Entrepreneurship basics

Hello! I hope you have enjoyed the BIP posts that I started a few years ago. I have recently been asked about new Ideas and asked a lot of questions about my pots. I have more prompts to come, but I wanted to share my experience and opinions about entrepreneurship basics; it’s not just tech start-ups and you may not need a huge budget to get started. I truly believe in dreaming big and encouraging everyone to do the same. I believe in starting with the skills, experience and resources you already have and growing from there! I encourage everyone to start…simply start. Make time to dream and plan….period.

First, let’s define entrepreneurship. Wikipedia defines – “has traditionally been defined as the process of designing, launching and running a new business, which typically begins as a small business, such as a start-up company, offering a product, process or service for sale or hire.” So even if you are offering computer repair, house cleaning, landscaping, child care, writing services, web design, handmade items at local farmer’s markets, car maintenance, or any of a number of other services or products you are an entrepreneur!

I believe anyone focused on sharing their skills and talents, full-time, part-time, or whenever they have time, is an entrepreneur! Whether you are thinking of starting your own full or part time business, expanding an existing business, interested in starting a side gig, or advancing from your current position at a company then you definitely have an entrepreneur spirit and it starts with a single thought.

So, what is the basic process to turn thought into action? Once you define what you want to do you can start to take action. I wrote about focusing on your interests; defining possible side gig opportunities that fit your interests. You can read that here.

Something that always works for me is to write down my focus. Once I see it in writing it helps me work through the steps needed to accomplish it or adjust the idea, etc. For example if I want to expand my photography hobby and offer small event and senior photos as a side gig on the weekends there are obvious first steps that need completed before I go rent a huge studio space, contact a publisher for a coffee table book deal, or buy thousands of dollars worth of equipment. I need a plan..I need to focus…I need clients!

I made my list and actually had a very successful part-time photography business for about a year until I found a more time demanding job and decided to stop. I photographed families, high school students, corporate golf events, pet photos, a local small band, and even a few shoots for dating profile photos. I decided on photography, because of my love for taking nature photographs. When I started brainstorming about side gigs I decided to focus on what I had to help me define my focus. I already had a nice digital camera, I enjoyed photography, I love being around people, etc. Next step was my action list, which I’ve shared a general recap below:

• Create a web page (I used the free service through Shutterfly to display samples of my photography and create online galleries for clients)
• Come up with a business email (another free action item. I used gmail)
• Advertise and find business/clients; business cards, flyers, I reached out to companies for corporate events, word of mouth, browsed ‘ads’ online, posted cards and flyers at laundry mats, libraries, community boards, online, etc.
• Set fees and define what is included (I researched the average hourly rate and cut it almost in half because I was not a professional full-time photographer and I wanted to use this opportunity to enhance my photography skills as well as provide an affordable alternative.)
• Research tips for family and senior photos and offered those on my site and when discussing details with clients (I read a lot about family and corporate photography to enhance my knowledge and help clients decide not only on settings and poses, but also on package options, professional photography terms {to ensure clients I was at least semi-professional}. I also practiced shots with lighting, angles etc. to gain skills and experience.)
• Set up a payment method. I accepted checks, cash and PayPal payments since I already had a PayPal account from selling some online items
• File system and organize jobs. I had a ledger with names, packages, dates, costs, and notes to help me track everything. I also kept electronic files for tax purposes, keeping record of payments received and mileage with other items I needed for taxes (there is a limit you can make before needing to file taxes, but I wanted to start off tracking my revenues and spending)
• Offer incentives. I offered all clients incentives for repeat business or referring friends, either a discount on their next purchase/photo shoot or a gift card if they didn’t have any other photography needs (a $5 to $10 Starbucks or other gift card)

That was my general list and action items. It was low investment, I didn’t get rich, but I made extra money and had a blast doing it! I also made some contacts that I worked with in the future when exploring other creative income options.

I also kept an open mind about input from clients and friends. For example the pet photography came about from a request. I had never even thought of pet photography. That is something I’d enjoy starting up again! I even kept making time for photography trees, skylines, etc. and made photo cards as gifts out of those and through word of mouth I was able to sell some for a small profit!

Are you an entrepreneur? Do you have an entrepreneur spirit? Do you have tips to share or questions? Please comment below or email me at successencourager@gmail.com

Dream Big, Set Goals, Take Action, concept, tags on the table.

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Set goals that support well-being

As you may know, I set a fiction reading goal this year. I’m also excited to be working toward a healthier more active lifestyle. These goals are personal to me and support my well-being. By choosing goals that are personally realistic and of interest to me (bring me joy) I allow myself to focus on accountability and by tracking my progress, I can focus on incorporating a little more to each goal as time allows and I feel comfortable.

The rule with goals is…there are no set rules. Sure, there are the basic steps, but goals are just as unique as the individuals setting them.

