Blair + Theresa LOVE to learn + evolve. How about you? It can be exciting to continue to invest in your growth and business, but how do you know what to invest in next? Let’s talk about where we spend our time and money to help us continue to embody our success AND put us in the right room with the right people.

About the Hosts:

Blair Kaplan Venables is an expert in social media marketing and the president of Blair Kaplan Communications, a British Columbia-based PR agency. She brings fifteen years of experience to her clients which include global wellness, entertainment and lifestyle brands. She is the creator of the Social Media Empowerment Pillars, has helped her customers grow their followers into the tens of thousands in just one month, win integrative marketing awards and more. 

Blair is listed in USA Today as one of the top 10 conscious female leaders to watch in 2022 and Yahoo! listed Blair as a top ten social media expert to watch in 2021. She has spoken on national stages and her expertise has been featured in media outlets including Forbes, CBC Radio, Entrepreneur and Thrive Global. Blair is an international bestselling author and has recently published her second book, ‘The Global Resilience Project.’ She is the co-host of the Dissecting Success podcast and in her free time, you can find Blair growing The Global Resilience Project’s community where users share their stories of overcoming life’s most difficult moments.

www.blairkaplan.ca

You ever wonder what success actually means? How do you get it? And how do you keep it?

We all want it yet sometimes it feels only some of us get to have it.

Hi, Theresa and Blair here we are to badass entrepreneurs, best selling authors, coaches and business mentors who have had success, built success, questioned our own success and reclaimed it. Let's be real for a hot minute. 2020 has been a roller coaster ride, and many of us a start to wonder if the loser things that made them successful. So we got curious, Ron real about what success is truly about?

Can you put it in a box?

How can you get it?

Can people take it away? Or are you the one with the power?

Does it mean the same to all of us? Or are we the ones that create it?

From PGA golf pros to doctors, CEOs, entrepreneurs and spiritual mentors, we get together to meet with successful people from around the globe to dissect success for vibrant conversations and interviews. Make sure you click the subscribe button on the App Store. Because each week we will drop a new episode to bust through the myths around success and dissect its true meaning.

Welcome back to another episode of dissecting success. It means Blair Kaplan Venables, and I'm here with the amazing talented, beautiful, phenomenal Theresa Lola lalala Lambert. You know, we're just talking about what should we talk about, you know, there's so many different things. And this fall, we both have some really cool things happening in the way we are up leveling our business. And we are just wrapping up other ways that we have uplevel our business and all of it costs and investment, and investment. And I believe there's multiple currencies involved, there's an investment of money, there's an investment of energy, and there is an investment of time. And you're not always spending all three of those, but you often are in some capacity. And so yeah, I want to just share like, what, what what are we choosing to invest in? How are we investing and, you know, if you're like, immediately thinking, I don't have money to invest, that's okay, you know, there's a lot of free resources out there, and you can use the currency of time and energy. So I want you to come into this conversation, open minded, buckle up and here with the conventional and non conventional ways that we are choosing to invest in ourselves.

Yeah, I love this. I think this is such an important conversation. And it I spend a lot of time lately thinking about you know what to invest in next, or what do I really want. And we just wrapped up a conversation about teams last week, if you were tuning in, to that we were talking about, you know, investing in team, but I think it's always amazing to, to think about where you at in terms of your time where you had in terms of what you're willing to invest financially, and where are you at, generally, with your willingness to grow, because there was times we really want to grow, and then there's times we really want to feel connected. And then there's times where we want to have an experience that gives us something different that it may be a deeper level in a different way. And I think it's important to get really clear out of it. Because ultimately, you're always going to get something out of and you're always gonna get an experience growth opportunities, and it's a gift to be able to do that. Right. But what you invest in next sometimes can feel a bit like pressure. And if you ever felt like there was pressure to always invest, invest, invest, just know, it's okay. And I think most of us feel that, like I can honestly tell you that like I've been there and I have invested a lot in my business and my growth these last couple of years. But one thing that I've really become video aware of is asking myself, you know, where am I at? Like, where am I at in my business right now where I'm at personally right now and what would feel really good for me to be a part of moving forward. And there's times where I invest to be able to see growth in my business, right scale, make it more profitable, all these things, whether that's investing in a team of people. And there's other times where I really look for experiences that engage my creativity, that connect me deeper, more spiritually, that allow me to find or continue to find ways to bring more balance, fulfilment, contentment and enjoyment in my life. So I can stay in a state of abundance even when things get difficult and I mean, you've listened to this podcast so you know what's been I'm, like, I don't even know. So I think right now,

you know, for me one thing that I'm really excited about, I'm investing time and experiences, I've chosen to hit the road you, if you as a first time you're listening to this podcast I'm about to, actually, by the time you listen to this, I'll be in Buenos Iris, which will be really excited, I'll be in Argentina. But for me right now, the importance moving forward now is, is experiences, experiences. And so there's an investment and experiences, I'm going back to the retreat that I feel like has started that ripple that Costa Rica retreat, if you go back some episodes, I talk about that. And I'm going back to the business retreat, but VT retreat to connect. And so that's something that I'm investing in, will have reinvested in that I'm super excited about that's coming up in November, and I'm investing time and travel and experiences to engage my, my creativity. And I'm continuously working with with another mentor on more of the spiritual pieces and connecting in different ways, which I, I feel is really, really important. So I'm doing a bit of a mix. In terms of investing in a team, which is built for business growth, I'm investing in a retreat to have an experience and pick up a few business things. And I'm I'm back to investing in just my health, my well being through mentorship and through the experiences that I'm creating, what about you bla

