The Busy Entrepreneur’s Guide to Systemizing Success.

The Busy Entrepreneur’s Guide to Systemizing Success. Michelle Pialago & Samia Bano

#busyentrepreneur struggling for #workandlifebalance?

Listen now to this interview with Michelle Pialago, #FunnelDesign #LeadGeneration Expert & #Mompreneur, to get real-life insights on how to #StayProductive and #StayFocused as you balance #familylife and #businesssuccess.

-- Learn about #ProductivityHacks like #timeblocking.

-- See how a strong #MorningRoutine with journaling, prayer, and exercise can help you thrive in business and life.

-- Discover the power of #outsourcing and when to delegate tasks to free up time for what truly matters.

-- Understand why #LeadGeneration is the foundation of every successful business and how a well-structured funnel can systematize your success.

-- And much more!

Michelle helps freelancers and digital marketers maximize their leads/prospects and close their dreamy clients using a lead generation roadmap from clueless to hell yes client!

Learn more and connect with Michelle now at:

https://bunani-michelle.systeme.io/socialsbychay

https://bio.site/socialsbychay

https://www.facebook.com/michelle.pialago.749362

https://www.instagram.com/socialsbychay

To Book your Free HAPPINESS 101 EXPLORATION CALL with Samia, click: https://my.timetrade.com/book/JX9XJ

#SystemizeSuccess #systemizingsuccess #EntrepreneurLife #MarketingStrategy #WorkLifeBalance #EntrepreneurMindset #VirtualAssistant #MompreneurLife #WorkingMomLife #BusinessGrowth #FaithAndBusiness #FaithOverFear #AbundanceMindset #leadgenerationtips #leadgenerationexpert

Here's the audio version of this episode:

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Full Video Transcript

SAMIA: Hello, Salaam, Shalom, Namaste, Sat Sri Akal, Aloha, Holah, Ciao, Bonjour, Buna, Mabuhay, and Privet, and Dzień Dobry! It's really, really good to be with you again. And I know you'll be so pleased you've joined us today because we have a very cool guest with us and it's Michelle Pialago, who is a Lead Generation Expert. I'm so excited and happy that you're with us, Michelle, welcome…

MICHELLE: Wow, thank you for that, Samia. And I'm so honored to be here. And yeah, I am so happy that you chose me.

SAMIA: I'm sure all of us who are listening and certainly for me, like I said, I'm so happy and excited to have you with us. I can't wait for us to go fully into our conversation for today. But before we get into the meat of it, would you please tell us more about who you are and what you do?

MICHELLE: Yeah. Thank you for that. Yeah. I'm Michelle and then I've been in the industry for five years now. Almost five years, yeah. And then I'm a mom and I am a busy mom and also a provider in our family since my husband got lay off after… during the pandemic and then he's not able to get back to work. So, yeah, I’m the one who provide for the, for the whole expenses and everything. And then I'm a lead generation specialist for four years. And since from last, I think second quarter of 2024, I started to upscale and add to my skills the funnel design. Yeah.

SAMIA: Nice, Very nice. Can you tell us more about what is lead generation? Because some of our listeners may not be familiar with the terminology.

MICHELLE: Yeah, yeah. This is so exciting because lead generation is very important for each businesses since this is the bread and butter of our business. So lead generation is very important for our daily lives or our daily operation for each business since this is the making sales and making getting calls for our prospects, like that. And then I tied it up with the funnel since funnel is like for example, you have business and then you do a lead generation, you do a social media post, you do engagement every day. But since that's why I tied it up with Funnel, since funnel is the one that the opt-in page where you can sign up with your prospects and your hot leads as well. Since if you need, for example, you have a webinar or you have a upcoming launch, it's super, super important for each businesses. For example, you have ads, your business run on ads and then it will cut there since you don't have funnel. So if you tie it up with the generation ads and then funnel, it's totally a smooth process of your customer journey.

