by Suret Alive, founder of Alive Wellness Company
Here are the top 5 things that I’ve been doing for myself during the pandemic that will make my business thrive.
1. I invested time in my personal development
I’m a private shopper and fitness trainer which means I am always out and about busy shopping or training clients. During the COVID-19 pandemic, I used the social distance regulations that prevented me from going out into public places to my advantage. Taking the time to look at my own wardrobe in my own home and see if I truly dress according to my brand message. In essence, I became my own wardrobe stylist in those few months. Taking a step back and restructuring my wardrobe just like I would with a client’s. I also made use of the lockdown to complete all the workouts I designed for my clients in the last few months before the pandemic. I needed to feel what they feel when they do my workouts. I also needed to work on my personal strength and endurance to be able to better serve my clients. How can I keep a client accountable if I, myself, l do not understand what accountability means during the everyday struggles of keeping to a fitness routine?
2. I worked towards getting clarity
As a small business owner in the wellness industry - an industry with so many possibilities - it is often tempting to take on work that is within my knowledge field but which I am not qualified in or necessarily passionate about. It is tempting for small business owners to do this because we have to make ends meet. For example, as a private fitness trainer, I can almost guarantee that every new client will enquire about diet and nutrition plans - which is something I do not offer because I am not qualified to do so, although it is potentially a great add on to my service.
I had to get clear about this; I help women who are not bound by fashion trends to be strikingly chic through what they wear and to be consistent with their fitness training. Do you see that? I offer fitness and style, not fitness and nutrition. But still, I get asked and often feel tempted to offer nutritional advice because it plays such a big part in the lives of the clients I serve. I am sure some of you can relate with me and have maybe stepped into this “trap” whatever industry you find yourself in. On the one hand, it is great because it shows your do-whatever-it-takes-to-make-this-work attitude but it also has a huge downside. It clouds your vision and by dipping my toes into the nutrition-waters I stole time and focus away from my main business: style and fitness.
How I did it… I literally wrote down who I serve at the moment, how I want to serve them, and the reasons why I serve them. It sounds boring, I know. It felt like I knew it all (in my head) but by writing it down I gained more clarity. I did the same with my marketing strategy and compiled a list of 20 great marketing ideas for my business. The ideas and must do’s that the world throws at us and being a small business, with limited funds, these ideas tend to slow me down and load me with guilt and evidence of why I will not get ahead in my business. Ultimately all these thoughts become energy thieves and ended up distracting me from the real job. I went through each one of the 20 marketing ideas that I wrote and narrowed it down to my Top 5 must do’s and 15 absolutely do not do’s. This action helped me gain clarity on the steps I need to take going forward and helped me to avoid shiny object syndrome when it came to the marketing and services I offer.
3. I connected with various publications to create content as a guest contributor
I’ve virtually networked and searched high and low for opportunities to contribute as a guest content creator. Being a guest contributor will put your name on different websites and platform which will improve your SEO rankings. Better SEO ranking is great for your personal brand. I truly believe written content is still a great way to get your name out into the world. Learn how to create a Media Kit – this will help you a lot in our industry.
4. I invested in a course
Like many of us, my cash flow was severely limited during the lockdown but I still wanted to use the time to do a course. I had an in-depth look at all the aspects of my business that need improvement and became very specific about the type of course I want. I searched for free or low-cost courses within the areas I felt need more attention. I did a very affordable course in personal branding and one free course in online fitness training. My business is now getting a much-needed boost with the new skills I learned which I would not have had the time for under “normal” circumstances.
5. I Invested in group mentoring
Being part of a group means you are being held accountable by the most virtuous people in the group. The personal branding course came with the added benefit of group mentoring. I was a sceptical and shy at first but the opportunity to ask for guidance and answers from more experienced leaders in my industry proved to be a blessing. We could share our experiences and ask questions during our weekly virtual meetings. I think one of the best things you can do for growth is to surround yourself with people who know much more than you do.
Suret Alive helps female entrepreneurs who are not bound by fashion trends to dress strikingly chic and be consistent with their fitness training, by defining their wardrobe and fitness routine with private shopping from South Africa and online fitness training. Find out more about Suret’s business, Suret Alive below:
WEBSITE | INSTAGRAM | EMAIL suret@aliveandbalanced.co.za