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Women who have the audacity to speak their truth without guilt or apology are absolutely some of my favorite people and today’s guest, Neena Perez and I became instant friends. As soon as I saw the name of her podcast,  “Straight Talk, No Sugar Added”, and the title of her book, “Hit Me With Your Best Shot, How I Overcame a Hard Hitting Life”, I knew I was going to connect with business and performance coach, author, podcaster, and total baddie, Neena Perez.   Neena is also a chef and director of culinary operations, so believe me when I say this woman is a powerhouse and I am excited to introduce you to her.  Instead of giving into the mindset and way of life she saw growing up, Neena was determined to not only survive but to succeed.   She knew that the key to overcoming her challenges was by changing her thinking, doing the work, and finding people to surround herself with who did not accept limits. Neena and I had such a great convo because she is just as direct and straightforward as I am.  She is also wise, generous, kind, and funny.  If you love this episode, you definitely want to check out our conversation on Straight Talk, No Sugar Added.  Her coaching framework is called  Master Your Game (Goals, Accountability, Mind-flow, Energy) Neena’s straight talk for solopreneurs: Know your why & go 7 levels deepReject the victim mindset Don’t expect handouts or easeBoundaries are your friend Focus on your goals, not what others are doing Face your fears Mic Drop Moments: “If you have to bend down to get into the room, you are in the wrong room.” “Worrying about the opinions of others keeps you unsuccessful.”Want to connect with our guest? Website: https://straighttalknosugaradded.com/Podcast: https://straighttalknosugaradded.com/podcast/ IG: https://www.instagram.com/neenaperez/Neena Perez and I both work with high-achieving women and one of the common themes is that in spite of our effort, there is often a gap between where we are and where we want to be.   Does this apply to you and do you know the cause?  Take this quiz and get your personalized result, and what to do about it! What’s Holding You Back?https://bit.ly/obstaclesquizWant a little more connection?  Join The Driven Woman Entrepreneur Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/thedrivenwoman/  Or connect with me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/coachdiannwingert/ Before you bounce, would you please leave a review of The Driven Woman Entrepreneur Podcast, I’d love to read it on a future episode!    Apple: https://apple.co/2BZDFzcAndroid: https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/the-driven-woman-1194485Don’t forget to join us next week for Episode #133 when I return with another juicy solo episode.  If you haven’t already, please follow/subscribe to The Driven Woman Entrepreneur Podcast so you won’t miss a single thing! 

Discover the pitfalls of seeking a 'magic pill' for quick fixes in life and business. Unpack the psychology behind our desire for easy solutions, from weight loss fads to entrepreneurial shortcuts. Learn why genuine growth requires more than gimmicks—it demands persistence, accountability, and meaningful connections. Reflect on how fostering trust in relationships can lead to sustainable success, especially for female solopreneurs. It's time to dismantle the myth and embrace the journey of real change.

One of the complaints I hear most often from other female solopreneurs is that they find it close to impossible to write high-quality emails to their list, but not everyone is in a position to hire a copywriter to take that task off their hands.  There are so many different kinds of emails that a business owner may need to send at different times from onboarding sequences to nurturing sequences, sales emails,  and even invitations to unsubscribe when people have not been opening them for a while, that even those who are pretty confident about their writing skills, like me, can get pretty lost in the weeds. Today’s guest, Meera Kothand began her online business journey as a blogger and began writing books for other bloggers, several of which became Amazon best sellers.  She now focuses on helping digital marketers write emails that convert subscribers to customers in a way that is both strategic and sustainable by making them more simple and fun, which was music to my ears.  Even though I have purchased several of her books over the past few years,  there were a couple of moments during this interview where some really critical strategies finally made complete sense to me.   It was a really good reminder to be compassionate with myself about how long it really takes to learn to be successful as a solopreneur because of all the different skills we juggle on a daily basis with or without a team.  I am making some changes in my emails as a result of this convo and you might find yourself motivated enough to get back on track with your email marketing too. Learn more about Meera: Her website, consistently named on the Top 100 sites for solopreneurs:  www.meerakothand.com Email courses: https://www.meerakothand.com/learn/Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/meerakothand/Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/meerakothand/Maybe the only thing holding you back is that you’re not writing emails that convert. If that’s the case, Meera has your back.  But, what if you don’t know why you are working so hard to get ahead in your business and just can’t seem to reach those higher-level goals?  Take my quiz and find out! TAKE THE QUIZ:  What’s Holding You Back? https://bit.ly/obstaclesquizIt’s 4th Quarter, ladies.  Do you know where your business is going to end up for the year? For many solopreneurs, the last quarter of the year can feel like a scramble…throw together a Black Friday special, discount your fees because potential clients are thinking about their holiday budget, or just hunker down, serve your existing clients and try to reduce costs for the rest of the year?  There is nothing wrong with doing any of these things, but they are tactics, not a strategy, and tactics might produce results, but it’s a crap shoot.  I am taking on a limited number of 1:1 clients in Q4, combining strategy and mindset coaching so you have a plan AND can get past your procrastination and perfectionism to implement it.  If you want to figure out what’s working and what isn’t before another year is over, here is the link to schedule your free, no-obligation consultation:  https://bit.ly/3qrJ9YQNot quite ready to commit?  I got you.  Join The Driven Woman Entrepreneur Facebook Group by clicking the link right here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/thedrivenwoman/cuzXBzhpoER5BvK5VqzH

