Enjoy Your Life! Build Your Business! Have Your Way!
How To Stop Starting A Business
These are exciting times! When I started my first business, I had to pay over $200 to have a logo designed. I had to drive to the artist's office to sign off on the drafts (3 times) and pay for parking while I was there. It took weeks to get the thing done.
Today, you can get up in the morning, find and hire a logo designer on Twitter by noon, have 3 concepts to review by dinner, and you can have a logo and a blog with your new logo launched before you go to bed that night! And you'll pay a fraction of what I paid just 15 years ago, and you'll have a lot more to show for it.
The Internet Has Precipitated A New Awakening
The Internet has created a whole new slew of cost effective and efficient ways to run a business.
It has also forced everyone to step up their game. That's right, it's no longer acceptable to be a glorified hobbyist who makes a few things now and then just to cover their costs, and spends the rest of their time chatting about new discoveries online.
Out: Glorified Hobbyist. In: CEO With Profitable Business
If you have a hobby, that's great. Enjoy it. Have fun with it. Sell a few things during the holidays so you pay for your supplies and have great holiday and birthday presents to give your friends and family members.
But if you want to be in business, really be in business, then today, you have to step up your game, and step it up big time. You have to count every penny with an eye toward showing a profit at the end of the month, and also keep your eyes on growth and expansion prospects that can help you remain fresh and competitive.
But how to do this? If you are Indie, you are either making everything yourself by hand from scratch or you are so hands on in the business that it's tough to find new opportunities, much less actually be able to take advantage of them.
What's An Indie To Do?
I launched IBN in 2000. Before that, I managed an aromatherapy beauty retail store where I made products and taught classes. I also wrote a book. I guess you could say I'm sort of a pioneer (though I humbly recognize people like Sandy Maine (SunFeather) and Barbara Bobo (Woodspirits) as far more awesome than I could ever hope to be). But still, I was here before the dawn of the new millennium chugging along on patronage from my local community and the wonderful customers who discovered me in local papers (I purchased ads and got a little coverage here and there) and radio outlets.
I watched and participated first-hand in the switch from the old ways of doing business to the new ways of doing business. I have worked with thousands of independent and small business owners around the nation. In my experiences, I have noticed 3 things that successful Indies do that set their businesses apart while others simply flounder and eventually fail. Here they are:
1. Successful Indies Plan And Systematize As Much As Possible.
Successful Indies know that if you get up in the morning not knowing what you want to accomplish that day, you are already behind the eight-ball. What they do is plan in advance what they want to do on a yearly, quarterly, monthly, weekly and at times, hourly basis so that there is no time wasted wondering what should happen next.
While they don't have a 500-page business plan in a 3-ring binder, they have a niche and goals to penetrate that niche. They record those goals and everything that needs to be done to accomplish them. Then they stay up all day and all night if that's what it takes to get the job done.
They find people to take care of their kids if they can't accomplish their goals without help. They enlist assistance from spouses, relatives, neighbors, babysitters they find at church and anyplace else they can get an hour's worth of work in.
Then, they create a system that allows them to make their products and run their businesses at the same time.
You can't make 1,000 bars of soap a week (or 50,000 lip balms in a million flavors, plus the new sugar scrub -- oh! and also the new bath bombs in the cute molds you bought last week ...) all by yourself, and have time left over to actually market them, network online, make sales calls, reach out to the media, maintain a blog, eat, shower, sleep, exercise, cook, get your nails done, clean your house, keep track of taxes, care for children and/or aging parents and have intimate time with your spouse -- without some kind of organized system.
I am convinced that this is why so many Indies are perpetually starting a business. Month after month, year after year, they are still starting the exact same business. A plan is your foundation. Research what you want to do, set your goals, write them down, talk to others for insight and assistance, and then create a plan to accomplish your goals.
Successful Indies do this over and over and over again as they launch new products. The process is very much the same each time something new is announced. First, they set the goal, then formulate the process to achieve the goal, then set deadlines and then go and do it.
