Episode Summary:
Being a solo entrepreneur can be a wild ride—especially when it comes to making those big decisions. You’re wearing all the hats, juggling CEO duties with admin work, marketing, and everything in between. But when it’s time to make a tough call, who do you turn to for advice?
In this episode, we’ll explore the importance of having the right people in your corner. We’ll talk about whose advice you should probably avoid (hello, unsolicited Facebook advice), and more importantly, how to build your own personal Board of Directors. These are the trusted voices that guide you in different areas of your life and business, even if they don’t know they’re on your board!
What I hope you take away from today's episode...
- The importance of having trusted people to lean on for business advice
- Why some advice (especially unsolicited or from social media) should be taken with a grain of salt
- How to build your own personal Board of Directors for decision-making support
- Why it’s important to find advice that aligns with your goals and values
Highlights:
- Avoid the social media “experts”: Not all advice is worth following, especially if it’s from people who don’t run successful businesses themselves.
- Unsolicited advice isn't always helpful: Friends and family mean well, but if their goals don’t match yours, their advice may not be right for you.
- Build your own Board of Directors: Surround yourself with people you admire and trust. These people don’t even need to know they’re on your board—just let their wisdom guide you.
- Diversify your board: Your board can include mentors, friends, family, or even authors and speakers whose work resonates with you.
Links to connect with me...
Book a Consult HERE! (https://caffeinecreative.io/consult/)
Email me HERE! theperfectblendcaffeinecreative.io
Find me on Substack!
Action Steps to Build Your Board:
Ready to build your own board of directors? Here’s how to get started:
- Reflect on Your Needs
- Identify Your Board Members
- Diversify Your Board
- Seek Out Mentorship
- Use Your Resources
More detailed steps below in the Show Transcripts – CLICK HERE to view them!
Resources Mentioned:
- Andy Andrews’ book, Mastering the Seven Decisions for Success – A great resource for learning how to create your own personal board of directors.
- Jen Sincero and Denise DT – Two of my go-to financial mentors whose books and advice keep me grounded.
Detailed Show Notes
(automatically transcribed using AI Technology)
Being a solo entrepreneur can be tough, especially when it comes to making those big decisions. You know the ones—they keep you up at night, running through all the 'what ifs.' When you’re the one wearing all the hats, where do you go for advice? Who do you turn to? If this hits close to home, even just a little, stick around—I’ve got some thoughts on that."
A Little About Me:
"Hey there! Welcome back to The Solo Grind. If you’re new here, I’m so glad you’ve joined us. For those of you just tuning in, I’m Teresa Schlup, founder and owner of Caffeine Creative, where we do everything from brand strategy to website design to digital marketing. I’ve been in the game since 2011, helping confident female entrepreneurs stand out rather than blend in—and let me tell you, I love what I do!
And for those who know me and have checked me out you might be thinking, “Teresa how are you a solo entrepreneur when you have a team?” to which I say Great Question!
I do have a team who help with things like bookkeeping, graphic design, and the occasional admin work, but 95% or more of my business is still managed by little ol’ me. So, that is why I still consider myself to be a solo entrepreneur.
And as a solo entrepreneur, I totally get the struggle of having to do it all. One minute, you’re the CEO making big-picture decisions, and the next, you’re sorting through emails, tweaking your website, or managing social media. It’s a lot, right? And when you’re juggling all these roles, it can feel pretty overwhelming to figure out where to go for advice that actually helps.
It is so easy to get caught up in the daily grind. You’re making strategic decisions one minute, then deep in the weeds the next. You might be up late finishing a project, only to wake up early to handle client inquiries or tweak your branding. It’s empowering to know you can do it all, but man, it’s also exhausting.
This is where having someone to bounce ideas off of becomes crucial.
Advice is EVERYWHERE. Even my 86 year old daddy has business advice to give and he’s never run or operated a business. So who do you talk to when you need advice?
But not all advice is created equal, and figuring out who to listen to—and who to politely ignore—can make a big difference.
Whose Advice Should You Avoid?
"Let’s start with the kind of advice you might want to take with a big grain of salt. Social media is full of 'experts' who spend all day sharing opinions and dishing out advice. Some of them sound super confident and knowledgeable, but here’s the thing—many of them don’t actually run profitable businesses. They’re sharing advice they’ve read, heard, or maybe even just imagined, without much real-world experience to back it up.
How do I know? Because the people who are really running successful businesses don’t have time to be on social media all day offering advice. They’re busy, you know, actually running their businesses.
