Frequently Asked Questions

My responses to general questions I receive on a regular basis.
My responses to questions I get from folks who want transparency on my business practices.
My responses to questions I receive from folks who want honest answers on the cost of joining my community.
My responses to questions I receive from folks who want to know what the benefits are from joining my community, but also from working with me.
General FAQs
01 How do I know if I'm ready to start my business?
Starting a business is a big decision, and it’s normal to feel unsure. To determine if you’re ready, ask yourself if you have a clear idea or passion, are willing to put in the work, and have a plan for managing risk. Also, another important question to ask is if you want to turn something you are passionate about into a business. I help you assess if entrepreneurship is the path you want to take through my free Exploring Entrepreneurship eCourse. I'd start there before you start spending money on your potential business venture.
02 What are the first steps I should take when starting my business?
The first steps include clarifying and validating your business idea, understanding your target market, and creating a simplified business plan. It’s also important while you are doing this to also start developing your brand—defining your unique value, voice, and how you want to be seen by your audience.
Start small: focus on understanding your unique selling points, researching your market, and setting a simple structure for your business. I’ll guide you through these steps, helping you build a strong foundation and ensuring you don’t get overwhelmed along the way. I would suggest starting with my free Idea Lab workshop to help you validate your ideas, begin working on your brand development plan utilizing my customized template, followed by jumping into Chapter 4 of my free Profit Pursuit eCourse where I guide you step-by-step on how to develop your simplified business plan. There I provide tips to help speed the process along for you as well.
03 How do I create a clear business plan without feeling overwhelmed?
A business plan doesn’t need to be complicated and remember it's a living and breathing document that you will continue to refine and will evolve with your business. Start by breaking it down into smaller, more manageable sections: Define your goals, research your market, outline your products or services, and determine your financial needs. Don't think you can get through my free Profit Pursuit eCourse, then take advantage of my Business Evaluation Template to help start you on the journey to setting your foundation in a more simpler way.
However, do know that there are still key areas you still need to go back and fill the gaps in for. One thing to note, if you already are feeling overwhelmed by these simple steps, you may want to highly consider joining my community where I can help support you in this process and keep you focused on what’s most important so you feel clear and confident as you move forward.
04 How do I balance work, life, and running a business without burning out?
Sorry to deflate your hope, but there is no such thing as work-life balance, but it's choosing what is important to you and setting boundaries that will help you in your entrepreneurial journey. First step is to prioritize your time, then set boundaries of what you will and will not allow, and lastly put a support system in place. You want to make sure that you create realistic schedules and implement strategies that keep your business on track without compromising your personal life or well-being.
05 What kind of support do I need to grow my business, and how can I get it?
The level and type of support you will need depending on what business stage you are in and your learning aptitude. At the beginning, you may need guidance and support on setting up your business, or creating a plan. As you grow, you may need help with securing funding, scaling, marketing, or handling operations. Through my T.R.E.I.© Business Accelerator community, you’ll have access to a network of experts, resources, and personalized support to guide you every step of the way.
06 How do I handle financial challenges and manage cash flow in my business?
Managing cash flow is critical for business survival. Start by understanding your revenue streams, tracking expenses, and ensuring you have enough working capital. If you need help putting systems in place to keep track of your finances, plan for potential financial roadblocks, and create a sustainable growth strategy that keeps your cash flow healthy, you can join the T.R.E.I.© Business Accelerator community to access our network of experts, resources, and personalized support to guide you every step of the way.
Upsell FAQs
01 Is there any upselling once I join your community?
No, there is no upselling in my community. Once you join, you have full access to all the resources and support available. I’m committed to providing value without any hidden sales tactics or unexpected offers.
02 Will I be asked to buy additional services or products after joining the community?
No, once you're a member, there’s no pressure to buy additional products or services. Everything you need to grow your business is included in your membership, and I’m here to provide guidance and support without any hidden fees. If you would like additional support or services from any of our network providers that we have in the community, those details are worked out directly between you and the network partner, separate from the community membership.
