The building of America — oops, our businesses

I’ve been watching a History Channel series recently called “The Men Who Built America.” It’s been a very interesting series so far. The first season was all about the Industrial Revolution in this country and looked at Paul like Henry Ford and other industrialists of early 20th century. This season it’s about the men of the frontier. So far, the only person the show has talked about was Daniel Boone. It also, however, talked about the beginning stages of the Revolutionary War and why the colonists were so determined to become their own country.

The overwhelming message that came through time and time again was how purposefully these men and women worked to get the life that they dreamed of having. Life was certainly difficult back then. Often it was literally life or death. In Daniel Boone’s case he faced starvation, Indian capture, the burning of his home, and much more. Yet, he did not say “Oh the heck with it, I’m going back east.” Instead, he became more determined than ever to build a life for himself, his family, and the many others who followed him west.

Without him, and all the many others who followed, we would today be living very different lives. Our lives as we know them now, while being filled with sometimes difficult, sometimes pleasurable situations, is certainly a much different world than back in the 1700s. All I can do is shake my head when thinking about how lucky I really have it and everyone around me too.

All this got me thinking about running my business and how many of us deal with running business in general these days. I know for myself that I really want to succeed, and that I’m willing to do a lot to make that happen. But given the circumstances faced by Daniel Boone (or any of the men featured in the segments on the Industrial Revolution) I’m not sure I would say it was worth it.

And therein lies a problem that I see with many small business owners today. Sure, we want to have successful businesses, but are we willing to put in the hard work and energy that it takes to get there? When asked why someone wants to start their own business often the answer is: 1) to be the boss of my own time, 2) do the things I like to do, 3) make as much money as I want, etc. all sounds good yes? Those are all things I wanted to do when I started my business too.

I truly believe that it is of utmost importance for us to have goals and next steps to accomplishing those goals. There needs to be timelines, and accountability, to move ourselves forward. I just don’t often see the drive to accomplish things the way they did historically. Even a simple task like making a loaf of bread was difficult back then. Today, go to the store and buy a loaf. Or if we’re industrious, we may buy a mix, and in a half hour we have a hot fresh loaf of bread. Unfortunately, the same should not said about our business. “The Four-Hour Work Week”, and other similar concepts, make it sound so simple. And it can be. But I think it portrays a very real danger for people contemplating starting a business and not understanding truly difficult and time-consuming work that one generally must put into a business startup.

My advice to anyone thinking about becoming a business owner is to know what their true intention is, and to have a plan – thought out and written – before even taking that first baby step. I don’t believe that a 120-page business plan (taught in business school) is necessarily needed. However, a simple business plan, with goals, steps to accomplish those goals, and understanding of the values and benefits provided the customer, a target market, as well as a series of other well thought out rationales and understandings, including financials, needs to be incorporated.

There still is no guarantee that your business will be successful: at least not initially. Yet, you are giving yourself a leg up if you can think of yourself as the modern-day Daniel Boone. Work your business as he did his life so many years ago and you will be much further along the road to success.

Want More Freedom and Money From Your Business? Try Masterminds

"Master-WHAT?"

That’s the response I usually get when I tell people that I lead online mastermind programs.

They get this glazed look in their eyes and say, “Oh, that’s nice.” I then ask them, “Have you ever been part of a mastermind group?” They shake their heads, admitting that they don’t even know what that means.

But, if you own a small business, you've probably asked yourself at one time or another:

• How can I get more customers?
  
• What can I do to make more money?
  
• How do I use Facebook and LinkedIn to market my business effectively?

Sounds familiar, right?

Wouldn’t it be nice to have a small group of friends there to help you figure it out?


AHHHHH! Now the light bulb turns on.

Large companies have boards of directors, charities have advisory boards, and now, so too can the small-business owner.

I don’t know how many times I’ve heard people say, I wish I knew what to do. My marketing just doesn’t seem to be getting me anywhere. Should I do this, or should I do that? Which way do I turn?

At this point I see the Scarecrow in The Wizard of Oz, pointing with his arms crossed, saying, “They went thatta way.”

Wouldn’t it be nice if you had a group of people that were there to support you, and to share their thoughts on your questions and ideas—a sounding board that will tell you (without prejudice or presupposed values) whether your ideas make sense, based on their experiences and knowledge?

You don’t have to go it alone
Having been part of such groups for years, I know the value. It is so invigorating to know that I’m not all alone and that I do have someone I can talk to about my ideas and my goals—my dreams for success.

