How Can Utilizing a Business Support System Save You Time and Money?

00:00:23 - Amber Hawley
Welcome to season two of the My Biz Bestie podcast. I'm Amber Hawley.

00:00:27 - Maelisa Hall
And I'm Melissa Hall.

00:00:29 - Amber Hawley
And today we're going to talk about how having a business support system can increase your profits. I think everyone's okay with making a little more money. I am. Yes. And this is one of those things where, you know, as we talk about building your community and support system, you know, sometimes people think, oh, I don't have time for that. I got to be working on my business. And obviously we all have to be working on our business.
But we really do believe and have seen that having the right support system set in really does help you with your profitability.

00:01:07 - Maelisa Hall
So it's not just about feeling good and feeling supported and mindset stuff. You hear that word a lot. It actually does improve the bottom line or change the bottom line.

00:01:19 - Amber Hawley
Yes, absolutely. So let's jump right in and we're going to talk about a few different ways in which that support system does help that. Should we start with the first one, which I think is kind of unique, but we keep running into people where this is happening?

00:01:34 - Maelisa Hall
Collaborations? Yes. Yes. So I guess this is maybe the most obvious, but it's like actually collaborating with other people. So I've done this with one of our GSD mavens that we meet with every year, where we're we have complementary businesses and realize like, hey, we could make this happen and we've done workshops together.
So we've done them in person and online. We even did like a Black Friday promotion together. And so we looked at what we're each offering. And since we're serving the same market, how we can collaborate together. But I think you'll see this in some of our BizBestie interviews this season that a lot of other people...
as they get together and they're talking, then they realize, hey, you know, you have this specialty, I have this specialty, we're both interested in doing this thing, let's collaborate.

00:02:29 - Amber Hawley
Yeah, and we, yeah, like, I was thinking, oh, we did it last season, but actually we recorded last year a Great Biz Bestie interview where they talked just about that, so... And like I said, we've seen that also with, well, Melissa's done it. There's a few people within our Little Mavens group that have actually done collaborations and, you know, workshops or retreats together.
And then we've seen it a lot out there, you know, with people in our more extended community.

00:02:58 - Maelisa Hall
Yeah. And it could look like a bunch of different things. It seems like it's usually workshops, even workshops. Alison Pereira and Tiffany McLean, who were our BizBestie interview in season one. Great episode, I think, because they have really something really cool to share with.
They actually did this collaboration very early on in their BizBestie relationship. And I think most of the other people we've talked to, it's a little bit later, like after they've gotten to know one another, which is, you know, potentially a safer way to do it.
But it usually ends up being some kind of like live event or like in-person workshop or But there's a lot of different ways you could do it.

00:03:34 - Amber Hawley
Yeah, for sure. And for those people doing more online stuff, I mean, absolutely. People do, you know, I guess online webinars or workshops or just kind of putting together content or they may start a podcast together. Yes. But definitely collaboration can be great because it's taking with somebody who's already in your support system.

00:03:57 - Maelisa Hall
Yeah. And then you're basically like, doubling your reach, because you are each reaching out to your own communities. And when you do something together, I do feel like it gives you a little bit of extra credibility. Because it's like you're both kind of vouching for one another.
So seeing a workshop together, I mean, obviously, if you're already like a big expert in your field, you're going to be well known. But that's also a way you could kind of help one another out. Like I think In Tiffany and Allison's interview, they kind of talk about that where Allison had this big Facebook group and was, I think, a little bit more well-known than Tiffany at the time they started doing their workshops.
In that way, Tiffany is bringing to the table a lot of really great content and a different way of doing things. And Allison talked about how Tiffany could bring in these things that she never could have brought herself.

But Allison was kind of also bringing... Tiffany up in that way, as far as you know, getting her name out there to other people and introducing her to her audience.

00:04:58 - Amber Hawley
Yeah, and that's the thing you're crossing over and you're capitalizing on your strengths, and I think that's such an important part of it. So another way that having a business support system can increase your profits is. I think it's in the ways in which when you have a really solid support system, and we're talking about that really inner circle people, not your extended network.
Not random people. Yes. Or even people you like and see occasionally at networking things. These are people who really you trust and you know, and they understand your business and they understand you. But that's when in challenging. So I think that having somebody who's willing to challenge you when you have mindset limitations is, or when you have unrealistic expectations.
And of course, you know, you're not going to have this person is going to tell you what to do.

But they can challenge you in what we would call what I would call a carefrontation. So they do it in a very caring way. But they're also kind of saying, you know, whoa, girl, like, you know, pointing out something. So we have quite a few examples of how this has happened in our relationships.

