Posts Tagged ‘restart your 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 7^th, 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 

My interview with Sherri Garrity on how to quit a job to start a business:

Sherri is the founder of Corporate Fugitive. Her company provides business coaching to aspiring entrepreneurs and business owners who want to go from overwhelmed to extraordinary.  In 2007, she walked away from a successful marketing career to start her own consulting business. Contact her on Twitter @SherriGarrity or at http://www.corporatefugitive.com

http://succeedasyourownboss.com/09/2009/how-to-quit-a-job-to-start-a-business/

My Interview with Christina Katz on how to develop a platform for your small business:

Christina is the author of Get Known Before The Book Deal; Use Your Personal Strengths to Grow an Author Platform and Writer Mama, How to Raise a Writing Career Alongside Your Kids for Writer’s Digest Books. She has written hundreds of articles for national, regional, and online publications, presents at publishing events around the country.  Find Christina on Twitter at @thewritermama or at: http://christinakatz.com/

http://succeedasyourownboss.com/12/2009/how-to-develop-a-platform-for-your-small-business/

My Interview with coach Elizabeth Barbour on 5 Ways to Shift from Tired to Inspired in Business:

Elizabeth Barbour’s company is The Inspired Entrepreneur. She is a small business coach who serves as a catalyst for entrepreneurs to take inspired action and create extraordinary results in business and in life. Her four core values are community, celebration, spirituality and self-care. Find Elizabeth on Twitter @CoachElizabethB Visit www.ElizabethBarbour.com.

http://succeedasyourownboss.com/09/2009/5-ways-to-shift-from-tired-to-inspired-in-business/

#SmallBizChat Live Telesummit Recap (Part 1)

In November 2009, we presented the first annual #SmallBizChat Live Telesummit. This blog post recapped three key points that each expert shared with us. The four experts highlighted are:

Mike Michalowicz talked about using social media a build your business. Mike aka @TPEntrepreneur is a small business expert and author of Toilet Paper Entrepreneur. For more information, please visit toiletpaperentrepreneur.com 

Karyn Greenstreet talked to us about mastermind group best practices. Karyn aka @kgreenstreet is a self-employment expert who runs thesuccessalliance.com. Her website has all the resources a business owner needs to start or run a mastermind group.

Dr. Mel Gravely talked about how to retool your business in tough times. Mel aka @melgravely is the founder of the Institute for Entrepreneurial Thinking, the leading think tank on issues related to business development. For more information, please visit entrethinking.com .

Tim Berry talked about Managing Cash Flow in a Tough Economy. Tim aka @Timberry is president and founder of Palo Alto Software the makers of Business Plan Pro, and founder of bplans.com. He’s the author of The Plan-As-You-Go Business Plan, Entrepreneur Press. 

http://succeedasyourownboss.com/11/2009/smallbizchat-live-telesummit-recap-part-1/

#SmallBizChat Live Telesummit Recap (Part 2)

Here’s the recap of three key points that each expert shared with us.

Allyson Lewis talked to us about getting more out of your day as a business owner. Allyson is a business coach whose focus is on productivity. Her book, The 7 Minute Difference, grew out of the workshops she has been teaching for years. Contact her on Twitter at @allyson7minutes or visit Seven Minutes Inc.

Michelle Villalobos talked to us about turning contacts into contracts. Michelle is a business turnaround expert who teaches busy entrepreneurs how to improve their sales. Reach her on Twitter at @mivi or visit MichelleVillalobos.com.

Paul B. Brown spoke with us about becoming a published author to build your business. Paul is a long-time contributor to the New York Times and author of more than two dozen books, including the international best-seller Customers for Life. He is the author of Publishing Confidential: What it really takes to land a non-fiction book deal.

Lisa D. Sparks taught us how to become email marketing rock stars. Lisa is an email marketing expert with nine years of experience developing and implementing marketing campaigns for small business owners. Reach her on Twitter @lisadsparks or visit lisadsparks.com

http://succeedasyourownboss.com/11/2009/smallbizchat-live-telesummit-recap-part-2/

We have had a great time doing #smallbizchat interviews weekly, and we hope you enjoy these recaps.  If these interviews have been helpful join us every Wed 8-9 ET for #smallbizchat on Twitter. We have lots if great small business resources coming in 2010. The goal of #smallbizchat is to end small business failure and reduce the learning curve of small biz owners as they start a grow their small business.

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

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 Twitter resource 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 Than Works! is scheduled to be released by Adams Media in March 2010.