In today's Wantrepreneur to Entrepreneur Spotlight, we're featuring Lisa Proeber, the innovative founder of The Middle Six. Lisa's journey showcases the power of recognizing unexpected opportunities. Her experience offers valuable insights into positive thinking and surrounding oneself with challenging peers to build a business that makes a significant impact in the competitive world of sales and leadership development.
Hi, Lisa! Thanks for joining us today. Tell us about your business. Who do you serve, how do you serve them, and what's the impact that your business and work makes?
At The Middle Six, we specialize in empowering sales professionals and business leaders through targeted training, strategic consulting, and innovative solutions. Our core mission is to serve organizations and individuals who are committed to elevating their sales performance and business outcomes. We work closely with sales teams, entrepreneurs, and companies across various industries to enhance their sales strategies, improve their processes, and ultimately drive revenue growth.
Our approach is highly personalized, focusing on the unique challenges and opportunities of each client. We offer hands-on Sales Boot Camps, workshops, and consulting services designed to equip participants with the skills, tools, and confidence needed to excel in today’s competitive market. By providing practical, actionable insights and fostering a collaborative learning environment, we help our clients achieve measurable improvements in their sales effectiveness.
The impact of our work extends beyond just numbers; it’s about building sustainable sales practices that align with our clients' long-term goals. Through our programs, we not only help businesses increase their bottom line, but we also contribute to the professional growth of salespeople, enabling them to reach new heights in their careers. Our commitment to excellence ensures that our clients are not just successful today but are also well-positioned for future success.
At The Middle Six, we measure our success by the success of those we serve, and we are proud to play a role in helping our clients achieve their full potential.
Tell us about the moment you finally felt like you went from wantrepreneur to entrepreneur.
The moment I truly felt like I transitioned from a "wantrepreneur" to an entrepreneur was when a client offered me equity in their company. This was a turning point for me because it signaled that my expertise and contributions were valued at a level that went beyond a simple transaction. It was more than just a contract or a project—it was an invitation to become a stakeholder in their success. This offer of equity made me realize that I had built something real, something that others saw as integral to their business’s future.
Another defining moment came when I made more in one year than I had in my previous career. This financial milestone wasn't just about the money; it was the culmination of years of hard work, risk-taking, and dedication to my vision. It validated the countless hours I had invested in growing my business and reinforced that I was on the right path. These moments combined to solidify my identity as an entrepreneur, giving me the confidence to continue scaling my business and pursuing new opportunities.
Describe the moment or period in your life/career that motivated you to make the entrepreneurial leap.
The moment that truly motivated me to take the entrepreneurial leap came after the birth of my second child. I was in the process of searching for a new job, looking for stability and growth opportunities. However, every time I interviewed, the feedback was the same: they loved my skills, my experience, and what I could bring to the table, but they couldn't afford to hire me. Each time, they would ask if I did any consulting instead.
At first, these conversations were frustrating. I was looking for a traditional role, but what I was hearing repeatedly was that my value was beyond what these companies could compensate within their structures. It was during this period that I began to see the situation differently. If multiple companies recognized my value and wanted to work with me on a consulting basis, maybe this was the opportunity I had been waiting for—an opportunity to carve out my own path.
This realization was the spark that ignited my entrepreneurial journey. I embraced the idea of consulting, and that’s when the magic happened. I started my own business, offering my expertise on my own terms. What began as a reluctant pivot quickly turned into a thriving venture. The experience taught me that sometimes, the doors that close are guiding you toward the one that’s truly meant for you.
Describe a tool, service, or software that has been a game-changer for your business. How does it contribute to your success?
Two tools that have been absolute game-changers for my business are HubSpot and Predictive Index, and we believe in them so much that we also offer these software solutions as part of our services.
HubSpot has revolutionized the way we manage our customer relationships and sales processes. It’s not just a CRM; it’s a comprehensive platform that allows us to streamline our marketing, sales, and customer service efforts all in one place. The ability to track every interaction, automate workflows, and gain deep insights into our sales pipeline has significantly improved our efficiency and effectiveness. HubSpot has enabled us to scale our operations without losing the personal touch that’s so important in building long-term client relationships.
Predictive Index, on the other hand, has transformed how we approach talent management and team building. By using data-driven insights, we can better understand the behavioral drives and cognitive abilities of our team members. This has been invaluable in ensuring that we have the right people in the right roles and that our teams are aligned with our business objectives. Predictive Index has also enhanced our hiring process, helping us select candidates who are not only skilled but also a great fit for our company culture.
