Letting go of expectations and enjoying the results - #IMadeTheAsk with Michelle Mazur
Welcome to the #IMadeTheAsk entrepreneur spotlight series, where we share the stories of entrepreneurs and small business owners who have made the ask...and lived to tell the tale.
Read on to learn about Michelle's business journey, how putting in legwork ahead of making an ask can pay off, and why a strategically placed post it note could make you thousands more.
Tell us a bit about yourself, and your journey as an entrepreneur.
Communication Rebel started as a blog. At the time, I was working in market research and a friend said to me "You know so much about communication and speaking. Why are you hiding it? Start a blog or something." So I did. My business works with speakers, entrepreneurs and business owners to create all their messaging for their business with the 3 Word Rebellion framework. I also work on keynote speech, webinar, and workshop development as well.
What's an Ask that you chickened out of making...and regret?
As soon as I raise my prices, this pattern rears its ugly head. I'm on a sales call. It's going well. I talk about my service and as soon as it's time to say the price, I either discount the price OR give the old price. I'm pretty convinced that I've lost thousands of dollars undercutting myself. To stop this pattern, I write on a post it note "I ask for my full price."
What's the Ask that you're most proud of making - whether or not it worked out?
I'd been full-time in my business for about 6 months, when I decided to start pitching articles to the media. I thought it was better to go big then start small with pitching. My first pitch was to Fast Company. I spent hours crafting that pitch with some professional PR help. I pressed send and figured it would be a week or two before I heard anything back so plenty of time to start writing the article in case they wanted to see it. I went to the kitchen for a snack, sat back down at the computer, and there was email from the editor at Fast Company saying "Sounds great. Can you send it over to me by tomorrow?"
Which Ask has been the biggest win for you - professionally or personally?
Well over 10 years ago, I was an on again off again on again off again relationship. Eventually, I was just DONE. I wasn't sad. I wasn't mad. I knew that if I ever wanted to find my guy, this cycle had to end. Unfortunately, Mr. On again Off again didn't realize this as he kept calling. I sent an email and I asked him to let me go. He did. Three weeks later, I met my husband.
What's your #1 piece of advice for other entrepreneurs or business owners who are gearing up to #maketheask?
Celebrate every single ask you make. It doesn't matter if the ask is a yes or a no, what counts is that you made the ask. Asking requires courage. Celebrate your courage.
LEARN MORE ABOUT MICHELLE AND CONNECT WITH HER ON SOCIAL MEDIA
Website: DrMichelleMazur.com
Instagram: @DrMichelleMazur