If you are like many heart centered solopreneurs looking to make a difference in the world, you know you need to get noticed in order to make your mark matter. So how do you get someone to do business with you? Or should the question actually be, why should they choose you over someone else?

Many years back, I picked up a book called Jump Start Your Business Brain and heard the term Unique Selling Proposition by Doug Hall. This book became my little “bible” to marketing.

It was full of nuggets of getting me and business noticed in what I thought was a flooded market. One of the biggest points Hall writes about is to discover your Unique Selling Propositions (USP).  You do this by logically uncovering the points that differentiate you from your competition. Sounds logical enough.

There is definitely a place for the logical thinking process, but when I became more of a heart centered solopreneur, I soon realized that in a world of abundance, there is no competition when you are following your purpose. You were meant to be living your purpose, no matter what.

Customers and clients connect with you not when you are illustrating the differences between you and your competition. You will attract more clients you are meant to work with when you allow who you are authentically to shine through.

So the answer actually lies in your heart, not in your head. It is not your logical USP that will captivate the hearts of your clients, but your unique brilliance that you need to discover that is fundamental to branding and marketing success.

Find your unique brilliance and let it shine from inside out.

With Love, Gratitude and Abundance,

Shauna Harper – Your Abundance Business Coach
Money and Marketing Business Coaching
“Sparking Contagious Energy and Action in Your Business”

Whether you are new in business or someone that has been around the block a few times, you have probably been at this stage before: “The gatherer” . As solopreneurs we are thirsty for the latest thing that can help us with our business. The problem is that we become “gatherers” of information instead of action takers in our business. The world wide web is an amazing resource, but if you are not careful, it can also paralyze you stop you from taking action.Here are 3 steps to overcome information overload:

1. Give yourself time to focus or refocus your most recent goal. So figure out what you are doing online and what you are searching for. Once you have a focus, eg. “How can I  get more leads via social media” or “how do I improve my sales copy”. These are both very specific focuses. You then have a purpose to your wandering when you are online.

2. Develop a plan. Having a plan of attack is the best way to make sure you are not trying to absorb everything.  Perhaps it is to find a few or even just one guru to follow on the specific focus is a great way to start. When you have someone that you resonate with, you are more easily able to iron out a “plan of attack or a roadmap” of how you are going to reach your goals.

When I first decided to get into coaching, I knew I wanted to master the “business of coach” as well as the “art of coaching”… I searched on the internet and connected to Kendall Summerhawk who is a master at not just transforming women coaches’ lives, but she also knows how to create massive wealth doing so. So, develop a plan so that you aren’t wasting your time dancing around.

3.Get into Action. Quit being a collector of great information. It is time to now leave the nest and start trying out what you have learned. Some of it will work and some of it won’t, but you won’t know this until you try. Holding yourself accountable to at least follow through on what you are learned is the key to make sure it isn’t just information overload that paralyze you. You can continue to do what is working or tweak what isn’t when you are on the ground testing out the knowledge.

I just read an article on Yahoo.uk about 38 Billionaires that are coming together with Bill Gates and Warren Buffet to give away half their wealth. Combined, Gates and Buffet are worth over $90Billion. Imagine being in the billionaire club? Who is in your network… who is going to pull you forward as a humanitarian and in your business and your life.

The key to successfully  running  with the “Jones” is to make sure that those that surround you resonate with who you are authentically. You want to be inspired by the people around you, to think creatively both inside and outside of your business and to leverage the expertise of those around you.

It is imperative for solopreneurs to really honor the sacred circle of people that are the closest to them. Whether it is friendships, family, coaches, peers, co-workers… make sure that those that are closest to you hold the bar high so that you can step into more of who you meant to be.

Just in case you don’t get a chance to read the article. Here is an example of a person that Gates and Buffet “run” with… A quote from Michael Bloomberg (NYC Mayor who is worth $18Billion) “And if you want to do something for your children and show how much you love them, the single best thing – by far – is to support organizations that will create a better world for them and their children.”

We’ve all probably heard of Affirmations… the “I am” statements that help us “attract” the positive desired outcomes in our lives. “I am strong, fearless and rich” , “I am the best _______(you fill in the blank)”. Well, today’s vlog is about “Afformations” … not just a spelling mistake …but a new word coined by Noah St. John in his book “The Secret Code of Success”. I hope you enjoy the video and it changes the way you think about Affirmations from now on so that your words work in partnership with your desires and not against them.

With Love, Gratitude and Abundance,

Shauna Harper
Your Abundance Business Coach

Just shot a video about how you can want it all but not do it all. As women entrepreneurs we often get trapped in the “wanting it all but not sure how we are going to do it all” phase in our business. Instead, it sends us into a place of overwhelm. Hope you enjoy the first real V-LOG!

