7 THINGS TO DO BEFORE STARTING YOUR OWN BUSINESS

11/23/2012

1. Be Yourself!

Whatever your business idea is, own it and honor it. There is something in you that you can do that no one else can do. It's unique to YOU and YOUr personality and style. I believe everything and everyone was created to solve a problem. In order to be yourself I believe you have to know yourself. So, take out a sheet of paper and answer these questions to get to know YOU so you can BE you!

What are you good at?
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What's that thing that you do that others come to you to do for them? Consulting? Styling? Organizing? Giving advise? Makeup? Photography? Mentor-ship?
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Often our purpose leaves clues through the people God has placed in our life. What do the people that know you the best always tell you you are good at?
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If you could start your own business doing what you LOVE, what would your business be? Who would you serve? What problem would you LOVE to solve for them in exchange for money?
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How can you incorporate YOU into your business?
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2. Understand everyone is not going to cheer for you.

What if your closest friends and family say you shouldn't do what you believe you are being called to do? Do it anyway! Do it anyway! Do it anyway! Blaze through all their comments and objections. People often don’t follow their dreams because they lack the support they think they need from the people that are close to them. More often than not, your first group of critics will be family members and closest friends. Do not let this discourage you! A few reasons why this happens: Your family and friends know you from your past and don’t really believe you can do what it is you say God is calling you to do. They know your insecurities, your bad habits, and your past mistakes. They will try to discourage you because when you change they have to change. They have to change the way they see you. And let’s face it, change is seldom comfortable. This explains why ninety-eight percent of the population is either dead or dead broke at the age of sixty-five when there is more than enough money and resources for everyone on the planet because people don’t want to change. It’s so easy to just go along to get along because everywhere you turn there is someone complaining, whining, or blaming someone else for where they are. So many people go through life saying, “I wish I could do this or that . . . but...” Then they come up with all the reasons--excuses—why they can’t do this or that. This includes some of your family members and friends. So when God calls you out of a doubting family or circle of friends, go for it anyway. He’s calling you and He is your BIGGEST cheerleader!

3. Start before you're ready.

So often we want to wait until the time is "just right" to get started on our business idea. The truth of the matter is, there is no "perfect time" There will always be a valid reason to not get started. Kids aren't old enough...you have not finished your degree...you need to read ONE MORE BOOK...you need more time to research your idea. Sound familiar? There are things you simply won't know until you GET STARTED. One of my mentors encouraged me years ago to start now and improve along the way. That made so much sense to me. She made me aware of the fact that I have information, talent and skills in me now that I could share to help other people get from where they are now to where they want to be. I thought I needed more time to "get ready" The truth of the matter is, we are born ready to do any and everything God puts in our heart to do. What's holding you back? What are you saying you need to do before you get started? I am not advising you to not further your education or training in your field, but realize you have in you right now skills, gifts and talents that others will greatly benefit from, now. So get started BEFORE you're ready!

4. Invest in coaching/mentoring.

If you are going to have a successful business you are going to need and coach or a mentor. The most amazing people that we have been blessed to watch them reach their fullest potential have all had coaches and mentors. There are things you simply can not see on your own. One of the main reasons I believe people do not believe they need to work with a coach or mentor to reach their fullest potential is because when you are a creative person (most entrepreneurs are) you believe you can do it all by yourself. Sure, you can reach some of your goals but there will always be more in you than you think. A good coach or mentor will be able to challenge you to reach new heights.

Tiger Woods, one of the BEST golfers of our time...and he STILL works with a coach!

5. Never give up.

Most of the time when people set out to reach their goals, when a bump in the road comes they believe it's too hard or they are doing something wrong and the thought of giving up seems more attractive than sticking in there. Iyanla Vanzant said in one of her teachings, "how do we know that bump in the road isn't a part of the process?" I love that, because it's so true. If you're reading this blog, chances are you have lived long enough to know that everything works out together in the end. Your idea came to you for a reason. It belongs to you. God trusted you with it that's why He gave it to you. I see it this way, when God, the creator of the universe, whispers an idea to you or shows you a vision it is GOING TO HAPPEN. God does not lie nor would He show us a vision to tease us. But there is a process. When a woman conceives a child, she does not go to the hospital the next day and deliver the baby. It takes more than half of a year to give birth to that baby. Most people give up on their dream or idea in two weeks if things don't look good... but NOT YOU! Put your helmet on and GO FOR IT!!!

Most people give their dream or idea two weeks to manifest and if things don't look good, they give... but NOT YOU! Put your helmet on and GO FOR IT!!!

5. Excellence

Being excellent in the things you do does NOT mean being perfect. Being excellent means you do the best you can with what you have. I believe people will not make a move toward their calling, destiny or business idea because they believe they need to be perfect. What are you holding back from the world because you feel that it's not "perfect" enough? When I first started my own business, I made many mistakes. In making those mistakes I was taking action on the information I had at the time which means I was moving in excellence according to my knowledge. As you grow as a person your knowledge and wisdom will grow too. Don't be afraid of not being perfect, be afraid of sitting on the excellence of who you are right now with the information that you do have...go and BE excellent!

5. Social Media

We are SO blessed today to live in a world where you can reach the whole world by just the click of a button. If you have a business and you are NOT on social media, you are MISSING it! You are missing many lives you can touch with your message or product and mon$y not being plugged into social media. My favorite social site to date is YouTube! I LOVE YouTube! It allows you to share your gifts, talents and personality with the WORLD with just one click of a button! Not only are you missing out on what you can give to the world through social media but you are also missing out on being connected to some of the greatest people of our times. With just one click of a button you can find out what Oprah Winfrey is doing, what Donald Trump is doing, what Iyanla Vanzant is doing or whoever your favorite icon is-- you can reach and SEE them with just the click of a button. Many of you reading this blog found me through one of my social sites. I am so grateful for that! So, what video have you been holding out on recording? What contact have you been thinking about making through social media? I challenge you to get over your fear of what other people will say about you and open a social media account today and start spreading your good energy through the air waves!

6. Sales is not a dirty word.

I meet a lot of women who are afraid to ask for money for what they do. I often hear, "I LOVE what I do, how can I ask for money to do it?" I used to say and feel the same way. I thought simply because I loved to do what I do so much, I would feel bad asking for money in exchange of my products and services. I had to realize a few things that hopefully you will be able to relate to and not make this same mistake...
#1 It takes time to do what you do. It takes time to get good at what you do. You are the one who stays up all hours of the night reading, researching and mastering your craft--that's valuable!
# 2 People are coming to you for your expertise, if they would go anywhere else, they would have to pay for what you are doing for them for free.
#3 (this is listed at number three but it is the number one reason you should not look at sales as a dirty word) People VALUE what they pay for. Have you ever received something you wanted for a long time? Let's say it was a nice handbag that you have been wanting to purchase and one of your friends cleans out her closet and calls you to ask if you want it. After a few weeks of you having that bag you wanted so bad, will soon be on your closet floor. But, if you saved your own hard earned money for it, you will take better care of it. It's really that simple, people value what they pay for. In the beginning of my coaching practice I would coach people for free and although they were coming to me, wanting to change their own life they were not taking their words, commitments and goals serious. As soon as I started charging for my services they were taking action and getting the results they said they wanted. They were actually changing their lives, keeping their commitments and reaching goals that on their own they were not reaching. Do you see the difference?

What you offer the world through your business is valuable life changing products and services. If it's styling someones hair through your hair salon or leading them to God through your ministry-- it's changing someones life!

People VALUE what they pay for.

If it's styling someones hair through your hair salon or leading them to God through your ministry-- it's changing someones life!

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