Increase Sales & Gain Success - Finishing Strong Consulting

Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Erica Strong, Founder of Finishing Strong Consulting, located in Lawrenceville, GA, USA.

What's your business, and who are your customers?

Finishing Strong consulting in my business. I help women entrepreneurs solidify their brand in their market by discovering the true psychology behind why people buy and how to use this scientific approach to make more money in their businesses than they ever thought was possible.

Tell us about yourself

I am Erica Strong. I have been an entrepreneur for over 30 years, most of those years as a divorcee/single mother of 3. I know firsthand the frustrations of an entrepreneur and the fear of being an entrepreneur and raising children on my own. As a business owner, I put myself through school and earned my Bachelor's in Business and Masters in Therapy. I have used my degrees and experience to help more women discover effortless financial success in their businesses.

I use a therapeutic approach in my coaching, courses, and live training. I have noticed that 90% of entrepreneurs fail, not because of a bad idea or product but because of the mental block they hold that keeps them from seeing the success they desire. We reverse engineer their goals, pull out every hidden blocker that would stop their success, help them build from a healthy mental state, and then introduce strategies that work. Seeing lives change for families, particularly single-parent families, motivates me. Hearing the entrepreneurs, I help say, "I never thought I could do this." This inspires me and helps me to know that I am fulfilling my life's purpose and making a difference.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

I have run 3 successful businesses, and I have written two books titled "Love Strong, Stand Strong, Finish Strong & Finishing Strong: How to Think, Speak and Live Strong Everyday" I am a contributing guest on several talk shows and have been a keynote speaker for over 15 years for multiple live and virtual events. Most importantly, I have helped hundreds of entrepreneurs find the success they have always dreamed of.

What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?

Balance is one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner. I understood long ago as the sole breadwinner for my family; it had to work. I knew that I was responsible for my family and employees' well-being. Balancing that level of responsibility takes skill and commitment. I had to learn how to schedule my time, give myself grace when I needed to take a break, and prioritize what was important. I also had to learn to stay in my lane and refrain from comparing myself to any other business. My strength was knowing who I am and the value I bring.

What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?

The first tip would be to periodically self-check your thinking. You do this by what you are feeling. Here is what I mean. Write down each goal or idea you have for your business on a piece of paper. With each one, after you write it out, stop and ask yourself, "how do I really feel about it." Be completely honest; no one will see this but you. If there is a negative feeling surrounding that goal, it's time to do some work to dig out where that is coming from.

Example: Goal - to grow my business to 6 figures by the end of this year.
Thought: Is this too big of a goal for me? Do I have what it takes to do this? Am I being realistic?

Here is where the work would come in, as you identify these negative thoughts, write a truth that could silence that negative thought. Like," I have what it takes, and I am doing what is required to make it happen." With each negative thought, you repeat this until you have uncovered any block that could unconsciously come up.

Here is why this is important, as much as we were taught that we gain success through our physical efforts, 99% of what shows up in our lives is stemmed from what we truly believe about ourselves, and it is our emotions and the internal dialogue that is the alarm that tells the story. Pay Attention!!!

The second tip is to identify "What problem do you solve and who are you solving it for" This helps narrow down who your market is and gives you the opportunity to save money by advertising directly to them instead of spending a lot of money speaking to no one. The more defined your niche, the value you can give and the more money you WILL make.

And tip #3 Always position yourself with enough flexibility to pivot. Being rigid in your plans for your business will cause frustration and, worst case, business failure. Always look for ways to stay relevant for your customers, and never underestimate technological advancements. Keep abreast of how technology can scale your business, and don't be afraid to ask for help.

Is there anything else you'd like to share?

Let's get your Business Pandemic Proof! This course will give you the tools you will need to ensure you are never put in that position again! Here is my Make Strong Sales course link. You can use the Promo code: Strongsales.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://ericastrong.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ericastrongcoach
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/finishingstrong/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/erica-strong-3a452418/

If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solo or small business entrepreneur that you'd like to share, then please answer these interview questions. We'd love to feature your journey on these pages.

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