Mastering the Entrepreneurial Symphony with Suzanne Taylor-King | RR244

successful venture. And she has her own approach to helping entrepreneurs and it seems, from what I've, from what I have experienced with her already, I can tell she is very passionate about helping entrepreneurs be successful. So first of all, welcome to the show, Suzanne. Suzanne Taylor-King: Thank you so much, John, it's great to be here. You're very welcome. So I'd like you to share your story about your first entrepreneurial venture,

because I think it comes best from you. Oh, Suzanne Taylor-King: my gosh, well, I was 22 years old, had no idea what I was doing. And my boyfriend at the time, had an idea of bringing California surf skateboard and snowboard products to the East Coast. And we started a retail store with $3,000. And it was in the basement of another store with no sign and no phone. So word of mouth traveled very quickly that we had some underground. And it really was underground,

underground. Apparel, shoes, you know, just really cool stuff. And by the end of the first week, we had done $5,000 in sales. Nice. We had nothing left and needed to rebuy everything. And it was in that moment when I thought and remember this was before social media. There was no advertising, no promotion whatsoever. And I fully realized the power of people talking about you in rooms you're not in. So, you know, ultimately, I got divorced and walked away from a very successful

franchised business. But my own safety, sanity, happiness was more important to me than money, even back then. So, but the lessons that I learned, you know, really stem from getting to know your ideal clients so well, that they feel like they're friends with you. And that feeling of Gosh, it's really just understands me, she gets me. I brought that forward into my first coaching practice where I was a health coach. And it turned out that I was helping many entrepreneurs with their

health, wellness, fitness. And it turned into giving some business advice just based on my experience. And over the next couple of years, I fully transitioned into being a life and business coach for entrepreneurs. And it's been incredible. Well, I've met you, I think twice now and have one sort of conversation with you. And I can tell right away how easy you are to talk to and how easy it is to get to feel like your friends already. Yeah, that is fantastic. I hope that I

kind of have a little bit of that same. You do since because and that's maybe why my why we you know, connected quite quickly. I just knew when I first saw you at a networking event online that I wanted to talk to you it took us a while. But oh now why because you do have that sense that sense of warmness and caring that I'm sure that your that your clients experience. So, so thank you for that. A couple of things. One,

you talked about athletics. I know you were an athlete, a professional athlete, or were you well, Suzanne Taylor-King: in high school, I was a State ranked swimmer. In right after college, I started snowboarding and started competing. But I was 24 at that point when I was competing, so that was considered Pretty old for the

competition level, but I was sponsored. So I did get free swag and free snowboards and free clothing from a couple of different companies and went to numerous trade shows and made appearances to, you know, sell products for star. That's Yeah, fun. And I remember the first time I went to, which wasn't that long ago, I went to actually a ski shop with my son, too. And I thought, Oh, I'm gonna get new boots and a new snowboard. And the snowboard was like $1,200 or something. And I

was like, Oh, yeah. And my son said, Woody, what are you thinking? I said, I don't know. I've never bought one. He said, you've never bought one. I said, No, I used to get all my stuff for free because people want to see me on their stuff. How did he react to that? It was he Well, he didn't think I was any cooler. So. Ah, that's amazing. Did you ever by the way, you were probably in you were in the East Coast. Right? You're out of New Jersey, New York. Yeah. Did you ever come to Whistler to ski

at all? Yes, Suzanne Taylor-King: I did. The zoo. Okay. Yes, yes. I actually did heliskiing there and was terrified. But I did it. And I think it was $75 for one trip in the helicopter up to the top. And for some reason I thought the helicopter was going to land. Ah, yes. Didn't know. They don't land. Oh, hover. And you jump out? Yeah.

