Business

Archetypes for Entrepreneurs: Are You Batman or Superman?

archetypes for entrepreneursComic book heroes are a great place to start when looking for archetypes that align with entrepreneurs! Archetypes are ideal examples of a type of person, an original model for others to follow, a symbol derived from the collective experience of society. Archetypes serve as icons or role models that can be inspirational – or cautionary!

Action Archetypes for Business Owners

No question about it, starting or building any kind of business takes some entrepreneurial hustle!

Batman is a guy who spent years developing incredible tools and technology for detecting and fighting crime before he launched his brand. Batman’s utility belt is loaded with the ultimate in personal and portable devices! When he is called, he has the systems in place to respond with amazing services.

Modern entrepreneurs embrace technology and build responsive business systems. Landing pages, mail lists, virtual market baskets and customer analytics are all examples of super technology used by successful business owners. What’s in your utility belt?

Are you in the early years of creating your business? Newer entrepreneurs need to be faster that a speeding bullet and more powerful than a locomotive to launch a new business. Superman may be your archetype if you are balancing a family life, a full time day job and creating your super side-hustle all at the same time!

Fortitude Archetypes for Entrepreneurs

It takes guts to create your own business and build it up to a profitable enterprise. Success doesn’t happen overnight. It is easy to get discouraged but the winning entrepreneur is the one that won’t quit.

In the Wizard of Oz book and film, young Dorothy starts out musing that she just might be able to make her dream come true. Once she lands in Oz, her goals are refined.  Her main goal is to get back to Kansas. The first step in her implementation plan is more immediate- get to the wizard! Along the way she runs into one obstacle after another, but she keeps going. Each challenge makes her pause to reevaluate. She not only perseveres, she develops alliances that stick with her in good times and bad.

Frodo Baggins in the Lord of The Rings was determined to reach his goal, and eventually saved Middle Earth despite serious setbacks. Frodo kept going even when he was scared and unsure if he could survive the struggle, sometimes helped by a diverse network of supporters who believed in his cause and respected his diligence.

Moral Value Archetypes for Management

The public’s perception of the moral character of a business owner has a direct impact on the bottom line. A potential customer of your product or services not only needs to know you are providing something they need or want, they have to trust you to deliver. Not only that, your customers want to relate to your core values.

A Higher Calling

The character of Atticus Finch in To Kill a Mockingbird is an enduring archetype of honesty and compassion. A sole practitioner attorney in a small town, Atticus defends his innocent client because it is the right thing to do, even when he and his family are threatened and harassed.

King Arthur is a legendary leader who symbolizes honor, chivalry and loyalty. Folklore tells us that Arthur protected his county from invading armies, then went on to lead his country into a magical era, complete with Knights, wizards and the beautiful island of Avalon.

Bad Guys

Shady characters are just as iconic, and the bad guys aren’t always guys – like Scarlett O’Hara from Gone With The Wind who takes over a growing business from her wimpy husband and makes it a huge success by using unsavory business practices like prisoner labor.

Then there is narcissistic Voldemort from the Harry Potter series who spreads death and destruction everywhere as he seeks to rule the wizarding world by means of force and intimidation.

Common Elements of Archetypes

These are just a few examples of archetypes that illustrate qualities found in entrepreneurs.

Not all archetypes have super powers or live in magical lands, but they do have other traits in common. Characters that become iconic are usually remembered for actions that illustrate courage, determination, and strong personal values. They are often dreamers or visionaries that overcome resistance to their ideas.  Archetypal heroes remember where they came from as they forge ahead, making alliances or building community as they progress.

What traits do you relate to as a business owner? What icons do you suggest for entrepreneurs? Please share your favorite archetypes in the comments below!

Business Ethics for Super Entrepreneurs: 4 Reasons to Define Your Values

Business Ethics for Super Entrepreneurs

Are you ready to be a super entrepreneur? Are you clear on your business ethics? If you aim to be the business owner everyone respects and trusts, here are four reasons why defining your values will improve your business.

Super Entrepreneurs Have a Plan

A good starting place for a business plan is figuring out why you want to work for yourself and what you hope to accomplish. To work from home? Be your own boss? Make money? All these may apply and probably more.

