From Corporate Ladder to Unique Connector: Connection, Delegation, & Building a Business That Enhances Your Life

Meg:
I’ve had, I was telling you last week, I’ve had a lot of really interesting people, but Jamie White was the first one to cry. And I’ve had other people. One guy just had a laughing fit and that was totally hilarious. So I never know what’s going to happen. And this is the world of business ownership, so who knows?

So it’ll go where it goes. Okay, I’m ready to go wherever you need to go. Okay. Hello, everyone and welcome to or if you’re a repeat listener. Welcome back to the free Agent podcast.

I am Meg Schmitz, your host and if you’ve been here before, you’re new free agency. This conversation is all about being a free agent and taking control over your financial future. The mission of my show is to share inspiring conversations with real people who took the leap into self employment, business ownership, sometimes franchising and freedom. From corporate refugees and executives tired of the desk job, to entrepreneurs and investors looking to share camaraderie and inspiration throughout their own business journey. My podcast aims a spotlight on real people who stepped into the unknown, took control over their destiny and became their own boss.

And today I’m really excited to have a new friend, but I feel like our. Our worlds have been so, so interestingly similar that I will have a ton to talk about. So, Dawn Muller, welcome to the podcast.

Dawn:
Thank you so much for having me. I know there’s quite this bond or instant similarities, but differences.

Meg:
Yeah. So I was thinking about you over the weekend and then this morning, the name of your. Your business is, or maybe your moniker, the Unique Connector. And so unique is an interesting word because it’s definitive. And then you are an ultimate connector.

So for the audience, tell them who you are. You are also a free agent. You used to be in the world of big corporate and now you’re independent. So we have a lot of stuff to unpack. But I really wanted to start with the name Unique Connector.

Dawn:
Yeah, Unique Connector was kind of born out of low time, I guess, in my life, or honestly it was an Instagram handle that I started. And then eventually it turned into my business name because I realized I always thought I was odd and different. And then I realized, no, I’m just unique. And all of us are unique. We all have unique skill set, unique journeys.

There is no cookie cutter exact way or process or journey that looks the same. And then two, I just realized how much I loved connecting with people. And I never really knew that growing up. I was a super shy child where someone, my sister would talk for me or I would hide in the shadows kind of a thing to loving connection and building relationships and seeing what opportunities are, resources could be created.

Meg:
So was that, was there a turning point for you?

Because what you’re saying is, is really resonating with me. I used to be a wallflower. I used to be kind of. And now I’m. I’m extroverted all the time and love connecting with people.

But I do remember that there were some events that were definitive for me and propelled me into this more outgoing, extroverted version of me. So were there, were there events that triggered you?

Dawn:
There’s been many, I think as I reflect. I mean, even going off to college, that was kind of where I realized I was on my own. I had.

It was almost like a clean slate too. Not everybody knew me, so I kind of could be who I wanted to be. But I think, you know, that’s such. When you’re still young, you know, you’re still understanding life and not being with your parents. For me, it was more pivotal when I was in career for quite some time of just realizing little things.

I had a great boss mentor who would always tell me, you know, just show up as you be kind hearted, show that you care about people. And so he would always suggest I would take people out for coffees and lunches and because I was very curious and I was asking a lot of questions and he’s like, just go experience it. And so for me, I never realized I had that skill set or realized how much of holding space for other people and making them feel comfortable and then they would share a lot about themselves that I could get that really quickly. And other people had known them for years and didn’t know that about some people. And so there was just something about that where during that time frame I too always thought maybe just how our society had talked about sales.

I never really wanted to go into sales or I didn’t really want to do business development because of what our society or how I was taught was. You know, it was very sleazy and salesy. And so for me, it learned. I learned how to reframe that and to reframe it to building connection and being that resource. And you never know what kind of opportunity could come out of it.

So I feel like there’s been weird, different pivotal things, but too deep down it was me learning more about myself and learning and just leaning into it. And that’s kind of where even now, I mean, I’m still always learning, but yeah, changed. And I think when you stop learning, then you may as well be dead because it’s. There’s so much. I tell people too.