00:06:08 - Maelisa Hall
Do you want to go ahead and give one? The immediate thing that comes to mind is just recently in my mastermind, Shelly Warren challenged me when I set a specific goal. And I said, you know, I'm going to have at least this many people in my program by the end of the day.
And she was like, like right away, she's so amazing with the way she words things. So she never sounds like, whoa, whoa, whoa. You know?

00:06:34 - Amber Hawley
That would be more me.

00:06:36 - Maelisa Hall
Whoa, girl. Yeah. She was like... And I'm all like, yes, I'm gonna have at least this many people. So I'm like, this is the number I'm reaching for. And she's like, you know, we really wanna think about the way we're wording things. She's like, so you wanna have 50 or more people in your program.
And she was like, because when you start saying at least, then you're thinking about it from a negative point of view. And you're thinking about like the minimum you can do. Whereas we wanna focus on the maximum you can do and create abundant language.
And it was like really, you know, she did it in a very caring way and it was like a minimal shift. You know, it doesn't take a lot, but it also, it really did kind of expand my whole mindset. And I was like, yes. And by the way, I did meet that goal and had more than 50.

00:07:28 - Amber Hawley
You far exceeded that goal. You absolutely did. And yeah, and that's the thing. It's those small ways. And that one's, maybe that one's not so confrontational, but it's really helping you expand your Your mindset, and, yeah, any limiting beliefs that you might have.
And I think there's so much power in what we tell ourselves and what we're telling other people, so I think that's great.

00:07:49 - Maelisa Hall
Well, I think it also speaks to, like, how many times could I have told that goal to someone? And they'd just be like, Oh, yeah, that's great, you know? And she was like, praising me for having a goal, but then she's like, here's how you can take it to the next level, yes.

00:08:03 - Amber Hawley
And I think, gosh, there's probably so many examples within our group of nine or within our BizBestie relationship where we're challenging those mindset limitations and also having realistic expectations. I think it happens so frequently, I probably don't even remember.
I think with the realistic expectations one, what stands out for me is the feedback my husband gives me a lot because... even though I theoretically have realistic expectations, I often say my ambition exceeds my energy, which has been the case for the past few years, which is why health is what I'm really focusing on because it's, you know, I do do a lot and it's not that I have some kind of awful disease or anything, but I've had insomnia and, you know, I'm juggling a lot and it's hard to maintain that energy and be able to get everything done that you need to while having three young kids and employees and business and all of that.

So I always want to be doing more. And he's really good about, he's never stomping on my dreams or telling me what to do or telling me not to do something. Although occasionally, if it seems really insane, he will. But he'll say, I don't know about that one.
But he very much is challenging me to kind of question, you know, is this the right time? Is He'll talk about how I like to pile things on top of myself, which is very true. And I'm very self-aware of this, but it is nice to have a kind voice reminding me of that.
So that it's never beating me up or putting myself down. And he gives me credit for the growth I make in that. But he also, because he knows me really well, is there to tell me that.

00:09:52 - Maelisa Hall
Yeah. And it is really nice to have, I think, a spouse in particular who can Kind of keep you in check with that because it's nice to have cheerleaders, but it's also nice to have those people who are like, hey, I'm your cheerleader and I'm going to kind of rein you in a little bit over here so you don't burn yourself out.

00:10:09 - Amber Hawley
Yes. And I, you know, my I've had biz besties before that were really good at doing that as well. But, you know, on the flip side, I think, too, because he like with this podcast, you know, because this is another endeavor and one could say, oh, that's splitting focus or whatever.
But he continually says, you know, there's just so much energy around it. And he's like, but that's your fun. That's your fun thing. Yeah. Which might be a little sad, actually. That's your hobby. I'm just kidding.

00:10:40 - Maelisa Hall
There's plenty of people. And it's funny because my husband said the same thing. He was kind of like walking me through like, well, why? Because I had other goals too. And he's like, okay, so why are you doing this podcast with Amber when you have these other goals?
And then when I sat down and really explained to him like the positive feedback we've gotten and what's been happening, he was like, well, then that's what you should pursue. Yeah. He was like, yeah, okay. But it was kind of nice because he was able to walk me through an actual decision-making process of why is it that I'm doing this?
I'm not just doing it because it's fun, but there's some value to it and it has momentum and it feels like the right thing to pursue.

00:11:22 - Amber Hawley
Yeah, and it's funny. They're supporting the same thing but in different ways because I think my husband, for him, it's probably, one, if I'm being really aware, I've never... Complained about or been stressed out about having to do something for this podcast.

