The Power of the Right Support: How Alejandra Ortega Grew Her Business Without Adding Hours

When solo business owner and Ontraport expert Alejandra Ortega joined the BS-Free Service Business Mastermind in 2021, she was at a crossroads with her business. While there was plenty of client work, she wasn’t spending time on her business and didn’t know exactly what to focus on. 

Alejandra explains, “I didn’t really know what the best thing to do for my business was, and I didn’t have other service providers to talk to about this. I remember having conversations over the years with people who did work similar to what I did. We’d talk about supporting each other and being a community, but those plans never materialized. So I was aware that that was something that I wanted and I didn’t have.”

With this in mind, Alejandra began searching for a group or mastermind that would give her the guidance she needed to figure out what made sense in her business and how to grow it properly. 

When she came across the BS-Free Service Business Mastermind, she was hopeful the group would be the right fit.

Finding Accountability and Inspiration Through Peer Support

From the beginning, Alejandra was excited to connect with other solo service business owners in her situation. Now, not only does she have a group to lean on when times are tough, but she also has people she can celebrate with.

“Being part of the group has been super helpful from the group side. It’s been lovely to talk to others who are also running service businesses because we have many of the same or similar questions, issues and experiences. It’s been amazing to have the whole community to lean on when I have a question or a problem. Having other people’s perspectives approaching this from a client service-centered business is incredible. I love celebrating other people when they have good stuff going on. It makes it feel like we’re all in this together.”

One thing she wasn’t expecting was the impact hearing other people’s business challenges or success would have on her own business. 

“Many times, somebody has something going on, and just by hearing about it and seeing how others react, I learn something. I get ideas about how to approach something in my own business. Plus, our workshops always provide me with nuggets of information I can take away and implement.”

Alejandra has also benefited from the group’s weekly accountability, which has helped her stay on track and not feel so alone. 

“The group accountability has been great, especially when I need it, whether for client work or my business work. Even though I have to do all the work myself, it makes a big difference. Being in the mastermind makes it feel like I’m working on things with other people instead of being all on my own.”

Increasing Revenue by 35% — Without Increasing Hours

Since joining the BS-Free Service Business Mastermind, Alejandra has seen many changes in her business. 

Between 2021 and 2023, her overall revenue increased by 35%, and she is currently tracking to hit 50% in 2024. Although her average hourly rate increased by 33%, her actual hours worked have remained nearly the same. Her overall profit in 2023 was 20% higher than in 2020. So far, profit in 2024 is 27% higher than in 2020. 

While the numbers speak for themselves, the other changes to her business have had an incredible impact. 

“I think what has changed the most is my approach and confidence. I have a better understanding of the kinds of clients I want to work with in terms of personal values and in more practical ways. I ask myself questions like, ‘How do those clients behave? What are my relationships with them like?’ When people come into my inbox looking to work with me, I am more equipped to decide if they’re a good fit or not. And if I want to say no, I can. I’ve improved my client boundaries and communication. I feel much better about how much I work and get paid.”

One-to-One Support Makes All the Difference

The mastermind has helped Alejandra grow in many ways, both because of the perspectives she gets from posing her challenges to the group and because she spends observing other people’s obstacles and flexing those muscles by thinking through possible solutions.

And in times of struggle and celebration, she’s always got her safety net in her back pocket — Maggie. 

“Maggie has a unique way of seeing through the BS and laying things out matter-of-factly. But she never discounts or disregards the emotional and mental aspects of running a business. Some of the stuff I’ve faced in my business brings up a lot of feelings for me. It’s hard for me to make decisions, or it’s hard for me to communicate. 

If I reach out to Maggie and tell her where I am and want to be, she can hold space for the feelings that arise while presenting the options and potential outcomes. You then just get to decide one or the other. Having her clarity is super helpful for being able to just allow my feelings but also make decisions and then move forward with confidence. And on the days when my confidence is lacking and I need extra support? I’ve got backup. Maggie is there to be empathetic yet straightforward.”

The Benefits of a Service-Business Focused Community

As for whether or not Alejandra found the kind of community she hoped for when she joined the group, the answer is a resounding yes. 

“Having a business community that comes at problems from the same place I do is super helpful. But the bonus — and what makes the mastermind work as well as it does — is that these people in the mastermind aren’t just people with integrity working in a service business similar to mine. They’re also people that I like. I enjoy spending time with them. I enjoy getting to know them. I want to connect with them beyond just our business talk because I appreciate them as people. It has exceeded my expectations and is a significant factor in why I return year after year.”

When asked what she would tell someone considering joining the BS-Free Service Business Mastermind, Alejandra had this to say: 

“When I joined this group, I hoped that the guidance would be helpful and that it would be the right place for me. I’ve enjoyed it more than I thought I would, and my business is now where I aspired to be when I started with the mastermind. I’m making more money. I’m working the same or fewer hours. I feel comfortable with where the business is, not complacent, but in a way where I feel confident with what’s going on. It feels good, and it works for me. It’s freed up the mental time and space to do the work my clients need and then live my life outside of work. It’s incredibly satisfying.”

As a reminder, the BS-Free Service Business Mastermind is now accepting new members.