Meg:
There’s so much to learn as a unique connector. And we were talking about this a little bit last week, just how much in demand you are. This. You use the word role decks last week. And it made me laugh because I think a lot of people Dawn’t even know what that is anymore.

But you’re. You’re a super connector. You’ve got. You have a gift. How.

How was that shaped through your corporate career, especially being a woman in a man’s world. And very. Yeah, we had an interesting conversation about that last week. Growing now a business where you are attracting people who. You’re like a magnet and the type of people who are attracted to you now.

So walk through your career a bit and. And then now who those people are who. Who really desire your time and attention.

Dawn:
Yeah. So I, right out of college, went into construction.

So I was the one female in the office for a while. And so I kind of learned a lot about myself there, but also just understood all the gaps and opportunities and would kind of learn all the things about the business that I would get involved in. And so there wasn’t really a career path there. So I went into banking. Not that I’m all about numbers and finance, but it was just like it made sense.

And so I quickly moved up the ladder throughout the years where I was actually a teller just to get my foot in the door, moved in the executive wing, and then went into wealth management. And so through that, a lot of those roles I didn’t know. I didn’t know how to do certain things, but I just was open to learning. And they saw skills in me and my skill set on stuff that I was trainable and that I was really curious and asking questions where I was always trying to figure out efficient ways and how to make it better. And so through that, I felt like I was learning things, finding opportunities for them where then we were able to be creative.

So in wealth management, it was a space for. We were coming up with new ideas and new things that they never had before. So I was a middle marketing person where we had a marketing department, but I was marketing for our department. So I was trying to be creative. And so through that, it started to how can we build on bonds with our referral partners?

How can we be more effective with our cois? And so we were creating all these different kind of networking events to coffee meetings, to whatnot. And so I was building on my Rolodex through that process. And then also I was going to all the events. I was going to be seen, you know, at the chamber events or going to these other events.

That was kind of the common things as a banker you would be at. And so it kind of started, I Dawn’t know, I was building a name for myself, but also I was doing weird things before our events even too, where I didn’t know all the people, but I would do games at home with my husband of like a picture, and I’d have to be like, okay, that’s this person. And so I would do my research before people would come to our event. So they would feel welcomed and they’d be like, how did you know my name? And I’m like, just did some research before you came.

And so because of that, it was just like some of the things just kept building on it. And then people were getting to know me, and then they were introducing me to other people or I was introducing them to other people. And people call me kind of the Black Ninja. Sometimes where I Dawn’t realize I do it, but now I realize it where I’m at an event and if I see two people where they Dawn’t know each other or they’re kind of uncomfortable, I make a point to introduce them and tell them about each other, and then they, like, start talking, and then I kind of go off and I do it again. So sometimes we just do things that we Dawn’t realize we’re doing.

But it kind of helped me build a name, I guess, or what I’m known for. But I didn’t fully answer your question. I Dawn’t think there.

Meg:
But hey, you used a term in there, a coi, and I think you mean center of influence.

Dawn:
Yeah, yeah.

Meg:
I’m. In fact, this afternoon, my own center of influence group is getting together. We meet once a month. And it’s the. One of the more resounding messages is if you Dawn’t show up here every month, you will be forgotten because there are other people who do what you do.

You’re. Yeah, to your point, I’m unique. I have a different way of working with people through their franchise research process. It’s very much predicated on my own experience. Makes it makes my point of view unique.

From somebody who sort of bought their way in to selling franchises. It’s absolutely imperative once you get a foothold, that you continue to show up. Are you doing. What percentage of your meetings now are virtual versus in person? And what kind of people are you meeting who want your Rolodex?

Dawn:
Yeah. Well, I think that was even the part when I jumped out on my own that I kind of went into a little bit of hiding because a lot of people are trying to tap into my network or trying to tap into my Rolodex, and I was trying to figure this all out. And so now I do some in person stuff. I’m very strategic now about my in person time. Time or just even my workload just because of what I used to do in the past.

