Archive | Become Your Own Boss Tips RSS feed for this section

Can a Mastermind Group Help Your Small Business?

By on August 31, 2010 in Become Your Own Boss Tips, Branding & Marketing, Grow Your Business, Starting A Small Business

Did you know that mastermind groups have the power to change your business and keep you sane as an entrepreneur?

For the last few years, I have participated in two mastermind groups that have made all the difference in my business. One is a mixed group of professional speakers and coaches that is focused on a specific career goal and the other is a group of three women in different industries in which I participate every other week. What I enjoy the most about these groups is that it’s a safe environment to share and get strategy advice about my business.

The History of Mastermind Groups:  Napoleon Hill founded the principle of the mastermind group in the early 1900s. He studied Andrew Carnegie, who was known to use the concept of the mastermind to keep his businesses growing and prosperous. Andrew Carnegie kept 50 men on staff just for the development of ideas to grow his steel business. In 1937 Napoleon Hill wrote the now legendary “Think and Grow Rich” book based on these ideas.

One of the biggest challenges in starting a business from scratch is building all the processes and systems by yourself. You spend a lot of time alone with your endless “to do” list and feelings that can be overwhelming. Even more dangerous to an entrepreneur is the isolation—which is the enemy of all small businesses. Your own thoughts can defeat you in business—quicker than any competitor.

Mastermind groups consist of 4-15 people who meet regularly to talk through issues that may be personal or directly related to running your small business. Masterminds groups function best when participants feel comfortable to share their unique views.

The Benefits of Mastermind Groups 

  • Mutual support  Regular people do not understand the entrepreneurial lifestyle.  It is a great thing to be able to lean on other small business owners for support.  There are times when only someone who has walked in your shoes can give you advice.
  • Resources  Everyone in your group will have access to a different materials, contacts and skill sets. I’ve often found that when I ask for help in my mastermind groups, those resources that I need are a click or a phone call away. 
  • Accountability  Mastermind groups hold members accountable to short and long-term goals. Having regularly scheduled meetings forces you to follow-up on your own action plans for your business because no one wants to be the person at the meeting or on the call who hasn’t don’t their homework.
  • Differing perspectives  You can always benefit from someone else’s experience. Your fellow mastermind participants may see issues and opportunities with customers or employees that you would otherwise be unaware of. The other good thing about hearing other’s viewpoints is — you can choose to take their advice or not. Most of the time you will take away nuggets that will improve your situation.

Become Your Own Boss Mastermind Group   If you have been following this resource blog, you know that my mission is to end small business failure. This September, I am launching a new program called the Become Your Own Boss Mastermind Group.  It is an intensive 8-week program where a small group of people, led by me will work together to kick-start or reinvent your small business.

I have created this group coaching program to give you one more leg up as you start your business. As a member of the Become Your Own Boss Mastermind Group you will benefit from all of these services.

Here’s an itemized list of what you’re getting.

  • Each class is a 90-minute working call
  • An autographed copy of Become Your Boss in 12 Months
  • Convenient classes available via phone and Internet
  • Unlimited email access to Smallbizlady for feedback on homework
  • Access to all class recordings
  • Access to private Become Your Own Boss member forums
  • Step-by-step outline to action plan to Become Your Own Boss
  • Discounts on Smallbizlady’s one-on-one coaching services
  • Recommendations on start-up tools that will save you time and money
  • A special FREE gift worth $197

You can get more info about the program here:  http://succeedasyourownboss.com/mastermind-group/

I also have a payment plan that can work for your budget.  Reach out to me personally — melinda@melindaemerson.com 

At the end of the 8-weeks, you’ll leave the class with a written ACTION PLAN to start or reinvent your small business.  The program starts Sept 7th, and we have a limited number of slots left; I suggest you jump on it right away. 

Melinda F. Emerson, known as SmallBizLady is one of America’s leading small business experts. As CEO of MFE Consulting LLC, Melinda educates entrepreneurs and Fortune 500 companies on small business start-up, business development and social media marketing. She hosts #SmallBizChat weekly on Twitter for emerging entrepreneurs and publishes a resource blog www.succeedasyourownboss.com.  Melinda is also the author of the national bestseller Become Your Own Boss in 12 months; A Month-by-Month Guide to a Business That Works. (Adams Media 2010) For more information http://www.becomeyourownbossbook.com 

Comments { 3 }

4 Social Media Books Every Entrepreneur Should Read

By on August 16, 2010 in Become Your Own Boss Tips, Grow Your Business, Social Media, Your Small Business

The New Rules of Marketing and PR: How to Use Social Media, Blogs, News Releases, Online Video, and Viral Marketing to Reach Buyers Directly, 2nd Edition by David Meerman Scott ( J. Wiley & Sons, 2010)  In 2007, when it originally published, a friend suggested I read The New Rules of Marketing and PR and it changed my business. Now that David Meerman Scott has updated the book, it’s an even a better resource for integrating new school and old school marketing techniques with social media.  By embracing the strategies in this book, you will transform your small business. David shows you a multitude of ways to propel yourself into becoming “THE” thought leader in your market and driving sales revenue – all without a huge budget. 

Trust Agents:  Using the Web to Build Influence, Improve Reputation, and Earn Trust by Chris Brogan and Julien Smith ( J. Wiley & Sons, 2009)  What I like about this book is that the authors Chris Brogan and Julien Smith help readers understand that today’s social media environment is driven by trust. They emphasize the importance of being present in social media.  Chris and Julien also suggest that we need to inject some humanity and intimacy into our online relationships, which I could not agree with more. Once you earn trust from your core audience they will carry your message organically.  Once you are a trust agent, you can spread your influence faster, wider, and deeper. 

Social Media:  Strategies for Engaging in Facebook, Twitter and Other Social Media by Liana “Li” Evans  (Que Publishing, 2010)  I love how-to books that are plain and easy to absorb.  Social Media by Li Evans is just that kind of book.  This book helps you understand how all the most popular sites of the moment work and she helps you with the strategy behind what you might want to use for a certain social media platform.  I especially like that she drills home the need to have your messaging consistent across your entire social media footprint.  Best of all Li gives you guidance to integrate your traditional and social media marketing tactics — which is perfect, as social media alone should never be a small business owner’s sole marketing strategy.  

Using LinkedIn by Patrice-Anne Rutledge (Que Publishing, 2010)  This book is for any small business owner who wants to tap into the power of LinkedIn.  What I like about this book is that you walk away with real technology skills.  Using LinkedIn by Patrice-Ann Rutledge tells me what I need to know about leveraging LinkedIn to the max.  This is also one of the first books I’ve seen that has step-by-step video tutorials, web links and audio sidebar interviews with experts that you can download to create a customized learning experience.  My favorite chapters for entrepreneurs are:  Communicating with Your LinkedIn Network, Saving Time with LinkedIn Tools, Advertising on LinkedIn.

