Hi, Lori! Please share a brief introduction about yourself and your business:
Lori Young is a certified online business manager, master marketer, and host of the podcast On a Mission Mojo. As the heart-centered founder of On a Mission Brands, Lori is passionate about helping ambitious changemakers scale their business online with strategic business, marketing and operational support. As their strategic biz bestie, her clients enjoy her relationship-focused and business-minded approach to growth. Lori is passionate about her team and leads a collaborative effort that helps everyone have fun while making a big impact. In her spare time, she is spending time with family and friends, watching the latest TV series with her spouse, or trying to master the game of golf — literally impossible.
Who are your customers?
My customers are impact-driven founders and businesses that have a huge desire to make a difference in this world. They are ambitious, heart-centered, and genuinely care about humanity. They have typically hit 6-figures (with a desire to scale), are stuck in the weeds of their business, and need support stepping back into the role of CEO while their business is managed by someone else.
What was your background prior to starting your own business?
My background has always been in managing the operations and growth of start up companies, whether it be my own, or someone else's. I am a two-time entrepreneur and I understand what it takes to grow a brand customers love.
What made you take the leap to start your own business?
I had a calling to make a difference in the world. I didn't feel I was able to truly make the impact I wanted by working for someone else. Works needs to be very personally fulfilling for me and owning my own business provides that creativity, self-expression, fulfillment, and purpose I was looking for.
Did you always know you wanted to be an entrepreneur?
No, I didn't receive my calling to entrepreneurship until after my second son turned 2.
We're so glad you found your calling! Take us back to when you first launched your business; what was your marketing strategy to get the word out and did it go as planned?
When I launched my first business, I primarily used public speaking and an email newsletter. It actually worked very well to spread the news about my coaching business. With my 2nd business, I mailed postcards to get my first client. So old school. But it gave me my start. Today, I rely heavily on content marketing, networking, and word of mouth.
What is the biggest challenge you have encountered along the way so far and what have you learned from it?
My biggest challenge is having to face the rapidly changing business climate — knowing when and how to pivot to meet the demands of new audience needs. The rise of AI and an increase of people entering entrepreneurship challenges us to be innovative and find ways to stand out from the crowd.
We're all trying to navigate AI! What accomplishment are the most proud of to date in your business?
I am proud that I have weathered the storms of entrepreneurship and still stayed in business. And I am super proud of the team that I have built — loyal, talented, and just all around good people.
You have a lot to be proud of! Do you have any recent wins from the last year that you'd like to celebrate with our community?
I want to celebrate my shift to follow my heart and focus on elevating the businesses that are making an impact on humanity. They deserve to be celebrated and I am one business that serves to help them grow.
What's next for your business? What can we expect to see over the next few years?
Just a continual goal of serving from my heart, allowing the Universe to bring me the "right fit" clients that need my services. I have worked hard to build a foundation — it's time for that hard work to pay off.
What is your top productivity tip?
Absolutely everything goes into my PM tool, ClickUp. I don't miss a thing and it enables me to plan and prioritize everything on my plate. In addition, I set strong boundaries on my time to allow for rest, exercising and taking time for play. I believe a clear mind and rested body help me hit it hard when I am working.
On the flip side, how do you avoid burnout?
To avoid burnout, I pay close attention to my body and my feelings. It tells me everything I need to know about where I'm at, if I need rest, if my energy is stuck, or if something feels off.
What is your approach to work-life balance / integration?
I design my life to include a healthy balance of work, play, rest, and self-care. Without healthy boundaries, I would not have time for everything I need to be at my best. I have also designed my business to be able to work from anywhere in the world.
Self-care is key! What is one thing you wish you had known when you started your Entreprenista journey?
How incredibly important is was to have an ongoing networking plan in place. I hid behind my computer for far too long.
When hiring, what is your go-to interview question?
For me, it's important that the people are aligned with my core values. So I normally tell them my values and ask them to tell me which ones resonate with them and why.
If you've raised capital for your business already, what are some of your best tips or lessons learned?
I have been 100% bootstrapped from day one.
Are you a Mamaprenista? If so, please share your best advice for simultaneously managing a business and a family:
I am an empty nester mom now so my best advice is to get your kids involved in your business if you can. Help them understand what it's like to run a business — the good, bad, and ugly. When my boys were younger, I even allowed them to make money doing little tasks for me.
What's the one app on your phone you absolutely cannot live without and why?
Voxer. It's how I communicate with all my team members.
What is your favorite business tool or solution and why?
ClickUp — I cannot live without this tool. All my tasks, projects, workflows and communications are housed in this platform. It basically runs my business.
What advice do you have for aspiring Entreprenistas?
Stay connected to your heart. It's okay to learn from others, but always come back to yourself for the final decisions. Believe in yourself, your expertise, your worth, your dreams. You deserve it all!
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About the Author
Entreprenista Team