But now it’s more of two where it’s those ideal people that get it, understand that I worked really hard for these relationships and this reputation. And so sometimes it is working with people behind the scenes strategically to help really understand their business and their strategy and then bring in certain resources or help them think differently about where they’re networking or who they’re not networking with. What cois could really be helpful for their business to grow. So it’s not always maybe directly tapping into my Rolodex, but it’s helping them think creatively of how they can become a connector also. And I’m kind of teaching people how to build on what they have in their own Rolodex, but also their own greatness where it’s not just tapping into my network, if that makes sense.

Meg:
Yeah. Oh, absolutely. I totally agree. Your network, my. Yeah.

You as a business mentor, ought to be helping me to figure out how to better leverage my relationships that may be sitting dormant. They may be underutilized. So you’re really helping on a fractional basis, president, company presidents, and business leaders to improve. Well, let you describe exactly what you do, but you’re a. You are teaching people to better leverage the network that they own already so that they’re maximizing those relationships.

Dawn:
You summed it up very well. Yes. Let me give you even a scenario. So my one client, Perfect. Yeah.

She was out everywhere going to all these networking things. I felt like it was a spitting image of me back in the day. She was going all over the places and here, there, everywhere. Things weren’t really great growing, and she was kind of tiring herself out. She was getting close to the burnout stages, kind of similar to where I was too, where she also had a family at home.

And so we started working together. And so we really sat down and I had her give me the full picture. Where are you going? What are you doing? What is your process?

How are you strategically building on what you know instead of just quick, hi, you know, I’m meeting somebody, and then that Just be it. And so we really went through it with a fine comb and we understood where she was going. I understood what clientele really aligned well with you and your personality. And where are you going? What are you passionate about, even outside of work?

Because then we really came up with a plan where she was really strategic with her time, really strategic with how she was building relationships, how she was fine tuning, how she could add in a little bit of a personal touch or a different way to build a relationship. Instead of going all over the place, she was just more narrowed. And that’s been kind of a common theme that I do with a lot of business owners is they’re kind of trying to do all the things, wear all the hats, do all the stuff. But for me, I kind of help them pause, connect all the dots of why they’re doing that and then help them think more effectively and more efficiently instead of running themselves ragged.

Meg:
Well, you and I talked last week about how many hats can you wear and, and wear them well.

And at some point your personal life is going to suffer. Or, or you can’t be that saying, you can’t be all things to all people. You really, if you’re good in business, you figure out what you’re good at in business and fill in the blanks with people who maybe cost less per hour than your time is worth. Yeah. And delegate.

Do you help, do you help people in that way to not just visualize where they could be and want to be, but then, okay, filling in those blanks. How do you help? How do you help people do that?

Dawn:
Yeah. So I have.

Yeah. Where they’re wearing all the hats, I help them understand. What hats are you wearing? What hats are you wearing? Maybe not the best, or maybe it’s really not in your wheelhouse or you hate it.

Because sometimes we just try and fill all the gaps because we have to, or we’re not sure what else to do. And so my one client as an example is he was trying to wear all the hats. And so we kind of over, like, I got to know him well, where I wanted to hear, where’s your vision? Where are you trying to go with this business? And then it was kind of those moments of pause to help them also reflect of like, oh, my gosh, I’m wearing too many hats.

And so some of the things they were able to delegate to me because my operations, marketing strategy brain can do some of these things. But also it helped me get them a different lens of like, how to do this quicker, faster, and then who can we delegate this to. So it’s almost kind of like I compile it all, make it a little bit better, kind of put a bow on it and then we pass it off to the next person so they can effectively do it. But also through this time is I’m helping them dream bigger almost. It’s one thing that I’ve realized sometimes too, it’s helping them think differently and bigger and bolder.

And then it also is igniting them to want to lead their leaders and to help give them more space to even lead the best way that they can. So sometimes too it’s kind of helping them step back a little bit and understand like, oh my gosh, maybe I shouldn’t micromanage as much. Or I’ve given them all the tools, all the things that they can have in their toolbox so they can lead the best. And so it’s been kind of interesting where sometimes it is figuring out delegation to somebody else or even bringing an outside resource. So that’s where sometimes I tap in my market or into my network too of like, hey, this HR consultant could really be helpful to get these certain things off your plate that we want Dawne.

