Helping Creativepreneurs Answer the Question... To B-School or Not To B-School?

by Debi Auger

If you're an entrepreneur and you've been anywhere online lately... even your own inbox... you've probably been inundated with promotions for Marie Forleo's B-School. Honestly, even though I know it's coming every February, I still get tired of having B-School promos coming at me every which way. No offense to Marie Forleo. I think she's an amazing person and very savvy businesswoman. I mean, a large part of the reason B-School is everywhere every February can be attributed to marketing genius. I have a great deal of respect for her and all that she's accomplished. And I'm sure that B-School is an excellent program.

But... full disclosure... I'm not a B-Schooler. 

This used to bother me in a way. I felt like I was the only one in the damn world who had NOT done B-School. I came close to signing up a few times. But something always stopped me. I know enough about Marie Forleo to know that she knows her stuff, so it wasn't that. But there was "something." And I've learned to trust my intuition implicitly, so that "something" always kept me from clicking the Buy button.

One thing that bothers me is that it seems to produce an extraordinary number of Marie-wannabes, with similarly-styled websites, saying very similar things. I'm sure with all the hard work she's done to build her brand, that it's not her intention, but it happens nonetheless.

YOUnique

I've always been a bit rebellious; definitely not one to blindly follow the rules; and oh so not a follow-the-pack, cookie-cutter kinda girl. I like to do things my way. I'm different... and stubborn... and assertive. I'm ME! And I'm ok with that. And I want my business to express my unique personality. 

More importantly, I don't believe in one-size-fits-all solutions. It's just a fact... whether we're talking about online programs, medication, make-up, t-shirts, or even your morning coffee... one size just does not fit all. Something that works wonders for you, may not work at all for your BFF. That's just the way it goes. We all have to find what works for us. That's why there are so many variations of products and services to choose from in every imaginable market... and plenty of room for everyone. Choice is great. And you definitely have a lot to choose from when it comes to business programs, coaching and mentoring.

Maybe you're not quite sure if B-School is the perfect fit for you. Maybe you're hesitating because knowing that affiliates make a lot of money when people buy through them, makes you wonder if you're really getting an honest opinion. I'll admit the same thing crossed my mind, too. Unfortunately, I can't help you with that either, because I've never done it. However, the B-School website has tons of information to help you see if it's right for you and make an informed decision. (No, that's not an affiliate link.) Trust your instincts.

Is An Online Program Enough?

You may even be be wondering if you need to go to traditional Business School (also referred to as B-School). I'm here to emphatically tell you "No." You don't need to spend tens of thousands of dollars to go to a formal business school... unless you want to. I absolutely, positively did not want to. And I didn't.

I didn't start my own business because of a lifelong passion to do so. Even though now I wouldn't trade it for the world; it was done more out of necessity than by choice at first. Possibly because of how it happened, I approached online business differently than most creatives. I came at it strictly from a business perspective. The very first thing I did was make sure I understood exactly how the internet works; what that would mean for me as a business owner; and what I had to do or have for people to find me, and to succeed with an online business.

My entire education and background was in medicine. I had no business education at all. Zero. None. The thought of starting my own business never even crossed my mind until it became a necessity. And I had a lot to learn!! Luckily I'm a real DIYer and good at figuring out how things are made and done. (I get that from my Dad.) And, thanks to my parents, I also got an excellent education. So, even though I had no idea what I was doing, I knew how to find out what I needed to know, and how to learn. And learn I did. I've basically gotten myself a customized MBA. 

And so can you.

Today you can customize your own business education to exactly what you need for what you want to build and accomplish. And you can start your business, and start making money from it, as you go along. Then add to your education over time, as needs arise.

But you have to know what you need, where to find it, and who to trust. I've done that work for you. I did the trial and error... a lot of it! I got duped (rather expensively!!) when I started my journey. I got pissed off, got over it, moved forward, and found the right peeps... awesome peeps... to learn from.