2. Successful Indies Are Early Adapters of New Technologies.
Successful Indies explore and make use of technologies quickly and efficiently. Rather than run away from all the bells and whistles, they are eager to read enough about them on the front end to make a quick determination about whether they might help them achieve their goals. When they find something that looks like it would help them be successful, they are quick to also find the fastest and least expensive way to incorporate it into their business.
They don't complain that it's hard or it takes so much time or they have too many things to do already or they're wearing too many hats. They use the time they could complain about that to simply make it happen.
They realize that technology is a necessary part of business today. They know that, without it, their businesses will simply be lost in a sea of background noise and they'll never be profitable enough to support themselves.
Successful Indies embrace technology and everything it can do for them. They watch what others do, then rinse and repeat. And they do it consistently and all the time.
3. Successful Indies Toot Their Horn.
Over the years, so many people with good ideas for products have told me that they don't feel comfortable putting their picture online, or sharing much about themselves on the Internet where complete strangers can read all about you, and you don't even know it.
Successful Indies spend about 3 minutes thinking about that. Then they go get a photo taken and plaster it everywhere they can.
They know that, while the products and services they offer are important, it's even more important for them to be front and center for their brand.
Successful Indies know that The Media Is You! That is, they understand that they are the best media outlets for their business. They understand that YouTube (the world's second most popular search engine behind Google) provides the means for them to reach billions of people with a 2-minute video that can be produced for free. They don't fret much over their hair or rosacea. Instead, they curl it the best way possible, dab on some foundation and hit the set to share their passion with anyone who will listen -- all around the world.
Successful Indies don't worry about being bragadicious. Instead, they realize that it's a part of business. If you don't share what you have to offer, who will? If you don't get out there and blow up for yourself, you simply will not be heard.
And if you are not heard, you will not have sales.
And if you don't have sales, you will not make money.
And if you don't make money, you will not have a business.
And if you don't have a business, well, only you can continue that sentence.
The Choice Is Yours
If not having a business is OK with you, that's great. Business ownership is not the magic bullet to a happy life. Some people like it. Some people don't. Some people are natural-born entrepreneurs. Others (like me) have to work harder to make it happen.
If you do not naturally take to entrepreneurship and you are not willing to work at it, there's nothing wrong with that -- so long as you are maximizing your gifts and talents elsewhere.
But if you want to have a business, you have to step up your game.
You must plan.
Your must organize.
You can't make everything in a billion flavors.
You must embrace technology.
You must tell everyone how wonderful your products are.
And you must tell everyone how wonderful you are as well! (Yes, it's true!!)
Where To Go For Help?
The above 3 things don't say it all, but they say a lot. They are fundamental, and if you're not willing to do all 3 of them, and then add to that, you are setting yourself up for failure.
The great thing is that there are tons of resources to help you, all of them are low cost and some of them are free! Here are some places to start.
1. Of course I'll start with IBN.
I have amassed nearly 10 years of training materials to help you be successful and many of them deal with goal setting, planning, organization, technology, promoting yourself and PR. I have not bounced around from this thing to that thing. My focus has and continues to be on helping Indies be successful. My members could count on that 10 years ago and they can count on it today. Membership starts at $125 a year BUT there's a catch.
The information is there, but only you can put it to work. If you take the information and use it to propel your business forward, you won't be disappointed. You can see benefits and join here.
2. Indie Business Radio. Since 2005, I have hosted this show. It features the most influential authors and successful small business owners you'll find anywhere. My guests have included Paula Deen, Jack Canfield, Julie Clark (Baby Einstein founder), James Arthur Ray and hundreds of other people who can help you be successful -- and every single show is free. You can listen to them while you work, download them, or grab them on iTunes.
It's the best and longest running, most reliable resource you'll ever get for free.
3. IBN Members.
IBN members are awesome!! Subscribe to their blogs. Grab the widget in the upper left column of this site, put it at your blog or website and start clicking on the links. They take you straight to member blogs where you can learn by watching other successful people. (If you are an IBN member and want your blog included, you can read all about it here.)
