Meet Your Leaders
Members of the SCORE Bolingbrook Bunch
In this year-long program, Michelle introduces us to important business building topics and helps us learn to put a strategy in place and to be intentional in all we do. Valante then builds on those concepts the next month and helps us carry them over into our social media platforms.
![]() Michelle Smith
Strategy Rockstar Z&B Consulting, Inc. Michelle Smith is a Strategy Rockstar who saves small businesses time and money through smarter planning and process improvement. With over 24 years of experience supporting organizations, Michelle has a wealth of business strategy expertise. She has helped companies double their clientele and triple their annual revenue. In 2014, she started her own business in an effort to achieve a better work/life balance. Through working smarter, not just harder, and implementing the relationship building strategies she mastered during her career, Michelle is able to enjoy the money AND time to do the things she loves with the people she loves. It’s her personal mission to help others do the same. |
![]() Valante Grant
Social Media Maven ByDesign Network Valante Grant is the founder of The byDesign Network. She developed the Interview Translate Deliver™ (ITD) process to craft brand stories and amplify them through video production, copywriting and graphic design. As a YouTube partner, with over 1/2 million viewers; Valante works with the Google team to enhance the user experience. Valante launched the “XYZ and Beyond” initiative as a platform to bridge the gap between generations X,Y and Z. She authors the XYZ and Beyond column for Chicago Now and hosts the XYZ and Beyond podcast with her daughter Vanyce. |
FREE GOODIES FROM YOUR LEADERS
Goodies from Valante |
Goodies from Michelle As a gift for being added to Michelle's Morsels, you get 1)an exclusive Action Plan Video Training that helps you get everything out of your head and into a plan for success 2)sample videos from the Strategize Your Success Ecourse on branding, products/services, and finances 3) a coupon for 50% off the Strategize Your Success Ecourse. Enrolling in the course allows you to get access to more of Michelle's trainings and see results quicker......and at a low, low price! Click here to learn more.
Michelle offers a Complimentary Business Clarity Call for people who are thinking of working with a business coach and wondering what programs/services Michelle can offer. During the call you and Michelle explore areas of your business that you are currently finding challenging so you can gain clarity.
Michelle has a couple of programs where clients come together for a
Monthly Co-Working Day. During this day they get coaching from Michelle and feedback from others. Michelle offers a coupon for a FREE DAY to try it out. (use code LETMETRY!) |
Goodies from SCORE
Visit score.org for FREE support for your business!
You'll find mentors ready to help you and tons of free tools & resources.
You'll find mentors ready to help you and tons of free tools & resources.
Sessions
- Jan- Begin at the Beginning (led by Michelle Smith)
Building a business is a lot like assembling a puzzle. First sort through your box to find the edges. Secondly, connect edge pieces that fit. This offers a clearer picture of what, where, how, and why the other pieces fit together. Takeaway: Answer 4 Questions that link together to form the edges of your puzzle. 1) Who are you - conversely - What do you do? 2) Whom do you do it for? 3) What do those people want or need? 4) How does the product or service you offer change their lives?- Link to handout (click here)
- The learning/lessons for this day were taken from Michelle's Strategize Your Success Ecourse.
- The course is a companion to Michelle's Book, Be Strategic, Be Intentional, Be Successful. You can learn more about the class here.
- This particular lesson is from the Mission & Vision Chapter. Michelle has a free preview of that lesson that you can enjoy simply by going to the course and scrolling to the curriculum section. (click here)
- The learning/lessons for this day were taken from Michelle's Strategize Your Success Ecourse.
- Link to handout (click here)
- Feb- Intentional Identity (led by Valante Grant)
To earn customers you first need to build credibility and earn the trust. The best way to achieve this goal is to ensure your identity is consistent across all social media platforms. Takeaway: Develop a social media identity strategy.- Link to Power Point (click here)
- We worked actively in social media during the course. There was not a handout.
- Mar- Find Yourself...Be That! (led by Michelle Smith)
Entrepreneurship is NOT an occupation it is a way of thinking and doing. The session is all about you and asking yourself the “right” questions in order to find what makes you unique. In doing so, you can BE THAT thing that makes you unique and stop being everything to everyone. Takeaway: Create an authentic identity that helps you seamlessly share your story.- Link to handout (click here)
- Link to Power Point slides (click here)
- The learning/lessons for this day were taken from Michelle's Strategize Your Success Ecourse.
- The course is a companion to Michelle's Book, Be Strategic, Be Intentional, Be Successful. You can learn more about the class here.
