2448 - Creating Clarity and Structure for Service-Based Entrepreneurs with Inspired Growth's Jillian Bailey

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0:46Visit podverified.com if you'd like to be featured as a future guest. I'm Josh Elledge. Let's get into it. With us right now, it's Jillian Bailey. Jillian, you are the founder at Inspired Growth. You help service-based businesses simplify operations and scale sustainably. You were found on the web at inspired-growth.com. Jillian, thank you so much for joining us. Yes, thank you so much for having me, Josh. I really appreciate it. Yeah. Before we start talking about the work that you do, and I'm really excited to talk about what you help folks with, we were just kind of talking about some TV shows to stream.

1:27And you mentioned one that you're currently watching right now. And I think it sounds, we haven't watched it yet, but it's Kevin Hart's show on Netflix, Funny AF with Kevin Hart. You're watching it. Tell me, to folks, who might enjoy this show? Oh my gosh. Anybody who likes like comedy at all. I'm not like, I wouldn't describe myself as a comedy guru, right? Like I haven't been to like a million shows and things like that, but I literally started watching it because I was reading a health article and it was like, if you laugh more, like you will just be naturally lighthearted. And I was like, I don't think that many things are funny.

2:06So I saw Kevin starts comedy. Um, and I was like, okay. And then it's called, you know, the comedy show AF. And I was like, that's already funny because you're not supposed to say the AF word on the show. So I was like, I love it. Let's go. So when I started watching it, it's all about gathering different comedians from around different cities in the United States, like the main cities in California and all these places in New York, and then they compete. And then they see at the end who wins. And so throughout the whole thing, Kevin is like evaluating them. Some you're like, Oh God. And then they get eliminated right away.

2:43And then some say, and then you see some get better and some get worse. But I thought it was really great because at the end of America is the one who votes for who wins. So it was so nice to see because Kevin has obviously an amazing comedy background and he's like, he's a very personable person. So he was saying a bunch of comedy terms I've never heard in my life, but I just knew who was funny and who was not funny. So I was very excited to see at the end, like who was going to be America's favorite. And I actually really liked them. So I was like, okay, cool. Well, and there's a lot of other, um, kind of celebrity, uh, comedians that join them.

3:23Keegan Michael Key, Tom Segura, Chelsea Handler, um, who else I see Nikki Glaser's here. Yeah. So, So they do a roast where Chrissy is there. And it was so funny listening to her. She gave them like all like one-on-one advice and you get to see some of her one-on-ones on how to roast somebody. And I, a lot of them felt like uncomfortable roasting because they didn't want to be like rude or mean to somebody. But Nikki was like, I'm telling you, like they literally are signing up for this to be roasted. And it ended up being like a football player. and so they're like no he literally is used to this he's asking for it so he came on stage to be roasted and I was like whoa and so that would make me feel so uncomfortable they're like sitting right there yeah right right it's not in our nature to be you know so mean but yeah that's that's the format which is so much I you know I like it because um like my wife and I don't I I mean, unless it's like a comic that we really know, it's kind of hard to know who to like, you know, watch like a big, you know, YouTube stand up or whatever.

4:33And like, you know, I might get going with this and like 10 minutes into it. I'm like, that's not really funny, but it might get better. And it's always weird for me to like know, you know, if it's a new comic, new to me comic, you know, if it's one that I should watch or not. So because, you know, a lot of us have different styles of humor, you know, what we're kind of into. So this strikes me as you get to experience a lot of different stuff at once. So thank you so much for the show recommendation. I love show recommendations. All right. Well, Jillian, let's talk about the work that you do.

5:06So your website is inspired-growth. I like the idea of inspired growth. Tell me about what you do and who you work with. So I work with service-based entrepreneurs, and I really help when they're in the chaos of work. when work is overwhelming them, they stepped out of their job, their full-time job to create something amazing that creates freedom. And instead of creating freedom, it's holding them back. And so that's when I come in because service-based entrepreneurs and entrepreneurs in general, they really most didn't step away from their 40 hour, 50 hour week job to have a 70 hour week job, right?

