Every small business needs a plan for success. Simply stated, a business plan is your strategy for bringing your product or service to the marketplace. I am so fed up with people starting businesses without a road map for reaching their business destination. That said, I am going to walk you step by step through […]
How to Write a Business Plan Part II
Once you know what business you are in, it’s time to figure out who’s going to buy from you and why. You are just someone with an idea until you develop a business plan. In other words, if you haven’t written your plan yet, your business is still in the fantasy stages. In Part […]
Your Life Plan and Your Small Business
In America, when you announce that you want to start a small business, most people will start talking about how you should write a business plan first. I generally agree with this advice – every small business does need a plan, however it is my belief that there are a few steps that should be […]
Getting Started as a Work At Home Mom Business Owner
If you’re a stay at home mom who’s ready to get back into the workforce as a work-at-home mom small business owner you are in for quite an adjustment. I believe you should plan your business at least 12 months prior to starting your business as you already have two full-time jobs as a wife […]
Ask @SmallBizLady: How Do I Identify My Target Customer
Every Friday, I answer your small business questions in a video blog segment called Ask Small Biz Lady. This week, we are taking on the question: How Do I Identify My Target Customer? Here’s the answer: Determine your target customer’s pain points Examine the competition Figure out what percentage of the market you can realistically […]
Where to Find the Money to Start Your Small Business
One of the most common questions that I get as SmallBizLady is about start-up financing. ”Do I know where people can get a grant to start their small business?”. Now Hear This: BYOB doesn’t just stand for Become Your Own Boss! BYOB also stands for Be Your Own Bank! There are NO grants! When you […]
4 Things All Entrepreneurs Should Do On LinkedIn
LinkedIn is important! 75% of all professionals in the US have a LinkedIn profile, which means if you want to do business you must have one too. LinkedIn is powerful tool that you can use to promote yourself if you are an individual consultant or a company with 2 or more employees. Here are […]
9 Reasons Why Boomer Businesses Fail
I know a woman (let’s call her Sarah) who was a vice president at a major Fortune 500 company. She was a sassy 48-year-old single MBA who was very successful climbing the corporate ladder. She worked in marketing, managing a brand at her company and making a handsome six-figure income. Then one day she decided […]
9 Reasons Why Boomer Businesses Fail
I know a woman (let’s call her Sarah) who was a vice president at a major Fortune 500 company. She was a sassy 48-year-old single MBA who was very successful climbing the corporate ladder. She worked in marketing, managing a brand at her company and making a handsome six-figure income. Then one day she decided […]
How to Interview For Your First Employee
Choosing the right person to do the job can be a challenge. It all comes down to your interview process. Once you have reviewed the resumes, its’ time to get in touch with your prospects. You should interview at least 5 people for every available position. A great candidate will have a strong match between […]