Meet Marian
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Being an entrepreneur myself I know first hand the challenges you face as you’re trying to build a business around what you do best or a product/service you believe in.
My role as business leadership coach is to get down in the trenches with you; to help you gain confidence in your decisions and be able to POSITIVELY impact the course of your business. My style is structured, focused and goal directed. The nature of any small business is such that it’s easy to get caught up in the day-to-day activites and totally lose sight of where the business is going. I want for you to be on a clear path that’s leading you where you want to go and then make sure you stay, as much as possible, on that path. |
My clients have been solopreneurs, small business owners and executives in small-midsize business. I’ve also coached partners and families in business. Most clients have been in business at least a few years. A few have been new business start-ups and some have been ready to plan for and carry out an exit strategy. Wherever you are, that’s where we start. My Professional Biography will tell you more about me and where I’ve been involved.
How long have you been doing what you do and how did you become a specialist in helping entrepreneurs move their business from “striving” to “thriving”?
After going through my own career transition, I began coaching in 1996. Although I had worked with a number of small business owners, I had not realized how critical my services could be. A defining moment in my practice came when I began working with Denise in 1998. Her case was clearly a matter of life or death for her business.
Denise knew her business was in trouble when she consistently couldn’t meet her cash requirements and her debt kept growing. It had reached the point where she was seriously considering bailing out when a colleague referred her to me.
Upon assessment I learned her 2 year old physical therapy practice and clinic had 5 employees and $450,000 in billings. The business seemed to have established referral sources and happy patients. But cash flow had become an issue and she often had to borrow to meet payroll. Now, $20,000 in debt was coming due shortly. Almost $100,000 was tied up in Accounts Receivable, 20% of which were more than 120 days past due. Although the number of service units was increasing, caseload was difficult to predict. And there was no consistency in how service was provided.
Her quality of life was also poor. She felt frustrated and frazzled and her marriage was in turmoil.
But because she was so backed up financially she saw no other alternative but to work harder. Denise was still personally providing many hours of therapy services as well as trying to manage the business. She was putting in 55 – 60 hours per week, including the time she spent at home writing patient charts.
After zooming in on a plan to tap those outstanding accounts receivable to pay her immediate debt we applied the principles of good business structure to align her assets, create an operating framework and establish a turnaround plan designed to produce the business she wanted.
Within 6 months she had saved her business and was running it rather than it running her. By the end of the year she had a $25,000 profit, cash in the bank and a clear plan for growing the business into a state-of-the-art prevention and specialty rehab center.
The light bulb went on for me when I realized there are thousands of businesses out there just like Denise’s. The owner is struggling to find the right course of action to resolve escalating problems before it’s too late. This challenge exists for so many because they have not been taught how to take control and keep control of their business.
From that point forward I made the commitment to help small business owners make the critical changes needed to turn their business around – and then guide them in setting the course for the business they want.
Today the process has evolved into a simple, easy to understand methodology called the Business Success System. It uses these same principles applied and refined over many years in the trenches with my small business clients. Together we quickly identify key problems and then develop a plan of corrective action, followed by a restructuring blueprint, a foundation and a framework to support a growing and profitable business.
Who are your clients?
I work with people just like you: small business owners, professionals in private practice and decision-makers with financial responsibility, who are really good at what they do but have never been taught exactly how to structure their business for success. Here are just some of the industries represented.
Accounting Business Coaching Rehabilitation/Wellness
Wealth Management Career Coaching Public Relations
Financial Planning Personal Coaching Graphic Design
Commercial Clean/Maint. Fund Raising Marketing/Sales Consulting
Technology Consulting Chiropractic Business Strategy
Digital Imaging Event Planning Human Resources Consulting
Legal Medical / Dental Direct Marketing
Technology Serv./Support Specialty Foods Insurance Sales
Executive Search Web Site Development Web Design
Software Development Physical Therapy Web-based Sales
Screen Print/Embroidery Handicap Accessories Property Management
Architecture Construction Management Engineering
What if you haven’t worked with anyone in my field?
Although it’s very likely I’ve worked with someone in your field, it really doesn’t matter. The principles applied are based on good business practices which are appropriate to any business. In over 10 years working with small business clients I’ve helped people face a variety of situations and challenges. Regardless of the industry you’re in, I will bring an open and fresh viewpoint which may lead to questions you wouldn’t even think of asking. In a very short time you’ll begin to gain a new level of confidence in taking control of your business and its destiny.
