Small Business Success Strategies

Stopping Summer Sabotage-Part 3 of 6

Admit it.

Your head and your heart are just feeling different during the summer. You were programed in your youth to want to take a break now. Somehow you just got used to having several months out of school for summer vacation. Even now you long for those lazy days full of play.

It’s ok. Give yourself permission! Keep reminding yourself, however, that there still ARE people spending money and using services all year long.

Read Debbye's entire article Stopping Summer Sabotage-Part 3 of 6

Debbye Cannon, our official BusinessMom Mentor Expert

Affordable Health Insurance

With the high cost of insurance premiums and the economic hard times we are facing, 48 million Americans are presently without health care coverage. Of this 48 million, studies showed that 9 million were children, as of 2005. Furthermore, employer provided health insurance plans have dropped and has shown a decline for four years in a row. To rely on your employer health coverage is proving to be an ill-fated plan.

Governmental policies also come into play when discussing the over-all health issues of the United States. Past outbreaks of the Mad Cow Disease, the current Swine Flu awareness and the policies of NAFTA creates much more concern about future health problems for U.S. citizens.

Read Allen's entire article Affordable Health Insurance

Allen Smith, our official Trucking/Truck Driver Training Expert

The Quirky Way to Market Your Business

 Boring is out.

Quirky is in.

People don't go into business for themselves because they want to be confined and constrained. They go into business because they are fueled by passion and the urge to freely follow that passion. In fact, a 2007 study by American Express listed "passion" as the number one reason why people become entrepreneurs. Turning a profit came in significantly lower.

So with this natural inclination towards passion and freedom, why oh why do so many business owners cling to unremarkable strategies in their branding and marketing? Folks, it's time to dump the boring and usher in the Age of Quirkiness.

Yes, quirky.

Read Nancy's entire article The Quirky Way to Market Your Business

Nancy Marmolejo, our official Visibility Expert

Brand Your Company to Improve Your Bottom Line

Many business owners spend much of their time, money and energy promoting their products and services instead of building their brand image. If your main emphasis is on your product offerings, then you don't have a brand, you have a commodity. You are most likely competing solely on price because you have not clearly defined your unique marketing position - what it is that makes you different, special and more compelling than anyone else in your industry.

Why do most business owners avoid branding their companies? In short, because it's hard work. It takes time, attention and honesty to "drill down" and determine a company's core strengths. And it takes courage to devote a company's future on owning a niche market. Instead, most owners will think they are playing it safe by trying to be all things to all people. But in the end, that strategy fails precisely because there is no central focus. Consumers can't remember what they can't recall. So if you say you are known for price, quality, service, selection, reputation, honesty and being family owned and operated, that's just too much for anyone to remember. Even major corporations will only attempt to own one niche of a market, such as Wal-mart's focus on price, Volvo's focus on safety and Apple's focus on innovation.

Read Phil's entire article Brand Your Company to Improve Your Bottom Line

Phil Davis, our official Branding and Naming Expert

Quit Your Day Job: 10 Steps to Venturing Out on Your Own

If you’re one of the 58% of Americans who have considered starting a business but don’t know how to proceed, help is at hand. The following steps will show you how to transform your dream of business ownership into reality.

1. Figure out what you want to do. You’re not alone if you know that you want to work for yourself but aren’t yet sure what exactly you want to do. Start by making a list of your interests, talents, and skills. Talk to your family and friends and begin brainstorming ideas. The sooner you begin your quest, the sooner you will find the answers.

2. Start saving now. It is wise to have at least one year’s worth of living expenses in the bank before you quit your day job. It will take time to make a new business profitable, and it could take longer than you expect. Start saving now so you can be prepared for the worst while you hope for the best.

Read Stephanie's entire article Quit Your Day Job: 10 Steps to Venturing Out on Your Own

Stephanie Chandler, our official Entrepreneurial Expert

Self-Employment: The Only 10 Questions Your Business Plan Needs to Answer

Writing a self-employment business plan doesn't have to be a daunting project. If you can answer 10 straightforward questions about your business, you can be ready to go.

The key to success is to answer all of the questions in enough depth that if a friend asked you to invest in this business, you'd say yes. Most importantly, make sure you record your business plan somehow...whether you write it by hand, type it into your computer, or put it on stickie notes on your wall. Keep it someplace handy where you can refer to it when you are making important business decisions. And, make sure you review it monthly--or, even better, weekly--and update it at least annually.

Read Terri's entire article Self-Employment: The Only 10 Questions Your Business Plan Needs to Answer

Terri Zwierzynski, our official Solo-Entrepreneur Expert

What to Do When You Feel Like Giving Up on Your Small Business Dream

Having coached hundreds of small and solo business owners over the years, I've noticed certain roadblocks that can slowdown or stop a once enthusiastic start up from building a successful business and the life they dream about. So, how do you succeed in your business without giving up when things get difficult?

One of the problems I've noticed often is that a loss of motivation can make you feel like giving up. If you're experiencing this you may feel alone, but I guarantee you you're not. I've never met a successful entrepreneur that didn't have that feeling many times, including me. Wanting to give up can trick you into thinking that you no longer like what you're doing or that you made the wrong decision when you started your business. It may seem to rob you of your passion for your work. It may erode your confidence and try to convince you that you don't have what it takes to succeed. At that point it's easy to just do the minimum to save face or to start looking for the next best opportunity that you can try for a while--something that will get you excited again.

Read Janis' entire article What to Do When You Feel Like Giving Up on Your Small Business Dream

Janis Pettit, our official Small Business Strategy Expert

The Three Simple Things You Need to Realize Your Dream

Nothing pumps me up more than hearing about someone else's success. And when I know the person? Well, I literally get goose bumps. I'd no sooner arrived home from last weekend's Work at What You Love workshop in Ventura, California when I already received our first "success story." By the next morning there were three more.

You can make it a whole lot more complicated, but I think going from dreaming to doing takes three simple things. I could just tell you what they are but that would be too easy. Like most powerful lessons it's best if you learn them for yourself. So as you read the following success stories see if you can pick them out:

Steve Robinson is the author of a self-published book called "Why Stevie Can't Date."

Read Valerie's entire article The Three Simple Things You Need to Realize Your Dream

Valerie Young, our official Career Change Expert

3 Wisdom Tips to Master Your Coaching Business

Have you ever had a revelation about your coaching business and then realized how much time and heartache it would have saved if you’d only known that earlier? Let’s share those flashes of wisdom so everyone benefits. Here are three of my favorites.

#1 You are Primed to Thrive on This Journey

Are you beating yourself up for not being who or where you wanted to be by now? Do you wonder if you have what it takes?

Read Rhonda's entire article 3 Wisdom Tips to Master Your Coaching Business

Rhonda Hess, our official Coaching Business Success Expert

SMARTcut Solutions- When Life Goes Awry – Part 2 of 6

We might as well accept the fact that “stuff” will happen and our well-organized plans will fall into a black abyss. The positive side of this is that we get to recognize what we can do to minimize the damage. Many of life’s crises are not avoidable, but they are things we can get ready for.

So SMARTcut #2 is to Prepare

“Be Prepared.” It’s the scout motto (Boys’ and Girls’ actually). One thing that’s easy to do is prepare for unexpected. Whether it’s dinner guests or calls to serve “meals on wheels” to another family, you can be ready in advance.

Read Debbye's entire article SMARTcut Solutions- When Life Goes Awry – Part 2 of 6

Debbye Cannon, our official BusinessMom Mentor Expert