All businesses provide a product or service to solve a problem or enhance the lives of their customers. Core values will help make your brand distinctive.

The successful entrepreneur identifies a marketing niche by getting clear on what makes their product different from any other and builds a plan to reach their target customers. There are loads of courses and applications to help new business owners build their list and automate ads and emails.

Building and marketing a better mousetrap can make you a successful entrepreneur, but a super entrepreneur’s plan will also build a business culture, and that’s where your business ethics come in.

There are companies, and then there are super companies. It is no accident that super companies are as known and respected for how they treat their customers and employees as they are for their products and services.

Super companies come in all sizes, from mega corporations to solo super entrepreneur businesses.

I have been fortunate to spend the more than a decade with a company led by owners who are consistently recognized as “super” by peers, employees, and customers for their integrity, excellent work product, and community service. They have clearly stated values that guide their business practices. Their success is a direct result of their reputation.

Defining core values and incorporating those values into your business plan will give you a firm foundation for succeeding in your business as an entrepreneur.

Established Values Help Decision Making

Once you have set your core values, it will make it easier to draft your business procedures and make decisions. Sooner or later, you will run into a difficult situation that falls on you, as the boss, to resolve. Always look to your core values.

When problem-solving, eliminating those options that run counter to your core values will help you drill down to making the best decisions for your business.

Your company values should be reflected in the processes and procedures you give to employees, including virtual assistants.

Keep your values in mind in your selection of vendors, suppliers, sponsors, and affiliates.

We all love to see and participate in collaborations with other entrepreneurs, and of course, you will want to make sure your collaborations are with business owners whose values are in sync with yours.

Business Ethics Promote Customer Trust

Articulate your values as part of your brand. Let your customers know what to expect from you, your products and your customer service.

Who can forget how Superman used to say he fought for “truth, justice and the American way”?

Customers appreciate hearing about your commitment to them, so make the effort to communicate more than just an intent to be honest. Do you promise orders to be shipped with a certain number of business days? Do you welcome emails from your customers? Respect for your customers time and attention is a value, too!

Values Build Customer Loyalty

Customers will try out your product and services if they trust you, and consistently providing value-based products and services create loyalty.

In retail, the rule of thumb is that loyal customers make up about 20% of a customer base, but are responsible for 50% of sales. Not only that, but loyal customers are more likely to recommend you to new customers.

Customers are more loyal and secure when dealing with people and businesses they perceive as having compatible values. Are you a “green” business when it comes to your raw materials and waste? Do you donate a percentage of profits to charity? Share those values with your customers.

Your Values Are Part of Your Brand

Whether you have a brick-and-mortar business, a full-time online company or are just starting out with a side hustle; you can be a super entrepreneur by establishing core values based on business ethics that are unique to you and your brand.

What values define your business? Are you more likely to give repeat business to a value-based company? Please share your comments below!

Why Periscope Is the Online Business Owner’s Secret Weapon

Let Periscope be your secret weapon for community building! Periscope is the online business owner’s secret weapon!

Introduced less than a year ago, Periscope is a hot social media app that works as a mobile live streaming platform. Periscope makes it easy to spontaneously stream a live video of your opinions and activities via “scopes”. Participants show their support by sharing the broadcast and raise the host’s ratings by screen tapping to generate “heart” icons that float up the side of the screen.

Connected to Twitter, your scopes automatically show up on your newsfeed, so your followers can tweet and re-tweet your broadcasts. This can be a great marketing tool for your online business with the potential of attracting new business.

As an online business owner, take advantage of the fabulous and FREE opportunity to personalize and promote your brand and products by interacting live with viewers.

I have taken the leap into Periscope and so can you!

Get ready, get set… Periscope!

The very first Periscope stream that I participated in was done by a productivity guru who was on Periscope for the first time. She was ready, organized and completely personable. I got what I came for with no pain. She made me trust in her product.

I have happily followed her on Periscope and Twitter and tune in to her broadcasts. She became a role model for me when it comes to providing business content via multiple platforms, including live streams.

