The song goes, "Summer time and the livin is easy..." but, the fact is this is no time to get lazy if you are an entrepreneur that wants to raise the bar in business this fall. Since I write my blogs focused on women entrepreneurs, I know well that no matter how well business is going there is always a long road ahead........

The statistics tell us that women entrepreneurs have trouble breaking the $1 million barrier. I suggest that if you do the math that it means that many women entrepreneurs have settled for what I call a 'lifestyle business', which means they are happy making a great living and not having to raise the bar in wanting more for the business or themselves. Many will say, "So, what is wrong with that?" And, I say, "Nothing really.....except, times have changed, and staying the same won't keep you in business very long. So, what are you planning on doing about it?"

Let me explain. I have a friend who owns a hair salon. Business is down. She tells me that she has a friend that has doubled his business in the last year. I ask, "What is the difference?" She tells me that he continually renovates his space to bring a fresher look to his salon. "Do you see why customers are flocking to an updated salon?" I say."

I talked to a client who has more than doubled her business this past year. I ask her what she believes is the secret sauce in doing so. Her answer, "We customized our programs for clients. Clients no longer feel as though what we offer is offered to anyone but them as they see that everything we do is individualized to their specific needs."

Do you see a pattern here? Every business needs to keep reinventing itself if it wants to stay current in a 21st century world. Even the smallest change can make a big difference.

You may be surprised to know that I also consult with non-profit businesses. Yes, non-profit businesses are not that different from for-profit businesses in that if they don't make the ask and the story new and exciting every now and then they become stale and boring and can't raise the funds needed to stay in the game.

The message is, if you aren't building your business your business is dying. Every business needs new products or services or a new look every now or then or the customer believes they aren't getting the cutting edge. So, what can you do to make your business new and exciting and cutting edge for your current customers and those still looking around?

Every woman in business should think about her business the way she thinks about her hairstyle or makeup or wardrobe. STOP! How dare you think I am being sexist with this statement! The fact is women know better than men that updating a look is important for yourself and also for your business. SO, the question is why aren't you doing this with your business regularly?

Can you imagine the change you might see in your business if you updated its look as often as you updated your own look? Think about it. What could you do to raise the bar on your business? How can you change the look and feel of your business for your current clients and prospective clients? It can be as small as redecorating your space or adding programs or products to your portfolio. What is important is that customers see that the business is current and changing.

I wish I could be specific for every businesswoman who reads this blog, but that would be impossible. What does matter is that if you don't make changes you will see that eventually clients die, move or make a change in vendor and that means you will lose business and eventually go out of business. BUT, you can change that simply by deciding TODAY that you will regularly make changes that keep current with the times and let your customers know about it by inviting them back regularly and asking them to bring their friends.

Don't be afraid of change. Change happens whether we like it or not and women do understand that better than men. So, embrace it and win more customers.

The time for change is now - it is up to you to build your business and keep the pipeline growing. Go for it!