[quote style=”boxed”]Build yourself up. Boost your confidence. Everyday write down and read aloud why YOU are going to make a difference and why your gifts and talents are necessary to share with others.[/quote]
Stephanie Mansour, CEO of Step It Up with Steph, is a nationally known Health & Fitness Expert and Body Image & Confidence Coach. She’s a reality TV show trainer, helping her client lose 80+ lbs in 12 weeks on NBC Chicago’s “Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is” without any diets or gimmicks.
Stephanie has been featured on CNN, AOL, Yahoo!, WGN TV, Crain’s Business, and TV stations across the country for her holistic & unique approach to being healthy and fit anywhere, anytime, with her no diets/no guilt programs.
She is a highly sought after in-home private trainer & coach for high powered females in Chicago, combining yoga, pilates, personal training, and body image & confidence coaching with her clients.
Clients outside of Chicago work with Stephanie through her One Day Intensive and phone coaching programs.
Companies enlist Stephanie for her “Cubicle Crunch” office wellness workshop and presentation.
Stephanie is also the creator of the workbook, 30 Days to Love Your Body & Your Life, full of mental exercises to promote positive self-talk, confidence, and positive body image.
Stephanie was named a top 20 trainer by Nike in Chicago and won second place in Nike’s competition with her clients. She’s been named one of Chicago’s top 30 female entrepreneurs under 30 by ME: In Focus Magazine, an Inspiring Chicagoan by Inspire-Connect-Network, and one of 50 inspiring trainers on Twitter by Masters in Health Care.
For more information, please visit www.StepItUpwithSteph.com, email [email protected] or call 323.636.2262
What are you working on right now?
I’m currently working on expanding my coaching program so that women across the world can work with me. I do body image and confidence coaching, and also help women organize their lives so that they are the priority!
Where did the idea for Step It Up with Steph come from?
Step It Up with Steph refers to a mental shift that happens – when you’re sitting on the couch, debating whether or not to get up and go to the gym, STEP IT UP and go to the gym. Step It Up out of your comfort zone and that is where you will create the most positive change in your life. I’ve also always wanted to host my own health and fitness show for women, so I needed a name for my business, brand, and show! 🙂
How do you make money?
The majority of my revenue comes from private clients. I do luxury in-home training and coaching (personal training, yoga, Pilates, and body image & confidence coaching.) I am building the over the phone coaching programs and also my workbook and 30 Day Jumpstart online sales.
What does your typical day look like?
Wake up 8am, meditate, do a quick Pilates and yoga routine.
Check emails and eat breakfast at 9am.
Work on projects or developing my business.
10am check in with clients via text and email.
11am start with clients, typically 4-8 each day.
Throughout the day I check emails and set appointments, respond to press inquiries, etc.
How do you bring ideas to life?
I write them down, meditate, and determine how I want to go about bringing ideas to life.
What’s one trend that really excites you?
Meditation! Have I said that enough? 🙂 I also help my clients focus inward to the voice inside and to connect with their intuition – we have all of the answers for ourselves, if we listen closely enough.
What was the worst job you ever had and what did you learn from it?
My worst job was being a dishwasher at my dad’s banquet center. It was a very humbling experience. I learned that everyone has a job and needs a job, and you can learn to enjoy anything that you do if you change your outlook.
If you were to start again, what would you do differently?
I would have stuck to my guns even more than I have in the past. For example, business men gave me advice and told me that hot pink was an awful business color, and that Step It Up with Steph was a horrible business name. However, I stuck with them and always will, because I love them and feel that they represent my brand and me very well. Over the years there have been other situations like that, and instead of being steadfast, I have wavered for a few months, which I believe slowed my momentum.
As an entrepreneur, what is the one thing you do over and over and recommend everyone else do?
Two things: 1. Take some time everyday to clear your mind and re-connect with your purpose.
2. Check over your schedule and make sure that you are scheduling in some “ME” time and fun activities. It can’t be all work, no play!
What is one failure you had as an entrepreneur, and how did you overcome it?
I tried very hard to fill my 30 Day Jumpstart Program so that it could be a “live” program, with 15 women signing up every few months. The third time I ran this, no one signed up. I took that as a sign to make it a Do It Yourself Program, since I had spent so many hours promoting it and wasn’t seeing any results.
What is one business idea that you’re willing to give away to our readers?
Creating a physical product to sell at promotional tables, and also to run contests online to send the product to customers.
If you could change one thing in the world, what would it be and how would you go about it?
The zombie-like feel of offices. When I walk into offices for meetings, I can almost feel a somewhat depressive and jail-like mood that sweeps over the office. I’d post healthy signs, such as “stretch at the water cooler!” and provide healthy lunches or snack options, and also more wellness programs for employees. I’d make it a happier environment.
Tell us something about you that very few people know?
I was on the Price Is Right a few years ago – I was called down in the first round of contestants, and was very embarrassed because I was still standing for the 6th (and final) game. I wanted to make it on stage so bad, but I kept turning to all of my friends to ask them what I should big on each product. Finally, on that 6th game, I decided not to turn around. I closed my eyes, took a deep breath, and visualized what the price was for that product. I gave my answer, and won! I was called on stage, and I attribute that to turning “inward” instead of looking to others for advice.
What are your three favorite online tools or resources and what do you love about them?
I live and die by my Gmail calendar! I also love Hootsuite because I can send posts to many social media outlets at once so that no follower misses my posts! Finally, TED talks are great for inspiration.
What is the one book that you recommend our community should read and why?
A Return to Love by Marianne Williamson. This book taught me the dichotomy between love and fear, and how to act out of love instead of out of fear. As entrepreneurs, it’s easy to get caught up in warnings or fearful thoughts.
Three people we should follow on Twitter and why?
Self magazine – they always have great workout and eating tips; Marianne Williamson for her spiritual posts; Tony Robbins
When was the last time you laughed out loud? What caused it?
A few minutes ago when my autocorrect on my phone typed “I want to give you a shout outcast!” instead of a “shout out”. I laugh at really small things.
Who is your hero, and why?
My dad! He has been through the ups and downs of real estate and running his own business, and gives me great advice. Whenever I call, he asks me, “OK Stephanie, lie down on my couch, what is wrong today?”
How do I have the guts to “just do it” and pull the trigger with my biz?
Build yourself up. Boost your confidence. Everyday write down and read aloud why YOU are going to make a difference and why your gifts and talents are necessary to share with others.
How do I explain what I do, if it is very involved and I do so many things?
Tailor your response to your audience. For example, if I am talking to a potential client who wants to work in person with me, I don’t talk about my online programs. If I am talking to a television producer who wants me on TV, I don’t talk about my work with private clients – instead I talk about past TV appearances.
Connect:
Stephanie Mansour on Facebook:
Stephanie Mansour on Twitter: @StepItUpwSteph
Stephanie Mansour on Linked In:
Mario Schulzke is the Founder of ideamensch, which he started a decade ago to learn from entrepreneurs and give them a platform for their ideas.