Jennifer Lee and the Right-Brain Business Plan

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March 22, 2011 by Sarah Clise | Comments (0)

If a business plan is what you crave, Jennifer Lee is your go-to gal. She’s an entrepreneur, certified coach, writer, founder of Artizen Coaching, and so much more. We LOVE the concept behind her new book, The Right-Brain Business Plan: A Creative, Visual Map for Success, and we were lucky enough to pick her brain on her book as well as her take on this month’s CRAVE theme, outsourcing weakness and embracing strength.

What’s the philosophy or message behind your new book, The Right-Brain Business Plan?

The main message is that your natural, creative right-brain genius is your most valuable business asset. So let it work for you!

You have many different components to your business / website. What do you do yourself and what do you outsource?

In my book, I take people through a couple of exercise to help with this (pp. 127-131). Going through those lists helped me sort out what makes sense for me to do and what to get help with.

What I do myself:

• Strategy and vision
• Business planning and development – identifying and making most of potential opportunities
• Content creation
• Writing my book, blog posts, newsletter, etc.
• Designing and developing course materials, workshops, programs, etc.
• Designing and developing products
• Providing services to customers
• Coaching
• Leading groups
• Speaking
• Managing the moola
• Financial projections/budget (with some occasional help from bookkeeper)
• Billing and collecting payment
• Paying vendors
• Depositing checks (fun!)
• Getting my statements and receipts to my bookkeeper monthly
• Social media
• Marketing and PR
• Designing and updating my websites
• Production and mailing of products (this is one I want to outsource soon!)

I outsource:

• Accounting
• Bookkeeping (I did it myself for the first few years until it became a nightmare!)
• Legal (trademarks, contracts, etc.)
• Graphic design and illustration for print and creative projects
• Technical support (I’m fortunate that my husband can handle most all techie things and bonus he’s an awesome photographer. I also hired a webinar consultant to help run my recent video summit).
• Administrative tasks like managing access to the RBBP private online community, helping to manage Facebook fan page, creating and scheduling reminder e-mails, managing my RBBP spotlight submissions, coordinating my blog book tour, answering general customer service or informational type e-mails, setting up products for e-commerce
• Scheduling – I try and do most of it online through tungle.me
• I’ve outsourced in the past: copy editing, copywriting, proofreading, and brand consulting
• Cleaning my house!

How did you determine what to outsource and how did you do that?

I look at all of the things on my plate and figure out what:

• I’m not that good at
• Requires expert guidance
• Drives me crazy, pisses me off, and/or makes me go-cross-eyed
• I’m decent at but it takes me way too long and my time could be better used elsewhere.

Do you have any tips for surrounding yourself with a great team?

Always be on the look out for great people. Even if you’re not ready to hire someone yet, ask for referrals. That way you’re not choosing someone out of desperation at the last minute (I’ve been there, it didn’t turn out well).
Interview at least three people until you find the right fit.

The more great people you surround yourself with the more they’ll help connect you with other great people (they seem to hang around each other!). And do your part in connecting great people with each other. It’s just good karma.

What aspect of your business are you most passionate about? What’s the best part of your job?

Coming up with and implementing new creative ideas and projects and seeing them have a positive impact in people’s lives. Working directly with my perfect customers – people who are already successful and who are highly committed to taking their life and business to their next level. It’s so rewarding and fulfilling to see them reaching their dreams.

When it comes to creating business plans, what is the most common obstacle entrepreneurs seem to have?

The most common problem is that they actually don’t have a business plan or if they do, they haven’t looked at it in ages.

The most challenging part of your business is….?

Finding enough time to do all of the things I want to do!

If you could give yourself some words of advice 5 years ago, what would it be?

Well, 5 years ago this June was when I left my corporate job so I would say to keep trusting myself and moving forward. And don’t go it alone!

What’s the first step an aspiring entrepreneur should take to make a living doing what she craves?

I’d say the first step is to start talking to positive, supportive people about what you want to be doing. Even if your idea isn’t fully formed yet, the more you put you and your idea out there, the more momentum you’ll gain and connections you’ll make. Plus you’ll start holding yourself accountable to actions you need to do to make your idea real.

What are three things you crave?

• Creative white space
• Afternoon naps
• A personal gourmet chef who also does dishes!

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Jennifer Lee, the founder of Artizen Coaching and author of The Right-Brain Business Plan, spent a decade climbing the corporate ladder before pursuing her creative dreams. Through her popular workshops, coaching practice, and writing, she empowers others to follow their passions. She lives in the San Francisco Bay Area.

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