FREE Training for Entrepreneurs: Rethinking Retention Before It Costs You Momentum
- Sarah Beth Herman
- Jul 17
- 5 min read
Updated: Jul 22
By: Sarah Beth Herman | Entrepreneur | Mentor | Host of No Silver Spoons
If you’re an entrepreneur, a founder, a visionary leader… then you know the sting I’m about to talk about. That quiet moment when a client fades away. When the project goes dark. When a longtime supporter suddenly feels distant. You wonder, “Did I miss something?” And if you’re like most of the powerful people I mentor, you’ve had that question run on repeat in your head.
This isn’t failure. It’s feedback. And what you do with that feedback? That’s where everything changes.
In this free training for entrepreneurs, I want to offer something deeper than strategy. I want to offer clarity. Not recycled content or a checklist of do’s and don’ts. But a moment of pause. A re-centering. A place to look inward and ask what your business is really built on.
This blog stands alone as a full training, but if you’re ready to go even further after this, I invite you to tune in to my podcast, No Silver Spoons, where I talk about the raw, real, and untidy side of leadership. Here’s the episode this post is connected to, but don’t skip ahead just yet. This post gives you something that episode doesn’t. You’ll want both.
Why We’re Chasing Growth but Forgetting Loyalty
You’ve probably celebrated all the classic wins. You hit the revenue goal. Launched the program. Had your biggest sales week. And yet, why does the loss of one client still feel so loud?
Here’s the thing most people won’t say out loud. We’re taught to celebrate growth, but not to study the loss. We’re told to post about our wins, but not to process the exits. So, this is your permission to feel it. Then lead from it. Retention isn’t about loyalty. It’s about leadership. And most of us haven’t been given a space to learn that without shame.
A Retention Reality Check That Doesn’t Shame You
Over the years, working inside organizations, mentoring leaders one-on-one, and walking alongside business owners at every level, I’ve seen this pattern repeat itself. And every time, I offer this gentle but direct check-in.
Step One: Look in the Mirror
Ask yourself honestly:
Am I building relationships or just maintaining transactions?
When was the last time I checked in just to check in?
Do I have room in my business model for human connection?
When connection fades, loyalty goes with it. That’s not a personal attack on you. That’s the nature of people. They want to be seen. You do too.
Step Two: Read Between the Numbers
It’s not just about revenue. It’s about rhythm.
When do people stop engaging with you?
When do they go quiet?
Where in your funnel, your program, or your customer journey are you losing them?
What I’ve seen in organizations of all sizes is that most people don’t even know what their retention metrics are telling them. They’re watching revenue rise, while relationship indicators are falling.
Data without discernment just creates noise. It’s your job as the leader to feel the story behind the numbers.
Step Three: Ask What Story You’re Telling
What is the tone of your business behind the scenes?
Because people can feel it. They know if you see them as a name in your inbox or someone you're truly invested in.
And that energy? It trickles through every touchpoint. It’s in the DMs. The onboarding emails. The tone of voice on your client calls.
Leadership isn’t about having the perfect words. It’s about having the right posture. A posture that says, “I care enough to notice. Even when no one’s watching.”
Building the Exit Map Before the Exit Happens
Retention doesn’t start with a loyalty program. It starts with presence.
You need a system in your business that notices emotional withdrawal before it becomes a cancellation. That pays attention to the quiet signs someone is slipping away.
Here’s what that might look like:
Audit the Moments
Pinpoint the parts of your client journey where people begin to lose steam.
Create Relational Checkpoints
Add a mid-point check-in. A handwritten note. A personalized voice memo. Something real.
Empower Your Team or Yourself to Catch the Drop
Train whoever supports you (even if it’s just you right now) to flag silence as something worth checking in on.
You don’t need a huge team to care. You just need intention.
And that’s something I believe in deeply. Because when I lead, whether I’m mentoring inside a mastermind, supporting behind the scenes in an executive seat, or standing on stage speaking to rooms full of founders, I’ve learned that the heartbeat of every business is the people. Not just the ones who pay you. But the ones who stay with you.
For the Entrepreneurs Who Are Ready to Lead Differently
This free training is for the ones who aren’t just trying to sell something new. It’s for those who want to sustain something meaningful. I see you. The coach building a brand around integrity. The founder rebuilding after burnout. The creative who’s tired of the hustle culture lie. The leader who knows they were meant for more—but wants to build it on the right foundation.
That’s who I write for. That’s who I speak to on my podcast. That’s who I mentor. And if that’s you, I want you to know this: You don’t have to figure it out alone.
I share weekly mentorship content, encouragement, and real-life application over on Instagram. You’ll find it all at @mentor.sbh. That’s where you’ll get free trainings like this, plus updates on the episodes I’m recording, the conversations I’m having, and the truths I’m learning in real time as a 5x CEO.
A Final Thought from Me, Sarah Beth
There’s no silver spoon path to sustainable success.
If there’s anything I’ve learned in all the rooms I’ve led in, all the one-on-one conversations I’ve had with founders, and all the late nights I’ve spent building what I now know is my life’s calling… it’s this:
Retention isn’t about getting it perfect. It’s about getting it honest.
So instead of fearing client loss, let’s use it to lead better. Let’s slow down long enough to ask what they needed. Let’s check our energy, our intention, our leadership habits.
This free training gave you a starting point. The podcast episode it’s linked to will give you the full picture.
Your next breakthrough isn’t in more content. It’s in more connection. And that starts with you.
References
Harvard Business Review. (2023). Retention Tactics That Work for Service-Based Entrepreneurs.
Journal of Organizational Behavior. (2022). Emotion and Leadership: How Tone Drives Retention.
Entrepreneur Magazine. (2024). The Hidden Cost of Losing Clients and What to Do About It.
📲 Follow me on Instagram: @mentor.sbh 🎧 Listen to the No Silver Spoons podcast wherever you stream
🖥️ Explore more mentorship resources at www.sarahbethherman.com
Let’s lead like we were born to. Imperfect, powerful, and on purpose.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this blog is for informational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice. Readers should consult with appropriate professionals for specific advice tailored to their circumstances. All efforts have been made to ensure the accuracy of information and references; however, errors may occur. If you notice any inaccuracies or would like to suggest updates, please contact us at hey@sarahbethherman.com. © 2025 Sarah Beth Herman. All Rights Reserved. By using this site, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. This post may contain affiliate links, and we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you if you make a purchase through them. References included where known. Please email hey@sarahbethherman.com to report missing attributions or inaccuracies.
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