I've invested considerable time, effort, and money to learn what I needed to learn. And, as my journey progresses, I continue to invest in my myself and my business to build the business and life I really want... for myself, for Niko, for my parents, and for my contractors and future employees.

There's a Revolution Happening. Will you be a part of it?

I'm disgusted with how most companies are run, with all the corporate greed and lack of ethics and integrity. I run my company the old-fashioned way... back when people and loyalty mattered, and it wasn't all about the bottom line. And I think the economy... and the world... would be much better off if more people did the same.

I strongly believe in lifestyle business, life on your terms, living life by design and taking control of your future.

I believe creativepreneurs are going to change the world and I want to work with those who are truly up to the challenge.

So I also have an option for you... or at least I will shortly... it will be revealed mid-March. So I think it's only fair to let you know that, in case it sounds like something more your style. 

You probably know that I've recently pivoted to focus on working with Creativepreneurs. I've also been hard at work for the last few months putting together amazing services to specifically meet your needs, and a new website that's worthy of you. 

One of those is the Creativepreneur </Catalyst> Lab. If you're a Creativepreneur building (or wanting to build) a lifestyle business that's uniquely and authentically YOU, and is the very essence of what success means to you, you're going to LOVE this!!

And if you're an introvert like me, it might appeal to you a lot more than joining thousands of clients in the B-School program and FB groups. Ours will be a much smaller, more intimate group.

You see, one commonality in everything I do... whether it's my handcrafted jewelry, coaching, consulting, or research... is customization. I love to offer custom, personalized, unique solutions. I enjoy getting to know my customers and clients, and being able to do truly special work with, or for, them.

My coaching is all focused on what success means to YOU specifically, and what YOUR perfect lifestyle business looks like. 

Success means different things to everyone. Yachts and million-dollar mansions may be some people's idea of success. For others it may be the freedom to do... and be... wherever they want, whenever they want. For many, it means spending more time with family and having the time to actually enjoy life. For you, it may mean a totally different combination of things.

And that's OK. It's YOUR version of success that matters. It's about living life on YOUR terms.

Abraham Lincoln famously said, "The best way to predict your future... is to create it."

I want to help you do that. 

I want to help you...
♥ Dream... BIG!
♥ Believe that if you can dream it, you can do it.
♥ Define what success means to YOU.
♥ Achieve it by planning out your unique path and taking action to make it happen.

One of the problems is all the "noise" out there. There's a shitload of information coming at us from every direction all day long, and no shortage of shiny objects to distract us. I get drawn in by them, too. I'm obsessed with online business, love learning all about it, and I'm infinitely curious, so it doesn't take much to catch my attention! 

It's no surprise that most entrepreneurs, especially creatives, get stuck on implementation. Between all that outside noise and the creative chaos that's constantly happening in our own heads, it's a miracle we get anything done! Yup, it's one of my biggest problems, too. In addition to being a multi-passionate creative, I suffer from short-term memory loss. So believe me when I say everything is a struggle. I'm just like you... overloaded with ideas and have lots of great ones, but struggle when it comes to getting those ideas out of my head, productized and available for sale. 

I built the Creativepreneur </Catalyst> Lab with that in mind.

Want the Inside Scoop?

I'll have all the details for you mid-March, but for now, here's a quick run-down of what I'm building, so you can get an idea how it compares to B-School and other options you may be considering.

The Creativepreneur </Catalyst> Lab requires an initial year-long commitment. It's not just about marketing. It's an all-inclusive, business-building lab experience designed for ambitious Creativepreneurs.

Success is not automatic and it doesn't come from listening or reading... it comes from DOING. And doing takes time. We've already discussed our common struggle with implementation. I'm really trying to make sure that the program and other lab content gets put to use so it can change your life. You need time to learn, implement, test, evaluate, improve and iterate. 

After the first year, you'll have the option to switch to a month-to-month membership, or you can renew for a full year and get 2 months free.