5:42That's like never, never the goal. And sometimes it turns into that because even I used to be in corporate as well. And even those who have like done corporate or risen the ladder and climbed up, you you've done it in like one alley and you have not done like a full expansive overview. So when you start a business, it can be so challenging to manage each of those areas proactively and not be reactive. So I just help them evaluate. I do like full on business evaluations and go through like, how is your website? How is your social media? How is your onboarding? How is everything? Because oftentimes people have created phenomenal and amazing things.

6:25They poured their heart into it. And I love seeing that they just need a little bit of that boost to make it like that chef's kiss. Yeah, no doubt. And so do you have, it looks as though like you have some structured kind of audits or the way that you kind of evaluate where it might be hurting. And I guess I'm curious about that and your discovery process. I guess my question is how often can the business owner truly articulate the real problem versus are they kind of looking at maybe, you know, kind of step three in the problem hierarchy, Right. Because that's the part that might feel more immediate when they realize, listen, your problems are deeper than that.

7:15And this is the good news, you know, because, you know, rather than just, you know, affixing band-aids, you know, you can kind of get, you know, get to kind of figure out the core of the issue. Absolutely. That's very, very, very common. So oftentimes, even in our own life, you know, you could be doing something as simple as mowing the lawn and be like, oh my gosh, there's a dead spot on the grass. I have to fix it. But if you spend hours in chemicals and you go to Home Depot and you go to a store that's based on, you call a lawn company, you can spend all this time on this one spot and the rest of your yard is going to look terrible.

7:52It's going to be terrible because in the meantime, you're focused on this spot. And that's the same thing that you're referring to in business. So sometimes business owners feel like there's a fire because they have a spot in their grasp. And it's like, you have to tell them in perspective that it is not a big deal without invalidating their feelings because for them, it is what they see. It is what they can clearly see. So that's why they are addressing it. So sometimes there's like two approaches I take. Depends how the level of panic, right? So if sometimes it's a spot, I can just describe, this is what we're going to do to fix this spot, A, B, and C.

8:27Okay. So I need you to trust that I've got the spot. I know how important the spot is to you. And I am going to see this spot through and then kind of really talk. I've even, I haven't done some deep breathing, you know, like let's really, let's really take it. And then let's zoom out or a camera lens and we're zooming out. So this spot is taken care of. You can breathe. What is life look like next for you? And then a lot of times, once we do that, they can be like, okay, well also like this is a problem. And I'm like, okay. And that's where like, we're seeing the real problems. And I'm always up.

9:02I really, really, really liked new that founder, that business owner, what their goals are. But I also want to be very gentle and pointing out that sometimes your goals are not the revenue generating goals, or they are not what is causing the most chaos. It just feels like it, but it is not actually it. So in that process of just being like, okay, let's sit down and look. And usually from the outward perspective, it doesn't mean like you have more knowledge than the founder, but when you look from the outside, you just see things differently. And everybody does like when someone looks at your lawn, they see a spot, but they see the whole thing.

9:37And so I come in to see that whole picture and really help them break that down because it is so frustrating. I don't know if you've ever even had a lawn problem, but if you fix that spot and then When your eyes, you turn around and you see all that you have neglected, you feel ridiculous. And so I never want my founders to feel like that. So I'm like, let's deal with the spot for sure and calm your nervous system down to that reaction. And then let's whole picture it out. So typically I can do that in one conversation and then they're calm. And then even if it's, if I know like it's still going to be like a hotspot for them, then it's just more tight communication on it through the process.