I love that. So that's so interesting, because, you know, I, I love the way you framed all that. And I'm constantly learning, I'm constantly listening to podcasts or audiobooks, in fact, that sometimes, well, I often listen to our podcast, and then I make some good, like a relearn, because when I'm in it, sometimes I'm learning differently than when I'm above it or listening to it, you know. So, you know, I take time to learn to always learn in a ball, and I am that seeker of knowledge. I'm that person who wants to learn continuously learn, meet new people up level, try new things, like I don't do things conventionally my business started at the PR company. But it can't begin social media marketing business, that I do publicity, but I was doing things that other people weren't doing. I've always been that way. I don't do things in like what society or business society tells them to do. And so I'm always looking for the other weirdos like, I'm a Business weirdo, and I want to go hang out other people like me. And I've really learned over the past years, like, let me back up. What I said to my business coach last year was I, I want to go somewhere where it's not about the business cards and like, I don't want to be in a room or someone's trying to like, get me to sign up for the MLM. Like, they good for you for starting a business. That's great. But I want to be in rooms where I feel like I'm a small fish in a big fucking pond. Like I want to feel that impostor syndrome, which I feel all the time. But that's a whole nother conversation. I want to be around people who are so inspirational. And so he told me about a group called Baby bathwater. And I'm not going to dive into that too much. But I found the I found in my group of my group of people, I went and discovered them in Cabo last year, and I'm in the fall, I'm going to an event in the winter and going to an event. And what I really learned and what it really reminded me because this was my first big trip since before the pandemic, even longer since before the pandemic is Shane had his heart attack, and it didn't go anywhere, was that for me, I do best. I thrive when I'm in the right room when I'm in a room of other really creative, innovative people who are making a difference in their industries or in this world. And so I decided that I'm going to spend my time and money on experiences that are going to put me in the right rooms. And when I say write rooms, I mean right for me. So in New York, I went to a mastermind with one of my mentors, and it was amazing. And so my business coach and this mentor are putting on another mastermind in Miami. So I'm actually doing a business development trip. And I know this sounds like that's maybe more of a vacation, but it's not it's going to be full of networking and learning and growing and sharing what I know. So in November, I'm gonna be going to Miami and then to Texas. So I have two events. I have a mastermind in Miami and then I don't even know what to call it. I call it a mastermind but it's not a mastermind like a gathering of really cool innovative or game changers. And I love it because it's some of the best lessons happen in those authentic conversations at you know, the breakfast table. Totally, I love this and that's what I want to do with my time and so I want I'm looking for more opportunities to be you know, at home for conferences or events or like the non traditional business place says, so I can up level, myself as a human, which in turn impacts my business and inspires me. And, you know, I think for me, that's the biggest way I'm investing. And, you know, it requires a heavy investment to do this flights, hotel costs, etc. And like you we were talking about this, I think in the last episode, sometimes there's more money going up and coming in. But what I've noticed is when I invest to do those, you know, these big things, because of what I'm learning about leveling, I start making more money.

Yeah, absolutely. I love that two things, three things. One, when is this thing happening in Miami, because I'm actually looking to stay a few nights in Miami in November, before I'm flying to Costa Rica. So maybe there was some alignment. So cue that bottom friend.

Because I feel like we should talk about that. And maybe, you know, you never know, maybe we'll meet up in Miami. But literally, I've just messaged somebody about staying in Miami for a few nights. See if I can get some, you know, some connections I'm pulling that I have in Miami, which is really exciting. But the other thing that I wanted to bring up is a conversation that I recently had about a great way to, to widen your network and to also get to know new people, but to also grow your business and get new clients. And that is from going to experiences and attending experience and being seen and being hot in a room of peers in a room of entrepreneurs in a room of you know, people like minded people. And I think that it's funny, because sometimes we think about, oh, you know, we might go to a conference. And you know, especially if it's some of the bigger ones bigger conference, even speaking opportunities, right? Like, I know, you and I are both into that I'm going in a million miles an hour. But the thing is to now that we have the opportunity, again, to meet people in person, it is such a brilliant way. So you might make a five or $10,000 investment, you're going to learn some epic stuff, you're going to grow, you're going to evolve, you're going to accelerate your success. And you're going to make connections that can build connections or connections that can ultimately lead to business. So the return on an investment on a conference can actually be tremendously profitable. Even though the month that you go to the conference, more money might go out than coming in, or the same money going out than it's coming in. So I just think that was a really cool thing. So these were all the things that were downloading as you were talking and I know now it's something downloaded for you and like see us and see our handshakes and laughing but this is what I love about this pod because we just read. Okay,