00:11:36 - Maelisa Hall
Yeah, even though we have like had to make things happen last minute and do a lot of things that could be stressful, but it doesn't feel that way.

00:11:45 - Amber Hawley
Yeah. And like there were times where we were on other people's, you know, either podcasts or their podcasts. you know, summits or whatever. And we really had to squeeze in and it was hard because we had really full schedules, but it still never felt like a burden.
And I think that's something that stands out to him and to me and because I'm happy and I enjoy it. And it's like, it is fun. So I think for him, it has nothing to do with, is it actually beneficial? Like business wise, it's more about you're enjoying yourself and having fun and you're doing something cool that you're, you know, that's new for you.
And yeah, So that's nice, but again, that's the thing like he will challenge me when it doesn't fit like that. And so so will you, so will you know those other women in our Little Mavens group?

And I talked about one, you know, last year with one of our group members, Lorena, where she really challenged me. And something gave me a little truth bomb. But it was so beneficial and I really appreciated and respected that.

00:12:49 - Maelisa Hall
Yeah, and that specifically was around you spending money on something. And she was able to be like, here's why you shouldn't spend money on that. So, you know, since we're talking about profits, like that really tied in, you know?

00:13:03 - Amber Hawley
Wow, that was good.

00:13:04 - Maelisa Hall
I mean, her truth bomb really helped, right?

00:13:08 - Amber Hawley
Yes, I think that that's part of it, that maybe when you're thinking about, you know, investing this time into building these relationships, and it does take time and energy, right? And some people, I get it, like you have full busy lives and you think, well, you know, why?
I can't, I don't have time for this or I can't do this or that would be nice, but I can only give it so much. But I do think there's all these ancillary benefits that maybe aren't as apparent at first glance, right? And, you know, this takes time once you trust somebody because trust is inherently needed in that.
But I do think it's absolutely worth it.

00:13:44 - Maelisa Hall
Oh, yeah. And then I think about kind of the next one, which is, similar to challenging, but different, which is helping you focus. And I think a good biz bestie is able, kind of similar to what we're talking about, maybe if you do have some new interest or something's going on, helping you decide, are you focusing on the right thing?
That can be huge for direct profits, right? Because if you get sidetracked with the wrong thing and spend too much time on it, I mean, and that's different from you know, testing something out, which everyone has to do at different times, but it's so easy to get derailed.
And then if that happens for a year, all of a sudden you look back on that year and you're like, wow, I lost out on all of this money. Or if I had, you know, I think kind of like I talked about in the bonus episode, like for me, I don't regret spending all of that time on my practice and everything.

And I did make money from that. But also the lesson I learned from that was, oh, or I could put all of my focus in one business and actually really grow it a lot more.

00:14:49 - Amber Hawley
Yeah. And as you were talking about that, I'm sure a lot of people out there have either heard this example or seen it. And I can't remember who it comes from. I always like to try to give credit when I can remember. But I feel like it's so ubiquitous at this point that I don't know.
I might just be Tony Robbins because maybe this will be our Tony Robbins episode where we just give him all kinds of credit. But it's that idea when they have like a circle and they say, okay, so if you have like 12 projects, you can go one inch, you know, in 12 directions.
So it's like 12 arrows coming out of this middle dot. Or you can go one direction, 12 inches. I have not heard of this visual.

00:15:30 - Maelisa Hall
Wow. No, you learned something new today. I know my mind is blown because I picture it like, right away, awesome, all right, cool.

00:15:38 - Amber Hawley
I was about to draw it for her, you know?

00:15:40 - Maelisa Hall
Oh no, it's already in my head.

00:15:41 - Amber Hawley
Like full-on, like football style, like the play-by-play. Yeah, and this is appropriate because it is, uh, Super Bowl Sunday that we're recording this. So, yeah, I feel like, Uh, Vince Lombardi, I'm like, a. Yes, we might be taking some random little trajectories here.
But, yeah, that's the thing about having that solid support network that you're communicating with regularly because they can give you that feedback. Because, yes, when you say that example, it's so clear, like, well, duh, that I'm going to choose the one thing and go 12 inches because that's amazing.
But that doesn't necessarily – life doesn't always look like that, right? You might think, like, oh, but – this amazing opportunity has come along. And, you know, what if that's the thing that actually goes 12 inches on its own or, you know, whatever that kind of thing.

So I think it's always so easy when it's in those examples, but in real life, it often takes getting kind of that feedback from somebody to kind of help you gauge, you know, is this a different arrow or is this the same arrow?