I know. I have friends who've done that. I'm not a skier snowboarder, I think skiing at Whistler in my youth, but I fell in love with a basketball coach and player and so I was always going to gym in the winter after my my last boyfriend had taken me skiing up at Whistler. And when I had to carry my own skis, that was enough for me. Yeah. Yeah. I was not the athlete. I caught me city most most of the time. But anyway, I did it. And I didn't learn to ski as a kid. So it's

harder when you're an adult. Yeah, I didn't Suzanne Taylor-King: either. I grew up surfing. So skiing was very difficult for me the couple of times I tried and gave up. And then trying snowboarding, you know, at about 22 because of a boy. Yeah. Oh, yeah. And it was the same movement and surfing. You just had to dress much warmer. Yeah. So I would think that and I didn't plan on this, but, but it's interesting to me because I have a daughter, who

is a very good athlete is was a very good athlete. And she played team sports, basketball, volleyball, softball, but she learned a lot from that time. And I'm sure that you did, too, in terms of what that what did that bring for you to business and that you maybe share with your clients these days? Suzanne Taylor-King: Well, I think it was a combination. So my dad was in the army before I was born, and he was an athlete, as well. And my first takeaway from him being an athlete was me

wanting to cycle with him. And he, he was about 45, at the time, I started showing interest in cycling. And he was cycling with a group of guys who were between 25 and 3540. So he was older than all of them. And he pride he just had so much pride in himself about being able to function at their level or or beyond sometimes. And I so I took that was my number one takeaway was always play with a better player. Surround yourself with great people and great things happen. And that applies

to business as well. And then I think with snowboarding, since it was very independent, but yet you it was very dependent on my own meant the place I was at mentally. So if I was having a good day, if I felt strong if I felt capable. There was nothing I couldn't accomplish the minute I had self doubt in, say jumping off the lift without my back foot strapped in, jumping out of that helicopter in Whistler, when you jump out of that helicopter. You It's not jumping to static you're jumping thing

to steep downhill immediately. It, it really showed me the power of your mindset and your outlook. And you know, where you focus your attention is where your business will go. And my clients definitely benefit from that background with me. That's makes so much sense actually, it really does. So, what would you say? I'm going to skip now to entrepreneurship? And what would you say? I think I read somewhere that, you know, one of the things that you talked about

is to grow your authority. So what's the best way for an entrepreneur to start to grow their authority? Hmm, Suzanne Taylor-King: pick one thing, one platform, and one offer. And one ideal client, I see so many, spreading themselves. So thin, Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, tik, Tok, YouTube, and trying to do all of those platforms. And it's absolutely impossible to do all of those platforms, and do them

all well, until you have delegation capabilities. So I always say, start with one platform, and you pick the platform based on your ideal client. And that's part of the work, you know, I do with my clients is really deciding, where's that best place for me to find my ideal client? And once you're making the income that you want, from, say, your Facebook group, and your Facebook following, then you can move on to another platform with maybe another offer? Or maybe the same offer? Depending? Keep

it simple? Yes, yeah. And hone it as you go to make to make it Yeah. Suzanne Taylor-King: And I, I actually, I've added four or five things in the last maybe six, seven years. And I just decided today, I know, I don't like it. I don't like having this offer that offer even even though they're they're doing okay, I want to go back to having that one thing that one offer or that one community. And your clients naturally come from that.

It sounds so simple, but Suzanne Taylor-King: it actually it's simpler than we allow it to be a lot of times, because unfortunately, in the online space, you're gonna hear so many messages, like, you need a podcast, you need a YouTube channel, you need a Facebook group, you need this, you need that. And it's because they're trying to sell you something they're trying to sell you own what they do for their clients, which I get it, I get it. But you kind of have to have blinders on. It's

really hard to and I'm very guilty of that. I have different parts of my business. And it's frustrating me sometimes because it's too much. And I need to streamline and I always feel that. Yeah, live and learn anyway. So we'll talk. Now, you've had your own? Well, just to that point, your ideal client, I've always fought that I've always fought it. Because the minute I say this is my ideal client, my clients that

I that come to me are completely different. So when you say that it doesn't doesn't have to be that one persona. Suzanne Taylor-King: Well, here's, here's what happened for me, I like you, I was very resistant to the niche, or the ideal client work. I did it a couple times. But I didn't really stick to it. I would just say anybody and everybody, whatever. And about two years ago, my mentor said to me, take

a look at who you're currently working with one on one. And instead of defining them like, oh, entrepreneur, and they're a coach, or they they own a bookstore, look at their psychographics instead of demographics. I was like, huh, all right. So I made a list of my five one on one clients, and they were all men. They were all over 50 They all had previous athletic or military experience. They were all spiritual, and two of them were very Christian church going and involved have

