Empowered

by Dominica Lumazar

  Being able to adapt to change is everything. Your business will thank you for it.

  What is your new vision for the business?

  Do you need to first focus on staffing, company culture, or something else that has been covered in Empowered?

  What is the first change that needs to be made to begin implementing your course correction?

  Chapter 12

  Stay the Course

  “My legacy is that I stayed on course...from the beginning to the end,

  because I believed in something inside of me.”

  — Tina Turner

  Now that you know how to make proper course corrections, it’s time for you to chart a course and stick to it. Keep your eye on the prize and own it!

  I’ve found it’s usually the best ideas that are never easily or quickly embraced. You must not be disheartened if you don’t see epic success overnight. Embrace even your smallest ideas for big impact. Even though it might seem enticing to choose the path of least resistance, never take shortcuts; now is the time to start building and paving the way for the long, abundant road ahead.

  Remember that through your leadership skill set and newfound marketing mindset, people can and will want to support your company and mission by feeling involved in your story and letting them share in your experiences. As you set the course, remember to include your customers and team. You are all in this together, so share the excitement along the way.

  Here are a few ways that you can be sure you are staying on track:

  Eliminate Products or Services that Don’t Sell—Not every product you create is going to be a bestseller. It’s important to recognize when it’s time to take it out of the line up. If you’ve marketed the product various ways and have started to lose money promoting it, it’s time to toss it out and move on. Don’t let the idea that it was “before it’s time” or “maybe we just aren’t getting it in front of the right eyes” keep you collecting it on the shelf and wasting inventory space. Time to create something new and find the next bestseller.

  Clarify Goals and Benchmarks—You can accelerate progress when you are clear with yourself and your team on what benchmarks need to be met in order to meet company goals. Bring your team together so everyone has a clear picture of how they need to work together and support each other in order to succeed. Encourage and reward them once goals are met. And then repeat!

  Give Your Team the Reins—You can’t do everything alone. But you can show your team how it needs to be done. Allow them to take ownership in their roles even if they make mistakes. This will make them more efficient on future projects. The more you ease up on the reins, the more your team can grow into what you hired them to be. By not scolding them, but refocusing them back on course, they will start to take more responsibility in their actions, knowing you trust them to get back on course.

  Stay Flexible—I know I like to stick to a strict plan once a decision has been made. But that’s not how everyone operates. Once I was able to recognize how important it was to stay flexible and open to new possibilities, I started to enjoy each day to the fullest. While setting goals is absolutely necessary, don’t let it become restricting. When you allow yourself to be flexible, you’re able to enjoy every aspect of your leadership and business owner journey.

  Focus—The ability to focus is the number one element of business success. Being in the captain's chair can be exciting, but do your best to not let it go to your head. Remember that we have the ability to control our process and journey for how our big picture goals end up. Do not be easily swayed by those who may try to set you in a direction they know nothing about. Even with all the great inventors in our world, the one thing no one has been able to create more of is time. You owe it to yourself to follow your dreams and not waste another moment. Believe in your inner compass, and as you set sail while steering the ship towards the shore of your dreams, don’t forget to stay focused.

  Course Accountability

  Often, my clients will tell me they are lonely. The truth is, it can absolutely feel lonely being at the top, especially when making big decisions. This is why you need to find your leadership, business owner, and entrepreneurial tribe.

  It’s a good idea to have advisors and a team of people you pay to keep you in check. I’m talking about leaning on those colleagues and associates who are like-minded, who you can bounce ideas off, and who can be brutally honest with you.

  It's important to stay accountable for the goals you want to reach. No matter how big or small. Make sure you check in with your board, with your advisors, and ask questions about how they reach their goals and how they stay motivated.

  The flip side of that is being willing to share what you've learned with others. Don't just continue your education, but continue to educate as well. Make sure you're carrying on the entrepreneurial-business-owner torch. You can save someone a lot of time by sharing something you’ve learned. Not only is it our leadership responsibility to empower others, but it’s also incredibly fulfilling.

  Stay the Course

  Action Steps

  Now that you have a clearer idea of where you want to take your business, it is time to start implementing positive changes that will move you and your team toward the ultimate vision you have for your business.

  Which of the above strategies will you use first to help you stay on track?

  What support do you need to stay focused on your goals?

  How can you share what you’ve learned with others?

  To help keep you focused on your business and leadership goals, I have written a bonus chapter—“How to Stay Grounded in Your Business so You Can Be an Effective Leader” Get this bonus chapter now and additional resources by going to www.TheEmpoweredBook.com/bonuses

  Conclusion

  I wrote this book with the intention to come alongside leaders and business owners and help them set themselves apart from the rest. To empower and equip them with business and marketing knowledge so they may never be taken advantage of, feel hopeless or lonely.