The world of work has experienced some pretty seismic changes in the past couple of years, leading up to three interrelated trends: the great resignation, the rise of solopreneurship, and quiet quitting.  Productivity and employee engagement are down, way down and companies of all sizes can’t fill open positions or get the best out of the employees they have now. I first heard about quiet quitting on TikTok, and it really made me think about my own work history,  and the challenges being faced by the five different generations that currently make up the workforce. If you are not familiar with the term, quiet quitting refers to doing only what is necessary at work, something my generation called “coasting.”  A quiet quitter is not necessarily on their way out the door, but they are maintaining firm boundaries around their work hours and effort in order to maintain a better work-life balance.  No after-hours checking of emails, no attending the company picnic, and no “going above and beyond” to gain favor from the higher-ups.  What I find interesting in quiet quitting is the intention, not the behavior, because it can very easily be misconstrued.  So is quiet quitting passive-aggressive, a precursor or sign of burnout, or an exit strategy, and what can we as solopreneurs learn from it? Highlights of this episode:Changes in the work culture due to the pandemicHow different generations view and respond to work expectations Quiet quitting and hustle cultureCorporate culture, outliers, and superstars The what, when, and why of quiet quitting for solopreneursMentioned in this episode:“The Cure for Imposter Syndrome”  https://bit.ly/3AnPBWeKim Kardashian clip  https://bit.ly/3Cw1rjfThe Real Cost of Hustle Culture: https://bit.ly/3Cw3nbvEven if you aren’t a quiet quitter, you may have habits in your business that cost you income, profit, and success.  I created a quiz with 6 different behaviors I often see in female solopreneurs that hold them back. Here’s your invitation to take the quiz, and get specific feedback, guidance, and practical advice about your particular challenge and more importantly, steps you can take to fix it.   Click on this link to take the quiz: What’s Holding You Back?   https://bit.ly/obstaclesquiz First time here? Join The Driven Woman Facebook GroupThe place to be for entrepreneurial women who are ready to go from driven and distracted to focused, fired up, and flame retardant  (https://www.facebook.com/groups/thedrivenwoman) Hate Facebook?  Let’s connect on Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/coachdiannwingert/  or Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/diannwingertcoaching/So, that’s all for now, Driven Woman!  Please join us next week for another amazing guest interview with Meera Kothand, 3-time bestselling author, and digital marketing expert who is going to teach us how to create the emails our subscribers want to open (and we want to write!) In the meantime, stay driven!  