with their church community. Then they all had a business there their business problems or pain points, or doing too many things needed to streamline, or they didn't have a clear, defined offer, and a roadmap for their clients to visually see and touch and experience. Wow. Okay. And then the the thing that was really incredible. They were all introduced to me by referrals. And I thought, dear Lord, what am I doing spending

all of that time creating content for social media? When the five high end people I'm working with, we're all from referrals, and I don't even try to get referrals. What if I just try and ask for more of that, please? Thank you. Yeah, that's fast. And it was a huge turning point for me. Oh, I can understand that. Totally. I mean, referrals are usually the best kind of clients, because it's not a cold call, even though it is right. I mean, it's not because they

trust the person that that sent them to you. And, yeah, yeah, that's really interesting. That's what really what I meant when I said that I, I think I want to work with or that I attract, you know, women mid age, you know, coaches, consultants. And then I look and I got six men that are all financial planners. And that's happened to me a lot. So, yeah, it's very interesting. So. So that's a really good point. And I have to have to point this out, because I heard you say it

on your video, and you just said it now. And I'm like, Oh, God bless you. The word niche. Most Americans say niche. How do you get it? Right? I love that. Because I Suzanne Taylor-King: don't know how do I get it? Right? French word and it is niche. It is Suzanne Taylor-King: a French word. And I think niche reminds me of itch. Awesome. Reminds me of knit. And that's what blazer called, so I stay away from that. That's good enough. Not true. I love it.

Anyway. That's great. So um, so you talk about one of the focuses for your clients, as you're working with them, is to have them I think, if I'm sure you do this with them, you bring out their their unique their uniqueness and their special sauce that will help them grow and flourish as an entrepreneur. How do you do that? Suzanne Taylor-King: Oh, well, I a couple different things. So I

learned a process of extracting intellectual property. And that was, well it was combination of unique ability from Strategic Coach, and then part from your not to do list and your unique genius from Tony Robbins, and then part assessments. So the assessments I typically have somebody take our Clifton Strengths, a positive psychology, Strengths

Assessment, which is your personality strengths. And then a saboteur assessment, which is from a motional intelligence program by Shahrzad Charmaine, a French person and the combination of your personality, your strengths mentally, emotionally. And then if you're going to self sabotage, how's that going to look? So those three things in combination,

typically show me and then a timeline of your life. The timeline of your life looks like your talent stack, so education, degrees, certifications, but also your social emotional journey. And looking at all of that from a big overhead view. A couple things are gonna pop out. For me when I did this for myself, I noticed that every Every time I had financial upswing, I got less creative financial downswing more creative. Whenever I was not challenged in my life, I was

bored. Okay, so always be challenging myself became a rule. And I noticed when I do it with clients, that typically they see it, it's not me seeing it or finding it for them. It's I'm giving them the tools and the information. And then they're looking at and saying, Wow, I can't believe I didn't see that. I've been sick, you know, six or seven times in my life with major illnesses. And I healed myself, every single one of those times. And what I'm doing with my clients is

holistic healing. You didn't put that together? But they don't? Because it's hard to see it. Yeah, when you're in the can't see the forest for the trees, right? Yes, Suzanne Taylor-King: yes. And then that that saboteur that kind of lets me know, that helps me advance my coaching with someone faster. So I've noticed when I have somebody take that, I can tell how they're going to show up during an in a coaching relationship. And if they're going to self sabotage the work

that we're doing, I know exactly how it's going to show up. And I can do that quicker. And that's that kind of helps me build rapport with my client faster. So if I know somebody is a procrastinator, and they show up week two without week one's stuff done. Yeah, I immediately know, it's because there are procrastinate or don't believe any of those excuses. Let's tackle the procrastination first, so we can move forward. So what kind of businesses today are people starting or are in that you work

with? It isn't very completely across his charts, or, Suzanne Taylor-King: um, I'd say my favorites are ones that are responsible for getting their own people meaning real estate agents, coaches, consultants, I'm so service service, service based, even even a financial advisor who works for a company. And he's kind of tied into the company's marketing. They can't do their own marketing because of compliance. I help them kind of figure out who they are. So that when they go out their

network, they stand out. Yeah. They don't lead with. Hi, I'm a financial advisor for Janney, Montgomery, Scott. Well, yeah. You in 10,000 other people by Yeah. Yeah. So that actually makes me ask a question. I know that when I first saw you on screen, it was at an online networking group that I had been invited to by Michael Goldberg, who had been on my podcast. I don't know now how I met him. I was I think it was a referral from someone else

