SMALL BUSINESS SQUAD
THE PHILOSOPHY
I created the Small Business Squad within The Inspiration Lab to be a soft place to land in the harsh reality of running a company these days. I also created it to be a strong place to launch — whether you’re launching a business, product, service, or second location — because we know how challenging growth can be for business owners.
Our squad is specifically for people who own their business and have an Employer Identification Number (EIN). I feel called to serve women who own their own businesses and are following the government’s definition of a for-profit business. It’s important to note our Small Business Squad is not a networking group or a place for you to grow your list of prospects or sell your products.
I encourage participants to think of this squad as like a peer-based support group and a college class mixed together. We read books, listen to podcasts, share articles and resources, etc. Whether you are looking for support personally or professionally, we’d love to help. If we don’t have what you need within the Small Business Squad, we won’t stop until we can point you in the right direction.
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Cheering for you,
FOUNDER
THE OATH OF THE SQUAD
As a member of the Small Business Squad, I will work hard to be incredibly supportive of other squad members. I recognize that a large portion of this experience is based on me listening to and learning from other members. I promise not to sell to others. I endeavor to give as much as I take. I will not give advice unless asked. I will try my hardest to read the materials and bring the heart of a learner to my time in the group.
THE PHILOSOPHY Behind the Small Business Squad
I created the Small Business Squad within The Inspiration Lab to be a soft place to land in the harsh reality of running a company these days. I also created it to be a strong place to launch — whether you’re launching a business, product, service, or second location — because we know how challenging growth can be for business owners.
Our squad is specifically for people who own their business and have an Employer Identification Number (EIN). I feel called to serve women who own their own businesses and are following the government’s definition of a for-profit business. It’s important to note our Small Business Squad is not a networking group or a place for you to grow your list of prospects or sell your products.
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I encourage participants to think of this squad as like a peer-based support group and a college class mixed together. We read books, listen to podcasts, share articles and resources, etc. Whether you are looking for support personally or professionally, we’d love to help. If we don’t have what you need within the Small Business Squad, we won’t stop until we can point you in the right direction.
*To join the Small Business Squad, you must have an EIN.
SYLABUS
The subjects we'll be covering, what you'll learn, and what you can expect for homework.
CLASS RULES
There's nothing worse than walking in the wrong classroom! This isn't for everyone, see if we're a good fit!
FAQ
Have a question? No need to raise your hand! Check out our FAQs to find answers to common questions.
SELF-CARE Workbooks
Self-care is not selfish — it's strategic, and that's truer these days than ever before. If you were to get sick, totally burnt out emotionally, or become unable to help the ones you love, it would truly cause harm. Amid this global health crisis, we want to teach you how to optimize your life for self-care. Self-care and stress management are smart, especially when the stakes are this high.
If this is an area where you could use a little inspiration and teaching, then we have a FREE workbook just for you. Inspiration Lab founder Stephanie Lanier has written a downloadable workbook filled with principles and practices for these unusual times.
FOUNDER
NETWORKING
WHEN / HOW / WITH WHO
SMALL BUSINESS SELF-CARE
There's also something extra special for those of you who own your own business. We know running your small business looks a little different right now. Now more than ever, as a small business owner, you’re spending a great deal of time and energy taking care of other people: your customers, your employees, your vendors, your partners. The list of people counting on you is likely growing by the day and that means you need to take your own self-care very seriously. This workbook walks you through five strategies for small business self-care as well as a checklist.
HERE TO HELP Crisis Checklist: Covid-19 Edition
It’s hard to think straight in a crisis because your body is using all its resources to sustain the hypervigilance you likely feel. Your body, mind, and emotions are all in survival mode.
This checklist can be used as we fight an invisible virus with far-reaching impacts.
MEMBERSHIP Want to know more?
The reason The Inspiration Lab is based on a membership structure is so we know who we're serving. We want to know the women who come to our events, read our checklists, and respond to our social media messages. We want to foster a community of like-minded women and, by developing a membership, we are able to serve these women on a much deeper level.
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WE'RE TAKING IT DIGITAL
Due to the coronavirus, The Inspiration Lab is a community that now lives totally online for the foreseeable future, which means any woman, anywhere in the world, can join and at this moment in time get the full benefits.
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ACCESS TO PRIVATE FACEBOOK COMMUNITY
Every day our private members-only Facebook group is busy with conversation, support, and inspiration. Remember: We may be physically distancing, but there's nothing stopping us from socially connecting. As of mid-March, we are hosting Inspiration Café, biweekly online meetings for our members to stay connected, learn from guest mentors, and have a soft place to land. In addition to these digital meetups, we also have special programming based on our members' needs. For example, a recent Zoom chat was held for our moms who are suddenly in the role of teacher and needing support and direction.
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EXPLORE OUR RESOURCES
Members also have access to our Member Directory, which fuels connections with fellow members, can watch all of the videos from our past conferences (which is priceless, if you ask us), and can download all the workbooks and checklists we have produced throughout the years.​