Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Sandra Barker McIntosh. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Sandra, appreciate you joining us today. Any thoughts about whether to ask friends and family to support your business. What’s okay in your view?

I have learned that asking for support from friends and family is a common way to kickstart a business, but setting boundaries is essential to avoid straining your relationships. It’s okay to inform them about your business and ask for their support, such as sharing your posts on social media, attending your launch event, or referring your business to others interested. However, respecting their decision is crucial if they choose not to support you or cannot do so now. Even if you thought they would have your back in these challenging times. They are not obligated to help you in any way. And that is a hard truth.

It’s over the line to pressure or guilt-trip your friends and family into supporting your business. It’s also inappropriate to ask them to buy your products or services if they’re not genuinely interested or need help to afford them.

It’s best not to share constant updates about your business with friends and family; it can be spammy and irritating. Find business besties and trusted advisors to share the journey with you. Let your family come on the journey when they are ready to join. I like to keep my family and friends I don’t speak with often surprised by my progress. And eager to learn more about my business.

Overall, it’s crucial to balance promoting your business and maintaining healthy relationships with friends and family. Remember that they’re not obligated to support your business; you must respect their boundaries and decisions.

Sandra, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

Sandra Barker-McIntosh is a dynamic coach, author, and podcast creator with over 20 years of experience in corporate America. She transitioned from being an accountant to offering accountability, life, and career coaching services, leveraging her professional experience and infectious optimism.

As the host and creator of the popular podcast, 90 Day Wins, Sandra discusses her groundbreaking 90 Day Wins process that she uses as a guide for her coaching and personal achievements. Her approach inspires individuals and groups to reach their goals and live a life of purpose.

Aside from being a goal-getter and natural-born leader, Sandra is also a devoted wife and mother who believes in the power of a work-life balance. In her free time, she enjoys spending quality time with her family, planning new adventures, and taking on 5K mud runs and road trips.

Proverbs 21:5, “Good planning and hard work lead to prosperity,” is a favorite verse that guides Sandra’s entrepreneurial spirit. She holds a Certified Personal & Executive Coach certification, an MBA, and a bachelor’s degree in accounting.

Are you ready to take your life to the next level and achieve your goals? Sandra’s 90-Day Wins Coaching program is designed to help you reach your full potential by focusing on building confidence, improving self-esteem, increasing productivity, and developing healthy habits.

Outcomes of 90-Day Wins Coaching:

Measured Confidence: Through a focus on self-efficacy, we’ll help you build your belief in your ability to handle and perform tasks effectively.
Improved Self-Esteem: Sandra will work with you to increase your regard and respect for yourself, so you can approach life with greater confidence.
Increased Productivity: With a weekly action plan and regular calendar reviews, you’ll stay focused on your goals and make progress towards achieving them.
Healthy Habits: Sandra will help you create and practice better habits, including daily habits, morning routines, evening routines, and weekend activities, to support your overall well-being.
With Sandra’s guidance and support, you’ll learn how to overcome obstacles, set and reach your goals, and achieve the life you want. So why wait? Take the first step towards a better life and sign up for 90-Day Wins Coaching today.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

I always receive compliments about my voice. I remember being at a conference where I asked a question. One of the panelists mentioned he could listen to my voice all day. I remember being so surprised that he would tell me this in front of everyone at the event. I also remember getting a text from one of my friends in attendance encouraging me to “Use my Voice.”

Someone shared a podcast with me that is one of my favorites. The two hosts were minority women, and they had me hooked. I began listening to podcasts daily. Then I found myself looking for events for podcasters and seeking people to teach me about this new adventure.

I spent hours researching how to get started, from equipment to hosting platforms. I invested in a good microphone, found a reliable hosting service, and began to plan my episodes.
I spent weeks brainstorming topics, creating outlines, and recording episodes. I poured my heart and soul into each episode, and one of my new podcast friends agreed to edit my episodes. Finally, after months of hard work, my podcast was ready to launch.
Excited and nervous, I hit the “publish” button and waited for my first listeners to tune in. But as the days passed, I realized that building an audience was more challenging than I thought.
I posted on social media and emailed friends and family, but my listenership needed to improve.
I felt discouraged and wondered if I should give up. But then I remembered why I started the 90 Day Wins podcast in the first place: because I want to use my voice and encourage people to achieve big scary goals. I refused to let a small audience discourage me from pursuing my passion.
Instead, I doubled down on my efforts. I started collaborating with other creators, appearing on other shows, and attending Podcast events. I reached out to other podcasters and asked for advice.
Slowly but surely, My audience began to grow. My listenership increased, and I began receiving positive feedback. I continued to create high-quality content and find ways to engage my listeners, building a loyal community around my show.
Three years have passed, and the 90-Day Wins Podcast is gaining momentum in its genre. My resilience has paid off, and I created something to inspire and encourage my listeners for years.

We’d love to hear the story of how you built up your social media audience?

Initially, I struggled to grow my social media following on Instagram for the 90-Day Wins Coaching business. Despite posting regularly and using relevant hashtags, my account needed to see more engagement or growth. I knew I needed to make a change. So, I decided to take a different approach. I identified my target audience: busy professionals seeking meaningful life changes.
I realized my content wasn’t resonating with this audience, so I decided to pivot my strategy.
Instead of simply promoting my coaching services, I created value-driven content that addressed my target audience’s pain points and goals.
I posted motivational quotes and tips for productivity and time management and shared personal stories about my journey toward success. I also started using Instagram Stories to share behind-the-scenes glimpses of my daily life as a Coach and Podcaster.
I began engaging with other accounts in my niche to boost my reach further. I left thoughtful comments on posts from other coaches and motivational speakers and even collaborated on a few posts and challenges, which helped me reach new audiences and establish myself as a thought leader in the coaching space.
Over time, my consistent effort and strategic approach paid off. My social media following is growing steadily, and I see more engagement in my posts. I also started getting more inquiries and sign-ups for my coaching services as my content and social media presence established me as a trusted and credible coach.
Ultimately, my dedication and willingness to adapt and experiment helped me grow my social media following for my 90-Day Wins Coaching business.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.90DayWins.com
• Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/90daywins
• Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/90daywins
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/90-day-wins-llc
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChPp6gRJvJA2tt1Q22tos0w
• Other: Links Page: https://winpondiroad.com

Image Credits
Shawn S Shepard