not.

I have also made some changes to the 1 month Jump Start coaching program. It is still a 1 month program, however instead of 2 coaching calls, I am now offering 4 coaching calls for the same $347 investment. This program is a great way to get a taste of what working with me is really like while still making progress toward your dream. This is not an accelerated program as much as it is a great first step for anyone who is interested in coaching but isn’t sure they want to commit to a 3-month program just yet. What is better than that is that by doubling the number of sessions you get in the 1 month program, you are getting 4 sessions for a really great deal. If you are interested in getting started, hop on over and sign up for your 30 minute consultation and grab your spot to begin in June. Since this program includes 4 weekly sessions, I am limiting how many I can take for June to 10 clients so if you are interested let me know asap.

With that said, I hope you have a magnificent long weekend and do something fun and as always thanks for reading!

<3 Lamisha

Let’s Talk Money, Honey! Free Masterclass

May 7, 2014 by Lamisha

The month of March was AMAZING for so many reasons and while I didn’t share this info with you while it was going on, it’s important for me to tell you about a course I took that changed my life. (I’m a Leo and can be kinda dramatic sometimes, but this is for real.)

The amazingly talented Isis Arjeta put together a money manifestation course that was entirely centered around loving your money and changing the dysfunctional story and relationship many of us have with money. In short, it was the single best investment I have made this year!

And since it was a little woo-woo with meditations, hypnosis tracks, and lots of wonderful money-mindset practices it isn’t necessarily your typical money course. We didn’t talk about budgets, income, numbers, calculations, or any of the left brain stuff you might hear from financial planners and bank professionals.

This course was all about mindset, emotions, and releasing all the negative programming we tend to have when it comes to money.

This was such a powerful course that even before the course officially began, Isis shared a few very simple tips to bringing in more income and abundance and within 2 days I began seeing it in action.

Example: One morning after I had just gotten my car fixed, I decided to stop for a cup of coffee. In the drive-thru line I was feeling pure gratitude for having the money to get the repairs done and for getting to the shop safely (it was a pretty dangerous situation) and when I pulled up to the window to pay, the woman told me the person in front of me had paid for my drink. Now, this has happened to me a few times over the last few months, but NEVER has it happened on a Saturday morning. Sure, it was only a $3.00 order, but I received an immediate response from my pure gratitude and love for what my money did for me (paid to fix my car). This was just the beginning.

A week later I received not one, but TWO unexpected checks in the mail that amounted to $1100 in unexpected income!!! That’s a lot of unexpected money to come in the mail. I also received a gift card for $5.00 unexpectedly along with several other unexpected checks/payments. Like I said, March was AMAZING!

So why am I telling you all this?

I’m telling you because I talk to clients about money all the time. Incidentally most of my clients are business owners or business-minded women who are looking for more freedom to do the things they love, so money comes up a lot. I am not a financial adviser or a money manager, but I work with clients to help change their money story and open their minds to all the wonderful ways money can show up for them that is outside the traditional 9-5 job. And with the experience I had in Isis’s money manifestation course, I just can’t keep this a secret anymore!

I am sharing the love and now YOU have an opportunity to get some of this amazing information so you too can have a better relationship with your money. In fact, Isis has agreed to join me in a FREE Master Class for business-minded women (or anyone else looking to grow their money) on May 22nd at 8pm EST to share her expertise. You will not only have the opportunity to learn how to change your money story and money mindset, but will also take away practical tips and tricks that will open you to more money, more clients, more customers, and a new way of loving your money.

I know money isn’t everything, but it does provide us with certain freedom, joy, and adventure so why not change your money mindset and increase the flow of of prosperity and abundance into your life?

Interested?

Sign-up for this awesome opportunity now and don’t forget to share the love with your friends! Everyone could use a little extra money right?

Life Coaching for Business-Minded Women

May 2, 2014 by Lamisha

***Just a gentle reminder (again) that today is the LAST day to get 4 coaching sessions for a mere $300. At midnight tonight my rates are going up and you will only be able to work with me via purchasing one of the individual or group packages. I still have a few spots open, so please contact me ASAP if you are interested. ***

Happy Friday!!!

This month is sure to be jam-packed full of exciting new things. Not only am I offering my new individual packages, but I am also expanding a bit. Beginning in June I will be offering a group coaching program for business owners or business-minded individuals (artists, writers, etc.) who are looking for some support, community, and coaching to help expand their biz and break through some of the blocks that come up with being a business owner.

I will be sharing more info about what this coaching program entails and all the awesome goodies you will get with it next week, but first I want you to know how/why I came up with this idea.

Anyone that has worked with me knows that I am not a business coach per se. I don’t teach you how to set up a biz, select your niche, market your work etc. and at times find some of that to be a bit foreign to me, however I do work with a ton of business-minded women and business owners to clear their beliefs, follow their intuition, and take their businesses to the next level by challenging them to grow and evolve. I hold my clients accountable for the action items we come up with and lovingly push them to move beyond what they think they can do.

Typically the number 1 thing holding people back is fear which we all know comes in various shapes, sizes, and disguises.

So, I decided it was time to get my business-minded women together and offer a support system and coaching opportunity to clear out the icky, negative, limiting beliefs that hold us back to uncover the real, true, intuitive and magnificently abundant beauties that we are! And this 3-month group coaching offer is going to help you with that, but we won’t stop there!

