Category: Spotlight

5 Strategies To Make Inflation An Accessory To Success

Posted on by krissy

Inflation can cause concern for many people, often leading to rising prices, lower purchasing power, and economic instability. However, some strategies can be employed to make inflation work in your favor and turn it into an accessory to success.

Invest in assets

One such strategy is investing in assets that appreciate with inflation. This can include real estate, commodities, and stocks of companies that have pricing power. Real estate, for instance, tends to appreciate with inflation, as the value of the property increases in tandem with rising prices. Commodities such as gold, oil, and other natural resources can also appreciate with inflation, as their values are tied to supply and demand dynamics. Investing in stocks of companies with pricing power can also be a way to benefit from inflation, as they can raise prices to match rising costs without hurting demand for their products or services.

Increase your own earnings potential

Another strategy is taking advantage of inflation to increase your earnings potential. Inflation often leads to higher wages and salaries as businesses try to keep up with rising costs. This can be an opportunity to negotiate for higher pay or seek better-paying job opportunities. Additionally, starting a business can be a way to take advantage of inflation, as rising prices can lead to increased demand for certain goods and services.

Consider inflation when making financial decisions

When making financial choices, take inflation into account, such as taking out loans or saving for retirement. Inflation can lessen the value of your savings over time, so it is vital to invest in assets that can keep up with or outpace inflation. For example, investing in stocks or bonds can provide a higher rate of return than a savings account, which typically offers lower interest rates that may not keep up with inflation.

Use inflation when negotiating loans

Another strategy is to use inflation to your advantage when negotiating loans. Inflation can decrease the actual value of debt over time, making it easier to pay off in the future. This can be a helpful tactic when negotiating loan terms, as lenders may be more willing to offer favorable terms in a higher inflation environment.

Learn to adjust your financial strategy

Lastly, it is essential to keep an eye on inflation and adjust your financial strategy accordingly. Inflation rates can fluctuate over time, so it is essential to monitor changes and adjust your investment and spending strategies accordingly. This can include diversifying your portfolio, taking advantage of tax-advantaged retirement accounts, and seeking professional financial advice.

In conclusion, while inflation can be a cause for concern, some strategies can be employed to make it work in your favor and turn it into an accessory to success. Investing in assets that appreciate with inflation, taking advantage of increased earnings potential, considering inflation in financial decisions, negotiating loans, and adjusting financial strategies over time can all be effective ways to benefit from inflation and achieve financial success.

10 Tips to Create Highly Engaging Content In Social Media

Posted on by krissy

Creating engaging content for social media is essential for building a loyal following and growing your brand online. Below are some tips on how to create engaging content for social media:

Know your audience

The first step in creating engaging content for social media is to know your audience. Who are they, what are their interests, and what kind of content do they respond to? You can produce content that connects with your audience once you grasp them well.

Use visuals

Visuals are an essential part of social media content. Use high-quality images, graphics, and videos to capture your audience’s attention and make your content more visually appealing.

Tell a story

People love stories, so incorporate storytelling into your social media content. This can be a personal story about your brand or a story that connects with your audience’s interests and experiences.

Be authentic

Authenticity is critical to creating engaging social media content. Be true to your brand and values, and don’t be afraid to show your personality and quirks. Your audience will value your genuineness and sincerity.

Use humour

A fantastic technique to engage your audience and make them smile is through humour. Incorporate humour into your social media content, but ensure it aligns with your brand and is appropriate for your audience.

Ask questions

Asking questions is a great way to encourage engagement on social media. Ask your audience for their opinions, thoughts, and experiences, and respond to their comments to keep the conversation going.

Use hashtags

Incorporating hashtags in your social media strategy is an effective strategy for expanding the reach of your social media content. Use relevant hashtags that align with your content and your audience’s interests to reach new followers and expand your brand’s reach.

Post consistently

To develop a devoted audience, you must be consistent on social media. Post regularly and consistently, but ensure you’re not sacrificing quality for quantity.

Use call-to-actions

Include a call-to-action in your social media content to encourage your audience to take action, such as liking, commenting, or sharing your post. This can increase engagement and help your content reach a wider audience.

Measure your results

Finally, it’s critical to evaluate the outcomes of your social media content. Analyze your engagement, reach, and other metrics to see what’s working and what’s not, and adjust your content strategy accordingly.