who had been on because you guys are all back East. And so I know that right. So he was great. And people were speaking highly of you. And then it kind of took a while. But what I was gonna say is did you go back to in person networking with a flourish? Like, did you want to do that? I haven't gone back. So it's, yeah, Suzanne Taylor-King: I I always did in person. From the time I

started my health coaching practice in 2009. And because I had a decent size local network, when I came into the online space, I immediately had people to connect with, you know, I just took those in person and brought them online. During COVID, I definitely leaned into more networking groups. You know, as part of Michael's group for years, I actually led to the Philadelphia chapter of the networking group. Then from that I met a Texas group from that I met a couple groups in

California. I've spoken to a lot of really large national groups at their national convention. So I would get like, you know, 300 members from all over the country in one room and get to speak to them virtually of course during COVID I was like, Wow, this could really this could really do well. I don't have to leave my house, I can wear sweatpants and slippers. Yeah, I love that. And I have my own in person group that we meet for lunch once a quarter. And it's a pretty small group of

about 10 or 12. And are the core members, there's six of us. And we commit to bringing somebody new to the group, every quarter. One person, yeah, we'll bring one new person who's awesome. And I've tried the Chamber of Commerce and all those local groups. And at this point, I don't really need to do that anymore. Yeah, but I do kind of keep keep my toe in.

Yeah, sure. I just find and I wonder if you find this to that, when I'm talking to and usually in a networking situation, newer entrepreneurs, they, they they keep saying, like, they say things like, well, I go to two or three networking groups a week? And I'm like, I know. Is your target audience there? You know, like, Are these your people? Because if they're not, to my mind, it's almost sometimes a waste of time? I mean, totally. Yeah. I mean, so

I wonder about that with people today. And I do most of my networking on LinkedIn. So that's why I always find it interesting. When people say I have to be out networking, I have to be out networking. No, well, I Suzanne Taylor-King: think I use this measure. So I had an in person event, we meet for lunch. At the local country club. It's it's run by a financial advisor, friend of mine. And I would say it's every two, two months, maybe this month, there was

eight people there. And I came home with three business cards, they're still sitting right here on my desk, three cards from new people that I had not met before. And I waited. They're sitting right here. Let's see who reaches out to me. And nine times out of 10. When I go to an in person event, no one follows up. I know, it's huge. I don't understand why you're there. Is it just for lunch? Like? Or are you if you're not actively looking for me to introduce you to people or refer business to

you? Why are you there? So how to deal with that, though? They don't know what to do. They don't know what to say. They really don't? Well, Suzanne Taylor-King: then what? What, then you got to figure that out. And I have somebody to refer you to for that as well. I went through an eight week program and took my networking skills, not even network network building skills to the next level. So that means I went to a chamber of commerce meeting a

couple months ago. There's 300 people in the room. I'm not following up with 300 people. But the 10 people that were sitting at my table, I introduced myself to, I told them what I do. I'm a coach for business owners and entrepreneurs who want to extract their intellectual property and turn it into a product or a service or a revenue stream. very concise, very specific. And two of the people were like, oh, I want to do that. Well, of course you do.

Because I describe it in a way. That's for the people in the room. Yeah, that's a skill. And so 10 business cards, I followed up with the two people who asked me to the other ones, I just sat back and waited. Nothing. And you do that? Because you don't need that business necessarily. But you're just Yeah, yeah. Yeah. Well, only because you want to work with people who want to work with you. Yes. And for years, Suzanne Taylor-King: I would be the madman after an event. I'd

have a stack of 40 cards. And I'd be like, connecting with them on LinkedIn, emailing them, following up making phone calls. None of it ever led anywhere because the person on the other end didn't know what to do with it. I know. So it's almost better to be the attractor of people. Now you're seeing my secrets here be the attractor of people being To be be the person that people want to hang out with. And then connecting becomes easier. And plus you're doing it with people who

appreciate and reciprocate. Well, I used to teach networking to new entrepreneurs at a local college. And, and I always dream and then we then I, I did some networking, sort of role playing and so on with them, too. But I remember I remember saying them saying, like, they they don't know what to do, they don't know how to follow. You know, it was important that I had a beautiful, shiny business card, and I handed out to everybody.