00:16:43 - Maelisa Hall
Yeah. Yeah. And I think like you and I have talked about that a lot with both of our businesses and maybe even more with yours since you have more businesses. I feel shaming. No, it's exciting. But it does require that focus. And just like you talked about how you had to decide like, okay, until March, I am only focusing on my group practice and really getting things set up with that.
And so that's one of those things like when you say that, I forget exactly what it was, but you called me about something. And I was like, but you said that's not going to be your focus.

00:17:27 - Amber Hawley
Oh, yeah. There was something I wanted to do. Oh, because I was listening to some podcast episodes while getting ready in the morning, which is my routine. And it gets me super pumped up and excited and inspired. And I had all these amazing ideas. I know exactly what it was.
Yeah, it's so many amazing ideas. And normally, like I could spend some time and like diagram some stuff out and like get it all like, let's put it in an Excel and just get really excited. And then I was like, told her and then said, but that's not what I'm focusing on right now.

00:17:57 - Maelisa Hall
Yeah. And it's helpful to have other people be like, yes, you're on the right track. Yes, you should do that.

00:18:03 - Amber Hawley
Absolutely. And actually, maybe this won't be our Tony Robbins episode. Maybe it's our Shelley Warren episode because I actually did a coaching call with her in December and there were a lot of great takeaways, but that was one of them. That was one where she kind of, she didn't demand, but it's like she was kind of saying, maybe you don't do anything else until March.
So she kind of threw that out there and gave me the idea. So, and I was like, yes, yes, I can do that. Right. So- that was really helpful and getting her feedback as somebody who really has built something really big before. So knowing, okay, she knows what she's talking about.

00:18:44 - Maelisa Hall
So, yeah. Yeah. And I think that's why, you know, we're talking about your general business support system in this episode and not just your biz bestie, because it could be a coach you have, it could be a community you're part of, it could be your biz bestie or your spouse or whoever, but yeah, whatever your support system is, these are some of those ways that different people within that can help you.

00:19:04 - Amber Hawley
Yeah. And I think that's a good point because your support system, this is the inner circle, right? Support system is your inner circle as opposed to your network. And your network is very different. And networks can be people you love and adore. There's many people that we just love and adore, but they're not going to be the people that I'm going to call up and you know, float ideas past or kind of, unless we happen to randomly be talking about something in a networking event and, you know, whatever.
But really it is about that inner circle, whoever that might be, whether that's your biz bestie, your spouse, your friends, your tribe, your little mastermind or your coach.

00:19:40 - Maelisa Hall
Yeah. I mean, I think the next way that they can be helpful is another really practical thing that I know for me, like we've talked about how I've had this and you have too, like this business support system really from the very beginning has been so helpful on getting feedback from things that you're offering, sales pages I'm writing, emails I'm putting together, ideas I'm putting together.
So actually getting like feedback, someone reading through something and telling you, hey, you've got a typo here, or I looked at this on mobile and it was all jacked up, or this picture doesn't make sense with that. And those are things that when you're in your business really working on a lot of things, you put so much effort into all of it.

You can't see all these little things. And if you're someone who does not have a big team and doesn't have like your own editor or proofreader or copywriter and all that kind of stuff, then every time you do something, you don't have someone who can do that for you.
So it's really helpful to have people you can call on and be like, hey, would you just check this out for me and be... I think I had asked... recently, like, did I make my bio too long here? Because I was kind of questioning it. And then I like, multiple people were like, No, I think it's really good.
And so I was like, Oh, okay, cool. Like, I feel better about that. But if I didn't have a business support system where I could reach out to people who, you know, know me a little bit and can objectively look at something, then you never know.

00:21:09 - Amber Hawley
Yeah. And, you know, as you were talking, it made me think about when I first started my practice, I didn't have that business support system yet. because I was new to all of this and it was my first time owning a business, but I had like seven or eight girlfriends that I really trusted their aesthetic.
I trusted their feedback. I just highly valued their opinion. And so I would throw things out there for them and kind of let them give me the feedback and kind of help me vet stuff. And I do believe that did help my profitability because there were things like, yes, what headshot to choose?
you know, what picture? And there was a lot of varying feedback and what I probably felt like, like, oh, this is my favorite one of me ended up not really being the one to use because people had different responses that had nothing to do with my own feeling about myself or ego or right.

And even, you know, just, and I think that when it comes across as like really welcoming and professional, and I was really open to that feedback and took, you know, what they said to heart and that probably helped me get more clients because they're like the client in the sense that they're having a different response than me looking at my own photo.
Absolutely. Yeah. And there are many examples of that, of getting that feedback.