03 Are there hidden fees or extra costs involved after joining the community?
There are no hidden fees. The cost of your membership is clear and includes access to all community resources, workshops, and support. There will never be any surprise charges.
Costs / Fees FAQs
01 Are there additional costs to work one-on-one with a network partner in your community?
Working one-on-one with a network partner in our community typically starts with a free consultation. If additional support or services are needed, those details are worked out directly between you and the network partner, separate from the community membership. Any additional costs for extended services would be handled privately and based on the specific arrangement you make with the network partner.
02 How much does it cost to work with you after joining the community?
The cost of your membership covers everything you need within the community—there’s no additional cost for working with me. If you want personalized services outside of the community (e.g., travel to you for in person working sessions, panels, speaking engagements, etc) we can discuss those options and relevant pricing.
03 Are there different pricing options depending on the level of support or services I need?
Currently, the membership gives you full access to all resources, workshops, and group calls. There are no tiers or different levels within the community.
There are 3 different ways you can get support as a member of the community that are all included in your membership pricing:
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You can post your questions in the community and myself and/or other entrepreneurs may provide their thoughts and guidance,
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Privately inbox me your question if you are uncomfortable asking in the larger group, or
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If I find you need more personalized one-on-one support, I'll send you a link to get on my calendar so we can work through your challenge together.
04 Is the cost for joining the community a one-time fee, or is it recurring?
The membership is recurring, typically on a monthly or annual basis. This ensures you can continue to access the ongoing support, resources, and community as your business grows and evolves. However, you have the option to cancel at anytime.
05 If I join your community, will I get one-on-one support, or is it all group-based? And is there an extra charge for personal support?
In the community, the support is a mix of group coaching, workshops, and peer collaboration. One-on-one support is available if you find yourself at any moment needed personalized one-on-one guidance or support outside of the peering eyes of the community.
Here are the 3 different ways you can get support as a member of the community that are all included in your membership:
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You can post your questions in the community and myself and/or other entrepreneurs may provide their thoughts and guidance,
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Privately inbox me your question if you are uncomfortable asking in the larger group, or
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If I find you need more personalized one-on-one support, I'll send you a link to get on my calendar so we can work through your challenge together.
Community Benefits FAQs
01 What kind of support will I receive once I join your community?
Once you join, you’ll have access to a wealth of resources, including workshops, workshop replays, guides, templates, eCourses, and group coaching calls, and personalized one-on-one support if it's needed. You’ll also be part of a supportive network where you can ask questions, share experiences, and get advice tailored to your business needs.
02 How will your community help me grow and scale my business?
My community provides hands-on support to help you refine your business strategy, implement actionable steps, and stay accountable. You’ll have direct access to me and other experienced entrepreneurs to guide you through every stage of your business growth.
03 Will I have access to all resources, workshops, and courses once I join, or do I need to pay more for that?
Yes, once you’re a member, you get full access to everything—workshops, workshop replays, resources, and all my eCourses. There’s no additional cost for any of these offerings. Everything you need to move your business forward is included in your membership.
04 How does your community differ from other business communities or coaching programs?
What sets my community apart is the level of personalized, hands-on support I offer. You won’t just get a generic one-size-fits-all approach. I’m here to work with you directly to clarify your goals and help you take actionable steps to achieve them, without any upselling or hidden costs.
05 What kind of results can I expect after joining your community?
You can expect to gain clarity, confidence, and actionable steps for growing your business. My community is designed to help you navigate challenges, make better decisions, and build a solid foundation for long-term success. Many of my members report feeling more confident in their decisions and seeing tangible progress toward their goals.
06 How often are workshops, resources, or group calls held, and are they included in the membership price?
In my community, I run over 75 workshops per year led by me or one my network partners, plus monthly group calls, monthly roundtables to ensure you’re getting the support you need. All of these are included in your membership, so you have ongoing opportunities to learn, engage, and grow your business without any extra fees.
