Set up your Soul Led Business in 5 Steps

I previously worked in the corporate world in marketing for 15 years for major brands like Microsoft, Skype, Mercedes, Crayola, Ford, and the BBC. Whilst there was a lot I loved about my roles, something was missing for me… I now know I wasn’t fully being ME.

I was presenting a pared-down version of myself. The version I thought I had to be to be successful in the corporate culture I was in. Over the last 3 years, I’ve been on a journey – starting and running a co-working business, then pivoting to coaching and mentoring. Always at the centre was my sense of community and connection with like-minded souls.

I’ve trained with world-class coaches, taken MANY online courses, and invested at a big level in my personal growth. What I was missing 5 years ago was ALIGNMENT with my core values and ultimately my Soul’s PURPOSE.

I know I am here to help others along this path too. I’ve worked with hundreds of Founders and extracted my top tips based on what has worked best. So, I hope you enjoy this blog and be sure to download my free workbook to dive in deeper!

Step One: Clarity on your Core Values

So, What are core Values? Essentially, they are the things that make you, you. They are the things that motivate and drive you, they are personal to you. When you live your values in work and in your life you will derive deep satisfaction and you will feel happy and motivated. When your values are not around or if they get taken away, that is often when you become unhappy in your life/business.

Your core values are reflected in all areas of your life, they aren’t switched on and off from work to home.

In the workbook, there are exercises to discover your core values, what is truly important to you within your work, what your best moments within your life and business are and how to create more of those moments moving forward.

Step Two: Who are your Role Model Heroes?

It’s really important to know that people have done something similar to what you want to do. Perhaps they even have a similar background. It may not be exactly the same thing but having examples you can be inspired by really helps. Immerse yourself into their world- listen to their podcasts, read their books, understand their mindset!

Be sure to download the workbook for prompts on how to analyse your role models and figure out what they have in common for you. What have they overcome to do what they do?

Step Three: Get clear on your offering & Niche

Who are your Niche? Often, the people you want to serve with your work are very similar to you, or perhaps where you were 3-5 years ago (true in my case!). When it comes to marketing your business, you always want to think about how you position what you offer to them from their point of view. What is in it for them? Talk about the benefits for them, not the features of what you do / how you work / your experience etc.

This is often the stumbling block. So, don’t be afraid to offer something specific to a specific group of people!

In the workbook, I’ll prompt you to create a mind map to get specific on who your target audience is.

Step Four: Plan your Finances

Make sure you feel supported – calm the Lizard part of your brain!

What is the minimum you want to take home each month?

Look at your regular bills and commitments. Get clear on what you absolutely must bring home. Consider the lifestyle you want to live. If you have a partner, definitely sit down with them and review together so you approach the plan as a team. I wouldn’t recommend throwing yourself in with no savings or back up plan. The level of stress and pressure you put on yourself is counteractive to being of service in the work you want to do. This is what I mean by the Lizard part of your brain- it always needs to feel a sense of safety. Read Daniel Priestley’s book The Entrepreneur Revolution for more on this.

In the workbook, we will map out your vision for where you would like to be in a year’s time and plan key steps to get you there.

Step Five: Set up your weeks for success

It’s the small repeatable habits that add up over time to make the difference. Map out when you will spend time on your business each week. Consider your daily, weekly and monthly cycles.Each of us are different- whilst we are all cyclical creatures- we have evolved with a Moon and a daily cycle between night and day… we all work slightly differently. Reflect on when you are your most productive during the day, most creative, and when you most enjoy connecting with others. If you are working a day job currently, you may find that your current daily patterns do not work for you. Consider how you want to set up your days and weeks when running your own business.

Use the weekly and monthly planners in the workbook to get started! I have also included a bonus Vision Planner.