  Being a business owner can be one of the most daunting things on earth. You have made the decision to start your own business, along with wanting to make a difference in the lives of others and continue to educate yourself to be the best you can be. You are amazing!

  I commend you for taking the time to read not only how to improve your business, but about who you are as a leader. My hope is that you will use my book as a tool, dog ear these pages, get out highlighters, and share this information with your team. I urge you to run with it and make it your own.

  I’ve learned a lot on my own, but I was also smart enough to recognize that I needed to know more. So I sought the advice from the very best leaders, entrepreneurs, and business owners in the world. This book is a compilation of the lessons I learned along the way. I want this information to help save you time and money trying to figure it all out on your own.

  Regardless of how much money you make for yourself, the people you’ve hired, or your family, at the end of the day, make sure you are running your business in a way that brings you joy, happiness and continues to empower those around you to live the best quality of life possible.

  Your job now is to turn what you’ve learned into action! Make those healthy choices, keep clear boundaries, fail over and over again but get back up. Say thank you to every door that slams in your face, and surround yourself with like-minded individuals who are going to support you and lift you up along the way. Pay close attention to your leadership intuition and listen to it. Even if a decision is challenging, you will always know what’s best for your business. Stay humble and keep evolving.

  Should you ever have any questions along the way or need an encouragement boost, be sure to connect with me on social media and let me know what you’re up to. I want to be your cheerleader and advocate for your success every step of the way.

  If you would like to work directly with me and my team, I would be delighted to hear your story and offer my assistance.<
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  Now get out there, BE EMPOWERED and OWN your business: You’ve got this!

  Acknowledgments

  Empowered came to fruition thanks to the team at Rory Carruthers Marketing.

  Rory, in our ten years of friendship, you continue to push me to new heights. None of this would have been possible without you—launching two music albums together, introducing me to the world of marketing, and now publishing my book. I have so much gratitude for everything I’ve learned, and will continue to learn, from you. Thank you for always seeing the best in me.

  Carly, you have always provided incredible insight and been a positive influence on my music and now my writing. When the idea came up that I should write a book, I remember laughing, saying, “I’m not a writer,” and you very seriously said, “You can do this, and I’ll be here to help!”

  This book would have never been finished without you and your literary talent. For that, I will always be eternally grateful.

  Chris Lumazar, my love, you have seen me through just about every stage of my entrepreneurial journey. From being the official recipe taste tester for Love Bird Chocolates to sharing in the excitement of what has now become Sweet D Marketing, I’m so blessed to have you by my side. You bring endless joy to my life. Thank you for being my best friend and support through it all.

  Anastasia Del Vecchio (mom), thank you for being my greatest cheerleader. So much of what’s in Empowered has been from you teaching me how to confidently navigate this ever-changing world. Your support and guidance have always been the secret sauce to my success throughout all my endeavors. Thank you for being on my team!

  Vaughn Schaaf (dad), you are the most personable, charming businessman I know. You’ve taught me how to read any situation, how to stand out in a crowd, and chart my own course. From a young age, you told me that I could do absolutely anything as long as I set my mind to it. I suppose we can now put a checkmark next to author.

  Franchesca Duval, without you and your passion for small business, I would have never been given the opportunity to start my entrepreneurial journey at such a young age. You have always been such an inspiration and example of what any business owner can accomplish. Thank you for gifting me Love Bird Chocolates and for putting your trust in me to make it fly. You are the greatest sister anyone could ever dream of.

  Gina Del Vecchio, your strength and tenacity have inspired me to be the very best I can be in my business and for my business. You have accomplished so much, all while following your dreams. You have shown me how to be a BOSS and to seize an opportunity when it’s staring you right in the face. Thank you for supporting this family through thick and thin. I am so proud to call you my aunt. I adore you!

  Fran Del Vecchio, when I think about what success looks like, I think about when you took me to open my very own savings account I was just eight years old. I’ll never forget you telling me, “Now remember, sweetheart, it’s not about how much you make, it’s about how much you save.” To this day, whenever making large financial decisions, your words play in my mind as if we’re standing in that very same bank as you handed me a $5.00 bill to put in my savings. It’s been such a gift to be part of this family of strong, focused businesswomen with you at the helm. Thank you for all the many bits of golden advice over the years. You continue to be one of my greatest inspirations and an example of true success.

  Nikki Adams, you have seen me through so many stages to get to where I am today. You have always gone above and beyond to make time for our friendship. You always know exactly what to say to put a smile on my face while continuing to encourage me to focus on what’s most important. Thank you for being my best friend and an amazing Godmother to Emma. Life is so sweet with you in it!

