November 15, 2024 • 38 mins
The Why Not Today? Podcast - Season 3 - Episode 38, Tina Johnson & Jillian Conley, CEO Consulting Group
In this episode, we’re joined by Tina Johnson, CEO, and Jillian Conley, VP of Marketing at CEO Consulting Group, to talk about their highly anticipated Jumpstart 2025 Retreat, taking place on November 22, 2024, in Ashburn, VA. Tina and Jillian share the exciting details of this one-of-a-kind event designed to help business owners close out 2024 strong and set a powerful foundation for the year ahead. Topics include: Setting meaningful goals and intentions, Smart financial strategies, Practical accounting tips to close out the year with clarity and confidence, Integrated marketing mastery and how to build an actionable marketing plan, Beyond just tips for financial and marketing success, Tina and Jillian emphasize the importance of taking time to work on your business, not just in your business. The retreat offers invaluable space for reflection and strategic planning—time that can make a world of difference in your growth and success. Here is the link to register for the Jumpstart 2025 Retreat (https://jump-start-2025.eventbrite.com/) and remember to use the code "today" to receive a Why Not Today? discount of $97. Why Not Today sign up for this powerful retreat? Even if you can’t attend the retreat, this episode is packed with actionable insights that every business owner will find useful. Plus, This episode is one you’ll want to save and return to every November to set yourself up for a successful year ahead.
The “Why Not Today?” Podcast, hosted by Leslie Kane, showcases individuals who have boldly asked themselves, “Why not today?” and have taken courageous actions. In a heartfelt tribute to her father, Patrick Kane. This podcast serves as a beacon of encouragement, reminding us all that sometimes the most transformative moments begin with a simple question: Why not today?
Contact Tina and Jillian -
tina@theceowoman.com and jillian@theceowoman.com
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/CEOConsultingLLC
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/ceo_consulting_group_llc/
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/ceoconsultinggroupllc/
Contact Leslie -
Facebook - www.facebook.com/podcastwhynottoday
Instagram - www.instagram.com/whynottodaypodcast
LinkedIn - www.linkedin.com/in/leslie-kane-3825222/
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
(00:00):
Welcome to the Why Not Today podcast where we celebrate courage, determination, and the
(00:06):
power of saying, Why Not Today.
I am your host, Leslie Cain, and in each episode we dive into inspiring stories of individuals
who have taken bold steps, faced their fears, and embraced the possibility of today.
From entrepreneurs to artists, dreamers to doers, we explore the moments when they set
enough waiting, Why Not Today.
Bring me as we uncover the heartwarming, the audacious, and the transformative, whether
(00:30):
it's pursuing a lifelong passion, overcoming obstacles, or simply choosing joy.
Our guests share their journeys and inspire us all.
I started this podcast and honor my father, Patrick Cain, who often did say, Why Not Today.
And remember, you're just one decision away from changing your life.
And I'm excited today that we're doing something a little different.
It's my second episode with two people, and it's Tina Johnson's second time being here.
(00:54):
So I've got Tina Johnson and Jillian Conley.
Did I pronounce that right, Jillian?
Yes.
Yes.
From CEO Consulting Group.
And so we've heard Tina's courage stories and her journey, and I learned so much about
you, Tina, on an earlier episode.
But Tina is doing so much to give back to women growing businesses.
And that is really my passion in the lane I am swimming in these days.
(01:17):
And I'm just so passionate about giving people the tools.
And so Tina's doing this amazing workshop, and whether you listen to it in real time,
we're right now, beginning or middle of November, or you listen to it years from now, because
that's the beauty of podcasts, that we're going to give you not only a teaser of what
she's going to do on this retreat next week, but also some tangible tools to think about.
(01:38):
So this is going to be an episode that everybody should listen to in November as we finish
up the year and start a new year.
I was, oh, I know what.
I interviewed Sam Horn, who Tina introduced me to.
And that podcast is going to come after this one.
But we talked about it's November of 2024.
And so many people are starting to think about 2025, but what's one thing you can do that
(02:01):
is a bit on your list as you finish 2024, whether it's something fun or work or just,
you know, pay attention to those things.
So Tina and Jillian are going to talk about finishing up our year and starting a new year.
Her retreat is called Jumpstart 2025.
(02:21):
And so before we go into more of the retreat and some tangible tools, I'm going to ask
Jillian first, because this is her first episode, her first appearance on the Why Not Today
podcast.
So Jillian, what does courage mean to you?
Ash, such a big question.
I think that courage is finding the strength to move forward despite your fear and understanding
(02:46):
that what's ahead of you is worth going for, even if you're afraid, even if you can't do
it stoically or, you know, with a big, bold, courageous hurrah, but you still move forward.
That's courage.
Courage.
And I tell people, you know, courage and why not today message, sometimes it's just getting
out of bed.
Yeah.
You know, you need that big, huge things and sometimes it's just like putting one foot
(03:10):
in front of the other and just doing that one thing, taking that one step.
So, and I'm sure we could do a whole episode on you, Jillian, on your journey, your courage.
We've got another day.
But Tina, I know you've given me your definition before, but let's, what would be your definition
today?
Well, first Leslie, thank you again for inviting us to be a part of your podcast and shared
(03:34):
with you.
I've shared with you the most, the most, every single episode that you've done and I've
learned something new every single time.
You win the award because I haven't even listened to a model.
So I love that.
You know, never forget that when you said that.
And I think I shared before, it's very similar to what Jillian shared with you about that,
the courage to be able to step out of the comfort zone and doing it even when we don't
(04:00):
feel like that we're empowered to do it.
I think part of it and adding to what I shared last time would be to have the courage to
ask for help when you need it.
There's so many resources and incredible women out there that want to help and just stepping
(04:22):
out of your comfort zone a little bit to pick up the phone or reach out to someone else
and say, I don't know how to do this.
I'm stuck today.
I'm struggling today.
And I just need help.
So true.
And you're such a good resource for that, Tina, that I love that when we connect and
you're like, here's my cell phone number if you need to reach me.
(04:43):
And I have reached you at different things and you respond.
And you know, you're a busy lady and the fact that you've listened to all the podcasts is
amazing.
And it just tells you that you put personal growth and learning as a priority, which is
awesome.
So this retreat you guys are doing and it is, if you're listening to real time, it is
going to be Friday, the 22nd of November.
(05:07):
And so is this something, is this the first time you've done it?
Have you done it for many years?
This is our second year doing it.
So we kind of mapped out based on what we believe is kind of the journey, the business
journey and annual business journey.
And then the spring, we do a intensive marketing retreat and Jillian can share a little bit
more about that because we just feel like you've come into the beginning of the year,
(05:30):
you've been doing things, let's use that time in the first half of the year to evaluate
what's working, what's not working in your marketing plan, because then you've got the
runway to be able to shift and make alterations if needed to that.
And then coming into, we do our end of the year one in November.
It's important for especially business owners to take time to reflect on the past year,
(05:56):
what's worked, what hasn't worked, because you need to kind of know where you've been
before you can really understand and map out where you're going.
And we're all so busy and you and Leslie, we've talked about this many times.
Before we know it, we've spent days and weeks just entrenched in working in our business
and we never seem to find the bandwidth to step out and have that high level view of
(06:21):
really working on the business and the strategy and making those decisions as the business
owner to move our business forward.
So mapping this out so that we give you a day to be able to walk away from everything
else and just have time for yourself as the business owner, but also that dedicated time
to really work on the strategy for your business for going into the new year.
(06:45):
And that's so important.
I'm teaching a course now for people with owning businesses, the overwhelm and the chaos.
And one of the things I shared the other day is they say, I think every hour of planning
replaces like so many days of work.
I don't remember the exact statistics, but so powerful.
And I know for me, when I take the time to get pen and paper, not just on a computer,
(07:10):
not just on the fly, but really fill my cup, you know, you're filling your cup too.
