Small Business Management
Starting and running a business is hard work. As a small business owner you need to quickly learn many different areas of management.
Even if you have a business background, it can be tough when you are on your own. Available resources, time and even how you implement things may be different from a larger business.
So how do you build a successful business without burning yourself out? Below is some information and resources to help you on your journey that I have pulled together from 20+ years of running my own business.
Small Business Growth
After 20 years in business and a few years of working with business owners, I created this growth pyramid. When growing a small business that you don’t intend to take public or even on investors, you grow differently. Your goal is to create a life for yourself, enjoy your business and maybe someday retire. (Yes, I know we find it hard to imagine retiring, but we do want to be prepared!)
Download The Pyramid Checklist, to Discover Where You Are In Your Business.
Is Marketing Really the Problem?
Uncovering the true source of your business struggles can be hard.
I frequently get the question, “How do I get more customers.”
While many people may immediately default to standard marketing solutions – that might not be the real issue you need to fix.
Instead of rushing to create a new advertising campaign, you may need to really be looking at things like:
Other Possible Problems:
- Expenses – if the question about getting more customers is because you don’t have enough profit, the part of the equation that might need changed is the expense side – not the revenue side.
- Offerings – Your marketing might be great. Lots of possible clients are coming to your site. But they aren’t converting. One problem may be what you offer. Are your customers looking for group work and you are only offering one-on-one? Is it time to add a passive income product?
- Your own limiting beliefs – your business is only as healthy as you are. So, is there a belief around success and money that actually needs to be changed? Energetic blocks are equally as real as marketing blocks
Need help figuring out what the block is for you? Learn more about my coaching services.
The One Business Book That is a Must Read
The E-myth Revisited by Michael Gerber
This is one of the first small business books that I ever read. It is also the most beneficial. Two decades later I still go back to it and remember the advice when working on my strategic plan, marketing and more.
Short summary: how to not work so hard in your business that you become exhausted and can’t keep going.
Read this as early in your small business journey as possible.
My Favorite Small Business Tools
Web Hosting – BigScoots
Hands down the best service I have had with a host. Would not consider going anywhere else. And I have had a website since 2002!
Domain Registration – GoDaddy
I have been using Godaddy to purchase domains for as long as I can remember. I prefer to use Godaddy to keep all the domains instead of my hosting company, in case problems pop up with the hosting. The one I use now is great, but in the past, I have had ones that became a problem. This way I just have to change where the servers point to instead of worrying about moving everything.
Email Providers
In the past I have used: Aweber and MailChimp and ActiveCampaing. I would recommend the first two. If you are brand new to the business I would recommend starting with Mail Chimp.
Bookkeeping – QuickBooks
Another tool I have been using a LONG time! Since my first business in 2002. I still like it the best. I have tried many over the years. Both myself and with clients. This one tends to have the best ability to grow with your business. Keep in mind depending on your size and industry there may be more specific software for you. Others I recommend? Xero, and Freshbooks
SEO Research – Aherfs
If you want to make SEO one of your primary tactics, then this is the research tool I recommend. I have used others, and this one is easier to navigate. It is on the pricier side but depending on how much content you are creating you may not need it all the time.
Video Software – Vectera
This is the meeting platform that I use. I like it because it integrates scheduling and the video meeting space. And each client gets a permanent meeting room! Making it cleaner and easier to use for repeat clients. And there isn’t any extra software to download. Just click the link and you are in. This makes the entire client process easier.