Episode 81: Running Five Businesses While Fighting for Change | Chandra Gore | Entrepreneur & Activist
Chandra Gore is a lifelong serial entrepreneur with businesses across industries, from consulting and media production to radio and comedy festivals. She’s also an activist dedicated to creating change at the local level, whether it’s registering voters or speaking up at school board meetings. Her mission is to merge business success with community impact. Chandra shares her journey from starting businesses at 18 to running five companies today, why structure is essential even when life feels chaotic, and how she uses her voice to create meaningful change. She offers candid insights into the realities of entrepreneurship, the importance of having a plan in activism, and why she believes you already have the “secret sauce” to succeed. Her story is proof that you can design a life that reflects every passion and priority you care about.
“You have the power within you. That’s the secret sauce people are forgetting makes them unique.”
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Discipline Equals Freedom - book
The One Thing - book
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Follow along using the Transcript
Chapters
00:00 Meet Chandra Gore
03:15 Growing Up with an Entrepreneur Father
07:40 Launching Her First Business at 18
11:20 Lessons from 20+ Years in Entrepreneurship
15:30 Balancing Five Businesses and Family Life
19:15 Why Local Activism Matters
23:30 Creating the Greater Northern Virginia Comedy & Film Festival
27:50 Structure as the Key to Managing ADHD and Bipolar Disorder
32:10 Using Your Voice for Change
36:40 Cleaning House and Refocusing Priorities
40:15 How Activism and Business Fuel Each Other
44:30 Books That Influence Her Thinking
48:10 Advice for Entrepreneurs Who Want to Make an Impact
You have that power like you have to own and know that you have that power and remind yourself because that's the secret sauce that people are forgetting that makes them unique is, dang, I have that power within me already. Like all of those things, those trigger a, a fire in you that can't
be replaced.
That's Chandra Gore and this is The Powerful Ladies podcast.
Hey guys, I'm your host, Kara Duffy, and this is The Powerful Ladies Podcast where I invite my favorite humans, the awesome, the up to something, and the extraordinary to come and share their story. I hope that you'll be left, entertained, inspired, and moved to take action towards living your most powerful life.
Chandra Gore is a lifelong serial entrepreneur with businesses in a wide variety of industries. She's all real talk. She hustles. She's equally committed to your business as a consultant, her own businesses, her family, and to being there for her community. She's on the ground being the change she wants to see from helping people register to vote, to school board meetings.
She knows that what's happening in our neighborhoods is as important as what's happening in the capitol. On this episode, get ready to hear some business truths, what business consultants really think, and how you can step into your own magical power, all that, and so much more coming up. But first, if you're interested in discovering what possibilities and businesses are available for you to create and to live your most fulfilling life, please visit the powerful ladies.com/coaching.
And sign up for a free coaching consultation with me. There is no reason to wait another day to not be living your best life when you instead could be running at full speed towards your wildest dreams today.
Well, welcome to the Powerful Ladies Podcast. Thank you. I am so excited you're here today. Let's begin by telling everyone who you are and what you're up to.
Um, my name is Chandra Gore. Um, I am the principal, consultant and publicist of Chandra Gore Consulting. I am also the producer of SC and Productions, um, the founder of Accelerate Radio.
The founder of the Greater Northern Virginia Comedy and Film Festival and a mom, a wife, and a community activist.
So just a few things. So, um, sounds like you have a lot of free time. Mm-hmm. Uh, a lot. Mm-hmm. How did you become a consultant?
Um, I actually became a consultant be, um, because of people asking questions and I found solutions to their problems so easily.
Mm-hmm. And my mentor who had, um. He owned a couple of, um, dating services. Mm-hmm. He told me that he thinks that that would be a great situation for me, a great role for me to go into possibly one day because I solved some issues that they were having. And then when I opened my catering company, my baking business, I was able to assist other people in launching their businesses as well.
So mm-hmm. I kind of just fell into that role and, um, my engineering brain has been the, been the, the motivation to keep me, you know, from putting those puzzle pieces together. So, yeah. I, I love it.
Yeah. So how many businesses have you do you have right now? And how many have you launched?
Ooh, no one's ever asked me that.
I have never, um, wow. Currently right now I have five of my own. Mm-hmm. Um, but. Wow. Since I was 18. Okay. That this is like 20 years worth of, um, wow. It's been a lot of businesses. Mm-hmm. I would, I have to say more than 20. Yeah. Like more than 20. And it's probably even, yeah. It's way more than 20. Yeah.
Did you always imagine that you would be an entrepreneur?
Yes. Yeah, I did. My father was a serial entrepreneur and he was so that he could spend time with me, like quality time with me teaching me, and that was the. The, the rat, the carrot. Mm-hmm. For me to, you know, to keep chasing so that I can spend time with my kids and my family and make my own schedule. Yeah.
I always knew I would be in business for myself.
Yeah. So many, um, parents in particular. Right. There is no other workability other than creating your own business to make it work. Yep. Yep. How many kids do you have?
I have four. I was like, is this the same
as the, the business? You're like, I haven't encountered them all.
I'm not sure
I have four. Mm-hmm. Um, children, one and. I stayed my husband, my fifth.
So you have one business per child. I like this. Mm-hmm.
Yes.
Um, when you look at how things have, you know, every business has had to pivot in the past five months. And you as a consultant, you're not just pivoting all of your businesses, but now you're pivoting everybody else's business.
You know, you and I share that, um, you know, burden, uh, you know, how are you managing that and what steps are you doing to not just protect your clients, but protect your sanity?
I take time off when necessary. Mm-hmm. And I, you know. If I have an idea that pops up in my head that could work, I'll reach out.
You know, I'll make the notes and I'll kind of go through the processes before I take it to my client and say, Hey, you know, we should do it this way. But I take the time that's necessary for me to recharge. Mm-hmm. Because you can't operate without, um, proper rest. And it has been my lifesaver. 'cause even though I'm home, the tendency to wanna work 24 7 mm-hmm.
Comes into play and it's like, oh wow. Like if I left the house, you know, then I know that when I came back, that was it for the day. Mm-hmm. Now the day doesn't end. Yeah. 'cause I'm always here, so it's like, you know, making sure I cut the time when it's needed, needed to take a break and step away and recharge.
