Podcast Summary: Grow Your Local Business Episode: What It's Like To Be Inside The LocalPreneur Academy
Release Date: December 17, 2024
Host: Leslie Presnell

Introduction

In this special episode of the Grow Your Local Business podcast, host Leslie Presnell delves into the transformative experiences of three dedicated members of the LocalPreneur Academy: Natalie Clark, Laura Longmire, and Lydia Matthews. These entrepreneurs share their journeys of overcoming personal and professional challenges, leveraging the Academy's resources to scale their businesses, and embodying the mindset necessary to thrive locally.

Spotlight on LocalPreneur Academy Members

1. Natalie Clark – Balancing Motherhood, Corporate Life, and Entrepreneurship

Business Overview:
Natalie Clark owns Chloe and Kate Consignment, a children's consignment boutique based in Prairieville, Louisiana, near Baton Rouge. Alongside her role as a mother of three, she maintains a decade-long position at a Baton Rouge-based advertising company.

Challenges Before Joining the Academy:
Launching her consignment business in September 2023, Natalie initially struggled with the assumption that merely posting children's clothing on Instagram would drive sales. She quickly realized the importance of personal connection and trust with her audience.

Growth and Results:
Since joining the LocalPreneur Academy, Natalie has seen significant growth:

• Instagram Followers: Increased by over 2,000.
• Sales: Achieved close to 300 sales, with a notable shift toward local transactions in Louisiana.
• Business Stability: Transitioned from uncertain months to a steady stream of local sales.

Key Insights and Quotes:

• "I really just bet on myself and I knew that I could do it if I just put my thoughts behind it, did the research, read a lot and just kind of took a hobby and grew it from there." [04:27]
• "Investing the money into the LocalPreneur Academy was 100% worth it." [07:05]

Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs:
Natalie emphasizes the importance of personal branding and community engagement. She advises full-time working mothers to harness their unique strengths and integrate their businesses seamlessly with their personal lives.

2. Laura Longmire – Navigating Military Life and Business Growth

Business Overview:
Laura Longmire is a personal wardrobe stylist who started her business in 2022 amidst significant personal upheaval, including her husband's 13.5-month deployment. Residing in Delaware after six years in Alabama, Laura balances parenting three children while building her styling business.

Challenges Before Joining the Academy:
Laura felt disconnected and directionless, akin to "a fish floundering in the boat" [05:32]. Relocating across the country presented additional hurdles in establishing a new client base and adapting her business model.

Growth and Results:
Through the Academy, Laura has:

• Social Media Engagement: Gained hundreds of followers.
• Email Subscribers: Accumulated over 250 subscribers.
• Client Acquisition: Secured her first client via Instagram as a search engine.
• Business Strategy: Niching down to military spouses and leveraging local hashtags to create a sense of community and support.

Key Insights and Quotes:

• "You don't have to be a victim of circumstances. You can create the environment you want to work to your advantage." [31:31]
• "The accountability and just the community that comes with it... I have to actually, like, follow up on that, which is amazing and so incredibly helpful." [33:23]

Advice for Relocating Entrepreneurs:
Laura highlights the significance of pre-move networking and leveraging community resources like local chambers and small business administrations to integrate swiftly into a new market.

3. Lydia Matthews – Passion-Driven Growth Amidst Personal Commitments

Business Overview:
Lydia Matthews is an image consultant who also offers personal styling and color analysis services. She founded her business, Esther, inspired by her personal journey and a desire to empower women through fashion.

Challenges Before Joining the Academy:
Lydia grappled with inconsistent marketing efforts and a lack of clear direction, leading to frustration and stagnant sales despite her persistent efforts.

Growth and Results:
Since enrolling in the Academy, Lydia has:

• Revenue Growth: Doubled her revenue from the previous year.
• Enhanced Services: Expanded her offerings to include personal styling and color analysis, differentiating her boutique from competitors.
• Community Engagement: Found solace and inspiration in the supportive community, fostering both personal and professional growth.

Key Insights and Quotes:

• "I just am so passionate about it... I have a calling on my life to just really show women that they are beautiful and that they are loved." [22:05]
• "Even when things felt hard... I'm determined in my heart, like, I will get there, even if it's a little bit slower." [25:12]
• "I have lifetime access... if I have a bad month or if I have, you know, a struggle in the future, like, I will eventually get to the results that I'm going for because I know that I have this support system for life." [35:02]

Advice for Balancing Business and Personal Life:
Lydia underscores the importance of passion and purpose in sustaining business momentum. She advises entrepreneurs to stay committed to their mission, even during challenging times, and to utilize community support for continuous inspiration and accountability.

Common Themes and Strategies for Success

Across their testimonials, several key themes emerge:

1. Community and Accountability:
   The LocalPreneur Academy fosters a supportive environment where members can share experiences, seek feedback, and celebrate successes. The introduction of monthly "Troubleshooting Tuesdays" enhances this by providing structured opportunities for evaluation and action planning.

2. Niche Focus and Personal Branding:
   Defining a clear target audience, such as military spouses for Laura or empowering women through personalized styling for Lydia, allows members to tailor their marketing efforts effectively and stand out in their local markets.

3. Leveraging Resources:
   Members actively engage with various Academy resources, including:

   • Weekly Coaching Calls: Providing actionable insights and strategies.
   • Facebook Group: Facilitating peer support and idea exchange.
   • Pre-recorded Modules: Offering flexible learning tailored to individual schedules.
   • Monthly Challenges and Workshops: Encouraging continuous growth and skill enhancement.

4. Consistent Evaluation and Adaptation:
   Regularly assessing business strategies and outcomes helps members identify what works, replicate successes, and make informed adjustments. This proactive approach ensures sustained growth and resilience.

Notable Quotes Highlighting These Themes:

• "We only want to focus on the things that are in our control." [31:57]
• "It's like, my money's out. Like I should have, like, already used up my investment, but I still have a lifetime access." [35:02]
• "And it just lays out your action plan for the next month beautifully if you'll just take the time to go back and look at it." [33:23]

Conclusion

Leslie Presnell concludes the episode by celebrating the achievements of Natalie, Laura, and Lydia, emphasizing the profound impact of the LocalPreneur Academy on their businesses and personal growth. She invites aspiring local entrepreneurs to explore the Academy's offerings, promising a comprehensive suite of tools and a vibrant community to support their journey toward becoming the local go-to in their respective industries.

Host’s Final Remarks: "Thank you all so much for being here. You are all doing such amazing things in your business, and I cannot wait... to continue working with all of you in 2025 and see what y'all create." [47:22]

Key Takeaways

• Invest in Yourself: The members’ stories underscore the value of investing time and resources into structured programs that offer guidance and community support.

• Define Your Niche: Clearly identifying and targeting a specific audience can significantly enhance marketing effectiveness and business differentiation.

• Embrace Community: Being part of a supportive network can provide the necessary motivation, feedback, and accountability to overcome challenges and achieve business goals.

• Consistent Evaluation: Regularly assessing and adjusting business strategies ensures ongoing growth and the ability to navigate changes smoothly.

For more insights and to join a community of thriving local entrepreneurs, visit lesliepresnell.com and explore the LocalPreneur Academy today!