Help! I Feel Like I'm Drowning and I'm the Bottleneck in My Business!

 
357. Help! I Feel Like I'm Drowning and I'm the Bottleneck in My Business!
 

What we’re talking about today doesn’t come down to focus or motivation. It doesn’t matter how hard you work, there comes a time when you will hit capacity. As a solopreneur, that capacity may be physical, mental, or emotional, but the one thing that all of these have in common is that it leads to you becoming the bottleneck of your business. Let's discuss how you can move past this.

Being a Bottleneck Stunts Your Business Growth – But It’s Easy to Fix!

So what is capacity, really? Maybe you’re a maker and your demand is taking over your supply. If you’re struggling to make enough of your product or even have difficulty with packaging and shipping it, in a timely manner, then you've hit your capacity!

Or maybe you’re keeping up with fulfilling your orders but it doesn’t leave you with time for anything else. You need to work on your marketing or bookkeeping, but you don’t have a spare minute in the day. If this sounds familiar then, once again, you're at capacity and you've become the bottleneck in your business.

You may find that your capacity is more emotional or mental rather than physical, which is completely normal. But it's important to remember, that once you hit these capacities you must focus on refining and stabilizing before scaling so that your business can continue to grow on a solid infrastructure.

When you start out as a solopreneur, you’re doing everything. You’re the one making all the decisions and making everything happen. However, as you enter the growth stage in your business, oftentimes you will need to up level your mindset as well as move past those limiting beliefs you have to remove yourself from being the bottleneck of your business.

After listening to this episode, if you're still struggling and want help refining and growing your business to that next level, then be sure to jump on the waitlist for our brand new group coaching program, The Product Biz Accelerator.

Brought to you by the Shop 1 in 5™ Pledge! Commit to making 1 in 5 of your purchases from a small business, whether online or offline. The Shop 1 in 5™ Pledge is a way to make an impact together when (and where) it matters most. Join us and take the pledge today!

Resources:

  • Introducing The Product Boss Biz Accelerator, a five-month group coaching program kicking off on May 1st. Click here to join the waiting list. You’ll be the first to hear more information as we release it, and you’ll be able to grab your spot on the course before everyone else.

  • Consistent content is key to getting more people to see and buy your products. If you want to create great content but you don’t know what to say, or you feel too busy, or you just don’t want to be the face of your brand, no worries – because we’ve got you covered with a year’s worth of consistent content that’s sure to resonate with your audience! If you want to see how easy this can be, visit A Year of Content.

Connect:

Mom Secrets with Cat & Nat of Mom Truths

Cat and Nat, authors of the bestselling, Mom Truths, join us for a very special, eye-opening, and hilarious episode of The Product Boss to unpack their new book, Mom Secrets, which offers a raw, candid look at what it’s really like to be a mom.

Cat & Nat Teach Us to Let Life Happen & Laugh Along the Way

So often, we’re our own worst critics. Most parenting books are advice-driven, but this is designed to stop unnecessary feelings of guilt, negative body image, and more. Their work is a reminder that there’s no such thing as perfection. So long as you raise your kids with joy, you should definitely give yourself a break! 

Cat and Nat are awesome company and some of the confessions in their new book are truly great because, not only are they really funny, but they help to normalize these things we all go through as parents – but sometimes feel too ashamed to admit. 

That means that they tackle some heavy subjects, but it’s all with such a fun, light spin that it puts a little spring in your step. A lot of the confessions came from audience members at some of their live shows who would drop them into a fishbowl anonymously, so believe us when we say that some of these are genuinely hilarious – dad crushes, anyone? 

There might be a lot of laughs in this one, but today’s message is ultimately about letting life happen and dealing with it as it comes. That’s a really important piece of truth that more of us need to remember. 

Brought to you by the Shop 1 in 5™ Pledge! Commit to making 1 in 5 of your purchases from a small business, whether online or offline. The Shop 1 in 5™ Pledge is a way to make an impact together when (and where) it matters most. Join us and take the pledge today!

