What is it about consulting that first drew your interest?

Before joining Dave, I was a client.  I often say that I didn’t even know what I didn’t know, ya know?  I owned a successful Physical Therapy Clinic but after 7 years, I got stuck.  We were pulling in just over a half million dollars in revenue with the equivalent of 9 full time employees, but I just couldn’t seem to get the business to the next level.  The only solution I could see to bring more money in, was to work harder and faster.  When I worked more hours, I made more money but I spent more on take out, hiring drivers, babysitters, maid service, etc.   I wasn’t getting ahead, I was just spending more money with LESS time to spend with my children.  I wanted a solution, so I hired Dave Verbeten as my business advisor.  Long story short, I learned the things that I knew I didn’t know and many things that I didn’t even know I didn’t know…before two years were up, I was working less hours which meant more time with my family and we increased our revenues to over $1.3 million!  No more money worries and more time with my family!  Hiring a consultant was one of the smartest decisions I have ever made.  I loved the learning, I loved the growth, I loved the variety, I loved the excitement of winning the game of business…all of it, so I sold my shares at the clinic and joined Dave.   I have never regretted that decision.  I am excited to share with other business owners what I was so blessed to have experienced.  Dave is the whole package…he gets it…he can move a business owner if that owner is willing to change and work.  I love what I do!

What is the most impactful thing you have learned during your career?

How important the math is.  Margins, average dollar sale, break evens, conversion rates—the math, the math is crucial to success.  If you don’t understand the math, get someone who does to help you.  If you can break your goals down using math, it is easier to put together a plan.  From that plan a step by step guide leading to the desired end result can be formed, quantified and tested and measured along the way.  That, and always do the right thing—no matter what, you do the right thing.

Make a prediction and describe your vision of the business future relating to Game Changer Business Results

Business owners should not be expected to know everything.  Owners are typically really good at what they love to do and that’s why they go into business.  A business owner who expects themselves to know and do everything is unrealistic and even damaging to the business in the long run.  Experience teaches us that a mentor is critical to success.  I think a business advisor will be a staple to every business owner that wants to excel!

Without naming names, tell us about your favorite client and why you enjoyed working with them.

I can think of a business owner who listens, thinks, runs ideas by their advisor and really wants to improve and grow themselves as well as their business.  This owner does his/her homework and comes prepared for every strategy session.  This owner is fully engaged, is willing to change and most of all, is having fun in the process!  He or she celebrates the wins and is always looking to future improvement and growth.  When we stop learning, I believe, we start the death process.  I love watching people reach their dreams!

Describe your work style.

Conscientious.  Hard working.  Dedicated.  Caring.  Compassionate.  A giver not a taker.  Generous.  If I make a commitment to myself or someone else, I will follow through!

High standards, integrity, morals…always make decisions based on the right thing.  I will have to stand before my Father in Heaven one day and I want Him to know I did my best!

What is your proudest moment?

Knowing that all 7 of our children are either educated or well on their way to finishing.  It gives me great joy to see them all as independent adults, raising their children and leading productive and good lives.  At the end of my life, if you ask me what the best things in my life were, I will answer:   My faith, my family, when I could help out in some way and enjoying a glass of wine in the sunshine on my deck with my best friend and husband, Dave, whom I am very proud of!

What’s it like working for yourself?

I often say that my boss is a witch—I am harder on myself than any boss I have ever had has been.  I demand a lot of myself and I don’t cut corners.  Again, doing the right thing is usually the harder road so sometimes it feels like trudging uphill.  In the end, it is always worth the extra effort.  Oh, I do love being able to take time off when I want to!

Who most influences you?

God.  I try very hard to learn what He is trying to tell or teach me.  Then, my husband, Dave.  He is such a wealth of information I learn something new every day.  My children also…they teach me more than I am teaching them!

What bit of wisdom would you offer to aspiring entrepreneurs?

Take the time to make a business plan complete with goals laid out for year 1,2,3,4 and 5.  Some of the entries will be, at best, good guesses, but it gives you a place to start and forces you to begin thinking beyond the day to day work.  Use that plan and look at it every day at least at the beginning.  Later you can pull it out weekly or monthly or even quarterly.  If you don’t have a map and guidelines how do you know where you are going or recognize when you get there?  Once you see your destination is getting close, make new plans and set the course for new goals.  Life isn’t about hitting homeruns, it is about all the singles we hit!