SAMIA: Yeah, it's basically like you with lead generation, you attract people to the business. They come to you, and then it's like, okay, what do I do with them now all of these people are interested in me? And so then you bring people… you like… You create a funnel to take them through, like, a bit of a journey with you. So then they end up your customer and staying with you for a long time. That is so, so cool and so amazing. And you're so right. It is a bread and butter and every business ultimately needs it because without it, we, I mean, it's not a real business then, right. So, my gosh. But you also mentioned, Michelle, that you are mom, and I know, like, pretty much every mom that I know, you have to be so busy taking care of your kids. And as you mentioned, you also have to take care of your family and home. And in addition, you are doing all this amazing work. How do you do it? I would love to know more from your perspective because a lot of our listeners are in similar situations where, you know, there's just so much to do. They're so busy. And it's like, it can be really hard to focus on your business and, you know, do the lead generation and all of that other work that we need to do. So please give us some insight into how you make it happen.

MICHELLE: Well, thank you. Yeah, this is super interesting since busy moms is super challenging. And then, yeah, I can't deny it that it's not so easy. There was a time that I get easily irritated since I have a lot of things to do. And also I have a lot of things that I thinking in my brain. And then all of a sudden, mama, I want this. I want like that. And then you cannot control everything. Yeah, all I have... What I really manage is like, when it's super challenging, I just reminded myself that I need to do this because this is the only thing that I need to do so I can provide my family. And then also many times that it's super challenging times. I just pray to God that He give strength and guide me as well that this is not easy since I am the... Yeah, it's not so easy. But what I do is I just really do a to-do list for every day. And then I'm gonna focus for two hours. Like I want. I need to ask for my husband that you need to. Yeah, you need to watch my, our toddler. And then for the two hours I need to focus and do the lead generation of course, for each of my clients. And also like preparing everything for the flow like from the lead generation. If there's something that launching and then I will gonna prepare for all the launch and then the funnel as well. And then I know it's not an easy. Since we will gonna... There's some… There's times that I will gonna I forget things. Like what? Like the flow and everything... But I just really, really important is I just do it systemized like for all that you do for the flow and everything. And then all of your clients, all they have to do is to approve and then do the copy and also look for the instructions that they need to do for all the operations and all the flows that we need to do. And then yeah, I system is really help me. And then for the lead generation for everyday engagement and then DMs selling. I do it optimized since it's really time-consuming since the uncertain and also the lead duration. And then what really helps me also is I outsource one of the... 

SAMIA: Oh, Michelle.

MICHELLE: Yeah.

SAMIA: Oh, sorry. So I heard you say one thing, other thing you do is outsource.

And then I lost you a little bit. I didn't hear what you said after that.

MICHELLE: Yeah, I outsource and then I systemize my flow the business operation for everything. Like from onboarding the clients to delivering my deliverables. And also for the launching, what you need to prepare, what you need to post, and everything. And for the funnel as well.

SAMIA: Aha. Okay. Okay. So what I'll just highlight some of the very cool things, I mean lessons that we are gathering here. So for one thing you said it's really, really important for you to remind yourself why you're doing the work in the first place. Like having a clear purpose and your clear reason why you are doing the work so then you can stay focused and motivated. And then you talked about systems like making sure you're doing things in a systematic systemized way. That one is so, so important. It's like one of my favorite aspects actually. Also because I agree with you. It's like how a system set up. It's so easy to forget things and just make mistakes that if you have a system in place, you can totally avoid. And then you mentioned you outsource some parts of the work. Can you tell me a little more about the outsourcing part? Like how did you decide what part to outsource versus what part you do yourself? And if there's anything else one should keep in mind when like if I think about outsourcing, what should I keep in mind about that?

MICHELLE: Yeah. Yeah, that's interesting. Since yeah, it takes four years to decide me that I need to outsource since you know, I'm the provider of this family. And then money is important. But what I really think is and what really made me decide is because money is there and then because I really have the challenge to give up those quality time for my family. And then that is really one of the important things that I need to treasure of since they are the why of what I do. Why I'm doing this one.

And then because what I realized here is because if I wanted to strengthen my relationship with my husband, since I am, I can't deny that I easily get irritated because I have things to think everything. Yeah. And then money is there and then you cannot back the time on the college time for your family. And then you consume for that task, but instead you consume to your family. So it really helps me. And then one thing that you, if you want to outsource one thing is all you have to do is systemize all your operations and then you will gonna see what task that super time consuming and then a big part for you. So that is the. The one that I have sourced especially the engagement and then the lead generation and then this part of the lead generation. But the DM selling I am the one that we do that do that since that is sales part of the business. So yeah, I systemize everything and then I just get some of the tests that I need to outsource. Then yeah, it's so helpful and it's time saving for me. Yeah.

