Spotlight on Success
Featured Interview
Shire Lyon
“Spotlight on Success” is an interview series created by David Levine of I Am Your Virtual Professional. Its purpose is to amplify the voices of today’s business leaders. Each interview provides actionable insights that readers can implement immediately. No fluff, just practical wisdom that enables individuals to move forward with clarity and confidence.
Shire Lyon
| Company | Shire Lyon Ads |
|---|---|
| Role | President |
| LinkedIn Profile | https://www.linkedin.com/in/shirelyon/ |
| Company Website | https://shirelyon.com/ |
Shire Lyon is the founder of Shire Lyon Ads. She helps business owners stop chasing the wrong customers and gain visibility with the right ones. After working with dozens of clients, she noticed the same pattern: great businesses were relying on referrals, random tactics, or agencies that didn’t understand how potential clients actually make decisions. So, she developed the Lyon LEAD System™ to move beyond “hope-based” marketing and the Audience DNA Audience Audit™ to ensure the right prospects were being targeted.
Who Should You Nominate?
- Leaders doing meaningful work
- People with insights others can learn from
- Voices worth elevating
Interview Questions
1. What’s one strategy your business used recently that created meaningful growth?
I started saying thank you more. It’s not that I’m not polite, but I don’t always say thank you for things like a LinkedIn connection, and I made a point of doing that. It stands out.
2. How has AI or technology changed the way you operate or serve clients?
AI has helped us create things faster and more efficiently. It’s also helped weed out some people who might not be the right fit for the agency.
3. What’s one thing you stopped doing that actually helped your business grow?
I stopped paying for most networking groups and focused on 1 or 2 and really dove into them.
4. What’s a customer insight you discovered that changed the way you do business?
Most people don’t understand marketing metrics. I started asking people what mattered to them.
5. If a business had to improve ONE area to grow faster in the next 90 days, what should it be?
Your lead generation strategy.
6. What’s one thing you do consistently that keeps your pipeline healthy?
I’m always networking and connecting people.
7. What’s a decision you made in the last year that had a bigger impact than you expected, and what led you to make it?:
I hired a coach. I felt like I needed some support in my life, both professionally and personally. It’s really helped me grow and become more confident.
8. What’s one process you streamlined that made a noticeable difference in efficiency or results?
I started using Viktor (an AI app that integrates with Slack), which streamlined some of our sales and marketing processes.
9. What book, podcast, or resource has influenced your thinking or business decisions lately and why?
The daily news has had the biggest effect on my business decisions and some of my thinking around getting new clients.
Who Should You Nominate?
- Leaders doing meaningful work
- People with insights others can learn from
- Voices worth elevating
I am Your Virtual Professional's
3 Key Takeaways
# 1
Be selective about where you invest your networking time and money.
Shire stopped paying for most networking groups and chose to focus on just one or two. By narrowing her attention and getting more involved in those groups, she found an approach that better supported her business growth.
# 2
Use technology to make work faster and processes more efficient.
Shire says AI has helped the agency create things faster and more efficiently. She also uses Viktor, an AI app integrated with Slack, to streamline parts of the sales and marketing process.
# 3
Small relationship habits can stand out.
Shire started making a point of saying “thank you” more often, including for simple things like a LinkedIn connection. She says that small change stands out.
Who Should You Nominate?
- Leaders doing meaningful work
- People with insights others can learn from
- Voices worth elevating
Join the Spotlight Insider List for early access to new interviews and insights
David Levine's Certifications