Creating engaging content for social media takes time, effort, and creativity. By following these simple yet effective tips, you’ll be able to produce content that connects with your audience and strengthens your brand, thereby helping you achieve your social media goals.

Event-documentary Portrait of the Queen, to hit select cinemas for a limited time on March 18.

Posted on by krissy

Portrait of the Queen, an event-documentary that looks at the moving, enthralling and controversial 70-year reign of late Queen Elizabeth II through the eyes of the world’s best photographers, will release to select Australian cinemas for a limited time on March 18.

The film, an original and intimate portrait that goes far beyond the dictates of standard conventional biographies, interweaves the story of the Queen’s life with the equally fascinating lives of the extraordinary photographers who accompanied – and often created – the image of British monarchy itself. Those who, through their work, established, conveyed, and spread the image of Her Majesty.

A special, careful look of the thousands upon thousands of images that have portrayed her, means that we can perhaps find a new way to approach a Queen we feel we have always known, but who has always seemed equally out-of-reach. Each portrait presented in this film, each conversation with the photographers involved in the project, all the accounts of experiences shared by actresses, designers, and British subjects, fit carefully and intricately into the screenplay like pieces of a mosaic that capture some of the multifaceted aspects of the Queen’s image, all different but connected, all equally powerful and significant.

Directed by award-winning photographer Fabrizio Ferri, Portrait of the Queen is based on the book, Elisabetta II: Ritratto di Regina by Paola Calvett. The documentary features legendary British actor Charles Dance (The Crown, Game of Thrones), with contributions from Emma Blau, Pierpaolo Piccioli, Isabella Rossellini, Susan Sarandon and the Queen’s photographers Brian Aris, Jason Bell, Julian Calder, Chris Levine, David Montgomery, John Swannell.

The Impact Of Social Media In Today’s Society: How Connected Is Too Connected?

Posted on by krissy

I was walking to work when I saw this businesswoman walking towards me. She was impeccably dressed in a knee-length pencil skirt paired with a lovely, flowy, short-sleeve blouse for the early summer weather. She took confident strides in her envy-inducing mid-heel pumps, and slung over one forearm was the successful, modern woman’s perfect accessory, the drool-worthy leather tote. But, in a practice that I see more often than not, her head was buried in the cell phone she held in her hands. Whatever was on the screen had her rapt attention that she didn’t notice the streetlamp in her path. That is until she ran right into it.

While that experience had me trying to hide my laughter, I had another encounter on the other end of the spectrum. I found myself having to grab a teenager’s backpack to stop him from walking right into the middle of a busy intersection! He was too busy staring at his phone to realise the danger that he was in. From the look of horror on his face, it was clear that he was completely oblivious until he felt me yank on his bag.

So how connected is too connected? Is the text, tweet, post, or whatever that held their attention worth her embarrassment, in the case of the businesswoman, or his life, in the case of the teenager? Our easy answer is no. But then, how many times have we been guilty of this ourselves? Let me give you this answer. Too many. So many that laws had to be created to make it illegal to be on your phone while driving. So many that automotive engineers had to design cars that can stop on their own when it detects danger before the driver does – a direct consequence of distracted driving. And how many times have you yourself given the bashful “I’m sorry” when you’ve run into someone because you were looking at your phone?

Don’t get me wrong. I’m actually a firm believer that the internet and social media can be a powerful force for good. More than at any other time in history, we have unprecedented access to information. Information that would have taken hours of research in the past is now available in a few keystrokes. Social media first emerged as a powerful tool of change during a period in the early 2010’s called the ‘Arab Spring’ where demonstrators used it to organize their protests (through the hashtag ‘#ArabSpring) throughout the Arab world, which included Tunisia, Egypt, Libya, Syria, Yemen and more. The uprising saw whole governments overthrown, leaders ousted, and constitutional reforms enacted. In the Western world, the internet and social media have given us more exposure to controversial issues such as police brutality, given us more chances to engage in public debate, and allowed us the opportunity to participate in causes and campaigns such as the very popular ‘Ice Bucket Challenge’ a while back that raised over a hundred million dollars for the motor neuron disease, ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis). And on a more personal level, it has enabled friends and families separated by great distances to now easily keep in touch with each other.