Resources:

  • Cat & Nat’s Mom Secrets Book

  • Cat & Nat’s website

  • Cat & Nat on Instagram

  • Introducing The Product Boss Biz Accelerator, a five-month group coaching program kicking off on May 1st. Head to theproductboss.com/fasttrack to join the waitlist. You’ll be the first to hear more information as we release it, and you’ll be able to grab your spot in the course before everyone else.

  • Product Biz Owners at $250k+ yearly revenue: Are you a product business owner that has built your business to a multi-6 figure to multi-million dollar business? If so, The Product Boss Mastermind has limited spots available open for consideration to applicants $250k and above, apply here.

  • Consistent content is key to getting more people to see and buy your products. If you want to create great content but you don’t know what to say, or you feel too busy, or you just don’t want to be the face of your brand, no worries – because we’ve got you covered with a year’s worth of consistent content that’s sure to resonate with your audience! If you want to see how easy this can be, visit A Year of Content.

  • Check out and shop from hundreds of small businesses from the Small Business Shopping Directory. It’s the go-to directory to discover, support, and shop small businesses all in one place.

Connect:

The 4 Phases of a Growing Product Business

You’ve started selling and your business is validated, but it feels overwhelming or even impossible to take things to the next level. Know that the hard part is over because you’ve already proven that people want to buy your stuff. That’s amazing! Next up, you have your sights set on $100k and you may already be a student of Multi-Stream Machine, but still, some of you will hit what feels like a bottleneck in growth.

Tune in to The Product Boss Podcast to Learn About the 4 Phases of a Growing Successful Small Business

Don’t worry! There are four phases to a growing business to pay attention to and we run through each one of them in this episode. 

First, it’s important to refine your brand and business, regardless of the phase of business that you are in. That means digging in and getting clear on your business. Ask yourself…

What are you known for? 

Why are people buying your product? 

You obviously have something they want, so what can you do more of? What can you do less of? A lot of this stage of running a business comes down to the foundation. At every level, you should be refining and turning into that market fit of your business to cue into who your ideal customer really is.

As we go through these four phases that are essential to business growth, remember to take a breath and be the boss of your business! If you would like help navigating this growth phase of your business, then be sure to click here to join the waitlist for our brand new coaching program that is launching in May. 

Brought to you by the Shop 1 in 5™ Pledge! Commit to making 1 in 5 of your purchases from a small business, whether online or offline. The Shop 1 in 5™ Pledge is a way to make an impact together when (and where) it matters most. Join us and take the pledge today!

Resources:

  • Introducing The Product Boss Biz Accelerator, a five-month group coaching program kicking off on May 1st. Head to theproductboss.com/fasttrack to join the waiting list. You’ll be the first to hear more information as we release it, and you’ll be able to grab your spot on the course before everyone else.

  • Product Biz Owners at $250k+ yearly revenue: Are you a product business owner that has built your business to a multi-6 figure to multi-million dollar business? If so, The Product Boss Mastermind has limited spots available open for consideration to applicants $250k and above, apply here.

  • Consistent content is key to getting more people to see and buy your products. If you want to create great content but you don’t know what to say, or you feel too busy, or you just don’t want to be the face of your brand, no worries – because we’ve got you covered with a year’s worth of consistent content that’s sure to resonate with your audience! If you want to see how easy this can be, visit A Year of Content.

  • Check out and shop from hundreds of small businesses from the Small Business Shopping Directory. It’s the go-to directory to discover, support, and shop small businesses all in one place.

Connect:

Finding Your Brand Voice with Claire Doody of Copper Union

Claire Doody joins us for another Small Biz Founders episode – and it’s a very special edition, too. Claire is the founder of Copper Union Apparel, making beautiful clothing for radical fat bodies (sizes 12-38). Where, before, options for plus-sized clothing were limited, Copper Union is making unique and individual pieces available for different occasions, and in colors and designs that completely break the traditional plus-sized mold. Claire has created a bold, vibrant line that aligns with herself and her customers.  

