78. Embracing Grief's Lessons, with guest Annabelle Chamberlain

In the final installment of the Exit With Ease series in “The Leader’s Table by Diana Murphy” Podcast, Diana and Janise Graham discuss the complex emotional and psychological journey business owners face “at the finish line” as they complete the sale of their business.  They emphasize the importance of starting with the end in mind and the transition from business life to personal life. The conversation covers key aspects such as celebrating milestones, managing family dynamics, and the 'baton passing' process.  Janise and Diana stress the need for planning, visualizing a future without the business, and the benefits of involving a coach or mentor. They share inspiring stories of business owners who successfully navigated their transitions by engaging in charitable activities, mentoring, or exploring new passions.  The episode concludes with practical advice on finding fulfillment and maintaining a sense of value post-sale. 00:00 Introduction and Setting the Stage 00:43 The Emotional Journey of Selling a Business 01:47 Life After Selling: Finding New Purpose 04:55 Success Stories and Inspirations 06:51 The Importance of Celebration and Transition 14:20 Family Dynamics and Baton Passing 24:00 Final Thoughts and Contact Information

In the fifth installment of Exit With Ease, Diana Murphy and Janise Graham dive into the crucial topic of business valuations in the context of owner exits. They explore the emotional and technical aspects of valuation, factors influencing it, and the importance of having an expert advisory team.  They also touch on the challenges owners face when confronted with unexpected valuation numbers and emphasize the need for individualized exit strategies.  Be sure to listen to Part 6, the conclusion of the Exit With Ease series from “The Leader’s Table by Diana Murphy.”   00:00 Introduction to Owner's Exit 00:45 Understanding Business Valuations 02:17 Key Factors in Valuation 05:14 Emotional Impact of Valuation 09:49 Navigating Offers and Transitions 17:15 Final Thoughts and Advice 26:13 Conclusion and Next Steps

In this episode of Exit With Ease, Diana and Janise focus on the critical steps business owners should take when anticipating an exit or sale. They emphasize the importance of assembling a dream team of expert advisors, including attorneys, bankers, CPAs, wealth advisors, and insurance professionals, to navigate the complexities of the process.  Through personal anecdotes and practical advice, Janice illustrates the benefits of having the right people in place, fostering efficient decision-making, and safeguarding long-term relationships with existing advisors.   Diana and Janise offer valuable insights for business owners on preparing for a smooth and successful business transition.   00:00 Welcome to The Leader's Table 00:48 Introducing the Dream Team Concept 02:50 Key Advisors for Business Success 08:35 The Importance of a Cohesive Team 12:15 Navigating Advisor Transitions 23:55 Final Thoughts and Upcoming Episodes

 Welcome to Part 3 of Exit With Ease with Janise Graham and Diana Murphy. This conversation covers how KPIs function as a barometer for business health, setting and achieving SMART goals, and maintaining realistic and actionable indicators.  Janise emphasizes breaking down large goals into smaller, manageable steps to avoid overwhelm, while Diana highlights the importance of consistent communication and delegation. The episode provides practical insights and encourages owners to view their business data from a place of curiosity and strategic adjustment rather than judgment.   00:00 Introduction and Meeting Janice 00:46 Series Overview and Episode Breakdown 01:04 Diving into KPIs 02:04 Overcoming Overwhelm with KPIs 02:58 Setting and Measuring SMART Goals 05:02 Real-Life Examples and Strategies 08:54 The Importance of Regular Check-Ins 14:07 Delegation and Team Responsibility 19:09 Final Thoughts and Takeaways

