Are you thinking about starting your own business? Does something always get in the way? From insufficient funds to lack of experience, spending time with the kids, to the hours you dedicate to draining your brain in the nine-to-five job you already have; there’s always an excuse that prevents us from biting the bullet and taking the risk. More often than not, what really stops … [Read more...]
5 Ways to Decide if an Alliance Will Work for You and Your Business
Being in business can be a lonely game, especially if it is just you in your pajamas, in front of your computer, trying to get your message out to the world. There are less solitary ways, you know. An alliance/joint venture/strategic partnership is one of them. Setting up alliances with other businesses that serve the same customers you do is a well-known strategy that … [Read more...]
The Entitlement of Entrepreneurs
It takes an insane amount of courage and determination to be an entrepreneur. Our perspective is always eerily optimistic and we don’t always respond well to ‘feedback’. We are so busy fighting for the life of our businesses that sometimes we forget that we are the only ones who signed up for this life willingly. Everyone else has come along for the ride to support us or … [Read more...]
Changing the game: How partnerships can change you business
In our quest to build an empire, we are often tempted to rush through relationship and just do it ourselves. During my many mistakes I have learned that the best way to build your empire is to collaborate and build relationships. Collaborating is not easy, you have to bring something to the table; so here are the secrets to successful collaboration as a small business. I … [Read more...]
What small business can learn from Obamacare
I’m not going to jump on the bandwagon and shout about the evils of Obamacare, in fact I actually think that it’s a good thing. Having seen how other national health systems run, I see the value of preventive care from a business perspective. Healthier people cost less money, but to get to that value you have to implement the structure and that’s where we’re struggling. As a … [Read more...]
Why you need a female mentor
There will always be people that teach you things, but the real things you need to know will come from your female mentors. I may get a little cheesy here, but bear with me. These people are the ones who will help you build your foundation and who will understand the guilt you feel, when you have to leave your kid at the babysitter for another meeting. They get it, they … [Read more...]
Small Business, Big Tips
In honor of Women’s History Month, I want to give some nuggets about what business has taught me as a women. So here we go… Give yourself some credit As women, mothers, daughters, sisters and business owners we can’t give ourselves a break. We do a phenomenal job of wearing multiple hats, being the problem solver and the office counselor and yet when it … [Read more...]
What are we afraid of?
Small business owners this is a hard truth to admit, but in order to grow we have to be uncomfortable. So I will do it, I will incur the wrath of my small business brethren and ask ‘what are we scared of?’ I admit to being in a much different environment, federal contracting is a whole different beast but the fundamental principles are the same. Why are we scared to … [Read more...]
The Secrets of Success
Running a small business can be the greatest thing you experience as an entrepreneur, to make sure that your business is successful concentrate on strategy. The best thing about strategy is that it creates a roadmap of actionable steps for building your empire, here’s how you start. Be Willful I’m a mom first so let me apologize that most of my advice will inevitably find its … [Read more...]
The Big Dream of a Small Company
I had an interesting conversation today about strategy and growth. What was different about this conversation was that the tone of it just made sense. As my firm has grown and matured, things have changed. The stakes have become bigger, the rewards better and the disappointments more bitter. As I wondered aloud ‘am I dreaming too large’ these are the nuggets the conversation … [Read more...]