So click on my face caught…in that awkward position video blogging seems to always catch so beautifully… to hear more of what I have to say!

Click here to view the embedded video.

With Love, Gratitude and Abundance,

Shauna Harper
Your Abundance Business Coach

The less is more philosophy really comes into play when you begin to find a niche for your business. Many business owners have a fear of closing doors when they are told to “find their niche”. Why would you want to narrow down the types of clients you attract? And even if you did, how do you really narrow it to just those types of clients?

I know for me, once I narrowed down that I wanted to work with passionate and purpose driven entrepreneurs that wanted to take action and see results now, I was able to wade through the sea of clients I no longer wanted to attract into my business.

When you are new in business, you may think, “I need to just get business in the door, regardless of whether they are a perfect fit”. WRONG. I used to want to help everyone. However, you will soon discover, that a) not everyone wants your help  b) that the clients that don’t fit the criteria of your niche, are probably also the same clients that will drain a lot of your time and energy.

So, what can you do to ensure you are working with the right clients from the beginning? And when I say the RIGHT clients, I mean the ones who love what you have to offer, love the way you offer it and are willing to pay you handsomely for doing what you love to do.

1.Whenever you market, always market to the highest version of your IDEAL client. When you do, you will end up attracting exactly that. For the longest time as a small business owner, I felt like I was “closing” off my market if I marketed to a single niche. But, you in fact end up attracting more of the clients that you like, which also means you will do what you love for longer. There is nothing that slows the momentum of a business (and the stamina of a solopreneur) like working with clients you don’t like.

2.Increase your fees. Obviously it isn’t as simple as just bumping up the numbers if you already have a lot of serious clients that fit your niche. You want to take the time to think about the transitional conversation and also how to position the new changes in your business. Constructing the conversation so that my clients are finally able to charge what they are worth is one of my passions.

Many people charge what their industry dictates instead of what their true value is to their client. Then they wonder why they are burnt out, under appreciated and under paid. By figuring out, what your value is to your clients, you are able to then increase your fees and attract more clients that are meant to work with you.

3. Stand in your power and claim your own authority. I heard an amazing speech by Pam Slim at the Wealthy Thought Leader a few weeks ago about this exact topic. You need to define the terms of leadership in what you are passionate about doing. What she said was that you either claim your authority or you don’t. It has nothing to do with experience, blog rank, number of followers, race or even ability. We often wait and look at experts to tell us we are experts. When really, you either claim your authority or not. And when you do claim your authority and are willing to stand in your power, you will end up attracting the niche of clients and followers that are meant to work with you and who see you as the expert in what you do.

So, what does it mean when you actually have a niche in your business? Firstly it means you are saving money marketing to the right people. Secondly, you are making more money because both you and your clients see your value. And lastly, you become the architect to your expert status and have clients that experience the gift you are meant to share. So, what are you waiting for?

With Love, Gratitude and Abundance,

Shauna Harper –Your Abundance Business Coach

I am often asked what is the difference between the three hats that people wear as a Business Coach. What does a Business Consultant do that a Business Coach doesn’t? And then when you throw in a Business Mentor? Is this all just a play on words? Well, not quite…

So, there is definitely an overlap in the roles as you see more and more people label themselves as Coaches.  It really isn’t hard to throw up a sign and say, “I am a coach!” But what does it truly mean?

Take me for example, whenever I am asked this question, I always clarify and say I am a “Business Mentor-Coach of Money Models and Marketing”.

I am not a life coach… Yes, life does, of course, roll into my coaching programs. I am a strong believer that “what you do in one area of your life is often what you do in all areas of your life”.  However, my main style of coaching is Business Mentor-Coaching for results.

Let’s start with Consultants. Consultants usually involve services around one topic. Consultants will go into a company, do some analysis, make some recommendations on a certain process. For example, hiring, marketing or specific info the management would like better systems around. They provide solutions for clients and tell them exactly what to do.

Now if you take a look at a Coach, a coach usually asks certain questions so clients can arrive at the destination via the road that is best suited for him/her. Coaches also hold the energy for you to step into what they believe (or what you may have once told them is your goal) is possible for you.

Mentors are more of the “I have been there, done that…this is how it is done!” They have the experience to show the steps or systems. They are coming from a place of experience.   They will direct you and guide you from their own experience so that you can achieve similar results.

I personally like to expedite results for my clients. Time is the only non-renewable resource we have, that is why I personally like to save it for me and my clients.  So if I see a way a client can save 10 steps, I feel obligated to say something instead of asking a million questions in hopes they reach that conclusion themselves.  That is my mentor hat stepping in. I have a weird brain that just loves to spot money business models that both worth and don’t work.