Exit With Ease, Part 2 features a detailed conversation between Diana Murphy and Janise Graham, author and business strategist, about the importance of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) in creating systemic ease for business owners. The hosts discuss transitioning from the emotional elements explored in the first episode to practical business strategies in this episode. Janise emphasizes SOPs as foundational structures for business stability and growth, advocating for a mindset shift among owners to cultivate a systematic approach to running their businesses. The conversation covers how SOPs clarify company missions, enhance customer and employee experiences, and prepare businesses for scaling or exit by documenting processes and ensuring consistency across operations. Janise and Diana share insights on overcoming the overwhelm of implementing SOPs through gradual, simplified approaches and leveraging internal and external resources. They underscore the lasting value and increased operational efficiency that SOPs bring to businesses of all sizes, ultimately facilitating smoother transitions for owners looking to exit or scale their ventures.   00:00 Welcome & Series Introduction 00:27 The Power of SOPs for Business Legacy 01:30 Deep Dive into Standard Operating Procedures 05:45 Simplifying SOP Implementation 09:06 Overcoming Owner Hesitations & Empowering Teams 13:35 The Critical Role of SOPs in Business Sales & Scaling 22:12 Creating Operational Ease and Value 24:55 Mindset Shifts for Successful SOP Integration

Host Diana Murphy introduces a new series within "The Leader's Table by DIana Murphy,"  guiding business owners through the process of exiting their business, hosted alongside business strategist and author, Janise Graham. In this first discussion of six, they cover the importance of approaching exit planning with emotional intelligence and understanding, highlighting the common fears and misconceptions business owners face when considering selling their business.   Diana and Janise emphasize the importance of aligning exit strategies with personal values and the emotional aspects of leaving a business. The discussion includes advice on how to start planning an exit by understanding one's emotional drivers and fears, and engaging in strategic thinking about the future. Key takeaways include acknowledging fears, understanding the emotional aspects of exiting, and the importance of open conversations and planning for a future beyond business ownership.   00:00 Welcome to the Leaders Table: Introducing the Series 05:15 The Heart of Exiting: Emotions, Dreams, and Fears 08:52 Navigating the Emotional Landscape of Business Exit 19:37 Dreaming Big and Confronting Fears: Practical Steps for Business Owners 24:33 Wrapping Up: Embracing the Emotional and Logical Journey of Exit Planning

Diana Murphy introduces a podcast series, “Exit With Ease with Janise Graham and Diana Murphy,” designed to guide business owners through the emotional and practical challenges of exiting their businesses.  Over six episodes, Diana and her guest Janise Graham, author of 'Leaving in Style', provide insights into the mindset shifts and actionable steps necessary for a successful exit.  The series also addresses the impact of grief, the new responsibilities that come with selling a business, and the importance of having the right support system.  Diana invites listeners to engage with her additional resources, including a free coaching session to gain clarity on their exit vision.   00:00 Introduction to the Podcast Series 00:47 Meet the Guest: Janise Graham 01:07 Invitation to Engage 01:45 The Importance of Clarity 02:25 Understanding the Owner's Perspective 04:23 Challenges in the Exit Process 05:32 Emotional Aspects of Exiting 06:18 Creating a Successful Exit 07:26 Final Thoughts and Encouragement

Annabelle Chamberlain and I had a profound conversation about transforming the way we handle grief. Both of us are from the Life Coach School and we talked about personal experiences and professional insights into managing grief beyond the conventional understanding. Annabelle shared her journey through the grief of losing her father and how it propelled her into specializing in grief coaching, focusing on helping others regain control over their emotions, reconnect with themselves, and enhance their productivity and passion amidst pain. We talked about the societal attitudes towards grief, the physical and psychological impacts of grief, and practical strategies for working through it, such as self-compassion, understanding brain changes during grief, the importance of rest, and employing warmth and comfort for healing. Listen as we uncover the power of embracing grief to fuel personal growth and the generational shift towards a healthier, more open approach to managing emotional challenges.   01:35 Exploring Grief Beyond Loss: Annabelle's Professional Insight 06:21 The Science of Grief: Understanding Brain Changes 09:09 Practical Advice: Navigating Life and Productivity Through Grief 16:54 Personal Stories and the Power of Self-Compassion 22:37 Finding Your Inner Child in the Healing Process 24:22 Embracing Emotional Wisdom: A Personal Journey 24:49 The Power of Trusting Your Inner Wisdom 25:25 Navigating Life's Challenges with Emotional Intelligence 25:39 A Wedding Day Lesson: Embracing the Unexpected 27:56 The Transformative Power of Acknowledging Emotions 28:01 Navigating Divorce and Emotional Growth 31:56 Practical Tools for Emotional Healing and Growth 34:37 The Healing Power of Physical Comfort and Self-Care 38:34 Embracing Grief as a Path to Joy and Healing 41:54 Rethinking Grief: A New Approach to Life's Challenges 46:13 Conclusion: The Journey of Emotional Resilience

