9 Great tips for all entrepreneurs

If you are starting your own business, it will require focus, drive, perseverance and a lot of your time. Planning and organization will keep you in the right direction to make sure that your business succeeds. No venture starts making money right away, therefore staying consistent and motivated are key. Below are some tips to make sure your business progresses and succeeds.

1. Organize Yourself from the Beginning

In order for entrepreneurs to achieve business success, staying on top of things and being organized is of utmost importance. Starting a business is a long term goal. Break your goals into 5 year, 1 year, Quarterly and Monthly strategic plans. Monthly plans break down into daily goals. Creating a list each day is a great way to keep track of all necessary things that need to get done. Big goals can seem overwhelming at times, especially in business. Break these bigger goals into smaller pieces to make it easier to stay on top of and get them completed. Checking off of your list as you go will keep you motivated and from forgetting anything important.

2. Detailed Records are Important

This is where most businesses start off incorrectly. Keeping records of your business is important for various reasons. Knowing where your business stands financially by keeping track of income and expenses, will allow you to make decisions that will avert potential challenges and will allow you to strategize correctly. Most importantly, by having your records in order, will make it easier for you during tax time.

3. Analyzing your Competition is Key

Learning from your competitors is a valuable way to get best results and a successful business. Instead of seeing them as competition, they can be your mentors that you can learn from. Remember, they have already made mistakes, seen what works best, have done ground work that you could benefit from and there is plenty of business to go around for everyone. Benefit from those in your same industry, ask for advise when appropriate to do so and cherish those relationships as you would those with your own customers and team.

4. Use your Imagination and be Creative

There are always ways that you can improve your business and these days there are plenty of platforms that you can use to showcase your business. Social media is major and there is a very good chance that you already have a personal account. Create a business page on these platforms that are helpful information related posts that better engage your audience and followers. Clients are more likely to pay attention when it is a post helpful to them instead of advertisements.

5. Stay Focused and Motivated

When you open a business it does not mean that you will start making money right away and staying motivated during this process can be hard at times. Create a personal statement that you read everyday. This will remind you why you started this business in the first place. Surround yourself around friends, family and mentors that have already achieved the success you are trying to achieve. Being around the same energy will keep you in the right mindset.

6. Provide your Customers Exceptional Service and/or Product

Even though this one feels like common sense, many businesses fail at providing their customers the most important thing, great customer service. By providing the best customer service, your clients will keep coming back and there is no better advertising then word of mouth. Your clients are more likely to refer you whenever your service is mentioned. When providing a product, tone in on customers, friends and family who you can get feedback on the product you are providing. Product feedback will give you ideas on how to make the product even better.

7. Find your Niche

By finding your niche, you know who your audience is and what your focus should be. We all know that in every business, no matter what it is that you choose to do, there are many ways that you can go about it. At the same time though, there must be a balance. You don't want your niche to be too narrow but at the same time not to broad where you don't know which audience should be your focus. Think of a niche that will keep your audience coming back for more instead of something seasonal or something that people would only buy once.

8. Consistency is Key

Each person is different, therefore you don't necessarily need to run your business like everyone else. Keep track of when you are the most productive. Is that in the morning when you wake up or at night when everyone else is asleep. Create your own daily routine focused on when your at your highest energy level that works best for you and stick to it.

9. Expand when Necessary and Delegate where Needed

When you first start your business, it may be a 1 person show and it can be tempting to handle all yourself. The most successful entrepreneurs are great at one thing, DELEGATING. The time will come when it is necessary for you to expand your business, add employees and outsource certain things for you to be able to focus on important tasks. Look for individuals that have already done work within your industry, take full advantage of mentors and your contacts to get candidates that will work well with your business.

Having your own business is a blessing even though nothing amazing comes easy. By following these tips it will be the right starting point to get you going on your journey. Stay organized, learn, research, see what you want and how you want to go about it. Possibilities are endless on how you can go about your business. Be creative, be different and be bold.

As always, sending positive vibes your way 🙏