Are you crazy starting a business during a Pandemic?

Learn about how and why one of our members, Michelle Ricketts, started her business amongst a Pandemic:

"Having been in the corporate world for 30+ years in three different industries and had the opportunity to be downsized, resized, or released 3 times in my career, what do you do during a pandemic? Why launch a full-time business, of course! Well, let me start from the beginning and take you back a few years. I've always loved my career as an Account Executive, primarily sales-focused, but I've got to admit I was never the best salesperson. Still, I was great at working with my clients, guiding them to align with what they needed and what we offered, relationship-building to move forward. One of my colleagues once said I was “like a dog with a bone.” I saw things through to the end, so I had longevity in my career.

Then, with the opportunity to be resized again I didn't want to go back into the corporate world. Every bone in my body told me I needed to do something different, but I was still searching for where I could add more value. After coordinating my "3day Weekend Lifestyle" event series in 2017-2018, for entrepreneurs to use the expertise of various successful business owners, I wanted to take that concept further. It was time to listen to the universe and do my own thing. I sought an expert who I had been introduced to 16 years earlier, and I embarked on a journey to launch my business spring 2020. Yes, we were in a pandemic, which is why using Wardell International’s Value Program, absolutely made sense.

Now is when business owners need what Mark Wardell spent the last 20 years developing and implementing, with thousands of clients in 15 countries. Not a single Wardell client has gone out of business during this challenging time. They have survived, some have even thrived by pivoting to meet the moment. This is primarily due to the self-sustaining, strong foundation the Wardell system has helped them build. In our mastermind format, we use the collective expertise of the group, but we also bring the Wardell perspective to the table. We provide education and tools for clients to build, systemize, strategize and scale their business while increasing profitability and value. We have been able to help business owners get clear on one thing, and one thing only… no process, no profits! The money is in the Systems! Some owners think they don't have systems, but whether you sell widgets or watermelon, McDonald's or Microsoft, everyone needs processes and systems. That is how small companies grow into large, profitable corporations. Everyone is a small corporation just waiting to grow.

We start clients with our “Business Strength Test” so they can understand where they are now. Then we work on four stages, and six key areas of business, helping owners understand that processes and systems directly impact their bottom line. We have found clients see early success as they work through our Process to Profits (P2P) success formula, part of our Value Program.

When people ask me if I am crazy starting a business during a pandemic, I say, “Of course not, in times of great upheaval, all things are possible! Entrepreneurs who see possibilities and take decisive action will succeed!” So, what do YOU see? Obstacles or Opportunities? Do you need to jump-start your business? Ask me how you can take advantage of the opportunities all around us."

Michelle Ricketts