I think that talking with people who have different experiences, who may have “been there, done that” before me is really helpful.

Why should I do something that others have already proven doesn't work. Why not try something that has worked well for someone else in the group?

It’s very empowering to know that others have walked where I am thinking of going.

Okay. So you get the idea behind a mastermind now. Great! But how do you get involved in one? Where’s the best place to look?

• There are in-person weekly, monthly and once or twice a year (all day) events.
  
• There are online groups that are free and often become more of a friendship coffee klatch.
  
• And then there are online groups that have specific agendas, are led by a certified facilitator, and focus on true growth for its members. This is the model I use for the MEGA.

The MEGA Mastermind programs (online programs that, with a small group of like-minded business owners) meets twice a month, either in the morning before work, or in the evening once you’re home and in your comfy jammies and slippers... LOL. This group has helped many people over the past 8 years.

If you're interested, check out my website to learn more. There is a charge for MEGA as there is with all good mastermind groups, but I believe that that also creates a sense of accountability and helps in the decision to be active. Confidentiality is paramount—what happens here, stays here!

In the MEGA Mastermind programs we:

• have an agenda in which we share successes. Sharing successes often inspires others to think of ways they can also succeed in their own business. This also keeps the group focused and consistent.
  
• discuss a specific topic. When our discussions center around specific topics we not only get inspiration, but often learn new techniques, gain resources and validate methods of doing things that we may not have known of or considered, prior.
  
• share our questions, concerns and breakthroughs. Your ideas and thoughts are protected by the confidentiality rules, and include a strict responsibility for people to always be positive and supportive of each other – no name calling, etc.

You could be a part of an awesome group for a low monthly fee for the 12-month program (or save $150 when you pay for the full year up front).

And, as an added bonus, you get a monthly one-on-one session with me, where we work on implementing the things you’ve learned and have decided to use to move your business forward.

Interested? Call Nancy at 269-319-6041 or send me an email at nancy@success4biz.biz. To learn more about the program, go to http://success4biz.biz, and check out the testimonials.

Remember, together we can work towards making the best out of you and your business.

All I Wanted For Christmas -- What About You?

(this is more than a bandaid moment!)

I asked Santa for 2 things for Christmas... the first was for better health (I'm sick of hurting and being ill all the time!) and 2nd was to have a growth in my business. I haven't gotten my first wish. In fact, I'm possibly looking at MORE surgery down the road one day. Yet, I'm just as tired of whining over "this darn Complex Regional Pain Syndrome" and the complications therein, as anything. So, I have realized that in order to get my second wish, I have to make peace with the 1st.

I've been doing a lot of hard work over the past several months, trying to get a handle on just exactly it is that I do, that I want to do, who I want to do it with and how I want to live my life moving forward. There have been many changes, some deep diving into my psyche as well as my business model, and I truly am looking at moving in a new and successful direction this year.

So what about you? Did you ask Santa for some changes in your business over the next year? What is is that you really want for yourself and your business? Do you want to make more money? Do you want more customers, yet not wanting to give up free time or the benefits of life you have now? How much pain do you feel for the status quo? If you're like me, you're no longer willing to live with the pains (whether metaphorical or physical); you're ready to do whatever it takes to get to a new and more joyful level. How do you do that though?

I truly believe -- whether you've been in business for 30 years or 30 minutes -- you need to take some time (and now's a great time to start) and figure things out. Here are some suggestions on how to do that.

1. It's a bit of an exercise here -- but sit back, with a good hot cup of coffee or tea -- or whatever your beverage of choice might be -- and think about what you'd like your life to look like in 5 years, or a year, or even 6 months from now. Write it down and put it somewhere that you can look at it regularly. Once you truly know what you want and not just what your mind tells you you want, then you can start to create the processes and strategies to get you there.

2. While everyone knows about SMART goals, they may not be something you do. Goals can be so daunting. Yet, I really suggest you take this picture of your future life and start to chart how you’re going to get there. The best way to do that? Create a roadmap that will guide you down the path from point A to point B. I do a bit more with SMART goals than most, and that is to put to do lists together. So, for example, one of my goals this next year is to make $500,000. That in and of itself is nerve jangling to me. Without guidance on how to get there, I’m ready to quit already. BUT — if I start to figure out ways to get that I relax, and think, “Maybe I can do this”.