And you're thinking and, you know, often Tina made fun of me the other day when I called
her about this recording, I'm like, I was in the shower.
She's like, thinking about me in the shower.
But that's when we think we have thoughts that the only time my head is not built.
(07:31):
And so taking time.
And so people that are listening or watching, if you haven't watched, if you don't know
who Tina Johnson hasn't watched previous episodes, Tina has built lots of businesses and now
has started this CEO consulting group to help women in business, teaching all the lessons
that she's learned good and bad to help people.
(07:53):
So and then Jillian is the marketing director.
I am VP of marketing.
Okay.
And so she's coming from that angle.
So I'm excited about this event and anybody listening, we've got at the end, we'll share
her and show notes.
I've got a special coupon code that Tina is sharing with me to share with my listeners
(08:13):
and my community to get a little discount on it.
But so Tina, I know, I don't know if you, Jillian, want to talk about the outline, what
you're going to go through.
And then as you are sharing, just give some tools and things if people can't come or they
want to do things on their own, what are some of the things we need to think about as we
close out the year before.
And I love that you're doing it in November before Thanksgiving, before December hits,
(08:38):
and the chaos just takes off that first week in December is bonkers.
So for all of us.
Yeah.
So Jillian, if you want to go ahead and share.
Oh, sure.
Yeah.
Yeah.
So we're going to touch on some core areas of being an entrepreneur in a practical way
so that we're keeping our intentions and our focus really singular in these categories.
(09:02):
So we want to start with setting goals.
We need to be able to understand like Tina was saying, where are we going to go, which
requires just take a minute to reflect, assess, review, and then make some plans.
So we're going to talk about being intentional around that.
Then we're going to have Mary Great-Pios is going to talk about doing financial strategies,
(09:23):
powerful financial strategies that will help make better strategic decisions in the business.
And then Nicole is going to discuss closing the year out properly so that you're not living
in a horrible state in January trying to get all your tax documents done and ready and
out to your employees.
She's going to help make sure that you're ending the year and know how you're ending
(09:45):
the year and then move you forward into the new year.
And then I'm going to be talking about building the strategic plan for your communication strategy
as a business to ensure that you're integrating in all the different ways that you can be maximizing
your reach potential.
And then in all of this, there will be worksheets and some hands-on actual doing.
(10:08):
We have space saved.
We want to see the ladies literally hold space for them to sit and work because once you
go home, if you're like me, three little kids, I mean, if I leave the room, I'm done.
So we're going to hold space to make sure that it is a meaningful and supportive experience
for all the ladies that come.
(10:29):
So I'm excited.
I love that you're giving space.
And I always used to like going to conferences and I had to fly home because I spent the
flight in my notebook going through it and highlighting it.
What do I need to put into place as an action oriented person?
I know people that were just flying high and so excited and bouncing off walls.
(10:50):
But I was like, I used to literally go hide in the airport and a place away from anybody.
So I didn't have to talk to people to figure this out because we need to take time to figure
it out.
And we're going to try.
Jolene's going to touch a little bit.
I was just going to enhance what she was saying about.
People do a little bit of what her part that she's teaching is to talk a little bit on
(11:11):
the incorporating how to use chat GPT into that marketing strategy and using that as
a tool.
There's a lot of confusion about how do I use it?
And so that'll be a little bit in that overall marketing strategy for them building that
out.
And Nicole, who owns Wright accounting solutions and Mary Gray, they are subject experts in
(11:35):
their area.
So that was one of the things we wanted to bring in the subject experts to teach them
what they need to know.
And when we map this map the retreat out, one of the things that was really important
and doing it was we didn't just want people to come and have another day of just all day
lectures.
This is roll up your sleeves and this is a working retreat because we want them to leave
(11:59):
at the end of the day with the tangible roadmaps on how am I doing my goals?
And I've always believed we arbitrarily it's the end of the year and everybody says, oh,
you got to make your goals.
Well, goals is the bit to me the last step that you're doing you have to go through and
do the exercise and the deep work around understanding what are your life intentions?
(12:25):
Our life intentions is what truly sets our goals and throughout the year when we hit
those roadblocks or that frustration or overwhelm and we're like, oh, this goal is just too big.
It enables us to go back and look at what was my intention in setting this goal?
Is this still important?
Is this still important to me personally and in my life?
(12:48):
And that's the motivator you need to keep moving those goals that you establish for
the year as a great reference point.
Yeah, so you are going to you're going to teach on that.
Is that correct?
Okay, so what if somebody's listening watching and they can't come?
What's kind of a preliminary?
(13:09):
What are some of the steps that we should look at?
Well, I would definitely guide them to take that time to sit and map out around what is
truly their intentions for their life personally because when I'm working with clients, I'm
working with you where you are as a woman first and business owner is secondary because
(13:33):
if that can help you with something personally that you're struggling with, it's going to
have a ripple effect and help support and make your business stronger.
So taking that extra step and sitting and mapping out, where do I want to be health-wise?
Where do I want to be financially?
Where do I want to be spiritually, emotionally in my relationships?
(13:54):
And then from there, based on what they've mapped out, then they can start taking those
five or six categories that are important to them in their overall life and build their
goals out to match those.
Yeah, so smart that yeah, we need to start looking at our whole being instead of just
work and I think that's one of the things that pitfall we do is we just goal-oriented
(14:20):
and then your health is suffering and you're not spending time with family and what's important
to you.
Right, and most people, at least the experience I've had working with clients is that the
way they've done goals in the past has always been around, they just focus on business.
They're not taking the time to focus on their whole life and the business is a piece of
(14:45):
that pie.
It's not their whole life.
So that's why it's so important and we take the time to have them do this exercise where
they're really doing the deep thought process around where do I want to be as a human and
a woman and business as part of that.
Right, and I think it's so key and this is probably one of my soapboxes recently is
(15:07):
we got to live our life and enjoy our life and we can't work all the time.
And as Sam Horn shares her story is, you know, her son is like, you can play hooky, you're
allowed to.
I love that about her.
Yeah, we're so wrapped up and working all the time, but we got to take care of our whole
being and be intentional because, you know, we're not promised tomorrow.
(15:30):
And you know, I was listening to something the other day and I was talking about friendships,
you know, friendships are very important.
Are you intentional with that?
Or is it just, oh, they'll still be there.
You know, they may not.
Are you putting your family and people that are important to you on your to-do list?
You know, Marissa Levin who was on the podcast a couple of weeks ago, she shared her LBL.
(15:58):
She did a post, she didn't share it on the podcast, did a post afterwards.
Do you know what LBL is?
Tell me what it is.
Local bucket list.
Oh, I love that.
That's cute.
And so I actually spoke for a group this week and talked to them about, okay, I printed
out a bucket list, a local bucket list, and then a holiday bucket list.
(16:18):
You know, as we run into the holidays, we get so busy, but do you take time to drive past
and look at the lights to get a hot chocolate or a peppermint, whatever, or just sitting
in front of a fire or watch a Christmas movie, you know, be an intentional.
And all those things are so important.
And I want it to be powerful to have all these things you're planning done so you can be
more intentional in December and enjoy family.
(16:42):
And part of it too is prioritizing self care.
Yeah.
Preach this all the time to the women that are in our community of getting them to understand
got to map out time for self care too.
And just what you're just sharing Leslie, it doesn't have to be, oh, I have to spend
money and go to the spa all the time, get in the car, get some hot chocolate that you
(17:05):
make at home or coffee and just drive around and enjoy the holiday environment.
Go sit at a nice place somewhere and have a conversation with a friend.
Yeah, I know somebody that before she was successful in the Mary Kay world, she'd go
to high end, or high end hotels and sit in the lobby and work there, make phone calls
(17:29):
and do things.
Yeah, and you have been on me for that, Tina, to take time off.
Yep.
And actually last Friday I was feeling so overwhelmed and I literally just drove out,
Shannon had lunch with Elaine Gibson.