We are also going to discuss some of the practical things that come up in the business world like: What do I do when I have a million ideas and can’t seem to move on ANY of them? or What about pricing my services/talents/artwork? or How can I increase the flow of clients/money/customers to my business? (I’ll give you a hint: energetic marketing.)

Did I also mention I am offering a refund option for the first month of the program? If after paying for the first month of this coaching program, you do not see the value in it AND you have completed the practices/exercises we will go over in the program, I will happily refund you what you paid for the first month. THAT is how certain I am that you will love this.

I believe that when you get a group of like-minded, driven, and passionate women together, magic happens. Community, collaboration, and friendships are born and that is what I envision for this program. Because I am only taking 20 people for this 3-month coaching journey and I am offering the refund option for the first month, I am not just taking anyone.

You see, I want all of the participants to be ready and willing to let go of the old baggage and beliefs that are holding them back so they can move forward with ease and grace, so this isn’t going to be a program you can simply buy into. I will be holding 30-min individual intake calls to everyone who is interested in this program to ask a few questions, to get to know you better, and to evaluate if this is a good program for you. My purpose here is not to simply fill my program, but instead to provide a quality, high-value experience for up to 20 women who will benefit greatly from it. If that means we stop at 10 enrollees then so be it.

More details to come on the investment, the topics, the time involved, and information on a free call that will give you some nuggets of wisdom you can begin implementing before the course even begins! If this is something you are interested in please sign up for my VIP list so you don’t miss any important dates or details! I am so excited to share this with you and can’t wait to give you all of the details about some guest teachers I have for this awesome program.

Have a wonderful weekend and as always thanks for reading!

<3 Lamisha

Transformation, Growth, & Group Coaching for YOU!

April 28, 2014 by Lamisha

If you would have told me 5 or 10 years ago that I would be a business owner with no other full-time income other than my business, I certainly wouldn’t have believed you. I never really wanted or thought about being my own boss as much as I really wanted to love what I do and have the freedom and flexibility in my life to do more of what I love. Seems obvious that being my own boss would provide all of that, but I didn’t put the two together until I realized life coaching was my calling.

Since then, I have found this path to be one of the most amazing and life transforming experiences. I have learned (and continue to learn) a ton about myself, my life, my preferences, and how I work best. I am learning to let go of the old story of success and what that means in traditional society and am stepping into my power more and more every day. I am reaching beyond my previously set boundaries and am expanding my reach, my knowledge, and my faith in the Universe that all things are working out exactly as they are meant to.

I am also stepping into a bit of a new direction business wise that is causing me to learn, grow, and evolve even more quickly. It’s a process and a journey that I wouldn’t give up for the world and I am so grateful for the opportunity to stand in my power helping other business owners and freedom-seekers do the same.

What is a freedom-seeker you ask?

Simply put, it is a person who desires to walk their own path and find (and live) their true calling. They wish to do what they love, stand in that power, and live the life of their dreams…as they see fit. Whether it’s a mansion by the beach or a life of travel, they want to create a life that allows them to do as they please. They want to grow, learn, evolve, and become more of who they are and be comfortable and confident in themselves. These are people who are similar to the ‘purple people‘ in that they feel the call to follow their inspiration and intuition as opposed to logic and reality. Crystal Davis (an amazing, talented, and very creative woman and friend) owner of Poetic Empire posted on Facebook yesterday that “Reality is irrelevant.”(I love that quote!) and freedom-seekers know this on some level and the more they live it, the more they feel their calling and truth.

These are the people I know I am meant to work with because I am one of them. I am proud to say I had the courage to step out on faith and step into my calling, my purpose, and my passion. I have learned a lot on this path and my hope is that I can pass a bit of that knowledge to others who are doing the same.

That is why I have created a program specifically for heart-centered business owners (and soon to be business owners) that are doing work they love. This 3-month group coaching program(beginning in June) provides you the coaching, support, community, and practical tips to break through the blocks and barriers you may be experiencing in your business life. It will help you grow stronger in your confidence for your craft, provide tools for dealing with fear, self-sabotage, abundance issues, address self-care and anything else holding you back. This is an opportunity for 20 people to connect, commune, and grow together with a common goal to stand more fully in their power, passion, and purpose.

I will be providing more information about how to get signed up for this program and the nitty-gritty details about what it entails in the next week or so. So, if you are looking to get your business started or are looking to expand, grow, and stand more fully in your purpose and this is something that you want to take advantage of, please sign-up for my VIP List today so you don’t miss any of the details and deadlines to sign up. I know that this program is going to bring like minds and hearts together to create powerful change and collaborations that will make your business flourish, so if your heart is telling you to sign up, respond to the call and don’t miss this amazing opportunity to grow, evolve, and become the free-flowing business owner I know you can be!

May you all have a magnificently magical Monday!

P.S. Don’t forget Friday is the last day to contact me if you are interested in individual coaching sessions at my current rate for a period of 2 months. That is 4 individual sessions for $300 which is an amazing value! If you are interested please contact me to get your 30-minute consultation scheduled as soon as possible. Remember, you must contact me by Friday in order to be eligible for this limited-time offer. Rates are doubling on Saturday May 3rd.