They’re that expert and here we go. These are the things we want Dawne. And then they can go on their way too. And it’s not a full time hire. So that’s the other part where I’m helping them think strategically where it’s not always the typical we need to hire that person.

It’s like, could we just do it in a different way? So that’s the part that I kind of love too is helping them think differently than just the typical roadmap of a business. But I get, I get in deep. I understand all their challenges and kind of they talk to me too where it’s more than just business. I think that’s the thing that I love doing too is holding that space for them to realize how to have this business but also have a life outside of work or what brings them joy or make them realize too.

Like, oh my gosh, all I do is work. I Dawn’t even think about anything else. So I kind of like being that person to help them pause and put a mirror up to them.

Meg:
Few people come to mind. Yeah, gone.

I’m mentoring a young man in. He’s former military. I do this, I’ve been doing this for years now. Work with exiting military who have entrepreneurial ambitions and want to flesh out or this particular guy fleshed out. He’s just absolutely meticulous and Precise as he needed to be on the battlefield in Iraq, he said this building a business is so much easier than being shot at all day.

But the compromise is incredible for his girlfriend and his dog and trying to find. Trying to get him out of his business brain and realize you got 24 hours every day and you’re, You’re. You’re not in a tunnel somewhere alone. You. You’re in the real world.

And there are at least two beings, your dog and your girlfriend, who would like your presence. And that’s so hard for whether you. Whether you’re a hired gun in business and you’re shouldering the responsibility of that title and the. The deliverable that comes with that role, or you’re an entrepreneur. How many of us have ruined our relationships because the job becomes bigger and more important than living your life?

Dawn:
It’s so easy to do. It’s so easy to do. And then sometimes I think then they forget, why did I even do this? Or what’s. What’s the purpose and why am I so passionate about it sometimes?

So it’s almost too. To get them to. To pause and reignite them to of why they want to do this. Because sometimes I feel like that’s where some of the business owners, like, they forget all the things of why they even did it, and then they lost some of their loved ones in the process. I know that was one of my things with going into entrepreneurship is I.

A lot of the people that I had talked to entrepreneurship with that used to be on our podcast in the past, they lost their families in the process. And for me, that was another thing of like, well, I Dawn’t want to lose my family in the process of being an entrepreneur. Like, not saying that’s for everybody, but it can happen. And so for me, it’s been also that point for me of understanding deep down to my values. And I think that’s been the other part for some of the business owners is to, like, reflect back, like, what are my values?

Where are the boundaries? How can I not just be a workaholic and forget about the life outside of work or forget why I created this unique business and what makes it unique and how I can capitalize that and dream bigger? Yeah. So that’s the part that I kind of love, is to reignite them so they Dawn’t close shop or they lose everybody in the process, but then also helps them think about succession planning. That’s another part of the thing.

Meg:
Oh, my gosh, too, this topic is so good because there are so many every There are so many ways to skin this cat. Because every business leader has their own. They have their own head trash. They have their own experience. They’ve got their own fears.

You’re coming after me. Or parent. I was gonna say paranoia is too.

On top of which they are aspiring towards something. And this analogy came up last week. If you’re running a marathon, you’re either running away from something or you’re running towards something. It seems like that’s what you’re helping them figure out in this marathon.

Dawn:
Yeah.

And I think that’s what’s hard sometimes for people to. Well, hard for me to talk about sometimes, or hard for people to understand because they Dawn’t always want to. No, they Dawn’t want to always take a moment to understand or to see from that perspective. And sometimes it’s easier to just keep running away or, you know, to keep doing. I think of, like, even myself.

It was just easier for me to be a workaholic than to just pause and actually focus on myself or to focus on my own, like, health, because that was just easier. And that’s what I knew. And so it’s hard sometimes for businesses owners to be able to, like, know they need help, too, is another part. Or just to have that moment of, oh, my gosh, maybe I’m going towards burnout. Or, you know, that typical word that everybody says is burnout.

