1847 – The iRoc Approach to Marketing and Sales with Cori Fonville Foster

Josh (00:00:05) - A thoughtful listener before we get going. Did you know that my company up my influence? Com has launched more than 200 business podcasts. The host of our shows are amazing leaders and collaborators. Folks, I want to connect you with. Maybe you deserve your moment in the spotlight as a guest of one of these amazing shows. Just go to up my influence. Com where you can see more than 50 shows that are actively seeking business leader guests like you to celebrate right now in front of their high caliber audiences. Just click on the podcast tab and up my influence. Com where you'll see shows like the Optics in Action podcast hosted by the visionary Ryan Weiss, president of EPS. This daily podcast is a treasure trove of insights for anyone in the manufacturing and construction world. Are you a business leader or innovator in these industries? Then Optics in Action is your go to source for stories that inspire and strategies that really work. Ryan and his guests dive deep into the journeys of successful founders, uncovering the secrets to scaling up in today's fast paced business environment.

Josh (00:01:23) - But that's not all if you are at the helm of a thriving company. Optics in Action is actively seeking guests like you in those industries, leaders who are shaping the future of manufacturing and construction. Share your story, your challenges, and your triumphs with a senior leadership level audience who are eager to learn from your experience. Don't miss this chance to be a part of a community of visionaries. Visit up my influence. Com click on the podcast tab and look for optics in action. Whether you're tuning in as a listener or stepping up as a guest. Join us in driving the conversation forward. In the world of manufacturing and construction. Your voice matters and we can't wait to amplify it. With us right now, it's Cori Fonville foster. Cori, you are the CEO of Iroc Marketable Business Solutions. Now your website is Iroc Marketable Business Solutions. Dot com. Corey, thank you so much for joining us.

Cori (00:02:32) - Oh my gosh. Thank you so much for having me. I'm so excited to be here today.

Josh (00:02:36) - Yeah. Well give us an overview of your work, who you serve and what you do.

Cori (00:02:41) - Oh, absolutely. So like you said, I am the CEO of Iraq Marketable Business Solutions. We're based out of Virginia, but we service clients all over the US., our specialty is working with coaches and consultants who are getting into business or who have been in businesses for a little bit, but are really looking for some affordable marketing and sales solutions. So that's like our sweet spot.

Josh (00:03:01) - Yeah. What's the solution?

Cori (00:03:04) - , it really is about utilizing the resources they already have now, right? A lot of times we are looking and we kind of talked before we hit record about like people are always looking for that new thing, right? They're looking for that amazing fix. But we talk about really looking at what you already have, the network that you already have, the resources you already have, and learning how to optimize those first. Right, learning how to utilize the software you've probably already invested in, and making the most of that towards your marketing and sales goals, and then building on that amazing foundation.

Josh (00:03:36) - Okay. So yeah, so no, I don't like chasing shiny objects. I already have a pretty good business here. I'm with you. So I just want to keep, you know, working with what we got here. So I don't think a lot of people want to reinvent every 60 days. So what would be some examples of clients that you've worked with and some of those maybe untapped resources, be it existing audiences or whatever? They take me through how you work with the client.

Cori (00:04:06) - Yeah. So when I initially work with the client, one thing we do is kind of take an audit of their current resources., if people have ever worked with a business coach, a lot of times they're teaching you their framework or their system or what software they use. But I like to say, okay, what do you what have you already invested in? What do you like using that may be emailing platforms like Get Response or e-commerce platforms like think if Igabi and I say, okay, we're utilizing these platforms.

Cori (00:04:30) - What do these platforms have to offer us? How can we put together a system around these tools that you've already invested in? How can we look at perhaps, maybe the network that they already have? A lot of adults are already affiliated with organizations before we go out and purchase or, you know, invest in another organization to be a part of, how can we optimize the network? You already have? Have you reached out to them and told them you are already in business? Right? Have you told them about your products? Have you asked for a referral? Oftentimes, especially business owners who are starting or who are been in business for a couple of years, they forget those those small details. That really can increase their reach, especially when it comes to organic marketing.

Josh (00:05:09) - Yeah., so what would be examples,, of like, let's say they say, well, you know, no, I,, you know, I obviously I don't want to like, spam my list, but, you know, we have an email list, you know, and sure, there's probably a bunch of people there that are not engaging with us.

Josh (00:05:26) - So how might you advise them or someone that's listening to our conversation right now might say, well, Josh, you just described my situation. And so where do they begin? Like, how do they decide, you know, what their best course of action may be?

Cori (00:05:41) - Yeah. So I think it always helps to have a plan. And even though this may sound kind of boring, we go back to the business plan. We said, okay, where did you say your business was currently? What did we say you wanted to do with your business? Because it starts there. If you're just going out every day thinking of a new goal, you're going to always be chasing that. But if you actually go back to the why, right, the original reason why you're in business, the audience, who are you trying to target and then say, okay, what steps, what simple steps can I make to get to them, to attract them, to get them to book a call, to get them to purchase? That's usually the way we go.