Here at this site are tons of Groups led by industry leaders:
JoAnn Hines on Packaging
Jim DeBetta on Retailing
Marla Bosworth on Beauty Business Success
Joan Morais on Making Cosmetics
Debbie Chialtas on Melt & Pour Soap
Moi on The Media Is You (this group is for IBN members only)
... and so much more! They post articles and discussions to help you win at business. And it's all free. Take advantage of it!
The above are just *some* of the resources here at this one website. The world is filled with other places where you can get assistance as well!
Google and YouTube can be your best friends. You can Google "how to ---- A-N-Y-T-H-I-N-G" and answers in an instant. And again, at absolutely no out of pocket expense at all to you.
Conclusion
Business has changed a lot in the 10 years since I launched IBN. And 100% of the changes have absolutely and positively been for the better. I won't say it's any less work to launch, own and manage a profitable a business today, but it sure is a lot more fun and the learning curve is not nearly as steep as it used to be.
So, are you ready to stop starting a business? If so, then I'm ready to roll up my sleeves with you, and I'm not the only one. As pointed out above, there are tons of people and resources to help you.
A rising tide lifts all ships. Let's roll up our sleeves together, encourage each other and let's get out there and do this thing!
Question: If you already have a profitable business, please add your thoughts and comments. What did I miss? Am I totally out in left field? If you need to stop starting a business, does the information shared here help you at all. If you have started a business, but are not yet profitable, what do you think of my advice?
I look forward to hearing from everyone here!
Today, you can get up in the morning, find and hire a logo designer on Twitter by noon, have 3 concepts to review by dinner, and you can have a logo and a blog with your new logo launched before you go to bed that night! And you'll pay a fraction of what I paid just 15 years ago, and you'll have a lot more to show for it.
The Internet Has Precipitated A New Awakening
The Internet has created a whole new slew of cost effective and efficient ways to run a business.
It has also forced everyone to step up their game. That's right, it's no longer acceptable to be a glorified hobbyist who makes a few things now and then just to cover their costs, and spends the rest of their time chatting about new discoveries online.
Out: Glorified Hobbyist. In: CEO With Profitable Business
If you have a hobby, that's great. Enjoy it. Have fun with it. Sell a few things during the holidays so you pay for your supplies and have great holiday and birthday presents to give your friends and family members.
But if you want to be in business, really be in business, then today, you have to step up your game, and step it up big time. You have to count every penny with an eye toward showing a profit at the end of the month, and also keep your eyes on growth and expansion prospects that can help you remain fresh and competitive.
But how to do this? If you are Indie, you are either making everything yourself by hand from scratch or you are so hands on in the business that it's tough to find new opportunities, much less actually be able to take advantage of them.
What's An Indie To Do?
I launched IBN in 2000. Before that, I managed an aromatherapy beauty retail store where I made products and taught classes. I also wrote a book. I guess you could say I'm sort of a pioneer (though I humbly recognize people like Sandy Maine (SunFeather) and Barbara Bobo (Woodspirits) as far more awesome than I could ever hope to be). But still, I was here before the dawn of the new millennium chugging along on patronage from my local community and the wonderful customers who discovered me in local papers (I purchased ads and got a little coverage here and there) and radio outlets.
I watched and participated first-hand in the switch from the old ways of doing business to the new ways of doing business. I have worked with thousands of independent and small business owners around the nation. In my experiences, I have noticed 3 things that successful Indies do that set their businesses apart while others simply flounder and eventually fail. Here they are:
1. Successful Indies Plan And Systematize As Much As Possible.
Successful Indies know that if you get up in the morning not knowing what you want to accomplish that day, you are already behind the eight-ball. What they do is plan in advance what they want to do on a yearly, quarterly, monthly, weekly and at times, hourly basis so that there is no time wasted wondering what should happen next.
While they don't have a 500-page business plan in a 3-ring binder, they have a niche and goals to penetrate that niche. They record those goals and everything that needs to be done to accomplish them. Then they stay up all day and all night if that's what it takes to get the job done.
They find people to take care of their kids if they can't accomplish their goals without help. They enlist assistance from spouses, relatives, neighbors, babysitters they find at church and anyplace else they can get an hour's worth of work in.