It just got me out of the car and filled my cup and I'm like, I just got to get away
for a day.
So, all right, so we were talking about goal setting and then I know the finance part and
(17:51):
the closing year year.
So any, or closing year year, any ideas, things are going to talk about things that we should
be paying attention to.
Again, if we're not going to be, if somebody can't be there or what are some of the things
to pay attention to and think about?
Well, definitely I think everybody needs to, if they don't have a bookkeeper, is to start
(18:15):
thinking through and taking the time to run their numbers, run their balance sheets, their
P&L's and see where they're ending the year and how do they want to map that out for setting
their financial goals for next year.
And there's certain things that they need to do to kind of go through their checklist
and closing out their books for the end of the year too.
(18:37):
And then doing them what part of Mary will talk about is making sure from liability perspective,
do you have all those things in place to protect you as the business owner and protect your
business if something should happen to you?
Smart things.
And I can share whatever she wants to from the marketing perspective because I'm sure
there's things that you need to be doing too for closing out the year.
(19:00):
One thing that I keep seeing on social media and I don't know if you guys are going to
touch on this is this new ownership document.
Have you followed that?
All right, but having all the things in one place.
There's some new law that you have to do and not the exact name, but I've seen it all over
(19:21):
social media and actually listened to a great recording about it.
It's basically you just have to prove file documents that you're the owner because there's
so many false businesses out there.
It's called the BOI.
It's the Beneficial Ownership Reporting.
And there are serious fines around this and I'm paraphrasing, but I mean the penalties
(19:42):
for not filing, it can get up to $10,000 a day.
Well and so I listened to a really good recording which I can share with you, Tina, that something
like the Main Street Alliance did.
They had somebody from the organization enforcing this and it was an hour long call and it literally
or webinar literally walked you through filling out the form and how you do it and they said
(20:06):
the fines are really for people that are willfully not doing it.
Exactly.
So it's not just to be a jerk and start making all kinds of money on these people because
they're not really letting people know about it.
But for the people that are willfully not doing it because they're trying to fix the
problem of all these false businesses.
(20:26):
So I don't know if they have, if you have that on the agenda, but that might be a good
thing.
It will touch on that.
Nicole's actually going to cover a little bit of that.
And then my tax strategist, I asked her just to email me yesterday.
That's why I was able to pull it up.
And the deadline is October, December 31st.
So we'll talk a little bit and I'm going to drop it into our sisterhood community.
(20:47):
And I could share the link too if you want to share it with your community, my tax strategist
and CPS.
And I can share that video.
But the one thing that did say if you started your business after January 1st, which I did
start on January 1st to 2024 that you have 90 days to get it done.
So like I'm already months behind, but as I said, it's willful.
(21:09):
So I don't think they're going to come after me.
No, just file it before December 31st.
And it doesn't take that long.
I mean, I think it took us five, six minutes for us to all of our businesses.
So, all right.
So that's a squirrel subject.
All right, Jillian, talk about some marketing strategies.
What do we need to know?
Do this whole AI thing.
And by the way, I'm recording this on Zoom and I hit the AI companion that'll do the
(21:33):
meeting notes, which I've never done before.
So I'm trying something new.
Awesome.
I love it.
It works.
Yeah.
So we're going to talk about integrated marketing strategy and what that basically means is
it's not a good idea to only market yourself one way.
(21:54):
It's just not because you're definitely missing a wide amount of your audience if you're doing
that.
And what I mean by that is if you're only doing Facebook, if you're only going to
chamber events, if you're only doing Instagram, if you're only doing TikTok, you're not reaching
your audience effectively and consistently.
And the potential of your audience, you're probably missing.
(22:15):
So we want to talk about what an integrated marketing strategy is, is being able to go,
this is my social media presence.
This is my digital presence.
This is my print presence, my in-person presence.
And there's all the ways we're going to integrate into the community, whether it's a sponsorship
or a donation or some kind of program.
(22:36):
And looking at everything at a high level, helicopter viewing, going, now, how am I going
to actually implement this?
Meaning what is my capacity to implement on behalf of the plan I just created?
And so we're going to give strategy around how to know where your limits are when you
should say, I can do it, but I need to outsource this to someone else because it's not a good
(22:59):
use of my time as the CEO and owner of my company.
And then we're going to discuss how to use chat GPT to speed you up in the process of
creating all of your plans because there is no reason to take weeks and months on end
to do something that you could do in hours with some AI.
So if you're not using AI in 2024, you better start using it in 2025 because it has taken
(23:23):
over and any business not utilizing AI is going to fall behind.
And we're going to talk about that.
We're going to talk about how to not fall behind and how to not get overwhelmed in such
a heavy tech integrated world.
Yeah.
And I love the AI.
Somebody explained it this way, which made so much sense to me.
She's like, I need help getting started.
An idea started.
And then you can grow from that.
(23:44):
And that's me.
Like my background degrees are in finance.
So writing has never felt like a strong, a strength of mine.
So but I can throw it into chat GPT or another one or one of any of the AI programs and be
able to at least get it started and have ideas.
And I'm like, oh, this is easy.
I have a question for chat GPT.
(24:05):
I know there's a paid version, but there's also a free version, which I tried to use
the free one day.
And I don't know if you asked too many questions that want you to do the paid and my sister's
like, no, I use it all the time.
The free one.
So how can you use it with the free one?
Or do we have, should we be paying for it?
Or another one, I've been using the one in Bing.
(24:27):
Yeah, I seem to like that.
And what I love is it remembers.
I can go back in and it kind of gets to you.
So what do you recommend, Jillian is the best one or?
So it depends on what it is that you need to use it for.
If you need it for research, you need to use the paid one.
If you're going to use it for idea planning and strategizing and research and all of that,
(24:49):
you need the paid ones that are accesses that all the resources like link sharing, it can
read images, it can read files.
You can upload PDFs.
You can put audio files, videos, it'll transcribe things.
So using the paid one, if you're going to have a heavy lift, if all you're doing is
going to help me write an email response, you know, then buy all means use the free
(25:11):
one.
Or if you're like, hey, give me some ideas on group activities for a gathering for my
community.
That kind of stuff works really well for the free one.
But if it has any ounce of research that's necessary, you need stats, statistics, and
then any ability to read things like uploading documents and files into it, you need the
paid one.
And that's really the difference between the two is what are you going to do with that?
(25:34):
And do you recommend that?
It's a starting point.
And they just have to think about it.
It's just another tool, just like any other tool that you're using in, you know, marketing
or business.
And do you recommend chat GPT, the paid one, or is there another one, Jillian, that you?
I like chat GPT.
I like 4.0.
That's the paid one, the professional one.
(25:55):
I've tried Bard and some other ones and they all have their merits, but the paid version
of chat GPT is accurate.
And for the most part, I would say we have, it has very good memory retention.
So when you're in the paid version of it, you can also jump streams that you have set
up so you can go from one file to another.
Say, hey, reference this, this one that you've made, I need to create this for this.
(26:19):
And so there's some advanced features that come along with chat GPT 4.0.
And I have not done any paid other versions of the software.
I've only done the free versions of other software.
So for me, it's just, it's comfortable.
It was the first, you know, to go big and for everybody to really catch on to.
And it's kind of like using Canva for copywriting, you know, it's simple, it's point click, you
(26:43):
know, for the most part.
So I feel like if you're, if you're looking for copywriting and research and idea planning
kind of support in AI, chat GPT is very user friendly.
It's worth the investment.
And I never even thought about using it for an email, but my sister says she uses for
all her emails.
I'm like, never, not that, but it's funny.
(27:03):
Somebody I know who was communicating with her team and sharing, doing emails, got her
husband, he retired and was helping her.
And somebody would say Tina, what time is the meeting?
Well, this woman would say, oh, Tina, blah, blah, blah.
And this is a meeting and a nice little fluffy email.