At the same time, my role as a coach is also to hold the energy of possibility for my clients. As a “hybrid” coach, I am able to both hold the energy and now show clients systems that work and save them time and make them money.

So, depending on what type of coach you are looking for, you need to really take a look at each individual beyond their general title of “Coach” to see the hat they are wearing suits what you desire in expediting your business growth.

With Love, Gratitude and Abundance,

Shauna Harper- Your Abundance Business Coach
Money and Marketing Business Coaching

Feeling anxious about how to keep your small business afloat and supporting you during this tough economy? I was interviewed on Monday by Michelle Schaeffer from www.thesmallbusinessmuse.com on The Personal Economy of Abundance. Learn how you can do what you love and make money doing it despite today’s economic times!

You can listen to the recording for the next 30 days
http://AttendThisEvent.com/?eventid=11808372

On this call I answered questions about:

* Why do some people struggle to make money doing what they love?
* How can a Personal Economy of Abundance to pull us through these economic times?
* What is holding people back reaching the goals they have set out?
* What action steps we can take today to start doing what we are passionate about?
* … and explaining how money shows up when we are aligned with what we are meant to do in life!

You can listen to the recording for the next 30 days
http://AttendThisEvent.com/?eventid=11808372

Do you go to seminars and take pages and pages of notes? Do you have 5 or 6 lists that never seem to get completed? Well, I think most of us as entrepreneurs have lofty dreams and endless things we are “going to do” when we get the time.

With Love, Gratitude and Success,

Shauna Harper

I can just hear the tune in my head as I write the title. I am Dorothy as I skip down the yellow brick road in my ruby slippers.

I carry with me the joy of finding all the answers and the hope in my heart of things to come.

Well, I am not so much going to see the Wizard of OZ, but I am flying in a few days to meet my coach and mentor, Kendall Summerhawk, in person… She is my Wizard of OZ. I can’t begin to express the excitement I am feeling. I have decided to take my business to a WHOLE other level by becoming one of her Certified Money Marketing and Soul Coaches.

Don’t worry, I know how the story ends…. the answers and hope all comes from within.  So, then why do I even have a coach? Why am I even going down to Tucson?

COACHING - Well, I am a strong believer in coaching helping to propel what is already inside. Helping you get through the “stuck point” that make you shine your true self and live the life you meant to live.

At the same time, there are mentors and others that have been along the same journey you are wanting to go down. They have “been there, done that” and can tell you where the pot holes are, where the road is a bit unstable and where you can just fly through.  Essentially, a guide along your journey as an entrepreneur.  That is why I have always had a coach, and why I am constantly growing my business brain through superstar mentors like Kendall Summerhawk. Constantly, growing your business brain through Coaches and mentors is a must to fast track your way to a successful business.

Like Dorothy, along your journey you will meet friends, colleagues that will come alongside you as you are on your path. That is actually a perfect segue to the last part of this article:

LIVE EVENTS- Besides being excited to finally meet my coach and mentor in person, I am really looking forward to this Live Event in Tucson Arizona. Going to a live event in your industry is a way you can truly build your networks. It is one thing to connect via Twitter and Facebook, but a whole other to connect in person.

Making that personal connection cements the relationship and gives a platform for you to then build it offline in the “real world”.  Masterminding with those who are serious about their business is priceless.

One of my other mentors, Debbie Turner, once told me that at live events you can start to connect with people you call “Gurus”. They are people that via the internet seem untouchable because of their fame and knowledge. However, live events are the best way to ask questions, show your face and get noticed.

She said the key to really building that relationship is to make sure you don’t just ask the advice of a Guru, but you actually take action and implement it. Once you have implemented the advice, pop a quick email to your so called “guru” and thank them or give them feedback on how it has worked (or hasn’t).

They may not personally remember you, but there is always room for Gratitude. The more you keep showing your face and building your business, the more they will start to remember you…  it will be a matter of time, that you walk alongside them too and look ahead for another “Guru”.

Everyone starts somewhere.. and by connecting with those that are already connected, you start to build your networks faster and stronger.

With the rapid growth of Tribes ( I will write about that in another article), it is imperative to start building one around your business. Others that will sing you praise, cheer you on and grow your business alongside theirs.

Well, with that thought, I am off to see the Wizard… I mean, my mentor and coach. I’ll keep you posted!

Take action today so that your business can magnetically pull you into that inspired action phase.

