Getting In The Game of Small Business Ownership

If you are a seasoned entrepreneur, what advice would you go back and give your novice self?  If you are new to the start up game, what advice are you seeking?

This week we had a great twitter chat with our twitter friends and the folks at The UPS Store! There were great questions and tips about “Getting In the Game” of small business ownership. I wanted to collect and share these little gems in cased you missed our #SBOAdvice chat.

To see the full recap go to the UPS Store’s Small Business Blog.

The UPS Store is hosting two more chats with great advice for Small Business Owners:

“Stay In The Game” Twitter Chat with Stephanie Chandler (@bizauthor) – Tuesday, March 26th at 3:00 PM Eastern Time

“Game Winner” Twitter Chat with Barry Moltz (@barrymoltz) – Tuesday, April 2nd at 3:00 PM Eastern Time

Follow along with the chat by following the feed for #SBOAdvice.  Join the conversation.  Answer questions, ask questions and you could win a Small Business Toolkit from The UPS Store!

How to Participate in the Twitter Chat:

1. Create an account at Twitter.com.

2. Follow @TheUPSStore.

3. Use our custom TweetGrid to view the conversation in real-time.

4. To join the chat, tweet your question or comment and include the hashtag #SBOadvice in your tweet. (TweetGrid will automatically include the #SBOadvice hashtag.) Make sure your tweet is 140 characters or less.

5. The TweetGrid will refresh automatically. You should see your question appear in the conversation.

The Power of Starting Something Stupid by Richie Norton- Book Review

Comments & Review by Kelly King Anderson, Founder of Startup Princess  “The Power of Starting Something Stupid” by Richie Norton releases TODAY.  Get your copy on Amazon.

What do you have in common with Richard Branson, Steve Jobs, Sara Blakeley, Ben Horowitz, Walt Disney and William Shakespeare?  If anyone has ever told you “You’re CRAZY!” for your startup dreams, you’re not alone!

Adam & Eve were the first entrepreneurs if you consider they figured out how to survive which is #1. They were in a constant growth and innovating business model. Why do we think because we are their posterity that we get to be comfortable and stop this type of mindset? Seriously. I tell my students if we aren’t progressing and working on ourselves we’re asleep and/or nearly dead emotionally spiritually, physically, and mentally.

Richie Norton refers to this concept in his new book, The Power of Starting Something Stupid as “Living in Permanent Beta”. He talks about Reid Hoffman of LinkedIn and how he suggests we “be nimble, invest in yourself, build your network, take intelligent risks…and have a mindset brimming with optimism because it celebrates the fact that you have the power to improve yourself and the world around you.”

AMEN to that. Let’s decide TODAY, right NOW to better ourselves every single day of our lives.

More gems from Richie are ready to be discovered.  Preorder his book. You’ll love it!

-Kelly

How to be an Entrepreneur AND a Mom at the Same Time

I enjoyed this article on KSL.com today (and also enjoyed the Startup Princess shout out from the author, Nicole Carpenter).  I love that more people are talking about how women can be both thriving business professionals AND rock star moms at the same time.

For so long I believed that there was an OR in that sentence.  That I could be a good mom OR a successful entrepreneur, and I’m grateful for the realization that I don’t have to choose.  I’m honored that with the enrollment of family and friends (who help a lot), and with a careful selection of what consulting clients I take on (and which ones I don’t), that I honor the time that I spend with my family and do my very best to be in priority at any given moment.

Nicole says, “I believe there is a silent epidemic of dissolved dreams afflicting women who have put many dreams on hold to be a wife and mother. I also believe being a mother is the single most noble calling a woman can fill. But often, we don’t talk about the other desires we had before becoming a mother — maybe out of fear people will think we are not happy as a mother, or maybe because we have truly given up on them.

Those dreams don’t truly go away because they are a part of who we are, a part of who we are meant to be. They will weigh heavy on your mind, or offer a burning sensation in your heart, and you should believe because all dreams are real.

You can be a good mother and still follow your dreams. You totally can, if you so desire. In fact, when you follow a dream you set an example of goal-setting and hard work for your children.”  Read the full article on KSL.