Today’s guest, Scarlett De Bease is a personal wardrobe stylist who shows female entrepreneurs what clothes to wear so they'll make more money and attract better clients. She guides her clients to create their own unique signature style, feel fearless and confident about being seen and heard, and excited to put themselves out to the world in a way that is game-changing.As the founder of Scarlett Image Consulting and author of “Stop Stressing About Dressing,” her one-of-a-kind in-person and worldwide online workshops reveal how a more powerful presence leads to more opportunities and more profit for solopreneurs and business owners. Scarlett and I are both members of a couple of different groups for female solopreneurs and even before I got to know her, she always stood out in a positive way through personal branding and image styling.  We recently participated in a marketing boot camp together, and I got to know her mindset and perspective.  For example, she is a personal stylist and image consultant who is adamant that she is “not a fashionista.” We talk about:Having a closet full of clothes and “nothing to wear” How she was raised to embrace being different Creating a wardrobe for the body and lifestyle you have nowDressing for success, reimagined  You can find out more about Scarlett at ScarlettImage.com.YouTube InstagramFacebookLinkedInVideo Tips to End Your Closet Shame - Learn how to break up with the clothes that are doing you wrong. Scarlett and I both work with high-achieving women and one of the common themes is that in spite of our effort, there is often a gap between where we are and where we want to be.   You may need to update (and upgrade) your wardrobe but what else might be holding you back? Take this quiz and get your personalized result, and what to do about it! What’s Holding You Back?https://bit.ly/obstaclesquizIt’s Q4 - Is your business on track to finish 2022 strong and maintain that momentum right into the new year?  For many solopreneurs, the last quarter of the year can feel like a scramble…throw together a Black Friday special, discount your fees because potential clients are thinking about their holiday budget, or just hunker down, serve your existing clients and try to reduce costs for the rest of the year?  There is nothing wrong with doing any of these things, but they are tactics, not a strategy, and tactics might produce results, but it’s a crap shoot.  I am taking on a limited number of 1:1 clients in Q4, combining strategy and mindset coaching so you have a plan AND can get past your procrastination and perfectionism to implement it.  If you want to figure out what’s working and what isn’t before another year is over, here is the link to schedule your free, no-obligation consultation:  https://bit.ly/3qrJ9YQNot quite ready to commit?  I got you.   We can still connect beyond the podcast. Here are a couple of options: The Driven Woman Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/thedrivenwoman/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/coachdiannwingert/ 

Why am I pulling back the curtain on my own failed launch (while marketing myself as a business strategist, coach, and consultant?)   And, why do it immediately after it happened?  I must admit I had a lot of reservations about both the content and the timing, but one of my core values is integrity and for me, that means telling the whole truth about solopreneurship, the cringe-worthy as well as the brag-worthy. I also knew if I didn’t share it now, I would miss the true value of sharing our failures- giving shame the middle finger. If you are a solopreneur, you have to become comfortable with risk and failure. You need to try things without knowing how they will turn out, ask people to hire you even if you have imposter issues, make offers before you feel ready to do so and some of your programs, products, and services will fail.  You are literally where the buck starts and stops, so getting better at dealing with failure is truly unavoidable. In this, my most vulnerable episode so far, I share the reasons that the recent launch of my new small group coaching program failed, what I learned from the experience, and what I am going to do next, because in business, as in theater, the show must go on! Highlights of this episode:How to manage our expectations Using your core values as a filter for decision making Toxic productivity & trauma patterns in business Letting yourself down vs letting others down Pushing through or pulling back - is it self-sabotage or self-care?My experience in a coaching program where the leader modeled “no failure” Is it even a failure if you pull the plug? Are launches right for you and your business? Taking control of our relationship with failure and what we make it meanResources mentioned in this episode:Trauma & Entrepreneurship: Nicole Lewis-Keeber    https://bit.ly/3JtOFnjConsultant Claudia Schalkx:  https://bit.ly/bridge2moreThe Four Tendencies: https://bit.ly/3BS1yW4Identifying Your Core Values:  https://bit.ly/3P2lQPUSo, maybe you haven't had a failed launch, but you may have habits in your business that cost you income, profit, and success.  I created a quiz with 6 different behaviors I often see in female solopreneurs that hold them back.  I invite you to take the quiz, and get specific feedback, guidance, and practical advice about your particular challenge and more importantly, steps you can take to fix it.   Click on this link to take the quiz: What’s Holding You Back?   https://bit.ly/obstaclesquizJust “browsing”? Join The Driven Woman Facebook GroupThe place to be for entrepreneurial women who are ready to go from driven and distracted to focused, fired up, and flame retardant  (https://www.facebook.com/groups/thedrivenwoman) Hate Facebook?  Let’s connect on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/coachdiannwingert/  or Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/diannwingertcoaching/So, that’s all for now, Driven Woman!  Please join us next week for another amazing guest interview with Scarlett De Bease, a personal stylist and image consultant for female solopreneurs.  In the meantime, stay driven!  