Get to know these people that I live with and have a, have a drink, put my feet up, watch some TV that's not, um, that's mindless. Mm-hmm. And then get back to work.
Yeah.
Mm-hmm.
Um, as a consultant, what are some of the things that you see businesses doing that are just silly? You're like, I can't believe you keep calling me.
And it's the same problem, child
jumping on other people's, uh, trains or their fads that are just ridiculous. Mm-hmm. It is not for you to have. Okay. That's a pet service. You are a cosmetologist. You have no business. Yeah. Adding pets to your, to your whole, what? What do you, you can't bring a dog to your salon, so what do you even, mm-hmm.
Mm-hmm. It doesn't make sense. Like I've seen so many, like, oh as, and I'm a publicist as well, so, oh, this person got on this, this network, this network, this network. I was like, first of all, stop looking at their credits and understand that some of this stuff is paid. Mm-hmm. Do you have the budget to pay for this?
Mm-hmm. Like understanding, you can, you know, pulling people off the edge when they're seeing all these people get these things or these, um, placements or. Launching these new businesses that eventually fail after like two weeks. Yeah. You know, like pulling them off the edge and letting them know, Hey, it's okay.
You have time, I'm gonna lose a million dollars. You haven't even made a million dollars. Right. Yeah.
Yeah. It's crazy how much FOMO shows up in business. Mm-hmm. Yeah. Just my favorite example is like a client that came to me and she's like, I need a Twitter strategy. And I'm like, okay, you don't have a business yet.
So maybe we start there like,
what are we on? Okay, first of all, what is the strategy for like, mm-hmm. Mm-hmm. Just list.
Yeah. But I mean, you know, there's so many people today hustling, this is a thing you need to fix your business. And people are like, I need that now. And I'm like, no,
no. Mm-hmm. If I see one more.
I can teach you how to pivot coach. Mm-hmm. I'm going to ask for somebody to unplug the internet. Just unplug it. Yeah. Just let it just stop.
It's frustrating. I just, I, I, I'm at a loss for words because mm-hmm. All of a sudden it's an influx of popup of these so-called coaches that can take your business to a next level. I'm looking at it like, weren't you selling shoes last week? Mm-hmm. But Okay. Mm-hmm. You a coach today. Got it. Yep. Mm-hmm.
No.
And, and, and the truth is that what works in business doesn't actually change ever. It's like, what works in creating great humans? Kind of the same stuff every time,
you know, every single time. Mm-hmm. It, and it's like they wanna reinvent the wheel and, but it's like you're putting a new package on an old, uh, on an, on an old, uh, book.
So stop, like, yeah. Just. Hard work, integrity, and, you know, knowing your market, knowing your audience, knowing mm-hmm. What you wanna convey and what you want to bring to the table. It's like, it is, it's very simple. Yeah. I don't, I don't, I keep telling people, kiss it and stop it. Mm-hmm. You know what it is,
kiss it and stop it.
I think I'm, I'm gonna adopt that for some of my clients. Kiss it and stop it.
Mm-hmm. Yep. Because it's like you can't come up with a new gimmick every other week and expect people to stay on board with you.
No, and, and I truly, the people that scale that, everyone wants to be like, they only do one thing.
That's it. Mm-hmm. That's, and that thing, and people keep failing to miss that, that whole, I need eight streams of income, so I can do, do eight. You could have eight streams of income from that one thing. Yes. So,
so you understand, I, I'm glad I'm talking to someone who understands what I go through on a daily basis.
Yes, yes. There's a lot of like, hold on, let's, let's go back to the beginning. Hold on. Mm-hmm. So you have five businesses and they're all very unique. Um, yes. So being someone who's an entrepreneur, who's, who's consulting for other people and yet still doing what sounds like passion projects in addition, like how do you pick and choose from all the ideas you have, which one's gonna become the next business,
whichever.
Um, wakes me up in the middle of the night. Yeah. That one thing that I sit up and I'm like, aha. Yes. That moment is what makes me mm-hmm. You know what, what brings it to me? And I love that. That's the part that I can't deny, I can't ignore, I can't just not do it. I have to. Mm-hmm.
There's a, a couple people, um, I work with who get anxiety about losing ideas and information and like, essentially it's like hoarding, uh, these things.
And I said, I don't know if it is faith or if it is just, it's just the only sanity that I understand. But if I am meant to launch a business or if I am meant to take something on, uh, to your point, it doesn't go away. It doesn't leave me alone. Like it's almost impossible to lose something that you're really meant to.
Do.
Right. Because it's meant for you. It's made mm-hmm. For you that, you know it's already allocated to you. It's no reason to panic or, you know, flip out and think that you've lost it, it's gonna be there. Mm-hmm. So, most of the ideas that I launched, um, my radio station, I launched that a couple. Like I started working on that years ago.
Mm-hmm. And I know it's something that I'm going to, that I'm gonna continue to do. It's like it's gonna be there. Yeah. You know, there is 1,000,001 radio stations, you know, mine is just gonna be different 'cause it's mine. Yeah. So it's like, eh, you know, it may take a little bit, but it's worth it. Mm-hmm.
Mm-hmm.
When you think about the words powerful ladies, separately and together, what does it mean to you?
Powerful is is one of those words that you have to, if you say affirmations or mantras every day, one of those wor, one of those should include powerful. Mm-hmm. Because within yourself you have that power like you have to own and know that you have that power and remind yourself because that's the secret sauce that people are forgetting.
Mm-hmm. That makes them unique is, dang, I have that power within me already. Mm-hmm. What's the thing that's getting motivating you waking you up in the morning, that's power. You know, so it's like you are powerful. Yeah. You have the power, like all of those things, those trigger a, um, a, a fire in you that mm-hmm.
Can't be replaced. Mm-hmm. And ladies, okay, come on. Now. Everybody wants to be called a lady. I don't care what anybody says. People are called women. Well, people who identify as women. Mm-hmm. People who identify as girls, people who identify as feminine, all of these things. But ladies. It's something that's, it's like a call to action, you know what I'm saying?
Mm-hmm. Because it's like, ladies is, it is, it's something different when you call someone a lady. Mm-hmm. You know, because it gives you, it makes you sit up a little bit, you know, just a little bit, hold your head up a little bit higher. Like, 'cause you know I am a lady. Mm-hmm. You will respect me. You will understand me and you will listen to me.
