Just get your business started!

In my coaching work, I have the distinct pleasure of supporting small business owners and entrepreneurs as they take their growth ideas, products, services, passions, and business savy into the marketplace.  They deserve a great deal of credit as striking out on your own can be risky.

If you are thinking of putting a toe in the water, consider starting a side business. This allows you to keep all the benefits of your current employment, while testing out a concept that you think might be able to succeed.  Side businesses come in all shapes and sizes. First and foremost, you should be able to work on things that come naturally to you.  After all, these are your gifts and talents.

Here are some areas to consider as you are getting your side business off the ground:

JUST START – Believe in your heart and in your mind, that you can do this. If you don’t believe in this, then how are you going to convince others?

Build the Team – You don’t need to have paid employees, to build something.  Your team could be friends, family, and former colleagues, who want to see you succeed and have talents they could offer you to nurturing this growing business.

Commit Time – It is your most important resource.  If something is not on the calendar, then it does not exist. For your cottage business to thrive, you need to devote a daily increment of time to it. 15 minutes, 30 minutes, 60 minutes.  Whatever you can commit, will help move this venture forward.

Sell, sell, sell – It is not a dirty word.  Sales is the lifeblood of any business.  It is a dialogue, not a monologue. Just be yourself and let people know about the work you are doing.  After all, if they don’t know about you, how can you help them? When they have a question, you answer it.  That is a sales conversation.

Be Resilient – No one (except perhaps a few family members) will be as excited about your business as you are. Recognize that others are busy, and have different priorities, so don’t be offended when they don’t jump for joy in hearing about your work.

Go make that business happen. Good luck!

Additionally, feel free to have a look at my tips on Fox 5 DC on how to start a business!