Comments on: What Advice Would You Give to a New Small Business Owner?

By: Petty Tjaimba

Petty Tjaimba — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 09:28:47 +0000

I would say remain focused on what you want to achieve from your business. Be patient, Rome was not build in one day. And Remember! Put GOd First.

By: George Henderson

George Henderson — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 03:57:30 +0000

I wish I had had a glimmer of an overall vision for my business at the moment I decided to go into business.
I was an unemployed electrician with no job prospects during a recession and was only grasping at straws.
During the first 10 years I used to refer to being in business for myself, the next several years I started talking about how the business had me and during the last couple of years I finally realized I was operating a business patiently designed by a huge group of customers had been gradually shaping into a phenomenonal community resource.

I was lucky, I knew all the time I wasn’t smart enough to be in business for myself – so I listened to my customers as they led me in the right direction. I also didn’t know I had the work ethic to work in a business where the work is neverending.

By: Debbie Miles

Debbie Miles — Mon, 28 Dec 2009 15:25:15 +0000

I would remember to have fun as I establish my business. The saying “All work and no play is very true”! I began to experience burn out because I was working all the time to start my businesss and soon I was dreading it instead of enjoying it. Take time to really think about what you are doing and add some “me time” in your daily planning of your new business. I have learned after a few years in business to take charge of my business instead of letting it run me!

By: Andre

Andre — Sat, 26 Dec 2009 23:38:38 +0000

I would get an adviser and a accountability partner.

By: David Jones

David Jones — Thu, 24 Dec 2009 17:02:15 +0000

Wow, a lot of great advice here! I say, don’t believe “If you build it, they will come.” You have to work, very hard, every day to find and delight customers.

By: Mike Sullivan

Mike Sullivan — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 13:45:34 +0000

What I wished I had known then that I do know now is that when it comes to business, nothing happens until I have a client; thus, have a marketing strategy rather than just tactics. You need to be able to answer 3 basic questions:
1. What is my message
2. Who do I want to deliver it to (be specific)
3. How will I deliver my message?

And knowing that my message must not be to talk about what I do, but rather, what I can do for you.

By: Kate McNulty

Kate McNulty — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 03:02:24 +0000

Learn about basic business principles if you haven’t studied business and money management. We’re not born knowing concepts like return on investment, leveraging your time effectively, and generating multiple income and referral streams, but you must master them in order to succeed.

If you need help dealing with finances or understanding how to use QuickBooks, get good skilled help. Don’t thrash around and get frustrated when your time would be better spent creating products or doing business planning.

Spend money on marketing, and carefully track the response, so you know what’s working and what’s not getting results.

Don’t bother with a Plan B. Go for it, and don’t leave yourself an exit strategy. This will focus your mind so you will be productive and committed. Allow yourself this level of intensity when your business is new, and success is inevitable.

By: Rose Lewis

Rose Lewis — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 02:36:09 +0000

If anything is to change YOU have got to change. That change starts with developing a healthy, positive mindset. I recommend reading 177 Mental Toughness Secrets of the World Class. Feed your mind something great and positive every single day. This is help you make the transition to a business owner mindset. Secondly, find a coach or mentor that will give you the gift of belief when things aren’t going so well. Thirdly, be thankful for the little successes which will eventually lead to bigger successes. Finally, network, network, network. Always fill your pipeline with other professional individuals who can either become clients or refer you to potential clients.

By: Anita Campbell

Anita Campbell — Sun, 20 Dec 2009 22:23:50 +0000

Find something to sell as fast as possible to bring money in the door. This should be obvious, but a lot of the time new business owners spend too much time during the first 6 months on marketing — such as networking events, getting a logo and business cards, etc. While marketing is important, don’t forget to have something you can sell — something with a relatively short sales cycle — and start selling it! It always takes longer to bring in revenues than you imagine, and you could run out of money in 6 months.

By: Will

Will — Sun, 20 Dec 2009 03:10:06 +0000

If you don’t know how to do something, either educate yourself through books, audio, seminars, or simply ASK around – there is someone out there with the expertise you are looking for.