That said, here's how it's gonna roll...

Although there will be a lot of resources, and they'll continue to build over time, you'll be starting out with my Creativepreneur S.U.C.C.E.S.S. System™ program so you'll have guidance from Day 1, not just flounder around overwhelmed with all that's available to you. You'll follow the program and make use of extra resources if, when, and where you need them.

You'll have some prep modules, including one on Time Management, available to you right away. Then we'll be starting at Point A with a self-discovery and going all the way to the Point Z of replicating success. The journey will include things like finding your WHY (I'm kinda big on that), mindset work, setting you up for success, brainstorming, planning, executing your plan and evaluating outcomes. We'll be dealing with it all... branding, websites, SEO, marketing, etc. and using some other systems I've created like DREAMFIRE Master Planning™ and Multi-Faceted Monetization Models™.

And here's what it will look like and how we'll do it. You'll have...

              • Private Membership Site with your own personal coaching area

              • Creativepreneur S.U.C.C.E.S.S. System™ 7-Module Program

              • Monthly Masterclass 

              • 2 Coaching Calls every month

                       1 specifically for the Creativepreneur S.U.C.C.E.S.S. System™ program content

                       1 that will be open for any questions you have

              • Monthly Implementation Days

              • Weekly Accountability Module 

              • Private FB Group

              • Members-Only Forum

              • Mastermind and Accountability Opportunities 

              • Resources on any topic you could possibly need

There will be some pretty fantastic bonuses included as well to further aid your success, but I'm keeping those under wraps for now.

This first launch is a pilot program. In exchange for your commitment to complete the program, give me feedback (like helping me set the module release schedule by telling me how long you feel you need for each one), and a testimonial (if you feel I deserve it), you'll have the opportunity to get in for the lowest investment ever. The next time the Lab opens for enrollment, it will be considerably higher.

My passion is working with ambitious Creativepreneurs who want to build a lifestyle business. And I like getting down in the trenches, exploring opportunities, supporting you, and helping you navigate your journey, so this is hands-on help. You and I are co-creators in this process. That's what coaching is, really... a wonderful, collaborative effort that gives you the support, accountability and guidance to achieve the goals you set. 

It's not the kind of program where you're given the course materials, attend "coaching calls" that just regurgitate the materials back at you live, then you're more or less on your own to figure out how to apply them to your business. This is a Lab. It's a hands-on, interactive 12 months of working on your business. I'm not an absentee coach. I roll up my sleeves and get right in there with you. I'll be actively participating in the FB group. I'll be answering your questions on the calls.

I don't run group programs to be less involved with my clients. I do it because it allows me to help more people. And I have an awesome coaching portal. So, even when you're in a group program, you have a private coaching area that creates a safe environment for you to explore possibilities and work out problems with me, separate from the group and more secure than email. I think this plays an integral part in the success that can be achieved when working with a coach. 

Wanna Change the World? I Do!

I truly believe Creativepreneurs have the ideas and the power to change the world… one business at a time. I'm creating the environment, tools, and resources we need to do it.

Please rest assured that my goal with the Creativepreneur </Catalyst> Lab is not to make you a coach. That's not the only, or the most important, way to change the world. You change the world with whatever gifts, talents and passions you've been given and by doing what you know in your heart you were put on this earth to do.

I'm a coach because I have over 30 years of teaching, coaching and mentoring experience... 32 to be exact. I've done this across a number of industries and organizations, and I'm damn good at it. 

You need to choose what (or what combination of things) you want to do. And whether that's a service business, a product/retail business, or a combination of the two (which, as you can see, is what I do), I've gotcha covered.

You may also decide that B-School, or another program, is the best option for you. If so, great! I totally support you. I want you to do what feels right to you. 

I want you to be successful and blissfully happy. And you need to work with the coach you feel can help you accomplish that.

Besides, you can still come visit. You're always welcome here.

Much Success,

Share your thoughts...