But again, how connected is too connected? Like everything else in life, keeping things in moderation is the key. But having such easy access to the internet makes tuning out a lot more difficult. The rapid growth of the internet and social media also means that the rules of etiquette and guidelines for its use are still catching up, especially for the younger generation. I heard some sage advice about that recently: “If you don’t want your boss, or future boss, to see it or read about it, don’t put it on Facebook.” But what do teenagers think of that when they’re having fun at a party? It is becoming increasingly the norm to ‘share’ whatever it is you’re doing, eating, etc., on social media. But where do you draw the line? Three young women from Philadelphia tragically found out the hard way when the car they were traveling in slammed into a parked tractor-trailer and burst into flames. Because of the fire, bystanders could not come to their aid, and all three were burned to death. Relatives of one of the girls said that they received a Snapchat video showing them going at about 73 mph (117 km/h) minutes before they crashed.

The line has definitely been crossed when there are deaths involved and when there are words like ‘cyberbullying’ are added to the dictionary. But this world of instant information and instant connections is our new reality, so when do you recognize that it’s too much? It’s when your online acquaintances take second place to the people within your life. It’s when you choose to learn about the world via the internet rather than actually going out there and experiencing it. And it’s when you do finally turn off that computer and put down that phone, and you can’t answer this question: “Who am I without it?” That’s when you know you’re too connected.

Spotlight: All The Glitz And Glam Of The ARIA Awards 2022

Posted on by krissy

The red carpet was recently rolled out in Sydney’s Hordern Pavilion as the Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) Awards held its official ceremony for 2022. The cream of the crop in the Australian music industry attended Australia’s night of nights as the who’s who of the music industry gathered to celebrate the best in Australia.

If you want to see all the glitz and glam at the 2022 ARIA Awards, then scroll down below. Photos courtesy of Dave Choo.

Introducing one of the designers showcasing at the 2022 Global Elite Fashion Festival… The fabulous Silky Lane Boutique!

Posted on by krissy
Silky Lane Boutique is an exciting way to drape everyone and anyone individually. It was launched in response to the fashion needs of today.
Silky Lane’s effortless and feminine silhouettes, enhanced with intricate embroideries, are apt for any up-and-coming occasions or celebrations.
The label is devoted to bringing a selection of unique, wearable, and affordable clothing and accessories by contemporary designers and independent brands from local creators and beyond.
To see Silky Lane Boutique’s latest collection, please join us on Saturday, 22nd of October, 2022, at the Stamford Plaza Grand Ballroom for an unforgettable evening of fashion!
To purchase your tickets for this incredible event, please contact Sue Turner.

The Best Fashion From The Miss Earth Australia 2022 Grand Launch and Fashion Show

Posted on by krissy

Set in the backdrop of Hyatt Regency, various fashionistas, models, and photographers flocked together to witness an event featuring the 2022 Miss Earth Australia finalists. The event is the brainchild of Miss Earth Australia National Director Julieta De Leon and Managing Director Marc Baylon.

Amongst flashing lights, media coverage, and music was Stargazer Production and the Miss Earth Australia Organization right in the middle of it all. It was a great night filled with world-class fashion and entertainment as they celebrated their love and commitment to Mother Earth.

The 2022 Miss Earth Australia 2022 Grand Launch and Fashion Show featured some of the most incredibly talented Sydney designers, such as Tommy Ge of Leatheron, Faten Lawn, Lily African Wares, Alies Bol, and Armando Crisostomo.

Check out some of the photos below from the fashion show courtesy of George Azmy:

 

Entrepreneur To Watch Out For: Meet The Co-Founder And CEO Of SnapADU, Whitney Hill

Posted on by krissy

As co-founder and CEO of SnapADU, an accessory dwelling unit (ADU or “granny flat”) construction company serving San Diego, Whitney Hill is part of a broader shift in how the state thinks about housing. Whitney and her partner Mike Moore, an experienced general contractor, have grown the business to $15M during the pandemic, embracing technology to make it faster and more efficient to design and build an ADU. Her company starts by assessing ADU feasibility – for free – to get homeowners answers they need to design and build an ADU within their budget constraints.