SAMIA: Yes, yes. You know what? I started my coaching training practice like back in 2012. It was towards the end of 2012 and it took me like a few years also before I was like, you know what? I cannot do this all by myself anymore. And it was actually, I think during COVID only when I had to move all of my business operations online.

And I was really struggling with the technology actually in terms of like doing everything online. And so that's when I decided that I had to get some help to help me set up. Like because before that I had a very simple website and most of my work I just did over the phone or in person, you know, and so I never had to deal with too much technology, but once I started doing everything online, I was like, no, I have to get help. And so that's when I got my first virtual assistant. And it's been so much helpful, like, in some ways, you know, it's like. Like, now I've been able to do so much more also, you know, and so in some ways, I've become more busy with, like, different kinds of work. But the good thing is that all the additional tasks that I do now, they're all things that I really actually want to do, that I love to do, and then the things that are not my strength, that are like, you know what... It doesn't make me happy to do this. I give it to my assistant to take care of that. And it's then, like, really, really great to have that support. Yeah, it's like, interesting also, what you said about making sure you have a system set up before you outsource to somebody. And I can see why that is so, so important, because it's like, you really have to tell them exactly what you need to do. Otherwise, it's like they can end up doing something and they'll do a good job, but it's a good job from their perspective. Or you're like, oh, no, but that's not what I need, or that's not what I want, or that's not what I like. But then you can't blame them because you didn't tell them exactly what you wanted. So…

MICHELLE: Yeah. And then it's easy for them to navigate the task since it's all systemized and all you have to do is to follow the flow.

SAMIA: Yeah, yeah, yeah. So how do you actually get around to systemizing things? Like, did you, like, first figure it out yourself and then. And then sort of like, in terms of passing on that information to the person you are outsourcing to. Like, did you give them, like, written instructions? Did you make them a video? Like, how did you train them to do the tasks in the way that you want them to?

MICHELLE: Wow, I love this question. Yeah. As what I've said, like, I systemize everything, and then for I do systemize the sales part, the lead generation part, and also the operation part, and then the virtual assistant part. Just like that and everything. Like everything. Not just for the lead generation, not just for the sales, but also the operation and also the other part of the business. And then as what I decided what task I need to outsource... So I do the walkthrough for everything for the system. Like this is what I do for the lead generation. This is what I do for the funnel. And then all you have to do is do this task like that. And then I'll set a video.

Yeah, I'll film a video for the walk through. And what are the tasks that she was going to, she was going to do every day? Yeah, just like that. And then for the whole operation, she has the access for everything so that she knows what's the important things to do for the, for the whole operation. And then I just, so blessed that I got the have initiative virtual assistant. And then yeah, I'm so blessed for that. And then I don't need to instruct her about this one like that. I know we need to get ready for that face since in our part like busy mom, we don't have time to like train them like everything. And then, yeah, I just give ask and ask to God that please help me to... I hope I can get those virtual assistant that has an initiative. And then, yeah. And everything just go in the flow.

SAMIA: Yeah, yeah. Yes. You know, you're right. I mean, when I got my very first assistant, there were certain things that they were doing really well. But then there were some tasks that I realized they were not so good at. And so then for some of the things I was able to work with them and give a little bit of training, and then they were doing it satisfactorily, but with certain other things, it was clear to me that that was just not part of their strength and skill set either. And so then I ended up actually getting a second person. And actually now I'm actually working with a third person, like my third assistant. And interestingly so I transitioned from like one person then to another person and now I'm working with a third person and this particular assistant I've had for a good couple of years or something and she had just the right combination of skills that really complements my skills. So like the things that I'm not so good at, she's really good at and the things that, you know, like our, I mean, yeah, so we, are a really good team and solid team and we've been doing really well together. But it took me like a few tries before I found her.

MICHELLE: So true.

SAMIA: I think it was like worth, worth it. Like now one thing that we started doing was like, you mentioned, like making the videos of like just walking through everything in terms of how we like, I like when I set things up with my first assistant, you know, we set up a system and so then I was with my second, third assistant, etc, we made some tweaks, but we didn't have to reinvent the everything. And so, you know, like, I would get on with my assistant and be like, this is how we do it, this is how we have it set up. And everything was like on a video. And so then they can also go back and watch the video if they need a refresher on how something needs to be done. So the video thing is like really helpful.