And I would add, that for those of you who are subconsciously taking out your frustrations of your back burnered dreams on your kids – you aren’t doing you or your kids any favors.  That kind of regret and pressure can be felt by kids, and if you are consistently saying “I can’t do that because I’m a mom.” Your telling your kids to believe in an OR mentality as well.

Make it work.  Make it work right for you.

For some people, in home nannies are the answer to child care issues.  For others, day care.  For some these arrangements are full time and for some, they are part time.  DO WHAT’S RIGHT FOR YOU AND YOUR FAMILY.  For me, what’s right for me and my kids is a babysitting co-op.  My speaking and consulting schedule is less consistent, so it’s hard to get a nanny when my hours are 10 one week, and and 40 the next.  I also like my kids to be in the homes of my friends and other kids, and I’m blessed this arrangement works for me.  I have some other moms that I can call on to have my kids, and in turn, they call on me on my days off.  Which means on the days that I don’t work, I often have 2 or 4 additional kids at my house.  For some that wouldn’t work, but for me, it’s perfect.

I also love Nicole’s thoughts about counseling with your family.  In my world I call it enrollment.  You’d be surprised what your husband and kids are willing to do with a good enrolling conversation.  I even enroll my three year old.  She can understand better why mom is gone, if I explain what I’m doing, and let her know that next week my schedule is wide open to play with her and her brother.

 

I Want it All – Three Tips for Self-Care & Rejuvenation While Growing A Business

I shared the following in an email to our Startup Princess Members just before Labor Day Weekend.   I thought I would share it here for all our readers.  And if you want to receive startup and life balance tips directly to your inbox, you can sign up here.

As we begin the Labor Day weekend, I’m reminded that I will (ironically) be spending a lot of the weekend working.  Such is the life of a serial entrepreneur.

I don’t mind it, really, I like what I do and a lot of my work feels like play.  That said, it’s important be be well rounded, take time for vacation and make sure I’m filling my own well.  I want to “Live a Life Without Limits”, but I’ve found that my biggest limitations come from my own physical and mental abilities.  If I’m not at the top of my game, my businesses come up short and my relationships suffer.  Can you relate?

Here are three tips for taking time for self-care and rejuvenation while growing a business.

1. Make a joy list of things you enjoy.  Everything from reading a book to taking a hot bath.  Include things that cost money, and things that free.  Include things that you can do in quick and easy 15 minute time blocks and include things that take longer like massages and pedicures (two of my favorites, when time and funds allow).

2. Schedule time each week to do something from your joy list.  And I really mean schedule it.  Put it in your calendar.  Treat it the same as you would an appointment with a client or a friend who’s in from out of town.

3. Make healthy choices.  Include a balanced diet and regular exercise – the exact program is up to you and your doctor.  I’ve learned the hard way that my body can be my friend or my enemy.  I am only as good as my health.  If I’m chronically sick, I can’t grow my business or care for my family and friends.  My energy is tied to how I care for my body.

You see, I want it all.

I want a thriving business without sacrificing a meaningful personal life.  I want a big paycheck and really fulfilling relationships, and believe it or not, sacrificing myself is NOT the way to do it.

I talk to a lot of women entrepreneurs.  I cringe every time I hear the word “sacrifice”.  They are sacrificing themselves for the sake of their businesses and their families.  While that’s admirable, it’s the quickest way to burn out.  Take care of YOU and then you will have the energy you need to grow your business without sacrificing your health or sanity.

Anyway, as you go into this weekend, whether you are working or not, I encourage you to take some time to establish some “labor free” routines that focus on YOU.
Michelle McCullough is the Managing Director for Startup Princess and is also a National speaker and business consultant.  Michelle recently released Marketing Mastery, a 4 disc audio program that helps entrepreneurs and small business become confident in their messages that reach the masses.  Michelle became a partner in Startup Princess  in 2008.  She is responsible for event planning, marketing, affiliates, sponsorships and partnerships. Over the past 4 years she has coached women entrepreneurs (and even some men) and helped them grow their businesses from “dream in development” to established thriving businesses.  Michelle is a speaker, strategist, success expert and a serial entrepreneur. She started Doodads Promotional Products when she was 19 and has also spent the last 12 years working in marketing and advertising. She’s worked in all aspects of the industry from production to creative and sales to management. On top of her full-time jobs, Michelle has cultivated her love for entrepreneurship by running Doodads as a successful side business.  Today it continues to thrive.  This year Michelle launched a coaching program called “The Life Balance Myth” to help busy entrepreneurs build thriving businesses AND meaningful personal lives.  She believes that life balance is a myth, but she provides practical tools to achieve personal and professional success.   Michelle has two children ages 4 and 2 and lives in Utah. You can learn more about Michelle at SpeakMichelle.com.