In 2020-21, Snap ADU improved transparency in the market by publishing ADU plans and build prices online, along with the fully-loaded cost to build an ADU, including plans, permitting, site work, vertical construction, and any additional work like required solar power and utility upgrades. Whitney’s team also regularly produces informative free content on the ins and outs of building an ADU in San Diego, including what to watch out for to avoid unexpected delays and cost overruns.

Given the rapidly changing dynamics in the construction industry due to supply chain and labor constraints, pricing in the past year has been highly unpredictable. Snap ADU provides a guaranteed price maximum for construction once plan revisions are completed with the city, allowing homeowners to plan confidently.

In 2020-21, Whitney and SnapADU were recognized nationally as avid adopters of technology, including industry-leading project management software enabling homeowners to view details of their project schedule and financials and make approvals on materials and overall budget. Whitney has been featured on numerous podcasts about construction technology and small business leadership.

In addition to being a woman-owned business, more than 40% of Snap ADU employees are women or of minority status; the number exceeds 65% when accounting for independent contractors that work for Snap ADU.

Global Elite Media Group recently caught up with Whitney to discuss her journey as an entrepreneur, and here’s what went down:

Could you please tell our readers a brief background about yourself and how you started your business? 

I’m the co-founder and CEO of SnapADU, an accessory dwelling unit (ADU, guest house, granny flat, casita) construction company serving San Diego. SnapADU has become the leading builder of ADUs in San Diego as part of a broader shift in how California thinks about generating affordable housing. Our company designs, permits, and builds 50 ADUs annually and has $15M in revenue.

Before getting involved in residential real estate, I gained strategic & tactical experience as a management consultant for Bain & Company and an operations manager for an industrial supply distributor. 

In early 2020, I learned about accessory dwelling units (ADUs), which are small homes of 400–1200 sqft on residential lots with an existing primary residence. Regulation changes made it far easier to build ADUs on most residential lots. I was excited about the concept of more efficient housing as an option for intergenerational living or generating rental income. 

Within a month or two of researching ADUs and thinking about how to make an entrance into construction in San Diego, I was working in a coffee shop. I overheard a conversation between two people who were clearly in development. One of them later introduced me to his good friend Mike Moore, co-founder of SnapADU.

We joined forces to focus on getting extremely good at meeting the increasing demand for well-designed and value-oriented ADUs in Greater San Diego. Mike has spent his life in construction, working for both larger commercial and small custom home builders before starting his own business. His experience in small business ownership and construction meshed perfectly with my skills, and together we set out to make a difference in the San Diego ADU market.

What are you currently doing to maintain/grow your business?

We have been painstakingly combing through each step of our business to ensure we have sufficiently defined operating procedures and enacted automation wherever possible. This attention to detail is helping us maintain margins by keeping our costs down. It’s also ensuring that our clients get a consistent and high-quality experience in industry – residential infill construction – that is historically hit or miss in customer service. We’re also working on establishing concrete points for soliciting feedback from our clients to ensure we are keeping up with evolving needs, while also sharing that valuable specific feedback with team members.

Another priority for us is continuing to publish high-quality information about our niche of accessory dwelling units in San Diego. Building this kind of content strengthens our web presence, which helps generate organic leads. Additionally, we gain trust with potential clients by providing a high level of transparency about information like cost and process.

Lastly, we are laying the foundation for future growth by ensuring our systems and technology can support our business as we scale. We are investing in new visualization software to help clients make more informed decisions about their build while streamlining the customer journey.

What form of marketing has worked well for your business throughout the years?

Our strongest form of marketing is ranking highly on SEO to generate organic leads; 70% of our business comes from people finding us on Google searches. We reach this level of success by generating regular content on our topic of expertise, then ensuring those articles are optimized for SEO – at least 1000 words, targeted keywords, and backlinks whenever we can generate them.

We also receive about 20% of our business through job site signs. This is, of course, geographically targeted, which is important to us, particularly in the same neighborhood, since HOAs and other factors can limit the buildability of lots.

What social media platforms do you usually use to increase your brand’s awareness?

We post 3-5 times a week on Instagram and Facebook and at least weekly on LinkedIn. We also post on local forums via Patch and Next Door. We generate our content for the month for Instagram, then decide which additional platforms should also have that information published.