Cori (00:06:15) - I'm not about, like you said, kind of crazy new things. It's like, let's just keep it simple. If your audience shops at Walmart, how do we get into Walmart? If your audience, you know, is on Facebook every day, how do we get their attention on Facebook? And we just keep it really, really simple because oftentimes the sales are made in the simplest of ways.

Josh (00:06:35) - Yeah, I couldn't agree with you more. It's kind of the fundamentals. And also to I think, well, I'll have you kind of share about this. Cori. My suspicion is that and I think we've heard this right, is it's really easy to throw in the towel a little too early when sometimes, you know, it's just like it's that mundane showing up, like having conversations, having sales conversations day after day after day after day. And if you could just pick a lane, right, and and just stay swimming in that one lane, guess what? You're going to get to the other end of the pool if you keep getting now and like starting over in a different lane, but you can do that.

Josh (00:07:18) - , it's just going to take you a lot longer to get to the other side of the, of the pool.

Cori (00:07:22) - Yes, there's momentum really. And I'm not saying that big strategies don't work. Absolutely adds funnels. All these things do work., but I know for certain, if you haven't mastered the foundational elements and really got an understanding of who your audience is and how they shop and how they do business, those bigger, more expensive investments you're going to make into marketing are going to be harder for you to still hit your goals, because if you're not clear with your target audience, if you're listening to this and you're running an ad and you don't know your target audience is you're throwing money away, yeah, just sharing it. But again, going back when you go to the foundational pieces and you say, you know what? Let me really get in tune with my audience. Let me talk to my network. Let me ask them, what are they looking for from me? Then oftentimes if you're open to listening, you'll see that there is an opportunity for you to market to those individuals and they'll tell you exactly what they want and how they want to receive that information.

Josh (00:08:12) - Yeah., Corey, your website,, Iraq Marketable Business Solutions,, you've been doing what you're doing for quite some time., do you share just maybe just a little bit about your background and where you got your superpowers from?

Cori (00:08:26) - Yes., I love sharing my story because I really founded my business on the idea that anybody can be a successful entrepreneur if they want to. And that rings true to my story. I actually started back in the medical field. I was a medical assistant. I was in school to become a registered nurse. I absolutely loved my 9 to 5. I wasn't that person. Like, I just want to quit and become an entrepreneur. That was not me. But I have a rare eye condition and the doctors and all their wisdom basically told me I wasn't going to be able to work anymore. I was going to go home and go blind. And they basically said, you know, go home and collect unemployment, and I'm not going to pretend that I was this superwoman that said, you know, I'm going to, you know, be the odds.

Cori (00:09:08) - I actually said, okay, I went home and kind of thought, okay, this is it for me. But then I realized that there were other opportunities I could chart my own course. And so I landed. You know, long story short, I landed into entrepreneurship and really was self-taught. And I, I would just go out and say, okay, if this is the issue, where's the solution? And I would find people to help me. I would invest in courses, I would invest in mentors. And eventually Iraq marketable business solution was found. And we have been able to help other individuals who kind of find themselves in this lane of entrepreneurship, and we help them leverage their genius, their own genius, their their passions and turn that into profit.

Josh (00:09:47) - Yeah. You know, one thing I think in your own story,, that you shared is change. Right? And I'm just looking at your LinkedIn,, you recently talked about, you know, listen, change is the only constant.

Josh (00:09:59) - You're in business. I mean, you you, you know, there's probably some value to being nimble, right? And also, you know, when change does happen. Well, I'll let you kind of share like this again, that notion of, you know, the inevitability of change and disruption and things, surprises that come. But again, as a business owner. Right. It's just that's why we put our big girl big boy pants on. Right. Is that's the that's the job it takes. And I'll have you kind of give your little mini TEDx talk on that topic.

Cori (00:10:33) - Yeah, I really think that there is a very simple line, right? Not a thin line, but a simple line between those businesses. We're going to be successful, and those are those who are not. And that does have to be have to do with the idea of being adaptive and being willing to pivot if you are so,, stringent in the area that you're in, that you're like, I know I'm an expert, this is how I'm going to do it.

Cori (00:10:55) - I'm not changing anything. Then oftentimes you're going to really struggle to be successful because the industry is always changing. Every day. There's a new way to market. Every day there is a new social media platform, Lord help us. But there's always something new and your audience is always looking for that next thing. And so you have to be willing to adjust. I learn every day, and I teach my clients to just be lifelong learners, right? It doesn't matter how long you've been in the game, there's always going to be more to learn. And also, especially because I'm a coach, it's like, how dare I stop learning? Because then I can't see, you know, put a seed into my, you know, clientele if I'm not learning. And so I think that just having that understanding going in is like, you're going to always have to be willing to, to adapt. You're going to always have to be willing to adjust and just be flexible to be successful., with the longevity of a business, you know what I mean?