Yeah. And that's what I, oh man. Ladies who lunch. Mm-hmm. You know, all of those things. Like, it, it makes, it makes, it's, it's that word. Mm-hmm. You know? 'cause it's us ladies. Yeah. And we are, you know, that is a so, uh, i, I just love it. You put the two together, you are powerful ladies. That's a different, that's a different category.
Different category. You have your divas. Mm-hmm. You have your girls, you have your queens, you have all of these things. But these ladies, yes, there's one in each one of those groups. But the lady will stand out and you will see her. Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm. Because she's the one that doesn't really speak a lot, but when she speaks, you are spoken to.
Yeah. It's the mic drop, that's it. And then she walks off. Mm-hmm. And that's it. I, I think that people don't understand that. Like I, the ultimate lady that for me mm-hmm. Is from Dynasty, um, Dominique Devereux. Oh, okay. When she spoke and she said what she said, and that was final, I was like, okay, that's a lady.
Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm. Well, that's perfect to transition into who are the powerful ladies in your life that have, you know, inspired you or opened doors for you, or continued to be your support system?
My great-grandmother. Mm-hmm. She told me, use your voice no matter where you are. Mm-hmm. It doesn't matter if you think you're heard or not, you use your voice.
It was given to you for a reason. Mm-hmm. You know, she taught me to trust my gut and go with what I felt and to know that I am, you know. Mm-hmm. Somebody I am, you know, a force. And that's one of the things she told me. She goes, even if she used to make, I used to stand out on the back porch Right. And speak and talk and, you know, do all of these things that she encouraged that because it hold your head up.
Mm-hmm. And do what, do what's necessary. And I, I hear her with me all the time. Like I, oh man, oh my gosh. There's so many great women who have passed through my life that has been. If I don't wanna start naming, because then they'll feel if I leave one out, then I'm gonna be in trouble. Mm-hmm. But I would have to, Marsha Warfield, I met her, talked to her, and she gave me so many great words of advice.
Mm-hmm. That was amazing to me. And that was everything for me. Mm-hmm. So I, I, I can't even, um, I can't even take that away. Oh my gosh. I keep thinking about so many women. Oh man. There's a com, another comedian, um, my gosh, her name is Paris, Sasha. Mm-hmm. She like, it's, um, oh man,
many. What is it about so many, um, what is it about these women and like, how have they, what have they shown you or how have they changed?
Like, where you were at?
For me to be unapologetically me. Mm-hmm. Like, who cares if you know someone has something negative to say? Mm-hmm. Do it anyway. Take, I mean, what, what can they do to you? Nothing. Mm-hmm. You know? Oh my goodness. I, my daughter is 16 years old, but she speaks her mind. Mm-hmm. And I'm like, yo, that is the greatest feeling ever.
Because she has to say what she wants to say it. You can't really do anything about it. You can't really say anything. Like she, she has her point, she makes her, and she does not say sorry. Mm-hmm. For
better or worse, I imagine as a mother better, it's
like, I'm just, you know, and it's, for me, it's not disrespectful.
Mm-hmm. But I have to listen and understand that she has a voice, that she has to use it in. It's okay to let your children express themselves and when they get beside themselves, you gotta reign them in. Yeah. But sometimes you do have to let them speak and some you learn when you let them speak. Mm-hmm.
You know? 'cause their views on the world are not jaded yet.
Yeah.
So I, I love that. I love to hear her talk. I love to hear her speak about stuff. Yeah.
Well, and I like your distinction between expressing yourself versus getting beside yourself. Yeah. Because there, that is such a, you know, beautiful way to articulate when do people need to get, you know mm-hmm.
Brought back. Because even with adults need it more than kids most of the time.
Mm-hmm. Yeah. I, I, I don't even, because some, some adults think that just because they have an opinion and they want to say what they need to say, they could say it, they could say it, and it's like, wait a minute. Now you don't have that Right.
To say that to someone. Mm-hmm. Just because it's a thought. You don't have that right to say that. You know, so, yeah.
Well, and, and there's a responsibility level, right, of when you are communicating, you have to take responsibility for it. You know, whether it's to a partner and like, did you just upset them or did you like, 'cause we say things all the time and they don't come out the way that we, our intention was.
So we need to have responsibility for that. We also have to be responsible for, how, is what I'm saying, going to impact somebody else. Right. And you know, are you just talking to talk? 'cause that's just creating noise, which I don't know if we need it all the time. Mm-hmm.
I look at these videos of people overstepping their boundaries with people, like, they don't even know.
Mm-hmm. And I'm like, if you would've just minded your, just don't say anything, it's, it's okay not to say anything. You could think the thoughts all the time. Mm-hmm. But it's okay not to say anything. I see people go on people's business posts and have a long dissertation on why they shouldn't do this in their business and while their business is gonna fail.
I'm like, first of all. Nobody asked you. Mm-hmm. You know, you don't, it's a boundaries thing that I think that we have gotten away from, you know, people, uh, people just never cease to amaze me with.
Yeah. Yeah. And, and, and you know, I, there's, there's a little bit of going back to ladies, right? Where is the class in our communication?
Because there is a way to stand up for what you believe in mm-hmm. And speak up. And there's a way to do that, that is powerful and classy and, and makes an impact versus. Going off the rails and really like, totally distracting from what the intention was.
Right. And it, it doesn't makes sense because I've seen people post about, oh, I wanna launch this business.
This is a great thing, and there's one person that comes and just knocks them all the way down. Mm-hmm. Like, why would it be your mission to take away or to, to dismiss someone's dream? Yeah. Like, who are you and what, what, why do you feel this is okay? Mm-hmm.
Mm-hmm. And, you know, it's fear-based. It's never like, they're not dropping a, a business pro tip that they needed.
No.
They're just upset that someone thought of something and felt confident enough to announce that they are going to pursue something. Mm-hmm. Because they had, they're not able to pursue it. I,
yeah. To, to me, another indicator of powerful humans, not just ladies, are that you're so busy and up to things that.
There isn't almost time to critique or criticize or care beyond, like your scope.
There's one thing I, I would rather, I would rather someone be busy focused on themselves, and I tell people all the time, put your blinders on. Mm-hmm. If you have your blinders on, you won't have time to be distracted about by anybody else. Yeah. And I, it's, it's, that's a dream killer within itself, not having your blinders on.
