Road To Seven

“A TEDx stage is designed for you to share an idea that’s worth sharing… it is literally a stage that’s designed for you to be a thought leader.”- Shelagh CumminsHaving a TEDx Talk under your belt is more than just a bragging right… it’s a marketing DREAM.Delivering a TEDx Talk is a fantastic way to build up your thought leadership, position yourself as an industry leader, and create a great deal of interest in your business.  TEDx Talks are accessed by billions of viewers per year, regularly shared on social media, and highly respected.You may have already dreamed about standing in front of a TEDx audience and sharing your knowledge and expertise. In fact, you may already have the perfect presentation sitting in a folder on your desktop!So… how do you get the opportunity to make it onto that stage?In this episode, I share my own journey to TEDx and describe exactly how I moved “TEDx Talk” from my vision board to my CV.In‌ ‌this‌ ‌episode of the Road to Seven podcast,‌ ‌you’ll discover:‌ ‌How TEDx Talks work

“It doesn’t matter the results. The fact that you made 20 calls today and you gave it your all IS the result… it really is so much about the activity, you watch the magic happen over time.”- Vonny FastGet ready for a masterclass in selling successfully without selling out! My guest, Vonny Fast, is the #1 sales rep of 70-year-old brand Cutco and has built up a database of over 3000 clients almost entirely through referrals — and has managed to build her career in sales while remaining aligned with her values.Past decades have given sales a bit of a sleazy or pushy reputation, but Vonny believes that the way to successful sales based on impacting people, not on chasing numbers. “Teach business owners how to grow through giving,” Vonny advises. “I really truly believe that loyalty is the #1 thing you could ever ask for and generosity is the most powerful tool to unlock that loyalty — so how can I be generous today?”Listen now to learn how to create your own effective selling style! In‌ ‌this‌ ‌episode of the Roa

“You can’t just clock in and clock out when you’re doing your business. It’s always going to be a facet of your life and in your mind.”- Shelagh CumminsTo borrow some words from Kenny Rogers, do you know when to hold ‘em and when to fold ‘em when it comes to your programs… or your business as a whole? During the pandemic, many people have had the chance to sit back and take stock of their work lives… and decide whether or not what they’re doing is really working for them. While a great number have decided to leave the workforce (hence the coining of the term “The Great Resignation”), some have also decided to close down their businesses and rejoin the 9-to-5 world.What should you keep in mind when making this decision? What goes into closing your business down? More importantly — is it possible to make changes that offer you the balance you need WITHOUT giving up on entrepreneurship? If you’ve been on the fence about whether or not to shut down one of your offers (or your business as a whole), then this episo

“Start with your own small radius and perfect it…when you can succeed in selling well in your small radius, then you can duplicate it.”- Elaine Tan ComeauLaunching just two days after the birth of her third child, Easy Daysies Ltd. founder and CEO Elaine Tan Comeau successfully scaled a unique product-based business selling an invention created at her own kitchen table.In this episode, I speak to the school-teacher-turned-accidental-inventor whose award-winning daily magnetic planners teach children to become more cooperative and independent — and incited a bidding war between all FIVE Dragons’ Den investors.If you’re looking to be inspired by a powerful female entrepreneur who has succeeded in the face of adversity, then just press play on this episode!In‌ ‌this‌ ‌episode,‌ ‌you’ll discover:‌A walkthrough of the early days of a product-based company (and how she launched with just $1400)How Elaine streamlined her supply chain and built a sales team so that she could scale upHow she continued growing after a

“When you look at the lows, is it because you truly believe that people aren’t buying… or is it because you are not taking the necessary or intentional action that you need to ensure people keep buying?”- Shelagh CumminsDo you worry that the warmer weather of summer will lead to slower sales? If you’re concerned that your revenue will dip as the temperatures rise, then you’ll want to listen to this episode!There is a pervasive myth among entrepreneurs that you shouldn’t launch an offer or set high revenue goals during the summer because too many people will be either on vacation, tuned out, or unwilling to spend any money between June and August.Let me be clear: these aren’t facts. These are beliefs… and they can be self-fullfilling. If you choose to believe that you aren’t going to be able to sell your offers during the summer, then you may be damaging your own chances unconsciously.Tune into this episode for tips on how to shift your mindset and find a perfect balance going into the warmer months — and you