Even if a million other people set reading goals the process and reason could be entirely different for each. The start date and dedicated time are most likely different. For some January 1 is a great energetic day to begin a new goal, but if you have a job or other responsibilities that are hectic during that time then it might seem like the worst date to start. Dedicating time in the morning may work for you or a long lunch or before bed.

Goals should:

• Help you accomplish or incorporate something into your life that brings you joy
• Create happiness
• Balance your responsibilities, self-care, and personal growth
• Bring you closer to a bigger goal
• Support your overall wellbeing

Focus on a personal goal:

• Start by defining a goal or a positive habit that you know will bring you happiness and encourage a positive well-being
• Dedicate time daily that works with your unique schedule
• Celebrate progress and adapt as needed

What does your goal-setting look like? How do your goals encourage positive wellness?

Also, I’m excited to announce that my goal focused journal planner is now complete & available in small batch printing!!! This planner even has a section to record your weekly recap, current read and daily focus (wellbeing, spirit, etc.)! My excitement about seeing a completed goal in print form is beyond measure and my gratitude to all of those encouraging me and supporting me extends to all visiting my sites! The planner is currently 25% off.

I’m working on setting the date for my first goal-setting small group workshop!!! More on that soon!

Questions? Comment below or email me – successencourager@gmail.com

Making this year different; encouragement and more

Sometimes the best way for me to focus on goals, no matter what time of year, is to recap what I’ve already accomplished. I’m doing just that with this post. My goal is to encourage others during career changes, starting a side business, full time business, or simply in day to day life…sharing my experience and ‘two cents’ with others to encourage and inspire.

As I mentioned, I’m not the ideal resolution maker, but the New Year is a great excuse to reflect on the past months and focus on goals for the upcoming months. I appreciate the feedback I have received this past year so very much! THANK YOU for reading and following my blog. Thank you for contacting me, sharing your support and tips; I appreciate you all! You are all certainly helping me focus and I hope I can return that inspiration! Here’s to a New Year, new energy, great health, organized focus and goal success.

If you are interested in starting your own business or side job please read through my posts for ideas, marketing tips, and more! I’ve recapped my BIPs (Business Idea Prompts) below. I will be adding more very soon! What is a BIP? Visit my intro page here

The first BIP – Love canning (as in food canning)? Want to make it a side job/extra income opportunity? You can! Click on the BIP link to see how!

Teach your talent – Most likely someone else wants to learn about a skill or talent you have; knitting, painting, paper making, welding art, gardening, gift basket arrangement, dancing, writing, foreign language, computer program training, poetry writing, jewelry making, etc. there is a countless number of talents needing to be shared in the world! So, why not teach yours?

Love finding a bargain and reselling it? Purchase and sell bargain items as a ‘yard/garage sale professional’. Items to sell can be found by attending auctions, sales, and consignment or thrift stores then reselling the items for a profit, but instead of just a one-time summer event, it can be done every weekend or a few times a month.

Enjoy events, having fun, and have a talent for entertaining? There is a growing demand for entertainment at children’s parties, family gatherings, and other events. Party planning can be costly and time consuming to start up, but focusing on entertaining alone, can be a very profitable business and fun.

Have a talent for organizing, love to run errands, or are you detailed oriented? Side jobs and full or part time businesses rely on finding customers willing to pay for their service(s). A major need, any time of year, is finding time for errands, chores, and other time demanding tasks while still balancing a regular life routine.

If you don’t find any of those BIPs an option and you are open to learning a new skill or enhancing an existing hobby/skill check out tutorial ideas and suggested learning here

Thank you again for reading and let me know if you have any questions, tips or ideas to share!

Have a great week!!!!

 

 

 

 

Inspiration board

This is a photo of my small inspiration board on the wall in front of my ‘inspirational space’. I put that in quotes because it’s simply a table in our what could be a dining room in our small apartment. It’s a bit chaotic, but so are my thoughts, so it works for me!

There is an article pinned to it in the upper corner; that article inspires daily! I even wrote “do what you love” on the pencil in the picture. The article is a short blurb and interview with Caroline Weaver. Ms. Weaver has no idea who I am; she has no reason to. I have never met her, never been in her shop, I live over 1,000 miles away, and I have never owned a pencil collection. So why does Ms. Weaver (Caroline) inspire me? It’s pretty much summed up in her blog link above; she is doing what she loves, even though she had fear and concern how she would be received. I think we all feel that way, but she did it anyway…she felt the fear…she accepted it and she made her dream (her passion) her reality now. I am always inspired by others who leap…she is a leaper and certainly inspiring!

I have a few mantras and quotes from others who inspire me that I try to remind myself of on days I can’t focus on my path or I question what I’m doing or how I’m going to do it. Caroline inspires me to leap without seeing the entire future and evaluating every outcome and reminds me that ‘doing and action’ can be scary, but oh so necessary and rewarding!

I hope you are inspired to leap….I hope you follow her leap despite fear…I hope I can inspire others. It’s a nice inspiring circle that I truly feel blessed to be circling around in!

What inspires you? What do you want to leap to? What scares you?