Archive for the ‘Before You Start’ Category

Become Your Own Boss Mastermind Group begins on April 6, 2010

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 is due out in March 2010 by Adams Media.

This is National Entrepreneurship Week Feb 20-27, 2010. This year‘s theme is Entrepreneurial Literacy Empowers Everyone. This is a theme that I truly embrace.

Whether you are still working in corporate America, running a nonprofit, or leading the charge in your own small business - being able to evaluate things from a business perspective will always enable you to be more successful.

So What is Entrepreneurial Literacy?

The organizers of this week-long celebration in honor of Entrepreneurship in America define it as having some basic knowledge of how a business is created and managed.

I have a slightly different definition.  When you are entrepreneurial literate, you are a student of small business.  You do not just rest on your idea and marketing efforts. You constantly work to refine your business model. You are someone who makes sure your passion has a profit center.

Entrepreneurial Literacy is important because too many people who want to start small businesses lack critical understanding about financial matters including budgeting, taxes, balancing a checkbook, managing credit cards or lines of credit, and developing sales projections.

Here’s a fact: if you do not manage your household with a budget you are far less likely to manage your business with budget. The best business owners make business decisions based on up-to-date financial information that is tracked against a budget.

Your journey to become an entrepreneur starts from real experiences that test your knowledge and skills and motivations.

Pursuing entrepreneurial literacy is about the research you do as you prepare to start your business.  The more you learn and grow, the better business leader you will be. Real entrepreneurial skills come from your work and industry experience, and your willingness to continue learning.

Entrepreneurial Literacy is a real necessity if you have plans to Become Your Own Boss.   These are the skills that empower everyone to succeed in business and fuel the American economy with 60-80% of the net new jobs.

Here are 15 Questions for All Would-Be Entrepreneurs

1. Do you have the career skills and experiences to become a successful entrepreneur?
2. What personality traits are more likely to lead to success as an entrepreneur?
3. What taxes do entrepreneurs pay?
4. What items are part of a firm’s operating costs?
5. How can an entrepreneur learn about what his/her customers want?
6. How can computer skills help with business operations?
7. How do small business owners deal with risk?
8. How does personal financial literacy relate to business financial literacy?
9. What factors determine where to locate a business?
10. Why is branding important?
11. How does competition affect entrepreneurship?
12. What percent of American firms have no employees working for them?   Why is this important?
13. What are some sources of funding to start a business?
14. What should you do if business drops off?
15. What should an entrepreneur consider when hiring employees for the business?

National Entrepreneurship Week is sponsored by The Consortium for Entrepreneurship Education which believes that ”Entrepreneurs are not born….rather they ‘become’ through the experiences of their lives.” (Albert Shapero – OSU) For more information http://www.nationaleweek.org/

Are there any other questions that need to go on this list? Please 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:

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 is due out in March 2010 by Adams Media.