For more tips on starting or growing your small business subscribe to Melinda Emerson’s blog at www.succeedasyourownboss.com

Melinda F. Emerson, known to many as SmallBizLady is one of America’s leading small business experts. As a seasoned entrepreneur, professional speaker, and small business coach, she develops audio, video and written content to fulfill her mission to end small business failure.  As CEO of MFE Consulting LLC, Melinda educates entrepreneurs and Fortune 500 companies on subjects including small business start-up, business development and social media marketing. She has been featured on NBC Nightly News, the Tavis Smiley Radio Show, in the Wall Street Journal, Entrepreneur and Black Enterprise Magazine. She hosts #SmallBizChat weekly on Twitter for emerging entrepreneurs and publishes a resource blog www.succeedasyourownboss.com  Melinda is also the author of the national bestseller Become Your Own Boss in 12 months; A Month-by-Month Guide to a Business That Works. (Adams Media 2010) 

Comments { 11 }

What Undermines Most Small Businesses?

By on July 12, 2010 in Become Your Own Boss Tips, Branding & Marketing, Grow Your Business, My Recommendations, Women in Business, Your Small Business
 

Has Your Business Hit a Brick Wall?

Lack of Discipline:  When you work for yourself, you are the engine that drives your small business. This also means that you kill for your dinner day after day. As an entrepreneur you need to stay on task daily to accomplish your business goals. Don’t believe hype about making millions in your bunny slippers. I believe there’s something psychological and positive that you feel internally when you take a shower and get dressed before you start the day. It’s best to develop routines to avoid distractions. Do not work in a room that has a bed; it is far too inviting to take a nap when the pressure starts getting to you. Especially if you work from home, treat your work hours like you are in a professional office. Try not to run errands during the day or hold off on personal calls until after 5pm.

Lack of Organization:  It is amazing how much time you can waste looking for things when you don’t have your files in order.  That means your physical files as well as your computer files.  Use inbox, outbox and to be filed bins to keep your mail under control. You should also create general computer files and then use subfolders that track information by year.  For example, I use a proposals folder and then I have subfolders for each year 2009, 2010, and so on to track my information so that I do not need to re-create contract proposals every time I need one.  You should have file folders for your email as well.  One of the things I do to cut back on paper waste is to use my http://www.delicious.com account to file articles online that I want to read or refer back to later.  You should also have a folder where you keep monthly bank statements and receipts for your bookkeeper to reconcile your account monthly.

Lack of Niche Focus:  Too often, small business owners sell to anyone that they think has money as opposed to focusing on a niche target market.  You must niche to get rich!  You have limited time and resources to hit it big in business; you will have a much better shot at it if you hone in on a specific target customer. You should be able to see the face of your customer and tell a story about her. Where does she live? Does she have children? How much education does she have? Does she use the internet? Does she feel comfortable buying things online? Is she married? How often does she buy what you sell and how much does she usually spend? This is how much detail you should know about your customer to develop a niche marketing strategy.

Lack of a Marketing Plan:  In addition to knowing your customer, you need to have a great answer for “Why will they buy from you?” In other words, you need a signature move or secret sauce. There are lots of small business coaches out here, but why do you need the Smallbizlady? Here’s the answer: “After 12 years as an entrepreneur and five years as a business coach, I’ve developed a six-step planning system to help people transition from having a job to starting a business. The Emerson Planning System will help you plan a successful small business.”

Lack of a Business Plan:  This is the most common of all things that undermine small businesses. You need a business plan to run a successful small business. In the first few years of a business it is especially important that the business plan be reviewed and updated every 2-3 months to make sure the business is on the right track.  Your initial business plan is your hypothesis of what you think is going to happen in your business— and it will change once your business is exposed to the marketplace.  Do not treat your business plan like a historical document—use it to run your business.

What else do you think undermines the success of small businesses?

Melinda Emerson, known to many as “SmallBizLady,” is a Veteran Entrepreneur, Small Business Coach and Social Media Strategist who specializes in small business start-up, social media marketing and business development. She hosts #Smallbizchat weekly on Twitter for emerging entrepreneurs.  Melinda also publishes a resource blog www.succeedasyourownboss.com Her first book Become Your Own Boss in 12 Months http://bit.ly/asEgeR was released in March 2010 by Adams Media. For more information http://www.becomeyourownbossbook.com 

Comments { 7 }

8 Tips to Become Your Own Boss

By on June 28, 2010 in Become Your Own Boss Tips, How to Start, Mompreneurs, My Recommendations, Pink Slip Entrepreneurs, Solopreneurs, Starting A Small Business, Your Small Business

It’s more than a notion to launch your own business. Nowadays it’s common for folks to leave a job via layoff or early retirement and jump right into starting a small business.  Some become small business owners because they always wanted to do it…and others are hanging their shingle out of necessity.  Regardless of how you found your path to entrepreneurship, you need to keep these 8 tips in mind as you Become Your Own Boss.

1. Figure Out What You Want Out Of Life. It’s just like when you are driving a car – places are so much easier reach when you know the route. Take the time to map out a plan for a successful life. Get clear about what will make you happy. In order to have a successful business, you need a life plan before you ever write a business plan.

2. Get Your Money Straight. Many businesses do not get off the ground because of too many financial obligations in a business owner’s personal life. You need to be prepared financially to go without a paycheck for a year or two in order to make your business dream a reality. Then you’re going to need money to run your new business. You must consider whether you can afford to become an entrepreneur.

3. Evaluate Your Business Concept. Many people who are struck by the entrepreneurial bug have more than one business idea. Make sure that you don’t just follow the idea you love the most. Make sure there’s a real market for your product or service. There’s a big difference between need, want and willing to pay for. I’m all for finding your passion and making it a business, just make sure your passion has a profit center.

4. Get Yourself a Kitchen Cabinet of Advisors. I think you need a fan club of people who believe in you and will tell you the truth about your business ideas. This should be a 3 to 4 people, including an existing entrepreneur, a friend who’s a potential customer, a retired executive who has a rolodex that can assist you and a lawyer or accountant that can give you advice that you otherwise probably couldn’t pay for. I call this group a kitchen cabinet of advisors because they will usually work for food.

5. Spend Time Building Your Network. In business your network is your net worth. People do business with people they like and know. If you are known more internally at your job, you must get out there and start networking at least six months before you start your business. Your first customers will be people who know you or referrals from those same people.