In order for me to get that amount of money, I have to offer something that people are going to want, and that they are willing to pay for. Ok. So, for starters, my Gathering: Peer Advisory Board is starting next week. I want to have 2 groups, each with 10 people at $X. That’s a start but not nearly enough. So, then, I move on to the creation of my evergreen courses. The first two are “Baby Steps to Starting (and Growing) Your Small Business”, and “Creating Raving Fans: The Best in Customer Service Techniques”. Those, once set up are there for anyone to take 24 hours a day, and I have little to do with the maintenance. That, for sure, is a win-win.

Finally, I want to have a few programs that are just for the most excited to grow their business. They are the ones that are ready, willing and certainly ABLE to get the job done. They are geared up to put in the time and energy to create a super successful business, and they’re willing to pay for it as well.

Now, I’m excited, but still a little leery. That’s a lot of work, and I’m not sure I know how to do it, or how to get people to want it. Does any of this sound familiar? I know that I need help to do all this. I have hired a coach (yes, we all could use coaches), and a VA (ask and I’ll send you to her; she’s great). And I’m looking at hiring a wordsmith to put in the right psychological wording to hit the bullseye with my target market. These are all things that you can, and should, consider for yourself, as well.

If you’re interested in following through with these ideas and get on board to your own success, then please come on over to my website and sign up for a FREE 1/2 hour consultation. I guarantee that you will leave with at least 1 or 2 actionable items that you can put to use immediately — guaranteed to help you Soar Higher. The website is Business Success Unlimited. I’m looking forward to hearing from you soon.

Are There Monsters Under Your Bed?

As a kid I was afraid of the monsters under my bed. Night after night I would make one of my parents check to make sure that we were safe and that the monster had been shooed away. I think this must be pretty common. There’s even a commercial right now where one scene has the dad and the little girl looking under the bed and the dad says “there’s no monster, just Mr. Elephant”, and he pulls out a stuffed elephant.

We grow up and become the ones checking to ensure our children’s monsters are shooed away. But that doesn’t mean that we don’t still have our own slinky, slimy nightmares just waiting to pounce. But as adults, ours (especially if we are small business owners – or want to be owners) are much harder to get rid of.

ARE THERE MONSTERS UNDER YOUR BED?

The Bureau of Labor Statistics recently stated that over 51% of all US adults want to own their own business; yet only 6% actually accomplish that dream. What is it that keeps them from making it happen? Their monsters. Fear is most likely the number one reason – fear of failure, fear of success, fear of friends/family criticizing or looking down on the idea. These are all pretty common fears. Most everything you want right now is outside of your comfort zone. Get comfortable with being uncomfortable. It will become a way of life, and easier every time. The first thing we need to do is to figure out what it is we might be afraid of; and then, just like all those years ago, we have to face them. For weeks my dad had to come to the bedroom with me, look under my bed and say Nope, no monsters here today. Eventually, I got to the point where I wasn’t afraid any longer. The same thing will happen for you. When you’re afraid of something, work at alleviating it and over time it will lessen and lessen until it’s suddenly – no longer there.

Here’s an example for you: I’m very afraid of standing in front of people and giving presentations. My fear is that I will look silly, or that they will say I’m making a fool of myself. But my business is that of an educational/ training facility and so, of course, one of my main tasks is to stand in front of people and to train them through presentations. It would be really bad if I couldn’t do that due to fear wouldn’t it. It was imperative that I do everything I could to rid myself of that fear. I haven’t yet, but I make sure that I get in front of people as often as I can. In fact, I even just found this wonderful speakers bureau where I’m going to be speaking more often than ever before. It’s the best way to STOP the fear.

So, ok, now it’s your turn. What are you afraid of that may be holding you back in your business? What can you do to start working your way through that fear so that you see “the light at the end of the dark tunnel”, or know that when you look under your bed, all you’ll see are dust bunnies!

A Hard Look at Good/Bad Media Habits

If you’re like me you get many emails a day and are bombarded with conversations on social media. For me, it comes to the point where I scream ENOUGH!!!!! I’ve just gone through a purge in the last couple of days. Being in the consulting/coaching field, I get tons of notices from others in similar positions that are marketing their workshops, their products and services and their offers for this, that and the other thing. And recently it seems that there’s a new hitch – called affiliate marketing where one person, and then another, and then another all send out notices to their groups about someone else’s programs that they are testifying to. If you’re signed up for several of these people, you can easily receive 5-7 notices from different folks about the same program or product. It just gets to be too much!

