Road To Seven

“Your business is going to be 10x stronger when you surround yourself with amazing people.”- Shelagh CumminsYour customers. Your team members. Your suppliers. Your audience. Your network. As you grow and scale your business, you will always be surrounded by people whom you rely on and people who rely on you. Learning how to love on the people in your business and make them feel appreciated is an important and often underlooked part of becoming a successful business owner. People are one of the most valuable assets of your business and it’s important to know how to treat them well!This week’s episode of the Road to Seven is all about loving on your team members, loving on your community, and loving on the main ticket to your success — YOU!Tune in to learn how to hire team members based on what your company truly needs (rather than what you think you can afford), how to build an emotional connection with the people who are buying from you, and why you need to be patient when taking empowered action toward your

“For the majority of entrepreneurs, we aren’t running someone else’s playbook — we’re writing the playbook.”- Miranda LieversMiranda Lievers spends her time exploring the exciting possibilities relating to small business and technology. She is a co-founder & COO of Thinkific, an innovative all-in-one software platform that helps thought leaders create, market, and sell online courses and memberships with ease.In 2021, she and her team took Thinkific public, furthering the company's mission to make it simple for entrepreneurs and established businesses of any size to scale and generate revenue by teaching what they know.In this episode, Miranda shares the challenges that she faced and the insights that she discovered while building a successful tech business, including how Thinkific has changed since going public, how the business seeks valuable feedback from their customer base, and how they are preparing for the recession.You won’t want to miss it!Listen now to discover:‌ ‌How Miranda began gaining

“If we can see the impact and believe in women entrepreneurs… then I think we’re going to rewrite history in a way that’s very powerful.”- Shelagh CumminsAs you embark on your growth journey and work toward your biggest and boldest goals, being able to access the capital you need in order to invest in your business is crucial! From making a key hire to purchasing machinery to upleveling your advertising, your continued growth requires strategic investment — and getting that cash into your your hands can often feel almost impossible.While women make up 47% of all entrepreneurs, we only receive 16% of all business loans. Why is it still so challenging for women business owners to access capital? Women often own smaller businesses, which can face insurmountable hurdles when seeking loans from banks. When you go in to meet with a Loans Officer, there is a good chance that they are not looking at your business through a lens that allows them to truly see the value, the impact, and the profit that is possible.In th

“You’ve got to collect data. You’re not going to collect data in your head. You will only collect data by actually DOING.”- Salima ValjiDo you sometimes feel that you don’t really have a voice, or that you are unheard? Then you need to meet Salima Valji! Salima is a coach, thought leader, speaker, and advocate for women of colour in the workplace. As the founder and CEO of Unleash Forward, she helps her clients claim their executive presence and speak confidently at the leadership table.Salima has had an absolutely inspiring entrepreneurial journey, and I am so thrilled to share it in this episode!During this conversation, we explore how to stop negative emotions like shame or fear from holding you back, how to let your niche find you (rather than the other way around), and why women tend to mute their own voices in so many situations.You won’t want to miss it!In‌ ‌this‌ ‌episode of the Road to Seven podcast,‌ ‌you’ll discover:‌ ‌The path that Salima took to become a highly successful executive coachHow she r

“When you are selling and you are desperate for a client, your client can smell it.”- Shelagh CumminsBefore you spend a ton of money hiring another coach, subscribing to somebody else’s system, or implementing a whole new set of tactics in order to increase your sales, you need to listen to this episode!I dive into the real reasons why your ideal customers may not be buying your offer at the rate that you would like — and those reasons may not be what you expect.Listen now to learn how and why your own actions may be inadvertently keeping your sales low and preventing you from building strong relationships with your dream clients.This episode will encourage you to remove the rose-coloured glasses and take a real and unfiltered look at the way that you do business, so grab your pen and notebook and get ready for some honest food for thought. In‌ ‌this‌ ‌episode of the Road to Seven podcast,‌ ‌you’ll discover:‌ ‌Why selling from a position of desperation can wind up stacking your customer base with people who a