But, like, maybe I do need to, like, pause for a minute. But sometimes people Dawn’t want to talk about that.

Meg:
Well, you were there. You were there. I’ve been there.

The. The physical manifestation of that for me was I had bleeding ulcers.

Dawn:
Oh, See, we do similarities.

Meg:
Ignore everything. Ignore your brain, ignore your body until it shuts down.

And then that’s your. That’s your wake up. You can keep doing what you’re doing, or you can say, all right, now the writing’s on the wall. I really need to stop being a type A plus plus personality and back it off a little bit and let. And I was married at the time, and my son was.

Oh, I didn’t have him yet. So we had some that might have played into a couple of things that we were talking about earlier. About conception or not being able to carry. I didn’t thought about that until just right now, Dawn. But you’re getting.

We are so similar.

Well, so when you decided to go the independent route, were you. You were married already, I think.

Dawn:
Yeah.

Meg:
And you’d had your son.

Dawn:
Yep.

Meg:
All right, marathon runner. What were you running away from that. And what were you running towards that, that took you independent.

Dawn:
Yeah. For me, I was always trying to run up the ladder.

I was always trying to search for what success was and success, you know, being with that title, that pay, you know, and it kind of was, no matter what, just do it, get to the top of the ladder. But I never really knew what was the top of the ladder. What, because every time I would hit a goal or I would hit something, it was just kind of like steamrolling past and I would just keep going, like it was never good enough. And. And so for me, I actually ended up in the hospital with a health hiccup.

And then they thought I had a stroke. At 35, I was one that would work really long hours and work all the time. I didn’t know how else to not work. I was, it was always on my brain. It was sometimes easier to work than to, to figure out motherhood or like how to be the best wife.

Like, it was just easier for me to work sometimes. And so I just thought, you know, the more I say yes to everything and the more I keep doing all these things, it’s going to pay off. It’s, you know, I’m going to keep going up that ladder and I’m going to get that. I Dawn’t know, I Dawn’t even know what I was searching for. Yeah, but just kind of almost that acceptance or validation because that too, I mean, not always.

Some of the other females in the office loved me. I mean, I’m not going to lie. It was always kind of that competition instead of how can we rise together and be resourceful for each other. So I think I was always trying to get approval too of the team, you know, if I can get to this certain thing or bring in this many sales and maybe everybody will accept me and like me. And so, yeah, I think those were a lot of those things.

But it also kind of was that moment of being in the hospital was that wake up call of like, what am I doing? This is kind of the slap to the face of like, is it worth this? And almost killing yourself for what? So that was kind of my breaking point. Or my wake up call of like, you got to do things differently.

So yeah, I closed a 10 year chapter after that and went and worked for a client and then eventually went on my own. So.

Meg:
I like to tie in the, the personal side of things. Did you and your husband have conversations around you leaving and starting your own thing? What would that look like?

Because your business lives in your household.

Dawn:
Yeah. Not just conversations And I, my role was really changing to full out sales because I was good at it. But my heart was like, I think that was the thing too as I was recognizing more of my own heart and I was like this just doesn’t align. I can’t, I Dawn’t understand why but like something’s off.

And my husband, you know, that was kind of a scary time for us of two when I was in the hospital where after that I think it always kind of was our little trigger thing where he was like just quit. Like just quit. Let’s. We’ll figure it out, Dawn’t worry. And we didn’t have a full out plan.

But also I was kind of like, I think the universe will help us figure this out. I know it will all come to fruition. I’ve figured other things out. I can figure this out. And so yeah, I left without a plan.

I also was leading a women’s organization and they asked me to stay put with just the leadership skills that I had and whatnot. But yeah, I kind of took some time to just be and to understand myself and understand the habits that I created and. But deep down I was too understanding what are my values, what do I like and not what everybody else has told me or the things that I’ve Dawne. Like so it’s been a lot of this deep soul searching I guess which is not the easiest I know. I that look.

Meg:
Have you looked at yourself lately? It’s hard. It’s hard to be in it and to. That’s for two it’s like oh my gosh, for me it’s easier to just work. Like I could just work.