Now, that’s not to say there aren’t successful people on social media who share their wisdom. There definitely are, and they’re often generous with it. So here’s my rule of thumb: Before you take advice from someone on Facebook, check out the life they’re living. Are they where you want to be? If they’re living the life I dream of and their success lines up with my goals and values, then I’m all ears. But if they can’t back up their claims, I just send them some love and luck and keep scrolling.
The Dangers of Unsolicited Advice:
And then there is that unsolicited advice. You know the kind—advice you didn’t ask for but somehow end up getting anyway. This could come from friends, family, or that well-meaning neighbor who thinks they know best. They genuinely believe they’re helping, but if they’re not aiming for the same dreams you have, why listen?
Here’s the deal: Their advice might come from a loving place, and it might even be decent advice. But if their goals don’t match yours, it’s probably not going to help you reach your dreams. Like, if you’re trying to build an online empire, but your uncle is telling you to play it safe and stick with a traditional 9-to-5, that advice might not be the best fit for where you’re headed.
Building Your Own Board of Directors:
That brings me to one of my favorite concepts—building your own board of directors. This isn’t something I came up with on my own. To give credit to where credit is due, this is advice I took YEARS ago when reading the book Master the Seven Decisions for Success by Andy Andrews.
In his book, Andy encourages us to seek wisdom from those wiser than us. And when it comes to making the big decisions in life and business, he suggests you create your own board of directors.
I’m not talking about an official board with people on your payroll. I mean a personal board of directors—the people whose opinions you truly value and trust.
Your board doesn’t have to be made up of people you know personally. They don’t even need to know they’re on your board! They just need to be people you admire, respect, and who are willing to share their wisdom with you.
For example, when I’m considering something new or outside of my comfort zone, I always talk to my best friend, Crystal. She’s amazing at spotting potential and possibilities, and she knows me better than anyone. Crystal has been my go-to guide and conscience in so many areas because she’s always willing to listen, ask the tough questions, and keep it real. She’s also not afraid to poke holes in my ideas and tell me if I’m being stupid. We have that real and raw loving relationship where we can just be candidly honest with each other, and that is why she is one of my people.
On the flip side, I don’t usually ask my husband for advice when I’m venturing into new territory. Why? Because stepping outside of his comfort zone isn’t his thing. He’s all about playing it safe, analyzing every option, and rarely takes risks. Don’t get me wrong—he’s awesome when it comes to loyalty and integrity, and he’s definitely on my board for those things. But when it comes to trying something new, he’s not the person I turn to. The key is knowing who to ask for advice depending on the situation.
Finding the Right People and Resources:
So, who should be on your board? The key is to find open, honest, and respectful people who align with your values, have achieved the success you’re aiming for, and whose lives mirror what you’re trying to create. Think about the people you admire—what qualities do they have that you respect? What areas could they help guide you in?
If you’re looking for a solid framework on how to build your board, I recommend checking out Andy Andrews’ book, Mastering the Seven Decisions for Success. In it, he talks about creating your own board of directors—those trusted people who can offer advice and support in various areas of your life. This doesn’t have to be a formal thing, and as I mentioned earlier, these people don’t even need to know they’re on your board. It’s more about surrounding yourself with voices you trust and respect.
And remember, your board doesn’t have to be limited to people you know personally. There are so many incredible resources out there—books, podcasts, and courses—that can provide you with the guidance you need. For instance, two of my financial 'board members' are Jen Sincero and Denise DT. These are amazing women I’ve never met, but when my money mindset is off, or my finances aren’t where I want them to be, their books and other media are my go-to resources for support."
Action Steps to Build Your Board:
Ready to build your own board of directors? Here’s how to get started:
- Reflect on Your Needs: Think about the areas in your life and business where you need guidance. Is it finances, creativity, leadership, or something else?
- Identify Your Board Members: Who do you admire—whether you know them personally or not? What qualities do they have that could help you? What areas could they advise you on?
- Diversify Your Board: Don’t limit yourself to people you know personally. Include authors, speakers, or public figures whose work resonates with you. Remember, you can draw from various sources for different aspects of your life.
- Seek Out Mentorship: If there’s someone you respect and admire, reach out and ask if they’d be willing to offer advice or mentorship. You might be surprised at how willing people are to help when asked.
- Use Your Resources: Don’t forget about books, podcasts, and courses. These can be invaluable tools for expanding your knowledge and getting advice when you need it.
So, when it comes to getting advice, choose wisely.
Surround yourself with people and resources that align with your goals, values, and dreams. Build your own board of directors—whether they know they’re on it or not! And remember, you don’t have to navigate this entrepreneurial journey alone.
Thanks so much for tuning in to today’s episode of The Solo Grind
