“Until one is committed, there is hesitancy, the chance to draw back, always ineffectiveness. Concerning all acts of initiative (and creation), there is one elementary truth that ignorance of which kills countless ideas and splendid plans: that the moment one definitely commits oneself, then Providence moves too. All sorts of things occur to help one that would never otherwise have occurred. A whole stream of events issues from the decision, raising in one’s favor all manner of unforeseen incidents and meetings and material assistance, which no man could have dreamed would have come his way. Whatever you can do, or dream you can do, begin it. Boldness has genius, power, and magic in it. Begin it now.
”
How Masterminds are Powering Women & Why You Should Be in One
After 8 years in my own mastermind group - The Billionaire Girls Club - I know first-hand how transformational cultivating these relationships can be. These women have introduced me to serious players, provided numerous opportunities from speaking to publishing, given me feedback, advice and have flat out told me the truth. They have helped me grow my business, been champions for my personal growth and have been a constant source of support.
One of our Billionaire Girls Club members, Ingrid Vanderveldt was recently featured by BizWomen in an article called, "On the Hunt For Her First Billion" where she talks about how important her own mastermind group was to her success.
Turns out we're really lucky because many of the top women leaders I speak to feel like they're out on their own. Even if they are running wildly successful companies, they are often too busy heads down scaling their businesses to actually step back and focus on strategy and what's driving the business…and more importantly what's driving them. They also tell me how rare it is to meet other women who get what it's like to operate at their level and how excited they'd be to finally have an intimate setting where they can get honest feedback.
This is exactly why I wanted to provide other women with the same opportunity by creating the Art of Leverage Mastermind Group for 5 extraordinary business women. This is the process I use with my clients to remove all limiting beliefs so they can scale, multiply their valuations, get tied in with partners from Hearst to Coca Cola and create the biggest impact possible even when they have minimal resources. The Art of Leverage Mastermind starts with the biggest point of leverage, mindset. Mindset matters. It shows up in the messaging they use, what they offer, the people they hire, the partners they choose, the asks they make and their bottom line. We then focus on messaging so that they're perfectly positioned and monetization so that they implement those tweaks that can maximize profits with ease and grace. And, these women now have the ability to leverage each other.
Our next Art of Leverage Mastermind starts January 27th. Although the call for applications has passed, because we're hand-curating the group (we want to make sure there's an interesting mix and that everyone is totally aligned) and because of the response we've received, we are considering starting another concurrent group.
This is what we look for:
1. A female business rock-star who makes big bold moves
2. A woman who will provide a wonderful contribution
3. A woman that gets the need for community, collaboration, and connection with women who will push you further
4. A woman who understands that she is the true leverage in her business
If you are this brilliant woman, we want to know and support you. If you know a woman you'd like to nominate that would benefit from the power of leverage in her business and the power of leverage in her network, please send her our way.
You can reach us at info@casanovaventures.com.
BTW - My personal mission is to shift the game. 2015 - I'm choosing women. And, a mastermind is one of the best starting points to make that happen. Muhammad Yunus, the founder of Grameen Bank and the father of micro-lending specifically talks about the power that comes from circles of 5 women.
When we light the fire so these women entrepreneurs skyrocket, ooh baby - watch out!
THIS IS THE YEAR WE SHIFT THE GAME.
20 Inspiring TED Talks Every Woman Should Watch
I love this list of 20 TED Talks Every Woman Should Watch. It has so many of my favorite thought leaders and speakers from Elizabeth Gilbert to Alexa von Tobel. Here's Alexa sharing about One Life Changing Class You Never Took.
Building a Business from the Inside Out with Marie Forleo
This interview with Marie Forleo explores the soulful approach of building a business from the inside out.
Top Twitter Accounts Every Entrepreneur Should Follow in 2015
If you're looking for new insights in 2015 for yourself or your business, you might think about following someone new on twitter. Business List Daily just shared the top twitter accounts every entrepreneur should follow. One of my close friends, and favorite entrepreneur, Ingrid Vanderveldt is on the list. Here's a quick preview of the 2015 list.
"Twitter is a great place to follow breaking news, learn about trending topics, and participate in conversations about practically anything. It's also a veritable trove of information for entrepreneurs and small business owners. If your business strategy could use some help in the New Year, or if you just want some bite-size pieces of startup advice, check out these 15 Twitter accounts about entrepreneurship. @AMAnet (American Management Association)
Management development is an important issue for all business owners. If you're looking for a reliable resource for leadership, business strategy, hiring and more, join the American Management Association's 245,000 Twitter followers. This account shares articles from around the Web on a wide range of business topics to help you succeed. " To read the full list, check out the article.
2015 Mastermind Group, Last Call, for the Most Brilliant & Savvy Women Entrepreneurs
I'M GATHERING AN INTIMATE GROUP OF THE MOST BRILLIANT, SAVVY AND INSPIRATIONAL WOMEN ENTREPRENEURS I KNOW.
