Recently, I shared that The Storytellers is the theme for Indie Cruise Retreat 2018 to Ixtapa, Mexico. This post continues the series of posts to introduce you to the five marvelous Storytellers we have selected to share with you on our upcoming retreat for Makers and Creatives. (Join us!?) You've already met Sandy Engels, our Storyteller in the Emerge Phase of entrepreneurship, Christy Rose, our Storyteller in the Engage Phase of entrepreneurship, and Toushonta Hogan, our Storyteller in the Evolve Phase of entrepreneurship. Today, I'm thrilled to introduce Deb Jasien, one of our Storytellers in the Expand Phase of entrepreneurship.
Deb's topic on Indie Cruise 2018 is Expand Your Brand with Intention and Common Sense.
A Bit About Deb
Deb spent much of her traditional professional career designing theatrical sets. That partially explains why her beautifully decorated store is a destination location in the ski resort town of North Conway, New Hampshire. Deb has done a brilliantly colorful job of expanding her brand over the past few years by adding a line of color cosmetics, including eye shadow and face powder. Check out some of the colors here!
I've sprinkled some of Deb's products from her Instagram feed throughout this post to give you an idea of how beautiful her brand is. Take a look at her Oatmeal Stout soap here.
On Indie Cruise, Deb will focus specifically on the Evolve Phase of my signature approach to entrepreneurship, called The Indie Method. Evolve Phase consists of 9 specific and sequential steps to help you refine your business model and create a platform for future growth, new income streams, and additional brands.
Specifically, Deb will share her entrepreneurial story with a focus on the expansion choices she has made, which center heavily on her local community and offering private label and wholesale services to a select but very lucrative collection of clients whom she serves in an ultra-personal way.
Deb's story will be especially useful to you if you want to grow your business by making more money, but you don't necessary want to grow into a big business. In other words, if you want to go big, but not grow big. Deb's expansion choices are heavily focused on preserving specific lifestyle choices, and her example will help you define exactly how to expand your business without forcing unwelcome life changes.
Deb Wants You to Expand Your Business Without It Taking Over Your Life!
Here is what Deb tells me she is most excited about.
I read an article in the NY Times YOUR MONEY section in June of 2015, written by Carl Richards. It was entitled “What Mountain Climbing Can Teach You About Business”. A lot of what he said was very apropos to my lifestyle and my business style. This quote resonated with me deep down as I had actually been through this with both, “Learning about alpine-style climbing helped me see that what we think we need, and what we really need, are usually two very different things. Getting clear about the difference allows us to drop the obsession for more stuff and instead focus on enjoying the experience.” I find more joy in my experience as a Maker by shedding the obsession for more stuff and the need for growth beyond my capacity. I now focus on what makes me happy in my business and subsequently in my life.
That is what I am looking forward to sharing with my fellow Indies in January of 2018 – how travel and challenge helps to focus on getting what you need, not necessarily what you think you need to grow your business. My journey from 2001 to 2013, from home kitchen to a Main Street Brick & Mortar, was indeed climbing mountains at times and letting things go. I am due for another challenging hike soon and wonder what changes that will bring? I know I am ready for something because I feel the travel itch starting – how far away from Club Med Ixtapa are the Sierra Madre Mountains?
I love this approach. Today, not only is Deb enjoying great success in her business, but she is able to center her efforts in specific areas. She can spot her target customer a mile away and with very little effort. This allows her to be efficient at serving only the type of client she wants to serve, which frees up her resources to enjoy her life without being bogged down with business issues she is not interested in dealing with.
Meet Deb!
You can enjoy personal conversation and Masterminding with Deb on Indie Cruise, but if you cannot do that, you can at least get a more personal introduction to Deb in this episode of the Indie Business Podcast.
Check out Deb website, and follow her on Instagram, on Facebook.
Learning + Implementation
Not only will you hear from Deb, but you'll also enjoy some peer-inspired confidence building activities that will help you feel more comfortable as you move your business to a new level of success on your own terms. Yes! That's right — Indie Cruise is not only about storytelling. It's about embracing the mindset to take the right actions that get the right things done!
Snorkeling and Sunshine
Come snorkel and learn with us!
Deb and I are ready to roll out the red carpet for you. And while you're waiting to join us, take a virtual whiff of this collection of Fields of Ambrosia Abenaki Harvest Moon products, scented with Plumeria, Sweet Orange, Patchouli and Sandalwood. Yum!
Register for #IndieCruise NOW
Ready to up-level your life and your business?
Of course you are!
If you're already ready to climb aboard, then just click here to register NOW!
See you in Ixtapa, Mexico!
Question
Are you in the Expand Phase of your business? How do you define “expansion?” Is it more money? More clients? A bigger physical location? How about more money with fewer clients? You hold the key, and can make it whatever you want it to be. What are you looking forward to learning from Deb on Indie Cruise? Please do share thoughts and experiences in the comments below, or share on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.
