Behind the scenes at our in-person mastermind


Reader —

We may only be four weeks into the new year, but I’m already having an amazing 2025. I spent the early part of the month kicking off Q1 with all of my clients at our online planning retreat.

And then I scurried up north with three clients for our Savvy Syndicate mastermind.

The extended time together allowed for a much deeper look into each woman's business than is usually feasible during Zoom calls. And the unscripted time each of us had to explore the grounds in quiet contemplation made for richer conversations during meals and hotseat sessions.

Speaking of rich conversations, we've released three new episodes of The Business You Really Want:

Subscribe on your favorite podcast player or YouTube to get notified each Tuesday when episodes go live.

Quick Hits:

→ I recently appeared on the Booch News podcast discussing how kombucha businesses can scale sustainably without burnout. Fun fact: Half of all kombucha brewing businesses are founded by women.

→ Join us on Feb. 19 for the Small Biz Book Club, featuring author Tamsen Webster discussing her latest book, "Say What They Can't Unhear"

→ Looking for a fresh take on business community? Check out The Playhouse, a community for creative solopreneurs. I teach monthly inside the membership. Join now access to my next workshop, Can't Keep Up? 10 Tactics to Make a Difference in Your Business, and check out events from business owners in a variety of industries.

Here's to creating success on your own terms,

Gwen

P.S. Want to join our next mastermind retreat? Reply to this email to start the conversation.

PO Box 1133, Merced, CA 95341
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Gwen Bortner | Everyday Effectiveness

Gwen Bortner is a business advisor who provides outside perspective and unwavering accountability. She’s also the one to ask the hard questions others won't. After four decades of working across 47+ industries, Gwen has learned that marketing and sales have built-in feedback loops — you know quickly if they're working. But the behind-the-scenes engine that runs your business? That's where the blind spots live. That's where successful businesses secretly start breaking down, even when everything looks fine from the outside. Gwen's monthly newsletter provides tips to help you identify bottlenecks others miss so you can build a business that performs well without consuming your life.

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Reader — Business owners often confuse being busy with being productive. What's one activity you regularly engage in that feels productive, but might actually be a sneaky form of procrastination? I’d love to hear what comes up for you, so let me know! I read and respond to every email personally. Speak soon, Gwen

Reader — Sometimes our business grows in directions we didn't intend. What aspect of your current business model exists more by accident than by design? Is it serving your long-term vision? I’d love to hear what comes up for you, so let me know! I read and respond to every email personally. Speak soon, Gwen

Reader — Many entrepreneurs struggle to maintain consistent support systems as their business evolves. Who provides your most valuable outside perspective? How could you better leverage that relationship? I’d love to hear what comes up for you, so let me know! I read and respond to every email personally. Speak soon, Gwen