VIDEOS
It's GOOD to feel nervous about your strategy #strategy #leadership #entrepreneur #entrepreneurship
One of the tips I offer to leaders is that if you aren’t feeling nervous about your strategy, then it’s probably not a good one. Strategy isn’t about creating comfort; it’s about understanding the big picture, where you fit in that big picture, and then feeling confident about what you know AND WHAT YOU DON’T KNOW while creating a plan that accommodates for what you know and what you don’t know.
And that’s a lot. You should always feel a little nervous about all you need to consider …
Ask Christa! Strategy Series (1/3): What Is STRATEGY?
Summary
In this episode of Ask Christa!, Christa Dhimo explores the concept of strategy in organizations, emphasizing its importance in achieving goals and navigating uncertainties. She discusses the common misconceptions of strategy as well as how many small and mid-sized companies lack clear strategies and the implications of this on their operations. Christa provides insights on how to think about strategy in a less complex way, focusing on the necessary alignment between strategy and …
Freelancers: you need fair rates, right? Time to ask!! #freelancing #entrepreneur #smallbusiness
Just because you're freelancing as a solopreneur doesn't mean you're not a business. Your rates are based on the impact you make or the value you bring and how you keep up your momentum. It's also based on how you're growing, how you're expanding to offer more and more and also what the market rates are, the market shifts. And you need fair rates, right?
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Ask Christa! Business Questions, Straight Answers, Real Impact
Freelancers: DO NOT APOLOGIZE FOR ADJUSTING YOUR RATES #entrepreneur #entrepreneurship #freelancing
As a freelancer, you are a business, and it's appropriate to raise your rates based on a variety of reasons. ***Make a rule that you will not apologize for adjusting your rates*** Just. Don't. You are not creating or causing a difficult situation for your clients and you're not being offensive simply because you're raising your rates. Episode 7 answers the question, "As a Freelancer, how can I start the discussion about raising my rates without chickening out?" …
Ask Christa! S1E7 How to Raise Freelance Rates (and not back down)? #freelancing #smallbusiness
Summary
In this conversation, Christa Dhimo addresses the challenges freelancers face when considering raising their rates. She emphasizes the importance of viewing oneself as a business, mindset, preparation, and effective communication strategies to navigate these discussions with clients. Christa provides practical advice on how to overcome fears and anxieties about “money talk,” options for approaching rate adjustments, the significance of knowing one's worth, and navigating clie…
Imposter syndrome or being humble or both? #impostersyndrome #leadership #achievement #humble
I'm getting a lot of questions related to imposter feelings: better explanations, how it relates to work, what it means for minorities in the workplace. It's critical that we all understand what imposter syndrome is-- which is factually called imposter phenomenon (someone hijacked it in the 80s and named it a "syndrome," which it is not grrrrr.....).
Some people actually believes it means someone is lying about who they are and "faking" it. NOOOOO!!! TH…
Freelancers chickening out about raising your rates? Practice, practice, practice... #smallbusiness
Preparation about raising your rates-- then PRACTICING what you'll say-- will always help the most with the initial discussion about raising your rates, which can feel confrontational, especially if you're new to "money talk" AND part of certain demographics who, based on studies and research, tend to undersell themselves from the beginning: women, minorities,early stage career people, later stage career people, and if you're new to freelancing (1-2 years in).
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Raising your rates is a necessary business decision!!! #freelancing #entrepreneur #smallbusiness
Just because you're freelancing as a solopreneur doesn't mean you're not a business. Your rates are based on the impact you make or the value you bring and how you keep up your momentum. It's also based on how you're growing, how you're expanding to offer more and more and also what the market rates are, the market shifts. And you need fair rates, right?
In the upcoming Episode 7, I'm asking you-- the solopreneur, the freelancer-- to change your min…
Do not waste your time on elevator pitches... #startup #entrepreneur #entrepreneurship #founder
Do not waste your time on elevator pitches. I know that might sound contrarian and controversial, but it's a really old phrase and you don't need it if you do the work to become clear and concise about describing why your business matters. You won't need to spend any time working on an elevator pitch. You'll already have it.
Look to Episode 5: How Do I Startup a Business?
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Ask Christa! Business Questions, Straight Answers, Real…
Ask Christa! S1E6 Humility or Imposter Syndrome?
Summary
In this episode of Ask Christa, Christa Dhimo explores the complexities of imposter syndrome—which is actually and originally called imposter phenomenon—and humility. She distinguishes between the two concepts, explaining that imposter phenomenon is a feeling of self-doubt regarding one's achievements, often attributing success to external factors such as luck rather than personal capability. In contrast, humility involves graciously accepting recognition, and often incl…
Imposter Phenomenon or Feeling Humble? #business #entrepreneur #impostersyndrome #leadership
Imposter Syndrome is actually and originally called Imposter Phenomenon, and that is because it's an observation backed by research versus a syndrome.
Imposter phenomenon is rooted in someone feeling that recognition or promotion or a special invitation or award as part of that recognition—that it's a fluke… a single unique moment in time when someone accomplished what they did, not because of internal factors like how smart they are or how experienced they are and how tru…
CHANGE is tough, but not because of what we've been told! #transition #transformation #change
Change is uncomfortable even when you are fully supported AND it you will benefit from it because t means losing some of the predictability and stability of our day to day. Most times in work situations, we have very little time to learn about, learn how to newly manage, then MANAGE a change, and that's a large part of why change can be hard, especially in the work environment. We have and NEED a certain amount of trust in our work environments to feel efficient and productive; predicta…
Ask Christa! S1E5 How Do I Start Up a Business?