so working from home, like I love dressing up and whatnot, but I haven't been feeling good lately. Me and Sylvester my cyst, my ovarian cyst, bang and out. And this week has been particularly painful in the sense of like, if I don't have to put makeup on our bra on, I'm not going to and I've just positioned my camera in a way that you can't tell him or I'll put mascara on and fix my eyebrows. And I look good because of zoom filters. So this morning at 7am, I was invited to a mastermind with some very successful business women. And I didn't really know who was gonna go, I thought it was maybe gonna be like a lot of people on camera off. So like, I show up. And like the way I look now, but everyone else had their hair down and makeup done and like jewelry and dress. So like when a garment grabbed my scarf and like, just kind of like it was freezing cold. And anyway. So we were in a breakout room and I'm networking with these people and like I just shared who I am. Like, I felt really intimidated because everyone was really put together. I believe people have like blue ticks and Instagram and very successful business people, people that I aspire to be like who have these very large or very successful organizations or like make multiple, seven figures. And when I had to share what I got to share who I was, you know, someone who I look up to was just like, you just seem like such an interesting person. Like, I'd love to get together with you. And I was like, yeah, it doesn't matter if I'm my hair's done, or I'm wearing makeup. And I know it's important about how you show up. But because my parents I was like kind of like nervous, like, oh shit, like, I kind of look like I just like dragged myself from like a dumpster. And I showed up as me and my energy was able to shine through. And so it's just funny because I'm putting myself in the right zoom rooms per se. And I never I didn't know what to expect going into this. Like I thought I was just going to learn some new new things. But instead, I made some really great connections. And what I actually you know, do is when I'm going to be spending time or energy or money going to an event whether it's locally are flying across the continent or even the world. If I want to know who else I'm going to be there. And I think that's really important. Like who else is going to be there. So it's not about just learning. It's about making new connections. It's about making new connections, new friendships like I, you know, at past events, I've become friends with, you know, photographer in New York and like a business coach in Florida and, you know, a publicist in Bali. And I've made all these really beautiful, deep connections with actual friendship, connections. And so for me, I don't go to these events looking for clients. It's not about I gotta hustle, get business cards, shake hands, make make money, it's about who am I going to meet? Who is going to inspire me today? How am I going to get inspired, and then implement it into my business. And so that's how I choose what opportunities to invest in.

I love that. I love that. And I think that this puts such a nother spin on investing. You know, it really does. And I think that the connection piece is so important to even just, you know, growing these relationships and being open to that, right, and allowing yourself like, this is the thing again, right, allowing yourself to be seen, but not always just investing to absorb. But investing to be in the room with the right people I love. I love this. So learning and evolving. Amazing. Yeah, learn and evolve. And while you do it, put yourself in the room of the right people. And this is also why I think investing in like coming into a mastermind or group program is so powerful, because that's another way where you put yourself into a room with other people, like minded people. And that is so key, right? Like, you can be in a room with me and Teresa. Yes,

we are the right people with, you know, our business, background, strategy, background, social and publicity backgrounds. We are the right room, the room doesn't need to be a conference before walls and 200 people, it can be in a private container, like with coaches, or it can be in a one day mastermind in person, you know, you can go to that room, decide if it's for you or not, you can leave the room. But I think a lot of it is about being in the right room. And it's only up to you to decide who is that right room for you and what makes it right. And for me, it was about I was feeling really, like, isolated in business because I it's been COVID and I thrive like I thrive when I'm around other inspirational people. Like I'm a manifesting generator extroverted extrovert, ENFJ, LMNOP, blur, Dana Kaplan, whatever. And so when I'm around other fucking amazing people, it energizes me and inspires me. And every time I go to our live event, or a five day event with people like that, other people like me who are doing epic phase where maybe 10 years, five years, five months ahead of me, I walk away as a better person. And I know that's right. For me, that might not be right for you. Like you might be in a state of shift. You might want to make a pivot in your business, you might want to start a business, you might want to close a business, whatever it is for you. It's for you to decide. And I think don't look at an investment of money as in like, I'm making this investment and now I'm buying the software, but figure out the room you want to be in the people you want to be with the people you want to be like, Who inspires you whose content are you consuming? Where are they? How can you get to be in a room with them or at a conference with them? Investing in yourself is a key strategy in business growth. And we invite you to explore that. So thank you for tuning in to another episode of dissecting success. It's me Blair, and T Theresa. I was trying to arrive there didn't really work. But anyway, thanks for tuning in to another episode. We'll see you next week.

That's a wrap for another episode of dissecting success. enjoyed this episode. Make sure to subscribe to blair kaplan Venables and Theresa Lambert's podcast dissecting success on the App Store. And follow us on