Is An MBA Worth It? – Check Out This Infographic & Weigh In

Created by: MBAOnline.com

So what do you think?  Is an MBA worth it?  If you have an MBA, did you find the education valuable to your entrepreneurial venture?  At Startup Princess we support education in all forms, whether it’s formal or from the school of hard knocks, anything you learn will help you succeed.  But you’re also talking to someone who doesn’t have an MBA, so I’d love to hear what you have to say!

Taking BIG Steps In Your Small Business – Join Us for A twitter #StartupChat on July 25th

Are you ready to take your small business and go BIG?

“Never let your small business make you small minded,” says Brendon Burchard.  Isn’t that good food for thought?

Do you ever get caught in that trap?  ”I can’t do _____, I’m just a small business/entrepreneur/solo-entrepreneur/mompreneur.”

Well, stop it!

(Wink.)

But, seriously, it’s time for you to take your business to all new places.  It’s time for you to get out of your own way and hit those sales goals.  It’s time to launch that new product.  It’s time to make more money!

That’s why we’re partnering with DailyCandy on next week’s #StartupChat.  We’re going to share with you some ideas and strategies to go BIG with your small business. (You may also want to enter their Start Small, Go Big Contest.)

If you’re new to #StartupChat, check out “What is #StartupChat and How Do I Participate” here.  Follow the conversation, answer the questions and share your tips for going BIG in business.  We want to hear from you!

Where: Twitter

When: Wednesday, July 25th, 2012 - Noon MT/2:00 ET – 1:oo MT/3:00 ET.

What: Sharing and learning tips for going BIG in business

Take a minute now to mark your calendar for Wednesday, July 25th from Noon MT/2:00 ET – 1:oo MT/3:00 ET.

And with DailyCandy on board, it’s bound to be a SWEET conversation you won’t want to miss.

Looking forward to tweeting with you!

AND, if you think you might be joining us, leave a comment below with your twitter name and we’ll follow you before Wednesday’s chat!

- Michelle

The Perils of Thinking BIG: Progress and Satisfaction is about Embracing Small Steps

Much is said about the importance of the big picture, the end game, the BIG goal. Experts and gurus alike encourage their clients to spend time focusing on envisioning the future they want. At first imagining where you’d like to be in several years time can be daunting, but most of us really get into it. The more we think about what we want in the future, the more excited we get! We picture ourselves in improved circumstances, happy and fulfilled. Finally, we’ve reached our destination! And, the hard work is behind us. Just before we give ourselves a congratulatory pat on the back though, our minds slip back to the present day reality and the wind quickly goes out of our sails. We are suddenly confronted by just how far we have to go. Excitement gives way to overwhelm. Our focus shifts from “this is where I want to go” to “how will I ever get there?”

This is especially true for entrepreneurs, who are constantly defining and redefining their goals and desired business direction. No sooner do we achieve a goal, when another emerges to take its place. So we are quite used to flipping back and forth between feeling excited and overwhelmed. The trouble arises when the goal is so huge and the anxiety about how to get there is so great that paralysis occurs. Unsure of how to chip away at all the work that needs to be done, we do one of two things – stick our heads in the sand making no change at all or completely exhaust ourselves trying to achieve transformation over night. Thinking big doesn’t mean much if you can’t move forward.

So what’s a gal to do? Stop dreaming big? Stop setting goals? No, of course not. The solution is to commit to embracing the small steps and spend more time focused on the present. Most satisfied entrepreneurs will tell you that their success is a result of consistent, everyday action and an incessant focus on what can be done NOW. Many successful people I know spend at least 5 times as much effort moving things forward then getting lost in the big picture. It makes sense, but still sometimes it can be hard to fend off that ‘I need to do it all’ anxiety.