To attract viewers in the business community, have your content organized before scoping about your business or services. Treat business related scopes like a stand-up presentation in a boardroom. You can be less formal, but have some structure to the way you are sharing your information.

You may want to spend a few seconds in small talk while folks are joining your broadcast, but do get to the main topic fairly quickly, while you still have the attention of your audience.

Periscope for Business or Pleasure?

If you are going to use Periscope to market your business, it is probably a good idea to avoid using the same platform for sharing unrelated personal information unless you have an established following that knows you well.

If you are building a community around your products or services, try to be consistent and make the majority of your broadcasts about your business!

That’s not to say you can’t let your audience get to know you.

One of the business owners I follow has been on the Periscope scene from the beginning. She has also become a good friend, because she is so personable and friendly. Almost all of her scopes are related directly or indirectly to her products or services, with just plain socializing after the main topic has been discussed.

Everyone gets the benefit of her main topic, and not everyone sticks around for the chit-chat and that’s okay. Because she leads with great content and is a genuinely friendly and up-beat person, her followers are loyal and her business is growing by leaps and bounds.

Respect Your Periscope Audience

When you begin an online business venture, unless your name is already a household word, you will build recognition and followers over time.

One of my most respected and talented business coaches consistently stresses the importance of reaching out to potential community members. There is no substitute for one-on-one direct communication.

This is often the most difficult hurdle to overcome for new business owners. Where do you find potential community members, and how to reach out?

Periscope can be your secret weapon for community building!

When someone joins your scope and takes enough interest to comment, tap out hearts or share your broadcast they have gifted you with their valuable time and attention. Say thank you!

Make every effort to send a quick message expressing your appreciation. It feels good to send happy messages, and your audience member will enjoy being noticed. Don’t you think they will be more likely to tune in again?

Just Do It – Jumping on Periscope

Getting on Periscope might seem pretty scary the first time or two, but will be worth the effort. And every time gets easier.

Live streaming lets you respond immediately to viewer questions and comments, building loyalty and trust in your viewers. Periscope is also a great way to connect with other online business owners and may lead to some fabulous collaborations!

A little advanced planning and consideration for your audience can make Periscope the platform that takes your business to the next level.

Have you tried Periscope yet? What is holding you back? Share your thoughts on Periscope in the comments below!

Are Your Balls to the Walls? How To Avoid New Biz Burnout

Are your balls to the walls? How to overcome overwhelm!

Even girl bosses can have their Balls to the Walls, and usually do! The term came from aviation and is used to describe an extreme or intense situation. In many airplanes, the throttles (or power levers) are sticks with ball shaped ends. When a pilot wants full power, the throttle is pushed towards the front wall of the cockpit. So… “Balls to the Walls” means “full power”.

Nothing beats being an entrepreneur! Fueled with enthusiasm and amazing ideas, those first weeks and months when you decide to go for it are spent at full throttle, fueled by some dream of an overnight success story, because our products and services are completely awesome!

In our rush to get our business launched we spent hours late into the night setting up the framework, domain names, web sites, and producing products for prospective clients. We are launching a new business with a single mindedness that makes it practically noble to ignore housework, yardwork, shopping, laundry, and a slew of other daily life-tasks.

Look At This Mess!!

Just as in a new relationship, reality eventually sets in – probably sooner for entrepreneurs still working a full-time day job and bosses with multiple family obligations.

You can ignore the stats after you first go “live” convinced the public just needs to discover you before your offering will be on fire! Then after Tweeting your heart out, adding more blog posts, or whatever you do for marketing ……. crickets.

It is awful to realize that you really did build a better mousetrap, but the world has not beaten a path to your door… or your website!

Worse, you lift your red-rimmed eyes from the cruel statistical reports and look around your home at all the chores that have piled up in the meantime.

A Moment of Reckoning

You are discouraged and disillusioned, with a hefty dose of overwhelm thrown in. I know, I have been there (and go back to visit that place occasionally.)

“To be or not to be, that is the question”. Or, “What would Shrek and Fiona do?” if your frame of reference is a little more contemporary. It is a time of reckoning… with yourself.

Your first inclination may be to chuck the whole entrepreneur thing. It would be easier to hide in your swamp or tower and obsess about everything that went wrong.