  Anne Van Brunt, who would have ever thought that the universe would bring us together in such a sweet way? Your support and friendship means the world to me. I cherish our adventures and daily walks. Thank you for your listening ear and for always offering kind advice. Since the day we met, you have inspired me to slow down and enjoy what’s right in front of me. Having you as my neighbor has brought so much joy to my world. Thank you for being you.

  References

  “10 Ways to Encourage a Healthy Work-Life Balance for Employees.” Pingboard, pingboard.com/work-life-balance/#balance.

  “About Kendra Cherry, MS.” Verywell Mind, Verywellmind, www.verywellmind.com/kendra-cherry-2794702.

  Abrashoff, D. Michael. It's Your Ship: Management Techniques from the Best Damn Ship in the Navy. Grand Central, 2012.

  Council, The Young Entrepreneur. “13 Key Ways to Stay on Track to Achieve Your Business Goals.” Small Business Trends, 19 Feb. 2018, smallbiztrends.com/2018/02/ways-to-stay-on-track-small-business.html.

  Godin, Seth. This Is Marketing: You Can't Be Seen until You Learn to See. Portfolio Penguin, 2018.

  Hooker, Lauren. “How to Create a Distinct Color Palette for Your Brand.” Elle & Company, Elle & Company, 21 June 2016, www.elleandcompanydesign.com/blog/color-palette.

  “How to Stop Negative Self-Talk.” Mayo Clinic, Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, 18 Feb. 2017, www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/stress-management/in-depth/positive-thinking/art-20043950?pg=2.

  Karaian, Jason, and Jason Karaian. “The Mobile Internet Is the Internet.” Quartz, Quartz, 4 Nov. 2017, qz.com/1116469/we-now-spend-70-of-time-online-on-our-phones/.

  Leadership Success leadership, management skills. “5 Leadership Styles to Inspire Peak Performance | Brian Tracy.” Brian Tracy's Self Improvement & Professional Development Blog, 14 Nov. 2018, www.briantracy.com/blog/leadership-success/5-leadership-styles-to-inspire-peak-performance/.

  Miller, Donald. Building a Storybrand: Clarify Your Message so Customers Will Listen. HarperCollins Leadership, 2017.

  About the Author

  DOMINICA LUMAZAR is the founder of Sweet D Marketing and a world-renowned Strategic Marketing and Branding Consultant. She is also a #1 International Bestselling Author who has been featured on FORBES, ABC, NBC, CBS, FOX, and Total Prestige Magazine. Dominica has consulted hundreds of companies across a multitude of industries. CEO’s, CMO’s, and many celebrities rely on her expertise to run their marketing and branding campaigns. With 10+ years of experience running two of her own successful companies, she’s been able to break into countless industries and provide epic results for her clients. Dominica is known as their “secret weapon” due to bringing in well over one billion dollars in additional revenue to their bottom lines. Learn more about Dominica Lumazar and how she can help your business at www.SweetDMarketing.com

  Notes

  1 Leadership Success leadership, management skills. “5 Leadership Styles to Inspire Peak Performance | Brian Tracy.” Brian Tracy's Self Improvement & Professional Development Blog, 14 Nov, 2018. www.briantracy.com/blog/leadership-success/5-leadership-styles-to-inspire-peak-performance/.

  2 “How to Stop Negative Self-Talk.” Mayo Clinic, Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, 18 Feb. 2017, www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/stress-management/in-depth/positive-thinking/art-20043950?pg=2.

  3 “10 Ways to Encourage a Healthy Work-Life Balance for Employees.” Pingboard, pingboard.com/work-life-balance/#balance.

  4 “About Kendra Cherry, MS.” Verywell Mind, Verywellmind, www.verywellmind.com/kendra-cherry-2794702.

  5 Miller, Donald. Building a Storybrand: Clarify Your Message so Customers Will Listen. HarperCollins Leadership, 2017.

  6 Hooker, Lauren. “How to Create a Distinct Color Palette for Your Brand.” Elle & Company, Elle & Company, 21 June 2016, www.elleandcompanydesign.com/blog/color-palette.

  7 Godin, Seth. This Is Marketing: You Can't Be Seen until You Learn to See. Portfolio Penguin, 2018.

  8 Karaian, Jason, and Jason Karaian. “The Mobile Internet Is the Internet.” Quartz, Quartz, 4 Nov. 2017, qz.com/1116469/we-now-spend-70-of-time-online-on-our-phones/.

  9 Forbes-Kindlen, Chloe, et al. “The 3 Types of Buyers, and How to Optimize for Each
One.” Neuromarketing, Neuromarketing, 9 July 2017, www.neurosciencemarketing.com/blog/articles/3-types-buyers.htm.

  10Abrashoff, D. Michael. It's Your Ship: Management Techniques from the Best Damn Ship in the Navy. Grand Central, 2012.