Mm-hmm. You know, you could be blind to people, what other people, anybody else is doing, but not be blind to what's going on around you, you know? Yeah. It, there's a, there's a, there's a balance that happens. You know, you wanna know what's going on in the world. You really don't wanna pay attention to, to everybody else's race that they're running.
Yeah. So it's like, you know, be the horsey that wins the race. Mm-hmm. Because he didn't look at everybody else. 'cause the minute you turn your head mm-hmm. You've stumbled and fell like, um, I don't know a horse that fell. I don't, you know, I don't follow a break, but you know what I'm saying? You've seen the cartoons, they roll over and they take everybody down with 'em.
Mm-hmm. That's it.
Mm-hmm. Do you see a correlation between being an entrepreneur or, or even entrepreneurial minded and being an activist?
Yes. Mm-hmm. Because within. The community activism or any kind of activism, you have to have a foundation. You have to have a mission. You have to have basically the same structures of when you're launching a business mm-hmm.
On what actions you're gonna take and how are you gonna be successful. Yeah. Because you cannot be an activist and not have plan. I'm just gonna stand out here on this corner. Okay. And then what? And did what? Like people gonna see you. That's it. Mm-hmm. Okay. If that's all you wanna do, cool. Yeah. You know, but make it a plan.
Like I, that's one of the things I think that a lot of times we have the issue with are people who are doing these things and don't have a plan or that action. Mm-hmm. Or a plan to how to, um. You know, pi like, not pivot, but if something happens, they don't have any kind of protection to bring them back.
There's no backup plan. Yeah. There's no escape escape plan. There's no, oh my gosh, if this happened, this is what I'll do. Yeah. So this, you know, plan it fast and loose and hope it shakes out. Okay. It's, it's not gonna work. Yeah. It is not, it's not ideal. So yeah. That is the biggest thing that I think with, with activism.
Mm-hmm. Please have a plan. Yeah. Don't go out and say, I'm just gonna dial nine one one, or I'm gonna call my cousin, um, to come and get me if something happen. No, no. That's not a plan. Mm-hmm. What do you want people to, to do? What message do you want to convey or to lay on people's hearts for them to change?
Yeah. You know what, what, what? What do you really want your outcome mm-hmm. To be, and it has to be some kind of change that makes an impact, not just for show, I'm in the newspaper. Okay. Everybody can get there's words in the newspaper all the time. Mm-hmm. I just, uh,
yeah. Well, I, and um, what I'm one of my businesses before Powerful ladies, and even being a, a full-time coach was coaching, um, nonprofits and helping them get off the ground because there's so many amazing ideas that have all the heart and the passion, but like you said, no plan structure.
Yeah. And ultimately it's a business like that's mm-hmm. That's what it is. And so, you know, when I've been working on like, what do I call myself? I'm like, I don't know, like I'm a project person, like a business or that, like they're all projects 'cause they all need the same things. Um, but for me, like when I look at tying activism to entrepreneurship, I just see people who want things to be different mm-hmm.
Or better and are willing to take the steps to make it happen. Um, like you can't be an on, entrepreneurs don't come from, everything's fine. I'll just leave it the way it is. Otherwise we never start
nothing. Like, that's not all just like mm-hmm. It, it, it never, I work with a nonprofit from the, from the start to the finish.
Mm-hmm. And, um. They were like, what? Why does everything have to be this is, this is a nonprofit. We don't make money. I said, yes, you do. Yeah. How are your lights paid? Mm-hmm. How is this lease being paid? How are you buying paid before the printer? Like, stop, like get out of that whole mindset that we are a nonprofit and we can't make money.
Like we, it, there's a way that things have to be done. This is a business. Mm-hmm. If you want people to give you more money, you have to manage the money that you already have. Like, yeah. This whole, listen,
nonprofit does not mean everyone volunteers.
Mm-hmm. Sweat equity cannot be taxable. Right. I'm just saying you can't tax that.
Like Yeah. But it's, it's an understanding and I really wished I'm, I'm glad that you're a coach. That takes, that takes that out. The myth out of that. Mm-hmm. A lot of, I've seen so many people, so many people come to me. I'm not a coach. And it's almost like, are you a business coach? Uhuh? No. A coach. A coach helps you with accountability.
They make sure you meet those goals that they set in place. I am a consultant. Mm-hmm. You know, I give you your task. If you don't complete 'em this month, I'm billing you for next month so we can get it done. Like even mm-hmm. However long it takes you to get it done. I set your solutions. Yep. You know, your coach can implement and, you know, hold you accountable to, to meet the solutions that I've created for you.
I, I don't, I just, when I find myself becoming more invested into a business than a person that I'm consulting with. Yeah. I pull a coach in.
Yeah.
You all are a necessary need. Mm-hmm. I just, I don't have the patience for it. I commend you for that.
No, and it's, it is also why I do, I'm, I'm like a slashy coach consultant because.
There are, there's so much mindset work that can needs to get moved out of the way. And to your point, sometimes it's just getting people and their money story straight. It stops so many people from succeeding. But at the end of the day, it's like, you know, we, we can only work on your mindset so long before the business has run out of time.
Yep. So, you know, what, what actions do you really wanna take?
And that's where I get a lot of, I had one person who I actually had to pull in mm-hmm. A coach for, because it was a defeatist attitude. Mm-hmm. And like, listen, I speak life in everything that I do every day. Yeah. You are not gonna get, you'll take your hour or two with me and talk about, oh, how this is not gonna work.
Mm-hmm. And I am not, I don't know. Every time I send an email, they respond back and they don't wanna work with me anymore. I listen. That sounds like you need to get, let's send you to someone who can help you. Mm-hmm. With that whole defeatist attitude, because in business you have to be a winner every day.
Yes.
You can't walk into the day, oh, I'm not gonna make any money today. Mm-hmm. Oh, okay. Then you're not, you just, you just go back to sleep. You've already wrapped up your day, closed your office, you're done for the day. Mm-hmm. Like, you can't do that. You know, you just, I listen. Real coaches understand. You understand.