In my experience when I’m feeling anxious or overwhelmed I’ve found it helpful to remember the following six things:

·         Entrepreneurship is always a work in progress. If you learn to embrace the journey instead of always wistfully thinking about the destination, you’ll enjoy it a lot more.

·         As an entrepreneur, you’re gearing up for a marathon not a sprint. Small steps will help you pace yourself and ensure that you have the stamina to make it to your finish line.

·         It is my responsibility to establish routines and habits that make my every day experience enjoyable and rewarding. This goes a long way in enjoying the daily reality of my job.

·         If something feels too big to be actionable then it isn’t broken down enough. Break apart projects as much as you can before you put them on the to-do list.

·         Working backwards is an easier way to create a time bound project plan. Think, if I want to be here in 2 months, what do I need to achieve in 1 month? How about in two weeks? How about next week? How about tomorrow?

·         Some action is better than no action. You can’t always wait for the circumstances to be perfect. Instead, just get started.

How you handle the same challenge? What helps you make progress in the face of a big, daunting goal?

Strategic Entrepreneurship Expert – Adelaide Lancaster of In Good Company from Philadelphia, PA

Adelaide Lancaster, co-founder, is a successful entrepreneur who excels at making business ideas a reality and helping businesses grow to their potential.  Adelaide is both a strategic thinker and a master implementer.  She has spent her professional career dedicated to helping women find work that is meaningful and rewarding. Adelaide was recently featured in the book Upstarts!, as one of 60 Gen-Y entrepreneurs who are rocking the world of business.  Adelaide was co-founder and Principal Partner of Berkman Fives a consulting firm that helped women professionals with career development and advancement and women entrepreneurs with business growth and efficiency. Adelaide also is a contributor to The Huffington Post and Daily Muse.

Adelaide also co-authored the book “The Big Enough Company”.

The Secrets of Happy Success: What Every Entrepreneur Needs to Know

It’s one thing to start a business. It’s quite another to create meaningful and rewarding employment for yourself (and possibly others). The truth is that it’s astonishingly easy to create a business that is unsatisfying. It always surprises me how many unhappy entrepreneurs there are…after all, you’re the boss! Yet, despite clear goals and the best of intentions lots of entrepreneurs make big compromises in order to do what they think it best for the business. They end up feeling overworked, underpaid, stressed out, and alone.

The beauty is they (and they alone) have the power to change their circumstances and to prioritize their own satisfaction. It’s up to them to take advantage of the amazing opportunity that entrepreneurship affords them – the ability to craft a business that delivers the satisfaction they want and deserve.

After working with thousands of entrepreneurs I can tell you that no two go about achieving this goal in the same way. However, I can also tell you that the happiest entrepreneurs do have several things in common.

They all honor these 5 rules to live by:

1.       Don’t go it alone

Entrepreneurship can be a lonely experience. Not only is this emotionally challenging, but it also creates a huge opportunity cost. Your community is your best secret weapon and the most direct route to more support, inspiration, ideas, feedback, and sales! The better connected you are the stronger your business will be.

2.       Do what you do best.

Your job as an entrepreneur is not simply “the doer of things that need to be done.” With a to-do list that never stops multiplying it’s tempting to just dive in and get going. This is a loss for both you and your business. Don’t squander the chance to do work you love every day. Instead, consider where you’re strong, and consider where you’re not. Restructure your schedule to do what you enjoy at least the majority of the time. And, have a good reason for doing tasks you don’t like.

3.       Honor your original goals.

Do you remember why you became an entrepreneur in the first place? Do you still derive that reward from your business? Once they have a few years of experience under their belts many entrepreneurs find little if any trace of their original motivations. Given how hard you work, it matters that you are able to get the benefits you want. So ask yourself, what’s in it for me? What makes all the work worthwhile? Then figure out how your business can deliver.