10:18Like, yeah, this is what we're doing on it. Don't worry. Rushed assured, you know, and I don't literally say those words, but say those words in other, like, this is what we've done today. This is a progress we're seeing on the spot. And then this is what we're doing to be revenue generating and needle growing chaos clarity. So that way they can really feel that sense of reassurance because what they've created is amazing. But if they hire me and I choose only focus on the spot, then I'm not servicing their business. I'm just servicing their panic. And I do both at the same time. Yeah. What are some of the challenges or spots, if you will, that you believe that maybe a lot of founders or leaders believe that, you know, it's like they have this dirty secret or, you know, they feel like a failure.

11:08And meanwhile, you're like, you do not know, I mean, what you're, this is so common. I guess what I'm looking at, you know, are there challenges that maybe we could normalize and say, you're not so special. That's everybody. Anything come to mind for that? Honestly, I think systems is one I'm like, pretty psychotic about systems, systems, systems, organization, organization, because if you don't have those repeatable systems, your mind can't rest in order to move on in order to really build. And so it's even the same with, uh, with a podcast like that I'm on right now. Like if you don't have a system for like sending the guests, the meeting before they get here, then I can't come to the meeting.

11:54Right. And so it's like, you can have an amazing podcast. You can have guests to reach, but if you don't have that system in place to reach. And often people think my zone of genius, my zone, for example, my zone of genius is working with clients, working with clients. So I have a team that does like the web design for my clients. That's not me. I don't actually ever want a web design. I just can look and be like, no, let's help. Let's help. But some people think I have to do it all. I have to be the web designer. I have to be the scheduler. And if not, like, I can't tell anybody. I can't tell anybody that I sent someone a meeting with no invite.

12:34Yes, you can. Yes, you can. Like, you are not the only person that has messed up something in the background. And it's okay to say, like, I had a rough day. What happened? I don't know. I don't even know. Or I didn't even have a rough day. I just don't know what broke in the system. So I need to see, is it a step I missed? Do I I need an SOP, like standard operating procedures on how to send out meetings. Is it really, there is a step that like you commonly miss even things like that. It's fine. It really is fine. You just have to get it in line. So acknowledging it and getting it in line. And they often say, it's actually a Bible thing, but it says things that are done in the dark will be brought to the light.

13:19And I always, I've always felt that way about everything. just talk about it you know like people want to know that you're a real person that oh my gosh yes you so often you know even like on a podcast for example you know someone will like it's funny like they'll they'll they'll they'll cough and they're like oh my gosh can we edit that out and I'm like people listen this is crazy but people cough you know obviously if you're blowing someone's eardrums out, yeah, we'll probably, you know, fix that. But, you know, it's like, oh, no, there's some kids playing in the background. Guess what? Like, that's normal life.

13:56And that's just, you know, warts and all like to me, you know, it's one of the biggest reasons. I asked that first question at the beginning of this conversation is just, you know, we're all pretty alike. We all kind of want the same things. We all hopefully enjoy our downtime. and we value, you know, that time away from work. And, you know, if someone likes to watch standup comedy, that just makes them far more endearing to me because now I know they're not just always some stuffy buttoned up corporate type that like, you know, is there a human in there? I know you're like, you know, on top of the world as a business success, but, you know, our audiences, I think, appreciate that.

14:37Our teams, I think, appreciate that, you know, that, you know, Josh is, does, says dumb things sometimes and I'm fully capable of falling on my sword. Like, yep, I messed that up. I am sorry, folks. You know, I, that's, I think that makes other people feel like, oh, this is a safe environment where I can make mistakes or, you know, I can share something trivial rather than, oh no, if I don't say the right thing, than, you know, I'm going to feel dumb or that's unprofessional or something like that. So, yeah, I think, you know, the expression I like to use is, you know, in Slack or just like how I try to be around other people is nerdvana, you know, where I'm just going to like, I'm going to totally own my nerdiness.

15:26And I feel like that's a good thing to, you know, maybe other, well, geez, if this guy's not worried about that level of embarrassment. I love that. Yeah. I think it's really, I just cannot, I cannot say enough how true that is. Like you just being honest and relatable over really even silly stuff. Like I was on a discovery call and my dog went psycho. And I was like, I've literally, I've never heard my dog like that. I've never. And I was like, can you please excuse me? Like, I literally don't know someone is like at the door or what. And I came back and they were like, what was it? And I was like, it was the squirrel.