It is also easy to blame your circumstances, your family or the universe to justify quitting.

Don’t give up. You are still the main character and there are lots of chapters left in your story!

Your business, like “true love”, is closer than you think. Just like any hero, you have to go through a few adventures before you can learn what your true love actually looks like.

And like any hero, you will need to make some sacrifices.

Changing Focus

What about your dreams, your vision of your business? Your dream are great, that’s what got you started as an entrepreneur. But to keep going, you have to let go of a static image of your successful business. Be prepared to refine and re-define what success looks like to you.

This does not mean flying by the seat of your pants without a business plan that includes measurable goals, and a written calendar of progressive steps to get you there. It means giving up the notion that anyone is really an overnight success.

Make your business goals reasonable and your steps manageable. Track your progress, and celebrate the positive trends. Do you have fifty new followers? Is that twice what you had last month? You want a daydream? There’s one for you! If you double your stats each month, where will you be in a year?

What are you learning as you go? You may find that your first business vision was too small! Plan big for the future but keep your present planning steps small enough to be executed well.

Gathering the Clan

Every hero has helpers along the way and every hero stops along the way to lend a helping hand. By the climax of the story, everyone has played a part in the hero’s big success.

You will need to sacrifice the idea that you can do this all alone.

Joining a community of like-minded people will give you tools, tips, and encouragement. You will have a place to bounce ideas, get feedback and learn how others have dealt with problems you are having.

Tip: Identify your weaknesses and find experts in those areas for coaching.

Did your first launch flop? Do you need help with branding, marketing or video production? There are established experts that offer free webinars, cheat sheets and paid courses in these and other key areas critical to online entrepreneurs. The added bonus is that the best experts have community forums that you can join!

Be the Boss

Back to the annoying reality that there are only so many hours in a day. Even while building a business, we are still faced with cooking, cleaning, laundry and other domestic details.

Remember that sleep and exercise can be skimped on for only so long before your overall performance suffers.

You must allow adequate time for sleep and exercise. It helped me get more sleep when I calendared an audible alert on my phone to remind me to Go To Bed!! I start to get sleepy when I hear it and it marks a shift in my evening activities. Pavlovian, but it works.

Think about your business or domestic tasks that can be delegated or skipped all together. You are the boss, so you get to decide: delegate or don’t do it. Delegate business tasks, domestic tasks or a combination that works just right for you.

You can hire a maid service to clean every other week. You can hire a teenager to mow the lawn and pull weeds.

Do you really need to change your house and yard decorations? Can you say no to making 47 dozen cookies for the school fund raiser?

Alternately, you may find it helpful to hire a Virtual Assistant to help with some business related tasks to free you up for content creation and personal care.

Bottom Line

Have you been going full throttle? Balls to the Walls and feeling overwhelmed?

The bottom line is, every hero gets smacked down at least once before they triumph. They keep going, build community and adjust their strategy until finally, they find what they were looking for. Success!!

You are the hero of your business story! Has your vision changed? Are you building community? How’s that delegating thing going for you?

Subscribe to this blog for more business and management content!

Defeat Chaos- Small Business Continuity Planning for Entrepreneurs

how to keep your business going when the unexpected happens.

Are you a small business owner with multiple responsibilities? Almost every entrepreneur I have met since starting my own freelance business has one or more competing priorities, including:

  • Growing a small business
  • Continuing education
  • Full time day job
  • Small children
  • Health issues
  • Elder care

If you are already feeling stretched thin between your personal and business goals, you are not alone. What will happen if you have to deal with an unexpected event?

Small Business Continuity Planning

Big corporations and government agencies have put together what are essentially uber to-do lists that they can pull out in the event of an emergency or disaster that disrupts their daily workflow. Whether you call it Disaster Recovery, Business Continuity, or a Business Resumption Plan, entrepreneurs can take a page from the big business playbook to manage our business and personal lives when things get hectic.

Disruptive events don’t have to be huge disasters like hurricanes or a critical illness. Anything that would take your full attention and make you change your priorities can be disruptive, even good things like a product launch, a new baby or six bushels of peaches that need to be made into jam.

