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8 Mistakes I Made as an Entrepreneur
Darlene Hawley
I'm sharing 8 of the biggest mistakes I've made as an entrepreneur – the ones I wish I could've avoided.
Let's travel back 18 years.
I made every mistake under the sun when starting my business.
I've been there and done that and even own the t-shirt.
But hey, hindsight's a beautiful thing.
The cool thing is that I eliminate almost all the guesswork when working with my clients. I've made all the mistakes, so you don't have to.
I'm sharing 8 of the biggest mistakes I've made as an entrepreneur – the ones I wish I could've avoided.
The best part is you won't have to go through these lessons the hard way. I'm here to guide you, removing all the guesswork so you can concentrate on what truly matters, building and expanding a business and life that brings you joy.
- To Niche or Not to Niche? - When I started my business (18 years ago), I thought I could be everything to everyone. That was a big mistake! I needed to clarify for myself who I wanted to work with, why, and how I wanted to support them. Everything changed for me when I figured this out.
- "Business Coach" ...for What Sport? - Yep, I've been there. Laugh with me. I was so vague in my message, and it was 2006, and the coaching world was new’ish. This is why I share the importance of having clarity in your messaging so people actually understand what you do.
- The Mystery Offer - Creating a brand new offer for every single prospect you talk to is not only a bad idea, but it’s exhausting. Identify a signature offer and framework that is the starting point for how you support your clients.
- Networking Overload - Networking is great when you're building authentic relationships, but matchmaking? Not so much. I found I was spending too much time playing Cupid and worrying about connecting others instead of building deep relationships. for myself.
- Admin Overload - You either find yourself drowned in paperwork or hiding behind it, and this is what kept me from increasing my visibility and up-leveling my marketing. Get super clear on what 5 ways you will market yourself and get seen so you can grow your business and build a wait list.
- The SOP Struggle - Consistency is key, yet I found myself reinventing the wheel with every new client. The magic of standard operating procedures took away the chaos and made my life so much easier.
- Long-Winded Sales Calls - Ever talk your client out of working with you? Yeah, guilty as charged. Having a clear way to share your offer can be your best friend when it comes to sealing the deal and making sure your working with the right types of clients.
- Strategic Plan MIA - You took the time and mapped it out, yet your plan never saw the light of day. Let's dust it off together and create a way that you can take the right action and make your plan feel like a success.
Why not take the next step? Please feel free to reach out to me and schedule a quick call, where we can identify your challenges and explore how we can overcome them together.
I've got a few spots open for my 6-month 1:1 Attract & Stand Out Coaching program.
Fill out the application below and schedule a call here!
I offer 1:1 Leadership & Business Coaching & Team Trainings! If you would like to explore what working together would look like, I invite you to submit an application.
Hey There!
I'm Darlene
A mother, wife, connector and dream builder. I'm a Personal Branding & Business Coach and the founder of DarleneHawley.com.
I have a passion for helping online entrepreneurs to create an authentic, magnetizing and profitable brand and business by tapping into their story. I support them by creating a solid brand foundation that allows them to attract their ideal clients and stand out in their industry. I've been committed to helping entrepreneurs launch and grow their business since 2007.
I now spends my time supporting women to reach their goals and live out their dream life, all while raising my family and creating memories each and every day.
Explore the art of effective communication, boundary-setting, and personal growth as a HR leader or Entrepreneur.
Discover the transformative power of authenticity and storytelling in personal branding, and learn how to stand out authentically in a crowded market.
Picture this: 90+ AI-savvy experts, including yours truly, Darlene Hawley. I'll be talking about AI in Content Creation: Balancing Automation with Authenticity.