On Instagram, we have been pushing to create more Reels, which are shown to an audience outside of followers. We typically reach 3X the views we can with a regular post. In our industry, there are not yet many other players focused on “edutainment,” so we are exploring that avenue.

What is the toughest decision you had to make in the last few months?

The toughest decision we’ve had to make in the past few months is when to begin reorganizing our sales and pre-construction process. For us, this is a large investment of both money and team resources, as we have to staff these initiatives appropriately while also not letting our operational goals slip.

So deciding when to pull the trigger is difficult; we know we need to undertake the change, but we are running at top speed to keep up with our growth as it is. It’s tough ever to feel fully ready for a large undertaking like that, even though it is a necessary step and a good decision to support future growth.

How has your business been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic?

The demand for our product has gone up. Especially in light of COVID, families are looking for new living options that keep loved ones closer to home. ADUs offer families flexibility since ADUs are versatile and meet the demands of evolving intergenerational lifestyles.

How have you adapted your business operations in response to COVID-19 and its associated impacts?

COVID has opened opportunities for working smarter. Our business was created entirely during the pandemic. For us, it was a unique opportunity to take advantage of tools to help assess properties remotely. Traditionally, contractors would make site visits early on. We use satellite imagery, zoning, and parcel information to learn what is buildable on the lot. Since COVID, people are much more willing to work remotely, and we’ve learned that we can push industry norms in this new environment.

Additionally, all our team – except for field crews – works remotely. We no longer have an office, but you can find many of us connected via Zoom throughout the day. We’ve embraced technology that makes it possible to work from anywhere, even in the historically site-based construction world.

What are some of the most important lessons you learned from this pandemic?

The biggest challenge has been handling escalating material and labor prices. We don’t want our clients to feel like we are doing a ‘bait and switch’ with them, but unfortunately, long project timelines mean that pricing can move quite a bit from when they sign a proposal to when we start building. We try to mitigate volatile pricing by having several checkpoints on price along the way to keep them informed and to ensure the reasons for any increases are transparent.

What do you hope to see happen in the near future for small businesses all over the world?

I hope to see more strategic partnerships that enable people to do what they are best at.

Many small business owners started out in their industry because they loved the hands-on part of the job. By the time they are running a small business, most of their day to day is filled with tasks that don’t excite them: administrative minutiae, worrying about how to get more people in the door, trying desperately to make margins.

Meanwhile, a host of other people out there went to school for business administration and LOVE that part of small business… yet they are busy looking around for that “perfect” new idea. Innovation doesn’t have to be flashy or new or exciting. It can be just as impactful to run an extremely efficient operation and focus on an underserved niche.

Partnering with someone with a complementary set of skills can help you bring a business to the next level at multiple of the speed you could have done alone. And it feels like such a life hack to focus on the exciting parts, while your partner focuses on the parts that they love (but you really despise).

What advice would you give to a newbie Entrepreneur setting up a new business in this pandemic?

Focus on your niche. Get extremely good at serving your ideal client. Turn people away if you must, which feels scary at first. Serving a smaller group of people well will lead to better reviews and referrals while also allowing you to really dig in and understand that group and provide value to them. All of this has the effect of building a strong core business from which you can grow.

Entrepreneur To Watch Out For: Find Out More About Lisamarie Monaco

Posted on by krissy

Lisamarie Monaco is a National Independent Life Insurance Agent. She’s a successful entrepreneur who started with very little. She currently co-owns her business (Insuranceforburial.com) – and is a “Family Protector.”

Monaco helps seniors daily, and she ensures their loved ones are protected from financial burdens when they pass away, ensuring they receive a lump sum check at the most difficult times in their lives. Global Elite Media Group recently caught up with Monaco to discuss her journey as an entrepreneur, and here’s what went down:

Could you please tell our readers a brief background about yourself and how you started your business?

A little about me and my background: I grew up on Long Island, New York. I worked at a Level One Trauma Center for 18 years. I have raised four children. I lived through a divorce and was unsure where life would bring me. I knew I needed to make some decisions and decided to take a leap of faith. I moved to Florida a few years ago and married my now husband, Danny Ray. We founded our company together. Although he has been in this industry for over 27 years, I have not. I was starting my life over and knew I wanted to do something meaningful and decided I wanted to help our seniors protect their loved ones from financial burdens when they pass away. That is when I became “The Family Protector.” Insuranceforburial.com was born shortly after.

