Are you bringing your CEO mindset to your business? What does that look like for you? Today’s show will move the needle for you, whether you are a coach or any other small business owner, and you’ll learn more about wearing your chief executive officer hat correctly!

Deirdre Harter and Carmen Reed-Gilkison are business strategists and the co-founders of Encore Empire, the place where women who believe that entrepreneurship is the most exhilarating and satisfying way to reach financial security and freedom translate their experiences into impact and income while making a difference in the world. In founding Encore Empire, Deirdre and Carmen bring together their backgrounds in business with the financial savvy of a CPA (Deirdre) and the insights of a Certified Online Business Manager and Whole-Person Coach (Carmen). 

Show Highlights:

• Three phases of the CEO mindset: 
• The startup phase: In this phase, you are intentional in building the foundation of your business with systems, services, and ideal clients. You must plan, review, test, and optimize.
• The fix-up phase: If you are making sales, you have entered the fix-up phase in which you’ll leverage your time, experience growing pains, focus on systems to optimize, get serious about data, and plan for a team. 
• The grow-up phase: In this phase, you learn to “delete or delegate,” focus on high-value activities, scale your business, know your financial metrics, and develop courses/programs. 
• Work ON your business, not IN your business!
• Progress through the three phases of the CEO mindset is not always linear!
• Takeaways from Deirdre: “Stewardship is key. Separate yourself emotionally from your business and understand your role and responsibilities.”
• Takeaways from Carmen: “Lead with curiosity. The journey of an entrepreneur is not linear.”

Resources:

Connect with Deirdre, Carmen, and Encore Empire: Website, LinkedIn (Deirdre), LinkedIn (Carmen), Facebook (Encore Empire), and Facebook (Empire of Unstoppable Women)

**Deirdre and Carmen invite STaR Coach listeners to join their FREE Marketing Methodology Workshop. Use this special link to sign up. 

Work with Meg! Check out the STaR Coach Show Mentor Programs!

Visit the STaR Coach Show YouTube Channel!

Explore past episodes and other resources at www.STaRcoachshow.com.  

Explore the STaR Coach Community and see what’s available there for you!

Mentioned in this episode:

Mentor Program

If you're working toward your ACC or PCC credential, or if it's time to recertify your ACC mentor, coaching isn't just a requirement on a checklist. It's one of the most transformative investments you can make in yourself and your coaching. I've taught or mentored over 2000 coaches, and I hear the same thing again and again. I came because I had to, and I am so glad that I did. Coaches tell me they walk away with renewed energy, deeper confidence and a community of peers who genuinely support each other. Here's what you need to know right now. Mentor coaching must span a minimum of three months, so the time to start is not when your credential is just about to expire. And if you complete your hours in 2026, you get ahead of the upcoming ICF changes, which means peace of mind along with skill development. My fall cohort is already filling up. Every group is capped at ten. It's small, personal, and powerful. If you've been waiting for the right time, this is it. So head over to Star Coach Show. That’s https://starcoachshow.com/mentor/ to grab your spot or to learn more. I'd love to work with you. Now, let's get into today's show.

Join Mentoring Program!

If you’re a coach who wants to grow—not just check a box—this is for you. I’m enrolling coaches now for my Spring Mentoring Program. Some are here for credentialing hours. Others are here because they want to become the coach their clients rave about. Inside the program, we work on your actual coaching. You’ll hear yourself differently. Learn from other coaches. Develop more presence. And ask questions that create real transformation. If you’re ready to deepen your skills and your impact, I’d love to support you. Learn more at starcoachshow.com/mentor I’d love to work with you.