With Love, Gratitude and Success,

Shauna Harper

The Serial Entrepreneur

Often times as entrepreneurs we question if we are on the right path… if this is truly what we were meant to be doing. You know you are passionate about your business, but perhaps financially the rewards have not been great or perhaps the voices of others around you shout that you should get back on the path that everyone else is on.  Well, there is an inspirational video you should see:

Steve Jobs, the founder of Apple, Pixar and Next, goes through his 3 lessons in life that will leave you never again questioning whether or not you are meant to be doing what you are doing if you are following your passion. And that although certain experiences, obstacles or set backs may not make sense, everything will fall into place when you go with your heart because your heart and your intuition already knows what you are meant to become. Happy Monday fellow Entrepreneurs, may your week be filled with wonderful experiences!

Click here to view the embedded video.

With Love, Gratitude and Success,

Shauna Harper
The Serial Entrepreneur

What is your company’s uniqueness? This is a really important part of the equation as you go out to explain what it is that your company creates.

The best way to start is to list all the different features of your product. I think this is the easiest way to get all the juices in your brain flowing and moving. Everyone seems to be able to tell you what their product does, who it is good for, how you can use it.

Once you have come up with that list, throw it out. What?? That’s right, throw it out!

Often times as product creators, we start listing the features of our product as soon as we get an open window to talk about what we sell. Have you ever done that and just had a glazed look over your prospect… or just that polite, “oh really” combined with the token head nodding?

Well, in today’s market when you have literally 15seconds to captivate your prospective customer (or 140 characters…including spaces! If you are on twitter!) listing off what your product does will not engage your prospects.

Instead of throwing your information at someone, you want to be building a relationship and have someone engaged and participating in the conversation with you.

Take the juices that you already have flowing about your company’s uniqueness and features about the product… now,  instead, turn it into a single statement that has your prospect asking more.  

Your statement needs to be bold to perk attention. And if it is in your personality, even a bit sassy too. The reasoning behind this is that you want to engage the customer to ask you questions. Once they ask you questions, they become a part of the conversation instead of just given a sales pitch.

There have been times that my statement doesn’t trigger an expanded conversation. If this happens more times than it does, then perhaps you need to re-visit your statement. Business is organic and you need to always be re-evaluating and changing with what works and what doesn’t.  

But if it only happens some of the time, by forcing a sales pitch and risk sounding like a walking salesman, to someone who is clearly not interested in the conversation, you are just wasting your time.  Let it go! By coming from a mindset of abundance, there are plenty of fish in the sea, you will then be able to build a relationship based on something else you may have in common with the prospect.

So, start brainstorming… starting putting together what your statement is that will captivate and engage your customer!

It is very important question to figure out at the beginning as you need to be able to set the right foot forward as you start to bring your business and your product into the world.

I was speaking to a friend today who mentioned in passing about the Icelandic culture and how they don’t have a concept of failure…. that failure isn’t in the culture as there are only experiences and learning opportunities. So of course, right after our conversation I jumped on to the mighty internet to find out more details about this culture.

Well, besides finding out that Iceland no longer has MacDonald’s… I wasn’t able to find any concrete facts to draw on. However,  just that one conversation with my friend got me thinking how amazing it would be if the society I lived in as a whole had no concept of failure. When I was young, completely due to programming, I was made to believe, that if I complete something to a certain level, I was successful. If I did not, I was a failure… there was no middle ground.

Now as an adult, I know that this is so far from the truth. However, I often still have to override the feelings of failure and move them into a space of learning and knowledge.  As a serial entrepreneur, my daily life would be seen as a toss up between failures and successes as I often change my direction as quickly as the wind. However, when I look at my career as an entrepreneur through the supposedly Icelandic concept of No Failure, everything that I have experienced has led me to this point as a Serial Entrepreneur.  

Hopefully you get 2 things from this blog-

1. If you want to visit a nation without the fastfood giant… Go to Iceland.

2.But more importantly, that each of us need to define (or redefine) what success is in our lives. By doing so, we end up using all our experiences to support the lives we were destined to live.

Tomorrow evening at 8 pm EST, you’re invited to a VERY special call.

It’s an interview with John Assaraf. The interview was recently part of the personal development course I’m enrolled in—The Discovery Series, by Lifepath Unlimited.

I am so excited that I can actually offer this to everyone.

If you don’t know who John Assaraf, let me fill you in.

He’s an international best-selling author, speaker, and entrepreneur. You may have seen him in the popular movie The Secret, talking about how he manifested his dream house.

John has one of those magnetic personalities and very successful entrepreneurial brains. He has built 4 multi-million dollar companies in 20 years and is just about to launch another one in a few weeks.

I have personally listened to this interview 3 times now. I will eventually write a blog post (or a few posts) on what I have learned. But my team has decided the interview was too valuable to not share it with everyone we knew.

Come join me for this special audio interview:

________

Thursday October, 29
8 pm EST
1-712-775-7000
PIN: 166919#
_________

We’ll listen and then have a Q&A session at the end.

I’d love to hear you there!

Shauna Harper