So, here's what's up. 2015 is the year I pledge to support rock star women entrepreneurs in going bigger from the inside out. Scale is the name of the game and leverage - especially mindset - will allow us to create more wealth and empower more of our gender.
After a ton of requests to create a mastermind similar to the one I've been in for 8 years - The Billionaire Girls Club - I'm offering a high touch version specifically designed to elevate your value and your company's value from the inside out.
The Art of Leverage Mastermind starts with the biggest point of leverage, mindset. Mindset matters. It shows up in the messaging you use, what you offer, the people you hire, the partners you choose, the asks you make and your bottom line. This is the process I use with my clients to remove all limiting beliefs so they can scale, multiply their valuations, get tied in with partners from Hearst to Coca Cola and create the biggest impact possible even when they have minimal resources.
I'm including more info below and on the site. If this is something you are interested in let me know. There will only be 5 women and I'm closing the group on the 31st, so the sooner you let me know the better. You can read more and sign up here and if you have other questions or just want to catch up, let's have a chat.
Also, if you know another brilliant women you'd like to nominate that you absolutely love and who would benefit from the power of leverage in her business and the power of leverage in her network, please introduce us.
You are a rock star leader who is building big things. I want 2015 to be a huge year for you because you deserve it. Let's shift the game, truly own our worth and create massive momentum and abundance.
Love to have you be one of the 5.
-Nicole Casanova
Paulo Coelho: Don't Be a Part Time Dreamer
THIS IS THE YEAR WE SHIFT THE GAME
One of the wonderful women that supported me in creating my game, Shift, reached out to me recently. Kristen had seen my Facebook post.
“Bigger and better in 2015. Just burned my game, Shift and, did a forgiveness ceremony. Think I’m finally ready...”
She was really concerned about me.
Yet...I'm fantastic.
I had no clue how long it had been. We published Shift a decade ago. 2005. I spent a better part of a decade building a story that didn't serve me. That night I let go of all sorts of judgment, anger, and frustration and all these limiting beliefs I had tied up in it. It took almost an hour to fully burn and it felt oh so good.
I read through everything - the rules, the box, our meditations...every card. It really was so well done. The graphics and the content... even the rules. All amazing.
I am so thankful to the women that helped me birth it. There is no way I could have done it without their loving guidance and belief in it, in me, in us.
I had discounted it for so long. I cringed every time someone asked about it and I don't think I opened one of those boxes in the last 5 years.
It caused so much stress. Everything took a toll - my marriage, my finances, my relationship with my family...even my health.
Everyone thought I was crazy. I thought I wasn't enough.
I thought I had failed. But the reality was, I kept at it, for a very long time. Freaking years and years. I believed in it so much and when it didn't reach the level of success I needed it to, I judged it... I judged me... as a failure. Maybe it was the business model - a physical product with no marketing budget for pull is hard. Maybe it was that we were just too early. I remember companies laughed us out the door when we said the words, "limiting beliefs." Producing and distributing a physical product, live streaming multiple videos - things were so expensive to create then. Startups now have so many advantages and for the new entrepreneurs, failure is a badge of honor.
I've been working with these amazing entrepreneurs lately. They've totally inspired me to step back into my truth. They totally get that mindset matters and that consciousness is indeed cool. They get it. They think from possibility. They lead with love.
It's a decade later and all of these things that I was just too ahead of my time for are now starting to convene. Now people have a willingness to see what's driving them and let go of anything that doesn't support them reaching their highest potential.
And so as the New Year approaches I've asked myself, "What really wants to show up?" I'm so good at avoiding and not listening but I've been hearing it clearly. I am here to own my worth as a successful business woman and give other women the opportunity to create their biggest impact.
“My purpose is to shift the game.”
Turns out I've got a ton of limiting beliefs that have kept me from owning this message. I could not say the following sentence:
I am the original internet marketer (1995 yo!) who coaches women leaders on owning and asking for their worth.
So much here that felt icky. I had judgment about:
- Internet marketers (obnoxious and shady) - yet all the ones I know give tremendous value and are truly leading from love
- Coaches (airy fairy and definitely no business acumen) - yet the biggest pivot points in my life came from the work I did with my coaches
- Women - (Oh my - so much here. Not enough, not a big enough market, not taken seriously enough... I suppose just not worth as much) - yet I have surrounded myself with some of the most amazing women on Earth who are wielding their power for good!
This women one is big. And so this is my year to shift this huge limiting belief. We teach what we are. That means owning my worth as a woman - a bad ass business woman.
In 2015, I will support women (especially the ones positioned to have huge impact) in empowering themselves. And I will start with me. It's freaking time I shifted my game.
So after a ton of requests to create a mastermind similar to the one I've been in for 8 years - The Billionaire Girls Club - I'm finally offering a high touch version specifically designed to escalate a founder and her company's value from the inside out. There will only be 5 for now, so if you know a rock star woman leader, send her my way...
Thanks for providing the confessional. It is truly appreciated.