The husband would just be 2pm on Friday.
(27:26):
And everybody thought this woman was mad at him because her husband was responding with
the answer, but not any fluff.
I'm like, oh, so I'm one that just wants to get an answer out, but then I'll go back
and fluff it up a little bit.
I use chat GPT to answer things as well, like text messages and emails all the time.
(27:49):
I have the app on my phone and it just may, I'll take the email strand or copy and paste
it, dump it in and say write a response.
Here's the answer 2pm.
Okay.
And then I'll copy and paste that and it hasn't memorized.
Like it knows, I set it up.
Well, this is the framework that you need to use.
And that's the other thing that we'll talk about during the retreats.
We're going to teach you how to train the bots to work in your favor.
(28:12):
And the framework is what matters because you, you get a higher quality output when you put
all the energy, time and effort in the beginning, just like everything else in life.
So don't skip the first step of planning and come to the retreat.
So smart.
And I actually, the intro for the podcast, I threw in what I had and it spit out a little
different.
I like it.
(28:32):
Yeah.
And then you could do that a million more times.
Just rewrite it.
I think that's the thing that sometimes as a business owner, we want to be authentic
in what we do.
And the borderline weirdness of that is going into like that imposter syndrome side of things
where you're like, if I take something that's already made, does that mean I'm taking something
(28:54):
or am I doing what I'm supposed to be doing?
And the truth is, is we can borrow like crazy.
That's what we're supposed to be doing is borrowing and borrowing and borrowing.
We don't need to recreate the wheel every single time we do something.
And what AI does is it gives you your first draft.
Just get you, you don't have to spend 45 minutes going, what am I going to say?
What am I going to say?
What am I going to say?
(29:15):
What am I going to write?
What am I going to write?
Just get it started and then you can take it to the finish line.
Yeah.
I watched something on, I think 60 minutes and we're talking about all these AI programs
and what, unfortunately, what jobs might disappear because of it.
Yeah.
Probably the key is to learn it.
See who has an AI that's going to take your job, learn it because there's always going
(29:35):
to need to be a human that runs that AI and you never know what ideas will come to you
by learning that software, that piece of tech.
So that's something we need to invest time on working on our business and not in our
business.
Exactly.
How to do it, learn how to make it.
I saw a story on Facebook and it was some mom that said, her, she told her son, when
(30:00):
he got accepted in the college of his choice, she'd take him out to dinner.
So she was, place of his choice.
She was getting ready to do that and she goes, okay, my dilemma is the school just called
and relinquished, rescinded his application because he used AI to fill out his application.
So she's like, now should he take me out to dinner?
So yeah, so you got to be careful.
(30:23):
Right.
And that's what we were talking about is that don't use AI to completely take over
the creative side and writing it to starting point.
And where I think that the younger generation and even, you know, business owners, they're
using it as I'm going to put it in and I'm going to take exactly what it's saying without
(30:46):
me, their feel and their touch to it.
And really what is the intention around the messaging that they're sending?
It's missing that part when they're just copying and pasting.
Right.
Right.
And it's not skilled enough to know how to train it to get the output that they would
want it anyway.
So I would imagine as I've seen on lots of social media and emails and newsletters where
(31:10):
you can tell when the robots are writing your copy, it's obvious if you've ever read a book
like it's obvious.
So taking the time to remember to slow down and go, this is a first draft.
Now I'm going to go put the human into it.
It's going to, it's always a really important stuff for kids.
Starting with, yeah, starting with you writing something like I took my intro to the podcast
(31:33):
that I had already written it.
I'm just like, okay, change it a little bit more.
Yeah, exactly.
So I'm excited about the event next week.
Anything else that we miss that you guys want to talk about?
No, I mean, we'd love to have them.
I really encourage business owners to take some time and to reflect on the past year
(31:55):
and have the tangible tools and an actual map on where they want to go for next year.
I think it's important for all of us.
I mean, Jillian and I just talked this morning and it's like, okay, let's block out two and
a half hours on this date and, you know, just come down and do our own kind of strategic
(32:16):
planning and doing it for ourselves too and our teams.
I did want to, but it was okay, Leslie, to offer a digital gift to everyone.
Okay, I was going to ask.
It's not around the goal setting, but I find this time of year, especially women, are really
juggling with managing time and trying to figure out how to put work and life responsibilities
(32:41):
and obligations.
So we created a work-life balance worksheet.
It's a three-page document, Jillian can tell you more because she created it.
And it's a free digital gift on our website, theceowoman.com, and they just go in and they
can download the gift and it might kind of help them give them a few tools to help them
(33:04):
through these next six weeks of just crazy hustle and bustle.
Okay, and I will share that in the show notes and also share the link.
If you use the word today as your coupon code, if you sign up for the retreat, you get $97
off.
So yay, thank you, Tina, for sharing that with my Why Not Today community.
(33:24):
Yeah, I'm excited.
So anything parting words, Jillian, that you want to share?
Well, I'm just excited.
I'll be there virtually, and I wish I could be in the room, but I'll be there virtually.
I'm excited to be able to sit with the ladies and just talk about what they are doing holistically
because that is the thing is it's not about just your business.
(33:44):
It's you as a person.
You are the one who has to run the company.
How can we help you get centered, get focused, feel supported, and not just feel supported,
but be supported and have a plan, a plan that's backed with strategy backed by experts that
will take you to the next level.
So we just want to sit with you.
We want to enjoy getting to know each of the ladies and helping them enter into the New
(34:06):
Year strong and confident.
With a map, with a map.
Exactly.
And time to fill you up.
I remember one year I was gifted a gift certificate for one night stay at an Airbnb in Middleburg,
Virginia.
And I went with a friend of mine and we went, it was in the middle of the week because that's
when it was available and we went and had a really nice dinner and then came back and
(34:29):
sat by the fireplace at Airbnb and worked on our goals and our plans for the New Year.
And then the next day got up and sat outside and or out on their screened in porch, whatever.
In some room and worked on our plan and then left there around noon and it was amazing.
Perfect.
I don't remember how much powerful I felt.
You know, it's almost like when you take time to plan or when I take time to plan, I
(34:51):
almost feel like I put my superwoman cape on.
And I feel like you can tackle the world when you take time.
And I think you're more empowered and open to do that when you're out of your day to
day work environment.
It's so hard to get easily to get distracted in 50 other things that are around us in our
workspace that, oh, this call is coming in.
(35:13):
Oh, I've got this task paper here.
I've got this.
Extracting you from the day to day so that you're in an environment that's built around,
let's get you to be thinking outside the box.
Let's be creative.
Let's give you those tangible tools so that when you leave, you physically have the map
of knowing where you're going into.
(35:33):
And are we going to complete everything that day?
No, but it's a great starting point for them to start that roadmap for building up a successful
and thriving business going into 2025.
Yeah.
I love that.
And I know for me, I have to get away from my house, even though it's just me.
I don't have kids or all the things, but it's so distracting.
(35:55):
All, all the low hanging fruit and often the first couple of days in a month, I'll find
time to go sit in a coffee shop and just plan and a fun new notebook and a fun pen.
Yes.
Spend that time, you know, paper and pen because that's going to make a difference.
Got to get it out of your head and not, not in a computer all the time.
(36:16):
Right.
So, well, thank you ladies.
Anything you want to go in a party, I always ask people like, how would you encourage somebody
else?
So how would you encourage a business owner to have a strong end of the year beginning
and next year, other than coming to the retreat?
Please come and join us at the retreat.
I say self care.
(36:36):
Do something in these next six weeks that is met and done just for you as a woman.
What can you do that's go get pampered somewhere, go get connected with a friend, somebody that's
that you've just met.
Read a book, just find some time to do something that's just for you as a woman.
(37:02):
How about you, Jillian?
What would you be your word of advice?
I remember no, it's a complete sentence.
I'll let you know.
Don't forget.
Your piece is more important.
