BLOG

iEvolve BlogAnnette WalterAnybody in business know how important decision-making is. As a business owner or leader, you make decisions every day – ones that impact your company, your employees, and your customers.  A good decision or a bad decision is better than no...

iEvolve BlogAnnette WalterEverything you need to know is right in front of you – did you know that?  You need to ask the right questions to tackle exactly what you need in your business. Uncovering the answers to these questions is imperative to growing and scaling...

iEvolve BlogAnnette WalterWhen you go through growth and new hires, oftentimes there becomes overlap and this creates redundancies and inefficiencies in your products or services in your businesses.  You need to pull apart everything and instead of plugging and...

iEvolve BlogAnnette Walter“Inconsistency won’t get you to the next level.”  This quote was told to me from my tennis coach and it really resonated with me. In business, consistency is one of the biggest indicators of success, but oftentimes inconsistency creeps into...

iEvolve BlogAnnette WalterThe sales process at times can feel overwhelming and I am always looking for ways to simplify it. Well, there is a simple acronym to simplify and that is CLOSE. Think about closing when you are selling.  Clarifying: You are clarifying what...

iEvolve BlogAnnette WalterThis topic might sound cliché, but it is very important. The difference between winners and losers is that the winners take the small action. To drill down more into how to become a winner, let’s talk about action and momentum.  Action: Both...

iEvolve BlogAnnette WalterHow are you thinking about your numbers? As we are approaching the end of the year, a lot of us can become hyper focused on the numbers. They are key indicator of your business success and they are important.  But – I want you to look at them...

iEvolve BlogAnnette WalterAs a business owner, do you always trust yourself? It’s key to success, but sometimes we have a hard time doing it. This comes up in my coaching sessions a lot because so many people go through a struggle in trusting themselves, especially in...

iEvolve BlogAnnette Walter2022 has been a year for growth and a lot of new hires in many businesses. With the continued growth, eventually comes the time to ask if your new hire is ready for a new hire.  A lot of you have made a lot of new hires and the honeymoon...

iEvolve BlogAnnette WalterYou might want to get out your pen and paper before hitting play on this episode. We are dreaming the impossible today.  I want you to make a list of ten things that would be impossible for you to accomplish. What would these ten things be? ...

iEvolve BlogAnnette WalterIt’s probably not new to you that entrepreneurs as a whole can be a bit impatient. There are so many decisions and new ideas you are doing every day – you are always on the move! Which is why every now and then you need a gentle reminder of...

iEvolve BlogAnnette WalterAre your employees acting like employees or business owners? Hopefully you are coaching, growing and empowering them to be mini-entrepreneurs within your company. If your employees are acting like business owners, it’s because you treat them...

iEvolve BlogAnnette WalterHave you ever wondered how long it will take you to be the leader and CEO of your company? Are you the one that does everything in your business right now? Or do you have leaders within your team that guide and teach the newest members? Today...

iEvolve BlogAnnette WalterThroughout life, we’ve all encountered toxic, difficult people. Whether it’s a pessimistic family member, a friend who does not respect your boundaries, or a manipulative employee, their presence in your life is unavoidable.  Having to deal...

iEvolve BlogAnnette WalterHow can a gold length of wire bent into flat loops that are used to hold papers together make customers feel so special? Well, here is the reason… When we talk about marketing we immediately think about digital marketing, social media, niche,...

iEvolve BlogAnnette WalterHave you ever had someone coach your kids or teach your kids and they simply listen to that person better than they listen to you? I see you nodding your head right now.  It's a powerful thing. They will listen to the coach, the teacher, or...

iEvolve BlogAnnette WalterWhen it comes to your business, should you be dreaming big or small and realistic?  You may be doing it without even noticing. Dreaming small gives you a better chance of accomplishing what you want and keeps you in your comfort zone and...

iEvolve BlogAnnette WalterThe success of your business begins with your mindset. It begins with the belief that your knowledge, talents, and wisdom can be developed through effort, patience, and persistence.  “Nobody wins who is afraid of losing”  This quote really...

iEvolve BlogAnnette WalterWelcome to the celebration of the 200th episode of The Entrepreneur Evolution Podcast! If you want, you can listen to it here. First, I want to start by saying how grateful I am for your support and how excited I am to share this special...