Do you know what I’m talking about? How do you handle your email in-box? Do you dutifully read every note that comes into your computer? And then if you also get things on your phone and/or tablet – you have multipled many times over the number you get a day. And that’s not even talking about other social media. What happens to your Facebook page once you’ve signed up for a group or a page? I know, I understand, I get it.

There are several things that you can do to make this social media mash up easier. Set a timer for 1-2 hours and DO NOT check your email during that time. Then, give yourself permission to take a peek and read the new emails. Are there emails you get on a regular basis that you don’t read, that don’t have any meaning or that you just are tired of getting? Unsubscribe. Do this periodically so that even when you sign up for new, you’re eliminating some of the old, not necessary, emails any longer.

Similarly, do the same type of thing with your social media like Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter. How many groups are you in? How many do you actually participate in? If you haven’t been involved with one or another for say a month, it’s probably not something that is really that important to you. Unsubscribe. As well, give yourself a set amount of time to surf the different sites. Once that time has been met, actually get out of the program (not just close the page), and go on to your work, whatever that might be.

As a business owner, you need to work with social media, and so I suggest you create a content calendar to facilitate what you put on social media and how often. Then, you can use programs like Buffer or Hootsuite, or even the one run by Facebook itself, that allows you to create a number of items at one time and schedule them to post at a later date or hour. I do that with my newsletter, too. I create the newsletter when I have time to be creative, and then schedule it so that it goes out at the same time and date each week. This gives my readers the sense of consistency. They know when to look for it, and to anticipate reading a great document. I try very hard not to send things out at other times so that the readers don’t feel like I’m bombarding them with information.

These are just a few little ideas that you can use to help with time management, and to also help you create programs that your customers appreciate and look forward to. If you have questions on these, or if you’d like to chat, go on over to my website and set up a time for a call. We can see how we can help each other and maybe get to know each other a bit better.



In the meantime, here’s to your success. Soar Higher!!!!!!

What's the Real Meaning of Success?

The Oxford Dictionary defines success as:

the accomplishment of an aim or purpose: "the president had some success in restoring confidence"

the attainment of popularity or profit: "the success of his play"

a person or thing that achieves desired aims or attains prosperity: "I must make a success of my business"

That being said, I think that success means something different for each of us – it could be attaining prosperity, or it could be gaining confidence in self or product/service. You need to define what success means for yourself. It is only when you know where you’re headed that you will truly find your path there.

I’ve spent a lot of time lately trying to figure out my map to success. It hasn’t been easy and I have gone through some really hard lessons along the way. One of the things I have found out is that I have to be totally honest with myself, and learn to listen to my “gut”. I grew up with great parents but they always wanted me to be successful and pushed me to do the very best I could. And at the same time, we lived with my grandmother, who was never satisfied. Nothing I did was ever good enough. So, I grew up with this complex that made me feel less valuable than others around me.

As well, I was never allowed (thanks to my grandmother) to have friends so, if someone was willing to do something with/for me, I was eternally grateful – even when in all reality THEY were the ones getting the value. It was only after my coach made me realize that by my giving away my value and my expertise, I was not only not doing myself any good, but was not truly supporting my clients to the best of my ability. My husband, the fireman, often tells the story of telling his fellow firefighters that if they rush into something they are not helping others if they get hurt themselves. The same is true here. I’ve got to be aware of what I offer and know that I am offering something beneficial, if others are to value it too.

Success for me, then, was finally finding my own value and knowing that no matter who worked with me, or what we did together, I was offering something of great value, and something that others would find beneficial.

Have you ever felt this way? What is your idea of success? What, personally, does it mean for you? There’s a very interesting exercise that we’re going to be doing in a masterclass program over the next few weeks. In part, it’s defining what you want to be doing 5 years from now and where along your “road” have you settled? It’s a great exercise, and if you add the thoughts of WHY you started your business you will wind up further along that road than you ever could otherwise. You need to have concrete visions for where you’re going in order to become the success that you envision for yourself.

There is a big difference between being an entrepreneur and a business owner. Know what they are? An entrepreneur was defined in a book I read recently as being a freelancer or side hustler -- someone who worked to create something, make money and enjoy life. A business owner on the other hand was someone who worked ON their business. Creating the processes and strategies, looking down the road to the future and mapping out where and how they wanted to be in the years to come. They left (when they were able) the work to be done by others and they devoted their time to things like how are we doing this? What tools will it take? Does it require a capital investment that means getting a loan? And so much more. But these are the meat of the business. Others can do the work, but the owner needs to be the one with their hands on the controls, guiding through the ups and downs, the pitfalls and wins. Which are you?

