Coaching vs. Consulting, Clarified

January 18, 2011 By 1 Comment

When I hit a point in my business where I was ready to step up my game and increase my marketing efforts, I looked for a business coach. At the time, I thought consultants were for companies to hire, not solo business owners like me. So, I found a “coach” who was actually a consultant. She was a lovely, smart person. I liked her and she really knew her marketing stuff.

The problem is, I needed a real coach first. I wasn’t ready for a consultant. So, all the stuff she “taught” me to do was actually lost on me, because frankly, I wasn’t clear enough about what I wanted to build and how I wanted to build it. Her way simply wasn’t my way – and so it was largely a wasted effort.

Okay, I always learn something valuable – and I did this time, too – but it could have been way more productive and lucrative, if I had gotten the right kind of help at the right time.

That’s why it’s critical that you understand what a coach does and what a consultant does – and you hire the right one at the right time. Here’s a video where I clarify the distinction between coach and consultant. May it save you money and frustration.

Filed Under: business planning, coaching, consulting, entrepeneurialism

Working Retreat Vlog Series: Part 1

January 17, 2011 By Leave a Comment

As I talked about in the starter Working Retreat Vlog Series post, I get amazing amounts of work done during working retreats. I am able to concentrate, find flow, get into the meat of things and actually complete projects that I’ve had brewing for a long time. I usually also weave in some lovely personal/business reflection time, which makes the whole thing feel very rich and purposeful all around. I highly recommend the working retreat.

Here’s my answer to the first question I am often asked by those intrigued by the idea about my working retreats: Where do I go on a working retreat? (get a pen and big piece of paper ready – you’ll want to do some brainstorming when you’re done watching.)

Filed Under: business planning, entrepeneurialism

Working Retreat Blog Series Starter

January 14, 2011 By 3 Comments

You want to get some great work done in the world, right? I feel confident in that guess because you’re here on this blog – and that’s so much of what this blog is about.

So, you really must go on a working retreat – if you don’t already do that. And if you do do that, then you really must share your ways and tips with us so the rest of us can go on even more of them. I was on one today – will be again next Friday. Working retreats are when I get my best work done. I do them often. So, I’m going to do a series of posts on how to pull one together for yourself, based on the three most common questions I get from clients and friends about working retreats:

  1. Where do I go on retreat?
  2. How do I afford a great working retreat?
  3. What do I do on a working retreat?

Here’s the video where I chat about all this:

Filed Under: business planning, entrepeneurialism, Uncategorized

The New Michelle Barry Franco (Note: I’m Still Just Me)

January 12, 2011 By Leave a Comment

As you can see, things have changed quite a bit here at michellebarryfranco.com. I spent the last part of 2010 having some really heartfelt conversations with myself and a few things came out of those conversations:

1. I want to express myself completely, authentically and with my whole heart in this life
2. While public speaking is a big part of my past and will continue to be a meaningful part of my future, it is not my whole message – the one I want to shout from the rooftops
3. I am inspired to talk about the entrepreneurial life, parenting, and the intentionally designed life – the Crafted Life, as I like to call it. It’s a message all mixed up together and I Love every aspect of this “spaghetti map” conversation.

So, that’s what inspires this new focus on www.michellebarryfranco.com. I hope this is a conversation you want to have, too, because I am so excited to get into it with you.

And in case you prefer a more dynamic media explanation of things, here’s a video where I talk about the new adventures here at www.michellebarryfranco.com. This isn’t the whole entire story (so many little details, I’ll share them as we go…), but it’s another version in case you care.

I can’t wait to hear what you have in mind in your world for 2011!

Filed Under: Contribution, entrepeneurialism, mothering, parenting, Uncategorized

2011 is The Year of the Table

January 7, 2011 By 1 Comment

As you may know if you have been reading for a few years, every year as one year rolls into the next in celebratory glory, I declare a theme for the coming year. This past year was The Year of Opening. The year before was The Year of Sleep (possibly my most unsuccessful theme of all at that time). Previous years, before I was blogging and such, included: The Year of the Body (went to intensive, fabulous massage training and LOVED it), The Year of Spirit, The Year of the Mind… you get the idea, right?

So, this year is The Year of the Table.

I’m so thrilled about this year’s theme because it embodies so much of what I want to focus on for the coming year: collaboration (some really exciting business joint ventures coming up!), clean eating, quiet family time, increasing my volunteer time and financial contributions… can you see how the table theme can thread through all of this?

In some cases, it is literal.

I want to eat at a table with my family all together more. I want to have a more beautifully set family table. I want to eat really healthy, clean food.

But the table is also a powerful metaphor for many business things coming up and some personal goals, too.

I have a couple of really exciting business collaborations going on with people I really respect and enjoy. I am totally re-inventing this website and blog (again – but this is the last time!) to reflect my deepest overall commitment and message, which feels so good and right and centered. I am coaching clients one-on-one more – and in entirely new domains (personal, overall business coaching, work/life decisions) and loving that connection and Contribution, very much a “sharing a table” kind of feeling, even as we are doing some fabulous, deep, high-impact work.

On the personal front, I am trying to stay home more. My tendency is to pack up the family and go a lot, even just for car rides, running errands, whatever. I want to minimize that this year and enjoy our home more – and the simplicity that comes from not packing and unpacking three sets of snacks, drinks and various other kiddo accoutrements multiple times a day. I am being extra thoughtful about who I spend time with personally – do they feel like someone I’d like to share a table with (or who would enjoy sharing a table with me)? I tend to say “yes” readily and I need to say “no” more if I am going to really enjoy The Year of the Table.

There are other pieces to this, too. And I know it will evolve as every theme does every year. But for the most part, one week in and counting, things are looking very yummy for 2011. I’m excited to share more with you as it all evolves.

How about you? Do you have a ritual you engage at the start of each year – or any other time of the year? I’d love to hear about it in the comments section (or email if you are feeling private about it.)


Thank you Lane & Anne for this lovely table photo at which I can imagine you all shared a gloriously cheery Thanksgiving. How can you not, with that beautiful yellow theme?

Filed Under: business planning, entrepeneurialism, life overall, parenting
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