MICHELLE: True, true.

SAMIA: And it's like, I remember one time my assistant had to go actually she was going to have a baby. So like she took a month off. But thankfully we already had these little videos for like the different tasks, you know, and so it's like, okay, we'll bring in someone else to take over for a while. But because we had the videos, I mean, I still had to keep a little bit more of a watch on the temporary person because they weren't familiar with our systems as much. But it still, you know, was much easier than if we didn't have the videos.

MICHELLE: Yeah, I love that you also do that. And then, yeah, it's really very game changer since we as especially for the moms and then the busy entrepreneurs.

SAMIA: Yeah. Yeah. Cool... Do you have any other really favorite tips that you would like to share in terms of, you know, like, how do you prioritize your time and strategies and things like that?

MICHELLE: Yeah, for prioritizing the strategies, like, what do you mean? I'm sorry.

SAMIA: Well, so like, you know, because there's so many different things that you have to take care of. How do you figure out for yourself, like what to focus on at what time, you know, like... Or like, for example, if there is a particular goal that you have, there's always many different ways you can get there. And so like, how do you figure out, well, this is the best option for me, you know, so either, I mean, those are two kind of different questions, I suppose. But whatever you would like to touch on in terms of like, I guess the common theme there is sort of decision making, like, how do you make your decision? How do you decide what is the best path for you to take? How, whether it's with regards to how do you spend your time or what you spend your time on or, you know, like what particular strategies you want to use to move forward. Things like that.

MICHELLE: Yeah. Yeah. That is so interesting because you know, as a mom, like you need to have time with your family and also you need to do your part as a wife and then. Yeah. And of course do your part is a business owner as well. So what I really do is I really fill my cup. Like first things first thing and first hour in the morning. I'll do my morning routine. That is my daily habit. Like I do my me time. Like I do a journal. I do a gratitude journal for every day since that is important to talk with God. Because it's not so easy. Like oh, I'm gonna cry. Yeah, it's not so easy since I'm a first-time mom. And then I also got offended with the other part either other family members like that. And then what I just really do is I talk to God that please guide me with everything. And then I can bring more impacts to my clients since that is more very important for the business. And then yeah I just really fill my cup free for the very first hour of the day. I'll wake up 5am that is my me time. And then I'll talk to God and then I'll do a journal. I do write there everything that I feel so that it will. It helps me so much since this is... I can go out all  my what I felt right now and then I just write it out for me to like like awaken the burden and then the heartaches. If ever I have a like misunderstanding with the other members of the family like that. And then I do workout since I need to fill in my cup and I have an energy for the whole. And then it's just 20 minutes to 30 minutes like yoga and also meditation since it really helps me since I have also a postpartum depression like that since the first time mom. And 46am I do a journal. And then seven six thirty. That is the one that I do the yoga. And then the 7am I do a my very very big part of the business that is lead generation for my own. For my own business. That is the DM selling since that is the heavy parts of my day. And then I just prioritize for the bread and butter of course for the business. Since we have a sales coming in and then we have hot leads coming in as well. And then sales every day. Yeah. And then after that 8am they will gonna wake up my boys. And then yeah, that is what it. I start for the day and then 8am I make take bath with my kids. Since that is our also our bonding since quality time. That is my quality time for him and I have time for him. So I am the one who taking a bath with him. And then my husband will gonna cook the breakfast and then 9am I'm gonna start my day and then I know it's very, very challenging to focus since we have a toddlers in the house. So what I ask is I asked my husband to please, I just need to focus for two hours. That is a big part of the day so that I can focus everything that needs to run for the business and also to deliver the deliverables for the clients as well. And then yeah, 42 hours, since there's a part that I will get distracted easily. So what I do a video or time lapse on myself so that. Yeah, because it really helps me. Like I'll do a video like a time lapse. What I do for the two hours so that I will not get distracted for the whole two hours. Yeah, it helps me since I also use the video for the content. It makes you also help. Like you also focused on the two hours and then you have the content video for your content as well. Yeah, it's like you do the two tasks for that two hours. Yeah.

