How to Evolve Your Business and Stay True to Your Voice
Business is not static; it ebbs and flows like the tide. With that said, we will face a time when we must pivot – whether changing services, reassessing our marketing strategy, or shifting our target audience. But how do we make sure that we don’t lose our voice in the process of this evolution of change? This week’s Problem & Solution Series will guide you through the delicate process of pivoting your business, empowering you to stay true to your values and vision.
The Importance of Pivoting as an Entrepreneur:
Markets Change, Adapt Accordingly
Let’s be real, the market can be as finicky as your toddler’s tastes for veggies. One minute, they like to eat pureed carrots; the next, they toss them on the floor. Pivoting allows you to stay relevant, and adaptability is key to success.
Growth Through Discovery
Your entrepreneurial journey will have its twists and turns. Through all of it, you’ll discover new interests and passions, and this will lead to better ways of servicing your clients. Pivoting allows you to bring new insights into your business.
Avoid the Void
When you don’t pivot when needed, you’ll become lost in a void of stagnation. This will cause your business to hit a plateau, and eventually, you will lose momentum and clients. The key to avoiding the void is to assess what your business is missing and to pivot accordingly.
Here’s Your Sign to Pivot:
Engagement is Lacking
Are you noticing that your audience or clients are not as engaged or responsive as before? Then a shift is needed to meet their needs and requests better.
Engaging with your audience on social media is just one component. Quarterly status calls or newsletters are other ways to stay connected.
Drained and Uninspired
If you’re feeling drained and uninspired while on your entrepreneurial journey, then it’s time to hit the reset button. If you find that your passion is at an all-time low, reach out to a mentor or a trusted friend and talk about what’s on your heart. This can lead you to make a necessary change to reignite your enthusiasm.
When the Market Shifts, and so Should You
We all know that when the market and technology shift, we are made to rethink our approach to stay competitive. Pivoting is inevitable, and not doing so is costly.
How to Pivot Without Losing Your Voice:
Stay True to Yourself and Your Core Values:
Pivoting can be tough, but remember to stay true to yourself and the core values that got your business going in the first place. What’s your mission? How can you make sure to stay aligned with it, even when making big changes? Remember what you stand for; it’ll help you maintain your voice when things shift.
Why It Works:
Pivoting is a way to stay true to yourself while growing and evolving, thus keeping aligned with your purpose.
Listen to Your Audience:
Engage with your current audience through surveys and open lines of communication. They will give you the honest feedback you need to continue your pivoting journey.
Why It Works:
Pivoting with your audience’s needs in mind keeps your brand on-trend and helps build stronger, more loyal relationships.
Test and See
Test and see before making big changes in your business. After seeing how it was received, you can introduce a new service or product on a small scale, then move forward with a full-scale launch.
Why It Works:
By taking small steps when pivoting, you can minimize the risk factor, but it gives you valuable feedback about the needed product or service.
Personal Growth is Everything
Growing and evolving as an individual and as a business owner is natural, embrace it because it’s everything! Don’t shy away from new interests or skills in order to pivot your business. This personal growth is not just a part of the process, and it’s the key to your business’s evolution.
Why It Works:
Authenticity, along with personal growth and evolution in your business, is a powerful combination. Your audience and customers will notice the difference.
Authentic Success Stories of Pivoting:
Sara Blakely & Spanx
Sara Blakely’s journey with Spanx is a great example of pivoting. While she initially started with shapewear, her business model evolved as she listened to her customers and expanded to other products. She stayed true to her original message of empowerment and confidence, but adapted her offerings as the market grew. (Alternative Views: 5 Highlights from a Conversation with SPANX’s Sara Blakely, 2022)
The Art of Pivoting: How to Evolve Your Business and Stay True to Your Voice
Pivoting doesn’t mean abandoning what you’ve built—it’s about evolving in a way that stays true to your values and vision. You’re always growing, and that growth should be reflected in your business. Trust yourself, and remember, your voice is your power. Let it evolve with you!
Subscribe to the Problem & Solution Series for valuable tips and advice. For additional inspiration, listen to The Jameela Adams Experience podcast, available every Friday.