16:07So this is the time the squirrel decides to enter my yard, you know? And it's like, Hey, it just happens, you know? So as silly as like a squirrel is or nerding out, right? Like be yourself, come as you are, you know, because I'm not, I don't need you to impress me, just tell me where you're at. Like, let's just dive in because nothing is bad. What is bad is things that are hidden because then I cannot help. You know what I mean? And even saying them online and repurposing that content, I think it's wonderful. Yeah. I also like this idea of, you know, when we feel more comfortable to be ourselves, our imperfect selves, you know, it leads to, I think, you know, enjoying our work a little bit better, not burning out because we're, you know, forced to be someone that we're not.

16:55And the same thing, you know, culturally for our teams is just like, look, I don't need you to be a certain way. I mean, you know, these are kind of the values that I value, you know, from a company culture standpoint, you know, but, you know, certainly, you know, I want folks to feel safe around here. Jillian, your website, I just want to make sure I want to start connecting the dots right now, inspired-growth.com. I know you've got some great resources here. And obviously, you know, you're a woman that brings systems to the table. And so I know a lot of times, you know, as founders, you know, just there's an endless number of things going on.

17:34And, you know, the more we move, the, you know, the more we do, the more things can kind of break down. It feels unwieldy. It's like, I can't feel like, how do I get on top of all of this? Can sometimes feel really overwhelming. So you fix that. Where should our friend who's been listening to our conversation, where do they go from here? And what would you recommend? And if you have any free resources that you want to share as well, please mention that. Yes, yes. I have a quiz and I can get the link for you guys as well. Again, being human, I didn't grab the link. No, that's all right. I will send that to you.

18:08It's not the audit, is it? Because I see you've got an efficiency audit here. Yeah, you can use that one. That's a really good one. And then that just kind of lets me know where you're at. And it allows you to get on my newsletter, which I send literally every four to six weeks, you will not be bombarded with information. But it also lets you set up a call if you would like, because I offer completely free discovery calls, there's no cost for it. And we can just chat. So if you want to chat and get an idea, like, hey, I don't want to hire, but I just want to like, like, brief it with somebody, hey, jump on a call with me.

18:39And then if you do want to move forward, then I have like a whole 12 week program that'll go through the entire business and be like, what are your hotspots, how to evaluate them, get systems in place and get everything looking neat. But even after that, I offer very small managed services packages. And I actually just expanded into that range because I felt like when I was working with people, they got a little bit nervous when it was time to end. Like, well, it's exactly what you just said. You don't know what you don't know. So as you go, you're like, oh, I'd also like, and I really want more like information on how to maintain this system.

19:19But as I've learned it with you, I've realized I don't really want to maintain that system. And even though it's easy, like my zone of genius is here and I would like to stay in it. And so then I was like, okay, you know, and that's when I added on, which is again, just recently, I'm very excited to add on to managed services. And I got such joy out of that because it's like, I'm not, then, you know, for sure. I'm not just like, this is amazing. And I'm leaving and hope it works. Like I'll actually stay and help you. And my team will stay and will help you regular communication, everything like that, manage the systems that are like, you know, say we do like six systems and two, you're like, not for me, but I love them.

19:58Then we can do that for you. So if you want to, if anyone wants to do that audit, it'll kind of tell them where they're at in their business. And if they want to jump on a call with me, I would love to chat about just your business. And there is absolutely no need to like book my services, but if you love me to do that with you, I'd be honored. Awesome. All right. Jillian Bailey, again, founder of Inspired Growth. You're found on the web at inspired-growth.com. Jillian, thank you for the conversation. Yes. Thank you so much, Josh. It was great talking to you.

21:23We'll see you next time.

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