iEvolve BlogAnnette WalterHi there, entrepreneurs and business owners! As you know, I love helping you navigate the ins and outs of your entrepreneurial journey and grow and scale your business. I want to see YOU grow and reach your next level so that you can be the...

iEvolve BlogAnnette WalterAmerican writer Mark Twain once said that “The Secret to Getting Ahead is Getting Started.” Small business owners and entrepreneurs are usually very familiar with planning and organization because, in order to start any business or project,...

iEvolve BlogAnnette WalterToday we are talking about being distracted by opportunity. With everything happening in our world right now, and the changes the pandemic brought in the last two years it is very easy to lose focus and get distracted by opportunities, and...

iEvolve BlogAnnette WalterWe have previously discussed How to look for the perfect hire or How to build your dream team. But what if after they sign the contract and you welcome them into the team, things don’t seem to flow quite right? Have you made a lot of hires...

iEvolve BlogAnnette WalterFor an entrepreneur or business owner, every product we make and service we provide is close to our hearts.  Every team member and every client becomes part of our family. We are protective of them.  We want them to be successful and perform...

iEvolve BlogAnnette WalterThis question might sound a bit silly to you, but is your business working like a Corvette or the Fred Flintstone’s car? The visual of Fred Flintstone came to me during a coaching session. I could see the car perfectly with their feet running...

iEvolve BlogAnnette WalterIn every aspect of our lives and at any given time we are faced with some kind of change. It is inevitable. Sometimes it’s not easy but resisting change comes down to one thing: fear of the unknown.   Even if we have all the information and...

iEvolve BlogAnnette WalterToo often we find ourselves immersed in a larger-than-life to-do list. Who said entrepreneurship was easy, right? The decision-making process is an important part of our daily lives, but making big business decisions may cause a lot of stress...

iEvolve BlogAnnette WalterEntrepreneurs and business owners pour long hours, sweat, and tears into their company to see it succeed. It takes a lot of sacrifices and hard work to get a small business off the ground, which may make the decision to sell or transfer...

iEvolve BlogAnnette WalterEntrepreneurs and business owners usually face obstacles and rejection during their journey. It is bound to happen at some point, and learning how to overcome these obstacles to get back on track, can define the success of your business. ...

iEvolve BlogAnnette WalterOverwhelmed by the amount of work and events you have said yes to recently? Entrepreneurs and business owners can easily feel pressured to say yes to everything and everyone. You think you can handle it all but it is easy to get overwhelmed...

iEvolve BlogAnnette WalterAs an entrepreneur and business owner, you had probably felt a little discouraged in your journey at some point. Oftentimes we might find ourselves having more unproductive weeks than we like, or sometimes we feel exhausted or in a rut. Here...

iEvolve BlogAnnette WalterBeing an entrepreneur is hard work, to say the least. Our business is like our baby, and we want to see it grow and thrive. As business owners, we feel an intense and insane amount of emotion day in and day out. There are highs and lows, good...

iEvolve BlogAnnette WalterToday, I want to give you tips on how to check in with your clients with four KPIs around the client experience. These tips will help you immensely when your business is growing. What doesn’t get tracked, can’t get managed. That’s why key...

iEvolve BlogAnnette WalterLooking for the perfect person to hire within your organization? From small businesses to multinational companies, everyone at some point needs to set a hiring process or system when filling a new position. Do you know each step needed to...

iEvolve BlogAnnette WalterBusiness owners may easily fall into a pattern of having days of endless activities that make them lose focus on the essential things. Specifically, the things they are passionate about.  Let’s face it, no one has time to do everything. You...

iEvolve BlogAnnette WalterThere comes a time at the beginning of each year when we are setting the pace for how we want the rest of the year to go. As the leader of your business, it is important to make sure you're focusing on the right things. Let’s take a moment to...

iEvolve BlogAnnette WalterDo you have a team of talented rockstars and amazing individuals?  Picture yourself back in middle school on the sidelines of kickball. You are required to handpick your team. Would you pick the same people you have on your team now? Would...

iEvolve BlogAnnette WalterIt’s easy to let things run their course when your business is steady and running well. If you’ve passed the first stages of a new business, then it’s better to check the progress regularly and have clarity for the direction of your...

iEvolve BlogAnnette WalterEvery team member in your business should know the collection of tasks that will accomplish your organization’s goal. The collective processes of each team member will successfully deliver the services or products to your clients. And having...

