In this episode, we get to hear from Katie J about her journey of leaving her 9-5 to pursue a career as a virtual assistant (aka VA). Not only do we get the perspective of Katie and how she helps businesses through her work as a VA, but we also get to hear from our Host, Lauren Ruiz, and her experience hiring a virtual assistant! Dive into this conversation to hear how finding the right VA can be a WIN-WIN, allowing both parties to focus on their “zone of genius” and Lauren’s experience of being able to bring time back into her life and business!

00:30 - Meet Katie J!

01:38 - What was it like leaving your 9-5 to become a virtual assistant full time?

03:50 - How do you support business owners as a virtual assistant?

05:20 - What are the best tasks businesses should delegate?

10:30 - How do you set clear expectations from the start when onboarding a client?

12:20 - What does communication like between you as a virtual assistant and your clients?

14:00 - What questions should business owners ask themselves when looking to hire a virtual assistant?

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Work with Lauren Ruiz:

https://www.guidemybusiness.co/book-a-consultation 

Connect with Lauren on Instagram: @thelaurenruiz

https://www.instagram.com/thelaurenruiz/ 

Join the “Guide My Community” Facebook Group:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/guidemycommunity

Connect with Katie J. on Instagram: @katiej.va

https://www.instagram.com/katiej.va/

Visit Her Website:

http://www.katiejva.com/

From one-time projects to building a business with one or more partners, this episode is all about collaborations and partnerships! Our host, Lauren Ruiz, dives into must-have conversations and what to get in writing! “Magic” can be created when people combine the power of each of their zones of genius for a common goal. Knowing what to discuss when going into a collaboration or partnerships and what to have in writing protects all parties and sets them up for the magic to flow! 

01:05 - Setting clear expectations in collaborations and partnerships.

02:40 - What is the difference between a collaboration and a partnership?

04:25 - What expectations should you set to strengthen the relationship as a collaborator?

05:05 - Chat about expenses!

07:00 - Tips on setting a timeline.

07:50 - What if one party fails to fulfill their side of the agreement?

08:30 - What is different about a partnership vs a collaboration?

09:20 - Do you own the business in equal shares? 

11:30 - What to keep in mind when setting business goals in a partnership.

12:40 - Who will take on which roles in the day-to-day of the business operations?

13:30 - How did you find investments to get your business going or keep you going? (aka Capitol Contributions)

14:45 - How to plan ahead for investments your business may need down the road.

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Work with Lauren Ruiz:

https://www.guidemybusiness.co/book-a-consultation 

Connect with Lauren on Instagram: @thelaurenruiz

https://www.instagram.com/thelaurenruiz/ 

Join the “Guide My Community” Facebook Group:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/guidemycommunity

In honor of World Mental Health Day use the discount code below to save 30% on coaching agreements, online course agreements, and mastermind agreements from Oct 10th, 2020 - Oct 12th, 2020 

World Mental Health Day Discount Code:

MentalHealth30

In this episode, we’re talking Launch Strategy with the founder of Powerhouse Women, Lindsey Schwarts! Lindsey has launched everything from her book “Powerhouse Woman”, to coaching groups, and live events. No matter where you are on your business journey when it comes to building excitement around what you offer or what you are creating, Lindsey Schwarts is someone you’d want to grab coffee with to pick her brain! So grab your favorite beverage, pen, paper, and enjoy this episode! 

02:15 What is available to you when you think a little bit bigger?

04:10 Do you need a big audience to have a successful launch?

06:30 What is the biggest lesson you have learned from launching everything from your book, to your live events?

10:25 How do you handle the pressure of feeling like you need to be on every social platform?

16:30 How do you make your launches so fun?

19:00 What can you do to bring your audience along with you on the journey?

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Work with Lauren Ruiz:

https://www.guidemybusiness.co/book-a-consultation 

Connect with Lauren on Instagram: @thelaurenruiz

https://www.instagram.com/thelaurenruiz/ 

Join the “Guide My Community” Facebook Group:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/guidemycommunity

Connect with Lindsey on Instagram: @powerhouse_women

https://www.instagram.com/powerhouse_women/?hl=en

Do you own a business? Do you own a business with your spouse? As this episode is being published live, our host Lauren is 1 month away from her wedding! With marriage being top of mind, this episode dives into what happens to your business before and after you get married, as well as what to plan for in the case of a divorce. Of course, there are much lighter topics to be covered, but as an entrepreneur it is so important to have legal agreements to protect your business in all areas. Including agreements when you have business partners and/or spouses involved! 

00:50 How I came to the decision to quit Corporate Law to start my own Law Firm!

03:00 Having the conversation with your partner about creating a plan in case of a possible divorce. 

05:00 Is the State you live in a Community Property State, or a NON-Community Property State? How does that affect you?

08:30 What happens if you own a business before you get married, and then later divorce?

10:20 What is an equitable division?

13:15 How can you protect your business? Three agreements you need to know!

15:50 If you own your business with a friend, do you have a plan in the event of death or disability of your business partner?

17:30 Are you and Will doing a prenuptial agreement?