The Department of Homeland Security has a Business Continuity Plan outline that we can use to create a planning framework for micro-businesses like yours and mine.

Impact Analysis

If you are the chief cook and bottle washer for your home and business, you do not need a fancy questionnaire to figure out all the important tasks that you do on a regular basis. Think back over the last week or two, and refer to your planner for the last six months.

Make a list of the vital things that have to be done. Include everything, even if it seems obvious, for both your home and business. Leave lots of space for notes after each space on your list.

Grocery shopping, meal preparation, cleaning, pet care, blog posts, product packaging and shipping, laundry … if it is a task that you perform regularly for your home or business, add it to the list.

Wow, you are a busy person!

Recovery Strategies

For each of the tasks on your analysis list, start making notes of ways that job can be handled, even if you aren’t able to do it the way you normally do. Can it be skipped for a while? What is the bare minimum?

For example, my normal housecleaning schedule includes deep cleaning each area of my home on a regular basis. When I have to spend several days processing and canning garden produce, any cleaning outside of the kitchen just doesn’t get done that week, much less deep cleaning.

But when I spent three months taking courses, building my website and preparing to launch my blog while working a full time job, I did a weekly bare minimum. In other words, the bathrooms were cleaned enough to be sanitary, but I certainly didn’t scrub tile grout with a toothbrush!

Plan Development

Now that you have an idea of the most essential tasks that have to be done and how often, flesh out how you would go about getting those things done if the situation is not “normal”.

Think about backups and work-arounds.

Do you send a regular newsletter or update to your mail list? What if your computer crashes and burns? Is your mail list stored somewhere besides your computer hard drive, like the cloud? Can you log into your blog site or mail scheduling application from another computer?

You can develop backups and work-arounds for personal tasks as well.

Meal planning for a day or two could be delivery, so your backup can be a folder of menus from the nearest Chines restaurant and pizza parlor.

The work-around for longer disruptions can be a week-long menu for very simple and easy meals and a matching grocery list. Don’t forget the deli when making that meal plan and grocery list. Rotisserie chicken and cold cuts are user friendly, as are microwavable entrees and sides. If you make more than one weekly menu and list, you can alternate!

Testing and Exercises

This is where you try out your carefully thought-out backup plans and work-arounds to make sure they work!

Borrow a friend’s computer or go the library to make sure you can get to your online business essentials.

Try asking your spouse to validate your business resumption plan by preparing meals for a week. Hand over your menu and grocery list. Revise the plan as needed… you may get surprising feedback!

This is your opportunity to revise your plan and discover things you may have missed. Revisit your plans at least annually and always before any anticipated events that will impact your home and business.

Conclusion

There is no wrong way to prepare your Business Continuity Plan. You most likely will not have a full blown written alternative in place for every aspect of your home and business, but by making your Impact Analysis list, the most urgent things to plan for now will pop out at you.

What are the most critical tasks you need to cover with a Plan B? Are there tasks that are less important but really easy to work-around?

Do what you can now, and consider calendaring time to work on a back-up plan for the rest.

How do you handle disruptions to your home and business? Would you like to see more information on business continuity planning for entrepreneurs? Please share your comments and questions below!

Three Important Reasons to Inventory Your Business Resources Before The New Year

Taking inventory of your business resources now will help you be prepared for 2016!
What did you buy for your business this year?

Have you spent any money on your business in 2015? What did you get? If you are a current business owner or preparing to launch a business in the new year, now is the time to inventory your resources!

There are several good reasons to take stock of your business-related purchases, and here are my top three:

Many, if not all, of your business expenses may be tax deductible. Make sure you have your documentation ducks in a row so you are ready for tax season.

Reviewing your purchases will help you project your expenses for 2016. What did you get in 2015 that you will want to replace or renew? Do you have supplies in house that you can use for future new products?

What did you forget you got? Seriously. Did you sign up for of online courses, workbooks or inspirational e-books to help you be a faster, better and smarter biz wiz that you haven’t completed or even started yet? Your first impression was probably right – this is good stuff – so don’t waste it! Add these resources to your inventory list, and calendar appropriate blocks of time in the coming months use them.