Don't forget to protect it.
Thank you both for being on and sharing and I think lots of good tidbits and hopefully
people will come to the retreat.
Maybe we'll have to have a why not today community table or something special.
(37:26):
No, I'd love that.
All the why not today tribe.
This is a different format than I've done before.
People watching, listening, let me know what you think and if you want more of these, I
really am thinking I'm going to start adding, especially in the new year, more content based
podcasts.
So Tina and Jillian, you're going to be called upon again, I'm sure.
(37:47):
We're happy to support your community any way that we possibly can, Leslie.
Thank you.
Thank you, everybody, for joining this inspiring journey, which was a little different today.
Remember every day is an opportunity to take action, chase your dreams and make a difference.
So why not today?
And please go to anywhere you watch or listen to this and subscribe, like, comment, give
(38:09):
it a review.
I'm working on updating my website, so I'm looking for testimonials.
If you've listened to an episode, you love an episode, something you like about why not
today or if you've been to one of my events looking for testimonials for those.
So again, everybody, thank you for listening, watching.
And remember, always say why not today?
Welcome to the Why Not Today podcast where we celebrate courage, determination, and the
(00:06):
power of saying, Why Not Today.
I am your host, Leslie Cain, and in each episode we dive into inspiring stories of individuals
who have taken bold steps, faced their fears, and embraced the possibility of today.
From entrepreneurs to artists, dreamers to doers, we explore the moments when they set
enough waiting, Why Not Today.
Bring me as we uncover the heartwarming, the audacious, and the transformative, whether
(00:30):
it's pursuing a lifelong passion, overcoming obstacles, or simply choosing joy.
Our guests share their journeys and inspire us all.
I started this podcast and honor my father, Patrick Cain, who often did say, Why Not Today.
And remember, you're just one decision away from changing your life.
And I'm excited today that we're doing something a little different.
It's my second episode with two people, and it's Tina Johnson's second time being here.
(00:54):
So I've got Tina Johnson and Jillian Conley.
Did I pronounce that right, Jillian?
Yes.
Yes.
From CEO Consulting Group.
And so we've heard Tina's courage stories and her journey, and I learned so much about
you, Tina, on an earlier episode.
But Tina is doing so much to give back to women growing businesses.
And that is really my passion in the lane I am swimming in these days.
(01:17):
And I'm just so passionate about giving people the tools.
And so Tina's doing this amazing workshop, and whether you listen to it in real time,
we're right now, beginning or middle of November, or you listen to it years from now, because
that's the beauty of podcasts, that we're going to give you not only a teaser of what
she's going to do on this retreat next week, but also some tangible tools to think about.
(01:38):
So this is going to be an episode that everybody should listen to in November as we finish
up the year and start a new year.
I was, oh, I know what.
I interviewed Sam Horn, who Tina introduced me to.
And that podcast is going to come after this one.
But we talked about it's November of 2024.
And so many people are starting to think about 2025, but what's one thing you can do that
(02:01):
is a bit on your list as you finish 2024, whether it's something fun or work or just,
you know, pay attention to those things.
So Tina and Jillian are going to talk about finishing up our year and starting a new year.
Her retreat is called Jumpstart 2025.
(02:21):
And so before we go into more of the retreat and some tangible tools, I'm going to ask
Jillian first, because this is her first episode, her first appearance on the Why Not Today
podcast.
So Jillian, what does courage mean to you?
Ash, such a big question.
I think that courage is finding the strength to move forward despite your fear and understanding
(02:46):
that what's ahead of you is worth going for, even if you're afraid, even if you can't do
it stoically or, you know, with a big, bold, courageous hurrah, but you still move forward.
That's courage.
Courage.
And I tell people, you know, courage and why not today message, sometimes it's just getting
out of bed.
Yeah.
You know, you need that big, huge things and sometimes it's just like putting one foot
(03:10):
in front of the other and just doing that one thing, taking that one step.
So, and I'm sure we could do a whole episode on you, Jillian, on your journey, your courage.
We've got another day.
But Tina, I know you've given me your definition before, but let's, what would be your definition
today?
Well, first Leslie, thank you again for inviting us to be a part of your podcast and shared
(03:34):
with you.
I've shared with you the most, the most, every single episode that you've done and I've
learned something new every single time.
You win the award because I haven't even listened to a model.
So I love that.
You know, never forget that when you said that.
And I think I shared before, it's very similar to what Jillian shared with you about that,
the courage to be able to step out of the comfort zone and doing it even when we don't
(04:00):
feel like that we're empowered to do it.
I think part of it and adding to what I shared last time would be to have the courage to
ask for help when you need it.
There's so many resources and incredible women out there that want to help and just stepping
(04:22):
out of your comfort zone a little bit to pick up the phone or reach out to someone else
and say, I don't know how to do this.
I'm stuck today.
I'm struggling today.
And I just need help.
So true.
And you're such a good resource for that, Tina, that I love that when we connect and
you're like, here's my cell phone number if you need to reach me.
(04:43):
And I have reached you at different things and you respond.
And you know, you're a busy lady and the fact that you've listened to all the podcasts is
amazing.
And it just tells you that you put personal growth and learning as a priority, which is
awesome.
So this retreat you guys are doing and it is, if you're listening to real time, it is
going to be Friday, the 22nd of November.
(05:07):
And so is this something, is this the first time you've done it?
Have you done it for many years?
This is our second year doing it.
So we kind of mapped out based on what we believe is kind of the journey, the business
journey and annual business journey.
And then the spring, we do a intensive marketing retreat and Jillian can share a little bit
more about that because we just feel like you've come into the beginning of the year,
(05:30):
you've been doing things, let's use that time in the first half of the year to evaluate
what's working, what's not working in your marketing plan, because then you've got the
runway to be able to shift and make alterations if needed to that.
And then coming into, we do our end of the year one in November.
It's important for especially business owners to take time to reflect on the past year,
(05:56):
what's worked, what hasn't worked, because you need to kind of know where you've been
before you can really understand and map out where you're going.
And we're all so busy and you and Leslie, we've talked about this many times.
Before we know it, we've spent days and weeks just entrenched in working in our business
and we never seem to find the bandwidth to step out and have that high level view of
(06:21):
really working on the business and the strategy and making those decisions as the business
owner to move our business forward.
So mapping this out so that we give you a day to be able to walk away from everything
else and just have time for yourself as the business owner, but also that dedicated time
to really work on the strategy for your business for going into the new year.
(06:45):
And that's so important.
I'm teaching a course now for people with owning businesses, the overwhelm and the chaos.
And one of the things I shared the other day is they say, I think every hour of planning
replaces like so many days of work.
I don't remember the exact statistics, but so powerful.
And I know for me, when I take the time to get pen and paper, not just on a computer,
(07:10):
not just on the fly, but really fill my cup, you know, you're filling your cup too.
And you're thinking and, you know, often Tina made fun of me the other day when I called
her about this recording, I'm like, I was in the shower.
She's like, thinking about me in the shower.
But that's when we think we have thoughts that the only time my head is not built.
(07:31):
And so taking time.
And so people that are listening or watching, if you haven't watched, if you don't know
who Tina Johnson hasn't watched previous episodes, Tina has built lots of businesses and now
has started this CEO consulting group to help women in business, teaching all the lessons
that she's learned good and bad to help people.
(07:53):
So and then Jillian is the marketing director.
I am VP of marketing.
Okay.
And so she's coming from that angle.
So I'm excited about this event and anybody listening, we've got at the end, we'll share
her and show notes.
I've got a special coupon code that Tina is sharing with me to share with my listeners
(08:13):
and my community to get a little discount on it.
But so Tina, I know, I don't know if you, Jillian, want to talk about the outline, what
you're going to go through.
And then as you are sharing, just give some tools and things if people can't come or they
want to do things on their own, what are some of the things we need to think about as we
close out the year before.