How are you different from other “business coaches”?
One of the things I see time after time is business owners trying to build their business on their particular specialty or expertise – without the benefit of a solid business foundation supporting them. It’s a recipe for chaos, frustration and, ultimately, disaster. You may be a great software developer, with many years of experience, but that doesn’t prepare you for the rigors of the marketplace and managing the day-to-day challenges of running a business. Like many entrepreneurs, you may find you’re spending so much time working “in” the business you don’t have time to work “on” it. A crash course in business skills and structured time to work “on” the business is in order. That’s exactly what I provide to my clients. You will learn by doing, and in the process, change the course of your business.
Having helped many businesses come out from under the weight of mistakes, bad decisions and procrastination I recognized that the questions to be answered and the steps to be taken are sequential and can be applied to any business. Based on this experience I have created the Business Success System. You have the choice of individual coaching or a self-study program for do-it-yourselfers. Either way you will be walked through the process of halting the losses, stabilizing your business, and leveraging its assets as the foundation for a strong and profitable business. I’ll be with you every step of the way. The approach is simple, easy to follow and will get you thinking like the business leader you want to be.
Are we a match and what is expected of me?
Finding a “trusted advisor” who speaks your language and understands your perspective can be a challenge. The other part of the challenge is finding someone who inspires and motivates you to follow through on assignments so the decisions made are carried out in actions.
Working with me you will be expected to take serious and consistent action. No more excuses. We’re going to change the way you think, the way you see yourself and your business, and walk you through the steps to create the business of your dreams.
This work is not for everyone, however. Answer the following questions to determine if we are a good match and if you’re ready.
Are you:
Tired of underachieving and ready to take personal responsibility for achieving your goals?
If yes, we’re a match. The more responsibility you bear, the greater impact you can have.
Looking to blame your problems on the economy, the market, your partner, or anyone else?
We’re not a match. You can’t control the external, but you can control your decisions and your actions.
Feeling frustrated that your actions are not producing results?
If yes, we’re a match. There are lots of reasons this may be happening. Let’s find out what they are.
Unwilling to take responsibility for your results?
We’re not a match. You must change your actions to change your results.
Ready to commit one to two hours per week to work ON your business?
If yes, we’re a match. Yes, I know it won’t be easy, but it will be worth it.
Too caught up working IN your business to carve out even a couple of hours that could make a big difference in your results?
We’re not a match. Things won’t ever get easier until YOU “take command”.
Willing to be open and honest in a non-judgmental environment?
If yes, we’re a match. It’s very freeing to be able to confide in someone who won’t judge you.
Afraid to share all information pertinent to your business and yourself?
We’re not a match. Holding back critical information means we’ll be making decisions without the whole truth.
Committed to investing in yourself and your business?
If yes, we’re a match. What you’ll gain will dwarf what you spend — in both time and money.
Not willing to recommit to your business, yourself and your customers or clients?
We’re not a match. Without commitment, it’s a waste of time and money.
Ready to take calculated strategic action to achieve your goals?
If yes, we’re a match. Sounds like you’re ready.
We could go on, but I think you get the idea. I’m ready, willing and able to help you transform your business and the role you play in it if you’re ready to step up to the helm and take control of your destiny.
What would you recommend if I know I want to take action, but I’m not yet ready or I’m not in a position to do so?
If you fall into this category it’s absolutely OK. There are two things you can do to participate in a limited way until you’re ready to work together “on” your business.
1. Subscribe to my free monthly e-newsletter, Small Business Leader. Use this to get started working on your business. Each issue features a timely article, tips and links, and news about events and programs that bring together small business owners where you learn from each other.
2. Participate in one or more of our free or low cost events, some of which are virtual and some are in-person. We meet virtually with other business owners to discuss challenges facing those in attendance. This is another great way to get help until you’re ready to make the commitment to a more formal working relationship.
Doing these things will really help you get primed for our work. When you’re ready, call me and we’ll get you started. (I’ll be here when you need me.)
Questions? Please ask.
I’d be happy to have you join me on LinkedIn. It’s a great place to get better acquainted.
