How to Love Your Business: Stop Recreating Trauma and Have a Business You Love- And That Loves You Back

by Nicole Lewis-Keeber

What does it mean to have a business that you love and that loves you back? As a business therapist, Nicole sees business owners and entrepreneurs every day who are stressed out by their businesses feel alone, unsupported and overwhelmed by their schedules. No one drops their personal baggage at the door when they start a business. In fact, starting a business means entering into a relationship, just like a friendship or romance. And just like in human-to-human relationships, if we don't set clear boundaries, and work to practice them mindfully, we’re bound to default into toxic behaviors from our past. In other words, we bring our emotional challenges into our businesses with us, and when we ignore this, we get in trouble. In this book, Nicole shares her story of how she almost gave up on her business and dreams when she realized that she had created a business that was demanding and demeaning instead of loving and supportive. If you had trauma in your childhood it will impact all your relationships—and that includes the relationship that you’re building with your business. We recreate patterns that we grow up with because they feel familiar and because we’ve been taught to compartmentalize our lives and drop our “baggage” at the door when we go to the office or start a business. There’s no room for emotions, vulnerability, or mental health problems when it comes to workplaces. But the truth is, you will get more out of your business if you integrate all parts of yourself. Based on her experience of over 18-plus years as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and therapist, as well as her completion of Brené Brown’s The Daring Way™ and Dare To Lead™ methodologies, Nicole outlines a process to redefine the relationship you have with your business. She’ll walk you through how to identify your values so you know when you’re in and out of integrity; craft an authentic mission and vision statement; make space for your business; create the boundaries needed for you and your business to thrive; love your inner critic; examine your relationship with money and create an Emotional Sustainability Plan that will act as a compass to help you make aligned daily decisions about your business. All of this so you can make more money, feel more connected to your business and clients as well as have a business that is emotionally sustainable.

Genres: Business

99 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 6, 2021

Reviews

[Angela Clay -Liberate and Lather · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! It is near my desk, and whenever I am coaching creatives or having an in-depth conversation on my podcast, I whip this out when I hear some of the patterns mentioned in this book. I never felt like my business was in control of me, and when I was reading, I realized how much I had started and used the business to cover some pain and loss I had experienced. It was a great wake-up call for me to reevaluate and make sure that I was in control and not a bossy pants business telling me to feed it all night long like a starving Venus Fly Trap. I can access the parts of my life that need to be nurtured and ensure that I implement my checks and balances to grow a healthy business and maintain my boundaries. Thank you, Nicole, for being transparent and gifting this book to the world.

[Jardena · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an amazing book! Nicole's whole concept that we can be as dysfunctional with our business as we are with other people, is like a big blind spot being revealed. There's so much more available to me through my business as a direct result of reading this book. Worth it's [digital] weight in gold.

[Elin · Rating 4 out of 5]

A wonderful book. Nicole's perspective on business is refreshingly unique, and exploring the relationship I have with my business was truly eye-opening. It's a book that moves far beyond the how-tos and strategies of business, and into the heart of what will ultimately determine the future of your business: you.

[Sharon Skinner · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lewis-Keeber's approach provides supportive methods for incorporating EQ into our business relationships. I liked the validation this book provided me in knowing I am on the right track in how I relate to my business, as well as creating some awareness around my areas of opportunity.

[Annette · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book. Short and simple, and deeply impactful. Reading and doing the activities was like having a heart to heart with a wise mentor who is also a friend. I was able to unlock some creative doors that hadn’t budged in a while. I’ll be recommending this one to all my solopreneur friends!

[Stephanie Thoma · Rating 5 out of 5]

A valuable perspective in the business world that I'm glad I was invited to explore by a fellow author friend. If you have an insight that an aspect (or a few) of your upbringing has found its way into how you relate to your biz, certainly worth a read!