"Our advice to businesses facing challenges in 2023 is to focus on what they can control and to always keep their eyes on the bigger picture."
Introducing Marianne Lehikoinen, the founder of Smart Mentoring, a coaching company that promotes inclusivity and equity in the business world.
Marianne discusses her commitment to helping women reach their full potential without sacrificing their mental and emotional well-being, her experience with pivoting to a premium approach in business, and her plans for global expansion.
She also shares her thoughts on how to keep employees happy, her expectations for the year to come, and her upcoming book, “The Balance Shift,” which will explore the concept of authenticity in entrepreneurship.
Check out more interviews with entrepreneurs here.
WOULD YOU LIKE TO GET FEATURED?
All interviews are 100% FREE OF CHARGE
Table of Contents
We are thrilled to have you join us today, welcome to ValiantCEO Magazine’s exclusive interview! Let’s start off with a little introduction. Tell our readers a bit about yourself and your company.
Marianne Lehikoinen: Thank you for this opportunity to connect with your readers! I’m Marianne Lehikoinen from Finland, and I am the founder of Smart Mentoring, a coaching company that works to create a more inclusive and equitable business world.
If you were in an elevator with Warren Buffet, how would you describe your company, your services or products? What makes your company different from others? What is your company’s biggest strength?
Marianne Lehikoinen: In the past year, we have helped over 200 Finnish women achieve success and 5-figure monthly incomes while enjoying a work-life balance by working on their products, operational and sales strategies.
From my own experience, women often receive advice that does not reflect their potential. That is why I am committed to providing the support and mentorship they need to reach success on their own terms.
We promote single-tasking and focused business development instead of multi-tasking and spreading yourself too thin, as this approach has proven to lead to burnout and subpar results. I believe in helping women create wealth and stability through their businesses, and empowering them to reach their full potential without sacrificing their mental and emotional well-being.
We are now expanding globally and helping entrepreneurs worldwide scale their businesses to 7 figures and beyond with our strategies that promote authentic, transparent, and inclusive entrepreneurship. Get ready for an epic journey of growth and success with us!
What advice do you wish you received when you started your business journey and what do you intend on improving in the next quarter?
Marianne Lehikoinen: When I first started my business journey, I wish I received advice on the importance of creating premium products with premium value at premium prices.
I fell into the trap of underselling myself, but once I pivoted to a premium approach, things started to take off fast. Now we’re a team of 15 looking at rapid global expansion.
We’re on the fast track, and this is where my second piece of advice comes in: Prioritize yourself and think about your entrepreneurial journey in the long term. Build a business based on what you’re passionate about and make it work for you.
Our growth strategies are designed to keep entrepreneurs in mental well-being. In the next quarter, I intend on speaking out wherever possible about sustainable growth and work-life balance.
Here is a two fold question: What is the book that influenced you the most and how? Please share some life lessons you learned. Now what book have you gifted the most and why?
Marianne Lehikoinen: “The 10X Rule” by Grant Cardone has had a profound impact on my life and business journey. This book challenged me to think bigger and aim for 10 times my initial goals.
It started when, instead of settling for a modest $10,000 monthly income, I set my sights on $100,000 and beyond. And I make the same goals work for my clients. This book taught me the power of goal-setting and sales mindset, and it continues to inspire me to push beyond my limits.
In addition, “The Almanack of Naval Ravikant” by Eric Jorgenson has also played a big role in shaping my mindset. This book takes a holistic approach to success and happiness, and it has helped me understand the importance of a well-rounded approach to life. This book has taught me the value of expanding my thoughts and beliefs about what it takes to succeed and be truly fulfilled.
These two books have been instrumental in my personal and professional growth, and I am grateful for the lessons they have taught me. I have gifted the latter to many friends and colleagues because I believe its message of holistic success is universal and applies to everyone, regardless of their background or goals.
Christopher Hitchens, an American journalist, is quoted as saying that “everyone has a book in them” Have you written a book? If so, please share with us details about it. If you haven’t, what book would you like to write and how would you like it to benefit the readers?
Marianne Lehikoinen: Yes, I have authored a book. My first publication was geared towards entrepreneurs in Finland, offering guidance for those embarking on the entrepreneurial journey during a time when side hustles and freelance opportunities were on the rise.
I am now working on my second book, which will be in English. The book, entitled “The Balance Shift (working title),” will explore the concept of authenticity in entrepreneurship and how to balance work and life while building a successful global business.
The aim of the book is to provide readers with inspiration and a roadmap for creating a thriving business while staying true to themselves and their values.
2020, 2021, 2022 threw a lot of curve balls into businesses on a global scale. Based on the experience gleaned in the past years, how can businesses thrive in 2023? What lessons have you learned and what advice would you share?
Marianne Lehikoinen: The past three years have been incredibly difficult for people and businesses all around the world, but through our experiences helping entrepreneurs in Finland, we have learned that resilience and creativity can emerge even in the toughest of times.
We understand that the pandemic, war, and recession have affected people in many different ways and that some may have faced greater challenges than others. However, we also believe that these challenges can lead to some of the most inspiring and motivational stories.
As we move into 2023, we are expanding our business globally and extending this invitation to our Finnish clients to do the same. We believe that anyone, regardless of their background or circumstances, has the potential to succeed on a global scale.
Our advice to businesses facing challenges in 2023 is to focus on what they can control and to always keep their eyes on the bigger picture. We understand that the road ahead may not be easy, but we encourage businesses to embrace their challenges with resilience and creativity. Remember, adversity can often lead to great success.
What does “success” in the year to come mean to you? It could be on a personal or business level, please share your vision.
Marianne Lehikoinen: For us, success in 2023 means that we have helped our clients achieve their entrepreneurial goals and attain both financial fulfillment and personal balance. We believe that when our clients thrive, they not only improve their own lives but also inspire and influence those around them.
Expanding our business globally in 2023 is a big step towards our vision of a new era of leadership that values a balanced approach to work and life. With advances in technology, we have the opportunity to create more flexible and fulfilling work environments.
Our goal is to challenge the traditional leadership models that prioritize burnout over well-being and to encourage a new standard of success that prioritizes balance and happiness.
In 2023, success means being a catalyst for change and helping our clients and others around the world to build businesses that align with their values and beliefs while also promoting their mental and emotional wellbeing.
Jerome Knyszewski, VIP Contributor to ValiantCEO and the host of this interview would like to thank Marianne Lehikoinen for taking the time to do this interview and share her knowledge and experience with our readers.
If you would like to get in touch with Marianne Lehikoinen or her company, you can do it through her – Linkedin Page
Disclaimer: The ValiantCEO Community welcomes voices from many spheres on our open platform. We publish pieces as written by outside contributors with a wide range of opinions, which don’t necessarily reflect our own. Community stories are not commissioned by our editorial team and must meet our guidelines prior to being published.