Planners

Yeah, well. This category requires a bit of a confession for me, because I cannot possibly justify all my planner purchases as strictly business related. I just happen to enjoy planners and stationary and pretty pens and …. That said, there are some administrative costs that can be attributed to your business, even if they are adorned with bows and stickers, so put them on your list.

Services

This year I launched my website so I purchased my domain name, web hosting through Bluehost and after a hellish week of trying to customize a free theme, I bought a wonderful responsive WordPress theme from BluChic .

These are all service expenses, some recurring, that are strictly business related and should be in your inventory. Also track your costs for paid mail services, payment processing, social network scheduling, and any other business widget or online function you purchased or subscribed to.

Did you use a virtual assistant, web designer or project manager? The cost of hiring staff should be in your inventory, even if the job was short-term, like the company I hired to help design my company logo this year.

Education

Definitely consult with your tax professional to see if any online courses you have purchased in 2015 with qualify as a business-related deduction. Not all business courses may qualify as a tax deduction, but they are still important resources that should be on you inventory list.

Courses and webinars you have already completed will be worth re-visiting after you have more business experience. Lessons that you had as a newbie business owner will have a greater significance when they are no longer just a concept and you are handling that issue for real!

Equipment and Supplies

Some of you produce tangible goods for sale like soap, jewelry, home décor, or planner supplies. The materials that you purchased to make your product and the equipment you use for your business should be in your inventory.

My production this year has been digital in the form of images and written content, but I still bought equipment for my business, such as my Surface Pro and word processing software. For creating my own blog photos and in anticipation of making videos, I also purchased studio lights, a DSLR photo lens for my styled shots, and my tripod adapter and microphone … all through Amazon!

What kind of resources did you get for your business this year? What gave you the most bang for your buck? Please share your best and worst in the comments below!

How To Prevent Sneaky Focus Killers From Wrecking Productivity

Prevent focus killers from ruining your productivity.
Distractions – like shiny objects – can ruin your productivity!

Have you ever noticed how many things way down on your to-do list can get done when you really need to be focusing on your top three? Or one top priority? I know better and you know better, but it happens anyway, and our productivity suffers.

It happened to me this morning. I had scheduled a block of time for writing a specific blog post that – as of this afternoon – remains unwritten.

Rather than make myself crazier trying to get back on that specific topic, an analysis of what wrecked my productivity can serve as a cautionary tale for all of us creative entrepreneurs.

Focus Killer Number One: Multi-Tasking

I still have a full-time day job during the week, and have found that my best time for a productive writing session on weekends is very early, first thing after my coffee.

I knew I needed to write a blog post first thing this morning, before hubby was up and active and the day got away from me. It was in my plan, my top three, and my priority.

But hey, I have a lot of tasks on my to-do list for today, so before I even booted up my laptop I decided to get a few “quick” things done to get the ball rolling.

It seemed so much more productive to begin by sorting laundry and getting the first load in. Multi-tasking is efficient, right?

Then I decided to go ahead and get a shower and wash my hair. Since I was going to need to change my polish later anyway, it made perfectly good sense to strip my polish before jumping into the shower. Likewise sensible to get on my make-up and style my hair so I would already be good to go, even though no one was awake to see me but the cats!

Efficient? Heck no! I should have jumped right in to my writing project without any delays!

Focus Killer Number Two: Social Media

I was just about to head to my desk when the washer beeped alerting me that it was time to hang up the “delicate” stuff and start another load.

Then my phone whistled. I had to see who was Periscoping at that hour of the morning! Still multi-tasking, I watched the scope while hanging up wet laundry to drip dry. Connecting with another viewer, I promised to send her some information on a virtual assistance recommendation.

Holy cow! Look at the time! I could have been done writing that article by now! Get a move on, girl!

Finally at my desk, laptop booted up and word processing application running I am almost ready to go.

Before I forgot, I had to locate the link for the virtual assistant and send it to the lady I met on Periscope this morning. Then my phone whistled again.

It was one of my online girl boss besties!! I can’t miss one of her scopes!! She had epic news to share.