And I love that you're doing it in November before Thanksgiving, before December hits,
(08:38):
and the chaos just takes off that first week in December is bonkers.
So for all of us.
Yeah.
So Jillian, if you want to go ahead and share.
Oh, sure.
Yeah.
Yeah.
So we're going to touch on some core areas of being an entrepreneur in a practical way
so that we're keeping our intentions and our focus really singular in these categories.
(09:02):
So we want to start with setting goals.
We need to be able to understand like Tina was saying, where are we going to go, which
requires just take a minute to reflect, assess, review, and then make some plans.
So we're going to talk about being intentional around that.
Then we're going to have Mary Great-Pios is going to talk about doing financial strategies,
(09:23):
powerful financial strategies that will help make better strategic decisions in the business.
And then Nicole is going to discuss closing the year out properly so that you're not living
in a horrible state in January trying to get all your tax documents done and ready and
out to your employees.
She's going to help make sure that you're ending the year and know how you're ending
(09:45):
the year and then move you forward into the new year.
And then I'm going to be talking about building the strategic plan for your communication strategy
as a business to ensure that you're integrating in all the different ways that you can be maximizing
your reach potential.
And then in all of this, there will be worksheets and some hands-on actual doing.
(10:08):
We have space saved.
We want to see the ladies literally hold space for them to sit and work because once you
go home, if you're like me, three little kids, I mean, if I leave the room, I'm done.
So we're going to hold space to make sure that it is a meaningful and supportive experience
for all the ladies that come.
(10:29):
So I'm excited.
I love that you're giving space.
And I always used to like going to conferences and I had to fly home because I spent the
flight in my notebook going through it and highlighting it.
What do I need to put into place as an action oriented person?
I know people that were just flying high and so excited and bouncing off walls.
(10:50):
But I was like, I used to literally go hide in the airport and a place away from anybody.
So I didn't have to talk to people to figure this out because we need to take time to figure
it out.
And we're going to try.
Jolene's going to touch a little bit.
I was just going to enhance what she was saying about.
People do a little bit of what her part that she's teaching is to talk a little bit on
(11:11):
the incorporating how to use chat GPT into that marketing strategy and using that as
a tool.
There's a lot of confusion about how do I use it?
And so that'll be a little bit in that overall marketing strategy for them building that
out.
And Nicole, who owns Wright accounting solutions and Mary Gray, they are subject experts in
(11:35):
their area.
So that was one of the things we wanted to bring in the subject experts to teach them
what they need to know.
And when we map this map the retreat out, one of the things that was really important
and doing it was we didn't just want people to come and have another day of just all day
lectures.
This is roll up your sleeves and this is a working retreat because we want them to leave
(11:59):
at the end of the day with the tangible roadmaps on how am I doing my goals?
And I've always believed we arbitrarily it's the end of the year and everybody says, oh,
you got to make your goals.
Well, goals is the bit to me the last step that you're doing you have to go through and
do the exercise and the deep work around understanding what are your life intentions?
(12:25):
Our life intentions is what truly sets our goals and throughout the year when we hit
those roadblocks or that frustration or overwhelm and we're like, oh, this goal is just too big.
It enables us to go back and look at what was my intention in setting this goal?
Is this still important?
Is this still important to me personally and in my life?
(12:48):
And that's the motivator you need to keep moving those goals that you establish for
the year as a great reference point.
Yeah, so you are going to you're going to teach on that.
Is that correct?
Okay, so what if somebody's listening watching and they can't come?
What's kind of a preliminary?
(13:09):
What are some of the steps that we should look at?
Well, I would definitely guide them to take that time to sit and map out around what is
truly their intentions for their life personally because when I'm working with clients, I'm
working with you where you are as a woman first and business owner is secondary because
(13:33):
if that can help you with something personally that you're struggling with, it's going to
have a ripple effect and help support and make your business stronger.
So taking that extra step and sitting and mapping out, where do I want to be health-wise?
Where do I want to be financially?
Where do I want to be spiritually, emotionally in my relationships?
(13:54):
And then from there, based on what they've mapped out, then they can start taking those
five or six categories that are important to them in their overall life and build their
goals out to match those.
Yeah, so smart that yeah, we need to start looking at our whole being instead of just
work and I think that's one of the things that pitfall we do is we just goal-oriented
(14:20):
and then your health is suffering and you're not spending time with family and what's important
to you.
Right, and most people, at least the experience I've had working with clients is that the
way they've done goals in the past has always been around, they just focus on business.
They're not taking the time to focus on their whole life and the business is a piece of
(14:45):
that pie.
It's not their whole life.
So that's why it's so important and we take the time to have them do this exercise where
they're really doing the deep thought process around where do I want to be as a human and
a woman and business as part of that.
Right, and I think it's so key and this is probably one of my soapboxes recently is
(15:07):
we got to live our life and enjoy our life and we can't work all the time.
And as Sam Horn shares her story is, you know, her son is like, you can play hooky, you're
allowed to.
I love that about her.
Yeah, we're so wrapped up and working all the time, but we got to take care of our whole
being and be intentional because, you know, we're not promised tomorrow.
(15:30):
And you know, I was listening to something the other day and I was talking about friendships,
you know, friendships are very important.
Are you intentional with that?
Or is it just, oh, they'll still be there.
You know, they may not.
Are you putting your family and people that are important to you on your to-do list?
You know, Marissa Levin who was on the podcast a couple of weeks ago, she shared her LBL.
(15:58):
She did a post, she didn't share it on the podcast, did a post afterwards.
Do you know what LBL is?
Tell me what it is.
Local bucket list.
Oh, I love that.
That's cute.
And so I actually spoke for a group this week and talked to them about, okay, I printed
out a bucket list, a local bucket list, and then a holiday bucket list.
(16:18):
You know, as we run into the holidays, we get so busy, but do you take time to drive past
and look at the lights to get a hot chocolate or a peppermint, whatever, or just sitting
in front of a fire or watch a Christmas movie, you know, be an intentional.
And all those things are so important.
And I want it to be powerful to have all these things you're planning done so you can be
more intentional in December and enjoy family.
(16:42):
And part of it too is prioritizing self care.
Yeah.
Preach this all the time to the women that are in our community of getting them to understand
got to map out time for self care too.
And just what you're just sharing Leslie, it doesn't have to be, oh, I have to spend
money and go to the spa all the time, get in the car, get some hot chocolate that you
(17:05):
make at home or coffee and just drive around and enjoy the holiday environment.
Go sit at a nice place somewhere and have a conversation with a friend.
Yeah, I know somebody that before she was successful in the Mary Kay world, she'd go
to high end, or high end hotels and sit in the lobby and work there, make phone calls
(17:29):
and do things.
Yeah, and you have been on me for that, Tina, to take time off.
Yep.
And actually last Friday I was feeling so overwhelmed and I literally just drove out,
Shannon had lunch with Elaine Gibson.
It just got me out of the car and filled my cup and I'm like, I just got to get away
for a day.
So, all right, so we were talking about goal setting and then I know the finance part and
(17:51):
the closing year year.
So any, or closing year year, any ideas, things are going to talk about things that we should
be paying attention to.
Again, if we're not going to be, if somebody can't be there or what are some of the things
to pay attention to and think about?
Well, definitely I think everybody needs to, if they don't have a bookkeeper, is to start
(18:15):
thinking through and taking the time to run their numbers, run their balance sheets, their
P&L's and see where they're ending the year and how do they want to map that out for setting
their financial goals for next year.
And there's certain things that they need to do to kind of go through their checklist
and closing out their books for the end of the year too.
(18:37):
And then doing them what part of Mary will talk about is making sure from liability perspective,
do you have all those things in place to protect you as the business owner and protect your
business if something should happen to you?
Smart things.
And I can share whatever she wants to from the marketing perspective because I'm sure
there's things that you need to be doing too for closing out the year.
