257 | A (VERY) Public Breakup + Trusting Yourself in Business

It's been a hot minute, but we're back! This episode starts with a little internet drama for Cabri: a business coaching relationship that ended abruptly after a very public, very pointed social media post. From there, we get into what it means to trust yourself in your business, how to vet coaches and vendors, and what organizers can learn about client experience, confidentiality, and accountability. It's a bit of a mishmash, but there's something here for every organizer, whether or not you ever hire a coach.

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

• Vet before you buy. Ask for referrals, a portfolio, freebies, or a webinar so you can get a feel for someone first.
• Know exactly what you're paying for. Ask what access, deliverables, and outcomes are included. A higher price tag doesn't guarantee more value.
• Be a little cynical. Hard sells and "answer by 4:00 today" deadlines are red flags.
• Own your mistakes. A simple, sincere apology goes a long way with clients and team members.
• Mind your public voice. Don't publicly vent about clients, and assume cameras are everywhere.
• Protect client confidences, including the stories you tell about "other clients."
• Watch comments about money and possessions in clients' homes.
• Bring a problem and a solution, and take action on the advice you pay for.
• Build a personal board of directors who will tell you the truth.
• Trust yourself, even when someone causes you to doubt it.

TIMESTAMPS:

• 01:10 The setup: nearing the end of a coaching contract and a pushy renewal
• 02:46 The Friday night TikTok that struck a nerve
• 03:56 Getting quiet, and checking in with a personal board of directors
• 05:10 Ending the contract, and a response with no accountability
• 06:21 Getting blocked, and the ripple effect on trust with other professionals
• 07:19 A business standstill: rebrand, pricing, and the proposal calculator
• 07:55 Losing trust in your own decision-making
• 09:31 Others come forward, and what it means to feel validated
• 09:57 High-ticket coaching, price vs. value, and keeping programs accessible
• 11:42 Judgment on social media: why it felt "tone-deaf"
• 12:41 The self-trust moment: "You can go back to your gut"
• 13:21 Pushing clients without pushing them too far (the $5 rate increase)
• 14:05 Vetting service providers, reading the fine print, and spotting hard sells
• 15:22 Was it a "break up with you before you break up with me" situation?
• 16:46 Hindsight: why proof of concept matters before you hire
• 17:48 The power of a simple apology and owning your mistakes
• 19:23 Self-reflection: have I pushed my own clients too far?
• 20:02 Checking your own backyard: the client experience you're offering
• 21:11 Don't trash-talk clients, and assume you're always on camera
• 22:48 Keeping confidences, and the client who wondered what stories you tell
• 24:30 Money and possessions: how comments in a client's home can land
• 26:09 When you're not converting clients, it's time for some deep work
• 26:37 Getting the mojo back, with a no-fluff coaching approach
• 28:53 No complaining without action: bring a problem and a solution
• 30:18 Verifying what clients say they're doing (Google Business Profile example)
• 31:37 Being open to feedback, and why you need a personal board of directors
• 33:41 Turning anger into fuel: "I lost trust in myself, and I'm gaining it back"
• 35:09 Standing up for your team, and still stepping outside your comfort zone
• 36:17 Learning from what not to do (and that there's more than one way)
• 37:19 Takeaways for hiring a coach: vet them, ask what you actually get, trust your gut
• 39:41 Free organizing stock photography for your website and social media
• 41:44 Take Five: what's happening in the organizing world
• 42:55 Rebuilding the foundation, avoiding burnout, and giving yourself grace
• 44:15 Wrap-up: ask questions and trust yourself