All too often when I ask someone what they see in their future, they say, I can't even decide what I want for dinner. How can I decide what will happen 5 years from now? That's a sure sign that you're not ready for business ownership. It takes more than a dream and a goal. It takes planning, making intelligent guesses as to what needs to happen. It takes buckling down and going all in. A TV show I was watching the other day called I Quit was all about several people who wanted to start their own businesses. Only three of the 6 or 7 companies made it through to the surprise ending (a check for $100,000.) What happened along the way?

There were three companies that didn't take things seriously. They didn't invest in themselves, in their futures, in their dreams. They didn't listen to the mentors, and they thought they knew it all without help and support. They didn't even get considered for the $$$. No one knew about the money but the three that were considered were in it for it all. The one that won actually sold his home and rented so they would have more $$$ to invest, he had in the beginning a long list of things he didn't like to do but by the end was doing them all himself. He devoted every waking minute to listening to the mentors, to doing what he could to support both his family and his business. One day he received a knock on the door and there stood the three interviewers with a check for $100,000. It made all the difference in the world. I see this time and time again. Those who don't focus on the needs of the business but do what they want when they want, they don't listen to the experts' advice, they think they are good to go without help or support -- their businesses generally don't succeed. So, what does it take? It takes going all in!!!

Our master class will delve into all this. Want to know more? Check out www.businesssuccessunlimited.com and sign up for this program. 

What's the BIG Deal Anyway?

As small business owners our dreams are often to be the boss, the one in charge, the one calling the shots -- making the decisions. Right? We want to set our own hours, have the money earned go into our piggy banks, take off when we want a day to play in the sun or with our friends and family. Yet, often times, once we've actually started that business, we find that it's not really "all that we thought it was going to be." 

We are busier than ever, have no one but ourselves to be in charge of, the piggy bank is squealing for dimes, and we haven't seen the sun for weeks. This is, in part good news. Probably means that we're growing and that we're busy. But it also means that we need help. And therein comes the fear and insecurity. If we hire someone, do we lose control? What little money we're making gets spent on salaries for others? We're going to be even busier "being the boss." What to do? What to do?

I talk often about the phenomenon of working IN the business as opposed to working ON the business. For most small business owners, we're so busy working IN that we don't have or take the time to work ON our business, and thus we don't grow the way we should. In an article I just read at http://nyti.ms/1BpkUYp, the author talks about working ON your business and gives you some tips and what to do. Take a few minutes to read the article. It will help, I promise. If we sit back, pull away from all the to-dos of the day to day, and concentrate (just for a little bit) on our goals, what we want for ourselves and our business long-term, and ways to get there, I guarantee, we'll be further ahead, with more time on our hands, than when we spend every minute working IN the company. I guarantee it.

Why Did You Start Your Business?

I’ve had a very interesting couple of days. I asked this survey question on a couple of my social media sites and got some remarkable answers. One person told me she wouldn’t tell me, I had to figure it out for myself. Another told me now one cared about how or why someone else started their business, but the rest (and I got a LOT of answers) were very thoughtful, creative responses. The interesting part, however, was that the answers I got were not what I was anticipating.

All the coaches out there cry out that they will help you make more money, find more time to spend doing the things you want to do, and show you how to have less stress. But as a business owner myself, while those are great things to want, they are not things you’re going to get — at least not for a while. What people seem to really want is to be able to share their passion with others that have the same dreams and goals. They want to be able to guide their own destiny and support their families with their own hands and structures.

Money and time for doing things they love to do were there too of course. You can’t protect family and destiny without being able to pay the bills. Yet, for each of those that answered my questions, those things were not the driving force. In fact, a good paying job provides the money they need to live, the time off for vacations, etc. (generally speaking), and a bit of security. When you go out on your own, your stress levels go higher, your destiny becomes much less secure (at least in the beginning and I argue that even with success comes insecurity at times), and the amount of time and money to provide for your family is less than with a job. Those are NOT the things that cause someone to go out on their own and start their own dreams.

If you’re still reading this, take a minute and stop and think about what really got you started in your own business? Why are you putting yourself into the wild and crazy world of being your own boss? And what does success mean to you? Is it making a million dollars? Two months vacation? What?