How long ago was this that you were found yourself in the hospital and and needed to make a change?

Dawn:
Great question. See this is the part two now that I’ve kind of forget it and not that I forget it but you know what I mean where I’m like how long has it been? But I think it’s been what three years ago in November I think is when I left corporate. So it probably was.

I Dawn’t know, it’s probably five years ago now when I think and reflect on it. I think that’s the part too as we keep growing and evolving and I kind of now just keep like that doesn’t determine my future or that’s part of my past but like to not dwell on it if that makes sense.

Meg:
I and I asked because I’m curious in your business growth, KPI’s other measurables from when you started to now year over year. So you’ve got two, maybe three years of unique connector under your belt. So how is your business going?

And. And who do you rely on as mentors or your network of support? Because as we talked about the other day, going independent and being an entrepreneur, it’s not. There’s not a textbook for it. And you get those weird left hooks that you never saw coming.

So that’s a pretty loaded question in there. But how. How are you growing year over year? And then who do you rely on for stability?

Dawn:
Yeah, so I actually started my business even further back because it was part of.

To lead the women’s organization. So it was kind of just for, like, billing purposes as an example. And so I kind of had it already started, but not like, leaned into it as a business. So it has evolved and changed over the last how many years? For me, honestly, at the beginning, I kind of just some things.

I think maybe life is so short, I kind of have that thought even more, too. So some of the things I did because I’ve dreamt of it or I’ve always wanted to do it, and so I thought, who cares? I’m just gonna freaking do it. So I’ve Dawne some weird things, and some people are like, what is that part of your business? And I’m like, well, I just wanted to do it.

I wanted to try it out and see what would happen and where I would learn from it. And so, like, even hosting a retreat at my house, I’ve Dawne. I’ve done some weird, like, masterminds and groups because I just learned from every opportunity. And I knew with myself that I would regret it one day if I didn’t give it a try. And so things have evolved, let’s just say, too, I’ve gotten smarter.

But also, I think the things for me is some of the stuff I was avoiding, like, my weirdness of I love all the hats. I do love getting into the weeds. I do love understanding that. And for a while, I was trying to avoid it because it wasn’t the typical what other business owners do. Like, you should be an expert at one thing.

And for me, it’s like, I just love learning and seeing the gaps and keep doing it. And so for me, it’s been reminding myself to keep being unique and also to keep running with what I like doing instead of trying to go against the flow of water, I guess. And so, yeah, I Dawn’t know. I’ve just been doing more things that are more strategic for myself, but also for my business of how I can Learn and grow and how I can make a difference for other business owners. And it’s not always the typical way, but I have some different mentors, you know, even my past old boss who I still stay in touch with.

You know, we are even analyzing the things that we’ve Dawne in the past because I think that’s the part two where I’ve been going through different stages of this where it’s also too like where I’m ready to run even faster now and more effective and more of my foundations and the different things. And so instead of avoiding stuff that I thought was odd, now I’m trying to lean into it more, if that makes sense.

Meg:
Yeah. You and I are again, we’re very similar. I am like you.

A stranger is a friend I haven’t met yet. I love getting to know people. Multi dimensional, interesting human beings. Any business I’ve been either full out owner of or an investor in like you. Okay.

There are a couple of things I Dawn’t like to do.

Dawn:
Yeah. Which you get clear on what you Dawn’t want to do that too.

Meg:
I Dawn’t like taxes and I Dawn’t like hr. I love humans.

I love my humans, but I Dawn’t like the legal. They’re just. Yeah. Legal and taxes are things that I Dawn’t like. But it, it.

I’m 62 now and I’m a firm believer that by being open and involved and learning how these pieces go together enable me to see, and probably you as well, where, where other people are seeing the gaps. Because I’ve, I’ve been in the gaps. I’ve, I’ve sought the gaps. I’ve, I’ve wanted to, it’s human nature for a lot of us is to get the thing and to take it apart when, so that when I put it back together again, it, it is exactly where it needs to be. And nothing is that perfect in, in business.