“Knowing When to Listen to Your Gut Is as Important as Knowing When to Listen to the Advice of Others.” - Claire Doody, Copper Union Apparel

At one point, she only designed what she perceived as trends and demand in the marketplace, but those designs didn’t sell. Then, she’d make an incredibly niche, personal piece, that reflected something she would wear, and that piece would fly off the shelves. This valuable experience is what taught her to follow her gut and trust that what’s true to her is what her customers want as well! 

Claire has faced many personal and professional challenges, including being diagnosed with cancer, along her journey. However, even after having to take significant time off work, Claire was amazed to come back and be able to continue building Copper Union, without having to start from scratch. One way that Claire did this was by not only using her brand voice to help build a loyal customer base, but also by staying true to herself and following her gut.

We discuss all of this and more in this episode, as well as everything from the shape of the industry to the benefits of a Mastermind. So what are you waiting for? Listen now.

Brought to you by the Shop 1 in 5™ Pledge! Commit to making 1 in 5 of your purchases from a small business, whether online or offline. The Shop 1 in 5™ Pledge is a way to make an impact together when (and where) it matters most. Join us and take the pledge today!


Resources:

  • Copper Union’s website

  • Copper Union on Instagram

  • Product Biz Owners at $250k+ yearly revenue: Are you a product business owner that has built your business to a multi-6 figure to multi-million dollar business? If so, The Product Boss Mastermind has limited spots available open for consideration to applicants $250k and above, apply here.

  • Consistent content is key to getting more people to see and buy your products. If you want to create great content but you don’t know what to say, or you feel too busy, or you just don’t want to be the face of your brand, no worries – because we’ve got you covered with a year’s worth of consistent content that’s sure to resonate with your audience! If you want to see how easy this can be, visit A Year of Content.

  • Check out and shop from hundreds of small businesses from the Small Business Shopping Directory. It’s the go-to directory to discover, support, and shop small businesses all in one place.


Connect:

How We Are Investing in Ourselves This Year to Level Up

We decided to make 2022 the year we level up more than ever before. We’ve invested in ourselves over the years, but never like we are this year. Part of that means that, during this episode, we’re attending our first in-person Mastermind event of 2022 in Greensboro, North Carolina. Lucky for you, you’re being treated to a rare, in-person episode recorded in our hotel room. 

Masterminds, Coaching, and Trainings – We Go Behind the Scenes on Product Boss Personal Development Priorities in 2022

While we prepare ourselves, we thought we’d take a moment and run through all the ways we’re investing in ourselves this year. Hopefully hearing how we’re investing in ourselves in 2022 will inspire you to find the best ways to level yourselves and your businesses up, too! 

Normally, you hear about our own Mastermind program, but what about the ones we are a part of? All coaches are coached. Even the best coaches and businesses have coaches of their own. Being an entrepreneur is tough and we all need help from others sometimes, it’s totally normal!

We talk about how we made it through the season of life we were in when we first started our business to where we are at now, the other Masterminds we signed up for, the incredible retreats we are planning to attend, and even the coaches and courses we’re investing in. It’s truly a behind-the-scenes look at our 2022 gameplan to level up The Product Boss. We’re excited to share this with you!

Brought to you by the Shop 1 in 5™ Pledge! Commit to making 1 in 5 of your purchases from a small business, whether online or offline. The Shop 1 in 5™ Pledge is a way to make an impact together when (and where) it matters most. Join us and take the pledge today!

Resources:

  • Product Biz Owners at $250k+ yearly revenue: Are you a product business owner that has built your business to a multi-6 figure to multi-million dollar business? If so, The Product Boss Mastermind has limited spots available open for consideration to applicants $250k and above, apply here.