No, I never, that's not what it's about. But I used to teach that you, you go to a networking event, like a chamber event, and you want to talk to, you know, three to five people in the room, you want to talk to the organizer, you want to talk to the person who who checks everybody in, because they know everybody, usually you want to talk to the speaker, and you want to talk to to what I call hubs, the people that are that attracting everybody, so that you get a sense of the room from

from that. And if you're new you want that's really your goal is to connect maybe five people but the ones who know what they're doing because they are usually those people. So I don't know, it's just really interesting. But you people go very, I remember going once with a friend of mine, who was part of a women's group, I, she didn't like networking, and she went and got these beautiful brochures and things. She was an

interior designer, I think she was. And she came to the event and all she couldn't talk, she was handing out stuff that was going no garbage, and know how to talk to people. She was too nervous. So it's really hard for some people. You know, I Suzanne Taylor-King: feel really lucky, because I was a dental hygienist for 20 years, which you talk to people who couldn't answer you.

Suzanne Taylor-King: Yeah, which was perfect. Right? Plus, I got used to, you know, making people feel comfortable, who were nervous or didn't want to be there, and kind of learned how to talk to a wide variety of people and get other people talking about themselves. Key. And then I went to tell you, I met one person. And again, roomful of 100 people. And in walks this guy who was wearing a bright blue, like really bright blue suit, with a purple shirt, and a blue tie. Like he just

stood out. He was not in business attire, this suit was very, very nice and very well cut and, and I saw him walk in. And I was like, I don't know who he is or what he does. But I'm gonna go talk to him. Yeah. And I walked up. And I said, I noticed you when you walked in a very distinctive look. And I wanted to just say hello and introduce myself. Turns out, he's a personal stylist for men, and makes custom clothing for men. And 90% of those men are business owners, or executives,

that would be ideal clients, for me. So because of how I walked up to him, like, Hmm, I don't know who you are, but you look like somebody I should know, in this room. And he looked at me like, best opening line ever. And I said much I'm Suzanne.

And and it's it's always been easy for me to talk to people and get them talking about themselves, which is the key course. Okay, this has been delightful and so much fun. I could do it for a lot longer, but we must wrap up. So I'm going to ask you a couple last questions. One is one of my favorite quote. Questions to ask most of the time to my guests, because it's about my favorite word curiosity. So I want to know, it's a two part question number one, do you think

curiosity is innate or learned? And second part, what are you most curious about these days? Suzanne Taylor-King: I think it can be learned, but I think most people are born with it. And if but if you don't have it, you can absolutely learn how to be a better listener and more curious. Right now, I am most curious about time management, and what that looks like for my clients. And I'm diving deep on

time management, calendar, blocking, scheduling. And I have about six different books I'm learning from right now. Any of them that have been around for a long time, because I used to do that. And then I fell off the wagon. Suzanne Taylor-King: I love David Allen getting things done. Because I'm a big list maker, whether you do it digitally or on paper. And then I love Cal Newport. Digital minimalism. And I also love Dr. Ben Hardy, who talks about 10x being easier

than 2x. I, I love Michael Hyatt planner system, which is just a way of planning your day. And my coach, Dan Henry, he teaches a daily kind of journaling thing that's personal and business. And I'm kind of just seeing how I can incorporate all of that into one system. Fantastic. That's great. Thank you for that. And last question. Just your maybe favorite or best or what comes to mind piece of advice for my listeners who are definitely your audience, and what you would give them as their your

favorite tip of the day for business. Not Suzanne Taylor-King: to think that you need anything else other than yourself to help somebody else and have them pay you for that help or that guidance. So letting go of the belief that you need, you know, a program and a website, and you know, all of those things. They're just assets, people will pay you for this. And to remember that. I love it. That's a great place to stop. Thank you so much. And I'm gonna reread re listen to this myself.

Absolutely. So thank you. Thank you for being here. And thank you to our audience for listening. And I would ask, Oh, one last thing, where can they find you? Suzanne Taylor-King: Suzanne Taylor king.com. And there's a resource tab right in the menu bar. There's actually three full coaching courses delivered by email right there on that page. Oh, fantastic. Well, thank you again, and thank you to my audience for being here. And remember to stay connected and be remembered