How to Take the Leap from Owner to CEO

Are you ready to step into your CEO shoes? Maybe you started a business for fun or as a side hustle, but now it’s turned into something bigger than you imagined. Or maybe you WANT to turn it into something bigger, but it isn’t there yet. It all starts with your mindset. Here’s how to take the leap from owner to CEO.

 

 

I just finished interviewing one of my clients, and dear friend, Mandi from Happy Happy Houseplant. Her business DOUBLED its following and revenue in just ONE YEAR. How did they do it?  It started with Mandi taking that leap to be the CEO of her business.

Maybe you and your business are at a place where you can feel it’s growing, or you want to get it there. This leap to CEO feels gigantic. It kind of feels like you’re jumping across the Grand Canyon. You probably started your business because you like creating, doing business, and showing up on Instagram. Now, you’re at this point where you have to decide if you are going to change into this new version of yourself as a CEO or not. 

And you know what? Both places are going to be hard. Whether you choose to stay where you are or own that CEO identity, both will be challenging, so you have to choose your heart. Which one are you going to do? 

 

 

Mandi’s CEO Journey with Happy Happy Houseplant

Once Mandi decided to fully embrace her role as CEO, she hired a marketing strategist who helped her implement systems to run the backend of her business. And I must say, systems do not get enough credit because they are not as sexy as the other stuff (like Instagram followers). But there is nothing better than to have a system where you know what’s going to happen and you don’t have to run it anymore because it runs by itself. Click HERE to learn how to set up systems in your business.

Once Mandi had these systems in place, she hired my team to take on her Instagram and email strategy. Two things made it fun and effective to work with Mandi. First, Mandi had a strong personal brand and knew how to talk to her audience. Second, the systems she put in place made her business extremely efficient. 

While working with Mandi, we honed in on her content and messaging so we got really good at creating content specifically for her target audience. Then, her account had a reel go bonkers! Once that reel went viral, her account exploded. She grew 150K Instagram followers overnight. (While this is an insane success story, keep in mind all the months of legwork that led up to this moment!)

If you’re reading this and other influencer success stories, spend some time looking at what got them to this point. What are the things that led them to their success? What steps can you take to help you have this same success?

 

 

3 Lessons to Help You Take the Leap to CEO 

 

CEO Lesson #1: Invest in systems

Maybe you can’t hire someone yet to come in and create systems, but look at your business and see what systems you can create. Are there messages/emails you’re having to type over and over again? Questions you have to keep answering? Instead of reinventing the wheel, invent it once and let the system play its role. Check out some of my favorite resources that help automate my systems HERE! 

When I chatted with Mandi, she actually said systems used to make her so scared. She didn’t want to know about them. She wanted no part of them because she just wanted to be free and create. However, she quickly realized the power of systems and it actually made it so she had even more freedom than before. 

If you have a team of people I highly recommend reading the book, Traction. It goes through how to set up some systems in your business. If you don’t have a team yet, the book would still help teach you what systems a business should have and provide a template for creating them for you.

 

CEO Lesson #2: Have clarity on what you want.

I remember one of my coaching calls with Mandi–she was completely stressed out because she had to do these administrative business tasks all week and it was draining her. All she wanted to do was create, but her time was filled with meetings and chats with the EPA, etc. She felt like she was losing her magic and the parts she really loved about running her business.

As she relayed all this to me, I was able to coach her through what she actually wanted. She discovered what actually gives her life and energy. And when she had that clarity, we were able to alter her week to reflect what she valued and bring that energy back. 

 

 

CEO Lesson #3: Hone in on the essence of your business.

What is it that you actually want your business to feel like? What do you want people to feel when they come into your business? Honing in on that and being very clear will completely change you and your business. Plus, it will make making decisions so much easier and a better experience. 

 

Bonus CEO Lesson: If you want your business to grow, you have to grow yourself.

As the CEO of your business, you are the one that your team/company depends on for the energy, magic, vision, or whatever you want to call it. To be that person, you have to start siphoning off the things that you don’t have to do. Then you can fill that space with experiences that will help you become more emotionally regulated and more educated. 

You’ve got to take care of the mindset and figure out what’s holding you back. What are those mindset traps that you keep falling into? What can you do to set yourself up to be emotionally regulated so that you can handle those triggers when they pop up? This step is completely uncomfortable, but 100 percent worth it, my friend. If you want more tips on how to make this mindset shift, check out my post HERE. 

 

 

How to Take the Leap from Owner to CEO

If you are at this decision point where you’re standing on the edge of the cliff, looking over the Grand Canyon and you’re like, “Ooh, do I dare make that leap?” I want you to know that you can do it. Maybe the leap looks like investing in a course, signing up for a coach, or finding a new printer or fulfillment center. Whatever your leap is, take it and embrace every moment of it. 

I hope you found some clarity and hope from this post on how to take the leap from owner to CEO! And remember, you don’t have to take this leap alone. I’m so happy you’re here and I hope we keep in touch! You can find me on Instagram @iammichellegifford. If you’re ready for more consistent help, sign up for my Grow the Gram Course HERE!