Best wishes for a New Year filled with abundance, love and laughter,
Nicole
BTW - Since we're speaking of fully owning your message and leading a company from love, my friend Corey Blake from Round Table Companies just wrote an amazing article for HuffPost. Check it out - 2015: An Opportunity to Redefine Your Identity.
2015 Mastermind Group for the Most Brilliant and Savvy Women Entrepreneurs
I'm gathering an intimate group of the most brilliant, savvy and inspirational women entrepreneurs I know.
So, here's what's up. 2015 is the year I pledge to support rock star women entrepreneurs in going bigger from the inside out. Scale is the name of the game and leverage - especially mindset - will allow us to create more wealth and empower more of our gender.
After a ton of requests to create a mastermind similar to the one I've been in for 8 years - The Billionaire Girls Club - I'm offering a high touch version specifically designed to elevate your value and your company's value from the inside out.
The Art of Leverage Mastermind starts with the biggest point of leverage, mindset. Mindset matters. It shows up in the messaging you use, what you offer, the people you hire, the partners you choose, the asks you make and your bottom line. This is the process I use with my clients to remove all limiting beliefs so they can scale, multiply their valuations, get tied in with partners from Hearst to Coca Cola and create the biggest impact possible even when they have minimal resources.
I'm including more info below and on the site. If this is something you are interested in let me know. There will only be 5 women and I'm closing the group on the 31st (actually offering some bonuses before the 24th) so the sooner you let me know the better. You can read more and sign up here and if you have other questions or just want to catch up, let's have a chat.
Also, if you know another brilliant women you'd like to nominate that you absolutely love and who would benefit from the power of leverage in her business and the power of leverage in her network, please introduce us.
You are a rock star leader who is building big things. I want 2015 to be a huge year for you because you deserve it. Let's shift the game, truly own our worth and create massive momentum and abundance.
Love to have you be one of the 5.
-Nicole Casanova
Marie Forleo talks Heart, Hustle, and Intuition
Marie Forleo was named by Oprah as a thought leader for the next generation and one of Inc's 500 fastest growing companies of 2014. In this insightful video, she shares her ideas on heart, hustle, and intuition.
Lynne Twist Talks How to Transform Your Relationship with Money and Life
Recently, when I attended the Success 3.0 Summit, I heard Lynne Twist, author of The Soul of Money share her ideas on transforming your relationship with money. Lynne's insights are powerful and life changing. In this interview with Deepak Chopra, find out how you can begin to create change.
Stepping Into Your Power as An Entrepreneur with Gabby Bernstein
Gabby Bernstein, New York Times best selling author and next generation thought leader, shares her ideas on how to find success as an entrepreneur and step into your power.
The Art of Making Impossible, Possible with Ingrid Vanderveldt
One of my close friends, Ingrid Vanderveldt, shares in this TEDxFiDiWomen Talk, inspirational words and tips for how anyone can make the impossible, possible!
THRIVE by Arianna Huffington
Arianna's talk at Google on THRIVE, the third metric of success.
Seth Godin: How to Get Your Ideas to Spread
Another great Ted Talk and another piece of the puzzle from the master marketer, Seth Godin. Good marketing is all about being remarkable. It's what gets talked about that grows. It's what gets shared that leads the pack.
John Mackey Talks Authenticity and Caring for Your Customers
Feeling Overwhelmed? Find out how Millionaires Schedule Their Day
Brendon Burchard has an excellent tool for keeping your priorities aligned every day. Here's a link to his one page productivity planner. In the video below, Brendon shares in detail how millionaires schedule their day.
Startup Phenomenon | Brad Feld talks with Jim Collins
Found this and happened to see it live at last year's Startup Phenomenon conference. Just as good the second time. Brad Feld and Jim Collins talk about the power of relationships. My kinda chat.
MergeLane Accelerator Launches to Boost Women-Led Startups
MergeLane was founded in Boulder by angel investors Sue Heilbronner and Elizabeth Kraus. Mergelane's aim is to bring more women into the startup community. Mergelane is accepting applications through Dec. 1. Applicants must have a business with some evidence of traction and a proven or implied ability to scale.
Boulderopolis recently reported, “Data overwhelmingly shows that venture-backed, female-run companies produce higher returns,” said Sue Heilbronner, MergeLane’s chief executive, in a media statement. “MergeLane is set up to be on par with the leading accelerators in the world.”
For its first 12-week program beginning in February, MergeLane will accept eight companies. It offers a guaranteed investment of $20,000 per participating company with up to $100,000 of discretionary investment upon completion of the program. MergeLane takes a 6 percent equity stake in the chosen companies, similar to that taken by Boulder-based TechStars. Reflecting the increasing competition among startup accelerators in the region, TechStars in September announced an equity-back guarantee."
Boomtown Accelerator Applicants Close November 20th
Boomtown is a startup accelerator focusing on adtech, media, and big data. I must admit, I'm a little biased towards Boomtown which is based in my hometown, Boulder, CO. Just a few days are left to apply for the next accelerator round. Applications are due November 20th. You can apply by filling out an F6 Application.
If you want to find out more about Boomtown before applying, here is a link to their FAQ page.