Now, I have a bit of homework for you. I want you to go on a bit of a time travel adventure. Picture your life 5 years from now and write an essay telling me what a day in your life looks like. Be specific, down to what time do you get up in the morning, and go to bed at night. Do you have pets? What do you eat? What are you working on and what gets you going. Don’t give me vague definitions, but define in very clear words how you want your life to be 5 years from today. That will really tell you a lot.

Running a business is a lot of work, and it can be hard work. But it is necessary. And unless you understand, in your own core, what the costs are, what the reason is for doing what you’re doing, then you’re never going to reach that level of success you described above. If you take the time to do this (don’t take a long time to think about it first, but do it off the cuff), I think you’ll be amazed and appreciative of what you’ll find out.

And if this intrigues you, and you’d like to work more in-depth on these ideas, then come on over to my website and join us in the MEGA group where we’ll be deep diving into these and many other issues throughout the next few months. Check it out at Business Success Unlimited. I hope to see you there.

Lessons Learned from the Journey

An often heard quote is that the journey is more important than the destination. And while the destination is pretty darn important, I do agree that the journey while often boring (are we there yet?), more often breath-taking (especially when you’re looking back on it), is very educational if you take the time to examine the road followed as well as the one not chosen.

I’ve been on such a journey lately (and know that it’s just now starting — I’ve got a long way to go). And if you’re a business owner you need to get out that roadmap and start your own journey. Hopefully we’ll run into each other at points along the way, share pictures of where we’ve been and give excited descriptions of where we hope to land eventually. This blog is about one of those pictures of where I’ve just been and what it has taught me. Read it along with me and maybe, just maybe, you’ll decide to go to these places too.

The journey I have been on recently has been amazing. I have learned so much about myself, about the things I want for my future, and what I DON’T want. For the past six months, I’ve been working really hard on getting my yearly business retreat put together. And, for much of that time, it wasn’t a very successful venture in my eyes. I defined success as many people knocking on my door, pleading to come along with me. Of course, lots of money would have been nice, but frankly, I didn’t have a real budget set up and never thought what it was going to take to get from point A on the map to point Z. Now however, after the event is over, WOW, can I say that it was certainly God blessed.

Because I know I’ve been on this journey, my eyes have been more open (I had my camera ready for those instant snapshots of the view along the way) and so I realized that I have recently been so frustrated and angry because for 8 years this event has been terrific: great for the attendees, not so much for me. I wanted everyone that came to it, to get the best program – so I let people come for nothing thinking, the more the merrier. Right? Well, no not so much. When only those who truly want to be part of it come, then the air is filled with success. This year that was my model. Only those who paid, came. And people told me over and over what a wonderful event it was.

I learned a great lesson there. Don’t over give, don’t devalue yourself or your product/service, and DO love yourself (and your clients enough) that you give them your best. What I thought was the best, was only mediocre. I never will do that again.

It was also interesting to see that there are so many out there that are, shall I say, not too trustworthy. And that’s something you need to know when working with other businesses. I had 3 speakers (btw – with signed contracts) who backed out – their loss!!!!! One didn’t even bother to tell me he wasn’t going to come. And a couple of business people who got their start thanks to last year’s retreat, who asked to come and talk about how they met and got their business started thanks to the Retreat. I let them come (for no fee) because I wanted people to hear about their “success”. Instead, all they did was sell their services. They were there for 20 minutes (in and out), they talked about all the wonderful things they could do for the attendees and then left. Not a word about how they met, etc. My takeaway? Don’t trust unequivocally. I’m still working on this one. It’s a process at the moment.

All in all though, I learned a lot about myself, what I do, and how I want to share my talents and God’s blessings in the future. I now know where my next stop along the journey will be, the lessons learned from my dream of business ownership so far and hopefully, I can share more pictures and stories along the way.

Easy Come, Easy Go?

I seem to have started a big debate on a group in Facebook today when I asked if those "Big Shot Gurus" really had a magic pill that could help someone make thousands and thousands of dollars in their businesses within X days or weeks.  Because if there really was one, darn I wanted the prescription too. I see so many ads for books, webinars and classes (and they ONLY cost $1950 a month with a 6 month commitment). Yikes. I'm guessing those who want to buy the pill don't have that kind of money YET. And that's why they want to know the secret. 

I feel really badly for those that actually come up for the money, expecting these fantastic results. I had a woman tell me the other day that it was no different than providing for a child's kidney transplant. The life of a child or a promise (unanswered) for swift business growth? I don't think so and was highly offended by her saying so.