She is a hoot, I was laughing so hard I lost track of time. Then we got to talking about planners, planning supplies, the local availability of planner supplies …. Oh the humanity! My plans for the morning were rapidly sinking under the weight of all those very shiny objects.

I should have silenced my phone.

Focus Killer Number Three: Market Research

This is a fancy way of saying I ended up shopping online instead of writing my article.

While it really is a lame excuse for spending money instead of staying on task for my business, in an abstract sort of way, it was an exercise that underscored a lesson in marketing from one of my favorite business coaches. Doesn’t that sound almost respectable?

In a recent webinar, we discussed that one of the reasons a customer may purchase your product is because the customer doesn’t want to be left out.

I am a mature, responsible woman. I rarely make impulse purchases.

This marketing concept is spot-on.

When my favorite online business gals began discussing different planners and which brands are getting hard to find…. something happened. I wanted to have cool stuff, too! I had already been on the lookout for one of the planners that was mentioned, so it didn’t take much of a push.

Planners and planner supplies are shiny objects. My inner child likes shiny things and she ran amok.

I ran down the planner acquisition rabbit hole with fingers flying on my laptop keyboard before the scope on my phone was even over. And I did score. From two different sources. With free shipping, which, as we all know, mitigates any shopping guilt.

But it was a focus killer. My shopping could have waited!

Wrapping It Up

I did enjoy my connections on social media this morning. My online purchases are within my budget and I’m looking forward to delivery. Still, I would rather have had the time for other things today. Lesson learned!

Work days are easy, I have a routine that is well-established. Days off make it too easy to feel like I’ve got plenty of time to get plenty of tasks done.

That’s when the Focus Killers can getcha!

Next week, I will treat my weekend priority as a priority and do that task first, and ONLY that task until it is completed. Anything else on my to-do list will wait.

What are your focus killers? How do you avoid them or recover from them? Please share in the comments below!

New Business? Things to Consider Before Dumping Your Day Job

Planning and budgetijng will help your new business succeed!
A written financial plan will help your business succeed!

I love being a freelance business woman. #Girlboss. Entrepreneur. I have been working hard on my online business, and would like nothing more than to be able to give it my full time and attention.

I am looking forward to the day when I can let go of my Monday through Friday day job and be totally my own boss. No more schlepping to work in rain and snow. Working the hours that match my energy levels – and not working the hours that don’t. Not working two jobs! Heavenly!

There is nothing easy about launching a new business. Exciting, yes… worth it, yes again! But it is very hard work, and putting in the necessary start-up hours on top of a full-time day job is extremely challenging and stressful. So why do I keep doing it?

My plan is to continue to live within my means while launching my online business. If you are interested in keeping financial balance as your build your empire, there are three areas of consideration before you dump your day job!

Promises, Promises

There are loads of internet courses that will offer you the secret formula for building your online business in a certain number of days. Some even promise that if you really go for it, you can quickly grow your income to make thousands per month!

Other biz bosses have made it big, so why not you? Armed with your course materials and fueled by enthusiasm, you begin to actually create your business and see some achievement. Hot dog!

In every social media group for business newbies, the question invariably arises, “When can I quit my day job?” With success and big bucks just beyond the horizon, why not now?

When you are being cheered on to “Listen to your heart”, “Trust in your abilities”, and “Just go for it” it’s easy to feel like nothing can stop you from claiming that gold ring. Right now.

Show Me The Money

Getting your first few customers or a huge order for a month’s worth of your services is great stuff! It’s a start, a good start. But unless you have a solid back-up plan, it is not enough to rationalize typing up your day-job resignation yet. And it is definitely not enough to justify an abrupt departure. Momma was right, don’t burn your bridges!

Having been through economic downturns and a few unexpected family emergencies over the years, I learned to keep a practical financial plan in place.Let’s face it… stuff happens!

That’s why I appreciate that some of the top online business celebrities have been touching on these topics lately. These women are inspirational and encouraging to new business owners, and they provide a needed dose of realism.

Alexis Giostra, also known as MissTrenchcoat on her site Strange and Charmed, is a multi-platform star Business Coach and Productivity Guru. Alexis has been very candid about the measurable financial goals she set for her online business that had to be met before leaving her position with a Fortune 50 company. Goals that included a savings cushion and reaching target income levels before resigning her day job.