4.       Build your stamina.

Running a business is a marathon, not a sprint, and it can take a while before you see the financial fruits of your labor. That’s why it’s imperative to maintain your stamina. Bolstering your endurance requires you to adopt a “work smart” mentality and commit to valuing yourself as much as the business. It’s important to also leverage common best practices, such as learning to set boundaries, delegate work, keep a clear focus on goals, and employ small steps towards progress.

5.       Don’t believe the hype, bigger isn’t always better

Our culture tends to glorify size and fixate on numbers. This is even true in the small business world. Entrepreneurs often pursue particular metrics at the expense of their own satisfaction. Measuring success depends on the goals you have for your business. Generate your own definition of success. It may include numbers and metrics but shouldn’t praise growth for growth’s sake. It’s remarkable how differently entrepreneurs grow their companies when they aim for their own benchmarks instead of others’.

Strategic Entrepreneurship Expert – Adelaide Lancaster of In Good Company from Philadelphia, PA

Adelaide Lancaster, co-founder, is a successful entrepreneur who excels at making business ideas a reality and helping businesses grow to their potential.  Adelaide is both a strategic thinker and a master implementer.  She has spent her professional career dedicated to helping women find work that is meaningful and rewarding. Adelaide was recently featured in the book Upstarts!, as one of 60 Gen-Y entrepreneurs who are rocking the world of business.  Adelaide was co-founder and Principal Partner of Berkman Fives a consulting firm that helped women professionals with career development and advancement and women entrepreneurs with business growth and efficiency. Adelaide also is a contributor to The Huffington Post and Daily Muse.

Adelaide also co-authored the book “The Big Enough Company”.

How to Cope with Life’s Challenges while Running a Startup Business

Everyone knows someone who is hurting. This person might even be you… if so, my heart goes out to you and the many others who are struggling with challenging life circumstances. And many of you are not only dealing with your own pain, but are also raising a family and running a startup!!! I get how very hard this must be for you.

I am not a therapist but I love to help others succeed and am passionate about supporting our community. There are many who are seeking help and it is my hope that a few of the following ideas and insights will give you strength and healing. I have had my share of financial, health, and family challenges so I feel that I can relate to the pain and experiences that many of you may be facing right now. I remember days when I couldn’t afford gas, diapers, or food. I remember days when taking a shower was an accomplishment. I remember days when I felt so very alone and scared about what our future would be. Life has now shifted and we are in a good place, but those times were not that long ago and I remember what helped me through them and I want to share them with you. These are things that I do often and when I have a hard day I go back to this list and make sure I’m trying to do them.

First of all, you need a friend. Everyone needs a real friend, and if you don’t have one, seek for and pray for someone to show up in your life who you can talk to and share your struggles with who will be uplifting and supportive. This friend should be in a stable life situation, so they can be a mentor and offer good feedback. Ideally this is someone who you could call on a weekly basis or even text on a daily basis when things are very dark and hard. When identifying who your ‘friend’ is make sure they are willing to be this person in your life right now, you might need to be clear that you need to be the receiver of their friendship for a time but that you will try to also be available for them as they need you.

Self-nuturing, rest and good nutrition are very key for thinking more clearly and for managing the overwhelming circumstances. Be peaceful about decreasing your work load and increasing your rest. Take time to eat well and if you can’t manage it, ask for others to help make sure you’re eating healthy (avoid fast food, processed, refined, and canned food). Increase your water! Learn to love naps, 15 minutes can make a huge difference!

Create routines that give you some consistency. Just as children thrive with routines, so can we. The goal is to find routines that will help cheer you up when you’re having a hard week. Think of what will get you out of bed, get you moving, connecting with others and help you smile more often. Give yourself permission to create something you want to do for yourself. Consider one of the following… reading for 15 min each night before bed, weekly library day, walk to the park after dinner with your family once a week, enroll in a class you’ve always wanted to take, schedule a monthly massage, or whatever else you feel YOU want to do for YOU.

Try a Pains/Gains worksheet- This is excellent free therapy! Take a piece of paper and fold it vertically and on the left side write ‘PAINS’ and on the right write ‘GAINS’. Simply write down EVERY single pain you have on the left column, anything that is bothering you in any degree physically, mentally, emotionally, or spiritually. Write until you can’t think of another thing, take a break, reread it and add anything else. Then on the right side under ‘GAINS’ write down one thing per item that you can benefit from this particular pain. For example, if the pain is ‘headaches’ the gain can be ‘chance to rest more often’. While the headache isn’t great to deal with, the rest does have some benefit, forcing you to slow down and take time for healing.