Summary
In this episode of Ask Christa, Christa Dhimo addresses the common question of how to start a business. She emphasizes the importance of understanding one's feelings about the business idea, the commitment required, and the necessity of identifying market needs. Christa also shares valuable resources for aspiring entrepreneurs, including shows and websites that provide insights into the startup process.
Key Takeaways
• Starting a business involves understanding you…
Starting up a business? Focus on your FOUNDATION first! #entrepreneur #entrepreneurship #startup
I advise a lot of entrepreneurs and early-stage companies, and one of the biggest mistakes I see entrepreneurs make is they start to build a product or offer a service without a clear foundation to stand on or any clarity about how to describe their business in a competitive and compelling way. Pretty soon they're describing how the product works or the services that they offer, but they can't "sell" it, which is what matters the most: who wants to buy your product or ser…
Workplace changes are TOUGH-- especially when you don't see them coming... ADAPT vs "HANDLE"!!
Workplace changes are happening day to day right now. As you manage the stress that comes about from learning of a necessary change, I ask you to reframe your thinking about change to be less about how you *handle* it and more about how you can *adapt* to it. Some changes aren't easy to handle. And in the workplace, the answer might ultimately be to get another job. Or if you've been laid off, the answer might be to find your network to feel immediately supported.
Whatever…
Ask Christa! S1E4 Adapting to Change as a SUPERPOWER!!!
Summary
In this episode, Christa Dhimo addresses the challenges of managing necessary changes in the workplace. She emphasizes the discomfort that often accompanies change and offers strategies for reframing our approach to it. By focusing on adaptation rather than mere handling of change, individuals can find stability and growth opportunities. Christa also highlights the importance of maintaining perspective beyond one's job and provides resources for effective change management.
Finding opportunities in workplace change!! #growthmindset #personalgrowth
It's natural to feel uncomfortable, anxious, worried with changes in the workplace, especially if they are sudden, unexpected, and disruptive. Episode 4 of Ask Christa! answers "How Can I Handle Necessary Changes at Work Better?"
(there is a future epi coming that focuses more on the recent upheavals in the workplaces re: layoffs and terminations-without-cause; this episode is more general and examines workplace changes from a place of what we can do to manage throug…
Ask Christa! S1E4 Adapting to Change as a SUPERPOWER!!!
Summary
In this episode, Christa Dhimo addresses the challenges of managing necessary changes in the workplace. She emphasizes the discomfort that often accompanies change and offers strategies for reframing our approach to it. By focusing on adaptation rather than mere handling of change, individuals can find stability and growth opportunities. Christa also highlights the importance of maintaining perspective beyond one's job and provides resources for effective change management.
Handling necessary work changes: for starters-- you are not your job! #change #leadership #strategy
Episode 4's Ask Christa! Question, "How Can I Handle Necessary Changes At Work Better?" -- dropping on MAY DAY, May 1st!!!
A good starting point is remembering: you are not your job. It's OK (and AMAZING!!!) when you love your business, you love your company, you love the work you do and the people who you work with-- but your life is bigger than your job, and if you are so entrenched in your job, what happens when a necessary work change impacts that job?
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Change doesn't have to be difficult-- focus on predictability and stability! #leadership #business
We all know that life is easier and less stressful when we have some level of predictability and stability. This is why the best change management strategies start with assuring everyone is aware of the current state and the gains expected from a change. And the best changes are transformative. But. Even if you are expecting a change and you understand how it's going to work and even how it might benefit the big picture, even if it doesn't feel like an immediate benefit to us indiv…
Ask Christa! S1E3 FULL Do Startups Need Advisors?
Summary
In this episode of Ask Christa, Christa Dhimo discusses the critical role of advisors for early-stage startups. She emphasizes that all businesses, even those just starting out, can benefit from having advisors who provide honest and supportive assessments. Effective advisors help founders navigate the complexities of transforming ideas into viable business models, focusing on strategy, market needs, and personal growth. Christa also highlights the importance of finding advis…
Ask Christa! S1E3 Do All Startups Need Advisors??
Summary
In this episode of Ask Christa, Christa Dhimo discusses the critical role of advisors for early-stage startups. She emphasizes that all businesses, even those just starting out, can benefit from having advisors who provide honest and supportive assessments. Effective advisors help founders navigate the complexities of transforming ideas into viable business models, focusing on strategy, market needs, and personal growth. Christa also highlights the importance of finding advis…
Ask Christa! S1E3 short advisors as facilitators not task managers
Advisors are in service to YOU-- it is not about whether THEY would pursue your business or not; it's about how they can facilitate and support your success as YOU pursue it. If they aren't prepared to do that, they aren't the right advisor for you.
Watch for Episode 3!!
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Ask Christa! Business Questions, Straight Answers, Real Impact
© 2025 Christa Dhimo in partnership with Impono LLC and 21st Century Strategies. Ask Christa! ha…
Successful startup advisors enable an #entrepreneur to be focused! #entrepreneurship #smallbusiness
The best businesses start off quiet, thoughtful, attentive and focused with just enough discipline to get good work done as you take a concept and transform it into an eventual business model. This is when effective advisors come in.
Watch for Episode 3!!
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Ask Christa! Business Questions, Straight Answers, Real Impact
© 2025 Christa Dhimo in partnership with Impono LLC and 21st Century Strategies. Ask Christa! has a pending Trademark. All Righ…