Mental Toughness – Maryann Croce [RR 670]

carmcapriotto · August 27, 2021

Maryann Croce from SmallBusinessvantge.com. She and her husband Tony also own Croce Transmission in Norwalk, CT. As a business owner, she can chalk up many a mistake that has turned into wisdom. She has been there and done that and shares 5 key principles to help a startup business person get ahead of the game. She is speaking to resilience, commitment, getting help, being curious and giving. Learn why messaging, relationships and financials are vital no matter what stage you are and your business is currently in. Don’t believe you need to go it alone. Her biggest mistake as a new business owner was thinking she had to do it all. This is one of the reasons why her signature talk “Gain Control by Letting Go” was created. Maryann is also a member of Women in Auto Care and owns smallbizvantage.com. Hear Maryann in her previous episodes HERE. Key Talking Points

Mental Toughness- being able to be flexible and adaptable when challenges happen. How are you showing up in the different roles/identities in your life? Be the best version in each role (leadership).
POP: Positive with a plan, Optimistic- look behind to see clearly in the future, learn from the lessons in the past, Practicality- reality check with resources like time, money, skillset, and people to get through challenges
Making decisions more confidently-make better and quicker decisions.
Ego- getting flustered or stressed your ego will come out. When ego gets too big there is a downside but ego is also there to protect yourself (defend yourself).
Preparing for owner role- what training and knowledge did you acquire previously if any? You are responsible for the people, not the job- default is your comfort zone of fixing it yourself. Being open-minded is knowing you don’t have all the answers.
Work-life balance as an owner- are you working 7 days a week? Review your day/week and document what you are actually doing. Could someone else be doing your tasks and you could focus on other things on the business.
Handling customer complaints/reviews as an owner- opportunity to go back and look at it, separate yourself that customer is talking about business, not yourself. Don’t become defensive and have the situation escalated. View the business as a separate entity and look at it from a different perspective. Was there a miscommunication? How was the process handled?
Being afraid of change- leaving things to chance, not being in control of visions/goals.
Link to Maryann Croce's POP Method HERE

Link mentioned for AAPEX Award Nominations HERE.
Thanks to Maryann Croce for her contribution to the aftermarket’s premier podcast.
Link to the ‘BOOKS‘ page, highlighting all books discussed in the podcast library HERE. Leaders are readers.
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Be socially involved and in touch with the show: Facebook Twitter Linked In Email Join the Ecosystem – Subscribe to the INSIDER NEWSLETTER HERE. Buy me a coffee This episode is brought to you by AAPEX, the Automotive Aftermarket Products Expo. AAPEX represents the $740 billion global automotive aftermarket industry and has everything you need to stay ahead of the curve. The Virtual AAPEX Experience 2020 is in the record books. Virtual AAPEX lived up to presenting leading-technical and business management training from some of the industry’s best and brightest. Now set your sights on the homecoming in Las Vegas in 2021. Mark your calendar now … November 2-4, 2021, AAPEX // Now more than ever. This episode is brought to you by Shop-Ware Shop Management. It’s time to run your business at its fullest potential with the industry’s leading technology. Shop-Ware Shop Management will increase your efficiency with lightning-fast workflows, help your staff capture more sales every day, and create very happy customers who promote your business. Shops running Shop-Ware have More Time and generate More Profit—join them! Schedule a free live demonstration and find out how 30 minutes can transform your shop at getshopware.com/carm