07 How have you helped other businesses succeed? Can you share examples or success stories?
I’ve helped numerous entrepreneurs launch their business, refine their business models, develop actionable strategies, and successfully scale their businesses. I've provided some testimonials on my website homepage, www.lusiadonovan.com, but in addition I give you a 7-day free trial into my community for you to answer this question for yourself and ask other members what their experience has been like.
07 Do you have experience in my industry or with businesses similar to mine?
While I work with entrepreneurs across various industries, I tailor my approach to each client’s specific needs, regardless of the industry. My focus is on the core principles of business growth—building a solid foundation, effective marketing, smart financial planning, and sustainable scalability—which are universally applicable to any industry.
If your industry is more niche, I use my broad experience to quickly understand the specifics and tap into my network to find someone who can assist with develop strategies that work for you if I'm not able to do so. Like I tell everyone, I have worked in a lot of industries, but if I don't know, I'm pretty sure I know somebody who knows or they know someone who knows. That's the beauty of being in my community.
08 How do you stay current with business trends and changes in the market?
I stay up-to-date by continuously learning—whether it's through attending industry conferences, engaging with other experts in the field, or keeping track of market research. I also actively work with a network of professionals to stay informed of emerging trends, new technologies, and evolving market conditions, so that I can provide the best guidance to my clients. In addition, I still maintain my corporate job and through that I also continue to sharpen my skills and expand my network even further.
09 What sets your approach apart from other business coaches or consultants?
What sets me apart is my commitment to providing practical, hands-on support. I don’t just give you advice and send you on your way. I walk alongside you, ensuring you have a clear path forward and the tools you need to execute it. I believe in building long-term, sustainable success, not just offering quick fixes. My community-focused approach also ensures that you’re never alone—there’s a network of support behind you every step of the way.
10 Do you provide personalized guidance, or is your help more of a one-size-fits-all approach?
I provide highly personalized guidance. Every business is unique, so I focus on understanding your individual needs, goals, and challenges. My approach is never one-size-fits-all.
11 What kind of results should I expect after working with you? Can you guarantee that I’ll see improvements in my business?
While results can vary based on your commitment and the specific challenges you face, most clients see improvements in key areas such as clarity, business strategy, and decision-making. I can’t guarantee specific financial outcomes, but I can guarantee that we will work together to build a solid foundation for growth and tackle the obstacles standing in your way.
12 How do you handle challenges or setbacks when working with a business? How do you pivot or adjust strategies when things aren’t working?
Challenges are a natural part of the entrepreneurial journey, and I approach them as opportunities to learn and pivot. I help you analyze what’s not working, identify the underlying issues, and adjust our strategy to get back on track. Whether it’s a shift in market conditions, a financial roadblock, or operational hiccups, I’m there to help guide you through it with practical, actionable solutions.
13 What happens if I don’t see the results I’m hoping for? Will I be able to get more support or adjust the approach?
I'm committed to helping you achieve your goals and address challenges. If you don’t see the results you were hoping for, I would schedule a one-on-one session to understand what your expectations were, and then do a root cause analysis to identify the reasons you are not seeing the results you are hoping for, followed by making adjustments where they need to be made.
14 Do you work with businesses at my stage of growth, or do you focus only on businesses that are already established?
I'm committed to helping you achieve your goals and address challenges. If you don’t see the results you were hoping for, I would schedule a one-on-one session to understand what your expectations were, and then do a root cause analysis to identify the reasons you are not seeing the results you are hoping for, followed by making adjustments where they need to be made.
15 Do you offer ongoing support or just one-time consultations?
I offer ongoing support through my T.R.E.I. Business Accelerator community, where you’ll receive continuous access to workshops, resources, and guidance. In addition to our monthly group call and workshops, here are the 3 different ways you can get support as a member of the community that are all included in your membership:
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You can post your questions in the community and myself and/or other entrepreneurs may provide their thoughts and guidance,
-
Privately inbox me your question if you are uncomfortable asking in the larger group, or
-
If I find you need more personalized one-on-one support, I'll send you a link to get on my calendar so we can work through your challenge together.
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