Exactly. And I love the fact that you understand what I'm talking about. Mm-hmm. Oh, that is, this is a great,
well, there, there's, so, you know what's motivated me for so many of my businesses is hearing people say, I can't. And I'm like, what? Oh, and there are moments when I, like you've said, I get so excited about their business idea that I'm like, oh, we can do this and this and this and this, and it's already made in my head.
And they're like, mm-hmm. I don't know if it's gonna work. I'm like, what?
Oh, what? And it's no. See, that's why I saw blah. Thank you. Have a great day. I, I, you, you wanna take it there and help them overcome that. That is your role, that is your ministry. That is not mine. So as soon as someone hits me with that.
You know what? I have somebody to call. Mm-hmm. And I will get you on the phone with them. They can help you figure out why you're having this roadblock. And when y'all are ready, you can come back. Mm-hmm. And we can talk like, I,
well, and I, I, you bring up such a great point. It's so important as someone who provides a service, any kind for photographer mm-hmm.
Consultant who can say, who is not your customer. Right. We, we talk so much about who is your customer, but I think often telling people to start with who's not your customer and like, what do they have to have before they come to you is so important. Otherwise, you're spending all your time that you made this business force, you could have a great life with people you don't wanna hang out with.
You know, you see, I, I learned. From the, my mentor that had the dating service mm-hmm. Who I did not wanna appeal to, who I wanted to work with. Mm-hmm. Who I did not wanna work with and what I was willing to tolerate. Yeah. And I was like, wow. When he said he got, when he got up from the table, there was a company that was willing to come in and do this great, um, excursion service and all of this.
Right. This was back in the early two thousands. Mm-hmm. Where, you know, excursion dating was a great thing where, you know, you take a group of singles and you put 'em on those hang gls and all that kind of stuff, and the minute the person said something like just the attitude that they came in with, he goes, no, thank you.
Y'all have a great day. I said, wait, wait. They didn't even say anything. He goes, they walked in with the wrong attitude. Mm-hmm. I was just shocked. And I was like, you realize, I realized then that it is okay. Mm-hmm. You know, we went through four or five different little boutique companies until we found one that was amazing.
Mm-hmm. But as soon as they walked in, he was like, this is not gonna work. Thank you so much for your time. Yeah. And I, I, you my, the look on my face was just all like mm-hmm. You know, I'm 19, 18, 19 years old. I had no clue that you could see that. Mm-hmm. But he was seasoned enough to know, like, this is a headache I did not want.
Yeah. This is something that I don't want to deal with. I, you know, and I'm like, I've, I'm so glad I've been able to get to that point and not feel guilty about it. Yeah. And yeah. Wow. I just,
well, 'cause you would've felt guilty about it either saying no to possible income or to helping someone. I bet. Right.
Those are usually the two. Yeah.
Mm-hmm. Because it's like, you wanna give people a chance and you wanna see the good. Yeah. But in business, seeing the good can close your business. Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm. Yeah. You, you'll have no revenue, nothing because you wanna see the good and you end up losing your shirt. Yeah.
And, and even just knowing that when things work in your business and you have the right people, the right clients, the right team, the right whatever you need, it is a whole different level of ease and flow and fun. Like, it, it really becomes a, like, I don't even know if I can articulate what the feeling is unless you've experienced that.
Like, wait, this is what it can be like. Like I can be making this money and it can feel like this at the same time. Like, why didn't anyone tell me? Mm-hmm.
It is a euphoria, like it is. I get up every day now with that feeling 'cause it's like I love what I do. Mm-hmm. I'm able to help others. I'm able to help myself, and I'm able to provide for my family and I'm, I'm loving it.
Yeah. Like, I love, I gladly wake up and put it in 11, 12 hours sitting at the computer all day. Mm-hmm. And I'm fine with that. And it feels so good. Yeah. Like, ooh. It is, it is a different kind of feeling than you just, you have to do, you have to smile about it.
Well, that makes me wonder, so we ask everybody on The Powerful Ladies Podcast, where you put yourself on the Powerful ladies scale, zero being average everyday human, and 10 being like most powerful lady you can imagine.
How do you feel today and where would you score yourself on an average day? Today
I'm at the high. I'm like an eight and a half, nine. Nice. Because I had work to do, but I had, I was recording something and then I knew I was looking forward to this mm-hmm. Today. Mm-hmm. The recording today, I was like, 'cause you all, you I, I'll tell you about it later.
I was just, I'm so in awe on what you all do, so thank you. It was a great day. Today, it's a Sunday, it feels good. And on every, and Mondays are, are my slow days. Mm-hmm. So I'm always happy about that 'cause I'm able to do my backend stuff, but mm-hmm. Usually every day now it's been a seven or between seven and a nine.
Mm-hmm. No 10 days yet. Because, you know, there's always that one thing that happens that's like, you know what, why, you know, that one email that come through, it's like, what, what were you thinking? It is every single day, but it, you know, that's life every. There will never be, there will be 10 days, I think coming.
Yeah, but not, I haven't had one recently because people are home and they got a lot of time on their hands. Yes, yes. And I'm pretty sure you get one those ebos every single day. Like what? Mm-hmm. Are you thinking? But okay, let's work you through that. Yeah. So. Mm-hmm. Goodness.
Well, it makes me think like when you talked about how you can like decline a client and say, no thank you.
Mm-hmm. Like, that's such a boss move, right? Like, you know that Oprah is walking around being like, no, and mm-hmm. No. Yeah. And I've kind of, you know, we asked about the email thing and I've really taken on communication between sessions not being an available, which at first people are like, what, what? And I'm like, no.
Like we talk during our sessions. I can support you in 10 minutes or less between that when I'm available and when I can get to it. But I have no commitments for like 48 hours return communication. Mm-hmm. I have no, if I'm, if it's after hours on weekends, you, I may not even respond to a text
and you get it.
Oh, text. Lemme tell you something. Let's go ahead and talk about this. I have, I used to be available 24 7. Mm-hmm. Then I realized when I said I have a family situation or I'm enjoying time with my family, and they thought it was okay to disregard that. Oh, you wonder it for everybody now. Yeah. You get, these are the hours.
Mm-hmm. This is your, your scheduled time where you had with me. If I choose to talk to you, respond to you, yeah. You know, outside of that, then you will get that. But other than that, this is, this is what it's been reduced to. Mm-hmm. Do you It was the hardest notice for me to send. Yeah. You know, this is the phone number you all will use.