iEvolve BlogAnnette WalterWhen you show up for yourself, you show up better for others - for your team, your spouse, your children, and your community. Prioritizing YOU, investing in your well-being and knowledge is easier said than done, but the truth is you can't...

iEvolve BlogAnnette WalterWhat comes to your mind when you hear something like “it's time to scale your business”? Oftentimes, business owners like you are nervous to grow and scale because you feel like it's going to come with so much trouble, headache, frustration,...

iEvolve BlogAnnette WalterYou can’t manage what you don’t measure. Have you checked your business’ breakeven number?  This year is coming to an end and a new year is starting, so now is a really good time to analyze it. Sometimes your expenses, as your business grows,...

iEvolve BlogAnnette WalterWe all have certain habits that we want to break, maybe it's Netflix before bed, or scrolling on social media before you even get out of bed in the morning, maybe you’re drinking too much coffee? Eating too much sugar?  It's that time of the...

iEvolve BlogAnnette WalterEntrepreneurs and business owners are wired to be tenacious, to keep on going, and to chase the next goal and level of growth. And sometimes you forget to stop and celebrate your wins, whether they’re big or small.  So today I want to...

iEvolve BlogAnnette WalterHave you heard about the 48 hour rule?  It’s when you, as the CEO and leader of your business, try to imagine having 48 hours to get your company ready for a year without you. It’s when you pretend you’re going on a year-long trip without...

iEvolve BlogAnnette WalterI have to say around the holidays, I get emotional. But it's a good and interesting thing because it makes me see how the dots in my life have connected to bring me where I am today.  Have you ever looked back and connected the dots in your...

iEvolve BlogAnnette WalterRecently, together with my rockstar assistant, we went through all of 2022 and we blocked out all my recurring meetings, we categorized and blocked them with specific times in my calendar, even my slower or off days. We did it to make sure...

iEvolve BlogAnnette WalterThanksgiving and Black Friday are upon us. Oftentimes, in service-based businesses, people do not think about offering and running Black Friday sales for their business. If you have a coaching, consulting, or another kind of service-based...

iEvolve BlogAnnette WalterWhat is a Mastermind Group? Who’s it for? Who can be a member of the group? Why are they important? Keep reading because we’re going to answer all of these questions to help you decide. Initially, the traditional name for these groups was...

iEvolve BlogAnnette WalterI've gotten a tip from Mel Robbins, who is one of my favorite authors and motivational speakers out there. What does Mel do? She looks for a heart in nature every day, something in the shape of a heart. How amazing is that? So the other day,...

iEvolve BlogAnnette WalterAre you aware of how powerful visualization is? Unfortunately, many people don’t know how beneficial it can be in their lives and business.  We are all doing plenty of visualizations every day, so why not intentionally do it towards our goals...

iEvolve BlogAnnette WalterEvery process in your business matters, and your approach to their continuous improvement is essential to get them as efficient and effective as they can be. It’ll give you the advantage you need in your industry. So how do you do it? These...

iEvolve BlogAnnette WalterI always come to you with patterns and themes that I see amongst all the entrepreneurs I work with in Mastermind groups, Private Coaching Sessions, and those who have participated and graduated from some of our digital programs.  Our most...

iEvolve BlogAnnette WalterBeing an entrepreneur is a tough job, to say the least. With my experience as a business owner and coach, I’ve gathered these six common issues that I’ve seen my clients go through during their entrepreneurial journey. Take a look to know...

iEvolve BlogAnnette WalterAre you making the most of your time and talent in your business? Do you want a business where you can have more time to work on what really moves the needle? No more frustration and suffering, please keep reading.  You’re doing a task, you...

iEvolve BlogAnnette WalterDo you feel confident, empowered, and rich in your business? Or do you feel stressed, scared, and limited?  Whenever I’m coaching business owners, there’s always a set of entrepreneur patterns that are similar between all of them,...

iEvolve BlogAnnette WalterHow many times have you focused on something you wanted so much that when you get it, it isn't how you thought it was? Oftentimes you set huge expectations for a specific situation, you get excited, then reality comes and ends up totally...

iEvolve BlogAnnette WalterAre you feeling overwhelmed? Do you feel there is so much to be done that you can’t keep up?  If feeling like this is something you deal with often, don’t worry, I’ve got you covered. Keep reading for an express tip on how to deal with being...

