The
Podcast

Podcast Episode 117: How I Would Start My Brick and Mortar Businesses If I Could Do It All Over Again

Three months ago, Dan and I had an epic milestone in parenthood…we showed Remy “Back to the Future” in all its 1980’s glory.

We cheered on George in his battles with Biff, begged Marty to make it home, ate far too much popcorn and decided time travel had its pros and cons.  I had no idea how philosophical 8 year olds could be when Remy said, “you know Momma, I have a feeling there are more than a few things I could redo in life and get them better this time around.”

I have a feeling he was thinking more of soccer goals, NOT getting caught reading after bedtime and reconsidering that time he decided our four pound dog should take a bath with him {epic parenting fail}, but it took me to a very different place….

What would I have done differently if I was opening a business again for the very first time?

I’ve spent the last six weeks chatting with different business owners and we narrowed down the main categories of change to 3 areas:

  1. Financial:  Questions, like “how much savings do you really need to have?” {hint:  never enough} and “what’s the idea amount to pay for a lease?” ranked as highly as “how do I pay my team?”.  Now, I’ve never taken a business or accounting class, so experience has been my teacher and it has certainly taught me that one thing truly matters: the more you put into getting your finances right before you open your doors, the more likely your doors will stay open {and you will stay profitable}.
  2. Mindset:  Some days I feel like this word is bandied about without anyone knowing what the right mindset truly means, but in this case I’ll be very clear.  You will be moving from an employee to an entrepreneur and your priorities and thought processes must change in turn.  The hardest time I had was honestly in determining how to pay someone who had been “me” just months before.  But, keeping the right mindset over why I was here and what my role was, gave me a peace of mind I never expected.
  3. Systems and Strategies:  Whoever tells you that you can open your doors and this business will just happen…well, they’ve clearly never run a business.  The more you come into this with clear systems that you can replicate and teach to others, the more likely you’re going to get yourself past profitable and into entrepreneur dream world.  This takes some work, some learning and the investment of time and potentially money to see what it takes to truly build an epic business, but the good news is, you’ve got the time to do it.

So whether you’re opening your first business or you’re just wanting to give your existing business a refresh, take a step back to the past with me, and learn, what I would do if I was starting all over again.  

With grit + gratitude,

Xo Lisé

Recommended Episodes

  • The Heart-Centered Entrepreneur with Heather Plum and Nicole Siegel

    You know that feeling when you walk into a place and it just feels right?  That's no accident.  It's the magic of a business built with heart and soul. And that's exactly what we're chatting about in EPISODE 585. Nicole's been where many of us are – at that crossroads where you choose safe over…

    Listen Now

  • Lindsey & Katie The 62% Conversion Rate:  How we doubled our studios income by transforming our sales process

    Y'all, When a new member walks into your studio… You're not just showing them where the locker rooms are or what the WiFi password is.  You're laying down the red carpet to a long-term relationship. That might just turn them into…your next raving fan. In EPISODE 584, I sat down with Lindsey & Katie, the…

    Listen Now

  • Retention: The Reality and How to Change It

    Y'all, Is your studio's love life a series of bad dates?  You know the drill.  Clients come in, the sparks fly, but just when you think it's love at first sight—poof—they ghost you. If you're tired of the “It's not you, it's me” chats…grab your headphones. In EPISODE 583, I sat down with my rockstar…

    Listen Now

  • Lise Interview Felicia Alexander

    Y'all, Is your fitness studio on the brink of something huge?  The road from startup to empire is bumpy, but… This dream isn't as far-fetched as you might think. In EPISODE 582 I had the pleasure of chatting with Felicia Alexander.  She's the powerhouse behind Box Union and the strategic brain that took Title Boxing…

    Listen Now