“Often, in the arts, you’re actually seen as a sell-out if you’re successful financially or commercially.”-Naomi ClementThe idea of the “starving artist” is romanticized in our culture. This image of the artist who sacrifices material success and lives on passion and creativity alone is a popular one, but you don’t need to embrace the starving artist story in order to be a successful artist! My guest, Naomi Clement, is an incredibly talented, sought-after, and bad-ass potter and creative entrepreneur who helps artists embrace their power as creators, so they can step into the career of their dreams. While she had always been drawn to the arts, Naomi resisted becoming a professional artist for a long time, because the starving artist myth led her to believe that she would have to be poor.  She worked in sales and marketing until she realized that her 9-to-5 office job was making her miserable and that pottery was her true passion. Now, Naomi is on a mission to challenge the way that society (and artists) value

“When we set a goal, it’s actually a subconscious way of choosing how we want to feel.”- Shelagh CumminsDreaming about your desired results is one thing. Actually following through and making them happen is another. That’s why so many people stumble or lose momentum when it comes to turning their wishes into reality — even for something as simple as a new year’s resolution! If you have some big, bold, juicy goals for your business that you’re determined to achieve this year, then this is an episode for you!There is one often overlooked element to goal-setting that can make it much easier to remain in empowered action and on track to achieving your goals: emotion. The goals that we set are subconsciously associated with a feeling that we want to have. We set revenue goals because we want to feel successful or secure. We set fitness goals because we want to feel attractive or strong. We set financial goals because we want to feel abundant or safe.Our desired results have an emotional component to them, and it’s

“You’ve got to be standing behind your product. You cannot cut corners.”- Shelagh CumminsAre you selling for today? Or are you selling for tomorrow? When we sell for today, we are focused on short-term goals and gratification — and we aren’t thinking about the long-term ramifications and impact for our businesses.Selling for today can take a few different forms. You could skimp out on quality in order to save some money. You could refuse a reasonable request for a refund or replacement. You could base your pricing on vanity metrics, rather than on real value. The result? You may get (and keep) the profit for a handful of sales… but you’ll miss out on the positive word-of-mouth and repeat business that would help you continue to build your revenue, client base, and reputation.If you want a long-lasting business that will scale with more ease and serve you for years to come, then you’ll definitely want to listen to this episode!In‌ ‌this‌ ‌episode of the Road to Seven podcast,‌ ‌you’ll discover:‌ ‌The differenc

“I was a doer of many things, and I loved doing all of them — and at the same time, my messaging was a little bit jumbled.”- Nadine MoffatAs an action-focused entrepreneur, you may not often create the space and the quiet you need to listen to your inner voice… but putting in that effort can lead to incredible benefits!My guest Nadine Moffat has been referred to as, and resonates with, the words mystic, lightworker, channel, intuit, healer, guide, Nordic Witch, and empath. She began her awakening journey 25 years ago and has learned the value of embracing stillness and listening to her inner wisdom. As an Intuitive Coach and Energy Healer, she guides others to move into a deeper awareness and connection within themselves.In this episode, Nadine and I explore the power of tapping into your deeper wisdom and clearing static from your inner antenna. Listen now to learn about her inspiring journey, how she put her own unique spin on coaching, and how the pandemic pushed her right out of her comfort zone (and why

“Food is such a personal and beautiful thing. The easier you can make a choice, the better.” -Jessica KwongRecognizing a gap in the market is one thing. Coming up with a solution is another. But taking your brilliant idea and moving it along the path from “idea” to “reality” is a step that few people actually take.My guest Jessica Kwong not only took that journey, but she is also willing to draw a map! Jessica is the founder and CEO of Jack & Friends, a company that sells plant-based jerky with an emphasis on quality and inclusivity. In this episode, I sit down with Jessica to talk about how she took her amazing idea from the test kitchen to the store shelf.In‌ ‌this‌ ‌episode of the Road to Seven podcast,‌ ‌you’ll discover:‌The biggest challenge that she faced while commercializing her prototypeHer incredible “all-inclusive” philosophy for her Jack & Friends products and what inspired itHow she found her first buyers — and how she is using analytics to shape her rebrand!About Guest: Jessica Kwong is