00:22:24 - Maelisa Hall
Yeah. And of course, I mean, you can overdo that. So that's where you want to gauge like how much time you each have when you're helping one another out with these things. But I think that's a really practical thing where when you have a business support system, there are people who can identify that feedback for you.

00:22:39 - Amber Hawley
And to end with, you know, another way is that old adage of time is money. And so a big way that your support system can help you increase your profits is they shortcut the learning curve.

00:22:54 - Maelisa Hall
Yeah, because someone might have knowledge in some area that you don't have, and then somebody else is really good at whatever. And maybe especially in the beginning, when you don't have money to invest in hiring other people for things, you can kind of help one another out.
Or even someone just saying, oh, well, here, I did this whole program and I learned all of this. And like, here's my two big takeaways from it.

00:23:16 - Amber Hawley
Yeah. And I think about like some of my other group practice therapist friends. And there have been times where they talk about like they wanted to hire an employee or bring on an intern or something. And I was able to give feedback that I felt was really valuable that I think would save a lot of headaches.
And again, time is money. And help them kind of make better choices or better hires. And so those are those ways. And again, I've probably had that happen the other way where people are giving me that kind of feedback and knowledge, and it's really helped immensely.
And I also think that's why I probably throughout my career have hired different coaches. And I'm pretty sure we talked about this before, but yeah, at different points, I hired different types of coaches and just to get that kind of support and shorten the learning curve.

And You know, I remember there was this one program that I really wanted to buy, but I was trying to be more thoughtful about money. But I love buying programs. And actually having a conversation with you where I said, but if she can give me shortcuts, that means instead of spending 25 hours on this, I spend five.
That's absolutely worth it. Yes. And you were like, yes. Which is true. Because it was a smart answer to say yes at that, right? Because it's true. It's absolutely true.

00:24:37 - Maelisa Hall
Yeah. And then it's just being discerning in how you use it, right? It can be so easy to get caught up in some of those things and think like, yes. But then you have to think like, is this practical? Is this something I'll actually implement and put the time into?
But if you do that, it can save you a lot. And I did that too in the shortcut the learning curve because at the time I was working full-time. And so I did have income from that avenue and not that I was, you know, wanted to spend all of my income on building my business, but I was really limited on time and I did have an income.
So I spent money on having other people walk me through, like just, you know, help me do it. Like show me exactly what I need to do instead of spending hours and hours researching every little step.

00:25:30 - Amber Hawley
And as you were talking, it makes me think about that's also our teams, right? The people we hire to outsource certain tasks. Totally. Or the people we hire as assistants or to do other kinds of work within our business. Those are the things where it actually does end up increasing your profitability because you can focus on...
actually out there doing the thing you should be doing, like selling or generating new leads or clients or whatever their business might be, I think that's a big piece of it. And so your support system can also be your staff, can also be those people like your CPAs, your bookkeepers, your lawyers, your podcast editors, whatever they are.
That's having that team where you use your time more strategically. Oh, yeah.

00:26:17 - Maelisa Hall
I mean, I had this recently when I was creating a membership site and the tech stuff, you know, I did spend a lot of time working on a lot of that stuff, but then there are certain things with all of that technology that I just, I don't intuitively know.
And I could spend literally like two hours researching and figuring something out that I am so thankful. I invested just a couple, I just pay a couple for a couple hours a month for a tech person to, that I can submit a support ticket to. I mean, this is something they figured out in five minutes.
And who knows? I mean, I am guessing hours that it would have taken me. No joke. And so that's another way to shortcut the learning curve. And it doesn't have to be drastic, right?

I just pay them for two hours a month because it's... So it's minimal. It's not a ton of my time. But holy cow, is it saving me a lot of money because... I don't have to spend all day doing something.

00:27:16 - Amber Hawley
Yes. And then feel drained because you just spent all day doing something outside your wheelhouse. I think that, you know, this list is not exhaustive. I feel like there are so many other ways. I haven't thought of every way. We want all the things. I think there are so many ways that having that support system really does genuinely increase your profits and help you with profitability and actually just enjoying your business more.
But we are going to go ahead and stop there because we want to be mindful of your time. Yep. And our time.

00:27:47 - Maelisa Hall
And we could talk about this stuff forever. So maybe we'll follow up on another episode. But if you have some ideas, we'd love to hear those too. But most importantly, since Season 2 is off to a great start... We want you to share this episode. If you got a value bomb, tell your biz bestie or someone in your support network about the podcast and let them know.
I know I got a value bomb out of it because I had never heard of the whole 12 inches or one inch and 12 directions thing. And that was awesome. So we would love for you to share this and make sure you're subscribed so you can chat with us later.