“When we hire, we want them to be earning 3x the amount of their salary in increased revenue that they bring you.”- Shelagh CumminsCreating a solid foundation in your business is one of the most important things that you can do, and it’s something that you can start working on right now.Whether you’re running a 6-figure, 7-figure, or even 5-figure business, there are a few things that you should be doing in order to ensure that your company remains strong and profitable — and that your business fits your lifestyle, rather than the other way around.This episode of The Road to Seven is a replay of a Live that I recorded for The Road to Seven Facebook group (and if you haven’t joined yet, I highly recommend that you do!) Tune in now and get ready to take some notes, because I share 7 simple but powerful tips that will help you build a business that allows you to scale and maximize your profits with more ease and less stress!In‌ ‌this‌ ‌episode of the Road to Seven podcast,‌ ‌you’ll discover:‌ ‌How to clearly def

“It’s so easy for you to come in and price yourself at market level. It’s another thing for you to understand the transformation that you’re offering people and price accordingly.”- Maureen MwangiWhat do businesses need to do in order to become the breakout brands that define their industry?Maureen Mwangi’s superpower is turning raw data into incredibly successful brand growth strategies. Growing up in Kenya, Maureen’s parents were the only entrepreneurs she knew. She enjoyed their dinner table conversations about business strategies and the financial freedom that entrepreneurship afforded her family.Today, Maureen uses the same processes that her parents used to scale their start-up into a successful brand to help other product-based businesses discover the growth secrets hiding in their data and scale to multiple 6 figures.Maureen has helped over 50 brands unlock their true value and earn raving fans! Tune in to hear her amazing insights, her biggest challenges, and the question that she believes all entrep

“As long as you’re waiting and relying on external factors to make you feel successful, you are setting yourself up to be a sitting duck.”- Shelagh CumminsDespite all that you’ve accomplished in your business, do you find yourself still waiting to actually FEEL like a success? If so, this episode is for you.Many of us tie feelings of success directly to the results that we are seeing in our businesses. But often, even hitting 7 figures in annual revenue or achieving a 6-figure launch (or any other goal, for that matter) can leave entrepreneurs still feeling as though they still haven’t quite “made it” as successful business owners.What does it take to finally feel successful?Here’s a hint: the answer will not come from outside. You have to do some inner work.Listen now to learn how you can start feeling like a success TODAY… and why benchmarks are not as important as you think they are.In‌ ‌this‌ ‌episode of the Road to Seven podcast,‌ ‌you’ll discover:‌ ‌Why achieving your vision will not change who you are

“Letting go and knowing when something is done… allows fresh energy in and new opportunities to flow in.”- Esther VlessingSometimes, taking a step back is the smartest thing you can do as an entrepreneur.Esther Vlessing is the founder and president of Canada Emergency Medical Manufacturers, a network of domestic manufacturers in the furniture, apparel, and automotive industries created to solve Canada’s personal protective equipment shortages. Esther started the company during the pandemic when she realized the urgent need for the timely manufacture and delivery of PPE at a time when international supply chains were being dramatically affected.CEMM was not Esther’s first company. Originally a fashion manufacturing entrepreneur, Esther made the difficult decision to return to the workforce when her 6-figure company didn’t provide her with the lifestyle she wanted.Listen now to learn why Esther’s detour from the path of entrepreneurship positioned her as the perfect person to help her country through a deadly p

“Profit is one of your most powerful entities in your company, because it is the gateway to opportunity for you.”- Shelagh CumminsThis episode is the final piece of a three-part series exploring the three core elements every single business needs to have in order to be sustainable and profitable. No matter your industry or niche, a strong, intentional foundation based on these elements is absolutely essential if you want to scale effectively.This episode is all about profit.The idea of “profit” is often a challenge for women entrepreneurs. Women often deal with money mindset issues that stem from biases, misconceptions, and stereotypes regarding their ability to deal with money, whether saving, spending, or earning.But in reality, women are just as capable of driving profit and building wealth as men are.Profit is important, because it creates opportunities for you to not only build wealth, but to re-invest in your business in order to move the needle forward.If you haven’t listened to the first two parts of