SAMIA: That is so cool. Thank you so much for giving us that deeper insight into how you structure your day and make time for these different things. And I absolutely loved what you shared about, you know, making sure you fill your take care of you. And then also the fact that very first task you mentioned doing in terms of the business was doing lead generation for your own business, you know, rather than, you know, people might be tempted to just start working on things that we have to do for our clients. But no, it's like really, really, really important for us to set aside some time to work on our own business. Our own lead generation. That is so, so important. Oh, gosh. And then, yes. And so then we go back to also the idea of ask for help, ask for support. So for those two hours when you do need to focus on working for your clients, you know, making sure that you have that help and support through your husband. Just like in other parts of the business, you have help through outsourcing those things, you know, and what you also shared about, you know, just journaling and talking to God and asking for help. I mean I feel like you know, asking for help, asking for support, that is like a common theme that you know, keeps coming up and, and it's such an important lesson though, you know, that there's all these different ways in which we can get support and help. It's not just one way or one person that you depend on. It's like you have... You ask for help and support in different ways from different people and different like not even just restricting yourself to people, but to also make sure we are reaching for help from God. That is so, so cool.

MICHELLE: True, true. And helps me a lot. Since when I talk to Him, it makes me. It makes my heart do the task easy and then. Yeah, I know we all each others have a burden and then. Yeah it's really helps me to keep going. Yes. Since He is the one who helped me. Since He is the one who understand us. Yeah. For running a business and for the other responsibility of our lives.

SAMIA: Yeah. Yes. You know, I must say that ever since like especially in the last few years I have also been asking for more help. Especially in terms of asking God for help. And it really does make you feel like. Ah yes, I'm able to let go of those burdens of those hard feelings and emotions that nothing else like it. You know, like because it's like you know, other people can sometimes also struggle. Like sometimes you ask someone else for help like some other person for help, but they can disappoint you. They may not be able to help you even if they want to. But you know, in our relationship with God it's like we build that trust of course over time but you know, you build that trust and you have that faith that no matter how hard things may get for me as a human, nothing is hard for God. You know, God is always able to help me. And so it is so good and so comforting to have that in our life.

MICHELLE: Yeah. Because without Him I can't even imagine myself being here. Being here like it's been almost five years I'm doing this one. And then this is the only part of our family like the source of income since it's pandemic. And then there's a lot of things like for the family, each other side, like there's a complicated happenings. And then, yeah. All you have just to do is sell and then surrender everything to God. Yeah.

SAMIA: Yes. Yes. I don't. I mean that... I mean you just think something so wise that's like so touching for me. Tell me a little bit more. Like, you know, when you talk about just surrendering the rest to God. Tell me a little bit more about that. Like, what does surrender mean for you? You know, especially when you're struggling with something really difficult. Like what does surrender mean? How do you do it? How do you…

MICHELLE: Yeah, yeah. Okay. So why what I do on surrendering, since it's not easy and it takes time. Since yeah we will gonna surrender everything. We will tell to God that this is what I felt. Can you please help me? And then of course as a human, we are in the in the face of like we want to happen like this time. Like this time like today already like that. And then yeah, it's... But the God is not that do that since you will gonna surrender. And then it's still the heavy and the burden in your hearts. But when you let go. Like for example, you cannot in every business you can really need to experience. Like you don't have you get lost some of your clients. And then you know, this is just the source of your income for your family. And then what I do is I will surrender. I mean I will talk to him that I am so so have the struggle to do those things. Can you please help me? And then I don't have. No, I don't I have nobody to tell everything. Since I'm comfortable to share to him everything. Since he is the one only understands for what I felt then. Since I know you will gonna share it to your to your husband. But it's not that comfort that you give if you share to Him. And then if you share to God. And then I know it takes time to surrender things since we are in a hurry to have those ask what we ask to Him. But what I pray is can you please help me to surrender you? And then please lessen my heavy hearts while understanding these things. And then I know that and then I'll just do my part since we need to do the to do our part. And then God will test us. Yeah, He will gonna. He will gonna test what we went through. Yeah. And then also strengthen our faith that we believe in Him. And then all of a sudden like no no time, like perfect time for him that he will gonna give you more success, he will gonna give you more clients just like that. Yeah. And then I just really wanted to to talk to him. That's the way I surrender. And then for the daily daily habits that talking to him is makes my heart less like for the burden and everything.

