Lori McNeil is a 20-year International Educator & Business Coach who gets results. She helps entrepreneurs worldwide reach higher levels of success in life and in business than they ever thought possible while building a true legacy.
Lori is an International Media, Marketing, and Branding Expert who specializes in helping entrepreneurs and business leaders understand the power of developing one cohesive plan. She is a powerful speaker who empowers and inspires others to step into their greatness and use Media to reach more people and increase sales. Lori was selected as an official speaker for the Think & Grow Rich World Legacy Tour and was invited as a Featured Speaker for Turning Point 20/20 with 2.25 million people attending live. She is featured in media over 500 times a year and her global work earned her the Lifetime Presidential Service Award, and most recently, the Global Visionary Leader Award.
BMM: Can you introduce yourself and share with our readers who you are and how you found your way into being the successful businesswoman that you are?
Lori: I grew up in a very creative, hard-working, ‘go-get-em” kind of family. That ethic has been with me all my life. My first “job” was making barrettes for Christmas bazaars when I was in first grade. A few years later, I left school early one afternoon and got dressed up to make my first bank presentation where the room full of bankers granted me my first loan at age 11 (my mother co-signed with me on $3,500) to start a hotdog stand. It was also during my younger years where I learned the power of using media to increase awareness and sales. These early experiences have given me a strong foundation and solid business lessons that I have carried with me throughout my life.
BMM: What inspired you in your career choice?
Lori: So many valuable lessons were learned during “my hotdog days.” It showed me that I could accomplish anything I set my sights on. I seem to always be reaching for something bigger than myself and entrepreneurship has been the thread woven into the fabric of my life and all I do. I have always been a creative problem solver, having my own business at a very early age gave the opportunities needed to really focus on how all the pieces fit together and why certain strategies are more important than others.
In my adult life, I spent many years in both education and business, while simultaneously as a consultant, politician, community advocate, and volunteer. Serving people and solving problems have always been a huge part of what drives me.
BMM: What was your first objective when you founded your business?
Lori: To help people become better so they can achieve their goals. It definitely sounds cliché, however authenticity has been one of those constant elements in my life. Teaching, coaching, motivating (going back to my years as a varsity cheer captain), have been strong skills within me since I was young. I love helping others see the potential in themselves and witnessing the transformation that takes place when new knowledge and skills are implemented that lead to stronger results.
BMM: Was it tough for you to get started?
Lori:In some ways yes. In some ways, no. Being a retired Business professor definitely gave me a leg up when developing a new business and programs as a coach and consultant. I already had the knowledge and skills needed. The biggest gap I had to fill was understanding how to implement in a fast-changing world of technology and which platforms would best support my business growth and the needs of my clients in this new “space” outside the brick-and-mortar walls of a traditional classroom. Even though I taught all of the business skills and strategies needed to start my business, the technology needed, was something I had to learn very quicky in order to be successful. The technology needed in a traditional classroom setting is very different.
BMM: Can you briefly explain how your company helps others develop a successful growth strategy?
Lori: My company focuses on strategic positioning, marketing, branding, and of course growth. We accomplish this through a variety of means, starting with a assessment of where you are, developing a thorough understanding where you want to be, and developing and implementing a plan to help you achieve that success. The entire process is customized. We do not believe that “one size fits all.”
BMM: Can you tell our readers a little bit about your book “Media Secrets Revealed”?
Lori: Absolutely! First, I wrote the book to help others achieve the same results I have achieved. After doing this over and over, I saw what worked and mastered the process. I am featured in media over 500 times per year and have been achieving this for many years. My book contains my Five STAR Strategy Process that I have used consistently for years with 100% pitch acceptance rate. Nobody else in the world hold this honor. What I have developed works! The second reason I wrote the book is to create possibilities for those who want to gain media attention but feel like they can’t. It is not inherently hard, in fact it’s simple, but it does require intentional, directed, work with specific strategies.
BMM: As a Business Coach and consultant, what advice can you give to those who are just starting their business? What’s the best way to build a strong foundation and be successful?
Lori: Start with what you have and act every single day that will move you closer to your goals. It’s easy to get overwhelmed by what needs to be done. By simply taking the time to devise a plan and then following that plan you will get results. Pay attention to the trap of “being busy.” Make sure that your actions are moving you closer to your goals and not just keeping you busy.