18:00 Do I need an operating agreement?

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Work with Lauren Ruiz:

https://www.guidemybusiness.co/book-a-consultation 

Connect with Lauren on Instagram: @thelaurenruiz

https://www.instagram.com/thelaurenruiz/ 

Join the “Guide My Community” Facebook Group:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/guidemycommunity

In this episode, our host Lauren Ruiz is joined by friend and one of the Co-founders of Creative Label, Aisha Marshall! When it comes to branding and marketing, Aisha and her team at Creative Label know their stuff! Aisha has been such an incredible resource for education, sharing her experience as an African American woman, consumer, and business owner. We dive into the importance of diversity and representation in your business. Not only to allow for a range of experiences and perspectives within your business, but also in your marketing so a diverse range of consumers can see themselves in your product or service!

02:30 What is Creative Label? What does your business offer?

04:50 Showing up to educate during the Black Lives Matter movement! 

08:00 How businesses must be intentional about diversity when hiring.

10:00 Your consumer wants to be able to see themselves using your product or service!

13:05 What would you say to people who are worried about doing something to “check off a box”?

15:18 As businesses, how can we reach a more diverse audience?

20:15 How do you set clear expectations within business collaborations?

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Connect with Aisha on Instagram: @aisha

Find out more about the services Creative Label offers

Instagram: @creative.label 

Website: itscreativelabel.com

Work with Lauren Ruiz:

https://www.guidemybusiness.co/book-a-consultation 

Connect with Lauren on Instagram: @thelaurenruiz

https://www.instagram.com/thelaurenruiz/ 

Join the “Guide My Community” Facebook Group:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/guidemycommunity

This episode is an honest conversation from business owner to business owner! Our host Lauren tells us 5 ways to utilize the elements within your contract to help set expectations throughout each step of the customer lifecycle. This episode is all about agreements and how they can serve your business!

02:00 Today’s highlighted review! 

02:50 How can disclaimers be used?

04:50 Setting clear timelines of what materials are needed so the CLIENT’S DELAY does not become YOUR RUSH.

06:30 How to set important deadlines from the start.

07:10 The importance of setting clear boundaries!

08:20 How customers can respect your intellectual property limitations.

12:00 How to start working as a contractor or hire a contractor with clear expectations from the beginning!

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Work with Lauren Ruiz:

https://www.guidemybusiness.co/book-a-consultation 

Connect with Lauren on Instagram: @thelaurenruiz

https://www.instagram.com/thelaurenruiz/ 

Join the “Guide My Community” Facebook Group:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/guidemycommunity

Today, our host Lauren is joined by lifestyle blogger Sakura Considine! Sakura owned creative agency Bloguettes and has transitioned from being an entrepreneur within her agency to treating her blog like a serious business and becoming a blogger Full-time! In this episode, we dive into questions you should ask yourself when considering a brand partnership, and what really matters when counting numbers and success as a blogger! Tune in as we chat about showing up as your authentic self, following FDC requirements while endorsing brands, and the business you can create when you take it seriously! 

01:00 Meet Sakura! 

03:40 How did you go from owning Bloguettes to transitioning to become a full-time blogger? 

07:50 How do you measure success in the blogging industry?

10:20 What is your process in deciding what to write on your blog?

12:20 Turning down partnerships when it doesn’t align with you!

14:40 The value of engagement! (What numbers you should be looking at!)

15:50 Gifting vs Paid Promotions.

19:10 How being transparent with disclosures can help build trust with your following.

Connect with Sakura on Instagram: @sakuraconsidine

Check out her blog: http://www.somethingsakura.com/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCXTiVRzUEBhdf9wjczXXuYw

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Work with Lauren Ruiz:

https://www.guidemybusiness.co/book-a-consultation 

Connect with Lauren on Instagram: @thelaurenruiz

https://www.instagram.com/thelaurenruiz/ 

Join the “Guide My Community” Facebook Group:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/guidemycommunity

Do you ever receive cryptic emails, late-night texts, or urgent calls? In this episode, our host Lauren helps you get right to your non-negotiables, and actionable tips for how to set and keep your boundaries! Setting boundaries is essential to building your business and schedule the way you want to, rather than reacting to the needs of your clients. This not only helps you create your schedule with intention but also can save you so much time! Also, we have a gift giveaway for brides like Lauren who are having to navigate wedding plans during the COVID-19 pandemic! Tune in to find out more!

01:15 Setting a NO TEXTING boundary!

03:30 What to ask yourself to find 3 non-negotiables that will help your business run smoother.

04:20 How I set boundaries with my clients from the start.

07:00 What I use to save time with scheduling.

08:30 How I set and stick to my work hours!

10:20 Gift Announcement for Brides like myself, navigating wedding plans during the pandemic.

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Work with Lauren Ruiz:

https://www.guidemybusiness.co/book-a-consultation 

Connect with Lauren on Instagram: @thelaurenruiz

https://www.instagram.com/thelaurenruiz/ 

Join the “Guide My Community” Facebook Group:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/guidemycommunity