SAMIA: Thank you so much for sharing that. And I love that you know, what you're saying is like something so simple at one level, but it's so deep and it's so profound to practice, you know, just talking to God, just asking for what you need and also realizing.

MICHELLE: Yeah and yeah. And you also be contented of what you have now. And then even a small part, I do like three to five things that I'm so grateful for everything. Like for my business, for we have food to eat since so it's a big, big part for the fact for the provider, the breadwinner of the family. And then thank you for I able to provide them just even for the other people. It's just a small things, but it's for me, it's a big things for me. And then if you wanted to be grateful for and then if you wanted to give those what you asked for for God, then you need to be grateful for the small things and the big things that you have in every day.

SAMIA: Yes, yes. I, you know, I was just watching this drama where there was the character, it's of this lady and she's never satisfied. Like you know, she has such a big house and a very fancy car and you know, they like show her going to shop for these very expensive things, but she is not satisfied with anything. She's always like complaining, complaining, complaining. It's like even when they show her like some very expensive dress, she's like ah, whatever. Like she's not satisfied, you know, so she has so much. But because she's never satisfied, she's always finding something wrong with everything. She's just totally unhappy and you know, struggling in her life and you know, so we cannot overestimate how important it is to be grateful for what we do have. Indeed.

MICHELLE: It really helps you for your own self to have those what you ask for. Since you are in, you are content to do what you have so God will give you more. Since you are grateful for what you have even in small things, right.

SAMIA: Yes. Because sometimes it's like you ask for help and the help comes, but if you don't, if you're not grateful for it, you don't appreciate it, then maybe you know, it goes away or you don't find it as helpful, even though it's there to help you. But if you can't appreciate it, then it's like, no, it's not helpful.

MICHELLE: True. But I, this is one thing as well. Like if I will gonna ask him about those things that I am asking for him. Like, I also, I'm so law on attraction, like thinking, even if it's not there already. Yeah. And then I just say, say thank you that you gave me this one. Even if it's not there. Yeah. I just do the advanced mindset that what if, what is your attitude, if God will give you those what you ask. So I'll do it in advance. Like the, like my mindset of advancing those things, like manifesting that it's there already, even it's not there there yet.

SAMIA: Yeah, yeah, I hear what you're saying. I hear what you're saying. You know, you just made me think that you're talking about generosity. I'm sorry. Being grateful and how when you are grateful, you get more. Like God gives you even more. And then you are a lead generation expert. It's sort of like, you know, it's like with lead generation, what we're trying to do is we're trying to attract more into our life, into our business, you know, more abundance into our business. It's like when you work with that positive attitude of being appreciative of what you have and being grateful for what you have, then that is, that actually helps you generate more leads, get more, more, more blessing, more abundance into your business also. It's like a different context, but the lesson is the same, huh. Cool. So Michelle, did you have anything else that is in your heart to share with our audience for right now? Because I realize that we will need to start wrapping up for today, but for sure, I would love for you to share any last thoughts or ideas that you would like to share with the audience.

MICHELLE: Yeah, I think I just told everything for the, for, yeah, this just a tips for like the busy moms and even it's just a moms but also a breadwinner story for their family. Like, yeah, for my tips, just gave, I just asked for God for the strength and then, yeah, for the whole day, I just really trust to Him for my days. Like, yeah, I do a meditation, I do a attraction every day. But then if we are not making those things like we want this one and then we're not doing everything for this to happen. So yeah, I'll just do ask him and then do my part. And then Lord, I do my best and please do the rest. And then, yeah, so surrendering to him everything that you need and everything that you need to do in every days of your lives. Yeah, He's really one that helps me so much since it's easy for the breadwinners and for being a first time mom. Yeah.

SAMIA: That is so true. That is so true. Thank you so much, Michelle, for sharing that wisdom, that experience with us. I so appreciate it. And as you wrap up, I just want to remind our audience to please make sure you check the show notes because we will drop Michelle's links in there so you can connect with her and get the help and support you need whenever you're ready for it. And until we connect next time, I just wish you lots and lots of peace and joy... :)