But that’s what makes you, I imagine, very valuable to your clients. And is that you, you’ve been in those gaps and you can help other people see them and avoid them or get out of them.

Dawn:
Yeah. And help them just think more strategically about it sometimes too. It’s, you know, it’s mentoring, advising from the different perspectives that I have seen or the different people.

And like I kind of give them those things but I let them still kind of choose their own destiny. Yeah. It’s not. Dawn says this so I have to do this. It’s more of like, well what.

Here’s your options. What do you feel is the best. And, you know, then it’s kind of like, okay, let me help you. I’ll hold you accountable about it. And we’re gonna put those puzzle pieces back together and we’re gonna have a new picture of what it’s going to be.

But it’s also like, it’s something about. I don’t know what it is, but I get so deep with them that then too, it’s like, I understand when they make a certain choice, then in the future or two, I then can help remind them, like, remember, you chose us for this reason. And then, you know, here’s the other little pieces of why you chose that.

Meg:
Oh, yeah. And it’s so.

Yeah, yeah. Getting into the why is super important for me with the people I work with. So why. Why do you want to own a business? Why do you think that going the franchise route is the right why is this going to enhance what’s working already?

Your wife, your life, your money, who goes out to open a business, to have anything that’s working, break. So I keep my people really close for all the reasons that we’ve been talking about because it’s. They can’t forego what is working on the personal side. And you shouldn’t if you’re a corporate person either, because they are not beholden to you and you can be replaced. So, yeah, to pull yourself out, out of the woods, the weeds, and get clarity on your life and how this business is.

It’s supposed to enhance. It’s not supposed to suck the life out of you.

Dawn:
Yeah. And I think that’s been the part for me where it’s been this uncomfortable of taking time to actually reflect, of, like, what’s bringing me joy, what actually brings me happiness outside of work. And like, we’re in the past.

Old Dawn would be like, oh, that’s so fluffy. I’m not going to talk about that stuff. But for me now it’s like, oh, wait, I understand why we should do. This a little bit more. And so then that’s where I’ve been, like, learning different things that help me so I can help them also too of, like, helping them almost have that break check a little bit to understand what’s the joyful part of this where it’s not just about the money, it’s not just about the next business lead or the next business opportunity.

It’s helping them get back to the why and what makes them happy.

Meg:
Yeah. You know my three words. A lot of you who’ve been listening to this podcast know exactly what my Three. Three letter words are joy, fun.

Dawn:
Yes.

Meg:
Yeah, because it’s not bringing you those. Then the answer should be no and you shouldn’t. As my mom says, no is a complete sentence.

People Dawn’t need to know why you’re saying no to something, but you need to know for yourself how, how to speak to the universe to deliver what you want and to keep that focus. Believe me, everybody. You know how old I am. I keep talking about it. It took me until beyond 50, older than 50 to figure this stuff out.

So learn from me. Sticky notes to the universe. They work because they’re sitting here and they’re a constant reminder of what you want to attract. The laws of attraction.

Well, all right, Dawn, this has been super and I love the fact that you’re so close. We can get together and do fun stuff over the winter time. Yeah, I’m so. I want people to go to your LinkedIn profile, so we’re going to put it in the write up for the show because I want them to take a look and see your background. Your posts are really thoughtful.

You use captivating pictures. I love your photo shoot, your head, your headshots. All that is. It’s so important for branding. And so take a look at what Dawn has to offer because it’s.

It’s been fabulous for me to get to know you. I can, I know a lot of people who I can connect you to.

Dawn:
Well, I appreciate that and I think that’s the part for me where it just, I Dawn’t know, I love helping people think differently about stuff and how they can teach or train other people or mentor other people too. So I appreciate you having me on the show.

Meg:
Well, thank you.

I’ll let you know when this is coming out. We’ve got your headshot and everything else. And so this has just been such a pleasure. I’ll do another shout out to Jamie White. She connects the best people.

So thank you very much for making time for me today. I will let you know when this is going to come out and we’ll be in touch.

Dawn:
Perfect.