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Video Interview: Some Of My Best Small Business Tips
Recently, Dr. Greg Henley, director of the Herman J. Russell Center For Entrepreneurship at Georgia State University in Atlanta, Ga, interviewed me for his “NexXt Entrepreneur Day In A Life Video Series,” sharing the stories of entrepreneurs in all 50 states. I’m excited to share his video interview of me. It’s 28 minutes long, and I think you will enjoy every single second.
Among other things, Dr. Henley asked me to share tips to help people who want to start a membership-based industry trade organization like the Indie Beauty Network, which I launched in 2000. Here are some of the tips I shared in the first half of the interview.
1. Understand the industry you want to serve. You cannot lead a trade organization unless you understand the trade. Since I knew how to make cosmetics, and had owned a cosmetics company, I was intimately familiar with the challenges of running a beauty business. My experiences uniquely equipped me to lead a trade organization in the industry.
2. Establish your expertise. If you are recognized as a knowledgeable person in the industry, you will have the credibility needed to appeal to people who may wish to join the organization. You can establish this reputation in many ways, including authoring a book, maintaining a blog, publishing white papers, etc. Sharing your
commentary about the industry establishes you as a helpful and trustworthy information source.
3. Know that there's a demand. No matter how established your industry expertise, it cannot support a trade organization if there is no demand for the type of expertise and services you have to offer. Research your industry first to determine its special needs and challenges. You will quickly discover whether there is nor is not a need for what you want to offer.
In addition to these tips, I shared from my heart about what it’s like to run a business as a wife and a mother, the top mistakes I’ve made in business, how I’m handling the current tough economy, my greatest fears
and challenges, my philosophy on “failure,” the highest and lowest points in my business journey and so much more.
You can learn more about the NexXt Entrepreneur here, and learn more about Dr. Henley here.
Question: Do you see yourself and other Indies you know in this discussion? How would you answer some of the questions Dr. Henley asked me?
Among other things, Dr. Henley asked me to share tips to help people who want to start a membership-based industry trade organization like the Indie Beauty Network, which I launched in 2000. Here are some of the tips I shared in the first half of the interview.
1. Understand the industry you want to serve. You cannot lead a trade organization unless you understand the trade. Since I knew how to make cosmetics, and had owned a cosmetics company, I was intimately familiar with the challenges of running a beauty business. My experiences uniquely equipped me to lead a trade organization in the industry.
2. Establish your expertise. If you are recognized as a knowledgeable person in the industry, you will have the credibility needed to appeal to people who may wish to join the organization. You can establish this reputation in many ways, including authoring a book, maintaining a blog, publishing white papers, etc. Sharing your
commentary about the industry establishes you as a helpful and trustworthy information source.
3. Know that there's a demand. No matter how established your industry expertise, it cannot support a trade organization if there is no demand for the type of expertise and services you have to offer. Research your industry first to determine its special needs and challenges. You will quickly discover whether there is nor is not a need for what you want to offer.
In addition to these tips, I shared from my heart about what it’s like to run a business as a wife and a mother, the top mistakes I’ve made in business, how I’m handling the current tough economy, my greatest fears
and challenges, my philosophy on “failure,” the highest and lowest points in my business journey and so much more.
You can learn more about the NexXt Entrepreneur here, and learn more about Dr. Henley here.
Question: Do you see yourself and other Indies you know in this discussion? How would you answer some of the questions Dr. Henley asked me?
Comment
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Comment by Dia Robinson on July 20, 2010 at 3:19pm -
Hey DM!!! Great video! I didn't know you where in the Charlotte, area also!!!!!!!!
This video has motivated me to continue doing what I am doing and learning all I can. I am determined to make it and have this dream happen. You made me realize I need to reconsider somethings,but I know it can all be done one step at a time.
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Comment by Elaine Kocur on July 19, 2010 at 9:27pm -
hi dM! i LOVE LOVE LOVE this interview. Not only because of the great biz info/stories you share with us, but more so because you are an authentic, caring, real person willing to help and inspire others to succeed. I feel like you are a longtime dear friend, always supporting and inspiring me to succeed. Keep the great biz info comin'!!!
Elaine
SoothingSuds.com
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Comment by Sarah Torrance on July 19, 2010 at 5:14pm -
DM, I felt all your emotions in this video. At one point I cried and another smiling ear to ear. YOU are an inspiration to all of us here on Indie Beauty. I know how you feel on the importance of family and knowing you want your business to continue to succeed. You can do both! It may be hard at times like you said but seems you are doing it with great balance. My husband is right with me in my small business. Sometimes I feel I have alot on my plate as a caretaker to my 83 year old Great Aunt, my parents, my grandchild, my disabled son and my 2 older children and taking care of our small business is alot, but my family is my support and I think I am starting to do great with other business wanting my products in their stores- it makes you happy and knowing your products really work and help others is worth it. Especially knowing my special needs son is having a good time helping me. Between homeschooling him, taking care of my elderly family, grocery shopping for them, doctor trips, etc... it takes alot of BALANCE. My husband is my support. He is a Firefighter/EMT now and was an Assistant to City Manager managing alot of Departments and overseeing their work, etc..also was Director of Emergency Operations who tremendously helped the city through our major hurricanes we had here in Fl. He knows how to manage people and businesses. So, he won't let me fail- he has been my motivator. So, to hear your stories and getting to know you more- You are an Inspiration to me too. Thank you DM for all your hard work in keeping Indie Beauty going. I am enjoying being here and learning from all here too. Thanks to you. Keep Marching On. ~Sarah~ (sorry I felt I had to share so much info.)
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Comment by Charlotte Logan on July 19, 2010 at 5:10pm
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YAY! Go dM.
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Comment by IBN Member Angela George on July 19, 2010 at 3:24pm -
That was a great interview DM, I've taken away a lot from it. Thanks for sharing and being there for us.
Angela
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Comment by Dannette Evans on July 19, 2010 at 2:55pm -
dM: That was incredible and I have fallen totally in love with you. I wish every entrepreneur starting or in the middle of it all had you and a trade association like Indie Beauty to rely on for information and help.
That just made we is already and absolutely fantastic day even better.
Be well, Dannette
dannidavisskin.com
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.
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