iEvolve BlogAnnette WalterAs an entrepreneur and business owner, you are probably spending a lot of time and energy thinking about the next steps to grow and scale your business. But doing so shouldn't be complicated, take too much time or be overly expensive. ...

iEvolve BlogAnnette WalterThere’s a quote that my team’s attorney always says. She is a phenomenal resource in my informal board, and she says this especially when we're going through different growth stages of the business or when the business is scaling: “Addition...

iEvolve BlogAnnette WalterCan you have an identity crisis in your business?  Sure you can and it’s all surrounded by hiring new members of your team and scaling your business.  When it’s time to hire help, that’s when you delegate tasks to the new person. Sometimes...

iEvolve BlogAnnette WalterDo you have a set, consistent hiring process in your business that you follow every single time you need to make a hire?  Are you even ready to hire? Do you know what to do to find the right candidate for your business? How do you know who is...

iEvolve BlogAnnette WalterWhat comes to your mind if I say: “Success loves speed”? This quote seems to confuse people the moment I say it, maybe they don’t get it at first, or they don’t agree with it but I encourage you to hear me out and let me explain. Here's what...

iEvolve BlogAnnette WalterWhat you surround yourself with says a lot about what you’re creating for your life. We should all pay close attention to what we are feeding our minds, the information we receive, can come out and not in the best way.  Be careful with what...

iEvolve BlogAnnette WalterWhen you listen to the soft whispers of your soul, that inner desire will show you where you need to go, it’ll guide you to all the answers you’ve been searching for. So how do you focus on your inner compass? This blog is coming to you...

iEvolve BlogAnnette WalterToday, let’s talk about hiring, and more specifically your process of hiring. A process that can be extremely exhausting if you don’t have a strategic way to go about it. If you feel like it’s a challenge for you in your business, you’re not...

iEvolve BlogEpisode 104. Express Tip #52: The Feeling of GrowthAnnette WalterIn this community, we always talk about how to grow and scale your business. That’s what we love to do. If you’re not familiar with what we do, we take businesses and companies and we scale...

iEvolve BlogEpisode 102. Express Tip #51: Going Back to Your BasicsAnnette WalterThere comes a time in the year (or several times) that you may end up being pulled in multiple directions, your schedule changes, and life changes a little bit as you know it. In these...

Today, this blog is all about the celebration of The Entrepreneur Evolution Podcast getting to its 100th episode! I couldn’t be more excited, and I want to start by thanking you. Thank you for your support, it’s been an amazing ride. This podcast was launched in the...

Shifting into summer, your entire routine changes, it just simply does. You’re in a dual working household, with children out of school, you’re trying to grow your business, and build your wealth but also tend to your family, all at the same time. You’re feeling like...

Is the client always right? And do they get to do what they want once they hire you?  If you answer Yes to one or both of these questions, this is for you.  Constantly prioritizing the needs of your clients over your needs and letting them go around your boundaries...

Coming to you with a short but powerful one. Let’s get right into it, I want you to take this moment to zero in on what is the most important thing for you. Use this blog as the best excuse to take a break, it’ll only take you a few minutes, so hear me out. ...

We’re going into summer! Schedules change and people will either work more or will decide to take a break, a breather. Either way, it’s perfectly fine.  In our previous blog Two Tips To Set You Up For Summer Success, we talked about carving out some time for creative...

When summer comes, changes come. The pace of your business, the pace of everyone’s schedules, the pace of our kids’ sports and school and especially the weather. It’s better to be prepared and enjoy it to the max and squeeze every special moment with family and...

You’re working hard on your business, it’s going great so it’s time to expand and hire a new member, amazing! Do you have everything ready? Or you’ll just wing it. Hiring new members and not maximizing their talents is a waste of time...and money. Today, I’ll give you...

Social media algorithms can make you throw your hands up after trying to understand every update, every change, to then rethink your strategic approach.  You need to stay on top of what they’re doing, caring the most for your organic reach as the algorithm continues...

When you’re an entrepreneur, it’s easy to find yourself busy with your head deep down in your business and it’s day to day. The day to day can be thick in chaos, mile-long to-do lists and unplanned emergencies so it can be hard sometimes to go up for air and ask for...

You don’t lose clients because your competition has a better product or service. You lose them due to confusion. That’s why you need to get crystal clear on your pitch, what’s the value you can give them and a killer offer. Confused buyers, do not buy. Consider what...