What are you currently doing to maintain/grow your business?

I am currently working on preparing for Medicare open enrollment to ensure our clients have everything they need in coverage and to be certain they are in the right plan and not overpaying by even a penny. We also want to ensure they do not have any gaps in their coverage.

What form of marketing has worked well for your business throughout the years?

Search Engine Marketing and Social Media Marketing. These are great ways of building our business through the years.

What social media platforms do you usually use to increase your brand’s awareness?

The social media platforms we use the most are Facebook and Instagram. Everyone today is on Social Media. People use Facebook probably the most and not only socialize, but shop and have found us via Facebook and have reached out to us to help them obtain life insurance.

What is the toughest decision you had to make in the last few months?

The toughest decision in the last few months has been implementing more automation in our business. We have hired people to be administration assistants, but we have not had luck finding the right fit. I have decided we will utilize automation as much as possible, and in addition, I take on Administrative roles two days a week to keep up with the daily routine.

How has your business been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic?

Since the Covid-19 pandemic, the business has increased even more than ever. We are a National Telesales Agency, licensed in every state, and have clients in every state. Since the beginning of the pandemic, more people have appreciated the ease and simplicity of the online application process and voice signature application process for their life insurance needs. Our seniors can get an active policy from start to finish in 20 minutes and never have to leave their homes or have anyone come into their homes. They are safe and have their family protected by the end of that call with an approved policy!

How have you adapted your business operations in response to COVID-19 and its associated impacts?

Since Covid-19 we have adapted by keeping distance and working from our home offices. We have a few in-house agents and several remote agents that have been wonderful throughout the pandemic.

What have been some of the most important lessons you have learned because of this pandemic?

Some of the most important lessons I have learned since the pandemic is to appreciate our current clients, our clients to be, and to appreciate the business we are in. I find it an honor and a privilege to do what I do, especially with such uncertainty over the last two years. Knowing I have helped so many of our seniors get through this and help them reach their goals of final expense insurance and protect their loved ones leaving a legacy for their children and grandchildren. It is a tremendous honor on every level.s

What do you hope to see happen in the near future for small businesses all over the world?

I hope to see small businesses continue to grow by leaps and bounds in the near future all over the world. I hope for this because small businesses are people’s dreams, their creativity, desire, grit, and passion for what they do. Seeing that come to life is a beautiful thing.

What advice would you give to a newbie Entrepreneur setting up a new business in this pandemic?

Don’t overthink anything. Write out your goals. Set up a plan. Create a vision board of everything you want to achieve and take that leap. You will have sleepless nights; you will have feelings of failure at times or make mistakes; takes those as your stepping stones to greatness, and never give up. Take it from this small-town Long Island girl who started out with $58.00 in my checking account and eating Triscuit crackers. I am an example of anything, and everything is possible. Take your leap!

Entrepreneur Spotlight: Find Out More About Courtney B. Riley, The CEO Of Proximo Marketing Strategies

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Courtney B. Riley is the CEO and visionary behind Proximo Marketing Strategies, an international marketing firm based out of Hampton Roads, Virginia.

Driven by passion and a calling to serve, Courtney leverages her talent for innovative thinking with a genuine enthusiasm for seeing others succeed, to help her clients find and pursue their true purpose while also providing them with the necessary tools to successfully position their brands in the marketplace. She is an active and appreciated member of her community, serving as adjunct faculty at local colleges, educating students on best practices for marketing in the 21st century, and serving on the board of several non-profit organizations. A published author and recent recipient of the 40 Under 40 and Woman of Excellence award, Courtney Riley has been called “One to watch in the marketing world,” by Authority Magazine.

With a decade of success behind her, Courtney now focuses her efforts on helping other entrepreneurs, CEOs and visionaries employ the principles of the Love-Centric Business Model to not only achieve success and fulfillment for themselves, their employees, and their customers but to do it all on their own terms.

Of course, more important than any professional accomplishments are the blessings Courtney counts in her personal life – her husband, Matt, teenage son, Dominic, and toddler, Bella. Yes. You read that right – a teenager and a toddler! Needless to say, Courtney knows a thing or two about chaos and overwhelm and practices what she preaches not only on the job but also at home, recognizing that living a life of love has also meant loving herself enough to prioritize self-care. When she’s not helping entrepreneurs thrive and build love-centric businesses, Courtney can be found soaking up family time and sunshine in the backyard, relaxing with yoga or enjoying a quiet moment with God’s word.