6. Know Your Niche Customer. In this new economy, it’s more important than ever to have a niche target market. Niche to get Rich is a saying, but it is true. The more specialized your target market, the better for your business. You should be able to see the face of your customer and write a story about him or her. Even if you’re using social media you need to know who you want to talk to before jumping out there.

7. You Need a Marketing Plan. Use your marketing plan to clearly identify that there’s a market for your product or service that you can actually reach. You need to figure out who’s buying and why. You also need to develop a signature move or signature service as you are developing your marketing plan. If you can answer those simple those questions you should move forward with your business plans.

8. You Must Have a Business Plan. You must plan for success, it will not just happen to you. You need a business plan to give yourself a road map to run your business. Do not treat your business plan like a historical document. Your first business plan is your hypothesis of what you think will happen in your business. Your assumptions will change once your business is exposed to the market place. In the early years of your business, you should review and update your business plan every 2-3 months to make sure your business is on the right track. 

Do you have any more tips on How to Become Your Own Boss?

WANT TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR EZINE, E-NEWSLETTER OR WEB SITE?  You may, as long as you include this complete blurb with it:

Melinda Emerson “SmallBizLady” is a Veteran Entrepreneur, Small Business Coach and Social Media Marketing Expert who hosts #SmallBizChat on Twitter.  #SmallBizChat is the trusted resource on Twitter to discuss everything entrepreneurs need to know about launching and running a profitable small business.  Melinda also publishes a resource blog on small business best practices at www.succeedasyourownboss.com  Her first book, Become Your Own Boss in 12 Months was released by Adams Media in March 2010.

Comments { 2 }

7 Questions Hobbyists Should Consider When Starting a Small Business

By on June 14, 2010 in Become Your Own Boss Tips, How to Start, My Recommendations, Starting A Small Business, Your Small Business

This is the last of a two part series on how to turn a hobby into a small business. Sometimes people with great hobby do not have the right amount of business acumen to run a business. Everyone has good ideas — it is the business of running a business that gets some people in trouble.

Here are seven questions that one should consider before diving head first into entrepreneurship.

1. How committed are you to being a business owner? Successful small business owners are fully committed to their businesses. Are you the type of person who has lots of interests? Do you have lots of unfinished hobby projects around the house? Would you be easily distracted by the next business idea that you dream up? Successful entrepreneurs are disciplined.

2. Do you have a competitive attitude? Are you willing to charge people enough to make money from your products? Many people with hobbies have been giving away their homemade goods as gifts and presents for years. You must really change your mind set to turn into a real business person. No more hook-ups, friend discounts or freebies.

3. Are you a glass half full or half empty kind of person? Your business will live or die based on your own personal optimism. Most successful entrepreneurs are optimistic people. Can you see a positive opportunity or lesson in an otherwise challenging situation? When you don’t have optimism in your business, it is very difficult to sell to anyone or motivate employees. Most of all it is difficult to run a small business; you need optimism to survive the lean times.

4. How big of a business do you want to run? When you start a business, you also need to know in the beginning how much responsibility you are really trying to take on. It is also important to always know how much money you need to make to be happy.  Do you want to make enough money to pay your bills and go on a few nice vacations per year, or do you want to buy your own island? Do you want one great restaurant or a regional chain of pizza shops? Do you want your product sold in high-end boutiques or at Wal-Mart?  These are all decisions to be made up front as you are starting your business.

5. Do you like to make decisions? One of the main differences between having a hobby and running a small business is making critical decisions with financial implications. In business there are many roles you will need to take on. The average business owner does 10-13 jobs starting out. Will your accountant do payroll or will you use a service? Will you hire employees or make everyone a 1099 virtual employee.  Will you hire a booker to source a foreign manufacturer or run a local manufacturing operation that will great increase your cost per unit.  Will you be a home-based internet business or have a retail storefront?

6. Do you have the money to start a business? Once you’ve written a marketing plan and then a business plan, you will know if there’s a market for your hobby to become a profitable small business. The next step is to start saving to finance the launch of your new business.  Will you start with product or will you need to develop a few more to generate the money that you need to sustain the business. You should not quit your day job until you have sufficient money to fund your business plan and your household. In fact, there are three pools of money you should have in place before you start your business full-time. 

A) You need emergency savings for your household.

B) You need enough money to go up to two years without a paycheck.

C) You need the first year of operating expenses for your business.

Start saving 20-40% of every paycheck to save the money you need to become your own boss. Often, things do not work out exactly according to your business plan. These pools of money will be your contingency plan to ensure that the business and your family financially survive your small business endeavor.

7. Do you like to sell? As an entrepreneur YOU are the chief sales officer. You must be the best sales person in your company.  Not only do you sell your products–you also sell your vision for the company and most importantly you sell yourself.  And you will need to sell every where you go, and make sure that those close to you know what you do. If you love selling, entrepreneurship really could be for you.

If you didn’t have strong answers to most of the questions you might need to plan a little more or consider getting a business partner to help you make your business plan a reality.  The key is being honest with yourself about what skills you have and need to turn your hobby into a full-time business.

What other questions do you think a person with a hobby should ask themselves before making their entrepreneurial dreams a business reality?

WANT TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR EZINE, E-NEWSLETTER OR WEB SITE? You may, as long as you include this complete blurb with it:

For more tips on how start or grow your small business subscribe to Melinda Emerson’s blog www.succeedasyourownboss.com.

Melinda Emerson, known to many as “SmallBizLady,” is a Veteran Entrepreneur, Small Business Coach and Social Media Strategist who hosts #SmallBizChat weekly on Twitter for emerging entrepreneurs.  #Smallbizchat is the trusted resource on Twitter to discuss everything entrepreneurs need to know about launching and running a profitable small business. Her first book Become Your Own Boss in 12 Months was released in March 2010.

Comments { 2 }

How to Turn a Hobby Into a Small Business

By on June 7, 2010 in Become Your Own Boss Tips, How to Start, Starting A Small Business, Your Small Business

This is the first of a two part blog series on how to turn a hobby into a small business.

Hobbies are fun personal interests that people pursue out of love. Some use hobbies to spend quality time with loved ones, friends or themselves. Some people use hobbies to relax. Popular hobbies including scrap booking, fishing, quilting or writing. Some people make scarves, bake cakes, party favors or frame special mementoes. If you are someone who has a hobby that people line up for—you could be on to a profitable business idea. It’s ideal to do something you love to do and get paid for it. But there is a big difference between making some extra pocket change at holiday time and running a business full-time. Here are some tips on how to turn a hobby into a small business.

There are many ways to turn a hobby into a business.