  • Consistent content is key to getting more people to see and buy your products. If you want to create great content but you don’t know what to say, or you feel too busy, or you just don’t want to be the face of your brand, no worries – because we’ve got you covered with a year’s worth of consistent content that’s sure to resonate with your audience! If you want to see how easy this can be, visit A Year of Content.

  • Check out and shop from hundreds of small businesses from the Small Business Shopping Directory. It’s the go-to directory to discover, support, and shop small businesses all in one place.

Connect:

Four Kids, a Farm, and a Million Dollar Skincare Business with Emilie Toups of Toups and Co Organics

Our Small Biz Owners episodes are where we talk to the owner of a small business in our community, so that their story of starting, growing, and thriving can inspire you to do the same. This time, we’re joined by Emilie Toups of Toups & Co Organics, a multimillion dollar skincare product business on a mission to create beauty inspired by nature. 

Emilie Toups, of Toups & Co Organics, Teaches Us The Importance Of Investing In Yourself

Emilie first started creating skincare and makeup in her farmhouse kitchen after discovering how organic tallow and other quality, natural ingredients made a huge difference in her skin and her family’s wellness. What started off as an Etsy shop four years ago has now turned into a multimillion dollar skincare business.

Toups & Co Organics is an incredible success story. Not only has the company grown and continues to grow financially, but through the assistance of our Mastermind program and investing in their business, Emilie and Trent have been able to buy back their time to focus on other things that matter- such as homeschooling their children.

In this episode, we talk about getting over the feeling of needing to do everything yourself, the importance of investing in yourself and your business, how you can conduct job interviews properly when you begin hiring in order to make sure that you find the right help and we even discuss paid ads!

Brought to you by the Shop 1 in 5™ Pledge! Commit to making 1 in 5 of your purchases from a small business, whether online or offline. The Shop 1 in 5™ Pledge is a way to make an impact together when (and where) it matters most. Join us and take the pledge today!

Resources:

  • Visit the Toups & Co Organics website

  • Follow Toups & Co Organics on Instagram

  • Product Biz Owners at $250k+ yearly revenue: Are you a product business owner that has built your business to a multi-6 figure to multi-million dollar business? If so, The Product Boss Mastermind has limited spots available open for consideration to applicants $250k and above, apply here.

  • Consistent content is key to getting more people to see and buy your products. If you want to create great content but you don’t know what to say, or you feel too busy, or you just don’t want to be the face of your brand, no worries – because we’ve got you covered with a year’s worth of consistent content that’s sure to resonate with your audience! If you want to see how easy this can be, visit A Year of Content.

  • Check out and shop from hundreds of small businesses from the Small Business Shopping Directory. It’s the go-to directory to discover, support, and shop small businesses all in one place.

Connect:

Joy Cho Of Oh Joy! on How She Juggles It All

Joy Cho is the founder and Creative Director of Oh Joy!, a graphic design studio, lifestyle brand, and design company that has collaborated with top brands and organizations from Target to Band-Aid – even The White House. 

Joy Cho, of Oh Joy!, Joins Product Boss to Chat Business, Branding & Michelle Obama

Joy is a master of many trades, having also worked as a graphic designer, blogger, mama of two, consultant for numerous businesses, and having authored six books (with a seventh on the way). She was named one of Time’s 30 Most Influential People on the Internet two years running, and she holds the most popular account on Pinterest with over 15 million followers (something she’s in the Guinness Book of World Records for, by the way).

She joins us to discuss her unusual path to profit. It’s an amazing reminder that no one goes on the same journey as anyone else. Whatever you’re doing and wherever you are in life, your path doesn’t necessarily have to look like anyone else’s. There’s a lot to learn from her account of just how her brand took off and, then, leveled up to the huge success story that they are today.