“Your way is not the only way to get things done — and it’s possible that someone else’s way is going to get better results”- Shelagh CumminsThis episode is the second of a three-part series taking an in-depth look at the three core elements of every business. If you want to scale with more ease and confidence (whether that means a team of 4 or a team of 400), building a strong, intentional foundation based on these elements is absolutely critical!In this episode, I want to teach you how to get out of your own way in your business… and stop being the bottleneck to your success.That’s why this week’s episode is all about processes.We all use processes and systems in our businesses. There is always a “method to our madness” — but, often, we don’t actually consciously know what that is! This is very common for solopreneurs, who build their processes organically through the course of their work and never really have to think about them.But if we can’t articulate our processes to ourselves, then we won’t be able t

“When you’re feeling like your business isn’t really serving you or fitting you anymore, then let’s look at what your role is, and what you want to do, and where you thrive.”- Shelagh CumminsThis episode is the first of a three-part series that takes an in-depth look at the three essential elements of every single business. No matter your industry or niche, building a strong, intentional foundation based on these elements will help you grow and scale with more ease and confidence!The first element: people.The people you sell to. The people you work with. And, of course the leader of your business: you. It’s so important that each of these groups is completely in alignment with who you are, what you’re building, your values, and your vision. Tune in to learn how to identify the people that you should be hiring for and serving in your business… and what to do when things just aren’t feeling like the right fit.In‌ ‌this‌ ‌episode of the Road to Seven podcast,‌ ‌you’ll discover:‌ ‌How to identify when you’re fall

“Be available to be flexible, and be available to be agile.”- Megan HuberMy co-host for this episode is the one and only Megan Huber, known as the Business Acceleration Mentor (BAM!). This episode will appear on both the Road to Seven and on Megan’s podcast, Built to Last.Like me, Megan Huber helps transform hustling women entrepreneurs into successful leaders and CEOs through her programs, masterminds, and private coaching — and she’s found great success in inspiring and empowering women to shine as leaders, increase their impact, and build more fulfilling lives.In this conversation, we discuss overcoming our challenges, following our passions, and finding real balance… in other words, we deliver a full, honest, behind-the-scenes look at what it’s like to run our businesses: the good, the bad, and everything in between!In‌ ‌this‌ ‌episode of the Road to Seven podcast,‌ ‌you’ll discover:‌The two iterations through which Megan’s business evolved and how she landed in her zone of geniusHow to recognize when you

“Screw it up fast… because until we mess up, until we have that first iteration, we can’t make it better!”- Ashleigh WilsonIn an industry where customers have long been considered an afterthought, Ashleigh Wilson has proved that putting people first is profitable! Ashleigh is the founder and CEO of AuditMate, a company that offers the first and only elevator and escalator auditing and management software and operates with an ethos of respectful simplicity, proactive inclusiveness, and heart-centred courage.From the end users of AuditMate’s pioneering software to the team that drives its innovation, humans are at the core of Ashleigh’s entrepreneurial mission.Press play to hear her inspiring journey from non-tech entrepreneur with a groundbreaking idea to the head of a company determined to become a leading agent of change for all industries!In‌ ‌this‌ ‌episode of the Road to Seven podcast,‌ ‌you’ll discover:‌ ‌How a first-time software developer found the funding to bring her never-before-seen concept to real

“We want to be on the biggest stages and biggest platforms, and have people view our stories and see them for the beauty and importance that they are.”- Ngardy Conteh GeorgeForgive me if I’m a little starstruck this episode — my guests are Alison Duke and Ngardy Conteh George, co-founders of OYA Media Group and winners of the 2021 RBC Women of Influence Ones to Watch Award.Alison and Ngardy founded OYA Media Group to bring an authentic perspective to media through socially relevant, life-changing stories that amplify Black experiences. Their documentary Mr. Jane & Finch, which they co-produced and Ngardy directed, premiered on CBC Docs POV in 2019 and won two Canadian Screen Awards.“It’s hard for us to keep up with how fast we’re growing,” Ngardy says. “A lot of the time, this industry is about timing — and it is our time. I think the industry is finally ready for our stories.”Press play for a fascinating look into a successful and uplifting creative partnership!In‌ ‌this‌ ‌episode of the Road to Seven po

