Episode 154: How to Step into the Role of CEO in your Business with Manali Sontakke

December 16, 2020

Are you ready to scale your business, but are still running it as a one-woman show? It’s time to step into the role of CEO.

In this episode of The Brand Strategy Podcast, Manali Sontakke joins us to discuss her transition to going full-time in her photography business, to then pivoting her role into a CEO. Listen in as she shares the resources, steps, and lessons that have helped her to grow as her own CEO in the last year.

Start looking at your business with a long-term vision. Where do you see yourself in your business in 3-5 year?

Becoming the CEO in your Business

Becoming a CEO doesn’t come naturally to most of us. We’re often so focused on getting the day to day tasks done, that we don’t think through what running a business like a CEO can offer us.

While there are many different approaches to becoming a CEO, guided resources and practices can be extremely helpful.

In this episode, Manali shares about her favorite business book, Traction by Gino Whitman. Traction helps you to better understand how to make decisions and get a handle on your business.

She also discusses the importance of planning and scheduling. With the help of The Productivity Zone by Alexandra to help with quarterly planning, and batch scheduling to help balance her weeks, she’s found a way to stay on track and successful.

Know Your Why 

It’s easy to get started in your business and be months or even years into it before you begin to question why you’re doing it all. Set aside time to deep dive into understanding your vision for your business and why you want to do what you do.

Own your strengths

There is no one that does business like you. Why? Because there is no one exactly like you. You’ve developed your own personal strengths and skills in your business and that’s what you should be focused on.

Everything else can be outsourced and delegated when the time is right.

Take an Emotional Step Out of Big Business Decisions

You heard that right. Your emotions aren’t what drives your business. As Bonnie has shared time and time again, you need to prioritize data over drama when it comes to your business.

Making a decision in your business purely based on emotion can lead to disappointment; and a lot of it. Take time to review, research, and reflect on any big decision in your business to make sure it’s right based on facts.

It’s Time to Take on the CEO Role

Now that you’ve heard the experiences that Manali had in becoming the CEO of her business, it’s time for you to take on the role of CEO in your business.

Start by creating a loose schedule. While you should be planning out what you’re going to be working on, know that as a business owner, anything can pop up and need immediate attention.

Outsource the things that begin to fall off your priorities. You’ll begin to notice what takes priority in your tasks and work—everything else should be passed off to someone else.

Continue to look at how you’re running your business and find what you can improve on. This can be done weekly, monthly, or quarterly, but the idea is that you’re always in the know about how your business operates and could improve on.

Catch the Show Notes

Get to Know Manali (2:12)

Resources to Becoming the CEO of Your Business (9:25)
Traction by Gino Whitman
Quarterly Planning – The Productivity Zone by Alexandra
Weekly Batch Scheduling

Lessons in Going Full-Time & Becoming a CEO (12:32)
1. Have a Clear Vision & Know Your Why
2. Step into What Your Personal Strengths Are & Bring Them Into Your Business
3. Take an Emotional Step Out of Big Business Decisions

Steps to Taking on the CEO Role (16:50)
1. Create a loose schedule.
2. Outsource the things that begin to fall off your priorities.
3. Continue to look at how you’re running your business and find what you can improve on.

RESOURCES MENTIONED

Education.manaliphotography.com

instagram.com/ManaliSontakke

Systems You Need to Grow Your Photo Biz and Save Time Each Week

Heartfelt Brand Society

FOLLOW ALONG

Brand Strategy Podcast

Instagram

Pinterest

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My name is Bonnie – I’m a brand designer, strategist, and writer which all adds up to one eclectic conglomeration of qualities that enables me to serve you well! Past clients have dubbed me "the Joanna Gaines of brand design," and I've had more than a few call me a dream maker, a game changer, and a design wizard (my Harry Potter-loving heart didn't hate that one, let me tell you!). At the end of the day, I'm a big-hearted creative who will get teary-eyed as you share the heart behind your business; who will lose sleep over the perfect font pairings and color selections to bring your brand to life visually; and who will work tirelessly to empower, encourage, and equip you to share your work with the world intentionally. 

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