As much as I hate to say it (but thank goodness the consensus on the discussion) there is no secret pill or formula to help you make millions your first month in business. It is, sad to say a sometimes long and hard struggle to get even to the point where you are ready to say, HEY! I'm a business owner! YIPPEE!!!!

But I do have a few secrets up my sleeve that I'll share with you for free -- when you figure these things out, you will be on your way. First, who is your target market? Who do you like working with? Believe me if you feel compelled to work with people who want fancy vacuum cleaners and you try to sell them brooms, you're not going to be happy, they're not going to buy, and you will not grow your business. Do NOT tell me that anyone is your target. In fact, it has been statistically proven...the narrower your target the better your potential. AND if you work with those that you feel drawn to, that helps as well. SO... the first thing you need to do is truly figure out WHO to work with.

Secret number 2: Do you know your finances? What do you spend on the various things you need to run your business? How much do you want to make? Do you know what you need to charge to not only break even, but to make a (here we go with a nasty word) PROFIT? Guess what guys? If you don't know these numbers, you're never going to get to the profit stage.

And finally, you need to understand and be able to share clearly and concisely what it is EXACTLY that you are providing to your customers. Again, not as easy as it sounds. You do NOT sell vacuum cleaners, you provide people with things that touch the emotional. Have you seen the television commercial for Febreeze? The woman wants her son's room to smell like he's away at boarding school. She doesn't want his room to smell clean. Or, another one wants her foyer to smell like a FOY-yeh. Fancy word for a fancy house. These are emotional senses and feelings. You have to figure out what resonates with your ideal client. Does this make sense? Not all that easy is it?

Sometimes my brain starts dancing, trying to help my clients figure this all out. But, again, I can guarantee, that when you do, you've just moved a step up on the success ladder, and boy is that worth while.

The final secret I'm going to share is that all this becomes much easier when you have a group of like-minded people that share your enthusiasm, passion, and where you can comfortably feel that you can share without recrimination or having your thoughts and ideas stolen. Mastermind programs, small business retreats, educational programs -- all are valuable ways to reach out and "touch" others to both help them, and yourself.

And, by the way, I really do have that magic pill that will make you an overnight success -- and it'll only cost you an arm and a leg. Want it?

I Hate the Word Work -- That's Why I Started My Own Business

I decided a long time ago that I wanted to have more time with family and friends. More time to do the things I like to do, like shopping and watching TV and reading books. And, of course, I want to have lots of money. Do I want someone else telling me what to do and when to do it? Nope. Not going to happen. So, I took a leap of faith, quit my job and started my own business.

On the first day I set up a telephone number for people to call me and buy my product/service. I created flyers with my address and OPEN FOR BUSINESS hours so that they could come to my door. I cleared out a corner of my bedroom and put in an old desk I had with a notebook, my computer, a pen and pencil. I was all set!!!! Whoohoo. Business, HERE I AM.

I just knew that the "4 Hour Work Week" was going to work for me. I would have time to do XXXX and still have time to play golf, sit around the beauty shop with my friends gossiping and getting my nails done. Vacations to Aruba and the Virgin Islands were looking good to go. BUT ----- was that the phone ringing? Yep, it was a call for my son. Did the door bell just ding? Uh huh. The mailman with a bunch of bills in hand. Where was all the business?

According to all the business gurus out there, there is a difference between entrepreneurs, small business owners and employees. One of the biggest is in the way they view what they do. For employees and small biz owners, their primary motivation is to make a living. But, for entrepreneurs, their motivation is to make a difference, an impact. Another difference is that entrepreneurs are risk takers: they handle issues ranging from the company's product design to determining the most efficient production methods and even finding the company's first customers. On the other hand, small business owners are content with running their business from 9 to 5, working on keeping the business efficient and running effectively. No risk necessary.

I often talk with people who fit the small business owner category. They are the ones that want to work when they want to work. They are the ones that are content with the status quo, not looking to the future and the unknown, but settling for "it's ok now, so let's just let it ride." To be a true entrepreneur, you need to realize that a business is a lot of WORK (oh my gosh... WORK?) You not only need to be aware of how to do the actual product or service of your business, but you need to know WHAT value do you provide? Who are your customers or potential customers? What's the best way to reach them? How much should I charge -- is that enough? Too much? The lists go on and on.

