How Atty. Lauren Buckner Helped Me Shape My Business Vision: A Conversation Worth Revisiting
A year ago, I had the pleasure of sitting down with Atty. Lauren Buckner, an attorney and business strategist who brought incredible insights to my community. I remember the excitement leading up to that conversation, knowing we were about to dive deep into topics like building an online business, goal setting, and preparing for success—exactly what every aspiring entrepreneur needs!
If you missed that session or feel like you could use a refresher, I want to take you back to that amazing conversation. It’s packed with actionable advice that can help you move forward with confidence, no matter where you are in your online business journey. So grab a cup of coffee, and let me share the highlights with you.
Feeling Overwhelmed? You’re Not Alone
One of the first things Lauren and I talked about was how common it is for business owners—especially women—to feel overwhelmed when trying to turn their business ideas into reality. It’s something I’ve struggled with myself. The endless to-do lists, the constant uncertainty about whether you’re focusing on the right things, and the pressure to get it all done can be a lot to handle.
Lauren jumped right in with some much-needed reassurance: "You’re not alone in feeling overwhelmed, and it’s totally normal," she said.
But here’s the good news—there’s a way through it. It all starts with having a plan. Not just any plan, but a clear, actionable one that gives you the direction you need to take your ideas from concept to reality and start an online business from home.
Start with a Solid Business Plan
During our conversation, Lauren stressed the importance of having a solid business plan. "You’ve got this amazing idea," she said, "but before you run out and buy inventory or hire people, you need to ask yourself: what’s the plan?"
She explained that a business plan is the foundation of everything. It’s where you lay out your vision, get clear on who your ideal customers are, and figure out how you’re going to reach them. Without a plan, you’re just running in circles—and trust me, I’ve been there!
Lauren shared a simple tip: "Write the vision and make it clear."
If you can’t summarize what your online business is about in one or two sentences, it’s time to refine that vision. Once you have a clear idea of what your business will look like and how you want it to operate, you can break it down into manageable steps. That’s what makes starting the best online business easier and more effective.
Identifying Your Ideal Customer
One of my favorite parts of the conversation was when we got into the details of finding your ideal customer. Lauren made it so clear: just because you’re passionate about something doesn’t mean everyone else is. And that’s okay!
She said, "Many business owners think that just because they love their product or service, everyone else will too—but that’s not always the case. You need to find your people."
We talked about creating a customer avatar—getting really specific about who your product or service is for. Lauren even joked about calling your ideal customer "Martha," a 75-year-old woman from Connecticut.
"Where would Martha be?" she asked.
"Martha’s probably not on Instagram, but she might be at local holiday markets or on Facebook."
That stuck with me. It’s not just about having a great product; it’s about figuring out who needs it and where they are. Once you know that, marketing your online business from home becomes so much easier.
The Power of Setting Short-Term Goals
Another golden nugget from our conversation was about setting short-term goals to help you finish the year strong.
With Q4 just around the corner, Lauren encouraged me—and everyone watching—to think about how to break big goals down into smaller, manageable steps. It’s so easy to feel overwhelmed when you’re looking at the big picture, but if you can focus on what needs to happen week by week, it becomes much more achievable.
Lauren gave a fantastic example of how to calculate your financial gap for the year.
"If your goal was $100,000, and you’ve only made $45,000, you still have $55,000 to make up. Break that down by month, week, or even day, and suddenly, it doesn’t seem so overwhelming."
This approach has been a game-changer for me. By focusing on small, actionable steps, I’ve been able to keep moving forward, even when things feel daunting as I continue starting an online business.
Preparing for Black Friday
With Black Friday around the corner, Lauren shared some fantastic tips for getting your online business ready. She said that Black Friday is not just for big retailers—it’s an opportunity for everyone, no matter what type of business you run.
Her advice? "Use Black Friday as a chance to offer something special."
Whether it’s a discount, a bundle, or a limited-time offer, it’s all about creating urgency and excitement around your products or services.
This year, I’m taking her advice and planning my Black Friday strategy early so I can offer something valuable to my community while boosting my sales for Q4.
The Importance of Pivoting in Business
Lauren and I also touched on something that every entrepreneur has to face at some point: pivoting.
Sometimes, no matter how much planning you do, things don’t go the way you expect. And that’s okay!
Lauren shared a personal story about how she had to pivot her own business during the pandemic.
"I had a health and wellness studio, and when the pandemic hit, we lost everything," she said. She tried to take the business online, but it wasn’t the right fit.
Instead of forcing it, she pivoted back to what she knew best—helping small business owners. "That pivot allowed me to step into my power," she said. "And when you step into your power, that’s when the profits follow."
Her story was a great reminder that pivoting isn’t a failure—it’s part of growth. Sometimes, you need to change direction to find what works best for you and your online business.
My Key Takeaways from Lauren’s Advice
Looking back on my conversation with Lauren, there were so many valuable takeaways. But here are the ones that stuck with me the most:
Start with a clear vision and plan. Without it, you’re just spinning your wheels.
Identify your ideal customer. Know who they are, where they are, and what they need.
Set short-term goals. Break big goals into smaller steps to avoid feeling overwhelmed.
Prepare for big opportunities like Black Friday. Plan ahead and create special offers.
Don’t be afraid to pivot. If something isn’t working, it’s okay to change direction.
Are You Ready to Take Action?
If you’re feeling inspired and ready to dive deeper into these topics, I invite you to watch the full conversation with Atty. Lauren Buckner. Trust me—it’s packed with even more insights that can help you streamline your online business and set yourself up for success.
👉 https://youtu.be/2hm22HnqtPE
Also, if you’re looking for more valuable content like this, join our Facebook community, The Virtual Assistant Collective. Each month, I host free webinars, challenges, and bootcamps that focus on helping you build the best online business to start.
This Q4 of 2024, we’re diving deep into smart systems, CRM setups, and automations to help you scale your online business from home.
👉 https://www.facebook.com/groups/thevirtualassistantcollective
I hope this story about my conversation with Lauren gives you the motivation and clarity you need to move forward in your business. Remember, success starts with a plan—so let’s get to work!