Josh (00:11:50) - Yeah.

Josh (00:11:51) - , Corey, what stage business owners do you generally work with and how do you engage with them? Like how do you work together?

Cori (00:11:59) - Yeah. So usually I work with people I always like to say in their first five years of business, typically,, now some people have been playing business for a long time. And so maturity wise of their business, they're still really in those first five years of development,, most people come to me with at least an idea. They've established themselves as an LLC or what have you as a nonprofit, but they are really still lacking some of the foundational structures, the operational issues that new businesses have, and they're still trying to really hone in to their sales and marketing strategies. Like I said, I work with mostly coaches and consultants, so service based industries, and we really work together to hone in those sales and marketing pieces of their business. That's not to say we haven't had people who come to us with just an idea. We still support them, and we also still have had clients who are already hitting six figures,, who maybe just need some tweaks here and there.

Cori (00:12:50) - But our sweet spot is definitely those first five years of working on those foundational pieces and marketing and sales strategies.

Josh (00:12:59) - , in the early stages of business, like if someone still a little bit flexible about, you know, the oh, what they know is, is that I do not want to work a regular job, and maybe they have a day job right now and they're, you know, they've tried they've tested, you know, some opportunities and they're not sure where they want to get. Like how do you help them decide what they should be doing or, you know, or kind of settling into a I'm sure you've seen some business models. They're like,, I don't know, man, that's going to be hard. And you've probably seen some others like, listen, I think you got what it takes. Like how do you help someone in that if they're still a little bit malleable there.

Cori (00:13:40) - Yeah, I definitely had to have those conversations sometimes. You know, I feel bad because they may have invested in a lot of things.

Cori (00:13:47) - And I'm like, I you skip that market research spot, because if you would have looked at that, you probably would have known that there's some things that,, are not going to make this an easy climb for you., but when I work with clients, I like to have really candid conversations. I don't take on any, like, high ticket coaching clients without having a serious strategy call in the beginning, where we kind of get really true and transparent about what they are looking to achieve. I tell my clients I don't define what success is for them. They have to let me know where they think they want to go. And then I'm like, okay, realistically, based on where you are, this is how I see things going. This is what I recommend. And then if we find that there's a partnership, if there's an overlap, if there's a chance for collaboration, we work together. If we find that we just don't align, then I'm happy to point people in the right direction.

Cori (00:14:33) - Some individuals come to me and I realize they need a lot of mindset work, right? They have imposter syndrome, all that. I'm not that coach. I'm like, hey, I know somebody for you that can help you get to those mental blocks., and work through that. And when you're ready, then we can move forward. So we do. We start with a really candid conversation., and see again, do we align? Is there work that we can do together to progress them in their entrepreneurship journey? If there is, I'm excited. They're excited. And then we get to the real work.

Josh (00:15:02) - Yeah., your website is Iroc Marketable Business solutions.com. To our friend that's listening. My recommendation. That's quite a few letters you got to type in. So we've got the link. You just all you got to do is just click on the show notes or click on the cover, or just keep clicking around in your podcast app. You'll find it, find that direct link,, Corey, that we've got directly to your website.

Josh (00:15:24) - And when somebody takes this next step and they're like, I want more Corey in my life. Like, what would you recommend they do once they,, get to your website?

Cori (00:15:33) - Yeah, definitely., first of all, whether you want to work with me or not, if you just want any more information that can help you with your business, if you're. In that first five years of business especially. Go ahead and sign up. There'll be a pop up up there. Sign up, because that gives you over eight plus hours of free training. It also gives you a 90 day visibility challenge that gives you 90 little tasks that you can do to bring more visibility to your brand. So enjoy that for free, whether you want to work with me or not. But if you feel like I'm somebody that could possibly support you, definitely. There is a way on my website to just contact us., we do a free strategy call. We also have free mini brand audits where again we can look and see what are your goals, what are you doing now? And I'll give you some extra resources on that call.

Cori (00:16:15) - And if we again, we feel like it's a partnership, but we feel like it's going to be some magic. We work together, then we'll definitely take those next steps together.

Josh (00:16:22) - Now again, Corey Fonville. Oh, shoot, I lost your Corey Fonville. Foster., your website is Iroc Marketable Business Solutions. Iroc is Iroc, which I was quick to notice. That's Corey spelled backward is,, again, Iroc marketable Business solutions. Thank you so much for the free gift as well. Again, Corey, thank you so much for joining us.

Cori (00:16:48) - Thank you so much for having me. This was so much fun.

Josh (00:16:57) - Thanks for listening to the Thoughtful Entrepreneur show. If you are a thoughtful business owner or professional who would like to be on this daily program, please visit up my influence. Comment. Guest. If you're a listener, I'd love to shout out your business to our whole audience for free. You can do that by leaving a review on Apple Podcasts or join our Listener Facebook group. Just search for the Thoughtful Entrepreneur and Facebook.

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