You can sell products, but don’t forget that you can also sell information as a business model. If you like collecting coupons — you could create a subscription service to notify people of the best supersaver deals each week. If you like baking, you could start selling brownies and pies or you could create a membership website for recipes for homemade baked goods that are for people with food allergies that are wheat/gluten free. Now the greater your production demands eventually you’ll need access to a commercial kitchen—but some economic development agencies across the country are creating food incubators for this very reason. If you enjoy making jewelry, why not sell your products via an online store, rather selling through the typical route of women’s conferences, craft fairs or boutiques.  All these pastimes can be turned into lucrative businesses.

Freelancing is a great way to transition your hobby into a full-time business.  I recently conducted an interview on #Smallbizchat with Pete Savage, the co-author of The Wealthy Freelancer. He’s got great insight into starting slow and building strong. Here are six additional steps that you should take if you want to start a full-time business. 

Be Honest With Yourself. Do you have the energy and stamina to crank out your hobby in volume enough to make it a viable business? Make sure you don’t ruin something that brings you joy. People pursue hobbies to blow off steam.  If you add a lot of pressure—you could blow your stack. Do your research to make sure there’s a paying customer before you bet the farm on your hobby. Successful businesses require dedicated work and responsibility. It’s easy to take the fun out of your hobby if you do not plan well.

Use Low Cost Business Resources. Once you decide that starting a business is for you, there are many books that you can read to develop your plan including my new book Become Your Own Boss in 12 Months. This book gives a comprehensive look at starting a business. It takes you month-by-month through a planning system to help you transition from having a job to starting a business. You should also make an appointment with your local Small Business Development Center and sign up for a business planning course or SCORE chapter which can provide online and face-to-face counseling.

Check Out Your Local Library. You can get plenty of market research data help from the business librarian at your local branch. Also, find out information on legal entities, sales taxes, business insurance and small business accounting systems.  There is also opportunity to learn about any business licenses or regulations that you will need to comply with to start your business.

Start While You Are Still Working a Job. There are two reasons why this is a good idea.

  1. You need to save a significant amount of money before you leave your job to become an entrepreneur—so it’s best to keep the paychecks rolling in as long as possible.
  2. Your job is one of the best sources for a customer base, particularly if your hobby has nothing to do with your day job.

Update Your Contacts And Skills. Start networking externally. Reach out to all your contacts and make sure you have your contact database on a flash drive that you keep at home. Learn the latest social networking sites and how to write press releases. Use your down time to do internet research for sourcing vendors and suppliers and to confirm your target market.

Figure Out How to Stand Out.  It is very difficult for small businesses to compete on price. You must clearly identify your niche customer and spend some time developing a signature product or signature services.  Anyone will buy something once.  How will you get them to buy it over and over again from you?

Turning your hobby into a full-time business is a great way to become your own boss. Why not work at something you love – and earn a living from it?  Do your research before you start your business. You’ll need a lot more customers than the 30 people that buy cakes from you every holiday to replace your full-time salary. Make sure there’s viable market for your goods and services, and start saving money at least 12 months before you start your business.

Next Week:  7 Questions Hobbyists Should Consider When Starting a Small Business

WANT TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR EZINE, E-NEWSLETTER OR WEB SITE? You may, as long as you include this complete blurb with it:

For more tips on how start or grow your small business subscribe to Melinda Emerson’s blog www.succeedasyourownboss.com.

Melinda Emerson, known to many as “SmallBizLady,” is a Veteran Entrepreneur, Small Business Coach and Social Media Strategist who hosts #SmallBizChat weekly on Twitter for emerging entrepreneurs.  #Smallbizchat is the trusted resource on Twitter to discuss everything entrepreneurs need to know about launching and running a profitable small business. Her first book Become Your Own Boss in 12 Months was released in March 2010.

Comments { 5 }

5 Common Myths About Starting a Small Business

By on May 24, 2010 in Become Your Own Boss Tips, Cash Flow & Finance, How to Start, Mompreneurs, Pink Slip Entrepreneurs, Solopreneurs, Starting A Small Business, Women in Business, Your Small Business
The real deal on starting a small business.

What's the real deal about starting a small business?

This is national small business week.  In honor of that I thought I would use my blog to dispel 5 common myths about starting a small business. I chose these five as they are the most common questions I get when I speak around the country and do workshops on how to transition from a job to small business ownership. Entrepreneurship is the only way to build true wealth in America, but you need to make sure that you understand what you are getting into for the long haul.  

Myth #1: Starting my own small business will give me more control over my schedule.

Reality: Starting a small business is not a 9 to 5 job. In the beginning your business owns you—you do not own it or your time.  For many startups, 14-16 hour days are not unusual.  As an entrepreneur, you do 10-13 jobs at once including being the chief sales person, business planner, secretary, payroll manager, human resource manager, brand manager, chief financial officer, technology manager, project manager and bill collector. Carving out time for yourself will be a luxury. If you duck out early to run a personal errand, you’ll need the make the time up once the kids go to bed.  For the first three years, do not plan on spending lots of time on the golf course, or taking off every Friday. Your business will need every minute you have to spare.

Myth #2: I don’t want any loans to start my small business – I can get grants.

Reality:  There’s no such thing as getting a grant to start your small business. Expect that the money to start your business will come from your right or left pocket. Successful startup entrepreneurs save 20-40% of every paycheck for at least 12 months prior to starting the business.

In fact, there are three pools of money you should have before your start a business 

  • An emergency savings account 
  • Enough budget to go for 12-24 months without a paycheck 
  • The first year of operating capital to run your business

Banks do not typically loan money to start-up businesses either. You need to be in business for two to three years to qualify for even a line of credit. The only chance you have of earning money you don’t need to pay back is if you win a business plan contest or new inventor competition, but that’s a long shot.  Now there are some franchises that provide funding, but 20-30% of the loan must come from your own resources.   

Myth #3: My business idea is so great my products will sell themselves.

Reality: Do not fool yourself. Building sales requires time, money, and a disciplined sales process that starts with strategic relationship building. How strong is your network? That’s where your first customers and sales will come from for your business.  What are your weekly marketing activities? Marketing is the engine that fuels a small business — no marketing = no sales.  Even if you have a big client, you do not want to put all your eggs into one basket.  Make sure your client base is diversified.   

Myth #4: I have been successful in corporate America; running a small business will not be too hard. 

Reality: If entrepreneurship were easy, everybody would be doing it. The biggest difference between working in corporate America and self-employment is infrastructure. You must build everything. You will have to do every job until you can afford help. Your corporate job can survive without you for a day or a week.  In your own business, if you don’t work, you don’t eat.  Sick days, hour lunches, health benefits and 401K perks don’t really exist in the start up phase of a small business.  You must be prepared to learn everything you can. If you already know everything, keep your good job—if you can.