Earlier this week, the wildly popular Hilary Rushford, known for her fashion and business coaching services through her site Dean Street Society, gave an absolutely hilarious scope on a completely serious topic. While sporting a blonde wig, big glasses and an accent, “Gigi” explained that there are no overnight successes. Anyone you see who is making a steady financial success of their online business worked their tail off for more than a couple months!

The valuable take away from these two icons of successful online business is (1) having a written financial plan is an important part of building your business; and (2) you are not a failure if you haven’t replaced your day job income right out of the box.

Dollars and Sense

You can build a successful business in a short period of time. I know, because I’ve done it! I have a good foundational framework for my business, and paying customers.

So why do I still have a day job?

One reason is that I work for a fabulous employer that has been very good to me. I’m in no rush to run out the door forever.

More importantly from an entrepreneur’s perspective, is that my business is not yet where I want it to be. If I have to rely solely on my online business revenue, I won’t feel as free to take risks and try new things.

Since I started my business, I have learned so much from continuing education with exceptional mentors like MissTrenchcoat , Anne Samoilov and Mandy Jean Chic that my vision of the possibilities for my venture has grown! I am also benefiting tremendously from the communities formed by like-minded online business owners.

My financial plan and business budget is right where it needs to be. I am debt-free and have enough savings to cover all my living expenses for more than the recommended minimum six months.

I could quit my day job today and probably be all right. Since I really don’t want to have to burn through my savings, I would have to keep my nose so close to the grindstone that I would not likely be able to drop back and make changes and dream bigger. So I will wait a bit longer.

After Careful Consideration

Congratulations, your new business is taking off! You are a full-fledged entrepreneur!

Before you dump your day job, take stock of your unique situation in the three areas of expenses, income and expectations.

  • Expenses: Do you have debts that could be paid off if you keep the day job a bit longer? Have you prepared a written budget that includes quarterly or annual expenses pro-rated for each month so you are not caught short? Are there expenses currently covered by your employer that will have to be paid out of pocket, like health insurance? Will you be able to avoid incurring debt?
  • Income: Is your side-hustle now bringing in enough income to cover your monthly expenses and pay your taxes and related costs? Remember, as a self-employed person, you will be responsible for timely payment of taxes, usually quarterly. Do you have a savings cushion to cover at least six months of your expenses?
  • Expectations: You will be evolving as a manager and growing your business. Are there business enhancements you would like to invest in that would improve your platform, products or marketing? Improvements may include things like business courses, coaching services, web hosting, a camera or anything else that would help you work smarter or enhance your brand. Would you have to do without those improvements if you quit your day job now?

If you are ready to take the plunge and leave your day job, celebrate! It is a major milestone in your life.

If you are like me, and not quite ready yet, that’s okay too! We are still successful, still growing and have a lot to share with our communities. Tip: It doesn’t have to be all-or-nothing. My plan is to cut back to part-time and have the best of both worlds for a while.

Are you still working full or part time? What are your thoughts on dumping a day job? Have you done it? How did you make it work? Leave your comments below!

The Perils of Periscope – 4 Tips for Protecting Your Brand

Periscope is the latest hot social media app that works as a mobile live streaming platform. Periscope makes it easy to spontaneously stream a live video of your opinions and activities via “scopes”. Participants show their support and raise the host’s ratings by screen tapping to generate “heart” icons that float up the side of the screen.

Connected to Twitter, your scopes automatically show up on your newsfeed, so your followers can tweet and re-tweet your broadcasts. This can be a great marketing tool for your online business with the potential to attract lots of new followers. Or not.

As a new online business owner, I am eager to learn from established webpreneurs, especially when it comes to productivity, content marketing, SEO and the like. Watching an expert LIVE and being able to ask questions is perfectly awesome. When it works.

I  have discovered, and continue to follow, some terrific Periscope hosts. I have also watched hosts who may be hurting their business with this powerful platform.

These are some tips I would offer to the cringe-worthy Periscope hosts I watched this week, and to anyone who wants to avoid the same mistakes.

(more…)

1 2