“Once you’re clear on your reason why.. it makes it a lot easier to make decisions.”- Julianna TanHave you ever had an idea that you just KNEW in your gut was the right move at the right time?Julianna Tan is the co-founder of The Little Market Box, an online and in-store farmers' market that fosters the success of local producers and serves customers without the time constraints of a traditional farmers’ market.She’s also a chocolatier who makes the most delicious organic chocolate — yum!It was as a chocolate vendor at a market that she met Shawnda Blacklock, a beef vendor in a neighbouring booth who became Julianna’s partner and co-founder. They founded The Little Market Box as a way to better support the needs of producers who relied on the market for their livelihood.The time between coming up with their concept and touring a location? Just one day.While this episode may not include a recipe for Julianna’s incredible chocolate, it does dive into her bold leap of faith, the strategy behind her business

“Your journey, the process that it takes to get you to be the diamond that you really want… does not have your time agenda attached to it. It’s all going to depend on your ability to take strategic and continual action, and be okay doing things that may not work.”- Shelagh CumminsDo you follow dozens of superstar CEOs and influencer-entrepreneurs on Instagram or LinkedIn? Do you sign up for their programs, tune into their Lives, and join their mailing lists, hungry for the information that they share?A diamond hunter is forever seeking that optimal, beautiful end product — the result that leaves them shining like all of the diamonds that they follow. I want you to give up on diamond hunting… and instead give yourself the opportunity to really become the diamond you want to be!Diamond hunters are all about information-seeking — gathering new techniques and strategies as if simply having access to that information will help them scale and optimize. But simply spending hundreds or thousands of dollars to access

“I truly believe, after doing this for almost ten years, that the right people will come into your program at the right time.”- Shelagh CumminsHave you been considering creating or launching your own group program? Then this episode was created for you!Launching a group program can be so powerful for your business. Group programs are a beautiful way for you to shift from a 1:1 business delivery model to a 1:many, but they’re not without their fair share of challenges.I want to take you behind the scenes of what it’s really like to develop and launch a group program — the good, the bad, and the tricky. From chasing the wrong metrics to finding the right timing, launching a group program successfully takes patience, resilience, and strategy!Press play now to learn why you need to tap into what your audience is telling you, the importance of checking in on your own time and energy, and what it means to “show up for the kale.”Let’s get started!In‌ ‌this‌ ‌episode of the Road to Seven podcast,‌ ‌you’ll discover:‌

“What drove me is to help others, to have a transformative impact on their lives… For-profits and non-profits: these are just two different ways to get to the same goal.”- Audra RenyiWhen your entrepreneurial success stems from your passion, there is no limit to the change you can make in the world!Audra Renyi runs two thriving companies, one a non-profit and the other for-profit. As the executive director of World Wide Hearing and the founder of EarAccess Inc., Audra is on a mission to increase the accessibility and affordability of hearing care in areas of great need, and create lasting, impactful change in those communities.Audra is the first guest on the Road to Seven to have been named a Heroine of Health at the WHO World Health Assembly and have won the 2017 Governor-General’s Innovation Award!Press play to learn how Audra brings a little business into her non-profit, and infuses her for-profit business with a social mission.In‌ ‌this‌ ‌episode of the Road to Seven podcast,‌ ‌you’ll discover:‌The bigges

“When you get clear that profit is powerful for you — and when you allocate and can see where it goes — that is very, very often a massive driver to increasing your revenue and your business success.”- Shelagh CumminsIf you’re a regular listener of the Road to Seven, chances are you’ve already set a revenue goal for your business this year — but do you have a solid plan for your profit?Every smart entrepreneur knows the importance of having a revenue goal. Once you’ve settled on a number, you can calculate how many programs, products, or services you need to sell on a weekly, monthly, or quarterly basis to hit that goal. A strategic revenue goal should be high enough to cover your operational expenses, salary, payroll, and taxes… and leave enough for profit.While profit is one of the most exciting parts of entrepreneurship, I see many business owners freeze up when it comes to figuring out what to do with it! Profit is POWERFUL — it can be a massive driver to increasing your revenue and your overall business