Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in business development but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Olivia Radcliffe, Founder of The Bluebell Group, located in Cincinnati, OH, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
I firmly believe that women today don't have to choose between being a great mom (wife/partner/friend/etc.) and a wealthy, successful entrepreneur. I work with moms with businesses, meeting them at the intersection of life and business. Together, we focus on their natural strengths and talents, their schedule needs, and their ultimate lifestyle dreams to build a truly stand-out business that works for them.
Tell us about yourself
I hold many titles and wear many hats in my day-to-day life, including CEO, CMO, coach, business partner, author, homeowner, sister, daughter, and friend... but my favorite title is "mommy." I have many passions that help pull me to do more with my businesses, but the main reason I do what I do is to be able to show my son that he can live life outside of the box. He can pursue his passions and be the catalyst for change.
And I know I'm not alone in that mission. Every mom I work with has a similar goal with their children. To see so many of these women succeed at this goal - to witness the change and growth that is happening in the next generation - is all the motivation I'll ever need to keep doing what I'm doing.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
When my son was born, I knew I wanted the freedom to be able to schedule my days around spending time with him. My biggest accomplishment has been to create a business that allows me this time freedom and that actually feels like ME, not a cookie-cutter business that is just like anyone else's.
What's one of the hardest things that comes with being a business owner?
In my experience, one of the most transformative and difficult lessons to learn as a business owner is to accept failure as a gift. It's hard to put your heart and soul into creating an offer or into, writing a marketing piece, or recording a video and then releasing it to the world...to get only crickets in return. It's hard not to take it personally and just go wrap yourself in a blanket burrito with a pint of ice cream and give up. But failure is not the end. It is an invitation to learn something new and try again. You only ever truly fail if you give up.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
If you're looking to start and grow a business, my first tip is to take the chicken and leave the bones. YOU are your best coach; no one knows your business or audience or goals or strengths, or needs better than you do. Other coaches and experts have great advice, but nothing is going to fit you 100%. Take what works for you and leave the rest.
My second tip is to schedule your priorities first. This includes putting your family and personal needs on your calendar first and foremost before adding any other business obligations.
And my third tip is to be very clear about when you use the word "can't" versus "won't." A lot of times, we say we "can't" do something when really we just mean that we won't. We don't want to. We think it's too hard. We don't have a compelling reason to do it.
But when we use the word "can't," we automatically condition our brains to function as if we are victims. If we use "won't," we send the signal that we have power and choice. We take full responsibility for our lives and, therefore, can turn things around if we want.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://www.thebluebellgroup.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thebluebellgroup
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thebluebellgroup/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/momboss-olivia-radcliffe/
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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