- This particular lesson is from the Branding Chapter. Michelle has a free preview of that lesson you can enjoy simply by going to the course and scrolling to the curriculum section. (click here)
- April- Consistency is Key! (led by Valante Grant)
The most difficult aspect of branding is consistency. Why? Because it is hard to amplify a unified creative vision across diverse media platforms. The most magnetic brands are capable of engaging different audiences with strong design that delivers a message that never gets lost in translation. Takeaway: Develop Social Media Messaging and Brand Standards- Link to handout (click here)
- Link to Power Point (click here)
- Link to resources we discussed
- The Non-Designers Design Book (click here to view on Amazon)
- Pixabay- royalty free stock photos (click here)
- Canva- great for design (click here)
- Adobe Spark (click here)
- May- Work/Life Balance (led by Michelle Smith & Valante Grant)
Do YOU Feel Overwhelmed? Do YOU feel there just are NOT enough hours in the day? Do YOU have what seems like endless lists of unfinished projects? It is challenging to run a business and have a life. That is why it is important to establish a work life balance. TAKEAWAY: Identify and define your roles in the following areas…1. Family 2. Business 3. Community 4. Spirituality- Link to Power Point slides (click here)
- The handout and many concepts were taken from Michelle's Online Course "It Takes a Village" (click here to enroll and access for free)
- June- Your Ideal Client (led by Michelle Smith)
What does your perfect customer look like? What are their goals and values? What books, magazines, blogs and websites do they read? What conferences do they attend? What associations are they apart of? Who are the influencers they are following? Where do they hangout off and on-line? What types of messages do they respond to? How much do they spend? Who are they spending money with now? How will you connect with them? Most importantly, what will make them want to buy from you? Takeaway: Develop an ideal customer profile.- Link to Power Point slides (click here)
- The handout and many of the lessons were taken from Michelle's Online Course "Identify Your Target Market" (click here to enroll and access for free)
- July- Hit Your Target (led by Valante Grant)
You cannot hit a target if you do NOT know what you are aiming for. Google built a platform that crushes the competition based on a business model that puts users in the driver’s seat. The concept is straightforward: create a pipeline to your ideal customer that makes it easy to interact, then convert that interaction into sales dollars. Takeaway: Create goals and identify an action plan to reach them.- Link to Power Point slides (click here)
- We had great discussions throughout our time together. There was not a handout.
- Link to resources we discussed
- Streak- CRM (click here)
- Streak- CRM (click here)
- Aug- Building Brand Loyalty (led by Michelle Smith)
Once you connect with your target market, you must keep their attention. Client retention is a key factor in building a successful business. In addition to gaining repeat business, you get referrals. When you keep your client base informed and listen to their needs, you solidify your position as a preferred provider of goods and services. Takeaway: Keep your customers coming back and bringing others with them.- Link to handout (click here)
- Related training in the Z&B Online Academy that provides additional resources
- Relationship Building- The Key to Success (free) (click here)
- Relationship Building- The Key to Success (free) (click here)
- Sept- Sales & Marketing (led by Valante Grant)
Sales and Marketing go hand in hand. However, they are not interchangeable. A well-defined Marketing strategy will definitely drive sales. It is important to know when to market and when to sell. If you try to sell, when you should be marketing, you will appear pushy and desperate. A solid marketing plan and a strong sales pitch are critical components of your business. Takeaway: To effectively connect with the people who are looking for you.- Link to slides (coming soon)
- Link to slides (coming soon)
- Oct- Grow Your Business in 15 Min a Day (led by Michelle Smith)
By spending as little as 15 minutes a day reaching out to people, you can create positive movement in your business. Create a plan to intentionally keep in contact with people each day in your business. Takeaway: Consistently and intentionally reach out each day to keep your funnel flowing.- The handouts, slides and many of the lessons were taken from Michelle's Online Course "Grow Your Business in 15 Min a Day" (click here to enroll and access for free)
- Related training in the Z&B Online Academy that provides additional resources
- Networking Effectively to Reach Your Goals (free) (click here)
- Networking Effectively to Reach Your Goals (free) (click here)
- Nov 13th- The Power of Your Words (led by Valante Grant)
The only way that people will know how good you are, is if you tell them. Your clients need to know who you are, what you do and how well you do it. It is important to use the right words and communication channels. When your communication is clear and concise, you maintain mutual understanding between you, your clients, and your entire network. Takeaway: Leverage effective communication strategies to build and maintain relationships. - Dec 11th- Finish Strong (led by Valante Grant and Michelle Smith)
Before you make New Year resolutions, it’s a good idea to have Old Year Resolutions. The end of the year is a good time to reflect and tie up loose ends. Celebrate the accomplishments. Identify areas where there are opportunities for growth. Get a forecast of the coming year and strategize. Takeaway: Recap of the current year, and regroup for the coming year.- The handouts and many of the lessons were taken from Michelle's Online Course "Celebrate Your Year" (click here to enroll and access for free)
- This handout shows the year at a glance (click here)