Standby For FRAGO: Below Are My Goals For 2024 (I Dare You To Send Me Yours)
If you want to achieve your goals, help others achieve theirs
Welcome to Dog Whistle Branding, the official newsletter of IRONBOUND Media, brought to you by me, "IRON" Mike Steadman, Founder of IRONBOUND and The Godfather of Dog Whistle Branding.
Dear Friend, Subscriber, and Aspiring Dog Whistle Brand Owner,
Below are my annual goals for 2024.
Initially I planned to share them with only a few people close to me, my business partners, coaches, etc. But when I thought about sharing them publicly with you, I found myself afraid.
I was afraid for a number of different reasons:
I haven’t generated a million dollars in revenue yet.
I know that if I go public that means I have to hold myself account and deal with the pressure.
I’ve only been a business coach for over a year and half, and I’m still battling my inner-critic.
2023 was a challenging year for me, personally and professionally.
There’s no guarantee I’ll actually accomplish them.
Fuck it. Courage is a choice. In the words of the late boxing trainer, Cus D’Amato:
“What's the difference between the hero and the coward? There ain't no difference. They both feel exactly the same on the inside: they both fear dying and getting hurt. It's what the hero does that makes him a hero. And what the other doesn't do, makes him a coward.”
( I love this photo. It symbolizes me staring at my dreams (the fear, insecurity, and everything else that comes with being a dreamer.)
I look forward to working with you in 2024 to accomplish our goals together. Like I always say, “whats the point in making it to the mountaintop if I’m the only one there?”
“IRON” Mike’s 2024 Goals
Theme: Live Everyday Like There is No Tomorrow
Winning Aspiration: Establish myself as a highly sought after international business coach and brand strategist, increasing my yearly revenue from 180k to 1 Million + by December 31, 2024.
I want to generate enough free cash flow to travel the world, including trips to South Africa and Everest Base Camp this year. I also want to have money to set aside for a nice engagement ring, wedding planning, and to purchase a revenue generating asset for our family (farm, winery, etc.)
Target Audience: Military Veterans, Founders of Color, with an emphasis on Black-Female Entrepreneurs, and entrepreneurial organizations.
Winning Strategy: Increase the distribution of Black Veteran Entrepreneur to universities, entrepreneurial organizations, and those committed to creating more economic opportunities for underserved founders.
Key Thrusts For The Year:
Co-Host my First Conference (CollideCon) in April with my business partners at Flawless Acceleration, allowing me to increase my business acumen and secure 10 coaching clients for 2024 at 2,500+ a month: https://www.collideconference.co/
Secure Initial Donor for IRONBOUND Courage Academy in Newark and begin buildout of New Facility, providing a stable home for IRONBOUND Boxing and establish ourselves as the premiere authority on youth boxing & entrepreneurship. Witness the vision: https://ironboundboxing.org/courage-academy
Publish my second book Dog Whistle Branding in the Fall of February 2024, allowing me to demonstrate my business acumen and establish myself as an authority on brand building. Ideally Dog Whistle Branding allows me to have a constant stream of referrals into IRONBOUND Media at engagements upwards of 50k.
Quarterly Plan
Increase my total clients (coaching + branding/podcast production) from 5-10, generating upwards of 250k in revenue by March 31, 2024.
Proactively contact three prospects per day and secure a minimum of two fit calls per week.
Publish a minimum of one podcast and one newsletter per week, nurturing my prospect pool, and growing my newsletter (Dog Whistle Branding) to 10,000 + followers.
Taking care of myself mentally, physically, and spiritually at all times by doing the following everyday:
5 A.M. Wake up each day.
Starting Strength + Boxing
Follow my nutrition protocols
Read 20-30 mins a day
Write Everyday
If your dreams aren’t scary, that means they aren’t big enough. I would love to read yours.