I recently connected with leadership coach and consultant, Joanne Zuk, and liked her immediately.  We both came to solopreneurship after long and successful careers in another sector.  Joanne was in public service and I worked in nonprofits. In her current role, Joanne is on a mission to help female solopreneurs overcome their fears of negotiation so they can go after and get what they deserve and desire. Joanne is a leadership coach and consultant, a women's negotiation advisor, course creator, and speaker who helps women around the world ditch their discomfort around negotiation, and leverage strategies that actually work for women.  In this lively convo, we talk about the 5 blindspots that cause women to settle for less than they want in negotiations, and how to get comfortable going from the minimum level to the dignified level to the generous level.  We talk about feminine conditioning, why negotiating like a man just won’t work for most women, and how we can use empathy to create better outcomes for both sides, instead of allowing empathy to be used against us.   Mentioned in this episode:  Book - The Confidence Code by Shipman & Kay Want to connect with Joanne Zuk?Website: www.joannezuk.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joanne-zuk/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joanne.zuk/ The Secrets of Fearless Negotiation Masterclass https://joanne-zuk.mykajabi.com/masterclass Joanne Zuk and I both work with high-achieving women and are working to help them close the gap between where they are and where they want to be. Joanne helps women negotiate more effectively and with confidence and I help them eliminate the beliefs and behaviors that hold them back. Take this quiz and get your personalized result, plus some actionable tips to start changing it! What’s Holding You Back?https://bit.ly/whyb-quiz The first cohort of The Boss Up Breakthrough has begun, so it’s too late to join for 2022.  We will be offering this small group program again in 2023, so stay tuned.   In the meantime, Diann does work with a small number of clients one-to-one, so if you don’t want to wait, here is how to grab a spot on the calendar for a free consultation:  https://bit.ly/calendly-free-consultationInstagram: https://bit.ly/DWC-InstagramBefore you bounce, don’t forget to leave a review of The Driven Woman Podcast, I’d love to read it on a future episode!    Apple: https://apple.co/2BZDFzcAndroid: https://bit.ly/TDWE-podchaserDon’t forget to join us next week when I return with another juicy solo episode.  If you haven’t already, please follow/subscribe to The Driven Woman Podcast so you won’t miss a single thing! 

Have you ever heard the term “boss up?”  I started using it with my one-to-one coaching clients about a year ago, at times when they needed and wanted to change their mindset and take new actions.  Usually, this happened because they had plateaued, believed they were stagnating, or just felt stuck and were ready to do whatever it took to move beyond it.  I had been trying to decide on a name for the signature framework I spent months creating (with the help of a consultant I’ve mentioned on this podcast, Claudia Schalkx.)  I looked up the term “boss up” and recognized instantly that it was the perfect name for my framework.  Here’s the Urban Dictionary definition of boss up:  “take ownership of one's life, by directing the full capacity of time, resources, and attention toward a specific direction, goal, or intent. In other words: step up, raise your standard, up your game, and take responsibility for the direction of your life and the full maturity of your dreams.”  Just substitute business for life and you will see what this program is all about. We opened the doors for sign-ups for the very first cohort of Boss Up Breakthrough yesterday and I wanted to let you know who it’s for, how to know if you are ready, and invite you to join us.  How we set ourselves up for problems in business:Thinking of yourself as a visionary in need of an implementor Business partnerships that are not real partnerships Letting our clients determine our offers, becoming a “beck & call girl”The risk of becoming a “Silly Putty Person” by following the herd Starting a business to avoid having a boss vs wanting to be the bossFocusing on passion & purpose, while forgetting about profit  When it is time to get help to boss up:We have no clue what’s actually working and what isn’t We bought into the 6 or 7-figure propaganda instead of right-sizing our bizOur boundaries are lacking, weak, or not being honored Our values are in conflict with our business model We prioritize avoiding discomfort & end up not geting what we want/need  Not ready for group coaching (but you do want to get unstuck? I created a quiz with 6 different behaviors I often see in female solopreneurs that limit their income, profit, and success.  Take the quiz, and get specific feedback, guidance, and practical advice about your particular challenge and more importantly, steps you can take to fix it.    Click on this link to take the quiz: What’s Holding You Back?   https://bit.ly/whyb-quiz Hate Facebook?  Let’s connect on Instagram: https://bit.ly/DWC-InstagramSo, that’s all for now, Driven Woman!  Please join us next week for another amazing guest interview In the meantime, stay driven!  