Myth#5: Anybody can use my product or service.

Reality: One of the top reasons why small businesses fail is lack of having a niche target market.  Do not make the mistake of trying to sell to anyone that you think has money.  Take the time to develop a customer profile.  You should be able to see the face of your customer and know everything about her. How old is she? Does she have children?  In what country does she live? Does she make purchases using the internet? How much education does she have? What is her income? How often does she buy your product or service?

What other myths are out there about starting a small business?  Please let me know.

Melinda Emerson “Smallbizlady” is a seasoned entrepreneur, professional speaker, and small business coach. Her areas of expertise include small business start-up, business development and social media marketing.  Melinda hosts #Smallbizchat, a weekly talk show on Twitter for emerging entrepreneurs.  Melinda’s first book Become Your Own Boss in 12 months; A Month-by-Month Guide to Start a Business that Works was released in March 2010 by Adams Media.

Comments { 18 }

A Woman’s Guide to Being Your Own Boss

By on May 3, 2010 in Become Your Own Boss Tips, Grow Your Business, Mompreneurs, My Recommendations, Women in Business, Your Small Business

Women have so many amazing qualities. We are caretakers. We build communities.  Our generosity is abundant. We are sensitive and, at times, emotional.  We make decisions ultimately on our intuition or, as I like to say – our spidey sense.

So why then, do women struggle in business? The very qualities that make us women and mothers get in our way when it comes to making money in business.  The reason is because our special qualities can either SERVE or SABOTAGE us.

My mother is the reason why I am an entrepreneur today.  When I was a kid, she started every kind of business you can imagine. She sold copper, Tupperware, Mary Kay, framed art.  She made drapes and dresses and she even reupholstered furniture.  The thing is, she never made much money at any of those businesses.  Why?  Because she gave too much of her product away, she never charged enough, she did business with friends and she was way too sympathetic — all too often.   My dad used to say that my mother would help anyone: stray dog, stray cat, or stray person.  It never mattered to her.  She simply believed in helping people.

When starting a small business, women must walk a fine line to do good and do well.  Our businesses should exemplify our core beliefs, but at the end of the day, we must have a competitive attitude. We must not ever shy away from what we should be paid or even hesitate to give a quote.  If you are not making money in your business, it doesn’t make much sense. If so, you might have only an expensive hobby.

Before we women start a business and become our own boss, we have to change our thinking.

Here’s what I mean:

How we Take Care of Others SERVES us when we create programs and services people want and will pay for.  This means we understand need demand.  We must be strategic about our products and services.  It SABOTAGES us when we push a service that clients may need, but do not value.  Or, by over-delivering to the point where we sacrifice our profit margin in order to please our clients.

Our ability to Build Community SERVES us when used to create an online community, membership programs, create a paid mastermind group, and monetize our mailing list.  It SABOTAGES us if we build our list and then don’t stay consistent, effect follow-up and keep it organized to really maximize the relationship. Action creates results.

Our Generosity SERVES us when we create irresistible product offers with major pricing discounts for early sign-up or payment in full at the time of registration.  It SABOTAGES us if we let people talk us down on price, or don’t charge enough, ask for referrals, aggressively pursue past due invoices, and publicize praise from grateful clients.

Our Sensitivity SERVES us when we focus on the customer’s pain points and respond quickly to the marketplace.  It SABOTAGES us if we take things personally, have a hair trigger temper, make business decisions based on emotion and do not keep up-to-date financial information.

Our Intuition SERVES us when we listen and ACT on it. It SABOTAGES us if we confuse fear or doubt with intuition.

If we effectively use the qualities that make us women in a smart way in business, we will create profitable and sustainable businesses that will not fail as expensive hobbies.  Being in business after all is about doing what you love and making money, so that you can do for yourself, for those whom you love and for your community.

What else do you think women should consider when going into business?

WANT TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR EZINE, E-NEWSLETTER OR WEB SITE? You may, as long as you include this complete blurb with it:

For more tips on how start or grow your small business subscribe to Melinda Emerson’s blog www.succeedasyourownboss.com.

Melinda Emerson, known to many as “SmallBizLady,” is a Veteran Entrepreneur, Small Business Coach and Social Media Strategist who hosts #SmallBizChat weekly on Twitter for emerging entrepreneurs.  #Smallbizchat is the trusted resource on Twitter to discuss everything entrepreneurs need to know about launching and running a profitable small business. Her first book Become Your Own Boss in 12 Months was released in March 2010.

Comments { 4 }

Magazines and Newspapers Every Small Business Owner Should Read

By on April 5, 2010 in Become Your Own Boss Tips, Grow Your Business, Mompreneurs, My Recommendations, Pink Slip Entrepreneurs, Solopreneurs, Women in Business, Your Small Business

Every business owner should subscribe to at least one industry trade publication and local Business Journal newspapers to generate leads to stay connected with the regional business community.

Recommended publications:

American City Business Journals – Bizjournals is the new media division of American City Business Journals, the nation’s largest publisher of metropolitan business newspapers. It operates the Web sites for each of the company’s 41 print business journals.  www.bizjournals.com

American Demographics Magazine – This magazine is a study of the American marketplace. It focuses on how to judge a market, and the changes that are going on in the population.  www.demographics.com

Black Enterprise (BE) – This monthly business magazine is so relevant I can’t bring myself to throw one away. I keep a personal library. BE is the preeminent African American destination for information regarding entrepreneurship, technology and personal finance. Their online resources and business conferences are excellent as well.  www.blackenterprise.com

Business Week - Business Week is at the forefront of the business magazines covering small business. They have a secondary publication called Business Week Small Business.  This section of the online magazine has insightful articles on the small business economy and how to help small businesses.  www.businessweek.com/smallbiz

Entrepreneur magazine – A solid publication with innovative solutions for small business owners. Their website also features exhaustive resources, back issues and tools for entrepreneurs. I especially like their start-up and women entrepreneur sections online. www.entrepreneur.com

Inc. Magazine – Inc. is the gold standard of small business news. This monthly publication provides timely information on industry trends, innovative small businesses, and offers ideas on how to improve your business. Inc.com provides additional information and advice covering virtually every business and management task. It also includes the Inc. magazine archives, more than 100 free tools to help you in every area of your business and has regular columnists and blogs on the site. www.inc.com/tools

Wall Street Journal – In addition to being the gold standard business publication, WSJ offers a small business website featuring businesses for sale, franchises, and other business opportunities and many other articles and resources relevant to small business development.  www.startupjournal.com

Do you have a “can’t miss” newspaper or magazine for business information?  Leave a comment.

