A New Year...A New Blog

A new year may be just another day to some, but for me it feels different - this year it's especially so. Usually, I feel excited and inspired but this year it seems like there was no ramping up of positive energy. I've been out of sync the last few months and initially I wasn't sure why, I felt absolutely no inspiration to write but it wasn't that I didn't know what to write about (as in traditional writer's block), it was more that I didn't feel like what I had to say mattered. In a world of millions of bloggers, who really reads what I have to say and frankly, do they care?

There are many reasons to speculate why I may have been down in the dumps (as my mom would say), but I feel that I'm in a time of growth and maturation in my life and I am recognizing some realities that maybe a younger me couldn't see before. Most notably, I am finding that so much of what I see around me is not what it appears to be. People are not who they say they are and until I spend time with them to see who they are, I can't take their words at face value. It is incredibly foreign to me to move through my day in a space of speculation or distrust, but I also feel incredibly gullible when I jump in trusting all the way and then see the truth. Things are sold with all the promises of what the bells and whistles will do to make our lives easier, when in fact; our lives are easier with less stuff. It makes me think back to being a kid, the commercials on television would demonstrate all the cool things the toy-du jour will do and then when you get it home, it performed nothing like the commercial promised. Should I have paid better attention to this when I was eight?

Here's what I know for sure, my family is healthy and happy (well, relatively speaking!), I love being in school and I'm looking forward to developing my skills as an artist and photographer. My new year’s resolution is to get honest on all fronts, really honest. Dave and I are working together on our family finances with an emphasis on saving and I'm digging deep into why we (our society) believe things need to look like something other than what they are. I understand "image" and "perception" and how they play into getting people to do and be who we want (okay, manipulation), but wouldn't we all be better served if we just told the truth and worked together to lift each other up? Call me crazy, but it seems to me it doesn't make sense to sell an image that is far more than what it really is and have people putting their faith and hard earned dollars into something that is a lie, a foundation of quicksand. When can you really believe what you see?

This year I am writing about my journey to get honest on all fronts of my life. It may come back to bite me at some point, but I'm putting my money on that the truth will set me free. Intentional Winning is victory by design. Creating the journey and the outcome for every aspect of my life by participating in the process...honestly.

But Wait, There's More!

Starting a business has so many components, I could have written and located days and days worth of posts to entertain and educate you. Most of the information I provided this month was from the Small Business Association and I did that because it is some of the best, most up to date information available.

Do your homework and don't just jump into a business because you think it will give you the time and freedom to do your own thing, that couldn't be farther from the truth! What is true is that with the right ground work and proper research you could find yourself in the business of your dreams making a prosperous living. I say, if you're willing to do the work, success is likely!

What Is SCORE?

SCORE is a nonprofit association dedicated to educating entrepreneurs and helping small businesses start, grow, and succeed nationwide. SCORE is a resource partner with the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), and has been mentoring small business owners for more than forty years.

SCORE is a valuable network of 13,000+ volunteers who offer small business entrepreneurs confidential business counseling services at no charge. SCORE volunteers have the knowledge and experience to help any small business owner get the help they need. Our dedicated volunteers represent over 270,000 years of experience across 62 industries.

SCORE also provides local workshops and events throughout the country to connect small business owners with the people and information they need to start, grow, and maintain their businesses, as well as online workshops available 24/7. SCORE provides resources, templates and tools to assist entrepreneurs in developing tools and plans they need to navigate their way to small business success.

Founded in 1964, SCORE is headquartered in Herndon, VA and has 364 chapters throughout the United States and its territories, with over 13,000 volunteers nationwide.*

*Directly from the web site Score.org.

Network!

Yeah, it sounds cliche' when in fact, it's fun! Start with your local Chamber of Commerce - memberships are usually very inexpensive and no matter how business savvy your are, it's not what you know, it's who you know. You need to meet and know the other influential business people in your area. Our Chamber does a business networking luncheon the first Wednesday of each month and an evening mixer as well. There are two opportunities every month to get out and market your business.

If you are connected on Facebook and Twitter, there are many more opportunities to meet up with other professionals and spread the word about your business. I'll talk about social media in the next few posts. No matter how you get your name out there, you have to do it. Network! Network! Network!

Marketing a New Business

I'm a firm believer that without marketing, you do not stand a chance at staying in business. Let's face it, who wants to barely get by? No one! You have to have a marketing plan and a budget to not only implement it, but to maintain it. Here is some more great info from the SBA website.

Developing a Marketing Plan

Marketing takes time, money, and lots of preparation. One of the best ways to prepare yourself is to develop a solid marketing plan. A strong marketing plan will ensure you’re not only sticking to your schedule, but that you’re spending your marketing funds wisely and appropriately.

What can a Marketing Plan do for Your Small Business?

A marketing plan includes everything from understanding your target market and your competitive position in that market, to how you intend to reach that market (your tactics) and differentiate yourself from your competition in order to make a sale.

Your small business marketing budget should be a component of your marketing plan. Essentially, it will outline the costs of how you are going to achieve your marketing goals within a certain timeframe.

If you don't have the funds to hire a marketing firm or even staff a position in-house, there are resources available to guide you through the process of writing a marketing plan and developing a market budget.

Business Laws and Regulations

As a business owner you will be expected to know the laws and regulations surrounding your business, both on local, state and national levels. Be sure you do your homework to know what you need to know in the following areas:


Advertising Law

Employment & Labor Law

Finance Law

Intellectual Property

Online Business Law

Privacy Law

Environmental Regulations

Uniform Commercial Code

Contact a Government Agency

Workplace Safety & Health

Foreign Workers, Immigration, and Employee Eligibility

Money! Money! Money!

Where will you get the cash to start your business? You not only need the cash to get started, but you will also need money to keep the doors open until the big bucks start rolling in. Okay, I'm making light, but the fact of the matter is, you need to be able to run your business and the expenses will either be fixed or variable. This is not including the one-time costs you will have for equipment, signage, incorporation, etc.

While identifying these costs, decide whether they are essential or optional. A realistic startup budget should only include necessities to start the business. Fixed expenses include rent, utilities, administrative costs and insurance costs. Variable expenses include inventory, shipping and packaging costs, sales commissions, and other costs associated with the direct sale of a product or service. The most effective way to calculate your startup costs is to use a worksheet that lists the various categories of costs (both one-time and ongoing). I know, back to the paperwork!