Then, they create a system that allows them to make their products and run their businesses at the same time.
You can't make 1,000 bars of soap a week (or 50,000 lip balms in a million flavors, plus the new sugar scrub -- oh! and also the new bath bombs in the cute molds you bought last week ...) all by yourself, and have time left over to actually market them, network online, make sales calls, reach out to the media, maintain a blog, eat, shower, sleep, exercise, cook, get your nails done, clean your house, keep track of taxes, care for children and/or aging parents and have intimate time with your spouse -- without some kind of organized system.
I am convinced that this is why so many Indies are perpetually starting a business. Month after month, year after year, they are still starting the exact same business. A plan is your foundation. Research what you want to do, set your goals, write them down, talk to others for insight and assistance, and then create a plan to accomplish your goals.
Successful Indies do this over and over and over again as they launch new products. The process is very much the same each time something new is announced. First, they set the goal, then formulate the process to achieve the goal, then set deadlines and then go and do it.
2. Successful Indies Are Early Adapters of New Technologies.
Successful Indies explore and make use of technologies quickly and efficiently. Rather than run away from all the bells and whistles, they are eager to read enough about them on the front end to make a quick determination about whether they might help them achieve their goals. When they find something that looks like it would help them be successful, they are quick to also find the fastest and least expensive way to incorporate it into their business.
They don't complain that it's hard or it takes so much time or they have too many things to do already or they're wearing too many hats. They use the time they could complain about that to simply make it happen.
They realize that technology is a necessary part of business today. They know that, without it, their businesses will simply be lost in a sea of background noise and they'll never be profitable enough to support themselves.
Successful Indies embrace technology and everything it can do for them. They watch what others do, then rinse and repeat. And they do it consistently and all the time.
3. Successful Indies Toot Their Horn.
Over the years, so many people with good ideas for products have told me that they don't feel comfortable putting their picture online, or sharing much about themselves on the Internet where complete strangers can read all about you, and you don't even know it.
Successful Indies spend about 3 minutes thinking about that. Then they go get a photo taken and plaster it everywhere they can.
They know that, while the products and services they offer are important, it's even more important for them to be front and center for their brand.
Successful Indies know that The Media Is You! That is, they understand that they are the best media outlets for their business. They understand that YouTube (the world's second most popular search engine behind Google) provides the means for them to reach billions of people with a 2-minute video that can be produced for free. They don't fret much over their hair or rosacea. Instead, they curl it the best way possible, dab on some foundation and hit the set to share their passion with anyone who will listen -- all around the world.
Successful Indies don't worry about being bragadicious. Instead, they realize that it's a part of business. If you don't share what you have to offer, who will? If you don't get out there and blow up for yourself, you simply will not be heard.
And if you are not heard, you will not have sales.
And if you don't have sales, you will not make money.
And if you don't make money, you will not have a business.
And if you don't have a business, well, only you can continue that sentence.
The Choice Is Yours
If not having a business is OK with you, that's great. Business ownership is not the magic bullet to a happy life. Some people like it. Some people don't. Some people are natural-born entrepreneurs. Others (like me) have to work harder to make it happen.
If you do not naturally take to entrepreneurship and you are not willing to work at it, there's nothing wrong with that -- so long as you are maximizing your gifts and talents elsewhere.
But if you want to have a business, you have to step up your game.
You must plan.
Your must organize.
You can't make everything in a billion flavors.
You must embrace technology.
You must tell everyone how wonderful your products are.
And you must tell everyone how wonderful you are as well! (Yes, it's true!!)
Where To Go For Help?
The above 3 things don't say it all, but they say a lot. They are fundamental, and if you're not willing to do all 3 of them, and then add to that, you are setting yourself up for failure.
The great thing is that there are tons of resources to help you, all of them are low cost and some of them are free! Here are some places to start.
1. Of course I'll start with IBN.
I have amassed nearly 10 years of training materials to help you be successful and many of them deal with goal setting, planning, organization, technology, promoting yourself and PR. I have not bounced around from this thing to that thing. My focus has and continues to be on helping Indies be successful. My members could count on that 10 years ago and they can count on it today. Membership starts at $125 a year BUT there's a catch.