WANT TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR EZINE, E-NEWSLETTER OR WEB SITE? You may, as long as you include this complete blurb with it:

For more tips on how start or grow your small business subscribe to Melinda Emerson’s blog www.succeedasyourownboss.com.

Melinda Emerson, known to many as “SmallBizLady,” is a Veteran Entrepreneur, Small Business Coach and Social Media Strategist who hosts #SmallBizChat weekly on Twitter for emerging entrepreneurs.  #Smallbizchat is the trusted resource on Twitter to discuss everything entrepreneurs need to know about launching and running a profitable small business. Her first book Become Your Own Boss in 12 Months is out in March 2010.

Comments { 21 }

How to Transition From Corporate to Small Business Ownership

By on April 1, 2010 in Become Your Own Boss Tips, How to Start, Q & A Interview, SmallBizChat, Starting A Small Business, Your Small Business

Mike Michalowicz @TPEntrepreneur Author, Toilet Paper Entrepreneur interviews Melinda Emerson @Smallbizlady Author, Become Your Own Boss in 12 Months. She also has great start-up tips at www.becomeyourownbossbook.com

Q: What makes your book different from all the other start-up business books?

Melinda Emerson: Become Your Own Boss in 12 Months provides a realistic, month-by-month planning guide to start a sustainable and profitable small business. Become Your Own Boss in 12 Months is not a book about writing a business plan; it’s about planning your successful small business. 

Q: Why did you write Become Your Own Boss in 12 Months?

Melinda Emerson: My mission as the SmallBizLady is to End Small Business Failure. I wanted to develop a tool for people who are unhappy with their jobs and look to transition into small business ownership. I also wanted to discourage people from just quitting their jobs without a well-researched plan. Too often I got calls from people seeking my advice about starting a business—after they had already quit their job — which is just too late to begin planning. Since the recession began, small business owners have even less time to hit it big with their entrepreneurial ideas. I developed the Emerson Planning System to help plan a successful small business which is illustrated in my book Become Your Own Boss in 12 Months.

Q: Why does it take 12 months to start a business?

Melinda Emerson: 12 Months is an ideal time-frame to start a business, it’s not meant to be restrictive.  I have been an entrepreneur for more than 11 years.  Based on my experience, I believe the longer you plan, the more research you will do, and the more money you save, the more likely you are to succeed in business

Q: What if you don’t have 12 months?

Melinda Emerson: Sometimes people are forced to start sooner. This is triggered by layoffs, getting fired, buyouts or retirement packages.  I only planned for three months with my first business, but the challenge with that approach is you learn plenty of lessons the hard way, and that can be expensive.  If you live by a budget, have your debt under control, and have a significant amount of savings, you will be able to start your business much sooner.   Depending on your individual situation, it may take more than a year to get your personal finances in order.

Q: How did you become the Smallbizlady?

Melinda Emerson: When I first began using Twitter, my own name was taken, so my friend @cathywebsavvypr and I brainstormed a name for me that would describe what I do.  She came up with @smallbizlady and I have been that ever since.  It was probably the best branding decision I ever made.  How I really became a Smallbizlady was in 1999 when I became an entrepreneur, after my career in television as a news producer.  I started a television production company called Quintessence Multimedia. About five years into my business, I started speaking on panels and doing workshops about small business start-up, web development and marketing techniques.  Then, I got calls from people looking for help to start a business. I began by sending would-be entrepreneurs a one pager with start-up tips. That was expanded into a special report, 44 Things To Do Before Going Into Business, which was the basis for my book, Become Your Own Boss In 12 Months. Over the years, I joined the National Speakers Association and I became a business coach and expert on small business best practices. I thought the best way to help entrepreneurs would be to provide a step-by-step proven method to start a successful small business.  

Q:  Who should start a business? 

Melinda Emerson:  Anyone with a solid, profitable business idea, willing to learn the business of running a business can start a successful small business. 

Q:  Why do small businesses fail so often?

Melinda Emerson: 

No Life Plan—You need to develop a life plan and then build a business around that.  

No Network—People do business with people they like and with people they know.  Who do you know and, more importantly, who knows you?

Lack of Target Market—You have limited time and limited resources.  Choose a niche so you can focus your marketing efforts.

Undercapitalized—If you do not save enough money to run your household for at least a year and fund the business, you may not be able to hang on until the business can generate any real revenue.

Lack of Fiscal Discipline—Do you run your business with a budget?  Do you just rob the cash register when you need some cash? Do you make business decisions based on up-to-date financial information?

Q: How do you transition from a job to starting a business?

Melinda Emerson: Inside Become Your Own Boss in 12 Months, I write about the Emerson Planning System which is a six step system to transition from having a job to starting a business.  It includes developing a life plan, a financial plan, validating the business concept, developing a marketing plan, the business plan and then finally starting the business.

Q:  What is a Life Plan and why and do I need one to start a business?

Melinda Emerson:  You need a Life Plan before you ever write a business plan, because you need to make sure that the business you start is the right business for you.

Q: You write a lot about personal finances and business planning. Why is that so important to starting a business?

Melinda Emerson: Your ability to save will be the key to whether you are financially able to become an entrepreneur.

Q: What are the 7 Essential Principles of Small Business Success?

Melinda Emerson: Throughout the past seven years, I have interviewed hundreds of entrepreneurs and business executives. After listening to what they said about running their businesses and observing how they did business, I realized that there were seven things they all had in common. They include having an entrepreneurial mindset, utilizing strict fiscal discipline, and having a kitchen cabinet of advisors. They make use of a well-defined brand identity; have a niche market customer, excellent customer service, and a firm understanding every day of their cash position by carefully managing their banking relationship. Using these principles can help any business run at its best.  It’s the gold standard all businesses need to strive for from the very beginning.

Q: Who can benefit from this book?

Melinda Emerson: This book is for anyone looking to create a plan to fire their boss and start a small business.  It will also help people who are within a few years of launching a new enterprise. I have also heard from seasoned business owners who tell me that this book could serve as a professional development course or a great roadmap to reinventing a struggling business. 

 If you found this interview helpful, join us on Wednesdays 8-9pm ET follow @SmallBizChat on Twitter. 

How to participate in #SmallBizChat: http://bit.ly/S797e

Melinda F. Emerson, also known as Twitter’s SmallBizLady is a seasoned entrepreneur, professional speaker, and small business coach whose areas of expertise include small business start-up, business development and social media. She hosts #SmallBizChat weekly on Twitter for emerging entrepreneurs.  She is the founder and CEO of Quintessence Multimedia, an award-winning strategic communications firm. She has created productions for such companies as Johnson & Johnson, Verizon, Enterprise Rent-A-Car and Comcast. Her book Become Your Own Boss in 12 months; A Month-by-Month Guide to a Business That Works!” was released in March 2010 by Adams Media.