Welcome back to "The Leaders Table."  I’m your host, Diana Murphy, and today’s episode is truly special. Joining me is the incredible Kristen Rocco, who specializes in bold and noteworthy branding, —a theme that resonates deeply with my own journey into more vulnerable, authentic business practices. Kristen and I first crossed paths at a networking dinner, and it was instantly clear that we shared similar values and experiences. Today, we dive into the concept of the "Midlife Click" versus the midlife crisis. This idea, brought to the table by Kristen, explores how significant life transitions can lead to powerful moments of clarity and transformation, rather than crisis. We also unpack the nuances of branding, the importance of aligning your business with your personal values, and how to make bold moves that resonate with your core identity. Kristen’s approach to marketing focuses on building nurturing relationships between brands and their audiences, a philosophy that has significantly influenced my own branding experiences. Lastly, Kristen shares the "Bold Moves Recipe," a framework she’s developed from her own experiences and those of her podcast guests, which includes understanding your desires deeply, leveraging your relationships (the 'who'), and taking decisive action. This episode is for anyone standing at the crossroads of a significant life decision, contemplating their next big move. Whether you’re an entrepreneur, a corporate executive, or someone exploring your next chapter, there’s something in this conversation for you. For more on Kristen’s work and to dive into the world of impactful branding, visit KristenRocco.com. And for those of you new to the podcast, welcome to the table. This is where we have the conversations we’re all dying to have and make the bold moves we’re all dying to make. Thank you for joining us at "The Leaders Table." Remember, your journey is as significant as the destination. Embrace it, and make your next move boldly. 01:11 Diving into Midlife Crisis vs. Midlife Click 02:43 Kristen Rocco's Journey: From Corporate to Bold Entrepreneur 04:26 The Power of Branding and Making Bold Moves 07:10 Introducing the Bold Moves Podcast and Its Impact 11:06 Unpacking the Midlife Click Phenomenon 16:54 Research Insights: Midlife Crisis Revisited 23:21 Navigating Career Transitions with Courage 27:12 Unlocking Curiosity and Energy Shifts 28:32 Embracing Change and the Power of Coaching 30:11 The Entrepreneurial Leap: From Layoff to Launch 31:01 Building a Bold and Noteworthy Brand 34:08 The Midlife Click: From Crisis to Clarity 39:24 Defining Success on Your Own Terms 41:52 The Power of Alignment and Bold Moves 46:41 Connecting and Sharing Bold Stories

You do not want to miss the insights and light bulb shares that happened in this conversation with author Anita Henderson.  Becoming the Minimalist Entrepreneur: Lessons from My Journey to Work Less, Earn More and Play More is a memoir packed with encouraging insights and great nuggets learned along the way. Dig into this podcast and expect to be encouraged and inspired by new ways of thinking about becoming a minimalist IN your business.  As an experienced entrepreneur, Anita shares with us how to focus on what is truly important.  This conversation was a powerful reminder of staying focused on YOUR genius and values as you decide where to put your time and energy in your business.  We cover SO many topics but ALL through this lens of her 3 pillars: Clarify, Simplify and Focus. This podcast exemplifies WHY I started The Leader's table to give you a behind the scenes conversation that illuminates great business practice, thought leadership and fabulous coaching insights that support your BIG growth and BIG moves this year.   Enjoy!  You can find Anita's website here: writeyourlife.net Her author resources are here:  http://minimalist.writeyourlife.net/