Dr. Donna Smith Bellinger of DS Bellinger Consulting on Building a 6-Figure Business, Mastering Sales Without Selling, and Why the ‘Queen of Revenue Generation’ Believes Confidence Is the Ultimate Sales Tool. (Episode 654 - Dr. Donna Smith Bellinger)

In this episode of Grow a Small Business, host Troy Trewin interviews Dr. Donna Smith Bellinger, founder of DS Bellinger Consulting, specializes in helping business owners and sales teams enhance their sales performance by mastering revenue-generating conversations. She launched the business part-time nine years ago, growing it into a thriving enterprise with a team of five and multiple six-figure revenues. Dr. Bellinger also brings a wealth of entrepreneurial experience, including successfully exiting a tech company. In this discussion, she shares her journey, the challenges she faced as a woman and a person of color, the critical role of financial literacy, the art of delegation, and the importance of fostering a strong business culture.

Other Resources:

Sales Is Not About Wait And See: Do You Want To Get Paid Now or Eventually? by Dr. Donna Smith Bellinger (Author)

You Lost Me @ Hello: Actionable principles that move you beyond "Networking." by Dr. Donna Smith Bellinger (Author)

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Troy delves into our guest's startup journey, their perception of success, industry reconsideration, and the pivotal stress point during business expansion. They discuss the joys of small business growth, vital entrepreneurial habits, and strategies for team building, encompassing wins, blunders, and invaluable advice.

And a snapshot of the final five Grow A Small Business Questions:

1. What do you think is the hardest thing in growing a small business?

According to Dr. Donna Smith Bellinger, the hardest thing about growing a small business is understanding your value statement. She emphasises not trying to be all things to all people within your area of expertise. You simply cannot please everyone, so it is best to focus on what you do best and excel at that.

2. What's your favorite business book that has helped you the most?

According to Dr. Donna Smith Bellinger, her favourite business book that has helped her the most is The E Myth. However, she also mentions that The Purpose Driven Life, while not a business book, was very important to her. Therefore, she highlights two books as being particularly impactful.

3. Are there any great podcasts or online learning resources you'd recommend to help grow a small business?

Dr. Donna Smith Bellinger, doesn't recommend specific podcasts or online learning tools. Instead, she emphasises the importance of tailored research within the specific industry of a new client to remain relevant. She takes "a little bit of everything" for her own professional development. The host, Troy Trewin, suggests the Grow Small Business podcast itself as a helpful resource.

4. What tool or resource would you recommend to grow a small business?

She recommends the most direct tool recommendation for growing a small business is to have a good, robust CRM (Customer Relationship Management) system. She states that the days of just using a spreadsheet are over.

5. What advice would you give yourself on day one of starting out in business?

Her advice for herself on day one of starting out in business would be straightforward: "If you can't laugh at it, don't do it"

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Quotable quotes from our special Grow A Small Business podcast guest:

Confidence is your most powerful sales strategy—own it before you pitch it – Dr. Donna Smith Bellinger

Revenue generation starts with a mindset, not a marketing plan – Dr. Donna Smith Bellinger