“By believing that you can make the perceived impossible possible, you’re opening up a whole new opportunity realm.”- Shelagh CumminsAre you looking for a little bit of insight into how to make your 2023 the best it can be (without having to choose a “word for the year” or journal about the past 12 months)? If so, then this episode is for you — I’m sharing three vital lessons that will help you find more success with less struggle.Here’s a sneak peek: when you take your business results as a personal failure, you’re setting yourself up for disappointment and frustration — and, eventually, you’ll probably wind up shutting down your business! This year, I want you to take a step back and disconnect your sense of self-value from your business outcomes. Sure, your marketing may need a little tweaking, but that doesn’t reflect who you are as a person.Want to hear more? Listen now to learn why you need to show yourself more grace during launches, why some popular ideas around goal-setting may not hit the mark, and

“Let’s just try it and see if it works — and if people are into it, then we’ll keep doing more of THAT.”- Chris GrahamThroughout his career, Chris Graham worked at one the world’s top banking law firms and one of Canada’s top Indigenous rights law firms — before leaving the legal profession to launch his own business as a speaking coach. Since then, he has taught over 8,000 people how to create better connections with their teams and clients through his TellPeople brand. As a matter of fact, he helped me get onto the TEDx stage!Tune in to hear about how Chris handles the challenges and lows of entrepreneurship, the biggest question he asks potential clients during discovery calls, and why he is the “most retired” person I’ve had on the podcast!In‌ ‌this‌ ‌episode of the Road to Seven podcast,‌ ‌you’ll discover:‌ ‌Why the most important thing you can do on stage is to detach from the outcome of your performace The importance of knowing your lane and your most powerful opportunities for creating impact  Why you

“When you figure out how you want to feel and begin to reverse-engineer that, that’s where the magic happens.”-Heather ChauvinYou will not want to miss today’s powerful interview! My guest Heather Chauvin started her career as a social worker, but pivoted sharply in 2013 when she received a stage 4 cancer diagnosis and experienced a significant mindset shift. Now, Heather is a celebrated leadership coach who helps women thrive in all areas in their lives, on their own terms, hosts the Emotionally Uncomfortable podcast, where she helps her listeners conquer their fear, create the lives they want, and become the women they were born to be, and is the author of Dying To Be A Good Mother: How I Dropped the Guilt and Took Control of My Life & Parenting.In this episode, she shares some truly valuable lessons regarding embracing discomfort, cultivating vulnerability, and better understanding our emotional selves.In‌ ‌this‌ ‌episode of the Road to Seven podcast,‌ ‌you’ll discover:‌ ‌How reconnecting with the femi

“What’s really important to us is that whatever leaves our hands with our name on it is top of the line.”-Trisha PituraGet ready to be inspired! In this episode of the Road to Seven, I sit down with Trisha Pitura and Mélanie Bernard, the founders of the online boutique and manufacturing company MINI TIPI. Through the MINI TIPI brand, Trisha and Mélanie design, make, and sell products featuring gorgeous, authentic Indigenous designs — and use their profits and platform to support artists and their community.In this thoughtful conversation, we explore the importance of story to the pieces sold through their brand, the impact that they hope to create for their families, team, and their wider community, and the biggest challenges they’ve faced along the way.In‌ ‌this‌ ‌episode of the Road to Seven podcast,‌ ‌you’ll discover:‌ ‌How Trisha’s hobby of sewing baby wash cloths evolved into a successful clothing and accessories brandThe process of turning a design idea into a finished product — and how they work with t

“Women access only 4% of the lending capital that is available.”- Shelagh CumminsHave you ever tried to access a loan, a line of credit, or a credit card for your company… and been turned down? Even if you were already successful? For women entrepreneurs (myself included), this is an all-too-common experience.It’s a sad reality that many smart, ambitious, and capable female entrepreneurs struggle to access the funding they need to grow and scale their businesses. Even as women continue to found a significant number of micro- and small businesses, women entrepreneurs remain the most overlooked and undervalued sector of the economy by banks and investors.At the Road to Seven Capital Inc., we are working hard to rewrite the rules of business financing for women through our Capital Access Program, which will provide women entrepreneurs with access to game-changing micro-loans ranging from $5k to $50k!This episode dives into the dysfunctional loan application and approval process that many women struggle with as t