Most entrepreneurs are not taking the time to build the strong foundation needed for long-term success. They are making all kinds of decisions in many directions that are not aligned with the right messaging, the right strategies, or their ideal client. Don’t be fooled by perceived success. Don’t compare yourself to others. Stay focused. A confused mind never buys. If you are not clear in who you are, what problem you solve, and the results you get, your ideal client will not trust you. Consistency is the key to getting people to buy from you. People align with those they like, know, and trust.
BMM: How can someone use the media to impact their business, and why is it so important?
Lori: Media can be used in so many ways to build your business. Understanding how media works is so vital to the success of your business. Understanding and implementing the right media strategies that support your overall brand and business goals, can literally catapult your business so much faster.
One challenge is when people do not understand the importance of using media or the strategies needed. A media plan is not something that you do when you have extra time and money, it is something that is created and implemented very strategically as an integral part of your overall business plan. Your Media Plan, your Branding, and your Business Plan are not three separate elements. The key is that they must be one cohesive plan. The sooner you do this, the stronger the foundation your business will have, which leads to growth and success.
BMM: Re-branding seems to be a popular strategy for struggling businesses these days. What are your thoughts on it? Do you have any recommendations for businesses that need help rebuilding or modernizing their brand?
Lori: Building a brand is more than just having a logo. It is understanding the power of Brand Essence and how to maximize the uniqueness of it. We all have unique tools in our toolbox. We use those unique tools in business and in life every single day. Nobody can be you no matter how hard they try to copy you. The world is waiting for you to show up in a way that only you can. You were created to be exactly who you are; the world doesn’t need a copycat. Don’t worry about anyone copying you or you trying to compete with anyone. The only person you should be in competition with, is the person you were yesterday.
Understanding this is essential. If what you want to be known for is not clearly displayed across your branding, then yes rebranding is a strong consideration.
BMM: What is the difference between Branding and Marketing?
Lori: Branding is defining who you are as a company. Your mission, values… what makes you special and unique. It’s your key brand elements, such as your logo, your website, and your brand style guidelines. My favorite saying is “marketing is what gets people to engage with your company while branding is what keeps them coming back.”
Now, marketing is the set of tools, processes, and strategies you use to actively promote your product, service, and company. Marketing are the actions you take to connect with your customers and get them to buy your products or services.
Marketing is used to promote your product or service. Branding is used to actively shape your brand and who you are.
You need strategies for both, as they have different goals and different results.
BMM: What is the biggest mistake that other businesses are doing with their branding or marketing?
Lori: As mentioned above, not seeing them as two separate entities. That and always thinking that your branding needs to change. Your brand connects you while your marketing sells you. When branding and marketing are seen as the same thing, you will lose precious time, energy, and money attempting to grow your business.
BMM: What is your favorite subject to delve on when doing your public speaking events?
Lori: I love talking about media and strategy. It’s such a misconception that simply doing more live videos on your social media will result in sales. This can be one strategy, but certainly not the entire plan for growth and sales. Not to mention, even going live on socials, require specific strategies, not just talking about anything that is on you mind. Strategy and alignment are huge. So many entrepreneurs don’t get he importance of this or how do implement these concepts successfully.
Each person is unique and has their own story and angle and I love when I get to share strategy and see others get that “a-ha” moment in their eyes.
BMM: Being an incredibly motivated woman, how do you manage your time for yourself and your business?
Lori: This can be such a hard concept. For me, the bottom line is family will always trump business. If we don’t make time for what invigorates us, we will get consumed by business and everything will burn out. However, you said “motivated” and that is the key right there. Motivation is what gets us to move, and when we are moving, that is when the inspiration, the intention, the inclusion happens. Work/life balance doesn’t exist. Integrating all you are, with all you want to do, alongside of all you want to be, is when you find your sweet spot. Keep your priorities prioritized will create the life and business you want.
BMM: What is the best advice you have received that you would like to share with others?
Lori:“You’ve got this.”
The difference between someone who is successful and someone who isn’t is our internal beliefs. The only person that determines my success or failure is me.
If you have not ‘arrived’ at where you want to be, yet you are making progress, you have not failed. I see too many people giving up on their dreams because of someone else’s definition of success.
BMM: Do you have a message that you would like to share with our readers?
LORI: I created an 8-step method for creating a legacy inside your life and business. I’d love to share them with everyone. Launch your vision, leave your mark, level up your resources, live in your value, leverage your toolbox, look past your future, locate your integrity, and finally lead your life on purpose.
Do these things and watch the beauty of your life unfold in front of you. You’ll have no regrets. You have all the tools you need with you for success, you just have to believe in yourself and go live it!
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