Shifting Perspectives: Navigating the Heart of Entrepreneurship
A Journey of Transformation, Connection, and Profound Leadership Impact
Name: Pam Rader
Company: Shift Labs Inc.
Employees: 3
Technology Tools: Mighty Networks App, Zoom, and more
Year Founded: 2017
Website: www.shiftlabs.ca & www.pamrader.com
Introduction
I am the founder of Shift Labs, Shift Power Yoga, and the Author of the best-selling memoir “Through the Cracks.” As a Life Coach and Leadership Development Facilitator I believe in a heart-led approach to transformation. Prior to becoming a full-time entrepreneur, I worked as a medical laboratory assistant for 19 years. In addition to bringing some “street-cred” to the table by navigating healing my life while loving my son through a harrowing decade-long heroin addiction, Shift Labs is known for our unique and powerful strategies that blend a background in spiritual study with cutting edge personal development and coaching strategies that facilitate real transformation for individuals and businesses of all sizes. The vision of Shift Labs is to lead people to a deeper connection with self and others and the freedom and fulfillment that arises from living authentically. We offer one on one coaching, group coaching and individualized coaching programs for organizations.
The Inspiration Behind Shift Labs Inc.
I have been a yoga teacher for 25 years and founded Shift Power Yoga in 2013. I have had the privilege of leading thousands of yoga classes and training hundreds of yoga teachers who make a difference on the planet. As a seeker, I am always looking for ways to expand my contribution to humanity and I recognized that many people who could benefit from transformational tools would never step foot into a yoga studio, so I expanded my studies and skillset into Strategic Intervention Coaching and Leadership Development and created Shift Labs.
From Idea to Reality
I started off helping people one-on-one and had great success in that realm but realized that my impact was limited if it is just me out there helping one person at a time. I developed group coaching and leadership programs with the intention of causing more leaders who are making an impact. Eventually that grew into creating corporate leadership development programs, masterminds, and a 200 Hour Coaching Certification program.
Attracting Customers
There is so much talk about marketing strategy out there but I have found that the best marketing is providing an extraordinary service. My business grew organically by word of mouth and referrals for a long time. Eventually, I added a program coordinator and and enrollment advisor to help move the company forward in areas that we hadn't explored yet.
Overcoming Challenges in Starting the Business
Covid was the biggest challenge and in many ways the biggest gift. The pandemic had us streamline our courses and up-level our ability to use technology to deliver top notch material. No thorns, no roses!
Biggest Costs
The biggest costs are employees and we must have employees to be able to buy back our time and work on the business instead of in the business. The best investment in creating increasing revenue has been to hire an executive assistant to hand off tasks to as the company grows. Investing in ongoing mentorship, business coaching and marketing strategy is a significant expense but one that has proven itself to pay for itself in continually increasing revenue. The biggest evolution in generating revenue has come from creating evergreen programs that have added a significant increase in monthly cash flow to the business while supporting and serving other entrepreneurs.
Financial Milestones and Growth
I started small by taking on 1:1 coaching clients and offering small workshops for the first two years. This was a time to build my skillset and get a feel for honing in on what would be of the highest service in my industry. The first years were lean as far as revenue goes, earning under $40K but they were important years because I was refining my offerings based on my experience in the market. Once I created a clear vision as to where I could help, what the market desired and how I would deliver that content, I created group coaching programs that grew my solo business to the low six figures. The game changer was hiring people to buy back my time so that I could be working ON my business instead of IN myr business. I hired an EA (before I felt I was ready!) and shortly after brought on a fractional CFO and a sales team that is helping to drive our revenue from the mid-6 figures toward the $1M mark by next year.
A Day in the Life
I have several non-negotiable habits that I start each day with including meditation, gratitude journalling, reading 10 pages of a non-fiction book that enhances my skillset, exercise for 45-90 minutes each and every day, reviewing my goals and reaching out to at least 5 people per day to share what I offer. Once my non-negotiables are complete each day is somewhat unique.
Today my calendar looks like this:
Work on preparing curriculum for "Overcoming Self-Sabotage" Workshop
Lead Leadership Unleashed Group Coaching Call
Lead Leadership Mastery Group Coaching Call
Massage appointment
One on One client session
Teach Yoga class at my studio.
The Vision for Shift Labs Inc.
I envision a worldwide community of heart led leaders coming together to share the tools of transformation with as many human beings as possible!
Guiding Principles for Entrepreneurial Success
Be consistent and play the long game. The only difference between people who are successful and people who aren't is that the people who aren't often quit right before they have a breakthrough. Your habits determine your success, not your passion and motivation. Passion comes and goes but building great habits and systems will support you in creating a compound effect that will lead you to your goals.
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