I have two phones and a Google Voice. Mm-hmm. Only certain people have my real phone number. Mm-hmm. It is what it is.
But I bet it changed your entire business for you.
Oh, it did? Mm-hmm. Oh, it did. I was never, I did not feel the undue pressure to be responsive anymore. Mm-hmm. Or feel guilty when I could not do that.
Yeah. Yep. It opens up everything differently.
Everything.
I, I think it also demand, like it also makes your customer like level up or your client because suddenly they realize, oh, this is like, this is a privilege, this is a serious thing. Okay, I gotta show up bigger. Like I need to like level up. And it's funny 'cause you think if you tell people I'm cutting back and like, deal with it, they're gonna go the other way when it, and it actually, the opposite happens, the total opposite.
You suddenly get more people doing what you want them to do and even better clients. Yep. Mm-hmm.
I have the level of cl I cleaned house. Mm-hmm. Um, last year of clients who took me for granted. Mm-hmm. And they were my lowest paying clients, but they were the biggest headaches ever. Yep. And I made concessions to work for dag on less than less than 50 cents an hour.
Wow. And when I looked at the grand, when I put in the, when I documented a number of hours, I was a, I was disgusted with myself. So when they were like, well, my contract is ending, I don't know if, bye, here's your letter of disengagement. You are, be blessed. Mm-hmm. I wish you nothing but the best. Yep. I'm not dealing with it.
You and all your friends can go. Mm-hmm. I'm good. And I, that was Uh huh I felt so good.
Yeah. Well, and, and it goes back to like, entrepreneur self-care is making sure that the boss is the, like, is in a boss position. 'cause Yep. You, especially when you're providing. The level of support and guidance that you are.
Mm-hmm. You, you know, you don't get a chance to have an off day. Like you can't, you have to be at a hundred percent to deliver what you're committed to in all your businesses. So anything that is taking away from that, like it has to go, it has to.
Yeah. And I, um, I realized that like anyone who makes, who would dismiss your business in the amount of time that you put in and effort to growing mm-hmm.
And then have the, the audacity to say, you didn't do anything to help my business, but your roster is full and people know your name. Mm-hmm. Then that's not the person you need. And it's okay to not, to, to not accept that. Yeah. It's okay. That's, that's, um, that's abuse and it's not okay. Like, you are not here to be abused by people who needed you, who reached out because they needed you.
Right? Mm-hmm. So, yeah.
How much, when you have five businesses, how are you splitting up your time so that they are all getting supported?
Time management is key. Mm-hmm. So I break my schedule out where I actually schedule the time that I want. I'm going to work on things. Mm-hmm. Because I have adult A DHD, which, and you know, bipolar disorder, depression, all of that.
Right. But you can manage everything. Mm-hmm. By scheduling and being committed to being on schedule. So even with all of those things going on, structure is key. Mm-hmm. And that's my biggest thing. You all hosted a great time management webinar. Thank you. And I missed it. Thank you. I was like, Ooh, y'all don't understand.
This is, this will change your life. Mm-hmm. Time management will change your life. It changed mine. Mm-hmm. Because I had a career, a full career. I traveled a lot and I ran my businesses. While I was working this demanding career in this demanding career. Mm-hmm. But how I was able to manage it, time man, time management.
Mm-hmm. I allocated time where I was working for the, for working for the company, and then I had the time where I was working within my business. Mm-hmm. And you just have to structure your day so that you get all of the things or some of the things on your task list, be realistic about the things on your task list.
Mm-hmm. I, that is the key for me to service all of my business at, at, at every day, making realistic timelines. Mm-hmm. Making realistic task list and being mindful of my time and scheduling it correctly. Ooh, I do.
Yeah. No, 100%.
I like that. I like being able to do, it's refreshing. Mm-hmm.
Well, I, you know, I, I said it in the, in the workshop and if you registered, you'll, you got a replay link today.
But, um, so for me it's always, if I prepare, if I block out my day or even my week, the next day when I wake up, I don't have to think. It's like less decisions I have to make. I just do what I told myself to do yesterday. Mm-hmm. Like, it's not my calendar telling me, it was me telling me, um, honey, you have to be
okay with doing that.
Mm-hmm. You know. Oh, it is a, it is a, it's a, it's like a, you wake up in the morning, here's your, you when it, I get my email to-do list, I have it set mm-hmm. To email me at 4:30 AM mm-hmm. It's the first thing that pops up. This is what I'm doing today. These are the tasks, and I'm fine. Yeah. And I, that's what I'm doing that day.
And you achieve it. Like if you do it, you get it done. And it's like you're putting points on the board. There's, um, a book I talk a lot about on this podcast called Discipline Equals Freedom by Jocko Willink. Mm-hmm. And great book. Listen to the audio because he has a, a great Navy Seal classic voice. So, um, it sounds like you're a course that would be a Navy Seal.
Um, but then there's also the book, the one thing, and what the one thing talks about that changes it a little bit is, makes it habits equal freedom. Mm-hmm. Because discipline can be painful. Right. It can be no fun. Right. But a habit, like you don't even know you're doing it anymore.
Because everybody has a ev.
Habits are easily, you could change your habits. You can, you can mm-hmm. Create better habits. You could do those things. Discipline, it just sounds so corporal, and so Yes. Mean yes, yes. But habits, you know, you could change those, those are the good things that you can adjust, so, yeah. Yeah. I like that.
Yeah.
And you only really need to turn on your discipline muscle for the however many days it takes to change the habit. Then you're like, whew, I'm free again.
Right? Mm-hmm. And you're good. Mm-hmm. Those set you on a great path though.
Yes. Oh, I like that. When you are talking to your kids about entrepreneurship or activism, like what do you want them to know is possible and like, what are you doing to make sure that they are the great citizens that, that, um, you're showing up as.
Well, my oldest will be 18 in October. Mm-hmm. This is his vote. First time he's voting, but he's seen me How exciting he's ex. Oh, he is so excited. Mm-hmm. I have seen, they've seen me, um, register people to vote, explain the voting process. Even though civics is taught in school. Is it anymore? I don't know. I I said, even though it's taught in school mm-hmm.