Becca Heissel, a dedicated Success Strategist and passionate advocate for entrepreneurs, has been on a mission to assist numerous business owners over the past six years. In her role as a certified trainer of Jack Canfield's Success Principles, she focuses on guiding individuals through the challenges of entrepreneurship, specifically emphasizing the importance of building confidence, envisioning financial futures, and breaking free from the chains of shame and fear surrounding money. Recognizing the notable absence of money and business education in traditional schooling, Becca is committed to filling this gap by providing practical support and mentorship to those navigating the complexities of running a business. Her expertise lies in helping entrepreneurs overcome significant challenges, particularly in the realms of finance and mindset. In a world where entrepreneurship demands resilience and strategic thinking, having a seasoned guide like Becca Heissel could prove invaluable for individuals seeking to not only survive but thrive in the business landscape. SmartBiz Cash Flow Allocator. Managing your money should be empowering, not overwhelming. https://www.smashingnumbers.com/free_... https://www.linkedin.com/in/becca-hei... https://www.instagram.com/beckyheissel/ https://twitter.com/MaddieBrownCPA https://www.facebook.com/SmashingNumbers https://www.facebook.com/Beck51523/ ____ Darlene Hawley is a speaker, podcast host, business coach, and communication expert who shows ambitious, heart-centered entrepreneurs and rising business leaders how to speak up, stand out, and make more impact. Grab my 10 Do's and Don't for Effective Daring Conversations: https://mailchi.mp/297e8105e904/commu... Grab my 6 Steps To Attract & Stand Out digital guide, a free roadmap to create a successful business with less hustle and more ease: https://bit.ly/attractandstandoutonline Grab a Chai and let's Connect: https://darlenehawley.com
On episode 91 of the Attract and Stand Out Podcast, dive into the world of brand positioning with my special guest Susan Friesen. When two brand strategists get together and chat you know it's going to be good. Our conversation reveals the transformative journey of becoming a branding expert and its pivotal role in business success. In this episode, Susan shares invaluable insights, including: ~The Evolution of Brand Positioning: Explore Susan's two-decade journey from digital novice to branding pioneer, highlighting the evolution of branding as a foundational business strategy. ~The Significance of Personal Brand for Entrepreneurs: Discover the importance of personal branding in connecting with your target audience and how to refine your brand message for maximum impact. ~Challenges and Sustainability: Uncover the hurdles faced in the industry and the importance of authenticity and ethical use of tools like AI in maintaining trust and relevance. ~Innovative Ideas and Long-term Growth: Explore the potential of artificial intelligence in branding and marketing and how to embrace it as a tool for ideation and efficiency without sacrificing human creativity and connection. Don't miss out—subscribe now for more wonderful conversations! ------- Susan Friesen is a visionary brand strategist, entrepreneur, and founder of British Columbia’s premiere boutique web development and digital marketing agency, eVision Media. With over 20 years of experience in the industry, she is an expert in helping businesses establish their online presence and create a strong brand identity. Her passion for empowering female entrepreneurs to succeed in the digital world has earned her a reputation as a leading authority in the marketing industry. Grab Susan's free guide for anyone who is not getting the qualified leads they want and need. It's called "Unlocking Customer Trust and Business Growth: Your 7-Step Guide to Defining a Compelling Brand Identity that Appeals to Your Perfect Clients" www.BrandIdentitySteps.com IG: https://www.instagram.com/susan.evisionmedia/ LI: https://www.linkedin.com/in/evisionmedia/ FB: https://www.facebook.com/eVisionMedia ------ Darlene Hawley is a speaker, podcast host, business coach, and communication expert who shows ambitious, heart-centered entrepreneurs and rising business leaders how to speak up, stand out, and make more impact. Grab my 10 Do's and Don't for Effective Daring Conversations: https://mailchi.mp/297e8105e904/communicationguide Grab my 6 Steps To Attract & Stand Out digital guide, a free roadmap to create a successful business with less hustle and more ease: https://bit.ly/attractandstandoutonline Grab a Chai and let's Connect: https://darlenehawley.com https://linkedin.com/in/darlenehawley
Listen in as Colleen Biggs and Darlene Hawley talk about how important community and relationships are as a leader and small business owner.
Listen in as Darlene Hawley and Hailey Rowe discuss how to go all in on yourself as you grow your business.
Join us today as Colleen Interview's Darlene Hawley on Take the Leap. In this episode, we dive deep into the topic of effective, daring conversations and how to strengthen your voice.
I just was awarded ~ Best Business Clarity Coach 2023 – Los Angeles by Corporate Vision for this year’s successful awardees of the Corporate Coaching and Recruitment Awards 2023 .
