Christine Kloser
is author of The Freedom Formula. She is an expert in
conscious entrepreneurship and is dedicated to coaching entrepreneurs
to be profitable and powerful forces for positive change in
our transforming world. During
these demanding economic times, small business owners find it
more difficult to get credit and/or see a major increase in
credit rates due to the massive bailout of big business. Considering
that small businesses represent 99.7% of all employers, it’s
more important than ever for small business owners to find new
ways to keep their businesses thriving.
Having been an entrepreneur since 1991, I’ve seen my share of
ups and downs. For my first nine years in business, I felt like
I could do no wrong, and my business grew with little effort.
Then in 2000, all of that changed. Everyday I worried that I
wouldn’t be able to make ends meet. I’ll never forget the day
when I broke down and called a bankruptcy attorney, thinking
that was the only way left to get myself out of the mess I was
in.
After I hung up the phone with the attorney, I was distraught.
I just couldn’t believe this was happening to me...until I felt
a small glimmer of hope inside. I felt it was rooted in a newfound
possibility to have a business based on the spiritual principles
I had come to understand as a yoga teacher. What if I relied
on putting more spirit into my business? Would that change anything
for me?
This was the quest I set out on when I decided not to file for
bankruptcy. Since there weren’t any books on spirituality in
business, I had to find my own way. I hungered for this knowledge,
so I asked advice from some of the world’s leading experts on
business and spirituality, like Michael Gerber, Dr. Joe Vitale,
Seth Godin, Neale Donald Walsch and Bill Phillips. Through these
interviews, and the practical application of everything I learned
from them, I designed a formula for integrating spirituality
into business.
It all came down to five simple steps. First, you must uncover
the soul in your business—what is the real reason you started
your business? What do you love about your business? How do
you truly want to help your clients and customers? Where do
you find deep fulfillment and meaning in your business? This
first step is about connecting your passion and purpose with
your business.
The second step is about making two critical connections. You’ve
got to connect with the universal Source that gifted you with
your passion. Some people call this source God, Higher Self,
Spirit or the Universe. Whatever you call it, see your business
as part of a larger plan. You need to have the belief that everything
happening in your business is happening for your highest good,
even if it’s challenging. You also need to connect to your market.
This involves doing research to fully understand who your market
is, what their needs are and what their pain is. Only then can
you communicate with your market in a manner that authentically
resonates with them.
The third step is to design your business vision. Create a crystal
clear plan for how you want your business to look. Your business
vision needs to be built on the joy and love you have for your
business and the work you do. If not, you’ll grow to resent
it and nobody will want to do business with you.
After you design your business vision, the forth step is to
implement it. Take time to make changes in your business so
it reflects the vision you created. When you are joyful in living
your business vision, clients will flock to work with you and
your company.
Finally, you’ve got to maintain your energy and stay aligned
and enthusiastic about your business. Your energy is one of
the most valuable assets you have, so keep your energy up and
your numbers will go up, too.
These five steps are exactly what I did to go from the brink
of bankruptcy to a seven-figure business during the most challenging
financial crisis in decades. I share them with the intention
that you, too, will experience the growth and joy you are looking
for in your business.
During
these demanding economic times, small business owners find it
more difficult to get credit and/or see a major increase in
credit rates due to the massive bailout of big business. Considering
that small businesses represent 99.7% of all employers, it’s
more important than ever for small business owners to find new
ways to keep their businesses thriving. 