You learn at home. People, um, read how the laws work is in your, within your home and explain like, so that you know. Mm-hmm. Um, but they've realized that how their voice matters and how, like we, we don't have voting in here 'cause it's what mom and dad say this goes, but, you know, you could give your input, we can adjust accordingly, but teaching them that no one should have to tell you to be a good person.
Mm-hmm. Like, I shouldn't tell you to be nice to someone like that. That is, that is so teaching my children that and having them understand the, you know, the whole parameter of, you know, you, you can be a genuinely good person, you know? Mm-hmm. But as it pertains to entrepreneurship, they watch me and they've learned from me.
They ask questions, but, you know, the, the biggest thing I've taken away from all four of them is when does the fun start? Yeah. They haven't gotten to that point where when you love what you do, it'll always be fun. Mm-hmm. So right now they're just, they're looking at entrepreneurship as work. Yeah. They're not passionate about, other than wanting to be a YouTuber.
And I'm like, eh, that's cool. But everybody, that's not for everybody, but because they look at all the successful ones and they're like, I wanna do this. Okay. So I tell 'em, write me a plan. They abandoned that right quick. That's abandoned. Like, what, what do we need to plan for? But I wanna get all these sponsorships and I wanna do all this.
That takes planning. Mm-hmm. That takes work. That takes a lot of things. But they did it. They took, they planned. Yeah. They executed and they stayed on target. Mm-hmm. You know it, but it wasn't just sitting down with a camera and playing a game. No. There's strategic, there's strategy to this. It's strategic moves here in play, so they just wanna do the fun one.
The fun part.
Well, I, and I think that's a reoccurring thing with any business, right? It looks so glamorous from the outside and it's like, okay, cool. Like, are you gonna hang out with me when I'm recording 15 podcasts in one day?
Do you know what they, they, they don't, they don't understand. Mm-hmm.
Yeah.
With the, the output you see from any business is probably 20% of the entire work it takes.
That's it. Mm-hmm. People don't see the late nights that actually do happen, the late nights that do, um, that do come along with entrepreneurship. Yeah. You know, that is the biggest thing I think that a lot of people don't understand.
Amount of research and reading that goes into learning a different trade or adding a different, uh, course of action to your plan or scaling it. You have to read about the different things that will help you scale. Mm-hmm. Then you have to look at how it would factor into the, to the grand scheme of things, how that will fit the puzzle of your business.
So mm-hmm. All of these things come into play that a lot of people don't realize. Like, if will this, will this payment, um, structure work with what I'm doing? Mm-hmm. You know, will this, this new intake form, how will it affect, like, it's so many different things that everyone's like, oh, they have everything streamlined.
Do y'all not know how much work goes into that? Yeah.
Yep. And most people have no idea what an SOP is, so it's like, let's start there.
You know, the first thing I ask when I talk to people, it's like, what's your SOP? Can I see your SOP? Yeah. What is that? Oh. Mm-hmm. You'll start all over. Let's take you down back the platform.
Let's create that document. Mm-hmm. Let's create your binder. And I used to have a binder. Yep. Me too. Mm-hmm. And I think a lot of people got away from it's electronic. No, that binder. And I have, um, I still have binders from old positions that I've had that I created. And I, I used to leave a copy. When I left the position, I was like, you know, I'm keeping my stuff.
No, I, I, yes. Like. Um, the number of times I've left a role and created a binder for the person coming for sure. I'm like, how else are you gonna know how to do this?
How else are you gonna know that on Thursday this person takes an extra 30 minutes? You know? Mm-hmm. And you have to look out for that, even if you're not in that support role.
Yeah. Knowing exactly what's going on everywhere helps you a whole lot.
Yeah. And for everyone listening who's now horrified that they don't know what an SOP is, it just means standard operating procedure, it's how it works, it's, mm-hmm. Um, it can be a checklist even if you're just starting out making your.
Order of operations, but having, it's the only way you can delegate, right? Like in the time management class, we had a whole section about automate, delegate, delete. Yeah. And you can't delegate, you won't be delegating cost effectively if you don't have an SOP
and people don't even understand it, even though I'm a business of one.
Mm-hmm. Every single one of my businesses has this processes documented. Because same if I am hit by a bus, I gotta be outside to do that. But, you know, right now, but I would want someone to take, pick up where I left off and keep my businesses running. Yeah. You know, because my children's leg, my legacy has to go on and I wouldn't want my business to stop with me.
Yeah. So these are the things that have to go into play. Like, I really do wanna think people need to understand that part.
Well, and I, you know, not even worrying about if I get hit by a bus, but like there are days that I don't remember. What I did yesterday, so I need the SOP so I can remember, oh wait, what was the script I put together?
What was the next step? Because you're running all over the place and you know, you just don't know. It's like, it's a foolproof way to make sure that I'm delivering the same quality each time, where I can go back to my checklist.
Mm-hmm. And what's so funny, I like between my notes on my phone, my iPad, and my Google notes.
Mm-hmm. My Google docs and my SOP, like the, I keep adding stuff. Yes. Like if a client is feeling this way mm-hmm. This is what you do. It's like my own little cheat sheet and it's, uh, it's amazing. Mm-hmm. Oh, how that, that one thing can I smile? Because it's like, yo, I, when I look back and I'm looking back, I have entries from 2004.
Mm-hmm. It's like, wow. It's like a diary of what not to do in business. Yeah. Or what to do in
business. Yes. There's your book. There's your book. Yep. Um, so obviously we have a very important election this year, and you being an activist, you've talked about registering people to vote. What do you think is the foundation for being a good civic citizen, let alone citizen
knowing what role you can play within your county or city?
Mm-hmm. I work the polls. That's a, that's a position that a lot of people don't know they can sign up for. Mm-hmm. I want to make sure there's representation. When you go to place your ballot, you don't feel uncomfortable. A smiling face does wonders for someone who's voting the first time or scared about knowing anything.
Mm-hmm. You know, so a lot of times that actually happens with, um. With people come going to vote, you know, they're scared. Mm-hmm. Sometimes they're confused. They don't know what they can ask for help. You know, they didn't even know those. There's so many different things that are offered, but you can volunteer.
You could actually be on the committees for your board of supervisor, your mayor's office, like these are so many, being a good civic citizen is knowing what roles are available for you. Mm-hmm. You could do, you could work with the school board, the school district, you know, at the school board meetings, the town hall meetings, like you can do all the things.
