If they limit you in your growth and freedom
When you find that your current clients are limiting your growth and freedom, it's time to reflect on the value they bring to your business. You have outgrown your current clients. When I say that to my clients, I hear them think ... "What nonsense, because I've been working with them for years. The primary reaction is that it's not all that bad. Until they start to see where they are leaving value and growth untapped and they sacrifice a lot of leadership and freedom.
The question, "So who is your top customer?" and "How do you score your current customers on a scale of 0-10? This reflection can be an eye-opener. It can take a burden off your shoulders and provide a many-fold enrichment of your value.
You grow and develop as an entrepreneur
Just as your business grows and grows with you. New value creation enriches not only you as a person, but also the value of your business. It is essential to recognize that you are no longer in the phase of grabbing everything you can. The "grab what you can grab" strategy was necessary in the beginning, but now it is time to be more selective. It enriches you in many ways.
Grow profitably by saying goodbye to your customers
You need customers precisely to grow your business, right? Yes, absolutely correct. But what many entrepreneurs, coaches and consultants run into after they have been in business for a while is that they are working for clients that no longer fit them. This leads them to leave value and growth untapped. And that is far from profitable, not for you, but not for those clients either.
'You've really outgrown the 'Take what you can get' phase by now. You're not there for everyone, and that's a good thing. The "take what you can get strategy" ensures that in the short term you make turnover from your direct network, but often these are not the customers who will still be your top customers after three years.
The 'new golden cage'
When you zoom out after 3 years in business and look at the extent to which your current customers are actually still your top customers, you come to the conclusion that you have started to attract more of the same kind of customers.
- Winged quote from a top client of mine
I often call that phase the "new golden cage. You started your own business for the freedom and you wanted to make an impact in your own way, also you didn't want to work for a boss anymore. But in your business you have handed over leadership and suddenly you have a lot of 'bosses' (read- your clients) to work for.
You have found yourself trapped in your own business by your clients. And this can lead to:
- Lying awake at night from frustration and headaches
- Lots of stress and putting out fires
- You work more than the hours you make, and are often asked to make some adjustments or ... handsomely worthless and unprofitable hours (all the more reason to say goodbye to your hourly billing revenue model)
- Working long hours, often needing to update on weekends as well.
The good news is that you can take back the reigns. By rewriting your story, strengthening your position as a leader and strategically upgrading your business and revenue model.
Which I write about more often in my first Empowered Letters:
Overworked and underappreciated?
Change your story, change your life
Take back control - Strengthen your position and develop your leadership
Rewrite your story, change your life
In practice, the solution is simple: back to the drawing board. Each new phase of growth requires you to first take a step back and assess and recalibrate everything from a distance. In other words, every level, a new devil; every level a new strategy.
- Re-Set your Vision
Take a step back, and take back control personally and professionally. Stand firm in your position as a leader. Both in your life and your business or career.
- Re-Design your Strategy
Redefine what your personal, business and financial future should look like. And design - with me - a customized Future-Fit strategy that ensures future-proof success.
- Re-Build your Legacy
Put your new strategy into practice. Build smart systems, processes that allow you to make an impact and achieve your goals. Build new revenue streams that give you peace of mind, security and an unlimited free life.
Investing to grow
An investment I made earlier this year to have my own growth and development professionally recorded was to make more impact and help so many more people grow and develop as leaders personally, professionally and financially.
Invest in yourself, invest in your business and invest in your future
Achieve greater returns and grow profitably on a personal and business level
Masterclass: From Startup to Successful Business
In this inspiring master class, I will take you through the essential stages every entrepreneur goes through to grow from a startup to a mature and scalable business. You'll learn about the challenges and growing pains that come with each stage of your entrepreneurial journey and get practical tools to get through them successfully.
In this Materclass, I cover the topics:
- Building a solid foundation: from product development to finding your top customers.
- Scaling up and growth strategies: How can you grow your business efficiently without losing sight of your vision?
- Personal systems and routines: what habits and structures help you continue to experience the right balance and growth?
- Leadership Skills: How do you develop yourself as a leader as your company continues to grow?
With my years of experience, I offer insights that will help you not only understand the stages of growth, but proactively deal with them. Whether you are just starting out or ready to take the next step, this master class is an indispensable step toward sustainable success.
Signing up for the Masterclass
Are you ready to transform your company from a startup to a successful, scalable business? Sign up now for the master class and take the first step toward a future-proof and profitable business.
Yes, I want to grow from startup to successful business
I look forward to embarking on this transformative journey with you and watching you grow as the successful leader of your own business.
One Life. Lead it. Live it.
Have a great week,
Gerdi
PS: Are you a female entrepreneur who wants to make a real impact and build a sustainable future so that you will live your dream life on your terms? Schedule a exploratory strategic discussion with me. I will be happy to discuss what opportunities and growth possibilities I foresee for you.
I help women become healthy, successful and financially free so you can spend your time and energy on the things that matter.
Whenever you are ready:
- Strengthen your position and create your strategic growth plan
- Online program (DIY) including strategic learning and networking in Women & Leadership Community
✅ Scale to Freedom - Unlimited Freedom
- For established entrepreneurs looking to scale up and continue to grow
- Personalized and intensive counseling from 6 months on
- For women leaders and entrepreneurs who want to grow personally, professionally and financially.
- Premium 1:1 Legendary Leadership Coaching & Business Club for Future-Fit Leaders
✅Live Business Meeting: Strengthen your positive, Grow with impact
- At the end of January 2025 (exact date will follow asap) I will organize a live day. During this Live Business Meeting you will discover how you can strengthen your position as a leader and accelerate your company into a successful and future-oriented scale-up.
- With a limited group of like-minded people, spend an entire day getting inspired, creating your own plan and collaborating strategically.
- Want to ensure your strong position in 2025? Put your name on the waiting list here!
✅ Retreat Health & Business Meeting on Terschelling
Book tips
Books that have helped me in my Framework Business Strategy
John Lewis Gaddis - On strategic thinking
Patrick-Bet David & Greg Dinkin - Your Next Five Moves: Master the Art of Business Strategy
Alex Hormozi – $100M Leads
Alex Hormozi – $100M Offers
PS. I have a whole book list. If you are interested and would like to receive my favorite books list? Send me a message and I'll send you my favorites list. Sharing = multiplying.
Dutch