Comments { 6 }

Can You Afford to Become An Entrepreneur?

By on March 29, 2010 in Become Your Own Boss Tips, Cash Flow & Finance, How to Start, Mompreneurs, My Recommendations, Pink Slip Entrepreneurs, Solopreneurs, Starting A Small Business, Women in Business, Your Small Business

Everyone has good ideas.  Some of them may even be million dollar ideas, but if you live from paycheck to paycheck or way beyond your means, you may never be able to quit your job and start a business.

As the Smallbizlady, often I get emails, facebook messages and DM’s on Twitter from people asking me to help them start a business.  My first three questions are usually something like this. 

  • What is your business idea? 
  • How much money do you have saved?
  • How much money do you think it will take to launch this business? 

If question two brings on a case of stuttering, I start shaking my head.

You should have three pools of money before your start a business. 

  • An emergency fund for the household
  • 12-24 months of budget to run your household
  • 12-18 months of money to launch and operate the business.

Now hear this, “Your ability to save has everything to do with your ability to start a business!” 

Money is not everything.  It’s just a tool, but it is certainly the beginning of a business plan.  Banks rarely, if ever, loan money to start-up businesses.  Banks will typically not deal with you for a loan or line of credit until you’re been in business 2-3 years and can show growth in the business with your financial statements and business tax returns. 

There are some franchising opportunities that will provide some working capital, but 30-50% of the money will still come from you. And by the way, you will need to have significant net worth and assets to collateralize the loan.  Think of it this way, no credit = no business.  When you are first starting out in business, you are your business’s credit.

So what do you do if you have a great idea and no money? There are other sources of funds to start your business. There’s the 3 F’s Family, Friends, Fools.  Your family loves you and hopefully believes in you enough to invest in your business.  If you are fortunate enough to have a family that can afford to invest in you– you are fortunate, but beware.  Your rich Aunt Sally may think she’s your boss and might call you up every 30 days to check on how her $50K is doing.  You may not want that kind of pressure in your new business. 

Then there are your friends. Nothing can kill a friendship faster than borrowing money that you can’t pay back.  I have a rule.  I do not loan money to friends, I give it to them.  I make sure that I do not give away any money that I can not afford to lose.  Would your friends do that for you?  If so, they could be an option. 

Every once in awhile, a hungry entrepreneur will come across a rich guy who’s an idealist about business, who falls in love your idea but doesn’t wish to run the business.  That is an angel investor— who will invest money in the company for an equity stake and lend his or her network to help you.  Do not get your hopes up about finding an angel investor in this economy.  It can happen, but let’s just say you are better off using your own funds that you save to start your business.  Family, friends or an angel investor can be fools for investing in a half-baked business idea.  Invest your time, to make sure you have a sound business plan before you take anyone’s money.  And do have a plan to show them—for when and how you think you’ll pay it back.

If you do have assets, you are in a different situation.  You can borrow against your 401K, you can take out a home equity loan, you can sell your home or rental property, you can cash in a Roth IRA.  The money must come from somewhere—its best when it comes from your own coffers.

It’s essential that you start your business from a position of financial security. Otherwise, you’re finished before you get started.

WANT TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR EZINE, E-NEWSLETTER OR WEB SITE?  You may, as long as you include this complete blurb with it:

Melinda Emerson “SmallBizLady” is a Veteran Entrepreneur, Small Business Coach and Social Media Strategist who hosts #SmallBizChat on Twitter.  #SmallBizChat is the trusted resource on Twitter to discuss everything entrepreneurs need to know about launching and running a profitable small business.  Melinda also publishes a resource blog on small business best practices at www.succeedasyourownboss.com  Her first book, Become Your Own Boss in 12 Months was released by Adams Media in March 2010.

Comments { 9 }

Your GPS To Start a Small Business

By on March 15, 2010 in Become Your Own Boss Tips, Starting A Small Business, Women in Business

Most people dream about owning a small business. You may have had a “notion” for years that someday you would be CEO of a company, successful beyond your wildest dreams. Turning that dream into reality is an evolutionary process, involving not only having a solid business idea, but also understanding the “business of running a business.” Then you must ask yourself:  Do I have the guts and skills I need to make my dream a business reality?

You will need to get your arms around tasks like accounting, legal issues, operations requirements, branding and financial management skills, banking relationships and processes, and needed human capital.

On top of that, do you have the courage, persistence, skills, work ethic and focus needed to succeed? Can you do all the jobs entrepreneurs must do? These jobs include chief salesperson, secretary, payroll clerk, IT technician, HR manager, collections agent and once you get a sale – you must service the customer, too.

Don’t put your dreams at risk by not doing enough research and thoughtful planning. I have developed an approach that will help you plan your escape from corporate America. It’s called the Emerson Planning System or E.P.S. I have written about how to use this system in my new book, Become Your Own Boss in 12 Months.

It is a six step system.

I. Life Plan – A life plan is a way to identify your motivation, skills, and personal goals and how you figure out what you really want out of life. You must develop a plan for your life and build a business around that business. Examine how you live now and then how you want to live. What do you love? What makes you laugh? And what do you need to learn?

II. Financial Plan – You must be able to support your household for up to two years before you can afford to cut off your paycheck. You also need funds to operate your business for the first year. Use a strict budget. Too many small companies operate at a net loss and do not realize it until it’s too late. There are many money-draining traps that can snare small business owners. If you are not thinking about your enterprise making money every day, then instead of a business, all you really have is an expensive hobby.

III. Validate Your Business Concept — You have already considered your personal goals, motivations, and whether or not you can afford to become an entrepreneur. Now you need to examine the basic business concept and what skills you have and need to run this type of business.  It’s time the start writing down how you will get things done.

IV. Marketing Plan — Who’s going to buy from you and why? This is the stage where you do your in depth market research, competitive analysis and target market analysis. It’s also very important to develop a signature that will set your business apart.

V. Business Plan—You must write a business plan.  You would never take a trip without planning how much money it was going to cost for travel, what you were going to do during your trip and where you were going to stay.  You need to give your new business the same level of attention.  It’s also important to have realistic financial projections that reflect three years of operations.  Be sure that you understand how much money is in every sale for you.

VI. Start Your Business –It is best to start your business while you are still working. Yes–You will be tired, but it’s best to keep those paychecks rolling in for as long as you can.