We also talk about what it’s like to be the face of your business when you’re an introvert. Joy believes it’s something you can learn, and gives advice for anyone who wants to step into the limelight to sell their products but lacks the confidence to do it. She believes the personal connection you can offer to your company can be really meaningful for your customers, so it’s definitely advice worth taking.

This is a wide ranging conversation, where we touch on everything from hiring and scaling your business to the point that feels comfortable to you, how Joy balances work with her family life, and the time Michelle Obama invited Joy to design the annual White House Easter Egg Roll. This episode is a total joy, so listen now!

Brought to you by the Shop 1 in 5™ Pledge! Commit to making 1 in 5 of your purchases from a small business, whether online or offline. The Shop 1 in 5™ Pledge is a way to make an impact together when (and where) it matters most. Join us and take the pledge today!

Resources:

  • Visit the Oh Joy! website

  • Follow Joy on Instagram

  • Product Biz Owners at $250k+ yearly revenue: Are you a product business owner that has built your business to a multi-6 figure to multi-million dollar business? If so, The Product Boss Mastermind has limited spots available open for consideration to applicants $250k and above, apply here.

  • Consistent content is key to getting more people to see and buy your products. If you want to create great content but you don’t know what to say, or you feel too busy, or you just don’t want to be the face of your brand, no worries – because we’ve got you covered with a year’s worth of consistent content that’s sure to resonate with your audience! If you want to see how easy this can be, visit A Year of Content.

  • Check out and shop from hundreds of small businesses from the Small Business Shopping Directory. It’s the go-to directory to discover, support, and shop small businesses all in one place.

Connect:

Success & Supply Chain of Adult Swaddle Blankets with Kimberly Cannon of Pipermoon

Kimberly Cannon is the Small Biz Founder behind Pipermoon blankets. We’ve worked with her in our Mastermind and, now, she’s on hand to tell us her story, what she learned by weathering the pandemic, and so much more.

As you know, we’re always excited to share with you the success stories of our students, Masterminders, and community members – and Kimberly is amazing, so it was really inspiring to speak to her for this episode.

Kimberly Cannon, Founder of Pipermoon Blankets, Swaddles Us in Small Biz Inspiration 

Her brand, Pipermoon, creates and sells adult swaddle blankets made out of soft, jersey knit material. They’re super comfy, and big enough for adults – because why should cozy blankets be just for kids? We could all use a little more of that special feeling of warmth and security these days.

COVID brought unique challenges to everyone, but Kimberly found that people began embracing Pipermoon blankets as a way of sending loved ones a “hug” when they couldn’t do it in person. She is super resilient; you can hear it in her voice. Having overcome so many obstacles over the last few years, in both her personal and professional life, she’s now completely and utterly thriving. 

It’s so empowering to see how well she’s doing. It’s a reminder to always look for silver linings and growth opportunities, even when it feels like things aren’t going so well. Hear her story in this Small Biz Founders episode!

Brought to you by the Shop 1 in 5™ Pledge! Commit to making 1 in 5 of your purchases from a small business, whether online or offline. The Shop 1 in 5™ Pledge is a way to make an impact together when (and where) it matters most. Join us and take the pledge today!

Resources:

  • Pipermoon Website

  • Pipermoon on Instagram

  • Product Biz Owners at $250k+ yearly revenue: Are you a product business owner that has built your business to a multi-6 figure to multi-million dollar business? If so, The Product Boss Mastermind has limited spots available open for consideration to applicants $250k and above, apply here.

  • Consistent content is key to getting more people to see and buy your products. If you want to create great content but you don’t know what to say, or you feel too busy, or you just don’t want to be the face of your brand, no worries – because we’ve got you covered with a year’s worth of consistent content that’s sure to resonate with your audience! If you want to see how easy this can be, visit A Year of Content.

  • Check out and shop from hundreds of small businesses from the Small Business Shopping Directory. It’s the go-to directory to discover, support, and shop small businesses all in one place.

Connect: