The big news: I’ve got a new look to my website!
On the outside, all looks well. (Or so I hope!) But there’s another side to the story.
I don’t know about you, but when I see people do big things in their business, I figure it went… well, easy. I mean, the drama didn’t show from where I was standing, so it must have been roses, rainbows, and fairies, right?
The truth, however, is something a little different. Whoever you are, famous or not, big changes mean a lot of work and a willingness to do big, hard, scary, uncomfortable things.
That’s what happened for me, and I’m spilling the beans.
I’m telling you the truth about what really happens when you go bigger in business PLUS three essential lessons to make it go a little easier when you take your next leap.
Here goes…
Stepping it up, step 1
Earlier this spring I had a sudden, overwhelming urge to get new photos taken. If you know me, you’d know that this is very out of character. I’ve avoided the camera for as long as I can remember. I’d rather go to the dentist than get my picture taken.
The pull, however, was undeniable. I knew better than to ignore it.
I knew who I wanted to hire. Her photos are gorgeous. “She can at least make me look acceptable,” I thought. I hired Sara and booked my shoot.
Although Sara is a seasoned pro, I’m still not a fan of having my photo taken. My discomfort and the strong winds on the evening of the shoot left me with less than stellar images.
We scheduled a reshoot. I knew exactly what to wear, where we wanted to shoot, and with the advice from a smart yoga teacher friend, how to stand tall with confidence. The result? Great photos.
Lesson #1 – Stand with confidence in who you are. Even if it feels awkward at first, the truth of who you are will shine through better than if you try to stand meekly or play small.
Stepping it up, step 2
With new photos in hand, I felt pulled to update my website. “No big deal,” I thought. “I’ll just get a new header and that should be enough.”
I found Alison, a great designer, and she immediately saw how to pull together a new design that fit both me and my business.
With the header finished, it was time to start putting the site together.
Since I designed and built the original jennyshih.com, I figured I would do most of the work this time around as well.
The process didn’t go as planned. Simply popping the new header in my site wasn’t as seamless as I imagined. Well, it could have been, if I didn’t also want to incorporate several new features into the site design.
What I created was an ugly mess. Nothing matched. Everything looked wrong. (Really, it was horrible!) I panicked.
I emailed my friend Michelle for support. “Help! I have no idea how to make this work!”
Within 20 minutes, Michelle untangled my mess and offered a beautiful update to the ugliness I created. I called my man Dan (my website guy, not really my man, I just call him that) and handed the whole project over to him. I was clearly not the person to do this job.
Lesson #2 – Going bigger means calling in experts. Stop doing everything yourself and start getting help from the pros. It will save you time, stress, and ugly messes.
Stepping it up and stepping out of the way
Once I got out of my own way and handed it all over to Dan, things went smoothly.
Sara gave me great photos. Alison created a great design. Michelle helped me see a vision for how it could fit together. Dan made it happen.
As a result, I spent far less time on the nitty-gritty, technical stuff and had more time to spend on the parts of my business that I love (serving my clients and planning my next big thing).
Lesson #3 – When you step out the way, things go more quickly and more smoothly.
Taking your next leap
As a solo business owner, you’ve got your hands in everything from clients to marketing to sales to long-term strategy. If you want to go bigger in your business, you have to get out of the details and hire pros to help you make your business work. Maybe that’s managing your website, tackling your bookkeeping, or handling customer service.
I’ll be honest, it wasn’t easy to fully let go of my website, something I created and have had my hands in for the last 2 years. At the same time, I knew that it was an essential move.
As I go bigger, I can’t do it all. As my mentor says, “You can have it all, you just can’t do it all.” She’s right.
Your turn
I want to hear from you!
When have you had to “let go” of something in your business? How did it go? What did you learn?
Tell me your stories. I can’t wait to hear them.
And as always, thanks for reading!!
Congratulations Jenny — your website looks fantastic — looking forward to more great things from you!!
Thanks, Marissa!!
Well done with the gorgeous new website, Jenny! It looks absolutely fabulous 🙂
Thank you!
I looooovvveee your new look. Your website is fabulous and so are you.
Thank you for being my inspiration. Your post is on the mark. Are you sure you are not looking over my shoulder?? Hmmm
Love,
SJ
Thanks, Susan! I’m going to go check out your site, now, too. Did you write a similar post? Can’t wait to read it!
I LOVE your pics and website Jenny. Beeoootiful. xo
Thank you, Bev!
Great website, Jenny! Congratulations with this update. And I agree, you must outsource sometimes (website is an excellent example). In my case (I am just starting, not going bigger yet), it was so hard to step aside and see situation from a bit of distance. So, I contacted The Coach (Hi, Bev!). Now, I am working with a web designer to get my website done. One step at a time.
Congrats on moving forward, Khurshida! Hiring a coach (especially if it’s Bev!) and getting help for your website are smart moves, for sure.
It’s amazing. Seriously amazing. I have been sending a lot of friends to your website and even love this one more. Go Jenny Go Go!
🙂 xxo Eva
Thanks, Eva! Keep sending them–it’s much appreciated!
Congratulations Jenny !
You look absolutely beautiful !!!
I took my picture yesterday for my new website, and I love them. I have to confess I did a prior shoot with another photographer and hated them…
You shine 🙂
Thanks, Ana! Good to know I’m not the only one who needs a double-shoot 🙂
It looks great Jenny and I’m so excited for you and your new site! You look amazing in your photos, and I love the new colors too.
Hurray!
Thanks, Nathalie! Your kind words and support mean a lot, especially since you did your gorgeous site update a few months ago.
Wow! I especially appreciate how the sign up form is prominent on every page. Clever…
I have a pretty smart business mentor 🙂
Wow, wow, wow! This is a stunning update and it totally matches the energy you are bringing to the world. I feel so proud to know you and am so proud of the work you are doing. You are shining your light and it is helping so many people. Congratulations and thanks for sharing the behind-the-scenes scoop. That’s what makes you so great…TAO!
Thanks so much, Elise. That means a lot coming from you. I really wanted it to still feel like “me” even though it looks totally different. It was time for an update. Glad you liked the behind the scenes truth-telling, too. It’s just how I roll…
Jenny, it looks wonderful! And so do you. I just found out my web designer is retiring because of carpal tunnel, so this comes at a perfect time for me :o)
Thanks, Mindy!
Beautiful Jenny!!! So you 🙂
Thanks for all of your support, Diana!!
Great job, Jenny! Love it!
Thank you, Gretchen!
Love your new site and new newsletter format Jenny!
I’m in the process of redoing my site and had the same feelings about doing it on my own…so am playing in my sandbox for 30 days (thanks to Nathalie Lussier’s great tips) and then lovingly bringing in the pros if needed once I’ve had my fun :).
Thanks, Sabrina! I love the new newsletter format, too. I didn’t want to go to plain emails but it felt like time for a simpler look.
I think playing with your site on your own first is a great idea. You’ll learn a lot and you’ll really value when the pros step in and make it all work just right. Enjoy the process!
My next website improvement will be to make it aware of mobile devices so it switches to a simpler, streamlined website on a smartphone. I am definitely enlisting the professionals on this! And did I tell you — I retired from my corporate job to run my own business full-time! Thanks for your uplifting and informative blogs!
Congrats, Ken, on your big move! I knew it would happen some day for you 🙂 You must be thrilled to be on your own full time now. I’m so glad for you that the opportunity came.
Website looks fantastic and I love your new picture Jenny.
Thank you, Michelle!
Jenny,
The site feels so clean and easy to navigate, but also welcoming! I love the new pic and adore the new header but I think my favourite things are the sidebar icons. Fun, clear and different from what everyone else is doing!
Congratulations!
Thanks so much, Emily! I love those sidebar icons, too 🙂
Jenny, love the “behind the scenes” peek of your collaborative effort to push this baby out. Thanks for your transparency. And the site is just spot on — rock it, sister!
It’s hard for me not to be transparent! Yes, it was a collaboration got get this out into the world. In order for me to grow my business, I can’t keep doing it all myself. Thanks for your support, Aimee!
perfect post! love the site and it’s all so TRUE. way to go Jenny for stepping out and up. xxoo
Thanks, Hillary!
Jenny- hate to be biased, but I loved your site you had…. Though this is great too, and my fav color scheme. Do like the pro photo, i feel the same way about the camera, and appreciate your honesty on how much work some of these steps are.
After My last coaching session with you about a month ago, i actively looked and hired someone to file my current office files and it has been a L IFE and career improvement. She was over again today and not only does she get alot done, it is motivating to me to tackle some of the paper overwhelm. I can’t thank you enough for the good advice.
Everyone is certainly entitled to their opinion! I loved my old site, too. It was time for an upgrade. It was feeling too small for the work I do and the results I bring into my clients’ businesses. I needed congruency between what I do and how that shows up online.
As my designer friends say, every new design change opens doors to opinions, and I get it.
I’m so happy to hear that you’ve found someone to help you in the office, Marj! It’s so important that business systems are in place to allow you to do your best work. Keep it up!
Hi Jenny,
I love your new website. It really matches who you are and what you’re all about. Plus the colors are way awesome!
Callin in the experts is tough for me too sometimes, but here’s where I do and it makes my life a whole heck of a lot easier.
I have a housecleaner who comes once a month. She’s been with me 3 years. I have a yard guy who takes care of my weeds and I call my web programmer guy when there’s tough programming I can’t to.
Letting go feels soooooo good. I love these kinds of posts from you Jenny. Getting to the heart of things with personal examples helps me get the lesson in the messages really well.
:o)
xoxo,
Kim
Thank you so much, Kim! I’m happy to hear that my site reflects me and what you know about my work. I also appreciate that you enjoy the personal examples. Thanks for saying so.
Good for you for hiring help where you need it most! Thanks for sharing those examples and hanging out here!
So proud of you Jenny! I think it’s fun, warm and professional..and still very much you.
And I love that when you know when to call in pros – that’s a true sign of leveling up!
It would not have been possible without your help, Michelle!! I can’t thank you enough!
Hi Jenny,
me too: I love your new website. It looks quite clear and fresh. And the colors are matching perfectly with you (and your beautiful photos). Congratulations!
I am also about to change my website design a little bit. Times have changed and so have I. Thanks for sharing your ideas and experiences. Btw, two weeks ago I hired a housecleaner and it feels so good … as good as having my gardener 😀
Greetings from Germany
Dorit
I haven’t let go yet 🙂 mainly because I don’t have the funds to hire people to do the work