The Emerson Planning System starts with getting your personal house in order so that you can start your business that nourishes your soul and minimizes the financial hardship for yourself and your family.

Business success is rarely a straight line to the top. It is not enough to have a plan “A”, you must be flexible, meaning you need a plan “B” and even a plan “C” to side-step obstacles in your business. Problems are inevitable. Anything can happen—from needing alternative suppliers, having to change your product mix, adjusting your prices to the competition or having to create a new value proposition if the old one fails. “Solution” thinking is the only remedy. When you are a start up business, there are two things that can take your business down on any given day: lack of planning and lack of experience.

Don’t let this happen to your business. Plan for success!

Tell me how long you planned before starting your business.

Melinda Emerson “SmallBizLady” is a Veteran Entrepreneur, Small Business Expert and Social Media Coach who hosts #Smallbizchat on Twitter.  #Smallbizchat is the trusted resource on Twitter to discuss everything entrepreneurs need to know about launching and running a profitable small business.  Melinda’s first book, Become Your Own Boss in 12 months; A Month-By-Month Guide to a Business That Works was released in March 2010 by Adams Media.

Comments { 6 }

The Right Way To Make Sales Calls For Your Small Business

By on March 8, 2010 in 10 Things Lists, Become Your Own Boss Tips, Customer Service, My Recommendations, Your Small Business

I have recently been exposed to too many instances of sales calls that are inappropriate and ineffective to actually make a sale.  Social media networks such as LinkedIn, Twitter and Facebook are great for making the initial connection, but if you do not take the time to interact and actually build a relationship with your new connection, you are still a stranger.

My nickname is SmallBizLady and @smallbizlady is my handle on Twitter.  I am considered a power Twitter user, with more than 10,000 followers between two accounts. That is great and all, but my favorite thing to do is reach someone outside of Twitter – on the telephone.  That’s where the real relationship is made.  Once that connection is made, there’s a right and a wrong way to approach a sale.

SmallBizlady’s 10 Rules For Small Business Sales Calls

  1. Do not make sales calls on Monday! Mondays are tough enough for people; do not bother them when they are just getting their week started — if you want to be successful.
  2. Make sales calls on Tues. Wed. Thurs. and never make sales calls before 10am or after 3pm.The prime calling hours for sales calls are 10-noon and 1-3pm. People do not like sales calls generally. Do not be a bother to a potential client before they get their morning coffee. After 3pm people on deadline do not have time for your call. Give yourself the best possible path to success by respecting your prospect’s time.
  3. Always ask if your contact has time to speak with you. And if they are busy, ask when would be a best time to give them a call back.  Then you’ll have a scheduled appointment which is even better.
  4. Make sure you can remind your contact how you know them.
  5. Research whether or not the contact is really a potential customer. It’s always best to know what products and services your customer purchases – and when they make these decisions to do so. If you really know your target market, you’ll know this information.
  6. Make sure you have the correct name of the person you want to speak with on the call. When you do get a potential customer on the phone, be ready. You only have 7 seconds to make an impression.  Stammering over someone’s name is not the way to make a good first impression.
  7. Do not leave a voicemail if you do not reach your sales target. Connections are only made with real people. Your message will be deleted anyway.
  8. Use contact management software. You need to track your calls and when it’s time to make follow-up calls.
  9. Never make a sales call on a Friday! No one wants someone selling them something when they are trying to wrap up their week and get out the door to start their weekend.
  10. Use a target list for potential customers.  Make sure you contact you target list at least once a month by phone, email or direct mail.

Your sales pipeline is the life’s blood of your business, so you must make sales calls. Just remember these rules so that you can build on your social networks instead of instantly turning them off with no chance of a sale.

Do you have any more rules to add to my list of sales calls dos and don’ts for a small business owner?  Please leave me a comment below.

WANT TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR EZINE, E-NEWSLETTER OR WEB SITE? You may, as long as you include this complete blurb with it:

Melinda Emerson “SmallBizLady” is a Veteran Entrepreneur, Small Business Expert and Social Media Coach who hosts #Smallbizchat on Twitter.  #Smallbizchat is the trusted resource on Twitter to discuss everything entrepreneurs need to know about launching and running a profitable small business.  Melinda’s first book, Become Your Own Boss in 12 months; A Month-By-Month Guide to a Business That Works will be released by Adams Media in March 2010.

Comments { 10 }

Become Your Own Boss Mastermind Group Starts in April

By on March 3, 2010 in Become Your Own Boss Tips, How to Start, Starting A Small Business, Your Small Business

Become Your Own Boss Mastermind Group begins in March 2011

This is for start-up business owners who need help making the transition from corporate to business ownership. If you need a plan to start a profitable and sustainable small business, This is YOUR answer!

The Become Your Own Boss Mastermind Group is an 8-week coaching program that takes you step-by-step through the Emerson Planning System to start a small business. I’ve developed this system after years of working with business owners on how to best use their professional skills, passion, and experience to pursue their entrepreneurial dreams. The materials for this class work in tandem with my book Become Your Own Boss in 12 Months; A Month-by-Month Guide to a Business That Works. (Adams Media, March 2010) This course includes an autographed copy.

This coaching program focuses each week on a specific element of the Emerson Planning System. Your homework will enable you to think through the critical steps needed to start a sustainable small business. The classes are conducted via software that will enable you to listen by phone or over the internet.  All classes will be recorded so if you miss one, you can get easily get the recordings to stay on task.

At the end of the 8-weeks, you’ll leave the class with a written ACTION PLAN to start your small business.

Here’s a list of what’s included:

  • Each class is a 90-minute working call
  • An autographed copy of Become Your Boss in 12 Months
  • Convenient classes available via phone and Internet
  • Unlimited email access to Smallbizlady for feedback on homework
  • Access to all the class recordings
  • Access to private Become Your Own Boss member forums
  • Step-by-step outline to create your own action plan to Become Your Own Boss in 12 Months or Less
  • Discounts on Smallbizlady’s one-on-one coaching services
  • Recommendations on start-up tools that will save you time and money
  • A special FREE gift worth $197

My proven Emerson Planning System and coaching program has worked for start-up business owners just like you! For more information about the program, and to sign up, visit http://succeedasyourownboss.com/mastermind-group

For questions reach out to me at melinda@melindaemerson.com

Melinda Emerson “Smallbizlady” is a seasoned entrepreneur, professional speaker, and small business coach. Her areas of expertise include small business start-up, business development and social media marketing.  Melinda hosts #Smallbizchat, a weekly talk show on Twitter.  Melinda’s first book Become Your Own Boss in 12 months; A Month-by-Month Guide to Start a Business that Works by Adams Media.

Comments { 4 }