I recently connected with today’s guest through our common belief that high-achieving women are most fulfilled when they are working in alignment with their core values, setting boundaries that honor them, and mentoring other women to do the same. Laura has a Ph.D. in Organizational Psychology and is a college professor, author, podcaster, advocate, and coach.  She is also a wife and mom to two young sons.  Laura’s company, The Catch Group,  was founded on the principle of living a life guided by your values. They believe that leaders should bring their authentic leadership to the workplace to build inclusive teams and that leaders should be able to have big career goals AND career fulfillment. Laura believes that top leadership at companies should be diverse and that women, people of color, and LGBTQ+ leaders need to hold more top jobs at companies. We hold very similar beliefs on women and ambition,  values, boundaries, resilience, organizational dynamics, workplace culture, diversity, and change.  Here is what you’ll learn in today’s episode: Laura’s 3 Step Values First FrameworkTie the goal to one or more of your values Set up a system so it becomes repeatableCelebrate consistency Laura’s personal and professional values and how they show up in her companyJet setting and boundary setting (think introverts at a conference) Red flags and traps when experiencing conflict at work Why she named her business The Catch Group and why women in leadership need their catch crew Want more of Laura Eigel? Free workbook: https://thecatchgroup.com/contact/Book: https://amzn.to/38gmJERPodcast: You Belong in the C-Suite: https://thecatchgroup.com/podcast/Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-catch-group/Laura Eigel and I both work with high-achieving women and one of the common themes is that in spite of our effort, there is often a gap between where we are and where we want to be.   Does this apply to you and do you know the cause?  Take this quiz and get your personalized result, and what to do about it! What’s Holding You Back?https://bit.ly/whyb-quiz Instagram: https://bit.ly/DWC-Instagram Before you bounce, don’t forget to leave a review of The Driven Woman Podcast, I’d love to read it on a future episode!    Apple: https://apple.co/2BZDFzcAndroid: https://bit.ly/TDWE-podchaserDon’t forget to join us next week for Episode #123 when I return with another juicy solo episode.  If you haven’t already, please follow/subscribe to The Driven Woman Podcast so you won’t miss a single thing! 

Human beings have a need to understand themselves and others.  We label behavior and decide what is normal and what is not.  Our culture is particularly fond of pathologizing behavior and especially the behavior of women.  The way we speak to and about ourselves matters a lot.  We have all literally learned to think of ourselves in a certain way from an early age and it is a lot harder to change those beliefs than it is to question them before they stick. We have all used labels to refer to ourselves and others in ways that are harmful, inaccurate, and lasting.  Referring to ourselves as having imposter syndrome may be spot on, or not.  When we lack the confidence to start a business, ask to be paid for our services, are afraid to raise our rates, set boundaries with clients, or hold our team members to a higher standard, is it imposter syndrome, or could it be something else?  Just because you don’t feel comfortable introducing yourself as a business owner at a virtual mixer, doesn’t mean imposter syndrome is the reason. Your challenges may be a mindset issue, but they might just as well be an issue of experience or skill. I unpack the cure for imposter syndrome by helping you figure out that imposter syndrome is not what is going on with you, so you can do something about what is.  Imposter syndrome is the description of a very specific kind of problem that occurs among high-achieving women who attribute their accomplishments to luck rather than to competency, effort, and determination.  It should not be used as a ‘catchall” phrase for every time any of us is scared, unprepared, or avoids anything uncomfortable in business.  Sometimes we need to do something different not just think something different.  Resource mentioned in this episode: My buddy, non-sleazy sales specialist, Annie P Ruggles Website:  https://www.anniepruggles.com/Podcast:  https://www.podpage.com/too-legitimate-to-quit/Light Reading:  https://www.anniepruggles.com/salesbaggageI warned you.  She is brilliant.  You might just fall in love with sales because of Annie.  And you will definitely fall in love with Annie! So, maybe you figured out you really don’t have Imposter Syndrome. Hooray! But wait, you still aren’t crushing your goals. No worries. I created a quiz with 6 different behaviors I often see in female solopreneurs that limit their income, profit, and success.  Take the quiz, and get specific feedback, guidance, and practical advice about your particular challenge and more importantly, steps you can take to fix it.   Click on this link to take the quiz: What’s Holding You Back?   https://bit.ly/obstaclesquizDid you hear the news?  I am launching my brand new group program this fall, The Boss Up Breakthrough, based on my proven framework for next-level success for female solopreneurs.  This program is one part coaching, one part mastermind,  one part accountability circle, and a whole lotta fun getting past whatever is holding us back, with a small group of other baddies. Click here to be notified of all the details: Group Coaching Waitlist