(19:00):
One thing that I keep seeing on social media and I don't know if you guys are going to
touch on this is this new ownership document.
Have you followed that?
All right, but having all the things in one place.
There's some new law that you have to do and not the exact name, but I've seen it all over
(19:21):
social media and actually listened to a great recording about it.
It's basically you just have to prove file documents that you're the owner because there's
so many false businesses out there.
It's called the BOI.
It's the Beneficial Ownership Reporting.
And there are serious fines around this and I'm paraphrasing, but I mean the penalties
(19:42):
for not filing, it can get up to $10,000 a day.
Well and so I listened to a really good recording which I can share with you, Tina, that something
like the Main Street Alliance did.
They had somebody from the organization enforcing this and it was an hour long call and it literally
or webinar literally walked you through filling out the form and how you do it and they said
(20:06):
the fines are really for people that are willfully not doing it.
Exactly.
So it's not just to be a jerk and start making all kinds of money on these people because
they're not really letting people know about it.
But for the people that are willfully not doing it because they're trying to fix the
problem of all these false businesses.
(20:26):
So I don't know if they have, if you have that on the agenda, but that might be a good
thing.
It will touch on that.
Nicole's actually going to cover a little bit of that.
And then my tax strategist, I asked her just to email me yesterday.
That's why I was able to pull it up.
And the deadline is October, December 31st.
So we'll talk a little bit and I'm going to drop it into our sisterhood community.
(20:47):
And I could share the link too if you want to share it with your community, my tax strategist
and CPS.
And I can share that video.
But the one thing that did say if you started your business after January 1st, which I did
start on January 1st to 2024 that you have 90 days to get it done.
So like I'm already months behind, but as I said, it's willful.
(21:09):
So I don't think they're going to come after me.
No, just file it before December 31st.
And it doesn't take that long.
I mean, I think it took us five, six minutes for us to all of our businesses.
So, all right.
So that's a squirrel subject.
All right, Jillian, talk about some marketing strategies.
What do we need to know?
Do this whole AI thing.
And by the way, I'm recording this on Zoom and I hit the AI companion that'll do the
(21:33):
meeting notes, which I've never done before.
So I'm trying something new.
Awesome.
I love it.
It works.
Yeah.
So we're going to talk about integrated marketing strategy and what that basically means is
it's not a good idea to only market yourself one way.
(21:54):
It's just not because you're definitely missing a wide amount of your audience if you're doing
that.
And what I mean by that is if you're only doing Facebook, if you're only going to
chamber events, if you're only doing Instagram, if you're only doing TikTok, you're not reaching
your audience effectively and consistently.
And the potential of your audience, you're probably missing.
(22:15):
So we want to talk about what an integrated marketing strategy is, is being able to go,
this is my social media presence.
This is my digital presence.
This is my print presence, my in-person presence.
And there's all the ways we're going to integrate into the community, whether it's a sponsorship
or a donation or some kind of program.
(22:36):
And looking at everything at a high level, helicopter viewing, going, now, how am I going
to actually implement this?
Meaning what is my capacity to implement on behalf of the plan I just created?
And so we're going to give strategy around how to know where your limits are when you
should say, I can do it, but I need to outsource this to someone else because it's not a good
(22:59):
use of my time as the CEO and owner of my company.
And then we're going to discuss how to use chat GPT to speed you up in the process of
creating all of your plans because there is no reason to take weeks and months on end
to do something that you could do in hours with some AI.
So if you're not using AI in 2024, you better start using it in 2025 because it has taken
(23:23):
over and any business not utilizing AI is going to fall behind.
And we're going to talk about that.
We're going to talk about how to not fall behind and how to not get overwhelmed in such
a heavy tech integrated world.
Yeah.
And I love the AI.
Somebody explained it this way, which made so much sense to me.
She's like, I need help getting started.
An idea started.
And then you can grow from that.
(23:44):
And that's me.
Like my background degrees are in finance.
So writing has never felt like a strong, a strength of mine.
So but I can throw it into chat GPT or another one or one of any of the AI programs and be
able to at least get it started and have ideas.
And I'm like, oh, this is easy.
I have a question for chat GPT.
(24:05):
I know there's a paid version, but there's also a free version, which I tried to use
the free one day.
And I don't know if you asked too many questions that want you to do the paid and my sister's
like, no, I use it all the time.
The free one.
So how can you use it with the free one?
Or do we have, should we be paying for it?
Or another one, I've been using the one in Bing.
(24:27):
Yeah, I seem to like that.
And what I love is it remembers.
I can go back in and it kind of gets to you.
So what do you recommend, Jillian is the best one or?
So it depends on what it is that you need to use it for.
If you need it for research, you need to use the paid one.
If you're going to use it for idea planning and strategizing and research and all of that,
(24:49):
you need the paid ones that are accesses that all the resources like link sharing, it can
read images, it can read files.
You can upload PDFs.
You can put audio files, videos, it'll transcribe things.
So using the paid one, if you're going to have a heavy lift, if all you're doing is
going to help me write an email response, you know, then buy all means use the free
(25:11):
one.
Or if you're like, hey, give me some ideas on group activities for a gathering for my
community.
That kind of stuff works really well for the free one.
But if it has any ounce of research that's necessary, you need stats, statistics, and
then any ability to read things like uploading documents and files into it, you need the
paid one.
And that's really the difference between the two is what are you going to do with that?
(25:34):
And do you recommend that?
It's a starting point.
And they just have to think about it.
It's just another tool, just like any other tool that you're using in, you know, marketing
or business.
And do you recommend chat GPT, the paid one, or is there another one, Jillian, that you?
I like chat GPT.
I like 4.0.
That's the paid one, the professional one.
(25:55):
I've tried Bard and some other ones and they all have their merits, but the paid version
of chat GPT is accurate.
And for the most part, I would say we have, it has very good memory retention.
So when you're in the paid version of it, you can also jump streams that you have set
up so you can go from one file to another.
Say, hey, reference this, this one that you've made, I need to create this for this.
(26:19):
And so there's some advanced features that come along with chat GPT 4.0.
And I have not done any paid other versions of the software.
I've only done the free versions of other software.
So for me, it's just, it's comfortable.
It was the first, you know, to go big and for everybody to really catch on to.
And it's kind of like using Canva for copywriting, you know, it's simple, it's point click, you
(26:43):
know, for the most part.
So I feel like if you're, if you're looking for copywriting and research and idea planning
kind of support in AI, chat GPT is very user friendly.
It's worth the investment.
And I never even thought about using it for an email, but my sister says she uses for
all her emails.
I'm like, never, not that, but it's funny.
(27:03):
Somebody I know who was communicating with her team and sharing, doing emails, got her
husband, he retired and was helping her.
And somebody would say Tina, what time is the meeting?
Well, this woman would say, oh, Tina, blah, blah, blah.
And this is a meeting and a nice little fluffy email.
The husband would just be 2pm on Friday.
(27:26):
And everybody thought this woman was mad at him because her husband was responding with
the answer, but not any fluff.
I'm like, oh, so I'm one that just wants to get an answer out, but then I'll go back
and fluff it up a little bit.
I use chat GPT to answer things as well, like text messages and emails all the time.
(27:49):
I have the app on my phone and it just may, I'll take the email strand or copy and paste
it, dump it in and say write a response.
Here's the answer 2pm.
Okay.
And then I'll copy and paste that and it hasn't memorized.
Like it knows, I set it up.
Well, this is the framework that you need to use.
And that's the other thing that we'll talk about during the retreats.
We're going to teach you how to train the bots to work in your favor.
(28:12):
And the framework is what matters because you, you get a higher quality output when you put
all the energy, time and effort in the beginning, just like everything else in life.
So don't skip the first step of planning and come to the retreat.
So smart.
And I actually, the intro for the podcast, I threw in what I had and it spit out a little
different.
I like it.
(28:32):
Yeah.
And then you could do that a million more times.