The information is there, but only you can put it to work. If you take the information and use it to propel your business forward, you won't be disappointed. You can see benefits and join here.
2. Indie Business Radio. Since 2005, I have hosted this show. It features the most influential authors and successful small business owners you'll find anywhere. My guests have included Paula Deen, Jack Canfield, Julie Clark (Baby Einstein founder), James Arthur Ray and hundreds of other people who can help you be successful -- and every single show is free. You can listen to them while you work, download them, or grab them on iTunes.
It's the best and longest running, most reliable resource you'll ever get for free.
3. IBN Members.
IBN members are awesome!! Subscribe to their blogs. Grab the widget in the upper left column of this site, put it at your blog or website and start clicking on the links. They take you straight to member blogs where you can learn by watching other successful people. (If you are an IBN member and want your blog included, you can read all about it here.)
Here at this site are tons of Groups led by industry leaders:
JoAnn Hines on Packaging
Jim DeBetta on Retailing
Marla Bosworth on Beauty Business Success
Joan Morais on Making Cosmetics
Debbie Chialtas on Melt & Pour Soap
Moi on The Media Is You (this group is for IBN members only)
... and so much more! They post articles and discussions to help you win at business. And it's all free. Take advantage of it!
The above are just *some* of the resources here at this one website. The world is filled with other places where you can get assistance as well!
Google and YouTube can be your best friends. You can Google "how to ---- A-N-Y-T-H-I-N-G" and answers in an instant. And again, at absolutely no out of pocket expense at all to you.
Conclusion
Business has changed a lot in the 10 years since I launched IBN. And 100% of the changes have absolutely and positively been for the better. I won't say it's any less work to launch, own and manage a profitable a business today, but it sure is a lot more fun and the learning curve is not nearly as steep as it used to be.
So, are you ready to stop starting a business? If so, then I'm ready to roll up my sleeves with you, and I'm not the only one. As pointed out above, there are tons of people and resources to help you.
A rising tide lifts all ships. Let's roll up our sleeves together, encourage each other and let's get out there and do this thing!
Question: If you already have a profitable business, please add your thoughts and comments. What did I miss? Am I totally out in left field? If you need to stop starting a business, does the information shared here help you at all. If you have started a business, but are not yet profitable, what do you think of my advice?
I look forward to hearing from everyone here!
Views: 17
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Kelly Ann Taylor on -
DM,
what a fantastic post.
Yes, Of Course!!!!!
Yes
Yes
Yes
to all of the above
Yes,
thank you!!!!!
and i will share this, if i may?
-
Permalink Reply by dM, CEO on -
Kelly,
I'm glad you liked the post.
It's all about the sharing!! You can of course link back to it.
Or you can re-post 200 words or less from this post as part of an introduction for your own blog post, so long as you link back to my original post here. Thank you for asking. I am honored that you find it helpful enough to share directly with your audience.
dM
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Permalink Reply by IBN Member Charlene Sevier on -
Wow! This provides so much information and energy. The problem of trying to do so many things can be challenging. I totally agree that with social media, you have to take them one thing at a time, learn it, understand how the community works, etc. I cannot imagine trying to start them all at once.
It has also helped me to step back, assess what I was doing, and prioritize. At one point, I found myself in way too many social networks. I sat down, made a list of all the ones I was in, listed the pros and cons and decided that I needed to let some go. This has been a good decision for me as it now allows me to participate more fully in the ones I decided were right for me and drop the ones where all I was really doing was dropping a comment or photo here and there. That has helped a lot.
I have not worked my nerve up to video yet - I will get there. And through the support of this site, I am planning to pitch myself to be a guest on a talk show on Blog Talk Radio.
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Permalink Reply by Karen Seremak on -
WOW dM!
Very well put, don't think you missed a thing!!!!