“The excitement of starting a business can sometimes blind us from truly understanding the challenges that we may have ahead.”- Andreea VanackerDr. Andreea Vanacker is the founder and CEO of SPARKX5, a mental well-being technology company that helps organizations elevate their human potential and create cultures of curiosity and growth. Her work focuses on finding synergies between neuroscience, positive psychology, leadership, human resilience, and purpose. While SPARKX5 was founded just a couple of years ago, Andreea has since expanded it into an impressive North American empire!In this conversation, Andreea shares her biggest challenges, most powerful mindset shifts, and the inspiration behind her first book and program, Successonality.In‌ ‌this‌ ‌episode of the Road to Seven podcast,‌ ‌you’ll discover:‌What led Andreea to become a serial entrepreneur — and how she landed her first clientThe foundational pieces that Andreea put in place BEFORE leaving her corporate position in order to better enjoy her ent

“Just because there is economic turmoil all around us, it doesn’t mean we have to be affected.”- Shelagh CumminsIf you’ve become worried about and preoccupied with what COULD happen during the recession, then this episode will help you refocus on your next power moves and set yourself up for your best-case scenario!Cards on the table: there WILL be an economic downturn. That is a fact. In fact, the recession has already begun — you may have already noticed an effect on your own finances or on the finances of those close to you. But focusing on the things that you can’t control takes your attention away from those you CAN.Tune in to learn the moves that you can make right now to recession-proof your business, how lessons learned during the pandemic will help you stay on track during the downturn, and why the looming recession holds a secret silver lining for entrepreneurs!Remember — if you survived the pandemic, then you’re already strong enough to get through the recession!In‌ ‌this‌ ‌episode of the Road to S

“If I have the right mindset, I can deal with anything… part of my growth has been to learn how I can switch from one mindset to the other quickly.”- Emily ChungEmily Chung has always been driven to succeed, even if her road to success has had the occasional speed-bump! Emily is a licenced Automotive Service Technician and the owner of AutoNiche, a family-friendly auto repair shop. Emily founded AutoNiche to offer her clients a friendlier and less intimidating auto repair experience, providing non-judgmental and empowering client service from reputable mechanics.Dive into this fascinating conversation to discover Emily’s experiences as a woman in the automotive industry, the biggest lessons that she has learned along the way, and the benefit of throwing yourself a “structured pity party” (it really works)!In‌ ‌this‌ ‌episode of the Road to Seven podcast,‌ ‌you’ll learn:‌What led Emily down the road to owning an auto repair shop after earning a Psychology in Business degree and starting a career as a psychomet

“Your business is not about you.”- Shelagh CumminsHave you been hiding away when you should have been showing up, speaking out, and selling your offers? If you’ve been hoping that your offers will sell themselves, then you definitely want to listen to this episode!It’s no secret that many entrepreneurs consider sales to be their least favourite part of running their business — and often their weakest skill. “Selling” can conjure up the image of a sleazy, pushy salesman, but letting others know about the incredible transformation that your offer can provide is actually a service. Think about it: if you see someone struggling and you know that your offer could help them thrive, then aren't you doing them a disservice by not sharing it?You should be selling your program wherever you are, whenever you can, whether you’re on Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter, email, LinkedIn, or bumping elbows at a conference or networking event. Press play to discover a powerful way to reframe the act of selling — and what you mu

“We were committed to making a great living doing what we love, as women and as proud moms… don’t underestimate us. We’re killers, even from our kitchens!”- Erica EhmEver wondered what’s it like to live nine lives? Erica Ehm is an entrepreneur, interviewer, author, playwright, awarding-winning songwriter, sought-after speaker… and an absolute trailblazer when it comes to content marketing and social media. If you’re musically-minded, you may know Erica as one of the original MuchMusic VJs and host of the Reinvention of the VJ podcast.As the CIO of digital marketing agency Ehm & Co, she currently helps connect brands with moms, but knowing Erica, this is far from the final chapter of her entrepreneurial story!Before Erica found success in each of the areas she’s ventured into, she first had to make her mistakes, both big and small, and learn valuable lessons in turn. In this episode, we explore the challenges that she faced along the way and how she has been able to successfully reinvent herself, time afte