Recognizing the tremendous value these tools bring to our business, we’ve made them available to our clients as part of our services. We not only utilize HubSpot and Predictive Index internally, but we also help our clients implement and maximize these platforms to achieve similar success. By offering these software solutions, we empower our clients to streamline their operations, build stronger teams, and ultimately drive better results.
We know that success is very often a non-linear path. Tell us about a failure, pivot point, or lesson that changed your course or direction and helped to get you where you are today.
Success is rarely a straight line, and one of the most pivotal moments in my journey came when I fully embraced the power of positive thinking and the law of attraction. Early on, I encountered my fair share of failures and setbacks. These experiences could have easily discouraged me, but they instead became the catalyst for a significant shift in my mindset.
I began to understand that my thoughts and attitudes were shaping my reality. By focusing on positivity and believing in the possibilities, rather than dwelling on obstacles, I started to attract opportunities and outcomes that aligned with my goals. This wasn’t just about wishful thinking; it was about actively choosing to see the potential in every situation and taking deliberate steps toward that potential.
Another crucial lesson was the importance of surrounding myself with people who challenge me. I realized that to grow, I needed to be around individuals who not only supported my vision but also pushed me to think bigger, work harder, and approach problems from new angles. These relationships became invaluable, offering new perspectives and holding me accountable to my highest standards.
This combination of positive thinking, the law of attraction, and being surrounded by people who challenge me has been transformative. It helped me pivot from moments of failure to paths of growth and success. These lessons taught me that our mindset and the company we keep are powerful tools in shaping our journey, allowing us to navigate the non-linear path of success with resilience and determination.
What unconventional strategy did you employ that significantly impacted your business?
One unconventional strategy that significantly impacted my business was taking out a business loan at a critical juncture. In the early stages of my entrepreneurial journey, the idea of going into debt was something I had always been cautious about. However, I realized that to grow my business and take it to the next level, I needed to make a bold move.
Taking out a business loan allowed me to invest in key areas that were crucial for scaling—things like expanding my team, upgrading our technology, and enhancing our marketing efforts. This financial boost gave me the flexibility to make decisions that would have otherwise been out of reach. It wasn’t just about having more money; it was about having the resources to strategically position my business for growth.
This decision was unconventional in the sense that many entrepreneurs prefer to bootstrap their ventures to avoid debt. However, I saw the loan as a calculated risk—one that was necessary to accelerate my business's progress. In the end, it paid off. The investments made possible by the loan resulted in significant returns, not only in revenue but also in the overall growth and stability of my business.
This experience taught me that sometimes, the strategies that seem risky or unconventional can be the very ones that lead to the greatest breakthroughs. It reinforced the importance of being open to all possibilities and not being afraid to take bold steps when the opportunity presents itself.
What’s something you wish you knew sooner that you’d give as advice for aspiring or newer entrepreneurs?
Something I wish I had known sooner—and that I would advise every aspiring or newer entrepreneur to prioritize—is the importance of a solid tax strategy and having the right people on your team. Early on, it’s tempting to focus all your energy on the visible aspects of your business, like product development, sales, and marketing. However, neglecting your tax planning can lead to significant financial setbacks, and not having the right team in place can hinder your growth.
A strong tax strategy is crucial not just for staying compliant, but for optimizing your financial health. By understanding the tax implications of your business decisions, you can make more informed choices that maximize deductions and minimize liabilities, ultimately leaving more resources to reinvest into your business.
Equally important is surrounding yourself with the right people. Thankfully, I’ve been fortunate to have great team members from the very beginning, which has made a world of difference. Having the right people in the right roles ensures that your business runs smoothly and that you can focus on what you do best. Your team’s expertise and dedication can propel your business forward, helping you overcome challenges and seize opportunities.
My advice to new entrepreneurs is to invest early in both a sound tax strategy and a strong team. These elements may not be as immediately exciting as other parts of your business, but they are foundational to long-term success.
Want to go deeper into Lisa's work? You can see what she's up to on the links below.
- Visit The Middle Six's Website themiddlesix.com
- Follow The Middle Six on Instagram: @themiddlesix
- Find The Middle Six on LinkedIn
- Connect with The Middle Six on Facebook
