"Do not take too many classes or sign up with more than one business coach" with Jennifer Ellis
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Jennifer Ellis started her company Life Enlightenment in January 2001 upon moving from New York to California. She manages and consults with speakers, authors, and celebrities looking to enlighten more lives. She is featured in the book Guerrilla Publicity 2 and has co-hosted and produced several radio, podcasts, and TV shows.
Prior to running her own business, Jennifer worked in the music industry for over 10 years promoting artists such as Rick Springfield, Oscar Peterson, and George Clinton as well as worked with corporations such as The Walt Disney Company and Intersound Records.
Says Jennifer, “I love working with people who want to make a difference. I can get them in the public eye where their message is not only heard but also celebrated.”
Jennifer is a vegan who spends time volunteering for animal-related organizations and causes, such as in her role as a PETA Vegan Mentor.
Jennifer is passionate about wellness, health, and sports. She is an ACE Certified Group Fitness Instructor, a YogaRenew Certified Yoga Teacher (RYT 200), a highlighted instructor in the documentary Your Brain On Yoga, an Independent Distributor for Young Living Essential Oils, and manages her schedule around LA Kings games.
Website: http://life-enlightenment.com/
Can you tell our readers about your background?
It is amusing to see so many people experiencing working at home for the first time lately as the country deals with the Coronavirus pandemic. I grew up with a mom who always worked at home. She was a medical transcriptionist who had several clients she would work for from a home office. And that interestingly is how my business has always been. Even when I worked for a couple of companies in the music industry before starting my own company, I worked for them from home.
What inspired you to start your business?
Life Enlightenment started in 2001. That year I moved from New York to California. After moving I quickly learned the music industry in California was nothing like it was in New York and I was not making enough to pay high California prices. I picked up a newspaper one weekend (remember picking up an actual newspaper and looking through the help wanted ads?) and read an ad from a woman who was looking for someone to promote her as a public speaker. I figured; I have promoted musicians I can definitely promote a speaker. That speaker (Jill Lublin) contracted with me as my first client. I booked her a speaking engagement on my first day working with her. From there she started referring me to people, those people started referring me to people… before I knew it Life Enlightenment was in full swing!
Where is your business based?
My business is home-based which I love because I can do it anywhere. I have worked on a cruise, visiting family, traveling to Canada, etc.
How did you start your business? What were the first steps you took?
Luckily all of my early clients were super cool. They supported me in learning how to get contracts written, a good phone plan secured, equipment and programs purchased, etc.
What has been the most effective way of raising awareness for your business?
It took me 7 years of running my company before I even had a website. I was so busy I just didn’t have the time to market myself. I learned through practicing what I preach to clients is important and finally hired a wonderful colleague to design my first website. Since then I have made it a priority to do at least one thing per day to raise awareness for my business. Planting seeds every day is how it continues to grow.
What have been your biggest challenges and how did you overcome them?
My biggest challenges have been around saying no when something or someone doesn’t resonate with me. I never want to hurt anyone’s feelings and want to help everyone; but after some pretty blah situations, I learned the lesson of following what feels good for me and my company; honoring my values! Success can only come from that!
How do you stay focused?
Yoga is what keeps me focused. I start every day with a two-hour yoga practice.
How do you differentiate your business from the competition?
By just being me. We are all unique. We all have something different to bring to the world. I know I am definitely different in many ways so I just go with that.
What has been your most effective marketing strategy to grow your business?
The majority of my business still comes from referrals so my most effective marketing strategy is to be my best always and serve my clients above and beyond their expectations.
What's your best piece of advice for aspiring and new entrepreneurs?
Do not take too many classes or sign up with more than one business coach. So many aspiring entrepreneurs have come to me conflicted by too much advice that contradicts each other and completely overwhelmed. Make it simple. And have one trusted person as your go-to for support.
What's your favorite app, blog, and book? Why?
App – I don’t do apps or cell phones, believe it or not. I have my reasons. So no fav apps.
Blog – It Doesn’t Taste Like Chicken: Fuss-Free Vegan Recipes
https://itdoesnttastelikechicken.com/
Book - Rewind Replay Repeat: A Memoir of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder by Jeff Bell
That book literally changed my entire life.
What's your favorite business tool or resource? Why?
I love Google Docs – so easy to share with clients and keep everyone on the same page.
Who is your business role model? Why?
Suzanne Somers! She is of course a talented actress and writer, but she has also built an empire on her passion to support others in true health/wellness knowledge. Explore here if you are curious: https://www.suzannesomers.com/ Her book Two's Company: A Fifty-Year Romance with Lessons Learned in Love, Life & Business has some incredible business advice in it that you’ll hear nowhere else.
How do you balance work and life?
I started using the Savor Life Planner, My Next 90 Days, which makes sure I plan my schedule in a balanced way. There is something for me about having the balance planned and written down that makes sure I do it: https://savorlifeplanner.com/
What’s your favorite way to decompress?
LA Kings games; off-season repeats of Friends.
What do you have planned for the next six months?
It is a weird time in the world so that has changed recently. Right now, my next six months… looking at supporting authors who have books coming out this fall that will need to plan promotion in ways they are not used to since in-person events are limited as well as supporting speakers who feel lost without in-person speaking engagements. And on the wellness side of my company, expanding my online fitness and yoga community through classes for companies, communities, and nonprofits.
How can our readers connect with you?
Thank you for asking!
Website: www.life-enlightenment.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Life-Enlightenment/458891007512756
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifer-ellis-b01ba025/
Twitter: @LifeEnlighten
Instagram: @JenniferMarieEllis