An entrepreneur is an innovator. She sees a need in the marketplace and creates something new to fulfill that need or improves upon an existing mechanism that already fulfills that need.An entrepreneur is a risk taker. She dives head-first into uncharted waters to create a marketplace where none previously existed. There is no set formula to follow when creating something new. No textbook can teach an entrepreneur how to create a brand new business.An entrepreneur creates jobs. She provides work... Read More
Jones was a typical entrepreneur who worked long hours and wore many hats.The problem was that all the hats screamed for attention. Jones solved the problem by wearing the hat that screamed the loudest.Unfortunately, this was only a temporary solution since all the hats kept screaming until they were worn.There was, however, one hat that never screamed. It never complained, whined or whimpered, even though it was lonely. It knew it was important, whether or not it was worn. That... Read More
The first step in deciding whether to start a business is to ask yourself this important question: "Do I have what it takes to be an entrepreneur?" A variety of experts have documented research that indicates that successful small business entrepreneurs, whether male or female, have some common characteristics. How do you measure up? It will be up to you -- not someone else telling you - to develop projects, organize your time and follow through on details.Contrary to conventional... Read More
It is a common known fact that it is far cheaper to keep an existing customer then it is to acquire a new customer. With this fact in mind you need to do everything possible to keep your existing customers happy and find complimentary products to offer your existing customers.If you are a Mortgage professional why not offer your clients mortgage life insurance as well? Many of today's home buyers depend on the income of both spouses to pay the... Read More
Have you ever imagined what it would be like to live your dream? A good place to start would be to recognize that there are three elements, and only three elements, that separate success from failure. If you exercise one of the elements, you might just be successful. Two and you will probably succeed. Three, and you can practically guarantee your success.What are they? They are deceptively simple, and deep down inside you know what they are. But to purposefully... Read More
Through just five or six intermediaries, you could be linked to millions of others. It is the notion behind what has been dubbed the small world effect.It has happed to most of us, and it's virtually guaranteed to happen at again ? especially if you attend a social gathering. Whenever you have people eager to talk with one another, the chances are that some will find that they have friends and acquaintances in common. It is, as they say, a... Read More
Starting your own private label clothing company is not as difficult as you may think. I assure you that the founding members of Volcom, Paul Frank, Hurley and Von Dutch, are not mad geniuses of fashion. You can duplicate their rise to brand stardom provided that you have the following:1. A decent logo2. Creative concepts and graphics - Design Talent3. A unique, blank apparel supplier4. A decent screen printer5. A Line Sheet to show potential buyers6. Sales and promotional talent.Which... Read More
As more and more people start or consider starting their own business, it is important that they understand the core steps that are required to launch successful ventures. These steps include spotting, assessing, selecting and executing upon opportunities.Spotting OpportunitiesThe first step to entrepreneurship is identifying opportunities. The entrepreneur must be able to spot an unmet need. Oftentimes this need is seen through an inefficiency in the market ? something that doesn't work quite the way the entrepreneur would like it... Read More
I've seen terrible images today on the television and internet-bodies of the elderly and infants floating in attics, buildings collapsing, seals washing up in the middle of highways. All I can say is that our thoughts go out to those in New Orleans, Gulfport and surrounding areas in this sad time. We will keep the people who have been hurt or passed away and those who were close to them in our prayers today and in the weeks to come.From... Read More
Are you busy? Everyone's busy! Ask anyone they'll tell you how busy they are. But how many people are accomplishing real results?In your small business, it's easy to get buried in the myriad activities that demand your attention each day. Consequently, a valuable rule of thumb to follow: Work only on income-producing tasks from 9-5. To accomplish this objective, it's important for entrepreneurs to recognize the difference between activity and action.Merriam-Webster's dictionary defines activity as:1. The quality or state of... Read More
Recently my bank opened a new branch that is a few miles away from my house. I used to visit the local branch that was located in the grocery store and enjoyed seeing the ladies on a weekly basis who were the tellers.Since the store branch closed, I'm forced to travel a few miles more down the road to the new beautiful building that also offers drive through service. I've been getting used to that recently and so only spied... Read More
Almost every day, I talk with people who want to start their own home-based businesses. I receive an interesting reaction when I ask people, "What are you looking for in a home-based business?" The most common response I get is, "Umm, well . . . I don't know." Keep in mind that these people have requested information about starting a home-based business. They have taken time and effort to go online and fill out a form, or do some research.... Read More
I believe the spiritual aspect of life, especially to entrepreneurs, is very important. While business may be the focal point for an entrepreneur's life, it's your outlook on life that shapes what kind of person you are.Having a strong sense of self can benefit your business in many ways. The down periods and business 'tragedies' are not so bad for the entrepreneur that is spiritually centred. Don't take life too seriously is a phrase that every entrepreneur should take to... Read More
Franchise business is being part of a successfully proven business that has a name or trademark that is well known and profitable. Franchise businesses are strategically tried and marketable with options to expand by offering products and services that appeal to the consumer. Having to make the decision on which franchise business to buy can be challenging. Franchise business consultants can offer assistance to evaluate current franchise opportunities with valued insight. A franchise business consultant may also be able to... Read More
In my last article, "Follow That Guru", I told you about the one (1) simple technique I used when starting my home business, "A Name".Now everyone wants to know what to do next. OK, here it goes.You've found your Guru, and you know what kind of home business you want to start. Your next step is to get a website.Now, there is a lot involved in launching a website. That's not as easy as it sounds. Sure, it's not "Rocket... Read More
What I've discovered from most of my small business clients is that most would prefer to build their business through referrals rather than through direct mail, advertising in newspapers, radio, TV. However, most leave the referrals to a somewhat chaotic, unplanned approach. When they have a repeatable system of going after referrals their business growth suddenly explodes.Let's look at something. Most of my clients find I emphasize the importance of having a measurable, repeatable, "system," a step-by-step plan that can... Read More
? Beginners often rush into business without any planning.? Unless you do your homework, there could be many avoidable pitfalls.? You will minimise these pitfalls with careful preparation and planning.? Some people have very little in the way of formal education, and yet they still succeed in business.? Opportunity can be found around every corner if you look for it.? Mention any success story and you will find many more failures.? Everything in business has a buyer's price and a... Read More
Ray Bradbury's quote, "You've got to jump off cliffs all the time and build your wings on the way down" may sound extreme but, as anyone building a business knows, it has a lot of truth in it.As a newly self-employed journalist / writer and life coach, I found Barbara Winter's book, "Making a Living Without a Job" invaluable so when I got a chance to interview her and Nick Williams in London, I was delighted. Barbara advocates having Multiple... Read More
1. Isolating Yourself When setting up a business, you can get so overwhelmed with the administration that you don't focus on building up your network. Networks can provide a way to catapult your business forward through referrals, joint ventures, or providing industry knowledge. Networking does not need to be through formal events but can come in many forms. Even using websites to become aware of who and what is out there is useful. Giving time for self development and... Read More
You're a smart, hardworking entrepreneur, and you're moving fast. You are highly educated in your field and your business is growing and getting busier each day. But somehow, you find yourself stuck. You're doing more tasks that take you away from your core business, you are working more and earning less. You need help. Wouldn't it be great if there was someone, anyone out there who could help you take away some of the daily tasks so you could focus... Read More