I will get comments from people, saying "I've been in business XXX number of years. I can't possibly think of anything someone else could tell me that would help me grow my business". But, then weeks later, their doors would be locked and the sign saying "Closed for good." Hmmmm. Does that sound right to you? Not to me.

Are you an entrepreneur, a small business owner, or just like to play with your hobby? Are you willing to roll up your shirtsleeves, and get to work -- doing whatever it takes to succeed? Are you open to others sharing their knowledge, experience and expertise with you, while you share yours with them? If you are, then I have a great suggestion for you. The Business Abundance Peer Advisory Board meets twice a month for a three month period to help entrepreneurs grow their companies through discussion, education, mentorship and resource sharing. The topic starting soon will be on marketing and will guide you through the different forms of marketing, so that you can create a calendar of things to do that are specifically focused on YOUR business. Along with all that comes the ability to put together a budget so that you see how much you spend, how much you should spend and on what areas. By the end of the three months, you are guaranteed a growth in your business income, clients, referrals, and more.

INTERESTED? If you don't want to wait 'til pigs fly, call Nancy at 269-651-3555 or send an email to nancy@success4biz.biz.

Our Journey Begins

For over 35 years I’ve worked my business. Sometimes I’ve had great success, and others – not so much. I’ve asked questions like “how should I do this”, or “does anyone know what’s the best to do …” but it was often like shouting into the forest. Could anyone else hear me? Not usually. So, then I would sit down at the computer, or go to the library and start digging into the whys and how fors of creating something beneficial for me and for my business.

 Even those of us in business for many years (and those with college degrees in business administration, etc.) can use the support of others who have similar goals and dreams. It’s nice to have a group of people who you know, like and trust, where you can brainstorm and share ideas, resources, advice and even partner on projects. That’s the beauty of mastermind groups. They bring together a small group of like-minded businesses (these can either be in similar professions or not) who are ready to roll up their sleeves and get to work, focused on achieving and doing great things.

Entrepreneurship can get lonely and tough, but with the connections that are formed in these groups, business gets done, relationships formed, MONEY made and SUCCESS happens.

Do you have a big vision for your home-based or small business but are hitting roadblocks? Do you really understand what you provide to the customer? It’s all about the value, not the product. Who are your potential customers? Is everyone in the world a potential client? What are your goals? Are they reasonable, timely, doable?

These are all questions that NEED to be answered in order to truly grow your business. The first thing you have to know, is WHAT is your idea of success? Where do you see yourself in five years? Are you comfortable being a hobby business or do you REALLY want to grow and prosper. The definition of being in business is “a sustainable income”. Are you there? Do you want to be there?

The Business Success Unlimited Peer Advisory Board helps you to realize what you are and where you want to be in your business. This three month program will give you the tools you need to more fully understand where you are, where you want to be and how to get you there.

Agenda

Our first meeting will look at creating a SIMPLIFIED business plan. You probably don’t need a FULL business plan that will go into the files as something to be dusted off when you need lines of credit, etc. Instead, you probably are asking yourself questions like “How am I going to find customers,” or “What is it exactly that I do anyway, and can I tell someone else so that they understand?” This is designed to help you answer those and other questions so that you can immediately get to work making your business the best that it can be.

 Next, we will focus on creating at least a couple of SMART goals that can be put to work IMMEDIATELY. Goals are created to help you focus on accomplishing something and giving yourself a time to do it within. This is important for the forward movement of you and your business.

Our third meeting will take info from the first two missions to create something called a LEAN Canvas where we will more fully develop our unique value proposition and what it is EXACTLY that we sell. If you can’t define it so that others understand it and want it, you’re really not going to be able to make a successful business out of your endeavors. This takes two weeks.

Then, once we understand what we want from our businesses, and who we want to have as customers, then we can look further into developing that target market. Is anyone on the planet a potential customer? Of course not. It has been proven again and again, that when you work with those that WANT what you have to offer, and that are excited to be working with YOU, then your universe opens and you have found your ideal client. But it takes work to decide exactly who that person or business might be. This will be our focus on Week Five.

Our six and final week for this first program is a lessons learned and conclusions drawn week. We will go over everything learned so far and will revisit with questions, concerns, successes – all of the above. There’s lots to do in this program and we need to be determined to follow through. It’s not for those that are simply curious. But if you TRULY want to grow your business and are willing to put in the effort to do it, this workshop is guaranteed to move you ahead!

And then – STAY TUNED for the next session when we focus on all things Marketing.