Knowing that you can be a part of the system. Yeah. As a volunteer will help you as a citizen to connect with your community. So it's, mm-hmm. It's those things that make me excited about being a great citizen. It's like, you know, there's a lot of protests going on in with this election coming up. There's so many protests about people who are not heard.
I'm one of them, you know? Mm-hmm. But. I see what they're doing. But you could be the change that's on the other side of that. Yeah. You can actually be in the offices and talk to them directly, talk to them to help change the policy. Mm-hmm. Protesting without action is, it doesn't, it is never gonna work.
You have to know where you can get in to fit in, to be where you need to be so you can make a change. Mm-hmm. You know? Mm-hmm. It it, if you see an office that's lacking representation, find out where you can volunteer to help them. Mm-hmm. It's, it's that simple. It's that easy to do
when, I love that you brought up, starting at home, right?
You're starting at home with educating yourself. You're starting at home in your own city or county. There's, you know, I think people disregard the power of local politics and it's, you know, to me it's almost more important than anything else. Mm-hmm.
Um, yeah, I just, I'm sorry I'm No, no. Um, it's one of those things like a lot of people forget that that's where the laws are made.
Mm-hmm. Before they get to federal and state level, it's in your backyard first. Mm-hmm. So start there and learn that that's where you can actually do the most good.
Yeah.
Because the 15 years it takes for a policy to change up in Washington, it could change in 30 days where you are. Yeah. So understand how the cycle works and understand where your impact is gonna be, greater be felt.
Mm-hmm. It's, I can talk for days about it because it's like, it's so important and everybody's like, oh, we have to get to Washington. No, you need to go down to the city hall. Mm-hmm. That's where you need to go.
Well, I, um, saw a news report on how Des Moines, Iowa made so many quick changes mm-hmm. When the protest started.
And I was like, yeah, of course they did. Um, they're the, they're a small city. There's not a lot of people to bring together to make a change, so I'm not surprised that they were the ones that were able to make changes happen quickly. Um, how much of your life is a surprise and how much of it is, is, you know, we talked about your dad being an entrepreneur, but like your whole 360 life, is it what you always imagined?
How close are you to your dream life?
I'm very close to my dream, but with the one change, I do not bake or cater anymore. That's the only thing, um, when my dad passed away, it just that, just that passion left. Don't get me wrong, I'll get in I'll, I I'm a baker, but this is a way I imagined it is just in a different format now.
Um. Mm-hmm. I always thought I would be a baker and always be in the kitchen and always doing that, but that wasn't in the cards. I'm better serving people now with this, with what I'm doing now. Mm-hmm. I'm making it making a greater impact because every now and then, now I'll, I'll ship out some cupcakes or some lemon curd or something like that.
Something that I've zed up every now and then, but I didn't, I never imagined having this much impact with mm-hmm. With everything. I just, it's, it's amazing. It's, it's, I like the surprise.
Well, and I love that when you talked about how much impact you're making, you lit up, like you smiled, it's huge, right?
Yeah. Like is it, um, making a difference on people changes everything? It does because you leave an impression on our hearts.
Mm-hmm. Um, my, my greatest goal is to make people's lives a little bit better. Yeah. Um, because just a glimmer of hope, just a little bit can change, make or break someone's whole outlook on life.
Mm-hmm. So giving someone hope or smile or a boost of confidence does wonders. And I don't do, I do it because everybody deserves to have that. Everyone deserves to have that joy that it, it's, it's that certain you can't put a. You know, umami, you know, that's the flavor. That's just, yeah. That's, mm-hmm.
Feelings, emotional umami. That's what I want to leave people with.
I love that. No, it's true. It's like you can't, you can't explain the sparkle unless you felt it. Yes. And, and you know, being, we shared that, we know everyone can feel it. Like you already have it, you just need to turn it on. Mm-hmm.
Yeah. And I, I love seeing when people walk away and they're just smiling and they're like,
it's like a care bear star. It's like part, it's like what's needed. And I love that. Mm-hmm. And I love being able to, to spark that in people.
That's amazing. Well, I can't think of a better way to wrap up this podcast than with that. Um, but before we do, is there anything else that you want to share with everyone listening today?
Walk into people's lives and their businesses with good intention. Mm-hmm. You make sure that you're leaving an impact that can make them go forward in life and not remain stagnant or, or go backwards. Use only words that speak life and that are, that are, uh. Joyous. Like that's all I can really say. Like lead people with emotional imami.
That's what it's,
I love it. I love it. New trademark. Yes. You're hurting it first. Mm-hmm. Well, thank you so much for being a yes to me and the Powerful ladies, and it's been such a pleasure and I look forward to getting to have you on again. 'cause I'm sure we could talk for days about all these things that we love.
I, I know I've been watching and I love you. I love you all so much. Thank you so much. No, it's the same. It's a sisterhood. Sisterhood of powerful ladies. Yes. Mm-hmm. I love it.
How powerful is that woman? That powerful lady? I loved recording this episode. It's proof that there is always someone out there who gets you, who understands, who is like your business mindset twin. It's also proof that you can do anything you want and include all the parts that matter to you. I hope you're left as inspired and lit up as I am to follow, connect and support Chandra.
You can follow her on Instagram or Twitter, see gore consults or go to her website, chandra gore consulting.com for all the links to connect with her and notes about what we discussed. You can find all of that@thepowerfulladies.com slash podcast and see you in the show notes. Thank you so much for listening.
I hope you've enjoyed this episode of The Powerful Ladies Podcast. There are so many ways you can get involved and get supported with fellow powerful Ladies First, subscribe to this podcast anywhere you listen to podcast. Give us a five star rating and leave a review on Apple Podcasts. Follow us on Instagram at Powerful Ladies.
Join the Powerful Ladies, thrive Collective. This is the place where powerful ladies connect, level up, and learn how to thrive in business and life. Be sure to subscribe to our YouTube page, and of course, visit our website, the powerful ladies.com. I'd like to thank our producer, composer, and audio engineer Jordan Duffy.
Without her, this wouldn't be possible. You can follow her on Instagram at Jordan K. Duffy. We'll be back next week with a brand new episode. Until then, I hope you're taking on being powerful in your life. Go be awesome and up to something you love.
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