Uplifting music can be an excellent mood booster. I memorized the lyrics of many songs that give me emotional and spiritual strength. I remember many times singing out loud the words of inspiring songs while I went on walks, showered, or drove my car. This very powerful, don’t underestimate the high vibration and energy music can offer you.

Mantras offer support when our spirits are low and we are feeling negative and or when we want to shift into a higher thought process and create something better for ourselves. Mantras or affirmations should be short and easy to memorize and repeat. For years I’ve used a very simple one when running or working out, “I am strong, I am fit, I am free, I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me” or I just shorten it to “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me”. Regardless of where you find inspiration and help, find what works for you, write it down and etch it into your heart and mind and whenever you have a moment when you’re feeling sad or need encouragement, turn to it.  Reading anything uplifting can help when done repeatedly and when you see examples of people using faith and humility to overcome challenges.

Journaling is an effective form of release that is under used by busy women! Keep a small journal in your bag and another by your bedside to write down thoughts or feelings, express yourself freely and without restraint… burn it if necessary! Get out those feelings of pain and overwhelm. Write down all the things you’re grateful for often, make a list of 100 things and add to it daily.

Aromatherapy is a personal favorite for managing emotions. Are you aware of the power of smell? Do you have a diffuser? if not, get one here. I am a distributor and use the doTERRA essential oils brand. They are so powerful because they are better than organic (tested 3rd party, every liter) you can take them internally, topically, or use them in a diffuser. Excellent oils for emotional support are Citrus Bliss, Balance, Elevation, and Serenity. I use them over my heart and mind, put them in my bath water too. If you want to know more about these and how they work feel free to text me at 801-856-4765.

Remember that Touch is one of the most healing gifts we have been given. Give hugs, receive them, snuggle up with a child or loved one, get a massage, give one!

Connect to Nature! Whenever I go for a walk or look at our amazing mountains I’m uplifted and feel encouraged… the more time I’m off technology and into nature I’m feeling better about myself and the life that is mine to live.

Praying isn’t just for the church going types, its for everyone who believes in a higher being, in a Creator. Have you ever reached out and gave thanks for your life and blessings? Ever asked questions? Even if you’re new to prayer or its been a long time since you’ve prayed, I highly recommend you give it a try. There are many ways to pray, find what works for you. I believe in God the Father and in His son, Jesus Christ so this is how I do it: I start by saying, “Heavenly Father, Thank thee for….. I ask thee for …….. in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen. Then I wait and pause to listen to what I feel and any ideas or inspiration that comes to the questions or concerns I discussed and I write them down. I believe that when you take time to write down the inspiration you receive and then act on those things then your relationship with God and Christ increases. I especially recommend praying out loud and when possible in nature, it’s amazing. I love to pray because I feel connected, supported, and comforted.

Lastly, do you have a Vision Board or a Bucket List? If not, make one today! Dream, dream, dream, then put that dream into action little by little.

Keep the faith and hope alive that your challenges are temporary. Ask, ‘What am I supposed to learn from this so I can move forward?’ Listen, pay attention so the lesson can be complete.

Consider- How do you want to react to your situation? I invite you to do it with gratitude, love and peace. Choose to live daily with faith and I promise you that with a cheerful outlook life will improve every moment.

I hope you try some of these ideas and that they help you to feel more peace and more joy in your current situation and beyond, I feel honored to share them with you.

What ideas do you have to add? What helps you? We would love to hear from you!

This post was written by Kelly King Anderson, the Founder of Startup Princess.

Motivational Monday – What Would Your Life Be Like? #FireSS

One of my favorite burning questions from “The Fire Starter Sessions” by Danielle LaPorte, has me thinking today.

If you want to get in on the pre-order for the Fire Starter Sessions, check out the bonuses here.   The bonuses are only available until the book hits the stores on April 17th.

Here’s the question for the day:  Should business be easy?

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