Global Elite Media Group recently caught up with Gila to discuss her journey as an entrepreneur, and here’s what went down:

What are you currently doing to maintain/grow your business?

Nurturing relationships. Right now, as the world struggles to navigate a staffing crisis and heavy turnover, I’m investing time and energy into nurturing the relationships I have with my team and encouraging them to do the same with one another. Loving people that love our clients have a beautiful trickle-down effect! I’m also keeping the relationships we have with our current clients at the forefront of all we do, continuing to cultivate those relationships, and exploring how we can add even more value. 90% of our new business comes from happy clients that see what we can do, and share the impact with other business owners and leaders that they know. The best part about that? We get more clients like the ones we have (and love!). It’s a win-win!

What form of marketing has worked well for your business throughout the years?

Honestly, it’s pretty ironic, but I’ll always be a grassroots girl at heart. Cultivating relationships that already exist, and investing time and attention to those around me, has had the greatest ROI. I genuinely want the people around me to succeed, and I believe they feel that. Naturally, when people they know need to experience that same love and support, I’m the person they refer.

What social media platforms do you usually use to increase your brand’s awareness?

Facebook, Instagram, and (recently) TikTok.

What is the toughest decision you had to make in the last few months?

Declining work. Good work, with good prospects, We are BUSY. And if that busyness gets in the way of us delivering what a new client deserves, I refuse to take them on. It’s tough when you support a team financially, and even tougher when the prospect is someone that you’d genuinely WANT to work with. But no amount of money is worth your integrity (or quality of service) taking a back seat.

How has your business been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic?

I hate to say it, but it’s been a season of growth, in a big part from the impact of the pandemic. For years, businesses did things the same way they had always been done. Conservative entrepreneurs, who had once been innovative leaders, had become complacent. The pandemic shook the boat. It pushed people to embrace change that they had shied away from for decades. Suddenly, people that had watched my team and I help our clients take their business to new places, from the sidelines, needed and wanted us to help them navigate the changes they were forced to implement. In short, the pandemic shook the boat and made space for us to help people navigate the turbulent waters of marketing.

How have you adapted your business operations in response to COVID-19 and its associated impacts?

Fortunately, we were virtual prior to the pandemic, so we felt minimal hiccups in that regard. The unprecedented growth we experienced, however, took quite a bit of navigating. In fact, it’s still something we spend intentional time nurturing. We have weekly team meetings, quarterly (if not more frequent) team get-togethers, and even brought on a team member to help co-shepherd our team with me. She spends time in leadership development, and personal and spiritual growth, and acts as a safe-zone sounding board for our crew. Learning to love in a way that makes this team unique has been one of the most impactful adaptations our team has experienced!

What have been some of the most important lessons you have learned because of this pandemic?

If nothing else, the pandemic reminded me how little control we truly have, and how IN CONTROL our Heavenly Father is. I heard an analogy recently about a farmer that worked diligently on his land; tilling, planting, and watering his soon-to-be crops. Just like him, we are called to work with excellence in all things that we are given to steward, including our businesses, clients, and employees. We pour into them, invest into them, and nurture them with all that we have. But at the end of the day, whether the sun shines, rain falls and photosynthesis happens is not within the farmer’s hands. Similarly, after all of the hard work we put into our career tracks, God Himself has the final say on what sort of fruit they produce. The pandemic has increased both my faith and my resiliency!

What do you hope to see happen in the near future for small businesses all over the world?

I hope people let their boats shake. I hope they embrace change as gracefully as they can, and above all else, I hope that they prioritize the PEOPLE in their corner. Their clients, their employees, and their families deserve to be loved fiercely, at all costs.

What advice would you give to a newbie Entrepreneur setting up a new business in this pandemic?

Surround yourself with a tribe of people that are willing to pour into you. You need people that will be brutally honest and cheer you on, all at the same time. Find the ones that have been in the trenches and are living a life that you aspire to have, then humble yourself and ASK. FOR. HELP. We were ALL where you are right now, once!