Do you help your team explore their potential and greatness? Or let them know how important they are as members of your team and business?   It’s time to show up and check on your people. As a business leader, when you take the time to recognize and let the people...

Have you ever battled frustration because a certain goal hasn’t manifested the way you expected? Have you ever thought, when I get all or any of my dreams fulfilled, that’s when I’ll be truly joyful and happy? Today I want to address what’s called Destination...

Let me tell you a story with a powerful message called The Chinese Bamboo Tree. It says that when you plant the seeds for the Chinese Bamboo, you water, nurture and fertilize them for the first year but you won’t see any small sprout or anything above ground. You...

Can this winter last all year long? - said no one ever. That’s nuts AND scary, right? But you know what’s scarier? When a little seasonal business depression turns into more than a season.  At the moment of posting this blog, we are dead center, midway through Quarter...

In COVID America 2020, some days fly by in a hot second and others seem as slow as molasses. The months seem to have a similar pace, and it’s easy to get lost in the shuffle of what we’ve missed or hung up on our progress. It’s in these times that we come face to face...

There’s a lot of anxiety, fear, doubt, and uncertainty... swirling around out there. Chances are you’re burning the candle at both ends due to the demands of your family, team, and clients. You’re so busy keeping up with what everyone else needs, you don’t even have...

As we dig into fourth quarter and round out 2020, you’re probably taking a hard look at your goals. You’ve done the hard work to identify what you want, and you’ve stepped into believing that it’s possible. You’ve identified a new level of revenue you would like to...

Are you starting a lot of new projects? Implementing new products or services? Evolving? If so, you’re somewhere in the 4 Phases of Growth. Knowing the phases is important so we can recognize if we’re getting stuck in a phase for too long and if so, why. I often see...

Kathleen Bands is a third-generation owner of My Cleaning Service Inc., a Baltimore based cleaning company that recently turned 50 years old. Lately, Kathleen has been featured by the Baltimore Business Journal for her family’s unique story and The Daily Record for...

Actualization is the state of something becoming reality. When something is actualized, we accept it, and once we reach a state of acceptance, we can continue to move forward. Right now, we have an even deeper state of uncertainty than we did back in March. Schools...

**Make sure your SOUND IS ON to hear the full sound bite above from Evelyn Wright**On this week’s podcast, I got to chat with Ev Wright, the Director of Wright Academics, a tutoring and academic coaching company in Towson, MD. Wright Academics services many areas...

**Make sure your SOUND IS ON to hear the full sound bite above from Sophia Maroon**Last week, we were joined by Sophia Maroon, the owner and founder of Dress It Up Dressing, on my new podcast, The Entrepreneur Evolution. In the episode, Sophia shared about her...

I love the work I do...it is deep, raw, real and exciting. Supporting business owners’ personal and business growth is truly my passion and why I started iEvolve Consulting in the first place. It is what lights me up day after day! I am a lifelong learner, and...

We’re in an interesting, paradoxical season. On the one hand, kids are done with school, the days are longer, the weather is warmer, and we (theoretically) should be more relaxed. Yet, I am realizing that a good amount of us are feeling the exact opposite (myself...

Comparison has accompanied the rise of social media. We see the highlights in other’s lives, and we compare our life to theirs. How could we not? We are inundated with information, pictures, tweets, and more nearly every second of everyday. While this season has shown...

Often when we start businesses, we start them with the big picture in mind. Whether our goal is to make money doing something we love, meet a need, or both, business owners decide to launch businesses based on a larger vision. While that vision and belief are what...

There is so much change in the air. I am full of heaviness and exhaustion yet vulnerability and open-mindedness. I’m confused yet empathetic and intentionally listening and learning. But this I know: there is strength in me, and there is strength in you. We have the...

Take a moment to visualize what you would like to become. Take a second and let that dream take hold in your mind and your heart. Let it reverberate within you and manifest in your thoughts. Then, consider this statement, “You cannot have what you are not willing to...

Some of the best advice I have received over quarantine comes from Cathy Heller. She emphasizes, “Failure is feedback, and rejection is redirection.” During such a turbulent time, it can be tempting to avoid trying new things out of fear of failure and rejection. Many...

On average, we have around 3,000 thoughts per hour. In quarantine, with more time to ourselves, we probably have more. This week, I have been growing deeper in self-awareness diving into my thought life. What am I thinking during times of anxiety, fear, or worry? What...