Sophia's Top 7 Pearls Of Wisdom
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6.Get out there. Let everyone know you have started business and where. Invite them to give you referrals ... "Who do you know that needs ...". See advertising as an opportunity to educate people about what you offer. Take chances on advertising. Just give it a go, measure its effectiveness and learn from it;
7. Have a back up plan but don't use it as a backdoor plan. Have more than one source of income when starting and continuing. The service industry is a fickle business. It might take years before you let go of the crutch of a "job" but don't think of it as a "way out" of the adventure of being in business unless it is really, really, really, all options tried, new options created and all have failed, in debt to your ears and just can't go on. Then take the backdoor. However, do not let it loom over you and torment you with, for instance a recording in your head that says "Just give up and go back to full time employment!" Once you run your own business you will not want to go back to employment. Not if you were really made to be in business.
Running your own business is not for everyone. You need a certain kind of personality and outlook. You are not necessarily born with it, you can grow into it. Anyone can run their own business but not everyone will succeed. It is much harder work than being employed. It will certainly take more of your time than a full time job. But to be able to create something, bring it to life, serve people, give other people an opportunity to be employed or also run their own business, is something you probably would not get from a day job! Your business is an extension of you. And if it is not, then are you really a business entrepreneur or someone who likes the idea of being their own boss without the love, responsibility and financial burden?
I am passionate about running my own business (if you can't tell yet!). I used to listen to people who told me I was "doing it wrong" if I was spending 70 hours a week in my business. I thought (for a while) they were right. But business for me is a lifestyle - not somewhere I go to do something and then come home to live my life ... after hours and on weekends! I live with my business - literally. Currently I live upstairs to my business but plan to purchase BIG land to build my home and businesses on. My business is an extension of me. They are my children. Call this unhealthy if you like but I have never been healthier!
When I drafted the 7 Pearls of wisdom I was sitting at La Porchetta in Craigieburn (supporting my local businesses) on a Friday night. In my earlier business days I recall being at a 21st Birthday ... in the back corner writing my ideas on a serviette. Many a serviette has held an idea that has contributed to my business. Now I carry a notepad. One day I might carry a computer!!
My point is, in my opinion and in my preferred experience, running a business is a lifestyle. Some nights it will keep you awake. Some nights it will cry you to sleep. But overall, your business is an extension and expression of you. It is like your child - including tantrums (that might be you) right through to the rebellious bad mouthing (hopefully not you!). It will take your time, your energy, your passion, your anger and your upset. And when the tears have cleared, there will be evidence of your business - on a piece of paper, computer or internet or maybe from a compliment or thank you from a client, colleague or fellow business manager ... and you will be proud!
Sophia Cull
Practice Manager & Health Professional
7. Have a back up plan but don't use it as a backdoor plan. Have more than one source of income when starting and continuing. The service industry is a fickle business. It might take years before you let go of the crutch of a "job" but don't think of it as a "way out" of the adventure of being in business unless it is really, really, really, all options tried, new options created and all have failed, in debt to your ears and just can't go on. Then take the backdoor. However, do not let it loom over you and torment you with, for instance a recording in your head that says "Just give up and go back to full time employment!" Once you run your own business you will not want to go back to employment. Not if you were really made to be in business.
Running your own business is not for everyone. You need a certain kind of personality and outlook. You are not necessarily born with it, you can grow into it. Anyone can run their own business but not everyone will succeed. It is much harder work than being employed. It will certainly take more of your time than a full time job. But to be able to create something, bring it to life, serve people, give other people an opportunity to be employed or also run their own business, is something you probably would not get from a day job! Your business is an extension of you. And if it is not, then are you really a business entrepreneur or someone who likes the idea of being their own boss without the love, responsibility and financial burden?
I am passionate about running my own business (if you can't tell yet!). I used to listen to people who told me I was "doing it wrong" if I was spending 70 hours a week in my business. I thought (for a while) they were right. But business for me is a lifestyle - not somewhere I go to do something and then come home to live my life ... after hours and on weekends! I live with my business - literally. Currently I live upstairs to my business but plan to purchase BIG land to build my home and businesses on. My business is an extension of me. They are my children. Call this unhealthy if you like but I have never been healthier!
When I drafted the 7 Pearls of wisdom I was sitting at La Porchetta in Craigieburn (supporting my local businesses) on a Friday night. In my earlier business days I recall being at a 21st Birthday ... in the back corner writing my ideas on a serviette. Many a serviette has held an idea that has contributed to my business. Now I carry a notepad. One day I might carry a computer!!
My point is, in my opinion and in my preferred experience, running a business is a lifestyle. Some nights it will keep you awake. Some nights it will cry you to sleep. But overall, your business is an extension and expression of you. It is like your child - including tantrums (that might be you) right through to the rebellious bad mouthing (hopefully not you!). It will take your time, your energy, your passion, your anger and your upset. And when the tears have cleared, there will be evidence of your business - on a piece of paper, computer or internet or maybe from a compliment or thank you from a client, colleague or fellow business manager ... and you will be proud!
Sophia Cull
Practice Manager & Health Professional