Just rewrite it.
I think that's the thing that sometimes as a business owner, we want to be authentic
in what we do.
And the borderline weirdness of that is going into like that imposter syndrome side of things
where you're like, if I take something that's already made, does that mean I'm taking something
(28:54):
or am I doing what I'm supposed to be doing?
And the truth is, is we can borrow like crazy.
That's what we're supposed to be doing is borrowing and borrowing and borrowing.
We don't need to recreate the wheel every single time we do something.
And what AI does is it gives you your first draft.
Just get you, you don't have to spend 45 minutes going, what am I going to say?
What am I going to say?
What am I going to say?
(29:15):
What am I going to write?
What am I going to write?
Just get it started and then you can take it to the finish line.
Yeah.
I watched something on, I think 60 minutes and we're talking about all these AI programs
and what, unfortunately, what jobs might disappear because of it.
Yeah.
Probably the key is to learn it.
See who has an AI that's going to take your job, learn it because there's always going
(29:35):
to need to be a human that runs that AI and you never know what ideas will come to you
by learning that software, that piece of tech.
So that's something we need to invest time on working on our business and not in our
business.
Exactly.
How to do it, learn how to make it.
I saw a story on Facebook and it was some mom that said, her, she told her son, when
(30:00):
he got accepted in the college of his choice, she'd take him out to dinner.
So she was, place of his choice.
She was getting ready to do that and she goes, okay, my dilemma is the school just called
and relinquished, rescinded his application because he used AI to fill out his application.
So she's like, now should he take me out to dinner?
So yeah, so you got to be careful.
(30:23):
Right.
And that's what we were talking about is that don't use AI to completely take over
the creative side and writing it to starting point.
And where I think that the younger generation and even, you know, business owners, they're
using it as I'm going to put it in and I'm going to take exactly what it's saying without
(30:46):
me, their feel and their touch to it.
And really what is the intention around the messaging that they're sending?
It's missing that part when they're just copying and pasting.
Right.
Right.
And it's not skilled enough to know how to train it to get the output that they would
want it anyway.
So I would imagine as I've seen on lots of social media and emails and newsletters where
(31:10):
you can tell when the robots are writing your copy, it's obvious if you've ever read a book
like it's obvious.
So taking the time to remember to slow down and go, this is a first draft.
Now I'm going to go put the human into it.
It's going to, it's always a really important stuff for kids.
Starting with, yeah, starting with you writing something like I took my intro to the podcast
(31:33):
that I had already written it.
I'm just like, okay, change it a little bit more.
Yeah, exactly.
So I'm excited about the event next week.
Anything else that we miss that you guys want to talk about?
No, I mean, we'd love to have them.
I really encourage business owners to take some time and to reflect on the past year
(31:55):
and have the tangible tools and an actual map on where they want to go for next year.
I think it's important for all of us.
I mean, Jillian and I just talked this morning and it's like, okay, let's block out two and
a half hours on this date and, you know, just come down and do our own kind of strategic
(32:16):
planning and doing it for ourselves too and our teams.
I did want to, but it was okay, Leslie, to offer a digital gift to everyone.
Okay, I was going to ask.
It's not around the goal setting, but I find this time of year, especially women, are really
juggling with managing time and trying to figure out how to put work and life responsibilities
(32:41):
and obligations.
So we created a work-life balance worksheet.
It's a three-page document, Jillian can tell you more because she created it.
And it's a free digital gift on our website, theceowoman.com, and they just go in and they
can download the gift and it might kind of help them give them a few tools to help them
(33:04):
through these next six weeks of just crazy hustle and bustle.
Okay, and I will share that in the show notes and also share the link.
If you use the word today as your coupon code, if you sign up for the retreat, you get $97
off.
So yay, thank you, Tina, for sharing that with my Why Not Today community.
(33:24):
Yeah, I'm excited.
So anything parting words, Jillian, that you want to share?
Well, I'm just excited.
I'll be there virtually, and I wish I could be in the room, but I'll be there virtually.
I'm excited to be able to sit with the ladies and just talk about what they are doing holistically
because that is the thing is it's not about just your business.
(33:44):
It's you as a person.
You are the one who has to run the company.
How can we help you get centered, get focused, feel supported, and not just feel supported,
but be supported and have a plan, a plan that's backed with strategy backed by experts that
will take you to the next level.
So we just want to sit with you.
We want to enjoy getting to know each of the ladies and helping them enter into the New
(34:06):
Year strong and confident.
With a map, with a map.
Exactly.
And time to fill you up.
I remember one year I was gifted a gift certificate for one night stay at an Airbnb in Middleburg,
Virginia.
And I went with a friend of mine and we went, it was in the middle of the week because that's
when it was available and we went and had a really nice dinner and then came back and
(34:29):
sat by the fireplace at Airbnb and worked on our goals and our plans for the New Year.
And then the next day got up and sat outside and or out on their screened in porch, whatever.
In some room and worked on our plan and then left there around noon and it was amazing.
Perfect.
I don't remember how much powerful I felt.
You know, it's almost like when you take time to plan or when I take time to plan, I
(34:51):
almost feel like I put my superwoman cape on.
And I feel like you can tackle the world when you take time.
And I think you're more empowered and open to do that when you're out of your day to
day work environment.
It's so hard to get easily to get distracted in 50 other things that are around us in our
workspace that, oh, this call is coming in.
(35:13):
Oh, I've got this task paper here.
I've got this.
Extracting you from the day to day so that you're in an environment that's built around,
let's get you to be thinking outside the box.
Let's be creative.
Let's give you those tangible tools so that when you leave, you physically have the map
of knowing where you're going into.
(35:33):
And are we going to complete everything that day?
No, but it's a great starting point for them to start that roadmap for building up a successful
and thriving business going into 2025.
Yeah.
I love that.
And I know for me, I have to get away from my house, even though it's just me.
I don't have kids or all the things, but it's so distracting.
(35:55):
All, all the low hanging fruit and often the first couple of days in a month, I'll find
time to go sit in a coffee shop and just plan and a fun new notebook and a fun pen.
Yes.
Spend that time, you know, paper and pen because that's going to make a difference.
Got to get it out of your head and not, not in a computer all the time.
(36:16):
Right.
So, well, thank you ladies.
Anything you want to go in a party, I always ask people like, how would you encourage somebody
else?
So how would you encourage a business owner to have a strong end of the year beginning
and next year, other than coming to the retreat?
Please come and join us at the retreat.
I say self care.
(36:36):
Do something in these next six weeks that is met and done just for you as a woman.
What can you do that's go get pampered somewhere, go get connected with a friend, somebody that's
that you've just met.
Read a book, just find some time to do something that's just for you as a woman.
(37:02):
How about you, Jillian?
What would you be your word of advice?
I remember no, it's a complete sentence.
I'll let you know.
Don't forget.
Your piece is more important.
Don't forget to protect it.
Thank you both for being on and sharing and I think lots of good tidbits and hopefully
people will come to the retreat.
Maybe we'll have to have a why not today community table or something special.
(37:26):
No, I'd love that.
All the why not today tribe.
This is a different format than I've done before.
People watching, listening, let me know what you think and if you want more of these, I
really am thinking I'm going to start adding, especially in the new year, more content based
podcasts.
So Tina and Jillian, you're going to be called upon again, I'm sure.
(37:47):
We're happy to support your community any way that we possibly can, Leslie.
Thank you.
Thank you, everybody, for joining this inspiring journey, which was a little different today.
Remember every day is an opportunity to take action, chase your dreams and make a difference.
So why not today?
And please go to anywhere you watch or listen to this and subscribe, like, comment, give
(38:09):
it a review.
I'm working on updating my website, so I'm looking for testimonials.
If you've listened to an episode, you love an episode, something you like about why not
today or if you've been to one of my events looking for testimonials for those.
So again, everybody, thank you for listening, watching.
And remember, always say why not today?
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