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.