Karen Seremak
Savannah Moon ~ Natural Relaxation, Bath & Body Care
www.SavannahMoon.com
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Permalink Reply by Sheila Martinez on -
dM,
You are so right on with this. The contents make for a great chain rattling lesson. Thanks for taking the time to post and thanks for sharing it with ALL of us.
Sheila Martinez
thegreatamericancoverup
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Permalink Reply by LMC on -
Great post! Thanks. I am a few short steps away from launching my site - launched the business in May with a Mother's Day promo and spent the summer doing some sales, finding products and getting the website together. Your advice is very on the money for me. I look forward to connecting with some of the folks in this community who are looking for retailers to promote their products -
Best of luck to all!!
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Permalink Reply by JoAnn Hines on -
Your advice is awesome, very insightful and on point as usual.
One thing I would add is to make self promotion a regular "to do" item (I mean every week if not every day.) I learned early on as an independent consultant that you have to spend considerable time "packaging yourself" and do it on a consistant frequent basis. You have to be seen where your core audience can find you. That could include being at trade shows (attending or exhibiting), speaking at conferences, writing insightful articles or newsletters and of course maintaining your virtual persona
Never mind the "big head" stuff you hear about tooting your own horn. No one can do it better than you and if you don't do it who else will?
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Permalink Reply by IBN Member Carol Jackson on -
Packaging Diva...(JoAnn Hines) Invaluable advise. Thank you.
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Permalink Reply by IBN Member Carol Jackson on
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Donna Maria, EXCELLENT!
I'm so looking forward to the challenge..............As a new budding "real" business owner, I feel very thankful to come into the business after you GIANTS!
Again, accept my humble thank you! now, time to organize even MORE!!!!!
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Permalink Reply by Kalandra Robinson on
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Hello Donna - I enjoyed your article. It is clear, easy to follow and best of all... it makes sense :) I'm a fairly new entrepreneur, and like many, I'm wading through the water trying to find my way. I've read many articles, books, blogs and I'll be the first to say how overwhelmed with information I've become. Like a previous responder to your article, I too once belonged to a number of social sites and at some point had to stop! I also used to find myself so mesmerized with the idea of entrepreneurship that my website research would turn into hours of simple-surfing, with no real objective. I'd look up and an hour or so had gone by and nothing was accomplished. Only reading about everyone else's success stories instead of reading a few lines here and there and getting back to my "business". I'm new to indiebeauty and glad I found it. At some point I do plan to become an actual member to reap the indiebenefits :), but for now I'm studying all the info here and really looking forward to becoming a success. At first I thought maybe it was just me that couldn't get off the entrepreneur-training-wheel, but your article and many others have shown that its natural and normal, but can also hinder. Thanks so much Donna. Great article. Great site. Kalandra - http://www.hazelbody.com
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Permalink Reply by Terry on -
This is exactly what I needed to hear right now at this moment...I've spent a lot of time THINKING about doing it and not enough time DOING it! Thanks for providing all the tools need to jumpstart the process!
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Permalink Reply by Cecelia Aldrich on -
Thanks so much for this motivating article. I have been an Indie member for several years and have not taken advantage of membership, despite many attempts. Your article really hit home with me. I do not know how many times I have started to comment on an Indie posting or otherwise get involved, get sidetracked and before I know it, I have been online for hours and accomplished nothing. I am on computer most of the day with my day-job and it is hard to get back on and/or stay focused in the evening. I just launched my website about a week ago (www.ancientwisdominc.org) so learning how to use all that the internet has to offer is just what I need to do. I look forward to getting to know you and other Indie members. I love the sharing spirit I see and appreciate the opportunity to learn! Thank you again. Just what I needed to hear today.
Bramble Berry
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Donna Maria is the founder and CEO of IBN. She hosts Indie Business Podcast, manages Indie Business Blog, publishes the Indie Experience Newsletter, and leads the New "One Percent" entrepreneurial MasterMind coaching program. You can connect with dM at her profile page, blog, FaceBook, or Twitter.
Kayla Hennegin is dM's assistant. She is an integral part of IBN and provides all kinds of technical and administrative support to dM, IBN members, and participants at this site. You can connect with Kayla at her profile page.
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